Epilepsy

Tia’s journey to seizure freedom

“She was having hundreds of seizures, every single day. 24/7 – all the time. The more and more seizures she was having, the greater the risk became of dying from her seizures. I don’t think she would be here today if we didn’t come onto the Keto-Diet.”

“It saved her life and it’s given me another chance to be a proper mum, because previously I felt more like a carer than a mum to my daughter.”

 

Curious to know more about how Keto Diet Therapy can support patients with drug-resistant epilepsy? Speak to your healthcare professional today.

Thanks to Keto Diet Therapy, Tia has now got a second chance. Today she’s happy and it’s all because of the diet.
Tia's mum, UK

Epilepsy and the role of the Keto-Diet

Derived from ancient Greek, the term “epilepsy” means etymologically “take by surprise”. Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the brain that affects around 50 million people worldwide1. Globally, an estimated 5 million people are diagnosed with epilepsy each year1 with the incidence is greatest in the first 2 years of life (56-88/100 000 children/y), a population that remains most at risk for neurodevelopmental compromise in the longer term2.

Drug-resistant epilepsy (or refractory) epilepsy is the failure of two or more appropriately chosen anti-seizure medications to achieve seizure freedom4.

Epilepsy is characterized by recurring seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized) and are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness1.
 

The different types of epilepsy management options available

The most common treatments for epilepsy are anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs), surgical procedures, seizure devices, and Ketogenic Diet Therapy3.

What is drug-resistant epilepsy?

Although the prognosis for most patients with epilepsy is good with up to 70% of people with epilepsy usually become seizure free when treated with epilepsy medication/anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). However, 30% do not experience seizure freedom despite appropriate therapy with anti-epileptic drugs1. Drug-resistant (or refractory) epilepsy is the failure of two or more appropriately chosen anti-seizure medications to achieve seizure freedom4.

Uncontrolled epilepsy can increase the risk of injury, hospital visits, depression, anxiety5.

30% of epilepsy patients do not experience seizure freedom despite appropriate therapy with anti-epileptic drugs1.

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How can Ketogenic Diet Therapy support seizure reduction in drug-resistant epilepsy?

Ketogenic Diet Therapy (KDT) is a high-fat, low carbohydrate, and moderate-protein diet that has been used for the dietary management of children and adults with drug-resistant (refractory epilepsy) for more than a century. International expert consensus guidelines for the ketogenic diet recommend that after 2-3 failed anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) KDT should be trialled6. The benefits of keto diet have been proven in clinical trials >50% of patients experienced >50% reduction in seizures after starting the diet.

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Given its efficacy, expert consensus guidelines recommend that KDT should be considered earlier as an option for epilepsy after 2-3 anti-seizure medications have failed to minimize or control seizures6.

Related articles

More patient stories

Her mum described the terrifying experience of ongoing, uncontrollable seizures, “Ella was having drop attacks in school at least four times a week where she would lose all control of her body. She would drop to the floor; she couldn’t walk, and she was unable to communicate effectively. It was very challenging. We felt like we couldn’t live life.”

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KetoCal Kitchen: Easy and delicios keto recipes

If you're looking to get inspired with keto recipes, why not try a delightful chocolate orange pudding?

More keto recipes available on this page.

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Quality of life in refractory epilepsy

Parents report on different epilepsy treatment options available to them, specifically on anti-epileptic-drugs (AEDs) and Ketogenic Diet Therapy (KDT) and their impact on the family’s quality of life. A survey with 52 families of children with drug resistant epilepsy living in the UK was conducted in 2018 to explore parent perspectives.

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Our Epilepsy products

The Nutricia products shown from this point onwards are intended for the nutritional management of diseases and related medical conditions and therefore should be used under medical supervision.

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  1. Epilepsy (who.int)
  2. Lyons L, Schoeler NE, Langan D, Cross JH. Use of ketogenic diet therapy in infants with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Epilepsia. 2020;61:1261–1281
  3. Epilepsy Treatment | Epilepsy Foundation
  4. Kwan P, Arzimanoglou A, Berg AT et al. Definition of drug-resistant epilepsy: consensus proposal by the ad hoc Task Force of the ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies, Epilepsia. 2010 Jun;51(6):1069-77
  5. Epilepsy Society (2018) ‘Risks with Epilepsy’, Available here (Accessed: 18th September 2018).
  6. Kossoff E, et al. Optimal Clinical Management of Children Receiving Dietary Therapies for Epilepsy: Updated Recommendations of the International Ketogenic Diet Study Group. Epilepsia Open. 2018;3(2):175-92.
  7. Martin-McGill KJ et al. Ketogenic diets for drug-resistant epilepsy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD001903. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001903.pub5

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