Autism
Autism and its related Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), is a major neuro-developmental dysfunction characterized by socially aloof behaviour and impairment of language and social expression. Autistic children seem abnormally withdrawn, almost self-occupied, and out of touch with reality. As a group they score significantly lower on measures of life skills than the general population.
Autism has become epidemic in the industrialized societies. In the United States, autism was relatively rare until the early 1990s, after which its prevalence increased by at least double and more likely 3-5 times. Similar steep increases in prevalence have been recorded in the United Kingdom. The gender ratio is 3-4:1 boys to girls. Since every autistic child has a major impact on the family, school system, and community, this epidemic calls for compassion, sensitivity, and maximum assistance from society as a whole.
In the healthcare community, there is a great deal of debate as to the existence of this problem and the various factors contributing to this epidemic. A major reason for the often confusing opinions in this debate is that most medical scientists and researchers are focused on looking for a single key cause of a disease. Unfortunately Autism is a syndrome which does not fit into this relatively simplistic paradigm.
Two American paediatricians: Sidney M. Baker, MD, and Richard A. Kunin, MD, pioneers in autism management, have independently listed factors that have become more prominent in ÒdevelopedÓ societies between 1950 and 2000, and which they strongly suspect have contributed to the autism upsurge. They have identified the following influences: increased antibiotic use; mercury exposure by injection in infancy (mercury is used as a preservative in injected vaccines); increase in combined live viral vaccines and the numbers of vaccinations; increased soil depletion leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies; decreased omega-3 essential fatty acids in the diet and greater exposure to increasing levels of chemical environmental toxins.
At this point I wish to digress and discuss Genetic Polymorphism, an essential key to understanding the factors predisposing to any long term or chronic illness of which Autism is one example. Genetic polymorphism means there is an almost infinite number of permutations and combinations of genetic material we inherit from our parents. We see it in each other as variety in height, shape, colour of hair, eyes, skin, muscle power, intelligence etc. Therefore some of us may be better at sport whilst others will excel at intellectual or artistic pursuits.
The same variability applies to our hidden, physiological and biochemical functions, so it is not surprising that there is a marked variation, for example, in our ability to extract and utilize nutrients from the food we eat. Individuals, who cannot do so effectively, run the risk of generalized impaired metabolism which, in turn, can be the underlying cause of low energy, hormonal imbalances, poor immune function, emotional and intellectual handicap, depression, mental illness and major neurological dysfunction.
In addition, we also know that our environment is becoming more and more polluted. Each year, thousands of new chemical compounds are manufactured and released into the atmosphere, agriculture and water.
A recent review explored the likelihood of linkages between the variety of toxins existing in the modern environment and the marked increases in childhood abnormalities. The environment is suffused with organic pollutants (called xenobiotics). Pesticide spraying is still routine in many school districts. Heavy metals, organohalide pesticides, herbicides, fumigants, and a wide range of organic solvents have been linked to abnormalities in behaviour, perception, cognition, and motor ability during early childhood.
Children exposed acutely or chronically to aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, or lead are often left with permanent neurological damage. Lead can cause developmental delay and mental retardation. Studies on lead serve as a model for other toxic metals, and, seemingly, lead toxicity has no lower threshold of damage.
There are no long-term toxicity or safety studies performed on any of these substances, either individually or in combination, to assess potential detrimental effects.
Some of us are genetically better at eliminating these toxins than others and those who are not, are more likely to suffer.
Children, who develop Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, are the ones with the most impaired metabolism. They usually have manifestations of dysfunction or illness in multiple organ systems including neurological, digestive and immunological.
Various studies have shown that virtually 100% of autistic children have impaired liver detoxification which means they cannot effectively eliminate environmental toxins, especially the heavy metals, such as lead, mercury or cadmium, which are often in the toxic range. In addition, they almost always have food intolerances, allergies and inflammatory gastro-intestinal problems which have not been fully assessed.
Lastly, as their ability to absorb and utilize food nutrients is impaired, they often need much higher amounts of specific vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential fatty acids for optimal function. Therefore we cannot rely on pathology reports which state that this childÕs results are ÒnormalÓ. These tests have to be interpreted from a nutritional point of view.
In modern times, our sick children with physical and intellectual handicaps; whether Autism or Attention Deficit Disorder or any other chronic illness; they are the modern Òcanaries in the coalmineÓ, with a fragile genetic makeup which cannot cope with the toxic environmental stresses and they need proper metabolic assessment and support.
Many children and adults who suffer with ASD undergo various individualized training programmes, such as behavioural modification and structured education. These are beneficial but by themselves insufficient. However, by healing the digestive, metabolic, immune and liver detoxification systems, their quality of life becomes dramatically improved.
Autism has become epidemic in the industrialized societies. In the United States, autism was relatively rare until the early 1990s, after which its prevalence increased by at least double and more likely 3-5 times. Similar steep increases in prevalence have been recorded in the United Kingdom. The gender ratio is 3-4:1 boys to girls. Since every autistic child has a major impact on the family, school system, and community, this epidemic calls for compassion, sensitivity, and maximum assistance from society as a whole.
In the healthcare community, there is a great deal of debate as to the existence of this problem and the various factors contributing to this epidemic. A major reason for the often confusing opinions in this debate is that most medical scientists and researchers are focused on looking for a single key cause of a disease. Unfortunately Autism is a syndrome which does not fit into this relatively simplistic paradigm.
Two American paediatricians: Sidney M. Baker, MD, and Richard A. Kunin, MD, pioneers in autism management, have independently listed factors that have become more prominent in ÒdevelopedÓ societies between 1950 and 2000, and which they strongly suspect have contributed to the autism upsurge. They have identified the following influences: increased antibiotic use; mercury exposure by injection in infancy (mercury is used as a preservative in injected vaccines); increase in combined live viral vaccines and the numbers of vaccinations; increased soil depletion leading to vitamin and mineral deficiencies; decreased omega-3 essential fatty acids in the diet and greater exposure to increasing levels of chemical environmental toxins.
At this point I wish to digress and discuss Genetic Polymorphism, an essential key to understanding the factors predisposing to any long term or chronic illness of which Autism is one example. Genetic polymorphism means there is an almost infinite number of permutations and combinations of genetic material we inherit from our parents. We see it in each other as variety in height, shape, colour of hair, eyes, skin, muscle power, intelligence etc. Therefore some of us may be better at sport whilst others will excel at intellectual or artistic pursuits.
The same variability applies to our hidden, physiological and biochemical functions, so it is not surprising that there is a marked variation, for example, in our ability to extract and utilize nutrients from the food we eat. Individuals, who cannot do so effectively, run the risk of generalized impaired metabolism which, in turn, can be the underlying cause of low energy, hormonal imbalances, poor immune function, emotional and intellectual handicap, depression, mental illness and major neurological dysfunction.
In addition, we also know that our environment is becoming more and more polluted. Each year, thousands of new chemical compounds are manufactured and released into the atmosphere, agriculture and water.
A recent review explored the likelihood of linkages between the variety of toxins existing in the modern environment and the marked increases in childhood abnormalities. The environment is suffused with organic pollutants (called xenobiotics). Pesticide spraying is still routine in many school districts. Heavy metals, organohalide pesticides, herbicides, fumigants, and a wide range of organic solvents have been linked to abnormalities in behaviour, perception, cognition, and motor ability during early childhood.
Children exposed acutely or chronically to aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, or lead are often left with permanent neurological damage. Lead can cause developmental delay and mental retardation. Studies on lead serve as a model for other toxic metals, and, seemingly, lead toxicity has no lower threshold of damage.
There are no long-term toxicity or safety studies performed on any of these substances, either individually or in combination, to assess potential detrimental effects.
Some of us are genetically better at eliminating these toxins than others and those who are not, are more likely to suffer.
Children, who develop Autism or Autism Spectrum Disorder, are the ones with the most impaired metabolism. They usually have manifestations of dysfunction or illness in multiple organ systems including neurological, digestive and immunological.
Various studies have shown that virtually 100% of autistic children have impaired liver detoxification which means they cannot effectively eliminate environmental toxins, especially the heavy metals, such as lead, mercury or cadmium, which are often in the toxic range. In addition, they almost always have food intolerances, allergies and inflammatory gastro-intestinal problems which have not been fully assessed.
Lastly, as their ability to absorb and utilize food nutrients is impaired, they often need much higher amounts of specific vitamins, minerals, proteins and essential fatty acids for optimal function. Therefore we cannot rely on pathology reports which state that this childÕs results are ÒnormalÓ. These tests have to be interpreted from a nutritional point of view.
In modern times, our sick children with physical and intellectual handicaps; whether Autism or Attention Deficit Disorder or any other chronic illness; they are the modern Òcanaries in the coalmineÓ, with a fragile genetic makeup which cannot cope with the toxic environmental stresses and they need proper metabolic assessment and support.
Many children and adults who suffer with ASD undergo various individualized training programmes, such as behavioural modification and structured education. These are beneficial but by themselves insufficient. However, by healing the digestive, metabolic, immune and liver detoxification systems, their quality of life becomes dramatically improved.