Comprehensive biomedical assessment of blood and urine samples of individuals affected
by autism, together with refined behavioural and clinical examination, show that
the majority have nutritional deficiencies, chronic abdominal pain, gut inflammation
and/or gut dysbiosis. Additional tests also frequently reveal elevated levels of
heavy metals and immune imbalances. Here we are presenting a few preliminary findings
on unselected samples of children.
Gastro Intestinal Function: The most extreme forms of behaviours (self injury, violent
tantrums) are very commonly linked to chronic abdominal pain. Inflammation of the
gastro-intestinal tract in children with autism has been demonstrated time and time
again. Figure 1
Heavy Metals Toxicity: Published reports suggest that heavy metal toxicity is implicated
in the aetiology of autism. Baby-hair mercury levels in autistic children are abnormally
low, despite evidence of high maternal levels of exposure. Elevated urinary porphyrin
levels further confirm a high level of toxic impact in many individuals with autism.
Figure 2
Dietary sensitivities: The benefits of gluten-free and casein-free (GF/CF) diet have
long been reported in the literature, notably for children affected by autism. Authoritative
Cochrane review (Millward et al. 2004) concluded: “the fourth outcome, reduction
in autistic traits, reported a significant beneficial treatment effect for the combined
gluten-and casein-free diet” and “The one significant result lends tentative support
to the anecdotal reports by families of improvements in behaviour and cognition of
family members with autistic spectrum disorder following the introduction of a gluten-
and/or casein- free diet.”
We have found that approximately 80% of children with autism benefit from gluten
and casein exclusion.
Immune system: Immunological aberrations with a range of abnormalities have been
repeatedly reported in autism. These include evidences for autoimmunity, neuroinflammation
in the brain and gastro-intestinal system, evidence of encephalitis (brain infection)
in isolated case reports, abnormal cytokine production against common dietary proteins,
abnormal high blood monocyte count, reduced natural killer cell activity, elevated
cell-mediated immunity marker, neopterin. Clinical presentation of immune dysfunction
is very commonly seen in affected individuals. Investigation of these abnormalities
is essential to identify suitable treatments. WE have found that approximately 60-70%
of children with autism present with a range of immune abnormalities. Figure 3.
