Your 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!! 

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? 

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.

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.

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.

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.  =)

What n' Why

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.

So here you have it, our what-we-use and why-we-use-it list (in no particular order).

• Magnesium glycinate - 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. 
• Biotin - 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, "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."
• Lithium Orotate - 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.
• B-Complex - 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.
• MB-12 sublingual - 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!
• DMG - 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.
• NAC - N-acetylcysteine - 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.
• Thymucin - 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.
• Cod liver oil - 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 molecularly distilled and is guaranteed free of heavy metals, PCBs and other toxins. It should also be free of food colorings and artificial flavorings. 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,
  "...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. 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."
• Astaxanthin - 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.
• Krill oil - 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.
• B6 - 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 link for studies involving B6 and magnesium on the Autism Research Institutes website.
• P5P - 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. 
• Niacinimide - B3 - 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.
  
• Benfotiamine - 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.
• Black currant seed oil - 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.
• Japanese Knotweed  - This form of resveratrol is part of Herold Buehner's Lyme protocol.  We tend to incorporate various protocols into our regimen, based on our sons' symptoms. 
  
  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 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. 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 Polygonum cuspidatum during or after an active infection will help sharpen mental function and relieve pain throughout the body.
• Ionic zinc - 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.
• Adrenal cortex - 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 Adrenal Fatigue, the 21st Century Stress Syndrome.
• Panthothenic acid - B5 - This vitamin offers support for the adrenals and helps with the liver.
• Taurine - 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.
• Iodine - 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!  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.  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, Why You Need It, Why You Can't Live Without It.
• Thyroxin-free thyroid glandular - 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.
• Molybdenum - 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.
• Omega 3s - In addition to the above sources, we also take EPA and DHA supplements.
• Artichoke extract - 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.
• Vitamin D3 - 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!
• Vitamin K2 - 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.
• Trace minerals - Mineral replacement is necessary during chelation since chelators are not selective in the minerals they move out of the body.
• L-Theanine - 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.
• Flax oil - Another omega source that is suggested by Andy Cutler during chelation.
• Custom Probiotics - High dose probiotics that are dairy-free and don't contain the strep strain.
• Melatonin - 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.

In addition to the above, I personally also take:

• Zinc methionine - 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.
• Vitamin C - 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. 
• Protandim - The best way to explain it is to provide this information from their website, "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 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.
• Selenium - selenomethionine - 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.
• Milk Thistle - 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.
• Herbal Calcium - I just prefer a more natural calcium supplement.
• Eleuthero (Siberian Ginsing) - 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.
• Vitamin E - 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.
• Strontium - 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. 

Check out this supplement cabinet in my kitchen!  Yes, those are ROWS of supplements, on behind the other, and so forth, lol.

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.

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.

As a quick-reference guide, without all the wordy, detailed explanations, here are the supplements the kids take in alphabetical order:

Adrenal cortex extract
Artichoke extract
Astaxanthin
B6
B-Complex
Benfotiamine
Biotin
Black currant seed oil
Cod liver oil
DMG
Flax oil
Iodine (Lugol's)
Krill oil
L-Theanine
Lithium orotate
Magnesium glycinate
Melatonin
MB-12
Molybdenum
NAC
Niacinimide
Omega 3s
P5P
Pantothenic acid
Probiotics (Custom Probiotics)
Taurine (if needed)
Trace minerals (without copper)
Thymucin
Tyroid glandular (if the thyroid is a problem)
Vitamin D3
Vitamin K2
Zinc (ionic)

Book review for a fabulous mercury recovery memoir

When I was contacted by author Aine Ni Cheallaigh, to review her new memoir, “Getting the Mercury Out”, I admit to having selfish reasons for wanting to read it.  As a fellow-mercury poisoned reader, I knew I would identify with her, but little did I know that I would connect with her experiences on so many different levels...even areas of my life that I didn’t know to relate to my own mercury exposures.  I never could place a finger on my anxiety and uncontrollable distress during my college years.  Considering I had 8 of my 9 fillings put in when I was 14 years old, my deteriorating moods suddenly made sense!

By page 9, I was already hooked.  I felt as though I could feel her words coming from my very own mouth, right down to the self-diagnosing!  The paragraph below particularly hits home:

“In later years, when I learned about mercury toxicity, I read about how the first symptoms manifest as subtle emotional changes.  Depression creeps in.  There is an unwarranted sensitivity and irritability.  Emotional reactions become less reasonable, even as the mercury toxic person insists that their reaction is a totally logical response to their circumstances.”

I also had a good laugh when she described how the sheer number of pills she had to take daily didn’t fit into her pill organizer.  I struggle with my own pill organizers every time I try to cram all those damn pills into the little cubbyholes they were intended to fit into.  It’s clear that these organizers were not made for mercury toxic people!  I love that she brings humor to everyday annoyances that can sometimes seem so disturbing to the mercury-toxic brain.  A sign of a good author is one who can strategically force a smile on your face even while sharing a serious account of ill health. 

By the time I reached her recollection of the nightmare commonly known as the “dump phase”, I was confident that I was looking into the crystal ball known as my future.  Although I already know to expect this phase, I didn’t know how devastating it really could be.  It’s clear to me now how the sum of such symptoms combined with a child’s neurological development and smaller organs would equate to an autism spectrum disorder diagnosis.  Aine herself experienced something that put her squarely on the spectrum, temporarily! 

I feel better equipped to weather the storm ahead now.

Aine delicately balances the intrigue of her personal story with the dark facts surrounding mercury poisoning, combine that with how to successfully heal from this devastating illness and you have a powerful story with purpose.  Once a non-believer in alternative healing herself, she eloquently shares the intricate details that turn her around, making her such a believer in alternative health that she wants to shout it from rooftops....or store shelves, lol. 

“Getting the Mercury Out” is an easy and interesting read, the story kept my interest from cover to cover.  I found myself reaching for the book whenever I had a few precious moments to myself and before I knew it, I was passing the book to my husband encouraging him to read it so that he would better understand what I am facing, since this ultimately effects him as much as it does me.

If you suspect heavy metal toxicity in yourself or a loved one, this book is a great place to start.  It is also a nice memoir for those who would like to identify with a story similar to theirs.  I have read multiple mercury poisoning books, but they tend to be technical and hard to follow for a beginner.  “Getting the Mercury Out” will encourage you, inspire you and educate you in one fell swoop.

Click here for a Kindle version of this book

Want to see the vitamin cabinet?

So here it is, our FULL vitamin cabinet.  Grayson said it looks like store shelves, ha ha ha.  He must enjoy organization as much as I do, because he thinks this "looks nice".  Only another organizing nut could appreciate the beauty of this cabinet, hahaha.

I'm slightly anal, I think the proper technical term for it is OCD, hehehe.  I like to have multiples of everything so that as we run out, I just grab another from the cabinet.  Considering there are three of us on this regimine now, we go through some of these bottles pretty fast.  For instance, the zinc picolinate which is 60 22mg capsules per bottle.  The kids use 5 a day between them and I use 6 a day!  I am opening a new bottle every couple of days!  The biotin too, we go through those really fast, but at least I can get 120 count bottles of that.

Within this organization, there is even more organization, the lazy susan is the kid's daily supplements, the step organizer to the left is full of my daily supplements, plus I use the kid's stuff, our Bach Flower Essences are in the middle, with some things that we all use behind them.  The second shelf has our illness supplements to the left and all of our unopened back-up bottles on the rest of the shelf.  The third shelf is all things that are used much less frequently, but always manage to come back to for some reason.

If you could see the inside of the doors, you would see pages and pages of notes, lol.  I type up lists of what supplements we use and where we buy them, lists of what to use for what and when.

I stocked up on three back-up bottles of Lugol's iodine recently, because of the risk of not being able to get it, due to the radiation exposure in the US from Fukushima.  People are scrambling to get their hands on it to help prevent radiation damage.  The problem is that prevention is the key, you can't erase radiation damage and considering radioactive iodine - 131 has already been found in the drinking water in PA among many other states and in foods in CA, it's probably a bit too late to be trying to prevent.  Perhaps it will help with all of the domino effects though, like how the rain water will feed the plants, how the grasses will feed the animals, and the half life of radioactive iodine in humans is 100 days, whereas it's half-life outside of a person is 8 days.

Sorry to get off track, I have a habit of doing that!

Whose shoes do you walk in?

If you are a bio-mom, you probably get this too, people suggesting that we are extreme and go overboard with our kids.  We are extremists, right?  Wrong.  If you had diabetes and required insulin and dietary changes, you wouldn't take half of your insulin and watch your diet part of the time, would you?  What many people don't realize is that heavy metal toxicity is a real medical condition....you can't remove SOME allergenic foods, and take away a FEW toxins, and give SOME supplements to a child who is in recovery from over-toxicity.  They NEED it all in order to recover completely and in the shortest amount of time possible.  This isn't speculative, it's proven, but I am not here to provide you with all of the science you need to believe me, I am here to take care of my children.  I am a mom, that's me!

Unfortunately, until you are forced to walk in our shoes, you don't know this, nor would you need to.  We don't choose this life, we don't want to force a trillion pills down our children's throats, and spend 3/4 of our time in the kitchen making specialty foods, we don't want to watch our children feel different from their classmates, but we also don't want to watch our children suffer in an inflexible world for the rest of their lives.  Their health conditions cause a slew of symptoms that we consider socially unacceptable, but for this I am grateful, because otherwise, we wouldn't have motivation to get to the bottom of the problem.  If teachers weren't telling us our children are unruly and disturbing others in class or if non-verbal children weren't tainted with the misconception that they are mentally challenged and what about the child who has a very loud and wild tantrum in public beyond the age of two, would we go to the extent that we need to in order to see change?  I think as a society, we are too selfish and proud not to do something about these kids.  It is in our research that we begin to learn that it is more than a tantrum, defiance or hyperactivity, there are MEDICAL reasons why our children are different.  They aren't trying to be difficult, they are in pain, they are confused and they need help! The best news is that this is reversible!  And let me clarify that I am not just talking about autism here, ADHD, allergies, asthma and autoimmune diseases all fall under this umbrella.  And in my most recent reading, I am convinced that cancer is the end result for someone who doesn't recognize and address their issues with toxicity.

Diet plays a HUGE role in all of these disorders.  When we eat processed foods devoid of nutrition we starve our body of the nutrients that help our organs function properly.  If those deficiencies go un-noticed for years, we begin to see the degeneration of our bodies in small signs like changes in our physical appearance, GI dysfunction, more rapid aging, mood changes, memory loss....and we have been brainwashed to think this way of aging is normal.  It's NOT!  Combine our nutritional loss with the bio-accumulation of toxins and you have a recipe for disaster!  The symptoms are compounded and you start to see our body attacking itself in diseases like arthritis and Lupus, you develop something doctors have come to call Chronic Fatigue.  It's a way to say, "I acknowledge that there is a subset of people who have similar symptoms, but we don't know what it is or what to do about it."  Now that they have a label for it, that gives you the warm and fuzzies, right?  But what do you do about healing yourself?  Don't think you are going to find your answers at your mainstream doctor's office.

In children, the symptoms differ and we are just learning what they are.   We once thought that learning disabilities, ADHD, autism and allergies were all genetic.  Sure, there is a genetic link, but that is just the seed, once it's planted into an environment, it's that environment that determines how it grows.  Are they bombarded with heavy metals from parents who have amalgam fillings that release mercury into their bodies every day, are they breathing and bathing in strong chemical cleaner residue, is there a mold in their home or school, sleeping in beds that release antimony, phosphorous and other harmful heavy metals, have their foods been so limited that they are developing sensitivities to them, are they drinking from bottles or using formula containers lined with leaching BPA and phthalates, are they getting proper nutrition for healthy physical and neurological growth, are they ingesting chemicals from pesticides and processed foods, food dyes, refined sugars and genetically modified foods.....I can really go on and on and on.  Some would say that our bodies are designed to handle toxins, which is partly true, but not as much as we are exposed to daily.  We have really bombarded our homes with unhealthy levels of toxins and we don't even realize it, it's become second nature for us to trust that everything we buy is made safely.  Think again!

Why is it that so many of us are tied emotionally to our food selections?  If we know we can begin to heal ourselves with simple changes to our diet, why is it SO hard for many to make those changes?  But if you were told you had to cut off an arm to remove a deadly flesh eating bacteria, you will jump on the table to live, won't you?  Why does the AMOUNT of time we have on this earth put us in panic mode?  What about the quality of your life?  You are still killing yourselves with poor food choices, just at a slower pace.

When we take away as many foods as our children require, and yes they ALL need complete removal for very specific and medical reasons, they require nutrition that they aren't always getting from their acceptable food list, so the supplements are necessary.  Also, children with gut problems have mal-absorption issues causing the need for additional supplements, and higher amounts of them.  When you delve into the holistic approach to caring for a person who is deficient in many ways, you also learn little tips such as splitting the supplementation up into three doses a day, in order to increase absorption, etc.  The list goes on and on.  When you do your homework, you end up where we are.  You will find that what we do with our children doesn't differ very much for any other bio-medical family.  There is a reason for that, it works!

So next time you think about cracking a joke about or to your bio-medical friend/brother/neighbor/co-worker or you think about questioning the extremity of the things they do with their children, think again.  If it were you, how would it make you feel?  And remember, as long as you are still in your child bearing years, it still CAN be you, this effects well over 1 in 90 children now!  Those are just the diagnosed cases!

Chelation - round 8 - added supplements to capsules

I am so glad we stuck with the ALA. When we first added it to the DMSA, I was terrified by the results, the incredible increase in stimming and negative behaviors, but we stuck it out, used it again in smaller quantities for two more rounds and now he is doing fine on it. The last round was a little rocky, emotional, but not nearly as bad as the first ALA round. It could be that we have also been using prescription meds for the yeast and bacteria which chelation will ultimately flare up. So other than being utterly exhausted with the round the clock waking, this round is going so smoothly! He is on his last day of chelation today and we are seeing some emotional outbursts, but up to this point, he has been wonderful! NO stimming at all, no sensory seeking, and even when he gets emotional, he is recovering himself pretty well! I might be able to credit his level behaviors to the fact that I added his calming supplements into each dose of chelators. When I split his capsules, I also added an additional 250mg of vit C, vit B, 100mg of Milk Thistle, 180mg magnesium and a 1/4 of a capsule of ACE daily. The C and B help with the stress ont he body, Milk Thistle supports his liver, the magnesium is calming and necessary for the absorption of many other nutrients and the ACE addresses the adrenals which are often fatigued during chelation. So needless to say, I will continue this method of dosing going forward.

When does the guessing end?

It's been a while since I have posted last. We have been trying to figure some things out, going back to basics, so to speak. We started noticing that Grayson's yeast was getting so out of hand, we just couldn't even keep up with the doses of biotin, he was stimming constantly and the emotions, ohhh the emotions!! So we decided to go on a supplement break. And wow, it has done wonders for us! We are getting a much needed break from the constant dosing (every three hours) of supplements and amazingly, he is doing much better without them! There could be a few reasons for this, it could be that by strictly adhering to the diet, we are seeing the results of gut healing or it could be that something in his supplement regimen was causing yeast flare ups, which is more likely the case. When we first started the diet, we saw magnificent strides in him, but they plateaued, then when we added certain supplements and probiotics, he continued to improve, then while we were gearing up for chelation, the sudden downward spiral recently. So for now, we are sticking with some basics, we have increased the probiotics to twice a day (morning and at bedtime) and when I see signs of yeast, I am giving him a No Phenol, biotin and magnesium which is necessary for the body to be able to absorb the higher amounts of biotin effectively. The only problem is that the additional magnesium is causing loose stool...it's always something. Unfortunately, by seeing these signs of yeast still, with almost no supplements in his diet to cause flare ups, only reinforces that we are doing the right thing. In the meantime, the strides we are seeing are thorough and complex speech, a much calmer overall personality, happy beyond belief, fewer fluctuations in the emotions, almost no tantrums and outbursts, he is listening well, he is patient and agreeable in many ways. We even had an infraction which involved wheat, lemon, egg, and butter and he didn't skip a beat!! Granted, we loaded him up on enzymes and gave him a bath saturated with epsom salts and baking soda to soak up the toxins, and he has done great!! I have commented on more than a few occasions that when he is like this, he is the PERFECT child!! Knowing that this is possible makes me just want to get through all of this. Unfortunately, that is going to involve supplements that cause more yeast, in order to begin chelation safely, which also causes increased yeast. It just comes with the territory, but now I will reintroduce his supplements one at a time and wait a good week on each one, to watch his reactions and adjust doses as well as the yeast protocol. It looks like we will be putting chelation off just a bit until we get his daily routine in order.

Does he really need ALL of those?

I think I could write a book on Grayson's daily intake of supplements alone!  When a child needs so many healthy foods removed from his or her diet, supplementation is the name of the game.  The list is long and can vary from day to day depending on his needs for any given day. The usual looks like this: two enzymes for gluten and casein, two enzymes for carbohydrates, a No Phenol enzyme, two multivitamins, four cod liver oil gel tabs, two drops of grapefruit seed extract, liquid calcium, and one probiotic....on days when he is coming down with something or has a cold, we add zinc, vitamin A and additional vitamin C.   Another challenge with supplementing is that we need to be very cognizant of the ingredients to be sure they don't contain anything he is allergic to and just about every supplement has a filler of some sort, mostly likely containing gluten and/or casein.  Probiotics are often made from dairy and vitamin C from citrus.  Many, many children's chewables are made with "natural" citrus or pineapple flavors.  So we buy most of our supplements from specialty providers online, like Kirkman Labs and Houston Enzymes.

The role of enzymes in this diet is huge and may even allow us to reintroduce many of the foods he is slightly sensitive to.  If you were to ask Grayson what the enzymes are for, he will tell you that "they are for badestion", ha ha ha.  Translation = digestion.  The link between food allergies and the lack of enzymes is very common, so with the added enzymes every time he eats, they provide him with the ability to break the foods down further.  Leaky gut syndrome comes from undigested food particles which actually make their way out of the intestines and into other parts of the body!  Weird, isn't it?  There are enzymes for many different foods and just about EVERYONE would benefit from additional enzymes in their diet.  Enzymes are naturally occurring and are only available in raw foods so once you heat a food over about 100 degrees you kill the enzymes, which then requires your body to use it's "stash" to digest the food you've just eaten.  You can actually deplete your body's enzymes by eating only cooked foods.  Raw foods provide just enough of their own enzymes to break itself down, there is no excess.  So when your body is forced to give up it's enzyme stash to digest foods on a daily basis, other parts of the body begin to suffer and you become more susceptible to illness.  When you see a fruit decomposing, going bad, those are enzymes at work.  The reason you don't feed a baby from a baby jar, put it away and then continue feeding from that same jar again later is because of enzymes.  The mouth contains enzymes and when you put the spoon back into the baby jar, the food in the jar comes into contact with the enzymes on the spoon, digestion actually begins to occur, yummm!

This child never ceases to amaze me.  He saw me swallowing my cod liver oil and wanted to do the same with his, which are of course chewable.  I promptly explained that his are chewed and mine aren't.  He was content with that answer...that day.  When we ran out of his cod liver oil and again he witnessed me swallowing mine.  He said, "It's fine mommy, I can just take yours!"  I told him he would have to swallow it like I do and he very convincingly told me he could do it.  So who am I to hold back a child?  I handed him one and expected to see him gag and choke on it, but you've got to live and learn, right?  He immediately popped it in his mouth and like a pro, guzzled some water and proudly opened his empty mouth for me to inspect!!  Can you say determination??  Who said reverse psychology doesn't work??  If you want to get a three year old to do something, just tell him he can't and you will be greeted with childhood optimism I wish we all still had.