
28/07/2024
https://www.theguardian.com/science/article/2024/jul/08/autism-could-be-diagnosed-with-stool-sample-microbes-research
A growing number of neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinsonism and Alzheimer's as well as Autism have been increasingly linked to abnormalities in the human microbiome (as this paper now adds to) Highest incidence of Autism has been noted in affluent highly industrialized countries in children either born by C-section or from mothers with significant underlying dysbiosis, followed with a diet of highly processed foods, and receiving frequent antibiotics. We refer to these underlying predisposing factors as "the 2 D's"- dysbiosis and hypovitaminosis D. Also major risk factors for bad outcomes in COVID 19.
Both are potentially correctible risk factors if they were just looked for. Now being suggested as a possible stool marker for Autism...
Therapeutically, however, the question remains what can be done about it now while Science continues to sort this all out.
It has been estimated that as many as 40% of children may be low in vitamin D yet it is rarely ever checked in a pediatric population. Maybe it should be. It is difficult to establish a healthy microbiome without enough vitamin D, and vitamin D3 is an inexpensive and readily available supplement. Decreases in the incidence of viral respiratory infections have already been demonstrated with D supplementation, and we have been using it for 20+ years as part of our Quick Treat protocol of Vitamins C&D and Kefir milk for acute viral syndromes with impressive results.
Papers have been published on symptomatic improvement in Autistic children following f***l transplants (referred to as microbiota transfer therapy) such as Scientific Reports DOI:10.1038/s41598-019-42183-0. So in addition to eating a healthier more natural diet, avoiding unnecessary antibiotics, and getting enough vitamin D3, short of a f***l transplant it might prove beneficial to try an aggressive probiotic protocol (possibly with an initial reductive step to lower numbers of the existing imbalanced microbiome) and see if some similar improvement was noted as well.
Researchers found differences in the gut microbes of autistic people, raising hopes for faster diagnosis