Written and compiled by Tony Isaacs

Over two million people in America have epilepsy or one kind or another - a disorder characterized by recurring seizures.  While most of those who suffer from epilepsy use various medications to attempt to control their seizures, many have found relief in natural diet and other natural treatments.

First of all, let me say that I am NOT a fan of the ketogenic diet approach to epilepsy, such as an Atkins diet or modified diet, except as a last resort.  Despite reports of success and a long history of use, there are also reports of problems and several of it's features run counter to what others recommend for a diet that helps with epilepsy - most important of which is the avoidance of animal protein.  Beyond that, it is my opinion (shared by a great many others) that Atkins was a true pioneer who got a great deal right but his diet was ultimately fatally flawed when the marketing became centered around the simple and unhealthy formula of basically eliminating carbs and eating just about anything else you wanted including junk food and excessive unhealthy fats.  Some carbohydrates are essential for good health and strict adherence to the Atkins  diet will indeed result in weight loss, but if used for any great length of time it may come with the cost of developing chronic problems that can eventually be life shortening if not life threatening.

DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Eat sour milk products like organic yogurt and kefir.

• Include beet greens, chard, eggs, green leafy vegetables, raw cheese, raw milk, raw nuts, seeds and fermented soy products such as miso, tempeh and natto.

• Drink fresh "live" juices made from beets, carrots, green beans, green leafy vegetables, peas, red grapes, and seaweed for concentrated nutrients.

• Eat small meals, do ot drink large quantities of liquids at once, and take 2 tablespoons of olive oil daily.

• Avoid alcoholic beverages, animal protein, fried foods, artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame, caffeine, and nicotine.  Avoid refined foods and sugar.

SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT VITAMINS AND MINERALS FOR EPILEPSY::

• DMG

• L-Carnitine

• L-tyrosine

• Magnesium

• Oxygen enhancing products (Such as OxyGen)

• Selenium

• Taurine

• Vitamin B Complex

• Extra Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

• Folic Acid

• Pantothenic Acid

• Calcium

• Zinc

IMPORTANT HERBS FOR EPILEPSY INCLUDE:

• Alfalfa

• Black cohosh, hyssop and lobelia (for best results use on a rotating basis)

• Caution: Do not use the black cohosh during pregnancy

• Avoid the herb sage - this herb should not be taken by anyone with a serious disorder

• Most people who have epilepsy are aware of their condition and take medication to control the seizures.  Possible side effects or antiseizure medications include blood disorders, fatigue, liver problems, and mental fatigue or fogginess.

• Other types of drugs can interact with antiseizure medications, lessening or intensifying the effects of one drug or another.  Alcohol, birth control pills, the antibiotic erythromycin, and some types of asthma, ulcer and heart medications are known to interact with certain epilepsy drugs.

Source: Prescription for Nutritional Healing

Essentially all of the above information about diet and vitamins and minerals, and much, much more, is found in my favorite reference book for nutritional healing Prescription For Nutritional Healing, authored by an MD and Naturopath husband and wife team, which has been the bestseller in it's category for the past 20 years and is now out in a very recent 4th edition.  It contains much much more about epilepsy, including a lengthy list of the most important vitamins and minerals and other important considerations and steps to take - so much so that it would take me hours and hours to re-type it here.

I recommend that you purchase that extremely valuable book - in fact I recommend that EVERYBODY purchase it.  The one I recommend is the latest edition and it costs less than $25 including shipping and is available on the internet and in bookstores everywhere.  I promise you that it could very well be the best $25 you will ever spend.  I consider it a virtual natural health bible.  Unlike some mainstream apologists, I do not worship it as they appear to do medical science and mainstream medicine - but I surely do give thanks for having found it!

I like it so much that, If you should happen to follow the link here in this article or in the image at the top left of this page - if you don't like it, I will buy it back from you.

No one can ever make a 100% promise when it comes to vexing conditions like epilepsy, but I believe that there is the promise of very great hope for your daughter.  Please keep us informed of how she is doing.

Live long, live healthy, live happy!