HELP FROM THE SUN? Some researchers are turning their attention to the amount of vitamin D a mother and infant get to try to trace autism.
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As evidence of widespread vitamin D deficiency grows, some scientists are wondering whether the sunshine vitamin—once only considered important in bone health—may actually play a role in one of neurology's most vexing conditions: autism.
The idea, although not yet tested or widely held, comes out of preliminary studies in Sweden and Minnesota. Last summer, Swedish researchers published a study in Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology that found the prevalence of autism and related disorders was three to four times higher among Somali immigrants than non-Somalis in Stockholm. The study reviewed the records of 2,437 children, born between 1988 and 1998 in Stockholm, in response to parents and teachers who had raised concerns about whether children with a Somali background were overrepresented in the total group of children with autism.
In Sweden, the 15,000-strong Somali community calls autism "the Swedish disease," says Elisabeth Fernell, a researcher at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm and a co-author of the study.
In Minnesota, where there are an estimated 60,000 Somali immigrants, the situation was quite similar: There, health officials noted reports of autism among Somali refugees, who began arriving in 1993, comparable to those found in Sweden. Within several years of arrival, dozens of the Somali families whose children were born in the U.S. found themselves grappling with autism, says Huda Farah, a Somali-born molecular biologist who works on refugee resettlement issues with Minnesota health officials. The number of Somali children in the city's autism programs jumped from zero in 1999 to 43 in 2007, says Ann Fox, director of special education programs for Minneapolis schools. The number of Somali-speaking children in the Minneapolis school district increased from 1,773 to 2,029 during the same period.
Few, if any, Somalis had ever seen anything like it. "It has shocked the community," Farah says. "We never saw such a disease in Somalia. We do not even have a word for it."
What seemed to link the two regions was the fact that Somalis were getting less sun than in their native country—and therefore less vitamin D. The vitamin is made by the skin during sun exposure, or ingested in a small number of foods. At northern latitudes in the summertime, light-skinned people produce about 1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per minute, but those with darker skin synthesize it more slowly, says Adit Ginde, an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine. Ginde recommends between 1,000 to 2,000 IUs per day, calling current recommendations of 200 IUs per day outmoded.
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68 Comments
Add CommentI'm glad Scientific American discussed my theory in some detail. For anyone interested in further details, go to:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/
or obtain my original paper:
Cannell JJ. Autism and vitamin D. Med Hypotheses. 2008;70(4):750-9. Epub 2007 Oct 24.
John Cannell, MD
Vitamindcouncil.org
Most discussions of the need for exposure to the sun don't indicate how much skin area is needed for adequate vitamin D production. As an office worker in a short-sleeve shirt, I only get face and arm exposure outdoors at lunch. Anybody have any detail on this? 15 minutes naked = 3 hours fully clothed with only face exposed? etc.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt would therefore be prudent to study nudist/naturist societies, would it not? And there are about 33 million of these persons around the world. Go to www.inf-fni.org, for instance. T.L. Hill, PhD
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAutism is a very interesting and debatable topic. It is evident that deficieny of Vitamin D is increasing as are the number of per capita cases of Autism. Link or no link this should be evaluated.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.iahealth.net/autism
http://www.iahealth.net/is-there-a-relationship-between-vaccinations-and-certain-diseases-such-as-autism
"At northern latitudes in the summertime, light-skinned people produce about 1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D per minute, but those with darker skin synthesize it more slowly"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this1000 IU per minute? does anybody read this stuff before publishing it?
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp
Our two autistic sons have had a regular (and copious) supply of standard D-fortified (98IU/cup) milk their whole lives, in addition to Florida / Texas sunshine. Maybe the Somali gene-set is susceptible to D insufficiency, but sufficient D is clearly not a preventative or cure for the broader autistic population.
I had the same question as joshd, above - found some good guidelines at the NIH link from JoeMerchant:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"It has been suggested by some vitamin D researchers, for example, that approximately 5-30 minutes of sun exposure between 10 AM and 3 PM at least twice a week to the face, arms, legs, or back without sunscreen usually lead to sufficient vitamin D synthesis and that the moderate use of commercial tanning beds that emit 2-6% UVB radiation is also effective [11,28]."
Is the NIH recommending we Minnesotans go to tanning beds between November and February? Really?
What makes you think that the Vitamin D deficiency is the cause of and not just another symptom of autism? These kids have a lot of other biomarkers - like low levels of Glutathione. I have no doubt that Vitamin D plays a role but I would like to see research into the underlying cause of these symptoms. The cursory dismissal of enviromental causes such as vaccines by linking to one case in the Vaccine court was disappointing coming from a scientific pulication. You could have just as easily linked to the Poling case in support of the premise. Maybe you should look at the vaccination rates of these two groups - that would probably be a good vaccinated vs unvaccinated study.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe 1000 IU per minute figure isn't out of line with the article in the November 2007 SciAm article about cell defenses and Vitamin D...."To put this in perspective, an adult woman with white skin exposed to summer sun while wearing a bikini generates about 10,000 IU of vitamin D in 15 to 20 minutes"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe sun also photodegrades the Vitamin D, so there appears to be some natural regulation going on.
While the title of this article may be exaggerated, I think humans that have evolved to be outdoors a lot more may have issues when they go to work/school (in the wintertime) as the sun is coming up and coming home as the sun is going down (and spending copious amounts of time in front of the TV & Computer & XBox).
98IU of Vitamin D per cup of mild doesn't seem like all that much anymore.
Maybe it's not a cause of autism, but maybe Vitamin D's gene-regulation influence should be studied further.
Hopefully we can get those pro-disease nutters to STFU and stop spreading their lies ( http://larianlequella.com/2009/04/pro-disease-nutters.shtml ). As a father of a child with an autism spectrum disorder, it's encouraging to see that some actual scientific study is being done as opposed to anectdote.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFrom the NIH: "Excessive sun exposure does not result in vitamin D toxicity because the sustained heat on the skin is thought to photodegrade previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 as it is formed [11,30]. High intakes of dietary vitamin D are very unlikely to result in toxicity unless large amounts of cod liver oil are consumed; toxicity is more likely to occur from high intakes of supplements."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe 1000IU per minute figure really can't be equated to a dietary intake of 98IU per cup of milk - if the 1000IU per minute accumulated as if it were in a dietary supplement, toxicity would be a big problem.
"The use of supplements of both calcium (1,000 mg/day) and vitamin D (400 IU/day) by postmenopausal women was associated with a 17% increase in the risk of kidney stones over 7 years in the Women's Health Initiative [75]. Deposition of calcium and phosphate in the kidneys and other soft tissues can also be caused by excessive vitamin D levels [5]. A serum 25(OH)D concentration consistently >200 ng/mL (>500 nmol/L) is considered to be potentially toxic [15]. "
There is a strong correlation with glutathione production and vitamin D status. The lower the vitamin D, the lower the glutathione.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/85/1/6
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisRisk assessment for vitamin D
The above paper explains the safety of supplementing with up to 10,000iu/daily D3.
It is what happens in practice with skin exposure to sunshine that matters.
Barger-Lux and Heaney found "Effects of Above Average Summer Sun Exposure on Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Calcium Absorption" in practice outdoor workers in Omaha only average 2800iu/daily over the year and were insufficient in Winter.
Now we know from "Circulating Vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in Humans:" http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=17218096 the hormone Calcitriol operates optimally at Vmax only when stores of Vitamin D3 equal circulating Calcidiol, it is prudent to ensure not only that our daily intake covers daily need. see http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/77/1/204
But also allow a little extra to ensure our bodies are able to build the stores of D3 that paler skins surely enabled the evolutionary advantage necessary to survive at higher latitudes.
I wonder why the 25(OH)D status at which human breast milk NATURALLY flows replete with vitamin D3 isn't regarded as the optimum level for human good health?
"Vitamin D requirement during pregnancy and lactation."
I agree that Vitamin D might be one of the many causes. However, Autism is increasing at a rapid pace in the Gulf where none can escape the sun.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI think it is directly linked to genetics and more importantly vaccines.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19077420
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisImpact of lifestyle and dietary habits on hypovitaminosis D in type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy children from Qatar, a sun-rich country.
That study shows vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in Qatari children, and particularly so in those with Type One Diabetes, compared with healthy children. If Vit d deficiency is sufficient to impact on Type 1 diabetes in the Gulf then it's also possible it impacts on Autism incidence in the Gulf.
Clothing, lifestyle, use of sunblock all impact on Vitamin D status. There is also an impact of diet on 25(OH)D status. High fibre diets shorten Calcidiol half life. It's also likely that Fructose reduces D3 metabolism.
Anyone living in Northern areas should be aware of the many problems that vitamin D deficiency can lead to . Take a look at www.vitaminD3world.com for some good summaries of the data and they also have a good newsletter that is worth getting
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisanyone living in Northern areas should know about the many conditions vitamin d deficiency can produce. take a look at www.vitaminD3world.com for the data. They also have a goodnewsletter that is worth getting
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFor an ecological study of the possible role of vitamin D and reduced risk of autism, go to:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.sunarc.org/806-Autism%20vitamin%20D.doc
William B. Grant and Connie M. Soles
Abstract
This study will examine whether maternal vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for infantile autism disease (IAD). I used epidemiologic data seasonal variation of birth rates and prevalence of IAD for cohorts born before 1985. For seven studies reporting spring-to-summer excess birth rates for IAD, the season progressed from broad near 30� N latitude, spring/summer in midlatitudes, to winter at the highest latitude. Also, using data from 10 studies, I found a strong effective latitudinal (related to solar ultraviolet B radiation) increase in IAD prevalence. These findings are consistent with maternal vitamin D deficiencys being a risk factor for IAD, a factor affecting immune system status.
Weren't they saying that it would have to do with the mother's Vitamin D levels while the child is in utero? Not the child's level once they are already born
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisJennD is spot on. The great thing about this theoretical link is that it is easily testable. I hope that it is underway in several parts of the world. Here in Wales for decades spina bifida was considered the Celtic disease. Now we can avoid it with a vitamin B (Folic acid) given to the mother before and during pregnancy. Many dismissed that link as implausible before the research was undertaken
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVitamin D upregulates glutathione
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this"Counties in California, Oregon, and Washington with more than 27 inches of precipitation a year had a significantly higher prevalence of autism than drier counties (P<0.01), reported Sean Nicholson, Ph.D., of Cornell University here, and colleagues in the November issue of the Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe magnitude of the association in their observational study was substantial, the researchers said. They estimated that eliminating precipitation as a factor would cut the prevalence by 33% to 43%. "
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Pediatrics/Autism/11599
The authors consider lower vitamin d levels in the rainy (less sunny) areas to be a possible suspect for the higher rates of autism there.
On another vitamin d pregnancy related note:
There are also studies that show that vitamin d deficiencies in pregnant mothers cause higher rates of Preclampsia (5Xhigher) and Cesarean Births (almost 4X higher).
http://articles.latimes.com/2007/sep/08/science/sci-preeclampsia8
https://healthplushra.staywellsolutionsonline.com/RelatedItems/6,622478
best to you all.
A plea for careful scientific reporting. The public and byte size reporters (sorry, can't think of a better wording) can read headlines and not take in the whole picture. An overdose of vitamin B is not a problem as they are water soluble and not normally toxic. Vitamin D is fat soluble and is toxic in high doses - it is used as a mouse poison. We need some good research, well presented. Some of the early knee-jerk reactions within these comments could easily lead to a 'the experts don't agree; it can't do any harm, can it; let's take a few extra tablets' situation. There would be two tragedies. The initial sufferers and those who needed additional D but did not take it.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisis it possible that sunshine produces an undiscovered relevant "micronutrient"
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thismake the study a 3 way test (include double blind artificial sunlight)
of course pharma is not interested in funding vitamin D studies, (no money in it)
and this is a fine example where "socialism" would lever a study because one way or another "autism" "costs " "society".
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/dispomim.cgi?id=601769
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPerhaps there is a receptor variation more common among those with autism - I don't see that it has been explored
Two things to look at when discussing Somali immigrants.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVaccinations. Has this increased in their new residence?
Dairy consumption. Africans (which include Somalis) are mostly lactose intolerant, only Asians are more lactose intolerant as a population. Dairy consumption is low in Asian and African nations. Immigrating to a lactose-tolerant population encourages dairy consumption, not to mention the govt. program promoting milk in the school lunches and cheese in the food programs.
Concerning immunizations/vaccinations, Japan is a key example of a nation that has discouraged shots in children under two years of age. Has the autism (and SIDS) rate in Japan declined since this ban has been in effect?
Note: Vitamin D is a misnomer. It is not a vitamin but a calcium regulating hormone called cholecalciferol.
I for one doubt the correlation between the vitamin d defecancies in those with autism. If this was the case i think it would fix its self as those with autism spend more time outside in the sun. Having two children with autism and working with children that have it, I have yet to see its self worked out by spending time outside. There is more to it than what is being suggested.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAgain please (drheave)- the suggestion is deficiency in the mother not in the children.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVaccines do not cause Austism. Get over it. Vaccination rates are NOT increasing in the U.S.; they are decreasing, yet rates of Autism are increasing. Ergo, there can be no correlation.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHere's a thought. Do a study and see if autism is partially psychological and may be induced by serial abandonment of infants and toddlers into day care. THAT is on the increase. Is the emotional and social issues related to autism due to warped brain development caused by infants and toddlers being unable to properly form a parental imprint between a biological parent and a rotating series of day care workers?
frgough--First, scientists and doctors established years ago that autism was not the result of parenting practices (like sending a child to day care or being a 'refrigerator mother'). Please do not resurrect those ghosts. Being a parent of an autistic kid is hard enough without ignorant folks chiming in about what bad parents we are.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSecond, while the vaccination link has largely and probably rightly been debunked, there is one area in which it may have some credence. Recent studies have shown that at least 20% of all autistic children have underlying mitochondrial dysfunctions. I know this because my son is one of them (diagnosed by a leading and well respected neurologist, by the way, not anybody on the fringe). People with mitochondrial issues may have very different reactions to vaccines. In this one autistic population I think that avenue might bear some further research.
As a followup to the comment I just made, see the following abstract from a presentation at this week's American Academy of Neurology conference.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.abstracts2view.com/aan2009seattle/view.php?nu=AAN09L_S50.003
As a pediatrician practicing in South Patagonia, a traditional rickets area, I always thought that the skin surface needed was the equivalent of the anterior wrist surface for 15 minutes daily exposed to direct sunlight. It is worthwhile remembering that the original people (Aoniken) of legendary tall stature, did not suffer rickets. They did not wear much clothing either. MD Webb. C. Rivadavia. Chubut Argentina.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisintrigue....this is a very debateable topic all around.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat if vitamin D deficiency is a cause of Altruism?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thishttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17295352
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisDevelopmental vitamin D deficiency alters brain protein expression in the adult rat:
As lack of vitamin D in the developing brain is implicated in mitochondrial dysfunction, maintaining the natural vitamin D status that allows breast milk to flow replete with vitamin D3 is surely crucial for brain development?
drheave states "Having two children with autism and working with children that have it, I have yet to see its self worked out by spending time outside."
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisBut can you produce any evidence that autistic children who have attained a NATURAL 25(OH)D status of 60ng 150nmol/l and maintained that status for over 3 yrs have suffered any adverse consequences as a result and have not shown any improvement in markers for overall health?
The cost of sufficient vitamin D3 (roughly 1000iu/daily/for each 30lbs weight +100iu/d for each extra 3lbs) is about 5p daily in UK money.
The safety of vitamin D3 at adult intakes below 10,000iu/daily (or pro rate for children) is proven beyond doubt. (2000iu/d for babies in first year of life reduced lifetime Type I diabetes incidence 80%)
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19364661
So without risk but with the potential for risk reduction for heart disease, ms, diabetes cancer and many other conditions
http://www.grassrootshealth.org/_download/disease_incidence_prev_25ng_p_ml_bline072608.pdf
and a trivial daily cost, surely this is a safe bet, it doesn't prevent any other intervention or therapy but may be of value, so why the hesitation?
I am an autism specialist and have shared the new Vit D theory with many of the parents I consult with.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOn a personal note, though I do not have autism, I have had weak health during the winter for nearly 30 years since coming to Oregon from Spokane Washington. I began taking Vitamin D this fall and have had zero sore throats, sinus infections etc. Two other points of note: the cataracts with which I was dx have disappeared and my chronic gum condition has improved; first time in ten years!! I am passing the good word!
I am an autism specialist and have been spreading the word to the parents I work with about the new Vit D theory.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisOn a personal note I have had weak health each winter for 30 years since moving to Salem Oregon from Spokane Washington: suffering from chronic sore throats, sinus problems, colds etc. I began taking Vit D this fall and have had zero of the above maladies!! Further, the cataracts with which I was dx two years ago have disappeared and my chronic gum condition has improved; the first time in ten years! I take 2,000u/day.
Dr Davis of the Heartscanblog has found at Wisconsin his patients average 5000iu/d for women and 6000iu/d for men to attain 60ng.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this1000iu for each 30lbs weight + 100iu/d for each extra 3lbs should enable you to work out the amount for children or the obese.
Grassrootshealth.org do a 25(OH)D test by post, So does the Vitamin D Council.
It's worth checking as people vary quite a bit on how well they respond to D3.
All this doesn't explain for me why autism is more common in male than woman. Or maybe nature favours males when nurition is D-restricted? Another question arises: is there a hint that autism in winter-born childs are higher?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisbarbarawehner:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEstrogen seems to have an effect on vitamin D metabolism, which hasn't been found in testosterone. That might explain the difference.
Look here for further explanation:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/vit-D-explains-autism.shtml
If vitamin D deficiency is a cause of autism then one should expect a low level of autism amongst Inuit who eat a traditional diet as opposed to a diet typical of people who live in temperate regions. The traditional Inuit diet contains higher levels of vitamin D.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisthe dose of vitamin D you are talking about is next to nothing. There are now studies showing up to 40,000 IU per day are safe and MS responses at 14,000IU. If there is a link between Autism and vitamin D the chances are you are going to need very large doses, a glass of milk is not going to do it. Take a look at www.vitaminD3UK.com for some good summaries of the data
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHas a study been done regarding the variation of rates of autism among African Americans vs. caucasion Americans? It seems to me that this would eliminate many of the other possible causes mentioned for the Somali imigrants, such as environmental/social causes and better diagnosis/health care. If there is a similar higher correlation of autism and vitamin D deficiency among that populace vs. caucasion, it would possibly lend more credence to the already credible study.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHas a study been done regarding the variation of rates of autism among African Americans vs. caucasion Americans? It seems to me that this would eliminate many of the other possible causes mentioned for the Somali imigrants, such as environmental/social causes and better diagnosis/health care. If there is a similar higher correlation of autism and vitamin D deficiency among that populace vs. caucasion, it would possibly lend more credence to the already credible study.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thistake a look at www.vitaminD3world.com for some good summaries of the data. The site also offers a good newsletter and has just started offering free supplies of vitamin D to its customers children
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe did not have definitive scientific proof that cigarrette smoking caused lung cancer until the 1990's, yet the surgeon general following the Precautionary Principle placed a warning on tobacco products years before based on the associations that could be drawn. Why not do the same with vitamin D and pregnant and lactating women and children? Continue to do the research and evaluation but let us follow the Precautionary Principle and address vitamin D deficiency proactively.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe did not have definitive scientific proof that cigarette smoking caused lung cancer until the 1990's, yet the surgeon general following the Precautionary Principle placed a warning on tobacco products years before based on the associations that could be drawn. Why not do the same with vitamin D and pregnant and lactating women as well as children? Continue to do the research and evaluation but let us follow the Precautionary Principle and address vitamin D deficiency proactively.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI'm no scientist but I think it is silly to assume that if a kid is getting his vitamins then he ought to be free of autism. It is likely that the mother's vitamin intake/production during pregnancy, and/or that of the infant, is the critical factor here. Most neurological development occurs before age two, and genes could be shut off before conception. Very interesting article, I hope someone plans some surveys right away :)
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhat percentage of the Somalis are lactose intolerant? They've gone from a culture where vitamin D is gotten from sunlight to a culture where it comes from milk. If they're not drinking the milk...
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWRT to the milk-drinking kids of European descent who are also autistic, I could easily believe this is not a single disease (like cancer, or, until recently, Alzheimer's (when it was diagnosed based on symptoms, not autopsy). I could also believe this is a mal-absorption issue (severely autistic children exhibit coprophagia - might be their body's way of trying to fix the problem).
Remembering that all the research indicates it is generic + environmental. I am certain we will find out that the environmental factors will be a number of dietary deficiencies, pollutants, and even for some small group it might even be related to vaccines (but I personally doubt it). We are likely not going to find a single environmental factor.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn my view the environmental factors could include: dietary deficiencies, use of ultrasound, fructose creating a secondary affect, artificial sweeteners, fluoride, residue from plastic food containers, children being born to older parents and pollutants. There may be any number of factors that affect individual children. So, for example, for some children it might be 100% generic--they will get autism regardless of the environmental factors, for some it might be vitamin D plus genetic predisposition, for others it might be fructose plus genetic, for others it might be chemical residues plus genetic. Likewise for children without genetic predisposition the environmental exposures will have no affect.
This disease model is analogous to cancer. It is generic plus environmental where some people will get cancer because of their genetic predisposition regardless of environmental facts and some people won't get cancer regardless of their environmental factors because their genetics are not cancer marked.
Remembering that all the research indicates it is generic + environmental. I am certain we will find out that the environmental factors will be a number of dietary deficiencies, pollutants, and even for some small group it might even be related to vaccines (but I personally doubt it). We are likely not going to find a single environmental factor for all cases. For some children it will be one or another or a combination.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIn my view the environmental factors could include: dietary deficiencies, use or overuse of ultrasound imagining in utero, fructose creating a secondary affect, artificial sweeteners, fluoride, residue from plastic food containers, children being born to older parents and pollutants. There may be any number of factors that affect individual children. So, for example, for some children it might be 100% generic--they will get autism regardless of the environmental factors, for some it might be vitamin D plus genetic predisposition, for others it might be fructose plus genetic, for others it might be chemical residues plus genetic. Likewise for children without genetic predisposition the environmental exposures will have no affect.
This disease model is analogous to cancer. It is generic plus environmental where some people will get cancer because of their genetic predisposition regardless of environmental facts and some people won't get cancer regardless of their environmental factors because their genetics are not cancer marked.
But so many other groups must have suffered the same fate (low sun exposure), are the results the same everywhere?! I have to agree with the person who asks if we should be tanning in the winter. If it was the result of this lone factor then any dark skinned group born in an area where the sun was low for whatever reason in a given time frame would show a dramatic rise in cases for that age group. Are there groups of children with this condition all falling into the same age group outside the normal bell curve range?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThis seems like a stretch to me. I could have written this article and said the condition is the result of eating less Sumalian tomatoes and made just as sting an arguement...
Lets finally admit that it is time to finish with any and all medical frauds and bogus pseudo scientific garbage known as "medical discoveries"!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisShould the scientists be put on trial for medical research fraud we will be not forced to read such crap!
The sole cause of AUTISM as well as lesser injury is mercury poisoning and not any vitamin deficiency!
Autism is an injury by mercury which from silver mercury fillings is passing through placenta and prevents proper development of fetus brain!
The article is clearly pointing what kind of idiots are American pseudo scientist, and how by deliberately misleading pseudo scientific research general public is defrauded by special interests!
Time to castrate such pseudo scientists and look the truth straight in the eyes.
Instead claiming the new and idiotic theories it is time to look at the injuries.
The medical crooks are claiming that exists Parkinson's!
No it is not Parkinson's but Acrodynia, aka mercury poisoning!
Similar case we have had with so called Gulf War Syndrome (mercury poisoning from 19 vaccines, with cover up and deception.
Lets finally admit that it is time to finish with any and all medical frauds and bogus pseudo scientific garbage known as "medical discoveries"!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisShould the scientists be put on trial for medical research fraud we will be not forced to read such crap!
The sole cause of AUTISM as well as lesser injury is mercury poisoning and not any vitamin deficiency!
Autism is an injury by mercury which from silver mercury fillings is passing through placenta and prevents proper development of fetus brain!
The article is clearly pointing what kind of idiots are American pseudo scientist, and how by deliberately misleading pseudo scientific research general public is defrauded by special interests!
Time to castrate such pseudo scientists and look the truth straight in the eyes.
Instead claiming the new and idiotic theories it is time to look at the injuries.
The medical crooks are claiming that exists Parkinson's!
No it is not Parkinson's but Acrodynia, aka mercury poisoning!
Similar case we have had with so called Gulf War Syndrome (mercury poisoning from 19 vaccines, with cover up and deception.
Lets finally admit that it is time to finish with any and all medical frauds and bogus pseudo scientific garbage known as "medical discoveries"!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisShould the scientists be put on trial for medical research fraud we will be not forced to read such crap!
The sole cause of AUTISM as well as lesser injury is mercury poisoning and not any vitamin deficiency!
Autism is an injury by mercury which from silver mercury fillings is passing through placenta and prevents proper development of fetus brain!
The article is clearly pointing what kind of idiots are American pseudo scientist, and how by deliberately misleading pseudo scientific research general public is defrauded by special interests!
Time to castrate such pseudo scientists and look the truth straight in the eyes.
Instead claiming the new and idiotic theories it is time to look at the injuries.
The medical crooks are claiming that exists Parkinson's!
No it is not Parkinson's but Acrodynia, aka mercury poisoning!
Similar case we have had with so called Gulf War Syndrome (mercury poisoning from 19 vaccines, with cover up and deception.
I'm a mother of 3, 1 of which was diagnosed with ASD. During each pregnancies, being very active I spent a lot of time outside getting enough sunlight especially since the majority of my pregnancies were throughout the winter. Unfortunately, living in Canada I could not escape the elements, so I spent as much time I could outside.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisAlso, whenever I went for blood work (I being Rh- the spouse and the children being Rh+) one of the required samples to be tested was my Vit-D's and Vit-B's, along with the immune-globulin levels (all tests results came back fine). So I'm kinda skeptical on the idea of Vit-D and prenatal connection. Because if (and a really big if) that's the case then my son would not/should not have been diagnosed with autism.
It does make sense. Women for the first time in the early 90's were working while pregnant, indoors all day. As a young 20 something I worked in an office and remember months would go by before I ever saw the sun. My hair fell out, I fatigued easily, I became depressed. I have a child with autism who oddly enough, improved during summers and regressed in the winter months. Many autistic children are given cod liver oil as a supplement. Both my grandmothers took cod liver oil while pregnant in the 1940's and they both made sure they got "sunlight" time while pregnant even while they worked during WWII. First cases of austism were reported when women went back to work inside factories and they were no longer tending fields and gardens like women have since the beginning of time. Also, I think the issue of global dimming began in the early late 80's early 90's. Both issues to consider.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisEveryone interested in understanding neurological disorders needs to read Dr. Russell Blaylock's material at:
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thiswww.russellblaylockmd.com . He writes from 24 years experience as a board certified neuro-surgeon, and now devotes his time to medical and scientific research. He's also is a devoted Christian and has a sincere interest in helping people, not just making a profit. He has written several books, and has some free articles on his website dealing with the cause of autism and other neurological disorders. Dr. Blaylock graduated from the School of Medicine in New Orleans, LA. Jason Sarver, LA.
I believe all neurological disorders have similar causes and similar cures, whether it be autism, parkinsons, alzheimers, etc. More than 70 % of Americans are Vitamin D3 deficient. I take 5000 IU's of Vitamin D3 during the winter months, split in 2 doses, morning and evening (ex: morning 3000 and evening 2000) and have seen miraculous results in being immune to flus and viruses. It is abosultely amazing and way better than taking a flu vaccination.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt takes about 3 months at this dose to get your vitamin D3 levels up to where they are supposed to be, then you can taper off to maybe 1000- 2000 IU's daily as a maintenance dose.
Optimal range for a healthy immune system should be about 50-65 when your blood is tested for Vitamin D3 levels. The normal range used by Physicians is outdated and way too low. For cancer patients, 90 and upward should be recommended.
So, it is very possible that Vitamin d3 deficiency plays an important role in preventing brain damage from vaccines and other heavy metal poisoning.
Everyone should have their Vitamin D3 levels tested. This is not done in regular blood screening. You have to specifically ask for it.
Take 5000 IU's daily for 3 months and then retest. When your levels reach 50-65, then take a maintenance dose of 1000-2000 IU's daily. Re-test every year to moniter the progress.
You will be shocked at how well it works in preventing colds, flus, viruses, influenzas, etc.
"Elderly people taking the flu vaccination 5 consecutive years in a row, increases their risk of developing Parkinsons Disease by 70 %" Dr. Russell Blaylock MD (Dr. Blaylock says that this triggers the brain's immune system, which causes exicito toxins to be released, and chronic inflammation sets in , which makes the brain vulnerable to heavy metal and toxic absorbtion. These vaccines also contain Aluminum).
No wonder so many elderly people are developing neurological disorders at an unprecendented rate. Perhaps Vitamin D3 could act as a protectant from brain damage and inflammation.
12 Alzheimers cases have recovered within 1-2 months by a new protocol. It's in the experimental stages, but looks very promising. It may also prove beneficial for other neurological disorders like autism, parkinsons, etc, seeing that the possible causes of these disorders may be the same, namely vaccines. 4 things were taken - Supreme B liquid, 1/2 ounce two times daily, Bio Sil (Silica drops) by Natrol, 5 drops 2-3 times daily, Magnesium Chloride twice daily, and a good natural (not synthetic) multi-vitamin, split in 2 doses. After 30 days, results began showing. All 12 cases recovered. One case was delayed, due to drinking coffee daily in an aluminum coffee pot. After making this adjustment, she also recovered. Supreme B is not (B Supreme), which are two different products. Supreme B is a liquid, organic form of B, that is very difficult to make. It's expensive ($120. per bottle - 1 month supply) but is a very high quality product. Diabetic Neuritis (neuropathy) also has been cleared up within 45 days using the Supreme B product. To purchase go to : http://www.lifeonesales.com/supreme-B.htm . You can purchase Bio Sil and Magnesium Chloride at: vitacost.com . Only $5 shipping.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisPs. I have no financial interest in these companies or these products at this time. I just wanted to share some good news to help parents with Autistic children and children who have parents with Parkinsons or Alzheimers.
As a NYS teacher working exclusively with migrant farmworkers, for me the link between vitamen D and autism is very intriguing. After six years working with this subgroup of Hispanic immigrants and I have seen no incidence of autism, but I have seen at least proportionally equal numbers of children (that is, in comparison to non Hispanic farmworker students) referred for special education services, hence I would be at the very least aware of autistic children in this arena. Because of this seeming statistical blip, I recently completed a survey of 75 coworkers in the Migrant Education Program - the results are the exact opposite of cohorts of Somalis in Sweden and Minnesota: The tutors I surveyed reported one third of the prevalence of autism in Hispanic migrant farmworkers than in the current population as a whole (statistics show 1 in 166 cases of autism in the us, whereas we found 12 to 16 documented cases of autism out of in 6000 Hispanic migrant farmworker students). Could this finding help support the vitamen D connection? Although Hispanics have darker skin tones than whites, which, like African Americans would predispose Hispanics to lower levels of vitamen D and higher incidences of autism, migrant farmworker parents may be offsetting this predisposition because they spend so much more time out of doors working in the sun than most other people across the board, of all races and socioeconomic levels. Also, in my experience Hispanic migrant farmworkers rely on a less processed food diet, eating more traditionally prepared meals with fresher ingredients more akin to a rural Latin American lifestyle than the typical processed food diet of the typical US family.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisIt is my hope that something in the diet AND lifestyle - the combination of the two together - is protecting Hispanic farmworkers from the epidemic of autism. More work on this population is needed to see if this statistical blip holds up and if so, what it may mean for autism research.
I think that oxidative stresscauses a genetic predisposition and is a connection to these deficiencies. Vitamin D is a precursor for estrogen which in turn is a precursor for glutathione! That's my theory anyway! I am researching this at the moment for my Autism MA. Just my thinking at this stage
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisSorry, I meant to say Vit D Receptor affects estrogen which in tuirn affects glutathione, which I am researching at the moment!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI have read many articles on this subject as I have a son with adhd but had many symptoms of sensory deficits, the common thread that generates a diagnosis of autism in very young children. While he did not have autism as it was not severe, it took until 1st grade before his symptoms worsened. It happened after a case of strep throat. I became borderline psychotic twice, after two cases of strep throat. My final diagnosis was bipolar, never had it in the past. there is a theory that post strep infections can cause PANDAS which results in OCD & tourettes. Thirty to fifty percent of these kids have ADHD. this is also known as rheumatic fever causing problem in the heart, joints, kidney and the brain. The brain, most noteably sydenhams chorea, a motor coordination movement disorder. I write this because there are so many people blaming chemicals and vaccinations diectly, but it is most likely that our immune systems are taxed by all of this. rhuematic brain disease was coined back in the 1940's and it was only theorized that strep infections were related to the most serious adult mental illnesses. Ultimately the reseach is showing that most mental illnesses are protein related. Post strep autoimmunity causes direct problems to protein reactions, particularly amino acids and collagen production. Vitamin D and proteins bind most invaders from our our bodies. There is also research that mental problems are inflammation related, which vitamin d is an anti-inflammatory steriod. What they have not discovered or published is that this problem perhaps in 30% of cases of autism is related to adolescent adhd, aspergers, OCD and adult schizophprenia and bipolar. If you ask a family member of an autistic child how many other 'mental illnesses'there are in an extended family particularly anxiety (rage and panic attacks) then ask about the frequency of allergies, sinus problems (both my son and I were found to serious sinus infections and a history of chronic ear infections which should be considered inflammatory) any legimate researcher or average parent concerned with their autistic child would be astounded at what they will learn. it would be nice if scientists would add all the real concerns of people and look at this 'theory'. It could explain just about everything. Vaccinations are an act of getting sick, thats the problem. Its not just glutathione but the three sulphanated amino acids, inlcuding histimine & methionine . Autism and adult mental problems start in the HYPOthalamus, and its weak blood brain barrier.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThank you for that information. I wasn't trying to blame anything such as vaccines. I am trying to understand how Vit D could be the link in autism as I have read that its receptor reduces oestrogen? Therefore, wouldn't that contradict the low oestrogen, high testosterone theory. If high testosterone is found in the amniotic fluid of later diagnosed children with autism and low Vitamin D means there would be high oestrogen, how can that correlate? Any ideas? I am not a scientist, as you can tell!
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisHello,
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMy name is Mei Ling and I am the author of a book about autisms cause in many cases. Even Dr. Stephen Edelson of Autism Research Institute agrees with me that in some cases autism may have been misdiagnosed and in my book, I give two FDA reports to prove that mercury is being INGESTED in both certain baby formulas and assorted infant foods, namely amounting to 15 dangerous substance foods for infants and toddlers.
One FDA report is dated in 1999 and updated in 2003 as well as in 2008 and it shows more than 50 table foods that contain mercury, 15 of them baby foods and assorted infant formulas (both soy and milk based), so the book proves that autism may in fact be Minamatas Disease in some cases by the ingestion of mercury. Also, if you continue to build a growing brain and compile mercury into it, new symptoms of Minamatas Disease could happen, so you need the current FDA list in the book to plan out a dietary intervention strategy in your childs life. You do not want your child to ingest more mercury and need to be apprised of the foods it is inside since even in an egg or even in a tomato, mercury has been discovered to exist in 1999 and no federal recall has happened to delete the foods with mercury from the American table.
In 2010, mercury was found to be inside a brand of ice cream and even inside some bean soup as some examples of how you can impact the childs brain through the further ingestion of mercury while the brain is maturing. Because you own 25 years to grow a reasoning center of a brain (according to the Dr. Phil Show), it may take that long to order up a stringent dietary intervention plan to neglect the further ingestion of harsh toxic substances such as mercury, lead poisoning and pesticide residue.
We do not know how far back the ingestion of mercury has been happening in America and in all countries wherein these 15 products have been being exported into, but we can prove that as far back as 1999, ingestion of mercury in baby products and certain table foods has been happening.
Also in the book is a dietary intervention plan that has not only the worlds most nutrient-densified super foods such as crab (which is 513% higher than the RDA for Zinc - the healing mineral ) to grow the strongest brain and body, but also anti-viral fruits, oils and herbs in case the measles virus has gone into the brain.
Dr. Andrew Wakefield has already proved that the measles virus is contained inside the intestines of some children with Intestinal Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Dr. Andreas Kesel of many PubMed Reports about mega vitamin therapy and viruses has said that Vitamin A and Vitamin B6 help take care of the measles virus. Dr. Bernard Rimland of ARI did say in the 1990s that autisms cognitive abilities in the brain are enhanced by mega amounts of Vitamin B6 (and Magnesium, the reason that SuperNuThera was formulated for autistic children). Therefore, it is conceivable that the measles virus has struck the brain and there is a need for anti-viral fruits, oils and herbs in the diet of an autistic child.
My book is called MERCURY IN BABY FOODS: WHAT THE FDA KEPT FROM THE WORLD OF AUTISM and I suggest you get a copy of those two FDA reports inside this relevant book about autism since even today more than 50 foods like bean soup contain mercury, mercury ingestion also known to cause Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and CFS patients removing the mercury dental amalgams from their mouths to counteract any attack the dangerous vapors can have on the brain.
There is no word about how the mercury became contaminated inside so many baby foods, but an investigation needs to be made somehow and I am counting on the world of autism to bring this matter to a head.
You do not want to get new symptoms by trying to grow a brain under the duress of further contamination through ingestion of mercury in table foods as the child begins to grow, so youll want the current FDA report by your side if you start any kind of dietary intervention plan. New symptoms could mean that mercury in table foods has impacted the recovery process and some children have been cured of autism through dietary intervention to grow the strongest brains out of the most nutrient densified foods, a case in point being Raun Kaufman of the Option Institute in Sheffield, Massachusetts. His story was relayed in a book and movie named SONRISE: THE MIRACLE HAPPENS and it was his diet plus a developmental strategy therapy that helped him to reach a reversal of his diagnosis and a degree at an Ivy League university. In my book, I explain all that I learned when I took lessons at The Option Institute to find out what caused such success by Samariah Kaufman, so the book has many features that help parents of autistic children.
The symptoms of Minamatas Disease are:
Impairment of peripheral vision
Disturbances in sensations (pins and needles and/or numbness)
Uncoordinated movements (such as in writing, fine motor skills, etc.)
Speech impairment
Hearing impairment
Walking impairment
Delays in motor and language development
Mental disturbances
Impacts on the Central Nervous System
If your child has the above symptoms, then it may be a matter of the child experiencing Minamatas Disease as a subgroup in autism and a more careful consideration of what they might have ingested as a toddler/infant may come into play as we try to assess from what year the massive mercury poisoning happened to this country. Try to remember whether or not you fed your child turkey and rice baby food or strained eggs as those are some of the foods listed.
A lawsuit against the FDA for failure to federally recall all dangerous baby foods containing mercury may be had to sue for personal injuries.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call on me. I hope you will enjoy my book and the diet contained inside it with the most nutrient densified
super foods known to mankind gauged carefully in order to thwart the malnourishment of the brain and malabsorption of the intestines ( Leaky Gut Syndrome ) so typical in autism and Minamatas Disease.
Once again, the name of the book is MERCURY IN BABY FOODS: WHAT THE FDA KEPT FROM THE WORLD OF AUTISM and if youll put the entire title into the information box at www.amazon.com, youll find out how to order my important book for your childs continued growth towards a recovery process.
Sincerely,
Mei Ling
Mountainview, Hickory, North Carolina
Author: Mercury in Baby Foods: What the FDA Kept from the World of Autism
PS This is an excellent handbook for pregnant women and women with small infants as it offers a way to avoid Minamata's Disease with the two FDA documents contained inside it, the ingestion of mercury so toxic to babies and now known to cause autisms Minamatas Disease.
here is what I do not get.....people talk about milk??? and sunshine.....you DO not know your vitamin d level until you have it tested. To: Joe Merchant, I am curious to know what the D serum level was of your two sons.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThanks And Good luck!
I noticed on the website www.naturedeficitandautism.com that much of the evidence being used to support the theory that vitamin-d may cause autism is also being used to support the theory that nature-deficit may cause autism. If nature-deficit (which usually corresponds with a lack of sunlight) was the cause of autism, that would explain why individuals with autism have lower levels of vitamin d.
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