Effective Change Of Diet To Cure Seizures

If there is any disease that instills fear or anxiety in the observer, it is a seizure! The person experiencing the seizure engages in abnormal activity without being consciously aware of it. The person’s entire body may start shaking suddenly, he may clench his teeth tightly, froth at the mouth, experience a blackout, temporarily “stop breathing”, or lose control over the bladder. There are many other symptoms of seizures that may make you fall apart! Seizures are caused due to abnormal electrical activity in the brain and they are of many types.

Though there may not be diets prescribed for all types of seizures, a ketogenic diet has been prescribed for persons suffering from epileptic seizures. The diet works well for children, and now it is reported to be working for adults as well. A ketogenic diet is based on the principle that bio-ketones produce biochemical changes in the brain that result in improved seizure control.  A ketogenic diet has been recommended for persons who do not respond to other forms of seizure treatment.  The ketogenic diet consists of restricting carbohydrates to promote the usage of body fat as an energy resource by the brain. Though this may sound simple, this diet should be started and followed under the supervision of a ketogenic diet expert, as otherwise, it will lead to serious consequences.

Ketogenic Diet Principle

A ketogenic diet involves consumption of very less carbohydrates, adequate proteins and high fats.  Ideally, the fat to protein ratio is 4:1. Normally, the brain derives its energy from glucose obtained by metabolizing carbohydrates. 

However, as there is very less carbohydrate available in a ketogenic diet, the brain uses the next best option for its energy requirements- body fats. Fat metabolism releases fatty acids and ketones. The latter stabilizes the brain during a seizure and helps in lessening their intensity or preventing their occurrence. A ketogenic diet results in the release of a protein that alters the brain metabolism, resulting in seizure control.

Diet To Cure Seizures

Breakfast

You can gorge on a variety of cheeses while on a ketogenic diet as these are high in saturated fats and low in carbohydrates. Cheddar cheese, Provolone cheese, cream cheese, American cheese, gouda cheese, whole milk cheese, and Parmesan cheese are some of the cheeses that you can eat.

Cottage cheese is low in fat and, therefore avoidable.  Breads made of almond flour, acorn flour, or flaxseed flour can be eaten with the cheese, as these flours are low in carbs and high in polyunsaturated fats. Egg, which is high in protein, low in carbs and high in saturated fats, can also be included in your breakfast.

Lunch

Foods cooked in butter, coconut oil, lard or cocoa butter should be eaten, as these oils are high in unsaturated fats and low in carbohydrates. Chicken legs or chicken wings, goose, quail, turkey, bacon, ground beef, beef ribs, pork sausages and pork prosciutto are some of the foods that you can include in your diet.

Greek yogurt, whipped cream, sour cream can be included in your lunch menu, as these are high in saturated fats and low in carbohydrates. You can dress salads with creamy Caesar salad, which is high in polyunsaturated fats and low in carbohydrates. Avocados, which are rich in polyunsaturated fats and low in carbohydrates, can be included.

Snacks

Healthy snacking includes having nuts such as Macadamia nuts  (high in saturated fats and low in carbohydrates), brazilnuts, hazelnuts, pecans and walnuts, which are high in polyunsaturated fats and low in carbs.

Dinner

Dinner can include all the foods that are suggested for lunch. You could also have vegetables Arugula, Bok Choy, Asparagus, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Eggplant and endive which are low in carbs and moderate in fats.

Beverages

Whole milk products that are high in saturated fats can form the base of delicious beverages such as milkshakes.  Frozen whole milk products can be made without sugar with some fruit and served as dessert.

When eating high-fat foods, one should be cautious about the portions that he/she consumes, as that should not lead to accumulation of unnecessary fats in the body. The ketogenic diet which is planned by a reliable dietitian is best followed.