With Alzheimer's, It Takes a Family

(HealthDay News) -- Alzheimer's care in the United States is a family affair, a new survey suggests.

Three in five so-called "sandwich" caregivers who look after a relative or friend with Alzheimer's disease said their children help with care duties, ranging from attending doctors' appointments to feeding and dressing their loved ones, according to the third annual Alzheimer's Foundation of America Investigating Caregivers' Attitudes and Needs Survey.

Sandwich caregivers are parents or guardians of children under age 21 who also care for an aging parent, relative or friend with Alzheimer's.

The survey of 559 sandwich caregivers found that among those who feel they do a good job balancing their care of a loved one with Alzheimer's and looking after their children, 36 percent said support from their children is a factor in their success.

Among children aged 8 to 21 who are involved in caregiving:

• about one-third of young adults (aged 18-21) help with doctors' appointments;


• 42 percent of young adults assist with transporting loved ones with Alzheimer's disease;


• about one-quarter of young adults and teens (aged 13-17) help with the activities of daily living, such as feeding and dressing;


• nearly 90 percent of pre-teens (aged 8 to 12) visit and entertain a loved one with Alzheimer's disease;


• about 85 percent of teens visit loved ones with the disease.

"Taking care of someone with Alzheimer's disease can be an enormous drain on the caregiver and on family resources. For sandwich caregivers, the problem is even more acute. It is clear that caregiving is a multigenerational concern. Young adults, and even teens and pre-teens, are being impacted in life-changing ways by their caregiving responsibilities," Eric J. Hall, president and chief executive officer of Alzheimer's Foundation of America, said in a prepared statement.

The survey also found that 70 percent of sandwich caregivers said they need more help caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's, while 33 percent said they need more help with their children. In addition, 63 percent said they'd like more information about how to help their children cope when a loved one is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease.

"A segment of young adults and teens assist with managing the daily needs of individuals with Alzheimer's disease, and a small percent are even called upon to make informed decisions about treatment. It's crucial that they have access to good information sources," Dr. Lesley Blake, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, said in a prepared statement.

"As Alzheimer's disease progresses, declines in cognition, function and behavior worsen. Both adult and non-adult caregivers need to be educated about what to expect and, more importantly, what to do in these cases," Blake said. "Proper diagnosis and treatment are crucial. Symptoms -- loss of function, decline in cognitive ability and difficult behavior -- can be delayed and caregiver burden reduced through medication therapy, which may include combining medications from two FDA-approved Alzheimer's medication classes."

The survey, funded by Forest Pharmaceuticals Inc., found that 77 percent of sandwich caregivers weren't aware that combination drug therapy can be used to treat Alzheimer's disease. In many cases, respondents said there was a delay -- typically about two years -- in their loved ones' diagnosis of Alzheimer's. In cases where diagnosis was delayed for a year or more, the most common cause was a lack of caregiver awareness about Alzheimer's disease. About half of those caregivers said they believed the disease was a normal part of aging.

It's estimated that more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease -- about one in 10 of those aged 65 and older and nearly half those 85 or older -- and that number could more than triple, to 16 million, by 2050, according to background information in a news release about the survey.

More information
The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more about caring for someone with Alzheimer's.

Tischler Dental: Holistic Dentistry in Woodstock, New York

Watch the video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbbxKchHW0Y

Over 50 years, Dr. Michael Tischler, cosmetic dentist of Tischler Dental in New York believes in the philosophy of treating the "whole person" -- that is, seeing your dental well being in the context of your overall health.

Here Dr. Tischler discusses how he entered the field of holistic dentistry and how subtle, non-invasive adjustments to a patient's teeth can alleviate chronic body pain.To learn more about Holistic Dentistry, visit http://www.tischlerdental.com

Making Sense Out of Mercury in Fish

by Allison Aubrey
NPR Morning Edition, January 31, 2008.

Recent nationwide studies have raised new worries about the level of mercury in fish. Government health officials say that there's no need for most consumers to worry. But they say the new findings reinforce earlier advice on limiting consumption of certain types of fish by pregnant women and young children.

One of the recent studies was conducted by Oceana, a marine conservation group. Researchers tested 94 samples of tuna and other forms of sushi purchased from grocery stores and restaurants in 23 cities. The fish was shipped to an independent certified lab in Michigan for testing.

"We found very high levels of mercury in nearly half the samples," says Kimberly Warner, a marine scientist with Oceana.

One sample of sushi tuna had a mercury content of 2.2 parts per million, which is more than twice the "action level" established by the Food and Drug Administration. That's the point at which the FDA can take food off the market.

In 2004, the FDA, together with the Environmental Protection Agency, issued a joint advisory aimed at protecting pregnant women, women considering becoming pregnant, nursing mothers and young children. The advisory recommends that these populations avoid four types of large predator fish - swordfish, shark, tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico and king mackerel.

Larger fish tend to be older, so they have more time to accumulate toxins like mercury. The agencies advise these groups to avoid eating these fish altogether because they contain average levels of mercury at or above the "action point."

At high enough levels, mercury can harm a developing fetus and cause problems with brain development.

Tuna Being Debated

Tuna is not included on the advisory's do-not-eat list, but pregnant women are advised to limit consumption.

For lower mercury varieties, such as canned light tuna, pregnant women are advised to eat no more than 12 ounces (two average meals) per week. Canned light tuna is usually skipjack tuna, which is a smaller fish and therefore lower in mercury.

For a higher mercury variety, such as albacore, pregnant women are advised to eat no more than 6 ounces (one average meal) per week.

Oceana is calling on the FDA to add certain types of fresh tuna to the restricted list, if further tests confirm higher mercury concentrations.

For instance, yellowfin tuna, which is used commonly in grocery-store sushi and sold as tuna steaks, is one of the species on Oceana's list.

"We've heard people say these have higher levels" says Mike Bolger, a chief toxicologist with the FDA. But FDA tests don't confirm this, he says.

It's possible that the limited number of tests by Oceana and other independent testers may not be providing a representative picture of mercury contamination in fish.

In 2006, for example, the FDA tested only 87 samples of yellowfin. Oceana and other testers have sampled even fewer. Moreover, mercury concentrations vary from species to species, and even fish to fish, so a larger sample size may be needed.

The FDA says that it has not evaluated the findings from Oceana and other independent tests. But the FDA's Bolger says that if these independent tests do show a pattern of higher mercury concentrations, the FDA could take more action.

"Probably a minimal effort step would be to go out and get more samples of yellowfin," he says.

He also says that the FDA hasn't evaluated another tuna, bluefin. It's a prized and expensive species mostly served in high-end sushi restaurants.

"It's such a minor species," says Bolger.

Sales of bluefin account for less than 1 percent of seafood sales. But it's clear that some Americans are eating the high-end tuna. A recent New York Times investigation found high levels of mercury in bluefin tuna sold in several New York City restaurants.

The National Marine Fisheries Database shows about $19 million worth of bluefin was imported by the United States between January 2006 and November 2007.

Scaring People Away from Fish

Some nutritionists, as well as the seafood industry, worry that the concern over mercury will turn people off eating fish.

"The general public should be encouraged to continue eating a variety of fish," says Gavin Gibbons of the National Fisheries Institute. "Seafood is a very safe part of a healthy American diet."

Nutrition researchers have documented the benefits of consuming omega-3 fatty acids found in fish. These include improved cardiovascular health and possibly beneficial effects on childhood development. Seafood is also a good source of protein, rich in vitamins and minerals.

To limit the risk and maximize the benefit, experts recommend low-mercury options such as tilapia or mackerel (saba), which is a good sushi option.

According to Oceana, the sushi mackerel sold in the U.S. is either horse, Atlantic, Pacific or chubb mackerel, as opposed to king mackerel, which is on the FDA's "do not eat" list.

International Ban on Mercury in Dental Amalgam

Luxembourg Appeal
International Ban on Mercury in Dental Amalgam

Coordination:
European Academy for AKUT asbl Environmental Medicine e.V.
137, rue de Mühlenbach Juliuspromenade 54
L-2168 Luxembourg D-97070 Würzburg
tel. +352 22 33 75 tel. +49 931 35 34 830 fax +352 22 28 73 fax +49 931 57 31 31 info@akut.lu europaem@europaem.de

Luxembourg Appeal:
Towards an International Ban on Mercury in Dental Amalgam

Invited by the „Aktionsgruppe für Umwelttoxikologie (AKUT asbl)“ in Luxembourg and the “European Academy for Environmental Medicine” (EUROPAEM) and under the patronage of the Ministry of Health Luxembourg, renowned scientists, researchers, doctors specialized in environmental medicine, physicians, and dentists as well as politicians, NGOs, and patient groups met on the 10th of November 2007 to draw attention to the serious risks for health and environment coming from mercury out of dental amalgam.
Following this international conference, they published unanimously this urgent appeal addressing the European Commission, the European Parliament, and all national health authorities within and outside of Europe to ban mercury in dental amalgam.

Luxembourg Appeal
The signatories, participants of this international conference in Luxembourg, and/or supporters of the objectives and outcomes of this conference, believe that:
• starting from the scientifically uncontested toxicity and the health and environment damaging potential of mercury and its combination with other metals,
• recognizing the effort of UNEP as well as the report of the EU-Commission to the Council and the European Parliament concerning their joint strategy on mercury,
• recognizing the resolution of the European Parliament about the joint strategy on mercury and the therein included doubts and reservations against the use of mercury in dental amalgam,
• pointing out that, repeatedly now, on both European and international platforms, independent scientists and researchers, doctors specialized in environmental medicine, critical physicians and dentists as well as NGOs and patient groups urgently warn against the continued use of mercury, especially in the dental medical field,
• considering the fact that these warnings are grounded, among other things, on the demand of the precaution principle and a preventive policy for health and environment,
• considering the fact that, at the same time, scientific evidence that mercury from dental amalgam in many cases unambiguously leads to numerous health disturbances or chronic diseases increases,
• supported by the fact that dental amalgam is not an alloy but only a mixture and therefore allows a continuous release of mercury and other heavy metals,
• further supported by the fact that experiments on cells and animals as well as studies on post mortem examination of humans provide strong evidence for storage of mercury in human cells, tissues, and organs,
• considering that primarily mercury vapor released from dental amalgam is adsorbed and accumulated by cells and tissues,
• based on the fact that this direct storage of mercury vapor from dental amalgam constitutes a primary enrichment in addition to accumulation from other sources of mercury such as the animal and human food chain,
• considering that accumulation of mercury is able to cause chronic diseases dependent on the dose, duration of contact, individual susceptibility, and the genetically determined or acquired state of detoxification mechanisms,
• pointing out that in industrial countries, mercury from dental amalgam represents the second greatest burdening source of mercury for the environment and therefore for human nutrition,
• knowing the potential of physical damage from mercury, especially o the toxicity to cells and toxic damage to cell membranes, o the neurotoxicity, o the modulation of the immune system and immune toxicity, o the alteration of endocrine patterns, o the reduction of fertility, o and the risks for embryonal and fetal development (perinatal damage),
• considering that, therefore, numerous health disturbances as well as inflammatory, chronically degenerative and often severe chronic diseases can be initiated,
• regarding that in this context scientific studies are providing more and more evidence showing correlations between the use of mercury in amalgam as well as other dental metals and frequently occurring serious diseases,
• concluding that mercury from dental amalgam exposes numerous people to irresponsible health risks, especially to developing life in the pre- and perinatal period, the EU authorities, the WHO, as well as the national health authorities in Europe must now seriously take note of those increasing numerous warnings and, as a consequence, ban the use of mercury in dental materials without delay!

Luxembourg, 10th November 2007
Jean Huss
AKUT asbl, LUXEMBOURG
Dr. Kurt E Müller
European Academy for Environmental Medicine e. V., GERMANY

Marie Grosman
Prof. agrégée de biologie,
Association Non au mercure dentaire, FRANCE

Prof. Boyd E. Haley
Professor of Chemistry-Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA

Dr. Graeme Munro-Hall
International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxikology, UNITED KINGDOM

Dr. Joachim Mutter
Institute of Environmental Medicine and Hospital Epidemiology at the University Medical Center, Freiburg, GERMANY

Prof. André Picot
Directeur honoraire de Recherche CNRS
Président de l`Assosication de Toxicologie - Chimie ATC, Paris, FRANCE

Prof. Vera Stejskal
Associate Professor at University of Stockholm and First Faculty, Charles University Prague; Danderyd, SWEDEN

Mercury and Nervous System Poisoning

Very quickly after entering the body or shifting compartments in the body, mercury becomes tightly bound in the nervous system. Mercury can be found in the brain, spinal cord, ganglia, autonomic ganglia, and peripheral motor neurons (running to muscles). Because it is so quickly absorbed by the nervous system very little is left to be absorbed by other tissues including the connective tissues.

Thus, mercury appears to have a high affinity for nervous tissue and as a result it usually does not appear in the blood, hair, urine, feces or waste waters (e.g. sweat). For this reason trace mineral analysis of hair or blood may not show any mercury levels and an erroneous conclusion that "the patient does not appear to have mercury toxicity" results.

Simply stated: Mercury does not appear to enter certain "compartments" and hair is certainly one of them. Therefore hair analyses for mercury are notoriously inaccurate and totally misleading.

Mercury in the nervous system results in diverse physiological and neurological problems. All of these symptoms are discussed in a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services publication entitled: The Toxicological Profile of Mercury.

Amalgam Removals

Hi, 7 years ago I had my dental fillings replaced with plastic compositesthat have lasted beautifully. For years I suffered from an array of environmental, chemical, dust, food, and you name it allergies andsensitivities and associated problems. My life was a living HELL!I lost my job ultimately because of it - couldn't function well.

Thefillings were a very large part of the problem and if I hadn't hadthem removed I know that I would not be alive today. So, I am verythankful to the "quacks" such as a kinesiologist/nutritionist, an MD"environmental medicine (ecology)" specialist, and a licensednaturopath who helped me with the diagnosis and recovery.

Mercury Detoxification Protocol Part II

Unload the connective tissue with Chlorella or ProChitosan

Chlorella and ProChitosan are an important part of the detoxification program, as approximately 90% of the mercury in our bodies is eliminated through the stool. Chlorella is an algae and, unlike Protchitosan, has protein high levels of chlorophyll and other nutrients which can be used for nourishment.

The chlorella powder is the most cost effective approach but some people will prefer the tablets or capsules for convenience. A simple way to dissolve the powder is to place it in a container with a lid partially filled with water. Then tighten the lid and shake to dissolve and drink the solution.
Caution: About 30% of people can't tolerate chlorella. This may be due to optimized function of the enzyme cellulase. If you are unable to tolerate this it would be wise to consider adding an enzyme with cellulase in it to help digest the chlorella.

Dose: One can start out with a one quarter of a teaspoon of the powder (one 500 mg tablet) once a day initially to confirm that there is no hypersensitivity present. Work up slowly over one to two weeks to a dose of one teaspoon (ten tablets or capsules) per day. Once you tolerate this dose you are able to use it to bind the mercury. Use this dose starting two days prior to your chelation and for one day afterwards. The chlorella will thoroughly coat your intestine and bind like a sponge to any mercury that the DMPS liberates into the gut.

The above dose is based on a 150 pound adult. If you are using the program for children reduce the dose proportionately. (So a 30 pound child would have have 30/150 or 1/5 (20%) of the dose).

Caution: If at any time one develops nausea or starts "burping up" the chlorella taste then the chlorella should be stopped immediately as a food sensitivity is developing which will only worsen if you continue taking it. If this happens you should switch to ProChitosan This binds similarly to mercury. Its dose is dependent on your bowel movements.

• nausea

If you have one bowel movement a day or less you should start two days prior to the DMPS . If you have two or more bowel movement you can start 24 hours prior to the DMPS. Stay on it for 24 hours after the DMPS. So you will be on it either two or three days. The dose is two capsules three times a day. Be sure to drink it with plenty of water and increase magnesium if constipation develops.

• constipation

Porphrazyme from Biotics Research is another alternative to chlorella that many clinicians have had success with in mercury detoxification.

more information:
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/integrated_med/mercurydetoxification.htm

Health Tip: Help Prevent Stress Fractures

(HealthDay News) - A stress fracture occurs when overused bones and muscles can't absorb additional shock. When the stress on them becomes too great, the impact is transferred to a bone, causing a small fracture.

Here are suggestions to help prevent stress fractures, courtesy of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons:

• When starting a new exercise routine or a new sport, build up your tolerance and stamina.
• Don't try to do too much too soon, as your body needs time to adjust.
• Vary your activities to rest and alternate strain on your muscles and bones. For example, alternate running with biking.
• Get plenty of vitamin D and calcium in your diet to strengthen bones.
• If swelling or pain results from a particular activity, stop and allow your body to rest for a few days. If pain continues after rest, see your doctor.

Mercury Detoxification Protocol Part I

1. Diet
Avoid all sugar and milk, limit all processed foods and most grains, especially wheat. It will be important to have a high protein diet as the sulfur bearing amino acids in the protein will greatly facilitate detoxification. Do NOT attempt to fast during DMPS mercury detoxification. If you are a vegetarian you will be at HIGH risk for complications from DMPS unless you have a large amount of protein.

Whey protein can be used as a supplement as it is high in glutathione and branched chain amino acids. Two large tablespoons are used per drink and that can be taken once a day and twice a day for the week prior to DMPS chelation.

Autistic children can't use this product as it contains casein. They can use pure branched chain amino acids. You can start with one capsule twice daily and mix with food. Work up to two capsules twice a day for the week prior to DMPS chelation.

2. Beneficial Bacteria
Take one quarter to one half teaspoon once a day of a high potency high quality strain. It is vital to have an optimized bowel flora for detoxification.

3. Maintain two to three bowel movements per day
If you are not having this many bowel movements make certain that your thyroid status has been checked. It is very common for mercury to affect the thyroid. If your thyroid function is fine then you should add some magnesium.

If you are on long-term magnesium it is important to take some calcium with it or after awhile you will develop an imbalance in your calcium magnesium ratio which could result in severe cramping.

Calcium (Calcium citrate)
Calcium Gluconate)

Freshly ground flax seed several teaspoons per day will facilitate intestinal movement and also contribute some healthy essential fatty acids.
Mercury Detoxification Procedures: Amalgam Fillings

Disabled Cite Need to Improve Wireless Devices

(HealthDay News) -- The use and importance of cell phones and other wireless devices in the daily lives of disabled people is increasing, but some disabled users say there's a need for improved functionality of these aids.

That's acccording to to a U.S. survey by the Wireless Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC).

Wireless ownership among disabled people increased from 72 percent in a 2001-06 survey to 85 percent in a 2007 survey. More than 75 percent of the 1,208 respondents in 2007 said their wireless devices are easy or very easy to use, compared to about half of those in an earlier survey.

However, 73 percent of respondents in 2007 said they'd likely change wireless service providers, if necessary, to get additional features that enhance accessibility, such as: a feature to enable service dogs to call for help in an emergency; the ability to switch to voice carry-over during a call in case a voice becomes unintelligible or background noise is too loud; and the ability to scan and speak medication labels.

Among the other findings:

• The percentage of respondents who used their wireless devices every day increased from 40 percent to 65 percent, and the number who consider their wireless devices "very important increased from 60 percent to 77 percent.
• The most important wireless functions cited by respondents are: voice communication (78 percent); enhanced 911 (45 percent); text messaging (43 percent); e-mail (41 percent); and Internet access (35 percent).
• The most important handset features listed by disabled users are: long battery life (63 percent); durability and toughness (61 percent); low cost (57 percent); and simple operation (56 percent).
• Respondents noted a number of problems with wireless devices such as incompatibility with assistive technologies (especially hearing aids or cochlear implants), and poor handset design, including difficulties holding it, seeing the display and manipulating the controls.
  "The data these customers share through our research helps our wireless industry partners meet customers' needs and also helps identify applications useful to people without disabilities," survey project director Jim Mueller said in a prepared statement.

"We are not encouraging the wireless companies to make special products. We want products that will work for everyone."

RERC, a collaboration between the Georgia Institute of Technology and Atlanta-based Shepherd Center, promotes equitable access to wireless technologies and encourages universal design (useful for all ages and abilities) in future generations of wireless devices and applications. RERC is funded by the U.S. Department of Education's National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR).

More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about people with disabilities.