Some Forms of Epilepsy Respond to Ketogenic Diet

By Jody Smith HERWriter

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Children who are subject to infantile spasms may do well on a high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet. Infantile spasms, which also goes by the name West syndrome, is a form of epilepsy that generally doesn't respond well to antiseizure medications.

If the seizures are allowed to continue, the children subject to infantile spasms are at great risk of brain damage. Consequently it's very important that the ketogenic diet should be introduced right away, if antiseizure medication has not proven effective.

This high fat, low carbohydrate ketogenic diet puts a stop to the shortcircuit that's been happening in the brain, and it puts a stop to the seizures. The ketogenic diet has shown good results for some other forms of epilepsy as well.

"Of the 104 children treated by the Hopkins team, nearly 40 percent, or 38 children, became seizure-free for at least six months after being on the diet for anywhere from just a few days to 20 months. Of the 38, 30 have remained so without a relapse for at least two years."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/189101.php

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We value and respect our HERWriters' experiences, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice, although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.