Human waste in the water can contain anything from bacteria and toxins to parasites, especially in lakes where the water is stagnant. Rivers and the ocean are, at least, moving, but do check the water pollution levels prior to swimming anywhere.
The general term for this, as used by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the United States, is Recreational Water Illness. Here’s what you need to know.
Chlorine in swimming pools poses another issue altogether. In my podcast, Swimming Pool Health Challenges with Autism with renowned water expert, Robert Slovak, we discuss the health related dangers that lurk in chlorinated swimming pools.
Chlorine is added to water to disinfect, but its harmful effects are worsened when it reacts with other chemicals, such as organic vegetation, or urine in the pool. Chloramines are chemicals used by cities as alternate disinfectants. Most cities use chloramines in their drinking water supply. This is why it is so important to have a quality water filter, as discussed in podcast #87, Water Resources and Autism Sensitivities.
When added to swimming pools the chloramine reacts with chlorine, urine and sweat from people using the pool. The out gases and vapors are inhaled just above the surface of the water where it is most dangerous. As a result, this exposure can cause symptoms associated with histamine reactions.
Common symptoms of histamine reactions are:
- Digestive symptoms
- itchy skin
- rashes and hives
- asthma, and other respiratory issues.
- hyperactivity
- rapid heart rate
- hives
- extreme mood changes
- poor sleep.
Histamine sensitivity is extremely common in children with autism. Histamines are released by the digestive tract and the brain. When the diamine oxidase enzymes (DAO) are mutated then it is difficult to remove excess histamine which causes an allergic reaction.
The DAO enzyme helps the body break down excess histamines, but commonly, this enzyme is defective in children with autism. In histamine intolerance the body is over producing histamines and there are too many for the body to break down. This stress type response is a trigger for mast cell activation which creates a strong inflammatory response in the body. This is another reason why it is so important to detoxify slowly.
Mast cells can determine how our bodies react to environmental triggers like sugar, pesticides, perfume, pollution, and other causes of inflammation. If you get mast cell activation it makes you extra sensitive to these and many more things.
Mast cells are types of white blood cells found in almost all cells of the body including the skin, gut, eyes, lungs, nerves, brain, mouth, eyes, and in the the immune system. They help the immune system to stay in balance or “regulate.” Mast cells are involved in allergic reactions, and are often noted in histamine reactions.
Mast cells help us heal, and they help the blood brain barrier function which helps protect your brain from toxins. Listen to podcast #42, Could Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Be Hijacking Your Autism Protocols.
Inhibition of the DAO enzyme is related to leaky gut and the MTHFR gene mutation. This can happen when an ill gut blocks methylation.
Methylation is a type of gene expression. There are hundreds of different methylation reactions in the body. Most commonly noted is its role in the body’s ability to detoxify. Eighty five to ninety percent of people with autism are known to have reduced methylation. Methylation is required to produce the body’s master anti-oxidant, glutathione.
When there is heavy toxic burden on the liver it has a strong demand for glutathione. Supplementing with glutathione can be very helpful as the body is detoxifying and still working to be able to produce enough of it on its own.
It is estimated that 98% of people with autism have the MTHFR gene snip otherwise known as a gene that, when working properly, produces the MTHFR enzyme. However, if the gene is mutated it will not be able to make important compounds such as protein, and it disrupts the methylation cycle. The MTHFR gene mutation also disrupts the body’s ability to make the master antioxidant, glutathione. When the body cannot detoxify properly the toxins build up in the body and cause a myriad of health problems. MTHFR is also responsible for creating the process of converting the amino acid homocysteine to methionine. Methionine is the amino acid our body uses to make proteins.
With the MTHFR mutation it is important to reduce inflammatory foods from the diet such as gluten, dairy, processed carbohydrates and sugars. Please listen to my podcast interview with Dr. Kendra Becker on SNP Genes and Autism.
Stress , leaky gut, environmental toxins of all kinds, including pesticides in food and water and electromagnetic field pollution all contribute to a greater sensitivity to chlorine exposure.
What you can do to start to recover histamine intolerance:
- First, it is crucial to target the root triggers. Begin healing the gut by removing the top inflammatory foods.
- Clear the coinfections of autism including mold, Lyme, and PANS.
- DAO elixir helps the body produce more of the diamine oxidase enzyme (DAO) and help the body neutralize excess histamines and keep them at optimum levels.
- Glutathione: There is strong evidence that much of the chlorine-induced damage to the airways is oxidative in nature. Glutathione is the master antioxidant for the body.
Get assistance removing chlorine toxicity from Pure Body regular zeolites.
There are supplements to assist, but you can begin by removing inflammatory foods from your child’s diet today. Don’t wait!
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Quickly Reduce Your Child’s Symptoms of Autism by Eliminating 7 Foods Most People Consume Daily!
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.
- Harmful Foods: Identify the foods that worsen autism symptoms and understand the science behind their impact.
- Smart Food Choices: Learn about easy dietary swaps that can significantly enhance sleep, clarity of thought, and emotional well-being.
- Practical Implementation: Get valuable tips on how to implement these dietary changes easily and effectively.
This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat. Every child’s level of recovery is different. No two people are the same. It is never implied that all children will have the same outcome. Results are all based on individual biology and the work that is done. This process takes time and various steps, effort and resources need to be weighed. Our programs are intended to help you become more knowledgeable and guide you to help bring your child a better quality of life, whatever that may be. We want to help by giving great content, direction and strategies that move you forward. Nothing on this page or any of our websites is a promise or guarantee of results or future outcomes. The results on this page and any of our websites are not typical or promised. In fact, there will be people who purchase this and other programs and never put the work into implementing the strategies taught and therefore will achieve little to no results. Our more detailed earnings disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions for this program and website can be accessed via the links below. We hold ourselves (and you) to a high standard of integrity. We are cheering you on every step of the way.
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