About the Diet

The ketogenic diet was originally developed and is still used to treat epilepsy, primarily in children.  Recently, more research into the diet suggests that it may be beneficial for Alzheimer's, brain tumors, and general brain trauma, among other ailments.  It is a diet very low in carbohydrate, low in protein, and very high in fat. 

Many people ask us how this diet works and why it is beneficial for brain tumors.  My simplified and layman's explanation from a synthesis of reading many articles and papers is this:

Cancer cells have metabolic defects in how they make energy, just like how they have defects that prevent their programmed death.  Normal cells are adaptable and can use many energy sources, but cancer cells run best on glucose (sugar/carb).  Fats can be converted to an energy source called 'ketones'  which many (though not all) normal cells in your body can use as an energy source.  The aim of the diet is run your body as much on ketones as possible and keep blood sugar low, making life as difficult as possible for the cancer cells.

You can learn more about this diet in the links provided on the right.  If you think this diet might be beneficial for you, you should consult your doctor and/or nutritionist before undertaking.  It is deficient in some important vitamins and not to be undertaken lightly!

Tristan is currently on 63 g fat, 24 g protein, and 3 g carb per meal for a 2.3:1 ratio and a 2.5 g carb dessert, so our meals typically reflect that.  Make sure to adjust recipes to suit your needs.

No comments:

Post a Comment