What is involved prior to commencing the ketogenic diet?Īll children require a referral from their neurologist or paediatrician to the Dietary Therapies for Epilipsy (DTE) Clinic for assessment of their suitability for treatment. Generally,Ĭhildren with myoclonic-atonic seizures, infantile spasms, Dravet syndrome and absence seizures are thought to respond best to the ketogenic diet. Assessment by a paediatric neurologist experienced in epilepsy management is a prerequisite. Ketogenic diets are generally only suitable for children with seizures that are poorly controlled with medication or those with Glucose Transporter Type 1 Deficiency Syndrome (GLUT 1 deficiency). All diet therapies for epilepsy must be medically supervised, requiring regular monitoring to help prevent potential side effects that may include nutritional deficiencies, poor growth, kidney stones, high cholesterol and others. Theseĭiffer from the ‘keto’ diet that is popular on social media.Ī ketogenic diet is not a "natural therapy". There are two types of ketogenic diet therapies offered at The Royal Children’s Hospital the Classical Ketogenic Diet (CKD) which is very low in carbohydrates, adequate in protein and high in fat and the Modified Atkins Diet (MAD) which is low in carbohydrates, moderate in protein and high in fat. The dietĭeliberately maintains this high level of ketones by a strictly calculated, individual regimen with rigid meal plans. This high ketone state (ketosis) decreases seizure activity in some circumstances by mechanisms which are not fully understood. In some ways, the diet mimics the body’s metabolic state during fasting or illness.
The brain can use ketones as an alternative source of energy. They involve a high fat and very low carbohydrate diet that ensures the body will mainly burn fat rather than carbohydrate and protein for energy, thus producing Ketogenic diets are strict, medically supervised diets that may be a treatment option for some infants and children with epilepsy. What is involved prior to commencing the ketogenic diet?.What are dietary therapies for epilepsy?.Bariatric or gastrointestinal surgery patients: Patients with limited digestive capacities should avoid the keto diet since fat is particularly difficult for the body to digest.People with a disordered eating history: As previously mentioned, the keto diet is extreme, and any type of diet that severely restricts or limits foods may perpetuate disordered eating thoughts.People with kidney issues: Those who are prone to kidney stones may want to avoid the keto diet due to the shifts in sodium, potassium and fluid balance.Children: Childhood is never a time for dieting, never mind an extreme diet like the ketogenic diet.According to a 2019 Cases in Nephrology article, breastfeeding is not the time to risk undernourishing yourself, as nutritional deficiencies and extreme weight loss may reduce milk supply and stunt infant growth. Pregnant and breastfeeding women: While research is in its infancy, early animal models in a 2020 study published in Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity suggest some of the metabolic changes that occur during ketosis that may impact fetal growth.