| Some studies have suggested that autism is linked to | | | | designed to withstand exposure to things that could |
| a build-up of heavy metals in the body, caused by | | | | harm us and that this is what the excretory system |
| exposure to these heavy metals in our rather | | | | is for. Heavy metals do not get chance to build up in |
| polluted environment. With autism now reaching | | | | the average human body because they are excreted |
| "epidemic" proportions, it may make sense that our | | | | as waste products and our bodies naturally detoxify |
| ever hostile environment should shoulder some of the | | | | themselves. However, studies suggest that autistic |
| blame. | | | | children do not have a "normal" metabolism and so |
| Heavy Metals Linked to Autism | | | | are not able to excrete heavy metals from the body. |
| The heavy metals which have been linked to autism | | | | Many autistic children also have gut problems. The |
| spectrum disorders include:- | | | | result is that these toxins build up to high levels in the |
| - Mercury - This heavy metal is present in thimerosal, | | | | body and then cause damage and impair normal |
| a preservative which is used in certain vaccines. | | | | development. |
| Although the FDA has made pharmaceutical | | | | Treatment |
| companies remove thimerosal from children's | | | | A French Study into heavy metal exposure, published |
| vaccines, it may still be present in vaccines given to | | | | in The New Scientist Magazine, used chelation |
| pregnant women. Mercury is also present in fish, | | | | therapy to successfully "mop up" excess heavy |
| amalgam fillings and some emissions. A University of | | | | metals in children's systems. Anecdotal evidence from |
| Texas Health Science Center study suggested a link | | | | parents and therapists also suggests that chelation |
| between autism and the child's proximity to a | | | | drugs make a huge difference in a child's health and |
| mercury source, such as coal-fired utility plants, | | | | behavior. |
| incinerators, concrete manufacturers and commercial | | | | Chelation drugs, or chelators, such as DMSA, TTFD |
| or industrial boilers. | | | | and DMPS, support the body in its own chelation |
| The symptoms of mercury poisoning are very similar | | | | (detoxification) process, allowing it to remove these |
| to symptoms of autism. | | | | harmful toxins from tissues, make them water-soluble |
| - Manganese - Manganese is found in industrial | | | | and excrete them out of the body. |
| emissions, sewage and waste water, the mining | | | | Part of a Biomedical Program |
| industry and the mineral processing industry. High | | | | Chelation is a valuable part of a biomedical treatment |
| manganese levels have been linked to hyperactivity | | | | program for autism, if testing has suggested that a |
| and learning problems in children. | | | | child has high levels of heavy metals. Chelation works |
| - Lead - High levels of lead in babies and children have | | | | best if it is combined with gut treatment, which heals |
| been linked to learning problems, cognitive | | | | the gut and prevents the heavy metals from being |
| impairment, behavior problems, aggression and ADD. | | | | reabsorbed. Glutathione (GSH) supplementation will |
| Sources of lead in our environment include old water | | | | also support chelation because glutathione helps to |
| pipes, old paint and leaded fuel. | | | | protect the body from harmful toxins. |
| - Cadmium - Impaired cognitive function can be the | | | | Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, or HBOT, can also be |
| result of high levels of cadmium and low levels of iron | | | | used in conjunction with chelation because this |
| in the body. Smoking causes cadmium to pollute the | | | | life-giving oxygen nourishes the body, helps |
| air and cadmium may also be found in our drinking | | | | detoxification, reduces gut inflammation and |
| water, from pollution. | | | | promotes healing of damaged tissues. |
| Why Don't These Heavy Metal Toxins Affect | | | | Cutting your child's toxic load, by using non-toxic |
| Everyone? | | | | cleaning products, eating organic foods, avoiding using |
| If these heavy metals are so prevalent in our | | | | paints and solvents around your child, drinking |
| environment, then it seems strange that we aren't all | | | | reverse-osmosis water, using a vacuum fitted with a |
| exhibiting autism symptoms! | | | | HEPA filter and avoiding aluminum cooking products, |
| The reasoning behind this is that the human body is | | | | will also help to keep your child healthy. |