Among dietary factors, learning and behavior are influenced not only by nutrients, but also by exposure to toxic food contaminants such as mercury that can disrupt metabolic processes and alter neuronal plasticity. 

Neurons lacking in plasticity are a factor in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and mental retardation. Essential nutrients help maintain normal neuronal plasticity. Nutritional deficiencies, including deficiencies in the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, the amino acid methionine, and the trace minerals zinc and selenium, have been shown to influence neuronal function and produce defects in neuronal plasticity, as well as impact behavior in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. 

Nutritional deficiencies and mercury exposure have been shown to alter neuronal function and increase oxidative stress among children with autism. These dietary factors may be directly related to the development of behavior disorders and learning disabilities. 

Mercury, either individually or in concert with other factors, may be harmful if ingested in above average amounts or by sensitive individuals. High fructose corn syrup has been shown to contain trace amounts of mercury as a result of some manufacturing processes, and its consumption can also lead to zinc loss. Consumption of certain artificial food color additives has also been shown to lead to zinc deficiency. Dietary zinc is essential for maintaining the metabolic processes required for mercury elimination.

Since high fructose corn syrup and artificial food color additives are common ingredients in many foodstuffs, their consumption should be considered in those individuals with nutritional deficits such as zinc deficiency or who are allergic or sensitive to the effects of mercury or unable to effectively metabolize and eliminate it from the body. 

Reference:

Dufault R, Schnoll R, Lukiw WJ, Leblanc B, Cornett C, Patrick L, Wallinga D, Gilbert SG, Crider R., Mercury exposure, nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disruptions may affect learning in children, Behav. Brain Funct. 2009 Oct 27;5(1):44.

A new study in China has found that people with higher levels of pesticide exposure are more likely to have suicidal thoughts. The study was carried out by Dr Robert Stewart from the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College London together with scientists from Tongde Hospital Zhejiang Province. 

The agricultural pesticides commonly used in China are organophosphates which are in wide use in many lower income countries but have been banned in many Western nations. It is well known that they are very dangerous if ingested as an overdose but there is also biological evidence that chronic low-grade exposure to these chemicals, which are very easily absorbed into the body through the skin and lungs, may have adverse effects on mental health. This study is the first epidemiological evidence to suggest possible effects on suicidal thoughts. 

The study was carried out in central/coastal China, a relatively wealthy area with a rapidly developing economy. In a very large survey of mental health in rural community residents, participants were also asked about how they stored pesticides. The study found that people who stored pesticides at home, i.e. those with more exposure, were more likely to report recent suicidal thoughts. Supporting this, the survey also found suicidal thoughts to be associated with how easily accessible these pesticides were in the home and that the geographic areas with highest home storage of pesticides also had highest levels of suicidal thoughts in their populations. 

Given the high level of pesticide exposure and the high suicide risk in rural China, clarification of the causal mechanisms underlying this association and the development of appropriate interventions should be priorities for public health and health policy. 

Dr Robert Stewart comments: ‘Organophosphate pesticides are widely used around the world although are banned in many countries because of their risk to health. They are particularly lethal chemicals when taken in overdose and are a cause of many suicides worldwide. Our research findings that suggest that higher exposure to these chemicals might actually increase the risk of suicidal thoughts provides further support for calls for tighter international restrictions on agricultural pesticide availability and use.’

Dr Jianmin Zhang, Associate Chief Psychiatrist, Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, and Vice Director, Zhejiang Office of Mental Health, China added: “The findings of this study suggested potential causal links and might partially account for the much higher incidence of suicide in rural than urban areas of China. However, further studies particularly with more precisely defined and assessed exposure are critically needed, as awareness of safer access to pesticides is important both to policy-makers and pesticide users.”

Reference: King’s College London, Pesticides exposure linked to suicidal thoughts, October 22, 2009  

Notes:

Pesticide exposure and suicidal ideation in rural communities in Zhejiang province, China by Jianmin Zhang, Robert Stewart, Michael Phillips, Qichang Shi & Martin Prince was published in the October issue of the WHO Bulletin. The full article can be accessed on http://www.who.int/bulletin/volumes/87/10/08-054122.pdf 

The analysis involved data from a survey of a representative sample of 9,811 rural residents in Zhejiang province who had been asked about the storage of pesticides at home and about whether or not they had considered suicide within the two years before the interview. The Chinese version of the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) was administered to screen for mental disorder.

Eva Caballé “Eva’s No Fun Blogspot“ from Spain reports:

Few days ago I discovered that my blog had some visitors from this Japanese website, a blog done by Prof. Masumi Yamamuro of Tokyo University. When I read this post, I discovered that it was my article “The Naked Truth about MCS” in Japanese and they mentioned that it had been translated by Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP) and I decided to write them. Takeshi Yasuma, from Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP), explained me that he found my article at The Canary Report and he immediately translated it into Japanese with the subtitle “Cry of Spanish MCS Patient’s Heart”, because he was very impressed by it. He published the Japanese version of my article in Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution website last August and also in the September issue of their monthly newsletter.

I also asked him about MCS situation in Japan, and now, with his permission, I post the part of his email where he explained it and I also reprint CACP’s mission.

Takeshi Yasuma wrote:

There is good news.

On October 1, 2009, the Medical Information System Development Center (MEDIS-DC), a subsidiary organization of Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) published the revised list of ICD-10 Japanese Standard Disease Code Master in which MCS is categorized in T65.9: Toxic effect of other and unspecified substances / Toxic effect of unspecified substance.

It has been now clearly recognized in Japan that MCS is NOT a mental disease but a physical disease.

This decision is welcomed by MCS patients and their supporters and they expect the possible coverage of MCS by health insurance, but so far it remains uncertain whether or how it will change.

Patients and their supporters will take actions for calling on Japanese government to give urgent supports for MCS patients including coverage of MCS by health insurance, strengthening medical services, financial support for livelihood and provision of safer houses.

On October 31 at Tokyo, we will hold a MCS symposium celebrating the recognition and calling on Japanese government to take further measures for MCS.

CACP’s Mission:

To provide information to the public and take action necessary for protecting human health and environment from harmful chemicals based on Precautionary Principle and Environmental Justice.

Main Activities:

• To issue monthly newsletter [PICO].
• To issue weekly mail service.
• To provide information at our website.
• To publish books and booklets related to environmental health.
• To propose our policies to the Japanese Government and local governments.
• To hold seminars for citizens on protecting human health and environment.

I want to thank to Takeshi Yasuma for translating my article, for letting me publish all this information about MCS in Japan and also for asking me to write a message to MCS patients and their supporters to be presented at the MCS symposium. It will be an honour to me!

Author: Eva Caballé, Eva’s No Fun Blogspot

Thank you very much Eva! Big Hug, Silvia

NOTES:

• Original post in Spanish and English by Eva Caballé at No Fun Blogspot
• Post translated into German by Silvia K. Müller and published at CSN Blog
• Post translated into Japanese by Takeshi Yasuma and published at Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution website (October 7, 2009).
• Post linked at The Canary Report (October 8, 2009).

Surprisingly little is known about the effects of big-city air pollution on olfactory function and even less about its effects on the intranasal trigeminal system, which elicits sensations like burning, stinging, pungent, or fresh and contributes to the overall chemosensory experience. 

Using the Sniffin’ Sticks olfactory test battery and an established test for intranasal trigeminal perception, we compared the olfactory performance and trigeminal sensitivity of residents of Mexico City, a region with high air pollution, with the performance of a control population from the Mexican state of Tlaxcala, a geographically comparable but less polluted region. 

We compared the ability of 30 young adults from each location to detect a rose-like odor (2-phenyl ethanol), to discriminate between different odorants, and to identify several other common odorants. The control subjects from Tlaxcala detected 2-phenyl ethanol at significantly lower concentrations than the Mexico City subjects, they could discriminate between odorants significantly better, and they performed significantly better in the test of trigeminal sensitivity. 

We conclude that Mexico City air pollution impairs olfactory function and intranasal trigeminal sensitivity, even in otherwise healthy young adults. 

Reference:    Guarneros M, Hummel T, Martínez-Gómez M, Hudson R., Mexico City Air Pollution Adversely Affects Olfactory Function and Intranasal Trigeminal Sensitivity, Chem Senses. 2009 Oct 9.

Gluten-free diet a must for children with celiac disease 

Celiac disease (CD) is an inherited intestinal disorder characterized by life-long intolerance to the ingestion of gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley. Although CD can be diagnosed at any age, it commonly occurs during early childhood (between 9 and 24 months). Reduced bone mineral density is often found in individuals with CD. A new article in the journal Nutrition Reviews examines the literature on the topic and reveals that a gluten-free diet can affect children’s recovery. 

Metabolic bone disease remains a significant and common complication of CD. Reduced bone mineral density can lead to the inability to develop optimal bone mass in children and the loss of bone in adults, both of which increase the risk of osteoporosis. There also exists an additional risk of fracture in people with CD. 

However, evidence suggests that a gluten-free diet (GFD) promotes a rapid increase in bone mineral density that leads to complete recovery of bone mineralization in children. A GFD improves, although rarely normalizes, bone mineral density in adults. Children may attain normal peak bone mass if the diagnosis is made and treatment is given before puberty, thereby preventing osteoporosis in later life. 

Also, nutritional supplements consisting of calcium and vitamin D seem to increase the bone mineral density of children and adolescents with CD. 

“Our findings reinforce the importance of a strict gluten-free diet, which remains the only scientific proven treatment for celiac disease to date,” the authors conclude. “Early diagnosis and therapy are critical in preventing celiac disease complications, like reduced bone mineral density.” 

Reference: Wiley-Blackwell, Gluten-free diet reduces bone problems in children with celiac disease, October 8, 2009