Thimerosal Denied as Autism Factor
, 03 08th, 2012
It is a widely held misconception that thimerosal causes autism. Thimerosal was used as a vaccine preservative. The thinking was by a now discredited doctor that there was a causal relationship between the rise in vaccination and the rise in autism diagnoses.
The truth is thimerosal has not been used as a vaccine preservative for many years. While thimerosal has been removed the number of autism diagnoses has not dropped off. In fact, it can be argued that the number of cases has risen (although “risen” is not exactly the right word as it is entirely likely that the number of cases hasn’t gone up, but the ability to accurately diagnose someone on the spectrum has improved). With thimerosal denied as the culprit, parents and researchers need to continue to press for answers.
Tackling Neurotoxins and Bacteria
, 03 06th, 2012
For several years, members of the scientific community have found links between autism and neurotoxins and bacteria found in the gut. For instance, in 2004, a study was published by the head of the Food Microbiology Sciences Unit at the University of Reading that stated: “We have good evidence to show that children with autism have a gut flora which produces toxins, and that neurotoxins and bacteria in the gut are producing this metabolite.”
To combat this harmful gut flora, taking probiotics has been recommended. Certain probiotics – which introduce healthy bacteria – may combat clostridium which is a harmful bacterium. Probiotics, in conjunction with cleanses, may help restore balance to a digestive tract.
Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Diet
, 03 01st, 2012
There is so much that is not known about autism. It seems that nearly every week there is a new study out revealing some new fact not previously known. For example, autistic children born in the 1990s are more likely to have gastrointestinal problems than autistic children born in the 1980s.
This has led some parents to remove gluten and dairy from their autistic children’s diets. Some parents claim this has eliminated many behavioral issues, but most parents who see a difference claim that it only eliminates GI tract problems – which are still a great relief to the parents and children. To cleanse the body of other toxins, try chelation, such as PCA-Rx.
Natural Heavy Metal Detox
, 02 28th, 2012
We are naturally exposed to heavy metal toxins every day. Toxins are in our food and the air we breathe. In low doses, they don’t cause problems, but over time if they are allowed to build up in the system they can cause headaches, fatigue, and anemia.
Just as we are naturally exposed to heavy metal toxins, we also have natural heavy metal detox options. For instance, fruits, such as apples, are high in pectin, which is a fiber that binds itself to heavy metals and causes the body to expel waste. Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin C, another good choice for expelling heavy metal toxins. Finally, the sulfur found in fresh garlic can also aid in removal. Use these ingredients in your diet and you should be able to ward off the negative effects of heavy metals.
Guilt, Anger, and Frustration
, 02 28th, 2012
Parenting a child with autism is a daunting task. Your child has unique challenges that you probably did not experience with your other children. This can cause quite a bit of stress for you and strain your relationships with others. Compacting this stress are often feelings of guilt, anger, and frustration.
It is not uncommon for parents to ask what they could have done differently to prevent their child from being autistic. They’ll feel frustration with the progression their child’s development or lack thereof. When these feelings get overwhelming, take a deep breath and remind yourself that it is not your fault. There is nothing a parent can do to prevent autism. It is also advisable to seek professional counseling for yourself and for your spouse and non-autistic children.
Mad Hatter Disease
, 02 23rd, 2012
Have you ever wondered about the etymology of the phrase “Mad Hatter Disease”? I had always assumed that it referred to an eccentric person, much like the character from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.” Upon further research, Mad Hatter Disease actually refers to 19th century hat makers who suffered from mercury poisoning.
During the 19th century, mercury was used to cure animal pelts that were then made into hats. The workers would breathe in the fumes all day long and thus become poisoned, as metal toxicity was not well understood at that point in history. The hatters would eventually display classic mercury poisoning symptoms, including vision and hearing issues, slurred speech, hallucinations, tremors and more. The workers were thought to be insane and were referred to as mad hatters because of the frequency of the “insanity” present in that profession.
Treating Mercury Poisoning
, 02 21st, 2012
The sooner mercury poisoning is identified and treated, the better. Decontamination for humans begins by removing all clothing that came in contact with mercury. Skin must be immediately washed with soap and water as mercury can be absorbed through pores. Saline solution should be used to flush out the eyes, if needed.
If inorganic mercury is accidentally swallowed, chelation therapy is typical. DMSA chelation therapy is the only therapy approved by the FDA for children, although it is not effective for poisoning due to mercury vapors. Chelation can be hazardous if used incorrectly, so consult a physician before starting chelation treatment, particularly if the therapy is being used on a child.
Elemental mercury refers to mercury found in liquid form. Its ability to release toxic vapors is especially troubling. This type of mercury can damage the central nervous system as well as the pulmonary system. Tremors, mental health issues, nervousness, and interruption of brain development in children are among the long term effects of elemental mercury poisoning.
Organic mercury compounds can cause brain damage and liver damage. Dimethylmercury can cause death through skin absorption. Long term effects of mercury poisoning can include numbness in fingers and toes, loss of hearing, blindness, and mental health issues among babies exposed while in the womb.
The Atomic Man
, 02 09th, 2012
In 1976 Harold McCluskey had the unpleasant distinction of being known as the Atomic Man. While working at Hanford Plutonium Finishing Plant an explosion exposed him to 500 times the occupational standard for americium 251, which is a plutonium byproduct. McCluskey was placed in isolation for five months and underwent chelation therapy.
The chelation therapy dropped his radiation count by 80 percent, thus further proving the effectiveness of chelation. McCluskey faced challenges when he returned home as people did not want to be around him because they were fearful that he was still radioactive. Eventually the fear subsided and he returned to normal life. He even advocated for the continued development of nuclear power. He died 11 years later of causes unrelated to his exposure.
DMSA Chelation Therapy
, 02 07th, 2012
DMSA stands for meso dimercaptosuccinic acid, an FDA approved substance used for removing metals from the brain and tissues. Typically, DMSA chelation therapy involves taking capsules rich in sulfur which bonds to heavy metals. Before you decide to treat with DMSA chelation therapy, first confirm that you have a high amount of toxic metals in your system. You can confirm by sending a urine sample to a medical lab for testing.
If the test comes back positive for toxic metals, consult a professional chelation therapist. They will give you important information about the chelation process, as well as monitor your vitals. Monitoring vitals is imperative as DMSA removes good minerals, like magnesium and calcium, from the body. A trained therapist will help keep your body in balance and help you replenish your body’s store of beneficial minerals.