Epilepsy

Consult a doctor for the amount to take. In a preliminary study, supplementation with 3.25 grams per day of a mixture of omega-3 fatty acids (primarily eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) for six months markedly reduced the frequency of seizures in five severely retarded epileptic patients.¹ However, a double-blind trial found that fish oil was not beneficial in patients with epilepsy.² A more recent double-blind trial found that a lower dose of fish oil (providing daily 1,080 mg of EPA + DHA) taken for 10 weeks reduced seizure frequency by one-third, whereas a higher dose (providing daily 2,160 mg of EPA + DHA) had no effect.³ Additional research is needed to determine whether fish oil is beneficial for people with epilepsy, and what the optimal level of intake is.

In a retrospective chart review of 22 patients with epilepsy that had failed to improve adequately with medications, magnesium supplementation was followed by a significant reduction in seizure frequency during follow-up periods of 3 to 12 months. The average reduction in seizure frequency was 49% after 6 to 12 months, and 36% of the patients had a decrease of at least 75% in seizure frequency.⁴ Controlled trials are needed to confirm these promising observations.

 

The Chinese herb bupleurum is included in two similar Chinese herbal formulae known as sho-saiko-to and saiko-keishi-to; these combinations contain the same herbs but in different proportions. The other ingredients are peony root, pinellia root, cassia bark, ginger root, jujube fruit, Asian ginseng root, Asian scullcap root, and licorice root. Both formulas have been shown in preliminary trials to be helpful for people with epilepsy.^5,6,7 No negative interactions with a variety of anticonvulsant drugs were noted in these trials. The usual amount taken of these formulas is 2.5 grams three times per day as capsules or tea. People with epilepsy should not use either formula without first consulting with a healthcare professional.

Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with epilepsy, partly because some anticonvulsant drugs deplete vitamin D. In a preliminary study, correcting vitamin D deficiency resulted in a decrease in the number of seizures in patients with epilepsy who had failed to respond adequately to medications.⁸

 

One older preliminary trial in India found an extract of bacopa, an Ayurvedic herb, reduced the frequency of epileptic seizures in a small group of people.⁹ However, another similar preliminary trial gave inconclusive results.¹⁰ Controlled research is needed to properly evaluate whether bacopa is helpful for epilepsy.

 

Folic acid supplementation (5 mg per day) was reported to reduce epileptic seizure frequency, though the effect was not significantly better than with placebo.¹¹ Folic acid supplementation of as little as 800 mcg per day has also been reported to interfere with the action of anticonvulsant medications, resulting in an increase in the frequency and/or severity of seizures;^12,13,14,15 this effect occurs only in a small number of cases.^16,17 People taking anticonvulsant medications should consult with the prescribing physician before deciding whether to use folic acid.

 

A small, preliminary trial found that 5 to 10 mg per day of melatonin improved sleep and provided “clear improvement of the seizure situation” among children with one of two rare seizure disorders.¹⁸ More research is needed to determine whether or not melatonin could benefit other people with epilepsy.

 

Taurine is an amino acid that is thought to play a role in the electrical activity of the brain; deficits of taurine in the brain have been associated with some types of epilepsy. However, while some short-term studies have suggested that taurine supplementation may reduce epileptic seizures in some people, the effect appears to be only temporary.¹⁹

 

Vitamin B6 has been used to treat infants and small children who have seizures related to a genetic enzyme defect.^20,21,22,23 However, this condition is not considered true epilepsy, and whether people with epilepsy would benefit from taking vitamin B6 supplements is unknown.