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ABC’s of Autism: B is for Bifidobacteria

Bifidobacteria are strains of healthy bacteria that live in the human gut. They are commonly referred to as “probiotics” and are often taken alongside antibiotics to maintain healthy levels of bacteria. Recent research has suggested that these bacteria play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of autism. There may be a correlation between gut symptoms and severity of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs).

A 2011 study on the relationship between gut bacteria and the severity of autism revealed a connection between the two. Children diagnosed with autism had significantly lower levels of bifidobacteria than non-autistic children. Low levels of bifidobacteria are a biomarker for autism. These decreased levels corresponded to more gastrointestinal (GI) troubles. Ultimately, as the amount of GI problems increased, so did the severity of the autism. Children with many GI problems had higher ATEC (autism treatment evaluation checklist, higher score equals more severe autism) scores than children with fewer GI problems.

Learn more about how genetics impacts bifidobacterium levels here: scientific version and in layman’s terms (includes a video)

What can you do? Talk to your doctor about obtaining lab work to measure your child’s bacterial balance/imbalance. From there, you can determine with your physician, if treatment would be beneficial to your child. We can help you prepare for this conversation with your doctor.

If you want to learn more about potential treatments for ASDs, need help talking to your doctor, or don’t know where to begin, we are here to help. Check out our Empowered Library for more resources to help your child and your family.

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ABC’s of Autism: A is for Arginine and Alanine

Arginine and Alanine are types of amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks for all sorts of materials in the human body, including protein and muscle. Research suggests that arginine is an important factor in the treatment of ASD (autism spectrum disorder) symptoms. As of right now, there is not a standard chemical test performed to diagnose ASDs. However, as research on the connection between arginine and autism progresses, a diagnostic test may develop in the near future. Autism may have a biochemical origin.

Scientific studies have shown that many adult males diagnosed with autism have arginine levels that are higher than typically developing control subjects. The study concluded: “The present study identified deviated plasma metabolite levels associated with oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in individuals with ASD.” Arginine can serve as a biomarker (a quantifiable substance that indicates the presence of diseases, disorders, or other biological maladies) for autism. This new research is interesting since it suggests that autism has an underlying chemical component. Bodily chemical imbalances can be treated through physical steps. This is sometimes as easy as adding a daily supplement to one’s diet or removing a toxin from the environment.

Alanine has also been found to be an abnormal biomarker in individuals with Autism. To read more about alanine and autism click the link below:

Dr. Richard Kelley’s ASD/MITO paper

What can you do? Talk to your doctor about additional blood tests that may reveal more about your child’s condition. To help with this process, our Chief Patient Advocacy Officer Kristi Wees created an eBook called “Top 10 Lab Tests For Your Child.” In this book, Kristi simplifies the seemingly complicated world of laboratory blood testing and describes it in a way that parents can understand, giving them the information they need to have an educated conversation with their child’s physician.

If you want to learn more about potential treatments for ASDs, need help talking to your doctor, or don’t know where to begin, we are here to help. Check out our Empowered Library for more resources.

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The ABC’s of Autism #AutismAwareness

Happy Autism Awareness Month. Please join us for the month of April as we share the ABC’s of Autism both here on the website and on our  Facebook page.

The posts on the website will be for our #BeEmpowered Members only. If you would like to have access to those posts, you can join us here.

If you are already a #BeEmpowered Member, you can log-in here to view that information plus a whole lot more (Including our webcast archive of I Have A Child Who…  episodes).

You can also join us on Facebook for a live video each day giving you a sneak peek of our letter and topic of the day. We would love if you could share these videos with friends, family, teachers, therapists and just on your profile, in general, to help us share awareness about autism beyond the puzzle piece!