The Ketogenic Diet As A Treatment For Epilepsy

I’ve mentioned the ketogenic diet multiple times on this blog, as it’s an extremely popular form of treatment for seizures. But recently I realized that I haven’t actually created a comprehensive article on exactly what the ketogenic diet is, and how it helps those with epilepsy.

Today I’m going to remedy that, and discuss everything you need to know about the ketogenic diet as a treatment for epilepsy. So let’s jump right in…

What is the ketogenic diet?

The aim of the ketogenic diet is to keep carbs to a minimum and replace them with fat, in order to help the body go into ketosis. Ketosis is a metabolic state in which the body uses fat for energy rather than carbs and sugars.

Benefits associated with the ketogenic diet include the potential for weight loss, reduced PCOS symptoms, better brain function, improved heart health, less acne, and even reduced chances for some cancers…

But obviously, in this article I would like to put more emphasis on how the ketogenic diet benefits those with epilepsy in particular…

How can the ketogenic diet help those with epilepsy?

The role that the keto diet plays in reducing seizures isn’t fully understood, and experts are still trying to research the “why”. But we do know from various testimonies over the past hundred years… that the ketogenic diet can help treat seizures in some people!

In fact, if we’re getting into the statistics, then somewhere between 40-50% of kids that start the ketogenic diet will end up cutting their seizure activity in half. And 10-20% of children on the diet have achieved 90% seizure control!

Specifically, the ketogenic diet tends to be used the most when the patient in question…

Is a child, because it’s far easier for a child to be on the keto diet than an adult. However, people of any age may be able to control their seizures with keto if they can stick to it.

Or has drug-resistant epilepsy, meaning that traditional medications aren’t working.

What do you eat on a ketogenic diet?

So, now that we know just how helpful the ketogenic diet can be, let’s get into some of the things you can eat…

Meat and poultry
Fish and seafood
Eggs (eggs are definitely a staple of this diet)
Seeds, nuts, and berries
High fat veggies like avocados and olives
Leafy greens like kale, spinach, and lettuce
And olive oil, heavy cream, and butter

Ultimately, the aim of these foods is to help you consume about 3-4 grams of fat for every gram of protein/carbs that you eat. And because obtaining (and keeping up with) the right ratio is so important, it’s pivotal that each meal is evaluated and planned out. Because otherwise, it’s all too easy to slip out of ketosis and suffer more seizures as a result.

So as you can see, the ketogenic diet can be quite restrictive and it’s for this reason that many people can’t keep up with it. But if you’re struggling with seizures that can’t be controlled any other way, the diet may very well be worth it for you.

Additionally, there are some variations of the ketogenic diet that could make it easier to follow. And I plan on discussing them in another post. For now though, I just wanted you to get a good idea of what the classic diet looks like.

Is the ketogenic diet dangerous?

As with everything, there are some potential downsides to the ketogenic diet… Specifically if you stay on the diet for too long. Which is why many doctors will wean a patient off of the diet after a few years.

Some of these potential risks and downsides include…

Fatigue (especially when you’re first starting the diet)
Confusion, irritability, and mood swings
Constipation
Kidney stones
High cholesterol
Bone fractures due to a lack of bone density
Certain nutritional deficiencies (specifically if you aren’t careful about which foods you’re choosing)
Liver issues
Kidney issues
And even slowed growth in children

And of course, you’re going to be at a higher risk for a lot of these side effects if you execute keto incorrectly. Which is why you should always talk to your doctor throughout this process, and perhaps even consider help from a dietitian as well to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Conclusion

As you can see, there’s a lot of potential when it comes to the keto diet. And many people (who would’ve otherwise struggled to ever cut down on their seizures) have found success with it. So it's definitely an option that should be considered if your doctor thinks it could work for you.

But because of the lack of research, and the downsides… you need to be careful if you do try out this diet! And furthermore, more studies need to be conducted on this topic.