Newsletter from Dr. Rebecca Caplan

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) possible link to childhood asthma

August, 2010

Young Girl with Inhailer

Two university studies, one in the United Kingdom, the other in Ethiopia, have found a link between acetaminophen use and childhood asthma. The studies currently are not conclusive because they are "cross-sectional studies." This means that the study focuses on those who have used acetaminophen, and who also have asthma. But, according to Dr. Alemayehu Amberbir, of Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia and the University of Nottingham in the UK, "We have confirmed that acetaminophen use comes first, so a causal link is increasingly likely."

Another study, by Richard W. Beasley, MD., professor of medicine at the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand in Wellington found that once per month use of acetaminophen may be enough to trigger asthma in teens. The study group was made up of 323,000 13 and 14 year olds from 50 countries.

There is also a suspected link between acetaminophen use by women when pregnant and asthma in their children.

You can read more at: wellness.blogs.time.com/2010/08/13/asthma-and-tylenol-how-strong-is-the-evidence/

Acetaminophen Pills

The toxic effect of acetaminophen is attibuted to the tripeptide glutathione. Glutathione is an antioxidant that protects cells from peroxides and free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can cause tissue damage increase the rate of degeneration in the body (aging).

It's suspected that it's the destruction of glutathione by acetaminophen that causes the triggering of asthma and is also involved in cases of overdose that lead to liver toxicity. Overdose can lead to liver failure in days and require liver transplant. In liver toxicity by acetaminophen the antidote is to remove the acetaminophen with activated charcoal and replenish the glutathione with N-Acetylcysteine (NAC), which is a pre-cursor to glutathione.

The good news:

If you find it necessary to take a pain killer on a regular basis, or give one to your child, you might want to investigate the cause of the issue rather than medicate it. A myriad of symptoms can be caused by underlying allergies, toxicity, or infection. Certain alternative, and conventional, methods, can uncover these causes and address them in a holistic manner.

Acetaminophen Pills

There is certain reading I continually suggest to patients. The books and website listed below hold a wealth of information easily applicaple to one's life.

Our Toxic World, by Doris Rapp, M.D. www.dorisrappmd.com

Eat Right for Your Type, by Peter D'Adamo, N.D. www.dadamo.com

Fats that Heal, Fats that Kill, by Udo Erasmus www.udoerasmus.com

The Zone, by Barry Sears, Ph.D.

Weston A. Price Foundation: www.westonaprice.org

Rebecca Caplan, Chiropractor

I hope you've found this newsletter both enjoyable and helpful. If you're curious about something you'd like to see addressed in a future newsletter please let me know! I'll be happy to write about it! You can email me.

Sincerely,
Dr. Rebecca Caplan.