Study Suggests Vitamin D May Be A Safe, Seizure-Minimizing Epilepsy Treatment

NEWS

Vitamin D may help reduce the frequency of seizures in epilepsy patients, according to a recent study from the University of California, Los Angeles.

COMMENT

There is increasing evidence supporting the use of natural therapies in the treatment of epilepsy. Not only is vitamin D3 already actively under investigation as an intervention in the condition, but deficiencies of several other micronutrients are known to be common in epilepsy patients.

Folate deficiency is particularly common in epileptic children on long-term antiepileptic drugs. Supplementation with folate has been shown to improve seizure control in such children. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial has also shown vitamin E to significantly reduce seizures in epileptic children.

Some types of seizures are known to be vitamin B6-dependent. In some cases, even with intractable seizures, patients can achieve excellent long-term outcomes without the need for conventional antiepileptic medication. A gradual increase in clinical response to vitamin B6 has been noted in such patients when increasing the dose to between 50mg and 100mg per day. An even more dramatic clinical response has been seen when using high-dose vitamin B6 at between 100mg and 400mg per day. In contrast, the administration of low dose vitamin B6 has resulted in little clinical response.

To read how long-term use of antiepileptic drugs is a significant risk factor for vitamin D deficiency, see this article on our website.