By: Aaliyah Ellison-McPeters
Importance of Nutrition
Adequate nutrition is important throughout all stages of life, spanning from pregnancy to childbirth and healthy aging. There are vitamins and minerals that are referred to as micronutrients
that are crucial for overall health and disease prevention. They include iron, folate, zinc, and vitamin
A, vitamin D, and iodine. Our bodies also require macronutrients like carbohydrates, fats, and
proteins, which are needed in larger amounts than micronutrients and help to create energy and
maintain the health of bodily structures and systems. Following general nutrition guidelines on
what is needed for the body daily to perform well and what habits to upkeep to promote healthy
aging are helpful practices. Organizations such as the USDA and CDC provide guidelines to
follow for promoting healthy lifestyles. Nutritionists are also helpful resources and provide
dietary guidelines that are tailored for you and your lifestyle while taking into consideration
medical history and environmental factors.
Brain Health and Hydration
The brain is a vital organ that needs a consistent supply of nutrients to function properly. Key
nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids are important for maintaining the structure and function of
brain cell membranes. These fatty acids also help maintain the function of neurons and have
characteristics that can protect the brain from damage. There are studies that show that
omega-3 fatty acids, specifically DHA, may decrease the frequency of seizures through
managing the activity of neurons and decreasing inflammation within the brain. Omega-3 fatty
acids are typically found in high concentrations within fatty fish such as salmon and sardines.
They are also found in walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds. B vitamins such as B6, B9, and B12
are needed for optimal brain health. They are great for the production of neurotransmitters and
also help with the synthesis of myelin, which acts as a protective barrier around nerve fibers.
Myelin sheaths also help with the transmission of neurotransmitters. Vitamin B6, in particular,
has been found to potentially cause seizures when the body is experiencing a deficiency. B
vitamins are typically found in whole grains, dark leafy greens, eggs, meat, and dairy products.
Water is needed for every cell within the human body. Proper hydration is important for brain
function, as it supports cognitive function and communication between neurons. The brain itself is about 75% water, and dehydration can disrupt neuron function and cognitive abilities.
Dehydration can also impair temperature regulation, which is needed for the brain to perform
optimally. This can cause headaches and dizziness, which can lead to an increase in seizure
frequency.
Ketogenic Diet
The ketogenic diet is a diet that is composed of high fat and low carbohydrate intake. It has
been widely studied for its potential to reduce seizures. The diet works through inducing the
body into a state of ketosis, which forces the body to use fat as its main energy source instead
of glucose. It is believed that this process can potentially stabilize the activity of brain cells,
which can lead to a reduction in seizure frequency. This diet involves prioritizing fats, such as oil
and butter over grits and grains. Protein intake is moderate, as the diet is specifically set up to
maintain ketosis. The common downside to this diet is the restrictions needed to maintain
ketosis and the possible nutrient deficiencies one could gain using this diet.
Resources
CDC. (2024, August 2). About Nutrition. Nutrition.
https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/php/about/index.html
Cena, H., & Calder, P. C. (2020). Defining a Healthy Diet: Evidence for the Role of
Contemporary Dietary Patterns in Health and Disease. Nutrients, 12(2).
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12020334
Lee, G., Lee, Y., Shin, H., Kang, K., Park, M., Kim, K., Kwon, O., & Lee, J. (2015). Seizures
Related to Vitamin B6 Deficiency in Adults. Journal of Epilepsy Research, 5(1), 23-24.
https://doi.org/10.14581/jer.15006
Meira, A., Romão, T. T., Krüger, L. T., & Paiva Pires, M. E. (2019). Ketogenic Diet and Epilepsy:
What We Know So Far. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00005
Sohouli MH, Razmpoosh E, Zarrati M, and Jaberzadeh S. The effect of omega-3 fatty acid
supplementation on seizure frequency in individuals with epilepsy: a systematic review and
meta-analysis. Nutr Neurosci. 2022 Nov;25(11):2421-2430. doi:
10.1080/1028415X.2021.1959100. Epub 2021 Jul 30. PMID: 34328397.
Stafstrom, C. E. (2004). Dietary Approaches to Epilepsy Treatment: Old and New Options on
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Verrotti, A., Iapadre, G., Francesco, L. D., Zagaroli, L., & Farello, G. (2020). Diet in the
Treatment of Epilepsy: What We Know So Far. Nutrients, 12(9).
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12092645
Zhang, J., Zhang, N., Du, S., He, H., Xu, Y., Cai, H., Guo, X., & Ma, G. (2018). The Effects of
Hydration Status on Cognitive Performances among Young Adults in Hebei, China: A
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