A Link Between Our Diets and the Rise of Autism

So, how bad is autism today? If you look at the 1960s and 70s, the number of cases of autism was just 2 to 4 cases for every 10,000 children (that’s right - 10,000 children). Today, the number is incredible! It’s grown to an alarming 1 in 36 children.

These numbers say that we’re in the middle of an epidemic and it may be solvable. There may be hope from a groundbreaking study that has uncovered a potential link between diet and autism. 

This link is connected to PUFAs in our diet. PUFA stands for polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

So, what are PUFAs? They are a type of fat found in many foods from vegetable seed oils, certain seeds and nuts, and animal meat where the animal was fed a high-PUFA diet. In the 60s and 70s linolic acid (LA) made up less than 2% of total daily caloric intake. Now, they account for over 25% of total calories.

Tied into this, chickens that are now raised in confinement barns are the highest source of LA consumption in the country. So, the idea of eating commercial chicken raised because it’s better for you may be false! 

Some of the other impacts of PUFAs include interfering with thyroid hormone utilization, affecting gut health and contributing to inflammation and metabolic issues in a child’s body.

It’s the presence of these metabolic byproducts of PUFAs breaking down being found in the umbilical cord fluid that was linked by the researchers to the severity of the child’s autism.

This is the first study to find these byproducts in women’s umbilical cords. 

The addition of vegetable oils in processed foods and in cooking have increased the consumption of PUFAs and linoleic acid (LA) in the form of omega-6 PUFAs, which is abundant in vegetable oils. 

The researchers went even further and found that it’s a specific PUFA in the umbilical cord called diHETrE that’s one of the main problems. 

The researchers also found that elevated levels in the umbilical cord were linked to higher ADHA scores during the person’s childhood as well as cognitive impairments in the children.

The damage goes even further if the woman decides to breast feed her child. If she’s consuming a large amount of PUFAs they will wind up in her breast milk. As a matter of fact, the researchers found that 2 or 3 days of moving to a higher level of PUFAs in the diet increased the amount in the mother’s breast milk from 8 to 10% to 42%!

What can a mother do? She can switch to a diet that uses fat sources that are richer in saturated fats which means that they are lower in PUFAs. Also, limit vegetable oils in the diet and processed foods, as well as nuts and seeds.

You can find some companies that specialize in creating low PUFA eggs, port, beef, cheese and dairy products. Two are Angel Acres Egg Co and Nourish Cooperative.

So…even if you’re not pregnant or you’re a man, look at reducing the PUFAs as much as you can.

(Reported Mercola.com, August 20, 2024)

 

What If Teens Went Smartphone-Free for a Month?

Imagine a world where teenagers can’t use their smartphones for an entire month. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, right? The idea might seem radical, but a British journalist, Decca Aitkenhead, put it to the test with his teenage sons and eight of their friends. The experiment was more than just a digital detox—it included a two-day unsupervised camping trip away from their parents. What did they discover? The results were surprising.

The Unexpected Benefits of Going Smartphone-Free

Initially, the teens struggled with the lack of constant connectivity. Many were anxious about missing out on social media, notifications, and digital entertainment. However, as the days went by, they started to experience unforeseen benefits.

A Shift in Perspective

One of the most profound observations was the teens' newfound resilience and joy. With smartphones out of the picture, they had to navigate the world differently, leading to personal growth and a deeper appreciation for real-world interactions. One participant even reflected, “You’ll never say on your deathbed, ‘I wish I’d spent more time on my phone.’”

The Impact on Mental Health

The timing of this experiment is crucial. Rates of anxiety and depression among Gen Z have surged since smartphones and social media became ubiquitous in the early 2010s. Researcher Jonathan Haidt notes that this era has fundamentally reshaped childhood, impacting self-concept and social skills. Increased self-harm, suicide attempts, and feelings of loneliness among teens highlight the need for solutions.

The Experiment Details

During the experiment, teens were allowed only one hour of smartphone use per day, restricted to calls and texts. Boys typically used their phones for Snapchat, Spotify, and sports videos, while girls spent more time on social media platforms. The latter had a more significant negative impact on mental health and self-image.

The camping trip without their phones was a test of independence. Researchers noted that the teens’ competencies appeared to advance by about two years in just 36 hours, marking a significant development in a short period. Many struggled with free play and self-sufficiency but ultimately found the experience enriching.

Insights and Recommendations

The experiment’s outcomes led researchers to several key recommendations for managing smartphone use among teens:

1. No Smartphones Before High School: Allow flip phones or basic cell phones instead.

2. Delay Social Media: No accounts until age 16.

3. Phone-Free Schools: Implement restricted or zero use during school hours.

4. Encourage Independence: Foster free play and responsibility.

Researchers also suggest involving multiple families in similar experiments to normalize the experience and reduce feelings of isolation. Starting with gradual changes, like a day or two without smartphones, can be a good way to ease into a more balanced digital life.

Time to Reevaluate?

The experiment highlights a critical opportunity: reevaluating our relationship with technology and its impact on our youth. It may be time to consider these changes and prioritize a healthier, more balanced lifestyle for our teens.

For more insights into this topic, visit  www.theanxiousgeneration.com.
(Reported by Childrens Health Defense)

Protecting Yourself From The Pollution From All The Forest Fires

 Around the United States and Canada, forest fires are burning. They are creating blankets of smoke which can lead to burning lungs and all kinds of other damage to our bodies.

Researchers have been looking at the particulate matter coming off of these wildfires. They have labeled it PM2.5 and have been reporting on all the damage it can do to us because it’s able to penetrate deep into a person’s lungs. 

This exposure can lead to all kinds of health problems, such as:

* Increase in heart attacks

* Increase in strokes

*Alzheimer's disease

So how can you protect yourself? While you want to stay indoors as much as you can, these PM2.5 particles can get into our homes, so we are exposed to it. 

There’s an environmental group, Earth Justice, which has come up with a hack that you can do yourself to protect you in your house. 

So, the first thing you’ll need to do is buy one or more box fans depending on how large your house is. Next, you’ll need to buy the kind of furnace filter that you use to protect your furnace or air conditioner. You can just measure the dimensions of the box fan and go to a hardware store and purchase a filter that will cover the back of the box fan. It will probably be a 20”x20”x1” furnace filter. You also want to get one that is labeled MERV 13 or FPR 10.

A MERV 13 filter is pleated and can trap at least 85% of particles that are 1.0 micron or larger, and at least 50% of particles in the 0.3–1.0 micron range. It can also remove some viruses and bacteria. 

FPR 10 is a rating on the Home Depot's Air Filter Performance Rating (FPR) system, which indicates that an air filter can capture household dust, lint, dust mites, pollen, pet dander, bacteria, mold spores, smoke, smog, microscopic allergens, and virus carriers. FPR ratings range from 4–10, with higher numbers indicating better filtration. This means that the FPR 10 is the top of the line for filtration.

You’ll also need to buy duct tape if you don’t have it (you can use a couple of bungee cords instead) because you’ll need to tape the filter (or you can use your bungee cords) to the back of the box fan.

Place the box fan in an unobstructed area and turn it on!

You’ll also want to keep your doors closed as much so you can keep new smoke from getting into your home.
(Reported Earthjustice, earthjustice.org)

How to Slow the Aging Process

Our internal clock is ticking on our aging. Are there things we can do to have it go slower and also reduce the risks of developing dementia?

The answer from researchers at Columbia University is yes and it’s all about our diet!

The researchers accessed the Framingham Heart Study which has been tracking people in Framingham, MA since 1948. This means they had real lives with data to look at.

What they did in this study was to analyze data from 1,644 participants who were older than 60. They took blood samples from them. The participants also had physical exams and neuro-cognition tests every four to seven years.

During the study 140 of the participants developed dementia and 471 died. When they looked at what reduced the risk of dying and also developing dementia, the researchers found the Mediterranean diet was the key element in the differences.

The closer a person followed the Mediterranean diet the greater the reduction in dementia and premature death. The dementia risk dropped 27 percent and the death risk dropped an amazing 57 percent.

The Mediterranean diet is a plant-based diet that focuses on unprocessed cereals, legumes, vegetables and fruits. There is a moderate consumption of fish, dairy products (cheese and yogurt) and a small amount of read meat. Olive oil is also an important element in the diet.

So…if you want to live longer, just imagine yourself enjoying meals by the Mediterranean Sea, savoring the benefits of a healthier, longer life.
(Reported Annals of Neurology, 2024)

Relationship Between Sugar and Cancer

This is going to be a sensitive topic since many of us eat a lot of sugar even when we’re not putting teaspoons full into our food. This is because sugar is hidden in most of the ultra-processed foods we eat. Not only that but there are different names for sugar that manufacturers will use as a way of hiding the real amount of sugar.

The average American consumes about 57 lbs. of sugar annually. The sugar is broken down in the body into glucose, which is essential for energy production. However, this breakdown also produces methylglyoxal (MGO), a substance known to disrupt cellular function.

Normally, enzymes in the body break down MGO into less harmful substances. The trouble comes when excessive sugar overwhelms these defenses, leading to increased MGO levels in the bloodstream. This influx can accelerate damage to the DNA in our cells.

While our cells possess two tumor-suppressing genes designed to protect against such damage, some individuals inherit faulty versions of these genes, making them more vulnerable to MGO's harmful effects.

It's also crucial to note that for cancer to develop, both tumor-suppressing genes must be permanently switched off. Recent research indicates that high sugar intake and elevated MGO levels in the body can silence these protective genes, potentially paving the way for cancerous growth.

Plussing the process for the tumor cells is that the tumor cells thrive on glucose, forming a dangerous cycle where increased sugar consumption leads to more MGO production, further compromising our genetic defenses against cancer.

Adding to this complex equation are environmental factors, such as, smoking, radiation, pollution, and the consumption of ultra-processed foods which are rich in sugar. According to researchers from Stony Brook University, up to 90% of cancers may be attributed to these environmental factors.

The good news is that we can exert more control over our cancer risk than previously believed. By reducing our intake of ultra-processed foods and added sugars, we can significantly lower our chances of developing cancer.

So…pass the sugar (not!).

(Reported WDDTY, May/June 2024)

A Different Teplitz Blurb from What I Usually Send

You are probably not aware that about 8 months ago I joined the Masgutova Foundation as a member of their Board of Directors. For years I have known about them and the powerful work that they do using the concept of the body’s reflexes to make dramatic changes in how people function from very young babies and children to adults.

The work is basically mind blowing in its effectiveness (and I don’t say this lightly!).

The reason I’m writing to you about this is because July is National Disability Awareness Month, and the Board of Directors of the Foundation, which is a not-for-profit organization, has decided to launch a fundraising campaign to raise support and awareness of the powerful work the organization does helping babies, children and adults overcome their disabilities in very powerful ways. 

As a not-for-profit we need to raise money to keep us going and fund our projects.

The Foundation even has a Graduate School offering an MS Degree, and we are working to educate the world about why this method is so powerful and effective. The school is teaching the science of reflexes and the research that supports neurodevelopment while also instilling in the students their desire to do their own research.

To show you how powerful this work is, here’s a link to a video of a parent talking about how this work has affected her child’s life: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/o_CaSpzX1hY 

I thought it would also be helpful for you to hear directly from the founder of this work - Dr. Svetlana Masgutova:

“The Masgutova Graduate School of NeuroDevelopmental Sciences (MSG) was created to help as many children and adults in need as possible - to help those who are experiencing neurophysiological deficits, developmental disorders, genetic disorders, learning difficulties, post-traumatic stress disorder, professional burnout, and more. 

In just a few short years, we have already created a globally unique educational and training platform for teaching current and future generations of professionals the science of Neurodevelopment using natural (non-pharmaceutical) methods for developing healthy growth using reflex patterns.

The future growth of MGS needs your support. This support will mean the further development of the Graduate School so that it can help people and families in need. We can also help people in sports, business, arts, as well as first responders, and those who have been affected by catastrophes and natural disasters. 

Our organization is one of “Thinking Globally,” “Acting for Real-life Situations,” “with the Most Human Individualized Approach.” Our Masgutova Method has a record of proven, highly effective results working with children and adults with extremely severe physical diagnoses along with survivors of traumas, wars, shootings, floods, wildfires, and other catastrophes. 

One example of the impact of this work occurred when our specialists traveled to help and support those affected by the wildfire in Maui. In one of the last visits, four specialists gave individual sessions to over 100 people and workshops for over 200 people who had suffered from the fires and who had lost family members and their homes.

Your support now will fund future projects such as the opening of the IRB Research Committee and the development of a Ph.D. degree. The Masgutova Foundation needs your help for the future to happen - now and for the development of future real-results-driven methods.

I invite you to make a difference for those who are in need of our help and support so they can have a future. Please donate to support our Masgutova Foundation and Graduate School so that “Together, Let’s Make Our World a Better Place.”

This is Jerry again. So, I’m doing something I’ve never done in my Blurb. If you’ve enjoyed reading the Blurb, then I would personally appreciate it if you would be willing to make a donation at DONATE | Masgutova Foundation

I’d also like you to consider going one step further by SPREADING THE WORD to your family, friends and business relationships about this powerful work! 

If you’d like to have more information about the organization, you can go to www.MasgutovaFoundation.com.

To have information you can email to other in your network, you can go to https://www.masgutovafoundation.org/engage.

Thank you for allowing me to do something I’ve never done before and that’s to really ask you to not only make a donation, but to share this information with others.

If you have questions or would like to discuss more about what the organization does, please email me at info@teplitz.com.

Next week, I’ll return with the breaking info that I send you about Health and Wellness.

Thanks in advance for your generosity, 

Jerry V. Teplitz, JD, PhD

Why Diversity is Important in Health Care

Does it matter what the color of your health care professional’s skin is? Does it affect
heath outcomes in patients?

The quick answer is yes it does and let me explain even further.

There’s a medical school where I live in the Virginia Beach, Va area called Eastern Virginia
Medical School (EVMS). This year it is celebrating 50 years of operation.

One of its purposes is to serve the local communities many of which are Black or other minority 
groups. It also actively recruits persons of color both as staff and as students. 

As a matter of fact, U.S. News & World Report’s 2023-2024 rankings found that EVMS is the 
most diverse medical school in Virginia with 22% of their medical students identifying as part of
a racial or ethnic minority. 

This is a big deal when you consider that only about 8% of Virginia’s 22,800 active physicians 
identify as African American. 

So why would having a doc be the same color as the patient be important?

The research studies that have been done show why …
They show a reduction in infant mortality, greater patient adherence to healthcare guidelines,
Higher patient satisfaction and better understanding of cancer risks.
They even found for every 10% increase in the number of Black primary care physicians results in
an increase in Black patients increasing their longevity by 30.6 days.

At EVMS, they have also found that having diversity in the school population gave students and faculty
a better understanding of cultural differences.

So…it’s simple. The more diversity the better the health outcomes of the people that EVMS serves.

If other medical schools adopted this approach, you’d be talking about a major improvement in 
health care outcomes!
(Reported EVMS Magazine, Issue 16.1)