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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

MILK – FRIEND OR FOE

MILK -- FRIEND OR FOE

This Blog is a partial excerpt from a PowerPoint Presentation I present in lectures. In this Blog I will discuss Milk Allergy, Sensitivity, and Intolerance and how these manifestations show up in the body depending upon what I term: The Shock Organ.

A number of years ago in 1979 I did a very foolish thing. I wrote a Letter-to-the-Editor of our local newspaper entitled: Drinking Milk May Be Hazardous to Your Health. Why was this such a stupid thing to do? Frederick, MD, was a dairy county – at that time probably the third largest milk-producing county in the entire United States, exceeded only by perhaps several counties in the state of Wisconsin.

The three members of the local Board of Appeals were either dairy farmers or directly involved in the dairy industry. This local Board of Appeals eventually voted down our request to establish a camp for children.

In these camps with the combination of diet and relaxation techniques we successfully treated children suffering from hyperactivity, attention deficit syndrome (ADD, ADHD), and other quasi-behavioral problems. We were able to take these children completely and immediately off their Ritalin and Dexedrine.

Important to our program was applying the principals of nutrition and diet, one of these being completely eliminating milk and milk products from their diets.

To say the least, we were not very popular in our county. At a meeting of the Board of Directors of our not-for-profit center, I was castigated by one of our Directors, a lawyer, for having done what I did. He said that this would eventually result in the downfall of our center. How true were his words. Eventually, what I had done resulted in such untoward dire and negative consequences which led to our losing one of our best programs – the children’s camps designed to treat naturally children suffering from ADHD, Autism, and other related disorders.

This brings up the question: Why are so many people allergic to milk and what makes milk so bad to those allergic to it? The answer, I believe, is quite simple.

It all begins at infancy. The newborn’s stomach is very immature. It lacks sufficient acid and proteolytic enzymes (protein-digesting enzymes) to digest cow’s milk completely. Some of the undigested milk protein gets into the circulation only partially digested. These partially digested proteins eventually are recognized by the infant as foreign. The baby develops antibodies to neutralize these foreign proteins. In due time these antigens (cow’s milk protein/antibody (the substances the baby produces to destroy these foreign proteins) reactions manifest clinically as allergic reactions.

If we were to postpone giving milk to an infant until he is older, perhaps after 9 months of age, things would be considerably different. With a more mature digestive system, there would be a more complete digestion of the milk protein. The baby would not be sensitized and, therefore, would not be milk-allergic.

WHAT HAPPENS LATER IN LIFE?

Once sensitized, the biological set up is in place for individuals to experience allergic reactions to milk and milk products. This does not happen in ALL individuals because nothing in biology is 100%. But for those who are allergic or sensitive, the clinical manifestations can be mild, moderate, or severe. Additionally, the allergic reaction can manifest itself in any organ and in many ways.

MANIFESTATIONS OF AN ALLERGIC REACTION

Allergic reaction can be similar regardless of the source of the inciting antigen or the target organ, for the purposes we will be concerned as these relate to foods.

ALLERGY VS SENSITIVITYAllergy is when we can demonstrate that someone reacts to an antigen by skin testing or a sample of their serum reacts in a test tube because the serum contains certain antibodies which are known to mediate the allergic response.

Sensitivities may relate to other factors, not necessarily related to the well defined allergic-type antigen/antibody reaction, which cause someone to react to their environment.

Allergies and Sensitivities can result from exposure to foods (milk, eggs, wheat, etc.) inhalant allergens (animal dander and pollens), toxins (smoke, odors, fumes), and contact-type irritants (poison ivy and oak).


Stated in another way, Sensitivity is a more general term encompassing reactions which are classified as true immediate-type allergy (IgE antibody-mediated sensitivity), delayed-type allergy (cell-mediated) and the non-antibody, non-cell-mediated sensitivities which include the toxic, enzyme-lacking and metabolic sensitivities. If this is too technical, ignore the details and try to understand the general concepts which will soon be evident. I will defer a more detailed description of the Types of Sensitivities. And move on to discuss the concept of The Shock Organ.

THE SHOCK ORGANClinical manifestations of allergic/sensitivity reactions vary depending upon what I like to call the Shock Organ. If the skin is the Shock Organ then acute manifestations may be: itching, rash, hives, edema, and excessive perspiration. Chronic manifestations may be eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

If the cardiovascular system is the Shock Organ then acute manifestations may be: increase pulse rate, acute and immediate lowering of blood pressure with resulting syncope (fainting), and acute hypertension. Chronic manifestations may be: chronic hypertension.

If the Joints are the Shock Organ, acute symptoms might be general aches and pains and chronic symptoms might be arthritis. We could go down the line and discuss other organ systems which are part of the more expansive Power Point Presentation, bu for now I think I have made the point.

But before we do, lets discuss the Brain as the shock organ and the manifestations of Cerebral Allergy. If the Brain or Nervous System are the Shock Organs, most any function of the brain and mind can be affected. The determining symptoms depend upon what particular region of the brain or nervous system is affected. The symptomatology obviously reflects the complexity of the nervous system.

Tomorrow, I will discuss in depth the manifestations of Cerebral Allergy and how similar these are to vitamin deficiencies.

nicola michael ©. Tauraso, M.D.)
Director, Tauraso Medical Clinic
7051 Poole Jones Road
Frederick, MD 21702
301-682-8717
Web site: www.drtauraso.com
Blog site: http://www.drtauraso.com/blog/index.htm
Email: drtauraso@drtauraso.com

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

CHILDHOOD AUTISM

CHILDHOOD AUTISM

The classic definition of Autism is that it is a brain development disorder characterized by impaired interaction and communication and restricted and repetitive behavior, all starting before 3 years of age. What complicates the issue is that there are other variants of the disease so that now we refer to this as a complex (or spectrum depending upon the groups discussing the situation).

So we now refer to this as the Autism Spectrum Disorders which includes the following conditions:
1. Classical Autism leads the group;
2. Asperger Syndrome – those affected have difficulties in social interaction and restricted, stereotypic patterns of social behavior and interests BUT no general delay in language or cognitive development (as contrasted to classical Autism);
3. Rett Syndrome – characterized by normal development followed by loss of purposeful use of hand movements, slowed brain and head growth, gait abnormalities, seizures, and mental retardation – and almost exclusively in females;
4. Childhood disintegrative disorder; and
5. Pervasive development disorder: PDD; sometimes referred to as “not otherwise specified” or PDD-NOS.

Some are now wishing to classify the entire group as PDD and all the other conditions as sub-variants of the group.

IS THIS ALL SO CONFUSING? I consider myself somewhat of an authority in this subject and it is very confusing to me!

I do not wish to get bogged down on terminology because I DO NOT BELIEVE THE AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS ARE A DEVELOPMENTAL PROBLEM.

To be developmental connotes a physical abnormality. I believe these problems are FUNCTIONAL disorders, not physical.

As we pursue this discussion I hope to convince you of the reality of my position (theory.)

My theory is quite simple. Autism is a condition related to either development (physical) or functional (physiological/biochemical) as these processes relate to brain/mind functionality and as these relate to cerebral allergy. Now introduced we believe the entire Autism Spectrum Disorders are reflections of physiologic/biochemical expressions of cerebral allergy with the brain being the SHOCK organ.

I will leave for another time the facts as I see them which supports my theory, but will jump to treatment of this disorder complex. It is believed that there is no known treatment for the Autism Complex of diseases. In some cases medications are used to control some of the behavioral elements of the diseases.

My theory supposes that Autism CAN be treated successfully. If altered brain chemistry is causing Autism, and if the altered brain chemistry is caused by either:
1. Food allergy, sensitivity, or toxicity, and/or
2. Vitamin or supplement deficiency, THEN
Autism can be treated.

Our program begins with a
1. A severe ( and severe it is) elimination diet to determine the source of the food allergies or sensitivities;
2. Vitamin B-Complex therapy;
3. Other supplements known to affect brain and nerve chemistry; and
4. Relaxation (meditation), visual imagery, and positive attitude techniques, designed to sort of “reprogram” the Mind/Brain Complex to begin to function correctly.

We will discuss the background backing up our theory later.

nicola michael c. Tauraso, M.D.)
Director, Tauraso Medical Clinic
7051 Poole Jones Road
Frederick, MD 21702
301-682-8717
Web site: www.drtauraso.com
Blog site: http://www.drtauraso.com/blog/index.htm
Email: drtauraso@drtauraso.com

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