Biochemistry

The Mindd Foundation on Biochemistry:

"A child's brain is a complex living organ that requires fuel just as bones require calcium. The brain's neurotransmitters control all aspects of behavior, mood, learning, concentration, movement and processing. Amino acids, the building blocks of protein are the raw materials (fuel) needed for neurotransmitter function. Not only does the brain require specific amino acids for neurotransmitters but also co-factors (in the form of certain vitamins and mineral) that must be present to support the synthesis of amino acids into neurotransmitters.

Any gaps in this nutritional pathway can lead to neurotransmitter deficiencies and part of the mechanisms leading to many of the behavioral and learning disorders in children with ASD, ADHD, etc. According to Dr. Jaquelyn McCandless, an estimated 60% of all these children show abnormal amino acid patterns. She says: "Study after study has revealed that not only autistic children, but also children with ADD and ADHD are lacking in key nutrients. When these nutrients are not present in the body or diet, cognitive function and behavior is adversely affected".

Mind Foundation.org

Dr. Bock, on Why Diet Alone isn't Enough:

"One reason diet alone is not enough is because kids with the 4-A disorders have specific, elevated needs. These heightened needs require full scale, comprehensive nutritional and supplementation therapy - not just a wholesome diet. These kids need more than minimum daily requirements."

"To achieve a therapeutic effect from nutrition, relatively high levels of specific nutrients are needed. These high levels are generally not attainable just from the daily diet. For example, to achieve a relatively high dosage of vitamin C, such as 500 mg. -the amount found in many vitamin C tables or capsules, -a person would need to eat ten oranges. Similarly, to get 50 mg. of B-6, which is a typical amount found in many supplements, a person would need to eat twenty pounds of liver."

"Furthermore, our modern, American food supply has been stripped of many nutrients that were previously available in foods, The nutrient levels in foods have been degraded by the advent of large-scale, high production agribusiness. Many foods are now notably less nutritious than they were in the days when small farms dominated agriculture."

"Another reason that some experts are also critical of people taking relatively large amounts of supplements is because of the fact that excessive amounts of some supplements may harm health. This is a reasonable concern, but it is very limited in scope. Vitamin A and vitamin D can be toxic if taken in extremely high amounts, but illness due to this is very rare. Illness from supplements is particularly rare when compared to the health damage that is consistently done by pharmaceutical drugs. For example, in one recent seven-year period, the U.S. Poison Control Centers reported that there were 2,556 fatalities caused by medically prescribed drugs, but no deaths from supplements. Other reputable agencies and organizations have stated that deaths from pharmaceutical drugs are drastically higher than this - up to 20,000 to 100,000 per year."

Kenneth Bock, MD
Rhinebeck Health Center

Supplements for Autism

Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes, Probiotics

Nutrient supplementation is an important piece of addressing ASDs from the biochemical perspective. When the intestinal tract is inflamed, it does not absorb nutrients well and nutrient deficiencies are common. It is a catch 22 because without the nutrient building blocks, the gut cannot improve. Without an improved gut the nutrients will not absorb those needed nutrients. However, some nutrients (or a percentage of the nutrients) will absorb so it is helpful to start with a few well-chosen supplements to get needed nutrients into the system. As the gut improves, more supplements can be added.

Here are a few of the many nutrients and supplements used in ASD protocols. Be aware, an excess of a nutrient can cause similar symptoms to a deficiency or a different set of symptoms. Work with a doctor and or nutrition consultant before adding too many supplements, as it is possible to imbalance other nutrients.

• Enzymes: Help to breakdown fats, carbs, and proteins, including (with some products) the protein in gluten and casein. Enzymes reduce reactions from food intolerances by aiding in their breakdown, providing room for the gut inflammation to decrease and digestion to improve.
• Probiotics: Supply the body with good bacteria to improve digestion, immune function, and gut healing.
• B6: Can improve neurological conditions. B6 was found to be more effective for hyperactivity than Ritalin.
• Magnesium: Helpful for energy production, muscle relaxation, and in enzyme activation. B6 and magnesium together are often very helpful in autism.
• Omega 3: Crucial for cognitive function and brain development. Helps reduce inflammation.

From Nourishing Hope - Nutrition and Diet Intervention For Autism Spectrum Disorders March 01, 2007