If you have epilepsy, you are diagnosed based on recurring epileptic seizures. A seizure is a kind of electrical misfiring in the brain--as many as 10 percent of the adult population will experience at least one seizure at some point. There are many different types of epilepsy, but most are controlled medically with anti-epileptic medications. As a supplement to regular medication, nutritional therapies and supplements may be helpful in managing your epilepsy. Before implementing any nutritional changes, consult your own doctor for individualized medical advice.
Nutritional Therapy
According to a report in the March 2007 issue of the journal "Alternative Medicine Review," nutritional therapy may be used as a complement to conventional medical treatment of epilepsy. Certain vitamins, minerals and micronutrients are believed to reduce seizure frequency in certain individuals--these include vitamins B6 and E, magnesium, manganese, taurine and omega-3 fatty acids. Thiamine may be used as a supplement to combat a seizure-related decline in cognitive function. Some supplements are used to combat deficiencies caused by anti-epileptic medications. These supplements include folic acid, vitamin D and L-carnitine.
Nutritional Scheduling
For some individuals with epilepsy, seizures may be caused by either low or high blood sugar levels. Low blood sugar, caused by fasting or infrequent eating, can lead to an increased seizure rate, according to the Jeanie Schottenstein Center for Advanced Torah Study for Women. If blood sugar levels affect your seizures, eating small frequent meals and snacks will help keep your blood sugar levels more constant. Avoiding refined sugar, or foods with a high glycemic index, will help avoid blood sugar spikes.
Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet is one of the possible dietary therapies in the treatment of epileptic seizures that are resistant to anti-epileptic medications. The ketogenic diet is usually implemented as a supplement to such medications, not as a replacement. This diet stimulates the production of ketones in your body, through a high-fat, low-carbohydrate and low-fluid diet. The June 2008 issue of the medical journal "The Lancet" carries a report of a study that found the ketogenic diet helpful in reducing the number of seizures experienced by a sample group of children with epilepsy; the diet reduced the number of seizures for approximately half of the children studied. The ketogenic diet should only be followed under direct medical supervision.
Atkins Diet
A modified version of the Atkins diet may also be used to manage epilepsy. The function of the diet is the same as the ketogenic diet--provoking your body to produce ketones may lower your seizure rate. The modified Atkins diet limits your daily consumption of calories and carbohydrates; unlike the ketogenic diet, overall fluid intake and protein consumption are not restricted. Both the modified Atkins diet and the ketogenic diet carry health risks associated with their high prescribed dietary intake of fat, especially saturated fats and cholesterol.
