I attended this event last week – it was held at Portcullis House just opposite Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.
I was invited to The All Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours, basically a meeting held to discuss brain tumours attended by various members of parliament, by the charity Brain Tumour Research.
During the last meeting, which I was unable to attend, Dr Wai Liu, who I went to see present at St Georges University last year, gave a presentation on Cannabis (minutes here). This time the main topic was the Ketogenic Diet.
The main speaker was Sue Wood from Matthews Friends (who was there with Matthews mum and founder of the charity Emma Williams) and she gave an excellent presentation on the likely reasons for why the diet might influence the development of brain tumours.
There were also first person perspectives from a medical professional and an extremely knowledgable researcher whom I had met previously, Andrew Scarborough. They both recounted compelling accounts of how they had used the Diet to manage their own brain tumours.
It was clear from the event that much more research needs to be done before the diet can be recommended clinically although there seemed to be a general consensus in the room that those diagnosed with a brain tumour should at least be given information on the potential benefits.
Through speaking to those involved with the diet as well as parents who have asked for my advice further to Williams progress, I would say that at best the situation is confused and at worst there are medical professionals who (extremely ignorantly in my opinion) vilify the very suggestion that such a diet should even be considered.
As mentioned above, further research is clearly needed although in my opinion patients should be given information on the potential benefits of such a diet on brain tumours and at the very least those who so vehemently oppose the diet should be properly educated.
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