North Hills Hospital recently hosted a live remote broadcast with WBAP. During that broadcast, Hal Jay & Brian Estridge discussed the acronym F.A.S.T. as a way to recognize the symptoms of stroke. Since that broadcast, North Hills Hospital treated a stroke patient who came to the hospital for treatment, thanks to that recent broadcast. Listen to the story here:

For a physician referral at North Hills Hospital, please call 1-855-5NHILLS.

Did you know that the St. John’s Wort extract featured in Up-Lift™is produced for us by Euromed under the highest standard of manufacturing? Euromed documents the quality of all of its extracts, from the plant through to the finished extract.

Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)

Cultivation of St. John’s Wort Herb
The St. John’s Wort herb, Hypericum perforatumis grown under the most stringent criteria for the cultivation, harvesting and processing of plants for its extract. Euromed has contracts extending over many years with growers to insure consistent quality. The use of pesticides is strictly forbidden and the supplier must certify they are not used in a Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) Certificate. Irradiation or the use of ethylene oxide gas is not permitted for herb sterilization. The St. John’s Wort herb is tested for chemical residues and other potential contaminants. This includes heavy metals – lead, cadmium and mercury and aflatoxins from mold and harmful bacteria.

Proper Extraction Technique
The quality of the herb material is verified for correct species and presence of important active components before extraction by HPLC and TLC. The carrier, GMO-free maltodextrin is selected based on the European Pharmacopoeia Monograph for St. John’s Wort extract. This carrier is typically used for European products tested in clinical trials. The spent plant material is not used for the carrier, as heavy metals are associated with plant cellulose.

The phytochemicals are concentrated in the extract using water and ethanol from beetroot sugar fermentation. The solvent is 60% ethanol/ 40%, water (a ratio that captures both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic compounds) as described in the European Pharmacopoeia. The proper solvent ratio of St. John’s Wort extract is verified by testing the extract for a proper range of 8-12% flavonoids. These are important antioxidants for preserving the potency of other important natural active components. If the flavonoid content exceeds this range, it means the concentration of solvent is too large and exceeds the monograph limits.

The extract is dried under vacuum at low temperature to reduce oxidation to important sensitive substances like hyperforin. The extract is tested to contain no more than 0.6% quercetin, demonstrating correct low temperature extraction and drying of its extract. A special process of flash pasteurization is applied during extraction to meet low microbe limits, without affecting active components.

Verified Potency
Hypericum perforatum aerial parts at harvest are rich in hyperforin that is susceptible to oxidation over time. This extract is tested for a high level of 3.0% hyperforin by HPLC at time of manufacture, indicating herb freshness and proper extraction technique. The extract is standardized to contain all active important natural components; naphthodianthrones (hypericin and pseudohypericin), phloroglucinols (hyperforins) and flavonoids (quercetin, isoquercetin, rutin, kaempferol, luteolin, quercetin and hyperoside). Specifically the extract is tested to contain minimum 0.3% hypericins.

Proven Efficacy
The supplier of this extract is a division of a 90-year-old European pharmaceutical company. Its extracts are typically used in prescription medicines in Europe and have been used safely and effectively in millions of people. Clinical studies reported in the British Medical Journal, Phytomedicine, and the European journal Deutsche Apoteker Zeitung found this St. John’s Wort extract to be safe and effective.

Tranquility™

Did you know that the word nervine refers to an herb that provides a beneficial effect on the nervous system?

Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap)

Nervines have a long history of successful use within traditional medical systems to promote relaxation and alleviate stress, anxiety, and insomnia without adverse effects.  Natura’s Tranquility™ formula contains several classic botanical nervines and is specifically designed to calm, tonify and regenerate the nervous system.

There are three main types of herbal nervines; tonics, relaxants, and stimulants. Since many herbs are dynamic “multi-taskers” that offer a variety of therapeutic benefits, additional subcategories and secondary actions exist and overlap is common.  Tranquility™ features primarily tonic and relaxantnervines.

Nervine Tonics
Nervine tonics are nutritive herbs that slowly nourish, strengthen and regenerate the nervous system over time. This group is well-indicated for restoring nervous system function and resiliency when damaged by stress, shock, or physical injury, as well as general nervous debility. A premier example of a nervine tonic herb contained in Tranquility™ would be Avena sativa (Milky Oats).

Nervine Relaxants
Nervine relaxants are herbs that exert a calming effect on excited nerves. These botanicals are very useful for easing both physical and mental tension.  Herbs in this category can offer immediate relief to anxiety, muscle tension, insomnia, “mental chatter” and nervousness. Scutellaria lateriflora (Skullcap) and Piper methysticum (Kava) are two prime examples of relaxant nervines featured in Tranquility™.

In addition to its potent nervine effect, Tranquility™ also promotes GABA (gamma amino butyric acid) production and possesses adaptogenic qualities to improve attention, cognitive function, and mental performance during stress, and reduce post-stress fatigue.

September 24, 2012  1PM PST

Prevent and reduce neurological decline; reduce stress-induced anxiety and depression; improve memory, mood and cognition.

Master Herbalist & Certified Nutritionist Donald R. Yance will present wholistic strategies that address neurological, nervous system and mental function. Mr. Yance will discuss the causes of declining mental health, including such conditions as depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease. He will present evidence-based herbal, nutritional and lifestyle solutions to prevent, reduce or reverse mental health related issues.

For more information and to REGISTER

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Prevent Stroke Before it Happens
Take control of your health to help lower your stroke risk. You should manage your existing health conditions with your health provider's help. Keep track of your cholesterol and blood pressure, and manage diabetes if you have it. Keep your medications up to date and take them as directed. In addition to being active and watching your weight, you should quit smoking immediately and avoid excessive alcohol use.

Be Familiar with the Signs of Stroke
Because stroke survival and recovery depend on quick action, it’s important to know the signs and symptoms. Common symptoms come on suddenly and may include numbness or weakness of the face or limbs, trouble with vision or speaking, loss of coordination and severe headache. If any of these symptoms come on and then go away with no other effects, you should still talk to your doctor immediately, as they could be signs of a stroke in the future.

Act Fast
Stroke can be treated, but it’s important to treat immediately. Always begin by calling 9-1-1. Stroke first aid must be administered by emergency medical professionals. A delay in treatment can lead to death or far more significant impairments after stroke. Be aware of hospitals and emergency care centers in your area, and educate those around you to make them aware of symptoms and signs of stroke. Make sure that your loved ones know to call for emergency help right away. Assess your own stroke risk and the risk of those close to you. If you’re aware of a higher risk of stroke, have an action plan in place in case of sudden stroke symptoms.

Stroke Center
North Hills Hospital has been named a certified Primary Stroke Center by The Joint Commission. Our hospital, in partnership with the Texas Stroke Institute, shares the vision of commitment to providing high quality primary and comprehensive stroke center.

Related Posts:
What to Bring to the E.R.
Fast ER: Why Wait?

True parenting conversation I had this week.

So, where did I leave off? Mid November? I came back, cleaned and organized like mad while my Dr’s tried to get me into a neurologist/eeg/mri. I finally have an appt for a Neuro consult in early Feb. Things weren’t working out quickly enough to get me in before Christmas and so I was coached through how to get into the hospital through the ER to end up on the Med floor not in the psych ward so I could actually get an eeg instead of a benzo. And it worked! But the Med floor was full of the elderly and the dying and honestly I did not need to be in the hospital so to my agreement and delight I was moved to the Psych ward for the rest of my vacationstay. It turned out to be full of interesting times, including 9 hours of oxygen in the ambulance for severe vomiting- they were threatening to put me on IV and the other patient being transferred having a heart attack. The paramedics were so on the ball I didn’t even realize what was happening at first and they had her stabilized and back to the hospital lickity split. I was 2.5 hours late for the EEG and pretty much missed the neuro appt where they told me my brain looked lesion free and I could go ahead and have the reproductive evacuation done. No clear answers from that, but nobody was really expecting there to be. It’s looking more and more like I will be spending a couple weeks at UBC in hospital having a neuro/psych eval done. Should I have a poll- neurotic, psychotic or both?

Internet time is up!
Christmas was lovely!
We are warm enough.
We are out of propane.
We are *hopefully* moving to Trail for Jan 15-April because hiking in with kids, water, wood, food, going to the laundromat, pool, etc is tricky, especially with all this health stuff.

Love to you all. I’ll try and update sooner.

PS. 158lbs baby! That’s something like 108lbs of weight loss!!!!!!

Understanding Dementia
Alzheimer's is just one disease that can cause dementia. Others include stroke, vascular dementia and head injury. Common symptoms of dementia include forgetfulness, memory loss, poor judgment and confusion. When dementia becomes severe, those who suffer from it may become unable to live alone. Dementia is also called senility, but it’s important to note that dementia isn’t directly related to reaching a senile age.

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in people over 65. It is a degenerative disorder that attacks neurons in the brain, causing symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer’s isn’t a normal result of aging, but an actual disease. Those diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease live for an average of eight to 10 years from diagnosis.

Getting Help
The National Institute on Aging suggests talking to your doctor when you or a loved one begins showing signs of serious memory problems or uncharacteristic behavior. Those with a family history of Alzheimer’s disease should be especially on the lookout for early signs such as forgetfulness and confusion about time or place. Those with a diagnosis should work closely with caregivers to establish proper care as the disease progresses.

Preventative Measures and Treatment
There’s no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but adults can take measures to slow down dementia symptoms and improve memory. Consider encouraging elderly loved ones to stay healthy and limit alcohol use. Hobbies and memory games can help keep the mind sharp. Those who have been diagnosed with dementia as a result of Alzheimer’s disease may be prescribed medications to help with memory, but these can’t stop the progress of the disease. Those with Alzheimer’s disease generally need long term care for an extended period of time once the disease has progressed and caused impairments.

The Senior Health Clinic at North Hills Hospital is staffed with professionals uniquely trained to treat the various health needs of our geriatric community. If you or a loved one is showing signs of dementia, please contact us. We can assist with diagnosis, treatment, support groups and living assistance. For more information, please visit us online or call our physician referral line at 1-855-5NHILLS.

Related Posts:
Caretaker Resources: Assisting Seniors with Senior Living
Types of Incontinence
How Physical Therapy Can Help You

Image via Wikipedia

Tinnitus, or ringing in the ears, is an exceptionally common problem.  As many as 2 million Americans experience this on a daily basis.  It can range from very minor to annoying to debilitating.

Tinnitus is often associated with hearing loss.  Prolonged exposure to loud noises is the most common cause of hearing loss.  It is this loss of hearing that is actually causing the tinnitus.  Say what? Hearing loss actually causes people to hear sounds that don’t really exist? Yes!

People often describe tinnitus as ringing in the ears.  However, the list of sounds that are considered tinnitus is very long.  Other sounds that people might perceive include ticking, clicking, whooshing and buzzing to name a few.

Recent research, published online in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest several new approaches to treatment, including retraining the brain, and new avenues for developing drugs to suppress the ringing.

As a chiropractic neurologist the above statement about retraining the brain got my attention.  This is something that is near and dear to the heart of all chiropractic neurologists.  We use techniques that retrain the brain every day.  We use these techniques to help people with a wide variety of conditions ranging from anxiety to muscular imbalances and pain.

Traditionally, patients with tinnitus are told the problem stems from damaged hair cells inside of the ear.  They are told it is these hair cells that are sending the wrong signals into the brain which interprets them as noise. Turns out, this is not true.

Because each hair cell is tuned to a different frequency, damaged or lost cells leave a gap in hearing, typically a specific frequency and anything higher in pitch.  It is this gap which causes problems for the brain.

Chiropractic neurologists have been saying for a very long time that ringing in the ears is actually brain based.  This new research supports this assertion. Below is information from coauthor of the recent study Shaowen Bao, adjunct assistant professor in the Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at UC Berkeley

Experiments in the past few years have shown that the ringing doesn’t originate in the inner ear, though, but rather in regions of the brain — including the auditory cortex — that receives input from the ear.

Bao’s experiments in rats with induced hearing loss explain why the neurons in the auditory cortex generate these phantom perceptions. They showed that neurons that have lost sensory input from the ear become more excitable and fire spontaneously, primarily because these nerves have “homeostatic” mechanisms to keep their overall firing rate constant no matter what.

“With the loss of hearing, you have phantom sounds,” said Bao, who himself has tinnitus. In this respect, tinnitus resembles phantom limb pain experienced by many amputees. (From sciencedaily.com)

The neurons that have lost sensory input in the brain are the neurons that are responsible for the perceived noise that people hear.  These neurons have undergone a process called transneural degeneration.  To stabilize these neurons they need more input.  But because they cannot receive it from the hair cells in the ear that are damaged, other areas of the auditory cortex must take over.  This retraining of the brain takes time, but if performed diligently, the results can be phenomenal.

We know this is a possibility because the brain is plastic.  That is, it changes in response to the stress and environmental input it receives. When a finger is amputated, for example, the region of the brain receiving input from that finger may start handling input from neighboring fingers.

Drug therapy is aimed at increasing the levels of the neurotransmitter GABA in the brain.  GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter.  In order to slow down the firing rate of these over excited cells, we must increase the levels of this inhibitory neurotransmitter.  The good news is there are lots of natural therapies that work to raise GABA levels or drive GABA receptors in the brain.

One way is to use the amino acid taurine.  I use it frequently.  Another is a product called phenibut (Phen-i-bute).  It is a natural GABA derivative that crosses the blood brain barrier and binds to GABA receptors.  I also use this frequently in my practice. These supplements, however, I believe are temporary solutions.  The permanent solution is to retrain the brain.

Tinnitus is a complicated and elusive condition, but we appear to be headed in the right direction in terms of research.  Always remember, the brain holds the key!

Image via Wikipedia

Happy New Year!  A new era began at the Vreeland Clinic on January 1st this year.  Dr. Carrie and I would like to thank all of our friends and family for their well wishes.  We looked forward to continuing to serve the community for years to come!

Today I’d like to touch on something that has revolutionized the way I practice.

People come to me for many reasons.  Some people come to my clinic for weight loss or to get more energy.  Others for help with a chronic condition that hasn’t responded to traditional care.  Still others come to see me for a wide range of neurologic conditions.  These include things like Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, depression or anxiety.  It is the last two that I’d like to focus on today.

Anxiety and depression are extremely common in America.  Millions of Americans suffer from anxiety, depression or both.  These conditions may have many etiologies but one theory is a chemical imbalance in the brain.

Just what is this chemical imbalance?  When someone states that they have a chemical imbalance they are referring to an imbalance in the neurotransmitter system of the brain.  These neurotransmitters are really just proteins that each nerve in the brain uses to communicate with its neighbors.  Sometimes people can have too little of a certain neurotransmitter or too much of another.  This is problematic because it alters the way the brain functions.  It may cause anxiety and/or depression.

The pharmaceutical industry has figured that out and makes a large class of drugs that alters neurotransmitter function in the brain.  These are drugs like Prozac, Zoloft, Wellbutrin and Lorazepam to name a few.

Neurotransmitters are broken down into two categories – they are either excitatory or inhibitory.  That means they either tell the brain to go or tell the brain to stop.  The complexities of the neurotransmitter system are extensive and there is much more to it than “go” and “stop” but that basic principle holds true in most cases.

Examples of neurotransmitters include serotonin, GABA, epinephrine, norepinephrine, glutamate and dopamine.  Serotonin and GABA are inhibitory while epinephrine, norepinephrine, glutamate and dopamine are excitatory.

If you have anxiety and depression often times an imbalance exists in the levels of these neurotransmitters.

For example, high levels of glutamate may cause anxiety or seizures.  Low levels of GABA may cause anxiety.  Low levels of serotonin may cause depression.  Same goes for norepinephrine.

So how do you tell which neurotransmitters are low or which are too high?

Measuring Neurotransmitters

Measuring your neurotransmitters with a urine test is the best way to estimate your levels of neurotransmitters.  We do this routinely in our office for many patients.  It is incredibly insightful and directs our care for patients with anxiety, depression and many other conditions.

The measurement of neurotransmitters in the urine has been around for many years.  I’ve read studies dating to the 1960′s of scientists using similar methods to evaluate neurotransmitter levels.

Until relatively recently, perhaps the last 10-15 years, it has not been used frequently in clinical practice.  Now, through specialized laboratories, it is available to the general public and it is very affordable.

The knock on urinary neurotransmitter testing is that it does not correlate with brain levels of these hormones because the urine test is in fact testing whole body levels of neurotransmitters.

The very neurotransmitters that exist in our brain to make us happy exist outside the brain to serve the body in other ways.  So, yes, it is true that checking urinary neurotransmitter levels is technically a check of the entire body’s store of neurotransmitters.  But, through hundreds of thousands of tests these specialized labs have shown with high correlation that when neurotransmitter levels are abnormal certain psychiatric and neurological conditions are much more common.

Clinically, I have seen an almost one to one correlation in my patients with certain conditions an alteration in their neurotransmitter system.

The lab that I use will test all of the basic neurotransmitters plus a slew of metabolites of these neurotransmitters.  It provides a wonderful window into the neurological system.

If I find that serotonin is low, I supplement with something called 5-HTP.  If dopamine is low, I like to use L-tyrosine or an herb called mucuna pruriens.  The list can go on and on.

Once someone has been on a program for 6-8 weeks we recheck their neurotransmitter profile to gauge our therapy and adjust it if necessary.  We find that once a person’s profile returns to normal, their symptoms resolve.

If you have anxiety or depression, consider seeking out someone who does this kind of testing to improve your outcomes.  The brain is incredibly complex.  It never hurts to have a little extra information to guide your therapy.

Saturday, September 11, 2010
7:30am – 5pm
Radisson Hotel Pittsburgh

Cost: $180 ($140 if you register before August 21)
$95 for PANP professional members

Become an Associate or Supporting Member of the PANP and Save an additional $40

Join Us as We:

• Address possible treatments for Autism
• Examine the environmental influences on Autism
• Explore the role of homeopathy in the treatment of Autism and other Neurologcial Conditions, like MS
• Expound on the evidence-based naturopathic therapies that can provide support for neurological cancers

Featured Speakers include:
Dr. Neubrander; Aminah Keats, ND, FABNO; Jessica Tran, ND; Dr. Hoover; & Maria Cronyn, ND

For more information about this conference or to register, visit www.panp.org/2010conference

The history of flame retardants stretches back at least as far as 450 B.C. when, as noted by Herodotus, the Egyptians soaked wood in alum. But it wasn’t until World War II, and the subsequent flush of highly flammable petroleum-based products into the market, that the flame retardants so popular today came into widespread use. The addition of these chemicals to our couches, TVs, and computers has soared in recent decades in response to flammability standards developed in the 1970s. Of course, we all want to protect ourselves and our families from fires. But the very regulations intended to protect us have unintentionally exposed us to chemicals that may be doing more harm than good. 

Mounting research suggests that flame retardants may cause neurological and reproductive harm, thyroid disruption, and cancer. What is the latest evidence from animal and human studies? Are some people disproportionately exposed? Do less toxic alternatives exist? How can the emerging research inform chemicals policy reform? We explored these questions on a teleconference hosted by the CHE-Fertility Working Group and the Women’s Health and Environment Initiative (WHEI) on April 15.

 Widely used halogenated flame retardants (usually brominated or chlorinated) are persistent pollutants that can hitchhike the globe, catching a ride on air and ocean currents, and can accumulate in wildlife, pets, and people. Foam, fabric, and plastic are soaked or coated with these chemicals so they won’t burn as easily, but because the flame retardants aren’t bound to those materials, they can escape into the air and dust in our homes and offices where we can breathe or ingest them. 

In 1975, California implemented Technical Bulletin 117 (TB117)—which requires furniture to be resistant to an open flame for 12 seconds. To meet this unique flammability standard, manufacturers largely relied on penta-BDE, a commercial mixture of brominated flame retardants known as PBDEs.

“Research conducted by the Silent Spring Institute has shown the repercussions of that standard,” said Dr. Ami Zota, Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. Zota and her colleagues at Silent Spring Institute found levels of penta-BDE in California house dust that were 4 to 10 times higher than other areas in the US and 200 times higher than in Europe. The researchers also found penta-BDE in the blood of California residents at levels twice as high as the national average; and levels were higher among people with lower incomes.

In case you were thinking this is just California’s problem, think again. Dr. Arlene Blum, Executive Director of the Green Science Policy Institute and Visiting Scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, explained that although TB117 applies to products sold in California, its influence has rippled across the globe because manufacturers don’t want to vary their product formulations and many of the products we buy in the US aren’t made locally (Asia, incidentally, uses the largest volume of brominated flame retardants in the world, and that usage has risen rapidly in recent years).

“Exposures aren’t uniform across the global or even the US population,” said Zota. “Children are highly exposed because of their frequent hand to mouth behavior and close proximity to the floor…and via breast milk.” Zota pointed to a new study by Melissa Rose and colleagues that found levels of PBDEs in children that approached levels found in occupationally exposed adults.

Socioeconomic status may also affect exposure. “At least three studies have shown elevated exposures among socially vulnerable groups,” said Zota, “although this environmental health disparity has received less attention.”

The first evidence from human studies of flame retardants is emerging and, unfortunately, it is pointing to some of the same health problems demonstrated in animal studies.

“There have been numerous animal studies that have found a range of health effects from exposure to PBDEs, but very little research has been done in humans,” said Dr. Kim Harley, Associate Director for Health Effects at the Center for Children’s Environmental Health Research, University of California, Berkeley.

Harley and her colleagues measured PBDEs in the blood of women who are part of the CHAMACOS study, a long-term study examining the effects of environmental exposures on the health of mothers and children in California’s Salinas Valley. Their results showed that women with higher levels of PBDEs in their blood took longer to become pregnant compared with women who had lower levels.

“This paper is the first to address the impact of PBDEs on human fertility, and the results are surprisingly strong,” said Harley.

A recent study by researchers from Columbia University measured PBDEs in the umbilical cord blood of newborns in Manhattan, and followed up with participants through age six to test their development.

“We found that children with the highest prenatal exposures to PBDEs scored lower on tests of mental and physical development,” said Dr. Julie Herbstman, Postdoctoral Research Scientist at the Columbia University Center for Children’s Environmental Health. “While additional studies are needed to confirm our results, we should identify opportunities to reduce exposure.”

But reducing exposure to flame retardants, particularly at the individual level, is proving to be a formidable challenge. It isn’t clear, said Blum, what we should do with all of our killer couches, or what we should replace them with.

The good news is that two formulations of PBDEs (penta and octa) have been banned in the US, and deca-BDE is being phased out.

The bad news, notes Zota, is that “the persistent nature of these compounds and the slow turnover of consumer products that contain them means there will be long term exposure reservoirs for these chemicals even after they are banned.” Take your sofa, for example, which has an estimated 30-year lifespan.

Furthermore, alternative flame retardants have been substituted that haven’t been adequately tested for safety, such as the widely used Firemaster 550 and chlorinated Tris—a close relative of a flame retardant (brominated Tris) banned from children’s pajamas in the 1970s because it is carcinogenic.

“The problem,” explained Blum, “is that chemicals in America are not effectively regulated.” The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), our primary federal chemicals policy, is widely recognized as being limp and outdated. “In 30 years there has been no incentive for the companies that make these chemicals to develop any new green or less toxic flame retardants, and when one is banned they just move to the next one.”

This may be changing. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) recently filed legislation that would require manufacturers to demonstrate the safety of chemicals before they are put on the market, and to submit health and safety data to the EPA for the over 80,000 chemicals that are already in use.

As for TB117 and other flammability standards, Blum questions their effectiveness. “There is no data that flame retardants have saved lives, but there is evidence they may be harming the planet and our health,” she said. 

Fire retardants can delay fires for a few seconds, but they can also generate more carbon monoxide, smoke, and other pollutants, which can make fires even more dangerous. And while fire deaths have declined since the 1980s in California, there’s been a similar decline in other states, with the largest (nearly 50%) in New York. This could be due to a 50% decrease in smoking over the same time period, fire-safe cigarettes and candles, improved fire codes, and increased use of sprinklers and smoke detectors.

Blum suggested several alternative strategies for reducing fire hazards, including:

• Using flame retardant chemicals only when a fire safety benefit has been established
• Reducing ignition sources, which is more effective than adding flame retardants
• Using non-halogenated flame retardants when needed
• Using alternative technologies such as barriers
• Updating flammability standards
• Providing information to the public

There are two bills this year in California tackling different aspects of the flame retardant problem. SB772 would stop the de facto requirement for flame retardants in foam baby products where there is no demonstrated fire hazard; SB1291 would require health information before flame retardants are used and a costs and benefit analysis of standards like TB117.

The European Union, which has already restricted the use of PBDEs, is currently reforming its Directive on the Restrictions of Hazardous Substance (RoHS) in electrical and electronic equipment. Clean Production Action is advocating for a ban on all halogenated flame retardants in electronic products on the market in Europe, which, if passed, could have a worldwide impact.

Blum, who is also a mountain climber, closed the teleconference with an image of herself, ascending a precipitous snow-capped mountain peak. “I feel like I’m on an expedition with all of you who are part of this call,” she said. “It’s a small number of companies and chemicals with a huge adverse impact on the health and environment of everyone. Working together we can climb the mountain and reach a safer healthier place.”

Autism now affects 1 in 100 children in the U.S.

Autism statistics are staggering.  Twenty-five years ago an autism diagnosis was a 1 in 10,000 chance.  Today, 1 in 100 children will be diagnosed with autism.  Many researchers point to the increase in diagnosis as nothing more than more accurate methods and increased awareness.  They believe that the number was always about 1 in 100, but it was not reported.  Although there is some truth to more accurate diagnosis, it does not account for such a meteoric rise.  What’s more likely is that there has been some change in our environment over the last 20 to 25 years that, in combination with a more accurate system of diagnosis, has caused the number of autistic children to rise to epidemic proportions.

Autism involves poor social and verbal functioning accompanied by a host of other issues that range from poor digestion to fixed and repetitive behaviors.  Also included in the Autistic Spectrum Disorders is a series of problems with fine or gross motor control, all of which can have a devastating effect on a family.  The range is so broad in fact that many scientists and healthcare professionals often do not agree on a diagnosis.  What is presently known is that this condition can cause subtle developmental delays or profound issues that can require long-term care is specialized facilities.  The dichotomy is obvious, but there seems to be a link between the two.  This link is vitamin D.

There are many proposed causes of autism.  Most agree that there is some genetic predisposition.  This has been suggested because of the increased frequency of autism that tends to occur in families and in studies of identical twins.  Although there is a genetic link, it is also accepted that some environmental trigger must occur to cause autism.  The majority of scientists have come to a consensus that identifies both genetic and environmental factors as being relevant in the cause of autism.  Many theories have focused on environmental toxins, especially heavy metals, as a culprit in autism.  Another theory is low levels of vitamin D during pregnancy and infancy.

Many times when speaking about autism people are very confused by the recent rise in autism diagnoses.  Most times,

A link between Autism and vitamin D deficiency has been found

people rightly point out that a purely genetic theory makes no sense because our genes certainly are not any different than they were 20 years ago.  They also make the point that our environment, while different, is not significantly different than it was 20 years ago.  If both of these previous statements are true, and I believe they are, then what could possibly be causing the rise in the diagnosis of autism?  Dr. John Cannell, a leading researcher in vitamin D has a theory.  He agrees that genetically we are the same today as we were 20 years ago and that the environment, while altered, is not so significantly altered to cause an epidemic of autism.  He argues that our behavior with regard to our environment has changed.  He states that these changes have had an effect on our nervous systems that can and does account for a rapid rise in autism diagnoses.

Our understanding of what vitamin D does in our body has exploded in recent years.  Although most physicians know that vitamin D is critical for healthy bones, most do not know about its other benefits.  Vitamin D is critical for a healthy heart.  It has been shown that it is critical in preventing many forms of cancer.  We know that it regulates the immune system by keeping it prepared but also keeping it from overreacting.  Vitamin D is a potent anti-inflammatory.  It has also been shown that the active form of vitamin D, called calcitriol, is an important neurosteroid hormone.  A neurosteroid hormone is a compound that is extremely important for brain development and behavior.  Calcitriol is a potent neurosteroid that controls brain cell growth and acts on brain cells from the time of conception.  Recent research has suggested that vitamin D offers “neuroprotection, antiepileptic effects [antiseizure effects], immunomodulation, impact on several brain neurotransmitter systems and hormones as well as regulation of behaviors.”  The last statement makes it very obvious that vitamin D is critical for pregnant mothers, newborns and children alike.

The question remains, however.  What could have possibly changed so greatly in the past 20 years that it would account for the rapid rise in autistic cases?  Dr. Cannell believes it is a simple answer.  He believes that in an effort to reduce our risk for skin cancer we have created a very serious deficiency in vitamin D.  Remember, it is through the sun’s UV rays that most of our vitamin D is produced in the body.  By lathering up with sunscreen every time we go out side, we block those UV rays from ever reaching our skin, thus preventing synthesis of the all important vitamin D.  Dr. Cannell also believes that because we have become a much more sedentary society that we do not get outside nearly as much as we used to.  And is this so hard to believe?  Twenty years ago marks the real beginning of home video game systems.  Cable television was still in its infancy 20 years ago.  The iPod did not exist and hand held electronic games were not nearly as popular and complex as they are today.  So this, in combination with sunscreen, creates a dangerous, yet easily overlooked scenario.

Our unfounded fear of the sun has lead to an epidemic of low vitamin D levels - even in sunny climates.

So what evidence links autism with vitamin D deficiency?  Is it more that just a coincidence?  Calcitriol acts as a molecular switch in brain tissue that turns on favorable genes that facilitate brain development.  In fact, there are about 1,000 genes already known that are targets of calcitriol.  Vitamin D is unique in that is it the only vitamin that relies on the sun for its production rather than dietary intake.  Because pregnant women are getting into the sun less and less they require more and more to be taken orally.  Unfortunately, the prenatal vitamins that most women take are far too low in vitamin D to be of any benefit.  From an evolutionary perspective, our bodies are not used to getting the majority of our vitamin D from a pill.  It is used to getting massive amount from the sun.  The skin’s production of vitamin D is far more effective than ingesting it orally.  Take the following into consideration; in just 10-40 minutes of sunbathing by a fair skinned adult about 20,000 IUs of vitamin D will be produced over the next 24 hours.  It is important to note that the FDA claims 400 IUs per day through diet is sufficient for health.  There is quite a difference between 20,000 and 400.  Now consider this; in order to get 20,000 IUs from diet, one would have to drink 200 glasses of milk or take 50 prenatal multivitamins.  Obviously neither of those is a viable option.

Dr. Cannell points out that people have been avoiding the sun for the past 20 years.  It is exactly in the last 20 years that we have noticed a rapid rise in the diagnosis of autism.  Now, just because the rise in autism parallels a decrease in sun exposure in industrialized nations does not necessarily mean it is a cause and effect relationship.  There are other astounding biochemical reasons this theory makes sense.  A very large amount of animal studies have shown just how crucial calcitriol is to brain health.  In rats, it has been shown that the offspring of vitamin D deficient mothers had abnormal cell growth, structure and functions in their brains and alterations in learning and memory.  A group of French researchers found that 36 important brain proteins are disrupted when vitamin D is deficient during fetal development.  We discussed earlier that vitamin D is a potent anti-inflammatory.  Often in autism, children have problems with immune function similar to those affected by vitamin D – including increased inflammatory cytokine levels.  These high levels of inflammatory cytokines cause oxidative stress in the brain and are known to cause cognitive impairment.  Vitamin D reduces this oxidative stress on the brain.  Calcitriol also helps increase levels of glutathione in the brain.  Glutathione is a critical antioxidant for detoxification.  This may explain the link between heavy metals and autism.  Without the calcitriol, children cannot actively detoxify the small amounts of heavy metals that accumulate in their body on a daily basis.  In time, this results in a toxic load that retards brain development.  As we can see, there are many reasons why vitamin D is important for proper brain function.  It serves to regulate nerve cell growth, it regulates protein structure, it regulates the immune system and it regulates oxidative stress that may damage brain cells.

So now the question is, how much vitamin D do I need?  This is a good question.  Most people cannot obtain enough vitamin D through diet.  Ideally, a good blood level of vitamin D is 50-60 ng/mL.  This can be measured through a simple test.  In order to get to that number most people will have to supplement their diet with a quality form of vitamin D.  Generally speaking, we start adults on at least 2,000 – 4,000 IUs per day and recheck the levels in 2-3 months.  Recent research indicates that even that might not be enough (remember we are told the standard for Americans for adequate health is 400 IUs).  Children over 1 year of age can safely take at least 1,000 IUs but we usually start at 800 IUs and check the levels in 2-3 months.  Vitamin D is very safe to take and as a matter of fact, the risk of not having enough far out weighs the risk of vitamin D toxicity.  In fact, if vitamin D is taken responsibly, the risk of toxicity is virtually zero.  Should you have any questions regarding vitamin D supplementation, please contact you health care professional and talk to them about vitamin D.

There is one principle that applies to the entire brain that is very easy to understand and is indispensable for me when considering my treatments.  It is also very simple; input equals output.  That’s it.  And it really is as simple as it sounds.

Our brains are completely dependent upon the input coming in from all around us to generate its output.  Let me give you a simple example of correct input resulting in correct output and then just the opposite.  Picture yourself at a restaurant and you are ordering a wonderful organic, grass-fed New York strip steak.  When you place your order the waiter asks, “How would you like that done?”  You reply, “Medium, please.”  You responded appropriately because the input (the waiter’s question) was interpreted by your brain correctly and it quickly formed the correct output (your response to his question).  But what if the scenario unfolded as follows; the waiter asks the same question, but you hear, “Would you like a bun?”  You might reply, “No thank you,” but of course the waiter would look at you funny because that is not the answer to his question.  The problem in the second scenario is that the input was interpreted incorrectly, so your brain had no choice but to formulate incorrect output.

This is a very simple set of circumstances, but in fact, this is happening millions of times per day in our own brains.  And input comes from everywhere!  Input comes from the outside world in the form of hearing, sight, touch, taste and smell among others.  This is called external input.  Input is also internally generated.  This input comes from within the brain from other circuits that communicate with each other to maintain the high output of the human brain.

Both internally and externally generated input is critical.  In functional neurology, we use a combination of these two inputs to change the way the brain fires.  First we establish where the problem is.  A person might say they have headaches, high blood pressure or depression, all of which could be from aberrant output of the brain.  The symptoms are being caused from this aberrant output, but as illustrated earlier, the brain is actually just responding or interpreting the input it is receiving incorrectly.  Once we discover the part of the brain that is not working correctly, we recommend specific exercises to retrain the brain.

It is through these corrective exercises that we are able to change the input, which changes the output and reduces the symptoms of many conditions.  It is a cutting edge treatment for many conditions and is gaining momentum as research mounts on brain function.

Jack Shonkoff, director of Harvard University’s centre on the developing child, said policymakers had to take note of the research because “the foundation of all social problems later in life takes place in the early years.”The earlier you intervene [to counteract the impact of poverty], the better the outcome in the end, because the brain loses its plasticity [adaptability] as the child becomes older,” he said.

Article published by the Financial Times.