Sugar

[Daroswene]

I was wondering if a sudden change in diet, specifically a drop in sugars/ carbs, can cause an increase in seizures. It was the only thing I changed a few months back, but my family doctor said the body works itself out.

 

[masterjen]

I would say yes, esp. if it was very dramatic (ie. suddenly cutting virtually all carbs and sugars). When you suddenly cut back, for a while your body might have been (or still is) in frequent states of hypoglycemia, which is dangerous and is known to be a seizure trigger. If you exercise even just moderately, you need healthy carbs - it is what your body relies on for instant fuel during the exercise. No change in diet for anybody, let alone someone with medical conditions, should be sudden and/or dramatic as the body does need time to adjust. Just keep in mind that anything that might be regarded as a stress can be a seizure trigger, including something seemingly as minor as a sudden diet change.

 

[Nakamova]

:agree:

People with epilepsy can be extra-susceptible to physiological triggers, so best to play it safe (if possible) when changing things up in your diet, exercise routine, medications, etc.

 

[carolinet]

I went on a whole fruit and vegetable meal plan with my cheer team and it made everything worse at first because I cut everything out so quickly. But it got better about two weeks in and now everything is as normal as it usually is...which is lol not so normal.