Seizures are not uncommon among children and do not always indicate epilepsy. Many children outgrow their seizures and live a normal life without need for any medications. Causes for seizures are varied and numerous and include severe allergies and negative reactions to certain chemicals. Cow's milk has long been considered healthy for growing children, but for some, it may trigger seizures. Contact your doctor immediately if you or your child experiences a seizure and ask him if milk might play a role.
Seizures
A seizure is an electrical discharge within your brain that quickly spreads out of control throughout your entire nervous system. There are two categories of seizures: grand mal and petit mal, which are differentiated primarily by the degree of effects on your body, both physically and emotionally. Grand mal seizures are more dramatic and cause jerking of your arms and legs, uncontrolled urination or defecation and usually a short period of unconsciousness. Grand mal seizures are often followed by a couple hours of profound fatigue and sometimes involve headaches. Petit mal seizures are more common and much milder, sometimes only involving numbness in your limbs or a "spaced-out" feeling.
Common Causes of Seizures
Many seizures are caused by acute or chronic infections because of high fever, change in blood pH, mineral depletion, reduced immunity, inflammatory reactions or toxins produced by microorganisms, as cited in "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine." Less common causes include toxic metal poisoning, especially mercury, copper, lead and aluminum; mineral imbalance; high or low blood sugar levels; severe stress; dehydration; food allergies; and sensitivities to certain chemicals. Any food can be a culprit, although cow's milk, cow's cheese, wheat, soy, citrus fruits, highly refined sugar, artificial sweeteners and other food additives are the most common seizure triggers, according to "Nutrition and Public Health."
Milk Allergy
The milk from a cow is meant to nourish a growing calf, not human children or adults. And although milk is considered a good source of protein, fatty acids, minerals and vitamins, many people do not tolerate it well, and some are allergic to it. Severe allergic reactions can trigger seizures, although swelling of the lips, tongue, face and throat are usually involved also, as cited in "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition." Organic milk seems to cause fewer problems, which hints at the commercial process being involved to some extent.
Cow Milk and Glutamine
All dairy products based on cow milk are high in glutamine, which is considered an excitotoxin because it irritates or excites your nervous system. Glutamine along with aspartate, which is found in MSG and aspartame-based sweeteners, are amino acids that are closely linked to epileptic seizures, according to "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." Parmesan cheese is the richest dairy source of glutamine. Goat milk contains much less glutamine than cow milk.
Cow Milk and Mineral Imbalance
According to "Contemporary Nutrition," drinking cow milk might trigger a seizure in some people because it is high in calcium but low in magnesium, which can exacerbate a magnesium deficiency and act as a trigger in a sensitive person.
References
- "Professional Guide to Diseases: Ninth Edition"; Springhouse Publishing; 2009
- "Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine"; A. Fauci et al.; 2008
- "Nutrition and Public Health"; Sari Edelstein; 2006
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Contemporary Nutrition"; Gordon M. Wardlaw; 2010
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