Seizure disorders are becoming increasingly common among children today. Many types of seizures can go unnoticed and untreated for years, causing developmental and language delays. We are just starting to identify children that may be at the highest risk for seizure disorders. Children with Autism are among the highest risk group with nearly half currently on anti-seizure medication.
Vitamin therapy has proven helpful in controlling seizures with many patients. When used in conjunction with anti-seizure medications, results can be more favorable. Certain vitamins can make the medications more effective, reducing the need for higher dosages. Parents concerned with side effects of the medication are turning to vitamins and supplements to help their children avoid seizure episodes.
One common side effect of the medications is vitamin and mineral deficiency. Deficiencies in vitamin K, vitamin D, and calcium are most common. When levels of these vitamins and minerals are low, the patient is more likely to suffer from immunity problems. Depressive moods, low energy, and tooth decay also commonly result from these deficiencies. Supplementing can help to maintain better mental and physical health, which will also help most children to have fewer seizures.
Many successful trials and studies have been centered around vitamin E therapy. Vitamin E has shown to be especially helpful in reducing seizure activity in children. Adding vitamin E to the anti-seizure drug treatment produced favorable results for many children that didn’t respond to the drug alone.
B vitamins have also shown favorable results. Anti-seizure medications can cause reduced absorption of vitamin B12 and B6. Vitamin B levels should be monitored in children on anti-seizure medications. Without a proper balance of B vitamins in the body, the brain cannot properly supply melatonin and serotonin, both necessary for mood stabilization, proper sleep, and a sense of well-being. Children with lowered or altered levels of B vitamins, melatonin and serotonin are likely to have more seizures than children of the same condition with normal B vitamin levels.
Vitamin C supplements work with vitamin E in the brain to support and protect nerve cells from oxidative damage that can occur when a child is on anti-seizure medication or when a child has a seizure. In fact, studies are now showing that best vitamin C can have an anti-convulsive effect and reduce the amount of free radical peroxides produced by seizures. Vitamin C supplements have shown promise in becoming a normal part of seizure therapy, reducing the occurrence, severity, and damaging effects of seizures.
If you do decide to give your child vitamins and supplements as part of their seizure therapy routine, speak with your neurologist first. Some vitamins can interfere with anti-seizure medications and should be monitored closely. Others may become depleted or are poorly absorbed, so dosages may need to be altered to meet the needs of your child.
About the Author: Phil Le Breton is the owner at Wholesale Nutrition. He has a strong interest in helping people achieve greater brain and body health with vitamins and supplements. Wholesale Nutrition has the best vitamin C powder on the market (C-Salts). Visit http://www.nutri.com to buy vitamin C supplements of the highest quality.
Tags: seizure treatment options, supplements seizures, treat seizures naturally, Vitamin C, vitamin c supplements, vitamins seizures
Of course! Thank you!