It has long been known that a person can achieve seizure control through diet. Fasting was even discussed in biblical times. In the Bible, it talks about how Jesus healed a boy with an unclean spirit. According to Mark 9:14-29, a man brought his child who was having seizures to see Jesus. The father described how his boy would convulse and become rigid and would foam at the mouth. The father told Jesus how he had asked the disciples to cast out the spirit that made him like that. After curing the boy, the disciples asked Jesus what he did that they hadn’t done to help the boy. Jesus replied that the spirit (or what was taking control of the boy) could only be cast out by prayer and fasting.
Regardless of whether a person reads the Bible or not, it is apparent that people have suffered from epilepsy for thousands of years. Even Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, made note of seizures and discussed how he felt they were a brain disorder and not some type of curse that others had suggested during that time.
The Ketogenic Diet Mimics Fasting
Jesus had the boy fast to get rid of his seizures. While the Ketogenic diet doesn’t use fasting, it does mimic how the metabolism works of a person who is fasting. On this diet, the body uses fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. No one knows for sure why this works, but many people have had success with using the Ketogenic diet. Some people have their seizures completely stop, while others find they have fewer seizures and don’t need as much medication. There are those who have no response to the diet at all, but as of yet research hasn’t shown why the diet works so well for some people and not for others.
If you or someone you love is suffering from seizures, it may be worth giving the diet a try. You should first talk with your doctor, who will likely have you get in touch with a registered dietician. The Ketogenic diet is very strict and it is important to have the right amount of fats, protein, and carbohydrates for best results.
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