The Ketogenic Diet is designed to help control seizures. The diet is high in fat content but low in carbohydrates, and is a diet followed by a prescription from the doctor. Those who are on the ketogenic diet must visit their physician for monitoring on a regular basis. It is a very strict diet, and all of the calories, protein and fluid that is consumed must be measured.
What is the Ketogenic Diet?
The Keto Diet produces ketones. They form when fat is used as an energy source by the body. Rather than a high carbohydrate diet, the Ketogenic diet relies on fats to be the main source of fuel. With this step seizures can be better controlled.
This diet is recommended for use by children who have seizures non-responsive to seizure medications, children with Lennox-Gataut syndrome, focal seizures and sometimes for children with epilepsy. The diet is not recommended to be used by adults, however studies have shown that it can provide practically the same results as what it does for children.
Following the Ketogenic Diet
One of the reasons this diet is not recommended for use by adults is because it can be difficult to adhere to because of the many restrictions on foods that are eaten, and the quantity of them. The traditional Ketogenic diet calls for 3 to 4 grams of fat for each gram of protein and carbohydrate consumed. Approximately 100 calories needs to be consumed per 2.2 pound of body weight, and an additional 2 grams of protein per pound of body weight. It is only with the help of the doctor or registered dietician that such a restrictive and demanding diet can be properly executed.
The diet begins after a 24 hour fasting period has occurred. During this time the patient is closely monitored. Oftentimes it is done in a hospital. The next step is to increase the amount of calories being consumed. When on the ketogenic diet it is foods such as olive oil, canola oil, butter, mayonnaise and heavy whipped cream that provide the extra fat and proteins needed.
Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet
The Ketogenic Diet has been shown to significantly decrease the number of seizures that a child endured, and in many cases prevented them from occurring again. More than half of the children who go on the diet will have a 50% or greater reduction in the seizure episodes that they are experiencing. Around 20% of the children who follow the diet go on to live long, healthy and seizure-free lives.
After the ketogenic diet it is possible to stop or reduce the amount of seizure medication being taken, although it should not be completely discontinued. Being able to control the amount of medicine being taken is a blessing for any parent and child enduring this feat fay after day.
Disadvantages of the Ketogenic Diet
The Ketogenic Diet does have a few downfalls hidden in between its many benefits. The biggest is that it is a very demanding diet. Missing even one proper meal could cause all of the hard work to fail, so it is imperative that you are able to conquer this diet. When there are other kids in the house things become even more difficult.
A few side effects are also possible once this diet starts. This includes a feeling of sluggishness after starting the diet (which is part of the adaptation phase and usually passes within one to two weeks), kidney stones, constipation, weight gain and dehydration.
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