Epilepsy Educational Webinars - Ketogenic Diet in Epilepsy

2 months ago

When

Monday, January 26th 2026 at 17:00 UTC

Eastern Mediterranean Region will present a webinar on the ketogenic diet for epilepsy treatment.

Speaker: Dr. Valentina De Giorgis (Italy)

Moderator: Dr. Omnia El-Rashidy (Egypt)

Organizer: ILAE-Eastern Mediterranean

FAQ Did you know?

Epilepsy Education Health Awareness Neurology

Where

Washington D.C., DC, USA

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Organizer

Row Global Health

ROW (Rest of World) works to improve the quality of training, diagnosis and treatment available to people living with epilepsy and associated psychiatric disorders in under-resourced areas of the world. We partner with other organizations to maximize impact in under-served areas, both domestically and internationally.

FAQ

What is the ketogenic diet and how can it help people with epilepsy?

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, adequate-protein diet that shifts the body to burn fat-derived ketones for energy. It has strong evidence—particularly for drug-resistant epilepsy in children and for some adults—to reduce seizure frequency and, in some cases, achieve seizure freedom. Benefits depend on individual factors and are best achieved under clinical supervision as part of a comprehensive epilepsy management plan.

Who is likely to benefit from the ketogenic diet and what are the main contraindications?

Candidates often include people (especially children) with drug‑resistant epilepsy or specific epilepsy syndromes known to respond to metabolic therapy. Contraindications include certain inborn errors of metabolism (for example, disorders of fatty acid oxidation or pyruvate carboxylase deficiency), uncontrolled illness, or inability to ensure medical follow-up. A multidisciplinary team (neurologist, metabolic specialist or dietitian) should evaluate suitability before starting.

If I'm attending the webinar and considering the diet, how can I prepare to be most effective?

Prepare a concise summary of the patient's history (age, seizure types/frequency, current antiseizure medications, previous treatments, recent lab results), bring a recent seizure diary or representative data, and list specific questions (e.g., monitoring schedule, food planning, transition steps). During the webinar use chat/Q&A to ask targeted questions, note recommended resources, and follow up with your clinical team about applicability to your case.

What medical monitoring and safety precautions should be in place when someone starts the ketogenic diet?

Monitoring typically includes baseline and periodic blood tests (lipids, electrolytes, liver and kidney function), growth and nutritional status in children, bone health assessment, and monitoring for side effects such as constipation, dehydration, hyperlipidemia, and kidney stones. Supplementation (multivitamin, calcium, vitamin D, and sometimes carnitine) may be needed. Care should be coordinated by clinicians experienced with ketogenic therapies and include emergency plans for breakthrough seizures or illness.

How can attendees and supporters amplify the impact of this webinar without making a donation?

Share the registration and recording links with patient groups, clinicians, and local health networks; organize local watch parties or follow-up discussion groups; translate or summarize key points for non-English speakers; volunteer to help set up clinician referral pathways or ketogenic program advocacy; and implement or distribute educational materials in clinics and schools to raise awareness and access to supervised ketogenic therapy.

Did you know?

High-quality reviews show the ketogenic diet can markedly reduce seizure frequency in many people with drug-resistant epilepsy, making it a proven treatment option to explore with your care team.

Cochrane Review — "Ketogenic diet and other dietary treatments for epilepsy": https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001903.pub3/full

Dietary therapies are not one-size-fits-all: options include the classic ketogenic diet, the Modified Atkins Diet and the Low Glycemic Index Treatment — some patients achieve similar seizure control with less restrictive plans.

Epilepsy Foundation — Dietary therapies overview (ketogenic diet, Modified Atkins, LGIT): https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/dietary-therapies/ketogenic-diet

While often started in children, evidence and systematic reviews show ketogenic therapies can also produce meaningful seizure reductions in adults with refractory epilepsy.

Keene DL. Systematic review of the use of the ketogenic diet in adult epilepsy (PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20563913/

Better outcomes and fewer complications occur when ketogenic treatments are delivered and monitored by a multidisciplinary team (neurologist, dietitian and nursing support) — learning how teams work can help you find safe local care.

International Ketogenic Diet Study Group — practical recommendations for clinical management: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1528-1167.2008.01765.x

Beyond seizure reduction, some people on ketogenic therapies report improved alertness, behavior and overall quality of life — understanding these potential benefits can motivate caregivers and patients to try evidence-based dietary options.

Epilepsy Foundation — Ketogenic diet: effects and considerations: https://www.epilepsy.com/learn/treating-seizures-and-epilepsy/dietary-therapies/ketogenic-diet

Education and training (webinars, clinics, caregiver programs) improve adherence and safety for dietary therapies — attending webinars is a practical first step to ask questions, learn monitoring needs, and connect with experienced teams.

NINDS Ketogenic Diet Fact Sheet and professional resources — guidance on implementation and monitoring: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/ketogenic-diet-fact-sheet; ILAE resources: https://www.ilae.org/