Autism and Element Imbalances

Much concern has been raised over the link between exposure to heavy metal toxins and neurological brain damage associated with learning and behavioral disorders in children. Research shows that exposure to heavy metals such as lead and mercury can impair brain development at very early ages-even at low doses previously deemed "harmless."

Children are particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of heavy metal exposure for several reasons. First, their developing nervous systems are more sensitive. Second, their bodies absorb toxins more rapidly, yet clear them from the system more slowly, than adults. Finally, a child's blood-brain barrier, the natural protective mechanism which blocks harmful substances from entering and damaging the brain, is not yet fully formed.

Elemental Analysis (hair, blood, or urine) evaluates body burden of heavy metal toxins and nutritional adequacy of important mineral elements. Each specimen type provides a unique window into element status. A hair sample will reflect chronic toxic exposure and long-term nutritional deficiencies, while blood and urine assessment will gauge the effects of more recent imbalances. Possible treatments for element imbalances include chelation therapy, nutrient supplements, vitamins, water purifying systems, dietary changes, and other natural approaches.

Many professionals working in the field of autism have expressed concern that some autistic children may have been exposed to potentially damaging levels of ethyl mercury, contained in a preservative used in certain vaccinations. Clinical neurobehavorial symptoms of mercury poisoning, they point out, seem to closely parallel many common symptoms of autism. In response to pressure from the FDA, the U.S. Public Health Service, and other regulatory health agencies, vaccine manufacturers have since worked to reduce or eliminate the use of ethyl mercury as a preservative in many vaccines.

In addition, several studies have associated high lead levels in children with autism.7-9 Elevated levels of lead in hair, signifying long-term toxic exposure to this heavy metal, have been correlated with increased behavior abnormalities and learning disorders in children.10 Based on clinicians' observations, antimony, a potential toxin found in some fire retardant materials, is also a possible cause for concern.

Whatever the source, it's important to remember that heavy metals are pervasive toxic threats in a child's environment, with air, soil, water, toys, and food all potential vectors of exposure. Ultimately, the biochemical individuality of each child may play an important role in influencing whether or not such exposure produces neurological damage. Evidence suggests, for example, that autistic children may be less able to detoxify toxic agents they are exposed to from the environment (see Autism and Detoxification), and that this inability may predispose the children to suffer neural damage consistent with autistic behavioral traits.4

Nutritional balance and healthy metabolism are also very important. Dr. Lynn Wecker and his colleagues at Louisiana State Medical Centre observe that trace elements imbalances in the human body can disrupt neurotransmitter function and produce marked changes in behavior-many of which are consistent with symptoms of autism. For this reason, Dr. Wecker and his team evaluated trace element concentrations in the hair of autistic children. They found clear deficiencies of calcium, copper, zinc, and chromium that were so striking that they allowed them to discriminate between autistic children and healthy controls with a high degree of accuracy, using just test results.11 Deficiencies of mineral nutrients can make a child more susceptible to heavy metal absorption.

Magnesium deficiencies, associated with attention-deficit disorder and hyperactivity,12 may also be clinically significant in autism. A survey of parents of autistic children by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., the founder and director of the Autism Research Institute, found that the combination of vitamin B6 and magnesium treatment was deemed to be the most beneficial treatment for improving autistic symptoms in children, although the effectiveness of this treatment has been challenged by a recent study.13,14

Elemental Analysis (hair, blood, or urine) evaluates body burden of heavy metal toxins and nutritional adequacy of important mineral elements. Each specimen type provides a unique window into element status. A hair sample will reflect chronic toxic exposure and long-term nutritional deficiencies, while blood and urine assessment will gauge the effects of more recent imbalances. Possible treatments for element imbalances include chelation therapy, nutrient supplements, vitamins, water purifying systems, dietary changes, and other natural approaches