New Autism Cure - breakthrough treatments and cures for autism

As a parent of Autism, it’s difficult in itself to adjust to the changes that need to be made. One of the most difficult areas to adjust to are diet changes. Adopting a gluten and casein free diet is something that is commonly practiced amongst parents of autistic children. Parents instantly cut out the obvious foods like bread and milk, and foods that contain bread and/or milk. Is cutting out the obvious enough? What about products that contain hidden gluten? And we’re not just talking food.

There are some foods that don’t necessarily have gluten or wheat in the ingredients, however it is part of the food makeup. Some foods to be sure to avoid are:

• Salad dressings
• Maranades
• Soy Sauce
• Spices
• Anything with “Spices” in the ingredient list
• Gravy
• Ice Cream / Yogurt
• Dried Fruit
• Non-Stick cooking spray
• Chewing gum
• Candy Mints
• Ketchup
• Infant Formula
• Processed Meats

It is important to pay special attention in situations in which the GF diet isn’t the only diet practiced in the house, special care should be taken to ensure that cross contamination doesn’t take place. If your Autistic child is on the Gluten Free diet, however, you’ve chosen to not practice it, there’s a good chance that you may be cross contaminating without realizing it. Do you toast your gluten free bread in the same toaster as regular bread?  Do you use the same cutting board for gluten free and non-gluten free food? If so, there’s a high chance for cross-contamination to occur. The little peices of wheat that fall off of the regular bread can easily latch onto the gluten free bread.

It’s not just the foods that we eat that can contain hidden gluten in them. Products that are used every day with no second thought can contain gluten and cause adverse reactions to those who are intolerant of gluten. Where are these hidden sources of Gluten? Here a few that you should certainly be mindful of to ensure that you or your Autistic child are really are on the Gluten Free diet.

Some of the things that you should avoid, or check into are:

• Any kind of adhesive (including that in band-aids)
• Lickable stamps/stickers for kids
• school supplies including glue
• modeling clay
• soaps in bar and liquid forms
• shampoo
• conditioner
• any kind of lotion or sunscreen
• toothpaste
• dental floss
• mouthwash
• play-doh
• hair gel
• hair spray

Going Gluten Free is a very big decision with marked health improvements from those who are successful. It’s important that if you or your child are on the gluten free diet, that you’re sure not to just cut out the obvious. Gluten is an ingredient that is included in many foods and products that you might not ever think of.  If you adopt the GF diet, be sure to do your homework and research potential hazards in your food and product habits.

In any child, or person for that matter, it is important to keep the body healthy and balanced. We hear all of the time how the body has too much of some things and not enough of others and it causing havok on the body. With more and more research pointing to the theory that Autism is in fact a biochemical disorder, the benefits of  maintaining a healthy body are becoming more documented and studied especially in Autistic children.

Some of the most commonly studied and practiced methods are diet modification, and vitamin and mineral therapy. Each method has its own purpose but aim for the same goal: maintaining a healthy autistic body to reach increased functioning and decreased symptoms.

Diet Modification

We’ve spoken before about the benefits of changing your childs diet. There have been plenty of studies surrounding the omission of Gluten (wheat, bread) products and Casein (dairy) products. In many children with Autism, there are issues with stomach and gut. The first thing that doctors typically suggest is the removal of gluten and casein from the child’s diet.

Some parents report that getting their children to stop eating wheat and dairy products is similar to trying to get an addict off of drugs. Their children seem to fiend for wheat and milk, and parents end up giving in because they finally feel they can give their child something that they need and want. Think again and maybe a little more literal into the “addict” comparison.

When digested, gluten and casein are broken down into peptides; glutenin and giladin respectively, attach themselves to opiate receptors of the child’s brain. This means that wheat and dairy products can act like narcotics and children can literally be addicted to them.

So, how do you get a child off of Gluten and Casein? Luckily, these days there are many wheat and dairy substitutes in grocery stores with the boom of vegetarianism and all-around body health awareness.

Vitamin and Mineral Therapy

Because of the dietary needs and habits of children with Autism, it has been found that a great deal of children are lacking the proper vitamins and minerals in their bodies. Even as fully-grown, healthy adults we often focus on the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals each day. Specific supplements have been documented as helping aid in the alleviation of autism symptoms and increasing the level of functionality.

One specific mineral that has been often studies is DMG (Dimethylglycine). DMG is found, albeit in small amounts in brown rice and liver. Chemically it resembles vitamin B15. Some of the improvements noted by administering DMG (available over the counter in health stores) are attention span, social awareness, eye contact and speech.

Some parents report an increase in hyperactivity with DMG, but have found success with an alternative, TMG (trimethylglycine).  The same improvements have been reported in TMG as in DMG.

There are quite a number of ways to keep the body healthy. Of course, parents are looking for the methods with the highest result. Which method will decrease symptoms and alleviate some of the everyday frustrations that come with Autism? You know that we can’t answer this directly simply cause each child’s body makeup is different. What might be good for one child, may be counterproductive for another. You may have to try one, two, or ten methods. Stay optimistic, even with minor setbacks, that you will find a method that will work for your child.

Autism is a puzzling disorder. Almost too appropriately, the universal logo and symbol of Autism is a puzzle. When you find out that your child has Autism, you’re going to be flooded with information on treatment methods from doctors and specialists. There are a variety of available treatments, but when you’re still suffering from the shock of the diagnosis, it’s difficult to tell the difference of each treatment. Here are a few of the most commonly used treatment options.

1. Behavioral Modification

Often in cases of Autism, children have difficulties with maintaining acceptable behavior. Hitting,  self injury, temper tantrums, and other like behaviors are common and damaging to the child and their families. Behavior modification treatment focuses on refining the behavior by initiating a reward system for acceptable behavior. Children are rewarded with hugs, high fives, toys, or something that they enjoy so that they associate good behavior with positive reinforcement.

2. Dietary Modification

It has been found that diets that are high in gluten or casein can be damaging to the autistic body. Eliminating these wheat and dairy items can be easier said than done because they’re often such a large part of a child’s diet. With substitution and new skills, parents can learn how to remove these foods from their child’s diet and allow their inflamed guts to heal.

3. Communication Treatment

Social interaction is another area in which children have a hard time performing in when they are diagnosed with ASD. Very often, Autistic children are unable to speak or communicate effectively and this makes it difficult to understand what it is that your child needs or wants. Communication treatment or Speech therapy explores other methods of communication such as non-verbal communication that can enable ASD children to communicate on a level that can be understood.

4. Chelation

Chelation is the process utilized to remove damaging heavy metals from the body. Mercury, iron, and other metals are often found in the Autistic body and can have negative effects on the brain making Autism symptoms even worse. Another source of damaging metals is Thiomersal, which is found in many childhood vaccines. Chelation Therapy includes the administering of chelating agents to remove heavy metals.

5. Treatment with Medication

When it comes to treating Autism with medication, since the ultimate cause isn’t known, you aren’t really treating the Autism so much as the symptoms. With Autism often comes depression, anxiety, and behavioral challenges in which doctors are quick to hand over a prescription for an anti-depressant.  While this can give symptoms a pacifier and can make living with Autism somewhat easier, there’s no one medication to treat autism.

An ideal treatment plan will focus on your individual child’s needs and interests. For example, if you have a child is is very interested in toys and enjoys playing with them, toy therapy may be a beneficial treatment for them. It’s perfectly okay to explore different methods of treatment to find which one works best. While there is no cure for Autism, there are a decent number of treatment options that can be very beneficial to treating the symptoms and body damage that Autism brings with it.

Though it’s not completely proven, there have been studies that show a strong connection between food allergies and autism symptoms. One of the most frequently heard connections is that between Gluten (wheat) and Casein (milk) products. These food proteins are broken down into smaller proteins, also known as peptides. The two peptides, glutenin and gliadin, and leak into the gut and attach to the opitate receptors of the autistic child’s brain. This is very similar to the body being on a morphine drip. The peptides act as a Narcotic to the autistic body.

One of the primary steps in the Defeat Autism Now! (DAN) Protocol is that the autistic child be placed on a Gluten Free, Casein Free diet for at least three months. Many parents have been reporting a link between Autism and diet for years, but it’s now being found that children who consume gluten and casein regularly have more severe autism symptoms. Some of the research reports that claim to “disprove” this theory, also depend a lot on the idea that this is an allergic reaction that is being claimed to exist. Quite the contrary. In fact, it’s not due to an allergic reaction that the symptoms worsen. It’s because the autistic body cannot break down the proteins properly from gluten and casein.  It’s not necessarily an allergy so much as an intolerance.

When parents make the move to take their children off of Gluten and Casein completely, they’re often worried. One of the main concerns is that their children love gluten and casein products. Many parents have a difficult time getting their children to not eat gluten and casein, as if they’re addicted to it. This is more than just an analogy. It could be completely true. Remember, when gluten and casein break down, they leak into the gut and attach themselves to the opiate receptors of the brain. The same receptors that morphine, codeine and heroin attach themselves to. Your child could literally be addicted to gluten and casein.

Researchers are firm in their statements that “autism is not caused by an allergy.” When some parents read about the effects of gluten and casein, they assume their child is allergic to the foods and that’s the cause of Autism. They take their children off of the foods and expect a cure. Again, as far as we know, autism is not caused by an allergy. However, children with Autism Spectrum Disorders are very sensitive - especially in their immune system in how it reacts to the environment.

One of the primary focuses of the Autism Alternative Medicine field is exploring ways in which we can treat our children’s autism symptoms and getting to the source of the problem. While there have been some reports that go against the connection between food allergies and Autism, there are still researchers who very much believe that there is a valid connection and they’re exploring this intensely.

In cases of Autism and other neurological disorders, one of the common symptoms is difficulty with sensory perception. Electronic Auditory Stimulation Effect (more commonly known as EASe), is a therapeutic audio strategy that targets auditory sensory difficulties and strives to better enable children to deal with this painful and life-altering symptom of Autism.

What Is Sensory Perception Disorder?

We often think of sensory perception disorder as something that can make its sufferers unable to see, hear, taste, etc. to the same capacity as those with normal sensory perception. This is true in some cases as we all have seen blind and deaf people in person and portrayed often on televishttp://www.newautismcure.com/wp-admin/post-new.phpion.

However, there are other cases in which sensory perception is abnormally heightened. An alarm clock ring can be excruciating to hear, the smell of egg salad can be pungent, the feel of a warm washcloth on the skin can be intolerable. The shining of the summer sun through the curtains can be blinding and painful.

Specifically in Autism, auditory hypersensitivity is very common and can be extremely painful. Another similar condition, Hyperacusis is common in Autism. In Hyeracusis cases, the sufferer is over-sensitive to certain frequency ranges of sound and is often unable to tolerate everyday sounds such as birds chirping, planes flying overhead, or even people chewing.

How Do People Develop Sensory Perception Disorder?

As the brain grows, it develops connections that enable us to react in a “typical” way to sensory stimuli. We pickup the natural reaction to cover our ears when a loud sound occurs, pinch our nose when we smell something foul, or cover our eyes when the light is too bright. If these connections aren’t made, it is believed that the child will not be able to develop the ability to execute habitual practices for sensory occurrences. If the child has been dealing with Sensory Perception long enough, it’s possible that they develop unnatural responses as coping mechanisms.

As parents to an Autistic child, what are you to do? This is where EASe comes into play.

The Basics and History Of EASe

EASe is a compilation of music that has been processed through Berard AIT (Auditory Integration Training) standards. Dr. Guy Berard created this system in the 1950’s to treat certain kinds of hearing impairments. After further studies, he found that other brain functions such as listening, concentration, and memory were also improved by using his program.Additionally, many clients reported no longer experiencing the anxiety often associated with unexpected and irritating noises.

A typical EASe therapy consists of strategically processed music on several CDs. It is recommended that they are played in random order.  It ideally teaches children how to habituate sudden noises and develop better processing of unexpected frequencies. This leads to better mental, physical and emotional adjustments. The amount of time that you’ll see the benefits can range as each child is different. Some people report changes after as few as 2 sessions, others take a few weeks or months.

Where Can I Obtain EASe CD’s?

There are several websites that offer this treatment. You can either type EASe into your search engine, or contact our admin team here at New Autism Cure for leads on products.

Keep in mind that the EASe approach is not a cure to Autism so much as a means to control some of the most life altering and uncomfortable symptoms.

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?

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.