information please - Alternative Medicine Message Board

trisha rose · 02-12-2003, 04:25 PM

my son is autistic i read some where that the herb maca could maybe help him does anyone know mch about it and if it is saft for kids to take.
also any informaion on fish oil there was some thing on t.v the other week about it --i only caught the end of it they were saying fish oil high in EPA helps in autism does that mean anything to some one out there?

isolated one · 02-12-2003, 06:21 PM

Trisha, I use Maca along with Korean Ginseng for extra energy. However, I don't recall hearing of Maca being used for the treatment autism, but who knows, maybe it's possible? From all I've researched about Maca, the herb appears to work directly on the endocrine system with increased stamina (mental and physical) being the end result. I suggest you go to an internet search engine and type in Maca. You will find a wealth of information on Maca. You have to use your own judgement though while reading some of the "many" claims, some of which I think are over blown. BTW, I have an older brother who is 46 and autistic. His condition is at the severe end of the spectrum and he was "assumed" to be retarded for about the first 20 years of his life because of the lack of awareness of autism and, unfortunately, was treated that way by those in charge of his care. I remember it was during the late 70s when we were able to see him in a completely different light and have such a better understanding of him.

[This message has been edited by gar fla (edited 02-12-2003).]

kat721 · 02-17-2003, 10:49 AM

If Maca is a substance that increases both mental and physical stamina, I would be concerned about it being too much of a stimulent for an autistic person.
Fish Oil is a primarily beneavolent substance and it it helpful on many levels. Unless the person has an allergy to fish then a Fish Oil suppliment would not be a bad idea. I would chose a high grade fish oil though, like possibly one made from Salmon.
And on that thought, adding Salmon twice a week to the diet would be a good idea. There is so much essential B12 in a workable body delivery form that making such a change in the diet would be a great idea.
also, possibly adding a bit of folic acid as a suppliment or finding a suppliment that contains a good amount of folic acid would be helpful if there is not enough fresh greens and fruit already in the diet.
For Autisitc people either physical therapy or specialized massage therapy is beneficial and anything that requires using both hands to help synchronize both sides of the brain. You might want to contact some holistic body workers and ask if they have experience with body therapy for autistic people.
Kat

kat721 · 02-17-2003, 11:01 AM

P.S. An herb that works directly on the endocrine system probably needs to be considered with great care.
The endocrine system is a complicated and touchy system too easily thrown out of wack with horrible consequences.
I for one would not want anything that makes my Endocrine system have more stamina.
I've been told by the Endocrinologist that my Pancreas works too good. In fact, my Pancreas works so well that it over produces Insulin and causes me to have huge and very dangerous blood sugar drops.
I had great strength and stamina and my body eventually went tilt and got stuck on >>> ON.
After coming close to a coma stage I am now on regulatory medication.
The endocrine system is not very well understood by even most doctors who are not Endocrinologists so before taking something for ones Endocrine system, check with an Endocrinologist and get an assessment of your glandular function by way of a blood test(s)
You will then have a clear picture of which suppliments might be needed for balance in the body.
Because with the Endocrine System in specific, the general health and well being are dependant upon the levels of balance and not necessarily intensified production.
Kat

wholeharted · 02-26-2003, 02:40 PM

Hi KAT721,
I'm interested in knowing what meds your on for your insulin.

my endo dr has been working with me, or I him I should say, he keeps wanting me to take glucophage, I tried a few years ago but something wasn't feeling right when I tried it. long story short for me, 3 yrs ago he mentioned ruling out a pancreative tumor, or other that can spur that organ to produce too much insulin. I had a full body scan, nothing (which I was happy about obviously)
but my symptions were continuing. I was gaining weight, 20 lbs a year - I even took up snowboarding in the winter months to increase my activity, it seemed to make me gain weight more and by weight I mean fat not muscle.
so this last december I breatched 199 (my usual weight is 130-40) I was in st louis and my boyfriends moms sister told me she was taking L-carnitine 500, and it was helping her lose weight.

so I went to the health food store bought it, started doing pilaties once a day to get my metabolism up,
I asked my dr about the l-C and he said I could up y dosage, so far I have lost 14lbs.
what it seems my body was doing was turning sugar to fat faster than I could use it, and having low blood sugar - I haven't had low blood sugar in a while since taking the L-C now but I still can;t talk myself into taking the glucophage.