Inspirations

"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." - Dalai Lama

Feel Good Reads

  • In the Eyes of Anahita: An Adventure in Search of Humanity, By Hugo Bonjean
  • A NEW EARTH: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose, By Eckhart Tolle

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Breakthroughs in Nutritional Healing


Summary
  • Prevalence rates of autism are rapidly increasing.
  • Biochemical dysfunction and nutritional deficits are commonly found in autistic individuals.
  • These inborn errors of metabolism, whether genetic or acquired, are further influenced by environmental stressors.
  • Inborn errors of metabolism may be the result of vitamin deficiency, or the deficits may cause the biochemical errors.
  • With nutritional and biochemical therapy, it is possible to enhance metabolism and reverse certain deficiencies in the body.
  • As many of the problems (behavior, cognition and speech impediments for example) associate with autism are believed to be a result of these imbalances, by correcting these with tailored biochemical and nutritional therapy, it is the hope that the symptoms of autism will lessen, which has been shown, even to the point of losing the diagnosis of autism in some.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand these process’s and to create screening tests and treatment guidelines. Learn more at Pfeiffer Treatment Center

Introduction

Prevention and early intervention of health problems are valuable tools which must be promoted. They can be utilized with those at risk, or exhibiting early warning signs and as such decrease the overall burden of disease. As mental health problems, for example, such as autism, depression and anxiety appear to be on the rise, especially among children and adolescents [1-5], parents, teachers and general practitioners are in the optimal position to utilize such tools which have been proven to be of benefit. Autism, once rare with prevalence rates as low as 4 in every 10,000 individuals [6] is increasing and now thought to occur in as many as 1 of 150 children. [7] These rapidly increasing rates have highlighted the importance of finding adequate preventative measures; over the past ten years, preventative medicine, including mental health, has become a priority in terms or research, practice and policy. [8]

Environmental Role

It is widely accepted that human emotions and behavior have a physiological basis [6]; a mere look at the massive amounts of antidepressant medications which are prescribed to help people with emotional and behavioral problems supports this view. However, the nature versus nurture debate goes on as scholars continue to question whether humans inherit behavioral capacities (nature) or acquire them through learning (nurture). Extremely complex psychological changes, such as self awareness, memory, or emotion have been shown to be affected by stimulation or damage to various parts of the brain. [9] This supports the notion that there is a physiological basis to human behavior. At the same time, we know that brain plasticity occurs even into adulthood as a result of human experiences; furthermore, neurons and synapses which are not activated through experience, generally do not survive. [10] This opens the door for nurture to play a role in brain development and thus human behavior. Applying these new ideas and ways of thinking to the research of Autism has led to an “explosion in the discovery of ‘new’ inborn errors of metabolism”. [11] Taking into account the increase in prevalence of autism as well as the lack of 100% concordance among monozygotic twins [6], it becomes clearer that ASD while having genetic influences, also has environmental influences.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder and Genetic Vulnerability

In children with Autism, genetic variations or mutations result in differences among vulnerabilities to different environmental stressors and exposures – this is widely acknowledged, not just in those with autism, but in all humans. Particularly in those with autism, however, genetic variations and vulnerabilities as well as increased parental age (resulting in increased genetic mutations) have been identified as risk factors. [7] This supports the notion that environment plays a role in Autism. Further risk factors that have been identified include oxidative stress, neuro-inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction (all which can be affected by dietary factors, food contaminants, air pollution, and heavy metals for example), as well as underlying biochemical problems such as abnormal glutathione which is a very important antioxidant and detoxifier in the body. [7]

Biochemistry of Autism

Researchers are increasingly finding biochemical abnormalities among children with Autism. For example these children typically show inborn errors of metabolism leading to biochemical build-ups, depressed enzymatic function and metabolism and poor elimination of toxins from the body. The end result of such errors can be increased serum copper levels; depressed zinc; elevated toxic metals (such as copper, lead and mercury); under-methylation – resulting in poor synaptic connections; pyrrole disorders, depressed methionine; elevated adenosine; low levels of selenium; low caeruloplasmin; and increased levels of free-radicals. [12,13]

It has been suggested that Autism is a condition of oxidative stress resulting in a build-up of harmful by-products in the body, known as free-radicals. [7] Excessive free-radicals in the body lead to the destruction of cells, proteins, and essential fats; these harmful elements include oxygen free-radicals and ionized metals such as mercury, lead and copper. [12,13] Increased oxidative stress can be a result of weak immune function and inflammation, zinc depletion, copper overload, under-methylation of cells, increases in toxic metals, such as mercury, lead and cadmium, many food sensitivities, such as gluten, and yeast overgrowth in the GI tract. [12,13] These are all common problems found in children along the autistic spectrum. Walsh [12] states that under-methylation is found in over 90% of children with an autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) and that more than 99% of autistic individuals have been found to have serious metal metabolism disorders; for example, increased copper and decreased zinc are found all throughout the autistic spectrum of disorders.

Whether these underlying biochemical processes are the initial problem, or instead, a result of damage by environmental stressors, may not yet be fully understood. This does not however prevent us from understanding that biochemical processes can be reversed by targeted nutritional interventions aimed to balance these abnormalities. Furthermore, improvements seen have even lead to the loss of diagnosis in some children with autism, further supporting that brain wiring is susceptible to environmental changes – both inside and outside of the body. Environmental stressors and exposures impact organisms in a way that can be studied via markers of exposure, effect and susceptibility. These effects can be on brain development, development of other organs and systems, and physiological/biochemical processes in the body. [14]

Most people diagnosed with ADHD, behavior disorders, autism, and depression, have been shown to have biochemical imbalances which can have a negative effect on neurotransmitter regulation and synthesis. [15] In general, the chemical imbalances in those with autism tend to be more severe than for those with ADHD, depression, violent behavior, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; females with autism tend to have more disordered chemistry than males with autism. [6] Also, major biochemical differences have been demonstrated between the general population and individuals with autism.

Putting this all together, it is important to think about the physiology behind it. Serotonin and dopamine as well as many other neurotransmitters are synthesized in the brain. Raw materials for this synthesis include: vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Therefore, nutrient imbalances, be they genetic or acquired, can result in brain chemistry dysfunction. [12,13] In this regard, researchers found that GABA (a ‘calming’ neurotransmitter) synthesis requires Zinc. GABA balances increases in norepinephrine, and so a deficiency in Zinc relates to irritability, anxiety and violent behaviors. Serotonin synthesis requires vitamin B6; Norepinephrine synthesis requires copper; and dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin levels are all affected by folate levels. One might conclude then, that deficiencies in any of these required substrates would lead to deficiencies in the end product. It is reasonable to assume that supplementing with zinc, B6 and folate will help to minimize these deficiencies. While the evidence is only slowly emerging, the trend is clear and supports the use of nutritional, biochemical therapy for Autism.

In a recent study by Walsh, [12] copper and zinc imbalances were demonstrated to impact neuronal development, detoxification of heavy metals, and immune response among children with autism, leading to abnormal behaviors, G.I. tract problems and heightened sensitivities. Empirical studies on vitamin therapy in individuals with autism report a favourable response to vitamin treatment. Most families reported improvement following nutrient therapy to normalize chemistry. Researchers have attributed the advances seen in cognition, social behavior, and speech to enhanced development of immature brain cells creating new and/or better synaptic connections. [12] It was further concluded that many symptoms and traits seen commonly in autistic children have specific and direct biochemical indications. These include: light and/or noise sensitivity being related to pyrrole disorder; pollen and ragweed allergies are found with under-methylation disorders; over-methylation disorders are related to artistic ability; reading disorders commonly relate to vitamin B6 deficiencies; hyperactivity is related to increased serum copper levels; low zinc produces white streaks on nails; and fatty acid deficiency is related to very dry skin.

Conclusion

It is clear that biochemical dysfunction and nutritional deficits are commonly found among autistic children. Furthermore, these imbalances have been shown to be detrimental to the development of abnormal behavioral development. By correcting imbalances, trends are starting to emerge showing the benefits of such treatment. These benefits found are not limited to those with autism. Other disorders which have shown positive outcomes with biochemical therapy include: behavioral disorders; ADHD; depression; bipolar disorder; schizophrenia; and Alzheimer’s disease. While evidence does support the use of biochemical and nutritional therapy for many mental health related problems, further studies are still needed, including large randomized control trials to help: determine most effective doses and ways to prevent toxic build-up; create adequate tests to screen for these disorders and deficiencies which can be accessible to everyone; and to help create guidelines for treating patients; as well as studies looking at the long-term benefits of these treatments.

References: 
1.               Albee GW, Gullotta TP. Issues in children’s and families’ lives. Primary Prevention Works. 1997; 6. Thousand Oaks, CA.
2.               Braswell L, August GJ, Bloomquist ML, Realmuto GM, Skare SS, Crosby RD. School-based secondary prevention for children with disruptive behavior: Initial outcomes. J Abnormal Child Psychology. 1997; 25:197-208.
3.               Bry BH. Reducing the incidence of adolescent problems through preventive intervention: One-and five-year follow-up. Am J Community Psychology. 1982; 10:265-276.
4.               Stice E, Shaw H, Bohon C, Marti CN, Rohde P. A meta-analytic review of depression prevention programs for children and adolescents: factors that predict magnitude of intervention effects. J Consulting and Clinical Psychology. 2009; 77:486-503.
5.               Compas BE. Coping with stress during childhood and adolescence. Psychological Bulletin. 1987; 101:393-403.
6.               Pinel JPJ. Biopsychology. 5th ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon; 2003.
7.               Herbert M. Contributions of the environment and environmentally vulnerable physiology to autism spectrum disorders. Current Opinion in Neurology. 2010; 23:103–110.
8.               Greenberg MT, Domitrovich C, Bumbarger B. Preventing mental disorders in school-age children: A review of the effectiveness of prevention programs. Center for Mental Health Services. 2000; 9-15.
9.               LaMantia AS. Neuroscience. 3rd ed. Sunderland, Massachusetts: Sinauer Associates, Inc.; 2004.
10.            Kalb RG, Hockfield S. Activity-dependent development of spinal cord motor neurons. Brain Res. Reviews. 1992; 17:283-289.
11.            Kayser MA. Inherited metabolic diseases in neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral disorders. Seminars in Pediatric Neurology. 2008 Sep; 15(3):127-31.
12.            Walsh WJ, Usman A, Tarpey J. Disordered metal metabolism in a large autism population. Proceedings of the APA Annual Meeting; 2001 May; 2001 New Orleans.
13.            Walsh WJ. Biochemical therapy for ADHD, autism, and depression. Pfeiffer Treatment Center. Warrenville, IL; [cited 2011 October 14]. Available from: http://www.caped.net/convention/convention_archive/2007/Presentations/Oct22_Mon/M1/Caped%20CA%2010%2007.ppt.
14.            Geier DA, Kern JK, Garver CR, Adams JB, Audhya T, Nataf R, et al. Biomarkers of environmental toxicity and susceptibility in autism. Journal of Neurological Sciences. 2009; 280:101-108.
15.            Panksepp J. A neurochemical theory of autism. Trends in Neurosciences. 1979; 2:174-177.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

How Lie's Become Truth


Article: When a Lie Becomes Memory’s Truth
By Elizabeth F. Loftus

It has been shown, that providing misleading information to the witness of an event, can actually change what a person believes he or she saw. Current research is trying to understand how people can be “tricked” into thinking they saw something which they actually didn’t. A simple paradigm has been used to study this phenomenon - first, participants witness an event; next, half are exposed to misleading, false information; finally, all participants are asked what they saw. Many different types of experiments have been performed using this method. Again and again, it is found that those people given misleading information seem to adopt it as their memory - known as the misinformation effect.

Current research has focused on four major aspects of this effect.
1) It has been found that a longer interval between the event and the misinformation, increases false memory - memory is more likely to be affected when time allows the original memory to fade.
2) The way the false information is provided is also important. Subtle misinformation is more effective at altering memory.
3) People are also able to resist the effect when they are warned of the possibility of misinformation.
4) It has also been found that age plays a factor in this effect. Young children are more commonly susceptible to misinformation. The same is found for participants over the age of 65.

Researchers have also been interested in the original memory - where does it go? One possibility is that misinformation could physically change the previously formed memory – known as trace impairment. Another possibility is that misinformation makes the original memory less accessible, without actually changing it – retrieval impairment.

It has been concluded that misinformation can actually lead people to believe that they saw things they never did. Participants seem to really believe their memories, even though they are false. Further research is required to better understand people’s recollections. These findings are especially important for the legal field when we consider the use of eye-witness testimony.