Evidence supports the role of heavy metals in causing autism, PDD and ADHD. This leads to alterations in metallothionein proteins.
The research of Dr. William Walsh, Ph.D, and Dr. Anjum Usman, MD, have found alterations in the functioning of metallothionein protein (MT) in children with autism. This impairment impacts brain development and causes extreme sensitivity to toxic metals and other environmental substances. This supports and begins to explain why environmental toxicity combined with genetic susceptibility leads to autism.
In a study of 503 autistic patients, Dr. Walsh and Usman found abnormal levels of copper and zinc in blood. This indicates defective functioning of metallothioneins MT proteins. These MT proteins regulate blood levels of these trace minerals, detoxify mercury and other heavy metals, and assist in development of the nervous system. Consequences of defective MT during pregnancy or early infancy are consistent with several classic symptoms of autism. This has lead many leading experts to believe that MT impairment is, therefore, a causative factor in autism.
Consequences of metallothioneins MT malfunction in a newborn:
- Abnormal copper and zinc levels in the blood and brain
- Impaired neuronal development, especially in the first 30 months of life, which could result in incomplete maturation of the digestive tract and brain
- Loss of MTs ability to detoxify heavy metals including cadmium, mercury and other toxic heavy metals
- Impaired immune function
- Immature digestive tract
Environmental and heavy metal toxicity plays and important role in gene regulation. Toxicity, especially heavy metal toxicity, will change which genes are turned “on” or “off”. Many experts agree that autism is akin to a canary in a coal mine. The rising autism rates are as a result of genetics being negatively impacted by a toxic environment. Consequently, impaired development.
Can MT production be increased?
The answer, therefore is yes. Research has shown that the genes themselves are not the problem. Th impairment of MT proteins in children with ASD has somehow been “turned off” by other genetic and environmental factors. Therefore by stimulating the production of metallothioneins MT proteins through biomedical treatment, it is possible to restore your child’s ability to naturally rid itself of accumulated heavy metals, help the digestive tract to mature, and correct the immune system impairments.
What is glutathione and why is it important in autism?
Glutathione is the body’s cheif detoxifier. It works with MT proteins to remove heavy metals and other harmful substances like pesticides and PCBs.
Research by Dr. S. Jill James, a professor at the University of Arkansas and Director of the Genomics Laboratory, has shown that children with ASD have low levels of glutathione. Dr. James has just received an NIH (National Institute of Health) grant for her ground breaking research.
Is there any research directly linking heavy metals to autism and metallothioneins?
A ground breaking study in 2009, done by researchers at the University of Texas, revealed startling evidence of the environment’s role in autism. The objective the study was to determine if proximity to sources of mercury pollution in 1998 were related to autism prevalence in 2002. The findings showed that for every 1000 pounds of industrial release, there were a corresponding 2.6% increase in autism rates and a 3.7% increase associated with power plant emissions.
For every 10 miles from industrial or power plant sources, theres a decrease in autism rates.
An earlier study released by the same group of investigators revealed an association between environmentally released mercury and autism rates in Texas. For example, each 1,000 lbs of environmentally released mercury, there was a 61% increase in autism. The same study showed an increase of 43% in the rate of special education rates.
It is important to note that toxins affect every aspect of our body. Renowned medical doctor and researcher Dr. Needleman has shown the detrimental effect of lead on cognitive development.
In another study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) in found an average of 200 industrial chemicals and pollutants in umbilical cord blood from 10 babies born in U.S. hospitals in 2004. Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in this small group of children.
REFERENCES:
Environmental mercury release, special education rates, and autism disorder: an ecological study of Texas. Palmer RF et al. Health Place. 2006 Jun;12(2):203-9. http://www.generationrescue.org/pdf/seed.pdf
“On average, for each 1,000 lb of environmentally released mercury, there was a 43% increase in the rate of special education services and a 61% increase in the rate of autism.”
Autism spectrum disorders in relation to distribution of hazardous air pollutants in the san francisco bay area. Windham GC et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2006 Sep;114(9):1438-44. http://www.ehponline.org/members/2006/9120/9120.html
Maternal residence near agricultural pesticide applications and autism spectrum disorders among children in the California Central Valley. Roberts EM et al. Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Oct;115(10):1482-9. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=2022638&blobtype=pdf
“Multivariate a posteriori models comparing children of mothers living within 500 m of field sites with the highest nonzero quartile of organochlorine poundage to those with mothers not living near field sites suggested an odds ratio for ASD of 6.1 (95% confidence interval, 2.4-15.3). ASD risk increased with the poundage of organochlorine applied and decreased with distance from field sites.”
Proximity to point sources of environmental mercury release as a predictor of autism prevalence. Palmer RF, Blanchard S, Wood R. Health Place. 2008 Feb 12 [Epub ahead of print]
The objective of this study was to determine if proximity to sources of mercury pollution in 1998 were related to autism prevalence in 2002. Autism count data from the Texas Educational Agency and environmental mercury release data from the Environmental Protection Agency were used. We found that for every 1000 pounds of industrial release, there was a corresponding 2.6% increase in autism rates (p<.05) and a 3.7% increase associated with power plant emissions (P<.05). Distances to these sources were independent predictors after adjustment for relevant covariates. For every 10 miles from industrial or power plant sources, there was an associated decreased autism Incident Risk of 2.0% and 1.4%, respectively (p<.05). While design limitations preclude interpretation of individual risk, further investigations of environmental risks to child development issues are warranted.
PMID: 18353703