myelin/EFAs and apraxia link?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to our group! I noticed you posted that your child's " EEG of

several months ago showed delayed myelination in frontal & temporal

lobes. "

I myself have wondered why the EFAs are working for so many of our

children-and so quick in most cases. I know there is a suspected (or

confirmed?) link between some children with thinned myelin and

apraxia that Marilyn Agin MD and I have talked about. Sallie Bernard

http://www.safeminds.org and I as well have discussed various

possibilities about why there appears to be a recent rise in neuro

based speech and language impairments such as apraxia -and one

explanation is that a rise in mercury " could " cause the myelin to

thin in the brain's of our developing children- possibly even in

utero. Maybe not noticeably all the time -but even subtle thinning

of the myelin sheath could effect our children's speech from what I

understand -and other things as well that we are seeing as a group.

Here are just three of many articles you may find of interest -and

I'm sure Caroline from our group can share more information as well -

she just sent me a very wonderful message about ProEFA and a child

with myelin disorder. The first link is more complex of an

explanation from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and

Stroke /or NINDS

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/news_and_events/bfaworkshop.htm

" Understanding the functions of fatty acids in peroxisomal biogenesis

disorders

The study of fatty acids in PBD disorders represents an important and

promising field of investigation. The PBD disorders are associated

with characteristic and severe handicaps and can be diagnosed early,

including prenatally, by non-invasive and reliable diagnostic assays.

Characteristic and striking abnormalities in fatty acid profiles and

metabolism are present in all of these disorders. Some of these

abnormalities can be normalized completely or in part, by dietary

manipulations or by the administration of non-toxic natural

compounds. Results on improvement in myelination of Zellweger

patients following DHA supplementation therapy, over time, raises a

slew of new questions. What is the mechanism by which DHA

supplementation improves myelination? Since DHA is not abundant in

white matter, is DHA present in oligodendrocytes where it exerts its

effect indirectly through correction of reduced levels? Or rather

does DHA lower VLCFA levels (which have been implicated in

demyelination)? Does DHA raise plasmalogen levels known to be low in

Zellweger syndrome thus protecting membranes from oxidative stress

(see also recommendations in the March 4, 2000 Morning Session)?

Animal models for most of these disorders are now available and new

ones can be developed as needed. "

It also appears the EFA's help with muscle tone as well from this

article (as you know most apraxic children have some mild hypotonia

or low tone) Here is a link from Yale -you may have to cut and paste:

http://info.med.yale.edu/labinvest/abstracts/00months/0001Jan/0001_031

..html

" Supplementing newborn patients with DHA resulted in improved

muscular tone and visual functions "

And here a link that's a bit more public friendly. It's a link for

MS that explains why " Essential Fatty Acids play a critical role in

the development, function and repair of nerves and myelin " . I just

ignore the conditions but look at the overlaps -if myelin is one

overlap that's why I'm looking at this. (and for the doctors yes I

know that we are not typically talking about severe myelin disorders

when we say apraxia -I'm just thinking that if the EFAs help with the

severe, then maybe that's why they are working so quickly for our

children who most may only have the very subtle) OK -as a toy

inventor I know making theories on myelin and apraxia is over my

head -maybe someone can pick up and run with this so we all have the

real answers already!!

One thing to keep in mind is that even if the DHA (Omega 3) is in the

blood it may not always be able to get into the vessels of the brain

where it is needed. The Borage (seed) Oil in the ProEFA is known to

have anti inflammatory (and remyelinating) properties which may help

enable the DHA and EPA to get to where it needs to go in the small

vessels of the brain? I'm just a parent myself -but at this point we

all have access to the internet to speculate on the theories as to

why EFAs help so many of our " late talkers " . I don't know for sure

yet why EFAs work so amazingly well for Tanner -I'm just thrilled they

do!!

Here is the public friendly article to (possibly) explain about the

myelin and EFAs:

http://www.msmiracle.com/ms/outsidelinks/essentialfattyacids/pg9efaand

ms.htm

MYELIN and NERVES

Essential Fatty Acids play a critical role in the development,

function and repair of nerves and myelin. Multiple Sclerosis destroys

myelin and to a lesser extent the nerves, so EFA are intimately

involved in any recovery that may take place.

NORMAL DIET is DEFICIENT

The normal diet often does not contain enough Omega-3 EFA to begin

with. Some patients with MS do not have a normal ability to absorb

EFA from their intestines and others have trouble converting Alpha-

Linoleic Acid, the parent Omega-3 EFA into DHA and EPA These patients

may develop a deficiency even with normal or increased intake.

REMISSION REQUIRES REBUILDING MYELIN

Any significant remission requires rebuilding myelin and nerves.

This requires large amounts of DHA. It has been shown that many MS

patients have low levels of Omega-3 EFA in the blood and their spinal

fluid.

PROSTAGLANDINS

Omega-3 EFA are precursors to the Prostaglandin-3 family of chemical

regulators. Normal bodily function requires a delicate balance of the

three prostaglandin families. Deficiency of Omega-3 EFA can cause a

deficiency in PGF-3. This in turn causes an imbalance with too much

PGF-1 and PGF-2 activity. This imbalance accounts for many of the

symptoms of MS.

BENEFITS of SUPPLEMENTS

Supplementation with EFA, and particularly Omega-3 EFA can decrease

most of the symptoms associated with MS, including:

1) Abnormal stickiness of platelets

2) Abnormal immune system activity

3) Abnormal inflammation.

FLAX SEED OIL & FISH OIL

Flaxseed Oil and Fish Oil are the best sources of Omega-3 EFA.

Flaxseed contains large amounts of Alpha-Linoleic Acid (ALA) and

smaller amounts of EPA and DHA. Flaxseed oil also contains lignan,

protein that helps protect against several form of cancer. Fish Oil

contains EPA and DHA, but not ALA. The body needs ALA for some

processes and EPA and DHA for others so Flaxseed Oil can be an

important supplement.

OTHER NECESSARY CO-FACTORS

EFA supplementation should also include B-vitamin supplementation

(especially methylcobalamine), Vitamins C and E, Zinc and Selenium.

These co-factors are required for optimal utilization of the EFA

supplements.

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