Alternative Epilepsy Treatments-Melatonin & Nutrition Nov.8,2003

[Guest guest]

I went to some of the Alternative treatments for Epilepsy Conference at NYU

Medical School on Saturday, November 8,2003. Dr.Josiane LaJoie,MD of NYU spoke

about the benefits of Melatonin for Epilepsy.Dr. LaJoie specializes in

pediatric epilepsy and

is trying to use alternative treatments if possible. She pointed out that the

sleep cycle is frequently important in the triggering of seizures.Not getting

a good nights sleep may be a factor in onset of seizures. Melatonin is a

hormone that helps to regulate sleep. Your body should produce more in the

evening

hours. You don't want to have more melatonin in the middle of the day as you

may go to sleep. It should be taken about a half hour before going to bed. The

small studies of melatonin for epilepsy have shown no serious side effects if

taken before gong to sleep and not the time released long acting that may go

into the next day when you want to be alert. I did not catch the citations for

the studies, but she did have it on the screen, but not in the handout given.

Dosage is usually 3 to 10 mg with some people needing up to 20 milligrams.

The dosage is dependent on weight. Melatonin is now usually used in conjunction

with other AED's. It increases the effectiveness of carbamazepine(Tegretol &

Epitol) and phenobarbitol.NOTE: Katherina just posted a message that TEGRETOL

has been recalled by Novartis the manufacturer!

Whenever I see that a dietary supplement increases the effectiveness of a

drug I begin to wonder if perhaps the dietary supplement is the ingredient

making

the drug appear to work in the first place. The drug company that finances

most of the research makes a lot more from the drug than the many supplement

companies can make from the unpatented melatonin.

The mechanism by which melatonin is believed to decrease seizures is by

increasing levels of Gaba that calms the brain and also decreases glutamine as

in

monosodium glutamate(MSG) that increases brain excitation.

Dr.LaJoie is open to using alternative medical treatments, her

Tel.212-263-8378.

Dr.Leo Galland,MD presented a talk on nutritional treatments for epilepsy. He

went over the frequently occurring food allergies that can sometimes lead to

seizures, usually after more than one exposure. There is a higher frequency of

allergy, eczema and asthma among children with epilepsy and their families

than controls. EEG's of allergy sensitive are normalized when the offending food

is eliminated and become abnormal again several days after eating the

sensitive foods.

In a study at the Hospital for Sick Children in London 63 children were given

a limited diet of few foods:

- 2 meats (lamb and turkey usually)

- 2 starchy foods (rice and potatoes usually)

-2 fruits (cherries and pears usually)

-1 vegetable (green peas)

- Calcium & a multivitamin

These foods are usually not allergenic.

36 of the children improved.

-25 had no seizures

- 11 had fewer seizures.

Improvement occurred for generalized, petit mal and partial complex seizures

and myoclonus.

Improvement only occurred on children who also had migraines, hyperactivity

or abdominal pain.(45 total)

In another study of food allergy involving systematic reintroduction of

individual foods, one every 2 days, identified 31 foods that provoked seizures.

Most children reacted to more than 1 food. All seizure provoking foods also

provoked headache, hyperactivity or abdominal pain. In a double blind placebo

controlled study of 16 children 8 had seizures provoked by suspect foods, 15

developed other symptoms and none reacted to the placebo.Foods most frequently

provoking seizures were

Milk/cheese, wheat,corn,soy,egg,chocolate,orange,benzoate(a

presevative-sodium benzoate usually), tomato, tartrazine( FD & C Yellow-a food

dye) used in soft

drinks,cheese crackers and others, fish pork and beef. This was from

Egger,Soothill and , Journal of Pediatrics,1989,vol.114,pp.51-58

The Ketogrenic Diet was first used in the 1920's. It has become more popular

in the last 10 years with the Publicity from Jim Abrahams and the Charlie

Foundation. it is usually started in the hospital and is very strict. 80% of

calories come fro fat. It has a lot of Oil, heavy cream and margarine--which

makes

me wince--why not use butter.

over 100 uncontrolled studies have been published.

Results show 16% of children become siezure free, 16% become almost seizure

free. 24% more have a greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency. 56%

response overall. similar results occur in adults. Benefits maintained over a 3

to

6 year period. At s Hopkins 20-30% of children maintaining the diet

become drug free. Ketogenic diet side effects: Increase in Cholesterol (Total

and

LDL and triglicerides, decrease in HDL-good cholesterol). Decrease in blood

levels of L-Carnitine may be temporary, loss of calcium in urine, abnormal

electrocardiogram(rare) and Kidney stones in 5-8% of cases.

website <A HREF= " www.ketogenic.org " >www.ketogenic.org</A>

Dr.Galland pointed out that some studies showed B-1(thiamine) deficiencies

frequently are observed in epilepsy and this is likely to occur in alcoholics

who lose B-1 in their urine.B-6-has also been documented as a possible cause of

B-6 dependent epilepsy. Anticonvulsant drugs also reduce vitamin B-1.

Unfortunately no studies have reported B Complex for epilepsy as in my case and

many

others I have communicated with. It is also important to remember that the so

called B vitamin pills are only man made extracts of the real B vitamins

occurring in whole foods such as whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole wheat

pasta,

millet, whole grain oats,Wheat Bran and Oat Bran, leafy green vegetables,

brewers yeast, liver and canned tuna. I gave out my handout on the B Complex for

epilepsy to those who were interested. I think i got most, but there were two

rooms and i could only be in one. I also would like to point out that a B

Complex tablet or capsule can only contain those members of the B Complex that

have

been scientifically discovered and isolated as of 2003. If other elements of

the B Complex have yet to be discovered--which is likely, the B Complex will

not contain it. It is only a vitamin supplement TO REAL FOOD. There is no excuse

not to still eat healthy foods-hopefully organic to get ALL the nutrients

your body needs. Some people i have communicated with have only had success

after

eating real foods. Give it a try.

It tastes better than vitamins, is cheaper and better. You can still take

vitamins, but don't rely on them as a substitute for healthy food. I'll resend

my

B Complex for Epilepsy story out on a separate E mail.

Also he covered the importance of Calcium and Magnesium also essential and

present in dark leafy green vegetables. Vitamin D is necessary for absorption of

calcium and if you don't get much sunlight -especially in winter you may have

to supplement vitamin D AED's are known to deplete both Calcium and Vitamin

D.Valporic Acid(Depakote) may cause a Carnitine Deficiency..

Supplemental L-Carnitine may reduce seizure

frequency.-Epilepsia.1998,vol.39,pp.1216-25

AED's frequently cause a Folic Acid deficiency and this is usually the

mechanism that may cause birth defects-specifically spina bifida in children of

mothers with epilepsy. Red blood cell levels of folic acid are drecreased in

patients taking AED's except for Valporic acid-(Depakote)-which may cause an

L-carnitine deficiency.

Also Vitamin E has been shown to prevent seizures in animals, to reduce

seizures in intractable epilepsy. But some studies have shown no effect.

Vitamin E sudy references are:

Ogunmekan,Epilepsia,1989,vol.30pp.84-9

Can J Neurol Sci 1979 vol.6,pp.43-5

Am J Clin Nutr,1979, vol.32 pp.2269-71

Kataoka et al,Dev Pharmacol Ther,1989;vol.14,pp.96-101

Raju et al,Epilepsia,1994,vol.35, pp.368-72

Dr.Galland is an alternative medical doctor in New York City tel.212-861-9000

There was a session on Art Therapy presented by Coss, MA,ATR-BC

Art is used to release emotional ideas and express positive and negative

feelings in use of abstract symbols. Art therapy can help the child have a

sense of independence that might be inhibited by fears the parent or child has

about the seizures. Making an artistic expression can help to take risks of

creating that can build confidence in real life.

I did not attend the session on Osteopathy by Dr. Bayno,DO.. The

practitioners use more manipulation of the bones,tendons and muculoskeletal

system.

Doctors of Osteopathy are licensed in all 50 states. The initials DO are used to

designate the physician. Do's have specialties in all the departments.

surgery,anesthesiology,,psychiatry,obtetrics etc. The handout only described

Osteopathy as a Recognized degree equivalent to the MD.

Dr Bayno's tel.212-765-6474

The American academy of Osteopathy website: <A

HREF= " http://academyofosteopathy.com " >http://academyofosteopathy.com</A>

American Osteopathic Association

142 East Ontario Street

Chicago.IL 60611

tel. 800-621-1773

I did not attend the session on Epilepsy and Naturopathic Medicine presented

by Dr.Nora Jane Pope,ND

By looking at the excellent handouts I see I missed a good session.

Naturopathic Medicine is a medical education emphasizing the use of more

natural approaches to preventing and treating diseases.ND's are general

practitioners whose medical training integrates more of the natural and

traditional

therapies in the treatment of disease. The medical sciences of anatomy and

ohysiology and biochemistry are the same, but the treatments are more reliant on

working with the bodies natural systems of healing and regeneration. It uses

Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, Chinese Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, It tries

the

non invasive and treatment that build upon the body's own defenses to realize

optimum health. Dr.Pope's handouts make me regret not having gone to her

lecture, but it was at the same time as Dr.Galland's on nutrition which was my

strongest interest. Natropathy searches for the underlying cause of the epilepsy

which much of modern medicine ignores and writes off as " idiopathic " having no

specific causation--or at least they can't find it and treat it. Frequently it

is lack of sleep,low blood sugar or hormonal imbalance. She tries to

emphasize the doctors educational role in instituting new healthy habits to

reinforce

the body's natural immune system if given a chance. Nutrition is used to

address basic needs and those additional drug induced needs typical of AED's

that

deplete specific vitamin stores that must be supplemented. Nutrition can be

used to uncover hidden causes from allergies( cyclic AMP),heart disease (amino

acids), parasites (Gu syndrome),hormonal imbalances all share a common

intersection with epilepsy--very intriguing--

Using Nutrition to manage triggers.

Stress:Oats,Vitamin B & C

High Estrogen:fermented soy (tempeh,miso,tamari

sauce),probiotics,vegetables,vitamin B-6

Low Progesterone: beta-carotene (carrots,sweet potato)

Using Nutrition to manage side effects

Fatigue: high protein

constipation: water, fiber

headaches: potatoes, tomatoes

inomnia: turkey,avocado,sheep's milk

liver damage: L-carnitine

Using Nutrition to insure safety

vitamin B-3 (niacin) interacts with carbamazapine-Tegretol & Epitol

black pepper interacts with phenytoin-Dilantin

phenytoin increases copper blood levels

EPO in scizophrenics

Support liver metabolism in order to successfully detoxify the liver by

converting drugs into water soluble compounds that are excreted. Use of

Chionanthus

virginicus,gentian,leptandra,cynara scolymus. Silybum prevents liver damage.

Using Herbal Medicine to support Kidney function.

The drugs Diamax,Topamax,Zonegram are hard on the kidneys.Diuretic or

aquaretic herbs help the body excrete these drugs more quickly without loss of

minerals.

Uses Herbal Medicine to enhance Kidney excretion

Eg: Equisetum,taraxacum,parsley,blueberries encourage increased urination.

Using Herbal Medicine to manage side effects

Fatigue: Ginseng

Constipation: Senna

Headaches:: feverfew

Insomnia: cat nip,lemon balm

Using Herbal Medicine to Manage triggers for seizures

Stress: orange peel, lavender

High Estrogen: fenugreek,dandelion

Low progesterone:vitex,licorice,don quai

Herbal Medicine to ensure safety & avoid herb-drug interactions

St.'s Wort;evening primrose oil.esential

oils;sage,eucalyptus,fennel,rosemary.hyssop

Naturopathy also uses Chinese Medicine to balance YIn and Yang and balance Qi

energy. it also uses accupuncture to restore balances using certain meridians

Fatigue, constipation: S.T.36

Headaches: L.I.4

Insomnia: P.C 6 or H.T.7

Sress: L.V.3

Uses Homeopathic Medicine to match synptoms to remedies treating the whole

constellation of symptoms. The root cause of all illness is an imbalance in life

force.

There are over 900 remedies to treat seizures in homeopathy. Selecting the

correct individual remedy is customized to each patient based on symptoms Bufo

is used for. Seizures that begin in the face, for undeveloped children,large

torsos,aggressive behavior.Cicuta is used for children who become homesick,

have eczema an parasitic infections.

To balance Hormones proper sleep habits are often needed. Sleep in a dark

room increasing melatonin production. regular exercise decreases estrogen.

Relaxation helps achieve balance on all levels.

Dr.Nora Jane Pope,ND is committed to epilepsy treatment. She is located in

Toronto,Canada. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Canadian Epilepsy

Association. She is a contributing author to " Complementary Medicine for

Epilepsy " published by New York University and Harvard Medical Schools which is

due

out in 2004. She is a graduate of McGill University (Montreal,Canada) and the

Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (Toronto). A large part of her

practice focuses on patients with epilepsy. I am very impressed with her

handouts

and attitudes toward treatment.Unfortunately I do not have her phone number,

but will get it.

Submitted by Arnold Gore

Consumers Health Freedom Coalition

Email:arnoldgore@...