The biomedical approach to autism is one of the most popular options chosen by parents of autistic children.  This approach focuses on the biological and environmental aspects of the condition.  One important element of a biomedical approach is supplementation.  Many different supplements can have a positive effect on autism. But as each child is different and can react differently to a specific treatment option, how can parents select supplements that have the best chances to help their child? 

The Autism Research Institute collected data from more than 26,000 parents rating of the usefulness of the many interventions tried with their autistic children. According to the percentage of children who got better in this survey, here are the autism supplements with the best chances to have a positive effect on your child.

Top-Rated Supplements For Autism

• Cod Liver Oil
• Detox and Chelation Supplements
• Essential Fatty Acids
• Melatonin
• Methyl B12
• DMG and TMG
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin B6
• Digestive Enzymes
• 5 HTP
• Transfer Factor
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B3
• Vitamin C
• Zinc 

Spectrum Supplements carries the best brands of each of the top-rated supplements for autism listed above and many more. We offer free US shipping on all orders.

Autism is often linked to gastrointestinal problems. Recent studies have revealed a high prevalence not only in gastrointestinal symptoms, but also signs of inflammation, gut permeability and decreased enzymatic activity in children on the autism spectrum.

 In fact, according to the journal of pediatrics, “Surveys published in the gastroenterology literature have stated that gastrointestinal problems, such as chronic constipation or diarrhea, occur in 46% to 85% of children with ASDs.”

 New results published in the journal mBio reveal that there’s a type of bacteria in autistic children’s gut that isn’t found in the gut of typical children. This bacteria strain, called Sutterella, lives on the intestinal wall and can’t be detected with stool samples. While it’s still unclear why autistic children have Sutterella bacteria and its role in autism, researchers from the Harvard Medical School report that autistic children with gastrointestinal problems have altered expression of genes involved in digestion.  Those genes are responsible for the enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism.

Besides Sutterella bacteria and genes, digestive problems of children with ASDs could be also attributed to the following:

 Potential causes of digestive discomfort:

• Food allergies
• Nutrient deficiencies
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Enzyme deficiency
• Dysbiosis – or an imbalance in the good bacteria of the digestive tract
• Yeast overgrowth
• Essential fatty acid deficiency

Gastrointestinal problems in autistic children can lead to increased behavioral problems such as head banging, tantrums, stereotypic behaviors like hand flapping, tapping ears, rocking back and forth, etc.  This could explain why some parents see behavioral improvement with a specific diet, or with the help of different supplements such as enzymes, essential fatty acids, vitamins or probiotics.

Spectrum Supplements, online supplier of vitamins and supplements for individuals with Autism, Aspergers & others on the ASD spectrum, recently added the world-renown Pure Encapsulations brand of products to its offering.

 

Spectrum Supplements, Authorized Distributor of Pure Encapsulations

We are proud to continue to help families dealing with special needs children by offering them the latest innovations by the best brands in the field.

Endicott, NY, January 02, 2012

Pure Encapsulations is a leading brand of high quality hypoallergenic supplements, many of which could benefit people on the ASD spectrum. Their products contain absolutely no hidden fillers, coatings, artificial colors or other excipients that would disrupt or diminish the bioavailability of the ingredients. Additionally, formulas are free of wheat, gluten, preservatives and hydrogenated oils.

Furthermore, no magnesium stearate is used in any of their formulas and their products also do not contain wheat, gluten, nuts, egg, preservatives or hydrogenated oils. Pure Encapsulations has a comprehensive allergen SOP in place to prevent ingredient cross-contamination.

Pure Encapsulations' supplements are of the highest quality, and we at Spectrum Supplements feel these products will specifically help our customer base of special needs children and people suffering from ASD, ADHD, and other health conditions that can be improved through a biomedical approach. 
About Spectrum Supplements

Spectrum Supplements is an online supplier of supplements for autism treatment support. This One-Stop-Shop for high quality supplements from over 75 of the Best-in-Class brand names, is proudly serving families dealing with special needs children in over 50 countries around the world since 2004. Their research consultants are constantly pulsing the market and searching for the best suppliers to expand their product offering.

Working in collaboration with leading practitioners, they are familiar with the latest therapies designed for special healthcare needs including Gluten-Free/Casein-Free, SCD diets, DAN!, and other interventions.

Pycnogenol is a patented extract derived from the bark of the maritime pine tree. Its potent antioxidant effects makes it an interesting way to increase blood flow, boost glutathione levels and benefit the immune system.  Pycnogenol has been used to improve various health conditions including ADHD, Autism and Aspergers in children.

Pycnogenol contains mainly two different active ingredients; proanthocyanidins and flavonols, two powerful antioxidant compounds. One of their specific benefits is to enhance vitamin C absorption in the brain. Vitamin C is necessary to the synthesis of the brain neurotransmitters involved in ASD.  Both vitamin C and pycnogenol’s antioxidant compounds protects the brain against free-radical damage. Pycnogenol also shows anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine and immune system boosting effects.

A new German and Slovakian study indicates that pycnogenol efficiency lays in its ability to increase glutathione levels.  This finding is highly relevant to autism as many researches suggests that low levels of glutathione could be directly linked to autism spectrum disorders.

The body normally produces enough glutathione to ensure proper detoxification. However, in individuals suffering with certain health conditions, the amount of glutathione produced can be severely compromised, as is often the case for Autism and Aspergers in children.

According to a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, researchers reported that “Results show that one month [of] pycnogenol administration caused a significant reduction in hyperactivity, improved attention and visual-motoric coordination and concentration of children with ADHD”.  In another study, researchers found that pycnogenol administration increased markedly the ratio of active to inactive glutathione levels.

Another benefit of pycnogenol is the power to neutralize nitric oxide, a substance that can be toxic to brain cells, especially for people suffering from neurodegenerative diseases. Pycnogenol brain-protective powers can be an interesting addition to a biomedical autism treatment. 

Visit Spectrum Supplements to buy high quality pycnogenol supplements. We offer free shipping on all orders shipped within the US.

It’s now a well-documented fact that certain supplements can do wonders in helping with autism and aspergers in children. However, when it comes to vitamins and supplements, there are so many choices that it can be confusing to know if what you’re buying is really worth the money.  There are several brands on the market, and unfortunately, the quality can greatly vary from one brand to another. In fact, a recent study shows that the likelihood of choosing a non-toxic and effective health supplement available on most drugstore shelves is only 2.5%. It’s sad to write, but some supplements contain fillers and artificial ingredients. Some supplements could even have more fillers than active ingredients! So how to make sure that you get the highest quality supplements?

How to choose the right supplement?

-       Select a supplement from a good reputable company

-       Select a brand that is compliant with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)

-       Make sure that the supplement has been independently tested and analyzed for effectiveness

-       Look at the ingredient list to spot potential unwanted ingredients

-       Make sure that the product is bioavailable, meaning that your body can properly absorb it.

-       Stay informed about how different supplements can affect your health

Spectrum supplements always strive to select the highest quality supplements from well-known and trusted brands to ensure that you can benefit from the best supplements on the market.

Omega 3 supplements are among the most popular treatment support as part of a biomedical approach to Autism and Aspergers in children.

It has been reported that about 30% of children with autism use Omega 3 fatty acid supplements as part of their autism treatment support.  But how exactly can Omega 3 supplements help with Autism and Aspergers in children? 

A Scottish study revealed that children with autism had cells that broke down fatty acids more rapidly than other cells.  Brain cell membranes are composed primarily of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids, a type of fat found in cold water fish oil. 

According to a study conducted by the Department of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Vienna, in Austria, Omega 3 fatty acid supplements could help with hyperactivity and stereotypy, and no adverse effects have been noted.

Further study show that a combination of Omega 3 and vitamin E supplements could lead to speech improvements in autistic children with verbal disorders.  This research, published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, reported that daily supplements of Omega 3 and vitamin E also improved eye contact and behavior. 

To avoid fishy taste that sometime comes with Omega 3 fatty acid supplements, manufacturers have come great lengths to improve their taste, especially in supplements intended for children. You can find many high quality Omega 3 supplements with different flavors such as lemon, orange, and even strawberry.

Visit spectrumsupplements.com and search under category Essential Fatty Acids to view all the different types of Omega 3 supplements  offered with free shipping on all orders within the U.S.

While looking for information on the web about autism, you probably heard the term DAN! doctor. DAN! is the acronym for "Defeat Autism Now", a project founded by the Autism Research Institute back in the 1960s by Dr. Bernard Rimland.  The DAN! protocol is an approach to autism treatment that focuses on biomedical intervention.  DAN! doctors believe that autism is a disorder in which immune system problems, toxins and food intolerances play an important role.

According to an article named "advice to Parents of Children with Autism" published by the Autism Research Institute: 

Some of the major interventions suggested by DAN! practitioners include: 


• Nutritional supplements, including certain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids
• Special diets totally free of gluten (from wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats) and free of dairy (milk, ice cream, yogurt, etc.)
• Testing for hidden food allergies, and avoidance of allergenic foods
• Treatment of intestinal bacterial/yeast overgrowth
• Detoxification of heavy metals

Tips to choose your DAN! doctor

The Autism Research Institute does not currently offer a DAN! protocol certification, so it's a good idea to do some research before making your first appointment. Here's a list of questions to ask before selecting your DAN! practitioner: 

• What led you to use the DAN! approach?
• Are your patients required to use special diets such as GF/CF, SCD, low-oxalate, etc.? Why?
• When was your last DAN conference? Have you also attended the physician’s training? How do you stay current with emerging DAN treatments?
• Approximately how many individuals with autism have you treated? What age range?
•  In the event we have a biomedical-related emergency, how will I contact you?
•  Can you collaborate with other specialists we will be dealing with (gastrointestinal, etc)? Are you willing to collaborate on treatment and testing with my child’s pediatrician if he/she is receptive?
•  Will you provide a clear plan for supplements?
•  What are the primary medical specialties in which you were originally trained (i.e. pediatrics, family medicine)? What is now the primary focus of your practice? If you are not an MD or DO, in what field(s) are you licensed?
•  Do you bill for laboratory tests done by commercial laboratories? How do you break down the fees?

Hundreds of parents claiming that their children have done very well under the care of DAN! doctors.  Where to find a DAN! doctor in your area?  Have a look at our DAN! doctors list on our website.

Vitamin D has been linked to a range of health conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancer and autism.

All of these conditions have seen an important increase in the last 20 years, and while many of them can be attributed to lifestyle habits, autism continues to puzzle scientists as to why we see more and more cases year after year.  

One of the theories is that the increase of autism prevalence corresponds to increasing medical advice to avoid the sun.  People following this advice probably have lower vitamin D levels, having a direct impact on activated vitamin D levels in brain development.  Recent research suggests that low levels of vitamin D during gestation, disrupts the function of dozens of proteins involved in brain development and lead to brain size increase similar to those found in autistic children.  This theory is also supported by the fact that children with vitamin D deficient rickets have several autism symptoms that disappear with vitamin D supplements. 

Autism is also more common in areas with less sun exposure such as people living in a northern climate, urban areas with high air pollution and rainy areas.  This theory could also explain the prevalence of autism in boys vs. girls due to vitamin D's different effect on estrogen and testosterone. 

According to a research published by the University of Kansas, there's a strong relationship between vitamin D deficiency and heart diseases. As reported in the American Journal of Cardiology, people who take vitamin D supplements could lower their risk of death of any cause by up to 60%!

Previous research has indicated that 25% to 70% of Americans have low vitamin D levels.  In the northern United States and in Canada, experts say that the sun exposure isn't enough during winter months to sustain adequate levels of vitamin D. If you have low levels of vitamin D, it makes sense to take vitamin D supplements and be followed a couple of months later to make sure your levels increase.

Spectrum Supplements offers free US shipping on all vitamin D supplements. Click here to choose from more than 10 different vitamin D products on our website

Autism is not a disease but rather a syndrome. As of today, no one knows exactly the cause of this growing disorder, but science points to many different causes rather than a single one.  It is very important to identify the various causes of autism as in some individuals, biomedical or dietary intervention can yields impressive results, as in other individuals, other treatment options could be more effective.

4 potential causes of Autism that can benefit from a biomedical intervention

PKU

One of the many conditions associated with autism symptoms is phenylketonuria (PKU), a disorder that affects the ability to break down the amino acid called phenylalanine. This disease is easily screened and can be completely prevented by an appropriate dietary approach.  As phenylalanine is found in milk, eggs and other common foods, children with autism symptoms that are caused by PKU can benefit from following a special diet as well as taking Omega-3 supplements, iron and carnitine.

Purines metabolism disorders

Purines are natural substances found in body’s cells and in virtually all foods. They provide part of the chemical structure of human, plant and animal genes. However, only a small number of foods contain concentrated amounts of them.  Some children showing autism symptoms have a purine metabolism disorder. In those individuals, identifying the enzyme deficiency and adopting a special diet could yield interesting benefits.

Carbohydrate metabolism disorders

There are a number of children with autism that have carbohydrate metabolism difficulties. Some of those autistic children may respond to a special diet limited in carbs and with vitamin B supplements.

Toxic exposures

Several chemicals can have an effect on the central nervous system, producing autistic symptoms.  Toxic exposures, such as heavy metal toxicity, could play an important role in the symptoms of certain autistic children. Chelation and detoxification support supplements could benefit those children.

It’s clear that there are many metabolic causes playing a role in autism symptoms, and the ones cited above are just a few of them.  If you think that your child could benefit from a biomedical approach, please talk to your DAN! doctor or another qualified health professional.

Reference: AUTISM: BIOMEDICAL PERSPECTIVES Audrius V. Plioplys, MD, FRCPC Autism Clinic, Children's Brain Research Clinic Washington, D. C.

Many families with special needs children use vitamins and supplements to improve their child’s condition.  A lot of kids can’t begin to swallow pills or capsules before the age of 10 years old, and some autistic children cannot or will not swallow pills so parents must find another way to get supplements into them. 

Mixing supplements with food is among the most popular solution, but you must be careful not to ruin the supplement’s efficacy.

Here are a few guidelines taken from The Care and Feeding of Supplements by Mika Bradford, CN, from the September 2006 Newsletter from Kirkman Labs

Minerals: (non organic)

Come from the earth;

Can be contaminated if not purified;

Can take the heat and cold;

Can be cooked with.

Amino Acids:

Do not spin them. No blender or mixer.

Vitamins: (organic):

Come from organic foods;

Can be synthetic;

Can take the cold but will degrade in cooking heat;

Can freeze

Probiotics: (Probiotics are living organisms that are naturally found in the gastrointestinal tract.)

Keep refrigerated;

Protect from heat & humidity;

Can be frozen.

Some parents get very creative at mixing supplements with food. Here are a few ideas

mix in juice;

hide it in fruit sorbets, applesauce or baby food;

mix in nut butter;

make Popsicle’s which includes liquid or powdered vitamins;

add it to meals after they’ve been cooked, like in spaghetti sauce, scrambled eggs or pancakes.

One supplement brand has really taken care of the problem, by selling their vitamin B12 supplements in the form of lollipops. Those lollipops are an easy way to get your child to take vitamin B12, and are exclusively made of natural ingredients. RevitaPop, the vitamin B12 lollipops, are gluten free, casein free, are GMO free and do not contain any artificial coloring and flavoring.  They are made with pure organic ingredients such as organic brown rice syrup, organic evaporated cane juice, organic fruit juice and natural goji berry flavoring.  To learn more about vitamin B12 lollipops, please visit Spectrum Supplements.