The keto, or ketogenic, diet is used in the treatment of epilepsy. The keto diet makes an epileptic child or adult burn fat instead of glucose and -- for unknown reasons -- reduces the occurrence of associated seizures, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. Those who follow the keto diet -- which mimics the effects of starvation -- get almost all of their calories from fat, states the Mayo Clinic. The keto diet should only be followed under the care of a medical team.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy, a disorder resulting from electrical brain signals, causes seizures that vary from blank stares into space to full-blown convulsions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms of this brain disorder include temporary confusion, uncontrollable jerking movements and -- in some cases -- complete loss of consciousness. Patients are diagnosed through electroencephalogram, or EEG, and magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. The Mayo Clinic states that though treatment usually begins with medicine, the ketogenic diet is also a viable option to treat epilepsy symptoms.
History
Since Biblical times, those with epilepsy have benefited from fasting, according to the Diet website. In 1921, Mayo Clinic doctor R. M. Wilder, developed a diet for epilepsy that simulated the effects of starvation. Wilder's diet was used until 1930 for epileptic children and adults; however, in 1938, the first anticonvulsant drug was introduced and interest in the keto diet waned, states the Diet website. Attention turned once again to this diet during the mid-1990s, when it was successfully used on a 2-year-old boy with epilepsy.
Effects
The high-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-protein keto diet, is designed to increase the production of ketone bodies in epileptics, reports the Diet website. Ketone bodies -- three compounds produced by the metabolism of fats -- are induced by this diet to create a state of ketosis, or a high level of ketones, in the body. Ketosis is thought to alleviate the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures.
Components
Epileptic children from the ages of 3 to 12 may be advised to eat a 1,500 calorie keto diet each day -- containing a ratio of four parts fats to one part protein and carbohydrate, reports the Diet website. Breakfast -- following the 4:1 ratio -- might include an egg, made with heavy whipping cream, bacon and an apple. Lunch might feature tuna salad with celery, mayonnaise and heavy whipping cream, along with lettuce, states the Diet website. A cheeseburger with lettuce and a side of green beans may be eaten for dinner.
Considerations
There are several considerations you should be aware of before beginning a keto diet for epilepsy. For instance, the Mayo Clinic reports that it is effective for only half of epileptic patients. However, the keto diet is considered very successful in one-third of those patients, according to The Medical News website. Current keto diet plans may be less restricted and similar to the Atkins diet or a low-glycemic index diet, according to the Mayo Clinic. In addition, a ketogenic diet -- considered medical nutrition therapy -- must be conducted by a team of medical specialists, such as a registered pediatric dietitian, a pediatric neurologist and a registered nurse.
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