Ketogenic Diet

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.