New Autism Cure - breakthrough treatments and cures for autism

As the number of people affected by Autism grows, so do the groundbreaking advancements. Autism isn’t a sentence for you or your loved one to lead an unfulfilled life. Researchers are constantly looking at different medications - specifically natural medicinal options - that may be able to alleviate some of the often uncomfortable symptoms of the puzzling disorder. Many Vitamins have proven benefits in Autism and other neurological disorders. More recently, Vitamin B3 has been a focal point for many studies concerning it’s affect on Autism.

As time passes, it is being found that Autism is not just a neurological disorder, but one that affects the entire body in various ways. Clearly, the brain is one of the most affected parts of the body, however, other symptoms of Autism are more focused on other areas. For example, an overly acidic stomach is one of the largely reported side-effects of Autism due to the imbalance of chemicals in the Autistic body.

Traditionally, vitamin B3 is taken to regulate circulation as well as keep skin looking it’s best.  It has also been found that Vitamin B3 aids in the proper functioning of the nervous system, as well as brain function. Digestion and stomach acid issues are often reported in Autism cases. Vitamin B3 assists in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and aids in the production of hydrolic acid for the digestive system.

Vitamin B3 has also been prescribed to treat these other common conditions when given in the proper dosage:

High Cholesterol
Anxiety
Alcohol Withdrawal
Type 2 Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperglycemia

In some recent studies, done by the Henry Ford Hospital,  it was found that when given Vitamin B3 (also called niacin), rats who had a stroke showed new brain cell creation and this greatly improved neurological function. Essentially, it is believed that niacin in some sense re-wires the brain. With this advancement, Vitamin B3 could be a monumental help in those with stroke, Autism, or other devastating neurological disorders.

With all of the different techniques, medicines, and therapy choices, it’s often hard  to make decisions on what treatment approach to take. While there is  no official statement saying “B3 Treats Autism 100% Of the Time”, it’s important to note the logistics of it all. Undoubtedly, Vitamin B3 has a connection to the brain. There is a disorder, Pellagra, which is caused by a deficiency of Vitamin B3 in the body. It is characterized by skin rash, loss of appetite and neurological effects. Though rare, it does exist and target the Western part of the world.

Where can one get Vitamin B3? There’s always taking a multivitamin or getting a supplement. Vitamin B3 is also found in Roasted Chicken Breast, yellowfin tuna, lean beef tenderloin, venison and roasted turkey breast.

Bottom line - it’s important that someone with Autism take supplements. The Autistic body is often deficient in several areas, and in order to maintain the best health possible, it’s important that you supplement these deficiencies. Take special note of which supplements are available for which symptoms, and be on the look out and ear out for new advancements. With more studies, Vitamin B3 could be a very big step in the direction of solving the mystery of Autism.

A few posts back, we took a look at the studies that were showing the benefits of using Ionized Water Filtration systems as a treatment for Autism.  In addition to this method, there are also studies being done surrounding Kangen Water and it’s ability to treat Autism. The majority of these studies are being conducted in Japan, and some are still in experimental stages, however, just looking at some general connections between symptoms of Autism, and the proven benefits of Kangen water show that it seems to only make sense that the use of Kangen water would be a beneficial treatment option.

Kangen Water itself is an alkaline water that has many anti-oxidant properties. In order to produce Kangen Water, regular water ( H20) goes through the electrolysis process and separates into two different substances. One part is an acidic HO molecule, and the other as an alkaline OH- molecule. The Kangen Water creators bottle the OH molecule of the alkaline base for drinking purposes, and the acidic HO molecule is often used for sterilization, skin and plants. The word Kangen is Japanese for “return to the source” or “return to the origin” which explains the creation, philosophy and marketing of the product.

Kangen Water has a very small molecular structure. What does this mean? Traditional tap and bottled water have larger molecules, so they pass through the body quickly without reaching their destination cells. When water doesn’t reach cells, they suffer from cellular dehydration and either die, or do not function to their full efficiency. It is believed that Kangen Water has the ability to rehydrate these cells before they dry out and die.

What Does This Mean For Autism?

The benefits of Kangen Water are proving to be significant and have lead the Japanese researchers to take a closer look at the ways that it may be able to treat Autism symptoms.  A few of the symptoms and conditions of Autism that are being studied are the acidic body, dehydration and inflammation. These three symptoms alone have been found to be decreased in those who consume Kangen Water over traditional non-electrolyzed water.

Our bodies are supposed to have a balance of acidity and alkaline. The balance of these ensure proper metabolism, immune system, and even brain function.  Specifically, a body that is too acidic (a common symptom of Autism ) is a breeding place for diseases. When too acidic, our bodies try to buffer or balance this out by taking calcium from our bones and magnesium needed for heart health. It then turns extra acid into solids and stores them in fatty tissues, which can clog arteries. Because Kangen Water is alkaline, it works to dissolve excess acid and restore balance.

Additionally, mal-digestion is a common occurrence in Autism Disorder. Along with hyperactive intestines and abnormal bowel function, Autism often spells discomfort and abdominal unhealthiness. Drinking Kangen Water with its proven benefits, can help with restoration of both hydration and a healthy digestive tract.

Autism has dozens and dozens of symptoms. It’s important that we take a look at each symptom individually, and then think about what types of treatments are available for each one. For example, it might never be proven that Kangen Water can change say, the sometimes Obsessive Compulsive type behavior that comes with Autism. However, it might be able to treat other physical symptoms. Of course, we hope that one day, there will be a universal  treatment for all symptoms and to hopefully be able to successfully treat the disorder.

If you’re like the majority of the population you’re not exactly a master at all of the technical terms that are thrown about in studies of  various treatments for Autism. Whenever I do any kind of article reading, I’m sure to have my search engine open and ready to go, in order to find the “lay-man’s terms” for different words and medical jargon. Truth be told, it’s a lot

A new study of chromosomes has found a connection between chromosome 5  and Autism.  Great, right? But, what does it all mean?

What’s a Chromosome? The need-to-know basics.

Chromosomes are found in the cell nucleus and consist of long chains of nucleic acids coated with protein. Each chromosome contains hundreds or thousands of the genes that form our hereditary blueprint. Humans have 23 pairs of chromosomes, 46 total. Each parent contributes 1 chromosome to each pair.

Each chromosome has genes that determine almost every detail about us as a person. For example, some of the genes that are located on Chromosome 5 are: Pikachurin - which is responsible for the eye’s ability to track moving objects; FGFR4 which is the fibroblast growth factor receptor, and SMN1 and SMN2 -the survivor motor neurons.

Chromosome Disorders

Chromosome disorders occur if there is an an alteration in the number of chromosomes in the nucleus of a cell, or if there is an alteration of the structure of a chromosome. One of the chromosome’s that researchers have looked at in depth recently is chromosome 5.

Chromosome 5 represents almost 6% of the total DNA in cells. Changes to chromosome 5 have been linked to certain types of cancers and Chron’s Disease. A recent study suggests that chromosome 5 may play a major role in Autism cases as well.

Chromosome 5 and Autism - The Connection

An in depth genetic scan of Autism families found an area on chromosome 5 that is strongly associated with Autism. In the October 2009 issue of Nature, it was also said that there were two genomic areas that may harbor typically rare variants relevant to Autism.

There have been previous studies on how genes and chromosomes may affect Autism. These studies have found possible links on chromosomes 15, 16 and 5, but this is the first study that has concentrated the area of chromosome 5 to the 5p15 region. The study has found that a specific gene, SEMA5A (or semaphorin 5A), that is responsible for enabling  neurons to their targets, may have a role in Autism Disorders.

For this particular study, the genomes of 1,031 families were examined. Furthermore, each family was considered a ‘multiplex’ family, or, families with multiple members with Autism Disorders. One method of study that took place was comparing the genes and chromosomes of the family members with the disorder to find like variants. The other method concentrates on comparing people with the disorder with people without the disorder to find similarities and differences to better understand where some causes of the disorder may lie.

A combination of these methods allowed researchers to discover that chromosomes 6 and 20 are are significantly linked with Autism. Additionally, another area on chromosome 5 was found to carry a link as well. The new area, or nucleotide is in very close proximity to  SEMA5a. The variant is protective. In other words, it’s presence decreases the risk of Autism

Despite previous proof that Autism is a hereditary disorder, the genetic scan turned up very few genetic markers. It is believed by many that a mix of common variants that are prominent in 5% of the population as well as some rare variants are more contributory to Autism.

Bottom line - What does this all mean?

Simply put, this means that research is progressing and the causes of Autism are becoming more and more discoverable. Causes, after all, are the first step to finding a treatment. Because Autism truly is a puzzle of a disorder, finding one universal treatment may not be right around the corner. However, the more we find links to the cause, the more treatments we can find that satisfy what particular “form” of Autism is affecting our loved ones.

As humans, we are always putting things into our bodies to get some kind of reaction. Whether its caffeine for stimulation, liquids for hydration, or fiber for regularity, we’re constantly aiming to have our bodies in the best, most healthy state. Even when we’re not at our best, we put medications inside of us to alleviate symptoms and kill viruses. In order to heal, the body needs to return to a balanced state, replenishing things its missing, and taking away the overkill of some other things.

Could treatment for Autism come from something as simple as good old H2O?

The Ionization of Water

It’s no big secret that water in its tap form isn’t the most healthy. Everyday, many of us put our water through a filtration process. It’s become much easier these days with the easily available and affordable water filtration systems.We take out the things that we don’t need. Who wants damaging parasites in their water?

Additionally, we can go a step further and concentrate the benefits of water, while also targeting consistent problem areas with Autism is by putting water through an ionizing process. The Ionization Process concentrates minerals that are already existent in water such as magnesium, potassium and calcium. The produced product is water that can be more easily absorbed by the body and improves the function of antioxidants in the body. Consuming ionized water enables the body’s own antioxidants to neutralize other free radicals than would normally be possible by consuming traditional filtered water.

The Ideal Treatment

In Autism cases, brain inflammation is a prominent feature as certain immune components that promote inflammation are often triggered in autism cases. Also, the autistic person often has oxidation stress. Typically, antioxidant supplements are used to treat this symptom. In order to neutralize the neuro-inflammation, an ideal treatment, no matter if it’s an antioxidant or other form, should have a slight alkaline pH level, an increased anti-oxidation capability, and a very small molecular structure to make for an easier passage through cells.

Where’s the connection?

Well, as we said, the ideal antioxidant would target the problem areas that are often found in Autism. The ideal treatment carries all of the features of ionized water. It concentrates the minerals, carries a slight alkaline pH to balance neuro-inflammation, anti-oxidation capability, and a miniscule molecular structure for cell passage.

Coincidence?

This day in age, it’s no big surprise to see something that was created for one purpose to be used in another. For example, I had a toothache a few weeks ago, and a website recommended using Pure Peppermint Extract. I gave it a whirl, and I had a decent amount of relief from the pain until I was able to make it to the dentist.

There are countless examples of this in medicine, and one of the more controversial examples is the use of OSR#1 specifically for the treatment of Autism. OSR#1 was originally developed to remove heavy metals from soil and acid mine drainage. After further research and testing, OSR#1 was found to be an effective antioxidant. Although the website openly says that the drug is not approved by the FDA nor has it been proven to cure any illness or disease, it provides links in order for parents and caregivers to obtain lists of pharmacies who distribute OSR#1.

How does OSR#1 Treat Autism?

Autism is often suggested to be directly linked to toxic levels of metals, especially mercury.  This being said, OSR#1 works to scavenge free radicals in the body and helps to maintain safe glutathione levels. More simply - it removes toxic metals. A study was done of children ages 3-8 years old where their severity of autism was compared with their level of excreted toxic metals. There were several positive correlations between the two. If Autism is in fact caused or affected by the level of toxic metals, then it seems only logical that a compound used to remove toxic metals would be an effective treatment.

Critics’ Questions and Clinicians’ Answers

Critics argue the basis of the compound to be considered “safe”. An FDA toxicologist questioned the safety of OSR#1 and inquired what studies had been done to prove that this was indeed safe for human ingestion. Dr. Boyd Haley, the developer of OSR#1 responded with a 10 person study. He said: “We looked at everything, including OSR#1’s effect on essential minerals. This project was done on the relatives (children, parents, spouses) of two medical doctors who also treat autistic children, as well as older individuals, and whose children also had ASD problems. No blood or urine test indicated any adverse effect. However, the glutathione results improved dramatically. We obtained an IRB (Institutional Review Board) to evaluate these results and this also showed no adverse effects of OSR#1.”

The Chicago Tribune published an article claiming that OSR#1 went through insufficient testing and was unsafe.  Within a few hours, the OSR1 Twitter page had an announcement saying that the article was false, and appropriate testing was conducted. It directs you to their website, where the history of testing is disclosed. The site even goes as far as saying that the compound is proven to be non-toxic in levels thousands of times higher than the amount suggested for human intake.

What Does This Talk of OSR#1 Mean For Your Autistic Child?

As with all treatments, it’s going to depend on your child’s needs. Though OSR#1 isn’t yet approved by the FDA, it’s important to pay attention to the studies that have been done, and the logistics of it all. The anti-oxidant is available and many doctors swear by it and support its benefits.  As parents, you surely won’t give your child just anything especially when it isn’t safe, so be sure that no matter what route you take for any treatment, medicinal or behavioral, that you take a look in depth and studies and findings.

Day in and day out, researchers are looking for treatments for the often life-changing condition that affects over 1% of children between 3 and 17. Though a cure for Autism may or may not be around the corner, there are often new advancements, and specialists are trying to find the missing link that will answer the difficult questions. One route that many researchers take, is associating Autism with other similar conditions in which there are successful treatments for. Another way, is to take a look at similarly structured conditions that might not have a cure yet, but have had their own advancements. The possibility of joint-discoveries gives researchers another avenue to explore when searching for cures and treatments for Autism.

One of the conditions that appears to have many of the same characteristics as Autism is one that affects over 26 millions people worldwide. Alzheimer’s traditionally affects the elderly population, but with many of the same symptoms as The one substantial difference is simply the age range of the people that the conditions effect. Autism traditionally affects adolescents while Alzheimer’s tends to attack the elderly population. Setting aside this key difference, Autism and Alzheimer’s have a striking amount of similarities as well.

Autism shares a number of symptoms with Alzheimer’s including those on both physical and psychological level.  Both conditions often leave their sufferers with the tendency to become catatonic at times, have attention transition issues, become easily distracted and/or disoriented and have difficulty with language comprehension. The similarities between the two conditions are in the hundreds - particularly in the similar brain patterns and symptoms.

These likenesses leave you thinking - could Alzheimer’s hold a piece of the puzzle that is finding a cure for Autism? There is currently research being done on a common drug, Namenda which slows the rate of decline in Alzheimer’s patients. Clinicians are studying the possibility that the drug will assist in the treatment of Autism by targeting the same areas in which Alzheimer’s Patients are affected.

Autism Awareness Ribbon

The universal symbol for autism is a puzzle piece. It’s pretty symbolic if you think about it. There are a lot of pieces to the Autism puzzle - some we’re aware of and others that we aren’t. Another piece of the Autism puzzle has fallen into place after a study done by the University of California, Davis.

The study, published in the February issue of the Autism Research Journal took into account over 4.9 million children born in California in the 90’s.  Researchers found that the mother’s age when giving birth had a direct affect over the child’s risk of developing Autism. This is particularly true for women over the age of 40 as they are 50% more likely to give birth to an Autistic child than women who give birth at ages 25-29.

Additionally, for every 5 years maternal age, the risk of Autism is increased by 18%.  Some studies have indicated that a father’s age also had an effect on the statistics and risk. In this particular study, researches found that the father’s age had no effect on the Autism risk when the woman’s age was over 30. It isn’t until you combine a man over 40 and a woman under the age of thirty. For example, if a man over 40, and a woman under 25 conceive a child, the risk of Autism in that child is double that of a father between ages of 25-29 and a woman of the same age.

In the 90’s, the number of women who gave birth in California went up 300%. Autism cases sky rocketed by about 600%. This study shows the clear correlation of the age of women giving birth and the risk of the child developing Autism, but researchers and experts point out that these cases only account for 5% of the overall cases of Autism that exist.

Despite the seemingly small impact that this study has on the overall spectrum that is Autism, it’s very important to realize that Autism is a very complicated disorder to investigate. There are many “pieces” to the puzzle, and though this is only one small piece, it’s a collective amount of these small pieces that when put together, that make Autism more known, understood, and hopefully someday, cured.

Could nicotine have positive effects?

There are a number of methods available to the public to assist them in quitting smoking. From pills and gum to patches and electronic devices,  consumers definitely have a few choices when it comes to breaking the vicious chain smoking and addiction cycle.  The true demon that we’re fighting is nicotine - the addictive drug found in cigarettes. We often hear about the damaging effects of nicotine - but could it be that it also has it’s good points?

Nicotine has many effects on the body and psyche including inducing a sense of calm, hunger suppression, and raising alertness. In most cases, it has the ability to change one’s mood - for those who are agitated, consuming nicotine decreases the feeling of agitation.

Researchers have been looking into the benefits of nicotine and creating medications for decades. None of these medicines are on the market yet. The biggest reason for this is the reputation of nicotine. Chances are, if you hear that something has nicotine in it, you assume it to be very addictive and cancer-causing. There’s no knowing how the public and doctors would react to a nicotine medication release and how it would be received.

Several studies have been conducted surrounding the nicotine patch. The patch itself resembles a band-aid and it is applied to the body and allows nicotine to be absorbed through the skin and has proven beneficial in aiding people in quitting smoking. However, one study conducted in 2004 found that the nicotine patch improved cognitive function for patients suffering from schizophrenia. In 2003 a study was conducted focusing on the effectiveness of the patch in non-smoking patients diagnosed with depression. There was also a study with promising results that combined the nicotine patch and the the antipsychotic drug haloperidol (Haldol).

Other studies have focused on patients, both adults and adolescents who have been diagnosed with ADHD.  It has been said that 19% of people with ADD are smokers. This number is undoubtedly higher now. The reason? Nicotine has the ability to treat the symptoms of ADHD - especially improving the cognitive function and overall alertness.

Should you hand your child with ADHD, Autism, or other cognitive disabilities a cigarette and encourage them to light up? Of course not. It’s worth noting the investigations and studies occurring, and not to be completely blown away if a nicotine-based medication is released and prescribed to help with general symptoms of cognitive impairment disorders.

Toys R Us launches site to better help parents select the right toys for their child's needs.

One of the first things that we buy for a child is a toy. It’s pretty safe to say that all children love toys.  From a few months old, to the pre-teen years, there is a wide span of time that children enjoy playing with toys. The only thing that changes is their specific interest and choice of play-toy. While some children enjoy hands on toys, others enjoy toys that give more of a mental workout.  It all solely depends on their personal needs. This has become particularly true in the world of Autism.

Autistic children love toys as much as the next child.  The challenge arises when we try to determine which toys are most beneficial to them.  The amount of benefit that the child gets is solely based on their needs and specific symptoms of Autism. Just as all children have different symptoms, all toys have different target areas based on these symptoms.

That being said, how does a parent or caretaker know which toys are which, and what toys will give the most benefit to their child or loved-one?

There are quite a few sites that come up in a Google search that suggest toys for different needs. Toys R Us launched a site feature (found here:) that focuses primarily on toys for children with special needs. The toys, called “differently abled toys”  are categorized into groups based on which area or motor skill the toy is specifically targeted toward.  Among the categories are auditory, creativity, fine motor, social skills and self esteem.

It is important to allow children to sample a few different toys to see which they enjoy playing with. This in conjunction with functionality and focus on specific skill development will spell success for your child.

Horse Therapy Shown to Be a Beneficial Therapy Treatment (via)

Every form of Autism is unique. There are many cases of Autism that are similar - similar symptoms, similar patterns, similar family background. However, it all boils down to the fact that people are different - so each Autism case will be different. Each and every story is very inspiring. Alexis Diaz’s story is no different.

Alexis is ten years old and has severe autism that prevents her from speaking and doing independent tasks that we often take for granted. She is unable to feed or bathe herself, and in addition she lost one of her eyes due to cancer.

Last year, Alexis was enrolled in the Therapeutic Riding of Texas (TROT) program, and made significant progress. The local news stations banded together and paid $700 for Alexis to attend the sessions.

Horse Therapy has been around for quite some time and there have been benefits noted in children with ADD and Autism. The mere act of being around a horse can change brainwave patterns — people feel more calm, at ease, and focus less on the past or negative events - so it’s a very enjoyable experience for them. Children with ADD/Autism Disorder have benefited as they are often unable to effectively communicate with other people and express themselves. Even those who are more aggressive and have severe behavioral issues have shown positive benefits from horse therapy. Even being around the horse has made these people much calmer, and more willing to communicate and be receptive.

How and Why Does Horse Therapy Work?

Horses behave in a way that is a direct reflection of how they’re being spoken to. They’re an animal of prey so they want to feel safe. If they’re being spoken to an an aggressive, angry or demanding way, the horse will become fearful. If the horse is spoken to calmly, smoothly and by making requests, they’ll be very receptive and obey such requests.

Children are ideal candidates to work with horses because with just a little insight on how to communicate with the horse, the child can learn how to change or control his/her behavior and see the effects from it. The child is more likely to consider this more of “making a relationship” with the horse rather than trying to dominate the situation and be in constant control.

After Alexis’ great outcome from her last TROT visit, she was very excited to head back this March. This year, however, the charity wasn’t sure if they would have the funds available to send Alexis back to the program. Alexis’ family is also on a limited income as her mother, Tammy Stewart, is a single mother who is unable to work due to Alexis’ need for 24 hour care.

Her attending the TROT program was almost definitely out for this year due to funding.

This past week, an anonymous letter was sent to Duncanville Outreach Ministry. Inside the letter was a $700 donation that was to go toward Alexis’ registration to this year’s TROT program. The donation was in the form of a Money Order with no return address. It simply said: “Sincerely, a Duncanville citizen who wishes to remain anonymous.”

Autism’s logo - a puzzle peice — is all too appropriate. Autism itself is a puzzling disorder. It comes in so many different forms, with many different symptoms.  There are many treatments available, and twice as many opinions about these treatments. It boils down to what methods and treatments work for your child.

Over the course of this blog, we’ve taken a look at a lot of different treatment options. Something we pride ourselves in is making you aware of everything that’s out there, so you can have the information necessary to make decisions based on what’s best for you and your situation.