Welcome to another edition of Common Ground Online. Here's what's in this week's edition:
Researchers from the University of Canterbury, NZ recently published a case study in CNS Spectrums which carefully tracked the symptoms of a 21-year-old female with bipolar II disorder, ADHD, social anxiety, and panic disorder while she took EMPowerplus. Previous to her positive response to the supplement, the study participant (KT) had a documented 8 year history of on-going psychiatric symptoms which were not successfully managed by medications.
Below are a few excerpts from the study:
Background
 "KT was first referred to a pediatric mental health service in 2000, at 12 years of age. She was involved with a number of psychiatric services for 5 years, with a variety of presenting concerns including ADHD, hypomania, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and specific learning disabilities (math and spelling). During this time, she was mainly treated with methylphenidate and fluoxetine, neither of which she found beneficial for extended periods of time. In 2008, KT was recruited for an 8 week open-label trial of EMPowerplus for adults with ADHD and mood instability. At the time she was contacted about the trial, she was not taking any medications for her psychiatric illnesses. The trial then extended into a natural ABAB design. The procedures were approved by the university and health and disability ethics committees. Written consent was obtained from the patient to participate in research."
First Intervention with EMPowerplus
"KT began the micronutrient formula at 5 capsules/day divided into three doses and titrated up over a 1 week period to the full dose of 15 capsules/day divided into three equal doses, taken with food and plenty of water… Only minor side effects were reported, such as a mild headache and mouth ulcer, but these were transient and only occurred in the first couple of weeks. KT’s compliance was excellent in that she took the full dose of 15 capsules/day (based on number of pills dispensed and returned). KT was followed every week for an 8 week period. Although there was little change in the first 2 weeks, by 3 weeks, there were noticeable changes in KT’s symptoms. Her mood had lifted substantially [and she] reported being less irritable, more motivated, and more interested in life.
"All outcome measures were repeated at 8 weeks. Depression was reduced substantially… This represented a 72% reduction in her depression score from baseline."
"After 8 weeks on the formula, KT decided to come off EMPowerplus because she believed her improvements in mood were due to contact with the primary investigator. She consented to be monitored during this phase."
Treatment Withdrawal
"Two weeks after the treatment was discontinued, KT already reported being more irritable and hyperactive, and at 4 weeks she was more “blunt, snappy, and grumpy”. Two months after stopping EMPowerplus, KT reported low mood, a lack of motivation, tearfulness, and irritability towards her mother and her boyfriend. She experienced substantial difficulties in starting simple routine activities. KT reported that her co-workers noticed she was more talkative/outspoken since she had come off EMPowerplus. Outcome measures were repeated at 8 weeks off EMPowerplus... Her depression and ADHD both returned to baseline levels (moderately ill). Most notably, self-reported and observer-reported emotional lability/impulsivity returned to baseline levels (self-reported symptoms were even higher than baseline), as well as self-reported hyperactivity/impulsivity… Overall functioning also deteriorated… KT concluded that she was going to end up “ruining her life” and decided to resume EMPowerplus."
Reintroduction of EMPowerplus
"KT was seen every few months to 1 year. Outcome measures were repeated at 8 weeks and 12 months back on EMPowerplus. At 8 weeks back on, improvement was noted in all areas of functioning. At 12 months back on EMPowerplus, KT was in remission of all mental illness."
"KT did not become hypomanic at any point during this follow-up phase… She also reported better health (getting sick less often and that her glands were less swollen, an ongoing problem since having glandular fever in high school). She had successfully quit smoking for 9 months. Interestingly, about 6 weeks after she resumed EMPowerplus she took an antibiotic for an infection. She found her psychiatric symptoms worsened during the 10 day course of the antibiotic but were again well controlled once she stopped the antibiotic."
Conclusion
"This case study is consistent with the growing positive findings using EMPowerplus for the treatment of various psychiatric conditions and also extends the literature on EMPowerplus as it documents neurocognitive changes occurring in conjunction with the behavioral changes. These consistently positive outcomes alongside an absence of side effects indicate that further research, particularly larger and more controlled trials, is warranted using this multinutrient approach."
 Click here to read the entire study.
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