Ketogenic Diet For Epilepsy

By: arpita

• Diet

July 16, 2010

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In the early 20th century, the ketogenic diet was a popular option for treating epilepsy. However, after the discovery of the anticonvulsant medications, the popularity of the ketogenic diet waned.

However, a series of studies in the 1990s has established the importance of diet in controlling seizures. Ketogenic diet is recommended along with medications for treating epilepsy. Studies have shown that 1 in 2 people with epilepsy have benefited from the ketogenic diet.

Ketogenic diet plan
Ketogenic diet has been inspired by the treatise of the ancient Greek physicians that epilepsy could be cured by fasting. People following the ketogenic diet should avoid carbohydrates. In this diet plan, carbohydrate as the main source of energy is replaced by fats. Glucose as a source of fuel is replaced with ketones, which are produced during metabolism of fats.

According to the classic ketogenic diet plan, an epilepsy patient should consume not more than 10 to 15 grams of carbohydrate per day. For every kilogram of body weight, one must consume one gram of protein.

Ketogenic diet for epilepsy treatment
To control epilepsy seizures, the patient should fast for an entire day. The fasting phase helps to deplete the carbohydrate reserve in the body. In the absence of carbohydrates, the body is forced to burn fats to obtain energy. After the 24-hour fast, the epileptic patient’s diet comprises of lean meat, eggs, poultry, dairy products, olive oil, butter, fruits and vegetables. Removal of grains from the diet increases the risk of nutrient deficiency. To prevent deficiency of nutrients, your dietician might ask you to take multivitamins and nutritional supplements.

Other benefits of ketogenic diet
The low carbohydrate, high protein and high fat diet is suitable for weight loss. Ketogenic diet is especially popular among bodybuilders. It promotes breakdown of fat reserves in the body, and stimulates formation of lean muscles. Cyclical ketogenic diet is a version of ketogenic diet designed for bodybuilders. The cyclical ketogenic diet is a low carbohydrate, high protein and high fat diet, which lasts for about five to six days per week. It is then followed by one to two days of high carbohydrate, high protein and low fat diet.

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