With 1 in 6 children in the USA on the autistic spectrum, alternative autism treatments are very much in demand. That figure is predicted to rise to one in two by 2025 according to Dr Klinghard. Autism is fast becoming an epidemic with many parents scouring the internet desperate for information and – more importantly – treatments. These seem to be dominated by ‘bio-medical’ model, which basically means treating the symptoms, and this may include gut and digestive problems, yeast overgrowth, the removal of gluten and casein from the diet, and detoxification.
Alternative autism treatments need a radical new approach.
Alternative Autism Treatments
Three factors that are often overlooked in autism:-
1 Autistic children are born to toxic parents.
50% of the fathers of autistic children suffer from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), and many mothers have fatigue related issues, sub-clinical or diagnosed thyroid problems and headaches or migraines. An Israeli study found a correlation between pre-conceptual laptop exposure in fathers and autism.
2 Compromised Liver Function
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, previously limited to alcoholics, has now been found to affect teenagers. Although eating a diet high in sugar, especially fructose, can cause fatty liver, autistic children are more susceptible because of a problem processing long chain fats. Detox pathways are often not working properly which makes it harder for someone with autism to get rid of toxins.
3 Excessive Stress is a keynote of autism
Stress does not just mean emotional stress. It means anything that increases the workload on the body, so may include toxic exposure, poor diet, nutritional deficiencies, damage to the cells and metabolic and immune abnormalities which can increase the workload on the body and accelerate ageing. Did you know that hyperactivity is an early sign of exhaustion?
Alternative Autism Treatments need to address the root causes
Methylation problems
Methylation regulates most bodily processes including hormone regulation and digestion. It is a bit like the ignition on your car. So if you are not methylating properly your body won’t be working properly. Methylation is also important for folate (a B vitamin) metabolism.
Chronic Infections
Long term immune suppression in the presence of low grade infection is nearly always found in autism. Common infections include Borrelia, Herpes, Chlamydia and many others. Borrelia inhibits the action of a key methylation enzyme, methionine synthase, increasing the need for vitamin B12.
Lack of enzymes to break down foods
Alternative autism treatments often involved supplementing with DPP 1V (Dipeptidylpeptidase) is an enzyme that breaks down gluten (from grains) and casein (a milk protein). It also regulates the breakdown of neuropeptides and chemokines and plays a critical role in in stimulating T Cells and may also regulate inflammatory responses in immune cells.
Although SNPs on enzymes (listed below) are often found in autism, it is important to remember that 97% of our genes respond to environmental influences. Our genes haven’t changed in millennia, but toxins and the modern lifestyle can cause epigenetic changes. EMFs, chemicals and heavy metal contamination means that each one of us has accumulated between 20 – 30,000 chemicals which are stored in our body tissues, triggering changes in our biome. Microbes, who should be our friends, turn into pathogens, resulting in chronic bacterial and viral infections which can undermine health and energy and ultimately result in autoimmune disease.
DAO, MAO A and HMT
These are enzymes involves in histamine metabolism. Histamine is found in many foods and an inability to metabolise it is linked to migraine, IBS, interstitial cystitis, fibromyalgia and genetic polymorphisms on these enzymes are frequently found in autism.
AGT
Alanine glyoxalate transaminase is involved in oxalate metabolism. Low levels of this enzyme can lead to hyperoxaluria Type 1 and the accumulation of oxalate and glycoxalate in the tissues. It is supported by supplementing with vitamin B6 and molybdenum and increasing sulphate levels by taking Epsom Salts baths.
ALDH
Aldehyde is produced by yeasts and alternative autism treatments often involve anti-Candida regimens. Acetyl dehydrogtenase is the enzyme that breaks down aldehyde. If this enzyme isn’t working properly the build-up of aldehyde can DAO enzymes, interfering with histamine breakdown, resulting in inflammation.
Oxalate decarboxylase
Like, DAO, this enzyme is manganese dependent. Oxalate toxicity is found in fibromyalgia, IBS, interstitial cystitis and autism.
CBS
Cystathione betasynthase enzyme is involved in sulphur metabolism. Sulphur is an important mineral for connective tissue strength. A problem with this pathway reduces the ability to detoxify – an important function in today’s world!