Can Autism Be Prevented?

The prevalence of autism has skyrocketed in the last decade. Current incidence is one in every 150- children, and almost one in every 94- boys.

New research indicates that 30% of autism diagnoses stem from environmental factors —a shocking revelation that suggests one third of incidents may be prevented by avoiding certain toxins.

Read on to learn what scientists have recently discovered. We routinely urge our patients and practice members to familiarize themselves with the latest research findings because of the significant division of opinion as controversial as this topic is. Also, the alternatives they have to replace typical store-bought commercial household products containing formaldehyde, DEET, artificial sweeteners, and food preservatives, etc., which are found in highly processed food, cleaners, solvents, liquid soaps, lotion and sunscreen products —with those which offer a nontoxic, and environmentally friendly alternative that are safer, better, and less expensive than name brand commercial products… and many times conveniently delivered to your door.

Autism Basics

Autism impairs a person's ability to communicate and relate to others. This affliction is associated with rigid routines, repetitive behaviors, and deficits in language and social communication skills. Diagnosis is usually by the age three, yet newer guidelines are recognizing diagnostic criteria of delayed development or progress as young as six months old. Usually it’s a child's parents or their daycare providers who are the first to notice unusual behaviors... or the lack thereof.

Suspected Causes

Autism has no known single cause. The disorder comes from certain abnormalities found in specific parts of the brain. Brain scans of autistic children show different shapes and structures in some parts of the brain compared with children with normally expected brain development and behavior. In certain brain locations, nerve cells appear smaller than normal. These neurons have stunted connections to other brain regions and connections if at all.

Abounding Controversy

It's not very clear why so many more children are being diagnosed in recent years than ever before. One argument is that broader diagnostic criteria and improved awareness among parents, educators and health-care providers account for the increased recognition of the signs and symptoms of this condition. These factors may play a significant role in the number of identified cases. However there has not been a marked increase in the diagnosis of autism among older people whose disorder might have been misdiagnosed or overlooked in childhood. This fact, among others, has led researchers to investigate environmental triggers, because exposure to them has increased exponentially in the past several decades. In fact, over 4- million new chemicals have been introduced to mankind in different commercial and industrial processes since 1965.

The Immune System's Role

Our conservative approach focuses on the fundamental basis of prevention and elimination emphasizing the link between the nervous system and the immune system.
This is because the immune system is an intricate network of interdependence between cells, nerves, substances, and organs that collectively protect the body from disease —and most importantly a healthy intestinal flora. The developing immune system is highly vulnerable to disruption, especially during the fetal and infant stages of growth. We now know how even a small disruption at a critical stage of development may have lifelong consequences.
For instance, studies suggest that immune dysfunction may be a contributing factor to the development of autism (Journal of Toxological Environmental Health B Critical Review 2008; 11:660-80).

How About Those Pesticides and Household Cleaners?

Some scientists argue that environmental contaminants, which are more prevalent, now than in previous decades, may be responsible for the sharp rise in autism rates.

A new study in the medical journal Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine indicates there is an environment of trigger for autism among genetically vulnerable children. The findings suggest that 30% or more of autism diagnoses may be related to environmental factors.

This investigation looked at the rates of autism from counties in California, Oregon and Washington. The incidence of this disorder appeared higher in areas with greater rainfall, especially for children who resided in the same location prior to the age of three.
The researchers theorize several possible environmental triggers related to higher levels of annual precipitation and increased amount of time spent indoors. Speculation includes sustained early childhood television and video exposure, vitamin D deficiencies, and exposure to chemicals and household cleaners.

The authors conclude, "These results are consistent with the existence of an environmental trigger for autism among genetically vulnerable children that is positively associated with precipitation. Further studies focused on establishing whether such a trigger exists in identifying the specific trigger are warranted," (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine 2008; 162:1 thousand 26-34).

Mercury and Heavy Metals

Heavy metals, such as lead and mercury, may be associated with autism and have a contributory affect as well. Lead exposure may come from the ingestion of lead based paint in older homes, or some toys and other items with lead based coatings where the manufacturing process is not well monitored and inspection or testing is not adequate.

As a chiropractic doctor I typically warn patients to be wary of the amount of mercury in their diets, especially during pregnancy and nursing. Certain fish such a shark, swordfish, King Mackerel, tilefish and tuna have exceedingly harmful levels of ethyl mercury. When scientists examined blood and urine samples from 28- autistic children, they detected high levels of mercury, compared to youngsters with normal brain development.

Similarly, children with severe autism had "significantly increased" levels of mercury, compared with those with mild cases of autism. In addition, the autistic children had “significantly decreased” levels of glutathione compared to their control subjects.

Glutathione is a sulphur containing amino acid important for Phase II liver detoxification whereby the sulphur molecule helps to bind heavy metals and other toxic residues making them water soluble and more easily excreted from the body in the urine and bile. Cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts, etc.) are a good source of natural sulphur compounds for the liver. It works as an antioxidant, keeping in check the destructive process of oxidative stress caused by environmental toxins (J Neurol Sci 2008; epub).

Conversely, consumption of non-tainted fish high in omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and nursing is linked to higher IQ scores among children.

Is There a Genetic Predisposition ?

Genetic experts argue that some children have a genetic predisposition to autism, which increases their susceptibility to environmental triggers. Scientists have identified genes linked to the condition, but lack complete understanding of the entire set of related genes. Although one gene has been singled out, researchers are searching for irregular segments in the genetic code that autistic children may have inherited. In many families, there is a pattern of autism or related disabilities, further supporting a genetic basis for their vulnerability.

Implicating Vaccines

Research linking autism to vaccines is conflicting. Thimerosal, a common preservative in vaccines is 49% ethyl mercury, (the same found in some fish) and was removed from childhood vaccinations and 2001. However some flu vaccines may still contain thimerosal.

Prenatal Infections

Research suggests that maternal infections during pregnancy may be related to a child's later development of autism.

The immune system reacts to infection by producing many different molecules, and one particular group is known as cytokines. These simply stated are inflammatory proteins, which control and direct immunity, inflammation and the formation of blood. New research suggests when cytokines appear in high doses during pregnancy, even briefly, an infant may develop altered behavior later on.

In one study, researchers gave pregnant mice a particular cytokine on day 12½ of the pregnancy. The result was the developing offspring emerged with significantly altered brain changes. In another experiment, the researchers blocked these particular cytokine molecules, and by doing so, altered the detrimental effects upon the fetuses’ brains seen in the previous study (Journal of Neuroscience 2007; 27:10695-702).

Medications

During pregnancy, risks for long-term consequences to the fetus are especially high. Certain medications taken during pregnancy may cause the child to later develop autism, or autistic like tendencies. For example, research shows that taking the epilepsy drug valproate during pregnancy significantly increases the child's risk for this condition. This new finding appears in the December 2008 issue of the medical journal Neurology.

The analysis included 632- children with no known family history of autism. While pregnant, approximately one half of the mothers took an epilepsy drug: 64 took valproate, 44 took Iamotrigine, 76 took carbamazepine, and 65 took other epilepsy drugs. Researchers performed tests at one, three and six years of age. Out of the 632- children in the study, nine were diagnosed with autism, and one child exhibited autistic symptoms.

Seven of these autistic children had mothers who took an epilepsy drug while pregnant, five of whom were exposed to valproate. Fetuses exposed to valproate had seven times the risk for developing the disorder, compared to those not exposed to epilepsy drugs (Neurology 2008; epub).

Based on the above findings, it’s crucial to avoid all unnecessary medication during pregnancy whenever possible. Chiropractic care helps expectant mothers to do just that.

C’mon Talk To Us…

With the startling rate of diagnosis, we understand parents’ and grandparents’ concern about the rate autism today. We strive to keep our practice members informed with the latest research on topics like this. You should feel free to share your questions about any health challenges affecting your family with your health care provider. We sincerely believe that many diseases can be improved — or even prevented — a with a healthy lifestyle, rooted in proper nutrition, restricted amounts of unhealthy facts, adequate exercise and hydration, the limitation of physical and emotional stress, the wise selection and use of personal and other household products, along with periodic chiropractic care.

Make it a good day...

LNM

Chiropractic Orthopedic Group