The ketogenic diet is sometimes used to try and help children whose seizures cannot be reduced or stopped with epilepsy medicines. The diet is higher in fats and lower in carbohydrates than a typical diet.
The ketogenic diet should only be used under the supervision of a dietician who is an expert in the diet. This is because the balance of the diet needs to be carefully worked out for each child. Some children find the diet unpleasant and difficult to follow. Other children manage the diet very well.
Research suggests that for some children the diet can work well and reduce or stop seizures. The diet does not work for every child, and it is not possible to predict who the diet will help.
At present, the ketogenic diet is not used for adults with epilepsy in the UK. However, doctors are doing some research to see if this would be possible in the future.
For full and up-to-date information on the ketogenic diet, go to Matthew's Friends.
We can provide references and information on the source material we use to write our epilepsy advice and information pages. Please contact our Epilepsy Helpline by email at helpline@epilepsy.org.uk.
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Updated November 2011To be reviewed November 2013
Comments: read the 7 comments or add yours
Comments
I am an adult with uncontrolled epilepsy and tried every drug known to man.
I am 6 weeks into a Ketogenic diet and I havent had a single seizure for 3 weeks now!
I dont understand why this isnt used for adults when its clearly working for me!
To 'Georgia Denby'
My sister has epilepsy since a year and we tried different drugs some suit better than others but she has been very unwell as she gets very tired after some seizures.
Have u had any other seizure after starting ur diet?
Thank you in advance
I was using the Atikins diet to lose weight, and found it helped with seizure control by accident. In the US, doctors will sometimes put adults with epilepsy on what they call the "Modified Atkins Diet", it's lower in carbs and higher in fat than the typical Atkins diet, but not as strict as the official ketogenic diet. (You don't have to measure all the food.) While it's fun to have unlimited amounts of bacon and cheese, you do start to miss rice and bread. (But not the seizures!)
hi, my son (21) has poorly controlled epilepsy, no success with meds or vagral nerve stimulator and am wondering whether this diet would be any help. thanks
Hi
At present, the ketogenic diet is not used for adults with epilepsy in the UK. But Matthew's Friends have information on adult diets used to help adults with epilepsy. You will find this information using the dietary treatment tab on their home page.
If we can be of any more help, please feel free to contact us again, either by email or the Epilepsy Helpline freephone 0808 800 5050.
Regards
Diane Wallace
Advice and Information team
Hi, my son, who is an adult now, who`s epilepsy started in his teens,has for the past 26yrs, tried every available tablet to controll his epilepsy,which have modified the fits,and also his brain, and still having regular siezures, although not as severe can you please advice me on how to set about implimenting this diet
Hi Roz,
The ketogenic diet isn’t usually used for adults. But some adults use a modifield Atkins diet, and find it very helpful. You can see information about this on this link to the Matthew’s friends website.
Kathy
Advice and Information Team