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Diet for Narcolepsy


Research indicates that following a special diet for narcolepsy may help in controlling symptoms. The ketogenic diet originally created in the 1920s as a remedy for epilepsy is believed to be beneficial for narcoleptics as well. The diet prescribes that you should restrict the intake of carbohydrates and proteins in a daily diet. This in turn forces the body to metabolize fat instead of glucose and has a stabilizing effect on the brain. Studies show that narcoleptics who follow a low-carbohydrate diet experience less EDS and a lower amount of sleep attacks during the day. The ketogenic diet is also believed to increase the level of hypocretin in the brain that is responsible for regulating sleep patterns.

Other Natural Remedies for Narcolepsy include:

  • Take kola nut supplements upon waking every morning. This natural herb works as a stimulant and prevents daytime sleepiness.
  • Yerba mate tea is a South American herb that increases energy levels and prevents sleep attacks during the day.
  • Valerian root herb can be had in the form of a capsule before bedtime. This root helps regularize sleep cycles and encourages deeper sleep at night.
  • Drink a cup of lemon balm tea before sleeping to help you sleep well and feel more rested when you get up in the morning.
  • Improve your overall immunity by taking the necessary vitamins and supplements such as vitamins A, C, D, and E.  
  • Gingko biloba supplements can improve circulation and is an antioxidant that prevents infection.

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References
  1. Imran Ahmed, Michael Thorpy, Clinical Features, Diagnosis and Treatment of Narcolepsy, Clinics in Chest Medicine, Volume 31, Issue 2, June 2010, Pages 371-381, ISSN 0272-5231, 10.1016/j.ccm.2010.02.014.
  2. Michael Thorpy, Therapeutic advances in narcolepsy, Sleep Medicine, Volume 8, Issue 4, June 2007, Pages 427-440, ISSN 1389-9457, 10.1016/j.sleep.2007.03.004.
  3. Ian Morrison, Renata L. Riha, Excessive daytime sleepiness and narcolepsy — An approach to investigation and management, European Journal of Internal Medicine, Volume 23, Issue 2, March 2012, Pages 110-117, ISSN 0953-6205, 10.1016/j.ejim.2011.09.005.