With all the research and studies being done on the subject of autism, it is no longer surprising to hear or learn about any new connections between autism and other parts of one’s body. The connection isn’t always (or is never) clear cut, which means it cannot be determine if the said connection can be the cause or simply the effect of autism. However, many experts and medical professionals have learned to take advantage of these connections to treat the symptoms of autistic children. This is the same rationale among people who use antioxidants to treat individuals with autism. And this is also the same idea that gives life to the theory that gastrointestinal health is connection to autism.
So how does this theory work?
Any parent of an autistic child would know that, more often than not, diarrhea is a prevailing problem for their child. Although it is not a general condition, a significant number of children with autism suffer from constant diarrhea or loose bowel. Besides this, many children with autism also complain of stomach ache and constipation often. Needless to say, children with autism do not have the healthiest digestive systems around. They often suffer from the “leaky gut” syndrome, a problem caused by damaged bowel linings and parasite infections in the gut, among others. Leaky gut syndrome can cause a number of complications, such as the mal absorption of nutrients from other parents of the body.
The reason for this among autistic individuals? Their imbalance gut flora. The digestive tract is home to numerous bacteria—good and bad. The good bacteria, naturally, should overpower the bad bacteria by 85 percent, otherwise there will be an imbalance. Obviously, such imbalance exists among children with autism. In fact, it was learned that their gut flora is infested by a bacteria called clostridia, a specie connected to gangrene, colitis, botulism, tetanus, and food poisoning. Naturally, because of the imbalance, the autistic child’s gastrointestinal health suffers.
Of course, it is possible to maintain good gut flora despite the overwhelming presence of the clostridia. One of the more popular techniques used here is the intake of probiotics. Probiotics have been around for centuries. They are components of food substances that can promote good health. But more than general good health, probiotics can improve the microbial balance in one’s digestive tract.
But more than that, a much cited research journal in the Reading University in the United Kingdom published a study in 2006 that demonstrates how probiotics can not only help gastrointestinal health but also the overall well being an autistic child. The study used 40 children, half of which were given probiotics and the others fake probiotics. None of the involved parties knew which they had. The parties were asked to give the substance to their children for a few weeks, after which the other 20 will receive the fake probiotics while the rest gets the real one. While supposedly a blind research, the results were so obvious that the involved parties who received the real probiotics refused to switch. The research was a failure, but what it presented was promising. Why? Because those who took the real probiotics noted improved abilities and skills among their children.
The study shows that gastrointestinal health and the overall being can be connected. Still, although it is not entirely proven, probiotics remain to be helpful.
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