Remarkable neurological benefits from dietary supplements
Speak Easy
Imagine trying to speak, but somehow you can’t properly vocalize the words – the idea is there, but the correct words are not.
This condition is known as verbal apraxia, which may occur in adults after a stroke or brain injury. In children it’s known as developmental apraxia of speech (DAS), and is common in autism, although it also occurs in children with no autistic symptoms.
A new DAS study is remarkable for two reasons:
1) It gives hope to parents of children with DAS
2) It’s a testament to just how effective dietary supplements can be
A loss for words
According to researchers Marilyn Agin, M.D., and Claudia Morris, M.D., when vitamin E is deficient, oxidation and destruction of omega-3 fatty acids occurs, which may prompt neurological abnormality.
Theorizing that such an abnormality might play a role in DAS, Agin and Morris recruited nearly 190 children with verbal apraxia.
As reported in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, most of the subjects received supplementation of vitamin E (800 IU daily) and omega-3 (695 to 2,085 mg of EPA and 280 to 840 mg of DHA daily).
After intervention, family members of 97 percent of the subjects noted “dramatic improvements in speech, imitation, coordination, behavior, eye contact, behavior, sensory issues, and development of pain sensation.”
Testing during intervention revealed that intestinal problems and multiple allergies were linked to nutritional deficiencies of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin E, and other key nutrients. Agin and Morris also noted that the general DAS symptoms were very similar to symptoms of vitamin E deficiency.
Working together
Of course, we’re not surprised to find omega-3 fatty acids working so beautifully with antioxidants.
In one study I told you about several years ago, omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil increased activity of an antioxidant enzyme while also boosting blood levels of glutathione – an important antioxidant that’s been shown to bind and eliminate toxins. Glutathione also protects other antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C, prolonging and enhancing their effectiveness.
In the e-Alert “Oil Rich” (9/25/03) I told you that walnuts and flaxseed deliver omega-3 fatty acids, but only fish or fish oil supplements contain both EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docohexaenoic acid). When combined, these two essential fatty acids have been shown to help prevent several neurological problems, such as dementia, hyperactivity, and depression.
Good sources of vitamin E include eggs, liver, nuts and seeds, spinach, broccoli, peaches, wheat germ, and vegetable oils.
Talk to your doctor before supplementing with vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids.
Sources:
“Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, and Malabsorption: Characterisation of a Neurodevelopmental Phenotype that Responds to Omega-3 and Vitamin E Supplementation” Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Vol. 15, No. 4, July 2009, alternative-therapies.com
“Omega-3, Vitamin E Mix Shows Potential for Autistic Speech” Stephen Daniells, NutraIngredients-USA, 8/19/09, nutraingredients-usa.com
