Epilepsy Talk

Epilepsy fighting foods… | August 3, 2024

They say: “You are what you eat.” Not necessarily.

Here are some suggestions for sensible eating and supplementing your diet.

Of course everyone is different — with different needs — and on different meds.

But there are some rules that hold true…

For example, vitamin supplements such as Folic Acid can help deal with vitamin loss caused by medication.

People with epilepsy taking seizure medications seem to have more of a need for Calcium and Vitamin D to help keep healthy bones.

However, the all-star vitamin seems to be Vitamin B-6.

The good news is that it’s easy to get it in all kinds of different foods…fresh juicy fruits like apples, oranges, grapes, (especially grape juice), pineapples, peaches, pears and lemons…green leafy vegetables, carrots, peanuts, rice, milk, cereals, seeds, nuts and grain.

Now to break it all into bite-size pieces:

FOODS: Fish, lean meats, nuts, and poultry.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin B-3 (or Niacin). Improves circulation and is helpful for many brain-related disorders. It enhances the treatment of epilepsy when used with anticonvulsants.

FOODS: Broccoli, turnip greens, sunflower seeds and crimini mushrooms. Corn winter squash and strawberries.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin B-5 (Panothenic acid). The anti-stress vitamin.

FOODS: Protein rich foods like chicken, fish, beans, and nuts. Milk, rice, green leafy vegetables, peanuts, carrots and cereals.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin B-6. This vitamin is involved in critical functions of the nervous system. And it boosts the metabolism of various neurotransmitters which are needed for normal brain function.

FOODS: Liver, lentils, rice germ, brewer’s yeast, soy flour, and black-eyed peas. Navy beans, kidney beans, and lima beans. Peanuts, spinach, turnip greens., whole wheat, and asparagus.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin B-9 (Folic acid). Necessary for the health of the nervous system. (NOTE: Folic acid may be depleted during seizures and in some people with seizures. However, taking extra folic acid can reduce the effectiveness of anticonvulsant drugs and lead to more seizures. Take folic acid only under your doctor’s supervision.)

FOODS: Liver, beef, chicken, pork/ham, fish, whole eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin B-12. Needed for proper digestion, the formation of cells, and the production of myelin, the protective coating surrounding the nerves. Vitamin B12 helps prevent nerve damage and levels may be reduced by some anticonvulsant drugs.

FOODS: Citrus fruits, broccoli, tomatoes, red, orange and yellow peppers (more than green). Baked potatoes, papaya, mango and kiwi.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin C. Vital to functioning of the adrenal glands, which are the anti-stress glands.

FOODS: (Only a few foods naturally contain significant amounts of vitamin D, including;) fatty fish and fish oils. Lesser so (I know, I was surprised), dairy products made from milk such as cheese, yogurt, and ice cream.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin D. Low levels are associated with depression as well as epilepsy. However many doctors aren’t aware of this and don’t include it in blood tests. It’s called the “sun vitamin” since the most effective way (other than supplements) to get vitamin D is from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. But no long how much you sit out in the sun, it will never be enough!

FOODS: Meat, poultry, eggs, and fruits. Vegetables, (especially broccoli), almonds, canola oil, vegetable oils, wheat germ oil and cereals.
NUTRIENT: Vitamin E. The Canadian Journal of Neurological Science published a study showing that vitamin E deficiency produces seizures. This powerful antioxidant protects the body from damage by free radicals and aids circulation.

FOODS: Cheese, yogurt, milk, sardines. Dark leafy greens like spinach, kale, turnips, and collard greens. Fortified cereals such as Total, Raisin Bran, Corn Flakes, fortified orange juice and enriched breads, grains, and waffles.
NUTRIENT: Calcium. When balanced with magnesium, it helps prevents bone loss. However, you should know that calcium can interfere with anticonvulsant drugs and should only be taken under a doctor’s supervision.

FOODS: Nuts and seeds; including almonds, peanuts, cashews, and pumpkin seeds. Leafy greens like spinach, kale and swiss chard. Plus halibut, bananas, black beans, sea kelp, and basil.
NUTRIENT: Magnesium. Needed to balance with calcium. This mineral, when aligned correctly with calcium, achieves equilibrium for us all.

FOODS: Whole grains, leafy greens and legumes, nuts, and teas.
NUTRIENT: Manganese. Plays a significant role in cerebral function. Manganese (5 mg per day) levels are often low in people with epilepsy.

FOODS: Meat, especially, kidney, liver, and poultry. Broccoli, eggs, mushrooms, garlic, and onions. Brazil nuts, walnuts, sunflower seeds and wheat. Seafood such as tuna, crab and especially lobster!
NUTRIENT: Selenium. Found to significantly reduce seizures.

FOODS: Meat, eggs, seafood (especially oysters). Whole-grain cereals, wheat germ, nuts, and legumes.
NUTRIENT: Zinc. Needed for bone growth and is often deficient in those with epilepsy.

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Resources:

http://www.healingwithnutrition.com/edisease/epilepsy/pplan.html

https://www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/diet-and-nutrition#.WosuFqjwbD4

http://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/guide/are-there-alternative-treatments

https://lonestarneurology.net/blog/best-food-for-epilepsy/

https://www.livestrong.com/article/443254-what-foods-to-avoid-as-an-epileptic-patient/

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