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Posted by: | Posted on: August 5, 2024

Breaking — World-Renowned Vaccinologist Publishes Paper Admitting Lack of Vaccine Safety Studies


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/08/05/lack-of-vaccine-safety-studies.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     August 05, 2024

lack of vaccine safety studies

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Dr. Stanley Plotkin co-authored a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine admitting significant gaps in vaccine safety research, contradicting decades of claims that vaccines are thoroughly studied and safe
  • The paper acknowledges inadequacies in prelicensure clinical trials and reveals a lack of dedicated funding for post-approval vaccine safety studies in the U.S.
  • Over 76% of vaccine-related health outcomes examined by the Institute of Medicine lacked sufficient evidence to determine causality, challenging assertions that vaccine safety is settled science
  • A study by Dr. Paul Thomas found higher rates of various health issues in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children, highlighting the need for more independent research
  • Critics argue the authors’ proposed solutions and motivations suggest an attempt to boost public confidence in vaccines rather than critically examine vaccine safety concerns

In a stunning reversal, Dr. Stanley Plotkin, widely regarded as the godfather of modern vaccinology, has co-authored a paper in the New England Journal of Medicine1 (NEJM) acknowledging significant gaps in vaccine safety research and calling for increased funding to address these shortcomings.

This admission comes after decades of the medical establishment insisting that vaccines are among the most thoroughly studied and safest medical interventions. In the paper, titled “Funding Postauthorization Vaccine-Safety Science,”2 they make a series of revelations that validate concerns long raised by vaccine safety advocates. In a commentary, Aaron Siri, managing partner of New York law firm Siri & Glimstad, writes:3

“Wow. After decades of Dr. Stanley Plotkin and his vaccinologist disciples insisting vaccines are the most well studied products on the planet, they just penned an article admitting precisely the opposite.

They just admitted vaccines are not properly studied — neither prelicensure nor post-licensure. They admitted, for example, ‘prelicensure clinical trials have limited sample sizes [and] follow-up durations’ and that ‘there are not resources earmarked for postauthorization safety studies.'”

Key Admissions Shine Light on Lack of Vaccine Safety Studies

One of the most striking admissions in the paper is the acknowledgment that prelicensure clinical trials for vaccines are inadequate for assessing safety. The authors state:4

“Postauthorization studies are needed to fully characterize the safety profile of a new vaccine, since prelicensure clinical trials have limited sample sizes, follow-up durations, and population heterogeneity. It is critical to examine adverse events following immunization (AEFIs) that have not been detected in clinical trials, to ascertain whether they are causally or coincidentally related to vaccination.”

This contradicts previous claims by vaccine proponents that clinical trials provide robust evidence of safety prior to approval. The admission that these trials have limited follow-up periods is particularly notable, as critics have long argued that potential long-term effects of vaccines are not adequately studied before they are approved and recommended for widespread use.

“Let me translate,” Siri writes, “the clinical trials relied upon to license childhood vaccines are useless with regard to safety since they virtually never have a placebo control, typically review safety for days or weeks after injection, and often have far too few participants to measure anything of value.”5

The NEJM paper goes on to reveal that there is currently no dedicated funding stream for post-approval vaccine safety studies in the U.S. The authors write: “Although the ACIP [Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices] acknowledges the need, there are currently no resources earmarked for postauthorization safety studies beyond annual appropriations, which must be approved by Congress each year.”6

This lack of consistent, dedicated funding is one reason why many important safety questions remain unanswered years or even decades after vaccines have been introduced. The authors admit that “Progress in vaccine-safety science has understandably been slow,” citing delayed epidemiological evidence and incomplete understanding of biological mechanisms as key factors.7 But as Siri notes:8

“Shameless to pretend you have not for decades ignored or attacked those calling for these studies while pretending a mountain of such studies showing the foregoing don’t already exist … [and] shameless to pretend parent groups have not been yelling about this [funding] issue for decades only to be ignored and attacked.”

‘Not Enough Evidence’ to Determine if 76% of Vaccine-Related Health Outcomes Are Linked to Shots

In a particularly revealing passage, the paper states, “In 234 reviews of various vaccines and health outcomes conducted from 1991 to 2012, the IOM found inadequate evidence to prove or disprove causation in 179 (76%) of the relationships it explored, illustrating the need for more rigorous science.”9

This statistic is astounding — for over three-quarters of vaccine-related health outcomes examined by the Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine), there was not enough evidence to determine whether vaccines were causally linked or not. This flies in the face of repeated assurances that vaccine safety is settled science.

The paper also notes that even for known adverse reactions to vaccines, the biological mechanisms are not understood. This includes serious conditions like Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with influenza vaccines and myocarditis linked to mRNA COVID-19 shots.

Experts have long been calling for unbiased research in understanding the impact of vaccinations on children’s health, but the reality is that public health agencies and vaccine proponents have not been interested in learning the truth. Siri writes:10

“If they are really interested in the truth about what injuries vaccines cause and the rate at which these injuries occur, then they should welcome convening a bipartisan panel which could first review all the very concerning studies and hard data that already exists on this topic (often by scientists not on pharma’s dole) and we could design additional studies together and have them run in the open so everybody has to live with the result.

… Plotkin and company should welcome studies which can show vaccines have not contributed to the rise in chronic childhood disease (many of which are immune mediated diseases) from 12% of children in the early 1980s (when CDC recommended 7 routine childhood injections) to over 50% of children now (when CDC recommends over 90 routine childhood injections).

And I think they do welcome such studies if they can assure that the outcome would show vaccines do not cause these harms. Alas, the reality is that (as they know) studies showing vaccines contribute to this rise already exist. But their goal, in any event, is not to really study safety. Rather it is to prove their prior assumption that vaccines are safe and harms are ‘rare.'”

Plotkin and his co-authors, while acknowledging significant gaps in vaccine safety science, propose increased funding by tapping into the Vaccine Injury Compensation Program (VICP) trust fund. They note that this fund, generated by an excise tax on vaccines, has a surplus of $4.3 billion as of April 2023.11

However, it’s important to note the authors’ stated motivations for proposing these changes. They express concern about “widespread vaccine hesitancy” and argue that slow progress in vaccine safety science has “adversely affected vaccine acceptance.” In other words, their primary goal is increasing public confidence in vaccines — not critically examining safety issues with an open mind.

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Failure to Admit Decades of Lies, Gaslighting and Fraud

Siri notes that the admissions in the NEJM paper directly contradict decades of assurances from the medical establishment. He writes:12

“For decades, the medical community insisted vaccines are the most thoroughly studied product ever; for example, Dr. Paul Offit said, ‘I think we should be proud of vaccines as arguably the safest, best tested things we put in our body.'”

But, Siri argues, parents of vaccine-injured children and others who raised concerns about inadequate safety studies were “shunned and attacked by the medical community and health agencies” for years. The paper is a belated acknowledgment of what these advocates have been saying all along, albeit with dubious motives behind it:13

“Plotkin and his disciples realize they can’t cast voodoo on the public. They can’t hide the truth. So, their only option is to try and co-op the truth they have lied about for decades by now admitting that the studies to show vaccines are safe do not exist.

But in making that admission, they conveniently fail to admit that for decades they lied, gaslit, defrauded (and I don’t use that word lightly) the public by claiming that vaccines are probably the most thoroughly safety tested products on the planet and that people should rest assured, no stone on vaccine safety was left unturned.

… Their real agenda is plain, and it is not to study vaccine safety, but rather to confirm that which they already believe. This is crystal clear from the fact that, while their article admits the studies have not been done, they write in the same breath that serious vaccine harms are ‘rare.’ But if the studies have not been done, how do they know that?”

Siri also points out that the authors ignore existing studies that have found evidence of harm from vaccines or their components.14 He argues that truly unbiased research would need to consider this body of evidence rather than starting from the assumption that serious adverse events are rare.

Study Shows Vaccinated Children Have Higher Rates of Disease

A study conducted by Dr. Paul Thomas and James Lyons-Weiler examined health outcomes in vaccinated and unvaccinated children over a 10-year period within a pediatric practice. Dr. Thomas had his medical license suspended due to his advocacy of informed consent for vaccinations.

The research, published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,15 found that vaccinated children had higher rates of various health issues compared to unvaccinated children. These included:

Asthma Allergies
Eczema Sinusitis
Gastroenteritis Respiratory infections
Middle ear infection Conjunctivitis
Breathing issues Behavioral issues

Notably, ADHD was observed in a small percentage of vaccinated children but not in any unvaccinated children. The study also reported lower rates of autism spectrum disorder and ADHD in the practice compared to national averages. The authors suggested that unvaccinated children in the practice were at least as healthy as, if not healthier than, their vaccinated counterparts.16

The researchers also emphasized the need for more independent studies on this topic, free from potential conflicts of interest with the vaccine industry, to better understand the relationship between vaccination and children’s health outcomes.

Proposed Solutions Raise Questions About True Motives

For years, those expressing concerns about vaccine safety have been dismissed as “anti-science” or accused of endangering public health. The NEJM paper demonstrates that their core critiques — including regarding inadequate safety studies — were well-founded.

The publication of this paper marks a significant shift in the public discourse around vaccine safety. By admitting to major gaps in safety studies and the slow progress of vaccine safety science, Plotkin and his co-authors have validated concerns that were previously dismissed by much of the medical establishment.

However, the proposed solutions and the authors’ stated motivations raise significant questions about whether this represents a genuine shift toward more critical examination of vaccine safety or merely an attempt to boost failing public confidence. Siri continues:17

“After making the a priori conclusion that harms are ‘rare,’ ignoring all the existing studies showing harm, these folk have the audacity to want to raid the federal vaccine injury compensation fund to presumably pay themselves and their compatriots hundreds of millions of dollars to conduct the studies that would, no doubt, seek to confirm their prior conclusion that vaccine harms are ‘rare,’ while ignoring the studies that already show serious harm.”

What is clear is that the oft-repeated claim that vaccines are “the most thoroughly studied medical intervention” can no longer be credibly made. As this paper demonstrates, there is still much to learn about vaccine safety, and acknowledging this fact is an important step toward informed consent and transparent vaccination policies.

Posted in ADHD, Censorship, Children, Coronavirus, Corruption, Mortality, Myocarditis, Vaccinations | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: April 25, 2024

Autism and ADHD Linked to Disturbed Gut Flora Very Early in Life


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/04/25/neurodevelopmental-disorders-gut-flora.aspx
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     April 25, 2024

neurodevelopmental disorders gut flora

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • The makeup of gut flora at birth and during the first year of life may play a key role in the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, communication disorders and intellectual disability
  • The research connected changes in gut bacteria in early life to neurodevelopmental disorders and identified early signs of mood and digestive problems
  • Children with three or more ear infections treated with antibiotics were more likely to develop a speech disorder, ADHD or an intellectual disability
  • Among children who developed neurodevelopmental disorders, higher levels of inflammatory Citrobacter bacteria and lower levels of beneficial Coprococcus were found in the microbiome
  • Antibiotics may be responsible for this effect, with researchers suggesting penicillin may increase Citrobacter while decreasing or eliminating Coprococcus

The makeup of gut flora at birth and during the first year of life may play a key role in the development of neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), communication disorders and intellectual disability.1 Worldwide, 3.4 billion people suffer from health conditions that affect the nervous system.2

While much remains to be discovered about how early gut microbiota affect cognition, it’s known that gut bacteria are involved in metabolism, neurological health, immune function and the health of the gastrointestinal tract. Further, gut-brain communication occurs via multiple avenues, including along the vagus nerve and through transport of short-chain fatty acids (SCAs).3

Gut microbes can also synthesize neurotransmitters, according to researchers with the University of Florida. In a study published in the journal Cell, they reveal that disruptions to gut flora in very early life may raise the risk of autism, ADHD and more.4

Gut Bacteria in Early Life Tied to Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The study tracked a group of Swedish children from birth over a 20-year period to identify factors that might influence whether they develop a neurodevelopmental disorder. Researchers collected extensive data from early in the children’s lives using detailed questionnaires about infections, antibiotic use, stress, prenatal conditions and family health history.

They also analyzed biological markers such as metabolites in umbilical cord blood and stool, types of body cell proteins and gut bacteria. Out of the 16,440 children monitored, 1,197 — or 7.3%5 — were diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder, and significant links were found between certain early-life factors and the likelihood of developing NDs.

Notably, the research connected changes in gut bacteria to these disorders and identified early signs of mood and digestive problems.

“The remarkable aspect of the work is that these biomarkers are found at birth in cord blood or in the child’s stool at 1 year of age over a decade prior to the diagnosis,” study author Eric Triplett said in a news release.6 Interestingly, infants who went on to develop neurodevelopmental disorders were deficient in many bacteria known to promote gut health, including Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Ruminococcus and Faecalibacterium.

“Akkermansia muciniphila was associated with substances that contribute to the production of chemical signals in the brain known as neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters play a crucial role in brain function and mood regulation,” the University of Florida reported.7

Antibiotics, Stress May Alter Microbiome, Contributing to Neurodevelopmental Damage

The study also revealed that children who had three or more ear infections treated with penicillin from the time they were born until age 5 were at increased risk of NDs compared to those in the control group. Specifically, they were:8

  • 3.89 times more likely to develop a speech disorder
  • 3.27 times more likely to develop ADHD
  • 2.44 times more likely to develop an intellectual disability

Further, among children who developed neurodevelopmental disorders, higher levels of Citrobacter bacteria, which are associated with inflammation, and lower levels of Coprococcus, which are linked to mental health benefits, were found in the microbiome. Antibiotics may be responsible for this effect, with researchers suggesting penicillin may increase Citrobacter while decreasing or eliminating Coprococcus.9

“We’re not trying to say that antibiotics are necessarily a bad thing,” lead study author Angelica Ahrens said. “But perhaps overuse can be detrimental to the microbiome, and for some children, for whatever reason, their microbiome might not recover as readily.”10

Meanwhile, both environmental and emotional stress also increased the risk of NDs. Children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy were three times more likely to develop NDs, while toddlers exposed to secondhand smoke were 4.88 times more likely to develop ADHD. Toddlers whose fathers smoked more than 15 cigarettes daily were also 3.47 times more likely to develop autism.11

Further, among children later diagnosed with autism, higher levels of PFDA (perfluorodecanoic acid) were found. PFDA is a breakdown product often found in food packaging, especially those made to be grease-resistant, such as microwave popcorn bags and fast-food wrappers.12 “These substances are known to be associated with chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, immune suppression, and possible involvement in autoimmune diseases,” the researchers noted.13

According to Ahrens, “There’s a pretty consistent pattern where it seems increased stressors — whether from emotional stress or exposure to adverse health influences — can impact the immune system and, subsequently, the microbiome — along with all its downstream effects.”14

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Children Are Exposed to an ‘Enormous Burden of Stressors’

It’s rarely just one factor that triggers a neurodevelopmental disorder or other chronic disease. Typically, it’s a combination of factors — like processed food loaded with linoleic acid, childhood vaccines, antibiotic overuse and environmental pollutants — that causes gut dysfunction and other imbalances in the body.

Beth Lambert, who in 2009 founded Epidemic Answers, a research organization focused on helping children with autism and other chronic diseases, explained in our interview that it’s the total load of modern living that often adds up to chronic diseases like autism:

“It’s what we call the total load of modern living. The total load is a concept that’s been around for a very long time, especially in environmental medicine … Patricia Lemer, who wrote a book called ‘Outsmarting Autism,’ first applied the concept of total load to neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, where she would say, basically, ‘It isn’t one thing that causes autism. It’s really a perfect storm, a total load.

It’s too many stressors of modern living on a body that doesn’t have enough resources to withstand those stressors.’

Here’s an example. Why is it that two children go into a pediatrician’s office, one gets their 18-month vaccines and the other one gets their 18-month vaccines, one develops autism and the other one doesn’t? Is it genes? Is it what the child ate that day? Is it the fact that one child had a sickness and the other one didn’t?

Was it because this child was on antibiotics when he had vaccines and this one wasn’t? There are so many variables in each child and in each story. So, that’s where I think the total load concept or total load theory really stands up is because there’s so much medical literature on modern living and the ways that we live in the modern world and how it damages your health.

Inflammatory foods, processed foods, the enormous quantity of sugar that modern children consume, the number of pharmaceuticals children have, the antibiotics, for instance … Antibiotics … destroy your gut bacteria. What is the significance of that? That gut bacteria regulates everything from your immune system to your digestion of food and your metabolism.

So, all of those factors are going to impact a child, especially when they are in that critical developmental time. So, if you think about an infant and all the work they have to do to get to crawl, and walk, and talk, and relate to the humans in their lives, all of that takes an enormous amount of energy.

If their body is burdened with toxins from the laundry detergent, and from the mercury and cadmium on their toys, and from the inflammatory foods they’re eating, and their vaccines and their antibiotics and their proton pump inhibitors … that’s when you’re going to see them begin to develop symptoms, whether those are skin symptoms, like eczema, allergies, or whether it’s neurodevelopmental symptoms.

As we’re going through this developmental timeline, if you have an enormous burden of stressors, inflammation going on in your body, and you’re supposed to be developing vision or speech, your body’s too busy dealing with all those stressors, so you’re going to have an arrested, impaired, or delayed development.”

Are EMFs the No. 1 Risk Factor?

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) are the cigarettes of the 21st century — and most people are being exposed 24 hours a day. Most of the radiation emits from cellphones, cell towers, computers, smart meters and Wi-Fi, to name just a few of the culprits.

Exposure causes serious mitochondrial dysfunction due to free radical damage. Among the most common consequences of chronic EMF exposure to your brain are chronic conditions like Alzheimer’s, anxiety, depression and autism.15

Research published in Pathophysiology suggests autism may be associated with biological disturbances that are similar to the effects of EMF and radiofrequency exposures.16 Martin Pall, Ph.D., also discovered a previously unknown mechanism of biological harm from microwaves emitted by cellphones and other wireless technologies via voltage gated calcium channels (VGCCs) embedded in your cell membranes.17

VGCCs are found in high concentrations in the brain, and research involving animals has shown that even low levels of microwave EMFs can have significant and varied effects on the brain. Studies suggest that when these VGCCs are activated by EMFs, it can lead to a range of neuropsychiatric effects.

At least 26 studies have linked EMFs to neuropsychiatric effects, and five specific criteria have been used to demonstrate that this relationship is causal, meaning EMFs can cause these effects.18 While it’s nearly impossible to avoid EMF exposure completely, there are practical ways to limit it.

Given the number of EMFs that bombard you all day long, getting educated about the negative effects of EMFs is imperative to your well-being. Particularly if you are dealing with a serious illness or neurodevelopmental disorder like autism, it is well worth your time to reduce your EMF exposure as much as possible.

One strategy is to connect your desktop computer to the internet via a wired connection and put your desktop — and cellphone — in airplane mode. Also avoid wireless keyboards, trackballs, mice, game systems, printers and house phones. Opt for the wired versions instead. If you must use Wi-Fi, shut it off when not in use, especially at night when you’re sleeping. Shutting off the electricity to your bedroom at night will also help reduce your exposure.

How to Support a Healthy Microbiome

Avoiding antibiotics, including those found in conventionally raised meat, is key to keeping your microbiome health intact. Ultraprocessed foods, artificial sweeteners, chlorinated and fluoridated water and antibacterial products are other culprits that can worsen your microbial health.

Consuming fermented foods is an important step to increase microbiome diversity as well as decreases markers of inflammation.19 If you do take antibiotics or are looking for another supportive measure for gut health, consider spore-based probiotics, or sporebiotics. These are part of a group of derivatives of the Bacillus microbe and have been shown to dramatically increase your immune tolerance.

During pregnancy and in early life, vaginal delivery (versus caesarean), breastfeeding and exposure to older siblings can help establish a healthy microbiome during these crucial periods of development.20 As noted by microbiologist Dr. Marty Blaser:21

“Before modern times, microbes were transferred from mother to child during vaginal birth, from the mother’s breast during nursing, through skin-to-skin contact, and from the mother’s mouth by kissing.

Now, widespread cesarean delivery, bottle-feeding, extensive bathing (especially with antibacterial soaps), and especially the use of antibiotics have changed the human ecology and altered transmission and maintenance of ancestral microbes, which affects the composition of the microbiota.

The microbes, both good and bad, that are usually acquired early in life are especially important, since they affect a developmentally critical stage.”

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Brain, Children, EMF, Gut, Stress, Toxins | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: February 12, 2024

Why You Should Only Take Folate and Never Folic Acid


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/02/12/folate-folic-acid.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     February 12, 2024

folate folic acid

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • It’s extremely rare to get too much folate from foods, but it is possible to get too much folic acid, the synthetic version of folate found in supplements and fortified foods
  • In pregnant mice, high levels of folic acid harmed brain development in offspring, and low levels of vitamin B12 made the damage worse
  • The combination of low vitamin B12, which often occurs in people eating vegan or vegetarian diets, along with high folic acid, could be increasing neurodevelopment disorders in children
  • Due to prenatal supplements and fortified foods, many people have abnormally high levels of folic acid
  • Studies looking into the effects of folic acid on autism development are conflicting, with some showing a protective effect, but a growing body of evidence points to potential harms when consumed in excess

The terms folate and folic acid are often used interchangeably, but they’re not the same. Folic acid is the synthetic version of folate, or vitamin B9. While folate is found naturally in foods like leafy greens, folic acid is found in supplement form as well as in fortified foods, such as cereal and bread.

It’s extremely rare to get too much folate from foods, but it is possible to get too much folic acid,1 with potentially significant adverse effects. In pregnant mice, high levels of folic acid harmed brain development in offspring, and low levels of vitamin B12 made the damage worse.

The combination of low vitamin B12, which often occurs in people eating vegan or vegetarian diets, along with high folic acid “could potentially be driving neurodevelopment problems among children in the U.S.,” independent journalist Nina Teicholz tweeted.2

Folic Acid Food Fortification May Have a Dark Side

In the 1990s, U.S. health officials recommended that women who may become pregnant should take 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily to reduce the risk of having a baby with neural tube defects. However, since the neural tube closes early on during pregnancy — about 28 days after conception — some women may miss the vulnerable period during which folate is critical.

“For folate to be effective, it must be taken in the first few weeks after conception, often before a woman knows she is pregnant,” explains the Harvard School of Public Health.3 This is why the U.S. Food and Drug Administration started folic acid fortification in foods in 1998.4 It’s now required that folic acid be added to enriched breads, flour, cornmeal, pastas, rice and other foods made with cereal grains.5

According to the CDC, neural tube defects have decreased since the beginning of folic acid fortification, such that “about 1,300 babies are born each year without a neural tube defect who might otherwise have had a neural tube defect.”6 But while neural tube defects have declined, other health conditions — namely neurodevelopmental disorders — have risen.

“There’s no doubt the introduction of folic acid diet fortification has been beneficial, substantially lowering the incidence of neural tube defects,” Ralph Green, UC Davis professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, said in a news release. “However, too much folic acid may have detrimental impacts on brain development, and that’s something we need to sort out.”7

Davis and colleagues conducted a study that found excess folic acid is associated with neurodevelopmental risks, especially in concert with vitamin B12 deficiency8 — a significant concern as folic acid intake has grown.

Many People Have Abnormally High Levels of Folic Acid

“The food industry has been adding folic acid to breakfast cereals, snack foods, and vitamins, and that has likely increased intake above recommended guidelines,” Green said. “The safe upper limit for folate is 1,000 micrograms per day. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data showed that a substantial percentage of women’s diets were above that limit.”9

Many women consume folic acid not only in fortified foods but also in prenatal vitamins. The study, published in Communications Biology, noted, “[T]otal folate intake, largely in the form of FA [folic acid], has risen substantially as have blood folate levels in populations, with a considerable proportion persistently exhibiting extreme supraphysiological concentrations in their blood, as well as increases in unmetabolized folic acid (UMFA) in those taking supplements.”10

Meanwhile, both too little and too much folic acid during pregnancy may influence neurodevelopment in offspring, previous research has found, by modulating prenatal neurogenesis.11 High amounts of supplemental folic acid — 1,000 μg per day or more — during pregnancy have also been linked with impairments in neurocognitive development in 4- to 5-year-old children.12

Other research revealed that daily folic acid doses of more than 5,000 μg led to reduced psychomotor development in children compared to children whose mothers took lower doses of 400 to 1,000 μg.13,14

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Neurodevelopmental Disorders Skyrocketed Since Folic Acid Fortification

As folic acid in foods increased, so, too, have neurodevelopmental disorders. “Data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest that in recent decades several neurodevelopmental disorders have seen considerable rises in prevalence, chief amongst them autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but also attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and epilepsy,” according to the Communications Biology study.15

CDC data show that 1 in 36 U.S. children has autism16 — up from 1 in 10,000 in the 1970s.17 The rapid rise suggests environmental factors are involved. “One environmental exposure that has increased substantially over recent decades is intake of the B vitamin folate in the synthesized, oxidized form of folic acid,” the researchers wrote.18

While studies looking into the effects of folic acid on autism development are conflicting, with some showing a protective effect, a growing body of evidence points to potential harms when consumed in excess. The scientists explained:19

“Some of the latest research in this area using data from the Boston Birth Cohort uncovered a positive association between maternal plasma folate levels and autism risk. Autism incidence was greatest in children born to mothers with the highest maternal plasma folate levels, exceeding the cutoff suggested by the WHO (>45.3 nmol/L).

Moreover, subsequent work showed that children with cord blood levels of unmetabolized FA (UMFA) in the highest, versus lowest quartile, had a greater risk for developing ASD.

Similarly, a Swedish study testing association of 62 maternal blood biomarkers during early pregnancy with later ASD diagnosis identified total folate as having the highest odds ratio at 1.7. These results are supported by epidemiological investigations from the Rochester Epidemiological Project in Rochester, MN and earlier CDC data.”

Even Moderately High Folic Acid May Harm Brain Development

For the study, researchers investigated folic acid intake in mice on brain development in their offspring, specifically the cerebral cortex, which plays a role in cognitive and emotional functions, as well as psychiatric disorders. One group of mice was fed normal levels of folic acid and B12, while four other groups were fed diets including:20

  • High folic acid
  • Low vitamin B12
  • High folic acid and low vitamin B12
  • High folinic acid, a natural folate

While the natural folate led to no changes to the developing mouse brains, changes in neural development occurred with exposure to high levels of folic acid. The most pronounced abnormalities occurred in those given high folic acid low vitamin B12. Study author Konstantinos Zarbalis, professor of pathology and laboratory medicine, explained:21

“These different dietary conditions appear to influence the way neurons arise in the developing brain. With high levels of folic acid or B12 deficiency, there was a change in neural development.

Cortical neurons that usually emerge during a later stage of brain development were produced over a longer period of time and required a longer period to settle in and assume their proper position in the developing brain. In addition, both high folic acid and B12 deficiency appear to cause many neurons to develop fewer interconnections.”

The team found that “even moderately excessive amounts” of folic acid had a detrimental effect on prenatal cortical development, which was made worse by vitamin B12 deficiency.22

The Folate Cycle Depends on Vitamin B12

The findings highlight the complex interplay that occurs between various nutrients in your body, and why proper balance is so critical to optimal health. This is particularly true for folic acid and vitamin B12. According to the Communications Biology study:23

“The folate cycle is critically dependent on the availability of the essential micronutrient, vitamin B12 (B12), which is a required cofactor for the methionine synthase reaction in which homocysteine is converted to methionine through transfer of a methyl group from N-5-methyltetrahydrofolate (CH3-THF). B12 is needed for this reaction to enable folate cycle progression and regeneration of tetrahydrofolate (THF) from CH3-THF.

In the absence of B12, folate becomes functionally trapped in the form of CH3-THF. This suggests that the effects of FA excess, which paradoxically may decrease functional folate availability, can be further exacerbated by B12 deficiency, as studies on cognitive performance of older adults have suggested.”

Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is necessary for your body to make red blood cells as well as for proper nerve function and DNA synthesis. Without adequate levels, a number of physical symptoms, ranging from numbness to fatigue, can occur. Mental health can also suffer significantly, as vitamin B12 plays an important role in neurological function.

It’s been shown, for instance, that people with depression and high B12 levels have better responses to treatment,24 while up to 30% of patients hospitalized for depression may be B12 deficient.25

The only reliable and absorbable sources of vitamin B12 are animal products, which is why vegans or strict vegetarians who abstain from animal products and do not supplement their diet with vitamin B12 will often become deficient and may face increased risks of neuropsychiatric and neurological problems as a result.26

As Teicholz tweeted, “In many countries, pregnant women for decades have been told to take folic acid to prevent neural tube defects in their babies. Yet folic acid also added to refined grains (which we eat a LOT of) … sending folic acid levels [up]. Low B12 occurs with vegan/vegetarian diets,” which could be responsible for increasing neurodevelopmental disorders among U.S. children.27

Where to Find Natural Folate

While too much synthetic folic acid in fortified processed foods and supplements may be problematic, your body needs natural folate in your diet for optimal mitochondrial function,28 protein metabolism and breaking down homocysteine, which can be harmful in high amounts.29

The best way to increase your levels of this important micronutrient is to eat foods rich in natural folate, which include asparagus, avocados, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and spinach. Meanwhile, vitamin B12-rich foods include grass fed beef liver, wild rainbow trout and wild sockeye salmon. If you suspect you may be deficient, weekly B12 shots or a high-dose, daily supplement may be necessary.

Posted in ADHD, Autism, CDC, Depression, DNA, Food, Mitochondria, Supplements, Vitamins | One Comment »

Posted by: | Posted on: January 30, 2024

Here’s Why You Should Avoid Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/01/29/avoid-acetaminophen-use-during-pregnancy.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola January 29, 20214

avoid acetaminophen use during pregnancy

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Although most consumers believe that over-the-counter medications are safe and effective, recent data offers more evidence that acetaminophen during pregnancy increases your child’s risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
  • Using acetaminophen during pregnancy can also increase your child’s risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Acetaminophen is found in over 600 medications that are commonly consumed, making it easy to cross the line between a safe dose and a harmful one
  • Data show that children who are exposed to acetaminophen after birth to reduce fever and discomfort after vaccination may also have an increased risk of autistic disorder
  • I believe it’s important to stay away from as many potential toxins as possible to protect the health of your child. Besides steering clear of alcohol, street drugs and unnecessary prescription drugs, consider avoiding plastic children’s toys, using glass for food and beverage storage, installing a whole-house water filter, using only natural cleaning products and toiletries, and avoiding any products with “fragrance”

In general, most consumers believe that over-the-counter medications are both helpful and safe. The results of one survey1 showed that as familiarity with the product grew, so did the consumers’ impression of the safety and efficacy of the product. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) warns pregnant women to avoid substances that are not required for medical reasons to support a healthy pregnancy.2

Despite mounting evidence to the contrary, ACOG, obstetricians and gynecologists from across the U.S. have typically identified acetaminophen (Tylenol) as a safe pain reliever for pregnant women.3 Yet, another study4 published in January 2024 found an increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children when mothers used acetaminophen, particularly during the second trimester.5

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,6 roughly 6 million children aged 3 to 17 years were ever diagnosed with ADHD. This is 9.8% of the population using data extracted from 2016 to 2019. Additionally, that number rose dramatically between 2003 and 2011, from 4.4% to 6.4% of the general population.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects an individual’s ability to manage their attention, stay organized, and control their behavior. Data also show that 64% of those with ADHD also have at least one other mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder.7 While the featured study focused on the neurological implications in children, other data show how acetaminophen affects behavior in adults.

Acetaminophen is found in over 600 medications and is one of the most consumed drugs in the U.S. Researchers tested the hypothesis that 1,000 mg could influence judgment and decisions. In three double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in healthy adults, they found acetaminophen increased risk-taking behavior.8 The most recent data demonstrate that exposure during pregnancy may increase a child’s risk of symptoms of ADHD.

Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Linked to ADHD in Children

In a 2021 consensus paper9 researchers called for precautionary action in the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol) in light of increasing research data that suggests it may alter fetal development. The review triggered a response from ACOG in which they wrote that there is “no clear evidence that proves a direct relationship between the prudent use of acetaminophen during any trimester and fetal developmental issues.”10

The most recent paper to support data that acetaminophen during pregnancy could affect neurological development in children was part of the Illinois Kids Development Study that involved tracking prenatal chemical exposure. The data showed that in women who had higher acetaminophen usage during the second trimester, there was an increase in attention-related problems and ADHD-type behavior.11

The researchers used the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to identify behaviors associated with attention deficit and found increased scores at ages 2, 3 and 4 years.12 The association appeared to be dose-related, as women with higher exposure during the second trimester had children with higher CBCL scores for attention problems, ADHD and externalizing behavior.

Children whose mothers had a higher cumulative exposure across the entire pregnancy had increased scores for attention problems and ADHD at ages 2 and 3. Megan Woodbury led the research as a graduate student alongside comparative biosciences Professor Emerita Susan Schantz. A recent study by these scientists also found that exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy led to language delays in children.13

One difference between this study about exposure to acetaminophen during pregnancy and past studies was that researchers in the current study asked pregnant women about acetaminophen use six times during the course of their pregnancy while in other studies they were asked at most once per trimester. Caregivers were also asked dozens of standardized questions about their children’s behavior.

“The kinds of behaviors the caregivers reported included things like the child talking out of turn, not paying attention, not being quiet when they were supposed to be quiet, not sitting down when they were supposed to be sitting down, and being a little aggressive with other children,” Schantz said.14

Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Also Raises Risk of Autism

A study15 published in 2020 in JAMA Psychiatry strengthened the link between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and ADHD and the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). According to the authors:

“Prior studies have raised concern about maternal acetaminophen use during pregnancy and increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their children; however, most studies have relied on maternal self-report …

In this cohort study of 996 mother-infant dyads from the Boston Birth Cohort, cord plasma biomarkers of fetal exposure to acetaminophen were associated with significantly increased risk of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism spectrum disorder.”

Of the 996 participants, only 32.8% were neurotypical, 25.8% had only ADHD, 6.6% had only autism, 4.2% had both ADHD and autism and 30.5% had other types of developmental delays. The association also appeared to be dose dependent. The researchers measured cord plasma biomarkers for acetaminophen and found those in the first tertile had a far lower risk of diagnosis of ADHD and ASD than those in the second and third tertiles.

The researchers concluded that the biomarkers in cord blood of fetal exposure to acetaminophen were significantly associated with an increased risk of diagnosis of childhood ADHD and autism in a dose-response fashion, writing that their findings “support previous studies regarding the association between prenatal and perinatal acetaminophen exposure and childhood neurodevelopmental risk.”16

As I reported in 2021, more data document disturbing links between acetaminophen use during pregnancy and neurological problems in children, including poor gross motor development, communication issues, increased risk of preeclampsia, and a moderately increased risk of undescended testicles and boys.

Data also shows that acetaminophen used after birth may also be linked to an increased risk of autism. In a small study published in 2008, the researchers concluded that using acetaminophen after vaccination may increase the risk of autism, writing “acetaminophen use after measles-mumps-rubella vaccination was associated with autistic disorder.”17

While parents give babies and infants Tylenol for numerous reasons, one instance in which Tylenol is routinely used is after childhood vaccinations. According to 2009 research18 published in the journal Lancet, acetaminophen might render vaccinations less effective when administered together.

Infants who received acetaminophen right after getting a vaccination experienced lowered immune response and developed significantly fewer antibodies against the disease they were vaccinated against.

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Acetaminophen During Pregnancy Associated With More Risks

In addition to the risks to babies during pregnancy, acetaminophen use can also increase risks to the mother and other adults. Overdose is responsible for nearly half of all acute liver failure cases in the U.S.19 While it is considered safe when taken as recommended, the margin between a safe dose and a lethal one is small.

Additionally, you may not always recognize that the over-the-counter drugs you are taking contain acetaminophen. Harvard Health20 recommends caution when dishing out acetaminophen as it is often contained in many other over-the-counter medications.

Acetaminophen pills are available in 325 mg, 500 mg or 650 mg. If you take two 500 mg pills three times a day, you have quickly reached the low end of the recommended dose range. Acetaminophen is metabolized in the liver, so drinking alcohol can cause the liver to convert acetaminophen into a toxic by-product. It is important to recognize that acetaminophen sickens tens of thousands of people every year, and kills several hundred more.

Tips for a More Toxin-Free Pregnancy

I believe it is essential to abstain from as many potential toxins as possible to protect the health of your child. Our environment is saturated with a wide variety of toxic substances, so you may not be able to defend against each one. However, you have a great deal of control over the medications you take and within your immediate household.

For example, it’s important to understand the chemicals you ingest in your food and drink and what’s absorbed through your skin from the household and personal care products you use. Each of these can have an impact on your child’s development and long-term health. In the past few decades, the prevalence of ADHD and autism have both skyrocketed, which indicates that something is going terribly wrong in the environment.

Unfortunately, our children are paying the price for a chemical-laden lifestyle, including the overuse of over-the-counter drugs like acetaminophen. Consider avoiding any unnecessary drugs or medications, including the COVID jab, which the CDC has officially recommended for pregnant women. This can have long-lasting ramifications for your child and your future reproductive health.

As much as you’re able, buy and eat organic produce and grass fed, pastured animal foods to reduce your exposure to agricultural chemicals like glyphosate and others. Don’t eat processed, prepackaged foods of any kind, which helps you automatically avoid pesticides, artificial food additives, dangerous artificial sweeteners, food coloring, MSG and unlabeled genetically engineered ingredients.
Avoid conventional or farm-raised fish, which are often heavily contaminated with PCBs and mercury. Wild-caught Alaskan salmon is one of the very few fish I still recommend eating, as well as small fatty fish like anchovies, sardines, mackerel and herring. If you don’t eat these on a regular basis, consider taking a krill oil supplement to optimize your omega-3 level.
Store your food and beverages in glass rather than plastic, to avoid exposure to plastic chemicals known to disrupt endocrine function, and avoid using plastic wrap and canned foods.
Install an appropriate whole-house water filter on all your faucets (even those in your shower or bath).
Only use natural cleaning products in your home.
Switch over to natural brands of toiletries such as shampoo, toothpaste, antiperspirants and cosmetics. The Environmental Working Group has a great database21 to help you find safer personal care products.
Avoid artificial air fresheners, dryer sheets, fabric softeners or other synthetic fragrances. Relinquish the idea that fragrance equals “clean.” It doesn’t. Clean laundry does not smell like anything at all.
Replace your nonstick pots and pans with ceramic or glass cookware to avoid toxic PFOA chemicals.
When shopping for baby items, look for “green” toxin-free alternatives. Avoid plastic toys, especially teething toys, and make sure items like mattresses, car seats and nursing pillows do not contain toxic flame-retardant chemicals.
Replace your vinyl shower curtain with one made of fabric or install a glass shower door. Most flexible plastics, like shower curtains, contain dangerous plasticizers like phthalates.

Posted in Acetaminophen, ADHD, Autism, Children, Pregnancy, Toxins | One Comment »

Posted by: | Posted on: October 24, 2022

Randomized Double-Blind Study Shows Saffron Can Help ADHD


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2022/10/24/saffron-can-help-adhd.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     Fact Checked     October 24, 2022

saffron can help adhd

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • The herb saffron may be a safe and effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), rivaling Ritalin in effectiveness
  • Children with ADHD were randomly assigned to receive either 20 to 30 milligrams a day (mg/d) of methylphenidate (Ritalin) or 20 to 30 mg/d of saffron capsules
  • The treatments worked equally well, with changes in Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale scores statistically the same, which suggests both methylphenidate and saffron had the same effect on ADHD symptoms
  • Therapeutically, saffron has been shown to enhance memory while also possessing antidepressant, antianxiety and neuroprotective effects that may be valuable in the treatment of ADHD

The herb saffron may be a safe and effective treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).1 This common neuropsychiatric disorder affects up to 7% of school-age children, causing a mix of symptoms including difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity to mood swings and short attention span.

In up to 60% of cases, symptoms persist into adulthood,2 where the disorder is linked to social problems, low self-esteem and low quality of life. It’s also known to affect academic achievement.

The standard, first-line approach to treating ADHD is medication, typically central nervous system stimulants such as methylphenidate (Ritalin). However, such drugs may cause side effects such as difficulty sleeping, loss of appetite and nausea. In some cases, the side effects, such as sleep loss, may be so severe that they undermine any benefits of the drug.3

What’s more, an estimated 30% of children do not respond to Ritalin,4 and others give up the medication due to its side effects. Oftentimes, the drug treatment does not even lead to meaningful improvements.

In a study that analyzed the effects of drug versus behavioral treatment on homework performance in children with ADHD, the drug treatment led to no significant improvements in homework completion or accuracy compared to placebo.5

“So far, the outcome with these approved medications for ADHD are often unsatisfactory and there is an empty place to be filled by alternative medications, in particular herbal medicines,” researchers wrote in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology.6

They noted that herbal medicine is still used for health care for upward of 80% of the world’s population, making saffron a reasonable choice for ADHD treatment.

Saffron Works as Well as Ritalin for Treating ADHD

In a six-week, randomized double-blind study, 54 children between the ages of 6 and 17 years were randomly assigned to receive either 20 to 30 milligrams a day (mg/d) of methylphenidate or 20 to 30 mg/d of saffron capsules.7

The treatments worked equally well, with changes in Teacher and Parent ADHD Rating Scale scores statistically the same, which suggests both methylphenidate and saffron had the same effect on ADHD symptoms.

“Short-term therapy with saffron capsule showed the same efficacy compared with methylphenidate,” the researchers noted, adding that the frequency of adverse effects was also similar between the two groups.

Saffron, known as the world’s most expensive spice by weight, has traditionally been valued for its antispasmodic, antiseptic, antidepressant, anticancer and anticonvulsant effects, and the researchers noted that saffron’s active compounds are known to “increase the reuptake inhibition of dopamine and norepinephrine and are N-methyl D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor antagonists and GABA-α agonists.”

Therapeutically, they add, saffron has been shown to enhance memory while also possessing antidepressant, antianxiety and neuroprotective effects that may be valuable in the treatment of ADHD.

“Taken together, since saffron is a ‘putative’ antidepressant and antidepressant agents are acceptable for treatment of ADHD, we hypothesized that saffron intake would be of benefit in these patients,” the researchers wrote. “In addition, having the ability to affect both monoaminergic and glutamatergic systems also qualify saffron as a possible candidate for the treatment of ADHD due to malfunction of these circuits in this disorder.”8

What Else Is Saffron Good For?

Saffron (Crocus sativus), a spice that resembles orange threads, is perhaps most widely known for adding a unique, pungent flavor to everything from risotto to meat and vegetable dishes and desserts. However, it’s been valued for its medicinal properties since ancient times, which we now know are due to at least four active ingredients, which include crocin, crocetin, picrocrocin and safranal.9

Crocetin, in particular, is known to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and reach the central nervous system, suggesting it can be effective in neurodegenerative disorders.10 Further, as mentioned, saffron has antidepressant properties, which are similar to those of antidepressant drugs, but with fewer reported side effects.11

Saffron also benefits cognitive function, with a 2010 study involving patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease founding those taking 15 mg of saffron twice a day for 16 weeks demonstrated “significantly better outcomes on cognitive function” than those receiving a placebo.12

Saffron also shows benefits in preventing high blood pressure,13 reducing the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome14 and treating metabolic syndrome.15 According to a study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture:16

“Saffron is an extensively used food additive for its colour and taste and has been widely used in traditional as well as modern medicine to treat several illnesses including cardiovascular diseases …

It has been proved that saffron has an important role in the management of metabolic syndrome because of its marvelous activities including antidiabetic, antiobesity, hypotensive and hypolipidemic properties.”

Environmental Factors Known to Influence ADHD

Saffron is just one natural treatment that shows promise for treating ADHD — there are many others as well. It’s important to understand that ADHD does appear to lead to changes in the brain, with children with the disorder having smaller overall brains, as well as reduced volume in five specific brain regions: the nucleus, putamen, nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus.17

The differences in volume were slight and seemed to become less magnified by adulthood, which suggests ADHD may be characterized by delayed development in certain brain regions. The biggest size difference occurred in the amygdala, which is associated with emotions and hasn’t previously been widely linked to ADHD.18

That being said, there are many factors involved, including nutrition and exposure to toxins in the environment. Environmental and lifestyle factors likely influence both the diagnosis of this disease (as well as trigger ADHD-like symptoms) and its progression or healing. For instance:

Children with higher levels of the endocrine-disrupting chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) are more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD19
Children exposed to higher levels of organophosphate pesticides may have a twofold to threefold increased risk of being diagnosed with ADHD20
Exposure to tobacco smoke in utero is associated with ADHD21
Eating an unhealthy diet during pregnancy may increase ADHD symptoms in youth22
Drinking sugar-sweetened beverages like soda is associated with ADHD23
Gluten sensitivity may be common in children with ADHD, and a gluten-free diet has been shown to significantly improve behavior in kids24
Artificial food coloring and other food additives, such as preservatives, are associated with increased hyperactivity in children25

Vetiver Oil and Other Natural Treatments for ADHD

Beyond saffron, what else may work to reduce the symptoms of ADHD? Chamomile, another medicinal plant, has been shown to improve both hyperactivity and inattention in youth with ADHD.26 In addition, essential oils have repeatedly been shown to do so, particularly vetiver oil (vetiver is a type of Indian grass).

In one study, when children inhaled the oil three times a day for 30 days they had improved brain wave patterns and behavior and did better in school.27 Eighty percent of the children also improved when using cedarwood essential oil similarly.

Improvements in brain activity were revealed via electro-encephalograph (EEG), which measures electrical impulses moving through the brain. This allowed researchers to determine whether the children’s brains were functioning primarily in a beta (i.e., alert) state or a theta state (i.e., lack of focus).

Improvements in beta-theta ratios were noted following the use of vetiver essential oil, while parents also noted improvements in symptoms. Another study, published in the Journal of Intercultural Ethnopharmacology, also showed vetiver essential oil to have particular promise for ADHD.

The animal study revealed changes in brain activity suggestive of increased alertness,28 while research on human subjects revealed faster reaction times and stimulation of sympathetic nerve activity following inhalation.29 Inhalation via a diffuser or applying the diluted oils topically to the skin are two effective ways to use essential oils for ADHD.

Exercise and Diet Must Be Addressed in ADHD

If your child is struggling with ADHD or ADHD-like symptoms, I recommend consulting with a holistic physician who is experienced in treating ADHD using natural methods. Toward this end, addressing both exercise and diet will be essential.

Exercise enhances cognitive performance and brain function, especially during tasks requiring greater executive control.30 Executive control is the ability to maintain focus, working memory and cognitive flexibility (or switching between tasks), and is often impaired in children with ADHD.31

Exercise appears to benefit cognitive, behavioral and socio-emotional functions in children and adults with ADHD.32 As for diet, I recommend addressing the following factors:

• Too much sugar — High-sugar foods and starchy carbohydrates lead to excessive insulin release, which can cause falling blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia, in turn, causes your brain to secrete glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety and panic attacks.

Besides that, sugar promotes chronic inflammation in your body, and many studies have demonstrated the connection between a high-sugar diet and worsened mental health.

• Gluten sensitivity — The evidence suggesting that gluten sensitivity may be at the root of a number of neurological and psychiatric conditions, including ADHD, is quite compelling. One study went so far as to suggest celiac disease should be added to the ADHD symptom checklist.33

• An unhealthy gut — As explained by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a medical doctor with a postgraduate degree in neurology, toxicity in your gut can flow throughout your body and into your brain, where it can cause symptoms of autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, schizophrenia and other mental disorders.34

Reducing gut inflammation is imperative when addressing mental health issues, so optimizing your child’s gut flora is a critical step. This includes not only avoiding processed, refined foods but also eating traditionally fermented foods, such as fermented vegetables.

If you cannot get your child to eat fermented foods on a regular basis, a high-quality probiotic supplement may be highly beneficial in correcting abnormal gut flora that may contribute to brain dysfunction.

• Animal-based omega-3 fat deficiency — Kids low in omega-3 fats may be significantly more likely to be hyperactive, struggle with learning disorders and display behavioral problems. A clinical study published in 2007 also examined the effects of krill oil on adults diagnosed with ADHD.35

In that study, patients improved their ability to concentrate by an average of over 60% after taking a daily 500-milligram (mg) dose of krill oil for six months. They also reported a 50% improvement in planning skills and a close to 49% improvement in social skills.

• Food additives and GE ingredients — A number of food additives are thought to worsen ADHD, and many have subsequently been banned in Europe. Potential culprits to avoid include Blue #1 and #2 food coloring; Green #3; Orange B; Red #3 and #40; Yellow #5 and #6; and sodium benzoate, a preservative.

Research also shows that glyphosate, the active ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, limits your body’s ability to detoxify foreign chemical compounds. As a result, the damaging effects of those chemicals and environmental toxins are magnified, and may result in a wide variety of diseases, including brain disorders that can affect behavior.

Getting back to saffron, more research is needed to confirm its effects on ADHD, but so far the results look promising. If you have a child with ADHD who has not responded to other treatments and lifestyle changes, talk to your holistic practitioner about whether this herbal remedy could be helpful for your child.

Posted in ADHD, Brain, Celiac, Exercise, GE, Gut, Omega-3, Sugar, Supplements | One Comment »