Glut1 Deficiency Foundation
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About the Ketogenic Diet

A ketogenic diet is the standard of care for Glut1 Deficiency and is recommended as the first line treatment. The earlier that patients are treated, the better the outcomes.

There is currently no cure for Glut1 Deficiency.  Treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms by addressing what is thought to be the fundamental issue of Glut1 Deficiency – energy failure in the brain due to impaired glucose transport across the blood brain barrier.  The current standard of care is a medically supervised ketogenic diet.
The ketogenic diet is a high fat, moderate protein, and low carbohydrate diet that causes the body to produce and burn ketones for fuel in the absence of adequate glucose.  These ketones can act as an alternative fuel source, and the energy they provide along with possibly other benefits of ketosis can help alleviate some of the symptoms of Glut1 Deficiency and help supply better nourishment for the developing brain.

A ketogenic diet is also used as an effective treatment against seizures in the general epilepsy population, typically in children but increasingly also in adults.  In its general application, it is often used after 2-3 anticonvulsant medications have failed.  It is showing promise in helping other neurological conditions as well.

Medical ketogenic diets are carefully tailored to individual patients, have potential side effects, and should only be used under the care of medical professionals.  Ketogenic diets can help improve most symptoms associated with Glut1 Deficiency, but often do not completely control them. Other forms of treatment are currently under investigation by Glut1 Deficiency researchers, but as of now there are no other available treatments approved specifically to treat the underlying mechanisms of Glut1 Deficiency.

It can take some time for the full potential of the diet to take effect, and adjustments and modifications are sometimes required with the parameters of the diet (ratio, calories, protein levels, number and timing of meals, fat sources, etc.).  Anticonvulsant medications can often be reduced or discontinued, as they are generally not very effective in treating the seizures caused by Glut1 Deficiency because they do address the underlying disease mechanisms. However, it is not unusual for children with Glut1 Deficiency to remain on and benefit from a single anticonvulsant along with the diet.

Early diagnosis is vitally important so the diet can be initiated as soon as possible to help better preserve brain growth and development, and also to avoid often ineffective and potentially harmful medication trials and side effects.   Experts recommend continuing the diet as long as possible, and many patients continue to experience benefits from the diet even well into adulthood.

While the classical ketogenic diet (a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio) is the standard of care, especially for young patients with Glut1 Deficiency, other forms of the diet have been used by families with positive results – Modified Ketogenic Diet, MCT Diet, Modified Atkins Diet, and the Low Glycemic Index Diet.  These diets are slightly less restrictive so they may have particular advantages when there are compliance issues, but they all can produce varying levels of ketosis.
Additional Ketogenic Diet Resources:
  • The Ketogenic Diet for Glut1 Deficiency – best practices summary from Beth Zupec-Kania
  • 2018 Consensus Guide for Opitimal Clinical Management of Children Receiving Ketogenic Therapies
  • The Charlie Foundation
  • Matthew’s Friends
  • International League Against Epilepsy
  • Epilepsy Foundation
  • Ketogenic Diet India
  • The Keto Hope Foundation
  • The Daisy Garland​
find a ketogenic diet center - The Charlie Foundation
find a ketogenic diet center - The International League Against Epilepsy
  • Wiki Content​
  • School Lunch Assistance Program
  • KetoCook
  • Charlie Foundation Diet Comparison Chart
  • Charlie Foundation low carb products list
  • Emergency room protocols for ketogenic diet patients
  • KetoDietCalculator
  • Medication Carb Content List​​
  • Breastfeeding and the Ketogenic Diet
Ketogenic Diet Medical Foods
  • My KetoCal
  • KetoVie
  • Medica Nutrition
  • Vitaflo
  • Functional Formularies

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Glut1 Deficiency Foundation
PO Box 737 
Owingsville, KY 40360    
​info@G1DFoundation.org
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​​Resources and information on this website are not intended as medical care or advice.
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Copyright © 2021 Glut1 Deficiency Foundation
  • Home
  • About Glut1 Deficiency
    • What is Glut1 Deficiency?
    • Key Terms in Glut1 Deficiency
    • About the Ketogenic Diet
    • Newly Diagnosed
    • Research >
      • Research Compass
      • Research News
    • Patient Registry
    • Resources >
      • Resource List
      • Videos
      • The Patient Voice
      • Cognition and Learning
      • Family Recommended Specialists
      • COVID-19
      • Patient Stories >
        • Family Stories >
          • Share Your Story
      • Materiales en Español
      • Brochures
  • About G1DF
    • About the Foundation
    • Leadership Team
    • Medical Advisory Board
    • Scientific Advisory Board
    • Educational Events and Exhibits
    • Ways to Help
  • News
    • Glimpses | The G1DF Blog
    • Foundation Newsletters >
      • Summer 2022
      • Spring 2022
      • Winter 2022
      • Fall 2021
      • Summer 2021
      • Spring 2021
      • Winter 2021
      • Fall 2020
      • Summer 2020
      • Spring 2020
      • Winter 2020
      • Fall 2019
      • Summer 2019
      • Spring 2019
      • Winter 2019
      • Fall 2018
      • Summer 2018
      • Spring 2018
      • Winter 2018
      • Fall 2017
      • Summer 2017
      • Spring 2017
      • Winter 2017
  • Conferences and Events
    • 2022 Scientific and Family Conference
    • Conferences and Events
    • Glut1 Gatherings on Zoom
  • Get Involved
    • Family and Professional Networks
    • Volunteer Network
    • UTSW Surveys
    • Sign Up for Our Mailing List
    • Ways to Give
    • Shop to Support
    • Donate
    • Love Some1 with Glut1 >
      • 2022 Love Some1 with Glut1
    • Million Dollar Bike Ride
    • Fundraising >
      • Fundraising Help
      • Host a Fundraiser
  • Donate