The fact that gluten intolerance can create problems with
the nervous system is not new news. The fact that gluten can create seizures is
also not new. But it’s also a fact that it is new to most doctors, even those
who are specialists of the nervous system.
Witness this true life story:
A mother contacted me who was herself a celiac. Prior to
being diagnosed with celiac disease and eliminating gluten from her diet, she
had seizures. Her seizures, along with a host of other problems, all
disappeared on a gluten-free diet.
Fast forward to having children and she began to notice that
her son would flutter his eyes oddly at times. As this worsened and she realized
that it was not under his control, she moved forward to get a diagnosis. She
took her son to many doctors and the agreed diagnosis was ‘absence seizures’.
These used to be called petit mal seizures as opposed to grand mal seizures
that are dramatic and more what most people think of when the word ‘seizure’
comes to mind.
Petit means small and grand means large in French, fyi…
Other than the diagnosis, no recommendation for cause nor
cure was offered. A drug with dangerous side effects was the only ‘solution’
given to the mom and this was something she didn’t want to do. Citing her own
health history as an example, the mother asked if celiac disease or gluten
reactions could be causing the seizures in her child. Her question was met with
degrees of distain or complete lack of interest by all the doctors she asked.
In frustration, the mother adopted a gluten-free diet for
her son. Lo and behold, the seizures ceased, except when he ate gluten. Whether
it was a mistake or outright cheating, the seizures did not return without
gluten contamination occurring.
Armed with the data of her own ‘experiment’ in the matter, the
mother again asked a neurologist about a link with gluten and her son’s
seizures. Despite what seemed to be an obvious association, the neurologist
categorically stated that there was no connection between gluten and her son’s
seizures.
Does that make sense to you?
Even if you were unaware of research proving you wrong
(which there is ample), wouldn’t you be curious enough about the association to
look into whether any research existed? As a neurologist who frequently saw
patients suffering with seizures, wouldn’t you be curious to see if there was
any validity in this mother’s claim?
If it was your child what would you do?
Thankfully the mom found out about us on the internet and
she and her son are coming to visit our destination clinic. Here we will
confirm or deny gluten intolerance via a genetic test. This is the test of
choice because it doesn't require a dangerous reintroduction of gluten in order
to get an accurate result. We will also address the secondary effects
association with gluten intolerance such as:
o
Infections
o
Cross reactive foods
o
Other food intolerances
o
Health of the probiotic organisms in the gut
o
Vitamin and enzyme deficiencies
o
and more…
While I was grateful that the mother discovered us, it made
me think how many other individuals, adults and children alike, are suffering
needlessly from a condition such as seizures when a dietary change could
eradicate the problem.
Do you know anyone with seizures? Please alert them to this
data.
If you or someone you care about needs to improve their
health please tell them about our free health analysis.
Visit us at www.RootCauseMedicalClinic.com. If you have questions or need any help, I’m here for you! Call 408-733-0400.
I look forward to hearing from you.
To your good health,
Dr Vikki Petersen, DC, CCN, CFMP
IFM Certified Practitioner
Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
Author of the eBook: “Gluten Intolerance – What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You!”
Founder of Root Cause Medical Clinic
Co-author of “The Gluten Effect”
Author of the eBook: “Gluten Intolerance – What You Don’t Know May Be Killing You!”
Reference:
European Journal of Epilepsy,
Vol 7, Issue 1. Pp 49-54. February 1998. ”Epilepsy, cerebral calcifications and
clinical or subclinical coeliac disease. Course and follow up with gluten-free
diet”
6 comments:
I really can understand what this mother went through. I am a mother in New Zealand and my 16 year old girl started to have seizures 5 years ago. I've been trying any good method I can think of and she always went against or reluctantly follows the regime maybe few days and pushes her own way (processed food, instant food, sleep latency, you name it). Accidentally I came across with the info on connection between gluten intolerance and seizures (A few years ago I discovered that myself is gluten intolerant, so I've been on gluten free diet.) It was so difficult to get her go through GS test and surprisingly, her anti gliadin level was 168 (normal adult level should be below 20). But she's still insisting to be on gluten (She ingests less gluten than before, so presents less severe seizure (absence type of)and she thinks food can't be the problem since her dad always said so. I'm now thinking only the natural consequences can teach her about what choice she should have made, but I can always witness she's not feeling well on gluten and it is frustrating. Is there anyway I can get the help from the gluten doctors? If there is, please let me know to helovesmj@gmail.com. Thanks.
Dear helovesmj,
I sent you a personal email as you requested.
I would love to know if I can email you what's going on and get your opinion. I am so glad to come across this page!
@thekingsgirl - sorry for the delay, your comment was stuck somewhere for a while...
Anyway, yes you can email me at:
drvikki@healthnowmedical.com.
I look forward to hearing from you.
how do you distinguish between vasovagal (sp?) episode and absence seizure? I have had blackouts for many years -- originally only during vigorous exercise, but now during or after even moderate exercise and first thing when I wake up (I keep blacking out in the bathroom...). I have been thinking these were absence seizures (unable to capture in neuro lab, however), but have recently been reading about vasovagal episodes. I think the trigger is really changes in blood sugar (I have tested blood sugar -- it remains in the normal range) -- if I eat, I am more likely to blackout, especially if carb-heavy like fruit, or if have not eaten recently, like a.m. I have been gluten free for several years and alleviated my severe celiac symptoms, but am "glutenized" fairly often because my family is not gf and is careless with gluten products. These blackouts are the last major health issue, often occurring 20+ times a day! I always read seizures are a symptom or complication of celiac, but have found little additional info...
Hi, where are you located? My daughter was diagnosed with absence epilepsy at the age of 3 1/2. She is now 12 and suffers from hundreds of seizures a day. We have been on 10 different medicatons, nothing has worked or the side effects have been to severe. She now has developed a very rare type of epilepsy called "sunflower" syndrome. She waves her hand on front of her face in the bright lights and has learned to induce grand mals. 4 in the past 1 1/2 years. We are desperate. She is not currently gluten free, bc I feel I need help doing that Thank you Janine
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