•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
At a scientific meeting in Nghe An, the Vietnamese Epilepsy Association updated medical staff on advances in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy, with the participation of 200 doctors, neurologists, and nutrition experts from medical facilities nationwide and internationally. The program featured leading experts including Professor Dr. Phan Viet Nga, President of the Vietnamese Epilepsy Association, and Professor Lim Kheng Seang, representative of the International League Against Epilepsy for the Asia-Pacific region.
Experts discussed updates in epilepsy diagnosis and current treatment approaches. Alongside drug therapy, non-pharmacological methods remain a key area of interest, particularly the ketogenic diet. According to scientific reports, the ketogenic diet has been used to treat epilepsy for more than 100 years, especially for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
The diet is structured with high fat, moderate protein, and very low carbohydrates, helping the body enter ketosis and influencing brain electrophysiology. Many studies cited by the speakers indicate that the ketogenic diet can reduce seizures by at least 50% in a substantial proportion of patients, including cases with complete seizure control. In adults, seizure reduction has been observed with varying rates depending on the model applied.
Speakers said the approach not only supports seizure control but may also help reduce medication doses or limit side effects during long-term treatment, potentially lowering the economic burden on patients.
Citing a study on nutritional status in 40 children with drug-resistant epilepsy treated at the National Children’s Hospital, Dr. Doan Ngoc Anh of the Department of Nutrition reported that after 12 weeks, 19.2% of patients became seizure-free and 38.5% achieved a 90–100% reduction in seizures. The intervention was also reported to improve the children’s nutritional status.
Beyond clinical updates, the meeting emphasized the need for structured guidance and close monitoring to help patients access and sustain the ketogenic diet effectively. Experts noted that building an appropriate, easy-to-apply, and palatable menu is important for long-term adherence.
Nutrition experts said the ketogenic diet can be implemented in three forms: meals prepared from regular foods; foods for special dietary uses; or medical foods in ready-to-drink form. The content provided at the meeting referenced KetoVie® 4:1 – vanilla flavor, a ready-to-drink medical nutrition product imported by Ajinomoto Vietnam from the United States in its original packaging.
Ajinomoto Vietnam said it has partnered with nutrition experts and the Nutrition Department at Children’s Hospital 2 to develop a keto menu designed to match the correct keto ratio while remaining palatable, drawing on more than 100 years of experience in AminoScience research and application and an understanding of Vietnamese culinary culture. The company described the menu as a reference for treating physicians, neurologists, nutritionists, patients, and families to help visualize the diet and support meal preparation.
The company also stated it offers free keto menu cooking classes for patients and their families with drug-resistant epilepsy, with sign-up information provided via “Fanpage: KetoVie – Accompanying epilepsy control” and phone number 024 3640 6688.
In addition, Ajinomoto Vietnam said it is implementing public health initiatives including the School Meals program, providing balanced menus for more than 4,400 elementary schools with 2.5 million students annually, and the Mother and Child Nutrition program, involving more than 22,000 medical staff and more than 2 million mothers accessing and using software to build balanced menus.
Organizers said the meeting aims to promote the application of advanced treatment methods in Vietnam, particularly for drug-resistant cases. The speakers highlighted that combining medical treatment with nutrition support—and strengthening collaboration across disciplines—can give patients more opportunities to control epilepsy and improve quality of life.
Premium gym chains are entering a “golden era” that is ending or already in decline, as rising operating costs collide with shifting consumer preferences toward more flexible, community-based ways to exercise. Long-term memberships are shrinking, margins are pressured by higher rents and facility expenses, and competition from smaller, more personalized…
