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We all know the fear an Allopathic diagnosis
of Down syndrome brings to a family....but other medical paradigms are moving
from fear...to knowledge...to appreciation and purpose. Please investigate
the information below before you give in to the Allopathic Medical Model....then
decide for yourself.
The Functional
Medicine concept of Down syndrome is that of a genetic disorder due to
a metabolic over expression of oxidative stress metabolites. This then lends itself
to metabolic manipulation of this genetic expression, to the point of essentially slowing
down or preventing many of the symptoms seen in Down syndrome. Redirecting this metabolic
expression seems to be most crucial at birth to four months of age to really make a
significant impact on the life of the child with Down's.
Energetic Medicine's placement of Down Syndrome is expressed
wonderfully by Meg Laughlin in What Love Can Build. She relates
that Albert Einstein once said that the single most important decision any
of us will ever make is whether or not to believe the universe is
friendly. Perhaps a Down Syndrome child is that special gift nature
blesses us with...so that we connect to this vital energy source.
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Due to the advancements in genetic research, one of the most tragic
errors in human reproduction, Down syndrome is becoming manageable. Manageable to
the point of being able to eliminate the disabilities associated with the genetic
over expressions on the 21st chromosome. The degree to which these disabilities can
be eliminated is dependent on the the age of the child when the therapy is begun, the
effectiveness of the therapy, and the exact errors associated with the specific Down
syndrome. Thus according to Steven Wm. Fowkes, "functional normalization of
growth rate and cognitive development is a reasonable expectation if intervention is begun
early in life."
Today in some communities and globally in the not so distant past,
Down syndrome was viewed as a disturbance that left the child mentally retarded and
treatment was basically a waste of time other than caring for medical situations that
arose in their general health care.
Changing the course of the disease was unheard of and foolish to
think about until Dixie Lawrence Tafoya had a daughter born to her with Down
syndrome.....not knowing any better, she began a literature search that brought her to Dr.
Henry Turkel's work on a "formula" for Down's that he had worked out in the
1940s to 1970s. His formula was based on an educated guess, for in the 40s the
number of chromosomes in humans was not known....and no one would have had any idea that
Downs was caused by an extra chromosome.
Today with the knowledge we are gaining from the Human Genome
Project, "over expressions" caused by having three 21 chromosomes are better
understood.
We know, Down syndrome people have an "over
expression" of
proteins coded specifically on the 21st chromosome. These over expressions are of the
following form with the resulting consequences:
 | Over expression of Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) that
decreases zinc/copper levels in the body and destabilizes the
antioxidant defense system of the body |
 | Over expressions of proteins that increase the nutrient needs of the body: Vit A, Vit C,
Vit E, Selenium, Zinc, Vit B1, Vit B3, Calcium, Copper, low Amino Acids of serine and
proline |
 | Other metabolic disturbances not associated
with known genetic alterations, but still amenable to metabolic manipulations are:
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 | Short stature and other endocrine
dysfunctions |
There presently is no CURE for DS. But there is a
functional nutritional plan that helps:
 | Develop growth |
 | Stimulate immune system |
 | Improve health |
 | Enhance cognition |
 | Ameliorate and in some cases prevent degeneration and disabilities |
This plan is known as TNI - Targeted Nutritional Intervention.
It is researched by Trisomy 21 Research, a non-profit organization dedicated to the
research, educational and medical advancements for individuals with Down syndrome.
They may be reached at 11436 Cronridge Drive, Suite W, Owings Mills, Maryland,
21117. Phone: 800.899.3413 or 410.902.1760. Fax:410.902.1767. They
may also be reached via email at ask@nutrivene.com.
You are encouraged to visit their website at
Another part of the TNI protocol is Piracetam. Piracetam is a
drug know as a nootropic (which means "acting on the mind") that has been used
extensively on DS people in Europe and Russia. Originally it was used for the
treatment of Alzheimers but in the late 70s in Spain, Italy, and Germany it was used for
DS. Presently double-blind studies are being done in Toronto. But many
"evidence base" reports have supported the usefulness of this drug in improving
academic performance while taking Piracetam. No serious side effects have been
reported taking Piracetam. Minor side effects have been headaches, GI-upset, fine
papular rash that are transient, and occasional hyperactivity in children who show some
tendency toward hyperactivity (which when the dose is decreased goes away).
The action of Piracetam in DS seems to be due to:
 | Returning the cell membrane fluidity to cells that have undergone lipid peroxidation |
 | Increases acetylcholine receptors. It is most active in the corpus callosum of the
brain. The area of the brain that allows communication between the two side of the
brain. |
Piracetam seems to have its greatest effect on speech and visual
motor coordination/learning.
Piracetam is prescribed under the Orphan Drug Law and NEWS can
obtain prescriptions for its patients.
If you know a Down syndrome infant, child, or adult you owe it
to them to point their care taker in the direction of Targeted Nutritional Intervention
(TNI) for functional nutritional management of their condition.
Visit the following sites for additional information on DS and
functional nutritional interventions for DS:
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Booklist dealing with Down syndrome
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 | Health Guidelines
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 | Journals
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 | Links
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 | National Organizations for Down Syndrome
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 | Parent Support Group Websites (EXCELLENT
SITE)
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Personal websites of a families managing a Down syndrome child
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 | Physician websites dealing with Down syndrome patients
(EXCELLENT
SITE)
 | Dr. Leichtman: |
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Research organizations on NuTriVene
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Since NEWS is a Functional Medicine practice, we work with DS and the
families that have been blessed with these special children.
Contact us via "noaw"
our cyber-world office on the internet or NEWS our real-world office located in
Watkinsville, GA.
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