The numbers of cases of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) is increasing globally. What are the underlying causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders? Are the symptoms that have been known for some time, actually now considered to be the cause? What can be done to help?
Worldwide, there has been a massive increase in the number of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses. In 1980 it was estimated that 1:10,000 births would result in an autistic child, however latest data shows that to be 1:36 births.
Even worse for Australians, is that Australia is the global leader with the rapid increase in numbers of ASD births. At the same time, the statistics for asthma, food allergies, autoimmune diseases are also rising in a similar trajectory. What is going on, how is our modern lifestyle impacting this rise, and how can we help those affected by the disorder, or wanting to prevent this in their offspring?
Before we uncover what is known today about the underlying causes, and ways to assist, we should start with a definition of autism.
Definition of Autism
The Diagnostic and Statistical Handbook of Mental Health, now on version 5 and known as DSM-5, states that an autism diagnosis requires persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction across multiple contexts, as manifested by the following deficits in:
social-emotional reciprocity
in nonverbal communicative behaviours used for social interaction
in developing, maintaining and understanding relationships
Are Autism Symptoms actually the Cause of Autism?
It is known today that biochemical reasons are the underlying explanation as to the casue of the rise in autism cases worldwide. Triggers, result in biochemical disruptions, that result in health issues.
What was once considered symptoms of Autism, is now accepted as causes of Autism, and our modern lifestyle is to blame.
Autism Triggers include:
Toxins whether they be from inside our bodies (endotoxins) or from outside our bodies (exotoxins)
Depleted nutrition (from diet or from issues with our bodies biochemical pathways)
Excess antibiotic use and the impact that has on our gut microbiome
A reduction in social interaction
The increase in electromagnetic frequency (EMF) impact from mobile phone use
Biochemical Disruptions include:
Methylation changes
Gut microbiome changes
Immune activation (when not required)
Brain inflammation
Disruption of the Blood-Brain-Barrier (BBB)
Autonomic Nervous System Imbalance, like blood pressure and pulse rate increases
Mitochondrial Dysfunction from the Cell Danger Response
Resultant Health Issues:
Autism
ADHD
Autoimmune Disease
Asthma
Allergies
Anxiety
Cancer
Cardiovascular Disease
Obesity
Biochemical Disruptions Associated With Autism
1. Methylation
Methylation, or the addition of a -CH3 molecule to chemicals in our biochemical pathways, can turn on, or off, the proteins it gets added to (like our genes, hormones, and enzymes). This is known as epigenetically impacting how our body works. This is all driven by the nutrients from our diet (or supplements). Methylation reactions in our bodies are vital for life. Upregulating or downregulating can occur in ASD cases and we can see that by measuring various test analytes in the methylation cycle using specific functional tests.
Inadequate methylation can lead to:
Mental health issues - autism, ADHD, schizophrenia, anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression
Histamine issues - with the worst case scenario being Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS)
Cancer - cancer promotor genes can be silenced by methylation, and DNA repaired.
Recurrent miscarriages
Breakdown of our hormones (oestrogen)
Liver detoxification issues (Methylation is part of our Phase II Detoxification process)
Migraines
Circulation problems
Inflammation and toxicity increases
Midline body issues like tongue tie, and lip-tie
Outside of a healthy balanced diet, supplementation, in activated forms, may be required to alter methylation in a favourable way for Folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B6, Protein (methionine, creatine, choline), and N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC). This can assist with symptoms. As well, we can favourably alter genetic predisposition with healthy methylation.
2. Gut Health
It has been recognised since 1943 that gut health is a recognised issue in autism, with up to four times the likelihood of constipation, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, leading to irritability, hyperactivity and social withdrawal. Genetic sequencing of gut microbes highlights generally an:
Increase in Clostridia species that causes autism-like symptoms
A reduction in Akkermansia that can lead to Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Obesity and Diabetes
A reduction in Bifidophilus that can cause immune dysfunction
Healthy beneficial bacteria promote the formation of good immune balance by our regulating T cells (TReg's). Unhealthy bacteria promote alterations in our immune system function:
Inflammation
Allergies
Autoimmunity
Food insensitivities
As well as microbiome changes, there is impairment in intestinal permeability and gut barrier protection. We need to let in nutrients, short chain fatty acids, and neurotransmitters, but prevent entry of immune cells, cytokines and antibodies. We need healthy levels of secretory IgA (sIgA), and tight junctions between intestinal cells. Medications, antibiotics, toxins, stress, dietary habits, systemic inflammation, metabolic disorders, pathogens and dysbiosis can all impact on the semi-permeability of the gut. The brain is also impacted by the Gut-Brain-Immune imbalance. Altering our diet can have a positive impact.
3. Mitochondria Toxicity
Chronic inflammation, toxicity, chronic infections all cause 'signals' to be generated in our bodies that trigger the Cell Danger Response. Through this, our cells stop communicating with each other to prevent the 'signal' being passed on. This can result in:
Mitochondrial signs - weakness, fatigue easily, floppy baby, poor muscle tone
Glutathione, our body's major antioxidant being used up very quickly leading to the risk of multiple disorders. Nutrients that disrupt the 'signaling' process may be beneficial.
We need to clear and open Liver Detoxification Pathways to adequately deal with the levels of toxins never seen in the world before. The vitamins B2, B3, B6, Folate, B12, and flavanoids, glycine, taurine, glutamine, methionine, glutathione, phospholipids are all required to enable safe and effective removal of toxins via our faeces and urine, else toxins accumulate in our bodies. We can help remove potential reabsorption via our enterohepatic circulation with the use of binders, that block the reabsorption of bile and the recirculation of toxins. Ensuring our detoxification pathways are open and clear can have positive impacts.
4. Cerebral Folate Deficiency
Cerebral Folate Deficiency is where the folate that we eat, can't be received in the brain (the folate receptor is blocked by an auto-antibody). This may be medically treated with high dose folate in a certain format.
5. Neuroinflammation
Neuroinflammation lies at the heart of autism with the majority of patients. Inflammation activates the Cell Danger Response, which results in inflammation in the brain, that disrupts signaling for speech and awareness. Correcting inflammation and calming down our overactive immune system can assist with this.
What Can Be Done To Help?
1. Functional Testing
There are some wonderful functional test kits available to help determine the status of someone with autism. They include:
Faecal Microbiome testing to determine what the status of the gut microbiome looks like
Urine Organic Acids Test to help understand how well methylation is working, levels of Clostridia, candida, mould, oxalates, impacts on neurotransmitters, oxidative stress from low glutathione etc
2. Nutrition and Lifestyle Help
Nutrition and lifestyle changes can have positive impacts on someone living with autism.
Dietary changes by choosing Gluten free, Casein free (from dairy) foods, no processed foods, with no colourings, no additives, no flavourings, are the quickest way to alter the gut microbiome quickly, and to balance the immune dysfunction.
Eating a wide diversity of food types which can often be difficult to do in autism cases, so supplementation may be required. This enables optimal methylation.
Ensure adequate fibre through the use of prebiotics. This promotes the feeding of beneficial bacteria.
Keeping a calm, predictable environment, with minimal screen time.
Diaphragmatic breathing to calm the nervous system.
If you would like to get Faecal Gut Microbiome and/or Urinary Organic Acids testing performed for your autism investigations, or discuss your associated concerns, then please don't hesitate to make a booking with me.
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