Home More advice Food & Dining
Is there any specific food that I need not to eat when I'm epileptic,if somebody knows of this can you plis help me,and also tell what should I eat mostly?
It is very important that people with epilepsy eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet. Good nutritional habits and a healthy lifestyle are important in obtaining optimal seizure control. To avoid dietary deficiencies, a balanced diet with intake of adequate nutrients, including folic acid, calcium and magnesium should be followed (see Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating).
It is especially important for people with epilepsy to eat a well balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, protein, fats and carbohydrates. Too much or too little of certain chemicals can cause the seizure threshold to be lowered. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to control seizures may interfere with the body's ability to use certain nutrients, including vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, maganese and folic acid. AEDs may lead to the depletion of some vitamins and minerals more quickly than normal, thus affecting seizure control, growth or activity. While this problem often occurs with the use of most medications, it is usually mild and causes no harm. Those who are the most vulnerable to vitamin deficiencies include people on large doses of medication or multiple AEDs, the elderly, growing children, pregnant women, alcohol abusers, and those who follow poor dietary habits.
While some dietary problems can generally be avoided with proper diet, in some rare cases more serious problems may arise. (Anemia can result from severe folic acid deficiency. Weak bones are related to inadequate amounts of vitamin D.) Vitamin supplements can be prescribed by your physician when necessary. Self diagnosis of vitamin deficiencies is discouraged as self-prescribed megavitamin therapy may in fact be harmful. (Excessive folic acid intake may actually decrease seizure control.)
Not only is a well balanced diet important, but also is eating regular meals at regular intervals. Some people find that when meals are missed or taken irregularly, seizure frequency tends to increase. This may be due to a drop in blood sugar levels. Regular, moderate meals help to regulate blood sugar levels.
Alcohol, caffeine, aspartame and tobacco may potentially trigger seizures and should be considered as drugs. When used frequently, alcohol may interfere with anticonvulants and may lower the seizure threshold. Alcohol consumption can cause seizures, not during intoxication, but usually several hours or days afterwards, when the person is no longer intoxicated.
Suggestions for Better Eating Habits :-
Recommended Foods
Non-starchy vegetables - cabbage, broccoli - zucchini, cucumbers - string beans - mushrooms - peppers - spinach, lettuce, etc.
Foods that supply at least the recommended amounts of calcium, magnesium, vitamin B and manganese - dairy products - fish - meats - whole grains - fruits - vegetables
Foods which are high in starch (Eat moderately.) - noodles (whole grain) - cereals (whole grain) - unpolished (brown) rice - corn - bread (whole grain) - potatoes
Note: Cooking fruits and vegetables destroys nutrients, so try to eat some raw vegetables and fruits.
Foods to Avoid in Excess:
http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/epilepsy.htm
If your seizures are caused by food, then that would be an allergic reaction. My late husband had 1000's of seizures. Food had nothing to do with it, although a cool glass water made him feel better afterward.
Epilepsy simply means nobody knows exactly what causes your seizures. If they were caused by a brain tumor, doctors would say you have a tumor and would not call it epilepsy. Silly doctors.
