Diets That Assist With Epilepsy
Low-Carb Diet
Low-carb and ketogenic diets have been used therapeutically for epilepsy since the 1920s, with particularly strong evidence for drug-resistant epilepsy in children and adults. The diet can reduce seizure frequency by 50% or more in many patients, with some achieving complete seizure freedom. The metabolic shift to ketone utilization provides neuroprotective effects and stabilizes neuronal excitability.
Key foods: Fatty fish like salmon and mackerel, eggs, grass-fed butter, coconut oil, olive oil, avocados, leafy greens, nuts like macadamias
How does Low-Carb Diet assist with Epilepsy: When carbohydrates are severely restricted, the body produces ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) which serve as alternative brain fuel. Ketones stabilize neuronal membranes, enhance GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) activity, reduce glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter) signaling, and improve mitochondrial function in neurons. These mechanisms collectively raise the seizure threshold and reduce epileptiform activity.
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a clinically proven treatment for epilepsy, particularly drug-resistant epilepsy in children, with over 100 years of medical use. By forcing the body into ketosis, the diet produces ketone bodies that have direct anticonvulsant properties and stabilize neuronal excitability. Studies show 50-90% of patients experience significant seizure reduction, with some achieving complete seizure freedom.
Key foods: MCT oil and coconut oil (rapidly converted to ketones), fatty fish like salmon and sardines, grass-fed butter, avocados, eggs, macadamia nuts, full-fat cheese, olive oil
How does Ketogenic Diet assist with Epilepsy: Ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) alter brain metabolism by providing an alternative fuel source to glucose, which stabilizes neuronal membranes and reduces excitatory neurotransmission. The diet increases GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) production, reduces glutamate (excitatory neurotransmitter) activity, and improves mitochondrial function in brain cells, all of which contribute to reduced seizure frequency and severity.
Atkins Diet
The Atkins Diet, particularly in its modified form (Modified Atkins Diet or MAD), has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing seizure frequency in both children and adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. While not as restrictive as the classic ketogenic diet, it produces sufficient ketosis to provide neuroprotective effects. Studies show 30-50% of patients experience significant seizure reduction, with some achieving complete seizure freedom.
Key foods: Fatty fish like salmon, grass-fed beef with fat, butter and heavy cream, eggs, avocados, macadamia nuts, olive oil, coconut oil
How does Atkins Diet assist with Epilepsy: The diet induces mild to moderate ketosis, producing ketone bodies (beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetoacetate) that serve as alternative brain fuel and have direct anticonvulsant properties. Ketones stabilize neuronal membranes, enhance GABAergic inhibition, reduce glutamatergic excitation, improve mitochondrial function, and reduce oxidative stress in neurons, all of which contribute to reduced seizure susceptibility and frequency.