Ketogenic Diet for Epilepsy

The ketogenic diet, also known as “keto” was devised in the 1920s, and has shown signs of working well for seizure management. It’s now largely regarded as one of America’s hottest eating fads. ​The ketogenic diet is commonly used to treat people with untreated epilepsy. So what is a “keto” diet? Let’s find out!

Definition

The ketogenic diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat,  and “just enough” protein diet for development and maintenance. Typically, it is 3-4 grams of fat for each  gram of protein and carbohydrate. This means that around 90% of the daily calories are taken from fat, necessitating persons on a diet to eat predominantly fatty foods like butter and cream. 

Although it may sound insane, numerous inventive recipes make this a tasty method. The strict attention to food intake and overall calorie control distinguishes the conventional ketogenic diet from the modified Atkins diet.

The diet, which is heavy in fat and low in carbohydrates, works by altering how the brain obtains energy to function. Despite its lack of understanding, this diet has successfully reduced seizures in several individuals. 

How is Ketogenic Diet helpful for Epilepsy treatment? 

Some children with epilepsy can have multiple seizures per day, significantly limiting their quality of life and preventing them from engaging in school and other activities. Seizure control is the first step in assisting children with epilepsy to lead otherwise normal lives. When medication fails to work or the side effects are too severe to handle, the ketogenic diet may be suggested as a therapy option. Indeed, statistics suggest that it is frequently more beneficial than another new medication and frequently enhances alertness and behaviour.

According to an international expert panel’s consensus from 2008, the ketogenic diet must be prescribed to a child after two anticonvulsants have been used unsuccessfully. The diet must be initiated and maintained under the strict medical supervision of a skilled medical team that includes a nutritionist.

diet looks different for each child and is determined by various factors, including:

• The child’s age and weight
• What does the child and the family consume (kosher, halal, vegetarian, organic)?
• Dietary guidelines for children (the particular combination of fats, protein, and carbohydrates weighed out) The keto diet may not work for everyone, but it is appropriate for many patients.

The ketogenic diet may benefit all types of seizures and epileptic disorders. Infantile spasms, Dravet syndrome, myoclonic-astatic epilepsy, Doose syndrome, Rett syndrome, GLUT-1 deficiency, myoclonic-astatic epilepsy, migrational disorders, and tuberous sclerosis complex are some of the specific conditions that typically respond to the epilepsy diet.

Is keto the best diet for epilepsy?

Several studies have demonstrated that the ketogenic diet reduces or prevents seizures in several children, especially for those who could not manage it by pharmaceuticals or could not endure the adverse effects of their medications.

Over half of the youngsters who follow the diet had a 50% reduction in seizures. It may begin to help after just one week, but it may take many weeks to several months to determine whether it will be helpful. If the diet successfully manages seizures, it may continue for several years under the supervision of the child’s healthcare provider.

Why choose neuropedia for expert consultation?

Neuropedia has the best child neurologists or pediatric neurologists in Dubai. If your child is dealing with epilepsy, Neuropedia is the first comprehensive pediatric neurosciences centre which provides world-class expertise in neurological, psychological, behavioural and rehabilitative science.