Question
How do the principles and effects of the ketogenic diet in treating refractory epilepsy work?
Answer
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and low-protein diet that has been shown to be effective for 50% of children with refractory epilepsy, with 30% of children experiencing a 90% reduction in seizures as a result. This is because the ketone bodies produced from fat breakdown have an inhibitory effect on epilepsy seizures. The ketogenic diet is primarily suitable for patients with refractory epilepsy or those who cannot tolerate medication side effects or surgery. It should be noted that if the patient or family members are unable to cooperate, the ketogenic diet should not be used for treatment, as it requires close collaboration between neurologists, nutritionists, and parents.