The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-protein and low-carbohydrate diet. Especially in children with epilepsy, the ketogenic diet, which has been successful in various epilepsy seizures, is also applied for a short period of time in people who enter the pause phase while losing weight. In the ketogenic diet; Stating that vitamin and mineral supplements should be made due to the restriction of fruits, vegetables, cereals and calcium-containing foods, Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özden Örkcü warns not to consume any food outside the diet menu and not to use any medication without consulting a doctor.
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Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özden Örkcü made important evaluations about the ketogenic diet.
What is ketogenic diet?
"Ketogenic diet is a type of diet that is especially adapted in children with epilepsy. Therefore, the most important issue to be emphasized is the success of the ketogenic diet on different types of epilepsy seizures that do not succeed with medications," said Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özden Örkcü,
"A study published in the Journal Lancet in 2009 found that in a group of 54 children, 40% (28 children) experienced a 50% reduction in the number of seizures with the diet. 5 of the 54 children recorded a 90 percent reduction in the number of seizures after starting the diet. All of these children had epilepsy that did not respond to medication; their disease did not improve with two different medications. In addition, it is a type of diet to be applied for a short period of time in resistant weight that enters the pause phase while losing weight without metabolic disorders."
It can be applied in the treatment of children with epilepsy!
"Ketogenic diet is not recommended for individuals with adult epilepsy," said Özden Örkcü,
"A ketogenic diet may be recommended as an additional treatment in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The diet is prepared in accordance with the age, height and weight of the child to meet the daily energy, protein and fluid requirements of each child. Epilepsies that are unresponsive to two or three drugs are defined as 'IDE'. If there is an epileptic focus that can be removed in IDE, epilepsy surgery is the best treatment; however, for children who do not have such a chance, a ketogenic diet may be the best treatment option. Before starting the ketogenic diet, the psychosocial readiness of the family should be determined. It should be made sure that the family understands their role while applying ketogenic diet to their child."
Vitamin and mineral supplements should be given
"While vitamins and minerals are sufficient in a balanced diet, since fruits, vegetables, cereals and foods containing calcium are restricted in the ketogenic diet, it is necessary to add vitamins and minerals," says Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özden Örkcü,
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"Calcium and vitamin D are low in the ketogenic diet and vitamin D levels are low in children with epilepsy; therefore, both vitamin D and calcium should be added. If zinc, copper, selenium and phosphorus are found to be low, they are added; if they are normal, they are given as standard multivitamins. Multivitamins without carbohydrates or with small amounts should be used."
What are the side effects that can be seen in ketogenic diet?
Özden Örkcü gave the following information about the side effects that can be seen in ketogenic diet:
- "Constipation,
-Bone resorption (osteoporosis),
-Acidosis (decrease in blood pH),
-High cholesterol
-Kidney stones
-Carnitine deficiency."
If you are on a ketogenic diet, pay attention to these warnings!
Üsküdar University NPISTANBUL Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özden Örkcü listed the important rules to be followed in ketogenic diet as follows:
1. "No food should be consumed outside the diet menu,
2.It is recommended to weigh the food for correct compliance with the quantities on the menu,
3.Remove all food from the dinner plate with a silicone spatula,
4. Meal times should be respected,
5. Care should be taken to consume the amount of fluid that should be taken daily,
6.Family members should not eat other food in the presence of the child,
7.No medication should be consumed without consulting a doctor,
8. Consumed products may contain hidden carbohydrates, label information should be read carefully and a nutritionist should be consulted."
