Purple Day for epilepsy

Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder, with the World Health Organization estimating prevalence at around 1% of the global population1. March 26 marks the ‘Purple Day for epilepsy’ an annual effort to increasing awareness about epilepsy worldwide. This time falling in the year marking 100 years of Ketogenic Diet as a valid option for difficult-to-treat epilepsy2.

Most patients with epilepsy respond well to anti-epileptic medication3. For the 30-40% of patients who do not respond4, the ketogenic diet may be recommended. Although its' mechanism is not yet fully understood, the ketogenic diet can offer an effective way to reduce the number of seizures or even lead to patients being seizure free5,6,7,8,9.

The first clinical data on the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in epilepsy was published in 1921. It has been recognized since as a valid option for difficult-to-treat epilepsy and used for the management of drug resistant epilepsy. Unfortunately, only 1 in 15 patients10 for whom anti-epileptic drugs don’t work, and who could benefit from this treatment option, are referred to it today.

At Nutricia we are striving to educate healthcare professionals on how medical ketogenic diet can help people with epilepsy whilst having a positive impact on their quality of life. To help administering this dietary regimen, Nutricia offers a wide range of specialized nutritional solutions that are being successfully used in medical ketogenic diet therapy.

Coco's story

For more information on how ketogenic diet can impact lives of patients living with epilepsy, watch Coco’s story, one of many patients living with epilepsy.

  1. The global Campaign against Epilepsy. Geneva. World health organization 2000. (Information pack for the launch of the Global Campain's Second Phase. 12-15 February2001). 
  2. Wilder, R M. The effect of ketonemia on the course of epilepsy. s.l. : Mayo Clinic Bull. 1921: 2: 307. 
  3. Stafstrom C et al. Epilepsy and the ketogenic diet. 2004. Humana Press. Totawa. 
  4. Kwan P et al. Early identification of refractory epilepsy. N Engl J Med 2000:342;314-319 
  5. Freeman J et al. The ketogenic diet: a treatment for epilepsy in children and others. 2007. 4th ed. Demos, New York. 
  6. Neal EG et al. Lancet Neurol 2008;7:500-506. 
  7. Keene DL. Ped Neurol. 2006;35(1):1-3. 
  8. Henderson GB et al. J Child Neurol 2006;21 (3):193-198. 
  9. Kossoff EH et al. Epilepsia 2009:febr50(2)304-317. 
  10.  Data on file

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