Research

Glycaemic Imbalances in Seizures and Epilepsy of Paediatric Origin

Emanuele Bartolini et al. (2023)

This paper reviews how unstable blood sugar (both too low and too high) can trigger or worsen seizures in children, with particular focus on the developing brain. It emphasizes the importance of early recognition and management to help protect long-term neurological health.

Low Blood Glucose Precipitates Spike-and-Wave Activity in Genetically Predisposed Animals

Christopher A. Reid, Tae Hwan Kim, Samuel F. Berkovic & Steven Petrou

This study shows that low blood glucose can trigger spike-and-wave activity (the EEG pattern seen in absence seizures) in animals that are genetically predisposed to epilepsy.

Vitamin D3 for the Treatment of Epilepsy: Basic Mechanisms, Animal Models, and Clinical Trials

Kevin Pendo & Christopher M. DeGiorgio (2016)

This review examines the laboratory, animal, and early clinical evidence for vitamin D3 as a potential add-on treatment for epilepsy. It concludes that the evidence is promising but that larger, high-quality human trials are still needed.

An Elusive Causal Link Between Epilepsy and Vitamin D in Children: More Questions than Answers?

Hong-Li Guo et al. (2025)

This narrative review explores whether low vitamin D causes seizures, whether seizures themselves lower vitamin D, or whether the deficiency is mainly caused by anti-seizure medications. The authors conclude that the relationship remains unclear and more research is required.

Role of Vitamin D Supplementation and Vitamin D Receptor in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Pattnaik et al. (2025)

This double-blind trial tested high-dose vitamin D in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy and low vitamin D levels. Overall, it did not significantly reduce seizures compared with placebo, largely because only 36% of participants reached the target level of ≥30 ng/mL.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Effect of Treatment on Seizure Frequency and Quality of Life in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Chassoux et al. (2024)

This multicenter randomised trial found no clear benefit during the short blinded phase. However, longer-term vitamin D supplementation (once levels were optimised) was associated with a 30% median reduction in seizures and a 52% reduction in bilateral tonic-clonic seizures.

Impact of Vitamin D Supplementation and Status on Seizure Frequency and Quality of Life in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Alrabadi et al. (2026)

This systematic review and meta-analysis found that vitamin D supplementation was linked to a meaningful reduction in seizure frequency and appears to be a safe add-on treatment, though larger trials are still needed.

Evaluating the Effect of Calcifediol Supplementation on Seizure Frequency in People with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

(2023)

In this small open-label study, calcifediol successfully corrected vitamin D deficiency but did not significantly change median seizure frequency overall. About one-third of participants were responders.

Can Magnesium Supplementation Reduce Seizures in People with Epilepsy?

Alan W.C. Yuen & Josemir W. Sander (2012)

This hypothesis paper reviews evidence that low magnesium can lower the seizure threshold. The authors propose that magnesium supplementation may help reduce seizures and recommend proper clinical trials.

Magnesium as an Effective Adjunct Therapy for Drug Resistant Seizures

Abdelmalik et al. (2012)

In this retrospective study of 22 patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, oral magnesium supplementation was associated with a significant reduction in seizure days per month. About one-third of patients had a 75% or greater reduction in seizures.

Risk of Low Serum Levels of Ionized Magnesium in Children with Febrile Seizure

Baek et al. (2018)

This study found that low ionized magnesium was much more common in children with febrile seizures than in controls (42.9% vs 6.9%) and was an independent risk factor for febrile seizures.

Magnesium Deficiency and Febrile Seizure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Ataei-Nakhaei et al. (2020)

This meta-analysis of 10 studies confirmed that serum magnesium levels are significantly lower in children with febrile seizures compared with febrile children without seizures.

Seizures Related to Hypomagnesemia: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

(2016)

This paper presents cases where low magnesium contributed to seizures. The authors recommend checking magnesium levels in seizure work-ups and aiming to keep levels above 0.65 mmol/L.

The Impact of Serum Magnesium and Calcium on the Risk of Epilepsy: A Mendelian Randomization Study

Guo et al. (2023)

This genetic study did not find strong causal evidence for magnesium overall, but suggested that higher calcium levels may be linked to a lower risk of generalized epilepsy.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Magnesium Sulfate in Children with Infantile Epileptic Spasms Syndrome

(2025 Meta-analysis)

This systematic review found that adding magnesium sulfate to ACTH treatment improved spasm control and EEG outcomes compared with ACTH alone in children with infantile spasms.

Acute Symptomatic Seizures Caused by Electrolyte Disturbances

Nardone, Brigo & Trinka (2016)

This review explains how severe electrolyte imbalances — particularly low sodium, low calcium, and low magnesium — can trigger acute seizures. These are classified as acute symptomatic seizures rather than epilepsy, and correcting the underlying imbalance is the key treatment.

Hypocalcemia-Induced Seizure: Demystifying the Calcium Paradox

(2015)

This paper discusses the seemingly paradoxical finding that low calcium can trigger seizures and neuronal hyperexcitability, and explores possible underlying mechanisms.

Pearls & Oy-sters: Focal Hypocalcemic Seizures Secondary to Severe Vitamin D Deficiency/Rickets

(2020)

This clinical paper highlights that severe vitamin D deficiency can present with hypocalcemic seizures (sometimes focal), and emphasises the importance of checking calcium and vitamin D levels in children presenting with seizures.

Taurine and Epilepsy

(Review, 2013)

Taurine is an inhibitory amino acid that can calm neurons. Animal studies have shown it can reduce seizures in some models, and early human reports suggested benefit in roughly one-third of patients, though effects may diminish over time.

Taurine Supplementation to Anti-Seizure Drugs as a Promising Approach for Pharmacoresistant Epilepsy

(Pre-clinical study, 2017)

In an animal model of drug-resistant epilepsy, adding taurine restored the effectiveness of several anti-seizure medications and helped rebalance excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters.

L-Theanine Reduces Epileptiform Activity in Brain Slices

(2022)

In laboratory brain-slice experiments, L-theanine reduced interictal (between-seizure) discharges without triggering any seizure-like activity itself, suggesting a mild calming effect on neuronal networks.

L-Theanine Intake Increases Threshold for Limbic Seizures but Decreases Threshold for Generalized Seizures

(2013)

In mice, L-theanine raised the threshold for limbic (focal) seizures but lowered it for generalized seizures, indicating its effects may depend on the type of seizure.

Creatine Revealed Anticonvulsant Properties on Chemically and Electrically Induced Seizures in Mice

(2016)

Creatine showed clear anticonvulsant effects in three different mouse seizure models, raising the seizure threshold and reducing the severity of both chemical and electrical seizures.

Reduced Seizure Frequency with Oral Creatine Supplementation: A Case Report

(2025)

This recent case report describes a marked reduction in seizure frequency in an adult with drug-resistant epilepsy after starting 5 g/day of creatine monohydrate.

The Effect of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Seizure Frequency in Individuals with Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

(2021/2022)

This meta-analysis found that omega-3 supplementation significantly reduced seizure frequency. Benefits appeared stronger at moderate doses (≤1500 mg/day) and with longer treatment duration.

Can Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation Support the Clinical Management of Drug-Resistant Epilepsy?

(2025 Meta-analysis)

Analysis of higher-quality trials showed that omega-3 (particularly at 0.3–1.7 g/day) reduced monthly seizure frequency in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy.

The Evaluation of Vitamin K Status in Children with Febrile Seizure

(2022)

This study found higher (not lower) vitamin K1 and K2 levels in children with febrile seizures compared with controls, and linked the levels to inflammatory markers. The meaning of this finding is still unclear.

Association of Dietary Vitamin K1 Intake with Epilepsy in Adults

(2024)

Higher dietary vitamin K1 intake was associated with a lower likelihood of epilepsy in a large US population study. Each additional 10 µg/day of vitamin K1 was linked to a 7% lower odds of epilepsy.

Role of Antioxidants in Reducing Oxidative Stress and Seizure Frequency in Drug-Resistant Epileptic Patients

(2024)

In this trial, a combination of vitamin C and vitamin E significantly reduced seizure frequency compared with placebo in children and adolescents with drug-resistant epilepsy.

Ascorbic Acid Ameliorates Seizures and Brain Damage in Rats

(2013)

In a rat model, vitamin C reduced seizure severity, delayed seizure onset, and protected against seizure-related brain damage, partly by reducing oxidative stress and autophagy.

Assessment of Commercial Laboratories Performing Hair Mineral Analysis

(2001)

This well-known study sent identical hair samples to six major commercial laboratories. Results varied widely (sometimes more than 10-fold for the same mineral), and laboratories often classified the same mineral as high, normal or low. The authors concluded that commercial hair mineral analysis was unreliable for assessing nutritional status or environmental exposures at that time.

Comment: It is worth noting that the study has been criticised by some practitioners in the field. One of the six laboratories included was later identified as uncertified and not operating under proper laboratory standards, which may have increased the overall variability. Long-established specialist laboratories that focus specifically on hair tissue mineral analysis (such as Analytical Research Labs) have argued that the study mixed laboratories with very different methods and quality controls, and that results from experienced, specialised labs tend to be more consistent. Even so, the study remains one of the most frequently cited critiques of commercial hair analysis.

Validity of Hair Mineral Testing

(2002)

This paper reviewed earlier criticisms of hair analysis and argued that much of the variability came from differences in laboratory washing methods. When washing steps were standardised, precision improved. The author suggested hair analysis can provide useful information for certain toxic metals and some nutritional elements when performed carefully.

Hair Analysis as a Biomonitor for Toxicology, Disease and Health Status

Chemical Society Reviews (2011)

A detailed scientific review examining what hair mineral levels can and cannot reliably show. The authors note that hair can reflect longer-term exposure to some elements, but many factors (age, hair colour, external contamination, growth rate) make individual interpretation difficult. They conclude it is more useful for population or epidemiological studies than precise individual diagnosis.

Lead, Copper, Zinc and Magnesium Content in Hair of Children with Neurological Diseases

Lech (2002)

This study compared hair mineral levels in children with various neurological symptoms (including epileptiform activity) against healthy controls. Children with neurological issues showed significantly lower magnesium and slightly lower copper, along with higher lead. The authors suggested that mineral imbalances and toxic metal burden may play a role in some neurological presentations.