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[ Overview ] [ Understanding The Physiology ] [ Supporting Research ] [ More Published Studies ] [ Supporting Medical Studies ] UNDERSTANDING THE PHYSIOLOGY The gastrointestinal tract is the main body system that allows nutrients to, and prevents toxins from entering the body. A patient's history of antibiotic or steroid use and the form and frequency of stool passage may indicate the need for tests that check for the presence of intestinal pathogens, such as bacteria, yeast, and parasites, which release toxins into the body and cause local damage to the intestinal lining. This leads to inflammation, improper digestion, and inadequate nutrient absorption. These problems can present as abdominal pain, abnormal or foul smelling stools, and bloating or flatulence or they can cause no outward symptoms at all. These toxins also impose a direct negative effect upon the body's immune and neurological systems. Damage to the intestinal tract by these organisms allows toxins and foods to enter the bloodstream, causing negative reactions. Furthermore, the presence of certain intestinal organisms can interfere with other therapies that may be needed to treat the patient. Lab testing can tell us about both the presence of these organisms, as well as which therapies are most likely to work in eliminating the organisms. We use natural treatments and if necessary, pharmacological approaches, to eradicate these pathogens. If the elimination of intestinal pathogens does not improve a child's bowel symptoms, the cause may be compromised intestinal digestive capacity. We employ various digestive enzymes to treat the problem. A urine test, called the Organic Acid Test, is often used to provide additional useful information about the toxins produced by yeast and bacteria. Sometimes a stool test will miss these organisms. This test also tells us about certain vitamin and co-enzyme needs, and how the body is metabolizing proteins, carbohydrates and fats. We are also concerned about heavy metal toxicity in our patients. Many people with chronic disorders have mercury, lead and other heavy metals accumulating in their body. Often, this is due to dysfunction of the detoxification pathways (see below). These metals can directly damage the cells of various organs, including the brain and nervous system, liver, kidneys and hormone glands. Testing for the presence of these metals is difficult, since often they are no longer circulating in the blood and are instead bound to the tissues and organs they are damaging. A blood test is significant if it shows the metals to be present, but a negative result could indicate that the metals have moved out of the blood stream and into the organs. Current research initiatives are attempting to determine why some patients with chronic neurodevelopmental disorders have higher levels of certain toxins in their body while others do not. Research is indicating that the problem is due to the inability of the patient's body to excrete these toxins. Recent studies by world renowned biochemists are showing that many people with these disorders have abnormalities in their sulfation and methylation systems, which are involved in the detoxification process. By checking the blood for metabolites of these pathways (methionine, homocysteine, cysteine, copper and zinc), we can evaluate these critical pathways and certain therapies are employed depending on the findings. Certain B vitamins (such as forms of vitamin B-12, folic acid and B6), methyl donors (such as DMG and TMG) and other nutrients (such as choline) are very helpful in improving the function of the detoxification symptoms. Negative food reactions frequently occur in patients with chronic disorders. Often, the avoidance of certain foods will cause a patient's condition to significantly improve. Various lab tests help to identify which foods are causing symptoms. These tests are useful, but an elimination/reintroduction diet approach is the preferred method to identify problem causing foods. A particular food can be identified as causing symptoms if the patient shows a positive response to its elimination from the diet and a negative reaction to its reintroduction to the diet, without regard to lab results. We often find one or more major immune system abnormality in patients with chronic disorders. Some children have weakened immune systems, allowing for repeated bacterial and viral infections. These infections often lead the patient to be placed on antibiotics, with resulting yeast and other bacterial infections as mentioned above. Other patients' immune systems are over reacting, causing negative symptoms when exposed to particular foods or things in the external environment. Other patients may exhibit auto-immune diseases, as the body may create antibodies which can directly attack particular proteins in the brain, thyroid, joints, or kidneys. Many of these immune system problems can be identified by various blood tests. Many children with chronic disorders have deficiencies in certain essential fatty acids. These "good" fats are the preferred fat the body uses to make the membranes of nerve and cardiovascular cells. A blood test can help determine if there are deficiencies in these essential fatty acids, and fish and plant based oils can be used to treat the deficiencies. As one can see, there are many different treatment strategies that may need to be used in the bio-nutritional treatment of patients with chronic disorders. Often these treatments need to be used simultaneously. |
                 
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CLICK HERE FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE OFFICE 100 Manetto Hill Road, Suite 106 | Plainview, NY 11803 | 516-470-9525 |
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