Maker of birth-control patch issues warning

Ortha Evra users may have greater risk of blood clots than first disclosed

The makers of a popular birth-control patch warned millions of women Thursday that the patch exposes them to significantly higher doses of hormones and may put them at greater risk for blood clots and other serious side effects than previously disclosed.

The warning from Johnson and Johnson subsidiary Ortho McNeil, makers of Ortho Evra, says women using the patch will be exposed to about 60 percent more estrogen than those using typical birth-control pills because hormones from patches get into the bloodstream and are removed from the body differently than those from pills.

Thursday’s warning comes four months after The Associated Press reported that patch users die and suffer blood clots at a rate three times higher than women taking the pill.

Citing federal death and injury reports, the AP also found that about a dozen women, most in their late teens and early 20s, died in 2004 from blood clots believed to be related to the birth-control patch, and dozens more survived strokes and other clot-related problems.

Ortho McNeil spokeswoman Bonnie Jacobs said Thursday that the warning speaks for itself and that the company has been cooperating with the Food and Drug Administration, which distributed the new warning to health care providers.

More than 4 million women have used the patch since it went on sale in 2002. Several lawsuits have been filed by families of women who died or suffered blood clots while using the patch, and lawyers said more are planned.

Documents released to attorneys as a result of that litigation show Ortho McNeil has been analyzing the FDA’s death and injury reports, creating its own charts that document a higher rate of blood clots and deaths in association with the patch than with the pill.

In addition, an internal Ortho McNeil memo shows that the company refused, in 2003, to fund a study comparing its Ortho Evra patch to its Ortho-Cyclen pill because of concerns there was “too high a chance that study may not produce a positive result for Evra” and there was a “risk that Ortho Evra may be the same or worse than Ortho-Cyclen.”

Last week, in response to AP questions about the Ortho McNeil memo, company spokesman Michael Beckerich said in a written statement that “decisions to fund studies are based upon scientific merit.”

Beckerich said Ortho McNeil is conducting its own epidemiological study “designed with input from the FDA and similar to those previously conducted with the Pill.”

Higher amounts of hormones
Although the patch and most birth-control pills contain the same amounts of estrogen, new published studies show that women using the patch absorb about 50 percent more estrogen than with the pill, said Dr. Leslie Miller, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington.

When women take the pill, the medication is absorbed into the bloodstream through the digestive tract. In the process, about half of the estrogen dose is lost.

Hormone levels in women on the pill are highest one or two hours after taking it, Miller said. Twelve hours later, estrogen levels are quite low, meaning the body is not exposed to high levels of estrogen 24 hours a day.

But the patch causes higher estrogen levels since delivery of medication continues all day. Those elevated levels may be high enough to increase some women’s risk of blood clots, Miller said.

“If the patch is delivering too much estrogen, then it may need to be redesigned,” Miller said. “Women should not just take off their patch; they risk pregnancy. If they are worried and want to change off the patch, they can wait to get something else.”

Jennifer Cowperthwaite, 26, of Broad Brook, Conn., still suffers breathing problems after a blood clot reached her lungs two years ago while using the patch. She said the warnings were long overdue.

“I wish I had known,” she said. “It’s quite likely I would never have used it.”

Erika Klein’s sister Kathleen Thoren died a year ago from blood clots in her brain that the coroner said were brought on by Ortho Evra. She said women deserve to be informed when making birth-control decisions.

“Women have a right to know the true risks and make their decisions based on that information,” she said. “No one should have to go through what my sister went through.”

© 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Girl's Illness Traced to 'Toxic' School. Some Doctors Alarmed by Hidden Chemicals at Schools

Oct. 11, 2005 — Kellianne King was a healthy, vibrant little girl until she started preschool. That's when she started to suffer from headaches, sinus infections, chest pains and seizures, says her mother, Kathy King.

It was a heart-wrenching time for the family. "She would stand on her bed and she would just scream, 'You have to -- you have to help me. Someone has to help me.' And we couldn't do anything," King said.

And Kellianne, now 13, couldn't enjoy many of the pleasures of being a kid.

"I feel like I didn't get to do much," she said. "I mean, I can ride a bike and read a book now but when I was little, I never got to do that. I learned how to do those things much later. So it was hard."

No one, it seemed, could figure out what was making the little girl so sick. "We took her to all the best doctors and they were just perplexed by her," King said. "They really just couldn't pinpoint what was wrong,"

Mystery Illness Revealed

When Kellianne was in the first grade, her parents learned the painful truth: There were serious air quality problems in her school that had sickened dozens of students and teachers.

"I was shocked that the only place, the only place I trusted to leave her was what was making her sick," said King.

Dr. Phillip Landrigan chairs the Department of Community and Preventative Medicine at Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in New York. He is one of many doctors alarmed by hidden toxins in schools.

"Today, too many chemicals are put into schools that have never been tested for the possible impacts they have on young children," Landrigan said.

Simple leaks can breed deadly mold behind walls and trigger an asthma attack; pesticides used to kill insects and weeds can damage a child's developing nervous system, lowering IQ and affecting attention span.

"Children live down on the floor," Landrigan said. "They crawl on the rug. They're constantly putting their little fingers in their mouths. And all of those actions increase the child's exposure."

Alarming School Experiment

Just how quickly kids get exposed to toxins in school became clear when "Good Morning America" conducted an experiment in a classroom at P.S. 8 in New York.

First, we applied Glo-Germ, a non-toxic powder only visible under ultra-violet light, in areas where pesticides are most likely to be sprayed or to settle, like baseboards, windowsills and desktops. Then we invited the kids to play. After only 20 minutes, we showed them the stunning results.

Using UV light, we found traces of Glo-Germ all over their clothes, hands and faces.

"It was actually scary to see how germs can spread, toxins can spread all over the place," said teacher Olivia Ellis.

Kids spend nearly 90 percent of their time indoors. Yet there are no specific federal requirements limiting the use of toxins, such as pesticides, in schools, which is why it often takes teamwork to get a school to clean up its act and its air.

Patricia Berkey is the principal of Hastings Elementary School in Massachusetts, where Kellianne attended school and was exposed to toxins. "I think families need to feel comfortable when they send their children off to school that they're sending their children to a safe and healthy environment," Berkey said.

That school took action and, nine years later, Hastings is an award-winning example of a healthy environment school.

A health and safety team, composed of Berkey, a parent, teacher, school nurse and maintenance technician, regularly inspects the entire school looking for leaks, dirty ventilation filters and making certain that only non-toxic cleaners are being used in the classrooms.

"It's a really good feeling to know that if you take a little time out locally in your schools that the impact can be really far-reaching," said King.

How far-reaching? Thanks to King and other parents' efforts, every school in her district has similar toxin-fighting teams, protecting the health of some 3,500 students -- including Kellianne.

"I feel very proud to have a mom that would do that for her kid instead of just giving up and saying, 'Oh well, I can live with them being like this forever,'" Kellianne said. "Just fighting. Also, not just for me but for other kids."

Copyright © 2005 ABC News Internet Ventures

Head Lice and Tea Tree Oil Report

http://www.rmbarry.com/research/lice-tea-tree-oil.html

Study: 'Superbug' Germ Kills 3 in Chicago

Wash your hands often and find out more about using botanical disenfectants. Avoid the harsh and harmful chemicals and the germs! Tell me if you want to find out more on how!

By ALICIA CHANG, AP Science WriterWed Sep 21, 5:00 PM ET

Three Chicago-area children have died of a toxic shock syndrome-like illness caused by a superbug they caught in the community and not in the hospital, where the germ is usually found.

The cases show that this already worrisome staph germ has become even more dangerous by acquiring the ability to cause this shock-like condition.
"There's a new kid on the block," said Dr. John Bartlett of Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, referring to the added strength of the superbug known as methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA.

"The fact that there are three community-acquired staph aureus cases is really scary," continued Bartlett, an infectious disease specialist.

The Chicago deaths were described in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.

Health officials do not yet know how the drug-resistant staph causes this new syndrome, but it appears to be rare, said Dr. Clifford McDonald, an epidemiologist with the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, doctors should be on the lookout for shock-like cases caused by MRSA, said Dr. Robert Daum, a pediatrician at the University of Chicago who co-authored the study.

In 1999, drug-resistant staph infections killed four healthy children ranging in age from 1 to 13 years old in Minnesota and North Dakota. Since then, doctors have actively looked for such infections in their community.

In the cases reported in Thursday's medical journal, the baby and two toddlers who died were otherwise healthy before they were separately admitted to a Chicago hospital with pneumonia-like symptoms between 2000 and 2004. Doctors believe the children probably inhaled the germ.

The children died within a week of being hospitalized and autopsies showed they suffered from shock and bleeding in the adrenal gland. The infections were caused by MRSA, which is usually not associated with the syndrome.

Until recently, drug-resistant staph infections were limited to hospitals and other health care settings where they can spread to patients with open wounds and cause serious complications.

But infectious disease specialists say a growing number of community-acquired resistant staph infections have struck healthy people outside of hospitals in recent years.

Doctors in Los Angeles treated 14 people with necrotizing fasciitis, informally known as flesh-eating bacteria, caused by the resistant germ.

And in Corpus Christi, Texas, doctors have seen community-acquired resistant staph cases jump from 10 cases a year in the 1990s to more than 400 in 2003.
The first Chicago death occurred in 2000 when a 15-month-old girl was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. She died eight hours later. In 2003, a 9-month-old girl was hospitalized with fever and breathing problems. Her condition deteriorated and she died six days later. A year later, a 17-month-old boy was admitted with respiratory problems and died the next day.

In all three cases, the victims' conditions progressed from pneumonia to shock.
____
On the Net:
New England Journal: http://www.nejm.org

Phytomega product experiences!

From my mentor, Michelle Smith:
I had my BLOOD drawn at the end of August here is what I have reported from the lab

Total Cholesterol 230 Expected Range ok 140-199 HIGH
HDL- Good cholesterol 58 Expected 35-100 OK
LDL bad cholesterol 133 Expected 0 – 129 too high
Triglycerides (fat in the blood) 193 Expected 0-150 REALLY BAD
I started with the Daily for life for woman Which includes the Provex CV and Phytomega in it on Dec 1 – 2004
I was tested again Feb 2-16-05 JUST 2 and ½ months here are the resultsJ

Total Cholesterol 154 Expected Range ok 140-199 I AM SO THRILLED AMAZING LOVE THESE PRODUCTS~!!!
HDL- Good cholesterol 51 Expected 35-100 so ok
LDL bad cholesterol 90 Expected 0 – 129 My LDL bad lower by 43 points!!!
Triglycerides (fat in the blood) 66 Expected 0-150 SAVING MY LIFE !!!!! down by 127

From Kami Ricks:

Well, I am so excited! This is just a prime example of what Melaleuca does in the lives it touches. My mother, Terry Dike, had her blood levels checked back on July 29th of this year. The doctor at that time wanted to put her on Lipitor and she refused. My mother told her that she had another option that she wanted to try. The doctor told her that she would "let" her try it for 90 days, and then they would look into medication. My mother also saw a heart specialist recently who would not even look at the paperwork on Phytomega or ProvexCV that my mother brought with her.

My mother added Phytomega to her Daily for Life Pack on August 18th. She also watches what she eats and added the fiber therapy. However, exercise what NOT a part of her regimen. She just had her levels retested on October 12th, not even a full 60 days from the time she started on the Phytomega. Here are her results:

Testing period: August 18th - Oct. 12th, 2004 (Terry Dike)
Total cholesterol: from 264 to 181
LDL (bad kind): from 140 to 88
HDL (good kind): from 67 to 69
Triglycerides: from 287 to 119

This is a life changing event! In fact, on the paper she received from the doctor with these results, there was a note written. It said " Did Dr. ____ put you on medication? I have no records of any!"

Well, I bet the doctors will take a look at her info now! Thanks, Melaleuca, for enhancing the life of my mother and helping to save her heart! If you would like the actual doctor results for verification, let me know. I will also be sending this in to Melaleuca! (she did and she told her story at convention on stage in front of 8,000 or so people)

From Suzanne Pummil:

At the end of June, I had complete blood work as part of my annual physical and my numbers seemed to be of concern to my doctor. She said that she wanted me to go on some cholesterol lowering medication, but I asked what my options were. Her only suggestion was to cut out as much fat from my diet as possible and have my blood retested in three months. Upon attending the Melaleuca convention, I started taking the Phytomega. I also called the doctor and asked to hold off on my blood testing until November so that I could use our new Omega-3 product and give it plenty time to take effect. Here are the results on new testing done on November 14.

June 03 November 03
Total Cholesterol 251 207
LDL 148 127
HDL 91 69
Triglicerides 59 53
The doctor was very pleased with the results and said to keep doing whatever I was doing and that she would see me next June! Thank you, Melaleuca!!

Gary Smith - former hospital administrator
By adding Phytomega to his Daily 4 Life Pack (which includes Provex CV) he has kept his MD from starting him on a statin drug like Lipitor.
August 8th, 2003 November 14th, 2003
257 ............ total cholesterol ............ 197
29 ............. HDL ............ 35 (this is what you want to go up)
166 ............. LDL ............. 116
308 ............. triglycerides ............. 232

Another Phytomega success story. My wife Sharlene had blood work donein May of 2003 and again the end of October 2003. She has given herpermission to pass along her results. May OctoberCholesterol 235 174LDL 154 101HDL 56 47 Triglyceride 133 140 Ratio 4.2 3.7 Her Cholesterol readings had remained in the 230 + range for many monthsbefore taking Phytomega. She took Phytomega for 6 weeks prior to theOctober test. She's thrilled with the 61 point drop in the Cholesterolreading and the 53 point drop in the LDL reading. -- Harold Brown

My friend Kendra was over the other night and had the most fabulousstory to tell. She has a family history of high cholesterol and hasbeen trying to control it with diet and exercise because she'd like toavoid medication with all the potential liver problems etc. She had beento an acupuncturist who was also using herbs when Phytomega wasintroduced. Her cholesterol was 281. She began using the Phytomega andthis was the only change she made. Near the end of 30 days she sawanother doctor who performed another cholesterol test and called worriedthat it was 243. Kendra told the doctor it was significantly lower thanbefore. In less than 30 days!!

I have a history of heart disease on the male side of my family. MyFather's father died in his early thirties from a single heart attack,my Father died at age 51 from a heart attack (I was 18 at the time), andmy younger brother (Barbara Herd's husband) died from a heart attack atage 37. These events have made me acutely aware of my own vulnerability and Ihave attempted to keep a close check on factors affecting mycardiovascular health. Exercise and supplementation have long been apart of my daily and weekly regimen. In 1998 I had a triple by-pass operation. Following that experience, I was able to reduce my cholesterol level tobelow 150 with supplementation and nearly a meatless diet. I was also placed on medication, namely Lipitor. As time progressedfollowing the operation, I returned to eating meat and my cholesterolbecame elevated above the 150 level, but remained below 200 withexercise, Lipitor, and watchful eating, and supplements from anothernutritional company. At the Melaleuca convention in early August, all attendees were giventhe opportunity to have their blood screened and to start on Melaleuca'snewest product, Phytomega, announced and made available at convention. I started taking Phytomega at the convention, after receiving theresults of my blood screening. I hoped that I would see some positive results after a month on theproduct, but what I found far exceeded my expectations. I had my blood drawn and checked by my own Doctor on September 9th,about one month after starting the Phytomega. Here are the results: 8/07/03 9/09/03

Total cholesterol: 184 141

Triglycerides: 179 104

LDL cholesterol: 104 77

I was impressed with the results as I really changed nothing in my dailyroutine or diet. If anything, I exercised less due to a busy schedule.Best regards,

-- Dick Flegenheimer

Several months ago, I proudly sent out the results of my cholesterol drop, especially the LDL. Provex CV and since it's introduction in August, Phytomega are working wonders for me!
The good news continues.
I began using Provex CV last fall (Nov 18).
Added to that, at the convention I picked up Phytomega and started on it this Aug 10th.
Thus in a span of ten (10) months with three blood draws as proof, here are the results: Overall cholesterol down 51 points, tryglicrides down 60 points, HDL up 12 points and LDL (the nasty one) down 47 points!
For those that didn't get my previous mailing on my results, here's the background.
About three years ago my cholesterol went up suddenly. I was prescribed Lipitor. I used it for two weeks and had severe side effects from it. I quit using it and for two weeks and started feeling better and then was put on Zocor.
Again and even worse the side effects, dry mouth, tired and nausea. I used it for two weeks and couldn't continue. I may add that being both sides of my family have diabetes, for years I've had complete blood draws each six months for sugar and cholesterol levels as a way of monitoring any onset of diabetes.
Fortunately, I don't have diabetes. My doctor is a diabetes specialist here in Grand Forks, ND. After the Zocor, I tried heavy use of over the counter Garleek (sp). Interestingly, my cholesterol level didn't go up nor would it decrease.
As mentioned, thanks to our good friend John Dufner, I was introduced to and began using Provex CV on Nov 18.
On Mar 18, I had already gone down 37 points on my LDL!
I can only assume that the Phytomega, being I only started on it on Aug 10 in conjunction with Provex CV, continues doing even greater work. Although my levels are now very normal, I will continue to use both to maintain the great levels.
My doctor fully endorses my use of the products and has commented that the sudden correction of cholesterol levels is "almost unprecedented." Let me encourage those of you that have a cholesterol problem or friends with cholesterol challenges to please consider using Provex CV and Phytomega. Both are inexpensive and of course no side effects!
Chet Paschke

Alternatives for Statin Drugs!

Lately it seems there are more headlines than ever about a class of cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins. Scientists and researchers are going back and forth about the benefits and risks of drugs like Lipitor®, Mevacor®, Zocor®, Lescol®, and many others. Statins reduce cholesterol production in your intestine by short-circuiting natural enzymatic processes in your liver.

Statins are effective. However, they can come with some potentially serious side effects such as allergic reactions, constipation, sleeplessness, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and CoQ10 depletion. A rare—and potentially fatal—muscle disorder called rhabdomyolysis is also possible.

Fortunately, nature has given us some heart-smart sources to help lower cholesterol and promote healthy triglyceride levels—safely and effectively without the side effects of synthetic drugs. These sources? Plant-based phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids like those found in Phytomega™. The patent-pending 2-in-1 formula brings phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids together in one powerful heart health supplement. Phytomega can help naturally enhance the cardiovascular health of people.

Tackling the #1 Killer—NaturallyHeart disease is the leading cause of death in the world today. And elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels are two contributors to the disease. Phytomega delivers 1,500 mg of phytosterols and 1,000 mg of omega-3 essential fatty acids—the research-recommended therapeutic doses—to help naturally lower cholesterol and promote healthy triglyceride levels when used with a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
Structurally, phytosterols resemble cholesterol and they compete for cholesterol absorption sites in your body. Phytosterols hinder cholesterol absorption—essentially blocking cholesterol from being absorbed in your intestine.

Omega-3 fatty acids (from non-predatory, cold water fish) are a form of “good” polyunsaturated fat. Omega-3 fatty acids enhance phytosterol solubility and help naturally promote healthy triglyceride levels. (Studies have also positively linked omega-3 fatty acids with improved mental health and joint health.)

The Melaleuca Heart Health PackWhile Phytomega helps reduce cholesterol and maintain healthy triglyceride levels, it’s not the only heart health product. Don’t forget about ProvexCV® and FiberWise™!

The patented flavonoid powerhouse, ProvexCV, helps reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol oxidation, promotes healthy blood platelet activity, and nourishes blood vessels to promote a healthy cardiovascular system.

FiberWise Drink has a delicious blend of soluble and insoluble fiber—including psyllium fiber—for which the United States FDA has said “diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol that include 7 grams of soluble fiber per day from psyllium husk may reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol.”

The latest statistics show that one of every two men and one of every three women will develop heart disease. No one should ever advise customers to stop taking doctor-prescribed medications like statins. However, urging customers to ask their doctors about supplementing their diets with Phytomega could make a healthy difference in their lives.

Would this be true for women too?

Fitness Cuts Men's Death Risk in Half

August 30, 2005

DALLAS (American Heart Association) -- Regardless of their cholesterol level, men can cut their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease in half by being physically fit, according to a study in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association.

"The message for men is that fitness counts and it is time to get in shape," said co-author Peter T. Katzmarzyk, Ph.D., an associate professor at the School of Physical and Health Education at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

The primary aim of the study was to analyze the effectiveness of last year's modifications to the guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP ATP III) for lowering bad (LDL) cholesterol to predict death from cardiovascular diseases.

"We wanted to find out if the new NCEP ATP III guidelines could identify men at risk for cardiovascular disease," Katzmarzyk said.

"We confirmed that the guidelines do accurately identify men at risk not only of disease, but also at risk of cardiovascular death.

"Secondarily, we discovered that fitness is important across the board -- at every level of cholesterol," he said.

Results also suggested that within a given ATP III risk category, physical fitness is associated with a greater than 50 percent lower risk of mortality.

In this study, physical fitness was four to five, 30-minute segments of activity per week or the equivalent to walking 130 to 138 minutes per week.

Researchers analyzed the cardiovascular risk factors and cardiorespiratory fitness of 19,125 men ages 20 to 79 who were treated at a preventive medicine clinic from 1979 - 1995, prior to the revised treatment guidelines.
Using the new ATP III classifications:

• 58 percent of the men would have met the criteria for being "at or below LDL (bad) cholesterol goal";
  
  
• 18 percent would have met the criteria for "therapeutic lifestyle change" -- meaning diet, physical activity and weight management could lower LDL; and
  
  
• 24 percent would have met the criteria for "drug consideration" for lowering LDL.

There were 179 deaths from cardiovascular disease over more than 10 years follow-up. Overall, compared to men who met the acceptable LDL level under the revised guidelines:

• Men who met the criteria for therapeutic lifestyle intervention had twice the risk of cardiovascular disease death; and
  
  
• Men eligible for aggressive cholesterol-lowering therapy had almost seven times the risk.

This is significant, since an estimated 25 percent of Americans ages 20-79 meet the criteria for aggressive lipid-lowering therapy, Katzmarzyk said.

"Lowering the threshold for consideration of cholesterol-lowering drug therapy for those at high risk will ultimately save lives and also have important implications for the health care system," he said.

Katzmarzyk also noted that about one third of the men in the highest ATP III risk group -- those for whom lipid-lowering drug treatment is recommended -- also had evidence of metabolic syndrome.

Metabolic syndrome is a set of risk factors that includes three or more cardiovascular risk factors: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL (good) cholesterol, high blood pressure or high glucose. Evidence of metabolic syndrome, even without elevated LDL cholesterol, doubled the risk of cardiovascular death.

Alternative for ADD/ADHD

by Dr. James Hollingsworth

I would like to talk to you about a common childrens (and adults) disorder known as ADD/ADHD and as you will find, other mental conditions. I am responding to an inquiry dealing with this subject and the use of a product from Melaleuca Inc. called Provex Plus. I will not give you a cursory discussion about this product (and one other, the Vitality Pak) , nor will I give a simple rationale for its use. I intend to share with you, using language that you and I would use in a conversation, rather than the technical and functionally explicit language of medicine, what you need to know to make a good rational decision.

This will be a long discussion that comes from more than a decade of thought on this matter; as well as, treatment of patients and families with these problems.

So here we go. If you can, as we go along, chew over this material, let your mind digest it, and then pass it on to people for whom nutritional supplementation as a treatment is hard to swallow. I will have done my job.

Why take Ritalin and other behavioral drugs?

As you know, attention deficit disorder as well as most other mental problems, are commonly treated pharmacologically. When the parents of a child with this disorder are discussing this condition with their doctor, a common thread is woven through this blanket diagnosis. This common thread is that the child has a chemical deficiency, and this deficiency results in aberrant behavior.

Typically, drugs such as Ritalin are given to cover-up that deficiency. In other words, a chemical is given to cover up the symptoms of a chemical deficiency in the brain. For many of these children and their families the drugs that are given are a God send. Family life and school life suffer when children have this condition, and many of these families are on the edge of being not able to cope any longer. For other families, the trade off of the reduction of the symptoms to the long term affects to the child is not acceptable and the search for an alternative treatments starts. For me, discovering what this chemical deficiency is, seems to be a smarter course of action. That's where we're heading now.

Are there any alternatives and how is a the Vitality Pak different from everything else?

What I propose is to have you look at this from a different point of view. For those of you that have listened to me discuss the Melaleuca Vitality Pak, you've heard me say that I think this is the greatest miracle in the history of nutrition.

Let me tell you why again. As you know the Vitality Pak is a vitamin and mineral supplement. What makes it unique is that the minerals are chelated with fructose. That is, a carbon atom is removed from this sugar chain and a mineral atom is inserted in its place. What is interesting is that after this transformation occurs the bond angles and the structure of this new molecule, a "substituted fructose", are identical to a real fructose molecule. Therefore, since these structures are the same and the body recognizes substances based on structure, the body treats this "substituted fructose " as a true sugar molecule. Sugars, including this "substituted fructose " are completely absorbed from the intestinal lumen, or inside of the gut, into the bloodstream that goes to the hepatic portal system and is then circulated throughout the entire body. This is the first part of the miracle of this supplement, that of approximating 100% absorption.

The next part of the miracle is just as interesting. Since cells need sugar to perform the functions of life, sugars are transported across the cell membrane constantly and then taken to the mitochondria and are converted to ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate ) , which is the currency of energy for cells. ATP powers the mechanisms that create the stuff of life, such as neurotransmitters, proteins of repair, bone formation, red blood cells, white blood cells, and we could go on and on. Therefore, sugars are taken across cell walls from the blood at higher rates than other substances in the blood, since we need it to convert so much sugar into ATP. This "substituted fructose " becomes an ideal carrier of minerals not only getting into the bloodstream to an astoundingly high degree but also into the cells of the body that can then use these minerals for the formation of the stuff of life. What is also nice about using fructose as a carrier is that fructose is not insulin dependent which makes it a wonderful carrier for a diabetic. Fructose uses a completely different metabolic pathway to enter a cell.

So how does the brain work, anatomically and physiologically?

You may ask what does this have to do with ADD/ADHD? Well, let me paint a little more of this picture, using the paint brush of basic anatomy. The brain rests inside the skull. Between the brain and the skull is the dura mater, which is Latin for "tough mother ." The dura mater is a tough membrane that protects the brain. Between the dura mater and the brain is another barrier, the blood brain barrier which is composed of astrocytes, oligocytes, and microglia.

These three cell types act as a filter keeping everything that is circulating in the blood that could be harmful to the brain, from reaching the brain. Yet there is one thing that crosses the blood brain barrier easily. Sugar. Including "substituted fructose ." You might ask why is this significant and why is it necessary for sugar to cross the blood brain barrier?

Even though muscles can use sugars, free fatty acids, as well as proteins as a fuel, the brain can only use sugar as a fuel. The answer lies in the physiology of the brain. It is obvious to you that the heart is an organ that pumps blood; the lungs are an organ which exchange gases according to law of partial pressures; the kidneys are an organ which filter blood; and the brain is also an organ.

But what does the brain do? The Mind is what the brain does. I am using Mind to describe the myriad functions of the brain. If this self maintaining and self regulating brain, which is an organic machine, does not get the proper nutrition it needs to function well, it subsequently is not able to manufacture those substances that are necessary for good brain function and poor Mind results. Could it be, that the functional materials which are needed by the brain are not always there and the brain must make do with what it has? Could the problem be that while "making do ," during times of stress that the brain malfunctions in the same way that a car burning bad gas pings and knocks when climbing a hill? Could it be, if we gave the brain what it needs to function well, that good mind would result? Could it be, that this unique mineral delivery mechanism of fructose compounding delivers what the brain needs to create the substrates of neurotransmitters and other functional chemicals in the brain to allow the brain to function well? Could it be, that this could help children with functional disorders dealing with attention and performance that stem from poor brain function?

I would suggest to you that these things are true and that in my practice I've lost count of those children whose performance in school and in life and their ability to cope and adapt to stress and change has been dramatically altered and improved by this nutritional supplement, the Vitality Pak.

How do I know that this stuff works?

The question arises, have you noticed the same functional changes with other supplements? The answer is no. For those of you that know my wife Jo Lynn's and my story, you know that after I graduated from Chiropractic College, I took a nap every day for nearly seven years. If I wasn't sleeping, I was thinking about sleeping or taking a nap. I wasn't lazy, I was just always tired. If I wasn't teaching at the BSU, making house calls, or seeing patients, I was in bed at 9:00 p.m. During this time I took many nutritional supplements. At one time I was taking 24 supplements each morning and 27 in the afternoon trying to find a way to affect my life. I remember asking my dad, an MD, for a prescription of Ritalin. No effect. A prescription of thyroid hormone. No effect.

Nothing worked until a friend of my wife's saw her hands. My wife had a two and half year battle in which eczema on her hands which had become infected with staphylococcus. She was on constant prescriptions of antibiotics as well as topical corticosteroids. For two and a half years I sent my wife to every dermatologist I knew and nothing helped. We were hopeless for her. But still it got worse; she developed Staph tracks in the veins of her arms and we knew that she was in trouble. When this friend of my wife's saw her hands she made a simple comment "I think I have something to help you ."

Such a small thing but this reflects the mission statement of Melaleuca Inc. "To enhance lives of those with touch by helping them reach their goals." My wife and I went to her house and listened as she told us about Melaleuca Oil, Problem Skin Lotion, and the Vitality Pak. We started on these products immediately and within three months my wife's hands were significantly improved. Within six months all that was left was one small geographic spot that comes and goes.

For me, the day that I started taking the Vitality Pak, seven years of daily naps ended. This has been a long explanation as to why, myself and so many others have benefited greatly by taking the Vitality Pak. My brain is finally receiving what is needed for me to perform at my optimal functional level. My wife's skin was getting what it needed to heal from the inside out.

Does ADD have anything to do with rocket science?

J___ was a patient of mine that was diagnosed with narcolepsy. J___ could and would fall asleep anywhere and over the years I've done everything I can to help him. After my experience with the Vitality Pak, I called J___ and asked him to come to the office. At the time, he was taking six adult Ritalin doses a day. When he came to my office I suggested that he take five doses of the Vitality Pak per day and to come back in a week. At the end of that time he returned and I asked him did you notice a difference? He told me with a straight face that he didn't. After some more questioning, he smiled at me and said "do you think there's any significance in the fact that I only took one Ritalin dose a day or every other day? " He was pulling my leg so hard, I almost hauled off and hit him! We both were so excited, for his life had so dramatically changed. Those are the days when it's so much fun being a doctor.

Well, time passed and that event was forgotten. Some time later, a nurse who worked at St. Luke's Hospital, came into my office. When she went into my treatment room, she was having so much stress and frustration from her many problems, she started to cry. Her five year-old son, on Ritalin, was on the verge of being thrown out of the day care center where she was taking him. And as she talked to me, I remembered J___ and a light went on! I gave her the Vita-Bears, told her the dosage for her boy to take and asked her to call me in three days. She looked at me like she thought I was crazy, and said "These can't make a difference, my boy eats well, " I told her, "I've been your doctor for years, just trust me in this and let's see". Three days she returned to my office. When she picked up her son that afternoon, the day care workers confronted her asking what she had done. For on this day, there had been no acting out, no violence, no reasons for time outs. They thought the boy had been drugged with a sedative. She told them all that was different, was that her son had started taking a mineral supplement from Melaleuca called Vita-Bears. That was about six years ago; he is still doing well in school and at home. This was the turning point for me. After these two events, I let moms and dads know what was available to them as a possible alternative or adjunct to Ritalin. I also then began experimenting when counseling patients and others with mental disorders. I found a remarkable response to the Vitality Pak, from almost everyone. Total counseling time and frequency decreased as a result of an increase in functional capability.

So what about ProVex Plus?

The ProVex Plus that was discussed in the inquiry is a combination of citrus bioflavonoids, dried grape seed and grape skin, dried ginkgo biloba extract (leaves) , and dried bilberry extract (berries) . Grape seed and grape skin contain a functional chemical called a proanthocyanidin. Proanthocyanidins are the most powerful antioxidants in nature. Beside their function as a free radical scavenger, they have positive side effects. They act as an antihistamine as well as an anti-inflammatory. Many studies have been accomplished that show the efficacy (that they work) of proanthocyanidins with an ADD/ADHD diagnosis, yet few if any, speculate on the mode of action. All we know, is that proanthocyanidins tend to help the brain function and in a remarkable way. Could it be, that the proanthocyanidins ability as a free radical scavenger and anti-inflammatory affect the brain function? It seems so. So after my experience in using the Vitality Pak for these conditions and after reading so many testimonials concerning the use of proanthocyanidins, I've since added ProVex Plus. This combination is remarkable.

So do I stop my Ritalin when I take the supplements?

No. That is between you and your doctor. Your doctor is your partner in your child's health care. You should let your doctor know what you're doing and your rationale for why. Use his or her knowledge to guide you. I usually tell parents to start taking the supplements and notice the changes. Then go talk to their doctor about either reducing the dosage or stopping the medication.

So what dosage do I recommend?

Basically the dosage per label on the supplements. If the child is too young or does not have the body weight necessary to take the Vitality Pak, then give them the Vita-Bears. The dosages for the Vita-Bears or the Vitality Pak should be split between the morning and noontime. Taking it too late in the day may tend to disturb sleep. For the ProVex Plus, I normally suggest from one to three per day based on age and body weight. I would make these recommendations after a thorough history, examination, and ascertaining that there are no contradictions.

Whew! I know that this was long winded, yet I feel you deserved a good rationale as to why to do anything that may modify behavior. I hope you realize the further implications of the Vitality Pak not only psychologically but also to your body function. I hope this was worth your time. If you have any questions or comments, let me know.

Ritalin and Cancer Risk

Randall Neustaedter OMD, LAc, CCH

In a surprising study conducted at the University of Texas, researchers have discovered that every child they tested who was taking Ritalin (methylphenidate) developed chromosomal aberrations that have been associated with an increased risk of cancer (El-Zein, 2005).

This study was stimulated by previous animal research that showed an increase in liver tumors in mice at high doses of methylphenidate (Dunnick et al, 1995). Laboratory studies have also shown chromosomal changes in both hamster (Gallaway et al, 1987) and human cells grown in cultures (Walker et al, 1977).

The Texas researchers tested 12 children before and three months after beginning a daily Ritalin prescription for treatment of ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder). Every child experienced an increase in genetic damage that is associated with the development of cancer after taking the drug. In the words of the authors, "In every individual examined, there was a statistically significant increase in every genotoxic endpoint analyzed… for each of the parameters tested."

The authors suggest that another drug, Adderall, is available for the treatment of ADHD, which is also an amphetamine-based drug like Ritalin. They then note that similar genetic damage has been observed in adult methamphetamine users (Li, 2003). They caution that children should be monitored for genotoxic effects of these drugs. Finally, they conclude, "the lack of research on the long-term effects of methylphenidate use in humans warrants great concern."

The HPA suggests that alternatives do exist for the treatment of attention problems in children. Parents do not need to risk the short-term or the long-term risks of Ritalin and other drugs used to treat ADD and ADHD. Holistic pediatric practitioners are well-versed in the use of nutritional supplements, lifestyle changes, homeopathic treatment, herbal approaches, cognitive therapy, and body work that will all have a significant impact on a child's ability to focus and concentrate.