In view of methodological deficiencies and limited number of individual studies, we have found no reliable evidence to support the routine use of vitamins in patients with epilepsy. Further trials are needed, especially to assess the utility of vitamin D supplementation to prevent osteomalacia and the role of vitamin E on seizures and thiamine in improving cognitive functions.
The influence of folic acid on the frequency of epileptic attacks.
A double blind trial of folic acid against placebo was carried out on out-patients with epilepsy treated with Phenytoin. There was a minimum period on treatment of one year. While the group receiving folic acid in the treatment period showed a significant improvement in seizure frequency, the placebo group also showed some improvement. It is concluded that the improvement while on folic acid was not due to the folic acid treatment alone. The subjective well-being of patients was not influenced by folic acid therapy.