## Medical Keto Diet Offers Hope for Children with Epilepsy, but Requires Careful Management
Los Angeles, CA – A specialized ketogenic diet is emerging as a powerful tool in managing epilepsy, particularly in children who haven’t responded too conventional medications.But navigating this highly restrictive eating plan demands close medical supervision to ensure safety and effectiveness, experts at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) emphasize.
Epilepsy affects an estimated 1 in 26 people globally, and for a meaningful subset-especially children with challenging-to-control seizures-medication isn’t enough. The medical ketogenic diet, distinct from popular fad diets, provides an option approach by drastically altering the body’s energy source.This therapy isn’t a swift fix; it requires a dedicated team,including neurologists and registered dietitians,to monitor patients and tailor the diet to individual needs.”We’re looking at blood work, monitoring for side effects, and ensuring your child is safe and getting the fuel they need,” explains CHLA dietitian Klier. The diet forces the body to burn fat for energy rather of carbohydrates, producing ketones which can have a stabilizing effect on brain activity.
Though, parents should be wary of products marketed as “keto-kind.” the term lacks standardized regulation, meaning manufacturers can apply it loosely. Many such foods contain ingredients unsuitable for a strict medical ketogenic diet, which requires precise macronutrient ratios.
CHLA’s clinical dietitians stress the importance of a balanced nutritional foundation, even while on the ketogenic diet. ”With epilepsy, nutrition plays an important role in giving your brain and gut the energy it needs,” Klier says. “We know that what we eat and what’s in our gut impacts our brain.”
Ultimately, a diverse intake of fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids from fish, and a variety of foods providing essential vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, and proteins is crucial for optimal brain and body function.
Families seeking more information about the ketogenic diet and epilepsy care can learn more about the Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at CHLA.