EPILEPSY in the 21st CENTURY:
Ketogenic Diet

Actually one of the oldest effective treatments for epilepsy (since the 1920's), the Ketogenic Diet was largely ignored after the development of anti-convulsant medications. This is an extremely high-fat diet regime that puts the child's body into a state of "ketosis" which can sometimes control their seizures. >Dr. Rosalind Curtis, a pediatric neurologist and director of the largest Ketogenic Diet program in Canada, reported on her experience with the diet to date.

The Ketogenic Diet has already been used on over 100 children who are refractory to medications, with 30-35% of them becoming seizure free and 40% improving their seizure control. A child is also likely to be more alert on the diet. Side effects include renal stones.

According to Dr. Curtis, "Tomorrow is Today" for the Ketogenic Diet, as the diet is already generally accepted as a treatment option for the 15 ­ 20% of children with epilepsy that cannot be controlled by medication. The diet works best in young children and doesn't seem to work in adults. In the years ahead it will continue to be used for a very specialized group in intractable children who can tolerate the diet and its rigid regime.

For more information about the Ketogenic Diet, contact your local epilepsy association.

Alternative Therapies

Dr. Lila Georgevich, a neurologist with the Rouge Valley Health System in Toronto, reported on the “alternative therapies” for epilepsy, everything from biofeedback to marijuana. This is a vast area that needs its own newsletter. Click for our next issue!