Claire

Hi Carolyn, Other than MacDonalds, which I have always detested, I certainly have gone through periods of sugar cravings where I ate lousy things for weeks on end. I remember in my early 20's eating a dozen chocolate cookies daily. Since I was a runner, I could get away with it without weight gain. In my case it was hypoglycemia (yes I had yeast also, which makes you crave carbs). And they were physical cravings, not pychological. I would get a 'rush' from the carbs. Have you ever done a glucose tolerance test for hypoglycemia, or a blood test for hyperinsulinism? This is what worked for me: -Regular aerobic exercise...definitely stabilizes blood sugar and creates an anerobic environment for yeast (ie helps to kill it) -Chromium is extremely helpful in controlling sugar cravings. -I must completely eliminate sucrose sweets from my life. Period. If I allow occasional intake, the cravings come back. I will occassionally eat 'too much' sugar-free stuff, but it never starts the craving cycle. -I have to manage overall carb intake. Ie I don't do low carb, but if I have pure carbs it can set off cravings. So I eat my carbs with proteins and fats for slower absorption. -Dr. Houston claims that his Zyne prime slows down the sugar release into the blood for carbs, though he agrees that it sounds counterintuitive. Maybe start working more on your sugar-free recipes! Claire

Remember you can test positive for things you never have had. My son showed positive for coffee at age 10 (he had and still has never had coffee), but not cola or cocoa too. You too actually had a lot of similar sensitivities. Later he showed okay for coffee. Claire

Hi Cheri, I just read a review of the book. It's comment on free-range chickens made me think of what a friend told me recently. That all a company has to do to call their chicken eggs from free-range chickens is to provide a door to the cages, where theoretically the chickens could get out. They still live in the cage. I haven't researched this myself, but worth looking into. Darn...we always buy free-range chicken and eggs. Claire

With all the other links, I did want to emphasize that I am planning on just supplementing STRONTIUM instead of calcium. A doctor I went to suggested this (plus the almonds). By the way, I have read multiple places now that strontium shouldn't be taken at the same time as calcium, which we were doing, darn it! Claire I figure the best info on calcium absorption is from the osteo studies... More on strontium http://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/447 In a three-year, randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study using 680 milligrams of strontium daily, women suffering from osteoporosis experienced a 41 percent reduction in risk of a vertebral fracture, compared with placebo. And, overall vertebrae density in the strontium group increased by 11.4 percent but there was a 1.3 percent decrease in the placebo group. Strontium is available as strontium carbonate, strontium chloride, strontium sulfate, strontium gluconate and strontium citrate. In clinical research strontium gluconate was absorbed better than strontium carbonate. It is my clinical opinion that strontium citrate is absorbed better than the other forms of this mineral. **We do Pure Encapsulations Strontium Citrate. that brand doesn't use fillers so the capsules are always smaller** Cows milk and osteo http://www.browardspine.com/articles/18.htm

Thanks Daniel! Further confirmation of the proper lead limit. So they say that calcium citrate is safe. However, my reading was that supplementing calcium citrate did nothing to bone density (That's why I did the MCA one). Kim, you are so right about looking around 360 degrees! I should never have take a 'reassurance' from Whole Foods without hard numbers. Still, this gives me hope that things will get better. One doctor I saw said that raw almonds were an incredibly absorbable source of calcium (too bad I only love them smoked...!). Strontium has been shown in double blind studies to improved calcium absorption/density, so I will continue that regularly. (below) Okay, my term to post some research...it has been awhile... Claire http://healthlibrary.epnet.com/GetContent....chunkiid=111809 In a 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 5,091 women with osteoporosis, use of strontium at a dose of 2 grams daily significantly improved bone density and reduced incidence of all fractures as compared to placebo.1 Additionally, in a 3-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 1,649 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and a history of at least one vertebral fracture, use of strontium ranelate at a dose of 2 grams daily reduced the incidence of new vertebral fractures by 49% in the first year and 41% in the full 3-year period (as compared to placebo).6 Use of strontium also significantly increased measured bone density. No significant side effects were seen. A fourth study tested strontium ranelate for preventing osteoporosis in postmenopausal who have not yet developed it.4 In this 2-year, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 160 women received either placebo or strontium ranelate at a dose of 125 mg, 500 mg, or 1 gram daily. The results showed greater gains in bone density the more strontium taken. While some treatments for osteoporosis act to increase bone formation, and other decrease bone breakdown, some evidence suggests that strontium ranelate has a dual effect, providing both these benefits at once.14 Other forms of strontium besides strontium ranelate, such as strontium chloride, have shown potential benefits in animal studies, but have not undergone significant testing in people.3,8-13 --------------------- http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/short/348/16/1517 Intellectual Impairment in Children with Blood Lead Concentrations below 10 µg per Deciliter Background Despite dramatic declines in children's blood lead concentrations and a lowering of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's level of concern to 10 µg per deciliter (0.483 µmol per liter), little is known about children's neurobehavioral functioning at lead concentrations below this level. Methods We measured blood lead concentrations in 172 children at 6, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months of age and administered the Stanford–Binet Intelligence Scale at the ages of 3 and 5 years. The relation between IQ and blood lead concentration was estimated with the use of linear and nonlinear mixed models, with adjustment for maternal IQ, quality of the home environment, and other potential confounders. Results The blood lead concentration was inversely and significantly associated with IQ. In the linear model, each increase of 10 µg per deciliter in the lifetime average blood lead concentration was associated with a 4.6-point decrease in IQ (P=0.004), whereas for the subsample of 101 children whose maximal lead concentrations remained below 10 µg per deciliter, the change in IQ associated with a given change in lead concentration was greater. When estimated in a nonlinear model with the full sample, IQ declined by 7.4 points as lifetime average blood lead concentrations increased from 1 to 10 µg per deciliter. ------------------------------- http://www.drkaslow.com/html/histadelia.html Many patients with obsessive-compulsive tendencies, "oppositional-defiant disorder," or seasonal depression are under-methylated, which is associated with low serotonin levels. Often with inhalant allergies, frequent headaches, perfectionism, competitiveness and other distinctive symptoms and traits. Tend to be very low in calcium, magnesium, methionine, and vitamin B-6 with excessive levels of folic acid. People with histadelics have a positive effect from SSRIs and other serotonin-enhancing medications (Paxil, Zoloft, Prozac, Celexa, Effexor, etc.) because methylation is a step in the manufacture of mood stabilizing neurotransmitters. Unfortunately, histadelics often have nasty side effects with these medications. -------------------- http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlere...i?artid=1242086 Iron deficiency associated with higher blood lead in children living in contaminated environments. ---------------------- Interesting cut on pregnant women and lead that Kim raised earlier... http://www.childbirthsolutions.com/articles/news/calcium.php Pregnant women who do not get enough calcium have higher blood levels of lead than pregnant women who consume adequate amounts of calcium, according to a recent study released by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Calcium is essential to the development of the fetal skeleton. If a pregnant woman does not consume enough calcium, either through her diet or by taking supplements, the calcium in her bone tissue will be released to meet the demands of the developing fetus. In addition to calcium, the bone tissue is also where 95% of the body’s lead is stored. As the calcium is released, so is the lead. The greater the demands on the bone tissue for calcium, the higher the lead levels in the blood. The lead is then passed from the pregnant woman to her unborn child. ------------------------------ http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v262/...s/262051a0.html Increased lead ingestion in calcium-deficient monkeys VOLUNTARY ingestion of lead (lead pica) by children is a puzzling phenomenon. The resulting lead poisoning can lead to painful physical symptoms, mental retardation and brain damage1−5. Yet ingestion often persists after toxic symptoms appear if the child has access to lead6. We have shown that weanling rats made calcium deficient increased their voluntary ingestion of lead to levels much greater than those of control rats7. It was suggested that, because of the metabolic similarity of lead to calcium, ingestion of lead might relieve symptoms of calcium deficiency, attenuate the normal aversive effects of lead ingestion, and thus maintain continued ingestion.

AAARGH. So we are getting 30 mcg/capsule or OVER the amount. And a full dose is 6 capsules, or 180 mcg! (Fortunately, we don't take that much) So the calcium I have been giving us to get RID of lead (per Pfeiffer) is actually contributing (Disclaimer: Pfeiffer didn't tell me to give this type of calcium, they told us to take calcium CARBONATE!!). I just pulled the calcium from our supplements. Kim, THANK you for your PM, as I missed this input from you completely. You are truly a godsend, thank you!! I looked for this information on daily limits and failed to find it. I feel so badly about this. I callled Whole Foods when I started this 2 years ago and they assured me lead wasn't a factor in this blend. Then I called back last month and got those 'hard numbers'. When my son had his first high lead measurement in his hair, we were supplementing so much more calcium. But I do remember that he showed the same level of lead in his blood on his very first test, before we did any calcium supplementation. So fortunately I didn't cause this problem, though I may well have perpetuated it. Yes, we are doing EDTA now. I started the phospholipid version for me and ended up with intense lympathic pain near the armpits. So I am stopping and will reintroduce at a smaller dosage and see what happens. My son is getting the oral liquid (less absorbed) and has been for a month now. I see zero side affects (I did the liquid EDTA first myself and felt nothing either). But we will retest his levels, including calcium, in a couple of weeks. Thank you so much again Kim. Claire

This is taught behavior...and normal. Remember, it isn't OCD unless it interferes with normal life for more than 1-2 hours a day...let's not over diagnose. Even quirkiness is normal. Believe me, you KNOW when it is abnormal and thus OCD. It truly interferes with functioning. Some examples: Kids can't get school work done because each letter isn't perfect and must be erased. People drive back because they always think they hit someone. They wash their hands for hours. They clean and reclean and reclean. Everything in the closet must be organized and rechecked for order. They check stoves 5 times, leave and come back and check again. Claire

Patty, My nephew had OCD for a time (much better now since certain stresses were removed and his health improved), so I researched the heck out of this. I know that they do fish oil or flax seed oil (for impulse control). Yes absolutely OCD can go hand in hand with tic syndromes, but it isn't classified as OCD until it affects their daily lives for more than 1-2 hours a day. So no, your child doesn't have 'OCD' from what you described. Lots of kids have this little idiosyncracies/quirks...I see it as part of a spectrum of neurological symptoms that show them dealing with physiological stresses. So like the tics, I would see improvement there as an indicator of overall immune improvement. Chemar's son had OCD and she did things like 5HTP for it, so there are natural methods do deal with it should you see a progression where it starts to bother him and interfere. This is a little tangential, but: Many kids just get the compulsions, not the obsessions or visa versa. But since some do both.... (unlikely at this point so I don't want to worry you!).....I would casually check in on his thoughts...how are you feeling?...e.g. fears. My son had the fears with strep (went away with antibiotics), and THAT was traumatic for him. Worse was that I was so busy with work that I wasn't checking in so they were getting worse and worse since he wasn't sharing so I had no clue that he needed help. Once I checked in we were able to deal with it immediately, both through the anitibiotics and the conversations about the power of God over evil, and it was night and day difference. Thank God for that...I promised myself I would never let my work get so busy that I lost touch with him again, and years later, we are still connected. Claire

Don't know these answers, sorry! But with the electrolytes, we are getting my son tested again today--so far he has been normal, but I think he and I both add salt to food a lot to compensate. (We both have low blood pressure). If his blood levels are still normal, I will put it in 1 bottle a day. During the summer during hiking/biking/sweating/sun, I would do 2 bottles/day. Not everyone needs RO. We did RO for ME because I had several high metals (some trace in tap water) and our DAN doctor said I needed the RO system. He said we could also by that expensive glacier water (where they drill 3 miles deep to get it). I have seen pure water with electrolytes added back in too. This was cheaper over time for us than bottled water. Claire

Yes Firmbeliever. People who drink filtered water are often deficient in Lithium. (That is why we carefully, occasionally supplement lithium). I recently got a concentrated electrolyte solution to add to the RO water to replace some of the minerals. (like a gatorade without the sugar or artificial crud). But you have to manage carefully how much you add back in, also... It doesn't have to be in the water, but yes, one must be aware that you are removing all the minerals with RO and accommodate. Claire

I know that on the board Kim posted, there is a formal study posted where Autistic kids (who commonly need GFCF diets) saw substantial improvement in symptoms. I will leave it up to others here to comment if they saw improvements. Somehow I think both Kim and Dan Q use them for their kids? If you do try it still think the thing to do would be to test wheat or milk once a week for one meal with enzymes and just see if things get worse or not. The cool thing with enzymes is that people need them less over time. I personally found this to be true with the lactose one. Claire

I use Cetaphyl -noncomogenic- (sp) for sensitive skin for my face. It is remarkably gentle on my skin. (I get red easily otherwise). I use basis soap for my body (very expensive), but I used to get dry itchy skin and I don't anymore. I also use mild 7th generation detergent for laundry...it made a huge difference. I also heard from a friend that getting chlorine filters for the shower would help with dry skin. Vitabath has dechlorination bath tabs to neutralize chlorine so you aren't sitting in chlorine water during a detox bath... Cheap cheap. Could your skin issue be rosacea? Claire

Evie, The bottom line is you need to go with your doctor's advice, and with what you feel comfortable with. However, I do need to clarify something for other readers here: the peptizade enzymes are specifically targeted for people with gluten/casein intolerance--that is their main purpose-- rather than only for general wheat or milk/lactose intolerance. There are many who debate their effectiveness, but the reason that your doctor gave you shows that he/she don't fully understand the purpose of the Houston's enzymes. FYI, our family all showed specifically 'gluten' intolerance. It is just that additionally, my son also has a wheat allergy (IgE)..this is what I feel it didn't work for. I think you would find a higher critical mass of people to answer your question on the enzymes board. I erased the bookmark, but maybe Kim still has it... Claire

Don't know, but it can also be an oil deficiency, or the dry heat of central heat in the winter, or too hot baths/showers... Claire

Evie, My son hasn't ticced for years, so I can't comment there. Multiple people on this site have used these enzymes. I first heard of them from an ex-poster Jennifer, who had them recommended to her by Pfeiffer. I then asked Pfeiffer about them. Apparently many in the autism community have used them effectively instead of GFCF (there is a dedicate yahoo group for it somewhere). Some have had outstanding results. It goes beyond GFCF and helps with protein and carb/fat digestion. Since your child used to have diahrrea (mine got diarrhea and eczema from wheat), it would be good to test on a single usage. My son still seemed to get his ALLERGIC reaction to wheat (swelling lips), even with the enzymes, if he has wheat all the time. I took the enzymes and still got my ALLERGIC reaction (a rash). So I personally feel they are more for the kids that can't handle the gluten/casein, ie the proteins, and for occcasional use for those with IgE allergies. My suggestion would be to let him have wheat (or whatever) once a week with the enzymes, and see what happens. Then the casein. If all goes well, weekly seemed to work well for us anyway. Claire

Composite fillings are just the tooth colored fillings. A sealant to prevent cavities is even better. Don't know sensitivities. Claire

What I got from the data was that calcium supplementation lowered blood lead. But the conclusion as to WHY it does it, is so different from what I have heard. Yes, I read it the same way you did... hard to read it otherwise. "For subjects replete in calcium, the delay in increase in blood lead and halving of the extra flux released from bone during late pregnancy and postpartum may provide less lead exposure to the developing fetus and newly born infant." Too weird. I have read that people who are calcium and iron deficient tend to have worse lead levels. This would certainly pose a different theory as to why! What I read was that without calcium to fill out the bones, the body pulled the lead into the bones, where that lead might otherwise be excreted. So it was more that calcium prevented it from going into the bones in the first place, rather than calcium not letting it out of the bones. But you notice that they used calcium carbonate, which we (now) know has excess lead? Makes you wonder how 'adding' lead impacted their study. Also, reading this and thinking of my likely bone lead from a smoking parent, made me realize that I was likely 'contributing' lead to my son in the womb, just as my amalgams contributed mercury. Claire

Since my husband, son and I all have lead in our blood, I was looking for a source for it. I just heard back from Whole Foods on the amount of lead in their 'bone complex'. We like this complex because I have read studies that the MCA (microcrystalline hydroxy apatate) is the most absorbed of all the calciums, plus, it has some of the other key minerals needed to absorb calcium (magnesium, boron, etc...) The results:6 capsules/dose (we take 1 or 2) 1 capsule =1 gram =1000 mg total MCA 1 capsule contains .0276 mg =~.03 mg. => this is .0003% lead in a capsule. They say the MCA has 24 ppm lead, so I don't know where the rest comes from. Does anyone know an okay amount of lead to be ingesting? Any reference numbers from the FDA (which are likely higher than I would like)? I know that when I starting buying Dave's tuna (for $10/can!), they had something showing the mercury level, and then showed it was the same level as in wild salmon, and contrasted it to normal canned tuna. I would love a reference point like that. Anyone done research here? Thanks, Claire

Patty, It is not hard to find a 'normal' dentist who offers the composite fillings, which have equaled/surpassed the amalgams in strength/durability these days. A few phone calls would do the trick. On the other hand, removing amalgams takes specialization, as you need someone with the rubber dam and air filtration so that you don't get a heavy dose. If your child ever has the need to have metals in his body removed, they typically want the amalgams out first as it will keep pulling the mercury from the amalgams. CP, My son had the WORSE sensitivity to metal when he had his braces. He would get the biggest cancer sores our orthodontist had ever seen. Once your child's permanent teeth are all in, Invisiline completely plastic braces (they are just like a night guard) might be an option. He had to use plastic utensils when he had his braces also. I get horrible rashes from nickel and must wear sterling silver or 14K gold necklaces... Claire

Patty, I personnally use guar gum in water for my soluble fiber and yes it helped with 'regularity'. I used to take psyllium husk fiber daily, but over time developed an IgG sensitivity so I had to switch. My husband does the psyllium husk. I have read that psyll. helps move out metals too. We never even tried to get my son to do it. Fortunately he is regular. (Before wheat removal, he did have issues, but I remember you already removed gluten). Certainly epsom salts are taken internally as a laxative. I don't know about the salt bath effect, but certainly it is believable. Glad your son is doing better there, good elimination is important! Claire

Too funny! Aquafina is the bottled water that we buy also...it just 'tastes' the best to both my son and me! (Which probably means it is more similar to our own filtered water). Claire

Patty, So much depends on your current state in terms of metal toxicity. We had so many metals that our doctor told us to get the RO filter (and carbon filters). We have the Multi-pure 750+RO. 800-622-9206 Now I ordered an electrolyte concentrate to put some of the good things back in... Claire

Patty, If you want real bread crumbs, then I would take a rice bread you like and crumble it and add seasonings. For chicken nuggets, we would dip them in potato starch and seasoning salt (we got the salt from Whole Foods, so no additives). Though we also dip them in white rice flour also. We cook with coconut oil cuz it doesn't change into something else when heated. Carolyn, I just made the gluten-free, sugar-free oatmeal chocolate chip cookies, and they were fantastic. (Remember, we don't eat the real ones, so I don't have a direct comparison. Our guests ate them too and liked them a lot). A little cakier than a chewy chocolate chip cookie, but delicious. I break out from chocolate to this day, so I avoid it also. However, a little in a cookie is great. SUCROSE-FREE ICE CREAM For those people that CAN have milk, I am working on a sugar-free icecream. I got the Cuisinaire ice cream maker for $45 at BBY. It is so easy. My son likes this taste and texture, but he says it isn't as 'satisfying' as the store bought with artificial stuff. Maybe I will add sugar-free wheat-free cookie chunks or something. It is lighter--more sorbet like. 1 Cup organic whole milk 2 Cups organic half and half 2 tsp vanilla 2 egg yolks, whisked a bit (optional for a French vanilla taste) 1/2 C xylitol + 2 (1/2 full) droppers of stevia Use whisk or hand held blender to get the 'sugar' mixed it' I have seen internet versions with gelatin and lower fat too. Claire

Hi Carolyn, Pumpkin Pie ...So assuming you make your own gluten-free pie crust... (do use sweet unsalted butter) It was just a Betty Crocker pie recipe, slighly modified..e.g. without the nutmeg and ginger cuz I don't like them, but that is up to you. 1 15 oz can pumpkin 1/2 C xylitol (use Smartsweet.com's-- derived from birch tree. Some xylitols are derived from corn) 3 (half full) droppers of liquid stevia 1.5 t ground cinnamon 2 eggs 3/4 cup milk (obviously you would need a milk substitiute) Mix ingredients, put them into the pie shell. Cover the edges of the pie shell with foil to keep it from burning. I cooked it about 40 minutes, but each oven will vary. Knife inserted should come out clean. CHOCOLATE Here is the link. I got the ones called ChocoPerfection. They have milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Since chocolate chip cookies normal have semi-sweet chips, I think the dark chocolate is better for the cookies. Yes they are low carb (and okay for diabetics, which is part of my criteria for sugar-free.) http://globalsweet.com/Merchant2/merchant....Category_Code=C Dark chocolate bar http://globalsweet.com/Merchant2/merchant....Category_Code=C UH OH, This erythritol in the bar MAY be derived from CORN (unlike xylitol). PLEASE CALL them to verify if it is. That would be a bummer for you. For a normal cho Do you eat oatmeal, or are you worried about it being cross-grown in wheat fields? I sometimes have Irish Oatmeal. Anyway, theoretically you could do Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies...I haven't tried that yet. Something else. Since most chocolate chip cookies call for brown sugar, You can use xylitol then add 1 tsp maple syrup (some say to use molasses). Not enough to affect the sugar level in each cookie but subtle positive flavor impact. It's not necessary though. Claire

Interesting Chemar...and too bad. But at least he can have wheat and sugar! I have a problem with Maltitol (corn derived)... Claire