Henry Turkel

Henry Turkel
Born	June 29, 1903, Podwoloczyska, Galicia, Austria-Hungary
Died	August 14, 1992, Masada, Israel
Nationality	American, Israeli
Education	M.D.
Occupation	Physician
Known for	Orthomolecular approach to treating Down's Syndrome
Notable works	"Medical Amelioration of Down’s Syndrome Incorporating the Orthomolecular Approach" (1975)
Website	https://isom.ca/profile/henry-turkel/

Early life

Henry (Heinrich) Turkel was born June 29, 1903 (in what was then Galicia, Austro-Hungary) and later lived and practiced in the United States, especially in Detroit, Michigan. He later retired and moved to Israel before his death in 1992.

Education and career

Turkel became a medical doctor (M.D.) and practiced medicine in Michigan. He became interested in treating Down syndrome patients in the 1940s, and over the next decades he focused much of his practice on this condition. He developed a controversial nutritional and pharmacological regimen known as the “U series” for children with Down syndrome.

Notable/unique

Turkel was among the first physicians to propose that metabolic and biochemical intervention might improve health outcomes in individuals with Down syndrome. Beginning in the 1940s, he treated children with Down syndrome using a complex mix of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, enzymes, hormones, antihistamines, and other agents that he termed his “U series” therapy. According to proponents, he kept detailed clinical records and reported improvements in cognition and physical health in some patients. His work was controversial and not accepted by mainstream medicine; in particular, the U series was not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for interstate distribution.

Death

Henry Turkel died on August 14, 1992.

Published works

"Medical Amelioration of Down’s Syndrome Incorporating the Orthomolecular Approach" (1975)

"Intellectual Improvement of a Retarded Patient Treated with the U Series" (1984)

"The Medical Treatment of Down Syndrome" (1995)