Living with drug-resistant epilepsy means finding ways to manage seizures when standard medications are not enough. New data shows that a ketogenic diet (KDT) can be an effective tool for patients of all ages. For children, about 37% may see their seizure frequency drop by at least half. Additionally, about 6 out of every 100 children might experience a much larger reduction, with seizures dropping by 90% or more.
For older patients, the results are also encouraging. The data shows that 16 more individuals per 100 adolescents and adults achieved at least a 50% reduction in seizures compared to standard care. While the evidence for these improvements is solid for children and teens, it is less certain for those over age 18.
Safety is a key concern when changing diets. For children, there were no significant differences in side effects compared to usual care. However, because fewer cases were reported for adults, the impact of the diet on older patients remains uncertain. While the results are promising, more research is needed to fully understand how these diets affect quality of life and behavior.
