Asthma and allergies are two of the symptoms of an essential fatty acid deficiency. Kyle had really bad asthma and allergies when he was younger, and we had allergy testing done, used a HEPA filter, inhaler, steroids - the whole nine yards. I decided to try an essential fatty acid supplement for ADHD not because of the asthma/allergies because I didn't know of the connection then. He has been taking Efalex since 1999, and gradually over about a year his asthma and allergies went away. He no longer uses an inhaler, we don't use the HEPA filter and in fact his rarely even has the sniffles. He also had behavior problems and these disappeared after only two weeks on Efalex, so I know an essential fatty acid deficiency was the problem.
We use an EFA product called Efalex, but you can also use fish oil capsules (not cod liver oil capsules) and evening primrose oil capsules. Another good product is Natural Factors Learning Factors. What is needed is the correct balance of Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA. Getting at least 480 mg DHA per day is the key but you have to give all of the Omega-3s in order for the DHA to be absorbed properly. Try reading "The LCP Solution" by Jacqueline Stordy PhD and Malcolm Nicholl. Websites are drstordy.com and lcpsolution.com
Other symptoms of an EFA deficiency are dry, itchy skin, vision problems at an early age, asthma, allergies, excessive thirst, sleep problems, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and behavior problems. All of these symptoms do not have to be present in order for an EFA deficiency to have occurred.
I know this goes against conventional medicine, but my son had the dyslexia, vision problems, asthma, allergies, and behavior problems. This has also worked for a lot of other parents, and if it works is much better than steroids, allergy shots, etc. because you are addressing the problem instead of treating the symptoms.
Plasmalogens, phospholipase A2, and docosahexaenoic acid turnover in brain tissue.
Farooqu AA, Horrocks LA.
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry The Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
Plasmalogens are glycerophospholipids of neural membranes containing vinyl ether bonds. Their synthetic pathway is located in peroxisomes and endoplasmic reticulum. The rate-limiting enzymes are in the peroxisomes and are induced by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Plasmalogens often contain arachidonic acid (AA) or DHA at the sn-2 position of the glycerol moiety. The receptor-mediated hydrolysis of plasmalogens by cytosolic plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 generates AA or DHA and lysoplasmalogens. AA is metabolized to eicosanoids. The mechanism of signaling with DHA is not known. The plasmalogen-selective phospholipase A2 differs from other intracellular phospholipases A2 in molecular mass, kinetic properties, substrate specificity, and response to glycosaminoglycans, gangliosides, and sialoglycoproteins. A major portion of [3H]DHA incorporated into neural membranes is found at the sn-2 position of ethanolamine glycerophospholipids. Studies with a mutant cell line defective in plasmalogen biosynthesis indicate that the incorporation of DHA is reduced in this RAW 264.7 cell line by 50%. In contrast, the incorporation of AA remains unaffected. This is reversed completely when the growth medium is supplemented with sn-1-hexadecylglycerol, suggesting that DHA can be selectively targeted for incorporation into plasmalogens. We suggest that deficiencies of DHA and plasmalogens in peroxisomal disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD), depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) may be responsible for abnormal signal transduction associated with learning disability, cognitive deficit, and visual dysfunction. These abnormalities in the signal-transduction process can be partially corrected by supplementation with a diet enriched with DHA
Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma.
Jaber R.
Division of Wellness and Chronic Illness, Department of Family Medicine, University Hospital and Medical Center, Health Sciences Center, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY 11794-8461, USA. rjaber@notes.cc.sunysb.edu
Patients with asthma and allergic rhinitis may benefit from hydration and a diet low in sodium, omega-6 fatty acids, and transfatty acids, but high in omega-3 fatty acids (i.e., fish, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin, and flax seeds), onions, and fruits and vegetables (at least five servings a day). Physicians may need to be more cautious when prescribing antibiotics to children in their first year of life when they are born to families with a history of atopy. More research is needed to establish whether supplementation with probiotics (lactobacillus and bifidobacterium) during the first year of life or after antibiotic use decreases the risk of developing asthma and allergic rhinitis. Despite a theoretic basis for the use of vitamin C supplements in asthmatic patients, the evidence is still equivocal, and long-term studies are needed. The evidence is stronger for exercise-induced asthma, in which the use of vitamin C supplementation at a dosage of 1 to 2 g per day may be helpful. It is also possible that fish oil supplements, administered in a dosage of 1 to 1.2 g of EPA and DHA per day, also may be helpful to some patients with asthma. Long-term studies of fish oil and vitamin C are needed for more definite answers. For the patient interested in incorporating nutritional approaches, vitamin C and fish oils have a safe profile. However, aspirin-sensitive individuals should avoid fish oils, and red blood cell magnesium levels may help in making the decision whether to use additional magnesium supplements. Combination herbal formulas should be used in the treatment of asthma with medical supervision and in collaboration with an experienced herbalist or practitioner of TCM. Safe herbs, such as Boswellia and gingko, may be used singly as adjuncts to a comprehensive plan of care if the patient and practitioner have an interest in trying them while staying alert for drug-herb interactions. No data on the long-term use of these single herbs in asthma exist. For the motivated patient, mind-body interventions such as yoga, hypnosis, and biofeedback-assisted relaxation and breathing exercises are beneficial for stress reduction in general and may be helpful in further controlling asthma. Encouraging parents to learn how to massage their asthmatic children may appeal to some parents and provide benefits for parents and children alike. Acupuncture and chiropractic treatment cannot be recommended at this time, although some patients may derive benefit because of the placebo effect. For patients with allergic rhinitis, there are no good clinical research data on the use of quercetin and vitamin C. Similarly, freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves may be tried, but the applicable research evidence also is poor. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of these supplements and herbs. Homeopathic remedies based on extreme dilutions of the allergen may be beneficial in allergic rhinitis but require collaboration with an experienced homeopath. There are no research data on constitutional homeopathic approaches to asthma and allergic rhinitis. Patients with COPD are helped by exercise, pulmonary rehabilitation, and increased caloric protein and fat intake. Vitamin C and n-3 supplements are safe and reasonable; however, studies are needed to establish their efficacy in COPD. On the other hand, there are convincing data in favor of N-acetyl-cysteine supplementation for the patient with COPD at doses ranging between 400 and 1200 mg daily. Red blood cell magnesium levels may guide the use of magnesium replacement. The use of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 in patients with COPD needs further study. The addition of essential oils to the dietary regimen of patients with chronic bronchitis is worth exploring. Patients with upper respiratory tract infections can expect a shorter duration of symptoms by taking high doses of vitamin C (2 g) with zinc supplements, preferably the nasal zinc gel, at the onset of their symptoms. Adding an herb such as echinacea or Andrographis shortens the duration of the common cold. The one study on Elderberry's use for the flu was encouraging, and the data on the homeopathic remedy Oscillococcinum interesting, but more studies should be performed. Saline washes may be helpful to patients with allergic rhinitis and chronic sinusitis. Patients also may try the German combination (available in the United States) of elderberry, vervain, gentian, primrose, and sorrel that has been tested in randomized clinical trials. Bromelain is safe to try; the trials of bromelain supplementation were promising but were never repeated. The preceding suggestions need to be grounded in a program based on optimal medical management. Patients need to be well educated in the proper medical management of their disease and skilled at monitoring disease stability and progress. Asthmatic patients need to monitor their bronchodilator usage and peak flow meter measurements to step up their medical treatment in a timely manner, if needed. Patients welcome physician guidance when exploring the breadth of treatments available today. A true patient-physician partnership is always empowering to patients who are serious about regaining their function and health.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Burgess JR, Stevens L, Zhang W, Peck L.
Department of Foods and Nutrition, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1264, USA. burgessj@cfs.purdue.edu
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the diagnosis used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. ADHD is a widespread condition that is of public health concern. In most children with ADHD the cause is unknown, but is thought to be biological and multifactorial. Several previous studies indicated that some physical symptoms reported in ADHD are similar to symptoms observed in essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in animals and humans deprived of EFAs. We reported previously that a subgroup of ADHD subjects reporting many symptoms indicative of EFA deficiency (L-ADHD) had significantly lower proportions of plasma arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid than did ADHD subjects with few such symptoms or control subjects. In another study using contrast analysis of the plasma polar lipid data, subjects with lower compositions of total n-3 fatty acids had significantly more behavioral problems, temper tantrums, and learning, health, and sleep problems than did those with high proportions of n-3 fatty acids. The reasons for the lower proportions of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) in these children are not clear; however, factors involving fatty acid intake, conversion of EFAs to LCPUFA products, and enhanced metabolism are discussed. The relation between LCPUFA status and the behavior problems that the children exhibited is also unclear. We are currently testing this relation in a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention in a population of children with clinically diagnosed ADHD who exhibit symptoms of EFA deficiency.
Hmmm - interesting question. My son does not have asthma, and the only 'allergy' he has is dairy, but even then it's not really an allergy, but more of an intolerance. He is ADHD, but no LD. However, when he does get sick (which is rare), he gets very high fevers. I can have the same illness with a temp of 101, and his will be 105-106. The worst was 107. I thought the thermometer must be broken, but it wasn't. Scary.
That doesn't mean there isn't a link - maybe it just means we got lucky.
Hi Everyone!! My daughter was diagnosed with asthma and allergies at the age of 3 and has been on shots ever since. Her asthma is not severe and is not a problem unless she is sick -which is often!!! She has been on a number of steriod for her illnesses and antibotics. She also has either ADD or ADHD with an LD -I am sure of! Her school is in the process of testing. She also show some signs of OCD and has anxiety! Do any of your children that have any type LD's also have asthma and or allergies? I have done a little research which stated this is present in a lot of the case studies they have done but they have not determined whether one cause the other or if all the med. the children have been on has contributed in any way to their learning disabilities. Also my daughter's pediatrician says they see a large amt. of kids with ADD/ADHD and or LD that also have asthma and allergies!!!!!