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Ketogenic Diet

Ketogenic Diet

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What is the Ketogenic Diet?

The Ketogenic Diet allows the body to stay in a constant state of ketosis. Ketosis occurs when the body converts from metabolizing primarily carbohydrates, to metabolizing fats. Ketones are the by products of fat metabolism. It is believed that this build-up of ketone bodies in the blood is responsible for seizure control in some patients, though the exact mechanism is unknown.

Ketone bodies in the blood have been linked to better seizure control for centuries. The first ketogenic diets were designed in the 1920's as drug therapies became more successful. It is now understood that the ketogenic diet can work as well, if not better, than some anti-epileptic medications in some patients.

Guidelines for the Ketogenic Diet:

The diet includes a large amount of fat compared to carbohydrates or protein. This means that each meal will include a small amount of protein (meat, egg, cheese, etc.), a small amount of carbohydrates (fruit or vegetable) and a larger amount of fat (heavy cream, butter, oil, mayonnaise, etc.). The diet can also be administered using a special formula for children requiring tube feeding. The diet is detailed and complex and requires a 4-5 day hospital admission to initiate.

Family commitment and regular follow up by a team of health care professionals specializing in the ketogenic diet is essential for the diet to be safe and successful. A more comprehensive description is available in the book The Ketogenic Diet: A Treatment for Epilepsy by John Freeman, M.D., Millicent Kelly, R.D. and Jennifer Freeman.


					Children's Hospital Boston is the primary pediatric teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School

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