AUTISM UPDATE

Autism is a debilitating childhood disorder that is estimated to affect every 1 in 150

U.S. children. According to Claudia Wallis, “The alarming rise in autism rates in the U.S. and some other developed nations is one of the most anguishing mysteries of modern medicine- and the source of much desperate speculation by parents”(1).

To date, the etiology of autism is unknown. Many studies point to a correlation with genetic factors, specifically genetic mutations. However, as Ted Schettler, MD, MPH states, “Genetic factors are important in the causation of autism but are not fully explanatory. Various environmental factors, including infectious and chemical agents, are known, suspected, or theorized to play a role, as well.” (2)

Kristina Chew, PhD, reflects, “Consider this: In 1970, one out of 10,000 children were diagnosed with autism. Last year, one in 166 children were diagnosed with autism. Many scientists and some doctors are now trying to get the word out that we are now starting to see genetic damage that is weakening our children’s cells, thus causing many more health challenges such as autism” (3)

In autism, as in other chronic health challenges, we can no longer afford to ignore the role of the environment we live in. In the words of Martha R. Herbert, MD, PhD, Pediatric Neurologist at Massachusetts General Hospital and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School , “If we assume that autism is mainly or purely genetic and not environmental, we are implying that nothing has changed in the environment that would alter genes or the ways that genes are expressed. Can we really defend the claim that the environment is stable? Hardly.” (4)

Dr Herbert continues, “To say that environmental factors can cause or trigger autism means that we have to look at the whole person and whole body….And finally, it is time to get a grip on this issue. If there is any chance at all that the autism of at least some people was preventable, or is treatable, then prediction of risk, prevention of harm and reversal of injury all need to become top priorities.”(5)

In “Oxidative Stress and Autism”, by Woody R. McGinnis, MD, “oxidative stress may play a role in the pathophysiology that underlies the behavior that define autism”.(6)

Oxidative stress is “not in and of itself, a disease, but a condition that can lead to or accelerate it” (7). Oxidative stress occurs when free radical damage outweighs the ability of antioxidants to neutralize the devastating effects of free radical damage.

Free radicals are wildly unstable molecules that interact quickly and destroy healthy cells and cellular functions. Free radical damage arises from toxins that are ingested as well as exposure to environmental toxins that are breathed in or touch our skin. Toxins that are ingested include tran saturated fats. Toxins in the air are everywhere; toxins also may include the electromagnetic waves emanating from microwaves and cell phones. 

Dr McGinnis reports, “Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of potent antioxidants- vitamin C or carnosine- have significantly improved autistic behavior. (8)

Such research, with such promising results, underscores the necessity of more research investigating the benefits of natural health products to help improve the health and well-being of children with autistic disorder. For children –and their families- who suffer from this debilitating condition, this research cannot come fast enough.

As Dr Martha Herbert so poignantly states, it is “time to get a grip”.

(1)Wallis, Claudia, “Does Watching TV Cause Autism”, TIME, Friday Oct. 20, 2006.

(2)Schettler, MD, MPH, “Autism: Do environmental factors play a role in causation?”;The Collaborative on Health and the Environment, www.protectingourhealth.org; accessed 4/13/2008.

(3)Chew, Kristina, PhD, “Yet another (environmental) cause for autism”, www.autismvox.com, February 7, 2007; accessed 4/13/2008.

(4)Herbert, Martha, MD, PhD, “Time to Get a Grip”, Autism Advocate, Fifth Edition, 2008,p.19.

(5)Ibid, p.18.

(6)McGinnis, WR, “Oxidative Stress and Autism”, in Jones, David, MD, “Textbook of Functional Medicine”, Institute for Functional Medicine, Gig Harbor, WA,2005, p512.

(7)Byrnes, Stephen, ND, RNCP, “Staying on Top of Oxidative Stress”, The Weston A. Price Foundation, www.westonaprice.org/moderndiseases/oxidativestress.html, accessed 4/13/2008.

(8)McGinnis, WR, p.512.