Nutritional Detoxification and the Autism Spectrum

Three phase detoxification through the use of natural supplements and vitamins.

Nutrition for Optimal Wellness | Marcia Zimmerman, CN | Most people think the way one detoxifies is through colon cleansing. While this is true, an inability of the body’s internal liver detoxification system to clear heavy metals and xenobiotics (foreign chemicals) from the system is of even greater concern in autism. Heavy metals and most xenobiotics are neurotoxins that dramatically alter the health of the child. In addition, an inefficient liver detoxification system leads to oxidative stress, gut dysbiosis, and immune dysfunction.(1)

The consensus among physicians who treat autism with a biomedical approach is that those on the spectrum are burdened with oxidative stress and immune problems. They presented their findings to clinicians and caregivers at a recent conference.(2) It is one of the key factors that has been published in the scientific literature and a holds a prominent place in biomedical treatment strategies.(3) In some cases children may have inherited impairment in detoxification pathways from their parents.(4)

Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is the accumulation of free radicals which are highly reactive chemicals that disrupt cells and metabolism. They contain oxygen with an unpaired electron that tries to replace the missing electron from a fatty acid or protein – many of them constituents of cellular membranes or enzymes. Hydroxyl radical, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and peroxynitrite are examples of oxidative free radicals. Normally the oxidative burden imposed by these rogue molecules is counter balanced by detoxification in the liver. Oxidative stress is considered a primary factor in neurodegenerative disorders, including autism.(5,6)

Detoxification

The body’s detoxification system occurs in three phases; involving primarily the liver, kidneys and bowel. Phase 1 utilizes the primary cellular detoxifier glutathione along with the antioxidants vitamin C, and vitamin E and carotenoids, vitamins B2, B6, B12, folic acid, and lipoic acid to create less toxic intermediary metabolites. Phase 2 attaches amino acids that render the intermediary – but still toxic – metabolites water soluble. Nutrients required for phase 2 detoxification are glutamine, glycine, taurine, cysteine, and sulfur phytochemicals. Phase 3 involves elimination of the conjugated metabolites through urine and feces.(7) Supplementation with a mixture of antioxidants, B-vitamins, minerals and fatty acids may help push past inherent detoxification bottlenecks found in autism.(8) Many of these are included in liver detoxification and regeneration formulas.

Elimination

The third detoxification phase brings us to an area familiar to most health-conscious individuals. An inability to clear toxins from the colon is a prominent feature of autism. A number of presenters at the Autism Research Institute conference, offered the latest scientific based information on elimination.(9,10,11) Discussed were the use of probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics, all topics of past issues of the Zimmerman Files (December 2009, June 2010) and other authors.(12) These articles can be found on the Natural Health Research Institute website.(13)

Herbs that assist detoxification were also discussed at the ARI conference. These included garlic, milk thistle, and ginger. Good cleansing formulas include these plus others that are less well known such as dandelion, uva ursi, buchu, parsley, ashwagandha and cascara segrada. MSM is a form of sulfur that may help in sulfur detoxification (transmethylation/transsulfation) pathways.(14) The coenzyme form of folic acid, tetrahydrofolate, is an essential co-factor for this reaction.(15)

Natural Sequestering Agents

Apple and citrus pectin and alginates from seaweed are some of the oldest remedies for removing toxins from the system. Modified citrus pectin (MCP), a small molecular size mobilizing agent that has been patented as Pectasol™, has a high degree of binding affinity for toxic metals. It is safe and may be effective in gently removing toxins from the child’s body.(16,17,18) A balanced review of the literature published on MCP has been offered by Walter Crinnion, N.D.(19) This review will be helpful when considering Pectasol™ to sequester heavy metals.

The entire 5-part series on the autism spectrum is being presented during my monthly webinars, Nutrition for Optimal Healing. The live webinars are presented the third Monday of every month at 9 PM eastern. If you have missed any of the important segments in this series, you can download the Power Point presentation and recording at www.now-university.com

References

1 Van de Water, J; “Immune Dysfunction in Autism: Relationship Between Mitochondrial Function & Oxidative Stress” Autism Research Institute (ARI) conference, Long Beach CA October 7-10, 2010.
2 Autism Research Institute: General & Science Sessions, Long Beach, CA October 7-10 2010.
3 Adams, JB; et al.; “The Severity of Autism Is Associated with Toxic Metal Body Burden and Red Blood Cell Glutathione Levels” J Toxicology 2009;doi:10.1155/2009/532640.
4 James, JS; et al.; “Abnormal Transmethylation/transulfuration Metabolism and DNA Hypomethylation Among Parents of Children with Autism” J Autism Dev Disorder 2008;38:1966-1975.
5 Frye RE; “Central Tetrahydrobioperin Concentration in Neurodevelopmental Disorders” Frontiers Neuroscience 2010; doi:10.3389/fnins.2010.00052.
6 James SJ; et al.; “Metabolic Endophenootype and Related Genotypes are Associated with Oxidative Stress in Children with Autism” Am J Med Genet B Neurospychiatric Genet 2006;141B:947-956.
7 McFadden SA; “Phenotypic Variation in Xenobiotic Metabolism and Adverse Environmental Response: Focus on Sulfur-Dependent Detoxification Pathways” Toxicology 1996;111:43-65.
8 Meguld, NA; et al.; “Evaluation of Oxidative Stress in Autism: Defective Antioxidant Enzymes and Increased Lipid Peroxidation” Biol Trace Elem Res 2010;doi: 10.1007/s12011-010-8840-9.
9 Buie TM; “Core Lessons on the Gut” ARI conference, Long Beach CA Oct 7-10, 2010.
10 Bock, KA; “Clinical Approaches to Detoxification in Autism Spectrum Disorders” ARI conference.
11 Rossignol, D; “How to Assess and Prioritize Treatments: Using Evidence-Based Medicine” ARI conference.
12 Zimmerman Files:
13 The Natural Health Research Institute (NHRI) http://www.naturalhealthresearch.org/nhri/
14 James, JS; Op cit.
15 Deth, R.; “How Environmental and Genetic Factors Combine to Cause Autism: A Redox/Methylation Hypothesis” Neuro Toxicology 2008;29:190-301.
16 Zhao, ZY.; “The Role of Modified Citrus Pectin as an Effective Chelator of Lead in Children Hospitalized with Toxic Lead Levels” Altern Ther 2008;14:34-38.
17 Eliaz, I.; “The Effect of Modified Citrus Pectin on Urinary Excretion of Toxic Elements” Interscience 2006: doi:10.1002/ptr.1953.
18 Eliaz I.; “Integrative Medicine and the Role of Modified Citrus Pectin/Alginates in Heavy Metal Chelation and Detoxification – Five Case Reports” Forsch Kpmplementamed 2007;14:358-364.
19 Crinnion W.; “Is Modified Citrus Pectin and Effective Mobilizer of Heavy Metals in Humans? Altern Med Rev 2008;13:283-286.

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