The effects of low glycemic index diet on epileptic seizure frequency, oxidative stress, mental health, and health-related quality of life in children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effects of a low-glycemic-index diet (LGID) on seizure frequency, oxidative stress markers, mental health, and health-related quality of life in Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy.
Results Summary
The study found that LGID significantly reduced seizure frequency (38.2% achieved >50% reduction, 41.2% were seizure-free), improved oxidative stress markers (decreased MDA, increased PON-1), and enhanced mental health and quality of life scores. Glucose, insulin, CRP, and triglyceride levels also decreased significantly.
Population
Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (n=34, 30 completed the study).
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
3 months
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | seizure frequency | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | 38.2 % (13/34) | achieved >50 % seizure reduction | #1 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | seizure frequency | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | 41.2 % (14/34) | were seizure-free | #2 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | Glucose levels | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p < 0.001 | significantly decreased | #3 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | insulin levels | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p = 0.005 | significantly decreased | #4 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | CRP levels | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p = 0.046 | significantly decreased | #5 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | triglyceride levels | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p = 0.015 | significantly decreased | #6 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | MDA levels | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p < 0.001 | decreased | #7 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | PON-1 levels | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p = 0.035 | increased significantly | #8 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | all subscales of the HRQOL | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p < 0.001 | significant improvement | #9 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | total HRQOL scores | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p < 0.001 | significant improvement | #10 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | CDI scores | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | p < 0.001 | significant improvement | #11 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | conduct problems scores | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | - | significantly decreased | #12 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | hyperactivity/inattention scores | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | - | significantly decreased | #13 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | emotional symptoms scores | Turkish children with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) | - | significantly decreased | #14 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | decrease | seizures | pediatric DRE | - | shows promise in reducing | #15 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | oxidative stress | pediatric DRE | - | improving | #16 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | mental health | pediatric DRE | - | improving | #17 |
low glycemic index diet (LGID) | increase | quality of life | pediatric DRE | - | improving | #18 |
AIM: There is a gap in the existing literature regarding the evaluation of the effects of low glycemic index diet (LGID) on Turkish patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), as well as the impact of an LGID on oxidative stress markers in this population. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of an LGID on seizure frequency, oxidative stress markers [malondialdehyde (MDA), paraoxonase-1 (PON-1), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS)], mental health, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Turkish children with DRE. METHODS: The study used a pre-post design without a control group and involved 34 children with DRE. Seizure frequency, dietary intake, anthropometry, and biochemical parameters were assessed at baseline and after 3 months of LGID treatment. Behavioral and emotional difficulties were assessed with the "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)". The depressive symptoms were evaluated using the "Children's Depression Inventory (CDI)" and HRQOL was assessed with the "Pediatric Inventory of Quality of Life (PedsQL)". RESULTS: Thirty of the 34 included children completed the three-month LGID treatment. By the study's end, 38.2 % (13/34) achieved >50 % seizure reduction and 41.2 % (14/34) were seizure-free. Glucose (p < 0.001), insulin (p = 0.005), CRP (p = 0.046), and triglyceride levels (p = 0.015) significantly decreased. MDA levels decreased (p < 0.001), whereas PON-1 levels increased significantly (p = 0.035). There was a significant improvement in all subscales of the HRQOL (p < 0.001), as well as the total HRQOL and CDI scores (p < 0.001). According to the SDQ, the conduct problems, hyperactivity/inattention, and emotional symptoms scores were significantly decreased. There was a negative correlation between MDA (r = -0.512, p = 0.005) and LGID efficacy after 3 months of LGID. Serum levels of MDA and glucose were positively correlated (r = 0.412, p = 0.033). CONCLUSION: LGID shows promise in reducing seizures and improving oxidative stress, mental health, and quality of life for pediatric DRE in the short term. Further research is needed to address the limitations (small sample size, no control group, etc.) and investigate LGID's long-term effects.