Does your child have epilepsy? Do you still have difficulty controlling your seizures even after taking the prescribed medications? If so, your doctor may have told you about this special diet. It's called the "keto diet," or the Keto Diet as many people know it. Today, we'll talk about what it is, how it works, and who it's for.
What is this keto diet for epilepsy?
Simply put, this is a special diet designed to control seizures. What happens is that we greatly reduce the amount of carbohydrates we give our child and instead give them more foods high in fats . Proteins are given in moderate amounts.
Usually in our country, we eat a lot of carbohydrate-rich foods like rice, bread, and potatoes. But this diet is completely different from that. If a doctor does not get the expected results from the medications he prescribes for seizures, he may recommend a special diet treatment like this.
What are the main types of keto diets?
There are several different types of keto diets, each with a slightly different approach. Your doctor will determine which type is best for your child.
| Keto diet type | Description |
|---|---|
| Classic Ketogenic Diet (CKD) | This is the first and strictest method. It is very high in fat, very low in carbohydrates, and moderate in protein. Every meal must be carefully planned, weighed, and measured. |
| Modified Atkins Diet (MAD) | This is a little more lenient than CKD. It's high in fat and low in carbohydrates, but there's no big limit on protein. But you have to be careful about the amount of carbohydrates you eat per day. |
| Low Glycemic Index Diet | In this, oil and protein are given in moderate amounts. When giving carbohydrates, they are selected to be absorbed slowly by the body (low glycemic index). |
Who should do this diet?
This comes as an option when seizures cannot be adequately controlled with medication alone.
- For children: Doctors generally recommend this keto diet most often for children of any age, including infants .
- For adults: Adults with epilepsy can also do this. However, since the food choices are very limited, it can be a bit difficult for adults to continue. That's why it's not very popular.
How does the keto diet work inside the body?
This is a very interesting thing. Think of our body as a car. Normally, this car runs on gasoline. That is, the energy we get from the carbohydrates we eat (like rice, bread, sugar).
On the keto diet, what we do is we reduce the amount of gasoline we consume. Then the car has to find another fuel to run on. So what does our body do? It starts burning the fat stored in the body and creating energy .
When you burn fat for energy in this way, a chemical called 'ketones' is produced in the body as a byproduct. When the level of these ketones in the body increases, we call that state ketosis . This state of ketosis is what helps control seizures.
So how does this reduce seizures?
Doctors are still researching this, but there are currently several accepted theories.
A seizure occurs when the neurons in the brain fire uncontrollably. This requires a lot of energy. In a state of ketosis, the way the brain uses energy changes. Some believe that this change reduces the amount of extra energy that the neurons receive to cause a seizure.
There is also a theory that changes in the beneficial bacteria in our gut caused by this diet help control seizures through chemical messengers ( neurotransmitters ) in the brain.
How do I start this diet?
Most importantly: If you're interested in this keto diet, you should talk to your doctor first. Never start something like this on your own.
Your doctor will do these things:
1. A complete medical examination: A complete physical examination will be performed to see if this diet is safe for you or your child.
2. Tests: If necessary, they will order blood and urine tests, scans, etc.
3. A seizure diary: You are told to write down things like the frequency and nature of your seizures in a diary.
4. See a dietitian: Since this is a very restrictive diet, you may be referred to a dietitian for advice on how to prepare your meals properly.
5. Hospitalization: Some children may need to be hospitalized for a few days when starting this diet. This is to ensure that the child's blood sugar levels and hydration are maintained.
How successful is this? Is there any risk?
The keto diet has long been proven to be a very effective treatment for epilepsy. Studies have shown that within three months of starting this diet, the number of seizures can be reduced by more than 50% . Some people have even experienced complete seizure freedom after following this diet.
However, results can vary from person to person, so it's very important to work closely with your doctor.
Risks and side effects of this
Even if this is successful, it is not without risks. While most people do not experience any major side effects, it is good to be aware of the potential risks.
| Type of side effect | Possible situations |
|---|---|
| Short-term |
|
| Long-term |
When do you need to talk to the doctor?
Be sure to call your doctor if any of the following occur:
- If your seizures increase or there is no change while on this diet.
- If you or your child has an allergic reaction to any of the foods in this meal.
- If you find it difficult to follow this diet plan exactly .
- If any of the side effects mentioned above occur and cause discomfort .
When we hear the word "diet," we think of something to lose weight. But the keto diet is much more than that. It is a medical treatment for epilepsy. So if you are interested in this, definitely talk to a doctor and do this only under his supervision.
Take-Home Message
- The keto diet is a medical treatment for epilepsy, not a regular diet for weight loss.
- Never start this on your own without medical advice. Always do it under the supervision of a doctor.
- This can be a very effective treatment for children whose seizures are difficult to control with medication alone.
- Along with the successful results of this diet, there is also a risk of short-term and long-term side effects.
- After starting treatment, it is imperative to go to the clinics at the scheduled times and get checked out as directed by the doctor.
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