Newly Published Research Indicates 97% of Apraxic Children Improve with Novel Nutrition Combination

PRLog (Press Release) - Aug 12, 2009 -
Lake Forest, IL     SpeechNutrients’ supplement NourishLife speak™ combines omega-3, vitamin E, and other nutrients to provide nutritional support for children with apraxia and related conditions. A recent research study released in Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine1 showed a 97% improvement rate of children with verbal apraxia while consuming a nutrition combination of omega-3 and vitamin E.  The study followed 187 children with verbal apraxia.  Of these families, 181 (97%) reported positive advancements in speech, communication, sensory issues, eye contact, and behavior.

Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to perform purposeful motor movements, despite having the desire and physical ability to perform the movements. Verbal apraxia affects the ability to produce normal sounds needed for speech. Experts believe the number of cases is increasing in this previously rare condition. It is estimated that up to 50% of children with autism spectrum disorders have verbal apraxia, although not all children with apraxia have autism.

The authors of the article show that verbal apraxia is not only a speech disorder but rather a complex syndrome that affects a person’s neurologic function.  Using the term “SAAM” (syndrome of allergy, apraxia, and malabsorption), the authors describe a novel syndrome for a subgroup of these children.  Impaired gastro intestinal function and multiple allergies that are associated with poor absorption in their diets can contribute to nutritional deficiencies including vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids in these children.

NourishLife, the parent company of SpeechNutrients, has an exclusive license agreement with Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland (CHRCO) to a patented nutritional formulation to address verbal apraxia.  The formulation includes concentrated omega-3 and vitamin E and is offered as NourishLife speak™. Available only since September 2008, over 1000 families have tested speak™ with reports of dramatic improvements in their children including increased babbling, first words spoken, increased narrative, eye contact, pointing, and gross motor skills.

Mark Nottoli, founder of NourishLife, states, “The results of the study are quite significant.  There has been evidence for some time that omega-3 fish oil can be beneficial for speech issues.  What is remarkable about this report is that it identified the symptoms of vitamin E deficiency as mirroring those of apraxia and the concurrent benefits of vitamin E in addition to omega-3.”

Laura Lagano, MS, RD consulting nutritionist for NourishLife states, “The observations made by Morris and colleagues represent the most comprehensive study to date about the impact of a nutrition component on children with verbal apraxia. It demonstrates that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E may positively impact speech-related challenges in this population.”

To learn more about the nutrients that might be beneficial for verbal apraxia, please visit http://www.speechnutrients.com/LP/study.aspx.   NourishLife speak™ is available at www.SpeechNutrients.com or by calling 800-471-0358.

1Morris, Claudia R, and Agin, Marilyn C. Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, and Malabsorption: Characterization of a Neurodevelopmental Phenotype that Responds to Omega 3 and Vitamin E Supplementation. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 2009; Vol. 15, No. 4: 32-41.

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