Ketogenic Diet Meal Plan For Epilepsy

The ketogenic diet meal plan for epilepsy involves the consumption of a specially tailored high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet which has been designed to help to control the seizures experienced by some people who suffer from epilepsy.

Typically prescribed by a doctor and always carefully monitored, although sharing some similarities, it is far stricter than the modified Atkins diet, and requires the careful measurements of calories, fluids, and proteins.

What Does Ketogenic Actually Mean?

The term ‘ketogenic’ specifically means that ketones are being produced in the body (keto = ketone, genic = producing). The formation of ketones Ketogenic Diet Meal Plan For Epilepsy takes place when the body uses fat for its source of energy.

Usually the body uses carbohydrates (such as sugar, bread, pasta) for its fuel, but because the ketogenic diet is very low in carbohydrates, fats become the primary fuel instead.

Ketones are not dangerous. They can be detected in the urine, blood, and breath. Ketones are one of the more likely mechanisms of action of the diet; with higher ketone levels often leading to improved seizure control. However, there are many other theories for why the diet will work.

For more information regarding the medical management of a ketogenic diet meal plan for epilepsy, please check out the following video:

Ketogenic Dietary Study

The first and largest study of the ketogenic diet in adults was published in 1930 (1) but despite positive results it was almost 70 years before another study reported similar findings (2). Seven studies have since been published using either the classical ketogenic diet ( 3,4,5,6) or the more liberal modified Atkins diet ( 7,8,9) to treat adults with drug resistant seizures. A review of adult trials suggested that effectiveness in adults is similar to that reported in children, with around half the cases achieving a 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency (10, 11). Evidence from a Norwegian trial is keenly awaited as this will be the first randomised controlled trial to report in adults (12).

However, it is not just a change in the frequency, intensity and recovery from seizures that adults report; many also notice a marked improvement in their alertness, energy levels and wellbeing despite there being no changes in anticonvulsant doses.

The use of more liberal ‘modified’ ketogenic diets has made this therapy a far more practical possibility for adults and where oral feeding is a problem, specially formulated ketogenic tube feeds can be used. However, ketogenic therapy is not necessarily suitable for all adults for various medical, social or lifestyle reasons.

Following are some essential requirements to consider:

Ketogenic therapy is effectively an anticonvulsant in food form. It needs to be supervised by a neurologist and a dietitian and integrated into the medical treatment plan, alongside existing medications. It requires biochemical and neurological screening to ensure that there are no underlying conditions that would make a ketogenic trial hazardous. It also requires a range of baseline blood tests before starting and then repeated at regular intervals throughout the therapy to check that the liver and kidneys are working well and that there are no deficiencies in vitamins or minerals.
A ketogenic diet requires a considerable change in food choices; cooking meals from scratch (much of the time) and weighing or controlling food portions. Meals generally need to be made from simple raw ingredients so a willingness to cook or regular help from a willing family member or carer, is essential. Outside the home, the availability of keto- friendly meals and snacks is limited, therefore forward planning and the packing up of meals and snacks to take to work, college etc. is essential.
Ketogenic therapy requires careful monitoring and adjustment. This involves keeping accurate records of food intake, seizures, blood ketones (or urine ketones), blood glucose and body weight and sharing this information regularly with the managing ketogenic team. In this way, the impact of the diet can be tracked and the prescription adjusted to optimise control of seizure symptoms and manage any side effects if they arise.
Moral and practical support from friends, family and even work colleagues.

Please click on the following link for more information – https://www.matthewsfriends.org/keto-therapies/keto-therapies-for/epilepsy/

Contact Us

If you would like any more information regarding the Matthew’s Friends charity or regarding implementing an effective ketogenic diet meal plan for epilepsy, please either give us a call on Tel. No. 01342 836571 or contact us through our Facebook page and we will be happy to help if we can.