Diet for Seizure Control

One of the most unfortunate myths of our time is that eating fat is unhealthy. But for a someone suffering with seizures, cutting fat out of your diet could be preventing you from getting relief. Most people get the majority of their calories from carbohydrates such as breads, flour, fruits, and sugar. Your body converts these carbohydrates into glucose, and your body's cell burn glucose for energy.

However, your body does not have to burn glucose. It is possible to get your body to burn fat instead of carbohydrates by eating a ketogenic diet. The Epilepsy Foundation states that a ketogenic diet can dramatically reduce the number and severity of seizures. While nobody knows for sure why ketogenic diets work so well, one theory is that the brain prefers the fuel provided by fat instead of glucose and functions more optimally when burning ketones, a byproduct of fat-burning. One of the most popular ketogenic diets is Dr. Atkins' low-carb diet.

With the help of your healthcare practitioner, you can give a ketogenic diet a try by picking up a copy of Dr. Atkins' New Diet Revolution and avoiding foods known to trigger seizures.

Things to avoid:
Sugars, caffeine, and processed wheat or corn flour. This means no juices except in very small amounts.
Foods that are old, canned, or processed.
Avoid anything that claims to be "low-fat" as the fat is usually replaced with sugars and artificial fillers which can cause flare-ups.
Avoid any form of MSG (monosodium glutamate) which is also called autolyzed yeast extract. MSG and its cousins have been implicated in a number of debilitating diseases.

Avoiding foods that can trigger seizures is only part of the battle. You also need to make sure you're putting good foods into your body that can help your brain function optimally.

Things to eat:
Leafy green vegetables like spinach and greens.
Supplement with essential vitamins like A, B-vitamins, C, D, and E.
High-quality meats, preferably without any preservatives or solutions (Publix deli meats do not have any preservatives and are very fresh).
Spices such as cinnamon, turmeric, and cloves. These spices are extremely potent antioxidants which can help reduce flare-ups. Cinnamon is also a very effective antiseptic.

Talk to your healthcare provider and come up with a ketogenic diet plan that will help control your seizures. Educate yourself on the safety and efficacy of low-carb ketogenic diets, and enjoy a life with more freedom from seizures!