Keto Diet for Epilepsy, Essay Example

Working Title

Effectiveness of Keto Diet in Helping Epileptic Patients.

Thesis Statement

The adherence to the Ketogenic diet by epileptic patients is likely to lead to more improvement to their health in the long run.

Introductory Rational

The usage of a ketogenic diet has been questioned for a long time, on its effectiveness in helping the epileptic individuals. The ketogenic diet is one of the many proposed treatment procedures for epileptic patients. Other theories have been used before, such as the fasting which was considered therapeutic (Cohen et al., 2018). The use of fasting together with the ketogenic diet is believed to lead to considerable improvement, by reducing the number of seizers experienced by the epileptic patients (Gildea, 2017). The procedure is however criticized and considered inapplicable in that, it has to be applied for at least six months. Most of the individuals, therefore, fail to follow the dietary procedures at around three months. The use of the diet is also associated with loss of weight which is an indicator of even more ailments. Research in the area of medication for the epileptic also noted that some appeared to have a myocardial infarction (Nei et al., 2014). The task attempts to understand the ketogenic diet, analyzing the possible benefits that outdo the perceived side effects on epileptic patients.

Supporting Claims with Evidence

According to Gildea 2017, the use of starvation has been useful in various avenues of medical care, and therapy. The method has been adopted by many practitioners, who later introduced the keto diet, consisting of low carbohydrates substitutes. Fats would replace the carbohydrates which are the energy giving foods as the source of energy for the body. The ketones in the body are capable of producing more energy as compared to the carbohydrates accumulated into the body. Therefore the application of the ketogenic diet helps in the production of more energy from burning of body fats which might have accumulated (Gildea, 2017). The energy produced by the ketones in the blood is of great significance to the individual’s brain thus minimizing the number of seizures. The children can quickly recover from epilepsy once the parent is consistent with the offering of the ketogenic diet. The adults, however, have to adhere to the medication for productive results continually.

According to Cohen et al. 2018, the adherence to “a ketogenic diet is beneficial in reducing central obesity and serum insulin in women, with ovarian or endometrial cancer.” The applicability of the finding is evident and realistic in that, the use of a ketogenic diet helps in mass loss due to the burning of body fat. The body, therefore, maintains a lean mass, which is a poor environment for the survival of cancerous cells. The cancer cells highly rely on carbohydrates to develop and multiply in the body, and once the energy comes from the ketones, it is only sufficient for brain function and simple metabolism (Cohen et al., 2018). The ketogenic diets eliminate the chances of high insulin production which also facilitates the breakdown of carbohydrates into energy. The cancerous cells are left to rely on the ketones for energy and their multiplication, which is practically impossible due to their great reliance on glucose which is now unavailable. The metabolism of the fatty acids which produce energy is more complex therefore making it hard for the cancer cells to develop (Cohen et al., 2018). The Ketones can thus be considered to have a lot of benefits to the body in eliminating some of the terminal diseases, in line with the treatment of epilepsy.

The study conducted by Heo et al. 2017, proves by a great deal that the ketogenic diet is of significant benefit in epileptic patients. The reason is that the epileptic individuals have continually consumed the anti-epileptic drugs, to the extent, where the concentration in the blood is very high, but with minimal changes on the patient. The application of the therapeutic mechanism of the keto diet, helps to a large extent, in reducing the concentration of the accumulated drugs from the serum (Heo et al. 2017). The number of seizure experienced also reduces to equal to or greater than 50 percent of the times (Amari et al., 2014). For the children, the diet was effective in eliminating the seizures. The pediatric patients received treatment using the ketogenic diet at Johns Hopkins also indicated improvement in their health status. The research finds, therefore, support the need for epileptic individuals to adhere to the ketogenic diet as a mode of the treatment procedure. The effectiveness can be felt for both the children and adults; thus they can be considered better than the antiepileptic drugs.

The costs associated with the purchase of anti-epileptic drugs are also very high compared to the ketogenic diet. The keto diet only consists of the high level of fats and adequate proteins, with low carbohydrates which can easily be accessible and affordable in daily routines. They also help reduce obesity and other diseases associated with the accumulation of sugars in the bodies, such as diabetes type 2. The body shape is maintained at a level where one can operate normally and at ease with the use of the ketogenic diet. There is no addiction or intoxication associated with the consumption of keto foods, unlike the consumption of anti-epileptic drugs. There are many reasons why the ketogenic diet is the only appropriate for individuals intending to manage epilepsy.

Counter Argument

There is however limited research that has been conducted in the field, proving the practicality of the adherence to the ketogenic diet. Majority of the patients only manage to confine themselves to the diet for only three months after which they unknowingly consume other carbohydrates. There are generally many cravings that the body has towards carbohydrates especially where they are withheld intentionally for medication purposes. The body, therefore, reverts to the epileptic nature. The experiments on animals have displayed the ability to prevent initiation of cancer, and the inhibition of tumors thus prolonging survival. The research is therefore minimal especially too human subjects, and there can only be assumptions on the effectiveness in eliminating epilepsy (Cohen et al., 2018). Other misconceptions include that the Keto diet leads to acidosis in the body which is the ambiance in the acidity of body fluids. The ability to contain cancer through the in the availability of ensuring is also questioned, because, carbohydrates can easily be transported across membranes. The individuals also evidently suffer from weight loss which is considered as a general body weakness

Concluding Rationale

There are more benefits associated with the ketogenic diet, which outweigh the misconceptions and the visible side effects. The benefits can effectively help the patients recover or minimize the number of seizures experienced. The practicality of the ability to adhere to the dieting procedure for a prolonged period is under questions, and there is minimal information about the possible implications. The treatment can, therefore, proceed as a mode of management of the epileptic condition for adults. The children, however, have higher chances of recovering, considering their level of development. The argument presented shows the need to try out the ketogenic diet for the better, not only for the epileptic patient but also in the prevention of other ailments.

Works Cited

Gildea, Martin. “The Ketogenic Diet: A Summary.” Nutritional Perspectives: Journal of the Council on Nutrition, vol. 40, no. 4, Oct. 2017, pp. 5–9. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=c8h&AN=125985364&site=eds-live

Heo, Kim & Chang. (2017)Effect of ketogenic diet and other dietary therapies on antiepileptic drug concentrations in patients with epilepsy DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.12578

Cohen, 1 Fontaine, Arend, Alvarez, Leath, Huh, Bevis, Kim, Straughn, Gower. (2018). A Ketogenic Diet Reduces Central Obesity and Serum Insulin in Women with Ovarian or Endometrial Cancer published online August 3, 2018; doi: https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/nxy119

Amari, Turner, Rubenstein, Miller. Kossoff. (2014). Exploring the relationship between preferences for high fat foods and efficacy of the ketogenic and modified Atkins diets among children with seizure disorders. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2014.11.0011059-1311/ 2014 British Epilepsy Association.

Nei, Ngo, Sirven, Sperling. (2014). Ketogenic diet in adolescents and adults with epilepsy.