Vitamin C is an essential in the body's defenses against infection. Susceptible children will not tolerate relatively unimportant infections and this can lead to prolonged illness and in the case of behaviorally disturbed children of symptoms previously well managed. Vitamin C is an extremely safe substance which is immensely beneficial to the brain and body in a multitude of ways. Its potential for preventing and treating autism has barely been touched. Vitamin C is heavily concentrated in the brain, but its exact role in brain function has not been fully understood. A recent search turned up 400 references referring to vitamin C and the effects of the brain, but the mystery still remains.
Since the 1960s when Bernard Rimland initiated research into the use of vitamin B6 alongside magnesium a high proportion of people on the autistic spectrum have benefited from taking more vitamin B6. It is important however, to recognize that only those on the autistic spectrum with a need for Vitamin B6 in particular will benefit from this treatment.
We don't need to understand the biochemistry to know that vitamin C is indeed very crucial to brain function. The earliest signs of vitamin C deficiency are confusion and depression. Vitamin C also improves cognition, as shown by increased IQ scores in normal and Down's syndrome children. Other studies have shown improved EEGs and alertness, as measured in a variety of ways. Hoffer and Osmond, in a series of brilliant studies, showed vitamin C's effectiveness in treating schizophrenia.
Most of what we hear of vitamin C relates to its role in destroying viruses and bacteria. In a 1995 review, 21 placebo-controlled studies in which giving 1 or more grams of C daily; significantly reduced the severity and duration of colds. But vitamin C's anti-germ defense is only one of its many roles in the body. Irwin Stone's superb book The Healing Factor: Vitamin C Against Disease discusses many other ways in which vitamin C protects the body against substances implicated as causative of some cases of autism. A few examples:
Toxins. Starting back in the 1930’s, studies shown that industrial workers suffering from lead poisoning as a result of their exposure to lead in storage battery plants experienced quick relief from their mental and physical sy...
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...nia are very different disorders, but the socialization that VanderKamp had reported in his schizophrenic patients would certainly be welcome among most autistic patients, particularly those with Asperger syndrome. Other researchers have also reported improvement in the personalities of psychiatric patients on high doses of vitamin C. Milner (1963), for example, reported "statistically significant improvement in the depressive, manic and paranoid symptom complexes, together with an improvement in overall personality functioning."
Research also has shown vitamin C to bring about improvement in patients with depression and manic depressive illness, which, as I pointed out in Infantile Autism, do appear to be genetically related to autism. If vitamin C is used in large amounts, most experts suggest that buffered vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) should be used rather than ascorbic acid, since the acid form may be too acidic in multi-gram doses. Works Cited
www.vitacost.com
www.mall-net.com
www.Autismstudy.com
www.webhealth.com
Lead poisoning in children was first discovered in 1890 in Queensland, Australia. The lead source was not identified until 1904, when a researcher traced it to the paint used on railings and verandahs. The first discovery of lead poisoning in the United States (with a traceable source) was in 1914; the child had chewed the paint off of his crib. At this time they linked lead poisoning as a cause of convulsions in children. As research progressed and more children were found with high lead levels, symptoms caused by lead were expanded to include lead meningitis, acute encephalopathy, intellectual dullness, reduced consciousness, seizures, comas, and death (Chisholm, 1982).
One out of every six children under the age of six are suffering from health disorders due to the poisonous metal, lead. Lead is a natural occurring bluish-gray metal found in the earth's crust. It has no taste or smell. Lead can easily be found in all parts of our environment today. Most of it comes from mining, manufacturing, and the burning of fossil fuels. In the United States lead poison has increased because of the lack of knowledge in our society. Lead is released into the environment by industries, the burning of fossil fuels or wastes.
The more the merrier right? Overtime people have continuously believed that vitamin supplements help the human body sustain a healthier body and well-being, however, have failed to realize the harm that vitamin supplements can do to the body; this is indicated by Paul Offit, the author of “The Vitamin Myth.” He states that over time researches and various studies have proved that Linus Pauling, the soul of the vitamin myth, statements of what vitamin supplements could do for the human body and or life. For example, the National Cancer Institute in 1994, researched smokers who were given various supplements over a period of time however those who were given supplements eventually showed signs of a more dangerous health state than those who did
Besides that, vitamin C also helps in fights dandruff or some researchers and scholars claimed as seborrhoeic dermatitis. Moreover, based on the study by Ranganathan S. and Mukhopadhyay T (2010), they concluded that dandruff is considered as more towards physiological situation whereby inflammation on the scalp is reffered to seborrhoeic dermatitis. Dandruff problem is said that it is aetiologically from weak immune system and Melinda L. S. (2013) summarizes vitamin C improves in circulation system, skin health, immune system and
Lead has become both a blessing and a curse to the population. It has provided us with many tools in order to help us live but it has caused lots of health related incidents. People who have been exposed to lead products within their environment risk the chance of having developmental problems along with causing organs within the body to become infected. Young children are especially vulnerable to the effects of lead because they absorb as much as 5 times more ingested lead than adults. They can suffer
...a casein-free diet was 19.9ng⁄mL, for participants not on a casein-free diet it was 19.6ng⁄mL, and for controls it was 17ng⁄mL. There were no differences in the measurements of 25 (OH) D in all groups. About sixty-one percent, fifty-four children, had concentrations of less than 20ng⁄mL. This is the minimum concentration recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics to ensure good bone health. These children could be at risk for problems associated with vitamin D deficiency. This includes concerns with bone health and calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Children with autism spectrum disorder are limited to what activities they can do and usually are not exposed to much sunlight causing them to be at a greater risk. Understanding the needs and taking preventive measures for children with autism will help reduce the risk of health problems as they enter adulthood.
Vitamin B12 further helps in the development and maintenance of brain cells. Eating rich sources of this water-soluble vitamin also improves concentration, memory, learning and reasoning. Hence, vitamin B12 is essential for a healthy brain and elderly who are at a risk of dementia should consume good sources of vitamin B12. (8, 9)
A well-balanced diet contains all the necessary vitamins, and most individuals who follow such a diet can correct any previous vitamin deficiencies. However, persons who are on special diets, who are suffering from intestinal disorders that prevent normal absorption of nutrients, or who are pregnant or lactating may need particular vitamin supplements to bolster their metabolism. Beyond such real needs, vitamin supplements are also often popularly believed to offer "cures" for many diseases, from colds to cancer; but in fact the body quickly eliminates most of these preparations without absorbing them. In addition, the fat-soluble vitamins can block the effect of other vitamins and even cause severe poisoning when taken in excess.
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid is needed for growth and maintenance of healthy tissues, especially skin, blood vessels, bones, gums, teeth. Vitamin C aids in resistance against infection and healing of wounds. It also helps the body absorb iron from food. Vitamin C can be found in green vegetables, potatoes, tomatoes and citrus fruits such as oranges and lemon. A lack of vitamin C can cause scurvy, iron deficiency and poor wound healing. A healthy diet should include a high amount of vitamin C because the human body cannot produce its own vitamin C.
Recently, the environment impacts on our health have become a large concern of our societies worldwide. Lead is a pervasive and persistent environmental pollutant and recognized to be a major public health problem; therefore it has been paid attention by researchers in probing further into its toxicity. Lead poisoning is an insidious disease which is often detected late after being confused with other disorders such as digestive, hepatic, hematologic and behavioural disorders where it decreases the activity of certain enzymes by binding their sulfhydryl groups, or even to replace other metal ions
It is a cumulative toxicant that damages neurological, hematological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and renal systems. When exposed to lead, neurotoxic effects have been observed particularly in children and even low levels of exposure can cause severe and, in some cases, permanent neurological damage. About 0.6% of the diseases around the world are due to the lead exposure and this rate is highest in developing regions. Albeit there is low level of lead found in blood due to the diminutions in the use of this metal in products in recent years. Still the significant sources of lead are there especially in developing countries.
When one hears the three words: vitamins, nutrients, and minerals, they think of one thing-being healthy and noticing what your intake is daily. Nutrition is all about vitamins and nutrients. Firstly, vitamins are an organic compound required by the body in small amounts of metabolism, to protect health, and for proper growth of children. Vitamins also assist in the formation of hormones, blood cells, nervous systems chemicals, and genetic material. There are 13 well-identified vitamins. Some examples of the 13 well-identified vitamins are: A, D, E, and K-fat contained foods, B, C-consumed immediately. A well known and commonly used in commercials for orange juice vitamin is vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is important in the synthesis and maintenance of connective tissues. The lack of vitamin C will result in a sickness called scurvy. Scurvy harms the gums, mucous membranes, and the skin. Another well-known vitamin and is also used to commercial to give more information about this beverage is the vitamin in milk. The vitamin in milk is vitamin D. If you do not drink milk and obtain this vitamin, your bones and teeth will become soft and weak. Lacking one or more of the 13 well-identified vitamins will cause sickness and weakness to your body. Secondly, nutrients are how the body assimilates certain compounds. Nutrients are classified in 5 major groups: proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. One of the five nutrients is carbohydrate. The carbohydrate group principally consists of sugar, starch, dextrin, cellulose, and glycogen. In more basic terms, carbohydrates are sugars needed by human and other living organisms. Some types of foods that contain carbohydrates would be candies, ice cream, fruit juice, soda, chocolate bars etc. Lastly, vitamins are connected to minerals. Minerals are also a very important part of a healthy person. There are 11 major groups of minerals. They are: calcium, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, selenium, and zinc. All these terms look very familiar if one has taken chemistry. These are the elements of our world. One of the more common minerals that most people have heard of is calcium. Calcium also helps with the structure and strength of teeth and bones. Vitamins and minerals work together to help humans maintain a healthy body. For example, vitamin D works with calcium to help for and maintain the strength of teeth and bones.
Symptoms of lead poisoning include loss of appetite, weakness, anemia, vomiting, and convulsions, sometimes leading to permanent brain damage or death. Children who ingest chips of old, lead-containing paint or are exposed to dust from the deterioration of such paint may exhibit symptoms. Levels of environmental lead considered nontoxic may also be involved in increased hypertension in a significant number of persons, according to studies released in the mid-1980s. As a result, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control in recent years have been revising downward the levels of environmental lead that it would consider safe.
Nowadays, healthy is the number one individual and also governmental concern. As the saying goes, ‘an apple a day keeps the doctor away’ is clearly show that eat nutritious food such as fruits and vegetables can provide a good health and can prevent us from harmful diseases. As we know, vegetables provided various types of vitamins needed by the body for instance pumpkin contains a lot of vitamin A, tomatoes contain vitamin C and spinach contains folate. Pumpkin is one of nature’s riches sources of alpha-carotene, a carotenoid that converts to retinol which is a form of vitamin A. The amount of vitamin A that contain in the pumpkin per serving (116g) is 171%, vitamin C 17%, calcium 2% and iron 5% (Pumpkin raw, 2014). There are a lot of benefits when consuming vitamin A, for example this vitamin promotes healthy vision, bone growth, reproduction and help boosts our immune system. Apart from that, a diet high in vitamin A may lower the risk of many types of cancer. Besides, some vegetables also contain a lot of vitamin C such as tomatoes, bell peppers and broccoli. The function of vitamin C is it helps heal the wounds and keep away the body from bacterial infection. According to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, they discovered that vitamin C can kill drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) bacteria (Libov, 2013, para. 3). Besides that, vitamin C
Vitamins, a group of organic substances required in our diets in small amounts for growth and nutrition, are usually found in foodstuffs or taken as supplements. Yet vitamins probably present a wider gap between myth and reality in the layman's understanding than almost any other area of our diet. Surveys have found that while a majority of Americans do take vitamin supplements on a regular or occasional basis for reason of health concerns, there exists enormous confusion about the actual purpose and benefits of this practice ("Use of Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in the United States," 1990:161). Most people have a recognition that Vitamin C prevents scurvy, that Vitamin A is found in fish-liver oils, or that Vitamin D is found in dairy products; many people believe that Vitamin E preserves youth and prevents sterility, or that Vitamin C can present colds and cancer. Beyond this, however, there is still considerable ignorance and widespread myth.