Gulf War Syndrome Finally Tied to Toxic Chemicals!

Key statements from an article in the Washington Post,

"It is very clear that Gulf War illness is a real condition that was not caused by combat stress or other psychological factors," said Lea Steele, scientific director of the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses

"Speculation about the causes of Gulf War illness has included exposure to depleted uranium munitions, vaccines, nerve agents and oil well fires."

"When you put all the evidence together there are two chemicals that jump out as the main causes," she said. One is a drug called pyridostigmine bromide, which is a cholinesterase inhibitor that was given to the troops to protect them against nerve gas.

"It turns out that people who took those pills have a higher rate of Gulf War illness," Steele said. "And people who took more pills have even higher rates of Gulf War illness."

In addition, soldiers were exposed to pesticides that were also cholinesterase inhibitors, Steele said. "The strongest evidence points to pyridostigmine bromide and pesticides as causal factors," she said. "This type of illness has not been seen after other wars."

::::: Thoughts From Nick ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

It's relieving to see that they have finally addressed this problem that has done so much damage to the lives of over 175,000 soldiers and their families. The article also briefly mentions the anthrax vaccine which they say wasn't a likely causal agent, however, the vaccine issue is a very serious one, due to the # of vaccines they administer to the soldiers, who have no ability to opt out, regardless of their concern - - basically there's a 100% vaccine rate. I don't have any experience in military stuff, but i am looking forward to offering chiropractic care to those men and women who are serving, and providing them w/ much needed care that is still very scarce in the VA healthcare programs.