Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - Dherbs - The Best All Natural Herbal Remedies & Products https://www.dherbs.com/tag/autism-spectrum-disorder-asd/ Buy the best herbal supplements, natural remedies, and herbal remedies from Dherbs. We're the #1 alternative medicine store online. ✓ Visit and shop now! Fri, 01 Mar 2024 12:46:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 5 Potential Health Benefits Of Art Therapy https://www.dherbs.com/articles/5-potential-health-benefits-of-art-therapy/ Wed, 26 Apr 2023 09:16:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=159270

Creating visual art in a therapy session can may help relieve stress and boost self-confidence. Learn about more art therapy benefits here.

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Traditional talk therapy can be very beneficial for a lot of people. Talking with a licensed professional helps people come to realizations and they can make major breakthroughs. Unfortunately, it isn’t easy for everyone to verbally communicate feelings. In fact, a lot of people struggle to say how they feel when sitting across from a therapist. It’s also possible that the feelings or traumatic experience you want to talk about are buried deep down, and talking about it can seem impossible. 

In all these cases, and many more, art therapy can serve as an alternative therapeutic way to process emotions. Art is a healing medium and it can be quite liberating and therapeutic, even outside an art therapy session. Scribbling, painting, or sculpting can help people release stress or tense emotions. 

What Is Art Therapy?

Art therapy is a practice that uses art as a tool to promote healing. An art therapy session gives you the chance to express their feelings and experiences in a physical way. Expressing an emotion through artistic qualities can be a lot easier than describing it verbally. Language processing, emotional processing, and creative thinking all involve different areas of the brain. What art therapy aims to do is integrate these areas to help bridge the gaps between these processes. Many art therapists agree that this process leads to a more holistic and intuitive outcome. 

It is far different from taking an art class because an art class focuses on technique. In an art therapy session, the therapist asks minimal questions while the client creates art in their presence. The therapist uses the time to observe the creation of the client’s art and what their body language is while making the art. The colors, intensity of the piece, and more all communicate things to the therapist, all without a lot of verbal communication. Continue reading to learn about some potential benefits of art therapy

It May Build Self-Esteem

Authors of a 2019 report noted that participating in expressive art activities may help build self-acceptance, confidence, and self-esteem. These types of interventions may help people with chronic illness, as it helps them process complex or difficult thoughts/emotions about their experiences and/or conditions. Other research notes that art therapy focuses on promoting self-expression to gain a sense of personal independence and self-sufficiency. Art can help you understand what matters to you!

It May Reduce Stress

The act of creating something can be very therapeutic and it can help you release built-up tension in the body. One systematic review, which included 37 studies, found that 81% of participants in the reviewed studies reported significant reductions in stress via creative art interventions. A smaller study found that 45 minutes of art-making (collaging, using modeling clay, or drawing) helped reduce cortisol levels in 75% of participants. Participants also noted that the art session made them want to make more art. 

It May Improve Behavior In Autistic Children

According to several studies, art therapy may be an effective form of healing that can aid children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A 2022 review included 15 studies that monitored children with autism between ages three and 16. The review concluded that art intervention, like drawing and painting, helped them express themselves and improve social learning. Additionally, a small study followed 40 children (ages six to 12) with ASD in Iran. After 12 sessions of art therapy, children showed more adaptive behaviors and emotions, improved social interactions, and an increased ability to share their feelings. 

It May Improve Symptoms Of Anxiety And Depression

One of the best ways to work through your depression or anxiety is to create art. You just let your emotions flow through you without ever needing to say a word. A small randomized controlled trial monitored elderly women with major depressive disorder. The group that participated in 20 weekly art therapy group sessions reported improvements in their depression and anxiety symptoms. Experts purport that making art helps participants cope with stressful events and express themselves in accessible ways. A systematic review of 413 studies concluded that art therapy was effective for helping patients with mental health disorders open up and share their feelings. 

It May Help People With PTSD

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that develops in some people who experienced scary, shocking, or dangerous events. One small study consisted of 11 combat veterans with PTSD. Findings indicated that art therapy, in conjunction with cognitive processing therapy (CPT), enhanced trauma recall and increased access to emotions. Additionally, researchers from this trial noted non-verbal therapeutic tools, such as art therapy, potentially allowed for deeper emotional processing. The veterans who participated in art therapy were either able to recover blocked memories or gain crucial realizations that helped them move forward.

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Could Autism Be Improved By Targeting Gut Health? https://www.dherbs.com/articles/wellness-prevention/could-autism-be-improved-by-targeting-gut-health/ Thu, 02 Apr 2020 08:50:00 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/?p=108369

For World Autism Awareness Day, we are exploring how changing diet to improve gut bacteria may benefit children with autism.

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World Autism Day, which occurs annually on April 2nd, kicks off Autism Awareness Month, which aims to spread awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). ASD refers to a broad range of conditions that are characterized by challenges with repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communications, and social skills. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 1 in 59 children in the United States are affected by autism.

Autism Awareness Month

The Autism Society was founded in 1965 and began to raise awareness in the early 1970s via nationwide campaigns. Every April since 1970 has celebrated the differences of those on the spectrum, and the intention has been to support and educate the public about autism. What most people don’t know about autism is that growing evidence supports that dietary intervention may be an effective treatment.

Medical experts conducted large-scale studies about altering gut health to reduce the symptoms of ASD. Caregivers have traditionally focused on rehabilitation, educational intervention, or medications, but dietary intervention may be a better and more affordable approach to manage symptoms. A review of 150 papers on ASD and gut bacteria found the links between composition of gut bacteria and autistic behavior. The growth of bad bacteria in the gut is largely attributed to diets rich in processed foods, refined sugars, gluten, meats, and dairy products. The build-up of bad bacteria can make the gut lining more permeable. Toxins can then get into the bloodstream and travel to the brain. Children under three years old are at the height of brain development, so the presence of these toxins in the brain may increase the risk of ASD.

Causes Of Imbalanced Gut Microbiota In Infants

Dr. Quinrui Li of Peking University, China, explains that the presence of bad bacteria in the gut is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Maternal obesity and diabetes during pregnancy, the overuse of antibiotics in babies, how a baby is delivered, and breastfeeding times can all factor into the development of ASD. Dr. Li’s review focused on restoring healthy gut bacteria via probiotics, prebiotics, and removing gluten and casein protein (found in dairy products) from diet. All of these had positive impact on ASD symptoms.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet

Some children with ASD have experienced reduced symptoms after following the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, which restricts the consumption of all grains, dairy products, certain vegetables, and carbohydrates with more than one molecule. This diet was developed to treat gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease and ulcerative colitis, but children with autism, many of whom experience digestive conditions, have benefited from it as well. The trick with this diet is understanding what foods contain all of these ingredients. Not all labels will list gluten or casein additives. For instance, canned tuna or salmon may contain casein that isn’t labeled. And it is important to be strict with this diet, meaning that you shouldn’t cave for special occasions. Food oriented holidays can be tricky, but you just have to find healthier substitutes because the wellbeing of the child is what matters most. A special occasion does not have to be gluten- or casein-oriented!

Each child is different, so a particular diet may work for one child and won’t work for the other. If you plan on changing a child’s diet, it’s all about starting slow and not jumping in too fast. It is best to slowly eliminate certain foods from the diet and replace them with healthier alternatives. Successful alternatives can make feeding time much easier.

Researchers are encouraged by the fact that improved gut health can potentially reduce ASD symptoms. Large scale studies need to be conducted to further support this preliminary evidence. For now, behavioral therapy remains a great option, but improving the gut microbiota may be a more effective treatment in the future.

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Why Children Should Detox https://www.dherbs.com/articles/general-topics/why-children-should-detox/ Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:25:54 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/why-children-should-detox/

Are your children doomed from the start? Are the foods we give them setting them up for future health complications? Read more to find out.

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Some people like to think that children are like little bursts of energy that can run around without being harmed. In fact, a child’s body is just as toxic and polluted as an adult’s body. Even though children may have more energy, their diets can set them up for extreme failure later on in life. We are referring to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

The healthy development of a child begins in the mother’s womb. The developing baby is fed whatever the mother eats. If she eats unhealthy, processed foods or a lot of meat and dairy products, the baby will be exposed to those toxins. On the other side of the coin, a mother who eats a healthy diet that consists of nutritious plant-based foods will be supplying her baby with essential nutrients for development. Some babies are born with jaundice or hepatitis because of pharmaceutical drugs, synthetic vitamins, or other liver-damaging things that mothers consume while pregnant. The babies are then born with partially damaged livers.

The Standard American Diet Can Hurt a Baby’s Development

According to BabyCenter.com, roughly 70% of mothers breastfeed their infants at birth. By the time the baby is six months old, only 36% of mothers are still breastfeeding. At 12 months, only 17% of babies are breastfed. Babies who stop breastfeeding typically start drinking baby formula, which can contain harmful ingredients like lactose, iron oxide, or monodiglycerides, which is a pork derivative. These are not ingredients that human body thrives on. A baby who breastfeeds has a greater chance at building a healthy immune system.

When the child begins eating solid food, there is not always the hugest effort to ensure the baby is eating nutritious foods. A lot of people resort to buying commercial baby food, which can be filled with a lot of sugar. Rather than giving babies processed foods from the time they can eat something, try making them food with fresh ingredients and pureeing it. This helps to establish a healthy digestive system.

Other Toxic Sources

Baby and children’s medicines are drugs. The ingredients flood the baby’s body with toxins, and a child’s body may not be the strongest because of an immune system that isn’t fully developed. Whether you are using vitamins or hygiene products, you always have to take into account that you could be putting toxins into your child’s body. Even baby powder, which contains aluminum, and baby oil can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions. Some diapers or baby wipes are even bleached with chemicals that can irritate a baby’s bottom.

Vaccinations and immunizations can also harm a child’s body. Consider the ingredients: Mercury, Thimerisol, Sugar, chicken egg yolks, formaldehyde (embalming fluid), propylene glycol, and fifty-plus more harmful ingredients that can result in autism, smiling disorders, depression, partial paralysis, mental retardation, childhood diseases (chicken pox, measles, pneumonia, influenza, hepatitis, pertussis, etc.), and slow speech.

We don’t intend to scare you, but we want you to be mindful that there are toxins that can enter a child’s body in every corner of the world. This is why it can be beneficial to take part in some cleansing routines to keep a child’s body healthy.

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Epilepsy (Seizures) https://www.dherbs.com/articles/featured-articles/epilepsy-seizures/ Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:25:53 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/epilepsy-seizures/

Epilepsy can be healed. Best remedies for epilepsy. Dietary recommendations and products that aid in the prevention and healing of seizures. Herbs great for healing epilepsy increase and enhance oxygen flow throughout the body.

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Causes and Risk Factors

Epilepsy or seizures are caused by a surge in electrical signals or energy in the brain. This can be triggered by:

  • Head trauma
  • Genetic influences
  • Medical disorders
  • Certain diseases such as meningitis, AIDS and viral encephalitis
  • Pre-natal injury
  • Developmental disorders such as Down syndrome and autism

Risk factors include:

  • Age-while epilepsy can happen at any age, it’s typically seen in younger years or at ages 65 or older
  • Gender-men are more likely to experience seizures than women
  • Head injuries
  • Hormonal changes brought on by pregnancy, menopause or taking hormone-based medication such as thyroid meds, birth control or growth hormones
  • Stroke or vascular disease
  • Brain infections
  • High childhood fevers

Symptoms

When consciousness is lost during a seizure, it is called “Grand mal seizure.” When consciousness is not lost during a seizure, it is called “Petit mal seizure.

Seizures can display as:

  • Temporary confusion
  • Staring blankly
  • Convulsion
  • Jerking movementsLoss of awareness
  • Loss of consciousness

Healing Options

Herbs great for healing epilepsy include all herbs that increase and enhance oxygen flow throughout the body, e.g., Gotu Kola, Gingko Biloba, Ginseng, Holy/Blessed Thistle, Black Walnut Hulls, and Green Tea. Additional herbs great for healing epilepsy include Jasmine Flower, Lady’s Slipper, Irish Moss, Cayenne, Ginger, Fo Ti, Jatamansi, Scullcap, European Mistletoe, Oatstraw, and Maca Maca.

One of the best remedies for epilepsy involves the use of crystals. When you compress two pieces of crystal (especially Clear Quartz crystal) together, the friction creates a form of electricity called piezoelectricity that causes the release of negative ions throughout the entire body that travel down to the feet and up to the crown of the head electrically fine-tuning the entire body, increasing oxygen flow, and stimulating cellular regeneration.

Crystals that aid in the prevention and healing of seizures include Lepidolite, Sugilite, Jet, Selenite, Kunzite, Malachite, and Emerald. Because epilepsy affects the nervous system located in the brain, epilepsy is a Seventh or Crown chakra deficiency and therefore, for purposes of healing epilepsy, crystals that are the same color of the Seventh chakra (violet and/or white) are best for this purpose.

Essential oils that aid in prevention and healing of seizures include Marjoram and Lavender. It is best that these oils be inhaled or burned in a diffuser.

Bach flower essences that aid in prevention and healing of seizures include Heather, Impatiens, and Water Violet.

Avoid stress, since this can create a change in body chemistry that could lead to a seizure.

Get plenty of sleep.

Do not drink alcohol, take drugs or smoke.

Dietary Intervention

Meat and dairy foods are bound to clog the arteries and obstruct oxygen and blood flow and thus a switch to a vegan and/or raw foods diet would be appropriate and beneficial in healing from epilepsy. Natural foods (fruits and vegetables) will automatically bring more oxygen into the body and unlike meat and dairy products will not clog the arteries due to arterial plaque and mucus buildup.

Water, fruit and/or vegetable juice, and herbal teas should be the drink of choice for purposes of healing from epilepsy.

A ketogenic diet may be beneficial. This type of diet forces the body to burn fat rather than carbohydrates. It is based in high-fat, adequate protein and low carbohydrate foods.

Dherbs Solutions

Dherbs.Com products that aid in the prevention and healing of seizures include:

This article is compliments of www.dherbs.com.

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Artificial Colors In Food and Cosmetic Products – A Hidden Source of Metal Toxicity https://www.dherbs.com/articles/diet-nutrition/artificial-colors-in-food-and-cosmetic-products-a-hidden-source-of-metal-toxicity/ Thu, 13 Jun 2013 09:25:53 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/feature-artificial-food-and-cosmetic-coloring-a-hidden-source-of-toxic-metals/ Artificial Colors In Food and Cosmetic Products - A Hidden Source of Metal Toxicity

I never really thought twice about food coloring-and if I did, I thought how wonderful it was. Isn’t it great that you can make a green cake, decorate Easter eggs, customize treats for children, make play dough, etc.? It seemed as if every label I checked had some type of artificial colors in it, so […]

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Artificial Colors In Food and Cosmetic Products - A Hidden Source of Metal Toxicity

I never really thought twice about food coloring-and if I did, I thought how wonderful it was. Isn’t it great that you can make a green cake, decorate Easter eggs, customize treats for children, make play dough, etc.? It seemed as if every label I checked had some type of artificial colors in it, so that meant it was safe right? Unfortunately, the answer turned out to be a resounding NO!

Why was it that some members of my family reacted after eating foods that contained coloring? Was it my imagination? Was it something else in the food? What about other children whose parents shared the same concern? Why did one child become hyperactive while another broke out in a rash? These questions haunted me, and I needed to find answers.

When we approached our pediatrician, she mentioned that some parents believe there is a connection between artificial colors and behavior and illness, but there was absolutely no evidence to support that artificial food coloring was in any way responsible for either outcome. However, she also was not able to provide data supporting that it was not detrimental, so I decided to keep looking. Eventually I heard of Dr. Ben Feingold, purchased his books, and read about the link he had made between hyperactivity and artificial food coloring. A number of his patients improved or recovered by changing their diets, specifically eliminating salicylates and colorings. Dr. Feingold had quite a bit of data on salicylates, but what really intrigued me was the link between colors and hyperactivity – what exactly was in these artificial colors?

Background

Artificial food colorings were first introduced after World War II when the chemical industry met with the food industry regarding using chemical-based artificial colors since they were lower in cost than natural colors and had a longer shelf life. The safety of the colors was determined primarily from using LD-50 tests, and the amount was then extrapolated to humans. At the time of approval, behavioral toxicology testing was not required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and therefore was not done on the artificial food colors.

The Food and Drug Administration and Artificial Food Colorings

The FDA’s website proved to be a valuable database for food coloring information. The site provides precise lists of color ingredients and is quite disturbing. I was personally horrified to learn that all artificial food colorings contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury as well as a myriad of chemicals.

One reason this was so disturbing was that one portion of the FDA had complete literature on the dangers of lead and the sources; however, food coloring was not listed as a potential source of exposure. Another reason this was disturbing was the consideration of all the possibilities for exposure to artificial food colorings in any given day. For example, is your child drinking a sports drink or a fruit juice with coloring? Does their antibiotic contain coloring? How about the macaroni and cheese you made for dinner last night? What are the cumulative effects of this exposure?

What Levels Are Safe?

Most artificial food coloring contains lead, mercury, and arsenic. What amounts of these substances are considered safe? The Department of Health and Human Services reports minimal risk levels (Table 1).

Table 1: Minimal Risk Levels for Mercury, Lead, and Arsenic

Mercury

Mercuric Chloride (oral)Acute: .007 mg/kg/day
Intermediate: .002 mg/kg/day
Mercury (Inhalation)Chronic: 0.0002 mg/m3 (mg per cubic meter of air)

Lead

AirEPA:1.5 mcg/ m3
WHO: .5 mcg/ m3
BloodChildren 10 mcg/dL
OSHA – written notification & medical exam: 40 mcg/dL
OSHA – medical removal from exposure 50 mcg/DL
FoodFDA: Bottled drinking water: .005 mg/L

Arsenic

Arsenic (Oral)Acute: .005 mg/day
Chronic: .0003 mg/day
Endpoint: Gastrointestinal
Endpoint: Dermal

Artificial Colors

Artificial colors become even more of a concern because, not only are they in our food products, but they are also in other daily use items such as lotion, shampoo, soaps, etc. Furthermore, the metal allotments in these cosmetic products are even higher than those allowed in food products. Table 2 provides metal and chemical information for each color used in food products. Table 3 provides the same information for each color used in cosmetic products.

Table 2: Artificial Food Coloring (pdf)

All the artificial colorings listed in the Tables are approved for general use in food with the exception of two colors. The first color, Orange B, is authorized for use only in casings or surfaces of frankfurters or sausages. Were you aware that these foods had colors in them? I certainly was not, and that is very concerning. Even if you are consciously trying to avoid colors, you have to be extremely vigilant and check every label, because colors show up in seemingly innocent places.

The second color, Citrus Red No. 2, is approved only for orange skins that are not intended for or used in processing-this means the oranges that we are going to sit down and eat. Again, here we are as parents, providing what we believe is a nutritious alternative for our children, only to learn that they can be laced with heavy metals.

Artificial Cosmetic Coloring

What do baby shampoos, lotions, and washes have in common? They are considered cosmetics and therefore can use FDA approved artificial cosmetic coloring in their products. What is interesting is the FDA has allowed for higher levels of metals in the cosmetics category. Table 3 presents the data for artificial cosmetic coloring.

Table 3: Artificial Cosmetic Coloring (pdf)

Artificial Colors And Dermal Absorption

According to the Children’s Environmental Health Project, dermal absorption is proportional to the concentration of the substance and the surface area to which the substance is applied. Dermal absorption rates vary from person to person and are affected by variables such as skin thickness, occlusions, and the composition of the substance. Composition refers to if the substance is lipid-soluble. If it is, it will be more easily absorbed into the skin.

This is such an important point because this means we have to be as vigilant about what we put on our skin as we are about what we are eating. In addition, most of the cosmetic colorings actually allow for higher concentrations of heavy metals and, if the dermal absorption rate varies from person to person, the amount of toxic substances could affect some individuals more so than others. Something as innocent as washing your hands with soap could be exposing you to more than you bargained, and identifying alternatives needs to be a priority.

Lead

There are several studies on PubMed that considered percutaneous absorption of lead. One study looked at inorganic lead compounds, and the conclusion of the study was that significant amounts of inorganic lead compounds can be absorbed through the skin and protection should be used. Another study looked at inorganic lead compounds and the effectiveness of skin cleansers at removing lead from the skin. Their results showed it is necessary to prevent skin contamination from occurring, because a short contact can increase skin content and penetration, even if quickly followed by washing. Furthermore, E-medicine reports that transdermal absorption for alkyl lead can be substantial.

Mercury

Mercurial ointments were used as a treatment for syphilis before the discovery of penicillin. The ointments were applied directly to the thinnest areas of the skin such as the groin and the bends of the elbows and knees. Some scientists believed that the dermal absorption of the ointment was quite low and that patients were actually receiving benefit from inhaling the mercury vapor. A study was performed where the ointment was rubbed in and any excess was washed off the skin, eliminating any source of mercury vapor. Seventy-five percent of the study participants experienced salivation-one of the known effects of mercury-proving dermal absorption played a key role.

Arsenic

According to the Department of Health and Human Services, dermal absorption of arsenic is low; however, it is readily absorbed if inhaled or ingested. Many wood-based playground structures have been removed out of fears that children would touch the arsenic-treated wood and then put their hands in their mouths.

Artificial Colors, Mental Health, ADD/ADHD

As mentioned previously, Dr. Feingold identified a link between food coloring and hyperactivity. He also noticed a marked increase in the ADD/ADHD classification after the mass introduction of food colorings into our society. A brochure, available in my pediatrician’s office, by McNeil Consumer & Specialty Pharmaceuticals indicates that lead exposure can lead to ADHD, yet the brochure writers discredit the idea that food/cosmetic colors have any role in affecting children’s behavior. If lead has been implicated in ADHD, and colorings have lead in them, then removing coloring additives from the diet and environment are crucial. The Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics published information regarding 15 trials with 219 participants; all were double-blind cross-over trials. Just by eliminating artificial food colorings from their diet, children’s behavior improved significantly. Furthermore, just eliminating food colorings from the diet produced one-third to one-half the improvement typically seen with ADHD medication therapy.

Artificial coloring present in commonly prescribed ADHD medications

Even if one elects to use medication, heavy metal toxicity screenings need to be prescribed prior to psychoactive drugs, because most of these drugs contain colors that can lead to further toxicity. Table 4 provides an account of the coloring present in commonly prescribed ADHD medications.

Table 4: Color Content in ADHD Medications

Ritalin 5mg and 20 mgD&C Yellow No. 10
Ritalin 10 mgFD&C Green No.3
StratteraFD&C Blue No. 2, synthetic yellow iron oxide, and edible black ink.
DexedrineFD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Yellow No. 6

Source: rxlist.com

This means that children taking these drugs are being exposed to lead, arsenic, and mercury. This also indicates that these children in particular need to be extremely careful with whatever medications they may take-acetaminophen, ibuprofen, antibiotics, etc., to ensure that alternative products that do not contain food dyes are selected. Amoxicillin11 and Cefzil,12 for example, contain Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic-approved red dyes as well as aspartame. As parents, we can check food labels, but we must rely on our physicians to select our medicines, since the bottles provided by the pharmacist do not list the ingredients. Colloidal silver, homeopathy, and supplements may provide a safer alternative.

Further Studies About The Link Between Lead And ADHD

Several studies also point to the link between lead and ADHD. One of the most recent was published in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives.13 According to the Journal, children with blood lead levels of more than two micrograms per deciliter were four times more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than children with levels below .8 microgram per deciliter. The government’s acceptable blood lead level is ten micrograms per deciliter. The study estimates that more than five million four-to-15 year olds in the US have levels higher than two micrograms per deciliter.

Another study done by the National Academy of Sciences in 2000 stated that roughly three percent of all developmental and neurological disorders in the US are caused by toxic chemicals and other environmental factors. The same study showed that environmental triggers, along with a genetic predisposition, may cause approximately 25% of developmental and neurological deficits. The Academy also acknowledged that, in this study, they were only referring to well-recognized and clinically diagnosed mental and physical disabilities-therefore, the 25% estimate may in fact be higher.14

What is Your Child Exposed to on a Daily Basis?

A Day in the Life of a Child

Most parents I speak to are completely unaware of the color content of their food, cosmetic products, and medicines. Some who are aware are shocked to find out coloring doesn’t come from natural substances. Tables 5-7 offer color information regarding some popular foods, cosmetics, and over-the-counter (OTC) supplementation/medicines used for children.

Table 5: Coloring in Food Items

Gatorade Fruit PunchRed #40
Plain M&MsRed 40 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1 Lake, Red 40, Blue 1
Bakery mini chocolate muffinFD&C Red 40
Kraft Macaroni & cheeseYELLOW 5, YELLOW 6
Eggo WafflesYellow #5, Yellow #6
Fruit LoopsRed No. 40, Blue No. 2, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1
Dannon Sprinkl’ins Yogurt15Yellow 6, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 6 Lake, Red 3, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Blue 2 Lake, Blue 1, Blue 1 Lake, Blue 2
Nutrigrain Blueberry barsRed 40, Blue 1
Strawberry Pop tartsRed 40, Yellow 6, Blue 1

Table 6: Coloring in Cosmetic Items

Bathtime Colorblast TabletsFD&C Yellow #5, FD&C Blue #!, D&C Red #33
Johnson Baby ShampooD&C Yellow #10, D&C Orange #4
Johnson Baby LotionD&C Red 33
Pampers hand soapYellow 5, Green 5, Orange 4
Dora Foam SoapMay contain FD&C Blue 1, FD&C Red 40, FD&C Yellow 5
Sesame Street Foam SoapFD&C # 33
Disney ChapstickD&C Red No. , FD&C Blue 1 alum lk
Crest Kids Sparkle PasteFD&C Blue #1

Table 7: Coloring in OTC Supplementation/Medicines

Flintstones Vitamins (also contain aspartame)FD&C Red #40 Al Lake, FD&C Yellow 6 Al Lake FD&C Blue #2
Tylenol Plus Cold Infant DropsRed #33 and Red 40
Delsym Cough MedicineFD&C Yellow 6

Cumulative Effects of Exposure To Artificial Food & Cosmetic Colorings?

What are the cumulative effects of food and cosmetic colorings to us and, more importantly, to our children? According to Dr. Gary Gordon,16 each time a manufacturer prepares a batch of dye for use in its products, it has to submit a sample from that batch to the FDA for certification. Only the FDA can certify colors as safe; no one else has that authority. I was unable to find any studies indicating overall exposure or estimated daily exposure to these metals. I was also unable to find any studies on the mixing of food colorings or the total amount of lead, mercury, arsenic content for products that use a combination of colors. This is concerning.

Artificial Colors in Your Cleaners

Cleaning products present an interesting challenge, since manufacturers do not have to identify the ingredients of their products on the labels. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) are available for consumers to view via most companies’ websites. However, these MSDS require manufacturers to provide information regarding established exposure limits. They do not provide an ingredient list and are protected by patent laws.

The Effects of Lead, Mercury, and Arsenic in Artificial Colors

We have all heard that lead is associated with lower IQ, but did you know it could also be responsible for some cavities? According to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (June 23/30; 281:2294), where data was analyzed from 24,901 children, a correlation between lead and cavities were established.

Most of the children participating in the study had blood-lead levels of only a few micrograms of lead per deciliter, well below the federal guideline for blood-lead concentrations of 10 mcg per deciliter. For children aged five to 17, an increased burden of 5 mcg per deciliter of blood corresponded to an 80% increase in cavities. The researchers estimate that cavities of 2.7 million US children result from lead, about ten percent of all cases in that age group. The researchers speculated that either the lead stunts development of the glands that produce saliva (which protects teeth from harmful acid and bacteria) or lead might hinder enamel growth.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry estimates one out of every six children in the United States has blood lead levels in the toxic range.

Lead exposure has been linked to developmental delays, peripheral neuropathy, altered thyroid hormone, and reduced fertility. In elderly adults, levels over 4 mcgs can have neurobehavioral effects.

Mercury

So what do you do if you get a cavity? Well, some dentists will fill your teeth with amalgams that contain mercury. Mercury has been implicated in autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, endocrine problems, allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and a host of other disorders. According to the FDA, “The toxicity of mercury compounds is extensively documented in scientific literature. It is well-known that mercury compounds are readily absorbed through unbroken skin as well as through the lungs by inhalation and by intestinal absorption after ingestion. Mercury is absorbed from topical application and is accumulated in the body, giving rise to numerous adverse effects…Recently it has also been determined that microorganisms in the environment can convert various forms of mercury into highly toxic methyl mercury which has been found in the food supply and is now considered to be a serious environmental problem.”

Common Dreams Newswire reported in 2004 that Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) scientists using data collected by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimated that one in six pregnant women has enough mercury in her blood to pose a risk of brain damage to her developing child. Lower levels of mercury exposure can lead to symptoms of fever, insomnia, rapidly changing moods, and tremors.

Arsenic

Arsenic poisoning has been associated with respiratory, neurological, developmental, and cardiovascular issues. It has also been associated with cancer. In fact, an increased risk of skin cancer in humans is associated with chronic exposure to inorganic arsenic in medication, contaminated water, and the workplace.

Arsenic is present in food such as meat, fish, and poultry and, according to the Department of Health and Human Services, accounts for 80% of our dietary intake (although fish arsenic has a low toxicity in humans and is excreted rapidly in our urine). Fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, paints, and water are other sources of exposure.

An intellectual function study which included 201 children under the age of ten concluded that as little as .0017 mg per day affected children’s performance in switching attention task. When the exposure increased to .0034 mg per day, the children showed decreased performance in both switching attention tasks as well as in tests that measured memory.

What Can We Do?

The first step is to remove artificial colors from your environment. This can be difficult since colors are pervasive, but there are alternatives. For instance, if you need food coloring, health food stores sell colors made from food-turmeric, blueberry, beets, etc. These can be used to make play dough as well as to color foods. Health food stores also make available muffins, toothpastes, snacks, chocolates, drinks, and OTC medications that do not contain artificial colors.

Cooking and eating as many meals as possible at home is also a step in the right direction. You can control what you put in your food. If you need to obtain medication and are not sure if it contains colors, you can check online at www.rxlist.com. If your medication is made with colors, contact a compounding pharmacy to see if they can compound without all the artificial colors. A list of compounding pharmacies can be found at www.iacprx.org.

Debbie C. Lindgren, CIHom, BA, MBA

Dherbs Solutions

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Autism https://www.dherbs.com/articles/featured-articles/autism/ Thu, 13 Jun 2013 16:25:47 +0000 https://www.dherbs.com/uncategorized/autism/

Autism, formally known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a variety of complex brain disorders that affects six out of every 1,000 children. Some experts believe that the rise in autism-related diagnoses is due to broader definitions of different disorders within the ASD family. Autism is the more severe form of ASD. A milder form […]

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Autism, formally known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a variety of complex brain disorders that affects six out of every 1,000 children.

Some experts believe that the rise in autism-related diagnoses is due to broader definitions of different disorders within the ASD family. Autism is the more severe form of ASD. A milder form of ASD is called Asperger’s Syndrome.

ASD is seen is all socio-economic and ethnic groups. While most commonly diagnosed in children, adults can develop it as well. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, boys are three to four times more likely to have ASD than girls.

Causes and Risk Factors

No recognized authorities know exactly what causes autism, Asperger’s Syndrome and other ASD disorders, however it is believed to be a combination of reasons, rather than one specific cause. It has been linked to:

  • Genetics
  • Diet
  • Vaccine sensitivity
  • Inability to properly process and digest vitamins and minerals
  • Mercury poisoning
  • Digestive track changes
  • Immune system dysfunction

Symptoms

Many parents suspect something is wrong with their child by the time they are 18 months old, and generally seek medical advice by the time the child is two years old. The list of symptoms is quite long, depending on the type of ASD a child may experience.

Some recognized symptoms of autism, Asperger’s, and other ASD conditions generally include:

  • Difficulty in social situations
  • Difficulty playing
  • Sensitivity to light, sound and other sensory activity
  • Experience distress when the environment or routine changes
  • Repeated movements
  • Unusual methods of communication such as using gestures, talking about themselves in the third person, repeats patterns of words, etc.
  • Difficulty interacting with others or making friends
  • Seizures
  • Obsessive-compulsive behavior

Healing Options

There is no known cure for ASD, but there are things parents can do to help their children live with it.

A combination of medical and non-medical treatments is recommending, including:

  • Educational therapy
  • Behavioral therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Physical therapy
  • Speech therapy

Dietary Intervention

Many parents report seeing an improvement in their children with ASD when they make significant dietary changes.

Learn to read nutritional panels and analyze ingredients in any processed foods if you decide to use dietary intervention in helping a child live with ASD.

Common changes in diet include:

  • Gluten-free
  • Casein-free
  • Sugar-free

Some vitamin and mineral supplements use gluten and casein as binders or fillers, so be especially careful when choosing which brand to buy.

Gluten-free diet

Gluten is found in places where you wouldn’t suspect, so carefully review ingredients before purchasing any processed foods. A gluten-free diet means no consuming of wheat, rye or barley.

Other names for gluten include: flour, bulgur, cake flour, semolina, spelt, frumento, duram, matzo, matzoh, matzah, graham, kamut, farina, couscous, barley, malt (which is different from corn malt), wheat protein, vegetable protein (unless specifically not from wheat), wheat germ oil, caramel coloring, and triticale.

Casein-free diet

Casein is a protein found in all milk produced by mammals, including human beings. Like gluten, casein is found in many foods where you might not think it exists.

Other names you might find include: milk solids, curds, whey, sodium caseinate, sodium lactylate, lactose, lactalbumin, galactose, protein, caramel coloring, soy cheeses, hydrolized caseinate, etc. Products marked as non-dairy may not have fluid milk, but they almost always have casein or casein derivatives.

Sugar-free diet

While opinions differ on the role of sugar in the diet, many parents see an improvement in their ASD children when processed sugar is removed from the diet.

Other names for sugar include: anything with the word “syrup,” anything ending in “ose” (such as glucose, fructose, dextrose, etc.), caramel, honey, molasses, raw sugar, sorbitol, maltodextrin, and many more.

This article is compliments of www.Dherbs.com

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