General
Nutritional Guidelines
We hear a great deal
these days about what is
a healthy diet and the
general recommendations
are
Eat a variety of
foods;
Maintain a healthy
weight;
Eat a diet low in bad
fats but high in goods
fats;
Use sugar, salt and
alcohol in moderation;
Eat plenty of fresh
fruit and vegetables;
Drink four pints of
water a day.
A good quality
multinutrient is also
recommended, to help
keep us in optimal
health. It will contain
all the more important
vitamins and minerals
and various herbs and
other substances.
Why Those
With Epilepsy Need
Special Nutrition
People with epilepsy
are often more sensitive
to the world around them
than others, therefore
it is important to
ensure that their
nutrition is as well
balanced as possible
There are many
potential causes of
seizures. Those related
to nutrition are hunger,
hypoglycemia (low blood
sugar level),
hypocalcemia (low
calcium levels in the
blood), nutritional
imbalances, alcohol
intoxication and alcohol
withdrawal. It is
essential to try to
remove these possible
problems.
Supplements
which may Help Those
With Epilepsy
A good quality
multinutrient can be
supplemented with any of
the nutrients listed
below, however you will
probably find that most
of them are already
included in it. Have a
look at the list of
contents before deciding
on further supplements.
Vitamin B
is a combination of
vitamins including
thiamine, pyridoxine,
biotin, folic acid and
cobalamin. When taking
vitamin B it is usually
better to take a B
complex rather than any
other individual member.
This is because they
work together and a
balance of the parts is
important. If you feel
stressed then you will
probably require a high
intake of a B Complex.
It is often necessary to
have a fairly high
intake for a short time
until you find that you
are fairly relaxed, and
then cut down the
dosage. A daily dosage
of 100-200mg may be
required, this is best
split into doses 2 or 3
times a day. The best
way of judging if you
are having too much
vitamin B is the colour
of your urine. Excess of
certain B vitamins will
cause it to be very
yellow. This is the only
side effect and does no
damage, but if you find
that your urine is still
yellow even when you are
due to take your next
pill, then you are
probably having too much
and should cut down.
Other symptoms of
inadequate vitamin B are
tiredness, premenstrual
syndrome, lack of
appetite, lack of
concentration and eye
problems. B complex
deficiencies are
particularly common in
those who smoke, drink
alcohol, don't eat much
meat and who are on the
contraceptive pill.
B6 has known
properties as an
anticonvulsant. However
more than 200mg a day of
B6 taken regularly for
over a year can cause
problems. That sort of
intake should not be
necessary, except as a
short term measure. B6
can also be destroyed by
some of the
anticonvulsants.
Often folic acid is
recommended by the
doctors since it is
destroyed by many
anticonvulsants. It
sometimes gives a
reduction in seizure
frequency and it often
gives an improvement in
peripheral symptoms such
as mental state, mood,
intellectual speed,
alertness,
concentration, self
confidence, independence
and sociability.
However, if you are
pregnant and not taking
any B supplements it is
probably a very good
idea to have some extra
folic acid or brewer's
yeast.
Biotin helps fatty
acid production and the
utilisation of other B
vitamins, it also
promotes healthy nerve
tissue. A deficiency in
biotin can lead to hair
loss, depression,
anaemia, insomnia, loss
of appetite, muscular
pain, nausea, tongue
soreness, inflammation
and pallor of the skin
and mucous membranes and
an elevation of blood
glucose and cholesterol
levels.
A deficiency of B12
can lead to tiredness,
loss of appetite, poor
memory, paranoia,
pernicious anaemia and a
smooth sore tongue. The
best source of B
vitamins are brewer's
yeast, yeast extract,
offal, wheat and rice.
Vitamin D
is depleted by the
intake of
anticonvulsants,
supplements should not
exceed 10g. The
recommended daily intake
in most countries is
2.5g, although in some
countries it is as much
as 10g. If you spend a
reasonable length of
time in the sun it is
probably not necessary
to have supplements.
However, in the winter,
or if you don't like the
sun, supplements may be
necessary. Deficiency is
more common in
vegetarians and those of
Asian descent (due to
the diet and skin type).
Deficiency symptoms are
muscular spasms and
weakness, bone pain, and
brittle bones. The best
sources of vitamin D are
sunlight, fish oil, oily
fish, tuna, eggs, butter
and milk.
Vitamin E
has been indicated in
research to reduce
seizure rate by as much
as 50%. Generally it
works particularly well
when used with selenium.
Vitamin E is destroyed
by cooking and the
recommended daily intake
is at least 30mg.
Deficiency will result
in apathy, irritability
and lack of
concentration. It
reduces the oxygen needs
of the muscles which
means that it should
help if your problem is
affected by a lack of
oxygen to the brain, for
example, if you have a
chest problem. A common
intake for treatment is
500IU or more.
Deficiency can be caused
by contraceptive pills
and air pollution. The
best sources of vitamin
E are vegetable and fish
oils, wheatgerm, leafy
vegetables, egg yolk,
legumes, lettuce,
peanuts and wholewheat
flour.
Vitamin K
affects blood
coagulation, bone
formation and the
conversion of glucose
into glycogen for
storage in the liver. It
increases the resistance
to infection in
children. It is found in
yoghurt, alfalfa, egg
yolk and green leafy
vegetables.
Calcium
can be used with the
treatment of epilepsy
due to its sedative
effects. It also affects
the absorption of
magnesium, so it is
often a good idea to
take the two together.
It is possible to get
pills containing a
combination of calcium
and magnesium. Extra
calcium is given to
those who have bone
problems, allergy
problems, depression,
anxiety, menstrual pains
and muscle and joint
pains. If you are on the
contraceptive pill,
pregnant or
breastfeeding, extra
calcium may be needed.
The recommended intake
of calcium is
500-1500mg. The best
sources of calcium are
cheese, fish, nuts, root
vegetables and eggs.
Chromium
is important for blood
sugar control. It
stimulates the
production of essential
nerve substances.
Deficiency can result in
nervousness. Chromium is
sometimes used in the
treatment of low blood
sugar. Those most likely
to be at risk from
chromium deficiency are
the elderly, those who
drink alcohol, who are
slimming or pregnant or
have a high intake of
refined foods. There is
no recommended daily
intake but a safe and
adequate range is given
as 50-200g. The best
source of chromium are
yeast, liver, cheese,
fruit juices, wholewheat
and wheatgerm.
Copper
helpsproduce enzymes
that break down proteins
to rebuild the body
tissue. It also helps
convert the body's iron
into haemoglobin and to
utilise vitamin C. A
deficiency can lead to
anaemia, baldness,
diarrhoea, general
weakness, impaired
respiratory function and
skin sores.
Magnesium.
Convulsions are a known
effect of a magnesium
deficiency, as are
weakness and tiredness,
nervousness, muscle
cramps, tremors and
twitching, especially
around the eyes. The
recommended daily intake
is about 400mg. More may
be needed if you suffer
from allergies,
premenstrual syndrome or
menstrual cramps, are
suffering from morning
sickness or
hypoglycemia, or on the
contraceptive pill or
antibiotics. More
magnesium is needed for
those who have a high
intake of fluoride -
this can occur in areas
with fluoridated water
and in those who drink a
lot of tea. The
suggested
supplementation of
magnesium is 500-1000mg.
Magnesium tablets should
be taken in conjunction
with calcium. There are
tablets available which
combine the two. This is
a very important
nutrient in epilepsy.
The best sources of
magnesium are soya
beans, nuts, brown rice,
fish and lentils.
Manganese
can be used to help in
the treatment of
epilepsy. One of the
functions of manganese
is to maintain a healthy
nervous system. The
recommended daily intake
is between 2.5mg and
5mg, but up to half this
intake can be provided
by tea drinking. The
best source of manganese
are soya beans, nuts and
brewers yeast.
Selenium
is very useful in
detoxifying the body.
However, it can be fatal
if taken in excess, the
maximum daily dose is
200g and no more should
be taken. It seems to
help in cancer and
angina cases as well as
arthritis and high blood
pressure. Its most
common natural sources
are organ meats, fish
and shellfish.
Zinc.
The quantity of zinc in
the diet is greatly
reduced by the
processing of food. It
is also reduced by
anticonvulsants,
smoking, alcohol and the
contraceptive pill. The
recommended daily intake
is about 12mg although
at least 50mg is often
recommended. It is
thought that intakes of
over 150mg may
occasionally have side
effects. Zinc is used to
treat mild mental
conditions and to
supplement
schizophrenics. The most
obvious sign of
deficiency is white
spots on the finger
nails, eczema of the
face and hands, acne,
mental apathy and loss
of sense of taste and
smell. The best sources
of zinc are oysters,
meat, pumpkin seeds,
cheese and eggs.
Carnitine
is an amino acid and is
required to transport
fat through the cell
walls. It is the major
source of energy for the
muscles.
Digestive
Enzymes. It is
possible that the number
of seizures is increased
by an inefficient
digestive system since
this means the necessary
nutrients will not be
absorbed completely from
the food eaten. In this
case extra digestive
enzymes will help this
absorption.
Dimethyl
glycine (DMG)
is also known as B15. It
is an amino acid that
has been used to treat
epilepsy. It helps to
stimulate your immune
system. Therefore a lack
of this can mean that
you keep getting
infections. It also
helps increase the
amount of oxygen to the
brain, so may be
particularly helpful if
you have chest problems.
Supplements of about
90mg twice a day can
have a noticeable
effect.
EFA.
There has been a great
deal of talk about fats
and it is rather
confusing. Basically the
fats in their natural
form are alright but
those that are processed
can cause a problem.
EFAs are Essential Fatty
Acids and they help in
energy production,
formation of red blood
pigment, joint
lubrication,
transportation of
cholesterol, boosting
the immune system and
prevention of allergies.
Good sources of EFA are
flax oil, hemp oil and
safflower oil, fish oil,
starflower oil and
evening primrose oil.
Ginkgo Biloba
is a herb that
has proved to be very
helpful in restoring
memory function.
Research has even
indicated that it is of
help in Alzheimer's
disease.
Taurine
is one of the lesser
known amino acids, but
it is known to help in
the treatment of
epilepsy. The
recommended daily dosage
of this is 1-3g. The
balance of amino acids
can be disturbed in
those with epilepsy and
additional taurine can
help balance this and
lead to improved brain
function. It also helps
balance the zinc/copper
ratio because often zinc
is low and copper high
in those with epilepsy.
Adequate zinc is
important in the correct
processing of taurine.
This is one of the most
important nutrients used
to treat the condition.
Taurine is produced in
the body and is found in
animal proteins.
Things to be
avoided with epilepsy
There are certain
foods, herbs and
additives that can cause
seizures in sensitive
people, although none of
them will have that
reaction on all people
with epilepsy. So if you
have been taking any of
the items listed below
and you are certain it
has not caused a seizure
in you, then you will
probably be alright.
There are also certain
items which people may
be allergic to and
obviously these can be
specific to the
individual. The most
common causes of
problems are the
following.
Monosodium Glutamate
(E621). This is a
flavour enhancer found
in sausages, salami,
Chinese takeaways and
most crisps. Research
has shown it to
interfere with
anticonvulsant
medication and induce
seizures.
Stimulants such as
coffee and alcohol
should be minimised.
Products with high
levels of pesticides,
where possible eat
organic foods.
Aspartame. Various
research has been done
with conflicting
evidence about whether
aspartame can cause
seizures.
St Johns Wort is a
herb that has also
produced conflicting
research, although it is
generally recommended
that those with epilepsy
avoid it. However it can
be very good for
depression.
Evening Primrose Oil
may lower the seizure
threshold and so may
lead to seizures in
those with a
predisposition to
temporal lobe seizures.
Alcohol is not
recommended in those with
epilepsy.
The following
additives may be
associated with
epileptic seizures and
may be worth avoiding.
E210 - Benzoic Acid
E141 - Copper
Complexes of
Chlorophyllins and
Chlorophyll
E173 - Aluminium
E519 - Cupric
Sulphate
E541 - Sodium
Aluminium Silicate
E554 - Aluminium
Sodium Silicate
E556 - Aluminium
Calcium Silicate
E559 - Aluminium
Silicate
Special
Guidelines for Women
with Epilepsy
With women, seizures
often occur at period
time and are basically
just a symptom of the
change in hormones. This
can often be the result
of mild hypoglycemia,
also symbolised by the
increased chocolate
cravings that women
experience. The
recommended procedure is
to try to eat three main
meals per day with three
smaller snacks in
between all of which
should contain starchy
foods. Chromium should
also be taken.
Ketogenic
Diet
The ketogenic diet is
a high fat diet which
seems to help some
people, especially
children, with epilepsy.
Long term studies on
patients on the
ketogenic diet indicates
that it does not raise
cholesterol levels. If a
child's seizures reduce
after vomiting or
starving then it is
likely that this diet
may work. According to
research 42-73% of
children who follow the
diet stop having
seizures or experience a
reduction.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia (low
blood sugar) is caused
by the inability of the
pancreas to process
sugar effectively.
Symptoms are varied but
include mood swings,
tiredness, confusion,
allergies and fainting.
Some people say that
about 50% of the
population have
hypoglycemia to some
degree. It is most
common in those who have
too much sugar or
alcohol in their diet.
