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Nutricia® has developed the first nutritionally complete line of formulas to help with the dietary management of epilepsy and its symptoms. With KetoCal®, you get liquid and powder formulas with consistent ketogenic ratios, offering ease of use and peace of mind. This low-carbohydrate formula supports ketosis, a metabolic state that reduces seizure frequency, a key risk factor in epilepsy management.
A ketogenic diet may be an effective low-carbohydrate diet to treat epilepsy, especially in children with refractory epilepsy. This dietary approach forces the body to use fat as its primary energy source instead of carbohydrates, leading to the production of ketones—a metabolic state called ketosis.
Managing this diet with precisely calculated calorie and nutrient intake is essential, as improper adherence can lead to nutrient deficiencies. The ketones produced during ketosis help reduce seizure frequency and severity, addressing a key risk factor in epilepsy management.
Studies have shown that a key component in managing intractable or refractory epilepsy is achieving a state of ketosis. This occurs naturally when the human body begins to fast and the brain gets its energy from fat. These fats produce ketones. In a normal diet, the main source of energy is carbohydrates.
The effects of a low-carbohydrate diet as a treatment for epilepsy are supported by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showing a significant seizure reduction. This diet may help by providing foods which are high in fat and very low in carbohydrates, shifting the metabolism into a state called ketosis. Ketogenic therapy works by changing the way that the brain’s electrical impulses work, thus avoiding the symptoms commonly associated with intractable or refractory epilepsy.
However, it isn’t as simple as it sounds. A ketogenic ratio is precisely calculated and must be strictly followed. Managing the diet requires a careful calorie and nutrient balance to avoid nutrient deficiencies. A dietitian or doctor will calculate the exact amount of fat to carbohydrate and protein needed to reach a state of ketosis.
At least 50% of children with epilepsy that follow a supervised medical ketogenic diet show a 50% or greater reduction of symptoms. (Epilepsy Ontario)
Making sure you or your child get adequate nutrition while on a specialty diet as recommended by a healthcare professional can be a challenge. This is where KetoCal may help. KetoCal provides complete nutrition and can be used as the only food when necessary. Many patients on the keto diet are tube-fed, and KetoCal can be an easy way to provide the low-carb diet with a consistent ketogenic ratio and no mixing. For others, KetoCal® can be used as a supplement in addition to regular food.
When following a ketogenic therapy meal plan, which is a very-low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet in children, it may be difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals from foods high in saturated fat alone. Therefore, all products in the KetoCal family provide essential vitamin and mineral supplements to help ensure that nutritional needs are met. Whether used for tube feeding or as a supplement, KetoCal can help simplify the management of the diet and reduce the risk of nutrient deficiencies which affect body weight and overall health.
All KetoCal products should be used under the supervision of a healthcare professional.
We’ve created a range of formats that keep things simple
KetoCal® comes as a ready-to-drink liquid or an easy-to-prepare powder. It’s great anytime, but also for vacations and trips, or times when you don’t have easy access to a kitchen. And it’s an easy solution when the usual “ketogenic chef” is unavailable.
KetoCal® has consistent ketogenic ratios, meaning that you don’t have to worry if a person doesn’t finish their meal. The low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet is particularly effective in managing epilepsy by producing ketone bodies that support brain energy metabolism. KetoCal® is versatile and can be used in tube feeding, as a snack, at meal times, or in keto-friendly recipes. It makes life easier at work and on trips for adults, or at daycare, on school days, for babysitters, and during playdates for children!
While some may experience mild side effects known as “keto flu” when starting the diet, the proper macronutrient balance and vitamin and mineral supplements provided by KetoCal® help manage these effects and support overall body weight and health.
All our keto formulas can be administered with feeding tubes. The ketogenic diet typically involves a carefully controlled amount of carbohydrate intake, sufficient protein, and a high-fat macronutrient balance to maintain ketosis. Enteral ketogenic diets with KetoCal can be used with nasogastric (NG) tubes or gastrostomy tubes (G-tubes) and given with a syringe (bolus), by gravity, or with a feeding pump.
KetoCal has a number of advantages for tube-feeding:
A ketogenic diet helps with weight management and seizure control. Starting an enteral ketogenic diet must only be done under medical supervision. Check with your healthcare professional if KetoCal is for you.
KetoCal is indicated for the dietary management of refractory epilepsy and is intended for use under medical supervision. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if KetoCal is right for you.
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