Down Syndrome: A Day to Day Guide: Vitamin B 6

Happy, healthy Jett at 3 years old

Below are the supplements that Jett currently takes (it does fluctuate) to combat the effects of the 21st chromosome. Please click the links for explanations as to why, how, our experience, products etc.

You may notice that my list is different than what is suggested in the Changing Minds Foundation website (This protocol is outdated and I don't agree with the pharmaceuticals suggested), NuTriVene's Complete Program (minus the folic acid, Piracetam, Aricept and Namenda) or LifeExtension's Treatment of DS Summary (minus the glutamine, for most kids, but Jett actually takes it). This is because the more I learn, the more I am able to pick and choose what works best for Jett.

Common Questions

Where do I start?

It may be a good idea to start with a Down syndrome specific multivitamin that has been formulated by experts. All of our children have the same diagnosis, but none of our children exhibit exactly the same symptoms. So it makes sense that while many of our kids may need many similar nutrients, which a multivitamin will cover, each child's perfect blend of nutrients will be unique to him/her. So, consider starting with a multivitamin and then add supplements as needed. Some of these multivitamin companies will customize the vitamin dependant on lab results of your child as well.

How do I know what my child needs?

Each of our children is unique, so your list will eventually evolve according to your child's cues as well. There are several tools for making these decisions:

1. Get Lab Tests

2. Check for Signs of nutritional deficiency

3. Get muscle testing and or tested from a zyto machine technician

4. Compare similar children's protocols at Autism360.org

5. Keep track of your child symptoms.

You can muscle test your child to see if he can tolerate supplements that you are interested in before he even tries it. Muscle testing is available at some chiropractors, naturopaths, NAET practitioners and integrated medicine practitioners. Here's a youtube video that explains how to muscle test. This technique has worked well for Jett.

If your child muscle tests negative for an item that you feel would benefit him, you can use NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Technique) to "clear" the "allergen" so that your child can tolerate it. NAET has worked well for Jett. Kristen Morrison of Naturally Better Kids swears by this technique for her child with Down syndrome.

Email me and I will send you a document that will help you keep track of dosage, side effects and other observations specific to your child. The more information you gather on your child, the better you can decide what is and isn't working.

To compare what works for other kids who have similar strengths and symptoms as your child, you can set up a free, secure profile at Autism360.org. And no, your child doesn't have to have autism to benefit from this secure, useful, interactive database.

How can I support my child's intake of nutrients?

You'll want to make sure that your child is best able to metabolize these nutrients. If your child has untreated Celiac disease (more common in DS than is realized, in my opinion) or simply a sensitivity to gluten, you may want to consider avoiding gluten (found in wheat products). Gluten can irritate the fine hairs in the digestive system so much so that the hairs can fall out and cause your child's food to not be properly metabolized. So your child may be eating great foods, but isn't getting the nutrients from it because it just slides quickly by, instead of being caught in the fine hairs and slowly guided through the digestive tract. I'd hate for you to be spending a lot of money on supplements when your child can't even use them properly. Jett is gluten free to aid in digestion.

Milk can cause block your child's ability to properly process folate (in addition to other negative effects like congestion). You may want to consider avoiding milk. Jett is dairy and casein free as well. See Cerebral folate deficiency in Down syndrome for details.

Jett's Supplement List

Consider introducing a new thing every 7-12 days or longer (I introduce only one thing a month now) and don't introduce anything else new (food/drink) during that time. Note any behavior, sleep, bowel movement and skin changes. Again, contact me and I will email you a chart to make it easier for you to track your child's reaction. These simple rules will help you to best see how each item effects your child.

Why isn't a multivitamin on this list?

Whole desiccated porcine thyroid (Nathroid) (for thyroid support)

Curcumin Longvida (for better speech, Alzheimer prevention and more)

Vitamin B12 (for methylation cycle support)

Folinic Acid/Folate as calcium folinate or l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate

Fish Oil dose is 8mg/kg/day

EGCG (green tea extract) (for cognition, memory and more)

Trans-Resveratrol (increases muscle tone, helps sleep, antioxidant, supports immune system, boosts memory/cognition)

Mito Q brand of Coenzyme Q10 (antioxidant and more)

Magnesium (for teeth grinding, restless sleep and more)

Zinc (for growth, thyroid support, restless sleep and more)

Bacopa Monnera (for adrenal support, stops stimming, calms)

NeuroProtek (for better social skills, speech and more)

Ashwagandha (for sleep, adrenal support, cognitive support)

Vitamin D 3 (for sleep, immunity and more)

Vitamin MK-7 (anti-aging and more)

Probiotics (for digestion, immunity and more)

Vitamin C as Camu camu (for iron absorption, constipation and more)

Coconut Oil (help keeps a steady stream of energy for the brain and more)

L-carnosine (for protection against metals and more)

Fermented cod liver oil
L-tyrosine (for thyroid support and more)

L-ornithine (for growth and more. Only in AM, keeps him up in PM.)

Acetyl -L Carnitine (ALC)

Molybdenum (against ammonia and more)

Lithium Orotate (for neurogenesis, teeth grinding, sound sensitivity)

Milk thistle (for liver support)

Cognitex with Brain Shield

Reishi (supports adrenal, helps correct hormonal and neurotransmitter deficiencies and imbalances, can contribute to a clear and focused mind.)

Frankincense (on feet/base of skull) For growth hormone stimulation, brain support and more.

Biotin (had "cradle cap", which shows he needs it)

Zeaxanthin (eye support)

Astaxathin (antioxidant, eye sight and more)

Choline, citicholine or sunflower lecithin (instead of BodyBio PC  because of the soy and ethanol in BBPC)

Borage Oil (Hair analysis showed he needs this.)

D-ribose (restores cellular energy in heart and muscle tissue)

Creatine (gives energy, reduces cognitive decline. AA panel showed Jett needed this.)

L-glutamine (supports gut and immune system cells, energy source in mitochondria, needed for optimal nucleotide biosynthesis and protein synthesis. AA panel showed Jett needed this.)

L-serine (Makes up nerve proteins and brain coverings. AA panel showed Jett needed this.)

colostrum (immunity support)

temporarily off:
Wild Blueberry Extract (for neurogenesis and more-- still taking in Cognitex)
Digestion support (no longer needed since on proper thyroid)
Gingko Biloba (for sleeping through the night, cognition and more)
TriEnza Enzymes (for better digestion)

Cal-Mag Butyrate
Evening Primrose Oil
Rhodiola Rosea
BodyBio Balanced Oil

Probably permanently off:
TMG (against ammonia and more) NAET showed he didn't need this.
Piracetam (Had little effect on him and NAET showed he didn't need it.)

Astragalus (for growth, pituitary gland and more. NAET showed not needed.)
Royal Jelly (for neurogenesis and more. NAET showed not needed.)
BodyBio PC (Using something different has soy in it.)
l-tryptophan (for getting to sleep and more. NAET showed not needed.)

I found a pill cutter/crusher in one that's very easy to use. I get mine from American Science & Surplus. You can get it online for $3.75 at www.sciplus.com/search.cfm?utm_sour... Or go to sciplus.com and enter "splitter/crusher pill box."

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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Jett's Supplement List