ADHD is no longer Valid

PSM,

why do you attack everyone on these boards? I am trying to help people. Neuroscience today can tell you what exactly is your chemical imbalance is in specific terms. A vague Label of ADHD is old school and not precise enough these days. Thats why docs try 5 different drugs on you to try and guess at what works. People do have problems and alot of problems are caused by stressing kids out with high pressure schooling to learn high level things that are not age appropiate. I hope some can learn from the advice and ignore your attacks

[QUOTe] I also am leery of tests that are unconventional, expensivse, and not covered by insurance. Insurance would cover a test if it were as accurate as a diabetic test.[/quote]

And EVERY time I've posted this you just happen to overlook it so stop making YOUR false claims.

[quote]I've spent the money with no results[/quote]

And the last time you had your neurotransmitters tested was when????

AND, Coach is NOT speaking for the bipolar world in which YOU live...he is speaking to the thousands of people dx'd as ADHD b/c they have ADHD symptoms.....just like YOU yourself claim that MOST ADHD cases are falsely dx'd!

[QUOTE=psm0904]Dare I suspect that coach is cyrus and the sick nickname deathofchild or something like that? There's been a lot of this lately, all on the same note...to try to convince parents not to use meds and to use expensive alternatives that are not proven. Beware that this could be the cyrus, the 19 yr. old college student.[/QUOTE]

WRONG AGAIN, PSM.

So, now you turn to name calling and accusations b/c YOU don't like what someone else says...b/c they don't agree with you?

Keep preaching....we know all know how PROVEN meds are for ADHD....have you read the thousands of posts on this board from parents about med issues?

And, I will bring up the fact again that you have chosen to ignore EVERY post I've made with cold hard facts and proof of the work of alternative methods.

And you boo-hoo that work of REAL medical doctors like one of the country's leading bipolar psychiatrists.....Dr. Stoll, who has formulated a specific brand of omegas for his bipolar patients?

[QUOTE=psm0904]

 but I never wish to invalidate what these children go through (and their parents) and it gets me quite upset when somebody else tries to make any of you feel like you're harming your child. I know you all love your children more than life itself.[/QUOTE]

Coach lives this life... that we all do.... EVERY day!  He is NOT claiming that these kids are not suffereing.  He is not claiming that you can not medicate (I don't think)....he's merely saying that the ADHD label is slapped on everyone these days and meds are usually the FIRST method of treatment offered by REAL doctors.....but there are choices.

You, PSM, are the first one on this board to claim that ADHD is WAY overdx'd and wrongly dx'd.....

Coach....let it go.  Don't waste your time. 

Think I'll go take a Lithium now.

that "Dr." Amy is not a doctor of medicine.  She's not licensed to practice medicine even as a nurse.  She is a naturopath - which is self-certifying and might as well be a certificate of being a garden gnome for its worth.  Its valueless.

Her credentials are as an anti-med pro herbal person - read that as "I have this for sale".  So much for MDs being the greedy ones.

She sells magnets for beds to "cure" arthritis, AIDS, you name it.  She's under investigation by the US bodies for medicine, food - you name it her claims are under close scrutiny.  She has this bogus idea that she can "read" RNA and DNA and tell you what's really wrong with you.  Scientologists often use this claim - it's totally lies.  She also uses as I said chelation therapy which is close to bloodletting in archaic and gruesomely lethal methods to "remove mercury and other toxins and cure autism" - bah!

Better to have a wiccan circle of prayer come over for legitamate healing.  Way safer.

Here is a graphic schematic of the inner workings of the methlation pathways of the body.

Lots to learn.

http://www.autismanswer.com/pathway_diagrams/diagram_7.pdf

Dr. Amy Yasko

Curriculum vitae

Dr. Amy Yasko
Ph.D., ND, NHD, AMD, HHP, FAAIM

About  Dr. Amy  

I know that many of you who are interested in my background are parents of autistic children. In addition to the standard dry resume, I thought it might be useful to give you some insight into the person I am.  I know it is a very personal decision to choose someone to help heal your child.  I am Dr. Amy Yasko Ph.D., ND, NHD, AMD, HHP, FAAIM.  I have extensive expertise in the fields of biochemistry, molecular biology, and biotechnology as well as research and clinical experience in both allopathic and alternative medicine. Ironically, in spite of all my degrees I actually never completed high school. I was accepted and matriculated in college after my junior year in high school.  

In my freshman and sophomore years at college, I was a low level researcher with Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence, the doctor who discovered Transfer Factor.  I am always amused at how many people who use transfer factor may not even realize where the name comes from. We originally isolated “Transfer Factor” from the blood of family members living in the same household as the patients. We would mouth pipette the blood (basically sucking up blood through glass straws with no protection as this was the old “hard core” school of research) and isolate the fractions. We would then transfer those fractions to patients, hence the name transfer factor.  That was my start in medical research almost 30 years ago. During my tenure at St. Vincent ’s Hospital in NYC, I was also involved in the design of custom diets using nutrients. We found that by using these diets and nutrients we were able to significantly affect the cure rates of non Hodgkin’s lymphoma patients. This was another first; my introduction to the use of nutritional support for therapeutic purposes.  I then went on in my junior year to conduct molecular research on transfer factor in Dr. Fudenberg's Immunology Department at the Medical University of South Carolina which marked my introduction to molecular research (yet another first for me). I was fortunate to spend time in the department of such a significant personality in the field of immunology.

After graduating cum laude with a double major in chemistry and fine arts from Colgate University , I chose to go to Albany Medical College.  I turned down the acceptances of the more well known and perhaps more prestigious schools as I did not want a standard PhD program at a university, nor was I looking for a standard medical program where I could not choose research as an option.  I picked Albany Medical College because it offered a special program that blended a medical education and a degree in research.  The Department of Microbiology/Immunology/Infectious Diseases included a team of the same immunologists from the Mayo Clinic that had performed the first bone marrow transplant. In order to attract these doctors from the Mayo clinic, Albany Med. had given the group a lot of latitude to offer a unique blend of research techniques in a clinical setting.  While I attended school there, individuals from the department used a number of innovative techniques. They were the first to use the experimental procedure of infecting lungs with BCG following surgery for lung cancer in order to stimulate NK cells to go after any tumor cells that had been missed during surgery.  

This program that I attended at Albany Medical College was more rigorous than the standard medical program.  In the five years I was there, only a handful of others made it through the program. The standard medical program at Albany Med included two years of intensive course work and then two years of clinical rotations. The program I took included the first two years of medical classes. In addition, we were required to take outside doctoral seminar courses at Rensellear Polytechnical Institute, SUNY Albany graduate school, and department level seminar courses at Albany Med.  While the standard medical students were on a pass/fail system, we were required to receive an A or a B in all medical school, seminar, and lab courses.  At the end of the first two years the regular medical students took part one of the medical boards in the format of multiple choice questions. The program in which I was enrolled required the "writtens" at the end of the first two years of course work. The “writtens” were twenty one hours of written exams over the course of three days on the comprehensive content of the first two years of courses.  The exam was graded by a five member board who determined if you were allowed to continue in the program.  Once you passed the “writtens” you were permitted at that point to take an oral exam on the subject material from the first two years by a seven member committee that included members from several departments from the medical school.

I've read up on "Dr." Amy Yasko.  She is a total fraud - believing in magnets on the bed - nutrition to change RNA and DNA (it can't sorry) and other quackeries.  She doesn't believe in ADHD - so I can understand if you read her work you not believing it either.

Autism is NOT ADHD - I totally disagree and the studies show that there is a marked difference.  You can have ADHD and Autism, either or neither.  Two different disorders.

Amy is a PhD in fine arts - not medicine.  Might as well believe that a painter can cure autism.  She also endorses chelation for autism which is totally a fraud and potentially lethal in many cases.  Chelation (from the ancient word for "claw") literally rips metals (including good ones) from the blood - and even oral chelation can cause hemorrages, anemia, and death.  It's total quackery.

"Dr." Amy I would stay away from.  She's claimed studies at hospitals that have no record of it (I checked), partnerships with MDs that have lost their licenses for malpractice and a number of things.  She has tried to connect nutrition changes to altering RNA and DNA defects - which is totally bogus.

Also - read up on magnets and health - there is no reason to ever believe the scams they try and sell as health aids.  The magnets you get couldn't do anything for you - not one thing.  To have a magnet change your cells in any way they'd have to be strong enough to rip the iron right out of the red blood cells.

Check out a lot of her treatments at www.quackwatch.org.  You'll be surprised to find out what is behind these "treatments".

Sorry - but this Ph.D. holder (not a medical doctor of any kind remember that) is a shyster who wants your money and nothing else.

Heres some science from her website to read up on:

Common Terminology:

Methyl group: A methyl group is simply a single carbon atom bonded to 3 hydrogen atoms (CH3).

Methylation: Transfer of methyl groups from one chemical to another is called methylation. Essentially any chemical compound that has a methyl group as part of its chemical structure is capable of donating it to another chemical that needs it. The chemical that receives the methyl group is "methylated". This process of moving methyl groups around is necessary for the functioning of several biochemical reactions such as DNA and RNA synthesis, creatinine generation, immune responses involved in silencing viruses etc.

Role of enzymes: Most of the biochemical reactions in the body operate as cycles that are dependent on one or more enzymes. E.g. Chemical A gets converted to Chemical B; Chemical B in turn gets converted to Chemical C. Each of those steps has an enzyme involved that aids in the actual conversion of the first chemical into the second and so on.

In terms of the various pathways that we are addressing, there are several enzymes involved. When these cycles are operating optimally, each chemical moves through the various steps continuously. It is important to remember that while it looks like each of these cycles is occurring in isolation, in reality there are several copies of each of these chemicals being converted into their respective intermediates by several copies of enzymes. It is not a single methionine molecule being converted to SAMe or a single homocysteine molecule being converted to methionine but multiple copies of each by multiple copies of the respective enzymes. I like the analogy I found on one site: start thinking of these not as single chemicals, but buckets full of each, and pumps (the enzymes) to move the chemical from one bucket to the next.

Mutations or Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP): A gene mutation is a permanent change in the DNA sequence that makes up a gene. Mutations range in size from one DNA base to a large segment of a chromosome. A Single Nucleotide Polymorphism or SNP (pronounced "snip"), is a small genetic change, or variation, that can occur within a person's DNA sequence. The genetic code is specified by the four nucleotide "letters" A (adenine), C (cytosine), T (thymine), and G (guanine). SNP variation occurs when a single nucleotide, such as an A, replaces one of the other three nucleotide letters: C, G, or T.

Think of mutations in enzymes as breaks that affect the ability of the enzyme to do its job. Homozygous (++) mutations are ones where both copies of the gene are affected and heterozygous (+-) mutations are the ones where only one copy of the gene is affected. Each of us has two copies of each gene that we inherit from each parent. Some mutations speed up the activity of the enzyme (e.g. CBS upregulation) whereas others slow them down considerably (e.g. MTHFr C677T and A1298C, COMT mutations).

The "slower" mutations create a situation where the bucket cannot be filled, like trying to fill the bath tub with the faucet only open to a drip. The "faster" mutations are like having a hole in the bucket. No matter how fast or slow you fill the bucket, the faster mutations drain out all of the contents of the bucket. This is why the CBS upregulation is such an overriding factor. It will drain the bucket. If the bucket is filling via a slow drip, due to the MTHFr C677T mutation, or methioninesynthasereductase mutations, then having a hole in your bucket will be more of a problem than if you are able to easily refill your bucket because you do not have the slow mutations too.

Note: The following material is intended to be used in conjunction with the pathway diagrams that are posted.

Methylation Cycle: This is the pathway at the far right in the diagrams, it is also known as the SAM or Methionine cycle. It is so named because of the intermediates involved in the cycle and also because this is the cycle that is responsible for the process of methylation that was described above (adding or removing methyl groups to various chemicals/metabolites and/or reactions).
The intermediates or chemicals involved in this cycle are methionine, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM or SAMe), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and homocysteine. It involves the regeneration of methionine from homocysteine. This conversion of homocysteine to methionine occurs with the help of Vitamin B12 (specifically the methyl version of Vitamin b12, methylcobalamin) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (folapro), which is an intermediate in the folate cycle. Look at this cycle as starting with methionine, methionine then being converted into the various intermediates such as SAMe, SAH, homocysteine and then ultimately being re-converted into methionine.

Step I: This involves methionine being converted to SAMe in the presence of magnesium (Mg) and ATP (universal energy donor) by the enzyme methionineadenosyltransferase (MAT). SAMe is called the universal methyl donor as it is the primary source of methyl groups for most other biochemical reactions including methylation of DNA, RNA, proteins, creatine etc.

Step II: SAMe, once it donates its methyl group to the various reactions, gets converted to SAH.

Step III: SAH in turn is metabolized to homocysteine by the enzyme S-adenosylhomocysteinehydrogenase (SAHH). This reaction also generates a chemical called adenosine.

Step IV: There are three possible ways homocysteine is removed as an intermediate. One is a reversible reaction that converts homocysteine back to methionine and is dependent on the folate cycle. The other is an irreversible reaction that is referred to as the TransSulfuration pathway. This involves the conversion of homocysteine into cystathione and its subsequent intermediates. The third involves the methylation of homocysteine into methionine, independent of the folate cycle. Let us take a look at each of them.

a) TransSulfuration Cycle: This cycle entails the irreversible conversion of homocysteine into cystathione by the enzyme cystathione B-synthase (CBS) in the presence of Vitamin B6 and heme as cofactors. Cystathione is in turn converted to cysteine and alphaketoglutarate. The amount of cysteine generated by this process acts as the rate limiting factor for the subsequent products that are generated, i.e. taurine and/or glutathione. If there is excess cysteine generated as a result of the CBS upregulation (mutation that makes the enzyme activity faster than normal), more taurine is generated instead of glutathione. Glutathione is one of the essential antioxidants involved with detoxification in our bodies.

b) Some of the homocysteine goes back up the cycle to regenerate methionine. This process is mediated by the enzyme methionine synthase (MS aka MTR), with the aid of methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12 that has a methyl group as part of its structure). Essentially cobalamin accepts a methyl group from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (which is an intermediate in the folate cycle) and becomes methylcobalamin. This is where the SAM and folate cycles meet. Think of each of the cycles as independent entities doing their business but each of them are dependent on one another in order to function properly.
Methylcobalamin in turn donates the methyl group it gained to homocysteine and this converts homocysteine back to methionine. Essentially, homocysteine is being re-methylated to methionine.

Once methylcobalamin donates its methyl group to methionine, it becomes cobalamin again. Some of this cobalamin is remethylated into methylcobalamin by the enzyme methioninesynthasereductase (MSR aka MS_MTRR). Think of this as a reaction that is trying to maintain the levels of methylcobalamin. The methyl group necessary for this reaction is donated by SAMe (this reaction is not indicated on the diagram, this is just FYI for those of you wondering what the role of MSR is in the pathway).
Just remember that the methyl group that is donated by methylcobalamin to convert homocysteine to methionine comes from the folate cycle (5-methyltetrahydrofolate). Once methylcobalamin donates that methyl group to homocysteine, it becomes cobalamin which in turn gains a methyl group from SAMe to regenerate some of the methylcobalamin.

c) If that wasn't complex enough, there is yet another reaction that converts homocysteine into methionine (look at the center of the methylation pathway diagram for this reaction). The enzyme involved here is betainehomocysteinemethyltransferase (BHMT). BHMT converts homocysteine into methionine in a reaction independent of the one that is mediated by MS, i.e. the one described before, which involves the transfer of a methyl group from 5-methyltetrahydrofolate to methylcobalamin and from methylcobalamin to homocysteine. Just remember that this step doesn't involve B12 or the folate cycle. In this case methionine is regenerated from homocysteine by the transfer of a methyl group from betaine (TMG or trimethylglycine) to homocysteine. Once TMG loses a methyl group to homocysteine, it gets converted to dimethylglycine (DMG). In turn homocysteine gains a methyl group and becomes methionine.

This in essence is the Methylation pathway.

Folate Cycle: This cycle involves the conversion of tetrahydrofolate (THF) into 5,10-methylenetetrahydrafolate which in turn gets converted to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF). MTHF is then converted back into THF.

Dietary folate, or folic acid that you get from your foods, is converted into a product called dihydrafolate (DHF) in the presence of Vitamin B3. DHF is then converted to THF, also with the aid of B3. THF is converted to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate with help from Vitamin B6, P5P and Serine. Essentially THF gains a "methylene" group (different from methyl group) from serine to become 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate.
Alternatively folinic acid (5-formyltetrahydrofolate, different from folic acid) is also converted to 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate in a reaction occurring simultaneously.

5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate is then converted to 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (MTHF) aka "Folapro" by the enzyme methylenetetrahydrafolatereductase (MTHFr) with the aid of NADH, B2 and ATP.

MTHFr: The MTHFr enzyme has multiple functions. However we are concerned with two of the roles it plays with respect to autism and these pathways. The first one being its involvement in the generation of MTHF within the folate cycle and the second being its ability to drive the conversion of BH2 to BH4 (BH4 cycle). Mutations in the part of the eznyme that is involved in the folate cycle are characterized as the "C677T" mutation and this mutation slows down the activity of the enzyme. This means MTHF production will be affected. Why does the amount of MTHF (folapro) matter? Because if you remember from the previous discussion on the Methylation pathway, MTHF is the compound that donates the methyl group to cobalamin which in turn donates it to homocysteine to regenerate methionine. If we have less of the MTHF to begin with, there will be less of it to go around to regenerate THF in the folate cycle, and to transfer methyl groups to regenerate methionine in the Methylation cycle. So this will affect not only the Folate cycle but also the Methylation cycle. Remember the Folate and Methylation pathways meet to transfer methyl groups and any breaks preceding that transfer will affect the functioning of both of the pathways.

As mentioned before MTHFr has a dual role in terms of these pathways. While it is driving the folate cycle in one direction, it is also driving a reverse reaction on the other side. This reaction is the conversion of BH2 to BH4. Mutations that affect this part of the enzyme are characterized as "A1298C" mutation.

BH4 Cycle: Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is essential for normal central nervous system functioning. It is an essential factor or cofactor for the enzymes in the biological pathways necessary for synthesizing catecholamines (dopamine, noradrenaline/norepinephrine) and indolamines (serotonin and melatonin), as well as for all three isotypes of nitric oxide synthases (NOS in the Urea cycle). BH4 is a cofactor for tyrosine and trytophan hydroxylase, the enzymes involved in catecholamine and indolamine synthesis respectively. The rate of BH4 formation determines the rate of production of these important neurotransmitters, because BH4 happens to be the rate limiting factor here. How much of it is present affects the ability to synthesize neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin etc. and also affects the outcome of the Urea Cycle.

Tyrosine (amino acid) is converted to dopamine through a series of reactions involving the enzyme dihydroxyphenylalaninereductase (DHPR). Dopamine can be further metabolized to norepinephrine by the enzyme dopamine-b-hydroxylase. Dopamine and norepinephrine can also be metabolized by the enzyme monoamine oxidase (MAO) to 3,4,-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid or the enzyme Catechol-O-MethylTransferase (COMT) to 3-methoxytyramine. Action by both enzymes results in the formation of homovanillic acid (HVA or 3-methoxy-4hydroxy-phenylacetic acid ) and VMA.

Serotonin (5-HT) is synthesized from the amino acid tryptophan in two steps catalyzed by the enzymes tryptophan hydroxylase and L-amino acid decarboxylase. Serotonin is metabolized by monoamine oxidase (MAO) to 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (HIAA).

Serotonin can also be methylated (first acetylated i.e. addition of acetyl group and then methylated) to form Melatonin. The enzyme involved in the acetylation of serotonin to form N-acetylserotonin is serotonin-N-acetyltransferase. N-acetylserotonin is methylated (addition of methyl group) to form melatonin by the enzyme HydroxyIndole-O-MethylTransferase.

The A1298C mutation in the MTHFr enzyme affects the conversion of dihydrobiopterin (BH2) to tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4). Less amounts of BH4 will therefore put a strain on the conversion of trytophan to serotonin and tyrosine to dopamine. This will lead to low levels of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and melatonin.
In addition the activity level of the COMT enzyme will further affect the levels of dopamine and norepinephrine.

COMT: Catechol-O-MethylTransferase is the enzyme involved in the metabolism of dopamine and norepinephrine into subsequent compounds such as HVA and VMA. The rate of activity of COMT will determine how fast these neurotransmitters will be broken down. Mutations in the COMT enzyme (COMT ++ or COMT +-) actually slow down the activity of the enzyme. Normal COMT activity (no mutations) is depicted as COMT --
Mutations in the COMT enzyme will slow down the breakdown of dopamine, therefore individuals who are COMT ++ or +- have higher (as in good) levels of dopamine compared to COMT -- individuals who are rapidly draining their dopamine stores. This condition is further exacerbated if the individual has the A1298C mutation (++ or +-) because their dopamine levels are low to begin with (remember these individuals have less BH4, so less dopamine gets made).

Undermethylators: Dr.Amy categorizes individuals who are COMT -- as undermethylators.
One of the ways the COMT enzyme breaks down dopamine is by using a methyl group donated by SAMe (remember it is the universal methyl donor). Therefore a COMT -- individual will be in constant need of methyl groups as they are rapidly metabolizing dopamine. This puts a strain on the Methylation cycle as the demand on SAMe for methyl groups is increased. Think of this as COMT constantly demanding methyl groups from SAMe. If there are issues in the Methylation cycle or Folate cycle that affect the levels of SAMe (which in turn is dependent on the levels of methionine), there will be less methyl groups to begin with and even less to go around. It is like a domino affect. A break or strain in one cycle has a ripple effect on the rest as they are all co-dependent. Less methyl groups -> less methylation -> less RNA/DNA/protein synthesis/heavier viral load due to lack of methylation etc.

Overmethylators: These are the individuals who are COMT ++. Mutations make the COMT enzyme slower, so it will not break down dopamine as rapidly. Since it is slower in metabolizing dopamine, its demand for methyl groups is also reduced. Subsequently there is less of a strain on SAMe for methyl groups. So there will be relatively more methyl groups available for other biochemical reactions and to go around the various cycles.

Remember these are just relative terms. An undermethylator is low in methyl groups and an overmethylator has a higher store of them, in comparison. Remember one of the reasons we are in this predicament with autism is because we have problems with methylation, regardless of the under or over status.

In addition the strain on the BH4 cycle, the amount of BH4 will also affect the functioning of the Urea cycle. BH4 is the rate limiting factor for the Urea cycle. Two molecules of BH4 are necessary to drive the Urea cycle. One molecule will in turn generate peroxynitrite and if the individual has no BH4 left, super oxide is formed. Peroxynitrite and super oxide in combination cause damage to neurons when they accumulate in excess. . Peroxynitrite is a potent oxidant, which is capable of DNA strand scission (breaks open the bonds that keep the two DNA strands bound in a double-helix) , and nitrating tyrosine, all of which wreak havoc on the nervous system, especially a developing nervous system as in children. The ability to detoxify superoxide is facilitated by the enzyme superoxidedismutase (SOD).

Urea Cycle: Urea is the chief nitrogenous waste of mammals. Most of our nitrogenous waste comes from the breakdown of amino acids. Breakdown of amino acids results in the production of ammonia (NH3). Ammonia is a toxic compound that is converted into its safer counterpart urea, by enzymes in the liver. Urea is then eliminated by our kidneys. Essentially the urea cycle involves the conversion of ammonia into urea with the help of the intermediates listed below.
Arginine from our diet or from protein metabolism is converted to ornithine and urea by the enzyme Arginase. Ornithine is then converted to citrulline by ornithine transcabamoylase. This is the reaction on the far left side of the pathway diagram. Citrulline is converted back to arginine. This cycling of Arginine through the various intermediates is what converts ammonia to urea.
Arginine is also required for the production of Nitric Oxide (NO) by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS or eNOS). This reaction is dependent on the levels of BH4 available from the BH4 cycle. Remember two molecules of BH4 are needed to generate Citrulline and NO. One molecule of BH4 will in turn generate peroxynitrite and if there is no BH4, super oxide is formed. If we do not have enough BH4 to go around because of the A1298C mutation, we are going to have trouble with ammonia. Because ammonia is dangerous to the body, any BH4 we have is going to be used to try to get rid of the ammonia rather than to be making neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. Furthermore mutations in the NOS (eNOS) exacerbate the situation as they will affect the synthesis of NO. NO is needed for several functions including secretion of certain hormones, addressing inflammation, killing pathogens etc.

In essence if the limited supply of BH4 puts a strain on the functioning of this pathway, excess ammonia will accumulate as there is not enough BH4 to help convert it to urea. In addition the lack of BH4 also creates damaging free radicals like peroxynitrite and super oxide (SOD is needed to detoxify superoxide).

I agree about the education issue .Things should be done at correct age groups. The issue there is all schools would need 3 types remedial, at level, above level. All I here there is not enough money to really educate all kids correctly. That is  not are problem.

Pathways can be checked. Some peoples issues are mild they need no help and others need help. A person under disability right is to get what's evers needed by that district. If they can't give it they must transfer to one who can or pay for private education.

I dont use her protocol.

I use www.neurorelief.com 

I just say there is alot to learn on both websites.

Science is science Dr. Amy does a good job of explaining it.

[QUOTE=coach1] Its way more extreme these day than it was in the 70's. Results at all cost is the mode of operation in the year of 2005. I can take these kids that are border line and expect them to do work like was expected back in the 70's and they would relax and do a much better job. They wouldnt be straight A students but they could be normal and live  happy stress free childhoods. [/QUOTE]

I beg to differ here. I graduated in the 70s. 1975 as a matter of fact, smack dab in the middle. I was an A student with a few Bs thrown in here and there. I constantly was being told I was lazy, not working to potential, should have the highest average in my class. I also was miserable throughout my entire childhood. Most people remember all these wonderful things about their childhood with a few bad times in the mix. I remember things the opposite.

Yes I got good grades but I worked my butt off just to be told it wasn't good enough. A few times I hyperfocused and worked to my potential only to be accused of buying a college student's work. My older sister had to actually inform the teacher that she had taken me to her college library to get the books and that she had seen me work my tail off doing one report so that I wouldn't get a 0 for plagerism. Do you know how that feels when you are told you are not working to potential but when you do you are accused of cheating? DO YOU?

I loved my ADHD childhood in the 60s and 70s. I loved it so much that I tried to kill myself 3 times and prayed the rest of the time that I would be either dead or normal by the next day.

I am so fed up with people who haven't lived the nightmare that is ADHD unacknowledged trying to tell me it isn't real or I should change my diet.

I grew up on a farm and everything was organic and we had all the veggies and fruit anyone could want. Candy and soda, processed foods, pizza, even mixes of any kind were unheard of in my childhood. Anything that didn't come from the farm was a rare treat. My father did rotate crops. He was an excellent farmer.

I had everything going for me on the surface. My parents were very strict but we knew they loved us enough to die for us if necessary. I had many aunts, uncles, cousins whom I was close to. My homelife was not to blame. I was not lazy. My diet was about as good as you can get. I had all the outoor exercize anyone could wish for.

The only problem was ADHD which was not diagnosed, not treated and wouldn't have been accepted as an excuse or reason anyway.

I am not on a pity party. I have a decent life now and am much happier. Yes, there is much I would change if I could, but most of that would be about my education and life choices, not things I am doing now.

ADHD is real. ADHD has physical things going on which are not yet known, but more is being learned and discovered about it everyday. I cannot wait for the day when the world is forced to look at the solid evidence that proves that ADHDers are not making their life he**  just for attention or because we don't want to be bothered eating right.

BTW, I don't medicate my ADHD son and I research and ask knowledgable people about supplements and diet so that I can try to help him that way. The best most of us have come up with doing that is partial victory and we are greatful for that.

Glenn,

I did not say that there not any cases of chemical imbalances. Its not a black or white issue. Its not that you are or your not. There are many levels or serverity or extremes.  What I am try to explain is that there are some people that have severe chemical issues. There are some that are mild. America is a nation of self drugging people everyday. Caffene is used everyday for an effect. Cigarettes are used everyday for an effect. Food is used eeryday for an affect. People are adjusting their neurotransmitter levels every day and they dont know that they are . All they know is they are craving this food or that food or coffee or a cigarette or a mountain dew or a chocolate bar. Neurotransmitters are the basis for your behavior, your thinking, your well being, being happy not depressed etc.. .

When you eat sugar for an effect you are allowing more of the amino acid tryptophan to enter the brain because more insulin is excreted in response to the increased sugar then the insulin causes a bunch of the other amino acids to be absorbed into muscle thus less amino acids in the blood to compete to get across the blood brain barrier. Thus when more tryptophan get across the blood brain barrier and into the brain more of the neurotransmitter serotonin is produced and you get your effect.

What I am saying is there are kids that seem to be normal but because of the pressures of meeting very high level standards these days , that they are being thrown into chemical balance issues by the stress of trying to do harder work and schools using higher levels of negative punishement tatics to squeeze results out. Kids that are on the border line go ahead and flip out and cant handle it. Every little thing in made a big deal in school and zereo tolerance policies are the norm now. This constant pressure that you have to be a robot doesnt work. Its way more extreme these day than it was in the 70's. Results at all cost is the mode of operation in the year of 2005. I can take these kids that are border line and expect them to do work like was expected back in the 70's and they would relax and do a much better job. They wouldnt be straight A students but they could be normal and live  happy stress free childhoods. Stress and emotions are way more connectd to learning and behavior than many realize. Until we understand how these increasing standards to try and make kids rocket sciencetist by the time they leave elementary school, this problem will only get worse.

But I am sure your are most likely ADHD and I wont take that away from you.

Think about this:

One of the leading researchers in the area of Autism Dr. Amy Yasko , which ADHD is a mild form of Autism if you read the science, says that she can walk into any class room in america and she can see autistic traits in almost all the kids. Its just that some are mild and they can adjust for them so they are not an issue for them. But the severe autistic child has too many of those issues to overcome. Talking about those levels of severity , ADHD is a mild form of Autism. Study the methylation pathways and the Genetic defects, they can now DNA test  for, so that you can taylor your nutritional supplements to address specific DNA issues with the methylation pathways. Are you a over methylator (COM ++) or are you an under methylator (COM--) its somethig you will want to research. Go to www.autismanswer.com and read all the message board posts on the parents board. You will learn alot of science you can apply to your chemical imbalances. Also you can go to www.neurorelief.com and read all the past newsletters and all the down loadable documents in the library section.

Coach - it's ok to have a theory - but how do you explain all the adults with ADHD here who went through the old system of pass or fail on merit?  We never had the bush system (hell I was in Canadian system so moot for me either way) - and dealt with the "good old days".

There are some kids who are fast-tracked and misdiagnosed but that's the exception - not the rule.  I watch parents here take their kids out of school and home-school before ever thinking about medicating - and then they still need to so that son or daughter can be more able to cope with life's troubles.

I respect your right to your theory - but have you factored in all the 40-ish people with ADHD?  Just wondering.

Just curious, but how do you know this while thousands of doctors don't? There is no proof that food causes ADHD or anything else. In fact, I believe studies showed that Feingold didn't work. Who is telling you this and why doesn't the world know what YOU know? Your nickname is coach. I assume you have no knowledge in the medical profession. If you have the answers you can count on being a rich man soon.

There are many theories about childhood disorders. There are no solid answers as to what causes any of them. There are some researchers who have drawn conclusions, but obviously it is not accepted by the mainstream. There may be many caues of ADHD like symptoms all caused by different things. The thing is, nobody knows yet. Hopefully one day we will.

Some people act like alternative methods are a bunch of hippies sitting aoround passing the peace pipe.....NS's intro from their web site.....

NeuroScience actively funds neuroendocrine research to development laboratory tests that will better assess a patient’s condition and assist physicians(could that mean REAL doctors) in their medical decision-making. We also formulate non-prescription products as alternatives or pharmaceutical adjuncts to address neuroendocrine imbalances. Our dedication means you will always have the most complete test panels, the best evaluation of your patient, and achieve the best outcomes for your patients.

Neurotransmitter imbalances have been linked to:

• Attention issues (lack of focus and motivation, poor concentration, and ADD)
• Learning difficulties and development delays (young children)
• Hyperactivity and ADHD for both children and adults
• Sleeping problems (fatigue, problems falling asleep, tossing and turning, etc.)
• Menopause related issues (hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats)
• PMS and mood changes from oral contraception (mood swings, aggressiveness, irritability, sadness, lack of libido)
• Weight issues and appetite control (cravings, overwhelming hunger, etc.)
• Depression (sadness, lack of motivation, mood swings, etc.)
• Migraine headaches
• Anxiety (irritability, nervous, obsessive-compulsive, insecurity, racing thoughts, restlessness)
• Libido (lack of sex drive for women and men, orgasm issues, erectile dysfunction, etc.)

Geeez, doesn't look so hocus-pocus to me...looky here....they even address things like migraines...and PMS!

Maybe I need MY NTs checked b/c I'm feeling pretty dang *itchy right about now!

[QUOTE=devotedtoyou]WHAT is going on here?  ANOTHER one of those arguing posts?  This gets soooo over-done![/QUOTE]

I agree, but if one is going to make false claims that I can validate....I'm going to do it.

I had EVERY intention of staying out of this one UNTIL I read the same false claims that I have tried to clarify over and over.....and I will conitnue to clarify as long as parents are being given incorrect information.

If Coach wants to spout off his theories about ADHD, he has EVERY right...this is a PUBLIC forum....those that don't like what he has to say should skip his threads.

lillian, If my story will help anyone understand that there are generations of people out here who have lived with ADHD and its consequences, I am more than willing to let people share it. Those of us who live it every day know how real and devestating it is.

I wouldn't have chosen to have ADHD back then. I am so greatful that so much more is known about it now, and that we have real success stories of adult ADHDers who have managed to achieve their dreams and given so much to enrich the lives of everyone, both ADHDers and non ADHDers.

I can hold those people up to my son as examples of people who have used hard work and initiative to learn to make the best of ADHD and how to compensate for the weaknesses that go with it. I can show him that he can succeed and look at how they did it to enable him to be his best.

[QUOTE=psm0904] Anyone who claims to "know" what causes ADHD or autism is a fraud because NOBODY knows.  [/QUOTE]

It is possible that someone does know.  One of the theories might be right.  That is how science works.  One theory can ultimately be proved right.

Check out the crawling thread on this post and the book it talks about.  This might be the breakthrough that we are all hoping for. 

It is working for me.  That is all I can say.  I wish more people would give it a try.  We have a group that are trying this method.  Check out the "crawlers unite" thread in the alternative post. 

I hope that everyone can be a little open to at least giving this theory a good look.  It is simple, inexpensive, and it works.

[QUOTE=lillian]psm, this section of the forum is open for people to talk about a variety of issues related to ADHD.  Yes, there is an alternative section on this forum, but there also is a medication section on this forum.  This section, the parents' section, is for parents to discuss all the issues and options.  It should not be limited to one perspective.  If the people who believe in alternative treatments to drugs cannot discuss their views here, then the people who believe in drug treatment should not be able to, either.  [/QUOTE]

It has been my experience (limited as it may be) that MANY people don't understand that there ARE other options outside of medicatoin for ADD/ADHD.  It's not commonly practiced and medical professionals are not educated on alternative methods so there are MANY who might be interested and who could benefit that are unaware.

I know that we have had success and that is our reality.  I find it difficult to believe that others could not have success as well.

Psm - first of all in one of your messages you're saying someone else is cyrus, presumably you mean me, curus as its only one letter out.

If so please be assured that I'm not anyone other than curus.  What would be the point of having multiple ID's?  The administration can see from the IP logged who's who and what area they come from.

As for the issue of alternatives - looking at the Omega 3 one.  How expensive is that compared to meds, particularly if dietary intake is increased rather than supplements?

There's a 6 page article (pdf format) here on Omega 3 and its from last month (dated Oct 12th 05) which you might find interesting.  It doesn't just cover ADHD, it also touches on other benefits.  I don't believe there's any agenda there other than a scientific search for health, cardiovascular, neurological, arthritic, etc.

http://www.standardprocess.com/lit/Other/DCReviewOmega3.pdf

If I have an agenda then I guess I better spell it out:

ADHD  is a TERM used to describe behavior that can be pinned on just about any young child.

True Brain chemistry  issues are found thru testing not an observation or opinion.What does ADHD really mean? But tell me I have low Serotonin and high Dopamine then I have some real information. Is ADHD High or Low Serotonin or is it High or low Dopamine or is it high or low norepinephrine. Or maybe its High Dopamine, low Norepeinephrine. Testing cuts to the chase with real data, Not a vague label.

No Child Left Behind Act is putting excessive stress on very young kids to do work that once used to be done by kids 3 grade levels higher , thus causeing kids that normally would not be diagnosed as ADHD, to now be thrown into downward spirals of emotional stress behaviors and learning issues. Schools have resorted to desperate means of negative punishment tatics to meet new state mandated school standards that expect too much from very young fragile minds thus altering kids ability to develope a normal emotional well being. Once the chemistry is thrown out of kilter its very hard to get back into balance. Its a proven fact that stress shuts down the ability to learn and remember things.Give a kid work that frustrates them and causes anxiety and then punish them regularley on a daily basis because they cant do the new higher levels of standards and you have a formula to make any kid ADHD.

Nutritional supplements address the root cause of the issues.

NCLB act needs to be re-written.

Believe it........ or ......... Not..........