Posted by freedom2001 on August 11, 2003, at 9:50:03
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This response submitted by on 9/30/99.
Email Address:Sorry, I should have been more specific. My son has TS, ADHD, ODD, some OCD and learning disabilities (visual processing and fine motor skills). He is 10 and weighs 65 pounds. He is very tall and thin for his age. He has a very poor appetite and recently I learned that he is not digesting his foods properly in his stomach nor absorbing long chain fatty acids in his intestines. I give my son a complete nutritional program that has been designed, partly on my understanding of his errant biochemistry, clinical testing that has been done, and the nutrient suggestions for alcoholics, described in Joan M. Larson's book "Seven Weeks to Sobriety". There are many alcoholics on both sides of the family. I have postulated that many, if not all, of my son's problems are due to the fact that he has inherited a bad set of genes, that predispose him to alcoholism, but are currently causing him neurological problems, even if he doesn't drink alcohol.
Larson describes four types of alcoholic metabolism. My son belongs to two possible categories. The most prominent category is the one in which acetaldehyde is generated as an intermediate compound in the body. In normal folks, acetyaldehyde is degraded rapidly, but in certain sub-populations of alcoholics, acetyaldehyde is slow to degrade and in the interim, does alot of damage to cells because it is very toxic. I have traced the biochemistry of these reactions and have found that this toxicity likely affects the following neurotransmitters: acetylcholine, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine, which each in turn, show up in my son as some type of symptom (probably in response to glucose intake), eg lack of appetite, nausea, depression, tics, etc. From his symptoms, I deduced that he was low in these neurotransmitters. This was recently confirmed by a neurotransmitter blood test done by Vitamin Diagnostics, Cliftwood Beach NJ (732-583-7773). Physicans will use the same list of symptoms to decide which medications to prescribe. However, for reasons too lengthy to detail, I had used the list of symptoms to decide which nutrient supplements to give my son. But in so doing, I have been through an incredible learning process of how to PROPERLY give nutrients. Unless given properly, nutrients can be ineffective or cause deficiencies in other nutrients. Therefore, it is better to do this with the help of a physician who is knowledgeable in this. However, I couldn't find such a person for more than 1.5 years, so I proceeded to learn on my own. I keep modifying my program somewhat, but basically, this is what it is like today:Before each meal, a general digestive aid to help my son completely digest his food. This has eliminated 90% of his stomach problems.
Before breakfast and dinner, an amino acid balanced mix to which I have added 500 mg N-acetyl cysteine (to counteract acetaldehyde toxic effects), 500 mg glutamine (to reduce sweet cravings), 250 mg tyrosine to boost dopamine levels.
After breakfast and dinner, a vitamin B complex (Country Life - 25 mg of activated vitamin Bs) to which I have also added 250 mg B1, 50 mg of the P-5-P form of B6, B2, 200 mg Mg (to activate the B1), 15 mg Zn (to activate the B6), 100 mg DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) and 50 mg of alpha lipoic acid.
After breakfast, I also include a capsule of 500 mg Ester C to which I have added 25 mg 5-HTP (to boost serotonin levels), 500 mg niacin, 2 mcg Cr, 25 mg 7-hydroxy-DHEA. Most of this is given to nourish my son's adrenal glands to stop his intermittant bouts of hypoglycemia and concurrent rage tantrums.
After dinner, my son must also take a capsule of a multi mineral mix from Twin Labs. THis contains Ca, Mg, Zn, Se, Cr, Cu, etc. Many of these minerals are needed to metabolically active the B vitamins. If you give large doses of B vitamins, without the minerals, you can rapidly deplete the body of the necessary minerals, causing other problems.
My son is too embarassed to take vitamins at school, so he must take them at snack at 3 PM. This consists of an antioxidant mix (E, silymarin, glutathione, grape seed extract, coenzyme Q, 50 mg B1 in the form of allithiamine)two capusles of 500 mg DHA/200 mg EPA and 1000 mg capsule of flax oil with borage oil. I have been advised that the oils are better absrobed on an empty stomach and in the absence of Ca or Mg.
No question, it is alot. To minimize the number of capsules, 4 at each meal/snack, I unpack and repack capsules to get the right mix. At 10, my son is able to swallow size 0 capsules. Compliance is always an issue, but I give him positive rewards for it. I have very good, sound biochemical reasons for including each and every one of the components, but don't have time to describe. This program has been designed specifically for my son and his symptoms. It is helping my son alot. It has eliminated his tics, most of his nausea, his depression, his rage tantrums, various skin problems. It has improved his stamina, focus and some visual processing problems. I am still not sure that I have got everything right. So I will probably continue to modify it as I receive new data from various clinical tests. It is clear to me that my son has a set of bad genes causing his problems. To be somewhat normal, he will either have to take nutrient supplements or medications for the rest of his life.
I hope this helps. To get a better explanation, I suggest you read Larson's book, that is if there is alcoholism in the family. Or you can check the Tourettes forum for references to Bonnie Grimaldi's vitamin program. It is a general one that has helped alot of people. Many parents also report a dramatic decrease in tics with 1 tablespoon of flax oil per day. This didn't help my son, but then I learned he is not absorbing oil through his intestines very well. Good luck. Best to look for a physician who can help. Use these forums for recommendations in different parts of the country.
poster:freedom2001
thread:250023
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030807/msgs/250023.html