Potatoe

Hi Irene, Iron can lead to constipation but you are right that magnesium can counteract that. Even though you know your daughter is low on iron, it is helpful to get iron+ Ferritin tested to see how low Iron stores are and work with a doctor on a plan. Low Iron stores (checked by ferritin testing) makes the body produce more iron intake transporters, which also can intake manganese (and aluminum). You can start gently by having her eat something containing vitamin C with each meal. Vitamin c is also needed to convert dopamine to norepinephrine. Low conversion can increase anxiety and autonomic disorders like racing heart, feeling hot, etc. The c unbinds iron but not manganese from foods like beans and brown rice. It is ok that your daughter does not eat red meat. Red meat can be inflammatory to some people's guts. If you find that your daughter does better on a gluten free or casein free diet, it is probably because she does not digest proteins well. You might want to read "The Plant Paradox" which talks about lectins, another type of hard to digest proteins. Note that high manganese can impair the pancreas, which is the organ that produces protein digestive enzymes. Once the cycle is broken, then this should reduce help sensitivity to gluten, etc. back to normal. If you get manganese or trace minerals testing, red blood cell testing is much more sensitive than whole blood testing. Broq is one of the few pill brands that has reacted sulforaphane greater than 10 mg. People with healthy guts can benefit from almost any brand of broccoli pill, but if there is a gut issue such as dysbiosis, reacted sulforaphane will probably be more effective. I tried making sulforaphane soup by heating broccoli to 140F? before blending, but my kids hated the smell of the soup. For more info on this method, look on YouTube. I haven't heard of Dr. Gibson, but will check out. Good luck to you, you are on the right track!

Hi Irene, I think you are doing the right things and Atex has given some great suggestions. I have had tics most of my life and now dystonia, and I have kids with ADHD, ASD, and other issues. But now that I have figured out some genetic - environmental connections, we are all doing much better. Here's a few random thoughts: 1. Gut health (microbiome) issues is the most common cause of chronic health issues, including neuropsychiatric. Anaturopath or other integrative or functional medicine doc can do a test like GI-Map w/zonulin. Zonulin is to test for leaky gut, ie overabsorption of undigested proteins or metals, etc. If you can't find a doc in your area, Planet Naturopath may be able to do in US. 2. Unusually high levels of manganese (not to be confused with magnesium) can lead to under-pruning of synaptic circuits and excessive dopamine release especially in the basal ganglia This can result in someone who is hypersensitive to stimuli, odd coordination, high anxiety, tics, and has difficulty sleeping. On the positive side can lead to high intelligence or creativity. Thus genetics that predispose people to high manganese are not defects. 3. In order to keep manganese levels, gut issues, and immune system under control, it is important to: Maintain vitamin D levels at what healthy people who spend all day in the sun produce. See "The Vitamin D Council" recommendations. Avoid iron/iron stores deficiency: Iron + Ferritin testing can tell you. Like with D, testing is needed to avoid oversupplementation. Ensure enough magnesium. Along with Iron and D, used to treat hyperkinetic conditions such as restless legs syndrome and tics. Avoid manganese or other metal -containing air pollution. As Atex mentioned, cooking especially smoking oil in a saucepan messes up air. Reducing PM2.5 using true HEPA filters has helped change my life. Sources of high manganese include steel-working factories, auto body repair, welding, battery making, and train tracks if the wheels squeal (and shed). Less so are busy roads. For general PM2.5 AQI, check purpleair.com or other sites. Manganese is usually best tested with Red Blood Cell manganese or trace minerals testing. If your daughter is at the higher end of the "within range" levels, it can still contribute to tics and auditory or visual hallucinations. But the things above can help the body bring back into a more normal range over time and also reduce immune system issues. On a final note, I used to inject glutathione but much more effective is fresh broccoli or especially broccoli sprouts. This stimulates glutathione production in the cells where it is needed. Broq is a pill version that is fully reacted sulforaphane. It was effective for me, but it's expensive and contains copper so it's best to ask you naturopath.