Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that may affect any age group. It is characterized by a seizure that is a sudden electrical activity of the brain. A seizure may be a loss of completes awareness or uncontrolled movements.
There are various causes of epilepsy some of them include brain injury, lack of oxygen to the brain, stroke, high fever or infectious diseases.Those with
Alzheimer’s diseases are often a risk of encountering epileptic seizures.The most common method of treatment is adopting a ketogenic diet i.e., a diet low in carbohydrates, and that provides a good source of energy from ketones stored in the body. Anti-epileptic drugs and brain surgery may also be recommended in some severe cases.
Research says supplementation of coconut oil in the ketogenic diet can prove to be beneficial in the treatment of symptoms relieving patients with epilepsy.
Benefits of Coconut Oil for Epilepsy
1. Coconut oil helps Control Seizures
Epileptic seizures are abnormal movements or behaviour collectively termed as epilepsy. They may occur in the form of uncontrolled movement or complete loss of awareness.
Ketogenic diets are low carbohydrate diets with a good amount of energy and have health benefits too. Ketogenic diets are a popular method of treatment for epilepsy. Coconut oil contains medium chain fatty acids and hence when added to the ketogenic diet that can help control seizures.
A study published in Neuropharmacology in 2013 evaluated benefits of medium chain fatty acids in ketogenic diets of children with epilepsy.
2. It has a protective effect on the gastrointestinal tract
It has been observed that most medications used in the treatment of epilepsy cause side effects on the gastrointestinal tract.
Coconut oil has medium chain fatty acids that can protect the gastrointestinal tract from these side effects.
A study published in Biomedical Journal in 2013 used more than 70% medium chain triglycerides in the ketogenic diet to control seizures and side effects in the stomach such as diarrhoea, vomiting, cramps and bloating more effectively than the usual ketogenic diet in children with epilepsy.
Researchers suggest the consumption of foods contain medium chain fatty acids for treatment of gastrointestinal related disorders.Its consumption from natural sources like coconut oil can protect the gastrointestinal tract from inflammation, irritation, diarrhoea and electrolyte imbalances.
3.It improves Brain Health
Epileptic patients suffer from learning and memory dysfunctions. Epileptic children are often slow learners however it has been found that coconut oil improves memory and learning ability. This property of coconut oil can be used to improve memory and learning ability of epileptic patients.
Epilepsy is closely associated with brain disease i.e. the Alzheimer’s disease as statistics suggest that those who have Alzheimer’s are at a greater risk of developing epileptic seizures.
4. It has anti-inflammatory defenses
Seizures are known to result in inflammation of brain cells by up-regulating the production of inflammatory mediators like interleukin. Chronic inflammation of brain cells poses a risk of neuronal cell death.
According to an experimental study published in Brain, behaviour, and immunity in 2014, coconut oil that is rich in saturated fats prevents brain inflammation and injuries caused by chronic inflammation of brain cells.
A study published by Gasior in 2006 reported that ketogenic diets often contain anti-inflammatory mechanisms that activate certain receptors inhibiting effects of proinflammatory molecules.
Reference:
https://healthyy.net/superfoods/coconut-oil-for-epilepsy…