Autism and Heavy Metals

Heavy metals are simply toxic metals. They can damage and even destroy the brain, the central nervous system, weaken the GI tract and our antioxidant system, rendering us incapable of detoxification. They also reduce levels of neurotransmitters (the brain’s messengers) in the brain.

Many conditions, including autism, have been shown to be the result of an undeveloped or damaged blood-brain barrier prior to the age of six months. The blood-brain barrier is just what it sounds like: a barrier that protects the brain from harmful material in the blood. A newborn is up to 55% more susceptible to the dangers of heavy metal toxicity than an adult. Heavy metals can also be passed from mom in utero to the baby via the placenta.

Each heavy metal affects specific areas of the brain but also overlap on some. For this reason, it is important to test for all of them when neurological toxicity is in question. Heavy metal toxins, like any toxin, affect every individual at a different level. Due to the nature of biology, we are all able to detoxify various amounts.
There are 100,000 new cases of autism every year in the United States, and the number is rising. One in every 50 families in America has a child with autism.
Many conditions affect the level of neurological damage. Most commonly noted for increased risk are the individual’s nutritional status, age, and the dosage he received. Results can range from poor memory and trouble with focus to severe autism.

HOW DO HEAVY METALS GET INTO OUR BODIES?   
Heavy metal toxins are found in the foods we eat, the air we breathe, the soil we play in, inside household cleaning products, shampoo, soap, lotion, toothpaste, water sources, food coloring and preservatives, the pots and pans we use to cook our food, the coffee and tea we enjoy with breakfast, chalk and paints, medications, toothpaste, mercury amalgam dental fillings, and more.
The most common heavy metals are mercury, cadmium, lead,
aluminum, and fluoride.

Please read more about mercury toxicity.

For full details on each of these toxic heavy metals please refer to my book, Naturally Recovering Autism: The Complete Step-By-Step Resource Handbook for Parents.

The first crucial step of autism recovery is to begin restoring health to the gut and the immune system.

The health of the gut is directly linked to the health of the brain and therefore to the symptoms of autism. In fact, 80% of the immune system comes from the gut so if the gut is not healthy, then the brain can’t thrive, and the immune system is compromised. It’s a vicious cycle, but thankfully, it’s one that we can put an end to by first eliminating harmful foods.

This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat.