Herbs and nutrients for neurologic disorders Treatment strategies for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, multiple sclerosis, migraine, and seizures

Kurn, a neurologist, and Shook, a neuroscientist, combine their clinical expertise to provide well-written, comprehensive advice on adding herbs and nutrients into protocols for treating some of the most common but intractable neurologic problems; specifically Parkinson's, MS, Alzheimer's, strokes, migraines, and seizures. Each chapter focuses on one of these ailments, describing the pathology and possible physiological or environmental factors or causes. Supported by up-to-date scientific evidence, the authors' recommendations promote specific herbs, including cannabis, plus vitamins and supplements, with the aim of slowing a disease's progression, enhancing quality of life, and avoiding a condition's recurrence, as in the case of strokes. Handy charts give detailed instructions about dosages, frequencies, and contraindications for each of the treatments. As Americans increasingly use herbs and nutrients to treat themselves for a wide swath of ailments, this kind of skilled advice, backed by rigorous science, is beneficial for general adult readership. VERDICT All readers, including students and providers of integrative health care, will find this title to be a first-rate resource.-Janet Tapper, Univ. of Western States Lib., Portland, OR © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Chapter 6 Seizure Disorders Epilepsy (recurrent seizures) requires ongoing medical care. There is no evidence that seizures can be completely controlled with the use of herbs and nutrients without medication. On the other hand, as discussed above, herbs and nutrients may well help control seizures, allow reduction of medication dosage, and provide neuroprotection in the presence of seizures. As with all disorders, any seizure patient interested in the use of supplements requires individual evaluation for the best choice of supplements as well as ongoing supervision. The following summarizes the use of the nutrients and herbs that have been most successful in treating seizure disorders. Nutrients GABA: GABA is the main inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitter in the brain. Clinical experience and review of the available literature suggest it does cross the blood-brain barrier, contrary to the commonly held opinion that it does not. GABA is relatively safe and generally inexpensive. It can be sedative early on so the dose should be gradually titrated. Starting at 500-750mg at bedtime, the individual may slowly increase the dose as high as 1500mg twice/day. As noted above, phosphatidylserine appears to help GABA cross the blood-brain barrier. Phosphatidylserine dosage is 100-150mg twice/day. Taurine: Taurine is an amino acid minus the amino group and is pervasive in the body's metabolism. It inhibits the excitatory effects of glutamate and inhibits the enzyme that metabolizes GABA, the brain's main inhibitory neurotransmitter. Both these effects are important in controlling seizures. Starting at 500mg on an empty stomach at bedtime, the dosage can be increased slowly up to 2 gm twice/day. Magnesium: Magnesium is an essential mineral with numerous functions in the body's metabolism. Its value in seizures relates to its inhibitory role in the ion channel of the NMDA receptor, an important receptor for glutamate and the main excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. In addition, magnesium levels tend to be reduced in individuals with seizures. A chelated (bound to amino acids) form of magnesium is recommended rather than an inorganic form such as magnesium oxide or carbonate. The organic chelated form is better absorbed and the amino acid may be beneficial as well. In fact, magnesium taurate is available providing both magnesium and taurine. Magnesium dosage varies from100-300mg twice/day. At higher dosages, magnesium may cause diarrhea, which can be mitigated with the concurrent use of calcium at a similar dosage to the magnesium. Herbs Although a number of herbs have traditional usage in epilepsy, skullcap, bacopa, peony root, and valerian appear to have the most scientific support. Peony root, in particular, appears to inhibit calcium influx, an essential current for release of excitatory neurotransmitters. It also inhibits the gene essential for apoptosis and inhibits an important element of the metabolic cascade leading to inflammation. These latter properties suggest a role in neuroprotection. Finally, peony root appears to inhibit the high-frequency voltage discharge of neurons, a type of neuronal firing, that occurs in epilepsy. Bacopa appears to have neuroprotective properties, enhances cognition, and has traditional usage in epilepsy. For individuals with frequent seizures, neuroprotection is important to limit neuronal excitotoxicity and stress. Valerian, used for millennia, appears to have GABA enhancing properties, similar to a number of the pharmaceutical anticonvulsants. Smell and taste is a bit of an obstacle to the otherwise safe usage of this herb. Skullcap is a traditional anticonvulsant herb with limited modern scientific study. The lack of evidence does not imply a lack of efficacy, and traditional usage is generally a good guide to an herb's indication in a clinical setting. Herbs can be utilized as aqueous extractions (teas or decoctions), alcohol extractions (tinctures), encapsulated dried herb, or gaseous extractions yielding increased potency encapsulated powders. An advantage to tinctures is the capacity for blending a combination of extracts into a single tincture. All the herbs noted above come as tinctures, and can be mixed together into a single tincture. For high potency tinctures with a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio of herbal mg to alcohol ml, one or more teaspoons twice/day is recommended. Based on the evidence presented above, a higher proportion of peony root in the tincture is recommended. Cannabinoids Historical usage, case series, and physiological mechanisms of cannabinoids all support the efficacy of its usage for recurrent seizures. In particular, a high CBD strain should be used to avoid the psychoactive effects of THC. The UCLA series in pediatric patients had a median dosage of 4.3mg/kg/day per patient (children). For an adult, starting with a low oral form of a high CBD preparation at 10-25mg/day appears reasonable. The gravity of seizures requires the monitoring of a medical practitioner, familiar with epilepsy as well as the use of cannabis in medical practice. This may require an open-minded neurologist along with a knowledgeable primary care provider familiar with cannabis medicine. Dosage will vary with each patient. It would not be appropriate to decrease or discontinue other anticonvulsants until there is a noticeable decline in the frequency or intensity of the seizures. Refer to the cannabinoid section of the introduction of the book for important general dosing guidelines for cannabinoids. Sleep The relationship between seizure and sleep was documented by Hippocrates, and the connection has been described in many contexts since then. Reference the sleep chapter for details regarding improving sleep quality. Excerpted from Herbs and Nutrients for Neurologic Disorders: Treatment Strategies for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis, Migraine, and Seizures by Sidney J. Kurn, Sheryl Shook All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.