Coenzyme B1 (TTFD)
Polly: Dr. Lonsdale has done a preliminary study of 10 autistic children, ages 3 to 8, using the coenzyme form of B1. (The body must convert B1 into its coenzyme form before it can be employed. One coenzyme form of B1 is called thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide, (TTFD) or allithiamine.) 50 mg of TTFD was administered twice a day rectally for two months. Eight of the children showed clinical improvement in speech and behavior. One child showed a worsening of symptoms. [12]
There are several reasons why B1 is particularly important to the autistic. B1 is often low in those with mercury poisoning. B1 is important for the use of sulfur. B1 helps the body remove lead, arsenic and other heavy metals. B1 also helps the body keep serotonin levels under control. B1 is involved in the production of acetylcholine. Yet, B1 can desensitize acetylcholine receptors.
Michele: My daughter has been on the transdermal TTFD cream for eight months. She had been taking the oral TTFD for about nine months prior to that. Dr. Lonsdale has suggested alternating where I apply the TTFD cream—use the ankles (top of foot area), inner elbows, spine area and back of the knees. The cream does not smell that great. When applied to the back of the knees, it seems to smell the strongest, although I have no idea why. My daughter is older (a teen) and very self-conscious around other teens. Therefore, we decided to use the cream only at night. This seems to be working well as she showers every morning before school. If you want to apply the cream more often, you have the option of washing it off after about a half-hour. Most of the TTFD will have soaked in within a half-hour, so it should be safe to wash it off then. Some of the odor is still detectable even after washing, but certainly not as bad. Certain soaps seem to work better than others.
Mrs. Generic: Have you seen any improvements with the TTFD?
Michele: I have observed many improvements in my child since TTFD, but then I am also using many other supplements—probiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals and alpha lipoic acid (ALA). My child no longer has an auditory processing disorder upon professional testing. She no longer has any sensory problems with smell, touch, taste, and sight. She no longer has staring spells, no longer is hyperactive, rarely has insomnia. Her food intolerances are disappearing. Stomach problems are gone. She understands things much better. Her communication is more age appropriate. No rages, no mood swings, no depression, no anxieties, just many, many improvements. I can not say that just the TTFD did this, but with everything else, she is doing great.
Marilyn: There is another coenzyme form of B1 called Benfotiamin or Benfotiamine (Sbenzoylthiamine- O-monophosphate) from Advanced Orthomolecular Research. The Autism Interventions 31 literature states that it increases the effectiveness of metal chelators and that it is more bioavailable than TTFD. This is one place to purchase it. See http://www.y2khealthanddetox.com/bft.html or phone 1-877-402-5450
Sphingolin
Polly: Sphingolin is a myelin basic protein. Myelin covers the nerves, and has been likened to the insulation covering electrical wiring. (See http://www.myelin.org) About half the autistics have antibodies to myelin basic protein. In these cases, sometimes a low dose use of a sphingolin product is helpful. If the antibodies are not present, then Dr. Vijendra suggests that the supplement should not be used. Sphingolin is made by Ecological Formulas, phone (800) 351-9429. You can order sphingolin directly from Ecological Formulas or you can try http://www.vitaminexpress.com. DEWS Research also includes sphingolin in their Jfactors product. The J-factors is one of the products that people with multiple sclerosis try. J-factors contains purified lecithin, acetylcholine, cephalins (phospholipids), sphingomyelines, cerebrosides, and L-glutamic acid. DEWS website is http://www.DEWSnatural.com, and their phone is (940) 243-2178.