Epilepsy Explained

Epilepsy

The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.

Atkins Diet
Some epileptics have become seizure-free on the Atkins diet, which is similar to the ketogenic diet but is easier to follow, as it allows more protein and has fewer calorie restrictions.
Atkins Diet
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The Atkins diet is similar to the ketogenic diet, in that they are both high in fat and very low in carbohydrate. The Atkins diet, however, is easier to follow than the ketogenic diet, as it allows more liberal amounts of protein and has fewer calorie restrictions. Since the Atkins diet can produce ketosis, it has the potential to benefit people with epilepsy. In a preliminary study, three of six individuals with treatment-resistant epilepsy experienced marked improvement on the Atkins diet; two of these people became seizure-free.²⁴

Elimination Diet
Work with a knowledgeable professional to find out if eliminating certain foods reduces seizure frequency.
Elimination Diet
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Allergic reactions to food have been reported to trigger epileptic seizures in individual cases,²⁵^,26 some of which were proven with double-blind testing.²⁷ One report found people with epilepsy to have significantly more biochemical evidence of allergy than do non-epileptics.²⁸ A study of children who suffered from both epilepsy and migraine headaches found that a diet low in potential food allergens reduced seizures in the majority of cases; however, children who had epilepsy alone without migraines did not respond to the diet.²⁹ Another report confirmed that children who have epilepsy without migraines do not improve on a low-allergen diet.³⁰ Some doctors recommend that people with epilepsy and other allergic symptoms, such as asthma or hay fever, should be checked for food allergies that may be causing seizures.²⁷

Ketogenic Diet
To help reduce seizures in children, consult a specialist trained in initiating and supervising this special diet.
Ketogenic Diet
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The ketogenic diet was developed in the early twentieth century when few drug treatments for epilepsy were available; until recently, it had been used only when drug therapy was ineffective. The dietary approach was based on the observation that ketosis (increased blood levels of chemicals called ketones) is associated with reduction of seizures.³¹ Ketosis can be produced by a diet high in fat and very low in carbohydrate and protein. The ketogenic diet has been evaluated in several preliminary and a few controlled trials. According to a 1996 review, the ketogenic diet appears to be very effective in one-third to one-half of epilepsy cases in children, and partially effective in another one-third of cases.³²
Recent trials continue to support this success rate;³³^,34^,35 one preliminary trial demonstrated a 50% reduction in seizure activity in 71% of children in a group after 45 days on the diet. There is little research on the effects of the ketogenic diet in adults, but it may be effective in those who are able to comply with the strict dietary guidelines.³⁶^,37 The diet is usually initiated by fasting under close medical supervision, often in a hospital, followed by introduction of the diet and training of the family to ensure successful maintenance.
Possible side effects of the ketogenic diet include gastrointestinal upset, dehydration, anemia, low blood protein levels, high blood levels of fat and acidity, kidney stones, and signs of liver toxicity.³⁸^,32 Vitamin and mineral supplementation is necessary due to the many deficiencies of this unusual diet.⁴⁰ The ketogenic diet should not be attempted without the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Practical information about the ketogenic diet is available in recent texts ⁴¹ and articles,⁴² as well as on the Internet.⁴³