The ketogenic diet is very high in fats, with some protein and a very small amount of carbohydrates. Children who have trouble controlling their seizures with medications may have the number of seizures reduced or eliminated when they follow this diet. Johns Hopkins Medicine says that the ketogenic diet may also reduce the number of seizures in adults.
Seizures
A seizure occurs when a brief electrical surge affects your brain. The seizures can last from a few seconds to a few minutes. You may lose consciousness, have convulsions, stare blankly, smack your lips, or have jerky arm and leg movements. According to the Epilepsy Foundation, almost 3 million people in the U.S. have epilepsy, a medical condition that produces seizures.
Ketogenic Diet
About 80 to 90 percent of the calories in a ketogenic diet come from fat. Carbohydrates are severely restricted and calories are limited, too, because fats are much higher in calories per gram of food. Without starches or sugars present in the diet, fat is converted to ketones, which are used as energy instead of glucose. No one knows why the ketogenic diet reduces the number of seizures in some people. It may help people with myoclonic, absence and atonic seizures and children with grand mal seizures.
Following a Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is very difficult to follow because fruits and vegetables are very limited and starchy foods are not allowed. According to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, people on this diet can consume foods such as eggs, meat, whipping cream, butter, bacon, oil, mayonnaise, cheese and hot dogs. Fruits, fruit juice, breads, cereals, vegetables, beans, milk, sugary soft drinks, snack foods and sweets are severely restricted.
Precautions
A physician needs to determine if a ketogenic diet should be attempted by a child or an adult. Children need to go to a hospital to start the diet so they can be closely monitored. A nutritionist or dietitian can determine the caloric need and help set up a diet and meal plan. If you or your child has seizures, you should speak to your physician before undertaking a ketogenic diet.
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