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Monday 6 May 2019

Epilepsy - A Lifeline For Epileptic Patients - Matthew’s Friends


The charity Matthew’s Friends was set up by Emma Williams whose son Matthew got a great improvement in his epilepsy which did not respond to drugs but did respond to a ketogenic diet.

The charity aims to promote the ketogenic dietary option as an adjunct or alterative to drugs in children or adults whose epilepsy control is sub optimal. The hassle of following the diet often becomes much more preferable to facing a daily struggle with unpredictable and dangerous fits. 


The website, Matthew’s Friends#KetoKitchen You Tube channel gives free ketogenic recipes, demonstrations and tutorials, which can be a great help to those embarking on ketogenic or low carb diets, including many diabetics. 

Professor Helen Cross from Great Ormond Street Hospital writes:
Epilepsy affects 1% of all children, and in 25% of cases there are continued fits despite considerable effort with medication. This can affect physical and mental ability, learning and behaviour. This not only affects the child but their family.

The ketogenic diet has been used for almost one hundred years to treat epilepsy. There are different versions of the diet. The long chain triglyceride diet, the more liberal medium chain triglyceride diet, the modified Atkins and Low Glycaemic index diet. 

The best diet for an individual will be developed with the help of qualified and trained ketogenic dieticians in conjunction with the family. Such help is essential. In 60% of people who are resistant to anti-epileptic drugs, they respond, at least to some extent to a ketogenic diet. 

A three month trial of the ketogenic diet is advised to see if there is a response or not. In many cases, the response is so marked that medication can be stopped entirely. Obviously, direct clinical supervision is mandatory. 

Matthew’s Friends can advise parents or people who would like to improve their epilepsy and provide contacts and materials to get started on an appropriate ketogenic diet. They are always grateful for donations to further their work. 

You can find out more about this charity (which also has links in New Zealand and Canada) here 

The above was taken from a post by Dr Katharine Morrison on 'The Diabetes Diet blog … I thought it definitely one to share. 

All the best Jan

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I knew the diet was used for this purpose but I had no idea it has been used that many years. that's amazing! Such a worthy cause,

Valerie-Jael said...

This is great news. Valerie

Marfi-topia said...

I had no idea this was so helpful!!

Christine said...

Amazing what diet can do.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Epilepsy is so scary. I hope more is continued to be learned about prevention of fits. I did not realize diet can play such an important roll.

Anonymous said...

So helpful. I will pass this news to a friend with an epileptic daughter.

Tina

Sue said...

Diet really does effect everything doesn't it x

Elephant's Child said...

I am so glad it helps - in cases where help and hope seem to have gone.

Chris Lally said...

I'm sure so many people will benefit from this post :)

peppylady (Dora) said...

It amazing how diet effect us.
Coffee is on

Existe Sempre Um Lugar said...

Bom dia, a dieta descontrolada não resulta e pode causar problemas graves de saúde, a partilha informativa, é perfeita.
AG

Sami said...

What great news for epileptic children!
Thanks for the info Jan.

William Kendall said...

Thank you for pointing this out.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

What a wonderful cause and a super article, Jan.

baili said...

i used to witness epilepsy attacks on two women back in my native town and their family thought they were conjured
it was scary to view the way of treatment

thank you for the post ,this is useful for many people
blessings!

Debbie said...

an interesting and very personal post for me as i have seizures...thought to be connected to my having MS. they seem to be controlled, somewhat with medication, although i still have grand mal seizures very occasionally. the medication i take has "ugly" side effects, so i do not take it in the morning as i am suppose to, i only take it at night. i starting taking CBD oil a few weeks ago, for pain, but it has been documented that it has been helpful with seizures also! i often wish it would all just go away!!

Teresa said...

Muy interesante. Saludos.