Dr. Andrea Dobrich, D.C. discusses a study showing Hepatitis B vaccine more than triples an infant boy’s risk of developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in her BioVeda of Harrisburg, NC blog:

A new study has shown that giving Hepatitis B vaccine to newborn baby boys more than triples their risk of developing an autism spectrum disorder. An abstract of the study was published in the September, 2009 issue of the respected journal Annals of Epidemiology. In it, Carolyn Gallagher and Melody Goodman of the Graduate Program in Public Health at Stony Brook University Medical Center, NY, wrote that, “Boys who received the hepatitis B vaccine during the first month of life had 2.94 greater odds for ASD compared to later- or unvaccinated boys.” The authors used U.S. probability samples obtained from National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) 1997–2002 datasets.  The conclusion states that: “Findings suggest that U.S. male neonates vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine had a 3-fold greater risk of ASD.” The authors also noted that an earlier study by them found that hepatitis B vaccination was associated with receipt of early intervention and special education services. The new study used a different database than their earlier study, and they found same results, suggesting a validation of their findings.

Dr. Andrea Dobrich of Bioveda of Harrisburg (just outside of Charlotte, NC) comments:

Autism spectrum disorder is a neurological disorder that affects how a child develops (see previous article on the autism basics).  According to WebMD:

• Autism isn’t a disease, it’s a symptom. It ranges in severity from a handicap that limits an otherwise normal life to a devastating disability that may require institutional care.
• Autism is one of the most common developmental disabilities. Including the milder form of autism known as pervasive developmental disorder or PDD, autism affects six to eight out of every 1,000 children.
• Children with autism have trouble communicating. They have trouble understanding what other people think and feel. This makes it very hard for them to express themselves either with words or through gestures, facial expressions, and touch.
• A child with autism who is very sensitive may be greatly troubled — sometimes even pained — by sounds, touches, smells, or sights that seem normal to others.

Theories of the cause of Autism include toxic overload or attack from vaccines, food sensitivities/allergies, heavy metals, etc. Essentially, when the body is overloaded with toxic substances, it must compensate by protecting itself from other stressors (ie sensory stimulation). This being said, I would suggest taking a holistic approach to help children affected with autism. Begin with the removal of nerve interference using alternative techniques such as chiropractic, and Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy. Then incorporate a gentle, yet effective detoxification program, and proper nutrition and diet under the instruction of your health care provider.

Sources:

Dr. Eric Herman, D.C. with BioVeda of Bethlehem, recently wrote about the importance of diet and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children on his BioVeda of Bethlehem Blog:

Many studies have shown positive outcomes in reducing the symptoms of ADHD simply by changing your child’s diet. In my practice I have observed drastic positive changes in children’s behavior by adding essential nutrition and removing toxic and empty caloric consumption from a persons eating habits.

The following are what I have observed to be the most important dietary modifications if you want to improve your attention, focus and emotional stability.

ADD THESE TO YOUR DIET:

1. Essential fatty acids(EFA’s) – studies have shown that children with learning disorders, including attention deficit and hyperactivity disorders, often have an EFA deficiency. The right kinds of fats are super important to ingest on a daily basis. among many other functions good fats are needed for proper brain function. That is why they are called essential fatty acids because your body can not make them and without them we would die!

The following are foods that are good sources of EFA. Cold water fish such as salmon, tuna and trout, flax seeds, nuts, dark leafy green vegetables, and grass fed meats and eggs. Good oils to use are Molecularly Distilled (gets rid of toxic mercury) fish oil, olive oil, krill oil, sunflower oil and flax seed oil.

2. Vitamin B complex – the B Vitamins improve neural activity and are great at helping the body cope with stress. Good food sources of Vitamin B are meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cereal grains, milk, legumes & fresh vegetables.

3. Protein – eating small portions of protein throughout the day evens out your energy. Here are some helpful tips for protein snacks for you children. String cheese wrapped in whole grain bread, a hard boiled egg, plain whole fat yogurt blended with a ripe banana for sweetness or simply mixing some protein powder in your child’s favorite smoothly.

4. Calcium and Magnesium – calcium in addition to building strong bones also supports a healthy nervous system which could improve a child’s behavior. Magnesium also has a calming effect on the nervous system helping to maintain normal muscle and nerve function and is involved in energy metabolism. Many studies have shown children with ADHD who supplement with calcium and magnesium have responded positively. Foods that are good sources of calcium and magnesium are, green vegetables such as broccoli, kale and collard greens as well as whole grains. Spinach, beans, peas, nuts and seeds are great sources of magnesium.

5. Trace minerals – trace minerals are micronutrients that are needed by the body every day, but in small amounts. Trace minerals that would help an ADHD child include zinc and iron. Studies have shown that children with ADHD have low levels of zinc in their bodies compared to children without ADHD. Iron helps regulate the neurotransmitter dopamine and may help children with ADHD. Trace minerals are found in organic fruits and vegetables. I recommend taking a good mineral supplement every day.

6. DRINK LOTS OF WATER. The brain is about 80% water, and increasing your water intake to 7 to 10 glasses per day might be very helpful all by itself. Sodas, Gatorade, teas, icees, etc., do not count as water. Only water counts as water.

THINGS TO AVOID

1. NO DAIRY PRODUCTS, especially cow’s milk. Instead try Almond milk, Rice milk, or Better Than Milk.

2. NO JUNK FOODS.

3. NO FRUIT JUICES.

4. CUT SUGAR INTAKE

5. AVOID NUTRASWEET.

6. NO PROCESSED MEATS and NO MSG.

7. AVOID FOOD COLORINGS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.

]]> http://biovedawellness.com/2010/02/diet-and-adhd/feed/ 6 http://biovedawellness.com/2010/01/misbehavior-and-allergies-in-children-is-there-a-link/ http://biovedawellness.com/2010/01/misbehavior-and-allergies-in-children-is-there-a-link/#comments Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:37:55 +0000 admin http://biovedawellness.com/?p=1350

This video (as posted by Dr. Eric Herman on BioVedaofBethlehem.com) is a must watch for parents who struggle to find the source of their child’s extreme misbehavior and violent outbursts. Dr. Doris Rapp has dedicated her life to identifying and providing simple solutions for behavior problems in kids and specifically targets the affects of allergies, food sensitivities and toxins on children.  In the video below, she offers insight into how to help a child who suffers from allergy induced behavior problems. While Dr. Rapp is not affiliated with BioVeda Health and Wellness Centers, we feel this information will help parents better understand that some children with bi-polar and ADHD symptoms can be helped without the use of dangerous off-label drugs.

by BioVeda of Bethlehem, PA. on December 14, 2009

Chances are you know of a child on Ritalin or some other prescription drug for “attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder” (ADHD). But did you know that these drugs can keep children from growing normally? Meanwhile, there are plenty of safe, natural ways to help these children that you won’t hear about from the mainstream medical community.

In a recently published study, a team of American scientists discovered that while Ritalin and similar prescription drugs like Adderall and Dexedrine might help some kids in the short term, over a three-year period they had no beneficial effect on their overall behavior . . . and that they can stunt children’s growth.1

So not only are these drugs dangerous, addictive and harmful to normal development – they don’t even work.

I’ve written to you before about the many dangers surrounding ADHD drugs. Not only do they keep kids from growing – studies have shown they can also do long-term damage to young peoples’ developing brains. One study on animals suggested that over the long term Ritalin can cause your child irreversible problems with stress, learning, memory, and appetite.2

The drug companies and the government know how addictive and dangerous these drugs are. That’s why the Drug Enforcement Agency treats them like any other controlled substance, limiting production each year in order to keep young people from using them recreationally.

That doesn’t stop them. In a study published in 2006, researchers at Northwestern University found that 75 percent of college kids abused ADHD drugs, often grinding them up and snorting them just like cocaine.3

Those are sobering numbers, especially when you consider that 1.6 million schoolchildren took Ritalin last year.

You’d think all this bad press would be the nail in the coffin for a class of drugs just as powerful as cocaine or methamphetamines. But if history is any guide, doctors will keep handing them out like candy to our children for years to come. ADHD is still the most commonly diagnosed disorder in children.

So here a few easy, safe, and natural ways to bring kid’s “to attention” without endangering their mental and physical health.

• The first is simple: ramp up the amount of omega-3 in their diet. A lot of scientific research has found that many children with ADHD don’t get enough omega-3. Cod liver and flax seed oils deliver the two kinds of omega-3s the body needs.
• You can also get them to eat more lean meats, eggs, and nuts, preferably free-range, grass-fed and organic. These are all great sources of omega-3.
• Pine bark extract is another natural supplement that works. One European study using pycnogenol, an organic compound found in the bark of the French maritime pine tree, showed that after only one month, children’s behavior improved significantly on as little as 1 mg per day.4
• Finally, nutritional science has discovered a number of naturally occurring amino acids that are great treatments for ADHD.
  • One of them is 5-HTP. It’s a precursor to serotonin, one of the chemicals in the brain that relieves anxiety and depression (popular antidepressants like Prozac, Zoloft, and Lexapro all boost serotonin levels). I recommend 50 to 100 mg three times per day with meals.
  • Another is tyrosine. It works like 5-HTP, increasing levels of various chemicals in the brain connected to mood and the ability to concentrate. The optimal dose is 5,000 mg per day for children and up to 10,000 mg per day for adults.

These are natural and perfectly safe alternatives with no side effects. They aren’t harmful or addictive, and unlike all those ADHD prescription drugs, they actually work. They are easy to find on line or at health food stores.

If you have a child with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or know of one please foward this valuable information to their parents.

For years I have been helping many children and their parents live happier healthier lives without the need for Ritalin.

Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy using The Bax 3000 is a scientific technique that I use to quickly find the underlying cause of ADHD. Once the cause is found and addressed results are often rapid and dramatic.

Please call with any questions, my heart goes out to the children who suffer!!!  1-877-275-1481

For more information please go to my website www.biovedaofbethlehem.com

1 Jensen et al, “3-Year Follow-up of the NIMH MTA Study.” Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 2007. 46(8):989-1002.
2 Gray et al, “Methylphenidate Administration to Juvenile Rats Alters Brain Areas Involved in Cognition, Motivated Behaviors, Appetite, and Stress,” Journal of Neuroscience, 2007, 27(27):7196-7207.
3 Christian et al, “Illicit Use of Specific Prescription Stimulants Among College Students: Prevalence, Motives, and Routes of Administration,” Pharmacotherapy, 2006, 26(10): 1501–1510.
4 Trebatická et al, “Treatment of ADHD with French maritime pine bark extract, Pycnogenol.” European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. 2006. 15(6):329-35.