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| Developmental Disorders |
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| Autism |
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| 1. AUTISM IS CURABLE! |
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Autism is a complex biological disorder that affects the development of the brain with multiple causes, including but not limited to intestinal inflammation, food allergies and heavy metal intoxication. Symptoms include delays or problems with verbal or nonverbal communication, social interactions, as well as inability to empathize with others, and routines or repetitive behaviors.
Autism spectrum disorders increased from 1 in 10,000 in 1978 to 1 in 300 in some US communities in 1999. As of February 2007, approximately 1 in 150 children—representing various communities in the United States—have an autism spectrum disorder, according to a Center for Disease Control and Prevention working group.
But there is hope. It was discovered more than a decade ago that autism was treatable. |
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| 2. Why go biomedical? |
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Dr. Martha Herbert, assistant professor in neurology at Harvard Medical School, emphasises that the brain and body can influence each other. She does not agree with the mainline approach of solely focusing on behavioural therapy. According to her, treating a child's health should be the first step in addressing autism, because a child’s health state controls the bandwidth that the child has for being able to focus and benefit from behavioural therapy.
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, biomedical approach is no longer an ‘alternative method’. It is currently widely practised in treating autism.
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Gluten, Casein and Opioid Excess Theories
Mercury, heavy metals, toxins theory
Methylation Theory of Autism
Vaccination and autoimmune disorder theory
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| Gluten, Casein and Opioid Excess Theories |
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The opioid excess theory of autism says that autistic children are symptomatic due to excess opioid-like substances from gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, etc.) and casein (alpha protein found in milk), whose effects on hormones and hormonal regulation and the brain produce the symptoms of autism. Gluten and dairy are ingested but not properly digested, forming ‘gliadin’ protein.
When a person suffers from flora dybiosis in the gut, non-beneficial yeasts thrive and colonize. Yeasts excrete toxins which drill holes through the intestinal wall leading to what is commonly called ‘the leaky gut syndrome’. Peptides and opioids in food are passed to the bloodstream through the holes and in turn to the brain.
Morphine-like opioid peptide effects on hormones and hormonal regulation, causing insomnia, attention deficit, hyperactivity, mania and self-injury. These peptides are addictive and cause withdrawal symptoms (dieoffs). Strict elimination of gluten and dairy products lowers opioid peptide level and improve autistic symptoms. The earlier the implementation of the diet, the better the chance of recovery.
Recommendations:
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Strictly stay away from gluten and dairy containing products (such as cheese, milk, butter, ice cream, and wheat, rye bread, cakes, spaghetti, pasta, etc.) |
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Have a food allergy test (IgE, IgG). Due to gut inflammation, autistic children often have other food allergies, and are often allergic to soy and corn. Parents should look out for these allergic symptoms: Red face, red ears, fever, dark circles, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, etc. |
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Take ‘digestive enzymes’ to break down gluten, casein, fatty acids, sucrose, etc. Many of the autistic patients lack DPP-IV enzyme. DPP-IV is used to break down gluten and casein. Other enzymes are also beneficial to autistic patients: |
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Peptidases to break down peptides
Lipase to break down fats
Amylase to break down carbohydrates
Disaccharidases, Lactase, Maltase, Sucrase, Isomaltase to break down lactose |
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Take ‘calcium’ to avoid deficiency due to dairy free diet. Calcium is essential to bone growth, and has a soothing, calming effect on mood. |
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Take ‘probiotics’ to promote beneficial bacteria growth, which reduces the risks of inflammation, leaky gut, yeast overgrowth and candida overgrowth. It is essential for children who used to be on antibiotics. The choice of probiotics is important. Choose several different formula and rotate regularly. Go for high potency. The more the CFU (colony forming unit), the higher the potency. CFU usually ranges from 7.5 to 50 billion, the choice of which depends on age, weight and body needs. Probiotics are better keep chilled (there are also ambient formula for travelers) because prolonged heat and storage will void the potency. |
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| Keywords: Gluten, dairy, gluten free, dairy free, leaky gut, opioid peptide, enzymes, DPP-IV, calcium, probiotics, yeast, candida |
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| Mercury, heavy metals, toxins theory |
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Dr Kenneth Bock, who has been treating autism for over a decade, emphasized that toxins and heavy metals are some of the most fundamental causes for autism.
Toxins can be categorized into five groups:
Keywords: toxins, ammonia, hormones, acetaldehyde, virus, bacteria, fungi, parasites, heavy metals, parasites, food additives, dye, preservatives, MSG, aspartame, brain, central nervous system, detoxification, non-GM, hormones, glutathione, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Taurine, Vitamin A, phosphatidylcholine, N-acetyl-cysteine, sulfate
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Necessary wastes such as ammonia, hormones and acetaldehyde from metabolism. |
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Virus, bacteria, fungi and parasites that invade the body. It is impossible to exterminate them, but it is important to keep their growth and count in control. |
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Toxins in the environment, such as lead and copper, pesticides, as well as tremendous amount of dyes and chemicals used in industrial production. These toxins damage the body and brain cells. |
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Improper use of drugs and alcohol will produce toxins. |
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Food additives, colourings, preservatives, MSG and aspartame. |
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An autistic patient is overloaded by toxins and is incapable of flushing out the toxins by themselves. First, toxins attack cells in different body parts including the brain and the central nervous system, causing oxidative stress and dysfunction of body organs. It further results in gut and neuro inflammation. When toxins accumulate, they overload the body to such an extent that it causes problems with behavior, the body and the mind. However, after an effective detoxification treatment, parents usually notice dramatic improvement in children. |
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Recommendations:
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Avoid contact, use or ingestion of toxic food and products. Avoid pesticides and insecticides. Eat organic, non-GM, and hormone free. Drink reverse osmosis water. Use eco-friendly sanitation products, such as natural floor cleaners, dish detergents and vegetable cleansers. |
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Boost glutathione level in the body. Glutathione is a super potent antioxidant. It fights free radicals, protects protein against oxidants, protects mucous linings of the intestine from harmful substances, and flushes out chemicals and heavy metals. Oral glutathione usually cannot be totally absorbed, but does a better job in repairing the gut. Glutathione by IV must be carried out in hospitals or clinics, and is more readily absorbed. Vitamin C also helps increase glutathione level, so remember to take Vitamin C during detoxification. |
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Other supplements that aid detoxification include Vitamin B6, Taurine, Vitamin A, Phosphatidylcholine, N-acetyl-cysteine and alpha-lipoic acid. |
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People with autism are generally low in sulfate level. Sulfate, an essential mineral for detoxification, helps heal the mucous lining of the intestinal wall and regulate hormone release. Many practitioners recommend the use of Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate). Soak in Epsom salts with warm or hot water for 15-20 minutes, 3 times a week. Epsom salts is a mild detoxifying agent and works well on many patients. Remember to choose the highest quality (USP grade) Epsom salts, as inferior ones might contain heavy metals. |
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Other than Epsom salts, you can also detoxify by soaking Magnetic Clay. Magnetic Clay is a compound of bentonite and a concoction of herbs (coriander, kelp, chlorella, ginkgo, to name a few). There are several fomula available for different purposes. ‘Environmental clay’ targets environmental toxins, including caffeine, radiation from phones, TV and microwaves, preservatives, vaccination poisons and pesticides. ‘Clear-out detox clay’ helps pull out mercury, lead, arsenic, aluminium and parasites. There are also specific clays for aluminium, lead and mercury respectively. Users should start with environmental or clear out before advancing to clays for pulling out specific toxins. Similar to Epsom salts, this is a non-intrusive method to which a lot of parents prefer. |
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Do not forget the original detox ways. Drinking water, breathing, aerobic exercise and sweating are all good old ways. Far-infrared sauna and heat lamps are also helpful. |
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| Keywords: Gluten, dairy, gluten free, dairy free, leaky gut, opioid peptide, enzymes, DPP-IV, calcium, probiotics, yeast, candida |
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| Methylation Theory of Autism |
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| Methylation is an important metabolic process, possibly defective in autism, and pertaining to the control of histamine excess, protection of DNA, promotion of serotonin production and detoxification, as well as other brain functions. If methylation functions properly, the body will not accumulate toxins and will be able to produce sufficient glutathione. Toxins, very often mercury, are the main culprits in upsetting methylation. The following supplements help promote methylation: Use simultaneously Methylcobalamin (methyl B-12), folinic acid, zinc, and DMG or TMG.
Methyl B-12 induces homocysteine the production of methionine. Methionine is a prime factor for methylation and is responsible for detoxification, functions of cell membrane, hormone metabolism and restoration of cranial nerves. Zinc is beneficial for digestion, immune system and brain functions. You probably have heard of a phrase – ‘No zinc, no think’? Studies reveal that 85% of the autistic children are deficient in zinc, which also helps regulate children’s eating habit and behaviour.
Keywords: methylation, histamine, DNA, serotonin, detoxification, glutathione, mercury, Methylcobalamin, folinic acid, TMG, DMG, zinc, homocysteine, methionine.
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| Vaccination and autoimmune disorder theory |
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| The parallels between autism and other autoimmune diseases suggest that autoimmunity (an abnormal immune reaction) may be a critical factor in the cause of autism. An essential part of the autoimmune mechanism should involve antibody-mediated immune response or antibodies against the brain. Autism and autoimmune disorders share a lot of things in common, in that many autistic children also suffer from autoimmune disorders like allergies and asthma. Research on autoimmune issues is constantly underway; some practitioners use Actos, low dose naltrexone and IVIG (intravenous gamma globulin) for treatment. Experts claim that over 80% cases of autism are caused by autoimmunity. The autoimmune process in autism results from a complex interaction between the immune system and the nervous system. An auto-immune reaction to basic brain structures might lead to disturbances of higher mental functions such as learning, memory, communication, social interaction, etc.
In recent years, there are reports of children’s immune systems suffering from the side effects of vaccinations. Some vaccinations contain neurotoxic materials (e.g. Thimerosal which contains mercury), which damages the nervous system. The most important theory of vaccine damage relates to allergic reactions and the development of an auto-immune response, stimulated by the vaccine and its adjuvant. Vaccines always contain adjuvants, which are substances known to amplify the body's response to the vaccine. These adjuvants are known to sometimes cause allergic and auto-immune responses on their own.
Research found out that the 87% of the guts of children with autism and gut dysbiosis were infected with measles virus, while in normal children, only 7% of them were infected. It is deduced that after the children had the MMR jab, they developed allergic autoimmune disease. It corresponds with the fact that parents noticed that their sons, who used to be healthy and verbal, went downhill after the jab. In the US, numerous arguments as well as lawsuits for and against vaccinations are in progress.
The National Vaccine Information Center (NVIC) champions the rights of individual families to refuse vaccines. The NVIC makes a very important, sometimes-neglected point:
"Vaccination is a medical procedure which carries a risk of injury or death. As a parent, it is your responsibility to become educated about the benefits and risks of vaccines in order to make the most informed, responsible vaccination decisions."
Keywords: autoimmune, autoimmunity, allergies, asthma, Actos, Naltrexone, IVIG, vaccine, vaccination, Thimerosal, adjuvant, measles
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| The biomedical approach at a glance |
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The biomedical approach advocates the use of mainly non-medicinal supplements and special diets:
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Diet (Eliminate allergens that cause allergies, constipation, diarrhea and gut inflammation) |
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Gut healing (Take probiotics, digestive enzymes, zinc and magnesium citrate (constipation) to reduce inflammation) |
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Enhance cognition, memory, as well as the functions of brain cells and neurotransmitters (Take Methyl B-12, DMAE, zinc, Neptune krill oil (NKO), essential fatty acids, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, Learner’s Edge, etc.) |
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Pull toxins (e.g. heavy metals) out of the body. Avoid using and eating products with heavy metals, additives, and colourings. Take glutathione, phosphatidylcholine, alpha lipoic acid, lysine, selenium, Taurine and Metyl B-12 |
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To boost the immune system, enhance methylation, detoxification, and concentration and reduce autistic symptoms, take zinc, essential fatty acids, transfer factor, glutathione, Vitamin C |
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To alleviate other symptoms –
Hyperactivity / sleep problem: Take magnesium, Vitamin B6, zinc, 5-HTP, GABA, melatonin, essential fatty acids, phospatidylcholine
Speech: Take Carnosine
Viral infection/ inflammation: Take essential fatty acids, Pycnogenol, curcumin, Vitamin E, selenium, olive leaf extract, zinc, coconut oil (lauric acid), oregano oil, probiotics |
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Last but not least, take multi-vitamin/ mineral formula |
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