Ketogenic diet: helping prevent epileptic seizures

The ketogenic diet has gained popularity in recent years mainly because of its effectiveness in treating certain medical conditions, which include childhood epileptic disorders, where this diet is effectively used as a complementary treatment.

Recognising the symptoms of epilepsy in children is important; knowing how to manage them effectively is essential. In this article, we want to analyse the ketogenic diet in detail, understand what it is, what it consists of and why it can be a valuable aid against epileptic seizures, with a particular focus on recommended foods and foods to avoid in order to improve the quality of life of people living with epilepsy.

What is the ketogenic diet?

The ketogenic diet is a diet that involves a high intake of fats, moderate protein intake and reduced carbohydrate consumption. The aim of this diet is to induce a metabolic state called ketosis, in which the body, as a response to the low availability of glucose from carbohydrates, starts to burn fat as the main source of energy, thus producing substances known as ketone bodies.

What does it consist in?

The structure of the ketogenic diet is quite strict and is based on a precise macronutrient ratio:

  • fats: they make up about 70-75% of daily calories;
  • proteins: between 20 and 25% of calories;
  • carbohydrates: they are limited to 5-10% of total calories, corresponding to about 20-50 grams per day.

This drastic reduction in carbohydrates forces the body to find alternative sources of energy, leading to the intensive use of fats and, subsequently, to the production of ketone bodies. Therefore, ketosis is the state in which the body becomes extremely efficient at burning fat to produce energy, resulting in a range of metabolic benefits, including reducing seizures.1

Why is it useful against seizures?

The ketogenic diet has been used as a treatment for epilepsy since the 1920s, especially for patients, particularly children, who do not respond adequately to traditional antiepileptic drugs. The reduction in the number of epileptic seizures due to the ketogenic diet is mainly the result of the action of the ketone bodies on the brain. These substances provide an alternative source of energy to neurons, stabilising neuron activity and reducing the frequency and intensity of epileptic seizures.

Clinical studies have shown that a significant proportion of children with childhood epileptic disorders who are following the ketogenic diet experience a reduction in seizures, with some cases reporting a decrease of more than 50%2. It is important to stress that the diet should be followed under close medical supervision to avoid nutritional deficiencies or other side effects.

Recommended foods and foods to avoid

It is crucial that people suffering from epilepsy carefully follow dietary guidelines to maximise the benefits of the ketogenic diet. Some foods are particularly suitable, while others should be avoided as they could compromise the effectiveness of the diet.

Recommended Foods

The recommended foods include:

  • sources of healthy fats: coconut oil, olive oil, avocado, butter, nuts and seeds;
  • meat and oily fish: beef, pork, salmon, mackerel, tuna;
  • low-carbohydrate vegetables: spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, courgettes;
  • eggs: a good source of protein and fat;
  • Fatty cheeses and low-carbohydrate dairy products.

Foods to avoid

Foods that cause an increase in the number of epileptic seizures and should therefore be avoided include:

  • simple and complex carbohydrates: bread, pasta, rice, potatoes, refined sugars;
  • fruit rich in sugars: bananas, grapes, apples;
  • sugary and alcoholic drinks;
  • processed and packaged foods: they often contain high quantities of hidden carbohydrates.

In addition to food, it is essential to supplement the diet with neuroprotective nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in brain health, and with essential vitamins such as vitamin B6, vitamin D3, vitamin E and vitamin C, to ensure the nervous system functions correctly.

The ketogenic diet is a good option for the management of epileptic seizures, especially in cases of drug-resistant epilepsy. Because it can stabilise neuronal activity through ketosis, it can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of seizures, improving the quality of life of many patients.

References

  1. Efficacy of a ketogenic diet in resistant myoclonoastatic epilepsy: a French multicenter retrospective study, 2017
  2. Zhu D, Wang M, Wang J, et al. Ketogenic diet effects on neurobehavioral development of children with intractable epilepsy: a prospective study. Epilepsy Behav 2016; 55: 87-91