Life, Animated just premiered at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival. The documentary tells the story of a nonverbal autistic boy who begins to speak when his family connects to him through his passion for Disney movies and characters. Life, Animated left audiences moved and inspired and won the directing award for U.S. documentaries. The film is a great success, but Owen, who is now 23, is still greatly impaired.
Owen was developing normally--speaking, playing, and socially engaged up until about the age of 3. And then, for some reason, he stopped talking and engaging socially. This is not typical of most nonverbal autistics. This is a form of the disorder called regressive autism, and is much less common--only about 25%-30% of cases. This was not discussed in the movie. It is not clear that the parents or even the doctors and therapists were aware of it. No one raised the simple question: why did this boy, who was developing normally, regress and stop talking? What is he now missing that is required for healthy development? Or, what is present that is interfering with healthy and normal development?
I don’t hear Owen’s parents and therapist asking these questions, and if they are, this was not included in the film. Has anyone measured Owen’s blood looking for toxins? Have they tried to avoid chemical exposures that have already been linked to an increased risk of autism? It appears not.
It also appears that there have not been any attempts made to improve Owen’s diet. Owen uses a cell phone and keeps it on his bedside table at night. Have the parents, doctors, or therapists read any of the peer reviewed and published research on the health effects of wireless radiation and how they match the symptoms of autism?
There is no mention of other autistic children who have improved and recovered using other behavioral therapies, or a wide range of treatments that address diet, environmental factors, inflammation, immune function, and infection. Thereis is no mention of doctors who have autism prevention programs and have lower rates of autism in their practices. No mention of other countries with lower autism rates, and why that might be.
Many parents feel that if they just had more money and time and access to good doctors, their child could improve. But if you are familiar with autism and other cases of improvement and recovery, by contrast, this story demonstrates that even well intentioned and well-off families can lack awareness and miss opportunities. If anything, they are surrounded and entrapped by professionals they trust too much, but who are not current in their understanding of autism.
In 2011, a Stanford twins study showed that the majority of factors that contributed to autism were environmental and not genetic, as people had previously assumed. And yet, many doctors and therapists are not even aware of this landmark study.
Our health and performance are impacted by our diet and our environment. The good news is that we can change these things, and we can reevaluate our past choices and assumptions which may have, at one time, appeared correct, and align them with what is known to be true today.
Stories, especially Disney stories, are not just for our entertainment. They are written to model paths to overcoming setbacks and creating change in our lives. They can provide insights to help us break free from behaviors and beliefs that are not serving us. Owen’s story does provide some hope and inspiration that autistic children can improve, but it misses the opportunity to enlighten us about the full range of factors that are driving the autism epidemic.
I hope that Owen and all other autistic children can recover and realize their true potential. But in order to make this happen, we cannot hide in a world of fantasy and distraction, or in the comforting routine of doing the same things over and over. When we make enough changes to see our children improve and recover and the autism rate goes down, then and only then can we finally rest and know that we have been heroes and heroines for our children in the real world.
Simple steps you can take to reduce exposure are listed in this article: Wireless and EMF Reduction for Autism
For more information about the health effects of wireless and EMF, visit www.clearlightventures.com
References
[1] Life, Animated (Sundance 2016 - Directing Award: U.S. Documentary)
[2] Regressive Autism
[3] Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link–Part I."Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209.
[4] Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link Part II."Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 211-234.
[5] The Kids Who Beat Autism - New York Times (July 31, 2014)
[6] Non-verbal autistic boys speaks 3 days after removing constant wireless exposures
[7] Hallmayer, Joachim, et al. "Genetic heritability and shared environmental factors among twin pairs with autism." Archives of general psychiatry 68.11 (2011): 1095-1102.
[8] Top 5 Autism Suspects and How to Avoid Them
[9] The Emerging Link Between Wireless and Autism
Thursday, February 11, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
The Emerging Link between Wireless and Autism
Wireless radiation and chemical toxins are now being studied to determine if they play a role in rising autism rates. The concept that autism is a permanent genetic condition came into question after a study of identical twins at Stanford in 2011. The researchers concluded that genetics alone could only account for less than half of the condition.
Harvard’s Dr. Martha Herbert has been presenting a new model of autism as a state of overload that comes from many factors affecting the entire body and not just the brain (“total load” theory). In 2013, Dr. Herbert and wireless expert Cindy Sage published a paper that outlined a wide range of autism symptoms that match known symptoms of wireless exposure, including genetic damage to sperm, calcium channel mutations, and inflammation. It is important for parents to understand that the wireless signals our electronic devices send and receive are a form of microwave radiation and these signals are known to disrupt calcium.
Martin Pall, Ph.D’s talk at the 2015 Autism One Conference laid out a very specific autism theory in line with this new model. He demonstrated how wireless radiation can open cell membrane calcium channels, allowing too much calcium to moves into cells. This contributes to inflammatory overload. Chemical toxins also contribute to this inflammatory state, which like a lit fire, will persist unless action is taken to reduce exposures and calm the inflammatory response.
Several doctors have demonstrated that reducing wireless radiation and other toxins can lead to improvement and even recovery. In 2001, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt began to notice a higher rate of autism among the children of parents who worked at Microsoft, which is headquartered near his practice outside of Seattle. Working with a building biologist, he found dramatically higher levels of wireless radiation in the homes of families with autistic children. Dr. Klinghardt now reduces wireless and other electric fields as part of his autism prevention and recovery program. Parents who follow his strict guidelines often see their children improve and even recover in about six months.
Similarly, Dr. Toril Jelter and Cindy Sage came up with a simple and free protocol that anyone can try for free: Turn off baby monitors, cordless phone base stations, Wi-Fi, and the circuit breaker for the bedroom at night during sleep hours. Over 80% of children on this protocol have showed noticeable improvement in as little as two weeks.
For the last ten years, Dr. Victoria Dunckley has been using a four-week “screen-time fast” to reduce excessive stimulation from electronics and wireless exposure in children. The protocol and success stories of her no-cost, non-pharmaceutical treatment plan are detailed in her new book: Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time.
While more research and validation are required to determine how much of a contribution wireless is making to the autism epidemic, there is no reason for parents to wait to take action to reduce exposures.
References
[1] Hallmayer, Joachim, et al. "Genetic heritability and shared environmental factors among twin pairs with autism." Archives of general psychiatry 68.11 (2011): 1095-1102.
[2] Herbert, Martha, and Karen Weintraub. The Autism Revolution: whole-body strategies for making life all it can be. Ballantine Books, 2013.
[3] Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link–Part I." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209.
Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link Part II." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 211-234.
[4] Pall, M.L., Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression, Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy (2015).
[5] Pall, M.L., The Autism Epidemic Is Caused by EMFs, Acting via Calcium Channels and Chemicals Acting via NMDA-Rs: Downstream Effects Cause Autism (Conference Presentation). 2015.
[6] Pall, Martin L. "Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects." Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 17.8 (2013): 958-965.
[7] Windham, Gayle C., Karen Fessel, and Judith K. Grether. "Autism spectrum disorders in relation to parental occupation in technical fields." Autism Research 2.4 (2009): 183-191.
[8] Klinghardt, Dietrich, MD. Pilot Study: “Autism May Be Linked to Electromagnetic Radiation Levels in Mother’s Bedroom During Pregnancy”. 2008.
[9] Klinghardt, Dietrich, MD. “Autism: Multifactorial causation and corresponding treatment modalities” (Conference Presentation). 2015.
[10] Singer, Katie. “Calming Behavior in Children with Autism and ADHD: The Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)-Lowering Protocol (That Has No Cost Or Side Effects)”. (2014).
[11] Dunckley, Victoria L. Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time. New World Library, 2015.
Harvard’s Dr. Martha Herbert has been presenting a new model of autism as a state of overload that comes from many factors affecting the entire body and not just the brain (“total load” theory). In 2013, Dr. Herbert and wireless expert Cindy Sage published a paper that outlined a wide range of autism symptoms that match known symptoms of wireless exposure, including genetic damage to sperm, calcium channel mutations, and inflammation. It is important for parents to understand that the wireless signals our electronic devices send and receive are a form of microwave radiation and these signals are known to disrupt calcium.
Martin Pall, Ph.D’s talk at the 2015 Autism One Conference laid out a very specific autism theory in line with this new model. He demonstrated how wireless radiation can open cell membrane calcium channels, allowing too much calcium to moves into cells. This contributes to inflammatory overload. Chemical toxins also contribute to this inflammatory state, which like a lit fire, will persist unless action is taken to reduce exposures and calm the inflammatory response.
Several doctors have demonstrated that reducing wireless radiation and other toxins can lead to improvement and even recovery. In 2001, Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt began to notice a higher rate of autism among the children of parents who worked at Microsoft, which is headquartered near his practice outside of Seattle. Working with a building biologist, he found dramatically higher levels of wireless radiation in the homes of families with autistic children. Dr. Klinghardt now reduces wireless and other electric fields as part of his autism prevention and recovery program. Parents who follow his strict guidelines often see their children improve and even recover in about six months.
Similarly, Dr. Toril Jelter and Cindy Sage came up with a simple and free protocol that anyone can try for free: Turn off baby monitors, cordless phone base stations, Wi-Fi, and the circuit breaker for the bedroom at night during sleep hours. Over 80% of children on this protocol have showed noticeable improvement in as little as two weeks.
For the last ten years, Dr. Victoria Dunckley has been using a four-week “screen-time fast” to reduce excessive stimulation from electronics and wireless exposure in children. The protocol and success stories of her no-cost, non-pharmaceutical treatment plan are detailed in her new book: Reset Your Child’s Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time.
While more research and validation are required to determine how much of a contribution wireless is making to the autism epidemic, there is no reason for parents to wait to take action to reduce exposures.
References
[1] Hallmayer, Joachim, et al. "Genetic heritability and shared environmental factors among twin pairs with autism." Archives of general psychiatry 68.11 (2011): 1095-1102.
[2] Herbert, Martha, and Karen Weintraub. The Autism Revolution: whole-body strategies for making life all it can be. Ballantine Books, 2013.
[3] Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link–Part I." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209.
Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link Part II." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 211-234.
[4] Pall, M.L., Microwave frequency electromagnetic fields (EMFs) produce widespread neuropsychiatric effects including depression, Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy (2015).
[5] Pall, M.L., The Autism Epidemic Is Caused by EMFs, Acting via Calcium Channels and Chemicals Acting via NMDA-Rs: Downstream Effects Cause Autism (Conference Presentation). 2015.
[6] Pall, Martin L. "Electromagnetic fields act via activation of voltage‐gated calcium channels to produce beneficial or adverse effects." Journal of cellular and molecular medicine 17.8 (2013): 958-965.
[7] Windham, Gayle C., Karen Fessel, and Judith K. Grether. "Autism spectrum disorders in relation to parental occupation in technical fields." Autism Research 2.4 (2009): 183-191.
[8] Klinghardt, Dietrich, MD. Pilot Study: “Autism May Be Linked to Electromagnetic Radiation Levels in Mother’s Bedroom During Pregnancy”. 2008.
[9] Klinghardt, Dietrich, MD. “Autism: Multifactorial causation and corresponding treatment modalities” (Conference Presentation). 2015.
[10] Singer, Katie. “Calming Behavior in Children with Autism and ADHD: The Electromagnetic Radiation (EMR)-Lowering Protocol (That Has No Cost Or Side Effects)”. (2014).
[11] Dunckley, Victoria L. Reset Your Child's Brain: A Four-Week Plan to End Meltdowns, Raise Grades, and Boost Social Skills by Reversing the Effects of Electronic Screen-Time. New World Library, 2015.
Top Ten Tips for Surviving Gunn High School
I went through a situation very similar to what the students at Gunn are being exposed to now and have felt the effects of it first hand. I believe that it is one of the key health impacts of our time and I want to share this information with you to protect your physical and mental health and to help protect your community.
1) Know your enemy
The back part of the Gunn campus is being bombarded by microwaves from a very high powered cell tower just off campus. It’s in a parking lot of an adjacent building, hidden behind the trees near the end of the football field, near the back of the math building.
This is the most powerful cell tower I have measured and it may even be over the FCC’s limits, which are the least protective in the world. Avoid this back part of campus (track, pool, and math building) as much as possible. If you have to be in this area, limit the time you spend there.
2) Keep your cell phone in your backpack
Part of your wireless (microwave) exposure comes from your cell phone, even when you are not making calls. Try to develop a habit of not carrying your phone in your pocket or directly on your body. Carrying your phone in your pocket or directly on your body will likely expose you to radiation levels beyond the FCC guidelines--see your phone's legal warning about this. If you must carry your phone in your pocket, turn the phone to airplane mode and make sure bluetooth and Wi-Fi are off. When you do use your phone, use speakerphone or an airtube headset to avoid exposures near your head, or text instead of talking. Place the phone at least an arm's length away from your body when downloading or streaming large videos.
3) Sit as far from the Wi-Fi router as you can
Wi-Fi routers are another source of microwave exposure. The high powered industrial strength routers that schools use are worse than the kind you have at home. If you can choose where you sit in class, sit as far away from the Wi-Fi router as possible.
4) Escape to nature
Spend as much time in nature as you can without your phone or with your phone in airplane mode or turned off. The bike path from Los Altos to Palo Alto on the other side of Arastradero is a great place to take a break near campus. Walk at least as far as the bridge to be at a safe distance from the other smaller cell antenna on the building near the entrance of the school. Away from school, a good walk, bike, or run away from antennas and cell towers and your own cell phone is a great way to give your nervous system a much needed break.
5) Get sunlight
The reptilian part of our brains will relax in natural sunlight and get stressed by flickering fluorescent lights and pulsing wireless microwaves (microwaves are light at frequencies lower than we can see). Sit or stand outside in the sun (again, away from cell towers and your phone) until you feel your body start to fully relax.
6) Minimize or avoid GMO food
The primary reason to avoid genetically modified food is to reduce your exposure to glyphosate, the primary ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp, which genetically modified foods have a much higher exposure to than natural foods. Glyphosate is an herbicide and an antibiotic that reduces the healthy microbes in your gut and increases permeability of your gut. It also causes gut inflammation. Glyphosate has just recently been classified as a probable carcinogen and is also a key environmental suspect in the autism epidemic.
7) Reduce inflammation
One of the primary effects of microwave exposure is increased inflammation. To prevent inflammatory overload, minimize inflammatory foods, like wheat (gluten) and sugar. Consider adding natural anti-inflammatories like turmeric to your diet.
8) Stay hydrated with healthy water
Another physiological effect of microwave exposure is dehydration. Stay well hydrated. A specialty water called O2Cool (available at Piazza’s) is a local spring water with 10 times the normal level of oxygen pumped into it. It’s especially useful in recovering focus after high levels of microwave exposure and right before taking a test.
9) Eat plenty of healthy fats
Healthy fats are used in cell membranes and your brain and nervous system. Healthy fats like krill oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil will help your nervous system be resilient and rebuild after high frequency microwave exposure.
10) Get help from someone who is properly trained
If you feel like you need professional help, find a doctor who understands environmental factors like microwave and EMF (electromagnetic field) exposures, which most doctors currently do not. Here are two local doctors I can recommend:
Suruchi Chandra, MD
Integrative Psychiatry and Medicine
2495 Old Middlefield Way
Mountain View, CA 94043
650.827.5600
Toril Jelter, MD
325 N. Wiget Lane, Suite 130
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
925.935.5425
Cindy Russell, MD
Chair, Environmental Health
Santa Clara County Medical Association
650.404.8240
1) Know your enemy
The back part of the Gunn campus is being bombarded by microwaves from a very high powered cell tower just off campus. It’s in a parking lot of an adjacent building, hidden behind the trees near the end of the football field, near the back of the math building.
This is the most powerful cell tower I have measured and it may even be over the FCC’s limits, which are the least protective in the world. Avoid this back part of campus (track, pool, and math building) as much as possible. If you have to be in this area, limit the time you spend there.
2) Keep your cell phone in your backpack
Part of your wireless (microwave) exposure comes from your cell phone, even when you are not making calls. Try to develop a habit of not carrying your phone in your pocket or directly on your body. Carrying your phone in your pocket or directly on your body will likely expose you to radiation levels beyond the FCC guidelines--see your phone's legal warning about this. If you must carry your phone in your pocket, turn the phone to airplane mode and make sure bluetooth and Wi-Fi are off. When you do use your phone, use speakerphone or an airtube headset to avoid exposures near your head, or text instead of talking. Place the phone at least an arm's length away from your body when downloading or streaming large videos.
3) Sit as far from the Wi-Fi router as you can
Wi-Fi routers are another source of microwave exposure. The high powered industrial strength routers that schools use are worse than the kind you have at home. If you can choose where you sit in class, sit as far away from the Wi-Fi router as possible.
4) Escape to nature
Spend as much time in nature as you can without your phone or with your phone in airplane mode or turned off. The bike path from Los Altos to Palo Alto on the other side of Arastradero is a great place to take a break near campus. Walk at least as far as the bridge to be at a safe distance from the other smaller cell antenna on the building near the entrance of the school. Away from school, a good walk, bike, or run away from antennas and cell towers and your own cell phone is a great way to give your nervous system a much needed break.
5) Get sunlight
The reptilian part of our brains will relax in natural sunlight and get stressed by flickering fluorescent lights and pulsing wireless microwaves (microwaves are light at frequencies lower than we can see). Sit or stand outside in the sun (again, away from cell towers and your phone) until you feel your body start to fully relax.
6) Minimize or avoid GMO food
The primary reason to avoid genetically modified food is to reduce your exposure to glyphosate, the primary ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp, which genetically modified foods have a much higher exposure to than natural foods. Glyphosate is an herbicide and an antibiotic that reduces the healthy microbes in your gut and increases permeability of your gut. It also causes gut inflammation. Glyphosate has just recently been classified as a probable carcinogen and is also a key environmental suspect in the autism epidemic.
7) Reduce inflammation
One of the primary effects of microwave exposure is increased inflammation. To prevent inflammatory overload, minimize inflammatory foods, like wheat (gluten) and sugar. Consider adding natural anti-inflammatories like turmeric to your diet.
8) Stay hydrated with healthy water
Another physiological effect of microwave exposure is dehydration. Stay well hydrated. A specialty water called O2Cool (available at Piazza’s) is a local spring water with 10 times the normal level of oxygen pumped into it. It’s especially useful in recovering focus after high levels of microwave exposure and right before taking a test.
9) Eat plenty of healthy fats
Healthy fats are used in cell membranes and your brain and nervous system. Healthy fats like krill oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil will help your nervous system be resilient and rebuild after high frequency microwave exposure.
10) Get help from someone who is properly trained
If you feel like you need professional help, find a doctor who understands environmental factors like microwave and EMF (electromagnetic field) exposures, which most doctors currently do not. Here are two local doctors I can recommend:
Suruchi Chandra, MD
Integrative Psychiatry and Medicine
2495 Old Middlefield Way
Mountain View, CA 94043
650.827.5600
Toril Jelter, MD
325 N. Wiget Lane, Suite 130
Walnut Creek, CA 94598
925.935.5425
Cindy Russell, MD
Chair, Environmental Health
Santa Clara County Medical Association
650.404.8240
Campus Safety: How to Survive and Thrive in the Wireless Era
When my oldest son went to college last year, we gave him and some of his friends a copy of the book “The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: College.” The book covers a wide range of topics from how to do laundry to how to deal with a nightmare roommate. The only problem is that it was missing information on the newest campus safety issue that concerned me the most: wireless radiation. This paper will present simple tips for surviving and thriving in wireless environments in college. Most of these tips also apply to elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, home, and work environments.
Cell Towers
Find the cell tower(s) on or near your campus and minimize your time near them to reduce exposure to microwaves . If you have the ability to choose your dorm, consider the distance to cell towers as one of the most important deciding factors. Ideally, you would not want to be in a dorm that was within a quarter mile of a cell tower, and the further away the better (go to antennasearch.com to find the cell tower(s) in your area).
Wi-Fi
Many classrooms and lecture halls have Wi-Fi routers installed inside them. Sit as far away from Wi-Fi routers as you can.
If you can choose your location in your dorm, ask for one that is as far from the Wi-Fi router as possible. The ends of buildings may often have lower Wi-Fi levels than the middle. To measure the signal strength and the number of signals you are exposed to in each location, you can walk around the building with your phone or laptop and watch the Wi-Fi signal level(s) rise and fall.
Cell Phone
Part of your wireless (microwave frequency) exposure comes from your cell phone, even when you are not using it. Buy a phone that has a low SAR (specific absorption rate) rating. Radiation levels drop off quickly--every time you double the distance, the radiation level goes down by 75%. Conversely, moving twice as close (for example, from two inches to one inch away) will quadruple the radiation level. This is why the FCC and the cell phone manufacturers warn you to always keep your phone at least 5 mm (about two-tenths of an inch) from your body. (See the “show the fine print” website to look up the exact distance for your phone).
Carrying the phone on your body will likely increase your exposure to a level above the FCC’s guidelines. Try to develop a habit of not carrying your phone in your hand, pocket, bra, or any other place that is in contact with your body. A good solution is to keep your phone in a backpack or purse as much as possible. If you must carry your phone in your hand, pocket, or bra, turn the phone to airplane mode and make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are off. If the phone really must be on and against your body, use a shielding product like a Blocsoc.
When you use your phone, either text, use speakerphone, or use an airtube headset to avoid exposure near your head. You can also turn off the stronger LTE connection to reduce exposure (on the iPhone->Settings->Cellular-“Enable LTE”->Off). Another option is to use Apple’s iMessage or Google Voice texting to keep up with text messages on your computer, ideally from a wired connection.
Computer
Spending hours working with a laptop can dramatically increase your stress and EMF exposure. Also, after sunset, it can increase your exposure to blue light, which can disrupt your circadian rhythms and sleep cycle. To prevent this, you can install a free app called f.lux to reduce blue light exposure at night.
Working on your laptop while it is plugged in and charging will increase your exposure to harmful electric fields, so use it unplugged as much as possible. If you have a wired Ethernet connection available, use that and turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If you only have a Wi-Fi Internet connection, turn it off when you don’t need to connect to the Internet. This is also a great tactic for removing distraction and interruptions when you need to focus. Place your laptop on a desk, instead of your lap. If this is not an option, consider a shield like a HaraPad to put under your computer, especially if you are using Wi-Fi. The HaraPad can also be kept right against your back in a backpack to protect your body from cell phone exposure if your cell phone is on and in your backpack.
Electromagnetic Fields and Electrical Noise
Keep LED electric clocks (a major source of magnetic fields) and light and power cords as far from your bed as possible, especially away from your head. An Alan Maher Designs Tech Ground Mini is a great device to plug into a dorm room outlet to reduce electrical noise and field effects in the room. Another Alan Maher Designs product that would be useful on campus is a shoe insert that can filter electrical noise around the body and in the nervous system. This is a discrete and very effective way to stay calm and keep your brain and nervous system sharp and focused.
I hope these tips help you survive and thrive in your college years and beyond.
Cell Towers
Find the cell tower(s) on or near your campus and minimize your time near them to reduce exposure to microwaves . If you have the ability to choose your dorm, consider the distance to cell towers as one of the most important deciding factors. Ideally, you would not want to be in a dorm that was within a quarter mile of a cell tower, and the further away the better (go to antennasearch.com to find the cell tower(s) in your area).
Wi-Fi
Many classrooms and lecture halls have Wi-Fi routers installed inside them. Sit as far away from Wi-Fi routers as you can.
If you can choose your location in your dorm, ask for one that is as far from the Wi-Fi router as possible. The ends of buildings may often have lower Wi-Fi levels than the middle. To measure the signal strength and the number of signals you are exposed to in each location, you can walk around the building with your phone or laptop and watch the Wi-Fi signal level(s) rise and fall.
Cell Phone
Part of your wireless (microwave frequency) exposure comes from your cell phone, even when you are not using it. Buy a phone that has a low SAR (specific absorption rate) rating. Radiation levels drop off quickly--every time you double the distance, the radiation level goes down by 75%. Conversely, moving twice as close (for example, from two inches to one inch away) will quadruple the radiation level. This is why the FCC and the cell phone manufacturers warn you to always keep your phone at least 5 mm (about two-tenths of an inch) from your body. (See the “show the fine print” website to look up the exact distance for your phone).
Carrying the phone on your body will likely increase your exposure to a level above the FCC’s guidelines. Try to develop a habit of not carrying your phone in your hand, pocket, bra, or any other place that is in contact with your body. A good solution is to keep your phone in a backpack or purse as much as possible. If you must carry your phone in your hand, pocket, or bra, turn the phone to airplane mode and make sure Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are off. If the phone really must be on and against your body, use a shielding product like a Blocsoc.
When you use your phone, either text, use speakerphone, or use an airtube headset to avoid exposure near your head. You can also turn off the stronger LTE connection to reduce exposure (on the iPhone->Settings->Cellular-“Enable LTE”->Off). Another option is to use Apple’s iMessage or Google Voice texting to keep up with text messages on your computer, ideally from a wired connection.
Computer
Spending hours working with a laptop can dramatically increase your stress and EMF exposure. Also, after sunset, it can increase your exposure to blue light, which can disrupt your circadian rhythms and sleep cycle. To prevent this, you can install a free app called f.lux to reduce blue light exposure at night.
Working on your laptop while it is plugged in and charging will increase your exposure to harmful electric fields, so use it unplugged as much as possible. If you have a wired Ethernet connection available, use that and turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. If you only have a Wi-Fi Internet connection, turn it off when you don’t need to connect to the Internet. This is also a great tactic for removing distraction and interruptions when you need to focus. Place your laptop on a desk, instead of your lap. If this is not an option, consider a shield like a HaraPad to put under your computer, especially if you are using Wi-Fi. The HaraPad can also be kept right against your back in a backpack to protect your body from cell phone exposure if your cell phone is on and in your backpack.
Electromagnetic Fields and Electrical Noise
Keep LED electric clocks (a major source of magnetic fields) and light and power cords as far from your bed as possible, especially away from your head. An Alan Maher Designs Tech Ground Mini is a great device to plug into a dorm room outlet to reduce electrical noise and field effects in the room. Another Alan Maher Designs product that would be useful on campus is a shoe insert that can filter electrical noise around the body and in the nervous system. This is a discrete and very effective way to stay calm and keep your brain and nervous system sharp and focused.
I hope these tips help you survive and thrive in your college years and beyond.
Saturday, January 9, 2016
Assembling the Pieces of the Autism Puzzle
Genetics
Most researchers initially believed that autism was an entirely genetic condition. Decades of research have proven that to be false. A Stanford study of twins showed that at most, only 38% of the condition was attributable to genetics, and of those genetic mutations, the majority of them were not inherited (de novo mutations). This points to the environment in the search for factors that can mutate genes and overload the body’s physiology.
Toxins
Several toxins have been linked to an increased risk of autism (air pollution, flame retardants, toxic metals, BPA, glyphosate). It is important to know that most toxins are positively charged and act as “electron stealers.” In that sense, most toxins have a similar collective impact on the body. However, some parents and researchers have noted that most pollution and toxins levels have not been rising and therefore they don’t believe that this can be the full explanation for the rising autism epidemic. A noted exception is the toxic chemical compound glyphosate, an ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp which is used extensively with GMO and non-organic crops.
Wireless and EMF
Toxins are not the only environmental factor. Levels of wireless radiation and EMF (electromagnetic fields) are also rising rapidly and appear to be a key piece of the autism puzzle. Wireless radiation can damage DNA and the majority of studies show damage to sperm. The practice of men carrying their cell phones in their front pockets should be avoided to reduce the risk of sperm DNA damage and the de novo (non-inherited) mutations associated with autism.
Also, the known symptoms of wireless (microwave radiation) and EMF exposure match the known symptoms of autism. The mechanism of action (voltage regulated gateways of the calcium channel) is also now known. Although the biological effects are extensive, both wireless and toxins disrupt calcium and increase inflammation.
Biological Capacity
Because some healthy children have regressed into autism and some autistic children have recovered, cutting edge researchers are rejecting the concept that autism is a lifelong condition. Newer models consider autism as a state of overload (formally called “allostatic load”) from multiple factors: genetic, environmental and physiological (biological capacity). This state does not have to be permanent; a child can improve and recover as his or her system is unloaded to a level their bodies can manage.
We have already looked at environmental factors that can be reduced, but what are the biological pathways and processes that are being overloaded?
Inflammation may be the key biological measure of overload in autism. Note that many of the currently effective biological treatments for autism already focus on reducing inflammation (gluten free, casein free diet, detox).
It is also important to understand that fight or flight mode (sympathetic nervous system or cell danger mode) is pro-inflammatory and de-prioritizes detoxification. It is not intended to be a long term mode of operation. As the body feels safe and shifts out of danger mode, normal levels of detox, inflammation and growth can be restored. Constant exposure to wireless radiation has been shown to move the body more toward the “fight or flight” response.
When you look at all the major pieces of the autism puzzle, wireless radiation plays a role in all of them. It can increase mutations, especially in sperm. It can induce fight or flight mode and reduce the body’s ability to detox toxins. Finally, it has a direct and constant effect on the fundamental physiology of the body, disrupting the calcium channels, increasing inflammation and causing a wide array of other symptoms. Therefore, decreasing wireless radiation and EMF exposure is key and may prove to be the most effective way to treat autism and end the epidemic.
Simple steps you can take to reduce exposure are listed in this article: Wireless and EMF Reduction for Autism
References
Links to commentary on research are given in the article above, in context. Links to the primary research sources are given below:
Hallmayer, Joachim, et al. "Genetic heritability and shared environmental factors among twin pairs with autism." Archives of general psychiatry 68.11 (2011): 1095-1102.
Iossifov, Ivan, et al. "The contribution of de novo coding mutations to autism spectrum disorder." Nature 515.7526 (2014): 216-221.
De Rubeis, Silvia, et al. "Synaptic, transcriptional and chromatin genes disrupted in autism." Nature 515.7526 (2014): 209-215.
Raz, Raanan, et al. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Particulate Matter Air Pollution before, during, and after Pregnancy: A Nested Case–Control Analysis within the Nurses’ Health Study II Cohort." Environ Health Perspect (2014).
Woods, Rima, et al. "Long-lived epigenetic interactions between perinatal PBDE exposure and Mecp2308 mutation." Human molecular genetics 21.11 (2012): 2399-2411.
Rossignol, D. A., S. J. Genuis, and R. E. Frye. "Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review." Translational psychiatry 4.2 (2014): e360.
Stein, T. Peter, et al. "Bisphenol A Exposure in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders." Autism Research (2015).
Samsel, Anthony, and Stephanie Seneff. "Glyphosate’s suppression of cytochrome P450 enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: pathways to modern diseases." Entropy 15.4 (2013): 1416-1463.
Naviaux, Robert K. "Metabolic features of the cell danger response." Mitochondrion 16 (2014): 7-17.
Nevison, Cynthia D. "A comparison of temporal trends in United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors." Environmental Health 13.1 (2014): 73.
Moskowitz, Joel M. "Research on the Effects of Cell Phone Radiation on Human Sperm." University of California, Berkeley (2011).
Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link–Part I." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209.
Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link Part II." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 211-234.
Gupta, Simone, et al. "Transcriptome analysis reveals dysregulation of innate immune response genes and neuronal activity-dependent genes in autism." Nature communications 5 (2014).
Havas, Magda. "Radiation from wireless technology affects the blood, the heart, and the autonomic nervous system." Reviews on environmental health 28.2-3 (2013): 75-84.
Most researchers initially believed that autism was an entirely genetic condition. Decades of research have proven that to be false. A Stanford study of twins showed that at most, only 38% of the condition was attributable to genetics, and of those genetic mutations, the majority of them were not inherited (de novo mutations). This points to the environment in the search for factors that can mutate genes and overload the body’s physiology.
Toxins
Several toxins have been linked to an increased risk of autism (air pollution, flame retardants, toxic metals, BPA, glyphosate). It is important to know that most toxins are positively charged and act as “electron stealers.” In that sense, most toxins have a similar collective impact on the body. However, some parents and researchers have noted that most pollution and toxins levels have not been rising and therefore they don’t believe that this can be the full explanation for the rising autism epidemic. A noted exception is the toxic chemical compound glyphosate, an ingredient in the herbicide RoundUp which is used extensively with GMO and non-organic crops.
Wireless and EMF
Toxins are not the only environmental factor. Levels of wireless radiation and EMF (electromagnetic fields) are also rising rapidly and appear to be a key piece of the autism puzzle. Wireless radiation can damage DNA and the majority of studies show damage to sperm. The practice of men carrying their cell phones in their front pockets should be avoided to reduce the risk of sperm DNA damage and the de novo (non-inherited) mutations associated with autism.
Also, the known symptoms of wireless (microwave radiation) and EMF exposure match the known symptoms of autism. The mechanism of action (voltage regulated gateways of the calcium channel) is also now known. Although the biological effects are extensive, both wireless and toxins disrupt calcium and increase inflammation.
Biological Capacity
Because some healthy children have regressed into autism and some autistic children have recovered, cutting edge researchers are rejecting the concept that autism is a lifelong condition. Newer models consider autism as a state of overload (formally called “allostatic load”) from multiple factors: genetic, environmental and physiological (biological capacity). This state does not have to be permanent; a child can improve and recover as his or her system is unloaded to a level their bodies can manage.
We have already looked at environmental factors that can be reduced, but what are the biological pathways and processes that are being overloaded?
Inflammation may be the key biological measure of overload in autism. Note that many of the currently effective biological treatments for autism already focus on reducing inflammation (gluten free, casein free diet, detox).
It is also important to understand that fight or flight mode (sympathetic nervous system or cell danger mode) is pro-inflammatory and de-prioritizes detoxification. It is not intended to be a long term mode of operation. As the body feels safe and shifts out of danger mode, normal levels of detox, inflammation and growth can be restored. Constant exposure to wireless radiation has been shown to move the body more toward the “fight or flight” response.
When you look at all the major pieces of the autism puzzle, wireless radiation plays a role in all of them. It can increase mutations, especially in sperm. It can induce fight or flight mode and reduce the body’s ability to detox toxins. Finally, it has a direct and constant effect on the fundamental physiology of the body, disrupting the calcium channels, increasing inflammation and causing a wide array of other symptoms. Therefore, decreasing wireless radiation and EMF exposure is key and may prove to be the most effective way to treat autism and end the epidemic.
Simple steps you can take to reduce exposure are listed in this article: Wireless and EMF Reduction for Autism
References
Links to commentary on research are given in the article above, in context. Links to the primary research sources are given below:
Hallmayer, Joachim, et al. "Genetic heritability and shared environmental factors among twin pairs with autism." Archives of general psychiatry 68.11 (2011): 1095-1102.
Iossifov, Ivan, et al. "The contribution of de novo coding mutations to autism spectrum disorder." Nature 515.7526 (2014): 216-221.
De Rubeis, Silvia, et al. "Synaptic, transcriptional and chromatin genes disrupted in autism." Nature 515.7526 (2014): 209-215.
Raz, Raanan, et al. "Autism Spectrum Disorder and Particulate Matter Air Pollution before, during, and after Pregnancy: A Nested Case–Control Analysis within the Nurses’ Health Study II Cohort." Environ Health Perspect (2014).
Woods, Rima, et al. "Long-lived epigenetic interactions between perinatal PBDE exposure and Mecp2308 mutation." Human molecular genetics 21.11 (2012): 2399-2411.
Rossignol, D. A., S. J. Genuis, and R. E. Frye. "Environmental toxicants and autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review." Translational psychiatry 4.2 (2014): e360.
Stein, T. Peter, et al. "Bisphenol A Exposure in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders." Autism Research (2015).
Samsel, Anthony, and Stephanie Seneff. "Glyphosate’s suppression of cytochrome P450 enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: pathways to modern diseases." Entropy 15.4 (2013): 1416-1463.
Naviaux, Robert K. "Metabolic features of the cell danger response." Mitochondrion 16 (2014): 7-17.
Nevison, Cynthia D. "A comparison of temporal trends in United States autism prevalence to trends in suspected environmental factors." Environmental Health 13.1 (2014): 73.
Moskowitz, Joel M. "Research on the Effects of Cell Phone Radiation on Human Sperm." University of California, Berkeley (2011).
Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link–Part I." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 191-209.
Herbert, Martha R., and Cindy Sage. "Autism and EMF? Plausibility of a pathophysiological link Part II." Pathophysiology 20.3 (2013): 211-234.
Gupta, Simone, et al. "Transcriptome analysis reveals dysregulation of innate immune response genes and neuronal activity-dependent genes in autism." Nature communications 5 (2014).
Havas, Magda. "Radiation from wireless technology affects the blood, the heart, and the autonomic nervous system." Reviews on environmental health 28.2-3 (2013): 75-84.
A Letter to Moms
Is this an easy time to be a mom?
One in six children now has some form of developmental delay. ADHD and autism are now common, and rates are rising every year. Moms are trying harder than ever to raise healthy and empowered children, but for some invisible reason, it keeps getting harder and harder for them to develop naturally and thrive. Many of the best and brightest parents are feeling challenged. The things our parents took for granted are now a struggle for our generation and many of us even blame ourselves. However, I don’t believe this is our fault.
I’m a dad in Silicon Valley, and the objective on my resumé used to be “to empower people with personal technology.” Technology has clearly made many things easier, but I learned the hard way that some technology is actually disempowering us and interfering with the most fundamental parts of our brains and nervous systems. Like many people, I had assumed that wireless was safe and well tested. Then my children had developmental delays and symptoms of autism and my own health began to rapidly decline. I was not able to sleep and had a hard time maintaining a healthy weight. In this weakened state, I became very sensitive to chemicals, certain ingredients in foods, and, finally, to wireless and electromagnetic fields (EMF). I could feel a cell phone when it was used near my head and it didn’t feel good. As a matter of fact, it made my thinking “fuzzy” for a period of time, usually around 40 minutes.
My love of technology and its promise to empower people was now in stark contrast to our family’s real world experience. I began to realize that I felt better away from technology and buzzing fluorescent lights, and recharged my body by hiking out in nature. I started to reduce our exposure to wireless at home, too. For years, this was a very personal journey as I watched my children recover and start to thrive again, and my own health returned. I have found many other people who have had similar experiences and we have connected with the network of scientists who are now discovering exactly how this impacts us and our children. The rise of wireless radiation has fueled a growing movement of people who have been severely impacted and are advocating for safer wireless technology. Unfortunately, the harmful effects of wireless have been known for decades and have been ignored or covered up in the “land-grab” for wireless revenues.
From one parent to another, as a warning, I would like to pass on this lesson that was learned through a great deal of pain and suffering. The microwave emissions from wireless devices are harmful, and there is now enough scientific evidence to justify reducing exposure. This is not the time to be overly trusting of government regulatory agencies and companies with a financial conflict of interest. This is not the time to be overly trusting at all. As a matter of fact, it would be best if you tested this out for yourself, did the research, and came to your own conclusions. Start limiting exposures to wireless radiation, especially at night, and see what happens. How did you sleep? How sharp did you feel? How did your children behave? I have found that some of the effects are immediate, and some take several days or months as inflammation goes down and the body catches up.
You may discover, as I did, that this was the invisible factor that is making parenting in this era so hard. Please share this letter with your network of moms and friends and family members who you feel could benefit from it.
References
Clear Light Ventures: www.clearlightventures.com
Overpowered (2014) by Columbia Professor Martin Blank
Consumer Reports (2015): Does Cell-Phone Radiation Cause Cancer?
Parents Magazine (2015): How Wireless Devices Can Be Dangerous for Your Family
Clear Light Ventures: The Emerging Link between Wireless and Autism
I’m a dad in Silicon Valley, and the objective on my resumé used to be “to empower people with personal technology.” Technology has clearly made many things easier, but I learned the hard way that some technology is actually disempowering us and interfering with the most fundamental parts of our brains and nervous systems. Like many people, I had assumed that wireless was safe and well tested. Then my children had developmental delays and symptoms of autism and my own health began to rapidly decline. I was not able to sleep and had a hard time maintaining a healthy weight. In this weakened state, I became very sensitive to chemicals, certain ingredients in foods, and, finally, to wireless and electromagnetic fields (EMF). I could feel a cell phone when it was used near my head and it didn’t feel good. As a matter of fact, it made my thinking “fuzzy” for a period of time, usually around 40 minutes.
My love of technology and its promise to empower people was now in stark contrast to our family’s real world experience. I began to realize that I felt better away from technology and buzzing fluorescent lights, and recharged my body by hiking out in nature. I started to reduce our exposure to wireless at home, too. For years, this was a very personal journey as I watched my children recover and start to thrive again, and my own health returned. I have found many other people who have had similar experiences and we have connected with the network of scientists who are now discovering exactly how this impacts us and our children. The rise of wireless radiation has fueled a growing movement of people who have been severely impacted and are advocating for safer wireless technology. Unfortunately, the harmful effects of wireless have been known for decades and have been ignored or covered up in the “land-grab” for wireless revenues.
From one parent to another, as a warning, I would like to pass on this lesson that was learned through a great deal of pain and suffering. The microwave emissions from wireless devices are harmful, and there is now enough scientific evidence to justify reducing exposure. This is not the time to be overly trusting of government regulatory agencies and companies with a financial conflict of interest. This is not the time to be overly trusting at all. As a matter of fact, it would be best if you tested this out for yourself, did the research, and came to your own conclusions. Start limiting exposures to wireless radiation, especially at night, and see what happens. How did you sleep? How sharp did you feel? How did your children behave? I have found that some of the effects are immediate, and some take several days or months as inflammation goes down and the body catches up.
You may discover, as I did, that this was the invisible factor that is making parenting in this era so hard. Please share this letter with your network of moms and friends and family members who you feel could benefit from it.
References
Clear Light Ventures: www.clearlightventures.com
Overpowered (2014) by Columbia Professor Martin Blank
Consumer Reports (2015): Does Cell-Phone Radiation Cause Cancer?
Parents Magazine (2015): How Wireless Devices Can Be Dangerous for Your Family
Clear Light Ventures: The Emerging Link between Wireless and Autism
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
My Blog Has Moved
Its new home is my company's website: Clear Light Ventures, which is now a central location for all my information and social media.Thank you for your support!
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