Aluminum and the Brain

 I recently read a book by Christopher Exley called Imagine You are an Aluminum Atom. Exley is considered one of the leading researchers in the world on aluminum toxicity despite repeated attacks on his research. Exley found accumulations of aluminum in tissue samples of the brains of adults with Alzheimer's and in children with autism which were far higher than the amounts of aluminum in normal brains.

Exley also strongly opposes the presence of Aluminum in vaccines. He has earned the hatred of both the Aluminum and Pharmaceutical industries, but he continues to warn of the dangers of aluminum in spite of the persecution he has endured for years at the hands of these industries. His book discusses not only his research on aluminum, but also the industrial corruption which seeks to hide the amazing toxicity of aluminum to brain and nerve tissue.

Exley's message: Do away with those aluminum pots, antacids and deodorants with aluminum, and don't use vaccines which contain aluminum as an adjuvant. The functioning of your brain may be at stake.

 

The Cell Danger Response The cell danger response is the response of the cells to potential harm and was a topic of the 2019 Clinical Nutrition Conference. This relatively new concept helps us better understand how exposure to toxins including those in vaccines may contribute to a wide variety of degenerative diseases. The cell danger response is triggered by chemical, physical, or biological threats which exceed the coping ability of cells. It has its roots in the ability to deal with viral and bacterial invasion but the cells use the same strategy to deal with toxin exposure. When the body moves into a cell danger response, the body can have difficulty resolving the response. Disorders which have been associated with the response include autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, asthma, atopy, gluten and other food intolerances, emphysema, Tourette's syndrome, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, PTSD, epilepsy, heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. With this understanding it becomes clear that a single vaccination or infection is not likely to create a problem for most individuals. The process is like filling a barrel with water. Only when the water overflows the top of the barrel does flooding take place. By the same token, Constant exposure to environmental toxins overwhelms the cells triggering the cell danger response and making recovery difficult. What interested me as I have studied this concept is the potential role for nutrition in this process. A key feature of the cell danger response is the hardening of the cell membrane which is particularly damaging to nerve cells and brain functioning. Quality lipids like Tre-en-en and Salmon Oil Plus promote membrane fluidity and also aid detox at the cellular levels and play a role in resolution of inflammatory conditions. Sulfur containing compounds including a complete protein, cruciferous vegetables, and garlic are essential detox compounds. The general population needs to make an effort to avoid toxic exposures of all kinds and also needs to incorporate into lifestyles diets and supplements that provide protection from toxins and help resolve the cell danger response. References: Metabolic Features of the Cell Danger Response Aging and the Cell Danger Response

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 New Insight into Autism

 

     A leading research group in Canada headed up by Dr. Derrick MacFabe has been able to induce autistic behavior in rats by disturbing gut bacteria. They are investigating the idea that short chain fatty acids synthesized by harmful bacteria alter gene expression and affect mitochondria where energy is produced in the cells predisposing to autism.

     Looking over this work I was reminded of the work of Karger who found that glyphosate (Roundup) killed off beneficial organisms in the digestive tract, but allowed the bacteria which produce botulism to survive.

     The World Health Organization recently classified glyphosate as a probably human carcinogen. Monsanto, the major manufacturer of the compound, immediately attacked the finding.

 Probiotics and Mental Disorders

 

     Brain disorders such as autism, major depression and anxiety are becoming increasingly common and debilitating. These problems are treated with what are often highly toxic and dangerous drugs. Increasing research suggests that mental disorders may have their root in a disturbed digestive tract. Mental disorders are often characterized by elevated levels of  inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, oxidative stress, poor nutritional status, and overgrowth of harmful bacteria in the small intestine. These problems can decrease the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which is essential for healthy brain functioning. All of these abnormalities are increasingly being shown to be improved by supplying beneficial bacteria such as those found in NeoLife Acidophilus Complex. Who would have thought that the bugs in your belly carry on a conversation with your brain cells? The next time you feel down support gut health with Acidophilus Complex and Aloe.

Reference:

Logan, Alan, and Katzman, Martin, Major depressive disorder: probiotics may be an adjuvant therapy, Medical Hypotheses, 2005;64:533-538.

Cryan, J.F., and O'Mahony, S.M., The microbiome-gut-brain axis: from bowel to behavior, Neurogastroenterol Motil, 2011;23:187-192.

Vitamin D and Autism

     Some early research suggests that deficiency of vitamin D may play a role in the development of autism. This underscores the importance of adequate intake of all nutrients during pregnancy in order to prevent subtle as well as obvious birth defects.
     Researchers found three genes which are abnormally expressed in autism which are directly regulated by vitamin D. One of these genes relates to elevated blood serotonin and low levels of brain serotonin. A second gene could contribute to the low levels of the hormone oxytocin in autism. The hormone plays a role in socialization. The third gene plays a role in preventing autoimmunity.
     This is very early research but I thought it well worth bringing to the attention of those who have an interest in autism and nutrition.
Reference:
Blog on autism and vitamin D
Link to original article

Autism and Nutrition

     Modification of the diet and supplementation of the diet of autistic individuals carries little risk and offers considerable benefit. A diet free of gluten and dairy resulted in improvement of 69% of those who tried th diet. Over half of those wth the condition improve on a diet free of sugar and food additives. Food allergy treatment resulted in improvement of 67% of the patient population. A wide range of nutrients tried individually resulted in improvement in one-third to one-half of autistic children. Nutrients tested included vitamin A, folic acid, vitamins B6, B12, vitamin C, calcium, mangnesium, and zinc. High dose vitami B6 with magnesium is often beneficial. Omega-3 fatty acids improved 59% of the children it was given to. Digestive enzymes improved almost two-thirds of children. A diet free of disaccharides (this includes grains) which promote growth of potentilly harmful bacteria in the digestive tract improved 71% of patients. These nutritional approaches did not have a worsening effect in most instances.

Research Report on Autism

     Dr. James Adams, a professor at Arizona State University and co-chair of Autism Research Institute's Scientific Advisoy Committee, has published a comprehensive review paper on dietary, nutritional, and medical treatments for autism. The review is based on 150 published references.
Link to review paper on autism.

Autism and the Gut

     It has been known or a long time that people with autism tend to have intestinal problems. These digestive problems are associted with unbalanced populations of microbes in the lower digestive tract. The population of bacteria in the digestive tract is known as the microbiome.
Those with autism are prone to overgrowth of a species of bacteria called Clostridia. Clostridia produce toxic compounds called phenols which kill other bacteria which compete with them for space in the digestive tract.
     Phenols are poisonous to human cells unless they can be neutralized by sulfur. Overgrowth of Clostridia can deplete the body's reserves of sulfur which is also essential for brain development. Many autistic individuals evidence a defect in sulfur metabolism which could increase susceptibility to damage from the toxins prodced by Clostridia. Research is ongoing to see if abnormal sulfur metabolism and Clostridia overgrowth may play a role in the abnormal brain development characteristic of autism.
Reference:
Me, myself, us, The Economist, Augst 18, 2012, 69-72.