Live long and prosper.

 

   Down Syndrome

    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:

bulletOver production of the enzyme cystathionine beta synthase which disrupts the SAM methylation cycle
bulletOver expression of collagen genes,
bulletOver expression of Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD) that decreases zinc/copper levels in the body and destabilizes the antioxidant defense system of the body
bulletOver 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
bulletOther metabolic disturbances not associated with known genetic alterations, but still amenable to metabolic manipulations are:
bulletImmune Dysfunction
bulletPoor Lipid Metabolism
bulletTryptophan Deficiency
bulletAmmonia accumulation
bulletHigher levels of uric acid due to abnormal purine synthesis
bulletAlzheimer's Risk
bulletShort stature and other endocrine dysfunctions

    There presently is no CURE for DS.   But there is a functional nutritional plan that helps:

bulletDevelop growth
bulletStimulate immune system
bulletImprove health
bulletEnhance cognition
bulletAmeliorate 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:

bulletReturning the cell membrane fluidity to cells that have undergone lipid peroxidation
bulletIncreases 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:

bullet Booklist dealing with Down syndrome
bulletHealth Guidelines
bulletDown Syndrome: Health Issues. http://dsrf.org
bulletJournals
bulletDown Syndrome Quarterly, www.denison.edu
bulletDown Syndrome Research and Practice,
bulletDisability Solutions. www. disabilitysolutions.org
bulletLinks
bulletDown Syndrome Sites on the Internet Compiled by Dr. Len Leshin (EXCELLENT SITE)
http://www.ds-health.com
bulletNational Organizations for Down Syndrome
bulletNational Down Syndrome Society: www.ndss.org
bulletNational Association for Down Syndrome: www.nads.org
bulletParent Support Group Websites (EXCELLENT SITE)
bulletRiverbend Down Syndrome: http://www.altonweb.com
bullet Personal websites of a families managing a Down syndrome child
bullet 
bulletPhysician websites dealing with Down syndrome patients (EXCELLENT SITE)
bullet Dr. Leichtman:
bullet Research organizations on NuTriVene
bulletwww.tri21.org
bulletwww.nutrivene.com/

    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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Revised last: 2/2008