Epilepsy is a serious seizure disorder that affects millions of Americans.
Approximately 1.2 percent of the country’s population suffers from active epilepsy. This works out to about three million adults and 470,000 children.
Do you suffer from epilepsy? Does it affect your child or someone else that you love?
There are lots of medications that you can use to manage epilepsy, but there are also quite a few natural remedies that you might want to try instead.
If you prefer to go the natural route, read on to learn about some natural anti-seizure supplements that might benefit you or your loved one.
Grapeseed Extract
Grapeseed extract is rich in compounds known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins. These are neuroprotective compounds that are beneficial to the brain, especially the hippocampus.
The hippocampus is the part of your brain associated with memory formation and retention. It also houses one of the “switches” that trigger seizures.
By nourishing your brain on a regular basis with grapeseed extract, you may be able to prevent seizures from happening.
Fish Oil
Fish oil supplements are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in minimizing inflammation throughout the body, and many Americans these days are deficient in them.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in foods like salmon and sardines, but most people don’t eat enough of these on a regular basis.
To fill in the gaps and ensure the brain has enough omega-3s to function properly, it’s helpful for individuals suffering from epilepsy to supplement with fish oil capsules to reduce the number of seizures they experience.
Passionflower
Passionflower is an herb that contains sedative effects. It’s also rich in bioactive metabolites, including a variety of amino acids, flavonoids, and alkaloids.
These compounds help to protect and nourish the brain. They may also help to prevent seizures in people with epilepsy and other seizure disorders.
Vitamin B-6
Sometimes, vitamin deficiencies can cause seizures to occur more often or make them more intense in people with epilepsy. A vitamin B-6 deficiency is a common one that can trigger seizures or make them worse.
Vitamin B-6 supplementation is especially beneficial to those who suffer from a type of epileptic seizures known as pyridoxine-dependent seizures.
Most people develop this type of epilepsy in the womb or soon after they’re born. It occurs because the body cannot metabolize vitamin B-6 in the correct way.
Magnesium
A magnesium deficiency may also cause seizures to happen more often or at a greater intensity.
Many researchers have found that supplementing with magnesium helps to ward off seizures in people with epilepsy. This likely has to do with the role magnesium plays in healthy nervous system functioning.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E has potent antioxidant properties. Because of this, it may be a viable treatment option for individuals suffering from epilepsy. The antioxidants in vitamin E can nourish and protect the brain and prevent damage that may make seizures worse.
CBD Oil
Cannabidiol (or CBD) oil is another popular natural remedy for epilepsy.
Cannabidiol is a compound found in the cannabis plant. It does not have any mind-altering effects, but it does help to reduce inflammation and ensure the nervous system functions in the correct way.
This makes it a very useful option for people struggling with epilepsy.
Other Natural Remedies
As you can see, there are several supplements you can use if you or a loved one suffers from epilepsy. In addition to these supplements, you may also want to consider some other natural treatment options.
If you’re looking for something to complement your supplement regimen, or if you can’t buy Neurontin right away and need something else to help manage seizures, these treatments might be worth trying:
Ketogenic Diet
A ketogenic diet is a diet that is low in carbohydrates and high in fat. It also involves eating a moderate amount of protein — about 15 percent of your total calories.
This type of diet, also known as the keto diet, has long been used to manage epilepsy, and many people — especially children — see great results when they follow a strict ketogenic diet to control their seizures.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback utilizes special electrical sensors to alter brain waves. By doing this, you can control your brain activity and prevent seizures from occurring.
Many physical therapists use biofeedback to help patients who are suffering from epilepsy or other seizure disorders.
It takes a while to get the hang of biofeedback, but it can be a very helpful tool, especially when you combine it with other treatment options like supplements or medication.
Chiropractic Care
Some people find that chiropractic treatment can help them manage their seizures as well.
Chiropractic adjustments can help to reduce inflammation and alleviate the pressure that may impede the function of the nervous system.
Most evidence backing up chiropractic care for epilepsy is anecdotal. However, it’s a low-risk treatment option, so it may still be worth trying.
Acupuncture
You may also want to consider giving acupuncture a try.
Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles into specific areas of the body. The idea behind this is that, by inserting these needles, acupuncturists can improve energy flow and prevent blockages that may trigger seizures and other health symptoms.
Some researchers believe that acupuncture is a viable treatment for epilepsy because it can change the brain waves. After doing this, individuals with epilepsy may be less prone to experiencing seizures.
Try These Natural Anti-Seizure Supplements Today
There are lots of different natural anti-seizure supplements on the market these days.
Of all the supplement options you have to choose from, those listed above are some of the most popular and most effective. Keep them in mind — along with the other natural treatment options — the next time you’re looking for an alternative to anti-seizure drugs, or if you just want to try something that’s less invasive and more holistic.
Do you want to learn more about natural remedies for common health problems? If so, check out some of the other natural health articles we have up on our blog today.
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