Principal investigator scheduled to speak at workshops in the UK this July

A new study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism evaluates the nutritional and metabolic status of 55 children with autism spectrum disorders compared to 44 neurotypical children of similar age and gender.

Compared to the neurotypical children, children with autism had significantly worse nutritional and metabolic status, as detailed below.
 

Highlights of the study:

• The findings of low levels of ATP (a major fuel for the body and the brain) suggest that children with autism have impaired mitochondrial function (decreased energy production). 
• The findings of lower levels of biotin and other vitamins, and biomarkers indicating increased need for vitamins, strongly suggests that vitamin/mineral supplementation would be helpful for most children with autism.
• The findings of low levels of reduced glutathione, and increased levels of oxidized glutathione, are consistent with several studies by James et al. Glutathione is a major anti-oxidant, and a major defense against toxic metals/chemicals. The findings of low levels of NADPH at least partially explains the increased oxidation of glutathione, because NADPH is the co-factor required to convert oxidized glutathione to reduced (active) glutathione. 
• The finding of low levels of SAM is consistent with several studies by James et al.  SAM is the primary methyl donor in the body, and is important for methylation (activation/deactivation/modification) of DNA, RNA, proteins, phospholipids, and neurotransmitters.  Uridine, a biomarker of methylation status, was also significantly elevated, which confirms a significant impairment in methylation.  ATP is the co-factor needed to convert methionine to SAM, so low levels of ATP likely contributes to the decreased level of SAM. 
• The finding of very low levels of sulfate replicates several studies by Waring et al.  Sulfate is the third most abundant mineral in the body, and sulfation is one of the major ways in which the liver detoxifies chemicals. It appears that children with autism cannot recycle sulfate in their kidneys (partly due to lower levels of ATP), resulting in increased loss of sulfate in the urine, and decreased levels in the body.  It appears that most children with autism need substantial sulfate therapy (MSM supplements or Epsom salt baths).
• The finding of low levels of ATP, NADH, and NADPH is interesting because all are formed from ribose, and a recent study (Freedenfeld et al) found that ribose therapy and NADH therapy were each able to improve levels of ATP, NADH, NADPH, SAM, and/or ribose.
• The findings of low levels of tryptophan, an essential amino acid, suggests that children with autism would have low levels of serotonin (an important neurotransmitter) and melatonin (the hormone that induces sleep), since tryptophan is converted into serotonin and then melatonin.  This suggests that tryptophan supplementation may be helpful.
• The findings of low level of lithium confirms an earlier study by Adams et al, which found lower levels of lithium in young children with autism and their mothers.  Lithium is possibly an essential mineral, and low levels of lithum are associated with a wide range of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and aggressive behavior.  This suggests that low levels of lithium supplementation may be helpful.
• The lead author of the study, Prof. James Adams of Arizona State University, states that "This extensive study revealed many nutritional and metabolic abnormalities in children with autism.  The good news is that they should all be easily treatable with appropriate nutritional supplementation."  This paper is the first of several papers on a large study conducted by Arizona State University to evaluate and treat nutritional and metabolic problems in children with autism by the use of a customized vitamin/mineral supplement.  The supplement used in that study has now been commercialized under the brand name Syndion. 

This study was funded by the Autism Research Institute and the Legacy Foundation.  The nutritional and metabolic measurements were conducted by Doctors Data and Health Diagnostics and Research Institute (HDRI, formerly Vitamin Diagnostics), and those tests are now commercially available.

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Learn More: Attend Workshops led by Principal Investigator Dr. James Adams in the UK this July 

Registration conti nues for workshops set for two special venues in Great Britain this July - seating is limited - book now to assure you get a seat:

• London 16, July 2011 
• Sunderland 23, July 2011 

Price: £375.00 £360.00 2nd person 

 

Register online
Conference Schedule 

Download the Printable Brochure 

 

Questions?

( 00 1 480 8312047

autismconferences@gmail.com