**Epilepsy Treatment and Nutritional Intervention**

Jerzy Majkowski

effect of some of these nutrient-based compounds is due to them acting through different pathways than the drug. However, many natural compounds (both nutritional and pharma‐ cological) can interfere with or even elevate drug activity, ranging from absorption and transport to liver metabolism and cellular activity. These interactions may change the ex‐

The unique contributions of individual vitamins and trace elements and their prevalence and distribution in foods provide an ever-expanding field of research which was born on the observations made by the two-time Nobel laureate Linus Carl Pauling (1901–1994). His scientific interest shifted to orthomolecular medicine and his findings on megavitamin ther‐ apy, dietary supplements and vitamin C are well known. Furthermore, Abram Hoffer (1917–2009) supported Pauling's conclusion that clinical application of therapeutic doses of specific B vitamins such as niacin and pyridoxine can be successfully used for the manage‐

Drugs and nutrients are not only involved in the same processes, their availability and func‐ tion are also intimately and inextricably entwined. The body's ability to process foreign sub‐ stances depends on metabolic systems that rely on essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and so forth) obtained through diet. This book contains a review of what is known about the general relationships between nutrition and pharmacology, as well as is‐ sues specific to disease therapies. The importance of food and nutrition for the bioavailabili‐ ty of drugs, and vice versa, has been an area of historical interest. However, much has been learned about the importance of nutritional status for drug metabolism, distribution and ef‐ fectiveness. The issues related to traditional therapies are highlighted as an area of clinical concern and one in need of further research. Additional attention is focused on the impact of individual micronutrients on drug pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. We have to look more carefully at potential drug-nutrient interactions in the clinical setting and to ask the correct questions, particularly in settings in which poor nutrition might be anticipated. To support our ability to do that, we need to delineate more clearly the role of nutrients in

**Faik Atroshi, PhD**

Finland

Pharmacology & Toxicology, University of Helsinki,

pected pharmacology of a drug and cause unexpected side-effects.

ment of certain forms of schizophrenia.

X Preface

pharmacology beyond just bioavailability.

Additional information is available at the end of the chapter

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/57484
