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Genetic Disorders
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Mitochondrial Disease and Autism
By Chun Wong
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Studies, such as a Portuguese study ("Mitochondrial
dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a population-based study,"
Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005 Mar;47(3):148), have suggested that there is
a link between autism spectrum disorders and mitochondrial disease
(also known as mitochondrial dysfunction). The study in Portugal looked
at 69 autistic children and found that 5 of them had some type of
mitochondrial abnormality. A study in the US by Dr John Shoffner, a
geneticist and neurologist, backed these results by concluding that up
to around 20% of people with autism have markers for mitochondrial
disease.
What is Mitochondrial Disease or Dysfunction?
Mitochondrial Disease is a set if genetic disorders of the
mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells which are used by the body to
convert oxygen and food into energy. Although mitochondrial disease can
go unnoticed and not cause any symptoms at all, it can also cause:-
- Weakness of the muscles
- Developmental delays
- Heart problems
It is a rare disease which can be present at birth or
can occur later on, perhaps being triggered by an illness or fever.
Mitochondrial Disease and Autism
The link between mitochondrial disease and autism hit
the headlines in 2008 when 9 year old Hannah Poling's family won
compensation in the renowned "Poling Vaccine Court Case" after claiming
that their daughter's autism was caused by the nine childhood vaccines
that she received. Hannah Poling suffered from mitochondrial disease,
like her mother, and went on to develop symptoms of autism within 48
hours of receiving the nine vaccines.
Some people will argue that it was the vaccines alone
that caused Hannah's autism, others will argue that it was the mercury
preservative, thimerosal, in the vaccines which triggered the autism,
and still others will argue that it's all just a coincidence. However,
Geraldine Dawson, the Chief Science Officer at "Autism Speaks", is of
the opinion that these childhood vaccines stimulate the immune system
and can put stress on the the functioning of the body's cells, thus
worsening the symptoms of mitochondrial disease and causing autism
symptoms like developmental regression. The Vaccine Court settled
Hannah's case out of court and this does not really prove anything,
just that the family were able to convince them that there was some
kind of link between Hannah's autism and the vaccines she received.
The New Scientist magazine contacted researchers into
mitochondrial disease who explained that children with the disease are
a more risk of muscular and neurological abnormalities because their
cells have increased energy needs and can be damaged if they don't
receive enough energy. Insufficient energy can result in encephalopathy
(altered brain function and structure) which can ultimately cause
symptoms similar to autism.
Lindsey Kent, from the University of St Andrews in
Scotland, feels that Hannah Poling's autism-like symptoms would have
developed anyway, even if she had not received the nine vaccines. Kent
goes on to say: "She has a clear mitochondrial genetic mutation, which
is probably the cause of her developmental regression, autistic
features and epilepsy...whether or not the vaccine unmasked this will
never be known, but it seems quite surprising."
So, in Hannah's case, it does seem that the
mitochondrial disease is responsible for her autism symptoms, not the
vaccines.
Research into the potential link between mitochondrial
disease, vaccines and autism is still ongoing. However, if you know
that there is a history of mitochondrial disease or autism in your
family, you might want to get your child tested before going ahead with
the vaccination program. The Mitochondrial Medicine Society (http://www.mitosoc.org/blogs/diagnosis)
has information on their site about testing and also the symptoms to
look out for.
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Author
Report
Physician Chun Wong is blogging the whole truth and
nothing but the truth on Autism, HBOT and all the Biomedical approaches
on his weekly blog.
If you're ready to start improving the health of your
autistic child, to make sound judgements, and to have more knowledge,
get all the breakthrough news now at NewAutismCure.
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Fragile X Syndrome - Ayurvedic Herbal
Treatment
By Abdulmubeen
Mundewadi
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Fragile X syndrome, also known as Martin-Bell syndrome
or marker X syndrome, is the most common cause of inherited mental
retardation and is present at birth. A family history of mental
retardation is usually present in relatives. Delayed milestones; speech
and language impairment; low IQ; autistic-like behaviour including poor
eye contact, hand biting or hand flapping; aggressive tendency and
attention deficit; convulsions; musculoskeletal abnormalities; feeding
difficulties; growth retardation; depression; and anxiety, are common
features of this condition.
The Ayurvedic treatment of fragile X syndrome is aimed
at treating the medical problems commonly encountered by people
affected with this condition. Cognitive deficit is treated using
medicines like Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Shankhpushpi (Convolvulus
pluricaulis), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Vacha (Acorus calamus)
and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Delayed milestones can be treated
using medicines like Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Bala (Sida
cordifolia), Naagbala (Grewia hirsuta), Laghu-Malini-Vasant,
Madhu-Malini-Vasant and Suvarna-Malini-Vasant.
Aggressive tendencies and autistic-like behaviour can be
treated using medicines like Sarpagandha (Rauwolfia serpentina),
Jayphal (Myristica fragrans), Khurasani ova (Hyoscyamus niger) and
Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi). Musculoskeletal problems and
deformities can be treated using medicines like Laxadi-Guggulu,
Yograj-Guggulu, Trayodashang-Guggulu, Ekang-Veer-Ras,
Maha-Rasnadi-Guggulu, Vat-Gajankush-Ras and Maha-Vat-Vidhwans-Ras.
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Feeding difficulties and failure to gain weight can be
treated using medicines like Vishwa (Zinziber officinalis), Marich
(Piper nigrum), Pippali (Piper longum), Chitrakadi-Vati, Shankh-Vati,
Agnitundi-Vati, Sutshekhar-Ras, Praval-Panchamrut-Ras,
Panchamrut-Parpati and Suvarna-Parpati. Patients with recurrent
respiratory infections can be treated using medicines like
Tribhuvan-Kirti, Sitopaladi-Churna, Talisadi-Churna, Gojhivhadi-Qadha,
Ras-Sindur, Sameer-Pannag-Ras, Shrung-Bhasma, Pippali, Yashtimadhuk
(Glycerrhiza glabra), Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum),Vasa (Adhatoda
vasaka) and Pushkarmool (Inula racemosa).
Because of the associated multi-system and multi-faceted abnormalities,
fragile X syndrome needs to be treated by a multi-specialty team of
physicians. Family counseling and genetic counseling are important
aspects of the management of this condition. For most children affected
with this condition, life expectancy is normal and limitations of
activity are not indicated. |
Author
Report
Dr. A. A. Mundewadi is Chief Ayurvedic Physician at
Mundewadi Ayurvedic Clinic based at Thane, Maharashtra, India. He is
available as an online Ayurvedic Consultant and can be contacted at
info@ayurvedaphysician.com Dr. A. A. Mundewadi, B.A.M.S., is a
practicing Ayurvedic physician since the last 22 years. He is a
graduate of R. A. Podar Medical (Ayurvedic ) College, Worli, Mumbai,
India. During this period of 22 years, he has obtained considerable
experience in the clinical treatment of a vast array of patients.
Ayurveda , basically means, a “ Science of Life”, and
involves maintaining the health of healthy persons, and treating sick
patients. Dr. Mundewadi has studied and experienced extensively all the
principles of Ayurveda , involving a healthy life-style, diet regimes,
body-cleansing through panch-karma procedures, and treatment with
herbal and herbo-mineral compounds.
In addition to his background in Ayurveda, Dr. Mundewadi
has also studied the therapeutic effects of Reiki( he is a 3rd degree
Reiki Master), Acupuncture ( he has done a basic and an advanced course
in Acupuncture), Hypnotherapy and Magnetotherapy. His current style of
clinical practice is a culmination of his experience with all these
different treatment modalities.
Dr. Mundewadi has been doing clinical research work
since the last 9 years. He has published his findings of herbal
treatment of HIV / AIDS in 55 patients in the Bombay Hospital Journal,
Mumbai, India, July 2005 issue. He has also successfully completed a
clinical trial of herbal extract medicines in Schizophrenia compared to
modern anti-psychotics, in 200 patients. He has also conducted
preliminary studies of Ayurvedic herbal extracts in the treatment of
Bipolar Disorder, Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s
Disease, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Mental
Retardation, and Tobacco and Alcohol Dependence. He also has a special
interest in the herbal treatment of Age Related Macular Degeneration
and different types of Cancer.
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Creatine For Anti-Aging? A New Study
Promises To Change Your Mind About This Supplement!
By Daniel Lee
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You may have heard of using creatine to help build
muscle. But did you know it can actually protect your DNA from damage
and mutation? Astounding new evidence supports using creatine for
anti-aging benefits!
A recent study shows that not only does creatine fight
muscle loss, but it can improve brain function and may even help with
inflammation, one systemic cause of aging. In fact, it may also help
with fatigue, muscle atrophy, and even such diseases as Parkinson's
disease or Huntington's disease. It may also help with brain pathology
or mitochondrial disorders.
First, let's take a look at the process of aging. Aging
is caused by oxidants (free radicals) in the body. These molecules are
very unstable and cause reactions and damage with every type of tissue
they come into contact with. As time goes on, the free radicals cause
cellular and DNA damage through the entire body. Eventually the
tissues, of skin, eyes, brain, lungs, liver, kidneys and virtually
every other organ become ineffective and the organs begin to
malfunction. Cancers may also develop due to the DNA damage from free
radicals.
The only way to combat the damage caused by these free
radicals is to introduce anti oxidants into your system though
supplementation and eating fresh healthy foods. These anti oxidants
seek out the free radicals and react with them, turning them into
harmless compounds.
DNA damage is associated with a wide variety of
disorders including cardiovascular disease, a wide variety of tumors
affecting the head, neck, breast, kidney, colon and lungs. In the
study, two dishes containing DNA were exposed to oxidizers that destroy
the DNA and break the molecules down. In one of the dishes the
researchers added creatine. After sitting over night, they found the
DNA without creatine added was almost completely destroyed. In the dish
that contained creatine, the DNA was almost completely preserved!
After doing much more research, it seems that creatine
actually binds to DNA and destroys the oxidizers as they attempt to
destroy the DNA strands. This is especially good news as it is very
difficult to get most antioxidants to bind to the mitochondrial DNA.
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Creatine is a wonderful supplement as
is the most widely used exercise supplement in the world.
As we age, creatine can be an important part of
protecting our tissues from oxidative damage. Creatine is also very
good at preventing muscle wasting as we age.
Of course, this has benefit to younger adults in that as
they get older, they may not have the muscle wasting their older peers
now suffer from. And of course, because sarcopenia (muscle wasting) can
very possibly be forestalled with creatine supplementation, it's much
easier to prevent it from happening at all than it is to try to correct
it after it does.
In fact, supplementation with as little as five grams of
creatine in 28 healthy adults also involved in resistance training
showed significant improvement in the extension strength, ankle
strength, intramuscular creatine levels, and strength in general. Of
course, what this translates to is that not only is fat loss
stimulated, but this in general leads to greater strength and
flexibility; as we age, we do not have to lose function and in fact can
even gain function with proper exercise and creatine supplementation.
One possible contraindication is its use in those with
kidney disease. Some have suggested that excessive intake of creatine
can increase levels of creatinine, a byproduct of creatine that is most
often present in those with kidney disease. It is not known whether
creatine itself is harmful in those with kidney disease and actually
affects kidney function, or whether it simply raises creatinine
metabolites.
Nonetheless, for healthy adults, supplementation with up
to 5 g of creatine a day has been shown to have no ill effects
whatsoever thus far. Given its significant benefit, healthy adults can
probably supplement very safely with creatine to prevent a wide range
of aging related issues including DNA damage and muscle wasting. Used
along with a healthy diet and an exercise program, creatine can be a
pillar of your program to promote long-term health.
There is so much more to learn about protecting
your health and living to the fullest...
Click
Here Now to get the latest research and facts about your
health.
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Author
Report
Daniel Lee writting about himself "I am a health and medical
researcher who is dedicated to finding little known medical studies
that will increase your lifespan should you put the information into
practice. I have insider access to health and medical study databases
that most people aren’t aware of or can’t access. I use this
specialized access so that you may find health and fulfillment and stay
active to enjoy your journey through life".
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