Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder usually beginning by the age of three years.  Altered levels of neurotransmitters, especially elevated serotonin levels, are often seen in autism.  Monoamine neurotransmitters (serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine and norepinephrine) can be elevated and function in the gastrointestinal and immune systems and, perhaps, in development of the nervous system. Metabolism of neurotransmitters […]

Diet alters the acidity of the body. High intake of protein produces sulfuric acid, causing acidosis with urine acidification. This alters human bone health adversely with resulting elimination of calcium. The metabolic syndrome includes abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, abnormal lipid levels, and possible cardiovascular disease. Metabolic acidosis causes increased production of cortisol, […]

Fish are a source of methyl mercury poisoning. Dental amalgams are a source of elemental mercury poisoning. Chronic mercury exposure can damage the kidneys. Antioxidants protect people from neurological and kidney toxicity caused by mercury. Alpha-lipoic acid, antioxidants and glutathione relieve the symptoms of heavy metal toxicity and help remove heavy metals from the body. […]

A chemical, betaine (trimethylglycine or TMG), can be consumed in the diet or derived from dietary choline.  Betaine levels are high in shellfish, spinach and sugar beets (Beta vulgaris).  It functions in the liver and kidneys by maintaining electrolyte balance across membranes and the microscopic structures of those tissues.  It prevents accumulation of lipids in […]

Organic mercury (Hg2+) is the cause of environmental damage and disease. Exposure to Hg2+ can be due to dental amalgams, seafood, chlor-alkali plants, gold extraction, mercury extraction and mining or mercury thermometers. Hg2+ can seriously impair the immunity. The thymus gland is a target of Hg2+. The thymus is important for T lymphocyte development. The […]

Chemical and physiologic changes with aging can lead to increased susceptibility to disease. Diets of the elderly are often deficient in nutrients because of cost, loss of teeth and malabsorption. Of the 40 micronutrients that are essential in the diet, zinc can be of great benefit since it increases immunity. Zinc is important in immune […]

Pancreatitis causes abdominal pain. Chronic pancreatitis is treated with pain killers and intravenous or oral feedings with supplements. The present study was done to see if medium-chain triglycerides and hydrolyzed peptides could reduce the pain with feedings in pancreatitis. (Hydrolyzed proteins are proteins split into their amino acids.) All of the patients studied had a […]

Acid/base balance influences human exercise performance, urinary stone production and calcium absorption and use in the body. Diet can alter our acid-base balance. Acid production in the urine can be predicted by measuring the dietary intake of all foods. The authors have created an algorithm (formula) to predict the amount of acid produced from a […]

Menopause is a permanent loss of menstruation after a period of amenorrhea (abnormal stoppage of the menstrual periods) lasting more than one year. The usual range of age of onset is age 40 to 55 and symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, arteriosclerosis, and deterioration of the skin suggestive of estrogen deficiency. Hormone replacement therapy […]

Arsenic and cadmium toxicity are serious sources of illness with exposure coming through food, water and industrial sources. Arsenic toxicity causes skin lesions, anemia, increased heart and vascular disease, diabetes and liver damage. Cadmium alters kidney function, causes osteoporosis and osteomalacia and increases cancer risk. S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), alpha-lipoic acid, glutathione, selenium, zinc, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), methionine, […]