Adderall and Ritalin Type Drugs linked to deaths according to newly released FDA bulletin

By the end of 2003, the FDA had already received 24 reported sudden deaths in patients using Adderall, This drug is used to treat ADD and ADHD in children. Adderall is an amphetamine. There have been 10 deaths connected to other amphetamines. There have been 16 deaths related to methylphenidates in the same report; Ritalin, Concerta, and Metadate are methylphenidates. Although it is possible that the deaths were not caused by the drugs the FDA report urges close monitoring of children who have taken these drugs for possible cardiac problems.

Commentary by Jerry Hickey, R.Ph.

These drugs can accelerate heart rate, cause palpitations, lead to changes in blood pressure and pulse rate, cause angina and cardiac arrhythmias, increase anxiety, and agitation; it is not a stretch to consider that they may have serious consequences in isolated cases. Important Note: Parents should not discontinue the use of a drug without first consulting with the appropriate physician.

More research shows that Resveratrol improves lifespan

Resveratrol has been shown to increase longevity in short-lived invertebrates. It protects them from a variety of age-related problems such as ischemia (decreased blood flow) and neurotoxicity (damage to the brain and nervous system from various factors).

The problem with studies on longevity is that no one can stay around to see the results in very long-lived species. Even mice live too long for these studies (2.5 years) due to cost factors. In this study a short-lived seasonal fish was selected for ease of studying. It lives a short time because it exists in an unpredictable environment, therefore to ensure propagation, the lifespan must be short. The fish ages at an accelerated rate and shows signs of old age at an accelerated rate. Adding Resveratrol to the food of these fish at early adulthood caused a dose-dependent increase in the median and maximal lifespan. Resveratrol delayed the age associated decay in locomotor activity (the ability to move) and cognitive performance and reduced the degeneration of the brain and nervous system. The study is published in the February 7th, 2006 issue of the journal Current Biology.