$75,000 for Ketogenic Diet Support Service for epilepsy sufferers
Published Thursday, 07 June, 2007 at 05:05 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
The Queensland Government will provide $75,000 to Epilepsy Queensland to establish a Ketogenic Diet Support Service, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson said Epilepsy Queensland will use the funding to employ a community-based dietician specialising in the ketogenic diet.
“This is an important health initiative that will help improve the lives of thousands of Queenslanders who suffer from epilepsy,” he said.
“Around 2,100 Queenslanders are diagnosed with epilepsy every year and while medication is helpful for most people, around 30% of sufferers do not achieve good seizure control.
“The ketogenic diet is used in the management of severe epilepsy syndromes, particularly in children.
“The diet is a medically supervised high-fat, adequate protein and low carbohydrate diet.
“The dietician will provide support to hospital-based dieticians across Queensland to help families who want to use the ketogenic diet.
“The dietician will also develop information resources to support families using the diet.”
Mr Robertson said the new service had the potential to bring substantial benefit to epilepsy patients and their families.
“Managing severe epilepsy syndromes can place considerable strain on sufferers and their carers,” he said.
“If we can help reduce or eliminate seizures, we can improve the quality of life for epilepsy sufferers.
“We can also reduce the risk of children experiencing further brain injury due to repeated, long seizures.
“In one study of 150 children, half of the children achieved a 50% decrease in their seizures after one year of the ketogenic diet.
“The service will be trialled for 12 months and if successful funding will be ongoing,” Mr Robertson said.
7 June, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said Epilepsy Queensland will use the funding to employ a community-based dietician specialising in the ketogenic diet.
“This is an important health initiative that will help improve the lives of thousands of Queenslanders who suffer from epilepsy,” he said.
“Around 2,100 Queenslanders are diagnosed with epilepsy every year and while medication is helpful for most people, around 30% of sufferers do not achieve good seizure control.
“The ketogenic diet is used in the management of severe epilepsy syndromes, particularly in children.
“The diet is a medically supervised high-fat, adequate protein and low carbohydrate diet.
“The dietician will provide support to hospital-based dieticians across Queensland to help families who want to use the ketogenic diet.
“The dietician will also develop information resources to support families using the diet.”
Mr Robertson said the new service had the potential to bring substantial benefit to epilepsy patients and their families.
“Managing severe epilepsy syndromes can place considerable strain on sufferers and their carers,” he said.
“If we can help reduce or eliminate seizures, we can improve the quality of life for epilepsy sufferers.
“We can also reduce the risk of children experiencing further brain injury due to repeated, long seizures.
“In one study of 150 children, half of the children achieved a 50% decrease in their seizures after one year of the ketogenic diet.
“The service will be trialled for 12 months and if successful funding will be ongoing,” Mr Robertson said.
7 June, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680