tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38707245690056214872024-03-13T14:59:21.633-04:00You are what you eat!Being mom to a child with several food sensitivities identifies me with a new world, one of caution and education. I never knew reading labels and ingredients could become second nature, who knew that artificial colors and additives could create time bombs, that wheat and dairy could turn a child into a tantrum whirlwind...learn about our journey into the new world of food sensitivities and what they mean. THIS WAS ONLY THE BEGINNING!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.comBlogger225125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-70465742749218281982013-09-24T19:42:00.003-04:002013-09-26T09:09:03.013-04:00Time for a new face? Who am I really?I have a small confession to make, I have been contemplating starting a new blog. One that reflects my new being. There is just no easy way to say this, so I will just say it. I am no longer the mom you read about in these entries behind me. I am still a fuss about food, that will never change. I am evolving though. It's as if I entered my chrysalis stage and am awaiting my wings. I feel renewed in such a way that our future never looked brighter.<br />
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Autism? A distant memory.<br />
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Even PANDAS is only visible in my rear view mirror now. It isn't gone, but it isn't here either. <br />
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The evolution I have been part of is almost mind-blowing. I wouldn't believe any of it, even if I were reading it in a memoir only 6 months ago. It would appear like a character in a fictional novel, someone else's life, certainly not mine. How incredibly wild it was to wake up one day and realize this IS me! This WAS me all along, how did I not know sooner??<br />
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Well, you are probably thoroughly intrigued by now, lol. I may lose readers here, but I hope to gain others, in fact, what I hope most is to retain all of my current readers and gain others, so we can all merge into this realm together. What I am referring to is energy medicine.<br />
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This means something different to each person who participates or practices energy medicine. To me, it simply means being totally in tune with my gut feelings. Even writing this is hard for me, because I have spent years squashing the real me, without even realizing it. I may sound "crazy". I know I am not though, because I am living the ultimate....the results of accepting it. More importantly, so are my kids!<br />
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Over the past year or two, as I have been helping parents trust their
gut instincts to guide them in healing their children, one thing became very clear....I
just know things. I have been asked so many times, "How did you know
to....?" I repeatedly heard myself saying, "I don't know, I just know". <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-O1Rc-ZUvo/UkIjDwnaYYI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Ybn91JRNO4k/s1600/Energy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-O1Rc-ZUvo/UkIjDwnaYYI/AAAAAAAAAhA/Ybn91JRNO4k/s320/Energy2.jpg" width="320" /></a>What I have finally learned about myself during an insightful transformation is that I am in the early stages of uncovering my potential as a clairsentient. Meaning, I have a gift of "knowing". I am not a fan of labels, so I don't even like labeling myself with this somewhat intriguing label, haha. It does, however, provide some form of description though, and it provided me with a description of something I realized I could relate to. I have always been an extreme empath, to the point of embarrassment, because I can't always control it. It isn't cool to cry in front of someone, because I have taken on their emotions....even when they haven't shared them with me! This is one of the reasons I had shut it off previously. But it didn't leave me completely, in fact, it was the underlying force of all of my decisions for my children. Clairsentience is one of the most overlooked psychic abilities and requires one to clear their own energies in order to become a clear channel.<br />
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There are two ways that clairsentience works.<br />
<ol>
<li> Clairsentience works by allowing an intuitive to receive signals from
the spirit realm. A clairsentient will be able to sense the
messages, where as a clairvoyant will see the messages, and a
clairaudient will hear the messages. The clairsentient will feel
what a spirit is trying to say, and interpret the message by using
their intuition. </li>
<li> The second way that clairsentience works, is by allowing an intuitive
to understand the feelings of the people around them, (empathy).
Clairsentients often use their abilities to share and heal the pain of
others. By sensing what someone feels, a healing clairsentient will know
exactly what remedies someone needs</li>
</ol>
When an event out of my control spiraled me into a situation requiring a lot of self-analysis, I saw this side of me that I never acknowledged. I took some time to just be. Something I never did, I was always researching, creating, fixing something or someone, and planning the next step. For once, I just took time to BE!! I didn't research, I didn't fix things, I wasn't onto the next best treatment or practitioner. I just waited for communication from the universe. It was in this calm that I found myself. Suddenly, I got ME. I mean, I really got who I am, who I have been all along. Everything began to make sense, including what was going on with my kids. And how interesting to find out (after the fact) that my solar plexus chakra which was blocked and needed some attention, as I began going through this transformation, is the chakra that is most linked to clairsentience. <br />
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I decided things were going to change. And change, they have! I am now using my intuition to guide our health decisions. Not that this is very different from my past, although now I am doing it more consciously, with intent. We use only homeopathy and soil based organisms. Remedies are chosen based on intuition. I also clear our energy regularly. It's amazing what dealing with the chakras, meridians and aura can do for detox!! I can't believe we survived biomed without this knowledge! I see instant changes in us, when we acquire non-beneicial frequencies and likewise, when I remove them. We have been able to move through high potency remedies with ease since participating in energy healing. Our past was riddled with significant detox symptoms, something I thought just came with the territory. How wrong I was!<br />
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What I find most important about metaphysical powers is that we all have them. We are born intimately connected to the universe. We can choose to shut them off or we can choose to actively embrace them. None of what I have experienced is extraordinary, the only difference between myself and others is that I am now recognizing these events and learning to use them to my advantage.<br />
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In retrospect, this isn't really a new me, but merely the next progression of me.<br />
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So my whole point in this entry is that I would love to continue writing, but this is a new realm for me and I am not sure exactly how much I plan to share. Like anything else though, it will come to me, when the time is right. I hope you will find yourself wanting to follow along as I find my wings. My new blog can be found at "<a href="http://yourwhatyoubelieve.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">You are what you...believe!</a>"<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-26279348934964348822013-07-11T12:22:00.001-04:002013-07-11T16:05:47.581-04:00Savory lentil muffins<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd-FlYI2xRs/Ud7Y-Nq8oAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/JcUH9RMg4Hk/s1600/DSC_8218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nd-FlYI2xRs/Ud7Y-Nq8oAI/AAAAAAAAAgk/JcUH9RMg4Hk/s400/DSC_8218.jpg" width="263" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">If you or your kids have a restricted diet and breads are a thing of the past, you have to try these simple-ingredient muffins! These are a staple in our home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Let me start by telling you what is NOT in them before we get to the ingredients. No gluten, no casein, no eggs, this is a lower oxalate and Failsafe bread!! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">What IS in them?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-1 cup of red lentils (soak overnight, they will be more than one cup once soaked) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-1 tsp sea salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-1/2 tsp cream of tartar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">-spice(s) of choice (I chose chives)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Put all of the ingredients into a blender, add water so that it is at about halfway up to the height of the lentils. Blend, fill cupcake cups about 3/4 full and bake on 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Makes 8 muffins. Voila!</span><br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-15736933808028212902013-05-01T15:00:00.005-04:002013-05-01T15:01:34.029-04:00Salty Sweet White Chocolate bars<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZG9qUzjktI/UYFhKaOXZuI/AAAAAAAAAf8/jC-cK_FMVio/s1600/DSC_5805.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KZG9qUzjktI/UYFhKaOXZuI/AAAAAAAAAf8/jC-cK_FMVio/s400/DSC_5805.JPG" width="400" /></a>These bad boys are GFCFSF, egg-free, low oxalate and low salicylate!!<br />
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We made them on the saltier side, so I reduced the salt by half for this recipe, and if you like sweets, you may even want to increase the xylitol. It was a unique flavor with the interesting balance of salt and white chocolate, like combining hot and sweet, a combination of flavors that seem to almost contradict each other, but in the end, prove to compliment each other nicely.<br />
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I imagine they would be really tasty with nut butter or sunflower seed butter too.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5x-RjeXfDw/UYFhF8zdwrI/AAAAAAAAAf0/SXAkdwAFU0A/s1600/DSC_5795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5x-RjeXfDw/UYFhF8zdwrI/AAAAAAAAAf0/SXAkdwAFU0A/s640/DSC_5795.jpg" width="420" /> </a></div>
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The face of pleasure! </div>
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<i><b>Ingredients</b></i></div>
<ul style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F234jOUGYus/UYFZq3Lm8nI/AAAAAAAAAec/JPjUcwgRPUQ/s1600/DSC_5769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F234jOUGYus/UYFZq3Lm8nI/AAAAAAAAAec/JPjUcwgRPUQ/s320/DSC_5769.JPG" width="320" /></a></ul>
<ul style="text-align: center;">
<li style="text-align: left;">2 rice cakes - crumbled</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 pear - peeled and shredded </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/3 C cocoa butter - melted gently</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">2 Tbs ground flaxseed </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">2 Tbs birch derived xylitol</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 Tbs sunflower lecithin</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1 Tbs tapioca flour</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">1/2 tsp sea salt</li>
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In a small bowl, mix the crumbled rice cakes, shredded pear, ground flaxseed, xylitol and salt. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4wzzh6rRuA/UYFayUxAQBI/AAAAAAAAAeo/lWfrNFU9AJg/s1600/DSC_5777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U4wzzh6rRuA/UYFayUxAQBI/AAAAAAAAAeo/lWfrNFU9AJg/s320/DSC_5777.jpg" width="211" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3FKEY29QjE/UYFdDTaLlXI/AAAAAAAAAfA/HGgtO81C9n4/s1600/DSC_5782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g3FKEY29QjE/UYFdDTaLlXI/AAAAAAAAAfA/HGgtO81C9n4/s320/DSC_5782.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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In an even smaller bowl, whisk together the already melted cocoa butter, tapioca flour and lecithin. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gmn355Ps9Zk/UYFb7nSMdwI/AAAAAAAAAe0/fsP5-pZJoRU/s1600/DSC_5778.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gmn355Ps9Zk/UYFb7nSMdwI/AAAAAAAAAe0/fsP5-pZJoRU/s320/DSC_5778.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Pour this mixture into the ingredients in the larger bowl and blend well so that all of the ingredients mingle evenly. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg97489CXc8/UYFeL2SmLsI/AAAAAAAAAfM/cwWC5w4iTyM/s1600/DSC_5784.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Gg97489CXc8/UYFeL2SmLsI/AAAAAAAAAfM/cwWC5w4iTyM/s320/DSC_5784.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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Press into a small casserole dish, size depending on how thick you want your bars to be.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zr_ixvFy2Y/UYFgsCRIYLI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Yof70lz75Jk/s1600/DSC_5787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7Zr_ixvFy2Y/UYFgsCRIYLI/AAAAAAAAAfk/Yof70lz75Jk/s320/DSC_5787.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Refrigerate until firm. They will still be fairly soft and can fall apart, so I like the smaller square size which are better for kid size hands anyway. =)</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlDexG8GLhY/UYFhB_gqSUI/AAAAAAAAAfs/7UqF7e9kPO0/s1600/DSC_5789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TlDexG8GLhY/UYFhB_gqSUI/AAAAAAAAAfs/7UqF7e9kPO0/s320/DSC_5789.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Voila!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHjC6VEidW4/UYFhPJ653uI/AAAAAAAAAgE/SIVc_zdyhmk/s1600/DSC_5807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eHjC6VEidW4/UYFhPJ653uI/AAAAAAAAAgE/SIVc_zdyhmk/s640/DSC_5807.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-55584140777335344152013-03-11T13:29:00.002-04:002013-03-11T16:12:20.226-04:00Evolutionary conundrum <h3>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;"><span style="font-size: large;">Evolution</span></span>.</h3>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEOo0RvrgSE/UT4UKLpPkKI/AAAAAAAAAeE/CEMijiUKryE/s1600/Evolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oEOo0RvrgSE/UT4UKLpPkKI/AAAAAAAAAeE/CEMijiUKryE/s1600/Evolution.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>"Biological evolution is defined as any genetic change in a population
that is inherited over several generations. These changes may be small
or large, noticeable or not so noticeable. </i><i> </i><br />
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<i>In order for an event to be considered an instance of evolution, changes
have to occur on the genetic level of a population and be passed on
from one generation to the next. </i><i> </i><br />
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<i>This means that the genes, or more specifically, the alleles in the population change and are passed on. These changes are noticed in the phenotypes
(expressed physical traits that can be seen) of the population. </i><i> </i><br />
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<i>A change on the genetic level of a population is defined as a small-scale change and is called microevolution. </i><i> </i><br />
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<i>Biological evolution also includes the idea that all of life is
connected and can be traced back to one common ancestor. This is called
macroevolution." -Regina Bailey</i><br />
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Courier New",Courier,monospace;">Have you ever thought about autism and autoimmune disease as a form of evolution?</span></h3>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SN249pSsUk/UT4UKcZnXII/AAAAAAAAAeQ/1JDBtfC-fg8/s1600/evolution2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0SN249pSsUk/UT4UKcZnXII/AAAAAAAAAeQ/1JDBtfC-fg8/s320/evolution2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our external environment, stress hormones, our thought process, whether we exercise or not, what we eat and and inject into ourselves all determines evolutionary changes at a genetic level known as epigenetics. This is the melting point between those who theorize that genetics are the cause and those who believe that the environment is the reason for this increased generation of autism and the like. Epigenetics prove that it's both!<br />
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Our bodies evolve, they know how to heal, they WANT to heal. The body is designed to eliminate toxins, but with the increase in toxins, the process isn't quite as simple as it once was and with these drastic changes comes something we refer to as "symptoms". Symptoms...it's been drilled into our heads by doctors using medications that we don't want symptoms!! Ick, a symptom? Eliminate it!! We don't like the changes we see, rightfully so, but does this mean it's all bad?<br />
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I'm not suggesting we should live with autism and autoimmune disease, not at all, in fact quite the contrary....if we can learn <i>why</i> we are seeing these things, perhaps we can find a more effective way of working <i>with</i> the body to heal. It's easier to paddle with the current, isn't it? I'm not getting anywhere by paddling against it, are you?<br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Let me give you a more specific example, one that most likely hits home for most of my readers.</span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">I
learned a little bit about the symbiotic relationship between bacteria and yeast long ago, in fact you will find this information in blog entries I have written in the past...how yeast flares
to control bacterial overgrowth. The body has created this balance for a very good reason. The role of yeast in our body is to elevate in an attempt to manage the bacterial overgrowth. You will notice
that, if you try to fight yeast without balancing the bacterial load,
you experience the "symptoms" of a bacterial flare. Anyone who has even dealt with the fragile
clostridia and yeast balance knows this quite intimately, unfortunately.<span class="emoticon emoticon_smile"></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Let's bring this full circle. Why is the bacteria on the rise? I recently saw a holistic doctor speak of the important role bacteria plays in our body. Bacteria actually <i>
protects</i> our cells from toxins, which explains and validates the association
between heavy metals/toxins and pathogen overgrowth. There is a
fine-tuned balance, a magical dance between the two. <u><i>Light bulb moment!!</i></u> The more toxins, the more
bacteria there will be, as it tries to manage the toxins. As bacteria
increases, so does yeast. We have SO much still to learn.</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Using this simple model of what could be going on with this generation opens my eyes to the many possibilities of healing.</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">As you dig deeper into any "symptom" you or your child is experiencing, think about the role this symptom may play and rather than trying to find a way to eliminate it, see if you can find a place where it strategically fits into the big picture. I bet it has a purpose! Then pose this question to yourself and others, how can you <i>encourage</i> the body to find an easier path to that same place?</span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Homeopathy is one of many energy healing modalities and while I do plan to write a more specific blog about energy healing in the future, I thought I would lay the groundwork for why we need to begin viewing illness and healing in this light first. Homeopathy embraces the natural evolution of the body. We must <i>un</i>learn our deep rooted allopathic lessons in order to fully respect and trust the abilities homeopathy offers us. </span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><br /></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><a href="http://www.drzimmermann.org/homeopathy-and-epigenetics" target="_blank">Homeopathy and Epigenetics</a></span></span></span><br />
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<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">From the link above</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">"...</span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><i>it is possible that what we are exposed to in our lifetime can affect
our genetic expression. This is already well-known in areas such as
cancer research, where certain cancer-controlling genes may be activated
by specific toxins for example. But not only that, once the epigenetic
switch is flipped and the genetic expression is changed it can be passed
on in this altered state for many generations, up to 40 in current
animal research.</i>"</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Many cultures have followed the lead of nature, with some retaining these worldly lessons, including current-day nomads. "We" have chosen to tame nature, to suit our needs. This comes with a price that we will only learn the consequences of in coming generations, and I believe what we are experiencing now is just the tip of the iceberg. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">Resources</span></span></span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]">http://www.nature.com/scitable/topicpage/Epigenetic-Influences-and-Disease-895</span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0"><span id=".reactRoot[611].[1][2][1]{comment491928320887056_493452320734656}.0.[1].0.[1].0.[0].[0][2].0.[0]"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">http://biology.about.com/od/evolution/a/aa110207a.htm </span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-12090483152634710582013-02-06T14:52:00.001-05:002013-02-06T14:56:32.535-05:00Turn of events, my new "face"You may have noticed that my blog has recently taken a dramatic turn from past entries. I have always spent a lot of time reading and learning, but nothing has made more sense to us until we embraced homeopathy 100%. Not just taking a remedy here and there, but truly embracing all it has to offer, believing in it, and learning from those who have created this fascinating ancient medicine.<br />
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The little-known facts that supplementation renders the body lazy while introducing new and potentially dangerous toxins, and that much of what we have done in the past has literally been aimed at suppressing symptoms, rather than providing true healing, have put me on a new path. I will never again think in terms of eliminating symptoms, even with herbs. I will never again consider ignoring the signs of degeneration and/or healing put in front of me by the body.<br />
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Our new journey stems from the deep understanding of where homeopathy and healing meet. There is nothing more natural or more effective. We have seen it on every level and most recently, our children have come off of <i>EVERY</i> supplement they have ever taken. They no longer need anti-microbials (even natural) to keep their gut in check. They no longer require digestive enzymes to digest their food. Amazingly, homeopathy and SBOs (soil based organisms) have encouraged their own bodies to take over healing. They are flourishing and they are growing (finally)!<br />
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I'm not suggesting my life is peachy every day, because detox is ugly, even when it's happening from a natural place within the body, and emotional detox can be even uglier than physical detox, but man oh man, the progress is permanent and it's complete! <br />
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So as we move forward, my journal will take new shape, one of true healing from within. If you are a loyal reader, you have probably seen everything we have been through. If you are a new reader, you are have started in the right place. Our past is a story, it's our story, but our future is riding on today. Welcome to our new path.<br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-37896896600926760812013-02-05T11:06:00.001-05:002013-02-05T14:43:47.063-05:00The dangers of suppressionWhat is suppression and more importantly, what are the consequences of suppression? Once you understand, <i>really</i> understand (and respect), the health consequences of symptom suppression, it will change your life. Well, it should anyway. It did mine!<br />
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Homeopathy has not only changed our lives physically and emotionally, but I am learning things that I have never learned from any other forms of healing in the past 5 years of biomed. My research has unearthed information that should be shouted from megaphones everywhere, because without these little tidbits of knowledge, <b>we are and will continue to harm our potential to remain healthy</b>!! We are literally sabotaging our own health!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULNVOKOZ0GU/UREtMeXfQXI/AAAAAAAAAb4/jrVLBZzJP1A/s1600/Suppression4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ULNVOKOZ0GU/UREtMeXfQXI/AAAAAAAAAb4/jrVLBZzJP1A/s1600/Suppression4.jpg" /></a>Suppression.<br />
The Webster Dictionary says to suppress is "<span class="ssens"><i>to restrain from a usual course or action </i><span class="vi"><i><suppress a="" cough=""></suppress></i>"</span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">The "usual course of action" in this case would be symptoms, which in actuality, are the natural course of action being taken by our bodies to HEAL! A symptom is bothersome to many, it prevents them from going to work, hanging with friends, feeling good, so we want it gone, but let's think about this for a brief moment. Let's use the example of a burn. When you burn your finger, it turns red and swells up. What is your instinct...to run cold water over it and STOP the swelling, right? Is this really the best course of action to take? And what would happen, if you never ran that cold water over it? Do you even know? The swelling is called inflammation and inflammation is actually the way your body attempts to repair the damage that was done. The human body is <i>designed</i> to heal itself! By running cold water over it, you are literally stopping the body from doing what it needs to do! So what should you do instead? Believe it or not, you want to ENCOURAGE the direction the body is trying to take that damage, run very warm water over the burn!! Not as hot as the original burn, but warm enough to be uncomfortable. Guess what happens? Nothing! That's right, no blistering, no pain, although if the burn is bad enough (as was in one case when I grabbed a very hot ceramic pot and lifted it) you might have some mild residual signs left over, in my case, my burned skin was left a bit rough. Other than that, I had no blisters and no discoloring, it didn't even hurt! </span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">Or how about this scenario which I am SURE all of us have experienced. FEVERS! Why do we fear fevers so much? A fever is the RIGHT action taken by the body when a foreign invader has taken hold. Fever kills pathogens. So the body knows what to do as soon as it encounters these bugs, it turns up the heat high enough to kill them! Out of fear, most people immediately run for the fever reducers/pain relievers. I bet you didn't know that fevers are self-limiting?! The highest most fevers will go is 105-106 and once your body has reached this temperature, you are no longer at risk of a febrile seizure. Fevers are misunderstood and the sales and marketing of fever reducers are aimed at fear. The one piece of good advice I got from our worst pediatrician was to let fevers be, and that they ARE in fact self-limiting to about 105. When you stop the fever or even just reduce it slightly, you are inhibiting the body from successfully fighting the pathogen. So guess what happens? It survives. Common sense? And don't even get me started on the topic of doctors who tell patients to use fever reducers in their kids pre-vaccination. Good God, there is no more destructive advice than this!! </span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">So let's now think about a simple cold. What happens, your body begins to purge from every orifice...not a pretty sight or feeling: snots, ear drainage, secretions galore. Raise your hand, if you were ever guilty of taking something to eliminate this nastiness. But again, let's think about what the body is trying to do. It's eliminating the pathogen!! Colds start in the nasal cavities and ears. Mucus is designed to purge pathogens. And common sense would say that when you stop this from happening....need I go on? I don't want to sound like a broken record here, but really think about how ludicrous this even sounds when you think of it rationally! Why hasn't anyone ever taught us to think about our health in this fashion? Well, because it would hurt pharmaceutical sales, of course!</span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">The examples of suppression are endless and we are often partaking in this dangerous act daily. Putting creams on eczema, treating acne with topical gels, giving anti-inflammatory, pain relievers, DRUGS!! All of these products are designed to make your life more comfortable, they do <b><i>not</i></b> get at the root of the problem, they don't cure anything, they only suppress. Why do you have chronic inflammation Miss Fibromyialgia, what is causing those skin lesions Mr. Eczema....people, you are not only ignoring how your body communicates and heals, but you are downright fighting it! Your body reacts and tries to heal itself and then you say, "Oh no you don't, I have work to go to work...I have a date to go on....etc!" and you do/use everything possible in your arsenal to eliminate the "symptoms". Well you have just effectively eliminated healing too. </span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">We need to trust the body in doing it's job. It won't have an overnight fix and you might feel yucky for a while, but when you stop the body from doing it's job, the consequences are great. And maybe part of mother nature's magnificent design is to SLOW. YOU. DOWN. You may not even realize that subsequent illnesses or symptoms are related to the act of suppressing other conditions, but I assure you, it is all related. Your body is a fine tuned machine with all the equipment necessary to run optimally. Your future health depends heavily on what you choose to do today! I am not suggesting you shouldn't do anything at all when things run a muck, I am just saying that HOW you choose to deal with these imbalances is critical and either facilitates health progression or degeneration.</span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">I also want to add that just because a product is "natural" doesn't mean it isn't suppressing a symptom and shutting down your body. Anything that stops a symptom, rather than addressing it's cause directly, is suppressing the body from healing. It's that simple. I learned this the hard way and as we use homeopathy, which encourages natural healing, we are witnessing the host of suppression(s) we took part in, as we retrace old symptoms. How completely and utterly eye opening. </span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">So what are the consequences? If you aren't addressing the <i>reason</i> the symptom arose in the first place and you are prohibiting the natural healing action designed by mother nature, what do you THINK is happening? You are not only allowing illness to prevail, you are encouraging it on some level. Sure, some minor things are superficial, but every time you eliminate the body from doing it's job, you are also reducing it's ability to learn how to respond next time, and the time after that and well, eventually, your body is going to learn to stop responding to illness. </span></span><span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><span class="ssens"><span class="vi">It may take some serious research and experimenting to truly understand the underlying cause of symptoms. </span></span>It's typically not simple or cut and dry, but if you want to know more about the stages of natural detox and what they look like when they are suppressed, check out these incredible videos from Mary Coyle:</span></span><br />
<span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><br /></span></span>
<a href="http://www.viddler.com/v/20050ede" target="_blank"><span class="ssens"><span class="vi">Video one</span></span></a><br />
<span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><br /></span></span>
<span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><a href="http://www.viddler.com/v/a2abcc6a" target="_blank">Video two</a></span></span><br />
<span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><br /></span></span>
<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">Our body is designed to detox illness, pathogens, and toxins. When we hinder our innate healing abilities, things begin to shut down and where does this land us? Cancer anyone? Autism on the rise much? </span></span><span class="ssens"><span class="vi"><span class="ssens"><span class="vi">Autoimmune disease is a PRIME example of suppression and inability to detoxify naturally. </span></span>HELLOOOOOO!! This, my friends, is suppression at it's finest. </span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">Next time you have a headache, or inflammation, or a fever, or anything that is uncomfortable for that matter, stop and think, "what is my body trying to do?". Don't reach for that over the counter toxin to stop your body from working. If you love your life and your future health, just don't. Tough it out, learn the signs of your body and do something to support it rather than tearing it down. Think of what you have to gain from trusting your body!</span></span><br />
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<span class="ssens"><span class="vi">Let's remember too that suppression doesn't occur only on a physical level. We can suppress emotions and feelings which will ultimately wreak havoc on our psyche, as well. If you can't release these emotions through discussion, consider other spiritual forms of emotional detox such as yoga, meditation, quite time for yourself or some other form of spiritual release. Even kids can be guided to partake in these activities. =)</span></span>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-35342146953203887582013-01-20T11:18:00.000-05:002013-01-20T11:20:51.160-05:00Why now?Why now? Why didn't I find this path with homeopathy sooner? Especially when homeopathy was the very FIRST therapy we tried with both myself and Grayson 6 years ago.<br />
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My best friend and I have discussed this at great length recently, because we wonder, could we have avoided all of the bumps in the road that lead us here? Could we have healed ourselves and our children sooner? Should this have been the first treatment we tried? We unanimously agree, NO!!<br />
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We needed the path we were on. We are who we are today, <i>because</i> of the path we have traveled. We saw glimpses of who our children could be, and it drove us harder. We learned about anatomy and physiology, <i>because</i> of the path we traveled. Our diets are healthy, our environment is cleaned up, <i>because</i> of the research we did. We researched and experimented and we came to incredible conclusions due to the roads we visited. And most importantly, we met the people we needed to meet to find this path. It wasn't put in front of us sooner for very valid reasons, <i>we just weren't ready for it</i>! Every single day of our pasts have lead us to this very point in our lives. I wouldn't change a thing. <br />
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I am a dedicated researcher and a dedicated parent, no...that is an understatement, it might be more appropriate to define myself as anal retentive and controlling, and a little over zealous at times. ; ) This is why it's even more undeniable that for the first time in our healing journey, we are in the right place. I am ready and <i>able</i> to let go. I am ready to hand the torch to someone else and jump on the waves. I am ready to trust and look inside myself for guidance and confirmation that we are on the right path finally! I'm ready, and so are they...<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-29126202638475626732013-01-16T16:17:00.000-05:002013-01-20T11:19:21.223-05:00360 degrees of homeopathyThere are times in our lives when we have that little voice inside saying something doesn't feel right. Do you follow that? Or do you shove it deeper, using your brain rather than your instincts to rationalize your choices? This little voice isn't far from the suppression of disease states. Listen to it and you will heal, suppress it and well, you drive the disease in deeper.<br />
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We have to learn to trust our instincts more!<br />
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We have always felt like homeopathy has the potential to really get to the root of our health, regardless of what ails us. It's been the one constant on our path, the one source of healing that we never abandoned, even through all of our biomedical choices. But...we have never relied on it 100%. Why? It's clear to me now that we hadn't found the right practitioner for our children. We had only used classical homeopathy, trusting in it's ability to make subtle changes that would perhaps cause long-term healing. But the wow-factor was never part of classical homeopathy for us. I have since learned that for the healthy people, classical homeopathy can be incredible, but our kids are so inundated with layers of toxins and familial illness that we can't reach the core of the person to treat classically. Autism and autoimmune diseases are the result of an overflowing bucket of toxins and dangerous emotional states. We need so much more than one classical remedy to heal us.<br />
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Ironically, it was our parasite journey that brought us full circle, back to homeopathy. I had been increasingly disturbed by the recommended meds and found myself reaching for the homeopathic dilutions more and more. I also felt like the boys' extreme reactions to either die off or the meds themselves encouraged me to seek out methods that would support the organs, remove blockages and detox the body more safely. A diseased body houses pathogens, all kinds. If we just keep chasing the bugs and we don't correct the immune system where it was damaged in the first place, we are chasing our tails, round and round. I don't know about you, but I am ready to get off this merry go round!<br />
<br />
We have made the break!! We left biomed and have fully embraced homeopathy and boy does it feel right! We researched methods we feel comfortable with and with each day of treatment, we had enough confidence to eventually remove everything other than SBOs (which have been significantly reduced to 2 capsules a day for the boys) and just a few basic minerals. We couldn't be happier with the progress we are seeing. I always thought these stories were only for those who wrote books, the rare lucky cases who hit their remedy just right. I've been proven wrong and couldn't be more happy with our choice. And this time, treatment isn't reserved just for the kids, I've jumped on board too.<br />
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If you have that little voice telling you something, don't ignore it, embrace it!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-56655064901096832002012-12-02T10:35:00.002-05:002012-12-02T10:45:32.216-05:00Autisms' bigger picture, who benefits?When you are scanning ingredients to feed your ASD family safe and nutritious GFCFSF allergen-free, low oxalate, Failsafe, SCD, or GAPS meals, when you are injecting your child with his nightly MB12, and when you are traveling to and paying out of pocket for yet another "specialist" to consider more out of the ordinary treatment options to recover your sweet child, you don't give it a second thought. This is second nature now, this is what our children need, so we do it for them. We are going to recover our kids, <i>period</i>!<br />
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Unfortunately, not every ASD family is making these changes for their family. <br />
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I don't even think we consider, for one minute, the sheer magnitude of our actions. Think of throwing a rock in a lake, that ripple effect is much like recovering our ASD children. I hear many families talk about the massive changes autism has encouraged their family to take on, changes regardless of how hard, they are incredibly grateful for, ironically. Changes that may have even saved another family member's life! I know that I am even more grateful than words can express, for the knowledge we have gained as a family, but it doesn't stop there. The learning carries on when we influence other families in our large network. We hold on tight to our ASD community families and we would do anything to help other families heal their children. Of course, we want to see all of these children recover, that is certainly where my heart is, but each individual family makes up the bigger picture. <br />
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But what if we DON'T carry this movement forward enough to grab a hold of the reigns on this frightening epidemic, what then? Have you thought of that? It won't be JUST the ASD families who are effected by the ever-growing rate of autism.<br />
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No one says it better than a fellow ASD mom, Florence Iwegbue, who is on a quest to change this movement.<br />
<br />
"<i><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[3]">I
come from a 3rd world country--Nigeria with MANY economical and social
issues and like the NJ Senator mentioned during the hearing, a Nigerian
Govt. official approached him about the rapid rise of Autism. Why?
because, it is now a Global National Security issue; Possibly the worst
epidemic in modern day medicine. At these rates, this country will not
have men to go to war, marry, reproduce or support the economy of this
nation. For all of us that are made to feel guilty when we use the word
recovery, these are the problems we're worried about. For those who
criticize, they have no idea the magnitude of the problem. When an
official (probably even corrupt) from a 3rd world country like mine,
with: waring tribes, abject poverty, astronomical rates of crime,
perpetual recession and zero economic growth becomes worried about an
Epidemic like Autism and flags down a U.S official to question him, be
VERY FREAKING WORRIED and ya better be living and breathing RECOVERY
& CURE. </span></span></span></span></span></i><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><i><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[3]"> </span><br id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[4]" /><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[5]">I
come from a very proud and hard working tribe and my people are on the
edges of their seats because they send their children to the West to
make something of themselves and help out their fellow villagers back
home by way of sending money to help educate the younger generation.
When we stop sending money, because it is being spent on Whole Foods, ABA
Programs, Supplements and Health care bills, more families back home
get hungry, sick and kids are left on the streets without education.
This is the consequence of my son's Autism. <b>It is no longer just a
disease that he has, it is a disease that many family members have
inherited.</b> So </span></i><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]"><i>whenever anyone chastises you for seeking recovery for your child,
send them my way so I can explain to them why it is a Global epidemic
that needs to end NOW!</i>"</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]">Florence is a warrior mother. She is fighting for the world and when she looks into her sweet boy's eyes, she knows that all of world is depending on his recovery. His recovery matters to the world as much as it matter to her family. The ripple effect.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]">Florence's family is so driven to help the world, in fact, that her husband has also developed an iPhone application to help parents help each other. What's more impressive is that they are providing this app for free. What could be more beneficial to the big picture? </span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYFctZK4EQk/ULtz_jKO8eI/AAAAAAAAAYM/XGSO0Bqe4RY/s1600/LiveWello.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SYFctZK4EQk/ULtz_jKO8eI/AAAAAAAAAYM/XGSO0Bqe4RY/s200/LiveWello.jpg" width="116" /></a></div>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]">In their <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/livewello/id544498633" target="_blank">LiveWello social health app for iPhone</a> (and iPad coming soon!), families are able to create a little village around the person they are caring for. You can invite and label people with important roles, share medical records, videos, pictures, etc. </span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]"></span></span></span></span></span><span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]"> It's the ASD medical recovery ripple-effect in the making. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]">Watch the ABC interview <a href="http://vimeo.com/54206662" target="_blank">here</a>. </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]">Let's embrace the fact that our children are going to change the world one way or another, do you want to be a part of that? I sure do!!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
<span data-ft="{"tn":"K"}" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]"><span class="UFICommentBody" id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]"><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]."><span id=".reactRoot[29].[1][2][1]{comment437839119598135_437951679586879}..[1]..[1]..[0].[0][2]..[3]..[7]"><br /></span></span></span></span></span>
Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-75216812932590548202012-08-10T11:46:00.001-04:002017-11-16T11:10:56.974-05:00Parasites. The root of ALL evil?Bold statement, eh? I know, I know...I've been gone for months at a time and now I come back and throw this at you. I've spent these months researching and experimenting and I am here to tell you that yes, I believe the subject heading is one area to consider. Perhaps one of the biggest ones, especially, if you are dealing with <i>chronic</i> anything.<br />
<br />
So how did I come to this conclusion? My children were a mixed bag of fluctuating concerns and the confirmation that their yeast and bacteria seemed to be under control, but so many other things were not, had me looking for more. But then again, I am ALWAYS looking for more. =) There were two things, specifically, that really sent me on the hunt for what I was missing. Grayson's PANDAS flare was getting worse rather than better and Gavin's mood swings, anger and violence appeared to be untouched. Why parasites though? I mean, I have treated for them bi-annually with Humaworm and heck, we even all used Alinia for over a month for Gavin's Dientamoeba Fragilis, right? How could it STILL be parasites?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UMrvpG8tpM/UCUsqqZXo-I/AAAAAAAAAXg/YaQW8_3d5YY/s1600/ParasiteBlogPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1UMrvpG8tpM/UCUsqqZXo-I/AAAAAAAAAXg/YaQW8_3d5YY/s1600/ParasiteBlogPic.jpg" /></a><br />
Let me just put it out there in black and white. If you have a compromised immune system in any way, shape or form, you DO have a parasite issue. I promise you!<br />
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Parasites are masters at survival, their SOLE purpose in life is to survive, that's it! They complete their life cycle by changing the neurology of their hosts just enough to ensure survival, but usually they are also smart enough to not kill it, usually. If they can adapt to their environment, which they can (give them access to a child with a faulty immune system due to heavy metal toxicity and reduced gut flora), they root themselves deeply in your system and continue their life cycle by making you crave the foods that feed them, creating the itchies where it counts for spreading eggs under the nails, they can even force you to be attracted to certain people and yes, this is documented! In fact, MUCH of what I have found out about parasites is widely known by certain professionals, but don't ask why treatments aren't effective. I don't even want to go there. You are free to dig deeper, if you wish. I'm satisfied with dealing with the details I can control from my own home base....treatment!<br />
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A few doctors to research, who have made waves in the medical community by successfully treating illnesses that result from parasitic infections, are: Dr. Klinghardt, Dr. Simon Yu and Dr. Fry. These men are pioneers in this field. Dr. Klinghardt focuses on Lyme Disease, PANDAS and Autism, Dr. Yu has recovered people from major diseases like cancer, CFS and pancreatitis among others and Dr. Fry is a researcher who has even discovered a new malaria-like parasite that is responsible for diseases like MS, Rheumatoid Arthritis and perhaps Autism, among others. Google any of these doctors and you will get more information than you know what to do with!! Literally! It can be overwhelming, because there are really so many directions you can go with treatment, but the one constant I am seeing here is that a periodic cleanse here and there just doesn't cut it for someone who is chronically infected. Treatment NEEDS to be from 6 months to a year, STRAIGHT! Seems harsh, but parasites are much smarter than we give them credit for, in fact, they may even be smarter than us. They have certainly been around longer.<br />
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<b>This blurb is from an article written by Dr. Simon Yu:</b><br />
<i>"In this modern age, do you think parasite problems are limited to
third world countries and don’t exist in the United States, Canada or
Europe? Think again! Who does the cooking and cleaning of dishes at
restaurants? Food from all over the world comes with no strict
regulations for pesticides, herbicides and potential parasite eggs
embedded in the food.</i><br />
<br />
<i>I have seen patients from Germany, Canada, Australia and most of the
United States. People from all over have parasite problems. I’ve
written numerous articles on parasites and parasite related unusual
medical symptoms. Some of the conditions responding to parasite
medications include allergies, eczema, asthma, migraine headache,
nightmare, bedwetting, chronic fatigue, <a href="http://www.drgregemerson.com/news/parasitesa-great-article-from-dr-yuwith-thanks#" id="_GPLITA_1" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">fibromyalgia</a>, arthralgia, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome, seizure, mental illness and even cancer.</i><br />
<i>The idea of de-worming everybody seems a de-lovely concept and does
not seem appealing but it is not a far out concept even in the United
States. Americans are suffering from a silent epidemic of parasite
related medical conditions. The World Health Organization (<span class="caps">WHO</span>)
recommends massive de-worming of populations especially in schools
whenever over 20 percent of the population is suspected of parasite
infestation."</i><br />
<br />
Dr. Simon Yu has written a fascinating book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Cure-Extraordinary-Medicine-Patients/dp/0979734266/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344613778&sr=8-1&keywords=accidental+cure" target="_blank"><i>Accidental Cure.</i></a><br />
<br />
From Dr. Klinghardt...I love this info, because I have always been intrigued by what drives us, what creates our "personality". I've come to this conclusion myself recently, and Dr. Klinghardt has just confirmed it for me!<br />
<ul>
<li><i>We are all a composite of many personalities. Our consciousness is a composite of 90% microbes and 10% us. <b>Our
thinking, feeling, creativity, and expression are 90% from the microbes
within us. Patients often think, crave, and behave as if they are the
parasite. Our thinking is shaded by the microbes thinking through us.
The <a href="http://www.helladelicious.com/diy/2012/06/biofilms-parasites-mold-and-electromagnetic-frequencies/#" id="_GPLITA_1" style="text-decoration: underline;" title="Powered by Text-Enhance">food choices</a>, behavioral choices, and who we like is the thinking of the microbes within us expressing themselves.</b></i></li>
<li><i>Patients
will reject all treatments that affect the issue that requires
treating. Patients will not guide themselves to health when the microbes
have taken over.</i></li>
<li><i>Parasites induce changes in our system to make us a comfortable host.</i></li>
<li><i><a href="http://www.ayurvedherbs.com/mimosa-pudica-%28lajalu%29.html" target="_blank">Mimosa pudica</a>
(Sensitive plant) powder is an Ayurvedic herb that is 30 times stronger
than the best medical drug. Start with 1/2 teaspoon twice a day two
days a week and work up to 1 teaspoon daily for 3 months.</i></li>
<li><i>The endothelium is the largest organ in the body and is “bug heaven”.</i></li>
</ul>
<i> </i><br />
<br />
Since Mimosa Pudica is so hard to find, <a href="http://www.retailbiopure.com/Parasitic-Defense/Mimosa-Pudica-Powder-112g.html" target="_blank">here is a link</a> for you to purchase it. I have nothing to do with this company, I am just passing this on, because the search for a reputable product was very hard and I would like to make it easier on you!<br />
<br />
An incredible overview of a conference called "<i>A Deep Look Beyond Lyme</i>" includes data from each of these famous doctors! <b>I HIGHLY recommend taking the time to <a href="http://www.klinghardtacademy.com/Articles/Deep-Look-Beyond-Lyme-May-2011.html" target="_blank">read this one</a>.</b><i> </i> Lyme is not the only focus here. Dr. Klninghardt even mentions PANDAS.<i></i><br />
<i><br /></i>
This is an <a href="http://www.iadvocatehealth.org/protozoal_infection0.aspx" target="_blank">interview with Dr. Fry</a> about the parasite he discovered, it is phenomenal information about a marlia-like protozoa called <i>Protomyxoa</i>, which is Greek for “slime forming protozoan”. In this interview he also discusses the diseases it's heavily linked to, biofilm, the herxheimer effect, how it is transmitted (tick bite is one of the vectors, and to think we aren't testing for this infection when we tell people they are clear of Lyme Disease), etc. Remember, we can only find things we are effectively testing for. <a href="http://frylabs.com/index.php" target="_blank">Dr. Fry also has a lab</a> where various testing can be ordered.<i><br /></i><br />
<br />
<b>The oxymoron between biomedicine and parasites</b><br />
Here is where it gets interesting. So we think we are doing the right thing by our kids, supplementing their nutritional deficiencies with hoards of vitamins and such. But did we ever stop to think about WHY those deficiencies are there to begin with? Ok so yes, heavy metals play a role and limited diets too, but why are ALL kids on the spectrum low in B vitamins, particularly B12 and why are ALL kids on the spectrum deficient in minerals like zinc and magnesium and why oh why is their benefitial gut flora so depeleted....the common denominator I have uncovered is that parasites THRIVE on this stuff. Yup, every time you put another supplement down your child's throat, consider the possibility that you are FEEDING a parasite, possibly even big fat and very happy worms. A thought you can't fathom....well you better get ready, because when you pick yourself back up off the floor after witnessing one of these fellas coming from your own child (or yourself), you have some major accepting to do, lol. Use that fear to drive you forward. So, if we are feeding these fookers with our children's cravings, the supplements we use and we certainly aren't using anything strong enough to kill them, what are you left with in the end, continued nutritional deficiencies in your kids (because they don't get much of the nutrients) and a fat case of parasites, resulting in symptoms you can't seem to gain control of. Geez, it's a wonder we can't seem to get past chronic cases of pathogenic overgrowth!!<br />
<br />
Oh, and one last note on yet another common thread here is that it has been documented that the Ascaris worm can and DOES cause gluten-intolerance. Things that make you go hmmmmm.<br />
<br />
<b>PANDAS and PARASITES?</b><br />
BIG connection here. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised, if it was ultimately determined that the helminth is at the root of <i><b>every</b></i> chronic case. So let's explore why doesn't PANDAS go away. Well, the immune system is definitely definitely THE root of this problem, but because of the immune system, the parasites are a massive problem. The helminth is a worm, not microscopic, a visible worm that can be visibly seen when you are successful at evacuating them. A helminth houses (provides shelter) for the smaller guys like bacteria (strep), yeast and viruses. Biofilm protects all of these guys from your immune system. You can't kill off a bacteria that has a nice comfy home in your body. When a worm dies, it releases all of the house guests inside and initiates a flare. Worms don't die easily unless they have reached their life expectancy and that can be years for many of them, about 2-6 years on average, or you do something to kill them off, hence the die off. One of the big players is the Ascaris Lumbricoides. Through my extensive network of connections, I have personally seen what other autistic, ADHD, and PANDAS kids harbor and this is just one of the more common ones! Symptoms that have been historically documented by professionals as being associated with this particular parasite are: asthma, eczema, bronchitis, rashes, dilated pupils, hyperactivity among others that effect the GI tract, as well. The Ascaris releases amphetamines, hence the hyperactivity and dilated eyes, and perhaps very much related to the ADHD symptoms we are seeing so frequently.<br />
<br />
How can you learn what infections you may be harboring...well, like Lyme, it's VERY hard to successfully test for parasites. Just because you have tested and either found none or perhaps a few, that does not mean it's accurate. Find yourself a GOOD infectious disease doctor who knows about parasites, or you can go see one of the doctors listed above. Surprisingly, the most accurate form of testing to date, appears to be energy testing!! And of course, visual identification under a microscope, but remember, this will ONLY be effective if you are passing the parasites/eggs in your stool. 90% of parasites remain OUTSIDE of the GI tract most of the time, only returning during full and/or new moon phases to procreate. If you are going to experiment with treatment options, this is the time to do it. The first 15 days after a full moon is when a portion of the parasites will generally be in the GI tract.<br />
<br />
<b>Our personal story</b><br />
When we finally bit the bullet and went strong on the parasites with multiple methods of treatment at once, we began to unveil the children under these infections. Hindsight is a beautiful thing, but unfortunately it also means we can't piece together our current story until we navigate past the event. We have always seen glimmers of what it could be like to have our children without all their "extras", but we have never had that for any length of time, some dark veil has always stolen those moments from us. When PANDAS hit our house hard this past year, I was thrown for an incredible loop. We were doing EVERYTHING right, we never strayed, we never cheated on diets, never slipped on our chosen treatments, yet we had these crazy inconsistencies that fit no rhyme or reason. And Gavin, poor Gavin...he was living in an inconsistent world of pain and confusion. He wasn't "classic" in any way, he didn't fit autism or PANDAS, but he wasn't right, he was a loose canon! He did however fit every symptom in the book for Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD). I often felt like, if we weren't doing biomed with him practically from birth, he would have been much worse off. But we still weren't getting to the root of the problem by treating him like a mirror image of Grayson. Something was different. I wasn't satisfied with the recommended, "maybe it's just his personality". No, I was not willing to accept that a person could be born "normal" and be SO angry. Something was wrong.<br />
<br />
When I pondered our successes from the past, it seems as though treatments that overlapped with parasites have given us that glimmer of hope, just long enough to steal it away again. Why? Because parasites are masters at survival!! And our treatments were never long or strong enough. The icing on the cake was when I read that Dr. Klinghardt considers the helminth to be at the root of PANDAS. Low and behold....we found our new angle!<br />
<br />
What I am excited to tell you, confirms Dr. Klinghardt's statement about PANDAS and helminth parasites, Grayson's PANDAS symptoms have responded slow and steady to treatment and now that the symptoms are mainly under control (with only 3 months of treatment so far) we have witnessed a direct correlation between his PANDAS symptoms (tics, OCD and rages) and the passing of worms. He has an instant increase in symptoms as his body is trying to filter out the toxins from killing off worms. I have photos of these guys too, there is no denying what they are!! One picture was taken in a glass jar with alcohol in it and you can see the entire intestinal tract of the worm. It was 8 inches long. If you think that's bad, consider the fact that we also got one that was 21 inches long from our 36 inch tall child!<br />
<br />
We've seen glimmers of a reduction in oxalate issues. This is HUGE for us, because prior to treatment, Gavin was increasingly dumping oxalates in enormous amounts through his urine. Tablespoons of crystals at a time. It had grown to become a weekly event. He was having regular potty accidents, his urine was cloudy and thick with crystals. It immediately came to a screeching halt!! And how has Gavin been doing? After going through a world of hurt with initial die off....I am AMAZED, truly and incredibly AMAZED by him. I am falling deeply in love, all over again, with my baby boy. I didn't even realize how the violence had driven an imaginary wedge between he and I, until it was gone. The exhaustion of parenting such an explosive child is crippling. Now, he is even more sweet, humorous and charming than I could have ever imagined!! We've replaced the violence with hugs, kisses and frequent unprompted "I love you"s, we have replaced screaming confusion with sharp-as-a-tack cognitive function, we have replaced tantrums and meltdowns with rational cooperation....and there has been weight gain. He was failure to thrive for so long, 27-30 pounds for years, literally. He had lost the weight he gained with the camel milk when we stopped using it. He has already gained 3 pounds back since reducing the parasite burden. Grayson has done the same. And if you are wondering whether I am lucky enough to share this infection with them, yes I do. Parasites are incredibly contagious among family members and it's likely that I have had parasites all through my pregnancies, passing them on to my poor innocent children in utero. There are too many connections I have learned in hindsight to list here. It would take an entire book (hmmmm, there's that book idea again), but let me just say that I had NO idea these things were related. So never say never!!<br />
<br />
If you are doing everything possible and just feel like you aren't seeing the progress you think you should be seeing, I would encourage you to dig deeper, much deeper. Parasites may be why.<br />
<br />
UPDATE - if you are connecting with this blog entry from years ago, please also see <a href="http://yourwhatyoubelieve.blogspot.com/2013/11/pandas-parasites-and-problems.html" target="_blank">my newer blog</a> where I also address this topic, from a different perspective and with years more experience. <br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-28911692580055996832012-06-30T22:41:00.002-04:002012-06-30T22:42:40.533-04:00Does it ever end? Toxins, that is.When we make the decision to clean up our environment, we think of the obvious....products we use on our skin, in our mouths and anything that might compromise the air we breath. But what about all those little "touches" all day long? For instance you don't think twice when you turn on your stove, flick a switch to turn on a light, open and close the fridge, push down the tub drain in order to run a bath for your kiddo, open a file cabinet or a drawer...then close it. We don't count how many times our hands touch something throughout the day that might be toxic. You might think, geez, it's just a brief moment, do you really care about that? Add it up! Every day! All day! Now think about the materials everything around you is made of. You will probably say, well, plastic, metal, whatever!<br />
<br />
I plan to clear that up for you right now. Thanks to a friend who gave me a list of XRF (x-ray fluorescence) testing results that were created by friends of hers in a mom's group, who rented an XRF gun, I have real solid evidence that will prove to you that it's not just "plastic" and "metal". Instead, think along the lines of arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead among many other toxins. And guess what? It's just these things that we touch here and there every day that are made of the most toxic stuff! <br />
<br />
Of course, we aren't going to start wearing gloves around the house all day, heck, they are probably just as toxic, lol, but this certainly has me thinking more about what I buy and what I plan to use it for. In fact, those handy little "safe" stainless steel cups you think are saving your kids from BPA, what about, if you knew you could be replacing the BPA with high levels of cadmium and sometimes even lead!! Yikes!! In particular, CVS brand stainless steel water bottles which were in the red for lead!<br />
<br />
Some of THE most toxic things in our homes are: crock pots, knobs, drawer pulls and door handles, tile, mirrors, stainless steel anything, trampolines (so glad I decided against that one), luggage, lamps and one of the most disturbing for me...all the parts of a faucet including the piece inside the tub where your child sits and soaks - MERCURY, LEAD, ARSENIC and CADMIUM, in the red! Delta seems to be at the top of that list. Another disturbing mercury source is your child's Nintendo 64. IKEA seems to be on this list a lot too.<br />
<br />
Why is illness on the rise...do we really wonder why? Look around you!! Better yet, look at some of these fabulous lists I'm honored to be able to share with you! I wish I could add them all, but I know it's very hard to read anyway. I chose many of the more telling pages. Thank you Angela! =)<br />
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<br />Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-23394512382845360452012-06-12T10:00:00.002-04:002012-06-12T10:08:30.884-04:00Is it enough to eat "healthy"?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1y3Wu8s5Wg/T9dLbloNxbI/AAAAAAAAAWU/OuX2qWD1Zlc/s1600/pink-slime-beef-meds-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-J1y3Wu8s5Wg/T9dLbloNxbI/AAAAAAAAAWU/OuX2qWD1Zlc/s200/pink-slime-beef-meds-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
What does eating healthy mean to you? For most, it means avoiding too many sugars and refined foods, eating more home cooked meals, but does that always equate to healthier options? We trust our grocery stores to provide us with high quality foods, but what is really lurking in your grocery isles will surprise you. Check out this gruesome article from the Rodale Institute. <br />
<div class="ss_title">
<h2>
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.rodale.com/pink-slime?page=0" target="_blank">The 9 Nastiest Things in Your Supermarket</a></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Think pink slime is gross? Wait 'til you see what other unappetizing secrets lurk within your grocery store.</span></h2>
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And while we are on the topic of eating healthy, I would love to share a fabulously simple and direct excerpt from Kerri Rivera's upcoming book, "Healing an Epidemic". If you know anyone with a child even remotely on the spectrum (even ADHD), please share this with them. It is probably one of the simplest, yet most thorough explanations of the GFCFSF diet I've seen. Kerri Rivera is a fabulous autism mom who is also the co-founder/director of a not-for-profit autism clinic in Mexico known as <a href="http://www.buildingbridgesconference.com/Pages/Mexico_Clinic/mexico_clinic.htm" target="_blank">AutismO2</a>. I can't speak highly enough of Kerri's knowledge and go-get-em attitude. She dedicates all of her waking hours to healing kids on the spectrum. <br />
<br />
<i>If I could choose the one part of my protocol that would be the single
most important piece of the autism recovery puzzle it would be The diet.
By The diet I am referring to the dietary plan that I recommend to all
of the families that I work with. It is a combination of the classic
Gluten Free, Casein Free, Soy Free, with the elimination of sugar, corn
syrup, coloring, preservatives and other “harmful foods.” The diet is
the basis to the rest of my protocol, similar to laying the foundation
of a house that the rest of the structure will rest on. It is critical
to the effectiveness of the rest of the protocol. When a family with a
child recently diagnosed with autism comes to see me, the first thing
they want to know is: What can I do to fix this? I always, always start
with The diet. In fact, I send them away after that first meeting with
hope that they will be able to recover their child, but only if they
have the dedication to commit to the diet 100%. I explain to my families
that they must think about food how their great grandparents thought
about food. In generations past food was derived from the Earth, with
little processing. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and meats were dietary
staples for our great grandparents and they will be for our children as
well. We must think whole foods, not processed foods. It is of little
help to go from junk food to gluten free, casein free junk food.<br /><br />
After my first meeting with a family they leave with the list of
permitted foods and I tell them to email me when they have a week
straight with zero exceptions or “errors” on The diet. That is where
the parents who are truly hungry for recovery are separated from those
who are interested in having someone else recover their child for them.</i> <i><br /><br />
One of two things generally happen during that first week. First
scenario: I get an email from an ecstatic Mother or Father…”I can
barely believe it, Johnny slept through the night for the first time in
months, or Johnny had a normal bowel movement, or Johnny said 2 new
words yesterday! “ That’s what I hope for, the second scenario is I
never hear from the family again, there may have been tantrums, or an
adjustment period related to the diet that proved too much for them, and
they decide to pursue another avenue. That’s not to say that everyone
sees a miracle, or there’s no middle ground, as some of the results are
less obvious, such as more eye contact or less redness in face, but
generally speaking, we see positive changes. But in reality, any change
is a good sign. The diet is only the first piece of the puzzle. It is
the welcome mat to autism recovery. We must continue from there. We
don´t just do the diet. We do the diet and then keep adding and
subtracting till we get the desired, end result.</i> <i><br /><br /> That said,
your child’s Dr may have not heard of the diet, of may be misinformed on
it’s benefits. We will include a list of links to various studies and
articles published on the benefits of The diet for children and adults
on the Autism Spectrum. It is important to only consult with people who
are familiar with autism and the recovery of autism. If your current
physician is unfamiliar with autism recovery, it is important for the
health of your child that you find someone who is. Surrounding ourselves
with people who are immersed in biomed and healing children is of the
utmost importance.</i> <i><br /><br /> For starters, a researcher at the New Jersey
Medical School’s Autism Center found that children with autism were
more likely to have abnormal immune responses to milk, soy and wheat
than typically-developing children, according to Cutting-Edge Therapies
for Autism 2011-2012. Also, there is growing interest in the link
between autism and gastrointestinal (GI) ailments. A study by the
University of California Davis Health System found that children with
autism born in the 1990s were more likely to have gastrointestinal
problems, including constipation, diarrhea and vomiting, than children
with autism who were born in the early 1980s.</i> <i><br /><br /> Simply because
your Dr is uninformed or tells you there is no evidence to prove that
The diet will help your child, do the research for yourself, as only you
are in charge of your child’s diet. Heck, do The diet. It doesn´t cost
you any money and it just might save your child. Whether he eats
Cheesey puffs or fruits and vegetables will ultimately come down to you.
The only way to know for sure if your child is going to be one of the
cases who recovers with diet, is to try. It can take gluten 6 months or
more to be removed from the micro villi or “shag carpeting” of the small
intestine. As I mentioned previously some children have monumental
changes in 2-3 days, but even if your child’s evolution is taking a
little longer than most, DO NOT GIVE UP! At the writing of this book I
have worked with over 2,500 families of children with autism, and all of
the recovered children as well as the children about to come through
the door have used varied protocols depending on their symptoms. What
is the one thing that they all unequivocally have in common? The diet.</i> <i><br /><br />
In my opinion, it makes little difference what other interventions you
apply to your child if you can’t manage The diet 24/7/365. Hyperbarics,
chelation, music therapy, ABA, etc simply cannot have the desired
effects if we are still feeding drugs to our children. Why drugs?
Because that is what gluten and casein become in the bodies of our
children on the spectrum. More specifically, gluteomorphin and
casomorphin. Yes, similar to morphine. These substances are produced in
the gut due to improper digestion of peptides (as we will explain more
in detail later) and the existence of leaky gut syndrome allows them to
cross the blood brain barrier where they act exactly like morphine or
heroin. Would you purposely give your child heroin, or any other
illicit drugs? NO! So now that you have read these words, and
understand the severity of this issue, do not give your child another
piece of pizza, Cheesy puffs, bread or flour tortillas. Tell your
family and your child’s school that they can no longer give your child
these items, and if they do it’s like giving them a dose of morphine. If
it sounds drastic, that’s because it is. Researchers have found an
abnormal amount of these undigested peptides in the urine of children
with autism, therefore proving their existence in the body. Dr. Reichelt
in Norway, Dr. Cade at the University of Florida, and others found that
urine samples from people with autism, PDD, celiac disease, and
schizophrenia contained high amounts of the casomorphin peptide in the
urine, similarly Gliadorphin (gluteomorphin) has been verified by mass
spectrometry techniques to be present in unusual quantities in urine
samples of children with autism, (excerpted from gfcfdiet.com)</i> <i><br /><br />
Do the diet! There are still plenty of food options that are permitted, I
promise you your child won’t starve. There are some recipes that will
be included later in the chapter to get you started. I truly mean when I
say that The diet is absolutely the most important piece of the puzzle.
If we can’t remove what is directly linked to brain and gut
inflammation as well as immune allergic reactions to offending foods, it
is nearly impossible to heal a child on the spectrum. I have
personally never seen a family recover a child without dietary
intervention, that’s not to say it hasn’t happened, but I can’t say I’ve
seen it nor heard of it.</i> <i><br /><br /> In the case of my own son, his acidic
diarrhea and sleepless nights stopped the week we started The diet.
From that moment I was hooked, not only on The diet but on Biomedical
treatments for curing Autism, and I have never looked back. I strongly
encourage you to experience the diet for your child and even as a family
it is a good thing.</i> <i><br /><br /> Some other tips include:</i> <i><br /><br /> Keep a
journal. What foods have you taken out? Are you adding something in?
Reactions: rash, more/less hyper, more/less stimmy, sleep patterns,
bowel movements: how many, consistency, tantrums, acceptance of new
foods, eye contact, language, etc. Write it all down, then you know
what’s going on, and when something is working for you, and when it’s
not. Doing the ATEC at </i> <i><a href="http://www.autism.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.autism.com</a>
is an excellent way to see how you are doing. Everytime that you begin a
new intervention it is a good idea to do and ATEC and then repeat every
month or so and see how your child is evolving. Sometimes our children
are recovering right before our very eyes and we don’t even know it.<br /><br />
Using the ATEC helps a great deal to measure improvements. Many of us
are tired or burned out and don’t have as good as a memory as we would
like to, so a formal questionnaire can help us to discern when an
intervention is working or not.</i> <i><br /><br /> Always read labels. Read the
label on the back. Not just the one on the front that says “gluten
free”. Many times they have sugar, yeast or other items that are not
allowed. We must know what we are putting into our children’s bodies. If
you can’t pronounce it, you don’t really want to put it into your
child. Be careful of hidden offenders like malta, natural flavors,
artificial flavors, whey, numbers (red 40), etc.</i> <i><br /><br /> Have a support
system. It doesn’t matter whether it is a friend, family member, rescue
angel or neighbor. Have a shoulder to lean on, autism recovery is a
marathon not a sprint, and no one should have to go it alone.</i> <i><br /><br />
Take it one day at a time. Defeatist thinking will only harm your
resolve to help your child. “I Can’t do this for the rest of Johnny’s
life” or “How will I get through this year” are defeatist thoughts. Go
hour by hour or minute by minute if you have to, and know there are
victories every day in the world of autism, and we must draw strength
from those victories, even when they aren’t our own. My website has a
section called Milagros, which are real emails that I receive from
parents describing the advances of their children on my protocol. Take
some time to read them, and know that children are recovering every day
and believe your child can be next.</i> <i><br /><br /> So here it is…The Diet</i> <i><br /><br /> Permitted Foods List</i> <i><br /><br /> Proteins:</i> <i><br /><br /> Beef</i> <i><br /> Pork<br /> Chicken<br /> Turkey<br /> Fish: small not large<br /> Eggs<br /> Organic is better, but not required<br /> No processed meats or cold cuts (hot dogs, bologna, etc)<br /> No shellfish (full of toxins)<br /><br /> Fruit:</i> <i><br /><br /> All fruit is acceptable</i> <i><br /> Homemade juice and fruit waters are acceptable<br /> Frozen fruit without cream or sugar is acceptable<br /> NO canned fruit<br /> Be careful of dried fruit, as it may contain sugar<br /><br />
Note: Fruit should not be consumed after a meal as a dessert. Due to
it’s rapid digestion, if it is eater after other slower foods (meat,
grains, etc) it will ferment in the stomach, causing bloating, gas, or
discomfort. Fruit is best eaten before a meal, or separate from meals.</i> <i><br /><br /> Vegetables:</i> <i><br /><br /> All Vegetables!!!</i> <i><br /> This includes french fries…however, not frozen fries nor fries from fast food chains, these are often coated in flour.<br /><br /> Nuts:</i> <i><br /><br /> Cashews</i> <i><br /> Walnuts<br /> Almond<br /> Hazelnut<br /> Coconut<br /> All of them!<br /><br /> Grains:</i> <i><br /><br /> Corn</i> <i><br /> Rice<br /> Amaranth<br /> Quinoa<br /> Millet<br /> Tapioca<br /> Xanthan Gum<br /> Sorghum<br /> Buckwheat<br /><br /> Beans:</i> <i><br /><br /> All beans – EXCEPT Soy</i> <i><br /> Garbanzo<br /> Lentils<br /> Navy<br /> Peanuts<br /> Cacao<br /><br /> Sweetners:</i> <i><br /><br /> Xylitol</i> <i><br /> Stevia<br /> Honey<br /> Agave syrup<br /> Maple syrup (without sugar added)<br /> NO Piloncillo<br /> NO Sugar<br /><br /><br /> Prohibited Foods:</i> <i><br /><br /> Corn Syrup</i> <i><br /> Sodas – Cokes, etc.<br /> V8 Splash<br /> Chocolate milk<br /> Natural Flavoring<br /> MSG<br /> ADES<br /> Soy sauce<br /> Microwave popcorn<br /> Pasta<br /> Candies<br /> Oatmeal<br /> Sugar<br /> Splenda<br /> Cow’s milk in any form, even lactose free<br /> Noodle soup<br /> Ketchup<br /> Mayonaise<br /> Knorr suiza (boullion cubes)<br /> Corn flakes<br /> Soy milk<br /> Processed meats (hotdogs, ham, sausage, cold cuts)<br /> Play-doh (contains gluten)<br /> Bread<br /> Flour Tortillas<br /> Coloring<br /> Jell-o or gelatin<br /> Preservatives<br /> Margarine<br /> Yeast<br /> Carrageenan<br /> Numbers (E260)<br /> Preservatives<br /> Coloring<br /> Cane<br /> Malt<br /> Artificial flavoring<br /><br /><br /> NO Cow’s Milk</i> <i><br /><br /> NOT CASEIN FREE</i> <i><br /> NOT LACTOSE FREE<br /> NOT ORGANIC<br /> NOT EVAPORATED<br /> NO NO NO COW’S MILK<br />
ALL COW’S MILK, REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS REMOVED FROM IT, CAUSES
MUCOUS AND INFLAMMATION. (which are responsible for maintaining
pathogens)<br /><br /> Common Error: </i> <i><br /><br /> The food allergy panel says he’s not allergic to gluten or casein…so my child can continue to eat those ingredients.</i> <i><br /><br />
It doesn’t matter…if your child has autism or is on the spectrum he
must avoid gluten, casein and soy. The network formerly known as DAN!
Also says to observe your child carefully after adding a new food or a
food he hasn’t eaten in a while. In one particular case, even though
the child didn’t test positive for an orange allergy, he produces
symptoms of an allergic reaction whenever he eats one. We must remember
that the body is changing constantly and that any test is only good for
a couple of months, if at all.</i> <i><br /><br /> Some sample recipes:</i> <i><br /><br /> Almond Milk</i> <i><br /><br /> 1.5 cups of almonds</i> <i><br /> 3 cups of water<br /> Honey to taste<br />
Place all ingredients in a blender for 2-5 minutes and strain.
Serve cold or warm. Almonds should soaked in hot water and then peeled
beforehand. A Vitamix works best, but is not necessary.<br /><br /><br /> Coconut Milk</i> <i><br /><br /> The flesh of one coconut</i> <i><br /> Enough water to cover the coconut in the blender.<br /> Honey to taste<br /> Place all ingredients in a blender for 2-5 minutes and strain. Serve cold or warm.<br /><br /><br /> Cookies</i> <i><br /><br /> 300 grams rice flour</i> <i><br /> 300 grams corn flour<br /> One egg yolk<br /> 200 grams agave syrup<br /> 250 grams coconut oil<br /> Bake 20 minutes at approx 325 degrees<br /><br /> FAQ’s</i> <i><br /><br /> Until we have this section organized, there is a very complete list of FAQ’s about the diet at</i> <br />
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<a href="http://www.gfcfdiet.com/" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">www.gfcfdiet.com</a>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-63800090271208607882012-04-13T16:23:00.001-04:002012-04-13T16:26:14.557-04:00Nature vs nurture, focusing on epigeneticsI have a constant need for information, I guess you could say that is the gemini-nature in me. In my incessant quest for information about how we can change the future of our health, I seem to keep bouncing back to something called epigenetics. My family has had a never-ending dispute over nature vs. nurture. What dictates our hair color, our tendency to suck our fingers as babies, and what illnesses we are predisposed to? Well yes, it's our genes of course, but what about the possibility that you can CHANGE the way your DNA is expressed?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1P-gRExFQHU/T4iLCnfHC1I/AAAAAAAAAVw/9tUChzOzh4U/s1600/epigenetics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1P-gRExFQHU/T4iLCnfHC1I/AAAAAAAAAVw/9tUChzOzh4U/s1600/epigenetics.jpg" /></a></div>Science is now showing us that it is <i>nature AND nurture</i> that determines our future. And knowing that you can use your <i>diet, thoughts and environment</i> to change the course of your health puts the ball right where it should be, in YOUR hands!! I have always said that I believe our health is our responsibility. We are the only ones who can control how we feel, we are the only ones who can change the course of our path. In fact, my life as a biomed mother is just that, a quest to change nature. I'm not willing to accept things as they are, I know there is a way to reverse the hand we were dealt. Three and a half years ago I set out determined to find that path, and I am proud to say that we are on the right path.<br />
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My gut told me the way we are born isn't just IT....that we can change IT. So yes, we have learned recently that our boys have the MTHFR gene mutations and that makes them predisposed to illnesses like autism, ADHD, Alzheimer's, cancer and early heart disease, among others. MTHFR stands for methelenetetrahydrofolate reductase, it's an enzyme responsible for converting folate to it's bioactive form. This causes our boys (and probably us parents too) to have a break in their methylation pathways, limiting their ability to detox. I now KNOW they don't detox well and I now KNOW they are deficient in folate, as well as B12 due to this gene mutation, but I also now KNOW that I can bypass this gene mutation by supplying them with methylfolate (5-MTHF) and MB12 injections. We can kick-start their methylation and begin to work around the mutation. And how did this mutation come to be in the first place? I certainly don't know that, but what I do know is that somewhere in the line of our families, a gene was mutated by it's environment, diet and/or thoughts....epigenetics. If we can change them in the first place, common sense would reason that we can also reverse them!!<br />
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A friend, who is equally as interested in health, sent me Dr. Mercola's newsletter today and I just love the simple explanation given on epigentics.<br />
<h2>Your Emotions Regulate Your Genetic Expression</h2><blockquote>As if genes changing expression in response to environmental factors such as nutrients wasn't enough, other researchers have demonstrated that this "environment" that your genes respond to also includes your conscious thoughts, emotions, and unconscious beliefs. Cellular biologist Bruce Lipton, PhD., is one of the leading authorities on how emotions can regulate genetic expression, which are explained in-depth in his excellent books <i>The Biology of Belief</i>, and <i>Spontaneous Evolution</i>. </blockquote><blockquote>Science has indeed taken us far beyond Newtonian physics, which says you live in a mechanical universe. According to this belief, your body is just a biological machine, so by modifying the parts of the machine, you can modify your health. Also, as a biological machine, your body is thought to respond to physical "things" like the active chemicals in drugs, and by adjusting the drugs that modify your machinery, doctors can modify and control health. However, with the advent of quantum physics, scientists have realized the flaws in Newtonian physics, as quantum physics shows us that the invisible, immaterial realm is actually far more important than the material realm. In fact, your thoughts may shape your environment far more than physical matter! </blockquote><blockquote>According to Dr. Lipton, the true secret to life does not lie within your DNA, but rather within the mechanisms of your cell membrane. </blockquote><blockquote>Each cell membrane has receptors that pick up various environmental signals, and this mechanism controls the "reading" of the genes inside your cells. Your cells can choose to read or not read the genetic blueprint depending on the signals being received from the environment. So having a "cancer program" in your DNA does not automatically mean you're destined to get cancer. Far from it. This genetic information does not ever have to be expressed... </blockquote><blockquote>What this all means is that you are not controlled by your genetic makeup. Instead, your genetic readout (which genes are turned "on" and which are turned "off") is primarily determined by your thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions! </blockquote><blockquote>The major problem with believing the myth that your genes control your life is that you become a victim of your heredity. Since you can't change your genes, it essentially means that your life is predetermined, and therefore you have very little control over your health. With any luck, modern medicine will find the gene responsible and be able to alter it, or devise some other form of drug to modify your body's chemistry, but aside from that, you're out of luck… The new science, however, reveals that <i>your perceptions control your biology</i>, and this places you in the driver's seat, because if you can change your perceptions, you can shape and direct your own genetic readout. </blockquote><blockquote>This new science also reveals that you are in fact an extension of your environment, which includes everything from your thoughts and belief systems, to toxic exposures and exposure to sunlight, exercise, and, of course, everything you choose to put onto and into your body. As Dr. Lipton is fond of saying, the new biology moves you out of victimhood and into Mastery—mastery over your own health. </blockquote><blockquote>It is a supreme confirmation of my favorite saying, "You Can Take Control of Your Health."</blockquote><h2>A Healthy Lifestyle Supports Healthy Genetic Expression</h2><blockquote>So the good news is that <i>you are in control of your genes</i> … You can alter them on a regular basis, depending on the foods you eat, the air you breathe, and the thoughts you think. It's your environment and lifestyle that dictates your tendency to express disease, and this new realization is set to make major waves in the future of disease prevention -- including one day educating people on how to fight disease at the epigenetic level. When a disease occurs, the solution, according to epigenetic therapy, is simply to "remind" your affected cells (change its environmental instructions) of its healthy function, so they can go back to being normal cells instead of diseased cells. </blockquote><blockquote>You can begin to do this on your own, long before you manifest a disease. By leading a healthy lifestyle, with high quality nutrition, exercise, limited exposure to toxins, and a positive mental attitude, you encourage your genes to express positive, disease-fighting behaviors. </blockquote><blockquote>This is what preventive medicine is all about. It's not about taking any one particular nutrient as a supplement to fix one specific "part" of your biological machinery... The more people become willing to embrace this simple truth, the healthier everyone will get. <br />
It's also worth pointing out that epigenetic effects begin <i>before</i> birth. </blockquote><blockquote>Epigenetic research from 2009 showed that rat fetuses receiving poor <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/04/30/Poor-Nutrition-in-the-Womb-Triggers-Permanent-Genetic-Changes.aspx">nutrition in the womb</a> become genetically primed for a nutrition-poor environment. As a result of this genetic adaptation, the rats tended to be smaller. They were also at higher risk for a host of health problems throughout their lives, such as diabetes, growth retardation, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and neurodevelopmental delays. Again, while some are tempted to blame such "predispositions" on bad genes, the KEY factor is nutrition, i.e. the cellular environment. <br />
</blockquote><blockquote>If you're ready to address your dietary choices, read through my comprehensive <a href="http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/index.htm">nutrition plan</a>, which will give you tips and tools for eating healthy, dealing with stress, and living a lifestyle that will support your epigenetic health. </blockquote><blockquote>You can also turn your genes off and on with your emotions too. Many, if not most people carry emotional scars; traumas that can adversely affect health. Using techniques like energy psychology, you can go in and correct the trauma and help regulate your genetic expression. My favorite technique for this is the <a href="http://www.mercola.com/forms/eftcourse1.htm" target="_blank">Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT)</a>, but there are many others. Choose whichever one appeals to you, and if you don't sense any benefits, try another, until you find what works best for you. </blockquote><blockquote>Please, remember that 'You CAN Take Control of Your Health.'</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRxGFPn6tM0/T4iLElx7xbI/AAAAAAAAAV4/zDd7s-NInkg/s1600/epigentics2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kRxGFPn6tM0/T4iLElx7xbI/AAAAAAAAAV4/zDd7s-NInkg/s200/epigentics2.jpg" width="134" /></a></div>You can find the rest of this article <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/11/epigenetic-vs-determinism.aspx?e_cid=20120411_DNL_art_1" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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I think what is important to take away from this lesson is that while we now know we can change our genes to our benefit, we can also change them detrimentally, and that is how we pass on the predisposition to diseases like autism, which is an epidemic of gargantuan proportion at 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. Our environment, the American diet and our thoughts have turned "on" these awful genes, let's please work on reversing this so that our children can pass on healthier genes to the next generation.<br />
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I wasn't very far off.....after all, "you are what you eat"!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-28511671177427981902012-03-29T14:52:00.004-04:002012-03-29T15:17:10.841-04:00And the results are in....drumroll please?!After just under one and a half months on the Body Biotics soil-based organism probiotics, see for yourself!<br />
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I know the new test is a little more difficult to read. The orange bar in the center is the median range, but the actual range is much larger than that, and spans the entire distance to the black lines on either side of the orange bar. If his results were considered high or low for a category, there would be a red H or L in the number column and the diamond would be outside of the normal range with a red diamond. <br />
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Those tests say more than anything I can write here! HPHPA from 413 to 26?!?! Yeast at normal levels?!?! Clostridia was a ***ch to fight, antibiotics never worked, natural antimicrobials kept things almost at bay, but we couldn't remove them without a significant backslide, and who wants their child on high doses of antimicrobials three times a day, indefinitely? I can say, with certainty, that these probiotics are our saving grace. They do everything they say they do!<br />
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We have Gavin's results too, but since it was our first OAT for him, we have nothing to compare to. His 3-oxoglutaric was just slightly elevated, which means he had a little bit of a yeast overgrowth, but nothing else showed markers of dysbiosis and no bacteria issues, although his numbers were slightly higher than Grayson's. I'm sure the results directly related to the dose of the probiotics, because Grayson was worked up to 6 capsules and Gavin was only at 3. A friend's daughter who is the same age as Gavin, was also at 6 capsules and her numbers look almost exactly like Grayson's. She had confirmed Clostridia with a level of 393 in December, plus a confirmed case of Candida Krusei. Her results are clean for Candida Krusei and her HPHPA (clostridia) marker came down to 22! Also in just under one and a half months! We have also had two mainstream stool tests done on Gavin and both the bacteria and yeast testing came back completely clean, they were done more recently. I don't normally put a lot of weight in these tests, but our friend's yeast testing resulted in two forms of yeast at one point, so I know they can pick things up, if they are there. Regardless, the OAT and the stool testing are my confirmation that things are under control, with NO ANTIMICROBIALS OR ANTIBIOTICS! What a breath of fresh air to say that!<br />
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If you want to know more about these probiotics, click <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2012/02/low-downand-dirty.html" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
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With the good news comes the bad...isn't that always the way? When we ran our battery of tests on the boys, we have finally confirmed PANDAS (among other things, including a compound heterozygous gene mutation) for Grayson. I have always suspected it, but never had the titers to prove it, well now I do. He was in a flare and sure enough both titers came out over 400. My motto is and has always been....one day at a time. My research continues!<br />
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Now we are focusing on the PANDAS, and hoping that the complimentary combination of the probiotics and homeoapthy will do the trick. Stay tuned!Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-15381875983712201252012-03-29T14:17:00.001-04:002012-03-29T14:20:29.154-04:00Another toothpaste recipeI know, I have another toothpaste recipe in my blog, but if you are a biomed parent, you understand how your child's sensitivities can change like the wind! It's very hard to find a preservative-free, GFCFSF, mint-free, flavor-free, low-salicylate, toothpaste that is also free of excitotoxins. That is a mouthful, isn't it? Literally, tehehe.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEmWPSWMz0g/T3SnAEEuNRI/AAAAAAAAAVY/0iY8pKG69UM/s1600/DSC_8078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEmWPSWMz0g/T3SnAEEuNRI/AAAAAAAAAVY/0iY8pKG69UM/s320/DSC_8078.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I haven't had time to write about our latest dietary adventures, but I can tell you that my new toothpaste recipe is in direct relation to some things, ok a lot of things, we are trying to avoid. I will refer to the original toothpaste post for all the reasons to avoid commercial toothpastes, toxins at their best, and YES they do get into your bloodstream via the blood vessels in you mouth. You can read more about that <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/search?q=toothpaste" target="_blank">here</a>. In the meantime, as a home-schooling, multi-chef-hat-wearing, uber-researching, no-time-for-me mommy, I am going to get on with this post. =)<br />
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<u>Ingredients</u><br />
-1/2 C. water<br />
-1/2 C. xylitol (birch sourced only)<br />
-1/4 C. baking soda<br />
-1/8 C. Redmond's sea salt (independently tested as being the lowest in heavy metals)<br />
-1/4 tsp food grade hydrogen peroxide (optional)<br />
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I have to warn you that this recipe is very salty, so if you have an aversion to salt flavor, you could reduce the salt in the recipe, but it's very good for cleaning, mineralizing and offering a safe abrasion for scrubbing the surface of the teeth so I wouldn't remove it completely. You could add flavorings, if you tolerate them, in the form of essential oils, but be aware that they are very high salicylate.<br />
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Heat all of the ingredients, except the hydrogen peroxide, just to the boiling point, then reduce to low. Let this simmer until the liquid is all gone, stirring frequently. It will take a while, so do something else rather than watching the pot, lol. When it's fairly thick, like a paste, turn off the heat and let it cool. If you are adding the hydrogen peroxide, add it here and then blend in a blender or the Magic Bullet which is just the right size for small recipes like this. Your toothpaste will be less of a paste and more of a thin gel.<br />
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I like to keep ours in a glass dropper bottle. After we use up a supplement, I clean it out with boiling water, take the dropper out and cut an X in the tip of the squeezy part of the dropper cap. Shake well, turn it over and squeeze the dropper cap to dispense! It works like a charm! You could also use a nice little hand pump lid for the texture of this toothpaste. A little goes a long way.<br />
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My teeth feel super smooth and clean after using this toothpaste, I have even grown to like the saltiness (I didn't at first), it makes my mouth feel clean! Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-22988633378182962242012-02-26T14:52:00.006-05:002012-02-26T15:03:01.146-05:00Autism File - the magazine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR8DHSqpD4o/T0qK5RDhHRI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/bjLgBnr6zuo/s1600/AutismFile" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hR8DHSqpD4o/T0qK5RDhHRI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/bjLgBnr6zuo/s1600/AutismFile" /></a></div>My first issue of the <a href="http://www.autismfile.com/" target="_blank">Autism File</a> arrived and was sitting on the counter calling my name for a few days before I really dug in. You know how it can be....me time? That is a very rare commodity around here these days. So it patiently waited until I decided to take some time for me one night when I retired early to be with my magazine. That doesn't mean I didn't steal a few peeks in the meantime here and there, but I wanted uninterrupted time to take it all in. <br />
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At first glance, the cover is bold and informative without being too busy for our overburdened and cluttered minds. Starring back at me is the beautiful and famous Holly Robinson Peete holding her handsome autistic son, RJ, in a familiar loving vice-grip, screaming pride and protection at the same time. Of course, I want to know her story, is it like mine? What page is that story on....oh wait, there is an article on toxicity, oh and folate deficiency, and ohmygoodness, there is the camel milk article by Christina....one page at a time.<br />
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<b>The topics?</b><br />
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All of interest, with one common denominator, how we CAN overcome and understand autism! Ironically, I would happen to receive the very first <a href="http://www.autismfile.com/" target="_blank">Autism File</a> with an article from a dear internet friend, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Real-Boy-Autism-Intervention-Recovery/dp/B000EPFVE6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330285400&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Christina Adams</a>, who is a member of our camel milk facebook group and has written about camel milk for healing!! In the same magazine, a wonderful article about yeast overgrowth, from my very favorite Nutritionist, and another new internet friend, <a href="http://nourishinghope.com/" target="_blank">Julie Matthews</a>. I feel honored to be reading these fabulous articles from such knowledgeable women. I am even more ecstatic to witness this information taking the floor in a powerful message connecting autism with repairable, treatable medical conditions, finally! We, personally, started our journey with biomedicine and it's been good to us, we have a responder. I have always wanted to scream our treatment successes from mountaintops for the whole world to hear. This magazine is doing exactly that! Kudos to you Autism File! It is successful at being both the ears and the voice of many ASD families.<br />
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Getting off track here, let's get back to the topics. As I sit here scanning through <a href="http://www.autismfile.com/" target="_blank">the magazine</a> (which I thoroughly read already, from cover to cover, stretching late into the night), I see a wide variety of topics ranging from ways to nurture an autism family marriage and keeping dreams within reach of your child to the most effective ways to consider handling your ASD child's health issues, healing them from the inside out, thereby potentially dissolving their symptoms one at a time. This magazine offers encouragement, hope, and most importantly answers...<i>real answers</i>, for and by real people!! This is what we need, we need answers. Doctors notoriously turn autism families away, suggesting that this is the best your child can be, "learn to live with it" - I have one word for those doctors - <i>WRONG</i>! I may have a few other choice words too, but I will keep this clean. =) <br />
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Do you want to know what toxins can contribute to autism? <i>You will find it here</i>. Do you want to know what supplements are recommended for those on the spectrum? <i>You will find that here too</i>. Do you want to know what all the hubub is about the latest discovery on folate receptor antibodies? <i>Yup, you got it, that is here too</i>. You will even find the the reason camel milk is the latest topic on the tongues (no pun intended) of ASD parents. Intertwined with all of these fabulous articles, will also find the latest and greatest on: recipes, foods for our severely restricted diets, information for the most cutting-edge labs to use for testing, the latest research, how to plan for your ASDer's future, ways to improve learning, and even the latest political challenges we face and/or overcome in the ASD community. This is a very well-rounded magazine, chock full of information, capturing just about every facet of life impacted by autism. <br />
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If you or someone you know has a child on the spectrum, or even ADHD, <a href="http://www.autismfile.com/" target="_blank">this resource</a> is an absolute must-have! All the latest and greatest is captured in this invaluable subscription and, if you are like me, it will serve as a jumping off point, spurring hours of research to find more....more to open those windows of opportunity into healing and helping our children. My child is recovering, join me! <br />
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No one says it better than Editor-in-Chief, Polly Tommey herself,<br />
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<i>"The Autism File team is passionate about finding answers to the many critical questions surrounding the autism epidemic. Why the dramatic rise in autism and Asperger's diagnoses over the past two decades? Why are so many ASD children and adults unable to get basic support? Why do so many students with autism fail to get the education that they need? Why are a great many people with autism living in pain, often with underlying medical conditions that go either undiagnosed or ignored? The list goes on, and we will continue to work hard at getting the answers. There are many brilliant doctors, scientists, researchers and autism groups working around the clock to achieve this. The Autism File will continue to report on the very latest and bring it to your door."</i><br />
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Thank you Autism File, for getting the word out.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-66312658960079640862012-02-20T22:43:00.008-05:002019-02-23T13:45:42.775-05:00The low down....and dirty<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Get your mind out of the gutter!! Dirty, hmm. The only dirt I am referring to here is the soil, because the latest and greatest on us involves the soil! Well, sort of. <br />
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**SEE UPDATE FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2018 BELOW!<br />
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<b>Mud pies and probiotics </b><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeIN9C59cZ4/T0OpPv9M6OI/AAAAAAAAAU4/tP1d0pZJxJE/s1600/mudpie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GeIN9C59cZ4/T0OpPv9M6OI/AAAAAAAAAU4/tP1d0pZJxJE/s1600/mudpie.jpg" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_538606740"></span><span id="goog_538606741"></span>I believe there is a reason kids make (and eat) mud pies! lol Their body instinctively knows more than us germ-a-phobic parents! Soil contains the very organisms that used to enter our body on a daily basis. I know you are thinking, "but what about the parasites??" Well, if you are ingesting certain microbes along side the parasites, those parasites have no chance of survival! And chances are, if the soil is loaded with these beneficial bacteria, the bad guys are probably non-existent anyway. Ahhh, mother nature....Now, I am not suggesting you run out back and make yourself a mud-pie for lunch, because today you can get those same bacteria in a capsule. They are targeted to certain microbes and yes, they are parasite-free, haha.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgUnpSpzvVc/T0OpBLnyC3I/AAAAAAAAAUg/mQEBLPOOXIs/s1600/mudpie3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgUnpSpzvVc/T0OpBLnyC3I/AAAAAAAAAUg/mQEBLPOOXIs/s1600/mudpie3.jpg" /></a></div>
Remember your grandmother talking to you about growing up on the farm? I know mine did. She raised animals, played in the dirt, rode horses, and ate foods grown in that very soil. They didn't use anything but water to rinse those veggies too! Today it's so eloquently referred to as "farm to table" and it's highly under-rated. Before we tarnished our soils with pesticides, fertilizes and chemicals (be it natural or not), we had soil full of micro-organisms very beneficial to just about every aspect of our body chemistry and while they aren't natural residents of our intestines, they SHOULD be regular visitors!<br />
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These micro-organisms prevented the growth of anything harmful in the soil and ironically, they can do the same in our bodies! The data is overwhelming and I will share a few links below, in case you want to read more, but before we get to that. Let me share the results of our last five weeks using SBOs (soil-based organisms). <br />
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We started them on very low doses on a Friday so that we could spend the weekend observing. We didn't need to observe much though, because their uncontrolled yells, fighting and screeches could be heard from anywhere in the house. We are no stranger to die-off and anything that results in die-off usually tells me that we are on the right track, but holy cow!! But just like any other successful intervention, we also saw TONS of improvement.<br />
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<b>Why the new probiotic? </b><br />
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Just prior to starting the SBOs, Grayson had been going downhill, symptoms resembling his dark Clostridia-riddled days. It was slow, but it was mounting. He had begun to wake grumpy and irritable and this was quickly appearing to be the new norm, the OCD was trickling in and he had a new snort-tic, which we were trying to determine, if it had been related to the mold exposure he had at school (yeah, nice right? A topic for another day, we are now homeschooling). The symptoms were picking up speed and intensity. Gavin on the other hand, had become a handful long before this. Things had been going SO well, then suddenly we felt like we were hit by the pathogenic school bus from hell again. I was increasing their three-times-daily natural anti-microbials without success. Vague memories of Clostridia creeping back in, giving me nightmares!! So we started the biofilm program back up and included Lumbrokinase this time. It was going fairly well, but we were creeping back up the hill to better. It wasn't fast enough for me. I like to run when there is a hill on my horizon! <br />
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In my usual nightly research mode, I came across a probiotic that was similar to some mentioned in our FB groups here and there. I was intrigued, to say the least, because intertwined in the overgrowth madness, I felt like all I was doing was killing (the microbes, not the children). This seemed to spur massive oxalate dumps. Was it the chicken or the egg. Were the pathogens causing the oxalates to build up or was the oxalate dumping causing the PH shift enabling the overgrowth. Regardless, I needed to find out how to encourage the growth of the good guys. Maybe in this way, we could salvage the few oxalabactor formigenes (the specific bacteria solely responsible for degrading oxalates from the diet) we have left. Feed them, let them grow!! If we can't buy them and put them back into our intestinal terrain, we needed something to protect the ones we have left. I had personally begun to have oxalate dumps in this time period too, which had me seriously reconsidering the role of killing off microbes daily, even with the natural stuff, because this didn't start for me until I began the same regimen my kids were on. I never had problems with chocolate, nuts, or carrots before. But it wasn't long before I too was following in their footsteps. Anytime we are killing off massive amounts of anything, we should question what else could be impaired in the process. I knew it was the lesser of two evils at the time, but now I can say that I know differently. But how would we do this successfully with such overgrowth challenges in the picture?<br />
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<b>Jagged path to the finish line</b><br />
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As with anything else that sets our body straight, we experienced a healing crisis in the first weeks on the SBOs, plus to muddy the waters, we decided that giving the anti-microbials was counterproductive and would kill off these essential bacteria, so we stopped everything other than their supplements, camel milk, Lauricidin and nightly probiotics. While ramping-up the SBOs we had incredible challenges. There were days I was running toward the kitchen cabinet that holds our natural anti-microbials....running. My husband had to stop me! Thank goodness he had done as much research as I had done on the SBOs and believed in the science behind them. He was much stronger than I in the moments of question. As we foraged through the "symptoms" it began looking more like we were seeing a healing crisis, as defined <a href="http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/philo1.htm" target="_blank">here</a>. Here is a description of healing crisis from Shirley's Wellness Cafe -<br />
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<i><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"Healing Crisis: As with all true natural cure, the road to better health may begin with a healing crisis. As you move toward better health with natural healing programs and better nutrition, healing begins to occur. As part of the healing process the body will begin to discard toxic residues which have built up in your body over the years. The healing process usually does not occur without repercussions. During the initial phase of healing, as your body begins to clean house, (detoxify) and your vital energy begins to repair and rebuild internal organs, you may experience headache, uneasiness, flu like symptoms and fatigue. This is called a healing crisis. You may feel worse before you feel better. As you continue to improve, you may begin a process called retracing. For example, if you used to get skin rashes, the rashes may reappear or get worse for a period of time as your body eliminates toxins through the skin. You may also experience an initial increase in urination, or you may feel more nervous. In actuality, you are not getting worse, you are actually getting better. Eventually you will reach a plateau of better health. During the healing crisis, it is important to not suppress these temporary symptoms with drugs or the healing process may become interrupted."</span></i><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">and this</span><br />
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<i><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"One crisis is not always enough for a complete cure. The person in a chronic "locked" disease state will often have to go through cycles of healing crises, with each one improving the condition some. It has taken time to develop a chronically diseased state, and time is required to let go of the "locked" energy, piece by piece. It's like peeling the layers off an onion.<br />
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Often the crisis will come after one feels their very best and most energized, setting the stage for the elimination. The whole body gets into action. Most people feel an energy boost at the beginning until the toxins start dumping into the blood stream for elimination. Go as slowly as your body needs so your elimination is gradual and comfortable.<br />
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With a more serious condition, there may be many small crisis to go through before the system can become healthily balanced. Everything must be considered and given its proper place in the build-up to a healing crisis. One should expect it and work with the body, not resentfully against it.</span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">"</span></i><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b>What did our healing crisis look like? In this order...</b></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Better connections with both kids, but more-so with Gavin, including significant eye contact</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Spontaneous singing from Grayson (who is normally extremely shy when it comes to performing in any way)</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">More affection</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Grayson's snorting and Gavin's defiance significantly increased in frequency and intensity </span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Sensory defensiveness increased then fluctuated off and on for a few weeks</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Anger and irritability</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Both became clumsy, knocking things over, bumping into things and hurting themselves</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Disproportionate reactions to anything frustrating</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Yeast symptoms including: hyperactivity, mood swings, emotional liability, anxiety, sensory seeking and defensiveness</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Many bowel changes (I won't gross you out with the details)</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Repeated hiccup episodes, from both boys</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Familial awareness in Gavin that never existed before (ie - one night he wouldn't let me in the kitchen while he surprised me with cleaning off the entire kitchen table from dinner, he's only 3)</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Longer periods of the boys playing together</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gavin lost two chunks of hair from the scalp which is smooth where the hair was</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Lack of focus</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Explosive behaviors</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Pain in ears for both (severe, like ear infections) which only lasted a day for each</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Lethargy</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Incredibly fidgety</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Grayson began exhibiting tics we haven't seen in a while like head-tilting, jaw stretching and ear and head swatting</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">More irrational anger and hyperactivity</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gavin randomly experimenting with unknown foods and eating veggies</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">OCD in Grayson</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Increased cooperation with both boys listening to me without argument</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Increased hitting from Gavin</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Bedtime routine more streamlined, less frantic</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Sporadic sleep disturbances (not able to fall asleep, waking in the night, early waking)</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Moods becoming more consistently happy with less of the above intermittently</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Physical symptoms coming and going in Gavin: significant bloating, increased keratosis on arms, red spot like an inflammation under one eye, very dark circles under the eyes, broken blood vessels in one eye which increased when dose was increased, and eye pains for about a week</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Grayson's tummy remaining flatter than ever</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Increase in die-off symptoms appearing 45 minutes after dose, this increased to an hour and then it went away completely</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Still seeing disproportionate irritability in Gavin and randomly with Grayson</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Unsolicited report from school about Gavin having a "great day" and he's never really had a bad day</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Grayson's snorting decreasing after going through a clear runny nose that burned his nose and lips for days</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Increased cooperative play between the two boys</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Grayson's mood consistently improving, only appropriately proportionate moments of frustration which diffuse easily</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gavin's BMs still changing, but many great ones in between </span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gavin responding well to our requests</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Intermittent yeasty signs coming and going, but since adding in Allimax (liquid garlic) this has tapered off quite a bit</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Sensory defensiveness in both is gone</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Intermittent bloating as doses are increased for Gavin</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Old scar on Grayson's face fading, not as pink as before</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Still seeing some random die-off symptoms, but less frequently and shorter in duration</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gavin expressing himself more vocally and clearly</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">My requests are met with a simple, "ok" </span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Consistent happiness all day, in both</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Appropriate irritation for age of boys and tied to specific events</span></li>
<li><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Gavin's keratosis is slowly clearing up </span></li>
</ul>
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">So what does this mean exactly? </span>Well first I must say that we have gotten past many of the above symptoms. Considering we've spent <i>over a month with our children <b>off of anti-microbials completely </b>and we've seen <b>incredible improvements</b></i> says a lot more than my words can ever spell out here.<br />
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<b>** UPDATE - To see our OAT results after a month and a half on these probiotics (with NO antimicrobials or antibiotics), click <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2012/03/and-results-are-indrumroll-please.html" target="_blank">here</a>. </b><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"> </span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">Now I would like to share some links with you about SBOs.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a href="http://users.penn.com/~rarearts/soilbasedorganisims.htm" target="_blank">Soil-based organisms and immune function </a></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a href="http://www.vitalityherbsandclay.com/vital-health-newsletter-archives/22-ways-soil-based-organisms-build-dynamic-health.html" target="_blank">22 Ways soil-based organisms build dynamic health</a></span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><a href="http://rothschildonprobiotics.com/index.html" target="_blank">Collective writings of SBO probiotics by Dr. Rosthschild</a></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9zRo9xXfvk/T0OpsGZfXtI/AAAAAAAAAVI/0NCglwZsYug/s1600/mudpie4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_9zRo9xXfvk/T0OpsGZfXtI/AAAAAAAAAVI/0NCglwZsYug/s200/mudpie4.jpg" width="168" /></a><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">I've chosen a particular brand (Body Biotics), because of it's pure ingredients. There are only a handful out there to begin with, but many are made with maltodextrin (made from corn and I would guess probably GMO), and contain traces of soy and dairy. Some contain ingredients like chlorella and spirulina which are unsafe for mercury toxic people. Body Biotics is the brand that Jordan Rubin used to heal himself from death's door, when Crohn's Disease had taken the best of him. He went on to create his own product, but Body Biotics remains to be the purest formula my research has found. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">My husband and I have also been using this product with great success. In fact, it's recommended that all members of the family at least use a maintenance dose since pathogens are shared and will just pass back and forth, reinfecting each other. I am also off all of my anti-microbials!! =)</span><br />
<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><br /></span><span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b><u>**UPDATE September 14, 2018</u></b> - I have since found a probiotic that we like even better than the Body Biotics. You are free to try whichever brand resonates with you, of course, but if you have a child with potential histamine issues, Body Biotics will aggravate things, even though they bring healing, as well. We have been using flourish by Entegro which is never frozen, freeze dried or powdered. This probiotic is also a consortium like Body Biotics and it contains soil based organisms, but the kicker with this one is that it doesn't contain any histamine. When I contacted the developer, Jarod Work, to ask about histamine, he informed me that they had third party lab testing done to confirm that there are no detectible histamines in this probiotic! This was quite evident to us when for the first time, we were able to give a probiotic without ANY negative effects. We went slow with the introduction, because historically, my kids have always reacted to probiotics (as many kids on the spectrum do) and I have since learned that this may be related to histamine. They don't tolerate fermented foods well either. My husband and I began to notice subtle changes that were happening pretty early on. We saw this immediate calm come over both boys, their edge was gone!! They weren't fighting and bickering constantly like they had in the past. Their hyperactivity calmed significantly and even more impressive was the focus and maturity that we witnessed as we began to increase the dose to the recommended dose. I was so impressed with this probiotic that I have decided to become a consultant for the company (it's free to sign up as a consultant, btw!). You can <a href="https://jessica.entegrohealth.com/" target="_blank">find these amazing probiotics here</a>. You can <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/2223899671269220/?fb_dtsg_ag=AdyTwfBh6emH67oHz-R55c6TYD7F2r-6WriZP2UPQRXlCw%3AAdzDLxO6Fd-AU-OGyhyi34WaG5QL4nfz3WeooAGzLR9DJA" target="_blank">click on this link</a> to join my Facebook group to learn more, as well as hearing about special promotions that they run frequently.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text"><b><u>**UPDATE January 2019</u></b> - Since having conducted a handful of UBiome tests on myself, I have discovered that the only probiotics to sway health from an overall perspective, is flourish! My testing spanned the timeframe from June 2017 to January 2019 (so far, as I have another in the pipeline, pun intended!). In that time, I methodically changed things to see how the testing would respond. Three tests were conducted while taking various probiotics and my test in May of 2018 even had me taking 4-5 SBO capsules, Seeking Health histamine blocker probiotics AND a prescription strength Oxalabacter Formigenes probiotic! The only testing that shows improvements in my bowel disease ratios and bacterial diversity are the tests post-flourish and it began within just months of taking flourish.</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">This test is from three months before starting flourish. You can see that my gut condition was souring into the red zone! This meant my microbiome was prone to bowel disease and at the time, I was having some abdominal pain randomly, especially after eating. My stools were inconsistent too. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">This test was conducted less than 2 months after starting flourish and you can see the incredible improvements already documented! I had dropped all the other probiotics I was taking and had started dosing flourish slowly so for the first month I wasn't even at a full dose!</span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">And here we have GREEN! Two of the markers are in the green! Under 5 months on flourish. </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">June of 2017 levels of Akkermansia </span><br />
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<span class="commentBody" data-jsid="text">January 2019 levels of Akkermansia!</span><br />
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We can all use a little GABA. My mood has been incredibly consistent since starting flourish. I can be a better parent now that I don't explode over every little thing!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Did you know that probiotics </b><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>produce nutrients</b> that are absorbed in the colon which effects systemic vitamin levels, as opposed to supplemental vitamins which are absorbed in the proximal part of our small intestine? It has been proven that probiotics produce a huge number of vitamins, such as:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So perhaps the need for B-vitamin supplementation is really a call for proper probiotic colonization. The importance of B-vitamins in our health can’t be overstated – they activate our genetic pathways, produce energy, enhance detoxification and allow our cells to survive.</span><br />
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<li class="_2cuy _509q _2vxa" style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px auto 12px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">milk</span></li>
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<li class="_2cuy _509q _2vxa" style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px auto 12px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">phytonutrients</span></li>
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<ul class="_5a_q _5yj1" dir="ltr" style="box-sizing: border-box; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px auto 32px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 14px; width: 676px;">
<li class="_2cuy _509q _2vxa" style="box-sizing: border-box; direction: ltr; list-style-type: disc; margin: 0px auto 12px; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap; width: auto; word-wrap: break-word;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">cholesterol</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">A tablespoon a day can keep the doctor away (wink)</span><br />
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My probiotic levels only reached "moderate" after starting flourish!</span><br />
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To read more about flourish - <a href="https://jessica.entegrohealth.com/">https://jessica.entegrohealth.com</a><br />
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To join my Facebook group where I post a lot of studies and members share their experiences - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsflourishjessica/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/letsflourishjessica/</a><br />
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Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-80012635913817488482011-12-17T20:52:00.005-05:002011-12-18T08:26:40.756-05:00Mercury, mercury, where art thou mercury?I can't even count how many times people have said to me, "Where would your children get mercury poisoning??" Most people don't realize they encounter this nasty heavy metal every day. You don't need to have silver fillings to be toxic, although, if you do, it's likely you ARE toxic.<br />
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The reason we are accumulating these toxins is, because of an inability to detox naturally. There are many systems associated with our ability to detox, from the liver to hormones and even nutritional status. Our bodies are like fine-tuned engines, we require a specific form of "fuel" to function optimally. When any of these pieces are out of place, the strain on the body is great. If we can't detox, not only do the toxins pile up causing increased symptoms, but the ability to detox is continuously reduced in the process. The snow ball just keeps growing and growing. <br />
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So where can we find mercury?<br />
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<b>-</b><b>High efficiency light bulbs</b> - supposedly "green".....green my ass! Imagine what would happen, if everyone is MANDATED to use these and they end up in landfills daily. What then? You think the autism rates are high now, just wait! Mark my words. Thank goodness, that has currently been overturned. Break one of these suckers and you have just reproduced a mini hazardous waste site in your home. And did you know there is actually a procedure on how to handle it? I bet you never looked that up, just in case your battery breaks. No one <i>plans</i> on breaking a bulb, that is why it is called an accident! Here are the <a href="http://www.epa.gov/cfl/cflcleanup.html" target="_blank">EPA's guidelines</a>, notice they downplay the situation a bit, but still bring attention to the fact that there IS a way to do it, as well as a way NOT to do it! Hello, safety issue?!<br />
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<b>-</b><b>Lighting and Electrical Applications</b> - Fluorescent lamps are commonly found in garages and home workshop areas, they buzz and crackle when you turn them on, lol. Spent lamps must be managed properly, because they contain mercury. A number of communities have begun to collect lamps from residents (not mine) and from their municipal buildings. Careful handling and storage is essential so that mercury is not released via breakage. If you do break one, refer to the link above for the EPA clean-up guidelines.<br />
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<b>-</b><b>Batteries</b> - The best thing I can do for this topic is provide <a href="http://newmoa.org/prevention/mercury/imerc/factsheets/batteries.cfm" target="_blank">this link</a> which goes into great detail about the types of mercury in batteries (with specifics) and which companies are phasing mercury out of their batteries. There aren't enough companies on that list, as far as I am concerned! The issue here isn't just related to exposure to the batteries themselves, but the production of them. How many families are effected by the factory jobs related to making them? What is this mercury doing to our environment? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out.<br />
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<b>-Fish/seafood</b> - There used to be fish that were deemed safe, now there are fish that are "safer"....get that distinction? They used to say that you should just avoid the big fish, like Tuna, but now, eat too much fish, period, and you will have a mercury problem, guaranteed. Just ask Jeremy Pivens who was eating a lot of Sushi (high grade fish) and became toxic enough that he required chelation therapy! See his story <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/07/watch_jeremy_piven_explain_the.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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Good news to my ears is that Maine lobsters remain to be the lowest in mercury, yippee for our trips to Maine every year. That is one luxury I am not yet willing to give up for myself or our kids. It's a tradition and it's YUMMY....heck, it's only once a year and it's a perfect match for our ghee (clarified butter, which is normally used in restaurants for lobster and is also casein-free)!<br />
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<b>-</b><a href="http://www.naturalnews.com/011764.html" target="_blank"><b>Vaccines</b></a> - ok, so this requires it's own book completely, which is why there are many out there, but what I would like to say on this topic is that independent studies have confirmed that there are still vaccinations made with mercury and even though they are not necessarily listed on the ingredients like they are with the more obvious flu and Hep B vaccines. In order for mercury to make it to a label, there has to be over a certain amount. When mercury is used in the production of a vaccination (and most are) they remove it afterwards, leaving traces behind, low enough that they don't required label identification. This was taken directly from the FDA website:<br />
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<i>FDA is continuing its efforts toward reducing or removing thimerosal from all existing vaccines. Much progress has been made to date. FDA has been actively working with manufacturers, particularly those that manufacture childhood vaccines, to reach the goal of eliminating thimerosal from vaccines, and has been collaborating with other PHS agencies to further evaluate the potential health effects of thimerosal. In this regard, <b>all vaccines routinely recommended for children 6 years of age or younger and marketed in the U.S. contain no thimerosal or only trace amounts (1 microgram or less mercury per dose)</b>, with the exception of inactivated influenza vaccine, which was first recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices in 2004 for routine use in children 6 to 23 months of age.</i><br />
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Then they go and add a nice dose of aluminum to that very vaccine, now you have a recipe for disaster, literally. Are you worried yet? If not, you should be! Mixing aluminum and mercury is a biohazard occurring right in your body (or the body of your innocent and very small child, or both, if you are pregnant). Mercury levels above 58 micrograms (mcg), millionths of a gram, are associated with neurodevelopmental effects in the fetus, the CDC report states. Did you know that flu shots still contain 24-25mcg/.5mL? This is reported by the Institute for Vaccine Safety. What I find interesting is that you will never find both of these pieces of information on either of their sites, together. Gee, I wonder why.<br />
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Again, taken right from the FDA<br />
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<i>As a vaccine preservative, thimerosal is used in concentrations of 0.003% to 0.01%. A vaccine containing 0.01% thimerosal as a preservative contains 50 micrograms of thimerosal per 0.5 ml dose or approximately 25 micrograms of mercury per 0.5 mL dose. The use of mercury-containing preservatives in vaccines has declined markedly since 1999.</i> <br />
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DECLINED....not removed entirely. <br />
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<b>-</b><b>Amalgam fillings</b> - My favorite mercury topic, by far.....50% mercury, by weight. Did your dentist tell you that before he filled all those pretty white teeth with the only insurance-approved metal? Probably not, in fact, even when asked now, many dentists won't even acknowledge the question, or they shrug it off with a callused, "it isn't enough to harm you". Oh, and one I really like, "<i>It's the same as eating a can of tuna fish</i>". Yeah, maybe if it was organic and that doesn't even matter, because both are dangerous to your health, so what do you think is happening as each one of your fillings off-gas mercury vapors day in and day out, maybe more like eating a can of tuna fish every hour!! Check out <a href="http://www.iaomt.org/patients/video.asp" target="_blank">"Smoking Teeth"</a> from the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology and learn exactly how much mercury is releasing from just one filling all day, then multiply that by the number of fillings you are lucky enough to have. Serious exposure there! Mercury DOES cross the placenta and travel through breast milk then to add insult to injury, we pass down <i>three generations</i> of heavy metals adding each of our own toxicities to the mix, get the picture yet? THEN, take a look at the symptoms of mercury toxicity and put them beside the symptoms of autism, better yet, just get out a mirror, because, surprise, surprise - they are the same. The cascade of health deterioration with mercury involved is very real and it makes other illnesses much more severe, such as parasitic infections, Lyme Disease, and mold toxicity. I bet if any Lyme patient was looked at a bit more closely, you would find mercury toxicity. For many of these autoimmune diseases, they are just the tip of the iceberg.... <br />
<b>MERCURY POISONING AUTISM </b><br />
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</h5></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Psychiatric </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Social deficits, shyness, social withdrawal </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Social deficits, social withdrawal, shyness </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Disturbances </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Depression, mood swings; mask face </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Depressive traits, mood swings; flat affect </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Anxiety </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Anxiety </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Schizoid tendencies, OCD traits </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Schizophrenic & OCD traits; repetitiveness </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Lacks eye contact, hesitant to engage others </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Lack of eye contact, avoids conversation </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Irrational fears </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Irrational fears </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Irritability, aggression, temper tantrums </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Impaired face recognition </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Impaired face recognition </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Speech, </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Loss of speech, failure to develop speech </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Delayed language, failure to develop speech </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Language & </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Dysarthria; articulation problems </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Dysarthria; articulation problems </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Hearing </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Speech comprehension deficits </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Speech comprehension deficits </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Deficits </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Verbalizing & word retrieval problems </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Echolalia; word use & pragmatic errors </b> </span></td> </tr>
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<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Hearing loss; deafness in very high doses </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Mild to profound hearing loss </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor performance on language IQ tests </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor performance on verbal IQ tests </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Sensory </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal sensation in mouth & extremities </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal sensation in mouth & extremities </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormalities </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Sound sensitivity </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Sound sensitivity </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal touch sensations; touch aversion </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Vestibular abnormalities </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Vestibular abnormalities </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Motor Disorders </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Involuntary jerking movements - arm flapping, ankle jerks, myoclonal jerks, choreiform movements, circling, rocking </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Stereotyped movements - arm flapping, jumping, circling, spinning, rocking; myoclonal jerks; choreiform movements </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Deficits in eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; intention tremors </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor eye-hand coordination; limb apraxia; problems with intentional movements </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Gait impairment; ataxia – from incoordination & clumsiness to inability to walk, stand, or sit; loss of motor control </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal gait and posture, clumsiness and incoordination; difficulties sitting, lying, crawling, and walking </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Difficulty in chewing or swallowing </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Difficulty chewing or swallowing </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Unusual postures </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Unusual postures </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Cognitive Impairments </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - some cases reversible </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Borderline intelligence, mental retardation - sometimes "recovered" </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor concentration, attention, response inhibition </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor concentration, attention, shifting attention </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Uneven performance on IQ subtests </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Uneven performance on IQ subtests </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Verbal IQ higher than performance IQ </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor short term, verbal, & auditory memory </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor short term, auditory & verbal memory </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, impairment in simple reaction time </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor visual and perceptual motor skills, lower performance on timed tests </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Difficulty carrying out complex commands </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Difficulty carrying out multiple commands </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Alexia (inability to comprehend the meaning of written words) </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Hyperlexia (ability to decode words while lacking word comprehension) </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Deficits in understanding abstract ideas & symbolism; degeneration of higher mental powers </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Deficits in abstract thinking & symbolism, understanding other’s mental states, sequencing, planning & organizing </b> </span></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">(ii) </span></div><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; margin-left: -8.1pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 10pt;"><b><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" /> </b> </span> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Unusual </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Stereotyped sniffing (rats) </b> </span></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Stereotyped, repetitive behaviors </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Behaviors </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>ADHD traits </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>ADHD traits </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Agitation, unprovoked crying, grimacing, staring spells </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Sleep difficulties </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Sleep difficulties </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Eating disorders, feeding problems </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Eating disorders, feeding problems </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Self injurious behavior, e.g. head banging </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Visual </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor eye contact, impaired visual fixation </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Poor eye contact, problems in joint attention </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Impairments </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>“Visual impairments,” blindness, near-sightedness, decreased visual acuity </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>“Visual impairments”; inaccurate/slow saccades; decreased rod functioning </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Light sensitivity, photophobia </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Over-sensitivity to light </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Blurred or hazy vision </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Blurred vision </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Constricted visual fields </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Not described </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Physical Disturbances </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Increase in cerebral palsy; hyper- or hypo-tonia; abnormal reflexes; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing, swallowing, salivating </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Increase in cerebral palsy; hyper- or hypotonia; decreased muscle strength, especially upper body; incontinence; problems chewing and swallowing </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Rashes, dermatitis/dry skin, itching; burning </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Rashes, dermatitis, eczema, itching </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Autonomic disturbance: excessive sweating, poor circulation, elevated heart rate </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Autonomic disturbance: unusual sweating, poor circulation, elevated heart rate </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Gastro-intestinal </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Gastroenteritis, diarrhea; abdominal pain, constipation, “colitis” </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Diarrhea, constipation, gaseousness, abdominal discomfort, colitis </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Disturbances </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Anorexia, weight loss, nausea, poor appetite </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Anorexia; feeding problems/vomiting </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Lesions of ileum & colon; increases gut permeability </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Leaky gut syndrome </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Inhibits dipeptidyl peptidase IV, which cleaves casomorphin </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Inadequate endopeptidase enzymes needed for breakdown of casein & gluten </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal Biochemistry </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Ties up -SH groups; blocks sulfate transporter in intestines, kidneys </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Low sulfate levels </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Has special affinity for purines & pyrimidines </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Purine & pyrimidine metabolism errors lead to autistic features </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Reduces availability of glutathione, needed in cells & liver to detoxify heavy metals </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Low levels of glutathione; decreased ability of liver to detoxify heavy metals </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes significant reduction in glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal glutathione peroxidase activities in erythrocytes </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Disrupts mitochondrial activities, especially in brain </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Mitochondrial dysfunction, especially in brain </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 8pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Immune Dysfunction </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Sensitivity due to allergic or autoimmune reactions; sensitive individuals more likely to have allergies, asthma, autoimmune-like symptoms, especially rheumatoid-like ones </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>More likely to have allergies and asthma; familial presence of autoimmune diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis; IgA deficiencies </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Can produce an immune response in CNS </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>On-going immune response in CNS </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes brain/MBP autoantibodies </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Brain/MBP autoantibodies present </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes overproduction of Th2 subset; kills/inhibits lymphocytes, T-cells, and monocytes; decreases NK T-cell activity; induces or suppresses IFNg & IL-2 </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Skewed immune-cell subset in the Th2 direction; decreased responses to T-cell mitogens; reduced NK T-cell function; increased IFNg & IL-12 </b> </span></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; margin-left: -8.1pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; mso-table-layout-alt: fixed;"><tbody>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>CNS Structural Pathology </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Selectively targets brain areas unable to detoxify or reduce Hg-induced oxidative stress </b> </span></td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Specific areas of brain pathology; many functions spared </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Damage to Purkinje and granular cells </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Damage to Purkinje and granular cells </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Accummulates in amygdala and hippocampus </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Pathology in amygdala and hippocampus </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes abnormal neuronal cytoarchitecture; disrupts neuronal migration & cell division; reduces NCAMs </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Neuronal disorganization; increased neuronal cell replication, increased glial cells; depressed expression of NCAMs </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Progressive microcephaly </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Progressive microcephaly and macrocephaly </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Brain stem defects in some cases </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Brain stem defects in some cases </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormalities in Neuro-chemistry </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Prevents presynaptic serotonin release & inhibits serotonin transport; causes calcium disruptions </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Decreased serotonin synthesis in children; abnormal calcium metabolism </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Alters dopamine systems; peroxidine deficiency in rats resembles mercurialism in humans </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Possibly high or low dopamine levels; positive response to peroxidine (lowers dopamine levels) </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Elevates epinephrine & norepinephrine levels by blocking enzyme that degrades epinephrine </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Elevated norepinephrine and epinephrine </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Elevates glutamate </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Elevated glutamate and aspartate </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Leads to cortical acetylcholine deficiency; increases muscarinic receptor density in hippocampus & cerebellum </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Cortical acetylcholine deficiency; reduced muscarinic receptor binding in hippocampus </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes demyelating neuropathy </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Demyelation in brain </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>EEG Abnormalities/ </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes abnormal EEGs, epileptiform activity </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Abnormal EEGs, epileptiform activity </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Epilepsy </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes seizures, convulsions </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Seizures; epilepsy </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Causes subtle, low amplitude seizure activity </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Subtle, low amplitude seizure activities </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></b></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-bottom: none; border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border-right: none; border-top: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Population </b> </span></i></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Effects more males than females </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Male:female ratio estimated at 4:1 </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b><i style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Characteristics</i><i> </i></b> </span></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>At low doses, only affects those genetically susceptible </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>High heritability - concordance for MZ twins is 90% </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>First added to childhood vaccines in 1930s </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>First "discovered" among children born in 1930s </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-left: solid windowtext .75pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <i><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></i></b></td> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Exposure levels steadily increased since 1930s with rate of vaccination, number of vaccines </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Prevalence of autism has steadily increased from 1 in 2000 (1940s) to 1 in 500 (1990s) </b> </span></td> </tr>
<tr> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><b> <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><i> </i><i style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> </i><i> </i> </span></b></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Exposure occurs at 0 - 15 months; clinical silent stage means symptom emergence delayed; symptoms emerge gradually, starting with movement & sensation </b> </span></td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext .75pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext .75pt; border-top: none; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .75pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 193.5pt;" valign="top" width="258"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><b>Symptoms emerge from 4 months to 2 years old; symptoms emerge gradually, starting with movement & sensation</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
If that doesn't convince you, I honestly don't know what will. Thanks to <a href="http://www.heart-disease-bypass-surgery.com/data/articles/44.htm" target="_blank">ARC research</a> for this comprehensive list!<br />
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<b>-Pesticides</b> - Organochlorine pesticides like Aldrin and Endrin and Dieldrin, used in the United States for decades, were mostly eliminated from use in the late 1980s according to Dr. Gerberding. So this should make us feel better about pesticides, right? Well, what about this little tidbit of information?<br />
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<i>Mercury is only removed from the biosphere when it reaches sediments deep under the oceans or when it is immobilized in controlled landfills. This implies that, even as we gradually eliminate mercury releases from human activity, levels in the environment will take several decades or longer to go back down.</i> <br />
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<b>-Pharmaceuticals</b> - Mercury can be found in some topical disinfectants, like Mercurochrome, Tincture of Merthiolate and older medications for psoriasis and eczema. It is also found in some over-the-counter nasal sprays (yum), hemorrhoidal ointments (child birth anyone?) and eye and contact lens products (ouch). Be sure to read labels!<br />
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<b>-</b><b>Major appliances</b> - Mercury-containing thermostat probes can be found in several types of gas-fired appliances that have pilot lights, including ranges, ovens, clothes dryers, water heaters, furnaces and space heaters. That little metal probe you've probably noticed in the back of your oven consists of a metal bulb and thin tube attached to a gas-control valve. Also known as a flame sensor or gas safety valve, it prevents gas flow if the pilot light is not lit. Although non-mercury thermostat probes are also used in these appliances, treat all probes as though they contain mercury, unless you know that they do not. If you decide to trash your stove, the probe should be removed and stored in a covered container until it can be taken to a consolidation site.<br />
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<b>-</b><b>Thermometers</b> (fever, candy, deep fry, oven, indoor and outdoor with a silvery temperature indicator) - Thermometers are one of the largest sources of mercury discarded in municipal solid waste. Many communities, including Boston, are now banning the sale of mercury fever thermometers and offering exchanges by giving out mercury-free alternatives such as digital thermometers. Health Care Without Harm has produced a resource guide entitled “How to Plan and Hold a Mercury Thermometer Exchange.” To obtain a copy, go to <a href="http://www.noharm.org/" target="_blank">Health Care Without Harm</a>.<br />
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Important - If you break a thermometer, do not vacuum the mercury up, this will spread it throughout the house. Instead, put on <i>rubber or disposable gloves</i> (not leather work gloves!) and scoop up the silvery liquid with an appropriate utensil. Handle the liquid very carefully and capture it in a firm container with a tight cover. This container should not be reused. Contact your local board of health for additional suggestions on collection and disposal. The collected mercury should be recycled whenever possible.<br />
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<b>-Barometers and Manometer</b> - Many barometers and vacuum gauges found in machinery contain mercury. Liquid mercury in the gauges responds to air pressure in a precise way that can be read on a calibrated scale. Mercury-free alternatives are available.<br />
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<b>-Thermostats</b> - Mercury-containing tilt switches have been used in thermostats for more than 40 years. Each switch contains approximately <i>3 grams of mercury</i>. Electronic thermostats provide many enhanced features and are mercury-free. The manufacturers of thermostats have established a take back program. For information contact the Thermostat Recycling Corporation at 1-800-238-8192.<br />
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<b>-</b><b>Coal and cement plants nearby? </b>- They pollute the air, what more do you need to know? In all seriousness, mercury exists naturally in coal, making coal-fired power plants the <i> largest</i> source of mercury pollution in this country. Coal accounts for nearly 50% of the electricity generated in this country—and almost 50 tons of mercury emissions annually. According to the nonprofit law firm Earthjustice, all the cement kilns in the U.S. combined pump out roughly 23,000 pounds of mercury every year. The mercury comes from coal, which is used to fuel the cement-manufacturing process, as well as limestone, another natural source of the heavy metal. The group released a report last July finding that, individually, some cement kilns emit nearly one and a half times more mercury than the most polluting coal-fired power plants. But because there are fewer kilns, they account for lower levels of atmospheric mercury overall than coal plants.<br />
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<b>-</b><b>Fossil fuel, and to a lesser extent, gas and oil</b> - I bet you didn't even realize that even electricity releases mercury?! The EPA reported that U.S. electric utilities released 48 tons of mercury in 1999, the latest year data is available. More from the EPA:<br />
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<i>Mercury is a trace component of all fossil fuels, including natural gas, gas condensates, crude oil, coal, tar sands, and other bitumens. The use of fossil hydrocarbons as fuels provides the main opportunity for releasing emissions of the mercury they contain into the atmospheric environment, but other avenues also exist in production, transportation, and processing systems. These other avenues may provide mercury directly to air, water, or solid waste streams. </i><br />
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<b>-Chlor-alkali plants</b> - Per Rodale, Chlorine bleach, laundry detergent, cheap vinyl purses, shoes, and toys made with polyvinyl chloride (or PVC)—making all these products required the use of chlorine gas at some point. The chlor-alkali plants that produce it use mercury to convert salt to chlorine gas, and to convert salt to caustic soda, or lye, which is then used in products like detergent, plastics, and bleach. The nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) says that while most modern chlor-alkali plants have switched to mercury-free technology, there are still seven plants in the U.S. that use it, and each one has roughly 200 tons of mercury on site at any given time. An unknown amount of that mercury gets lost during manufacturing, whether to the air or surrounding waterways; a 2006 report from NRDC found that operators at four of these plants could account for only 29 of the 159 tons of the mercury they used from 2000 to 2004. (As Rodale.com reported <a href="http://www.rodale.com/mercury-and-high-fructose-corn-syrup">earlier this year</a>, some of those plants also make the ubiquitous food ingredient high-fructose corn syrup, and may be tainting food products with mercury.) Avoid chlorine-containing products like chlorine bleach, as well as anything made from polyvinyl chloride, including cheap handbags and shower curtains. Also look for chlorine-free paper products; paper production is the sixth largest mercury emitter in this country. Buy unbleached paper towels, coffee filters, and office paper. For the latter, look for the “Totally Chlorine Free” or “Processed Chlorine Free” labels on the package.<br />
<br />
If you want to know how all of the plastics in your car measure up in toxicity, check <a href="http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/cars/product.bestworstcars.php" target="_blank">this</a> out! <br />
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<b>-</b><b>High fructose corn syrup (HFCS)</b> which effects condiments like ketchup and BBQ sauces, it's in baby foods and pretty much any sweetened non-organic, pre-packaged food, unless otherwise advertised. Heinz has actually just created a HFCS-free ketchup, yeay Heinz! Still not organic, but it's a step in the right direction. <br />
<br />
<b>-Trash incinerators</b> - Hazardous waste, medical waste, and regular garbage incinerators release 13.1 tons (or about 26,000 pounds) of mercury every year, according to statistics from the EPA. The mercury comes from all of the common household items listed above, such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and thermostats, and from automobile scrap. <br />
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And remember, it's is not just mercury we have to worry about, there are other dangerous metals out there like <a href="http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/01/27/mercury-in-vaccines-was-replaced-with-something-even-more-toxic.aspx" target="_blank">aluminum in vaccines,</a> <a href="http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/12_07_2011.php" target="_blank">arsenic in the air we breath</a>, <a href="http://www.healthystuff.org/departments/toys/" target="_blank">cadmium and lead in toys</a>, cars, many plastics and the topic of GMOs requires it's own blog entry.<br />
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Please note that this list is not even all-inclusive.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-21668896093361247742011-12-13T15:02:00.000-05:002011-12-13T15:02:22.642-05:00Bringing biofilm backWe've used the <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2009/11/biofilm.html" target="_blank">biofilm protocol</a> in the past with Grayson. It was the only thing that pulled us out of the trenches when his OCD, anger/aggression and tics were out of control. We had tried antibiotics twice, long courses pulsed, for his Clostridia, e.coli and strep, to no avail. It never failed, his symptoms always returned within 6-8 weeks. Biofilm to the rescue!! No more antibiotics for this household! His last stool test was clean as a whistle! Only good bacteria to show for, yeah baby!!<br />
<br />
Grayson is currently in managed recovery with no more of the above symptoms. They are GONE! We know we still have a long healing path ahead of us, because he can't sustain without the supplements and antimicrobials, and he regresses slightly when he is sick or maybe he's just like the rest of us when we are sick, impatient, cranky and tired. A child doesn't have the filter to control what they think so it comes across as lack of control when it may just be normal sickness response, FINALLY!! There was a time when he never got sick, hypo-immunity)<br />
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I bet you are wondering why we would need to bring the biofilm protocol back then. Well, it's not for Grayson, it's actually for Gavin! He has been catching cold after cold since before Thanksgiving. When he is sick, he is completely unbearable to manage. He has never been a sensory kid like Grayson, but when he's sick, his clothes bother him, sleeves and socks, his coat bothers his sleeves (figure that one out) and even food textures become an issue suddenly. His mood is volatile constantly, he looses speech only screaming and yelling for communication. He is irritated 24/7!! He has had bloating and the red anal ring the entire time he's been sick as well. I tried increasing his antimicrobials with no success.<br />
<br />
Then it dawned on me....<a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2009/11/biofilm.html" target="_blank">BIOFILM</a>! If it worked so well with Grayson, it should also work with Gavin now. I only started it a few days ago and the results are astounding!! It's bringing back so many memories from using it with Grayson, but it's working SO much faster! He immediately began having army green BMs which is always a sign of bacteria die off, yippee!! A few of them even had mucus with them, which we never see. The red anal ring is gone, just like that!<br />
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It's like we flipped a switch on in his brain! He is speaking in full, thorough sentences, including following through with conversations. He listens, responds (even uses "yes" instead of "yeah" or "I did" or "I didn't" instead of just "yes" or "no") and carries through to the end of the conversation calmly and appropriately!! He is using manners on his own, he is cleaning up messes without being forced, he even played in his room alone for over an hour this morning, reading books and playing with trains. His belly is down, he's patient and cooperative, and best of all, he is HAPPY again!! Nothing makes me happier!<br />
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Today he did puzzles of the Unite States, puzzles he has never even seen before, very hard puzzles with a lot of small pieces. At first glance, he immediately noticed that a piece of the puzzle (a state) was MISSING from the pieces laid out in front of him. He pointed to the puzzle board and said, "This one isn't here". Unbelievable!! He is absolutely amazing me right now. To go from the things we were seeing just days ago, to this, it's clear that the biofilm protocol (with the addition of <a href="http://lauricidin.com/" target="_blank">Lauricidin</a> to his natural antimicrobials) is solely responsible, because nothing else has changed and he is even still sick with congestion and a runny nose. <br />
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There are times when we need to go back to basics and for us, that means reinstating protocols we have used successfully, in the past. Since we have used this with Gavin in the past, as well (when he was MUCH younger) I expect it will work it's magic faster this time around, with lasting results hopefully. All I know is that I will take what I can get, the vacation from the screaming alone is enough to keep me smiling, today anyway. =)<br />
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</span></h6>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-12627756860435402562011-12-10T10:10:00.000-05:002011-12-10T10:10:57.117-05:00Camel milk in the spotlightThis is an informative and entertaining video from TEDx NHH with Sebastian Lindstrom who works with The What Took You So Long Foundation. He shares bits and pieces of their movie (you will even see Grayson and our Facebook page mentioned), while narrating the experiences of their journey through dozens of countries filming about camel milk. This is a world wide initiative that is taking place. We are blessed to be gaining from this momentum. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Vnn0yyohsfE?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-37329432306932471102011-12-04T20:37:00.008-05:002011-12-12T12:12:42.127-05:00Pharmaceutical minefieldBe careful what you wish for.<br />
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We want doctors to listen, we crave guidance from the very souls who inject our children with poison and send them reeling in toxic blood baths. Why the bittersweet battle? In one word - MONEY! We want our children to benefit from our costly health insurance and rightfully so!! Who wouldn't want their health issues addressed by their doctors and covered by their insurance?!<br />
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Be careful what you wish for.<br />
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What happens when mainstream doctors finally DO acknowledge that our children are walking medical books rather than genetically neurological head cases? Are we really ready for that?<br />
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Cha-ching!<br />
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This is already in the process of happening, so we KNOW what will transpire the minute doctors realize they can cash in on "curing" autism symptoms. Notice I said curing symptoms? Mainstream medicine is a pharmaceutical conundrum, the proverbial symptom band-aid, if you will.<br />
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Take PANDAS for example. PANDAS stands for <i>Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated with Streptococcus</i>. Let's thank <a href="http://www.adhd.com.au/PANDAS.htm">ADHD.com</a> for this detailed description of the 5 diagnostic criteria for the diagnosis of PANDAS below.<br />
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<i><b>What are the diagnostic criteria for PANDAS?</b> <br />
<span class="style6">Pandas is diagnosed if there is an episodic history of the following symptoms associated with strep infections.</span></i><br />
<div><ul><li><i>Presence of Obsessive-compulsive disorder and/or a tic disorder, ADHD symptoms or oppositional behaviors </i></li>
<li><i>Association with neurological abnormalities (motor hyperactivity, or adventitious movements, such as choreiform movements)</i></li>
<li><i>Pediatric onset of symptoms (age 3 years to puberty)<br />
Episodic course of symptom severity. (symptoms come and go)</i></li>
<li><i>Association with group A Beta-hemolytic streptococcal infection (GABHS)</i></li>
<li><i>GABHS evidenced by either a positive throat culture for strep or positive for streptococcus serology (ASOT or AntiDNAse-B)</i></li>
<li><i>A history of Scarlet Fever or Rheumatic fever</i></li>
</ul><i><b>What is an episodic course of symptoms?</b></i></div><i> Children with PANDAS seem to have dramatic ups and downs in their OCD and/or tic severity. Tics or OCD which are almost always present at a relatively consistent level do not represent an episodic course. Many children with OCD or tics have good days and bad days, or even good weeks and bad weeks. However, patients with PANDAS have a very sudden onset or worsening of their symptoms, followed by a slow, gradual improvement. If they get another strep. infection, their symptoms suddenly worsen again. The increased symptom severity usually persists for at least several weeks, but may last for several months or longer. The tics or OCD then seem to gradually fade away, and the children often enjoy a few weeks or several months without problems. When they have another strep. throat infection the tics or OCD or associated behaviors return just as suddenly and dramatically as they did previously.</i><br />
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It is quickly gaining popularity with mainstream doctors. And what is their treatment for it, you ask? Well, medication, of course....pharmaceuticals. One of the worst things you can do to a child with an autoimmune disorder such as autism is prescribe them antibiotics, it messes with their already dysfunctional immune system. It tears down the already lacking terrain of their gut and it messes with their ability to fight off ANYTHING, let alone the nasty strep infections. In fact, one of the reasons people have problems with oxalates, is because antibiotics kill the oxalobacter formigenes bacteria and there is no known way to replenish it, via probiotics. <br />
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And when parents become desperate, because antibiotics no longer work (the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics and they build a matrix of biofilm to protect themselves) they are instructed that the only next step for them is a treatment called IVIG where blood plasma with protective antibodies is provided via a blood transfusion. Sounds ideal, doesn't it....a quick fix?! One IVIG treatment requires upwards of 10,000 donors!! Knowing what I know about illnesses like Lyme Disease, you couldn't pay ME to have this done with my kids. I don't want someone else's undiagnosed illness. Think about how hard it is to detect Lyme Disease, and how common it's become!! Even, if I were assured and RE-assured that the blood was specifically tested for Lyme Disease (among other illnesses), that would not be enough for me to risk my already fragile kids lives with the possibility that even one of those 10,000 donors could have Lyme Disease. There are other ways... <br />
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How <i>should</i> PANDAS be treated? I'm no doctor, of course. All I can tell you is that our older son had all of the symptoms associated with PANDAS at one point, errrr ok many points...<i>HAD </i>is the key word there though. I'm not convinced that all of the children being diagnosed with PANDAS actually have it, because many bad bacteria can exhibit the same symptoms. In fact, although Grayson had Hemolytic Strep bacteria, his more dysbiotic bacteria was Clostridia. My guess is that none of these doctors are checking their patients for heavy metal toxicity (properly) and I am sure they aren't considering a GFCFSF diet or any other diet for that matter. Like Lyme, Clostridia, Klebsiella, yeast overgrowth (and so many other pathogenic illnesses), PANDAS responds well to all the same methods of recovery being used in biomedicine. Ironically, camel milk has been compared to doing IVIG, perhaps this is one of the other reasons we are seeing such results with our treatment choices. If you want to learn more about why camel milk works, <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/search?q=camel+milk+IVIG">this link</a> will take you to an earlier blog entry on camel milk.<br />
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If I were to consider all aspects involved with PANDAS, this is how I would approach it (wait, this is how I DID approach it, although in a slightly different order).<br />
<ul><li><a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2008/12/getting-started.html">GFCFSF diet</a></li>
<li>Avoid refined sugars, simple carbs, and food coloring </li>
<li>Introduce <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/05/why-does-camel-milk-work.html">camel milk</a></li>
<li>Add a liver support like <a href="http://www.luckyvitamin.com/p-14571-herb-pharm-artichoke-extract-1-oz?redirect=1">artichoke extract</a> or <a href="http://www.bioraynaturaldetox.com/store/product-detail.aspx?id=6">Liver Life</a>. </li>
<li><a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/01/neutraceuticals-for-yeast-bacteria.html">Natural anti-microbials for yeast, bacteria, parasites and viruses</a></li>
<li>Weed and seed - It's EXTREMELY important to replenish the good bacteria with very high numbers of probiotics when you are spending most of your day killing off the bad guys. I call this weeding and seeding...we give about 350-500 billion CFUs nightly, at least 3 hours away from any natural antimicrobial. We were careful to increase their probiotics slowly, because this can cause significant die too. </li>
<li>IgG food sensitivity testing and <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2008/12/what-happensand-why.html">removal of all IgG positive foods</a></li>
<li>Rotation diet for foods that are approved in diet</li>
<li>Clean up <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/01/guest-blogger.html">toxins</a> in environment like play-doh, markers, lotions, shampoos, and toothpaste, to avoid the gluten and casein as well as <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/02/cleaning-products-friend-or-foe.html">cleaning products</a>, <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/01/at-730-this-morning-when-i-opened-my.html">their mattresses</a>, plates, pajamas, etc. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/home/eng/full_oat.asp">Organic Acid Test</a> from Great Plains (addressing issues as per the results)</li>
<li>If high oxalic acid comes up on OAT, immediately start the <a href="http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/Trying_Low_Oxalates/">low oxalate diet</a>, heck, I would even go as far as to recommend trying a low oxalate diet for any and ALL kids with chronic pathogenic issues </li>
<li><a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/11/what-n-why.html">Supplementation</a> for possible deficiencies</li>
<li>The <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2009/11/biofilm.html">biofilm protocol</a> (<i><u>without</u></i> EDTA, very important!) for persistent bacterial and yeast infections </li>
<li>Hair "<a href="http://doctorsdata.com/test_info.asp?id=142">toxic and essential elements</a>" test via <a href="https://www.directlabs.com/Default.aspx?&catid=80&language=en-US&tabid=55">DirectLabs.com</a> (it's called <span class="Normal"><span id="dnn_ctr536_ViewDLSStoreModule_gvTests_ctl04_lblTestName">Hair Elements-DDI KIT)</span></span> to assess toxicity levels (reviewed against Andy Cutler's book, <a href="http://www.noamalgam.com/hairtestbook.html">Hair Test Interpretation</a>) </li>
<li><a href="http://onibasu.com/wiki/Cutler_protocol">Andy Cutler chelation protocol</a> - this is another <a href="http://livingnetwork.co.za/chelationnetwork/chelation-the-andy-cutler-protocol/">great link</a> for his protocol</li>
<li>Possibly even do a <a href="http://grayson-youarewhatyoueat.blogspot.com/2011/02/metametrix-dna-microbiology-test.html">stool test</a> anywhere along the way for the sake of knowing exactly which gut bugs you are dealing with so you know how to tailor your antimicrobials</li>
</ul>So yep, doctors are finally on board with PANDAS, but what exactly does that mean? Do you also want their assistance with autism? I don't.<br />
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Be careful what you wish for.<br />
<br />
UPDATE December 8th...This just in from <a href="http://www.mercuryexposure.info/science/diet/item/749-the-effects-of-milk-and-antibiotics-on-mercury-excretion#.TuDX-9tsv2g.facebook" target="_blank">MercuryExposure.org</a>!<br />
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From a 1984 study by Rowland et al. Antibiotics and Milk play a role in the efficency of Hg Excretion. In this study rats were given high doses of oral antibiotics the half-life for excretion of mercury increased from 10 days to >100 days. If the rats were also on a milk diet the excretion half-life increased to over 300 days. These results are consistent with the theory that demethylation of methylmercury by intestinal microflora is a major factor determining the excretion rate of mercury.<br />
<b>Effects of Diet on Mercury Metabolism and Excretion in Mice Given Methylmercury: Role of Gut Flora</b><br />
<br />
<b>ABSTRACT.</b><br />
Mice fed either (1) a pelleted rodent diet, (2) evaporated milk, or (3) a synthetic diet (high protein, low fat) exhibited different rates of whole body mercury elimination and fecal mercury excretion after exposure (per os) to methylmercuric chloride. The percentage of the total mercury body burden present as mercuric mercury was highest (35.3%) in mice fed the synthetic diet (which had the highest rate of mercury elimination) and lowest (6.6%) in the animals having the lowest mercury elimination rate (milk-fed mice). Mice fed the syn-thetic diet had lower mercury concentrations and had a higher proportion of mercuric mer-cury in their tissues than the mice from the other dietary groups. Treatment of the mice with antibiotics throughout the experimental period to suppress the gut flora reduced fecal mer-cury excretion and the dietary differences in whole body retention of mercury. Tissue mercury concentrations and proportion of organic mercury in feces, cecal contents, liver, and kidneys were increased by antibiotic treatment of mice fed the pelleted or synthetic diets.<br />
These results are consistent with the theory that demethylation of methylmercury by intestinal microflora is a major factor determining the excretion rate of mercury.<br />
<br />
<b>Discussion</b><br />
The marked diet-related differences in whole body retention of Hg after MeHg exposure confirm the re-sults of Landry et al. 3 In addition, the differences in whole body retention were reflected in the amount or concentration of Hg present in the carcass (the major site of deposition of Hg in the mice), brain, blood, liver, and kidneys. The effect of diet on Hg concentration in brain (a target organ for MeHg toxicity) suggests that diet may influence MeHg-induced neurotoxicity since the concentration of Hg in tissues, particularly the central nervous system, has been correlated with the inci-dence of neurotoxicity in rats and mice.· 19 20<br />
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The three diets used in this study have many differences which make it difficult to differentiate the effects of specific dietary components1 although it would appear that dietary fiber is not an important factor governing the rate of Hg excretion since both the milk and GIBCO diets contained little indigestible residues.<br />
<br />
Although differences in concentrations of Se were found in the three diets, it is unlikely that these were responsible for the differences in Hg elimination rates since the RMH3000 diet contained by far the highest Se concentration, yet mice fed this diet had an intermediate rate of Hg elimination. These results agree with those of Stil-lings el al., 21 who found that though dietary Se reduced the toxicity of MeHg, it did not appear to influence Hg elimination in feces or urine.<br />
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Over short time periods (up to 5 hrl co-administration of MeHgCI and low-molecular-weight thiol compounds has been shown to decrease blood Hg concentration and increase Hg accumulation by various organs by comparison to MeHgCI given alone. 22-24<br />
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Thus, differences in thiol concentrations in the diets and tissues may be responsible for diet-related changes in HHg tissue concentrations. However, in the present study, the thiol concentrations of the three diets were similar, and although some differences were detected in concentration of nonprotein-bound thiols in liver, they could not be correlated with Hg excretion rates or tissue Hg levels since mice fed milk or GIBCO diets had almost identical hepatic thiol concentrations. The con-centration of sulfhydryl compounds in the small intes-tine was highest in those mice fed milk probably due to an increase in glutathione from bile, because the ma-jority of the sulfhydryl groups were not protein-bound. However, it seems unlikely that differences in intestinal thiol concentration significantly affect Hg excretion rate since the sulfhydryl concentrations were greatly in excess of the Hg concentration to which the mice were exposed. It is noteworthy that the administration of MeHgCI increased (by 1-2 JLmoles/g tissue) the concentration of nonprotein-bound thiols in the livers of mice in all dietary groups, presumably affecting an increased synthesis of glutathione in bile.<br />
It is possible that diet may also affect the whole body elimination of Hg via an effect on excretion of Hg in bile, since age-related changes in Hg elimination, can be as-cribed, at least in part, to changes in biliary excretion. 25<br />
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The differences in the amount of mercuric Hg in the whole body (Table 2), in the various tissues (Tables 3 and 4), and in cecal and colon contents (Fig. 4) in the animals fed the different diets suggest that diet-induced differences in Hg elimination are related to the extent of MeHg demethylation by the animals. The mice with the highest rates of Hg elimination, namely those fed GIBCO diet, had the highest proportion of their Hg body burden as mercuric Hg.<br />
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The previously demonstrated ability of the intestinal microilora to demethylate MeHg6 and its capacity to alter its metabolic activity in response to dietary modifi-cation 13•16 suggest that diet-induced changes in demeth-ylating activity of the gut flora are responsible for the differences in Hg elimination seen. Tlw results of the present study lend support to this theory.<br />
<br />
It is clear that in all dietary groups a large proportion of total Hg in the gut was present in the mercuric form, especially in the cecum and colon. In particular, the GIBCO-fed animals reatained very high levels of Hg in the cecum and colon. Furthermore, the major route of excretion of Hg was the feces with only small amounts emerging in the urine, and in the GIBCO-fed mice the increased Hg elimination occurred via the feces rather than the urine. This indicates that MeHg demethylation occurs at sites where the product, mercuric Hg, does not re-enter the general circulation since parenterally administered HgCI2 is excreted mainly in the urine (Landry et al., unpublished observation, 1982).<br />
<br />
Treatment of the mice with antibiotics to sterilize the gut contents virtually eliminated the diet-related dif-ferences in whole body Hg retention, in Hg excretion in feces and urine, and in the amount of mercuric Hg in whole body, gut contents, and tissues (especially in liver and kidney). These results are consistent with the theory that demethylation by the gut flora is a major determinant of the rate of Hg excretion after MeHg ex-posure. The almost complete retention of the dose of MeHg (apparent elimination of half-times> 100 days) in the animals without a gut flora and the increase in MeHg concentration in blood and liver is also consis-tent with the theory since it would be expected that the greater proportion of MeHg relative to total Hg in the gut of antibiotic-treated animals would result in greater absorption of the administered mercury dose.<br />
<br />
Landry et al. (unpublished observation), using mice give MeHgCI intramuscularly, have reproduced the dietary-related differences in Hg elimination seen in orally dosed animals, but the three diets had little effect on Hg retention after parenteral administration of HgCI,. It would appear, therefore, that if MeHg is demethylated, diet is unlikely to exert any differential effects on Hg ... retention, suggesting that the differential effects of diet oc-cur on demethylation or on excretion of MeHg in bile.<br />
In the mice given antibiotics, some residual formation November/December 1984 [Vol. 39, (No.6)] of mercuric Hg was apparent (Table 2) suggesting that sites of demethylation other than the gut flora exist. One possible site is the liver, although enzymatic demethyla-tion of MeHg by this organ has been little studied. It is also possible that the slow release of inorganic Hg from MeHg in the presence of thiol compounds17 contributes to inorganic Hg formation in vivo. \1\€ have confirmed (unpublished observations, 1981) that this can occur in the presence of thiol concentrations found in bile and in the liver (approximately 5 ~-tmole/mll.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, the results of this study confirm previous reports 10 that the gut flora is the major site of de-methylation of MeHg in the mouse and strongly suggest that dietary effects on Hg elimination rates are mediated by changes in demethylating activity of the flora. The result of a high demethylation rate would be the formation in the gut lumen of mercuric Hg which, being poorly absorbed, interrupts the enterohepatic recycling of MeHg. 4<br />
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Large variations have been reported in rates of elimi-nation of Hg in human populations exposed to MeHg.18 It is conceivable that this variation may be related to the wide variation in composition of gut flora among individuals.29 Furthermore, if the major differences in gut flora that have been observed in populations in different geographic areas 10 are reflected in their MeHg demethylation rates, it is possible that there are inter-individual as well as inter-regional differences in suscep-tibility to MeHg poisoning.<br />
<br />
<b>Effects of Diet on Mercury Metabolism and Excretion in Mice Given Methylmercury: Role of Gut Flora</b><br />
I. R. ROWLAND, Ph.D. The British Industrial Biological Research Association Woodmansterne Road Carshalton, Surrvey, United Kingdom R. D. ROBINSON, M.S. R. A. DOHERTY, M.D. Department of Pediatrics Environmental Health Sciences Center University of Rochester Rochester, New York 14642<br />
<b>Archives of Environmental Health: An International Journal</b><br />
Arch Environ Health<br />
Published/Hosted by Taylor and Francis Group. ISSN: 0003-9896.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-51394815105585414202011-11-21T09:48:00.000-05:002011-11-21T09:48:13.950-05:00Your children can swallow pills?Yes they can, and they have since they were 3 and 2 years old. We started biomed later in age with our older son, which is why he started at 3 rather than 2. Both can take a pill cup and dump it in their mouths and swallow, even without liquids, ICK! I can't even do that!! <br />
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A friend asked me how I got them to swallow pills and the light bulb went on, what a great idea for a blog entry! Of course, what works for my kids' personalities may not work for all, but it's not often I meet a child who doesn't want to prove their parents wrong, lol. Reverse psychology anyone? <br />
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Before I explain how it went down in our kitchen, let me preface this with something I think is very important in all child rearing facets....attitude. No, I don't mean you should HAVE an attitude and force your child to take a pill, lol, what I mean by attitude is the general mood you carry throughout any lesson. I truly believe that children have an innate sense of the emotions and moods going on around them. It's how they survive without the use of words for months to years. They need, instinctively, to be in tune with their parents. If you believe your child can't swallow pills (and I bet you are shaking your head yes here), then well, they can't. They are going to sense your "attitude" about it. When you have confidence in anything, your body reeks of it, your body language is different, your eyes and forehead are different, your voice is stronger and straight forward, just ask an investigator about unspoken body language, it's much deeper than just crossing your arms or legs, lol.<br />
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So I mentioned reverse psychology...this has done wonders for us at inopportune times, like the dinner table when our 3 year old won't touch his asparagus, I just will him to eat it all up by suggesting he couldn't POSSIBLY do it, with a grin! The grin is mucho importante! He knows I am playing a game and immediately begins to put it in faster than if there were a big piece of cake right in front of him. So what is the difference between this and having the confidence that he can do it? I am not suggesting he really CAN'T do it, I am suggesting he won't, with a big old grin on my face, a sneaky don't-you-dare- do it, because I know he CAN! Then when he does, I overdose him in praise saying, "SEE, I KNEW YOU COULD!" And then we belly laugh through the rest of dinner. He forgets about ever trying to fight me on whatever was on that empty plate just minutes earlier.<br />
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Ironically, the first time this happened with pill swallowing was a complete accident, lol. It was more monkey-see, monkey do. Grayson saw me swallowing my fish oil which looked just like his chewable fish oil. He totally caught me off guard when he watched me and said, "I can swallow mine too". I looked at him and my initial reaction was...."no yours is a chewable", well it was....lol. WELL, don't tell my 3 year old he can't do something, HAHAHA. It wasn't like "I don't think you can", it was more like, "HAHAHA, you silly boy, that is a chewable". He instantly proved me wrong! The praise he got was more than enough to have him asking for more to "show" me he could do it, lol. I am not exactly sure where the fine line between having confidence and using reverse psychology comes in, but adding humor always results in a feisty defiance that works to my advantage. I'm just waiting for them to pick up on it, lol.<br />
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With Gavin, I remembered what worked with Grayson and at two years old, I recreated the situation with a teeny tiny astaxanthin gel cap. When he put the gelcap in his mouth, I told him that all he has to do is keep gulping his water, with his head back, until the pill was "gone". He proudly opened his mouth for inspection. Yup, gone!! He has recently (at 3 years old) worked up to the largest fish oil gelcap that even I have trouble swallowing! And he did it without water, just to show me he could, because now I hand them their pills and there is no question in my mind that they can do it. They can do anything they want to do. =)Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-77920780940887021822011-11-19T21:49:00.010-05:002011-12-10T16:43:15.602-05:00What n' Why<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYxFdgvihsU/Tshqn-SxXiI/AAAAAAAAAT4/ghPRqhcqEbI/s1600/vitamins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QYxFdgvihsU/Tshqn-SxXiI/AAAAAAAAAT4/ghPRqhcqEbI/s1600/vitamins.jpg" /></a></div>The only thing that has been consistent about our supplement list is that it is a consistently evolving work of art. I am constantly researching, learning and tweaking which means that as things enter my radar or prove ineffective, the list might change like the wind. Our list has been pretty consistent for quite a while now though. I feel as though we've got a good handle on the things we need. There are, of course, the obligatory Cutler chelation supplements which are a must no matter how you slice it, but then we add supplements that address our specific needs.<br />
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So here you have it, our <i>what-we-use</i> and <i>why-we-use-it</i> list (in no particular order).<br />
<ul><li><b>Magnesium glycinate</b> - Because everyone needs magnesium!! It assists in the absorption of many other supplements on this list, plus it is calming. It also reduces allergies and supports antioxidant activity. </li>
<li><b>Biotin</b> - The initial reason we started biotin was, because it prevents yeast from colonizing, but then we learned that it is also essential in helping the body with oxalates in higher doses, because oxalates impair biotin function in carboxylases. A study by the Department of Nutritional Science and Dietetics, University of Nebraska has stated the following, "<i>In mammals, biotin serves as coenzyme for four carboxylases, which play essential roles in the metabolism of glucose, amino acids, and fatty acids. Biotin deficiency causes decreased rates of cell proliferation, impaired immune function, and abnormal fetal development. Evidence is accumulating that biotin also plays an important role in regulating gene expression, mediating some of the effects of biotin in cell biology and fetal development.</i>"</li>
<li><b>Lithium Orotate</b> - We were all low in lithium on our hair tests, with Grayson and I completely off the chart low. Lithium orotate is targeted to the mitochondria and only functions there. It is suggested for the following conditions: autism, brain damage, Alzheimers, fluid collection in lungs or abdomen, bipolar, manic depression, any mood disorder including hormone or chemical imbalance, anxiety, cluster and migraine headaches, edema, glaucoma, gout, ADHD, childhood epilepsy, hyperthyroid, goiter, drug and alcohol recovery and brain injury. PS - gout is caused by oxalate problems, so it appears that lithium would also benefit those who require a low oxalate diet.</li>
<li><b>B-Complex</b> - With heavy metal toxicity, B vitamins are notoriously low. They protect the brain from damage. Complexes ensure that you get more than enough of all the B vitamins for normal metabolic needs.</li>
<li><b>MB-12 sublingual </b>- Grayson is an under-methylator, per his organic acid test. It assists in the detoxing of arsenic, which we are all elevated in, the boys being off the chart high. Yeast, parasites, low thyroid levels and adrenal insufficiency all reduce B12. I can't forget to mention how awesome MB-12 works for the afternoon slump, as well as an adrenal cortex which you will find in this list below. Move over coffee, now there is something better!</li>
<li><b>DMG</b> - Another methyl source that assists in the detox of arsenic. Methyl donors help the liver transport fats, help with one part of phase 2 metabolism and have antidepressant effects through increased brain serotonin. They also control histamine levels. Your body cannot make methyl groups, you need to get them from your diet! For women, methyl donors reduce elevated estrogen levels which cause inflammation and other imbalances.</li>
<li><b>NAC - N-acetylcysteine</b> - We use it to help the body make glutathione which benefits the detox pathways and as support for lung health during illness. Other great uses include: mold toxicity, bronchitis, flu, allergies, neutralizes candida gliotoxin, reduces mucus production, reduces the effects of excitotoxins which makes it good for using before eating out in case you encounter hidden preservatives or MSG.</li>
<li><b>Thymucin</b> - Only used during flu season to support the thymus gland. The Thymus gland is the major gland that controls the immune system and it plays a crucial role in optimum immunity for the immune system. If the gland is not delivering 100 % of its potential of hormones and lymphocytes, the immune system suffers.</li>
<li><b>Cod liver oil</b> - Supplies omegas, and natural forms of vitamins A and D. Essential fatty acids aren't called "essential" for nothing. They are an absolute requirement for proper brain function. Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be produced in the body and must be provided via the diet. When choosing a fish oil, it is very important to obtain one that is <i>molecularly distilled</i> and is guaranteed free of heavy metals, PCBs and other toxins. It should also be <i>free of food colorings and artificial flavorings</i>. As well, the fish oil must be fresh - if it smells fishy, it has oxidized and is rancid. We also prefer to avoid soy (tocopherols) since it is something we are using daily. Here is what Dr. Meg Megson has to say about vitamin A in it's natural form, in cold liver oil, <br />
<i>"<i>...Vitamin A in the natural form, such as cod liver oil, helps to rebuild areas in the brain, called receptors, that affect vision and speech. </i></i><i>These areas are dramatically affected in children with developmental delays, such as autistic spectrum disorders. This helps to explain some of the commonly seen characteristics in children with autism such as "sideways" glance and decreased or no speech. DHA and EPA oils are essential fatty acids that studies have shown to be critical for a variety of health problems, such as bi-polar disorder and other forms of biologically based brain disorders, including schizophrenia. It is these concentrated levels of Vitamin A that are critical for the visual reconnection we are seeing in the children. The "sideways" glance that is typical in many children with autism disappears quickly when they're on cod liver oil.</i>"</li>
<li><b>Astaxanthin</b> - May be one of the most powerful antioxidants you've ever heard of! It's our antioxidant of choice for the boys, since they can't take vitamin C, because of oxalates. It is 400 times more potent than vitamin E! It exhibits strong free radical activity. Carotenoids like astaxanthin enhance your immunity, protect you from sunburn and even inhibit the growth of some cancers. It also protects against the oxidative stress that results in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other neurological diseases.</li>
<li><b>Krill oil</b> - Only Gavin and I can take this, because Grayson reacts by itching. In addition to supplying EPA and DHA, krill oil also has the following benefits: support for concentration, memory and learning, healthy heart, blood sugar health, joints, brain and nervous system development and function, protection for cell membranes, cholesterol and other blood lipid health, liver function, bolsters immune system, mood support and optimal skin health. </li>
<li><b>B6</b> - Mercury causes chronic fatigue by interfering with brain uptake of B6 and B12. We also suspect Pyroluria which is a chronic deficiency of B6 and zinc. Grayson's organic acid test suggested deficiencies of both B6 and B12, his hair test shows chronic zinc deficiency despite high dose daily supplementation. For further reading, here is a <a href="http://www.autism.com/pro_b6_studies.asp">link</a> for studies involving B6 and magnesium on the Autism Research Institutes website.</li>
<li><b>P5P</b> - Did you know that cooking, freezing, canning, storing or processing foods can deplete their vitamin B6 content by as much as 50%? Some people cannot use certain forms of vitamin B6 effectively. A more active form of vitamin B6 that your body can easily utilize is called pyridoxal-5-phosphate, or P5P for short. B6 is converted to P5P in the liver, so by taking P5P your liver doesn't have to do the dirty work! P5P and B6 are often used in combination. Both encourage oxalates to dump from a cellular level in the body. </li>
<li><b>Niacinimide </b><b>- B3</b> - AKA - no-flush niacin. B3 aids in the functioning of the nervous system, the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, the production of hydrochloric acid for the digestive system, healthy skin, and proper circulation. Some people require Niacinimide for the processing of B6. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma;"><br />
</span></span> </li>
<li><b>Benfotiamine</b> - This is a synthetic version of vitamin B1. It is more readily absorbed by the body, ironically. B1 helps the liver metabolize xenobiotics which are chemical compounds that are found in a living organism, but which are foreign to that organism, in the sense that it does not normally produce the compound or consume it as part of its diet. Those with high arsenic tend to be low in vitamin B1.</li>
<li><b>Black currant seed oil</b> - A source of CLA (conjugated linolenic acid) which reduces IgE while increasing levels of other immunoglobulins and reduces the formation of certain lipid mediators of allergic reaction. Also a great source of omega 6s, it aids in skin health, especially those prone to eczema.</li>
<li><b>Japanese Knotweed</b> - This form of res<span style="font-family: inherit;">veratrol is part</span> of Herold Buehner's Lyme protocol. We tend to incorporate various protocols into our regimen, based on our sons' symptoms. <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Japanese Knotweed is effective against a variety of organisms including the Lyme co-infection bartonella, leptospira, gonorrhea, and meningitis; its strong antifungal qualities make it especially inhibitive toward </i><i>Candida albicans. It is also a powerful antiviral agent, effective in the treatment of herpes, ECHO viruses and various strains of influenza such as SARS and Asian flu (which in my opinion, is a far more attractive option than vaccinations of questionable origin). What makes Knotweed so valuable when it comes to treating Lyme disease is that it not only inhibits the spirochetes, it is also markedly anti-inflammatory, reducing joint pain, swelling and fever. The anti-inflammatory effect helps to regulate the immune system and prevents it from being over burdened; its modulating effect makes it useful for many autoimmune ailments. Knotweed supports the central nervous system and protects the heart, making it especially valuable in the treatment of Lyme-related carditis. </i><i>The constituents in Knotweed are also able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), protecting delicate cerebral tissue and harmonizing blood flow. Regular supplementation of </i><i>Polygonum cuspidatum during or after an active infection will help sharpen mental function and relieve pain throughout the body. </i></span></div></li>
<li><b>Ionic zinc</b> - Another mineral notoriously depleted in the mercury toxic crowd as it is competitive with mercury and copper so taking it keeps mercury from exerting some of it's toxic effects. We chose ionic zinc, because it's more readily absorbed and two hair tests resulted in chronic low body zinc regardless of high dose supplementation with other sources. We are hoping this form of zinc will uptake better. Chelation requires high doses of zinc at 1mg per pound of body weight, plus 20 more mg.</li>
<li><b>Adrenal cortex</b> - Support for our adrenal glands. The adrenals are our stress organs, they control the hormones that aid in mood and stress control. Whether it is physical or mental, chronic stress will cause adrenal fatigue. For a great book on adrenal fatigue, see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Adrenal-Fatigue-Century-Stress-Syndrome/dp/1890572152/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321757395&sr=8-1">Adrenal Fatigue, the 21st Century Stress Syndrome</a>.</li>
<li><b>Panthothenic acid - B5</b> - This vitamin offers support for the adrenals and helps with the liver.</li>
<li><b>Taurine</b> - Reduces anxiety and possibly increases the rate of toxin elimination in bile. It assists with kidney fucntion and it is necessary for brain development during childhood as well as neurohealing later. Zinc helps the brain cells absorb taurine. It helps with pituitary function and may also help improve compromised immune function. Taurine stimulates insulin production and lowers blood sugar. It also supports the adrenals. Taurine should only be supplemented if needed.</li>
<li><b>Iodine</b> - Iodine is essential for thyroid function. Around 60% of the iodine in the body is found in the thyroid. Iodine is also beneficial for the following: metabolic rate, energy level, healthy nails, hair and teeth, reproductive system, fibrocystic breast tissue, assists in the removal of toxic chemicals, anti-cancer properties, prevents the proliferation of harmful bacteria, ensures the apoptosis or the programmed cell death which is essential in the formation of new organs. This is one trace element we won't be without! <i>It is very important to know that selenium is required to prevent iodine from becoming toxic in the body, as it assists in the absorption of iodine. It helps to convert iodine into the thyroid hormones.</i> It's very possible that the studies that have doctors scaring people away from such an awesome supplement were done without the assistance of selenium. I also know that the patients weren't tracked long enough to see the hormone levels plateau to a normal level after rising higher than normal. This is a common phenomenon of using natural therapies for the thyroid, because when the thyroid kicks into action, it initially over-produces and then levels out. For some people this can even last an entire year. Symptoms subside, even though hormone levels are high. It's the exact opposite of sub-clinical hypothyroidism, when symptoms are experienced, but the hormones are "normal". A helpful book for the explanation of the importance of iodine is Iodine, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Iodine-need-cant-live-without/dp/B001URN3UG/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321757465&sr=1-1">Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It.</a></li>
<li><b>Thyroxin-free thyroid glandular</b> - All three of us have chronic low body temperatures and symptoms of low thyroid function. The thyroid is one of the first organs to be attacked by mercury, it is also one of the first to be effected by low iodine.</li>
<li><b>Molybdenum</b> - Counteracts the toxicity effects mercury may have on gene expression and inhibits copper absorption from the intestine. It is a cofactor for three enzymes often impaired by mercury toxicity. We only give this to Grayson, because he had high copper on one of his hair tests, although there is also a small amount in the trace minerals they both take.</li>
<li><b>Omega 3s</b> - In addition to the above sources, we also take EPA and DHA supplements.</li>
<li><b>Artichoke extract</b> - Support for the liver in place of milk thistle for the boys, because milk thistle is very high oxalate. Artichoke extract appears to work just as good, if not better than the milk thistle for them. It is one of the few herbal remedies where the clinical and experimental trials have complemented each other. Both effects have been verified through extensive biomedical herbal remedy research. Specifically, antioxidant, choleretic, hepatoprotective, bile-enhancing and lipid-lowering effects have been demonstrated, which also corresponds with it's historical use, dating back to 4th Century B.C. ancient Greeks and Romans.</li>
<li><b>Vitamin D3</b> - This vitamin helps your body use calcium properly and boosts the immune system. We love Dr. Cannell's vitamin D protocol for the flu, it works every time!</li>
<li><b>Vitamin K2</b> - The main thing vitamin K2 does is control where calcium does - and doesn`t - go in our bodies. It should go into our bones and blood, but not arteries or muscles. Research has found that vitamin K2 benefits include protecting nerve cells from oxidative stress and possibly reducing neuronal damage (slowing progression of dementia). We notice that when we don't use the K2, our boys bruise much easier. When using it, bruising is very rare.</li>
<li><b>Trace minerals</b> - Mineral replacement is necessary during chelation since chelators are not selective in the minerals they move out of the body.</li>
<li><b>L-Theanine</b> - Is the predominant amino acid in green tea leaves. It is an anxiety reducer and mood enhancer. L-theanine has a significant effect on the release or reduction of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, resulting in improved memory and learning ability. It may also influence emotions due to its effects on the increased release of dopamine. </li>
<li><b>Flax oil</b> - Another omega source that is suggested by Andy Cutler during chelation.</li>
<li><b>Custom Probiotics</b> - High dose probiotics that are dairy-free and don't contain the strep strain.</li>
<li><b>Melatonin</b> - The hormone that induces sleep. Supplementing with it is a safe non-addictive way to help you fall asleep and stay asleep. It is also an antioxidant that crosses the blood brain barrier. It has been studied extensively, even in children.</li>
</ul>In addition to the above, I personally also take:<br />
<ul><li><b>Zinc methionine</b> - Rather than the ionic zinc (which is more expensive) I use this instead. I've also used zinc picolinate, just depends on where I am ordering that day, lol.</li>
<li><b>Vitamin C</b> - The general purpose do everything antioxidant vitamin. It supports adrenal function, lowers blood histamine, and has many other functions. The boys can't take vitamin C, because of high oxalates. </li>
<li><b>Protandim</b> - The best way to explain it is to provide this information from their website, "<i>Protandim is the only supplement clinically proven to reduce oxidative stress by an average 40%, slowing down the cell aging process to the level of a 20 year-old. Protandim is not a conventional antioxidant supplement. Each Protandim caplet contains a unique combination of phytonutrients that signal the body’s genes to produce its own antioxidant enzymes, which provides thousands of times more antioxidant power than any food or conventional antioxidant supplement.</i>" I have used this since before I had my fillings replaced and I truly believe that it was instrumental in getting me through such a physically traumatizing experience. I flew through it with grace and came out of it with ease. I felt great, immediately! I stopped buying it a few months after my dental revision and I noticed a difference, so I am back on it.</li>
<li><b>Selenium - selenomethionine</b> - Aside from being a good all around antioxidant, selenium compounds bind mercury quite tightly and make it inert in the body. It is essential for the proper utilization of iodine supplementation.</li>
<li><b>Milk Thistle</b> - An antioxidant specific for the liver. It increases the growth of liver cells and allows the liver to regenerate itself more rapidly. It inhibits the formation of leukotrienes, which are pro-inflammatory immune mediators produced from essential fatty acids.</li>
<li><b>Herbal Calcium</b> - I just prefer a more natural calcium supplement.</li>
<li><b>Eleuthero (Siberian Ginsing)</b> - Is an adaptogen (an agent that helps the body adapt to stress) with many health benefits that include: increased endurance, memory/learning improvement, anti-inflammatory, immunogenicand has been shown to produce significant anti-depressant effects in rats.</li>
<li><b>Vitamin E</b> - It is useful in large amounts to counteract the damage mercury causes by catalyzing oxidation of cell membranes. It is an immune stimulant, if you aren't getting enough, you will respond poorly to infection.</li>
<li><b>Strontium</b> - Since hypercalcemia and osteoporosis run in my maternal family, I have elected to add strontium to my regimen. Strontium ranelate has been shown to stimulate bone formation while inhibiting bone resorption. Gavin's hair test showed low strontium as well, so I have considered supplementing him with it, as well. </li>
</ul>Check out this supplement cabinet in my kitchen! Yes, those are ROWS of supplements, on behind the other, and so forth, lol.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-latX5ajPYdI/TaNj8FetGfI/AAAAAAAAANg/-fIqXo9xEIk/s1600/DSC_7981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-latX5ajPYdI/TaNj8FetGfI/AAAAAAAAANg/-fIqXo9xEIk/s400/DSC_7981.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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As you can imagine, there are NO vitamin organizers that fit all this crap! I try, I buy all different ones and I try to organize, coax and squeeze them in, to no avail. I have resorted to using a Dixie cup, well, three Dixie cups a day.<br />
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For the kids I fill three small glass bottles of vitamin and antimicrobial "cocktails" each night, for the next day. For my own, I fill up a week's worth of Dixie cups at a time. Occasionally, I get lazy with my own and miss a day or two when I don't feel like refilling them and I ALWAYS regret it! I feel so different without them! Anytime we have given the kids a supplement break, they regress. There is nothing that speaks louder than the cause and effect of an experiment like that.<br />
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As a quick-reference guide, without all the wordy, detailed explanations, here are the supplements the kids take in alphabetical order:<br />
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Adrenal cortex extract <br />
Artichoke extract<br />
Astaxanthin <br />
B6<br />
B-Complex <br />
Benfotiamine<br />
Biotin<br />
Black currant seed oil <br />
Cod liver oil <br />
DMG<br />
Flax oil <br />
Iodine (Lugol's) <br />
Krill oil<br />
L-Theanine<br />
Lithium orotate<br />
Magnesium glycinate<br />
Melatonin <br />
MB-12<br />
Molybdenum <br />
NAC<br />
Niacinimide<br />
Omega 3s <br />
P5P<br />
Pantothenic acid<br />
Probiotics (Custom Probiotics)<br />
Taurine (if needed) <br />
Trace minerals (without copper)<br />
Thymucin<br />
Tyroid glandular (if the thyroid is a problem) <br />
Vitamin D3<br />
Vitamin K2<br />
Zinc (ionic)Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-8026013955388716602011-11-04T11:55:00.001-04:002011-11-04T11:56:10.911-04:00Coconut yogurt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtN-aMrZmfc/TrQK1hkcyVI/AAAAAAAAATA/GH6J7iSVxkk/s1600/DSC_5668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mtN-aMrZmfc/TrQK1hkcyVI/AAAAAAAAATA/GH6J7iSVxkk/s320/DSC_5668.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I finally found the key to easy, thick and creamy coconut yogurt!! <a href="http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/product/coconut-products-coconut-milk/CC250.php">Coconut cream</a>!!<br />
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When you make your own yogurt, you avoid cross contamination issues, preservatives, refined sugars, food coloring and you can control the bacteria strains used. For those who have kids with PANDAS or sensitivity to yeast, that is key to being able to have yogurt at all, because most yogurt is made with S. Thermophilus which is a strep strain that can flare PANDAS.<br />
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I used a dehydrator for this recipe, to incubate the yogurt at a consistent, low temperature, but you can use a yogurt maker or store the jar in an insulated cooler.<br />
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<b>Homemade Coconut Yogurt</b><br />
<ul><li>3 cartons of the coconut cream linked above. If you can find another source, it just needs to be thick like heavy cream.</li>
<li>1/4 tsp non-dairy probiotic of choice (I used Custom Probiotics 12 strain)</li>
<li>1-2 Tbsp. honey OR maple syrup OR coconut nectar</li>
<li>Candy thermometer (very important)</li>
<li>Glass or ceramic containers with lids (do not use metal). I use a Pyrex container and I place a small plate upside down on top of it while it incubates, then use the plastic lid during refrigeration.</li>
</ul><ol><li>Sterilize your yogurt containers, mixing spoons and other utensils with boiling water. This will keep bad bacteria from competing with the good bacteria.</li>
<li>In a saucepan, bring coconut milk to 170-185 degrees, then remove from heat. Bringing it to <i>just boiling</i> is ok, but watch it closely. (Do NOT microwave, which harmfully alters the chemical structure of the milk).<br />
Some say you don’t have to heat coconut milk very much, because it usually comes from sterile containers. <i>However, if you have made your own coconut milk, make sure you’ve heated it to at least 180 degrees, or you risk of contamination with </i>Burkholderia cocovenenans <i>or other harmful bacteria</i>.</li>
<li>Add maple syrup or honey and stir thoroughly. The sweetener provides food for the bacterial culture and will be mostly consumed by the time your yogurt is done. Without a natural form of sugar, coconut milk will not culture.</li>
<li>Cover (I just lay a clean kitchen towel over the top) and cool to <i><b>105-</b></i><b><i>110 degrees</i></b>. It is very important that you allow the temperature to drop so as not to kill the bacterial culture you are going to introduce. <i>It takes a fair amount time to cool to 110, so go do something else in the house for a while.</i></li>
<li>Remove about 1/2 cup of cooled coconut milk, and add either 1/4 cup of plain coconut yogurt (from your previous batch) or 1/4 tsp. of your probiotic. (You should save 1/4 cup of your homemade yogurt as a starter for the next batch.) Stir well.</li>
<li>Thoroughly mix the inoculated batch back in with the remainder of the cooled coconut milk.</li>
<li>Pour cultured milk into any appropriately-sized, shallow glass or enamel containers, cover and let stand at <b><i>105-110 degrees</i></b> for 8-24 hours, to a maximum of 29 hours. The longer you ferment the yogurt, the less sugar it will contain and the more sour it will taste. <i></i><i>Check for taste at 8 hours, but note that if you want all the sugar to be fully consumed by the bacteria, you will need to ferment for at least 18 hours.</i></li>
<li>To keep the correct temperature for the culture, I use my Excalibur dehydrator set at about 105 degrees, and place the containers on the bottom, away from the heating element. You can also use a temperature-adjustable heating pad or crockpot, or put a 60-Watt bulb in your oven and leave the light on. No other heat is needed. Remember, too high a temperature will kill the bacterial culture; too low of a temperature will prevent proper fermentation. You will know you have done it right by the proper yogurt-sour smell and taste.</li>
<li>After 8–24 hours, remove from heat, stir to an even consistency and refrigerate<i>. </i></li>
<li>Once fully cooled, you can stir in fresh fruit, vanilla, nuts, oats, or any other flavoring you desire.</li>
</ol><b></b>Your yogurt should smell and taste sour—like yogurt. If you notice any “off” or foul odors, mold, or pink splotches on the surface, discard and try again, making certain all your implements are sterile, and that you’ve both well-heated your milk prior to culturing, and cultured at the correct temperature. Your yogurt might have separated with a cloudy liquid on the bottom. This is usually not a problem, as long as everything else smells and tastes OK. Just mix well and enjoy.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3870724569005621487.post-34843213349722510392011-11-01T21:20:00.008-04:002013-09-24T13:55:04.651-04:00No bake pumpkin butter mousseWe were surprised with a crazy Noreaster snow storm that hit our state hard. So when our friends lost their power for four days we had an impromptu family sleep over at my house, so we made the best of it and played with food, since her family is on the low oxalate diet too. =)<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvML86hUjXQ/TuS4FVv_ooI/AAAAAAAAAUA/fgg9ybpcAw4/s1600/PumpkinButterMousse-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LvML86hUjXQ/TuS4FVv_ooI/AAAAAAAAAUA/fgg9ybpcAw4/s400/PumpkinButterMousse-2.jpg" width="267" /></a></div>
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This recipe was a total accident! This is the kind of accident I would love to have more often!! It turned out DIVINE. This is reminiscent of a peanut butter pie and, if you have a good crust recipe (especially chocolate, although that is not low oxalate), it would make a great team. We just filled custard bowls and topped with this easy whipped topping. VERY rich and satisfying. This would be a nice addition to Thanksgiving dinner. Oh, and it's HEALTHY!<br />
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Ingredients<br />
-1/4 C sunbutter<br />
-1 C pumpkin puree<br />
-1 banana<br />
-1/2 C coconut nectar or honey<br />
-1 Tbsp coconut flour (this is only necessary, if you don't have the gelatin mentioned below)<br />
-1/2 tsp ground cinnamon<br />
-1/2 tsp ground nutmeg <br />
-1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
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Note - If you would like a pumpkin pie consistency like the picture below, put two tablespoons of unflavored gelatin into a little sub milk, 1/4-1/2 a cup should be enough (we use camel milk) to soften for a few minutes before adding it to the above mixture. You can literally flip this out of a mold onto a plate upside down to make a flan-like custard dessert!<br />
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Put all of the above ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth, then pour into custard cups and refrigerate. I made a crust with ground flax seed, coconut flour, ghee, coconut oil and a bit of sweetener and it made an awesome pie!!<br />
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The coconut cream topping is SO easy and SO tasty.<br />
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Ingredients<br />
-1 container of refrigerated (or put into the freezer for about 20 minutes) <a href="http://www.wildernessfamilynaturals.com/product/coconut-products-coconut-milk/CC250.php">coconut cream</a><br />
-1/4 C powdered coconut sugar or xylitol which keeps it white like the picture ("powder" it by grinding in a clean coffee grinder until it is a powder)<br />
-1 tsp vanilla<br />
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Combine the above ingredients in a bowl and whip for a few minutes until light and fluffy. I would recommend waiting until you are ready to serve the mouse, before making the whipped topping for best results.Jessicahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01900390957087776716noreply@blogger.com2