Bad teeth, epilepsy

[AncientWolf]

I was advised in another forum to come here and ask about vitamins. I am epileptic and have horrible teeth from various medications I've been on. I will need to get a full upper plate (dentures) as soon as possible, but my dentist refuses to see me until "my seizures are under control" which isn't likely to happen soon (too many meds haven't worked, neurologist is about to give up).

The point of all this is that I don't always get to eat like I should. Mostly I can chew through the pain and I can eat meat if it's cooked really soft (thankfully I'm a chef and know how to marinade, braise and cook medium-rare) but most of the time I don't chew anything harder than hamburger. I do eat oatmeal in the mornings and cold cereals that get soggy in milk (so I don't have to chew) and I can eat most sandwiches (lunchmeat, peanutbutter, etc). Hard fruits and veggies are almost an absolute no for me, especially if they're also cold. I do sneak carrots shredded up into a lot of things I cook though and similar things like that. I also take a daily chewable multi-vitamin I get at Trader Joe's (nothing artificial, best sources of vitamins like beta-carotene for A). I have to let it dissolve partially in my mouth before I can chew it, and even then it still hurts, but it's worth it to me.

The main question, I guess, is; "Is there anything else I should be doing?" Are there other vitamins or supplements I should be taking for days when my teeth are really bad and I hardly eat more than oatmeal and crackers? Any vitamins or supplements that also might help with the epilepsy?


I'd appreciate any advice.

Peace,

Daniel

[mrsdoubtfyre]

I have a question for you...??

Are your teeth bad from decay? Or from gum disease?
Do your meds cause "dry mouth"?

A simple mulitvit is not adequate for you.

Many drugs deplete nutrients, and AEDs do this alot. I need to know what
meds you use. If you don't want to post here, please send me a PM.

There are specific nutrients for gum health. CoQ-10, Vit C in large amounts,
zinc, essential fatty acids, selenium, vits A and D (D esp for those taking
AEDs), calcium (also depleted by AEDs) and magnesium, and antioxidants.
You can get a very good range of antioxidant values by drinking pomegranate juice, and/or drinking unsmoked yerba mate tea. (www.yerbamate.com)
Antioxidants protect cells throughout the whole body, and both of these
sources, are liquids and easy for you tolerate, since you cannot chew.


Smoking also destroys the mucosa of the gums.

There have been in the past several people who posted on Epilepsy here,
the use of Essential fatty acids and seizure control. Too bad we don't have the archives accessible so I could direct you there. EFAs are necessary for proper nerve health and skin/mucous membrane repair. This would be Flax oil and fish oil.
Epilepsy Behav. 2005 Sep;7(2):253-8.Click here to read Links
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with chronic epilepsy: a randomized trial.

* Yuen AW,
* Sander JW,
* Fluegel D,
* Patsalos PN,
* Bell GS,
* Johnson T,
* Koepp MJ.

Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK.

Animal studies and a preliminary clinical observation suggest that nutritional supplementation with long chain omega-3 fatty acids (omega-3 FAs) may be useful in the nonpharmacological treatment of patients with epilepsy. Omega-3 FAs increase seizure thresholds, and lower inflammatory mediators, which are increased in patients with epilepsy. In this first randomized, placebo-controlled parallel group trial of omega-3 FA supplementation with 1 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and 0.7 g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) daily, 57 patients completed a 12-week double-blind phase. Seizure frequency was reduced over the first 6 weeks of treatment in the supplement group, but this effect was not sustained. The supplementation produced a significant increase in EPA and DHA concentrations and a reciprocal fall in arachidonic and linoleic acid concentrations. No change in serum AED concentrations was detected. Further studies are required to examine different omega-3 FA preparations, different doses, longer treatment duration, and larger sample sizes.

PMID: 16006194 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
and
Seizure. 2004 Mar;13(2):104-7. Links
Is omega-3 fatty acid deficiency a factor contributing to refractory seizures and SUDEP? A hypothesis.

* Yuen AW,
* Sander JW.

The National Society for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks SL9 ORJ, UK.

Epilepsy, the commonest serious neurological condition, is associated with an increased risk in premature deaths, including an estimated 500 sudden unexpected deaths (SUDEP) per year in the UK. In some patients seizures are associated with cardiac arrhythmias, which are thought to be a major factor in SUDEP. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce cardiac arrhythmias in animal studies and to reduce sudden cardiac deaths, thought to be due to cardiac arrhythmias, in both healthy subjects and in those who have had one myocardial infarction. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids in animal studies and in a small clinical observation study have shown anti-seizure effects. Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in patients with refractory seizures may reduce seizures and seizure associated cardiac arrhythmias and hence SUDEP.

PMID: 15129839 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]



There are many food sources now with EFAs in them.
Omega-3 eggs (many brands now)
Smart Balance Peanut butter. (one serving of this gives 1 gram flax oil)
Smart Balance mayo
Smart Balance spreads (there are 2 kinds now).

EPA and DHA are found in fish oils. Your body makes EPA and DHA from Flax oil in a long biochemical cascade that requires B6 and magnesium.
Females are more successful in this system. Males synthesize less effectively.

Don't hesitate to ask further questions...but I would need more details from
you to give you specific answers to your specific situation.

[AncientWolf]

Thank you for the info. I will have to spend some time digesting all the wonderful info given. I am not currently on any AEDs. I have been on several with no seizure control and my current neurologist is about ready to give up.

I do eat a lot of foods with EFAs such as fish, I get the mayo that is made from canola oil and claims to have lots of EFAs in it. I'd love to add walnuts to my diet, but the teeth won't do it.

Thanks,

Daniel

[mrsdoubtfyre]

I have a little Braun kitchen gadget that has an attachment that allows
you to grind up food to a very smooth consistancy.

I grind up left over cooked meat to make pitas with it.

It grinds nuts to a very small size(smaller than you can chew) and they can then be mixed into
your oatmeal, easily. The versatility of this gadget also makes smoothies.
YOu can really improve your nutrition there.. blending fresh fruit into any
base you choose. You can add whey protein powder to improve protein
content, and you can throw in some flax oil without changing the taste.
Mine is a bit different than this one... but my son has this one and likes
it alot..and it is not expensive:
http://bizrate.*****.com/blenders/pid11192885/compareprices__keyword--hand%20blenders.html

You can grind up alot of things in this handy processor.

[mrsdoubtfyre]

Centrum makes a liquid vitamin product. YOu may have to have your
pharmacy special order it.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=17411&catid=52795&aid=335933&aparam=centrum_multivitamin_and

There is also a generic version called Theravite...but that usually does
require special ordering. But it is about 1/2 the price.

[orthomolecular]

There are some vitamins that you should be taking for you epilespy. But this is not something I recommend you do on your won. Epilespy is about a vitamin b6 deficiency. I have a condition that causes me to have a severe vitamin b6 (and zinc) deficiency known as pyroluria but I don't have any seizures. Under pyroluria you can find that they can be prone to having bed teeth. I have had lots and lots of dental work throughout my life.

I also have low histamine levels. Histamine does influence your saliva production. I think it is the histadelics (low histamine types) that can have a sweet smelling breath because of dry mouth I think. But high histamine types are usually those people who say they never had a cavity in their life. Marlilyn Monroe was reported to make this comment to photographers. High histamine types can have too much saliva in their mouth and will ocassionally need to wipe away the excess from the corners of their mouth.

It isn't that hard to balance your histamine levels or raise them in your case but you should really do this with a qualified medical professional.

I have also discovered that I have a taurine deficiency. Taurine is great for seizures and tics. Taurine is considered conditionally essential, meaning that if you have any problems or special issues then you may need to take this amino acid. Vitamin b6 is critical for proteins to get broken down into amino acids. But generally your body will convert methionine into cysteine then cysteine is converted into taurine BUT only if there is enough vitamin b6 in your system. But I take very high doses of taurine, and that is not something I can recommned anyone do on their own because without the right nutritional support you could make things worse for yourself.

But, yes, nutritional supplements under medical supervision can not only save what teeth you have left but can help prevent any possible serious health problems as you age and keep your homocysteine levels in line. But some people have found they keep their seizures under control with the proper nutrition.

[nopain]

Daniel,

Might I make a suggestion for you to try.

Many of the foods on your list are known in the top 7 food allergies. Peanuts, wheat, meat, dairy.

If you take a really hard look at what you eat and the preservatives and additives and glycemic load not to mention the acidic profile of what you eat your eyes will open up. Consider also the inflammatory effects.

Supplements are great. And for healthy people eating a very average diet or for people with known deficiencies a godsend. But surely not enough on their own.

There is a cliche/saying/whatever about the "infinite wisdom of food". So much is unknown. When vitamins are isolated they in effect become drugs. Who is to say that the isolated substance will perform its role without the presense of the other substances in the food.

Refined Oils and Flour are really hard on the body. So I'll stop my rant but I will suggest the following and you being a chef you may already have the equipment.

1. Get a Vitamix or commercial quality blender

2. Fruit Blend every morning. Whatever combinations of fruits you enjoy. For me it's bannana, organge, apple, and blueberries. I combine with unflavored plain yogurt, organic almonds, sunflower seeds, organic unrefined coconut oil, and organic flax seeds. It tastes quite good and is loaded with vitamins in a form your body can choose what to do with. I also will blend in calcium/magnesium tablets.

3. Afternoon. Juice Juice Juice. Greens, Carrots, Apples, Tomatoes, in various blends. Use an Omega 8003 or Champion depending on what I am juicing.

I supplement Enzymes like Serrapeptase, Wobenzyme, Vitalzym inbetween. Occassionally I'll use digestive enzymes as well.

I still supplement - sublingal b12, Chinese Herbs, etc.

And I have pretty much eliminated red meat. And never any pork. Wild Salmon Only. Brown rice.

Your body will absolutely respond to real whole foods that are juiced and blended. This is not a cure but it sure will help you feel better.

As far as the teeth go... cavities are caused by bacteria. The less friendly you can make your mouth the better. Your teeth sound pretty far gone. Even so I can recommend you get an electric toothbrush - I prefer Oral B but I have also tried the Sonic Care. It's just so much easier to get all the teeth and so much more effective. Dump the brand name toothpastes. Floruide is a mineralizing agent, not an antibacterial. The Sodium Laurel Sulfate and similar dispersing agents can actually irritate the gums! I prefer weleda, peelu, etc.

There is so much you can do for yourself, but you have to educate yourself and make dietary changes. Supplements on top of a really good diet - and blood testing to keep track of changes will take you further forward in your battle for health.

Also if you are drinking sodas or falvored drinks you are punishing your body. In addition to raising the glycemic index, pulling minerals from your bones and teeth you are putting a great load on your acid/alkalinity balance. Most people are completely unaware of the effect of soft drinks. The Acidity is 2.8 to 3.4 on average. Literally 10,000 times more acidic than your bodys optimal balance! So acidic in fact that many of the syrups used to make the drinks have to be shipped with hazardous warning containers.

Your health is your responsibility. Dietary changes take time to work, they take persistence and will power to execute, but they will make a difference, and it's something you can control.