Natural approaches to epilepsy

Alternative Medicine Review, March, 2007 by Alan R. Gaby

Correspondence address: 301 Dorwood Drive, Carlisle, PA 17013

Table 1. Dietary or Metabolic Factors Associated with Epilepsy

Dietary or Metabolic Factors             Evidence

Reactive hypoglycemia/hyperinsulinemia   Clinical observations and lab
                                           findings
Food allergy                             Case reports and uncontrolled
                                           clinical trial
Reaction to aspartame                    Case reports
Reaction to monosodium glutamate         Case reports
Ketogenic diet                           Multiple uncontrolled clinical
                                           trials
Atkins (very low carbohydrate) diet      Uncontrolled clinical trial

Table 2. Nutrient and Hormone Interventions in Epilepsy

Nutrient                              Evidence

Vitamin B6                            Case reports, uncontrolled
                                        clinical trials
Magnesium                             Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Vitamin E                             Double-blind trials
Manganese                             Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Taurine                               Uncontrolled trials
Dimethylglycine                       Case report, negative follow-up
                                        studies
Thiamine (to improve cognitive
  function)                           Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Folic acid                            Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Biotin                                Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Vitamin D                             Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Omega-3 fatty acids                   Uncontrolled and double-blind
                                        trials
L-Carnitine (to prevent valproate
  toxicity)                           Clinical observations and lab
                                        findings
Vitamin K (to prevent drug-induced
  deficiency)                         Uncontrolled trial
Melatonin                             Uncontrolled trial
Progesterone                          Uncontrolled trial