Ketogenic Diet May Ease Epilepsy Symptoms, Swiss Experts Suggest

Alanbatnews -

The ketogenic diet, characterized by its high-fat and low-carbohydrate composition, may offer relief to individuals grappling with epilepsy, particularly those who have not responded adequately to traditional medications, according to the Swiss Epilepsy Association.

The diet operates by altering the brain's primary energy source, shifting it from glucose to ketone bodies, which are produced from fat. This metabolic shift can help stabilize electrical activity in the brain, potentially reducing the frequency of seizures.

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, which result from disturbances in the brain's electrical signals. The severity and symptoms of seizures can vary significantly from person to person.

The ketogenic diet involves drastically reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing fat consumption to 80-90% of daily calories, alongside a moderate amount of protein. This induces a state called "ketosis," where the liver produces ketone bodies as an alternative energy source.

The Epilepsy Foundation notes that these ketone bodies may stabilize electrical activity in the brain, decreasing seizure frequency, especially in children.

The Mayo Clinic indicates the ketogenic diet has been used since the 1920s to treat drug-resistant epilepsy and may lead to a notable reduction in seizures for some patients, and in some instances, halt them for extended periods.

Studies suggest the ketogenic diet may be effective for various types of seizures, including tonic-clonic, tonic, atonic, myoclonic, and tonic-clonic seizures.

A Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews analysis revealed that about half of children on the ketogenic diet experience a 50% or greater reduction in seizures.

The ketogenic diet is typically followed for up to two years under strict medical supervision due to potential side effects like digestive issues, vitamin deficiencies, or elevated blood lipids.

Experts emphasize that the diet should not replace medication unless advised by a doctor, and it is often used as an adjunct therapy for drug-resistant cases.