Oxidated Stress

Oxidative stress represents an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system's ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Disturbances in the normal redox state of cells can cause toxic effects through the production of peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. Further, some reactive oxidative species act as cellular messengers in redox signaling. Thus, oxidative stress can cause disruptions in normal mechanisms of cellular signaling.

In humans, oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the development of many diseases or may exacerbate their symptoms. These include cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, atherosclerosis, heart failure, myocardial infarction, Schizophrenia; Bipolar disorder, fragile X syndrome, Sickle Cell Disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, reactive oxygen species can be beneficial, as they are used by the immune system as a way to attack and kill pathogens. Short-term oxidative stress may also be important in prevention of aging by induction of a process named mitohormesis.

Oxidative stress and Down syndrome

People with Down syndrome, develop a syndrome of dementia that has the same characteristics of Alzheimer’s disease that occurs in individuals without Down syndrome. The only difference is that Alzheimer’s disease occurs much earlier in people with Down syndrome; patients with Down syndrome begin to have symptoms in their late 40s or early 50s.

Most (and maybe all) people with Down syndrome develop the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, Alzheimer’s disease is not more common in individuals with intellectual disabilities from causes other than Down syndrome. An estimated 10%-25% of patients with Down syndrome have Alzheimer’s disease at age 40-49 years, 20%-50% have Alzheimer’s disease at age 50-59 years, and 60%-75% have Alzheimer’s disease when older than 60 years of age. Alzheimer’s disease decreases survival in people with Down syndrome who are older than 45 years of age.

Increased conditions of oxidative stress are caused by the overexpression of some of the genes encoded by Chr21. Among these, amyloid precursor protein (APP), copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1), and beta secretase (BACE2) can directly or indirectly lead to OS.

Putative adaptation to OS in down syndrome. OS occurs early in DS pathogenesis and progression. Accumulation of oxidative damage leads to severe phenotypes while the induction of compensatory mechanisms in response to chronic OS could result in “adaptation” and could contribute to improve the life span of DS subjects.

Down syndrome (DS) is one of the most frequent genetic abnormalities characterized by multiple pathological phenotypes. Indeed, currently life expectancy and quality of life for DS patients have improved, although with increasing age pathological dysfunctions are exacerbated and intellectual disability may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s type dementia (AD). The neuropathology of DS is complex and includes the development of AD by middle age, altered free radical metabolism, and impaired mitochondrial function, both of which contribute to neuronal degeneration. Understanding the molecular basis that drives the development of AD is an intense field of research. Laboratories are interested in understanding the role of oxidative stress as link between DS and AD. Current literature shows oxidative damage in DS by identifying putative molecular pathways that play a central role in the neurodegenerative processes. In addition, considering the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative phenomena, results demonstrating the involvement of impaired mitochondria in DS pathology could contribute a direct link between normal aging and development of AD-like dementia in DS patients.

Oxidation" is the chemist's term for the process of removing electrons from an atom or molecule. The result of this change can be destructive - rusting iron is a familiar result of oxidation. Here, oxygen is the responsible agent, but other oxidizing agents, such as chlorine, can be as harsh.

Although we need oxygen to live, high concentrations of it are actually corrosive and toxic. We obtain energy by burning fuel with oxygen - that is, by combining digested food with oxygen from the air we breathe. This is a controlled metabolic process that, unfortunately, also generates dangerous byproducts. These include free radicals - electronically unstable atoms or molecules capable of stripping electrons from any other molecules they meet in an effort to achieve stability. In their wake they create even more unstable molecules that then attack their neighbors in domino-like chain reactions.

By the time a free radical chain fizzles out, it may have ripped through vital components of cells like a tornado, causing extensive damage, similar to that caused by ionizing radiation.

Oxidative stress is the total burden placed on organisms by the constant production of free radicals in the normal course of metabolism plus whatever other pressures the environment brings to bear (natural and artificial radiation, toxins in air, food and water; and miscellaneous sources of oxidizing activity, such as tobacco smoke).

Our bodies aren't helpless in the face of these assaults. We have defenses against oxidative stress in the form of physical barriers to contain free radicals at their sites of production within cells; enzymes that neutralize dangerously reactive forms of oxygen; substances in our diets (such as vitamin C and vitamin E) that can "quench" free radicals by donating electrons to them and cutting off the chain reactions early in their course; repair mechanisms to take care of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins and membranes; and complex stress responses that include programmed cell suicide if damage is too great.

A good case can be made for the notion that health depends on a balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses. Aging and age-related diseases reflect the inability of our antioxidant defenses to cope with oxidative stress over time. The good news is that with strong antioxidant defenses, long life without disease should be possible.

Examples of food-based antioxidants

Antioxidant supplements

Studies have shown that antioxidants supplements do not replicate the action of antioxidants from food.
More research is needed before, say, Vitamin C supplements can be advised to prevent cancer.

• Vitamins: vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene.
• Trace elements that are components of antioxidant enzymes, such as selenium, copper, zinc and manganese.
• Non-nutrients such as ubiquinone (coenzyme Q) and phenolic compounds, such as phytoestrogens, flavonoids, phenolic acids and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), which is used as a food preservative.

Foods and antioxidants

 

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a pigment called lycopene that is responsible for their red colour but is also a powerful antioxidant.
Tomatoes in all their forms are a major source of lycopene, including tomato products like canned tomatoes, tomato soup, tomato juice and even ketchup.
Lycopene is also highly concentrated in watermelon.

 

Citrus fruits

Oranges, grapefruit, lemons and limes possess many natural substances that appear to be important in disease protection, such as carotenoids, flavonoids, terpenes, limonoids and coumarins.
Together these phytochemicals act more powerfully than if they were given separately.
It's always better to eat the fruit whole in its natural form, because some of the potency is lost when the juice is extracted.

 

Tea

Black tea, green tea and oolong teas have antioxidant properties. All three varieties come from the plant Camellia sinenis.
Common brands of black tea do contain antioxidants, but by far the most potent source is green tea (jasmine tea) which contains the antioxidant catechin.

1. Black tea has only 10 per cent as many antioxidants as green tea.
2. Oolong tea has 40 per cent as many antioxidants as green tea.

This because some of the catechins are destroyed when green tea is processed (baked and fermented) to make black tea.

 

Carrots

Beta-carotene is an orange pigment that was isolated from carrots 150 years ago.
It is found concentrated in deep orange and green vegetables (the green chlorophyll covers up the orange pigment).
Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that has been much discussed in connection with lung cancer rates. The evidence is conflicting, with one study showing an increase in risk, but further research is being done to see if it has a protective effect.

After speaking to a DAN doctor with Arkansas Children's Hospital I will follow Emmalin's antioxidant levels through urinalysis.  Currently there are people with ACH working on oxidated stress in the autism community but not in the Down syndrome community.  I strongly encourage you to speak to your PCP and genetic doctors regarding OS and the use of antioxidants with your little one.

Update 2-21-14

New research from ACH autism clinic. It relates both genetic and environment influences to autism, which in turn causing mitochondrial dysfunction. Therefore, the body can not respond to oxidative stress as it should. This is why we do not have chemicals in our home for cleaning, washing, (everything non toxic or homemade) ...and why it is so important for children to have a healthy diet. If you can not control the body's reaction to oxidative stress, then controlling what contributes to the stress will help. We also supplement with additional antioxidants in our vitamins, as well as using black cherry juice, goji berries and many other things that are naturally high in antioxidants. Organic foods when possible decrease exposures to many chemicals. There are so many things you can do to help your children by implementing changes now to strengthen their immune system and decrease unnecessary exposures.

http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0085436#close

 

To The New Mother Of A Child With Down Syndrome

I came across this amazing post about becoming a mother to a child with Down syndrome.  I have read many interpretations of how it feels and although some are close they are just not always spot on.  We all have our own stories and we all have our own emotions tied to the day of the diagnosis.  After only a year on this journey I have learned some great lessons.  The most important lesson learned is not to feel guilty about the way I felt then, I am here and I am RIGHT NOW and I am in an amazing place with God, my family and with Down syndrome.  My life changed one  summer day in June and thank God it did.

 

 

   
Meeting Her

I remember the feeling.
That first meeting with another family farther along the path of Down syndrome after the birth of our child with the same diagnosis.
I remember fear and fascination.
Fear of the child four or five years old who’s eyes mirrored my baby’s. She shouldn’t have looked like him. I birthed her. She should have resembled me.
Fascination, as I watched his sister play with him; he hit her, she cried, mother reprimanded. So common, so usual, so family. Things I thought we may have lost with the appearance of an extra chromosome.
I cried quietly for two hours while visiting this dear little boy and his family. They loved him. They cherished him. He played games, and communicated with his hands and with his voice. He chowed down on his lunch.
But still, I cried, because this path wasn’t my choice. At my point of weakness his mother appeared strong. I was an anthill. She, a mountain. I clutched my baby to my chest, each second teetering between relief and uncertainty.
His mother was gracious, tender. We whispered to each other as her children played nearby. ”I love him. Our life is good. Really. It is.”
Her smiling eyes met mine.
I looked away.
I loved my baby.
But that day I did not love Down syndrome. It was too big, too unknown.

 

Meeting Her

Your husband contacted us last week.  We scheduled dinner.  The following days you kept popping up in my mind.  A mother forced to move from a typical parenting landscape to some place new, a place everyone claimed was special.  If you are anything like me, shocked by a culture wildly unknown and unsolicited.
“Mom, why are you cleaning up around the house, and making us all put on fresh shirts and brush our hair?” Elaina asked as I set the table. “You usually don’t make such a big deal out of dinner guests.”
Several responses queued on my tongue. Instead, in a brief moment of clarity, understanding that Elaina would learn more from the truth, I responded.
“Because, this family had a baby a few months ago with Down syndrome and I want them to feel welcome. I want them to see that we are happy, and that Papa and I treasure all four of our girls. I want them to see that we are OK.”
Your family arrived. We cooed over both of your children. I held your new baby in my arms. He smelled like sunshine.
His eyes mirrored my daughter’s.
I held your little one to my chest as our children played close by. Polly hit Zoya. Zoya cried which made Evie cry, and Elaina played on the floor with your son.
You probably aren’t excited to be a part of our special needs club. I have to tell you, though, welcoming you into my home was like welcoming family.
You teared up as you talked about your love for your son. “Down syndrome is something different. It’s a lot to take in.”
Oh, how I know.
I am a bit farther down your new path. Give yourself time to fall in love with your son, and to get used to Down syndrome. Breathe in his baby smell. Watch how his brother kisses the top of his head, how your husband gently puts him down to sleep, how your baby locks eyes with you when he eats. The weight of the world is in those eyes.
Today, you don’t have to love Down syndrome. Just love your son.
And know that we, other parents in this very special club, are here when you need us and that someday, you will be the one looking a new mother in the eye saying,
“Our life is good. Really. It is.”



Courtesy of an amazing mother who adopted a loving child from Reece's Rainbow Down Syndrome Adoption Ministry.  You can follow her story at http://www.gillianmarchenko.com/.






Reece's Rainbow

The mission of Reece's Rainbow is to rescue orphans with Down syndrome through the gift of adoption, to raise awareness for all of the children who are waiting in 25 countries around the world, and to raise funds as adoption grants that help adoptive families afford the high cost of adopting these beautiful children.  Please show your support by visiting http://reecesrainbow.org/.

Vision Therapy

 

 Vision therapy is a type of physical therapy for the eyes and brain.  It is a highly effective non-surgical treatment for many common visual problems such as lazy eye, crossed eyes, double vision, convergence insufficiency and some reading and learning disabilities. Many patients who have been told, "it's too late," or "you'll have to learn to live with it" have benefited from vision therapy.

 

In the case of learning disabilities, vision therapy is specifically directed toward resolving visual problems which interfere with reading, learning and educational instruction. Optometrists do not claim that vision therapy is a direct treatment for learning disabilities.

Vision therapy is –

• a progressive program of vision "exercises" or procedures;
• performed under doctor supervision;
• individualized to fit the visual needs of each patient;
• generally conducted in-office, in once or twice weekly sessions of 30 minutes to an hour;
• occasionally supplemented with procedures done at home between office visits ("home reinforcement" or "homework");
• depending on the case, the procedures are prescribed to:
• help patients develop or improve fundamental visual skills and abilities;
• improve visual comfort, ease, and efficiency;
• change how a patient processes or interprets visual information.

Vision Therapy Is Not Just Eye Exercises

Unlike other forms of exercise, the goal of Vision Therapy is not to strengthen eye muscles. Your eye muscles are already incredibly strong. Vision Therapy is not to be confused with any self-directed self-help program of eye exercises which is or has been marketed to the public.

In-office Vision Therapy is supervised by optometric vision care professionals and many types of specialized and/or medical equipment can be used in Optometric Vision Therapy programs, such as:

• corrective lenses (regulated medical devices);
• therapeutic lenses (regulated medical devices);
• prism lenses (regulated medical devices);
• optical filters;
• occluders or eye patches
• electronic targets with timing mechanisms;
• computer software;
• balance boards (vestibular device)
• visual-motor-sensory integration training devices
• the first step in any Vision Therapy program is a comprehensive vision examination. Following a thorough evaluation, a qualified vision care professional can advise the candidate as to whether Vision Therapy would be appropriate treatment.

1. Dr Justin Franks in Bryant, AR (501) 847-9797
2. Dr Franklin  in North Little Rock, AR (501) 758-9500
3. http://www.visiontherapy.org/

I Promise...

In honor of our daughter on her 1st birthday we dedicate this website to her for taking us on this amazing journey.  This is our contribution to our new family of special friends and children.


To our daughter:

I promise to always love you, keep you safe and hold you tight,

for you are a tiny miracle, so precious in my sight.

I promise I will smile with pride, at the "firsts" in life you do,

from your first steps, to your first tooth, to your first day of school.

I promise I will teach you, what is important in this life,

to love one another, and to always do what's right.

I promise to be an example, as I am raising you,

so you will see that what I say, is exactly what I do.

I promise I will take the time, just for you and me,

to count the stars in the sky, and build castles by the sea.

I promise I will visit, your teachers at your school,

attend your special programs, and be proud of all you do.

I promise I will help you, improve your homework scores,

and hang all your beautiful pictures on the refrigerator door.

I promise I will meet your friends, and watch you play and run,

have special birthday parties, and count memories one by one.

I promise when you're a teenager, I will try to understand,

when you wear a different hairstyle or follow the latest trend.

I promise life's not easy, it's sometimes hard to make it through,

but I promise you, I will be there to do what I can do.

I promise when you're all grown up, I will look back, and say,

"dear precious little child of mine...how did the time slip away."

Written by Judith Bulock Morse

Happy Birthday and We Love You,
Mom and Dad