IS IT SAFE OR NOT FOR KIDS ???
In the recent years, interest in the use of the keto diet to help manage certain health conditions in children, including epilepsy and brain cancer, has increased.
While the keto diet is relatively safe for adults, this may not be the case for children and teens unless it’s prescribed by a health professional for medical reasons.
The ketogenic, or keto, diet is a very-low-carb, high-fat diet that has been shown to deliver several health benefits.
KETO DIET USES IN CHILDREN
Since the 1920s, the keto diet has been used to treat children and adolescents with refractory epilepsy - a seizure disorder. Epilepsy is defined as refractory when treatment with at least two traditional antiepileptic drugs has failed.
In several studies in children with this condition, following a keto diet decreased seizure frequency by up to 50%. The anti-seizure effects of the keto diet are thought to be the result of several factors:
(a) Enhanced energy metabolism
(b) Brain antioxidant effects
(c) Reduced brain excitability
Nearly all tumors depend on carbs (glucose) for energy. The keto diet has been said to starve tumor cells of the glucose they need, thus helping reduce tumor size when combined with other forms of treatment. This way of eating has also been used in conjunction with traditional chemotherapy to help treat certain types of brain cancer in adults and children.
Over the past 20 years, new versions of the keto diet have emerged, some of which are less restrictive yet provide many of the same ketogenic diet health benefits. This includes the modified Atkins diet. While the therapeutic keto diet restricts calories, carbs, and protein, the modified Atkins diet is more liberal when it comes to overall calories, fluids, and protein. This allows for more flexibility while offering similar benefits.
When implementing the keto diet to help manage epilepsy in children, a specific regimen is followed to ensure consistent results. The diet is typically administered under the supervision of a physician, registered nurse, and registered dietitian. Before starting the diet, a registered dietitian is consulted to determine the child’s nutritional needs and establish a meal plan. Traditionally, the diet comprises 90% fat, 6-8% protein, and 2-4% carbs.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS
The risk of side effects increases in children and adolescents, as their growing bodies are more susceptible. As with any diet that restricts one or more food groups, the keto diet may have certain side effects.
The main potential side effects associated with the keto diet in children are:
(a) Low blood sugar
(b) Impaired growth
(c) Elevated blood cholesterol levels
(d) Dehydration
(e) digestive issues, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation
(f) Vitamin and minerals deficiencies
Medical guidance is mandatory when the keto diet is used to help treat epilepsy or cancer in children and adolescents. Without it, the risk of serious side effects increases, outweighing any potential benefits.
FOR GROWING CHILDREN
During this crucial time, adequate nutrition is important. Overly restricting dietary intake of certain food or micronutrient groups, as is done with the keto diet, may impact growth and overall health.
Children are at a phase in their life in which they’re growing at an increased rate, as well as developing their food preferences.
Given the high rates of childhood obesity, many children may benefit from a reduced carb intake. However, the keto diet is too restrictive for the average healthy, growing child.
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