Happy Holidays!

As the Holiday season approaches so does the tendency to eat less healthy food (and more of it!) Although everyone is different, it’s important to recognize if certain foods cause a decrease in seizure threshold causing a spike in seizures. There are often patterns to watch for as well as evidence of trends for those living with epilepsy. I’ve listed and explained certain triggers to help you make wise decisions about your food choices this holiday season. While some people have reflex epilepsy and their seizures can be triggered by food or even the smell of certain foods, many of us living with epilepsy may not even realize the importance of our diet in controlling seizures. There is evidence that foods that cause a spike in blood sugar or cause rapid blood sugar fluctuations, could increase seizure risk for some people. I’ve also found (the hard way, sadly) that seizures are more likely to occur if I don’t start my meals with protein. Carbs, especially high sugar desserts, are also not helpful in seizure prevention if not consumed before protein. Alcohol and caffeine also alter brain chemistry and increase seizure risk. Caffeine (even in chocolate) is a nervous system stimulant that could over-excite the brain and lower the seizure threshold. Things as simple as food additives — think of dyes, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and MSG — can lead to an increase in seizure activity. By monitoring your diet and maybe keeping a journal of everything you eat ( MyFitnessPal works great!) you can better identify triggers in your diet. In my effort to be more proactive with seizure prevention, I had a hair analysis done to determine which foods I may be sensitive to and/or allergic to. It was great for pinpointing deficiencies. (such as calcium, magnesium, folic acid, etc.) The test required only a few strands of hair and (in 2023) only cost $50. *Many healthcare professionals don’t believe this test to be accurate and recommend skin pricks, blood tests, and elimination diets. You decide what is best for you! Another point to remember is the issue of taking medication on a full or empty stomach and how it may impact the levels of medications in your body. For my medications, I always eat something, however small it may be, to give my stomach something besides drugs to process. Some evidence suggests that certain kinds of food/drink may interact with AEDs. This includes grapefruits and other types of citrus, as well as soy and some supplements such as ginkgo Biloba and iron. Evidence also shows that both high fat (Keto) and low-fat diets may interact with some epilepsy medication and make it more or less available to speeding up the way your body metabolizes the medication. If this happens the drug becomes less effective, and seizures could increase. When taking carbamazepine, for example, the blood levels of the drug increase if taken with grapefruit juice (or some other citrus juices). This means you have a higher dosage of the medication than intended and could have seizures as a result. Some people say Topiramate (Topamax) changes the way food tastes. I have not had this experience, but it is something to consider when piling up your Holiday plate with new foods. You may have heard about a possible link between potassium rich foods like sweet potatoes, avocados, beans, bananas and seizures. Potassium is a mineral (often called electrolyte) that your body uses to work properly by helping to send electrical signals to the brain — kinda important!! Having too much potassium in the brain could be a seizure triggers as much as having low levels. I supplement my electrolyte intake with Propel powder I add to water to ensure I have enough potassium! If the food doesn’t do it for you, make sure to get some supplements!