My son experienced myoclonic astatic jerks on a daily basis, often to the extreme of a drop seizure and on many days multiple drop seizures. I’ve remained intrigued by the nature of these seizure types. Using a functional approach attempts to address the root causes of system imbalances and even though is often successful at eliminating symptoms, may not ever reveal the true origin of the onset of seizures.
In a well researched article, “Might Calcium Disorders Cause or Contribute to Myoclonic Seizures in Epileptics?” the investigator, as a practicing Naturopath, identifies the importance of addressing calcium channels. By supporting the calcium channel mechanisms, it has reduced and even stopped myoclonic seizures in some individuals.
Per the reserach, “epileptics are generally mildly hypocalcemic, especially in the period before the seizure…Stress, which releases epinephrine and corticotropin, results in high serum citrate concentration, which probably contributes to decreased serum [Ca2+] just before a seizure”.
Many of the parents and adults I work with have read the literature on supporting their magnesium levels. However, supplementing calcium, or even vitamin D3 seems to be misunderstood. In this Naturopath’s professional experience he noted that when magnesium was supplemented in excess (often over 400mg) myoclonic seizures increased. It is important to note that when magnesium is used in excess it further depletes the levels of calcium.
From a physiological perspective, it is logical that calcium supplementation may be indicated when myoclonic seizures are encountered. For “when the calcium ion concentration falls below about one half of normal, a person is likely to experience tetantic contraction of muscles throughout the body because of spontaneous nerve impulses in the peripheral nerves”.
“Johns Hopkins’ researcher JM Freeman (M.D.) has found, “Significant changes in important body chemicals such as calcium and magnesium can cause seizures; so can a lack of certain vitamins. These chemical changes may provoke a disturbance in the brain, or a single seizure, by influencing the thresholds for firing…Calcium is a very important mineral for the normal functioning of brain cells, and low levels of calcium (hypocalcemia) can cause seizures”
In addition, the parathyroid hormone regulates calcium levels in the blood. We understand the adrenal stress often precedes thyroid problems. I can’t think of a client that I work with that doesn’t have adrenal stress and possible thyroid problems.
Last but not least, many clients that I work with do not eat dairy. Dairy is a major contributing source for calcium.
Supplementing calcium and D3 and optimizing but not exceeding magnesium levels may be critical in individuals that experience myoclonic seizures.
Bringing much light,
Lynn
