Better brains, naturally.

Green Tea Boosts Antibiotics

Green tea is often promoted for its high antioxidant properties and lowering the risk for cardiovascular disease and some cancers. I love tea, but I've never been a big fan of green tea.

Scientists in Egypt found that when green tea was taken along with antibiotics, the effectiveness of the antibiotics increased -- up to 90% in some cases. Read a summary of this new study here.

This study caught my attention! Given all the good news about green tea, I'm going to buck it up and start drinking the stuff regularly. Maybe you will too?

When purchasing green tea, avoid the sugary commercial beverages and brew it yourself. It's best to use organic green tea, which is now available in most supermarkets. If you are a connoisseur, try tea from Teavana.

Trigeminal Neuralgia, a New Tic for Me

My writing's been on hold while I researched articles on a new tic disorder. A neurologist recently told me that I have trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic doulourex. It earns this "tic" label because the sporadic pain that is generated from a hyperactive trigeminal nerve is so intense that a person often jerks in response to an attack. The target area is the face, jaw or eye.

It is also called the "suicide disease" because those who cannot find relief may be unable to bear the episodes, which are like electric shocks.

After tests to find a structural cause, the doctor said my case was idiopathic; there's no explanation. "It just happens," I was told. The situation reminds me of the common assumption that there is no explanation for Tourette syndrome, which our readers know is not true.

I'm using conventional and alternative treatments, and am determined to find answers. I'll let you know what I learn. And on good days, I'll get back to my writing!

Tics and Tourette's Hits #1

I've learned that our book on natural treatments for Tourette syndrome and tic disorders is the number one best seller on Amazon for titles dedicated to Tourette's. Response has been wonderful, and our organization expects to be sold out of the first printing this summer. If you don't have your copy you can get it on our website.

Here's what a mother who needed help with her son's tics had to say about our book  Tics and Tourette's in a post on our Forum:

Natural Treatments for Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia has long been one of the most difficult neurological conditions to treat. Classic medications are often discontinued by the patient due to undesirable side-effects, and it is not unusual to try a cocktail of prescription drugs in an effort to find symptom relief.

Over 50 years ago, Abram Hoffer, MD, began developing new theories for this disorder, and proposed nutritional treatment to minimize symptoms. He has summarized his findings on a website for orthomolecular medicine, which includes the use of megavitamin therapy. Dr. Hoffer is credited with groundbreaking discoveries in this field. Research is just now beginning to validate his treatment plans and theories.

Remarkable Review of Ritalin!

Lately, it seems one drug after another is being knocked off its pedestal.

Stimulants for ADHD have been a recent target. A few months ago, medications like Ritalin were highlighted in the media when research confirmed suspicions that they stunt the growth of children after 3 years of use.

A report in the news today goes much further:

"A team of American scientists conducting the Multimodal Treatment Study of Children with ADHD (MTA) has found that while drugs such as Ritalin and Concerta can work well in the short-term, over a three-year period they brought about no demonstrable improvement in children's behavior. They also found the drugs could stunt growth."

The article suggests that new treatment guidelines for ADHD will be developed to help physicians provide a comprehensive approach that goes beyond stimulant medication. Let's hope the guidelines include advice on foods, nutritional support, and environmental factors.

Please read the article from the Guardian Unlimited here.

A Powerful Probiotic

While in California recently, I had the opportunity to discuss probiotics with an expert in gastrointestinal health. He recommended a company that markets a concentrated probiotic that can be ordered by phone or through the Internet: VSL3.

In checking with other physicians and sources, I found this product seemed to have more live probiotics per serving than others on the market. In fact, that's just what the company claims:

"VSL#3® is the medical food probiotic with the highest available concentration of beneficial live bacteria. Each packet of VSL#3® contains 450 billion live lactic acid bacteria, which collectively act as a Living Shield™ in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract."

Although dairy is used in the culture process, it is removed during fermentation and concentration. As such, VSL3 is not described as a dairy-free product but rather as a non-dairy product.

VSL3 was developed as a therapy for ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome, yet probiotics are widely used simply to maintain a healthy digestive tract. Of particular interest to readers of this blog is the fact that a "leaky gut" can negatively impact brain function. A leaky gut occurs when beneficial intestinal flora is crowded out by harmful bacterias. One of the best ways to heal and prevent leaky gut conditions is by providing quality probiotics in ample quantity.

VSL3 contains a combination of eight important probiotic strains. Please see their site if you wish additional information.(Our organization does not profit from the sale of this product.) 

Habit Reversal Training for Tourette Syndrome

The current Newsweek has an article on a technique used to help control tics. Habit reversal training was started over 30 years ago, by Nathan Azrin, PhD, in Ft Lauderdale, Florida. Dr. Azrin found that people were sometimes able to sustitute a competing response for a tic that troubled them. For example, someone who made a hand movement might focus on pulling their elbow in toward their waist instead, which would be less noticeable and less troublesome.

Not all are candidates for the method. Studies over the years have been modest in size, with mixed but encouraging results. Now, the National Institute of Mental Health is providing over 5 million dollars to study the technique. It's rare to see studies on Tourettes that don't involve drugs--this is a positive sign.

The Institute is seeking study participants. Read here.

Three years ago, I went to Dr. Azrin's office to interview him on habit reversal training (HRT). A bright, affable, and dedicated researcher, one of Azrin's greatest concerns was that the steps involved in the process were sometimes minimized by behavior specialists and he suggested this could make it less effective. At the time, there were so few professionals engaging in the treatment that it was difficult for people to explore it. That situation may change if study results are positive.

Unfortunately, practitioners in the field of Tourette syndrome tend to have narrow interests. Neither those who prescribe medication nor who use behavior therapies tend to also focus on what can be done to avoid the tics developing in the first place. For that, our book Tics and Tourettes remains the best source of information. 

Join Dr. Robbins and Me on the Radio—Sunday, July 8

I’ll be the guest of radio talk show host Dr. Albert Robbins, Sunday, July 8 at 5:00 to 6:00 PM (EST). We’ll be discussing "Environmental approaches to chronic physical and mental disorders in teenagers—a missing link in modern medicine." This will be a great time to ask your health questions on the air.

                                                       

It seems like every week, more dangerous side-effects to conventional medications are being revealed. New options for restoring the health of children everywhere are desperately needed. Together, we hope to provide some answers. South Florida local audiences can listen in at WWNN radio 1470 a.m. Others should please tune in on the Internet. Click here for the station website. (There’s a “Listen Live” button in the upper right.) To ask questions, just call 1-888-565-1470 or 561-988-5470. It's easy! Won't you join us?

A Positive Move in the Face of Insanity

After the Virginia Tech shootings, it's hard to avoid a fear that mass violence is now an inevitable, ugly thread in the fabric of America.

This past week, our country obsessed on dissecting why radio host Don Imus spoke his now infamous sentence. The horrific event at Virginia Tech should be a catalyst that forces a much greater scrutiny and focus. We must vigorously examine social and mental impressions that played a role—from family to violent movies/video games. And we must also dissect the body and brain of the shooter for clues to his behavior.

William Walsh, PhD, completed research on criminals and mass murderers over 25 years ago. It showed distinct biochemical patterns in those with behavior disorders and violent tendencies. These patterns, he reported, could be identified and treated as a preventive measure. For a full report click here. His landmark research—full of hope— should have prompted major national studies, but it barely drew a response.    

Do You Need Free Behavior Charts?

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or babysitter, behavior modification charts can help the day run more smoothly.

FreeBehaviorCharts.com offers appealing and clever charts that can be downloaded and copied for your use. You'll also find tips and directions on how best to use them. Some are designed for a single day's activity, others for a whole week. There's lots of options on how to take advantage of them.  

The site's creator, Mona, writes:

"We only create high-quality, free behavior charts that are easy to use and that are popular with kids. These charts have been used successfully in my classroom, and students have loved them! Each child is different though, so test them out and see which one(s) work best. You can even invite the child over to the computer to look at them with you, then select the style he or she wants to try. This can help kids take ownership of their experience with the behavior charts and help them be more committed to following through with the agreed upon plan."

The "Fill the Truck" chart and "Weekly Chart" shown can be downloaded here.