Ketogenic Diet Overview . The ketogenic diet (kd) is an effective nonpharmacological treatment used as an alternative not only for children but also for adults in the management of refractory epilepsy. The ketogenic diet (kd) has been found to be effective in reducing seizures in patients with the findings in the present overview contribute to a better understanding of the beneficial effects of kd in. A targeted ketogenic diet has one potential benefit over the standard ketogenic diet: A ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates (simple and complex sugars). Because the ketogenic diet has many variations—many of which are promoted in celebrity circles, fashion magazines, and online by fitness. The idea is for you to get more calories from protein and fat and less from carbohydrates. The ketogenic diet is based on the principle that by depleting the body of carbohydrates, which are its primary source of energy, you can force the body to burn fat for fuel, thereby maximi...