About the Ketogenic Diet
A powerful medical tool for seizure control.
What Is the Ketogenic Diet?
The ketogenic diet (or "keto" for short) is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate, and moderate-protein diet that changes the way the body creates energy. Instead of using sugar (glucose) from carbohydrates, the body switches to burning fat for fuel, creating substances called ketones. For some individuals—especially those with drug-resistant epilepsy—this shift can help dramatically reduce seizures.
The ketogenic diet is not a trend or weight loss plan in this case. It’s a carefully managed medical therapy that must be supervised by a medical team.
Please note: The ketogenic diet should never be started without medical guidance. If you're considering this approach, talk to your neurologist or epilepsy specialist first.
Why Stella Uses the Ketogenic Diet
After trying several medications with little success, we worked with Stella’s care team to begin the medical ketogenic diet as a way to support her seizure control. For Stella, this isn’t just a diet—it’s one of her most powerful tools in her epilepsy treatment plan.
She is currently under medical supervision from the epilepsy team at UCLA, as well as working closely with Denise Potter, RDN, LDN from Advanced Ketogenic Therapies, who is one of the leading experts in this field. With their support, we have been able to adjust and tailor the diet to meet Stella’s specific needs.
Our Lifeline: The Charlie Foundation
We cannot talk about our keto journey without mentioning The Charlie Foundation. This organization has been an unbelievable resource for our family—offering recipes, tools, research, community support, and hope. Founded by a family whose son was saved by the ketogenic diet, the Charlie Foundation is now a global leader in promoting and educating about this therapy.
What to Know
This therapy is not one-size-fits-all. It requires lab monitoring, precise food measurement, and the guidance of a trained dietitian and medical team.
It can take time, patience, and ongoing adjustments, but for many kids with epilepsy—especially rare disorders like CDKL5—it can make a meaningful difference.
It isn’t a cure, but for Stella and many others, it is a life-improving treatment that gives her brain a better chance to thrive.
Want to Learn More?
Here are a few resources we recommend:
The Charlie Foundation – Our go-to source for keto education, recipes, and family support.
Advanced Ketogenic Therapies – Denise Potter’s professional site and services.
Epilepsy Foundation: Ketogenic Diet Info – Basic info and broader context for diet therapies in epilepsy.
Please note: The ketogenic diet should never be started without medical guidance. If you're considering this approach, talk to your neurologist or epilepsy specialist first.
