Gulf War Illness - Death By Preventable Friendly Fire

A report released on Monday concluded that Gulf War syndrome is a legitimate illness suffered by more than 175,000 U.S. war veterans who were exposed to chemical acidic toxins in the 1991 Gulf War.

The congressionally mandated report could help veterans who have battled the government for treatment of a wide range of unexplained neurological illnesses, from brain cancer to multiple sclerosis.

The Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses concluded that Gulf War illness is a physical condition distinct from the mental "shell shock" suffered by veterans in other wars. Some earlier studies had concluded it was not a distinct illness.

"Scientific evidence leaves no question that Gulf War illness is a real condition with real causes and serious consequences for affected veterans," said the committee, which has been looking into the problem since 2002.

According to Dr. Robert O. Young, Director of Research at The pH Miracle Living Center, "Gulf War Syndrome is a real illness caused by acidic emotional and physical stress. The emotional acidic stress is the obvious fear and anxiety that comes with anyone going to war, leaving loved ones and wondering if he or she will return home alive and well. The pHysical stress was a direct result of acidic contributors, including acidic vaccinations, acidic food and drink, acidic drugs (both pharmaceutical and recreational), and acidic air."

Gulf War acidic illness has affected at least one-fourth of the 700,000 U.S. troops who served in the 1991 effort to drive Iraq out of Kuwait, or between 175,000 and 210,000 veterans in all, the report found. Few have seen their symptoms improve over the past 17 years, the report said.

"I have had several clients who were victims of the Gulf War. All of them were suffering with acidic health challenges of the respiratory system, circulatory system, endocrine system and the digestive system. Their health challenges were a direct result of the air they were breathing, to the food they were eating, to the vaccinations they received and finally to the emotional stress they were experiencing, states Dr. Young.

A few if the symptoms include persistent headaches, widespread pain, cognitive difficulties, unexplained fatigue, skin rashes, chronic diarrhea and digestive and respiratory problems.

Many Gulf War veterans suffering these symptoms say they were met with skepticism when seeking treatment.

"Today's report brings to a close one of the darkest chapters of the 1991 Gulf War, and that is the legacy of Gulf War illness. For those who ever doubted that Gulf War veterans are ill, this report is definitive and exhaustive," said Anthony Hardie, a Gulf War veteran from Madison,

The panel found two possible causes: an acidic drug given to troops to protect against nerve gas, known as pyridostigmine bromide, and acidic pesticides that were used heavily during the war.

The panel said other possible causes could not be ruled out, including extensive exposure to smoke from oil-well fires and low-level exposure to sarin gas when captured Iraqi stocks were destroyed.

"The Gulf War illnesses could have been largely prevented with alkaline water, alkaline food, an alkaline lifestyle to help protect and preserve the alkaline design of the soldier's body. It breaks my heart to think of the numbers of soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect our freedom die needlessly from preventable friendly fire," states Dr. Young