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More Legalized Drug Pushing to Our Children?
1/29/2003 12:00:00 AM
Last September I devoted a newsletter to Ritalin (Refer to the archives). At that time I talked about the similarities of Ritalin to Cocaine and the dangers that this posed to children in making them more susceptible to drug abuse later in life. Ritalin is a drug that is widely prescribed to children who are 'diagnosed' with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Ritalin acts in a similar way to Cocaine in that it targets the pleasure producing center of the brain - the part that makes dopamine. This is the same mechanism of Cocaine. These drugs don't actually cause the body to produce more dopamine but rather they block the reuptake of it. This results in more dopamine floating around in the body leading to an improved feeling of well being.
Now, what is interesting is that in animal studies comparing Ritalin and Cocaine it was found that the actions were so similar that the animals could not discriminate between the two drugs and as such they had no preference between the two substances. So, keep this information in mind if you are confronted with 'authorities' wanting to put your child or grandchild on Ritalin. You may inadvertently be giving them their first taste of cocaine.
I raised the issue of Ritalin again today because some of the protocols to deal with the symptoms of ADHD in children are similar to what I am about to discuss... which is...
Depression Drugs for Children...
The US Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have just approved the use of the anti-depressant drug Prozac (fluoxetine) for children... as young as seven years old!
This drug is now permitted to be prescribed to children who are considered to have depression or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
The National Institute of Mental Health says that depression affects up to 2.5% of children and about eight percent of adolescents in the US. OCD apparently affects two percent of the total population and they consider that one third of adult cases of OCD began in childhood.
The rationale for the FDA giving their approval was based on two placebo controlled clinical trials on depressed outpatients. These participating children had five of the nine usual symptoms of depression as determined by the American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. The nine symptoms are depressed mood; loss of interest in usual activities; significant change in weight and/or appetite; insomnia or hypersomnia (abnormally excessive sleep); psychomotor agitation or retardation; increased fatigue; feelings of guilt or worthlessness; slowed thinking or impaired concentration; a suicide attempt or suicidal ideation.
The measurements used for OCD in the trial were based on "The Children's Yale Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale." Obsessive-compulsive disorder is characterized by recurrent and persistent ideas, thoughts, impulses, or images (obsessions) that are repetitive and purposeful, and intentional behaviors (compulsions) that are recognized by the person or their parent or guardian as excessive or unreasonable.
The Results...
According to the researchers the use of Prozac produced statistically significant effects for the drug compared to a placebo.
Of course all the usual 'side effects' for the drug were present which included nausea, tiredness, nervousness, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Does this pave the way perhaps for Ritalin to make them feel better?
But, here is the most interesting aspect of one of the trials and I think a very disturbing one. It was found that children aged between eight and seventeen years of age after 19 weeks of treatment with Prozac grew less! In fact, on average compared with the patients that were on a placebo their growth was 'stunted' to the extent of 1.1centimeters and their weight gain was about two lbs less.
The researchers admit that no one knows the long term significance of this 'stunting' of growth... but not to worry... Eli Lilly the manufacturer of the drug has agreed to conduct a Phase 4 postmarketing study to further evaluate any potential impact of fluoxetine (Prozac) on long-term growth in children.
But, in the meantime it's now legally OK for kids to take it!!
Whew! What can I say?
It's bad enough for adults to take an anti-depressant drug and ignore the underlying causes and not make any effort to remove or determine the cause… At least an adult has the opportunity to say no if they have a basic understanding of what they are letting themselves into, but children? They will not be given a choice and they are the ones who will have to personally suffer the long term consequences.
Try to think back when you were eight years old. How many depressed kids do you remember seeing at school? You don't exactly have the worries of the world on your shoulders at that age, or any financial worries? Sure there are kids that have bad parents and a less than an ideal home life but that has been the case since time began. That is also a serious problem but is one which is part of general life and not 'manufactured'. Kids are generally resilient and a normal healthy kid does not suffer from depression or OCD so doesn't it make sense to look at the cause of their depression rather than forcing them to become drug dependents at such an early age?
I personally believe (and I have seen evidence to support this) that long term chronic depression is not a mental disease but rather a chronic nutrient deficiency. This deficiency is brought about by poor nutrition and exacerbated by junk food with an excess of sugar and hydrogenated fats and oils.
Apart from temporary depression brought on by external events, general depression is without doubt a physical problem brought on by nutrient deficiencies.
I'll give you some real life supporting evidence...
Six years ago the Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin, USA was out of control. The kids packed weapons, and the principles office was continually overwhelmed with discipline problems. IN 1997 a local business called Natural Ovens underwrote a Wellness and Nutrition program at the school. They contributed over $100,000 for the construction of a kitchen at the school and paid excess food bills and supplied two cooks.
Teachers as well as students were committed to the program. All soda and junk food vending machines were removed from the buildings. The menu consisted of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain breads, homemade stews and entrees. The students were also given a drink each day consisting of fruit juice, fresh fruit and freshly ground flax seeds. (Omega 3's). The changes were dramatic... improved attention, attendance and cooperation. Truancy is no longer a problem, grades are up and arguments are rare.
After four years on the program the Principle who files annual state reports states for each of the four years the rate of...
Drop outs!
Students expelled!
Students discovered to be using drugs!
Carrying weapons!
Committing suicide!
Have all been the same... ZERO!!
What does it take for people to realize what is happening around them?
The above is just one example of the impact that sensible nutrition can have on peoples depression. I have so many other examples of people who have been suffering from depression email me and tell me how their depression has 'lifted' after they have been on Total Balance for a few weeks. This is not surprising as all it does is indicate that they were experiencing a nutrient deficiency.
If you or your child or grandchild is experiencing long term depression without an obvious external cause you can just about 'bet your boots' that they have a nutrient deficiency. Have a hard look at your own diet and that of your offspring and try and toss out all refined foods and everything that contains sugar. Make sure that you all have a daily dose of fish oil or flax seed oil or, ground flax seed. Remember when you were a kid and Grandma forced you to take cod liver oil. Although she didn't know why it was good for you, it certainly was.
If you are an adult, supplement with a multi nutrient as well (not just a multi vitamin/ mineral but a comprehensive supplement).
If more people treated basic nutrition with the seriousness that it deserves we would not be running the risk of turning many of our young people into long term drug dependents. The flow on benefits in less violence and crime, not to mention avoiding the headlong rush to national medical bankruptcy would be startling.
That's my take on it for what it is worth.
In good health,
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Jeff W writes:
What's your current take on Coral Calcium? It seems to be getting a lot of good publicity.
Warren Matthews answers:
I have this question come up a lot. Although I have touched on it before briefly in this newsletter I am going to devote the next newsletter primarily about coral calcium. If you don't mind waiting till then I think it will be worth it. However, in a nutshell there are some benefits to be derived from coral calcium, but beware not all coral calcium's are the same! Some have unacceptable high levels of contaminants and PCB's. The claims are excessive and the hype is right over the top and it is not the 'cure' for all ills and does not replace a broad spectrum of nutrients. Nonetheless there is some value to be derived from this product. More in the next issue...