What Foods Or Supplements Can Someone with Epilepsy?
The term clonic seizure disorder (or tonic-clonic seizure disorder) indicates grand mal seizures, which involve the whole body. These seizures, usually due to epilepsy, are characterized by muscle rigidity, violent muscle contractions and loss of consciousness. The cause is abnormal electrical discharges in the brain.
Andrew Weil, M.D. discussed this question with Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., an internationally recognized expert in the fields of integrative medicine, dietary supplements, and women’s health. Dr. Low Dog said she would be concerned with how often the person is having seizures while on medication and noted that epilepsy patients need to make sure they get adequate sleep, eat regularly, avoid alcohol and limit caffeine.
Natural Treatment for Epilepsy
Since many of the drugs given to prevent seizures can exacerbate nutritional deficiencies, Dr. Low Dog suggested that people with epilepsy should discuss with their epileptologist about the use of multiple vitamins that contain folate, vitamin B6, magnesium and vitamin D.
Omega-3 Supplements
She also said that omega-3 fatty acids have beneficial effects on the nervous system, citing one small study from England that suggests omega-3 supplements might help reduce the frequency of seizures. The study was published in September 2005, issue of Epilepsy Behavior.
Bacopa Leaf
In addition, some research indicates that bacopa leaf (Bacopamonnieri), an herb native to India, may be helpful. Bacopa leaf has been used traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine to enhance memory, learning, and concentration, and as a treatment for epilepsy. Dr. Low Dog noted while that there has not been much investigation on this last application of bacopa, animal models of epilepsy show that it can protect the brain.
One study found that it improved cognition without decreasing the anticonvulsant activity of the drug phenytoin (Dilantin), in animals. The dose of bacopa is generally 200-400 mg per day in two or three divided doses of an extract standardized to 20% bacosides, A & B. Dr. Low Dog said that to her knowledge there are no known interactions with any of the anticonvulsant medications used to treat epilepsy.
