Sara's View

Sara's New Ride--Before

Sara loves the purple flames, but I feel too weird driving it. I think I'll have it painted my favorite color--pearl sage green with shades from dark to light. And, to Alden's dismay--no flames. What's so surprising is how smooth the car drives. So much easier than a van!

carnitine?

Sara has been taking Caritine for years. One doctor told me it's why she has such beautiful hair. I thought you might want to know more...

What You Should Know About L-Carnitine
By Ian Mason

L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by body builders and other athletes as a safe and helpful way to create bigger and more efficient muscles. Some physicians and researchers have looked at L-carnitine to prevent muscle wasting in people who need kidney dialysis; alternative medicine purveyors suggest that L-carnitine may stop cellular aging. In order for you to make a healthy decision about using L-carnitine, we’ve put together some information any potential buyer should have.

What is L-carnitine, anyways?

L-carnitine is a modified amino acid, produced in the liver. Most amino acids form the building blocks of proteins, which in turn provide much of the structure and function of the body. L-carnitine is different than amino acids in that it doesn’t form a part of a protein; instead it serves as a delivery van, moving fats into specialized parts of our cells, where they can be used for energy.

Several conditions can result in lowered L-carnitine levels, including
-rare genetic (hereditary) conditions
-loss of L-carnitine during dialysis (the mechanical process used to clean the blood in patients whose kidneys can’t manage it)
-certain persons (for example, premature babies) who may not get enough L-carnitine in their diets and cannot make adequate amounts in their livers

Where can I get some?

Most people synthesize (make) enough L-carnitine for their needs in the liver. You can also get significant amounts in your diet from
-ground beef
-pork
-milk
-fish

Even strict vegetarians generally make enough that they don’t need to eat meat to have the needed L-carnitine ; they can also get small amounts from sources like avocado, whole wheat bread and asparagus.

Should I be taking L-carnitine supplements?

People who have a liver condition that doesn’t allow L-carnitine to be synthesized need to take L-carnitine supplements in order to survive; this is also the case for people who are born with kidneys that excrete L-carnitine in large amounts.

Because L-carnitine is so important in creating energy, many people swear by it to enhance their athletic activity. They feel that this is particularly important in their muscles, which often need lots of energy in order to increase in size (as in body building) and to function over long periods of time (in marathon runners).

Unfortunately, studies to date have not shown conclusively that supplementation improves athletic performance or muscle bulk. Some research suggests though that larger studies need to be done to see if there is an effect on certain types of exercise or certain sub-groups of athletes.

There is a little more evidence that L-carnitine may be useful for people with conditions that lead to loss of L-carnitine, for example:

*Aging. Some studies suggest that energy and memory losses may in part be due to decreased levels of L-carnitine in older rats and mice; L-carnitine has been shown to partially reverse these changes. Large studies are planned to see if L-carnitine has this effect on aging humans
*Heart damage. Several studies in humans suggest that L-carnitine supplementation after myocardial infarction (heart attack) may help the heart repair damaged cells and help it function better. L-carnitine even seems to help people who are having angina - the pain that sometimes precedes heart attack.
*Muscle loss from kidney disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of L-carnitine in dialysis patients to prevent and treat carnitine deficiency that is caused by kidney disease and dialysis. While it does not work for all patients who experience muscle weakness and loss, it is available as an alternative if standard treatments aren’t working.

The short answer? Unless you have one of a few specific conditions, it’s not yet clear whether L-carnitine will help you with your goals. Since for some people (including those with seizure disorders, who have Alzheimer’s disease, or who are pregnant and nursing) L-carnitine supplements may be dangerous, your best bet might be to wait until more information is available.
Brass E., “Supplemental carnitine and exercise,” American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 72, issue supplement 2, p 618S-623S, 2002
Davini P, et al “Controlled study on L-carnitine therapeutic efficacy in post-infarction,” Drugs Under Experimental and Clinical Research, Volume 18, issue 8, p 355-365, 1992
Hagen T., et al. “Feeding acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid to old rats significantly improves metabolic function while decreasing oxidative stress,” Proceeds of the National Academy of Science, Volume 99, issue 4, p1870-1875, 2002
National Kidney Foundation, “Adult Guidelines for Maintenance Dialysis: L-carnitine,” update 2000

Sakurauchi Y, et al., “Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on muscular symptoms in hemodialyzed patients,” American Journal of Kidney Disease, Volume 32, p258-264, 1998.

Sein, H., “Carnitine and its precursor, gamma-butyrobetaine,” In: Kramer K, et al, eds. Nutraceuticals in Health and Disease Prevention, New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc, p 217-256, 2001
Wachter, S. et al, “Long-term administration of L-carnitine to humans: effect on skeletal muscle carnitine content and physical performance,” Clinica Chimica Acta, Volume 318, issues 1-2, p. 51-61, 2002

Ian Mason, owner of Shoppe.MD Online Pharmacy

Ian studies health, weight loss, exercise, and several martial arts; maintaining several websites in an effort to help provide up-to-date and helpful information for other who share his interests in health of body and mind.

Contact Ian Mason by e-mail at ian@shoppe.md.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Sara's New Ride

Sara's dad Brian bought her a new car. It is a 1940 Studebaker station wagon. Check back to see the before pictures.

Brian is going to redo Sara's Studie, much like he remodels a house. He plans to put a wheelchair lift in the back with a moving floor that will move Sara in her chair forward.

On Raising a Child with Disabilities: Sara & the Nail Salon

Sara loves pampering. Haircuts, facials, manicures, and makeup bring smiles, giggles, raised eyebrows and kisses. Sara communicates "yes" by raising her eyebrows; blowing kisses signifies a very excited yes, please, and thank you very much.

My oldest daughter Enicia arranged for the three of us to get manicures and spa pedicures Saturday afternoon before Mother's Day. While making the appointments, she questioned the receptionist to make sure they would give Sara the full treatment (Sara's been turned away from a nail salon before because she can't move her arms and legs freely). After receiving assurance that this nail salon would pamper Sara, we set out with a laughing Sara for a fun afternoon.

When we arrived, the salon told us they would do Sara's fingernails, but not her toenails. Disappointed, Enicia and I sat in the special massage chairs with Sara, seated in her wheelchair, next to us. The manicurists started to work on our nails. Sara picked a pretty, happy pink nail polish by raising her eyebrows and blowing a kiss.

After the manicurist cut and buffed Sara's fingernails, she refused to paint them because Sara bends her fingers. I showed the woman how to place a plastic water bottle under Sara's hands to position her fingertips for easy access. The woman still refused. Enicia said she would hold Sara's hands, yet the woman would not reconsider.

Enicia and I received the full treatment. I did not make a scene and tried to enjoy Enicia's gift to me. We exchanged upset glances and apologized to Sara. She hung her head.

Enicia paid the bill and asked why they refused treatment even after she had confirmed on the phone that they would serve someone who uses a wheelchair. They gave no answer.

As we walked out, I tried to peel the wheelchair decal off the front door, but it held tight. I turned back into the salon and told them that they should take the decal off the door.

Enicia pulled me out. I broke down in tears.

Looking at Sara's hands, I discovered that the manicurist had chopped off all of Sara's long fingernails rather than shaping them. Most other women get long, painted extensions. Sara, who has long nails naturally, got her nails cut short.

(c) Copyright 2005 Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights reserved.

For more information, go to Saving Sara.