In this Issue:
Greetings
[[firstname]],
Cindy's Blog on Celiac Disease and Autism -- A
Must Read!
Normally we just give you a taste of Cindy's blog entries and the chance to
click through for more. However, this entry is worth this kat's spotlight.
During the survey, Cindy received a couple requests to blog about Celiac
Disease. When she went researching, she stumbled upon the following article to
summarize for y'all.
Whether you're dealing with celiac symptoms or not, this provocative research is
worth a read.
-----------------------------------
Vitamin E, Omega-3s & Carnitine for Autism Spectrum
Disorders
As a physician and researcher at Children's Hospital & Research Center in
Oakland, Dr. Claudia Morris studies both kids and nutrition. Her most recent
article is titled
Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia, and Malabsorption: Characterization of a
Neurodevelopmental Phenotype that Responds to Omega 3 and Vitamin E
Supplementation.
Phew, what a title, eh? Dr. Morris and her co-author Dr. Marilyn Agin found
that with a variety of neurological disorders in children--including autism,
attention deficit disorder, and dyslexia--involve deficiencies in
vitamin E,
omega-3 fatty acids, and
carnitine are common.
What caught my eye was the high incidence of gluten sensitivities: 68% of the
children had high
antigliadin IgA antibodies (meaning that they were reactive to the wheat
protein) and 100% tested positive for a "gluten sensitivity" gene. Food
allergies or asthma existed in 88% of the children. And, gastrointestinal issues
existed in a full 83% of the children. Poor kids!
Alas, problems with concentration, coordination, and communication is a big
burden for these kids and their families. Couple that with GI upsets due to
wheat and other food allergies and potentially asthma and it's a nightmare to
manage all the symptoms, especially when most treatments for autism spectrum
disorders have primarily been behavioral (speech and occupational) therapies.
That's where Dr. Morris and Dr. Agin come in--with a novel metabolic and
nutritional approach to treating verbal
apraxia. They studied 187
children, giving them supplemental vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and
EPA) and carnitine as needed. With high doses of these nutrients, children in
the study experienced "rapid clinical improvement" in both speech and
coordination!
With an additional focus on eliminating trigger foods (wheat, dairy, yeast,
and other allergens specific to each child), GI tract problems started to clear
up as well, enabling nutrients to be effectively metabolized for neurological
functioning and general intestinal function as well.
Interestingly, 80% of the children in the study exhibited a carnitine
deficiency (also common in celiac disease), and the researchers believe that:
"Low carnitine may be a cause rather than an affect of gut inflammation, as
recent studies support an obligatory role for carnitine in the maintenance of
normal intestinal function...Carnitine also plays a critical role in fatty acid
transport into the mitochondria and (low carnitine) may contribute to abnormal
fatty acid metabolism."
Morris and Agin believe that children with autism spectrum disorders have a
faulty fatty acid metabolism that is remedied by high doses of vitamin E (800IU
divided into two doses was typical) and omega-3's (DHA at 280mg and EPA at 695mg
was typical).
Children experiencing the most significant recovery were those using doses
greater than 2000IU/day of vitamin E, but this very high level was monitored
carefully by their pediatricians. And, based on
another
study on high-dose vitamin E therapy, Morris's team reports that:
"Even at 3200 IU/day, vitamin E clearly still works as an antioxidant rather
than the theorized potential to become a pro-oxidant."
Unfortunately, when supplementation stops, children regress. When children
had viral illnesses, the need for supplements increased, as inflammation,
whether triggered by food or illness, consistently compromised neurological
function. The takeaway according to the researchers?
"Pediatricians need to recognize the early warning signs of apraxia, consider
screening for common metabolic and nutritional abnormalities associated with
this syndrome, and initiate a referral to a knowledgeable developmental
pediatrician or pediatric neurologist to obtain an accurate diagnosis."
While most of my readers don't have young children in the home, with the
numbers of children affected by autism spectrum disorders, someone not too
distant probably does. Pass the word on this cutting-edge research on safe
nutritional therapies that could make a huge difference in both a young child's
life and the lives of his/her parents and extended family.
Meanwhile, if any of you have a history of gluten sensitivity or celiac
disease, you may want to understand your own carnitine levels, as celiac may
cause carnitine deficiencies, and
carnitine
is critical not only to muscle energy but also to the transport of long
chain fatty acids like omega-3's!
Ask the Kat - Do You Carry Pet Supplements?
Okay Guido, you have great
supplements for humans, but what about my pets?
OHC:
While we don't carry
anything specific to dogs and cats, this doesn't stop many members
from sharing some of their favorite products with furry friends.
This kat has heard reports of
Fish Oil,
Joint Complex,
Multi-Vites, and
Vitamin E all being
passed along to furry "children."
Tess used to work for a
veterinarian and saw Joint Complex and omega-3s recommended
regularly for age-related stiffness.
More things to consider for an
aging animal friend: share your CoQ10, which can help keep a
healthy heart and gums. Teri has applied vitamin E to all her dogs'
cuts and sore spots.
Just be sure to check with
your local veterinarian for dosage recommendations, especially if
your pet is taking any drugs that could potentially interact.
'Til next time, fair members!
Still purringly yours,
Guido
Guido Housemouser,
Chief Kat and Community Manager
Our Health Co-op, Incorporated
4188 Westroads Drive, Unit 123
Riviera Beach, FL 33407
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