Treat Epilepsy and Autism with Diet and Logic

A comment posted on this site really got under my skin this morning; so much in fact, I decided to blog about it, because information and attitudes like the one I'm referencing can spread negativity and inaccurate information like wildfire! There are two issues I have with this comment and they are equally important.

"Worthless" - this is what one person called the Ketogenic Diet that, let me say now, I do not use. This visitor further commented there is no double-blind placebo study on this diet and doing one is not necessary, since the diet is worthless. 

First, I want to mention what we all know on some level, and that is not one intervention works for every child. Beyond that, interventions that work for many children, also work to varying degrees, so what may cure one child, may only slightly benefit another.

This does not equate to an intervention being worthless.

I feel empathy for this visitor, especially if they have tried the Ketogenic Diet without success.  There are few things as exhausting as undertaking an intervention strategy and not seeing the results you hoped for. 

However, it is unfair, and a touch malicious, to declare an intervention worthless because, you may have just stopped another mother from trying something that could help her child.  I believe in saying things like they are, including whether or not an intervention works, but it should be done under the premise of "here is my personal experience..."

As for the research:

I'm not certain this visitor has a grasp of research like those who actually conduct it.  Double blind placebo studies are remarkable scientific tools- they are not the only method used to conduct research however! 

When it comes to diet, I don't think a double-blind placebo would work, since you have two groups of participants in these settings; one would be on the Ketogenic Diet and the other would think they were on the Ketogenic Diet.  Data would be collected and compared, and the results would then be analyzed and discussed. 

Hopefully you see that it would be difficult to have a placebo group in this situation, which is why the research that's out there is done by way of surveys or alike.

There is research out there in another fashion; one that fits this site well.  It's called a case study and I hope the visitor who posted the original comment, begins to research those. 

I also hope people stop and take a moment to understand that the research industry is, in fact, an industry; which means there are many dynamics in play that directly affect what is researched and why -

When it comes to dietary and nutritional interventions, I ask you this: who will make money if they are proven to work? The produce dealers in the grocery stores?

Someone pays for research. The federal government in the US gives money to drug companies, so they can research cures and treatments for us.  Great!  What happens from this point on is nothing short of a conspiracy of sorts, as the drug companies now control everything from this point on.

Additionally, when it comes to drugs, independent research cannot be conducted, because the drug companies own the chemical compound - so you can't research it without their blessings to say the least. There is a great book called the Prozac Backlash, and even though it was written in the 90's, the information about this industry remains the same.

As parents we have many obligations; to nurture our children, to raise our families and hopefully help others like us.  In doing this we must remember that our experiences need to be shared, but we need to respect everyone's individuality and educate ourselves before making gross statements that can impact other parent's choices.

What do you think?  Would you encourage others to not try an intervention or would you support their efforts, while sharing your own experience?