Both
the National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference
(1998) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (2000) report on ADHD
have confirmed that there is no known biological basis for ADHD. (125,
126, 123)
One prominent
neurologist stated: "The more you study hyperactivity or ADD,
the less certain you are as to what it is, or whether it is a thousand
different situations all called by the same name." (121)
Another
leading neurologist stated: "No single cause has yet been identified
for ADHD. In fact, ADHD will probably one day prove to be an umbrella
term for a number of associated disorders." (2)
"There
is no identified cause specific to ADD... We are left with the possibility
that ADD may be a catch-all condition." (132)
"The
exact mechanism underlying ADD remains unknown." (127)
"The
position that ADHD is not a proven syndrome has many advocates, physicians
as well as educators. However, whether or not a syndrome exists, it
is clear that many children have difficulty in school because of an
inability to attend to tasks." (128)
Furthermore,
experts' opinions differ as to what ADD actually is, and this causes
even more grief and confusion for parents and those suffering with the
symptoms. For example, the American Psychiatric Association lists fourteen
signs, of which at least eight must be present for a child to be officially
classified as ADD/ADHD. These fourteen signs are:
1.
Often fidgeting with hands or feet, or squirming while seated.
2. Having difficulty remaining seated when required to do so.
3. Being easily distracted by extraneous stimuli.
4. Having difficulty awaiting turn in games or group activities.
5. Often blurting out answers before questions are completed.
6. Having difficulty in following instructions.
7. Having difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
8. Often shifting from one uncompleted task to another.
9. Having difficulty playing quietly.
10. Often talking excessively.
11. Often interrupting or intruding on others.
12. Often not listening to what is being said.
13. Often forgetting things necessary for tasks or activities.
14. Often engaging in physically dangerous activities without considering
possible consequences. (130)
Having
read that, consider the physicians' dilemma: "Official guidelines
for evaluating ADD symptoms are vague and open to interpretation - yet
they lead to an all-or-nothing diagnosis. In all the behaviors listed
by the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, published
by the American Psychiatric Association) under ADD, the word is often
used to describe behavior that has become a problem. How useful
is this?" (132)
Experts'
opinions differ as to what ADD actually is, and this causes even
more grief and confusion for parents and those suffering with
the symptoms.
|
Similarly,
one specialist writes: "ADD is hard to define exactly... Untreated,
[however,] it leaves millions of children and adults misunderstood and
unnecessarily floundering, even incapacitated." (127)
Though
many experts do not agree on the cause of the condition, the mainstay
of conventional treatment of ADD/ADHD is medication; usually stimulant
medication such as Ritalin (methylphenidate), Dexedrine (dextroamphetamine),
Desoxyn (methamphetamine) or Cylert (pemoline). When stimulants are
not effective, children may be given tricyclic antidepressants. (133)
It's
no wonder that millions of parents across the United States are overwhelmed
and feeling trapped within a very bad situation: Not only have their
children been diagnosed as having ADD/ADHD, but the prescribed treatment
usually consists of powerful stimulant drugs.
Stimulant
Drugs Provide No Lasting Improvement
Short-term
learning benefits have been achieved with these medications, but no
lasting improvement has been shown. Stimulant drugs were found to have
a short-term effectiveness of 60 to 80 percent in reducing the hyperactivity,
distractibility, and impulsiveness of school-age children. (136,
133) Similar rates of success have been found in
adults with ADD. (137, 133)
A
compilation of all the review studies published over the last twenty
years on the effects of stimulant medication for ADD/ADHD showed that
the medications only temporarily managed the symptoms of overactivity,
inattention and impulsivity, as well as increased compliance, effort,
and academic productivity, decreased aggression and negative behaviors.
(138, 133)
Long-term
adjustment, as measured by academic achievement, antisocial behavior,
and arrest rate, was unaffected by medication. (138,
133)
|
Published
research has found the long-term value of Ritalin disappointing. Studies
beginning in the 1960s showed that children who took stimulants for
hyperactivity (the name for ADD at the time) over several years did
just as poorly in later life as the group of hyperactive children who
took no medication. Compared to children without hyperactivity, both
groups were less likely to have finished high school or to be employed,
and more likely to have had trouble with the law or to have drug or
alcohol problems. A large percentage of the hyperactive group, medicated
or not, did relatively well, but overall those in this category wound
up struggling much more frequently than their normal peers. (132)
Overall,
long-term adjustment, as measured by academic achievement, antisocial
behavior, and arrest rate, was unaffected by medication. (138,
133)
How
the Medications Work
Hundreds
of animal studies and human clinical trials leave no doubt about how
the medications work. First, the drugs suppress all spontaneous behavior.
In healthy chimpanzees and other animals, this can be measured with
precision as a reduction in all spontaneous or self-generated activities.
In animals and in humans, this is manifested in a reduction in the following
behaviors: (i) exploration and curiosity; (ii) socializing, and (iii)
playing. Second, the drugs increase obsessive-compulsive behaviors,
including very limited, overly focused activities. (123)
| Harmful
Stimulant Effects Commonly Misidentified as Therapeutic
or Beneficial for Children Diagnosed with ADHD. (124) |
| Obsessive
Compulsive Effects |
Social
Withdrawal Effects |
Behaviorally Suppressive Effects |
-
Compulsive persistence at meaningless activities (called stereotypical
or perseverant behavior)
- Increased obsessive compulsive behavior (e.g., repeating chores
endlessly and ineffectively)
- Mental rigidity (called cognitive perseveration)
- Inflexible thinking
- Overly narrow or excessive focusing |
-
Socially withdrawn and isolated
- General dampened social behavior
- Reduced communicating or socializing
- Decreased responsiveness to parents and other children
- Increased solitary play and diminished overall play |
-
Compliant in structured environments; socially inhibited, passive
and submissive
- Somber, subdued, apathetic, lethargic, drowsy, dopey, dazed, and
tired
- Bland , emotionally flat, humorless, not smiling, depressed, and
sad with frequent crying
- Lacking in initiative or spontaneity, curiosity, surprise or pleasure
|
What
Are Some of These Drugs' Side Effects?
Several
authorities report that the long-term consequences of stimulant drug
use could be devastating. Equally disturbing is that for many children
and adults these commonly prescribed drugs often do not work very well.
More on that in a moment.
Several
short-term effects could be the "Ritalin rebound," loss of
appetite and resulting weight loss, insomnia, headaches, stomachaches,
drowsiness, potential liver damage, facial tics, and a "sense of
sadness," to mention just a few.
|
WELL-KNOWN
DOWNSIDES OF RITALIN:
RITALIN
is derived from the same family as cocaine
RITALIN lasts only four hours
RITALIN treats only some of the symptoms of ADD
RITALIN provides superficial healing, does not treat the root
of the problem
RITALIN can cause side effects such as appetite loss, anxiety,
insomnia, tics, headaches, stomach aches
RITALIN use is responsible for causing children to begin a habit
of taking drugs
RITALIN may need to be taken over entire life span (133)
|
All
stimulant drugs impair growth not only by suppressing appetite but also
by disrupting growth hormone production. This poses a threat to every
organ of the body, including the brain, during the child's growth. The
disruption of neurotransmitter systems adds to this threat. Studies
of amphetamine show that short-term clinical doses produce brain cell
death. Similar studies of methylphenidate show long-lasting and sometimes
permanent changes in the biochemistry of the brain. (123)
These drugs
also endanger the cardiovascular system and commonly produce many adverse
mental effects, including depression. Too often stimulants often become
gateway drugs to additional psychiatric medications. Stimulant-induced
over-stimulation, for example, is often treated with addictive or dangerous
sedatives, while stimulant-induced depression is often treated with
dangerous, unapproved antidepressants. As the child's emotional control
breaks down due to medication effects, mood stabilizers may be added.
Eventually, these children end up on four or five psychiatric drugs
at once and a diagnosis of bipolar disorder by the age of eight or ten.
(123)
The
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies methylphenidate
(the generic name for Ritalin) and amphetamine (Dexedrine and
Adderall) in the same Schedule II category as methamphetamine,
cocaine, and the most potent opiates and barbiturates. Schedule
II includes only those drugs with the very highest potential
for addiction and abuse.
(122, 123)
|
It is important
to note that the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and all other
drug enforcement agencies worldwide, classify methylphenidate (the generic
name for Ritalin) and amphetamine (Dexedrine and Adderall) in the same
Schedule II category as methamphetamine, cocaine, and the most potent
opiates and barbiturates. Schedule II includes only those drugs with
the very highest potential for addiction and abuse. (122, 123)
Ritalin
as a Recreational Drug & Addiction
A recently
identified drawback of Ritalin is its popularity as an illicit drug.
An annual survey by the University of Michigan entitled, "Monitoring
the Future," warns of a trend concerning Ritalin abuse. From 1993
to 1994 the number of high school seniors admitting to having abused
Ritalin doubled, representing about 350,000 students nationwide. Kids
call Ritalin "Vitamin-R," "R-ball," or "the
smart drug" and seek it out to study better and to get high. (133,
134)
One college
student took Ritalin in order to help focus his attention in his studies.
Soon he was snorting it twice daily, needing more and more to achieve
the same results. (135)
A 1995
Newsweek article reported that students at an upscale New York
college crushed and snorted Ritalin tablets like cocaine. They described
an immediate rush, as if they felt hyperactive. (135)
According
to DEA statistics, emergency room admissions due to Ritalin abuse numbered
1,171 in 1994. (134) The side effects of Ritalin addiction include strokes,
hypothermia, hypertension, and seizures. Several deaths have been attributed
to Ritalin abuse, including that of a high school senior in Roanoke,
Virginia, who died from snorting Ritalin after drinking beer. (135)
All
Experts Agree: The Multi-Modal Approach is Best
While
no single cause has yet been identified for ADHD, researchers around
the world have come a long way in identifying environmental and biochemical
links to the disorder, and in tracking just how it affects the brain's
metabolism and function. Although leading investigators currently differ
on the best treatment for ADHD, all agree that a multi modal approachone
that incorporates dietary measures, counseling, special academic strategies
and possibly medicationis best. (2)
Dietary
and Nutritional Strategies You Should Consider Now
The
Age-Old Wisdom of Nutrient Therapy: Two thousand five hundred
years ago, Hippocrates, the "Father of Medicine," said to
his students, "Let they food be thy medicine and thy medicine be
thy food." Moses Maimonides, the great 12th century physician,
repeated the Hippocratic sentiment when he said, "No illness which
can be treated by diet should be treated by any other means." In
essence, Hippocrates and Maimondides were insisting that their students
practice nutrient therapy. This type of therapy is being used
by only a very small minority of physicians today. There is, however,
a rapidly developing rebirth of interest in this unique orientation,
and physicians all around the world are beginning to look more closely
at this wisdom from the Father of Medicine. (116)
For
example, in 1985 the American Medical Association called a meeting of
experts on the subject of food and behavior. Conclusions from this conference
were summarized as follows: "Dietary pharmacology is no longer
at the fringe of medicine ... Foods do affect behavior. Foods do affect
the brain." (117, 116)
Behavior,
Learning and Allergies
There
is increasing recognition among physicians, nutritionists and parents
who are trying to cope with hyperactive and learning disabled children
that nutritional status plays an important role. The relationship between
the child's biochemical life and his functional performance is very
important. Blood tests reveal that 75 percent of hyperactive-learning-disabled
children have low blood sugar and/or allergies. (143,
144, 145)
Chronically
undernourished humans and animals have shown evidence of physiological
and biochemical changes in the central nervous system and brain. Inadequate
nutrient intake affects the development of the brain most crucially
during the period of rapid growth. In humans this critical period occurs
during the last three months of pregnancy and the first six months of
infancy. And, 90 percent of the total growth of the brain takes place
during the first three years of life! Evidence is accumulating which
details the influence of nutritional status on neuromuscular functions,
behavior and intelligence. (45)
A study
conducted on 220 preschool children demonstrated that children who lack
optimal amounts of essential nutrients experience reduced attention
span and intellectual ability. The same researchers conducted a study
at the University of Minnesota in 1960 which showed that students' ability
to think was reduced when kept on a nutritionally poor diet, characterized
by a lack or imbalance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and vitamins.
(146, 45)
Also consider
eliminating the possibility of food allergies: Perhaps the behavioral
problems are also manifestations of allergies caused by foods that are
not handled successfully by the body. In a study conducted at the Institute
of Child Health in London, using an elimination diet resulted in significantly
improving the behavior of a group of hyperactive children. Their behavior
worsened when they were challenged with allergy-provoking foods. Similarly,
in the prestigious medical journal Lancet, investigators reporting
on a study conducted with 185 hyperactive children on an elimination
diet supported the concept that food allergies are associated with hyperactivity.
(2)
In another
report published by Lancet, a carefully designed and executed
study of 76 overactive children found that 62% improved on elimination
diets. Foods causing hyperactivity included colors and preservatives,
soy, milk, chocolate, wheat, oranges, eggs, sugar, and other foods.
(147)
Another
study, as reported in Pediatrics, also reported on sugar as
a possible instigator of aggressive behavior, hyperactivity, and attention
problems exhibited by children with ADHD. In that investigation, children
with ADHD who consumed large amounts of sugar showed greater inattention
in performing tasks. (118) Meanwhile, investigators
reporting in The Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders revealed
that children with ADHD experienced abnormal rhythms in the stress hormone
cortisol--an abnormality frequently associated with problems in metabolizing
carbohydrates. Yale researchers have confirmed that children with ADD
may have a problem in metabolizing glucose, in that offering children
doses of oral glucose significantly diminished their ability to concentrate.
(119, 2)
| In
a five-year study conducted on 182 hyperactive children, 136 of
the parents noted clear-cut improvement in their child's behavior
with an elimination diet. An additional 17 expressed that their
child's hyperactivity was "probably related to the diet."
The foods causing the hyperactive symptoms were identified as: |
| Sugar
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77 |
Chocolate
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 |
| Colors/additives/flavors
. . . . . . . .48 |
Egg
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 |
| Milk
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 |
Wheat
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 |
| Corn
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 |
(146) |
Where conflicting
data exists regarding food allergies, sugar and ADHD, clinicians generally
recommend modifying the diet to eliminate possible allergenic foods,
dietary chemical preservatives, and sugar to determine whether a particular
individual is affected by any of these factors. (2)
Feed
the Mind:
The
Brain is a Hungry Organ: In recent years, many in the scientific
community have devoted their research to documenting the relationship
between nutrients and brain cell function. The brain is dependent on
adequate gastrointestinal function for delivering the essential nutrients
it cannot make on its own. Otherwise, the brain cannot keep its biological
machinery running. In addition to providing the essential compounds
for cellular energy production, the GI tract must also deliver the ingredients
for other critical brain constituents. These include essential fatty
acids, or phospholipids, which act as building blocks for cell membranes,
hormones, and certain neurotransmitters. The GI tract also carries B
vitamins to the brain. B vitamins are indispensable in synthesizing
neurotransmitters and in forming myelin, the insulating substance that
sheaths connections between neurons and makes it possible for them to
transmit messages effectively. (2)
The
Brain-Immune Connection
Top research
institutions worldwide now understand that there is a two-way chemical
dialog between the brain and the immune system. Each can influence the
other directly. There is an ongoing chemical dialog between the brain
and the immune system, a connection that depends on two languages: the
neurotransmitters of the brain, and the immunotransmitters of the immune
system.
Cytokines
(the immune system's own chemical messengers crafted to deliver warnings
to speed up or slow down the immune system's responses) may also play
a complex role in causing or promoting neurological illness. In recent
years, investigators have identified a large number of cytokines as
the cause of quite a few--and sometimes detrimental--effects on brain
function. For example, certain cytokines are capable of producing fatigue,
slowed thinking, and other depressive symptoms. (2)
A
Completely Safe, Non-Drug, Natural Approach
to Normalizing Brain Function
Research
demonstrates Flavay's ability to help regulate nitric oxide—which
modulates communication between brain cells and is thereby deeply
involved in concentration, learning and memory.
(2, 95)
|
Flavay
is totally safe to use; a 100% non-toxic and naturalbut
powerfully effectivenutritional supplement. Flavay is a
highly specialized, nutritional complex of pairs and triples of a specific
molecule called "flavan-3-ol," isolated from natural extracts,
that has been extensively tested and examined clinically for biological
antioxidant protection, collagen strengthening, tissue rebuilding, and
other health producing outcomes.
Manufactured
and used in France since 1950 for circulatory problems, inflammation
and allergies, a more recent use of Flavay
has arisen among people suffering from a lack of concentration and attention.
It is said to have begun quite accidentally when people took the product
for another purpose, such as allergies, and noticed an improvement in
concentration and mental focus—the classic symptoms of attention
deficit.
Scientifically,
how could this possibly be true? How could molecules extracted from
mundane vegetal sources have a profound influence on the brain? According
to scientific research, there are a number of mechanisms of action.
Many
decades of studies have established that Flavay improves circulation,
including microcirculation in the brain. Flavay is one of the
few dietary antioxidants that readily crosses the blood-brain barrier
to protect brain cells. The blood-brain barrier protects the brain from
compounds that normally circulate in the blood. Brain cells are very
sensitive to some compounds, even though they may not damage other cells
in the body or even be needed by other cells. In laboratory experiments
in which blood is rapidly injected into brain blood vessels, dramatically
increasing the blood pressure within those vessels for a brief time,
Flavay shows a significant protective effect. (3,
4, 1)
Research demonstrates Flavay's
ability to help regulate nitric oxideone of the newest neurotransmitters
to demand the scientific spotlight as it modulates communication
between brain cells and is thereby deeply involved in concentration,
learning and memory; and helps coordinate activity between the
brain and immune system.
|
Flavays
antioxidant protection of brain cells is significant as recent studies
have established a connection between free radical damage and cognitive
impairment. Research demonstrates that Flavay helps regulate nitric
oxide: a colorless gas produced by many different cells in the body: from
endothelial cells on the walls of the arteries to the neurons in the brain
to the disease-fighting cells of the immune system. Nitric oxide modulates
communication between brain cells and is thereby deeply involved in concentration,
learning and memory. And, by controlling the muscular tone of blood vessels,
nitric oxide regulates circulation and normalizes blood flow. As long
as nitric oxide is produced in the right amount, it is beneficial to the
body. Overproduction of nitric oxide, however, promotes production of
more free radicals in the brain, which can hamper mental function and
cause memory loss and brain aging. Thus, Flavays ability to help
maintain the optimal level of nitric oxide profoundly influences brain
(and immune) functions. (2, 95)
There is
also evidence that Flavay may help the body to regulate enzymes
which control the crucial neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine,
chemicals that carry messages among brain cells and are involved in
excitatory responses. Flavays ability to support healthy blood
flow to the brain is also important to brain function. Researchers have
shown that decreased blood flow to the brain plays a major role in age-related
brain disorders. Flavay may also help deliver other
nutrients to the brain, such as zinc and selenium, which are essential
to normal brain function, according to recent research. Preliminary
studies have confirmed what many users of this remarkable complex have
experienced: striking benefits in improved concentration and mental
focus, the classic symptoms of attention deficit disorder. (115,
3, 4)
A
preliminary study by a psychologist in Tulsa, Oklahoma, who specializes
in treating attention deficit disorder, found striking benefits from
these naturally-derived molecules, known as Flavay
. The researchers found that it worked just as well as the
commonly prescribed stimulant medications, including Ritalin, on thirty
children and adults diagnosed with ADD. The subjects were given a battery
of computerized and behavior tests to judge their attention, concentration,
and other important factors in ADD under various circumstances: when
they were either on or off their usual stimulant medications, or on
Flavay alone. When they were off their medications, their ADD
deteriorated. On their medications, they were much improved. But when
they took daily doses of Flavay , their scores and behavior were
just as improved as when they took stimulant drugs. Many of the subjects
also had other positive effects. (115)
"[A]
method for preventing and fighting the harmful biological effects
of free radicals ... namely cerebral involution, hypoxia following
atherosclerosis, cardiac or cerebral infarction, tumour promotion,
inflammation, ischaemia, alterations of the synovial liquid, collagen
degradation, among others"
U.S. PATENT NO. 4,698,360, Dr. Jack Masquelier.
|
This
nontoxic, water soluble nutrient holds promise as an alternative to
Ritalin. Many children with ADD have found this substance effective
to decrease their symptoms by normalizing brain function. It seems to
improve memory by improving circulation to the brain. Free radicals
reprogram DNA and have been implicated in more than sixty diseases.
Flavay has been shown to help in inflammation of the joints and
other tissues, as well as improve functioning of the circulatory, nervous
and immune systems. (131, 1)
Flavay
Supports The Brain-Immune Connection
Flavay
can profoundly influence both the brain and the immune
system by preventing free radical damage to macrophages, a type
of white blood cell that generates nitric oxide to destroy bacteria,
viruses and host parasites.
|
Top
research institutions worldwide now understand that there is a two-way
chemical dialog between the brain and the immune system. Each can influence
the other directly. There is an ongoing chemical dialog between the
brain and the immune system, a connection that depends on two languages:
the neurotransmitters of the brain, and the immunotransmitters of the
immune system. (2)
Flavay
supports your immune system in several important ways. First,
by recycling the activity of vitamins C and Ekey players in the
body's immune systemFlavay gives the body more ammunition
to fight infection. Second, research demonstrates that Flavay
prevents free radical damage to macrophages, a type of white blood cell
that generates nitric oxide to destroy bacteria, viruses, and host parasites.
(4, 5, 2)
As long
as nitric oxide is produced in the right amount, it is beneficial to
the body; nitric oxide fights infection, kills tumor cells, and promotes
wound healing. But when nitric oxide is produced in excess, it throws
the brain-immune connection off kilter and causes some of the brain's
worst free radical damage. Over the past decade, scientists have shown
that the production of nitric oxide through the combination of immune
and nervous system activity (often sparked by an infection, exposure
to a toxin, or as part of the aging process) plays a key role in the
development of neurological diseases. Thus, Flavays ability to
help regulate nitric oxide can profoundly benefit the bodys immune
and brain functions. (2)
Flavay
Plus Adds Synergistic Help
for Brain Function, Attention & Acuity
Flavay
Plus includes phosphatidyl serine for its proven ability
to optimize cognition, learning ability and coping with stress.
(26, 28)
|
Flavay
Plus uses a synergistic blend of Flavay with antioxidant
vitamins, minerals and other phytonutrients to best take advantage of
the dynamic interplay among the key antioxidants and their co-factor
nutrients.
Phosphatidyl
serine: Flavay Plus is formulated with
phosphatidyl serine (Leci-PS), a complex of amino and fatty acids
extracted from soy lecithin, which has proven to be a safe, potentially
effective therapeutic agent in treating memory deficit disorders and
is an often-used supplement for attention deficit disorders. Phosphatidyl
serine has been the subject of many human clinical trials regarding
memory loss, mood, cognitive performance, learning ability and stress.
Many studies show that phosphatidyl serine can optimize cognition. In
the most famous human study, researchers gave 300 mg of phosphatidyl
serine a day for 12 weeks to 149 subjects over 50. Various memory and
learning tests were administered before and after. The results showed
that phosphatidyl serine managed to raise cognitive performance to the
levels typical for as much as 12 years younger. (,26
28)
Flavay
Plus boosts the weak stress response in the elderly person
and calms down exaggerated stress in the healthy young person.
(26, 27,
32, 33)
|
In a study
where a group of 27 ADHD children took 200 to 300 mg of phosphatidyl
serine daily for four months, researchers found that 25 children exhibited
improvement in learning capacity and behavior; and the researchers noted
that there were no adverse affects.
This substance also has the potential to stimulate the brain to produce
dopamine. Published, double-blind research shows that phosphatidyl serine
can also be helpful for depression.
Phosphatidyl serine is a phospholipid that is vital to brain cell structure
and function. Phospholipids are molecules containing both amino and
fatty acid components, which are found in every cell membrane in our
bodies. Phosphatidyl serine plays an important role in our neurotransmitter
systems, in metabolism levels of the brain, and in maintaining nerve
connections in the brain. It appears to help reestablish the normal
down-regulation of cortisol secretion that is increased in chronically
stressed individuals, and its benefit in dementia and depression may
relate to improved brain cell membrane fluidity. In the clinical studies,
phosphatidyl serine (100 mg three times daily) has been shown to improve
the mood and mental function in those with Parkinsons disease.
(26, 27, 32,
33)
Scientific
studies have demonstrated that phosphatidyl serine supplementation can
increase the output of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter so important
to memory. Clinical trials with elderly patients suffering from memory
deficit disorders have shown that adding phosphatidyl serine to the
daily diet improved the ability of these patients to think and decreased
behavioral disturbances. In other studies, phosphatidyl serine also
improved the performance of patients with age-associated memory impairment,
a disorder affecting millions of Americans each year. (32)
Flavay
Plus Helps With Stress
Research
shows that Flavay Plus can lower stress-induced hormone
(cortisol) production by 30 percent.
(31)
|
The
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders reported that children
with ADHD experienced abnormal rhythms in the stress hormone cortisol.
(119, 2)
Research
has shown that phosphatidyl serine works to keep the brains
processes within normal limits, raising them when they are low and lowering
them when they are high. So phosphatidyl serine boosts the weak
stress response in the elderly person and calms down exaggerated stress
in the healthy young person. Both physical and mental stressful conditions
cause stress hormones to be released into circulation, even in the young
and healthy. Phosphatidyl serine given to athletes prior to starting
exercise produced an impressive degree of down-regulation of the stress
hormones. Phosphatidyl serine may have the capacity to normalize
the stress-induced activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
axis. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Italy,
phosphatidyl serine lowered stress hormone (cortisol) production
by 30 percent. (31)
Two more
recent placebo controlled studies confirmed the earlier double-blind
trials; young, university students experienced significantly less stress
from tests when they took phosphatidyl serine (300 mg daily for
30 days), they stayed more clear-headed and composed, and kept a more
stable mood. (148, 149)
Altogether,
this research shows that Flavay Plus
can help young people confront the stressful challenges of living in
today's world.
Ginkgo
biloba leaf: Flavay Plus also
includes standardized ginkgo biloba leaf extract, primarily known as
a brain booster. In Germany and France, ginkgo biloba extract is commonly
prescribed for mental problems that are often caused by poor circulation
to the brain, such as difficulty concentrating, poor memory, confusion,
depression, and anxiety. There have been numerous European studies conducted
on ginkgo biloba extract and many have reported positive effects in
terms of memory and acuity. Recently, the New York Institute for Medical
Research conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study using ginkgo
biloba extract on patients suffering from dementia (caused by either
stroke or Alzheimers disease), with positive results. This is
significant because there are few drugs that have any impact at all
on cases of dementia. And, the study was published in a mainstream medical
journal. (34)
Vitamin
A (Beta-carotene and cartenoids): Flavay
Plus contains the preferred form of Vitamin A, beta-carotene
(Betatene). Beta-carotene is converted by the body into vitamin
A only as the body needs it and what isn't converted remains as a powerful
antioxidant, shown to be a cancer preventative, shown to strengthen
the immune system and benefit the eyes and cardiovascular system. The
beta-carotene in Flavay Plus is the highest quality, full-spectrum,
patented Betatene, a complete array of plant-derived, antioxidant
cartenoids: beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin,
lutein, and lycopene. (9, 6)
Flavay
Plus is a synergistic blend of phosphatidyl serine with
Flavay and other antioxidants and
B vitamins because researchers show that phosphatidyl serine "works
with other nutrients such as the B vitamins and antioxidants to
ensure smooth and efficient functioning of all the organs."
(150)
|
B-Vitamins:
Flavay Plus is also formulated
with many B-vitamins, which are an important requirement of the brains
diet as they help form neurotransmitters (the chemical messengers of
the nervous system). Pyridoxal phosphate, a vitamin B-6 member, is pivotal
in the synthesis of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and gamma-amino
butyric acid (GABA). For people who are over stimulated, GABA induces
a balancing relaxation. Some people with anxiety, panic disorders, and
depression may not manufacture sufficient levels of GABA. (38,
39, 40, 41, 42,
43, 44)
Some nutrient
deficiencies can produce symptoms that are familiar as symptoms of hyperactivity
and learning disorders. A deficiency of thiamin (vitamin B-1), for example,
may produce irritability, nervousness and even increased sensitivity
to noise. (45)
Some neurological
childhood conditions appear to be connected to the B-vitamins. A study
conducted at Saint Joseph Hospital in Pennsylvania found low serotonin
(a neurotransmitter involved with mood) levels in hyperactive children.
The researchers gave some of the subjects vitamin B-6 and observed their
serotonin levels rise appreciably. Also, research suggests that a deficiency
of vitamins B-2 and B-6 play a primary role in the cause of emotional
disorders. (39, 43)
Vitamin
B-12 deficiency can mimic Alzheimers disease: vitamin B-12
deficiency may cause fatigue, headaches, heart and nervous system disturbances
such as numbness and tingling of the arms or legs, depression, mental
confusion, and memory deficits. (9)
Vitamin
C: Flavay Plus also contains vitamin
C: water-soluble, a potent free radical scavenger, recycles vitamin
E, plays a primary role in the formation of collagen, essential for
vascular health and a strong immune system. Controlled studies prove
the contribution of vitamin C in the manufacture of white blood cells
and interferon. (6, 7, 8,
9, 95)
Flavay
Plus uses Ester-C , a patented, revolutionary
form of vitamin C that gets into the blood stream faster than ordinary
vitamin C, in larger amounts with less waste, stays in the body longer,
and is used more efficiently by cells and connective tissues. Ester-C
is also buffered and stomach-friendly.
It's also
important to note that Flavay dramatically
extends the activity of vitamin C in the body.
Vitamin
E: The bodys principal fat-soluble antioxidant. Much of the
bodys free radical damage occurs in fats and in fatty membranes
of cellsexactly where vitamin E protects the body. (6,
7, 8, 9, 95)
Selenium:
Flavay Plus includes selenium, as it
is necessary for the bodys production of glutathione (an antioxidant
produced by the body which protects the brain and nerve tissue from
the harmful effects of free radicals) and thioredoxin reductase which
recycles vitamin C. Selenium also has a synergistic effect with vitamin
E, which means that the two combined are more powerful than either alone.
Many Americans do not consume even the small RDA of selenium in their
diet. (6, 7, 8, 9)
Zinc:
Flavay Plus also includes zinc because
a number of studies are pointing to an association between zinc deficiency
and ADHD. One such 1996 study, published in the Journal of Child
Psychology and Psychiatry, revealed a statistically significant
correlation between zinc and fatty acids, in that both were decreased
in children with ADHD. In another study, conducted at Ohio State University,
investigators found a relationship between zinc deficiency and response
to stimulant therapy among people with ADHD. Basically, this study showed
that children diagnosed with ADHD may be zinc deficient, and that this
deficiency may result in their poor response to stimulant therapy. (2)
An essential
mineral, zinc has many important effects on the brain and immune system,
including neurotransmitter production and enzyme functioning. Zinc is
a necessary part of the bodys production of DHA and a constituent
of many vital enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), which is
a critical cellular antioxidant enzyme that is responsible for mopping
up peroxynitrate, the highly toxic free radical produced in abundance
in the normal course of immune system battles (as in viral or bacterial
infections) and plays a powerful role in immune system inflammation.
Together with the B vitamins, zinc assists in the utilization of insulin
and glucose. There is a growing body of evidence to indicate that zinc
is needed for the proper maintenance of vitamin E levels in the blood
and aids in the absorption of vitamin A. Other important functions of
zinc include the promotion of glandular and reproductive health; and
there is strong evidence that zinc is required for the synthesis of
the nucleic acids RNA and DNA, which are essential for cell repair and
cell growth. Studies have found large percentages of apparently healthy
children to be deficient in zinc. There is evidence that zinc levels
fall after physical and mental stress. Flavay Plus uses zinc
orotate, a high-quality, highly bioavailable form of zinc. (6,
7, 8, 9)
Flavay
Plus utilizes the dynamic interplay between these nutrients
and their co-factors in order to provide you and your family with the
best that nutritional science has to offer in a convenient, cost effective
capsule.