Are Autism, Attention Deficit, and Chronic Fatigue Related?
Polly: I attended a lecture of Michael Goldberg, MD, a pediatrician from Tarzana, CA. He said that the link between Autistic Pervasive Developmental Delay (PDD), Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction (CFIDS) is a lack of blood flow to the limbic portion of the brain. They can show this in SPEC scans of the brain. With evidence like these SPEC scans, the doctors at the National Institute of Health (NIH) are beginning to believe that these are real diseases—not merely a psychological condition. Something in the environment is causing it. So everyone here can take heart. Twenty years from now, the average doctor will be more likely to believe you.
Unfortunately, there has been a large increase in these diseases—too fast to be thrown into the category of just genetic predisposition. What is causing this? Dr. Goldberg speculates that it is an immune dysfunction. Many of his Autism patients have high levels of HHV-6 virus, the same one they are finding associated with chronic fatigue. However, he doesn’t know if it is the virus that is the root cause of the problem or if it is the dysfunctional immune system that is allowing viruses to take over.
After he gets the yeast growth down in these children, he puts them on an immune modulator that helps them get rid of the viruses. He uses several. One is Kutapressin, an enzyme from pig liver that kills herpes viruses. He is having some very good results. This is Dr. Goldberg’s website: http://www.NIDS.net.
Shelley: Wow Wow & Wow. That’s my first reaction. Just want to say that I have been injecting 1cc of Kutapressin subcutaneously everyday since September 1998. I can never say “oh wow, this makes me feel better.” Yet, when I have skipped a day, I definitely feel worse. I have high HHV-6 titers… active because why? There is the question. An aside: Kutapressin is mega expensive, and I haven’t been able to get it covered. So maybe in twenty years…? It costs (Are you ready?) $140.00 for 20 days. I’m shopping around… eeeeek.
Note: See the section on transfer factor in the antifungal chapter, Book 2, for information on substances that work similar to Kutapressin to change the balance between Th1 and Th2 immune balance.
Marilyn in Seattle: Lots of mercury poisoned people have trouble with the herpes HHV-6 virus or Epstein Barr. Some find Larreastat (Herpeeze) helpful.
Larreastat is thought to inhibit Sp1, a DNA binding (transcription factor) protein, from binding to segments of the viral DNA and initiating replication.
http://www.futuredynamicadvantage.com/antiaging/larr updt.html, phone 800-244-2438 or 480-497-5353.
MSM, Sulfates, TMG, B6 and Magnesium
Polly: Most of the adults at the healthyawareness forum are quite familiar with MSM, magnesium sulfate baths, TMG, and coenzyme B6. It turns out that these same substances are also quite well known on the autism lists. It is almost as if they came to the same conclusions by traveling down a different path. The people on the autism lists have been using high dose B6 with magnesium for some time, but they have recently started including coenzyme B6 in their treatments. (Dr. Tapan Audhya found very slow coenzyme B6 formation in autistics.) They have been employing DMSO, but many have now switched to MSM (also known as DMSO2), and lately are emphasizing sulfates. Just like the adults at the healthy-awareness forum have surmised, the people on the autism lists have also concluded that you must start with very low doses of MSM. For some of these autistic children, even low doses of MSM are too strong. They must start with Epsom Salt (magnesium sulfate) baths. (Unfortunately, even these bathes are too strong for some children.)
The parents were employing DMG to improve the verbal ability of their autistic children, but now some are switching to TMG. Others find that TMG is too strong, and switch back to DMG. Parents also speak of antifungals, anti-virals, transfer factor, thyroid, magnesium, B12, folic acid, vitamin A, C, zinc, selenium, niacin, coenzyme B1 (TTFD), molybdenum, and coenzyme Q10. It is very similar to what is discussed at the healthy-awareness forum. I find Autism Interventions 13 it highly fascinating that some of the same supplements are coming to the forefront in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), autism, mercury toxicity, candidiasis, and in Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS). Why?
Shelley: Polly, now you are reading *my* mind. That has been my thought of the day. *Why* are the same supplements coming to the fore in these things? Can’t be just because they are the supplements du jour? OR¾are these things related….by? yeast? intertwined. Sometimes when I am on the amalgam list I almost forget we are not discussing candida. hmmmmmm…..The order of what to take when is the thing though…(lipoic acid after mercury amalgam removal, and B6 before antifungal…)
Polly: I believe you are right in that the order of treatment is very important. Nowhere else is it so apparent as with the autistic. They seem to be quite sensitive to what is tried first. Each is an individual, so there are no hard and fast rules here. What you use first depends to a large degree on what is tolerated. However, there are some general rules that may give a person some direction. Later, as the situation improves, more supplements will be tolerated.
Parents of autistic children are told to first try supplements of magnesium and B6 (or coenzyme B6). These have benefited the most children. If the B6 isn’t tolerated, then more magnesium might improve tolerance of B6. A little manganese should be given if a lot of magnesium is used.
A low sugar diet is important in order to keep the yeast and bacteria growth down. This diet should be started before antifungals are given. Otherwise, the antifungals may be too harsh and they likely won’t work. Like most everything, diet should be changed gradually. Some carbohydrates and sugars are needed in the diet. They are needed for the liver to work properly. (See book 4 on diet.) The gluten free and casein free diets help many, so these diets should be tried fairly early. The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is also turning out to be very helpful.
Mineral balancing should be attempted before most other treatments. It is often tolerated and it lays the foundation for many other interventions. Zinc supplementation seems to be very high on the list of priorities. 90% of the autistic have tested low in zinc. However, when a lot of zinc is supplemented, the progress must be monitored, because too much zinc can cause yeast overgrowth. Zinc and other minerals aren’t absorbed well if the stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes are low. So stomach acid and pancreatic enzymes must often be supplemented. (See book 2.) In order to get around the poor mineral absorption, many parents attempt giving the minerals through the skin. If you can get the zinc into the person, it should help restore stomach acid production and thus help with the restoration of other minerals too.
Copper is very often too high. It must be brought down by giving zinc, molybdenum, vitamin C and manganese. While a person is high in copper, they should NOT be given cysteine supplements; else it could make them very ill. (Supplements of glutathione might be a problem too because glutathione contains cysteine.)
Sulfur is often very low. It is very important because it helps improve the lining of the gut and it helps the liver. Yet, sulfur supplements may lower molybdenum, copper and zinc. All the minerals must be balanced for each child, possibly starting with those minerals that are the farthest outside normal range.
If the blood pressure is quite low, this is a strong indication of weak adrenals. More salt and water may help bring up the blood volume and pressure. A little cortisol will help the body retain Hope for Autism through Nutrition The Health Forum—Book 5 14 the salt. If adrenal support is needed, it should be started before thyroid supplements. Also, before starting thyroid, sometimes coenzyme B1, magnesium and/or vitamin D are needed in order to allow the body to tolerate the thyroid supplements. (See book 4 of the Health Forum for more information on hormone supplements.)
Vitamin A is very important for reducing the dysbiosis. The form of vitamin A most often employed is from cod liver oil. However, some children do better starting with primrose oil before they try the cod liver oil. Yet, many cannot tolerate either of these oils. If these oils are not tolerated, then one has to start with other forms of vitamin A, and first address the gut inflammation, electrolyte balance, hormones, magnesium deficiency, low sulfates, poor flora, etc. Later, the cod liver oil may be tolerated.
Methylation is poor in about 45% of the kids. If methylation is poor, then things like DMG or TMG should be started. (If methylation is high, these should not be used.) If methylation is at least adequate, then high dose B12 (either the methylcobalamin or hydroxycobalamin forms of B12) may be quite helpful. Coenzyme B1 is often given at the same time as the high dose B12. After the DMG, B12, coenzyme B1, and cod liver oil, then the kids might be ready for a supplement that increases acetylcholine.
Biotin is very important. However, it encourages the growth of some yeast. So, it probably shouldn’t be given until after the yeast level is lower. If biotin is given, inositol should also be given to help protect the liver. To use biotin properly, more pantethine may be needed.
Mercury chelation should be one of the last things attempted. The dysbiosis and body chemistry should be corrected as much as possible before starting on any type of mercury chelation. In particular, glutathione, vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and selenium are needed to protect the neurological system during chelation. (A biological source of selenium should be better tolerated, like Bio-active selenium from Solaray.) CoQ10 is often low if there has been yeast overgrowth. (See discussion of the different types of CoQ10 in book 2 of the Health Forum.)
After DMSA has been used to reduce the body load of toxic metals, alpha lipoic acid is often added to assist in the removal of mercury from the brain. However, the alpha lipoic acid will deplete B12. So B12 should be increased before getting to this point in treatment. In general, as much as possible should be attempted to correct the body chemistry before starting chelation. (Book 6 is about chelation.)
Roula: I just thought I would share some great news about Jack. (Jack is 2 years 9 months old and is on the autistic spectrum.) I recently started him on B6, magnesium and zinc. His speech had started expanding just before with some new words, but once I introduced the B6, magnesium and zinc its just exploded!!
He is using 2 words together, “bottle milk”, “Nan’s house” “Bye-Bye Daddy see ya” (that’s 3!!). He is also pointing, turning to look at me saying “bear”, so some shared interest as well. Whilst at his Nan’s the other day we were playing chasing, when I told him to chase and catch me and HE DID!! Normally it has never really computed that he should chase too, you usually had to pull him along. After a few rounds, it seems he got bored and stopped short of me, I turned to see what was up and he says “oh-oh fall down” and proceeded to throw himself on the ground laughing!! Well I nearly died!!!
Then the icing on the cake, after battling to get him to leave Nan’s as we pull up our driveway, he throws his drink cup down and yells “go back Nan’s”. I had my first REAL parenting dilemma, he had expressed his want and I was soooo overjoyed, now how was I going say Autism Interventions 15 no…?? Well I didn’t…..I enticed him into the house with a treat! Whew!!
He has added at least 20 words in the last week and is attempting so many more as they come up. He is even singing words in songs. All in all, pretty miraculous! (even though he hasn’t said Mama yet…) Oh well, all in good time.
Autism, Herbs and Homeopathics
Ros in Australia: The biochemist, who has been assisting us, has been using Golden Seal to great effect with our kids. He says it is the natural equivalent of secretin. Naturopaths here in Australia also advocate the use of Golden Seal with ADD kids, there have been reports of great success with this coupled with fish oil.
Polly: Goldenseal in appropriate doses is supposed to be excellent for intestinal upsets. I tried some, and it seemed to have an adverse effect on my sugar regulation. (Goldenseal increases the effectiveness of insulin.) My experience was that Goldenseal’s effects seemed to take a long time to dissipate. The actual goldenseal concentration in the blood will peak after 4 hours and clear in another 4 hours. [10] However, its effects seem much longer than that. So if you give a dose the first day, and it seems fine, but on the second day, the same dose seems too much, it may be because the effects of the first dose hasn’t worn completely off yet. Chronic use of goldenseal may inhibit vitamin B absorption. (http://my.webmd.ca/content/article/3187.13449)
There are many excellent reports about a particular detoxification and immune-enhancing tea called Ojibwa Tea of Life. Fax (303) 316- 3971 and website http://www.ojibwatea.com Email [email protected] This provider sells the tea at an affordable price. She also has a nice Ojibwa soap and salve. Brands do make a difference with herbs. The wildcrafted herbs that are picked in the right season have different effects than other herbs. So before purchasing another brand of this tea, look for current testimonials.
Also since a lot of the people with autism have a Clostridia overgrowth problem, one may want to investigate some of the medicinal herbs that keep Clostridia at bay. Here are some medicinal herbs that show strong invitro inhibitory effects on Clostridia: Astragalus membranaceus, Cassia obtusifolia, Cinnamomum cassia, Coptis japonica, Corydalis turschaninvii, Curcuma longa, Eucommia ulmoide, Rhus chinensis, and Sinomenium acutum. [11] However, I don’t know the effect these herbs have on the PST enzyme or their particular appropriateness for autism. Similarly, if there is a Klebsiella overgrowth, these essential oils have shown invitro effectiveness against this bacteria: Cinnamon bark; Coriander; Eucalyptus (globulus); Cajaput; Peppermint; Nutmeg; Pine (sylvestris); Rosemary; Savory (hortensis, montana); Oregano (Spanish); Thyme (vulgaris) (Price et al. 1999, p70-71).
Homeopathic remedies sometimes help with behavioral problems, like baryta carbonica and calcarea carbonica. Barbara Brewitt, PhD, in an article in the January 2002 Townsend Letter, suggests that using homeopathic growth factors may repair some of the damage to the brain. These homeopathic growth factors are Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2), Insulin-like Growth Factor1 (IGF-1), Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Autism Interventions 25 BB (PDGF-BB), and Transforming Growth Factor B1 (TGF-B1).
Where to Learn More About Autism
Polly: Autism is such a vast subject. Hopefully this chapter has introduced you to a small part of this world. There is much more to be learned.
Everyone used to learn a lot at the DAN! Conferences. (DAN! stands for Defeat Autism Now!) However, now, the new name is MAPS. (MAPS stands for Medical Academy of Pediatric Special Needs.) If you can attend one of these conferences, do so. Or order some tapes of the sessions.
Here are some websites that you may find helpful if you have a child with autism.
http://www.autism.com (Home of the Autism Research Institute)
http://autisminfo.info
http://www.autism.org
http://www.AutismNDI.com
http://www.megson.com
http://www.necc.org
http://autism-diet.com
If you are interested in a comprehensive overview of all the current theories on autism, take a look at this article.
http://www.healing-arts.org/children/aut…erview.htm
There are quite a few email lists. Each has different characteristics / personalities / philosophies. Sample several before picking the one that best suits your present needs. There are a lot at http://www.yahoogroups.com, like abmd, interven, GFCFKids, AutismNet, CAN-CLL, AutismRecoverN, autism-mercury, autism_iron, autism-bio-medical-discussion, recoveredkids, autism-thyroid and the Williss list. St. John’s University also has an autism list. Sign up for this list at: web.syr.edu/~rjkopp/autismlistfaq.html. You can obtain Internet access through many libraries.
The newsletter of Bernard Rimland, PhD, can be obtained from the Autism Research Institute, 4182 Adams Avenue, San Diego, CA 92116. (Update. The Autism Research Institute is still here. However, Dr. Bernard Rimland has passed.)
There is a magazine called The Autism File. Their website is http://www.autismfile.com.
Latitudes is a quarterly newsletter for the alternative treatment of ADD, ADHD, learning disabilities, exploding child, autism, and Tourette’s syndrome. Their website is http://www.latitudes.org.
The Internet bookstores will have the most books to chose from, yet you can still have a big selection by having your local bookstore do a search with their computer. http://www.autismresources.com has a list of the most popular books.
Above article was an excerpt from the ebook Hope for Autism through Nutrition, The Health Forum—Book 5 published in 2002. Many of the links were broken, and so they have been updated as of 2013.