A Biomedical Approach
by Laura Power, MS, PhD, LDN
© January, 2009
The New Epidemic
Developmental delays in children have reached epidemic proportions. The rate of Autism
Spectrum Disorders is now 1 in 150 children (0.67%), 80% of them boys. It is the fastest-
growing developmental disability with a 10-17% annual increase according to the Centers for
Disease Control. In addition, ADD/ADHD affects 8-10% of children in the USA; 75% of these are
boys, 25% have learning disabilities, 30% have emotional development delays, 65% have defiance
disorders, and 50% have sleep problems. By comparison, mental retardation affects 1.1% of
children, and Down’s Syndrome affects only 1 in 800 children (0.12%). There is some cross-over
of diagnosis categories.
Targeted therapies can help improve speech, social interactions, and physical function. These
include speech therapy, ABA therapy (Advanced Behavioral Analysis), physical and occupational
therapies. These are best employed at an early age. Unfortunately, these therapies do not
address the underlying causes of developmental disorders – but more their symptoms.
The Biomedical Solution
There is hope! The Biomedical approach, taught by the Autism Research Institute, and backed by
40 years of scientific research, shows that Autism Spectrum Disorders involve genetic and
biochemical-nutritional defects that limit the body’s ability to detoxify environmental toxins, thus
leading to a Neuro-Inflammatory Disease. Related research shows that ADD/ADHD involve a
similar process. Both disorders can be evaluated by laboratory testing and treated with diet,
nutrients, and detoxification.
The Benefits
The advantage of this approach is that it treats the underlying biochemical causes of
developmental disorders -- not just their symptoms. This “primary” approach has helped
thousands of children to recover significant function and to lead normal or near-normal lives.
DIETARY FACTORS
Digestive Problems
Dietary factors play an important role in developmental disorders. Many such children have
digestive problems, including: poor flora, Candida albicans overgrowth (yeast infections due to
overuse of antibiotics), and bacterial infections, which cause gas, bloating, diarrhea, poor digestion
of foods, and nutrient loss. Microbial balance can be detected with a stool test, or a blood test for
Candida antibodies.
Poor Food Choices
Food choices play a critical role. The worst choices include junk foods, highly processed foods, high
fat or sugar foods, and foods containing additives and dyes. A high sugar diet can lead to trace
mineral and B-vitamin deficiencies, and eventually hypoglycemia, type II diabetes, or insulin
resistance, and childhood obesity. Blood sugar problems can affect mood, focus and memory.
[For more on food additives and dyes see Environmental Toxins below.]
Food Intolerances
Some children have food intolerances where they lack the enzymes to digest certain foods,
including dairy products and gluten grains (wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt), leading to lactose
intolerance or celiac disease. A further complication of this is a failure to digest opioid peptides in
these and other foods, including: casomorphins, gliadorphins, and soymorphins, which travel to
the brain and bind to opioid receptors, causing an opium-like addiction, spacey behavior, and a
reduction in speech. These can be detected with a simple urine test.
Food Allergies
Food allergies are very common among children with developmental delays. There are 5 kinds of
food allergies: (1) IgE antibodies causing classic immediate allergies to foods and aero allergens
resulting in hives, eczema or asthma. (2) IgG antibodies causing delayed food hypersensitivities.
(3) T-Cell delayed hypersensitivities, often involved in chemical sensitivities. (4) IgD antibodies
causing fever-type hypersensitivities to small molecules (such as iodine, dyes, and gluten). (5)
Lectins – food hypersensitivities related to ABO blood type antigens. These allergens can be
identified by blood tests, and the offending foods or chemicals eliminated.
NUTRIENT FACTORS
Nutrient deficiencies play an absolutely crucial role in developmental disorders. Although most
developmental delays involve genetic defects, research shows that these defects frequently affect
the biochemistry of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids, and
phospholipids. [The body is after all composed of nutrients, not magic substances.] These
nutrient metabolism defects can be identified by innovative laboratory testing from federally
certified labs. Therapies include pre-metabolized supplements, usually as a Rx custom compound
specific for that child (liquids for small children), glutathione creams for detoxification, chelating
agents for heavy metals, and Rx methyl-B12 nasal sprays (in lieu of injections). [These can be
prescribed by a licensed nutritionist or physician.]
ADD/ADHD Disorders
ADD/ADHD disorders can manifest separately or in conjunction with autism. Multiple causative
factors may be involved. The most common include: lithium deficiency, copper toxicity, food
allergies and hypersensitivities, heavy metal toxicity, and neurotransmitter imbalances. In
teenagers hormone imbalances contribute to the mix, often leading to Oppositional Defiant
Disorder or violence. One study showed that bipolar teens who had ADHD as children will have a
more severe bipolar disorder as teens (hence the link to lithium). Our own study of 200 children
showed severe lithium deficiencies in 90% of ADHD children, and 10% copper toxicity (not yet
published). Trace mineral and heavy metal levels can be determined by hair test, food allergies by
blood test, and neurotransmitter levels by urine test.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorders include everything from severe regressive autism (with no speech,
little recognition or response, and constant stimming) to Asberger’s Syndrome (social delays only,
often very intelligent). Research shows that regressive autism nearly always involves a genetic
and biochemical defect in the metabolism of vitamin B12, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), and
glutathione, and sometimes folic acid, which have related pathways. Most people do not realize
that we cannot use vitamins in cells in their food form; they must be metabolized in the liver to
their active forms. The Spectracell test examines this by testing cellular uptake of nutrients in
WBC (white blood cells). Food allergies, vaccine reactions, and heavy metals are also usually
involved, along with neurotransmitter imbalances – and these involve the same testing as with
ADHD. Whereas Asbergers Syndrome usually involves neurotransmitter defects and lithium
deficiencies.
Other Disorders
Other forms of developmental delays also involve nutrient deficiencies. Behavioral disorders, such
as Oppositional Defiant Disorder, often involve imbalances in neurotransmitters, amino acids and
lithium deficiencies. Mitochondrial disorders involve defective metabolism of vitamins B1 and
sometimes B2, and may require extra: vitamin E, L-carnitine, Coenzyme Q-10, or lipoic acid.
According to the World Health Organization the leading cause of mental retardation in the world is
iodine deficiency, which leads to goiter and hypothyroid. Similarly Down’s syndrome also involves
thyroid malfunction.
Lab Testing
If you have a child with developmental delays, your child needs testing to determine exactly which
nutrient deficiencies, food allergies, and neurotransmitter imbalances are causing problems.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXINS
Food Additives & Dyes
Environmental factors have been shown to play an insidious role in developmental disorders. Food
additives and dyes have pharmacological effects, and can affect mood and behavior. Avoid
additives such as: BHT, BHA, MSG, Sulfites, and bromated wheat (bromate is an insecticide,
sulfites can cause anaphylactic shock). Many dyes have pharmacological effects. Most people do
not realize that the drug industry grew out of the dye industry in Germany in the 1850’s. The
most reactive dyes are red dye #40, red dye #2, and yellow dye #5. Food dyes have recently
been shown to exacerbate ADHD.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics can be life-savers. But they also destroy good gut flora and damage the intestines.
Candida albicans (a yeast) tends to overgrow as a result. Always use a good probiotic after a
course of antibiotics – one that is refrigerated and NOT a soil-based organism. Look for
Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Bifidus (or bifidobacterium).
Vaccines
Vaccines can save lives and prevent blindness, deafness, and paralysis. BUT have we gone too
far? Is it safe to give excessive numbers of vaccinations simultaneously to infants? What is the
impact of mercury and aluminum laden vaccines? What is the effect on the immune system? The
National Vaccine Information Center, in “Are We Over Vaccinating Our Children?”, reports that the
CDC and pediatricians are recommending: 48 doses of 14 vaccines by age six, and 53-56 doses of
15-16 vaccines by age 12. This and other chemical exposures have led to a triple increase in
learning disabilities, ADHD, asthma and diabetes, and a 200% to 5000% increase in Autism
depending on the location. Clearly changes are needed. Read The Vaccine Guide, talk to your
pediatrician, limit vaccines to what is absolutely necessary, and space them out over time.
Heavy Metals
Your child can be exposed to heavy metals in many ways, and most of these damage the nervous
system: Mercury and aluminum are still in some vaccines. Mercury toxicity causes: sensory
impairment (vision, hearing, and speech). Aluminum is also in the water supply; it causes bone
damage, anemia, kidney stress, and Alzheimer’s disease. Arsenic is a component of insecticides
and pressure treated wood (used outside); it damages cellular metabolism, and red and white
blood cells. Antimony is in fire-retardant children’s clothing, ammunition, cigarette smoke, and
solder in water pipes; it causes lung damage, skin cancer, and heart arrhythmias. Lead is in old
paint (anything before 1978) and in old water pipe solder; it causes nausea, vomiting, headache,
and mental retardation. While copper is a required nutrient, excess copper can poison the body
and cause: liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, nausea, vomiting, impaired coordination, and hyperactivity.
Halogens
Halogens are a group of elements related to iodine. The gas forms are called halogens, the liquid/
solid forms halides. These include: chlorine, fluoride, bromate, and perchlorate. They are often
found in the water supply and bromate in bread. Bromine gas is used to tent your house and kill
termites. These are all toxins except for iodine/iodide and chloride in small amounts.
Pesticides
Pesticides are everywhere. Many contain arsenic. In the 1990s the organo-chloride pesticides
(such as DDT) were replaced with organo-phosphate pesticides (such as Malathion, Diazinon, and
Parathion) in Europe and the USA. The OP’s have shown a direct correlation to autism for a sub-
set of vulnerable children who cannot degrade it (those who lack the PON1 gene). Newer pesticides
contain estrogenic compounds that can precipitate early puberty in girls by 2 years. Wash your
fruit and vegetables with vinegar and water to remove external pesticides.
Detoxification
Detoxification can include the following: diet changes to eliminate allergens, dyes and additives;
probiotics; heavy metal chelators; dry-heat saunas (preferably far infrared); and specialized
nutrients to compensate.
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