As many as one person in every 10 will experience at least one seizure during the course of their lives. A seizure occurs when electrical misfiring happens in your brain, causing physical or behavioral symptoms. If you have a pattern of recurring seizures, your doctor may diagnose one of the many types of epilepsy. There is no direct, proven connection between overdoses of the mineral zinc and seizures. Indirectly, a zinc overdose can cause gastrointestinal problems which affect absorption of anti-epileptic medications. Consult your doctor for advice regarding seizure control and dietary supplementation.
Seizure Management
The only proven treatment for epileptic seizures is one of the medications known as anti-epileptic drugs or anticonvulsants. Different types of medication are more effective with one or more of the different types of epilepsy. In addition to medical management, complementary therapies and lifestyle changes can be effective in the management of seizure disorders. For example, most types of epilepsy are worsened by sleep deprivation. Alcohol, caffeine, flashing lights or certain foods may trigger seizures for certain individuals.
Function of Zinc
The trace element zinc is necessary for your thyroid to function properly, and to promote wound healing. Additionally, zinc supports your immune system's function and your blood's ability to clot. Most people in the U.S. get enough zinc from their diets, and zinc deficiency is unusual in this part of the world. High doses of zinc over a long period of time--for example, two years at 150mg daily--can interfere with your body's absorption of other nutrients and minerals, such as copper. MedlinePlus reports that a single dose of 10 to 30g of zinc can be fatal.
Zinc and Seizures
A zinc overdose can cause a seizure indirectly. If you take too much zinc--typically considered anything above 40mg daily--some symptoms of overdose include vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Abdominal cramping also commonly occurs. If you have severe diarrhea or vomiting, you could lose anti-epileptic medications you have taken by mouth. A lowering of your blood levels of anti-epileptic medication is likely to cause increased seizure activity.
Zinc Sources
Zinc is present in many different foods. Oysters are the richest dietary source of zinc, with 76.7mg of zinc in six breaded and fried oysters. Beef, crab, pork and fortified cereals also contain significant quantities of zinc. Peas, cheese, chicken, almonds, yogurt, chickpeas, kidney beans and oatmeal contain smaller yet significant amounts of zinc.
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