Medical Treatment of Down Syndrome and Genetic Diseases

This is an extremely rare book. “Vitamin therapy in Down syndrome began in 1940, when Henry Turkel, MD, of Detroit became interested in treating the metabolic disorders of Down syndrome with a mixture of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, digestive enzymes, lipotropic nutrients, glutamic acid, thyroid hormone, antihistamines, nasal decongestants, and a diuretic. By the 1950s he had devoted his practice almost entirely to Down syndrome patients, of whom he kept exceptionally detailed records, including serial photographs of their progress. Conventional medicine ignored Dr. Turkel and he eventually retired and moved to Israel. Turkel clearly demonstrated that one of the ‘worst’ genetic defects - trisomy, leading to Down syndrome - could be modified though what is largely a nutritional program with moderately high-dose supplements. The program never corrected the basic genetic defects in Down syndrome, of course, but it did correct much of the collateral biochemical consequences, leading to improvements in cognition, physical health, and appearance. Turkel was probably the first to show that nutrition could improve genetic programming, and that genetic predeterminism was limited.” (Jack Challem) Dr. Turkel had the nerve to make his claims when everyone ‘knew’ that children with genetic defects could not possibly be treated successfully. (Abram Hoffer, M.D.) I know Dr. Turkel, and I can testify to his sincerity and conviction. The results that he reports are striking. There is evidence that the patients would receive significant benefit. (Linus Pauling, Ph.D.) PART I MEDICAL TREATMENT OF DOWN SYNDROME Acknowledgements v Introductory Chapter, L.Pauling, Ph.D. 1 Author's Statement 3 Commentary, 1976, B. Rimland, Ph.D. 7 I Evelyn and Judy 11 II Cataracts in DS 36 III Other DS Patients 46 IV Other Retarded Patients 74 V Mental Retardation 94 VI "U" Series as Orthomolecular Therapy 96 VII Controversy 130 VIII The "U" Series 145 IX Historical Survey 161 X Non-medical Aspects 179 XI The Double-Blind Study 188 XII The FDA 209 "Doman-Delacato" Method, R.Doman, M.D. 233 Treatment of D. s., T.Kurita, M.D. 248 Comparison with Japanese Results 257 What Can Parents Do? 264 Conclusion 393