Treating Epilepsy with a Keto Diet

Although ketogenic diets are a weight-loss fad, most dietitians wouldn’t recommend them for that purpose. However, keto diets have been used successfully for over a century to reduce seizures in children. More recently, they’ve shown themselves to be effective for nearly 60 percent of adults with drug-resistant epilepsy as well. Keto diets are heavy on fats but low on carbohydrates, which forces the body to use fat for energy instead of its default source, the glucose that it breaks down from carbs. Researchers aren’t sure why this metabolic change reduces seizures. If you’re considering giving the keto diet a try for this reason, don’t go it alone: You’ll need monitoring and coaching from medical professionals to implement it safely and effectively.