Epilepsy is a medical condition characterized by a recurring pattern of seizures. A seizure happens when electrical connections in your brain misfire, causing neurological symptoms that might include convulsions, jerking, sensory hallucinations or altered mental state. The typical medical treatment for epilepsy is anti-seizure medications, but some patients with epilepsy find that certain dietary interventions can help relieve some of the symptoms. A fluid-restricted diet is recommended in some cases for seizure control. Consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet or medication regimen.
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet has been used successfully for a limited number of patients with epileptic seizures who do not respond well to anti-seizure medication. Different variants of the ketogenic diet exist, but commonly this is a fluid-restricted diet. The aim of the ketogenic diet is "ketosis" or "ketogenesis" -- provoking your body to produce ketones. Ketones are created when fat is metabolized for energy and are believed to have an anti-seizure effect on the brain.
Function
Your body typically produces ketones from fat digestion when starvation conditions arise. The ketogenic diet provokes this physical response to starvation by strictly limiting your intake of carbohydrates, overall calories and, in some cases, fluid intake. The traditional ketogenic diet emphasizes consumption of heavy fats such as butter, mayonnaise and different oils. You should not attempt to follow a ketogenic diet without medical approval and supervision; the early stages of the ketogenic diet can be undertaken as a hospital inpatient so that sufficient medical supervision is provided.
Effectiveness
According to a 1997 article by Dr. Robert Fisher and Dr. Maslah Saul of Stanford Neurology, the ketogenic diet is not helpful for the majority of people with epilepsy. Since the early 20th century, the diet has been found most effective for children under the age of 12 whose seizures are unresponsive to conventional medical treatment. The diet is most effective for those patients who experience "drop" seizures. A study reported in the December 1999 issue of the journal "Epilepsia" indicates that the ketogenic diet might be helpful for some adults with intractable epilepsy.
Considerations
Fluid restriction can be a difficult dietary restriction to follow: When you get thirsty, it is difficult not to drink. Not all patients are able to tolerate this restrictive diet, and doctors Fisher and Saul indicate that the ketogenic diet is ineffective if followed partially. Potential negative side effects of this diet include heightened blood cholesterol and weakened bones. Constipation is another common side effect of the diet, and following the ketogenic diet might disrupt your menstrual cycle.
References
- "Overview of Epilepsy"; Robert Fisher, MD, Maslah Saul MD; 2010
- "Epilepsia"; The Ketogenic Diet for Intractable Epilepsy in Adults: Preliminary Results; J. Sirven et al; December 1999
- "Lancet Neurology"; The Ketogenic Diet for the Treatment of Childhood Epilepsy: a Randomised Controlled Trial; E.G. Neal, June 2008
