In order to reduce the effects of narcolepsy and control its symptoms, it is absolutely necessary to change the diet and meal time in your daily lives. A healthy diet can support brain function, promote repairing process and trigger the normalization of the sleep cycle. Some foods are quite effective in improving the condition. Read on to learn how to change your diet to reduce the impact of narcolepsy on your daily life.
Starting a ketogenic diet is one of the most common ways to help reduce the effects of narcolepsy. The ketogenic diet is a diet plan including low-carbohydrate and high-fat foods. It has been widely used to treat cancer patients, resistant people and people with epilepsy. The ketogenic diet can help stabilize blood sugar levels in people with narcolepsy and provide enough energy to their bodies during the daytime to minimize the feeling of fatigue and lethargy. It has been shown to have neuroprotective effects by altering the fuel consumed by the brain. Some recommended foods you can have in the ketogenic diet include:
Coconut Oil – Consumption of coconut oil increases the amount of ketones in the blood. Ketones provide a source of energy for the body to clean itself and help the brain to maintain good state and function well.
- Grass, grass-fed butter – Raw organic butter has high fat and low carbohydrate content. This food intake provides the body with saturated fat, a healthy fat which is essential for improving brain function.
- Wild caught salmon, sardines and anchovies – foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids support brain function and memory, thus, it is of great importance in reducing tiredness and drowsiness.
- Nuts and Seeds – Eating foods rich in magnesium and calcium can help people with narcolepsy by reducing muscle weakness and irritability. Raw nuts and seeds are also superior source of magnesium, calcium and melatonin.
Having those Foods rich in fat are the first choice to provide energy with the body. Thus, consume more foods like butter and cream if you feel tired and dizzy during work. While having preference for the foods above, people should also pay attention to foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates to reduce the burden of the body system. It takes a long time and a lot of work for the body to take in those content, therefore, avoid the foods below to get rid of the deep influence of narcolepsy.
starchy fruits and vegetables (corn, bananas, potatoes, etc.)
grains (wheat, bread, pasta, cereal, etc.)
sugar (table sugar, candy, sweetened yogurt and ice cream, honey, etc.)
The new narcolepsy diet is simple, but requires some persistence and devotion. If you see improvement in the months after complying with the new diet, you may think that lifestyle changes are well worth it – plus diet adjustments are good for your overall health and well-being.