kim

Faith and ALL I wish there were more hours in a day! Want to help out on trying to piece some things together? This article, that Chemar posted, was something that I have wanted to spend some time on but I got pretty wrapped up in trying to convey Soy info. lately. Anyway here's that link http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...l=pubmed_docsum If this study is on to something, how might that relate to allergic disease. Could it tell us something about subsets of TS? Here are a couple of articles that I was looking at this morning http://www.lpch.org/newsEvents/NewsReleases/umetsuTregs.html http://microvet.arizona.edu/courses/mic419...ls/allergy.html http://www.niaid.nih.gov/final/immun/immun.htm Since Carolyn and others are having good results, and my oldest son is so affected with allergies, I'm thinking the treatment your son in doing, is something I would be interested in too. I would like to know the same question that you're asking. By exposing the body to small amts. of allergens on a controlled basis, I would think you would have less of a chance of triggering a negative response, than letting them be exposed in a big way, as things happen and they are exposed naturally. I'm wondering if it is a way of training the immune system to respond properly? I hope anyone who has any ideas here, will share them!

****************************************************** Healthy Skepticism Library number: 10018 Publication type: journal article Tanne JH. Investigators will review conflicts of interest at NIH BMJ 2007 Apr 14;334(7597):767 http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/334/7597/767-a Abstract: Daniel Levinson, inspector general of the US Department of Health and Human Services, has said that his office will reopen 103 cases of conflicts of interest among scientists at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH). The investigation will be carried out by the inspector general's Special Investigations Unit, staffed by five criminal investigators. Mr Levinson's office was active in prosecuting Lester Crawford, the former head of the Food and Drug Administration, who was fined nearly $90 000 (£46 000; 67 000) for falsely reporting he had sold stock in companies regulated by the FDA while he still owned the shares (BMJ 2007;334:492, doi: 10.1136/bmj.39142.592130.DB) The special unit will also investigate conflicts of interest among about 40 000 scientific teams at about 2000 universities, medical centres, and non-profit institutions that receive research grants from NIH, potentially a much bigger problem. The NIH's rules on conflicts of interest do . . .

In March of 2006 14 Experts got together to review the safety of soy products. This study as far as I can tell (220+pages) was looking largely at reproductive effects, and Genistein in particular. About page 68, I zoned out. So, I skipped to this article http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/genis...r.niehs.nih.gov Genistein - Expert Panel Conclusions Even though there is a paucity of available human data on exposure to purified genistein, the Expert Panel expresses negligible concern for reproductive and developmental effects from exposure of adults in the general population. The most highly exposed human population reported is Japanese adults with ingestion of total genistein (free and complexed) of approximately 0.43 mg/kg body weight (bw)/day. However, adverse effects in rodent studies were not observed at levels below 35–44 mg/kg bw/day. Therefore, the Expert Panel feels that under current exposure conditions, adults would be unlikely to consume sufficient daily levels of genistein to cause adverse reproductive and/or developmental effects. The Expert Panel expresses negligible concern for adverse effects in neonates and infants who may consume up to 0.01–0.08 mg/kg bw/day of genistein aglycone contained in soy formula. . One member of the panel did not agree with this conclusion and felt that a higher level of concern was warranted. It is noteworthy that about 1% of total genistein in soy formula is present in its uncomplexed form, i.e., the aglycone Soy Formula - Expert Panel Conclusion There are insufficient human or experimental animal data available to permit a determination of the developmental or reproductive toxicity of soy infant formula. The conclusions noted above are those of the Genistein and Soy Formula Expert Panel and should not be construed to represent the views of the NTP. Next Steps The final expert panel reports on genistein and soy formula will be posted on the CERHR Then, I went hunting for the final recommendations Note; Negligible concern sure seemed to generate a long list critical date needs! http://cerhr.niehs.nih.gov/chemicals/genis...patrick-soy.pdf listed below are considered by the Expert Panel as critical data needs: Data are needed to describe more carefully human infant exposure to isoflavones in soy infant formula using biomarkers of exposure. These studies should consider use of formula type, concomitant ingestion of other soy-containing compounds, and length of exposure. Another case-control study to examine premature breast development in females and exposure to soy infant formula is needed. This study should be large enough to ensure sufficient statistical power to detect meaningful differences. A longitudinal cohort study to examine postnatal growth and neurobehavioral development of healthy, full-term infants fed soy infant formula; these infants should be compared to breast-fed or cow milk formula-fed infants, with particular attention paid to exposure conditions. This study should be large enough to ensure sufficient statistical power to detect meaningful differences. Case-control studies are needed to examine reproductive endpoints, such as age at beginning of puberty, early age at onset of menopause, endometriosis, uterine leiomyomata, and reproductive organ carcinogenesis and neonatal exposure to soy infant formula and other soy products. These studies should be large enough to ensure sufficient statistical power to detect meaningful differences. Longitudinal cohort studies should be identified that have the potential to evaluate exposure to soy infant formula in relation to these outcomes, including age at onset of menopause. 5.0 Summaries, Conclusions, and Critical Data Needs 189 A carefully controlled animal study is needed in which multiple doses of soy infant formula and/or other soy products are used so that dose-response relationships can be determined. Careful consideration should be given to the choice of animal model, mindful of metabolic differences between species particularly in the formation of equol. Consideration should also be given to the appropriateness of this animal model to the human neonate. This study could be of two parts, with one part consisting of prenatal exposure only and evaluation of developmental endpoints; the second part could be a multigenerational study with exposure continuing into adulthood and evaluation of both reproductive and postnatal developmental endpoints. Nutritional differences in animal diets need to be considered in these experiments. A carefully controlled animal study is needed in which the effects of soy infant formula and/or other soy products on ovarian follicle counts and early ovarian failure are evaluated. 6.0

But...We just aren't smart enough to be informed about which foods are genetically modified, according to the FDA. http://www.healthfreedomusa.org/index.php/?page_id=333 "You Can’t Trust Consumers to Make the Right Choice About GM Foods. The Truth Would Be Confusing and Misleading!"

Caryn and Chemar, Thanks for nice remarks and your feed back Caryn. I'm so glad that someone finds some of this as potentially important as I do! I never know how effective I get info across. I'm not good at finding a stopping point. Caryn, I hope you don't mind if I use part of your question to sound off again. When you asked this I thought it might be important to some people here to understand why these substances can have negative effects, especially if you are dealing with tics AND Add or Adhd. First here are a couple of things on tartrazine; http://www.foresight-preconception.org.uk/...odadditives.htm SOME FOOD ADDITIVES AND THEIR SIDE-EFFECTS: Cosmetics; Dyes/Colourants: This article touches on this too. This is a problem that I suspect for my youngest son. I hope one of these articles has the epsom salt bath info in it. Epsom salts provide sulfur also, which I suspect may be as important as the magnesium in some cases. You may want to do some reading on the Feingold diet sites too. http://www.newtreatments.org/fromweb/sulfur.html Now back to the "stimulant drug" part of the question. If you are familiar with the neurotransmitters, this will make more sense (and believe me, I have to go back and reread some things 1000 times!) But if you understand a little of this, it's not hard to see why these drugs increase tics. I think this is so important, for anyone who has a child that is dealing with ADHD or ADD in addition to tics. Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine) is an amphetamine, belonging to the group of medicines called central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/amp.html Amphetamines are drugs such as dextroamphetamine, benzedrine, and Ritalin Amphetamine Effects on the Nervous System Amphetamines are stimulants of the central nervous system and sympathetic division of the peripheral nervous system. It appears that the main action of amphetamines is to increase the synaptic activity of the dopamine and norepinephrine neurotransmitter systems. Amphetamines can: block dopamine reuptake. inhibit the storage of dopamine in vesicles. inhibit the destruction of dopamine by enzymes. All of these actions result in more dopamine in the synaptic cleft where it can act on receptors.

Hummm...Candida clear for insects? http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/24/science/24bees.html Genetic testing at Columbia University has revealed the presence of multiple micro-organisms in bees from hives or colonies that are in decline, suggesting that something is weakening their immune system. The researchers have found some fungi in the affected bees that are found in humans whose immune systems have been suppressed by the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or cancer. I'm a bit confused by this part Meanwhile, samples were sent to an Agriculture Department laboratory in North Carolina this month to screen for 117 chemicals. Particular suspicion falls on a pesticide that France banned out of concern that it may have been decimating bee colonies. and They have also set aside for now the possibility that the cause could be bees feeding from a commonly used genetically modified crop, Bt corn, because the symptoms typically associated with toxins, such as blood poisoning, are not showing up in the affected bees. Aren't pesticides or 117 chemicals considered toxins? Why would a genetically modified crop, show blood poisoning? It seems this statement in reference to the previous paragraph, makes more sense?

colleenrn, My husband used to tell me that we should just have a gallon of amox. in the frige at all times. We had a lot of antibiotics for strep and ear infections too. I just noticed another lymph node on my oldest sons neck, this weekend. His allergies are pretty bad right now. We had one x rayed on the back of his neck when he was about 3. My younger son would get one about the size of a golf ball on the front of his neck. I don't know if that one acted up with his last bout of strep or not. I didn't see it, and I didn't feel for it (I can't handle any kind of lump!). I guess I mention the swollen lymph nodes, as I have read quite a bit about them in relationship to vaccines and illness. Since many of us feel there is a strong immune connection here, can I ask what it is that you suspect caused the damage in regards to vaccines? Is it the number given? The part of the immune system that is prompted by vaccination? The components of the vaccines themselves? All of the above? I would really like to hear your view on this! Kim

It just burns me, in all of these articles where neuro problems are discussed, TS in NEVER mentioned. Why is that??? Confused About Soy?--Soy Dangers Summarized Lots of soy links http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/index.html http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...t_uids=15955660 Neurobehavioral evaluation of rhesus monkey infants fed cow's milk formula, soy formula, or soy formula with added manganese. This experiment suggests that components of soy formula, including Mn, may influence brain development as reflected in behavioral measures. http://arjournals.annualreviews.org/doi/ab...ournalCode=nutr Abstract Annual Review of Nutrition Vol. 24: 33-54 (Volume publication date July 2004) (doi:10.1146/annurev.nutr.24.101603.064950) First published online as a Review in Advance on January 8, 2004 ISOFLAVONES IN SOY INFANT FORMULA: A Review of Evidence for Endocrine and Other Activity in Infants* Aimin Chen and ­ Walter J. Rogan­ Epidemiology Branch, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709; email: chen17@niehs.nih.gov, rogan@niehs.nih.gov Soy infant formulas are widely used, but few studies have evaluated long-term safety or examined specific forms of toxicity, such as to the endocrine or immune systems. This review focuses on newer experimental studies of the effects on estrogen activity, immune function, and thyroid economy of genistein and daidzein, two isoflavones in soy infant formula, and existing human studies of soy formula use. In order to judge the likelihood that an endpoint seen in laboratory studies might occur in soy-fed infants, we examined the doses and the resulting serum or plasma concentrations from the laboratory studies and compared them with doses and concentrations seen in soy-fed infants. We also summarized the estimates of the potency of the isoflavone compounds relative to estradiol. Given the scarcity and inconsistency of existing human data and the substantial laboratory evidence of hormonal and other activity at doses relevant to the soy-fed infant, we conclude that more clinical and epidemiological study is warranted.

Chemar, As usual, you hit a nail right on the head! A bowl of miso soup, and exlusive feeding of soy to infants, are worlds apart in potential problems IMO. This page gives some good info on this topic http://westonaprice.org/soy/ploy.html Also, do you remember when I asked you if you knew anything about IP6, and it's effects as an immunomodulator? In naturally fermented soy products, it looks like there ARE some good things going on! I suspect these are they types of things that make Dr. Weil try to keep some balance in the anti soy movement. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...t_uids=12594974 INTRODUCTION: Phytic acid or IP6 has been extensively studied in animals and is being promoted as an anti-cancer agent in health food stores. It is naturally found in legumes, wheat bran, and soy foods. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...t_uids=17044765 Protection against cancer by dietary IP6 and inositol. As usual, it seems to me, that the virtues of soy were promoted as far as feeding it to infants, and the possible negative effects were overlooked. Now, all of these years later, they will beat around the bush, and say, "Well.....maybe it's not such a good idea, but.....we need larger studies to prove it.

Faith, From everything I have read, Soy Infant Powdered formula that is reconstituted with water was about the worst of the formulas as far as having the highest levels of the things we've been discussing, compared to milk based formulas and breast milk. It also looks like after about 6 mos. of age, babies are able to excrete mangenese much more effectively. I don't know how high soy beverages are in glutamate. It does seem possible that long term use could be a problem for a TS child/person to me. I guess that is something others could comment on, and anyone using it, could be on the look out for. Personally, I would stay away from soy if at all possible for a person with a neuro disorder, or even if there is a family history. This is something to consider too http://www.bonniegr.com/ The hypothetical role of tyramine in TS is another one of my interpretations: If there is excess tyramine in TS by ingesting tyramine containing foods and from inhibited monoamine oxidase activity (through the actions of certain drugs or nutritional deficiencies), stores of norepinephrine, which have been found to be already increased in TS in studies, can be released in the body possibly leading to increased symptoms. Tyramine containing foods should never be taken with MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) drugs because a serious hypertensive crisis could develop. http://www.diagnose-me.com/treat/T127905.html Tyramine-containing Foods Avoidance All soybean products should be avoided One of the biggest concerns, that I think applies to an older person consuming a lot of soy is the genestein and the effects on fertility.

Lenny, I know what you're saying about being happy to have soy as an alternative. I have read that from the soy advocates too. I don't know if they had the formulas with the broken down proteins, (is it Great Start) when your twins were born? I just wish SOMEONE would have told me that there was at least some suspicion that soy infant formula was not that great. Do you know the only reason I used it, was because they really talked it up in the hospital? If we would have had access to any of this info, odds are we would have learned all we could, weighed the positives/negatives and made the best decision that we could for our kids at the time. Look at this....Soy is high in glutamate too, http://www.campaignfortruth.com/Eclub/2204...%20rebuttal.htm We know that under certain conditions, glutamate toxicity is greatly increased, which includes low magnesium levels, deficient mitochondrial energy production such as hypoglycemia, mitochondrial disease, during aging, with all of the neurodegenerative disease (Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and ALS and most chronic diseases), during inflammation and when associated with other toxins-including mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, pesticides, fluoride and industrial chemicals. This would include tens of millions of Americans, who should be avoiding soy products. While there is a lot more concerning excitotoxins, which can be found in my two books, Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills and Health and Nutrition Secrets That Can Save Your Life, unfortunately, there is a lot more involved than just excitotoxins. Soybeans and especially their hydrolyzed and processed products, contain high levels of manganese, aluminum and fluoride, all of which are powerful cell toxins, especially for brain cells. Recent studies have shown that when aluminum is combined with fluoride, which occurs very easily, brain levels of aluminum are doubled. Extensive research connects aluminum in the brain with most of the neurodegenerative diseases. When hydrolyzed as in soy milk, the fluoride and aluminum easily bind, forming neurotoxic fluoroaluminum compounds. The concentration at which this occurs in 0.5 ppm, a very small concentration. Fluoroaluminum compounds interact with G-proteins, which are common cell communication systems, especially in the brain and operate most of the glutamanergic receptors in the brain (glutamate receptors). And http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/msg.html Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) The level of vitamin B6 in a person's body plays a role in glutamate metabolism, and the possible impact of marginal B6 intake should be considered in future research. As far as what we can do to undo possible effects, maybe we're doing it!

CP I had to laugh about the remark about knowing my way around the net! I get so wrapped up in what I'm reading. I search the words that I have no idea what they mean, and that takes me in a whole different direction, then I end up with this note page FULL of links, and it occurs to me that the gene (or one of them) involved in TS could start in the big Toe . EVERYTHING is so linked to everything else. Daniel used to tell me all the time, to keep working on the gut. If the gut was working right, everything else would fall into place. I have thought about that often during my "research." I totally understand your interest in the book. Hey during all of my note taking, I included something in that last post, that I probably would have cut. I only had it saved because it pertained to me. It's this study [Zeyuan D, Bingying T, Xiaolin L, Jinming H, Yifeng C - "Effect of green tea and black tea on the metabolisms of mineral elements in old rats." Biol Trace Elem Res 65(1):75-86 (1998)] Now, I love love love black tea. It's better than the diet coke that I used to drink, during my young rat days, or so I thought!

Faith, I know low serotonin is implicated in appetite too. However, I don't know how the "limited part," plays into that. I could understand sugar cravings (aside from the Candida problems) if the brain was trying to boost serotonin levels with sugar cravings, but protein containing foods, seem to make him feel ill. The exception to that is dairy. He could eat an entire carton of Stoneyfield Yogart if I let him. His does get HUNGRY. He, even gets frustrated. He wants to eat other foods, but can't. He tells me that there are about 6 kids like him in the lunchroom. All boys, with the exception of one little girl who is diabetic. He said some of them are worse than him. All they bring in their lunch is candy. My son will at least eat a few crackers, he loves maderine oranges, maybe a mozerella cheese stick. On a good day, I can get him to eat a few apple wedges dunked in peanut butter. Currently, he is avoiding peanut butter too. Pam, Since excess dopamine, increased receptors, high norepinephrine, etc. has been implicated in TS, it's hard to read statements like what's in the above article and not think that there may be a connection. This article got my blood pressure up, a while back, too. Chemar, referred to Dr. Mercola. This is an article that was on his site. My understanding is that the body can replace magnesium by using mangenese, when it's present in high amts. How Safe is Soy Infant Formula? By David Goodman New research suggests high concentrations of manganese found in soybean-based baby formula can lead to brain damage in infants and altered behaviors in adolescents. Dr. Francis Crinella, clinical professor of pediatrics at UC-Irvine, and Trinh Tran, a graduate researcher at the UC-Davis Department of Animal Studies, have described how the soybean plant lifts up manganese in the soil and concentrates it so that its use in soy-based infant formula can result in as many as 200 times the level found in natural breast milk. These and other experts believe that such high concentrations could pose a threat to the immature metabolic systems of babies up to 6 months of age. The size of the market for soy-based infant formula is held closely, and none of the producers contacted by Insight would reveal sales figures. An independent expert estimates the market for all infant formula to be about $3 billion, with soy-based formula accounting for about $750 million of that, having doubled in the last 10 years. The best-selling brand is Isomil (Ross Products Division of Abbott Laboratories), followed by Enfamil ProSobee (Mead Johnson), Nursoy (Wyeth-Ayerst) and Alsoy (Carnation). According to Crinella and Tran, the discovery of potential harm from such products began in 1980 when a federal agency then called the Food and Nutrition Board established safe and acceptable values for manganese in adults, toddlers and infants. Permissible levels for the three age groups ranged from 2.5 to 3 mg per day for adults, 1 to 1.5 mg per day for toddlers and 0.5 to 1 mg per day for infants under 6 months. This job now is handled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which today permits 0.6 mg per day for infants, 120 times the amount found in mother's milk. The FDA says that in the next few months it will lower the guidelines. Ruth Welch, an FDA spokeswoman, confirms that a report will recommend a minimum of only 0.005 mg of manganese a day and no maximum for infants up to age 6 months. Despite government assurances of safety at the recommended levels, the professional literature shows that in 1983 Phillip Collipp, a pediatric physician at Nassau County [N.Y.] Medical Center, tested infant formula for manganese in popular soy brands, including Isomil, ProSobee and Nursoy, purchased locally. He published data showing that they contained from 0.2 mg to 1 mg per quart. Later that year, Drs. Bo Lönnerdal and Carl Keen of the UC-Davis Department of Nutrition tested formula taken from pharmacy shelves worldwide. They found higher manganese concentrations in soy formulas, ranging from 0.4 mg to 2.2 mg; the mean value of 1.2 mg vastly exceeded the infinitesimal 0.005 mg found in mother's breast milk. After the research by Collipp, Lönnerdal and Keen, nutritional scientists worldwide reported that newborn babies, in symbiosis with their mothers during the first weeks, absorbed most of the manganese in breast milk. The tiny amounts the baby suckles a dozen times a day appear to function as a catalyst for more than 50 biochemical reactions. This suggests a newborn's digestive system is superbly attuned to absorb the infinitesimal levels of manganese in mother's milk, and that, in fact, it is essential to the development process. At least some of this soy formula, which tested at up to 200 times the manganese of breast milk clearly has the potential to overload the infant's little body. Lönnerdal says the baby's immature liver cannot handle the manganese load by excreting the excess. In newborns, ingested manganese rises to high levels in the blood plasma and red blood cells, then permeates the liver, kidneys and other soft tissues of the body, including the brain. He believes, however, that by the time of weaning, when the infant normally consumes solid food, it can metabolize manganese. Crinella calculated that by the age of 8 months an infant fed soy formula daily absorbs approximately 1.1 mg of manganese above metabolic need. "A significant amount, about 8 percent, is deposited in a brain region vulnerable to threat of manganese attack," he says. Six years ago, tragic incidents in two London hospitals, the Hospital for Sick Children and Queen Elizabeth's Hospital for Children, alerted the medical community to the vulnerability of sick babies to manganese attacks on the brain. Suffering from liver disease, the babies had received nutrient solutions containing recommended amounts of manganese through an intravenous tube. The manganese had no greater concentration than in soy formula and was considered safe by government standards, but after a few months the infant brains showed damage. Of 57 babies receiving "safe" amounts of manganese, two fell ill with movement disorders and six suffered damage to their basal ganglia when examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Also, Crinella has done extensive studies on the effect of manganese in adolescents. His research detected relatively high levels of manganese in the scalp hair of hyperactive children when compared with matched control subjects. Crinella at first was puzzled by the high manganese levels in hyperactive children. The only exposure of his subjects had to be through diet, yet California has historic low levels of manganese in its soil, air and water. Because adolescents metabolize at least 97 percent of manganese ingested, the exposure had to have occurred earlier in life, possibly from manganese in baby food, or (as his research proceeded further) soy-based infant formula. Could elevated manganese be a clue to the current epidemic of adolescent violence sweeping the nation? Crinella did a study with rats and manganese supplementation and the results were clear-cut: Rats given 0.05 mg. of manganese daily for 18 days in the amount comparable with the manganese in breast milk did as well as the control group given no manganese. Rats given supplemental manganese five times higher at 0.25 mg daily suffered a precipitous decline in basal-ganglia dopamine of 48 percent. The rats dosed daily with the highest amount, 0.50 mg, had a plunge in dopamine by a staggering 63 percent. "The brain undergoes a tremendous proliferation of neutrons, dentrites and synapses during the first months of life," Crinella says. "The brain especially is vulnerable in early life precisely because such rampant growth is taking place, and at that time intrusions by potentially toxic substances like manganese perturbing the emerging neural organization can exert long-term effects. Manganese ingested during a period of rapid brain growth and deposited in the critical basal ganglia region may affect behavior during puberty when powerful stresses are un- leashed on the dopamine neurons, and altered behavioral patterns appear." These altered behavioral patterns during late childhood and early adolescence, according to Crinella, may be diagnosed as hyperactivity with attentional deficit - or perhaps as "manganese-toxicity syndrome." Everett Hodges, founder of the Violence Research Foundation, thinks Crinella's case is overwhelming. "Criminals ages 16 and 17 years old today, some of them born to poor mothers between 1983 and 1984, could have received from the government soy formula with enough manganese to disrupt growing brains, and this may be why adolescents have difficulty restraining aggressive impulses now." Dr. Stanley van den Noort, a member of the foundation's board, is former dean of the UC-Irvine College of Medicine. He says, "I think the data presented at the conference are convincing that manganese is a neurotoxin. Newborn infants exposed to high levels of manganese may be predisposed to neurological problems. We should exercise strong caution in the use of soy-based formula around the world." Naomi Baumslag, clinical professor of pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical College and president of the Woman's Public Health Network, tells Insight, "Only 50 percent of newborns today suckle at the mother's breast even once. After six months, the number has fallen to only one mother in five. Often mothers for the sake of convenience plunk soy bottles into the infant's mouth. Why do so many mothers in the United States imagine they have given birth to a baby soybean instead of a human child?" Baumslag goes further: "There is a great deal of scientific evidence that soy formula can be damaging to newborns, quite aside from the manganese." She says a tablespoon of soy formula can be dangerous both for what it does not have and for what it has. That spoonful may be deficient in linoleic and oleic essential fatty acids, DHA-brain-growth factor, epidermal growth factor, lactoferrin, casomorphin and immune factors such as IgA, neutrophils, macrophages, T-cells, B-cells and interferon - all provided by the mother in breast milk to defend her baby. On the other hand, Baumslag says, that spoonful does contain phytates, protease factors, soy lectins, enormous amounts of phytoproteins, and genistein and daidzen, both moderate estrogen mimics in humans. "Why deprive the newborn infants of perfectly good breast milk - a nutritionally superior food in every way for the baby - and feed them soy beans?" Baumslag asks. Insight Magazine -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Mercola's Comment: This is a new one for me with soy formula. I was not aware of its elevated manganese levels. I have known of the increased aluminum levels in soy. The other significant issue are the estrogens in soy. A soy-fed baby receives the equivalent of five birth control pills' worth of estrogen every day. These babies' isoflavone levels were found to be from 13,000 to 22,000 times higher than in non-soy fed infants. Related Articles: Soy Formulas and the Effects of Isoflavones on the Thyroid Pregnant Women Should Not Eat Soy Return to Table of Contents #228 Privacy/Security Current Newsletter Contact Info ©Copyright 2005 Dr. Joseph Mercola. All Rights Reserved. This content may be copied in full, with copyright, contact, creation and information intact, without specific permission, when used only in a not-for-profit format. If any other use is desired, permission in writing from Dr. Mercola is required. Disclaimer: The entire contents of this website are based upon the opinions of Dr. Mercola, unless otherwise noted. Individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author, who retains copyright as marked. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Dr. Mercola and his community. Dr. Mercola encourages you to make your own health care decisions based upon your research and in partnership with a qualified health care professional. This was a follow up to that article Responses to Manganese in Soy We had two good follow-up emails from the the recent article we had about elevated Manganese levels in soy article. The first is from David Vaughan (DAKLINIK@aol.com) who is one of the top nutritionists in Seattle and the second is from Andreas Schuld (brou@istar.ca), a well-known expert on fluoride. David Vaughan: The worst offender of manganese in baby food, however, is baby food with turkey meat. It has a whopping 30mg of Mn in 100gms. Next worst is creamed peaches, which has 15.68mg. I have been screaming about MN/soy as a problem for years. So little valid research has been done that it is a tough argument to make. One ends up talking about such archaic problems as "Manganic Madness" and the like. A piece of research was done showing high MN in hair of violent and criminally insane prisoners. In the Northwest part of Washington State there is a huge problem with MN in the well water. EVERYONE who drinks well water from that region has or will have very serious health problems. There are no known chelators specific to MN Filtering it from water is very expensive and problematic. Because it is the main fuel for the mitochondria this MN overload is a very sticky problem. My view is that it is the higher valence MN (biounavailable) that causes the body to shunt the normal use of bioavailable MN thus causing a toxic buildup for which we have no solution (yet). Big problem. Fluoride/Manganese Association Andrease Schuld had some excellent comments as to the importance of the manganese as relates to its interaction with fluoride. First of all, as the soy formula article from last week states, manganese levels in soy formula are 200 times that of breast milk. Add to that, the fact that fluoride can increase manganese absorption, and you now have an even more lopsided and dangerous situation. The soy formula has massive manganese levels and the fluoridated water that may be used to reconstitute the powder version or concentrate version of the soy formula causes even greater manganese absorption in the infant. As Andreas points out, the scientific literature clearly shows that increased manganese levels can cause several problems, such as replacing magnesium in many enzymes that the body makes. Be sure to vist Andreas's website at http://www.bruha.com/fluoride. Andreas Schuld: There are many interactions between fluoride and manganese, especially as it relates to signal transduction in disease. However, as this requires some understanding of pathways etc., it might be too complex to get into at this point. This is, again, particularly important as it relates to thyroid hormone function. Kanwar, Singh et al (1981) exposed rats to various fluoride levels in drinking water and found that fluoride caused a significant fall of manganese levels in the liver and kidney, while it increased manganese levels in bone. Kanwar KC, Singh M - "Zinc, copper and manganese levels in various tissues following fluoride administration" Experientia 37(12):1328-9 (1981)] also in: Singh M, Kanwar KC - "Effect of fluoride on copper, manganese and zinc in bone and kidney" Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 26(3):428-31 (1981) When rats were fed green and black tea extracts (high in Fluoride and Aluminum), it was found that the manganese and copper absorption was increased, while zinc, calcium and iron absorption was decreased. In all tea extracts used, the manganese absorption was increased, resulting in increased manganese in the tibia. [Zeyuan D, Bingying T, Xiaolin L, Jinming H, Yifeng C - "Effect of green tea and black tea on the metabolisms of mineral elements in old rats." Biol Trace Elem Res 65(1):75-86 (1998)] This is quite important, as tea has very high levels of fluoride, aluminum and manganese. The content of manganese was 1440 micrograms/g in the case of oolong tea, 670 micrograms/g in green tea, and 535 micrograms/g in black tea. [Matsushima F, Meshitsuka S, Nose T - "Contents of aluminum and manganese in tea leaves and tea infusions" Nippon Eiseigaku Zasshi 48(4):864-72 (1993)] Manganese absorption also depends a great deal on zinc. When zinc deficient, manganese levels in brain are altered. From mercola.com 10-27-01: Soy Can Lead to Kidney Stones New research indicates that soybeans and soy-based foods, a staple in the diets of many health-conscious consumers, may promote kidney stones in those prone to the painful condition. The researchers measured nearly a dozen varieties of soybeans for oxalate, a compound that can bind with calcium in the kidney to form kidney stones. They also tested 13 types of soy-based foods, finding enough oxalate in each to potentially cause problems for people with a history of kidney stones, according to Linda Massey, Ph.D., at Washington State University in Spokane. The amount of oxalate in the commercial products easily eclipsed the American Dietetic Association's 10 milligram-per-serving recommendation for patients with kidney stones, with some foods reaching up to 50 times higher than the suggested limit, she noted. "Under these guidelines, no soybean or soy-[based] food tested could be recommended for consumption by patients with a personal history of kidney stones," she said. No one had previously examined soy foods for oxalate, thus the researchers are the first to identify oxalate in store-bought products like tofu, soy cheese and soy drinks. Other foods, such as spinach and rhubarb, also contain significant oxalate levels, but are not as widely consumed for their presumed health benefits, Massey said. During their testing, the researchers found the highest oxalate levels in textured soy protein, which contains up to 638 milligrams of oxalate per 85-gram serving. Soy cheese had the lowest oxalate content, at 16 milligrams per serving. Spinach, measured during previous research, has approximately 543 milligrams per one-cup (2 oz. fresh) serving. Soy, a natural source of protein, fiber and healthy oils, is used to enhance a myriad of foods, ranging from hamburgers to ice cream. It can be ground into flour and used in a variety of grain products, or formed into chunks and ground like meat. Soy is also being studied for its potential to lower cholesterol, reduce bone loss and prevent breast cancer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new label on foods containing at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving that boasts of a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. Oxalate, however, cannot be metabolized by the body and is excreted only through urine, Massey said. The compound has no nutritional value, but binds to calcium to form a mass (kidney stones) that can block the urinary system, she said. Further research is needed to find types of soybeans with less oxalate, or to develop a processing method to remove the compound before it reaches consumers, she added. No one knows precisely why kidney stones occur in particular individuals. But Massey said high levels of oxalate in the urine increase the risk and those with a family history of the ailment are more likely to suffer from the condition; individuals with a low probability of kidney stones are unlikely to be affected by oxalate in soy-based foods. More than one million people were diagnosed with kidney stones in the United States in 1996, the most recent available data, according to the National Institutes of Health. Stones can range in size from the diameter of a grain of rice to the width of a golf ball. An estimated 10 percent of the U.S. population, mostly men, will develop a kidney stone at some point in their lives, according to the NIH. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry September 2001 DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT: Yet one more nail in the coffin of non-fermented soy which I do not believe is designed to be eaten. This study suggests that the over one million patients with kidney stones should not consume soy. If you are still brainwashed by the edible oil industry's incredibly effective media spin on soy, then please review the soy index page link below which has hundreds of pages describing the reason's you will not want to regularly consume non-fermented soy products. Soy protein powders and soy formula are the worst offenders and I don't believe that they should be consumed by anyone DR. MERCOLA'S COMMENT: This article is nearly 15 years old and way back then the warnings for soy consumption were being raised. Fermented soy products are the only ones you should even consider using. Most all children should avoid soy due to its hormonal influences. This is particularly true of soy formula and soy milk for children.

Hi Pam, My youngest son, who is now 10 was a great eater from birth to sometime btwn 12mos. and a little over 1 yr. He just started refusing foods that he had always eaten with gusto. It was nothing for him to have vegetable chicken 3rd food, a whole jar of blueberry buckle (one of his favorites) and maybe 1/2 a jar of plums. He kept the majority of the fruits, but would simply refuse the broccoli and carrots, veg beef dinner, chicken noodle, just everything. He also wanted nothing to do with the typical finger foods for toddlers. It was like overnight, he became a terribly limited eater. I can't remember if this happened in relationship to any illness. Two things that I do know that happened very near this time. He had his round of 1 yr. immunizations, and I stopped giving him soy and started him on whole milk. My 14 year old son has tics too. He was soy fed also. Neither of the boys are "active" with tics very frequently. I do think that the things that we have done in the way of supplements (we use Bonnie's vits too) fish oil, extra vit C, digestive enzymes, etc. have been very helpful. I tend to look at everything but tics when I try to gauge improvements since using supplements. I was told by a conventional Allergy Dr. that my youngest sons chronic dark circles were caused by allergies and he was prescribed 3 allergy meds, yet he only had mild reactions to mold, cat, and dust mites. My oldest son who had terrible big reactions to allergy testing had no dark circles?????? I believe my youngest sons circles we truly more related to deficiences and supplements helped tremendously. His stamina improved a lot too. Pam, in order to understand what I'm talking about in regards to soy, you have to understand a little about the neurotransmitters. Maybe this page will help. I really think, whether you are using meds or supplements, it's a good idea to have at least a basic understanding of these things, and how the treatment might be affecting your individual child. It's great that you have a Dr. guiding you! If I could have found someone close enough, that had credentials that I really felt comfortable with, I'd probably be sleeping right now! https://www.neurorelief.com/index.php?optio...9&Itemid=48 Dopamine Epinephrine GABA Glutamate Glutamine Serotonin Taurine I will add more to this thread that may or may not help you see where I'm coming from, lol. Kim BTW, could I ask if your son without tics is older than your 5 yr. old?

Chemar, Thanks for the response You know something that bothers me is, it used to be thought that approx. 1 in 10,000 people were affected by TS. Now I see " as many as 1 in 100." Granted, they are probably throwing TS, transient tics, chronic etc. in the mix, but none the less that's a huge increase. It just seems, a big part of the puzzle here is; how many factors could be responsible for the increase and what can be learned from the new generation ( with no family history) to families with a clear history, thru multiple generations? If the methyl cycle is askew in TS and heavy metals are a culprit, might metals found in the soil air and water have been enough to trigger symptoms in past generations? Something like copper or any metal that is readily found in the environment? Have the symptoms gotten worse in successive generations? I wonder if anyone who is affected/has an affected child has less severe symptoms, than the generation before them? The questions are just endless.

Something that had occured to me while researching, was the fact that increased dopamine receptors could be the result of the lack of dopamine at some point. Also, my youngest sons limited diet and the fact that I'm sure he has a problem digesting certain types of protein (that's just one of the most obvious things with his food choices). Lenny is really the only other poster here, that I know has a child with tics, a limited diet and used soy infant formula. I know that much of this seems to be the reverse, of what is discussed in regards to TS, but I'm kind of looking at what might happen as sort of a rebound effect, with an infant exposed to a diet of exclusive soy formula. I sure, sure would like to know how many people either used soy infant formula, or consumed a lot of soy during pregnancy. This just seems to be tooooooo much of a coincidence. I have tons of studies and articles relating to the questionable substances in soy (fluoride, aluminum, maganese, phytic acid, genestein) but this on has the most info. that many might recognize as relating to tics. These are a few things that I pulled out of the article. http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soyandbrain.html Soy Interferes with Enzymes While soybeans are relatively high in protein compared to other legumes, they are a poor source of protein because other proteins found in soybeans act as potent enzyme inhibitors. These "anti-nutrients" block the action of trypsin and other enzymes needed for protein digestion. Trypsin inhibitors are large, tightly folded proteins that are not completely deactivated during ordinary cooking and can reduce protein digestion. Therefore, soy consumption may lead to chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake.8 Soy’s ability to interfere with enzymes and amino acids may have direct consequence for the brain. As White and his colleagues suggest, "isoflavones in tofu and other soyfoods might exert their influence through interference with tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanisms required for optimal hippocampal function, structure and plasticity."2 High amounts of protein tyrosine kinases are found in the hippocampus, a brain region involved with learning and memory. One of soy’s primary isoflavones, genistein, has been shown to inhibit tyrosine kinase in the hippocampus, where it blocked "long-term potentiation," a mechanism of memory formation.9 Tyrosine, Dopamine, and Parkinson’s Disease The brain uses the amino acids tyrosine or phenylalanine to synthesize the key neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that promote alertness and activity. Dopamine is crucial to fine muscle coordination. People whose hands tremble from Parkinson’s disease have a diminished ability to synthesize dopamine. An increased incidence of depression and other mood disorders are associated with low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine. Also, the current scientific consensus on attention-deficit disorder points to a dopamine imbalance. Soy has been shown to affect tyrosine hydroxylase activity in animals, causing the utilization rate of dopamine to be "profoundly disturbed." When soy lecithin supplements were given throughout perinatal development, they reduced activity in the cerebral cortex and "altered synaptic characteristics in a manner consistent with disturbances in neural function."10 Researchers at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute and at the National Institutes of Health are finding a connection between tyrosine hydroxylase activity, thyroid hormone receptors, and depleted dopamine levels in the brain--particularly in the substantia nigra, a region associated with the movement difficulties characteristic of Parkinson’s disease.11,12,13 Soy Affects the Brain via the Thyroid Gland Tyrosine is crucial to the brain in another way. It’s needed for the body to make active thyroid hormones, which are a major physiological regulator of mammalian brain development. By affecting the rate of cell differentiation and gene expression, thyroid hormones regulate the growth and migration of neurons, including synaptic development and myelin formation in specific brain regions. Low blood levels of tyrosine are associated with an underactive thyroid gland.

Faith/All Both of my boys took a lot of antibiotics before the emergence of tics. I have to wonder if they know that strep is becoming resistent to antibiotics at an alarming rate? Do they recognize that there are more movement disorders in relationship to strep? Are they afraid that they are causing more harm then they are preventing? Is Amoxicillan not as effective as it once was, due to it's use in animals that we eat? I just read an article that said, when they started feeding cattle grain, the amount of bacteria like ecoli went way up, in the animals (compared to green grazing). The use of the antibiotics went up too. This abstract says that amox. is the least harmful as far as promoting resistant strains of S pneumonia. Azith is the worst of the three. So we chase disease with antibiotics, and vaccines, and mother nature keeps outsmarting us. That's why I was really torn about whether to give my son Amox. and hope for the best, or go with Azith. After this bout of strep, and no real obvious increase in tics, I think if I'm faced with that decision again, I'm going for the Amox. The minimal tics that I saw, I believe came from the stress of being sick, or lack of enzymes, vits etc. because he didn't have an appetite, and could not tolerate his "stuff" on an empty stomach. I don't think I would be brave enough to not treat strep with anything though? Maybe as time goes on, I'll change my mind on that. This would be due to the impact on tics, not the fear of Rheumatic fever, at this point, but I would still like to do a little more research on that or hear others opinions. http://www.pidj.com/pt/re/pidj/abstract.00...#33;8091!-1 Abstract: Community-acquired respiratory infections in general, and those caused by S. pneumoniae in particular, are the main reason for prescribing antimicrobials in young children. Antibiotic drug abuse is common. This is the basis for the initiative for the reduction in antibiotic use. However, failure to consider that not all antibiotics are similar in their effect on promotion of resistance has led to continuous emerging resistance. In the present article, the trends in prescribing antibiotics in young children and their interrelation with antibiotic resistance among clinical respiratory isolates of S. pneumoniae in children will be reviewed, along with theoretical considerations and research evidence that led to concluding that among antibiotics, the least resistance-promoting drug for S. pneumoniae is amoxicillin (+/- clavulanate), whereas oral cephalosporins and azithromycin demonstrate a higher resistance-promotion potential in the individual population in the community. Although antibiotics differ in their resistant-promotion potential, all still do promote resistance. This is from the full text of this abstact The data and literature reviewed above demonstrate that to reduce antibiotic resistance, it is not sufficient to simply reduce the overall antibiotic use. It is now evident that not all antibiotics promote resistance among S. pneumoniae equally. Amoxicillin (/ clavulanate), especially in higher dose, is the least harmful with respect to promotion of resistance, with regard to both personal and societal aspects. On the other hand, cephalosporins and the long-acting macrolide azithromycin are the most harmful. Whether reduction of azithromycin and cephalosporins will be associated with a parallel reduction of antibiotic resistance needs to be seen, but if the use of these drugs is not reduced, it is likely that antibiotic resistance and multiresistance will continue to increase. Now this is something that I would have never believed would be included in a paper like this, but there it is 51 We still have to continue to listen to Voltaire’s advice: “The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.” This advice is definitely appropriate in a considerable proportion of children who receive antibiotics today. That is something that took a while to get through my head. One more thing, a friend of mine had a really horrible reaction to Prednisone. I was seaching some message bds. and noticed how many parents were talking about personality changes in their children while taking antibiotics. I couldn't help but wonder how many kids were having that reaction due to the virus/infection, not the antibiotic?

A bunch of conflicting emotions reading this article. When my son had strep recently, I wasn't sure if I was more afraid of the infection flairing tics or of the antibiotic causing more gut problems. If I considered PANDAS to be a problem for him, this article would upset me in regards to the struggles that parents have getting antibiotics. Does anyone have any comments on the incidence of Rheumatic fever. I believe Ronnas has commented on something to do with this and her son? http://www.pediatricnews.com/article/PIIS0...715338/fulltext Volume 40, Issue 12, Page 21 (December 2006) Strep Throat Risks Called Exaggerated, Tx Rationale Changed TIMOTHY F. KIRN (Sacramento Bureau) Article Outline • Copyright ASPEN, COLO. — The risk that a sore throat will lead to rheumatic fever has always been vastly exaggerated, and it may be lower now than it once was. In fact, the risk is one of the major myths of medicine, Dr. Michael Radetsky said at a conference on pediatric infectious diseases sponsored by Children's Hospital, Denver. That means any approach—rapid antigen test or culture, or empiric treatment or not—can be justified, said Dr. Radetsky, a pediatric infectious diseases consultant from Albuquerque, N.M.

This is a previous post by Ronna: We recommend evaluation of all children who present with the sudden onset or exacerbation of obsessive–compulsive symptoms, using the approach summarized in Fig. 1. This diagnostic algorithm, which is based on the literature summarized earlier as well as our clinical judgement, begins with a history-taking, mental status examination and focused physical examination. Initial investigations in children with a history suggestive of streptococcal infection or a strong family history of rheumatic fever, or both, should include throat cultures and antistreptolysin O titres. These titres should be repeated after an interval of approximately 3–4 weeks, because a correlation of symptom severity with changes in antibody levels is far more informative than an isolated antistreptolysin O titre. We recommend antistreptolysin O titre, because the other antistreptococcal test reported in the PANDAS literature, namely, antideoxyribonuclease-B (antiDNAse , is expensive and not widely available in Canada. I feel a bit like a broken record. Overall, a single ASO titer will not give you enough information to diagnose or rule out a PANDAS dx. The "trend" in the ASO titer is what is helpful...is the antibodies rising or declining. If your doctor does not know how to interpret the results then he/she needs to speak with someone knowledgeable. The NIMH is very willing to consult with doctors. This is a good article... http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/content/full/165/10/1353

Jennifer, I wanted to send you these, because a strong drug (Orap/pimozide )was prescribed for my son by a teaching University Neuro, that I had a lot of faith in. I didn't give him the med and I have been so glad many times since that I made that decision. These things are not always as benign as you're led to believe. What are the Most Serious Side Effects of Klonopin? http://www.epilepsy.com/medications/b_klonopin_serious.html Posters discussing their experience with Klonopin http://www.askapatient.com/viewrating.asp?...p;name=KLONOPIN As long as you're fully informed, you are in the best position to weigh the risk/reward for your daughter. I just didn't think that I was given enough info on the drug that was prescribed for my son, and it was only by the grace of God that I didn't give it to him. In hind sight, his symptoms were no where near bad enough to warrant its use, IMHO. There is so much info on this forum, I hope you read read read, ask questions and find the path that is best for your daughter Kim

NewsTarget.com article http://www.newstarg et.com/021789. html Originally published April 11 2007 Health freedom action alert: FDA attempting to regulate supplements, herbs and juices as "drugs" by Mike Adams When it comes to health freedom, this is the FDA's end game. A new FDA "guidance" document, published on the FDA's website, reveals plans to reclassify virtually all vitamins, supplements, herbs and even vegetable juices as FDA-regulated drugs. Massage oils and massage rocks will be classified as "medical devices" and require FDA approval. The document is called Docket No. 2006D-0480. Draft Guidance for Industry on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Products and Their Regulation by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA is accepting public comments on the docket until April 30th. They tried to sneak this under the radar, but word got out and now the natural health community is up in arms over this rule. If you wish to protect your access to nutritional supplements, herbs, essential oils, homeopathic medicine or any other "complementary" or "alternative" modality, it is crucial that you take action to post your comments with the FDA right now and write your representatives in Washington to put a stop to this outrageous effort to destroy natural medicine. (And be sure to really write them. Just sending an email has virtually no impact compared to writing a physical letter in your own words.) Click here for the direct link to the FDA's comment posting page for this docket. This move by the FDA is designed to once and for all destroy the 1994 DSHEA law that has made supplements "legal" while eliminating nutritional supplements and natural medicine from the United States, ensuring monopoly profits and control by drug companies and the FDA. It is the latest action item by the FDA / Big Pharma conspiracy that will not stop until health freedom has been abolished, drug companies rule the nation, and every citizen is diagnosied with a fictitious disease and drugged up on monopoly-priced pharmaceuticals. FDA "experts" will decide what's a drug or medical device Under these proposed guidelines, FDA "experts" (the same corrupt officials who reapproved Vioxx after it killed over 50,000 Americans) will decide whether herbs, supplements, vitamins or simple devices like massage stones are to be regulated as drugs and medical devices. If the FDA experts, in their infinite wisdom, decide that these things are to be reclassified, they will essentially be outlawed, stripped from the shelves, and regulated out of existence. Anyone who dares to manufacture, promote or sell such products may be branded a criminal and rounded up by armed FDA agents who have a well established history of suppressing natural medicine. I've documented much of the criminal history of the FDA in my recent book, Natural Health Solutions and the Conspiracy to Keep You From Knowing About Them, which suddenly seems even more relevant today than when I wrote it. In that book, I documented the FDA ordered book burnings, the raids on vitamin shops, the kidnapping of natural health practitioners, the threats, intimidation and oppression tactics that have been used to suppress natural medicine for nearly a hundred years now. And now, with this CAM Products Regulation effort, the FDA is about to deal a final, fatal blow to the alternative medicine industry, outlawing nutritional supplements, functional foods, homeopathy and natural therapies all at once. This is not a drill. It really is time to be alarmed. Nothing else I've written about this year is as important as this sinister plot to destroy natural medicine and force the American population to resort to dangerous prescription medications sold at monopoly prices under a system of medical tyranny. Your access to vitamins, supplements, herbs, and even energy medicine modalities is now directly threatened, and you have until April 30 to make your voice heard. Action items First, read the document yourself. Click here for the PDF version. Take special care to notice the following text, taken directly from the FDA's own document: (italicized text is from the FDA, with my own translation following) "...a product used in a CAM therapy or practice may be subject to regulation as a biological product, cosmetic, drug, device, or food (including food additives and dietary supplements) under the act or the PHS Act. Second, neither the act nor the PHS Act exempts CAM products from regulation." Translation: Anything used in any system of medicine may now be regulated as a drug or medical device by the FDA. This includes a biofeedback machine, acupuncture needles, a cup of herbal tea, massage oil, a glass of vegetable juice or even a bottle of water. "...if a person decides to produce and sell raw vegetable juice for use in juice therapy to promote optimal health... [and] if the juice therapy is intended for use as part of a disease treatment regimen instead of for the general wellness, the vegetable juice would also be subject to regulation as a drug under the Act." Translation: Raw vegetable juice will be regulated as a drug and must be FDA approved as a drug if it has any health effect whatsoever. Handing a cup of raw vegetable juice to someone and telling them it's good for the detoxification of their liver will get you arrested for practicing medicine without a license and promoting an "unapproved drug." ..."biologically based practices" includes, but is not limited to, botanicals, animal-derived extracts, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, proteins, prebiotics and probiotics: whole diets, and "functional foods". ...a botanical product intended for use in treating a disease would generally be regulated as a drug." ..."functional foods" may be subject to FDA regulation as foods, dietary supplements, or drugs under the Act. Translation: All foods, supplements, superfoods and functional foods may be reclassified as drugs by the FDA, then regulated off the market. ************ ********* ********* * The above is only a portion of the entire article by Mike Adams. Go to http://www.newstarg et.com/021789. html to see the rest.

kkver, I quicky searched tricalcium phosphate and saw things like ash, bone meal etc. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricalcium_phosphate Much of the "tricalcium phosphate" on the market is actually powdered hydroxyapatite. The skeletons and teeth of vertebrate animals are composed of calcium phosphate, mainly hydroxylapatite. Personally, I would be hesitant to use that form of calcium because of the possible lead contamination. You can use the seach feature on this forum and find quite a few posts relating to this subject. You can also call the manufacturer and ask them about lead safety testing. 1-800-661-2736 lil critters I use Citracal Petites. They are 200 mg of calcium citrate and 200 IU of vitamin D per coated tablet. They do have added color (although they're white) and a few "other ingredients" that I'm not wild about, but they are easy for my boys to swallow due to smaller size. I found one site that said they were tested "lead free" and calcium citrate has a reputation of being good as far as absorbtion. HTH Kim

CP, I'm so happy that the meeting went well! It makes a world of difference when you have support and people who truly care about your son. By minimizing the stress, allowing him to have his closest friends with him, I'd bet he'll sail right through the transition. Kim

Some suspect that science/man has gone too far, with things that they really don't understand. One theory, and a scary one..... http://www.healthy.net/scr/news.asp?Id=9037 Mysterious events in recent months have suddenly made Einstein's apocalyptic vision seem all the more topical. For unknown reasons, bee populations throughout Germany are disappearing -- something that is so far only harming beekeepers. But the situation is different in the United States, where bees are dying in such dramatic numbers that the economic consequences could soon be dire. No one knows what is causing the bees to perish, but some experts believe that the large- scale use of genetically modified plants in the US could be a factor. http://tedeboy.tripod.com/drmichaelwfox/id74.html While Congressional hearings are now being called for by grieving pet owners, and class action suits put together, this debacle could have catastrophic consequences not only for conventional agribusiness, of which the pet food industry is a lucrative subsidiary, but also for the agricultural biotechnology industry, with its millions of acres of genetically engineered crops around the world.

Laurensmom, I had looked at that study before too. In fact I have some things saved (kind of the ole "one thing led to another" and pretty soon I was in info overload ) Is there anything here that catches your eye? I was looking at glutamate in relationship to alum. I mixed powered soy formula for my boys as infants. Used tap water, which I always boiled. I concentrated the amt. of fluoride and alum that was present in the drinking water, along with what was contained in the soy formula (which is know to be high in soy) by boiling the water like that. Alum. salts are used in the purification process in many water treatment plants. Our local news paper recently had a huge front page article on how awful our water quality here is. The bottem line was, be careful what you wish for (clean water) because the cost will go up greatly. Anyway, here is some of the stuff that I had saved. One is a study that was done subsequent to the one you posted, by the same guys, I believe. http://content.febsjournal.org/cgi/content...act/267/10/3049 Effects of aluminum on activity of Krebs cycle enzymes and glutamate dehydrogenase in rat brain homogenate P. Zatta1, E. Lain2 and C. Cagnolini2 1 CNR Center on Metalloproteins, and 2 Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy Correspondence to P. Zatta, CNR Center on Metalloproteins, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padova, Italy. Fax: + 39 49 827 6330; Tel.: + 39 49 827 6331; E-mail: zatta@cribi1.bio.unipd.it Aluminum is a neurotoxic agent for animals and humans that has been implicated as an etiological factor in several neurodegenerative diseases and as a destabilizer of cell membranes. Due to its high reactivity, Al3+ is able to interfere with several biological functions, including enzymatic activities in key metabolic pathways. In this paper we report that, among the enzymes that constitute the Krebs cycle, only two are activated by aluminum: -ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase. In contrast, aconitase, shows decreased activity in the presence of the metal ion. Al3+ also inhibits glutamate dehydrogenase, an allosteric enzyme that is closely linked to the Krebs cycle. A possible correlation between aluminum, the Krebs cycle and aging processes is discussed. Keywords: aluminum; Krebs cycle; Alzheimer's disease; neurodegeneration; metal ions. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...st_uids=1070064 Van Woert MH, Jutkowitz R, Rosenbaum D, Bowers MB Jr. Haloperidol, a dopamine receptor blocking agent, is the most effective therapy for Tourette's syndrome. In five patients with Tourette's syndrome, we found in the CSF an elevated probenecid-induced accumulation of HVA, the major metabolite of dopamine. This supports the hypothesis that Tourette symptoms are related to an increased firing of dopaminergic neurons in the central nervous system; haloperidol relieves these symptoms by blocking dopamine receptors. Some similarities of Tourette's syndrome to Lesch-Nyhan's syndrome prompted us to compare these two disorders, obtaining data from a large number of Tourette patients. In a questionnaire completed by 114 patients with Tourette's syndrome, the incidence of self-destructive behavior was 43%, a family history of gout or hyperuricemia was present in 27%, and 11% had a family history of Tourette's syndrome or tics. We propose that Tourette's syndrome could be a genetic disorder of purine metabolism which may result in neurotransmitter abnormalities such as an increased brain dopamine turnover. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...p;dopt=Abstract 1. Hyperuricemia is common among the gouty relatives as reported by others (8-11). It is of interest to note that serum urate fluctuates periodically. Hyperuricemia is not necessarily maintained in a steady state throughout the years. Thus a single determination of serum uric acid can be misleading. 2. Development of gout from asymptomatic hyperuricemia is often correlated with the degree of hyperuricemia as observed from population or family studies (12-14). The data presented indicate that unequivocal hyperuricemia is more often accompanied by excessive excretion of uric acid, diminished excretion of ammonia and abnormally high plasma glutamic acid. All are undoubtedly important risk factors for gout. 3. The elevated glutamate could be due to a deficiency of glutamic dehydrogenase, as postulated by Pagliara and Goodman (15). In presence of intracellular accumulation of glutamate in glutamic dehydrogenase deficiency, renal production of ammonium may be reduced due to its inhibitory action on glutaminase 1. As a result of a renal block of ammonia formation, the glutamine in surplus may be diverted for uric acid synthesis. 4. Long-term studies indicate serum urate in most hyperuricemia relatives of gout can be modified by environmental factors, such as diet, weight and changes of life style. When hyperuricemia is under better control, the potential hazard of developing symptomatic gout may be circumvented. PMID: 7424621 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] http://content.febsjournal.org/cgi/content...act/267/10/3049 Effects of aluminum on activity of Krebs cycle enzymes and glutamate dehydrogenase in rat brain homogenate P. Zatta1, E. Lain2 and C. Cagnolini2 1 CNR Center on Metalloproteins, and 2 Department of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padova, Italy Correspondence to P. Zatta, CNR Center on Metalloproteins, Department of Biology, University of Padova, Viale G. Colombo 3, 35131, Padova, Italy. Fax: + 39 49 827 6330; Tel.: + 39 49 827 6331; E-mail: zatta@cribi1.bio.unipd.it Aluminum is a neurotoxic agent for animals and humans that has been implicated as an etiological factor in several neurodegenerative diseases and as a destabilizer of cell membranes. Due to its high reactivity, Al3+ is able to interfere with several biological functions, including enzymatic activities in key metabolic pathways. In this paper we report that, among the enzymes that constitute the Krebs cycle, only two are activated by aluminum: -ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and succinate dehydrogenase. In contrast, aconitase, shows decreased activity in the presence of the metal ion. Al3+ also inhibits glutamate dehydrogenase, an allosteric enzyme that is closely linked to the Krebs cycle. A possible correlation between aluminum, the Krebs cycle and aging processes is discussed. Keywords: aluminum; Krebs cycle; Alzheimer's disease; neurodegeneration; metal ions. http://www.springerlink.com/content/gwbn78m9hqwv43q3/ Research Article Inactivation of human glutamate dehydrogenase by aluminum S.-J. Yang1, 2, J.-W. Huh1, J. E. Lee3, S. Y. Choi4, T. U. Kim2 and S.-W. Cho1 (1) Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, 138-736 Seoul, 388-1 Poongnap-dong, Songpa-ku, Korea (2) Department of Medical Technology, College of Health Science, Yonsei University, 222-701 Wonju, Korea (3) Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 150-752 Seoul, Korea (4) Department of Genetic Engineering, Division of Life Sciences, Hallym University, 200-702 Chunchon, Korea Abstract Aluminum inactivated glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) by a pseudo-first-order reaction at micromolar concentrations. A double-reciprocal plot gave a straight line with a kinact of 2.7 min-1 and indicated the presence of a binding step prior to inactivation. The inactivation was strictly pH dependent and a marked increase in sensitivity to aluminum was observed as the pH decreased. At a pH higher than 8.5, no inactivation was observed. The completely inactivated GDH contained 2 mol of aluminum per mole of enzyme subunit monomer. When preincubated with enzyme, several chelators such as citrate, NaF, N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ethylenediaminetriacetic acid or ethylenediaminetriacetic acid efficiently protected the enzyme against the aluminum inactivation. In a related experiment, only citrate and NaF released the aluminum from the completely inactivated aluminum-enzyme complex and fully recovered the enzyme activity. Ferritin, NADP+, or nerve growth factor did not show any effects on the recovery of the aluminum-inactivated GDH activity. The dissociation constant for the aluminum-enzyme complex was calculated to be 5.3 M. Although aluminum has been known to form a complex with nucleotides, no such effects were observed in the inactivation of GDH by aluminum as determined using GDHs mutated at the ADP-binding site, NAD+-binding site or GTP-binding site. Circular dichroism studies showed that the binding of aluminum to the enzyme induced a decrease in helices and sheets and an increase in random coil. Therefore, inactivation of GDH by aluminum is suggested to be due to the conformational change induced by aluminum binding. These results suggest a possibility that aluminum-induced alterations in enzymes of the glutamate system may be one of the causes of aluminum-induced neurotoxicity. Glutamate dehydrogenase - aluminum - glutamate - chelator - conformational change Received 25 July 2003; received after revision 27 August 2003; accepted 15 September 2003 http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/1...1998.70041609.x Abstract: Humans are exposed to aluminum from environmental sources and therapeutic treatments. However, aluminum is neurotoxic and is considered a possible etiologic factor in Alzheimer's disease and other neurological disorders. The molecular mechanism of aluminum neurotoxicity is not understood. We tested the effects of aluminum on the glutamate-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway in cultured neurons. Neurons were exposed to 50 µM aluminum in culture medium for short-term (4 h) or long-term (8–14 days) periods, or rats were prenatally exposed, i.e., 3.7% aluminum sulfate in the drinking water, during gestation. Chronic (but not short-term) exposure of neurons to aluminum decreased glutamate-induced activation of nitric oxide synthase by 38% and the formation of cyclic GMP by 77%. The formation of cyclic GMP induced by the nitric oxide-generating agent S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine was reduced by 33%. In neurons from rats prenatally exposed to aluminum but not exposed to it during culture, glutamate-induced formation of cyclic GMP was inhibited by 81%, and activation of nitric oxide synthase was decreased by 85%. The formation of cyclic GMP induced by S-nitroso-N-acetylpenicillamine was not affected. These results indicate that chronic exposure to aluminum impairs glutamate-induced activation of nitric oxide synthase and nitric oxide-induced activation of guanylate cyclase. Impairment of the glutamate-nitric oxide-cyclic GMP pathway in neurons may contribute to aluminum neurotoxicity. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.f...t_uids=10357247 1: Eur J Pharmacol. 1999 Apr 29;371(2-3):103-11. Links Differential response of cortical-limbic neuropotentiated compulsive mice to dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists.Campbell KM, McGrath MJ, Burton FH. Department of Pharmacology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. We previously created transgenic mice in which dopamine D1 receptor-expressing (D1+) neurons in regional subsets of the cortex and amygdala express a neuropotentiating cholera toxin (CT) transgene. These 'D1CT' mice engage in complex biting, locomotor and behavioral perseverance-repetition abnormalities that resemble symptoms of human compulsive disorders associated with cortical-limbic hyperactivity. Because excessive cortical-limbic stimulation of striatal motor pathways may play a critical role in causing compulsive disorders, we examined the responsiveness of D1CT mice to dopamine D1 and D2 receptor antagonists. D1CT mice were found to be largely resistant to the cataleptic action of the D1 receptor antagonist SCH23390. The abnormal repetitive leaping of D1CT mice was similarly unaffected by SCH23390. In contrast, the D1CT mice displayed supersensitivity to cataleptic induction by the D2 receptor antagonist sulpiride. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that complex compulsions are mediated by chronic excessive corticostriatal (and/or amygdalostriatal) glutamatergic stimulation of the striatal direct and indirect motor pathways. http://www.msgtruth.org/foodfor.htm MSG is a nervous system stimulant. Recent research at Johns Hopkins directly ties nervous system stimulation to the immune system. The FDA admits that MSG has been proven to induce asthma attacks in certain individuals. Asthma deaths have increased with the increased use of MSG in the US food supply.