A seizure is the result of changes in electrical activity in the brain, with symptoms that range from rapid blinking or staring to loss of consciousness. The seizure can last a short time or several minutes. If you have suffered two or more seizures that cannot be explained by other medical conditions, you will be diagnosed. having a meeting The treatment of epilepsy varies, but the goal of treatment is the same as for the method – controlling the attacks. Medications seem to work best for controlling seizures, but there is some research that suggests diet may be just as helpful for seizure control. This article will provide you with some ideas for diets to try after discussing them with your doctor. This article does not constitute or replace medical advice.
Ketogenic-diet. A ketogenic diet has been shown to reduce seizures in some patients who have not been successful with drugs in controlling their seizures. Ketogenic diets have also been shown to be effective in treating seizures in children with epilepsy. A ketogenic diet contains a four to one ratio of fat combined protein and carbohydrates. That is, for every serving of protein and carbohydrates that you eat, you eat four servings of fat. This is done by excluding carbohydrate foods such as fruits, vegetables, bread, pasta, sugar, while increasing the consumption of foods high in fat such as Atkins Diet. The Atkins diet induces a ketogenic state , and some studies have shown that it has helped patients with medically resistant epilepsy. Atkins limit your carbohydrate diets to induce a state of ketosis, which then suppresses appetite. Atkins diet allows more protein and has fewer calorie restrictions than the ketogenic diet. (ketogenicdiet restricts the amount of calories to 75% of the recommended daily intake – Atkins has no calorie restriction.) Go to www .atkins.com for more information on the Atkins diet.
Low Glycemic Diet. glycemic diets are similar to the ketogenic diet, but less strict. There is research that suggests this form of alternative treatment may help your seizures. In fact, in one study, ten out of twenty patients with epilepsy who tried this diet had a greater than 90% reduction in seizures. To follow a low glycemic diet, you must eat carbohydrates that have a glycemic index below fifty. (Go to www.the-natural-path.com/glycemic-index.html for the glycemic index of some popular foods.) Reduce the total carbohydrates you consume to 40-60 gm/day, or less than 10% of your calories Divide the carbohydrates you eat throughout the day, and the proteins and fats in pairs. Get in 20-30% of your calories from protein and 60-70% of your calories from fat. Discuss this diet with your doctor before starting, especially if you have health concerns. The book Sugar Busters contains a good example of a low glycemic diet, and can be purchased at www.amazon.com. .
There is also some evidence that calorie restriction suppresses seizures, even independent of ketosis. Do not go on a restricted calorie diet to control your seizures without first discussing the diet with your doctor.
Source List:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1176347/
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=cognitive-behavioral
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ketogenic_diet
http://www.coping-with-epilepsy.com/index.php?p=low-glycemic-index-diet
http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/are-there-alternative-treatments
http://www.neurologyreviews.com/aug02/nr_aug02?epilepsyalt.htm
