Good Bacteria May Relieve Autism Symptoms
Researchers questioned whether or not a daily dose of friendly
bacteria known as probiotics might help treat autism. Clinical trials
are being scheduled to test probiotics to determine if they could ease
the gut problems associated with autism and possibly help with some of
the psychological symptoms as well.
Nearly six out of every 1,000 people have autism, a condition that
negatively affects communication and social relation****ps.
Some of the physical symptoms associated with autism include bloating,
stomachaches and diarrhea. Since children with autism were more prone
to having higher levels of Clostridia, a group of "bad" bacteria,
probiotic food supplements might lower the levels of these bad
bacteria and alleviate some of the autism symptoms.
Researchers haven't been able to find out what the cause of autism is,
however genetic and environmental factors have been cited as likely
contributors to the complex disorder.
Researchers agreed that toxic byproducts of the bacteria might play a
role with the disease because of how they are absorbed into the blood
and travel to the brain.
One type of bacteria researchers have found to produce promising
results is called Lactobacillus plantarum 229v, which attaches itself
to the lining of the gut and stimulates its growth. In addition to
these functions, this bacteria has also been discovered to lower gut
pH, which aids in the digestive process and helps fight infections.
Research has also revealed that friendly bacteria might be useful in
treating irritable bowel disorder, diarrhea, colitis and bowel cancer.
Experts have noticed an increasing acceptance of probiotics as a way
to help manage health conditions.
Nature May 5, 2004
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Dr. Mercola's Comments:
It's great news that the benefits of probiotics are being fully
explored, and this is one method that seems worthwhile for autism.
Although I am not a big fan of nutritional supplementation the way it
is currently practiced by most natural medicine clinicians, I have
found probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to be an exception.
It is the ONLY supplement I recommend for ALL new patients (unless of
course they are already on one). I don't believe that they need to
stay on it the rest of their life, but one to three months are usually
beneficial until they are able to get their diet improved.
Total health begins in the gut so if your GI tract is not in optimal
health, then your overall health will be compromised.
The probiotic I most highly recommend is Probiotics, as it is a highly
effective probiotic. This probiotic is particularly helpful in people
who have an excess of bad bacteria in their gut--and most people do as
a result of agricultural chemicals, pollution, antibiotics and an
abundance of processed foods. Probiotics contains over 26 billion
beneficial bacteria per serving (that's over 2 billion more than the
industry standard) that literally attack the harmful pathogens in the
intestines to eliminate parasites and bad bacteria.
The number of children diagnosed with autism in the United States is
continuing to increase at a rate of more than 20 percent a year. Since
children with autism are known to carry certain "bad" bacteria, using
a probiotic may provide some relief.
In addition to becoming familiar with the value of probiotics, you
will also want to look into the link between autism and pasteurized
milk and the role of childhood vaccines in autism.
Related Articles:
One Third of Probiotics, "Good Bacteria" Products Like Acidophilus,
Found to be Worthless
Beneficial Bacteria (Probiotics) May Halt Allergies In Babies
Beneficial Bacteria (Probiotics) During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Helps Protect Against Eczema
Beneficial Bacteria Helps Heal Intestines
100 Trillion Bacteria in Your Gut: Learn How to Keep the Good Kind
There
We Are In the Midst of An Autism Epidemic
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/05/26/good-bacteria-autism.aspx
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