| Usually appearing during the first three year of life and four times more often in boys. As many as 1.5 million American children and adults are believed to have some form of autism, and the rate is growing at 10-17% per year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, autism affects 1 in 150 children in the United States.
It appears that most children with autism suffer from mercury toxicity, and may potentially benefit from detoxification. The following chelation therapies can be compounded into a variety of hypoallergenic dosage forms (i.e. oral, trans-dermal, rectal, intravenous).
DMSA (dimercaptosuccinic acid) – DMSA has been demonstrated to be able to bind and remove a wide range of toxic metals, including lead, mercury, arsenic, tin, nickel, and antimony in children as young as one year of age.
TTFD (thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide) – It has been hypothesized that TTFD might have a beneficial effect on autistic spectrum disease after studies reported sulfur depletion in autistic children due to missing sulfur-containing protein called metallothionein, which provides protections from the toxic effects of some metals that attack sulfur metabolism. TTFD treatment is associated with removal of arsenic and other metals, including cadmium, nickel, lead, and mercury.
Other Chelators - DMPS (dimercaptopropanesulfonate) and EDTA (edetate calcium disodium)have also been used as chelating agents appearing to yield significant spills of mercury and other heavy metals into the urine.
Many commonly used medications – antibiotics, decongestants, and pain relievers including acetaminophen and ibuprofen – may contain gluten. Even flavors can contain gluten. We can compound medications that are free of gluten, casein, lactose, sugar, dyes, and alcohol to solve problems for sensitive individuals.
Secretin may have a neuroregulatory role in autism and be needed for stress adaptation, according to research at Columbia University. Secretin has been administered by infusion and as a compounded transdermal gel to autistic children.
Most children with autism have a need for increased amounts of vitamins, minerals, and some amino acids. Some detoxification agents can remove essential minerals; so additional minerals will be needed. Amino acid, nutritional, and supplemental therapies can be customized for each child. Once the physician has determined the specific nutrients that are needed by the individual, numerous compatible supplements can be combined into one or two flavored suspension, capsules, or powder blends to simplify administration.
Glutathione – Glutathione is the major antioxidant in cells, which are important for detoxification and elimination of environmental toxins, and its active form is reduced in about 80 percent of autistic children. Oxidative stress, a suspected contributor to many disease processes like heart disease and cancer, also plays a role in autism, and occurs when antioxidants are not present in sufficient levels to clear the body of free radicals. Children with low glutathione levels may be more vulnerable to the damage caused by free radicals, so supplementation with oral, transdermal, rectal, or intravenous glutathione and other antioxidants may be beneficial.
Methylcobalamin – A degeneration of the brain and spinal cord can occur by the demyelination of nerve sheaths caused by a folic acid or vitamin B12 deficiency. Some people have genetic defects that preclude them from naturally producing methylcobalamin (B12), which may result in demyelination (loss of the nerve fiber covering). Since demyelination is a major concern, it may be wise to supplement vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin.
A large number of autistic children have abnormalities in gut permeability, defects or deficiencies in intestinal enzymes, and/or abnormal intestinal flora. Yeast overgrowth can be treated by oral administraton of Lactobacillus, or use of probiotics. Nystatin and amphotericin B are antifungals that may be administered orally to help reduce yeast in the gut, but which are not significantly absorbed into the bloodstream; so systemic side effects are minimized.
Topical anesthesia is often needed prior to infusions and injections and for suturing and wound cleaning. The ideal topical anesthetic provides complete anesthesia following a simple pain-free application, does not contain narcotics or controlled substances, and has an excellent safety profile. Convenience of application without need for occlusion is an advantage of customized topical anesthetics.
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