A diet rich in whipping cream, butter and vegetable oils can help control epileptic seizures in children, suggests a new study.
In the study, children on highly regimented ketogenic diet, a high-fat nutritional therapy, were found to have 90pct reduction in seizure frequency.
Childhood Epilepsy - Introduction
Childhood epilepsy is a common cause of neurological morbidity. However it represents only a symptom complex, the disease and the etiological process of which needs to be defined.
Childhood epilepsy is a common cause of neurological morbidity. However it represents only a symptom complex, the disease and the etiological process of which needs to be defined.
"This diet cannot be tried by parents without close medical management and follow-up," said Dr Mary L. Zupanc, professor of pediatrics and medical director of the pediatric epilepsy program.
"It requires careful metabolic monitoring and precise supplementation of missing nutrients.
Fits | Epilepsy | Convulsions - Causes Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
Fits or convulsions or Epilepsy is characterized by recurrent, involuntary seizures and is described as a chronic neurological disorder
The researchers studied 43 patients at Children's Hospital, between the ages of twelve months and 15 years, where majority of the children who responded to the diet had either a severe form of childhood epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or symptomatic generalized epilepsy.
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Epilepsy and Slides
Epilepsy is a medical condition where the brain cells fire abnormal electrical signals that physically manifests as a ‘Seizure’. There should be two or more seizures before the term epilepsy should be used.
Epilepsy is a medical condition where the brain cells fire abnormal electrical signals that physically manifests as a ‘Seizure’. There should be two or more seizures before the term epilepsy should be used.
The carbohydrate-restricted ketogenic diet also requires strong parental support.
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"The remaining calories are allocated to essential protein requirements from meat and fish, and secondarily to low-carbohydrate vegetables and fruit.
"The elimination of carbohydrate-rich foods such as simple sugars, bread, pasta, cereals grains and milk makes this diet difficult for many patients to follow," she added.
The study appeared journal Epilepsia.
Source-ANI
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