New Autism Cure - breakthrough treatments and cures for autism

When you or your child are diagnosed with an allergy, you probably walk our of the doctor’s office with a prescription for an allergy medication. When you have an allergy reaction, you’re instructed to take the medication to treat the reaction. What if instead of treating the reaction, we treat the source: the body’s reaction to the allergen. Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) revolves around the idea that the body be trained not to be allergic to specific foods or substances.

Allergies are common in the majority of people, so it’s no surprise when you learn that someone you know is allergic to a specific food or medication. Over the counter medications are typically administered to treat the condition and flair ups. Isn’t this, in a sense, accepting the allergy as a life-sentence?

The most common treatment for allergies is avoidance. If someone is allergic to Penicillin, then they tell their doctor, and that medication isn’t prescribed and no reaction is present. Easy enough, right? But how about similarly common instances where the allergen is pollen, dust, or animals? With things that occur naturally like dust and pollen, it is very difficult to avoid these as they’re literally everywhere.

Sublingual immunotherapy is a treatment option in which a solution of drops, or tablets are placed under the tongue and absorbed into the immune system. There is also an injection method, however since the treatment needs to be taken several times a week, the under-tongue route is often more convenient as a medical professional needs to be present for injections.

The purpose of the therapy is not to treat the allergy itself, moreso to desensitize the body against allergens. It has the same idea as a flu shot; injecting the body with the flu so that the immune system knows how to fight it off. In the case of allergies, adverse reactions decrease as the body is desensitized.

Sublingual immunotherapy can be compared to the psychological “Exposure Treatment”, in which people who have phobias are exposed to small doses of whatever they fear in hopes that their tolerance is built up.

While over the counter medications are fine with treating the reaction itself, allergy immunotherapy is the only way in which the underlying problem can be addressed. Why just treat the reaction when you can reduce or eliminate the problem all together? When you have a toothache, you can take an over the counter medication to eliminate the pain, but the best thing to do is to treat the problem, what’s causing the ache?

What does this mean for Autism?

Food allergies are something that are often mentioned with cases of Autism. Specifically gluten and casein, both of which we’ve discussed several times here at New Autism Cure. A healthy diet is suggested, vitamin supplements are suggested, both which focus on fixing the problem [with the gut symptoms], rather than just treating it. Immunotherapy takes the same approach. Rather than focusing on medications and the newest big thing, it’s important that Autism is something that needs to be treated. The symptoms need to be treated, and not just masked by a daily dose of whatever medication is being prescribed.

It has been evidenced that some of the common symptoms of Autism may result from an abnormal immune response. It has also been evidenced that removing helminths from the body could influence the occurrence of autoimmune disorders. Could it be that having a few worms living in your stomach could be life altering…in a good way?

What’s a Helminth? And how it it used in Autism Treatment?

Simply stated, a helminth is a parasite. More exactly, an internal parasite. You may be more familiar with external parasites such as fleas and lice. Unlike these more common itchy friends, helminths or “Parasitic Worms” live inside of their host. That host is typically the animal or human digestive tract. Though they can live almost anywhere in the body, they prefer the intestinal wall.  An abundance of parasites are often found in people with HIV.

Helminthic therapy, also called TSO (Trichuris Suis Ova) Therapy is a type of immunotherapy. It’s used to treat autoimmune diseases and immune disorders by deliberately infesting the body with a helminth. Why the heck would we do that?

Think about the flu shot. We purposely inject the body with a form of the flu, so that the body fights it off and (hopefully) we avoid getting the horrible flu for one more season. Though not exactly the same instance with TSO Therapy, it’s a similar idea.

It’s been evidenced that there are some parasites that the body needs. This day in age, there’s a vaccine for almost everything. While we’ve decreased the number of instances of immediate death sentences with a severe disease or disorder diagnosis by eliminating parasites like helminths, it seems that it’s a double edged sword. Colitis and Crohn’s Disease numbers are on the rise. So is the number of Autism cases. Maybe, just maybe the body needs helminths. Maybe not in abundance, but at least enough to have a properly functioning immune system.

So, we’re treating Autism with that same parasites that are found in bodies with HIV?

Incorrect.

It’s more of another type of parasite, protozoans that are most common in HIV cases.  It’s strictly hookworms or helminths that are used for this kind of immunotherapy. Also, it’s not so much treating Autism as it is a treatment of some of the symptoms of Autism.

For example, it has been shown that some Autism symptoms are the result of malfunctioning immune system. Studies are also suggesting that removing helminths from the body is the start to obtaining a malfunctioning immune system. There have also been cases reported in which Autism symptoms decrease significantly when the child is sick or with a fever.

In TSO therapy, there are two types of approaches that treatment centers use. They either dose the skin with one large dose of infectious necator americanus larvae, or they are given a more spread out treatment of smaller doses over about 10 weeks. The one dose treatment is typically much cheaper, however the 10 week treatment decreases possible side effects that can occur. Although each individual is different as far as which side-effects may be experienced,  the most common were mild cases of nausea, vomiting and topical rash.

As with every single treatment for every single condition your child may have, you’ll want to consult your doctor. As time goes on, we can only hope that we make greater advancements to improve the lives of our loved ones who have 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.

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.

We're quick to use them - but what are their risks?

Whenever we hear the words “you have a condition”, we often hope for it to be followed by “but we can treat it with medication.” One of the often used methods to treat Autism is medication.  After all, it is usually the cheaper and more convenient alternative to other available treatment methods.

With any medication, it’s important to make yourself aware of side effects. Many parents consider any side effects to be minor as compared to the symptoms their children are currently facing.  Some professionals have the opinion that medications don’t “cure” anything.  They merely conceal and minimize symptoms.  Even so, many look to medications as a temporary relief from troublesome side effects including self-injurious behavior.

The medications that are used to treat autism are Neuroleptics or “major tranquilizers”. These should not be confused with “minor tranquilizers” such as Valium and Xanax which are often prescribed to treat anxiety. Unlike minor tranqulizers, neuroleptics regulate the use of dopamine in the brain and often helps with autistic symptoms such as self-injury and obsessive, repetitive behaviors. When these symptoms are controlled, this can make children more attentive and able to learn and keep up with curriculum.

The most common side effect with Neuroleptics is sleepiness or heavy sedation. If a child suffers from this side effect, it is very possible that they may not be able to attend their treatments or study sessions and keep up with their treatments.  Other side effects include affects to liver function, effects to blood cells, behavioral changes including aggitation, and skin effects. True allergic reactions may also take place.

Another thing to keep in mind are the after effects of being on a Neuroleptic medication. Stopping the medication after extended use can often lead to unusual body movements in the head, neck and shoulders.  A condition known as Tardive Dyskinesia can also occur. Tardive Dyskinesia is a condition that causes involuntary movements, especially of the lower face. Tardive itself means “delayed” and Dyskinesia means “abnormal movement.” The condition is caused by neurons uncontrollably “misfiring” and is characterized by involuntary movements of the lips, tongue, face, and even arms and hands.

While it isn’t completely necessary to put your child on Neuroleptics for autism treatment, some doctors and physicians claim to get the best releif from symptoms this way. There are other medications being tested and prescribed for Autism treatments including anti-depressants including Lithium. In itself, being prescribed Lithium will require frequent blood work to regulate kidney and heart function. If Lithium is used in conjunction with a Neuroleptic, side effects must be watched very closely as other conditions can arise such as Encephalopathic Syndrome, which is a condition that is characterized headache, confusion, seizures, and visual loss.

While medications often offer the quickest and cheapest solution to controlling autism symptoms, it is very important that you make yourself very aware of the benefits and risks of taking the medication. Ask as many questions you can of your doctor and do your research. Some medications end up causing more damaging conditions, some irreversible, that will just require another medication to control. And there goes the cycle of medication.

Make yourself aware.