We have learned in the past few months and years that the food we think is safe has contained some very harmful poisons. Unfortunately, here is another reason to create healthly, homemade foods at home. Quantities of lead in bottled juice, juice boxes, and packaged fruit could exceed federal limits for the lunchbox-toting set, according to the Environmental Law Foundation. The Bay Area-based environmental nonprofit, which enlisted the aid of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency-certified lab in Berkeley, tested nearly 400 samples from 150 branded products marketed to children, including apple juice, grape juice, packaged pears and peaches (including baby food), and fruit cocktail mixes. The alarming results: 125 out of 146 products—or more than 85%—contained enough lead in a single serving to warrant a warning label under California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986, better known as Prop. 65.
More troubling, perhaps, is the fact that the results target both organic and conventional products: Earth’s Best Organic, 365 Everyday Value Organic, Trader Joe’s, and Walnut Acres get as fair of a shake as Welch’s, Minute Maid, Gerber, Del Monte, and Dole. Plus, most scientists concur that no safe level of exposure to lead exists, especially when it comes to babies and children.
ELF has dispatched notices to law-enforcement officials, including California’s attorney-general, district attorneys, and the affected manufacturers, retailers, and distributors. The notices start a clock for the companies to either bring themselves into compliance with Prop. 65 or to place “clear and reasonable warnings” on the food packages. If, at the end of 60 days, no law enforcement agency pursues prosecution, ELF will file a formal suit.
Until then, we suggest that if you must give your child fruit juice, that you make fresh homemade juice at home. Juicers are very easy to find and there are a lot of affordable options. We do not recommend fruit juice for anyone, especially children because it is so high in sugar. Experimenting with different vegetable juices is a better option. Just avoid a bunch of carrot or beet juice, as these too are high in sugar. It is better to give your children the whole fruit and not just the juice. Water is the best option for kids, but if you want to make it a little more interesting you could brew herbals teas or put slices of fruit in a pitcher of water to slightly flavor it.
LEAD-TAINTED PRODUCTS
1. 365 Everyday Value Organic 100% Juice Concord Grapes
2. Beech Nut 100% Apple Juice
3. Best Yet Bartlett Pear Halves in Heavy Syrup
4. Best Yet Chunky Mixed Fruit in Pear Juice
5. Best Yet Yellow Cling Peach Halves in Heavy Syrup
6. Chef’s Review Fruit Cocktail
7. Del Monte 100% Juice Fruit Cocktail
8. Del Monte Chunky Mixed Fruit in 100% Juice (peach, pear, grape, etc.)
9. Del Monte Diced Pears in Light Syrup
10. Del Monte Freestone Peach Slices in 100% Juice
11. Del Monte Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup (peach, pear, grapes)
12. Del Monte Fruit Cocktail No Sugar Added
13. Del Monte Lite Fruit Cocktail in Extra Light Syrup
14. Del Monte Pear Halves in Heavy Syrup
15. Del Monte Pear Halves, Bartlett Pears in 100% real fruit juice from concentrate
16. Del Monte Sliced Yellow Cling Peaches in 100% Juice
17. Del Monte Sliced Yellow Cling Peaches in heavy syrup
18. Dole Diced Peaches, Yellow Cling in light syrup
19. Dole Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup
20. Dole Pear Halves in Juice
21. Earth’s Best Organics Apple Juice
22. Eating Right Fruit Cocktail packed in Sucralose
23. Eating Right No Sugar Fruit Cocktail
24. First Street 100% Apple Cider from concentrate
25. First Street Apple Juice from concentrate 100% juice
26. First Street Diced Pears
27. First Street Fruit Cocktail in heavy syrup
28. First Street Grape Juice from concentrate 100% juice
29. First Street Sliced Bartlett
30. First Street Yellow Cling Peaches in heavy syrup
31. Full Circle Organic Apple Juice
32. Full Circle Organic Bartlett Pear Slices
33. Gerber 100% Juice – White Grape Juice
34. Gerber 100% Juice Apple Juice
35. Gerber 3rd Foods Peaches
36. Gerber 3rd Foods Pears
37. Golden Star Mixed Fruit in Light Syrup (peach, pineapple, pears)
38. Golden Star Peach Halves in Heavy Syrup
39. Great Value 100% Grape Juice
40. Great Value 100% No Sugar Added Apple Juice
41. Great Value Bartlett Pear Halves in 100% Juice
42. Great Value Bartlett Sliced Pears in Heavy Syrup
43. Great Value No Sugar Added Fruit Cocktail
44. Great Value Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches
45. Hansen’s Natural Apple Juice
46. Kedem Concord Grape Juice 100% pure grape juice
47. Kroger 100% Juice Apple Juice
48. Kroger Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
49. Kroger Grape Juice 100% Juice
50. Kroger Lite Fruit Cocktail in Pear Juice
51. Kroger Value Fruit Mix (Peaches, pears, grapes)
52. Langers Apple Juice 100% Juice
53. Langers Grape Juice (Concord)
54. Langers Red Grape Juice
55. Libby’s Fruit Cocktail No Sugar Added (Sweetened with Splenda)
56. Libby’s Yellow Cling Peach Slices No Sugar Added (Sweetened with Splenda)
57. Market Pantry Diced Peaches in light syrup
58. Market Pantry Diced Pears in light syrup
59. Market Pantry Mixed Fruit in light syrup
60. Maxx Value Fruit Mix in Light Syrup (peach, pear, grape)
61. Maxx Value Pear Pieces in Light Syrup
62. Minute Maid Juice Apple – 100% Apple Juice
63. Motts 100% Apple Juice
64. Mrs. Brown’s Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup (peaches, pears, grapes)
65. O Organics Organic Grape Juice from concentrate
66. O Organics Organic Unfiltered Apple Juice Not From Concentrate
67. Old Orchard 100% Apple Juice
68. Parade 100% Juice Apple
69. Polar Mixed Fruit
70. Polar Peach Slices
71. Polar Pear Halves in light syrup
72. R.W. Knudsen Just Concord Grape Juice
73. R.W. Knudsen Organic Just Concord
74. Raley’s 100% Grape Juice
75. Raley’s Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
76. Raley’s Premium 100% Apple Juice not from Concentrate
77. Raley’s Sliced Yellow Cling Peaches in Heavy Syrup
78. S&W Natural Style Fruit Cocktail in Lightly Sweetened Juice
79. S&W Natural Style Pear Slices in Juice
80. S&W Natural Style Yellow Cling Peach Slices in Lightly Sweetened Juice
81. S&W Premium Peach Halves Yellow Cling Peaches in light syrup
82. S&W Sun Pears Premium
83. Safeway 100% Juice Apple Cider
84. Safeway 100% Juice Apple Juice
85. Safeway 100% Juice Grape Juice
86. Safeway Diced Peaches in Light Syrup
87. Safeway Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
88. Safeway Light Sugar Fruit Cocktail
89. Safeway Lite Bartlett Pear Halves in Pear Juice
90. Safeway Lite Fruit Cocktail in Pear Juice
91. Safeway Organic Grape Juice
92. Safeway Pear Halves in Light Juice
93. Safeway Yellow Cling Peach Slices in Pear Juice
94. Santa Cruz Organic Concord Grape Juice
95. Simple Value Yellow Cling Peaches in light syrup
96. Stater Bros. 100% Juice Apple Juice
97. Stater Bros. 100% Juice Grape Juice
98. Stater Bros. 100% Juice White Grape Juice
99. Stater Bros. Fruit Cocktail in Heavy Syrup
100. Stater Bros. Yellow Cling Peach Halves
101. Stater Bros. Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches in heavy syrup
102. Sunny Select 100% Apple Juice
103. Sunny Select 100% Grape Juice
104. Sunny Select Fruit Cocktail in Juice
105. Sunny Select Pear Halves in Pear Juice
106. Sunny Select Yellow Cling Sliced Peaches in Pear Juice
107. Trader Joe’s Certified Organic Apple Juice, pasteurized
108. Trader Joe’s Concord Grape Juice made from fress pressed organic concord grapes
109. Trader Joe’s Pear Halves in white grape juice
110. Trader Joe’s Yellow Cling Peach Halves in while grape juice
111. Tree Top 100% Juice Apple Cider
112. Tree Top 100% Juice, Grape
113. Truitt Brothers Pacific NorthWest Bartlett Pear Halves, in pear juice from concentrate
114. Valu Time Grape Drink from Concentrate
115. Valu Time Irregular Bartlett Pear Slices
116. Valu Time Yellow Cling Peach Slices
117. Walgreens Apple Juice from concentrate 100% juice
118. Walgreens Grape Juice from concentrate 100% juice
119. Walnut Acres Organic Concord Grape
120. Walnut Grove Market 100% Apple Juice
121. Walnut Grove Market Grape Juice
122. Walnut Grove Market Natural Peaches Sliced Yellow Cling in Light Syrup
123. Walnut Grove Market Natural Pear Halves in Heavy Syrup
124. Welch’s 100% Grape Juice (from Welch’s Concord Grapes)
125. Welch’s 100% Red Grape Juice from Concentrate
For more information go to www.envirolaw.org
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Five Most Important Things for Individuals with Hypothyroid
Are you suffering from hypothyroidism? The most common cause of low thyroid function is called Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Hashimoto's is actually an autoimmune condition, meaning your immune system is dysregulated and attacking your thyroid tissue. The dysregulated immune system should be the focus of your treatment. Immune cells called regulatory T cells help balance a dysregulated immune system. What can we do nutritionally to support these cells? The most important things are vitamin D, long chain omega 3 fats, and glutathione/superoxide dismustase. Greater than 90% of individuals with autoimmune thyroid disease have genetic polymorphisms with there vitamin D receptors and require higher dosages of vitamin D to get a therapeutic response. It is not uncommon to take 5-20K per day to get the desired result. This needs to be monitored with a blood test as too much can be detrimental. Gluten and iodine are both common triggers for autoimmune thyroid attacks. Strict avoidance of these in an absolute necessity to calm down one's immune system. So how do you get checked for an autoimmune thyroid condition? This can be done with simple blood tests to check for thyroid antibodies. These tests are not commonly done in conventional medicine as it does not change the course of treatment (ie: hormone replacement). Yours in health, Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Study: ADHD linked to pesticide exposure
From CNN.com:
Children exposed to higher levels of a type of pesticide found in trace amounts on commercially grown fruit and vegetables are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than children with less exposure, a nationwide study suggests.
Researchers measured the levels of pesticide byproducts in the urine of 1,139 children from across the United States. Children with above-average levels of one common byproduct had roughly twice the odds of getting a diagnosis of ADHD, according to the study, which appears in the journal Pediatrics.
Exposure to the pesticides, known as organophosphates, has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems in children in the past, but previous studies have focused on communities of farm workers and other high-risk populations. This study is the first to examine the effects of exposure in the population at large.
Organophosphates are “designed” to have toxic effects on the nervous system, says the lead author of the study, Maryse Bouchard, Ph.D., a researcher in the department of environmental and occupational health at the University of Montreal. “That’s how they kill pests.”
The pesticides act on a set of brain chemicals closely related to those involved in ADHD, Bouchard explains, “so it seems plausible that exposure to organophosphates could be associated with ADHD-like symptoms.”
Environmental Protection Agency regulations have eliminated most residential uses for the pesticides (including lawn care and termite extermination), so the largest source of exposure for children is believed to be food, especially commercially grown produce. Adults are exposed to the pesticides as well, but young children appear to be especially sensitive to them, the researchers say.
Detectable levels of pesticides are present in a large number of fruits and vegetables sold in the U.S., according to a 2008 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited in the study. In a representative sample of produce tested by the agency, 28 percent of frozen blueberries, 20 percent of celery, and 25 percent of strawberries contained traces of one type of organophosphate. Other types of organophosphates were found in 27 percent of green beans, 17 percent of peaches, and 8 percent of broccoli.
Although kids should not stop eating fruits and vegetables, buying organic or local produce whenever possible is a good idea, says Bouchard.
“Organic fruits and vegetables contain much less pesticides, so I would certainly advise getting those for children,” she says. “National surveys have also shown that fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets contain less pesticides even if they’re not organic. If you can buy local and from farmers’ markets, that’s a good way to go.”
A direct cause-and-effect link between pesticides and ADHD “is really hard to establish,” says Dana Boyd Barr, Ph.D., a professor of environmental and occupational health at Emory University. However, she says, “There appears to be some relation between organophosphate pesticide exposure and the development of ADHD.”
This is the largest study of its kind to date, according to Barr, who researched pesticides for more than 20 years in her previous job with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but was not involved in the study.
Bouchard and her colleagues analyzed urine samples from children ages 8 to 15. The samples were collected during an annual, nationwide survey conducted by the CDC, known as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers tested the samples for six chemical byproducts (known as metabolites) that result when the body breaks down more than 28 different pesticides. Nearly 95 percent of the children had at least one byproduct detected in their urine.
Just over 10 percent of the children in the study were diagnosed with ADHD. The kids were judged to have ADHD if their symptoms (as reported by parents) met established criteria for the disorder, or if they had taken ADHD medication regularly in the previous year.
Health.com: The link between drugs, alcohol and ADHD
One group of pesticide byproducts was associated with a substantially increased risk of ADHD. Compared with kids who had the lowest levels, the kids whose levels were 10 times higher were 55 percent more likely to have ADHD. (Another group of byproducts did not appear to be linked to the disorder.)
In addition, children with higher-than-average levels of the most commonly detected byproduct — found in roughly 6 in 10 kids — were nearly twice as likely to have ADHD.
“It’s not a small effect,” says Bouchard. “This is 100 percent more risk.”
To isolate the effect of the pesticide exposure on ADHD symptoms, the researchers controlled for a variety of health and demographic factors that could have skewed the results.
Still, the study had some limitations and is not definitive, Bouchard says. Most notably, she and her colleagues measured only one urine sample for each child, and therefore weren’t able to track whether the levels of pesticide byproducts were constant, or whether the association between exposure and ADHD changed over time.
Health.com: What if my child begins showing ADHD symptoms?
Long-term studies including multiple urine samples from the same children are needed, Bouchard says. She suspects such studies would show an even stronger link between pesticide byproducts and ADHD.
EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said in a statement that the agency routinely reviews the safety of all pesticides, including organophosphates. “We are currently developing a framework to incorporate data from studies similar to this one into our risk assessment,” Kemery said. “We will look at this study and use the framework to decide how it fits into our overall risk assessment.”
Kemery recommended that parents try other pest-control tactics before resorting to pesticide use in the home or garden. Washing and peeling fruits and vegetables and eating “a varied diet” will also help reduce potential exposure to pesticides, he said.
“I would hope that this study raises awareness as to the risk associated with pesticide exposure,” Bouchard says. “There’s really only a handful of studies on this subject out there, so there’s room for more awareness.”
Children exposed to higher levels of a type of pesticide found in trace amounts on commercially grown fruit and vegetables are more likely to have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder than children with less exposure, a nationwide study suggests.
Researchers measured the levels of pesticide byproducts in the urine of 1,139 children from across the United States. Children with above-average levels of one common byproduct had roughly twice the odds of getting a diagnosis of ADHD, according to the study, which appears in the journal Pediatrics.
Exposure to the pesticides, known as organophosphates, has been linked to behavioral and cognitive problems in children in the past, but previous studies have focused on communities of farm workers and other high-risk populations. This study is the first to examine the effects of exposure in the population at large.
Organophosphates are “designed” to have toxic effects on the nervous system, says the lead author of the study, Maryse Bouchard, Ph.D., a researcher in the department of environmental and occupational health at the University of Montreal. “That’s how they kill pests.”
The pesticides act on a set of brain chemicals closely related to those involved in ADHD, Bouchard explains, “so it seems plausible that exposure to organophosphates could be associated with ADHD-like symptoms.”
Environmental Protection Agency regulations have eliminated most residential uses for the pesticides (including lawn care and termite extermination), so the largest source of exposure for children is believed to be food, especially commercially grown produce. Adults are exposed to the pesticides as well, but young children appear to be especially sensitive to them, the researchers say.
Detectable levels of pesticides are present in a large number of fruits and vegetables sold in the U.S., according to a 2008 report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture cited in the study. In a representative sample of produce tested by the agency, 28 percent of frozen blueberries, 20 percent of celery, and 25 percent of strawberries contained traces of one type of organophosphate. Other types of organophosphates were found in 27 percent of green beans, 17 percent of peaches, and 8 percent of broccoli.
Although kids should not stop eating fruits and vegetables, buying organic or local produce whenever possible is a good idea, says Bouchard.
“Organic fruits and vegetables contain much less pesticides, so I would certainly advise getting those for children,” she says. “National surveys have also shown that fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets contain less pesticides even if they’re not organic. If you can buy local and from farmers’ markets, that’s a good way to go.”
A direct cause-and-effect link between pesticides and ADHD “is really hard to establish,” says Dana Boyd Barr, Ph.D., a professor of environmental and occupational health at Emory University. However, she says, “There appears to be some relation between organophosphate pesticide exposure and the development of ADHD.”
This is the largest study of its kind to date, according to Barr, who researched pesticides for more than 20 years in her previous job with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention but was not involved in the study.
Bouchard and her colleagues analyzed urine samples from children ages 8 to 15. The samples were collected during an annual, nationwide survey conducted by the CDC, known as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
The researchers tested the samples for six chemical byproducts (known as metabolites) that result when the body breaks down more than 28 different pesticides. Nearly 95 percent of the children had at least one byproduct detected in their urine.
Just over 10 percent of the children in the study were diagnosed with ADHD. The kids were judged to have ADHD if their symptoms (as reported by parents) met established criteria for the disorder, or if they had taken ADHD medication regularly in the previous year.
Health.com: The link between drugs, alcohol and ADHD
One group of pesticide byproducts was associated with a substantially increased risk of ADHD. Compared with kids who had the lowest levels, the kids whose levels were 10 times higher were 55 percent more likely to have ADHD. (Another group of byproducts did not appear to be linked to the disorder.)
In addition, children with higher-than-average levels of the most commonly detected byproduct — found in roughly 6 in 10 kids — were nearly twice as likely to have ADHD.
“It’s not a small effect,” says Bouchard. “This is 100 percent more risk.”
To isolate the effect of the pesticide exposure on ADHD symptoms, the researchers controlled for a variety of health and demographic factors that could have skewed the results.
Still, the study had some limitations and is not definitive, Bouchard says. Most notably, she and her colleagues measured only one urine sample for each child, and therefore weren’t able to track whether the levels of pesticide byproducts were constant, or whether the association between exposure and ADHD changed over time.
Health.com: What if my child begins showing ADHD symptoms?
Long-term studies including multiple urine samples from the same children are needed, Bouchard says. She suspects such studies would show an even stronger link between pesticide byproducts and ADHD.
EPA spokesman Dale Kemery said in a statement that the agency routinely reviews the safety of all pesticides, including organophosphates. “We are currently developing a framework to incorporate data from studies similar to this one into our risk assessment,” Kemery said. “We will look at this study and use the framework to decide how it fits into our overall risk assessment.”
Kemery recommended that parents try other pest-control tactics before resorting to pesticide use in the home or garden. Washing and peeling fruits and vegetables and eating “a varied diet” will also help reduce potential exposure to pesticides, he said.
“I would hope that this study raises awareness as to the risk associated with pesticide exposure,” Bouchard says. “There’s really only a handful of studies on this subject out there, so there’s room for more awareness.”
Thursday, April 22, 2010
The Autism Epidemic
Ten years ago Autism was considered a rare disorder that was diagnosed in approximately 1 in 10,000 children. Today the odds of a child receiving an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ADS) diagnosis are 1 in 91. In the 6-11 age group it is 1 in 63 and if it is a boy the chances climb to 1 in 38, or 2.6% of all male children in America! This represents a 7000% increase from the 1980’s till now.
Some critics would argue that the dramatic increase is because doctors are recognizing the condition earlier and they are better at diagnosing these conditions. A study done at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute has found that the seven to eight fold increase in the number of children born in California with autism since 1990 cannot be explained by either changes in how the condition is diagnosed or counted and the trend shows no sign of abating.
The study was published in the January 2009 issue of the journal Epidemiology, results from the study also suggested that research should shift from genetics to the host of chemicals and infectious microbes in the environment that are likely at the root of changes in the neurodevelopment of California’s children.
The study also revealed that no more than 56% of the estimated 600-700% increase, that is, less than one-tenth of the increased number of reported autism cases, could be attributed to earlier age at diagnosis. Only 24% of the increase could be attributed to earlier age at diagnosis. In total only 200% of the 600-700% increase could be attributed to improved diagnosis.
So what exactly is causing this autism epidemic? Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health and architect of the Human Genome project had told a Senate committee nearly 3 and a half years ago that the rise in autism was due to “changes in the environment.”
Dr. Collins also stated that, “Genes alone do not tell the whole story. Recent increases in chronic diseases like diabetes, childhood asthma, obesity or autism cannot be due to major shifts in the human gene pool as those changes take much more time to occur. They must be due to changes in the environment, including diet and physical activity, which may produce disease in genetically predisposed persons.”
These problems are NOT genetic. They are environmental or EPIGENETIC! (Melillo, 2010) What this means is that these problems are potentially correctable. You are not doomed if your child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Just as you are not doomed if you have any of the above conditions listed.
Recent research has shown that ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, LD, OCD, etc. are all the result of a common underlying problem. This problem is known as a Functional Disconnection Syndrome. Dr. Lauren Caffery is currently studying under Dr. Robert Melillio pursuing her specialty in Childhood Developmental and Neurobehavioral Disorders with the Carrick Institute. Both Dr. Chris Caffery and Dr. Lauren Caffery utilize a holistic approach that includes Hemispheric Integration TechniqueTM to treat patients with a variety of different neurodevelopmental or behavior disorders as well as neurodegenerative disorders. Please stay tuned for more information about Functional Disconnection Syndrome and the highly successful Hemispheric Integration TechniqueTM. If you would like more information about the treatment approaches at Functional Neurology Associates please contact us at 267-354-1734 or at DrCaffery@gmail.com.
Below you can find the link to the full text article about this ground breaking research done by Dr. Robert Melillo and Gerry Leisman.
http://files.meetup.com/1436730/Autistic%20Spectrum%20Disorders%20as%20Functional%20Disconnection%20Syndrome.pdf
Some critics would argue that the dramatic increase is because doctors are recognizing the condition earlier and they are better at diagnosing these conditions. A study done at the UC Davis M.I.N.D. Institute has found that the seven to eight fold increase in the number of children born in California with autism since 1990 cannot be explained by either changes in how the condition is diagnosed or counted and the trend shows no sign of abating.
The study was published in the January 2009 issue of the journal Epidemiology, results from the study also suggested that research should shift from genetics to the host of chemicals and infectious microbes in the environment that are likely at the root of changes in the neurodevelopment of California’s children.
The study also revealed that no more than 56% of the estimated 600-700% increase, that is, less than one-tenth of the increased number of reported autism cases, could be attributed to earlier age at diagnosis. Only 24% of the increase could be attributed to earlier age at diagnosis. In total only 200% of the 600-700% increase could be attributed to improved diagnosis.
So what exactly is causing this autism epidemic? Dr. Francis Collins, the Director of the National Institutes of Health and architect of the Human Genome project had told a Senate committee nearly 3 and a half years ago that the rise in autism was due to “changes in the environment.”
Dr. Collins also stated that, “Genes alone do not tell the whole story. Recent increases in chronic diseases like diabetes, childhood asthma, obesity or autism cannot be due to major shifts in the human gene pool as those changes take much more time to occur. They must be due to changes in the environment, including diet and physical activity, which may produce disease in genetically predisposed persons.”
These problems are NOT genetic. They are environmental or EPIGENETIC! (Melillo, 2010) What this means is that these problems are potentially correctable. You are not doomed if your child has been diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Just as you are not doomed if you have any of the above conditions listed.
Recent research has shown that ASD, ADHD, Dyslexia, LD, OCD, etc. are all the result of a common underlying problem. This problem is known as a Functional Disconnection Syndrome. Dr. Lauren Caffery is currently studying under Dr. Robert Melillio pursuing her specialty in Childhood Developmental and Neurobehavioral Disorders with the Carrick Institute. Both Dr. Chris Caffery and Dr. Lauren Caffery utilize a holistic approach that includes Hemispheric Integration TechniqueTM to treat patients with a variety of different neurodevelopmental or behavior disorders as well as neurodegenerative disorders. Please stay tuned for more information about Functional Disconnection Syndrome and the highly successful Hemispheric Integration TechniqueTM. If you would like more information about the treatment approaches at Functional Neurology Associates please contact us at 267-354-1734 or at DrCaffery@gmail.com.
Below you can find the link to the full text article about this ground breaking research done by Dr. Robert Melillo and Gerry Leisman.
http://files.meetup.com/1436730/Autistic%20Spectrum%20Disorders%20as%20Functional%20Disconnection%20Syndrome.pdf
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Cell Phones and Brain Tumors
In September 2009 the journal of Surgical Neurology published a meta-analysis reviewing eleven long term studies on the effects of cell phone usage and brain tumors. The conclusion of the study was that utilizing a cell phone for greater than or equal to ten years roughly doubles one's risk of being diagnosed with a brain tumor on the side of usage.
Based upon this research I think it would be judicious to minimize cell phone usage and consider a blue tube headset. (http://products.mercola.com/blue-tube-headset/) Another consideration is the health of the individual utilizing the cell phone. Keeping one's antioxidant defenses high would theoretically provide some protection against this. Yours in health, Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
Based upon this research I think it would be judicious to minimize cell phone usage and consider a blue tube headset. (http://products.mercola.com/blue-tube-headset/) Another consideration is the health of the individual utilizing the cell phone. Keeping one's antioxidant defenses high would theoretically provide some protection against this. Yours in health, Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Gluten Myths
Philadelphia New 6 ABC aired a segment entitled, “Can going Gluten-free make you fat?” I wanted to take a moment to address some of the misinformation presented. The following is a statement taken from the segment, “If you have no intolerance symptoms such as stomach pain and bloating after eating gluten, then despite some of the buzz experts say going gluten free isn't worth the hassle or the money.” This statement implies that gluten intolerance symptoms only present as gut symptoms. This is GROSSLY incorrect. In fact, gluten sensitivity being regarded as principally a disease of the small bowel is a historical misconception. (J. Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2002) The majority of patients with Celiac disease have NO gastrointestinal symptoms. For every one person with gastrointestinal symptoms there are eight people without gastrointestinal symptoms. (BMJ 1999) Undiagnosed/non compliant patients with Celiac have an increased risk of dying from Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma times 11.4, cancer of small intestine times 17.3, inflammatory bowel disease times 70.9, disorders of immune deficiency times 20.9, etc. (Arch Intern Med 2003). I hope this segment does not mislead any viewers not to seek appropriate medical advice for a suspected problem, that mistake could be fatal. Going gluten-free is not about weight loss, it is about health. If you would like more information, visit us at www.functionalneuro.com or email at drcaffery@gmail.com
Yours in health,
Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
Yours in health,
Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Mirror therapy and limb pain
A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine 2007 demonstrates the benefit of mirror therapy in the treatment of phantom limb pain. Mirror therapy simply involves moving the intact limb on the opposite side of the body, and viewing the reflection of the limb in the mirror. This gives the perception of moving the amputated limb. In the study, 100% of the subjects utilizing mirror therapy had a decrease in their pain.
We utilize mirror therapy in our practice in the treatment of patients with phantom limb pain, complex regional pain syndrome (RSD), and post strokes. The reason it is effective is due to the fact that it creates the cortical perception of moving the injured or amputated limb. The movement stimulation of the limb serves to activate areas of the brain that will inhibit pain. With regular practice this will create “plasticity” in these cortical neurons. Plasticity is an increased level of efficiency. If you know anyone with these aforementioned conditions please share this information will them as it can be life changing. If you would like more information about of approach to patient care please visit www.functionalneuro.com
Yours in health,
Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Belly Fat and Dementia Risk
First, we would like to say Happy New Year to everyone, and hope that you all enjoyed the holiday season. Many people indulge themselves during the holidays and find that they have put on some extra pounds the past few weeks. If you are one of the many Americans that have made New Year's resolutions to lose weight this year, this article might prove to be another motivating factor.
The Journal of Neurology 2009 reported that a high midlife waist to hip ratio (greater than .80) more than doubled the risk of developing dementia. So what does this mean to you? A high waist to hip ratio would be caused by an increase in belly fat (measuring around waist) relative to hip circumference (measuring around the hips). So look at yourself in the mirror and ask the question, “Is my waist bigger than my hips?” If they are the same size, then this would be a waist to hip ratio of 1.0. Now you must understand that belly fat accumulation is associated with insulin resistance and hypercortisolemia.
Insulin is the hormone that facilitates glucose to get into your cells. If you have elevations in insulin due to poor lifestyle then your cells can become resistant to the effects of insulin. When they become resistant to insulin, glucose is less efficient at getting into your cells. If your fasting glucose rises to 126 then you are referred to as “diabetic”, if it reaches 115 you are referred to as “prediabetic”. Optimally your fasting glucose should not be over 100. If it is, then this is a sign of insulin resistance, and needs to be addressed.
Hypercortisolemia means high cortisol. Cortisol is a stress hormone made in your adrenal glands. Stress can come in the form of emotional stress, underlying food sensitivities, chronic gut infections, inflammatory conditions, dysglycemias (unstable blood sugar), etc. One of the most common forms of stress is from unstable blood sugar. Cortisol levels can be evaluated very simply with a four point salivary cortisol test. Not only is it important to look for quantity of cortisol, but also cortisol rhythm. Cortisol levels change throughout the day and four samples allow this “rhythm” to be evaluated. If this rhythm is lost then it is a sign of hippocampal degeneration (the area in the brain lost with dementia).
We routinely look at fasting glucose and four point cortisol testing, and it is rare that we do not find a problem here. If you would like more information about our approach to patient care please visit www.functionalneuro.com.
Yours in health, Drs. Chris & Lauren Caffery
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