The chronicle neurological disorder called epilepsy occurs when the normal electrical activity associated with our brain gets disrupted. This can lead to repeated seizures, ranging from brief lapses to prolonged convulsions. The variable condition of epilepsy can be differentiated in its impact on people. More than 40 registered epileptic types have already been experienced by people till date. The categorization of seizures is determined by whether a partial or complete part of our brain is affected. Epilepsy has already incapacitated more than 50 million people worldwide and can stem out of an array of factors such as environmental, genetic and physiological causing functional changes in the brain.
- Finding A Cure
No known cure of epilepsy is existent presently, but certain medications popularized by the name of Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) have proved to be effective in tackling the same. About 70% of the people having epileptic condition use these drugs for gaining an edge over their health handicap. A certain sect of the patients tends to develop drug resistant epilepsy, making it necessary to seek out alternative treatment methods.
- Ketogenic Diet In Helping People Treat Epilepsy
The ketones produced in our body while following the ketogenic diet brings along anticonvulsant effects and reduces neuronal excitability occurring in the brain. Another group of researchers feels that the ketone bodies can impact certain excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, glutamate and GABA.
- Higher Ketone Levels In Treating Seizures
A direct correlation cannot always be found between seizure control and higher ketone levels in our body. An optimal level of ketone has not been classified till now, but it is a known fact that glucose infusion can cause the seizures to recur within an hour. The level of circulating fatty acids such as PUFAs in the body of patients as well as the neuroprotective role displayed generally by the ketone bodies also have a big role to play in regulating the anti-seizure effect.
- Effect of the diet on children
Ketogenic diet has been extensively used in children suffering from refractory epilepsy given its 50% positive response rate. The very first randomized controlled trial took place in 2008 for examining the effectiveness of the ketogenic diet on children as compared to a control group. The researchers analyzed data collected from 54 children following the ketogenic diet and 49 belonging to the control group. After the passage of 3 months, more than 50% improvement could be traced amongst 38% of the children on ketogenic diet as compared to just 6% belonging to the control group in terms of seizure reduction. Such statistics have led to physicians’ in recommending a ketogenic diet as an effective non-pharmacological treatment to cure intractable epilepsy.
- Effects of the diet on adults
The effect of a ketogenic diet is a lot more limited in adults, unlike children, with the biggest reason being perceived lack of compliance and tolerability in adults. This is why the less number of randomized controlled trials are being conducted on adults following keto diet as compared to children.
Conclusion
Medical practitioners usually prescribe the ketogenic diet for patients belonging to every age group who did not react positively to past medications. This diet has proven itself as a commendable therapy for usage, especially amongst children. Thus, if you have any loved one who is suffering from an epileptic condition then make sure to educate them about the goodness of ketogenic diet through consumption of best low carb protein powder available at KetoaHolics.com.
