How Diet Plays a Role in Treating Epilepsy

Epilepsy affects millions of people, causing a variety of types of seizures for many reasons. Some forms of this illness can be worsened by dietary choices, so let’s examine why this happens and how to avoid it.

Electricity is more than just a form of energy we use to light rooms or run machines; it’s a primary way our bodies function. Electrical signals constantly run through our bodies, and when we talk about signals being sent to different parts of the body, this is how it’s being transmitted, especially when talking about our nervous system and the brain.

Neurological illnesses like epilepsy develop through misfirings of electrical activity in the brain, which has over 40 types and affects as many as 50 million people globally. The seizures commonly associated with this condition occur for several reasons, and in some types of epilepsy, diet can affect their frequency.

If you’re one of the millions struggling with epilepsy and you live in Norwood, Anderson, or Westside, Ohio, or Crestview Hills, Kentucky, our medical team at Riverhills Neuroscience is here to help you cope.

Understanding epilepsy

The disruptions in electrical brain activity epilepsy causes can result from other brain conditions, head trauma, infections, and family history. Described as “a brain disorder that causes repeated seizures” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), being an epileptic means more than just struggling with this neurological symptom.

A wide range of symptoms can result from the different types of this condition, including confusion, blackouts, fainting spells, sudden unresponsiveness, involuntary, repetitive motions, panic, anger, and rapid jerking movements.

How diet affects it

Food is not a commonly discussed factor in triggering seizures, but high amounts of caffeine, sugar, and alcohol raise the risk of struggling with an attack. Things you eat and drink that spike your glycemic index, high amounts of stimulants that can mess with medications and nervous system pathways, and alcoholic drinks that can interfere with medications all affect your risk.

Certain forms of this illness, like the different types of reflex epilepsy, can have seizures triggered by foods and drinks.

Dietary changes to reduce triggers

Healthier overall food choices can reduce your risk of seizures, but some basic dietary tips can help lower your chances and include things like:

Fruits and vegetables

The combination of antioxidants and high fiber in things like berries, citrus fruits, apples, peppers, peas, beans, cherries, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach, brussels sprouts, and kale can help lower seizure risk.

Proteins

A healthy intake of poultry, fish, eggs, red meat, dairy, tofu, nuts, and seeds can help lower the symptoms of epilepsy.

Healthy fats

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid foods have monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats that can lower bad cholesterol, reduce inflammation, lower dementia cognitive degeneration risk, and help with epilepsy. These can be found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), nuts, seeds, yogurt, avocados, tofu, olives, eggs, and various health oils.

Hydration

Dehydration also increases your risk of seizures, so getting plenty of fluids daily plays a vital role in preventing them.

Vitamins and minerals

Deficiencies of things like selenium, zinc, vitamin B complex and vitamin D can lead to problems with seizures, so consider supplements as recommended.

Epilepsy comes in many forms, can be caused by various triggers, and affects millions of people every day. But it can be controlled with methods such as dietary changes, medications, and treatments. Make an appointment with our team at Riverhills Neuroscience to find out what options will best help your issues with epilepsy.