Can a ketogenic diet meal plan help someone with epilepsy?

The ketogenic diet is recommended as an alternative treatment for patients with epilepsy, in particular children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, according to the Epilepsy Foundation. While the diet is also effective in adults, it is rarely prescribed because of the difficulty of following the diet.

Physicians may prescribe the ketogenic diet for patients who do not experience a reduction of seizures on medication, states the Epilepsy Foundation. Patients following the ketogenic diet consume 3 to 4 grams of fat for every gram of protein or carbohydrate that they consume. Half of all children on the ketogenic diet experience a 50 percent reduction of seizures, with up to 15 percent becoming seizure free.