Fewer seizures, more fear-free moments. Ketogenic diet a non-pharmacological treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy

Looking at joyful 12-year-old Olive riding a bicycle and 8-year-old Wojtek with skis under his arm, it's hard to believe that each of them suffers from epilepsy. These are children who enjoy life as their peers do, despite their illness, and their well-being inspires hope in their parents for a secure and normal future.

Epilepsy (otherwise known as epilepsy) is a chronic disorder of brain function and one of the most common diseases of the nervous system - about 300,000 people in Poland face it[1]. The first symptoms of the disease - in most patients appear before the age of 19, most of them already in infancy. Untreated epilepsy can lead to irreversible changes in the brain, in addition, untreated or inadequately treated patients are at increased risk of injury, progressive cognitive impairment, memory problems and mental disorders.

When drugs don't work

Epileptic seizures can usually be suppressed by pharmacotherapy. On the other hand, if, despite the proper use of two antiepileptic drug therapies, the number of seizures does not subside, it should be considered drug-resistant epilepsy. In such a situation, one solution may be the ketogenic diet as a non-pharmacological therapy. The earlier it is implemented, the higher the chance of positive treatment results.

The ketogenic diet is an established, internationally used, non-pharmacological treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy in children. It is a drug, not a diet, and should therefore be called "medical nutrition therapy." The ketogenic diet has been used for more than hundred years. Many epileptologists regard it as one of the most effective treatments for epilepsy drug-resistant, as it affects not only reduces the number of epileptic seizures, but also improves the functioning of children and, as a result, affects their development. Indeed, about 80% of patients using this method of therapy show improved concentration and learning abilities, better rehabilitation results, improved behavior and sleep. Meanwhile, about 30% of children treated with the ketogenic diet succeed in discontinuing previously used antiepileptic drugs or significantly reduce them - explains Dr. Magdalena Dudzinska, MD, head of the Pediatric Neurology Department at the ZSM in Chorzow.

Successful treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy is possible

The ketogenic diet is based on consuming the correct, strictly calculated amount of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. The attending physician determines the correct ketogenic ratio, that is, the appropriate proportion of fats to the sum of carbohydrates and proteins in the diet.

The primary source of energy in human nutrition is glucose. A ketogenic diet, on the other hand, mimics a state of the body similar to that which occurs during starvation. Fats become the source of energy, replacing glucose. In the liver, ketone bodies are formed, which are a source of energy for the brain. The increase in the concentration of ketone bodies is called ketosis. It is the achievement of this state that makes it possible to reduce epileptic seizures. At first, following the diet may seem difficult. Questions arise: will my child feel hunger? Will I be able to follow it and manage to adhere to its restrictive guidelines? As you gain experience and understand the principles of the ketogenic diet, its application becomes easier and easier. It should be emphasized that the ketogenic diet as a method of treatment can only be used under the close supervision of a doctor and nutritionist.

- None of Wojtek's drug treatments had any effect. Finally, the doctor suggested implementing the ketogenic diet. We decided to try it and we did not have to wait long for its effects. In fact, just a few days after its introduction, we noticed that the seizures began to stop. Wojtek has been on the ketogenic diet for more than three years. During the course of treatment, we modified the diet with the support of specialists so that the meals we take fully meet our son's energy needs. Now we compose meals on our own, of course, according to the calculations received from the nutritionist. Currently, Vojtuś does not have any seizures. He goes to the second grade of elementary school, plays with his peers, goes on class trips, and is independent. This is probably the greatest joy for us parents - to be able to watch him develop, says Malgorzata, mother of 8-year-old Wojtek

The effectiveness of the ketogenic diet is very high: more than half of the children treated with it see a reduction of more than 50% in the number of seizures, in one-third the seizure reduction is greater than 90%, and about 10-15% experience complete resolution of seizures[2].

- When Olive was 6 years old we decided to try ketogenic diet therapy. We started introducing the diet with the help of medical nutrition. As we gained experience under the supervision of a nutritionist, we began to prepare meals on our own. Preparing them required a lot of precision, meticulousness, many hours and patience, but the effects were visible after just a few days after the introduction of the diet. Olive began to function normally, smile, talk, walk and attend school. The seizures practically stopped, we observed a real breakthrough. Olive is very disciplined and responsible when it comes to nutrition - she understands what she can and cannot eat. She loves to dance and has learned to ride a bike. We lead a normal, happy life, we go on vacation, just like any other family," she says. says 12-year-old Olive's mother, Monika..

Ketogenic diet works not only for epilepsy treatment

The medical ketogenic diet is used not only in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, but also in selected metabolic defects, such as GLUT1 or PDHD.

My 11-year-old daughter Olive has been on a ketogenic diet since she was three years old. I introduced it because of a diagnosed metabolic disorder - pyruvate dehydrogenase deficit, which caused Olive to have problems with balance and logical thinking. The medications I was taking did not have the intended effect, while after the first month of the ketogenic diet I noticed an improvement in my daughter's functioning - her health improved and her seizures stopped. I have been on the diet for eight years, but I still try to diversify my meals, following the dietary recommendations. Every day I prepare various keto delicacies with Olive: cupcakes, pancakes and even pizza," explains Sylwia, mother of 11-year-old Olive.

[1] https://pacjent.gov.pl/jak-zyc-z-choroba/jak-zyc-z-padaczka

[2] Dudzinska M.: Ketogenic diet when antiepileptic drugs do not help. PZWL.2015.