Good Bacteria May Relieve Autism Symptoms

An article published in Nature, in May of 2004 stated that researchers questioned whether or not a daily dose of friendly bacteria known as probiotics might help treat autism. Clinical trials are being scheduled to test probiotics to determine if they could ease the gut problems associated with autism and possibly help with some of the psychological symptoms as well.

Nearly six out of every 1,000 people have autism, a condition that negatively affects communication and social relationships.

Some of the physical symptoms associated with autism include bloating, stomach-aches and diarrhea. Since children with autism were more prone to having higher levels of Clostridia, a group of “bad” bacteria, probiotic food supplements might lower the levels of these bad bacteria and alleviate some of the autism symptoms.

Researchers haven’t been able to find out what the cause of autism is, however genetic and environmental factors have been cited as likely contributors to the complex disorder.

Researchers agreed that toxic byproducts of the bacteria might play a role with the disease because of how they are absorbed into the blood and travel to the brain.

One type of bacteria researchers have found to produce promising results is called Lactobacillus plantarum, which attaches itself to the lining of the gut and stimulates its growth. In addition to these functions, this bacteria has also been discovered to lower gut pH, which aids in the digestive process and helps fight infections.

Research has also revealed that friendly bacteria might be useful in treating irritable bowel disorder, diarrhea, colitis and bowel cancer. Experts have noticed an increasing acceptance of probiotics as a way to help manage health conditions.

More on Probiotics

More on Autism

This is a perfect example of how the innate intelligence of the body can heal itself when given the right tools. Notice in this story they did not say that Max had back or neck pain. Max was a child that had interference in his nervous system that was not allowing the body to function and express itself as it was designed to do. The chiropractor simply removed this interference in the nervous system, through an adjustment, and allowed Max’s body to express itself fully.

It’s like taking your child from a 40-Watt light bulb to a 100-Watt light bulb. Both produce light and have energy, but one is able to express itself in a greater capacity and exude more energy and light. Chiropractic kids are functioning at 100-Watts, “normal” children are at 40-Watts … what would you like your for your growing child?

For more on how chiropractic can help your child, please visit our Kid’s section of the website.