Re: Nutritional Supplements for People on the Autism Spectrum

[Guest guest]

We do supplements with and they have made a tremendous

difference for him with his overall health and behavioral " symptoms " .

BUT, Please work with a Dr on this. 's behavior got so bad on

Methyl B-12 and folinic acid that it contributed to him losing his

group home placement. You wouldn't think a nasal spray of vitamins

chould do that but they did.

Karyn

>

> Highly recommend consult with one who specialize in this field.

>

> Notes on -

>

> Nutritional Supplements for People on the Autism Spectrum

>

> Tips on giving nutritional supplements

>

> • It really helps to have a medical professional guide you

through the

> maze. Consider Dr. Jepson or one of the nutritionists, at

> Thoughtful House, www.thoughtfulhouse.org.

>

> • Be sure that all supplements are gluten-free and casein-free,

and

> free of anything else that your child is allergic or intolerant to.

If

> your child has a bad reaction, they may be reacting to colors,

> sweeteners, flavorings, or soy in the supplement; if so, try a

> “cleaner†version of the same supplement.

>

> • Most supplements are best taken with food, but most probiotics

are

> probably best given at least two hours away from digestive enzymes.

>

> • Usually it is best to only introduce one supplement at a time,

so

> you can see how your child reacts to it. Wait until your child is

> stabilized on it before you add another supplement.

>

> • Keep a log of when you introduce a supplement (with brand and

> dosage), or change the brand or dosage, and how your child reacts.

>

> • Just because a supplement is not good for your child at one

time,

> does not mean that it might not be good for them at another time,

> either because of changes in their body, or because you are giving

it

> in combination with different supplements.

>

> • Parents should also take some supplements if they are to make it

> through the journey, especially a good multi-vitamin,

> calcium/magnesium, and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

>

> Nutritional supplements to try or to consider - This is just a

> selective list. There are lots more that may help your child.

>

> • Digestive Enzymes - Giving digestive enzymes at the beginning of

> every meal helps break down food into usable nutrients, including

any

> gluten or casein that might have inadvertently gotten into the food.

> Some of the major brands are Kirkman, Houston Nutraceuticals, and

> DigestRight from Learner’s Edge.

>

> • Probiotics - We all have beneficial bacteria living in our

> gastrointestinal tracts. These help us digest our food and absorb

> nutrients. Kids on the spectrum have trouble maintaining a healthy

> level of these beneficial bacteria, so supplementation with

probiotics

> can be important. Make sure that your probiotics are not grown on

whey

> or other dairy products. Some doctors say they are best given at

least

> two hours away from digestive enzymes. Some of the major brands are

> Kirkman and Klaire.

>

> • Essential Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids are very important

for

> kids on the spectrum. Be sure to only use fish oil that has been

> tested for mercury. Give EFA’s only in the morning, so that they

do

> not interfere with sleep. Some of the major brands are Thorne and

> Nordic Naturals.

>

> • Hydrogenated Oils - AVOID hydrogenated oils (trans fat) in the

diet,

> which are very bad for all of us, but especially bad for kids on the

> spectrum. Look for cooking oils that are expeller pressed or cold

pressed.

>

> • Cod Liver Oil - Cod liver oil can help tremendously with eye

> contact. It is one of the few sources of the cis form of vitamin A,

> which is believed to reconnect the retinoid receptors in the brain.

> Use a cod liver oil that has been tested free of mercury. Give it

only

> in the morning, so that it does not interfere with sleep. One of the

> major brands is Kirkman.

>

> • Multi-Vitamin Multi-Mineral - A good multi-vitamin multi-

mineral can

> get a lot of the important vitamins and minerals into your child in

an

> efficient way, as well as include some of the trace elements that

they

> only need in small amounts. Be sure to use a multi-vitamin that does

> not contain copper, as kids on the autism spectrum tend to have

> unbalanced zinc to copper ratios. It’s best to give these only

with

> breakfast or lunch, as some vitamins given later in the day can

> interfere with sleep. Some of the major multi-vitamins are Kirkman

> Nu-Thera with P5P and Child Essence from Learner’s Edge. A good

> multi-mineral such as Thorne Citramin II may also help with Pica

> (chewing on non-food items).

>

> • Methylcobalamin (Methyl B-12) and Folinic Acid

> Methylcobalamin (the methyl form of Vitamin B-12) can be a powerful

> thing for kids on the autism spectrum. It is not absorbed well when

> given orally, and is best given by injection into a muscle or

through

> a nose spray, but injections are more effective than nose spray.

> (Injections can be given by parents at home.) The nose spray is

> available by prescription from Coastal Compounding in Savannah,

> Georgia (). The injections are available from People’s

> Pharmacy by prescription.

> In healthy kids, folic acid is turned into folinic acid before the

> body can use it. Doctors think kids on the autism spectrum may have

> trouble with this conversion, and that it is better to give them

> folinic acid. Folinic acid works synergistically with methyl B-12,

and

> can be combined with methyl B-12 in an injection or nose spray.

> Methyl B-12 and folinic acid are also available in capsule or liquid

> form from Kirkman. Give them at breakfast or lunch so they do not

> interfere with sleep.

>

> • Vitamin B-6 - Vitamin B-6 was one of the first nutritional

> supplements that was found to help kids on the autism spectrum. Most

> of the multi-vitamins formulated for kids on the spectrum will

contain

> it. It’s best to give B-6 only with breakfast or lunch, as it can

> interfere with sleep if given later in the day. P5P is a preferred

> form of B-6. Kirkman is a good brand.

>

> • Vitamin E - Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant. It is also

> important in supporting immune response and may play a role in

> allergic response. Taken at dinner, vitamin E can help with sleep.

> Kirkman is a good brand.

>

> • Calcium and Magnesium - Calcium and magnesium help to calm kids

and

> improve their sleep. They work together, and are often found in the

> same capsule or tablet. Calcium is one of the few nutritional

> supplements that is unaffected by heat, and you can get it from

> Kirkman Labs in powdered form and cook with it. Magnesium tends to

> soften stools, and calcium tends to harden them. They are often

> contained in small amounts in multi-vitamins. Calcium and magnesium

> can be given any time of day, and can be given at bedtime to improve

> sleep (but multi-vitamins should be given earlier in the day).

Thorne

> is also a good brand.

>

> • Zinc - Kids on the autism spectrum generally have an out-of-

balance

> copper to zinc ratio, with too much copper and not enough zinc. Zinc

> can have a calming effect, too. It can be given any time of day.

> Kirkman is a good brand.

>

> • Chromium †" Chromium given before meals can help with sugar

craving.

> Kirkman is a good brand.

>

> • TMG or DMG - Kids on the spectrum have a methylation problem.

TMG

> (trimethylglycine) or DMG (dimethylglycine) give them the methyl

> groups they need. They work with folinic acid to complete a chemical

> chain reaction in their bodies. Kirkman is a good brand.

>

> • Taurine - Our digestive systems break down our food into amino

> acids, which are the building blocks of our bodies. Taurine is a

> sulfur-containing amino acid that plays a calming role as a

> neurotransmitter, has antioxidant properties, and is needed for

proper

> bilary function. Thorne and Kirkman are good brands.

>

> • Melatonin - Melatonin makes us sleepy. Our bodies make melatonin

> naturally, but most kids on the autism spectrum don’t have enough

in

> their bodies. Kirkman Labs makes a Slo-Release Melatonin that is

> released slowly over the course of the night. Give melatonin only at

> bedtime. It is also a strong antioxidant that is really good for

our kids.

> • Glutathione - Glutathione is in every cell of our bodies, but

kids

> on the autism spectrum don’t have enough of it. Glutathione is not

> absorbed well when given orally, and should be given transdermally

on

> the skin, by infusion into a blood vessel, or by breathing it using

a

> nebulizer. It can be given any time of the day. The liquid form used

> in a nebulizer is available by prescription from McGuff Pharmacy in

> Santa Ana, CA .

>

> Major supplement brands

> • Houston Nutraceuticals

> • Kirkman Labs

> • Klaire Labs

> • Learner’s Edge

> • Nordic Naturals

> • Pure Encapsulations

> • Thorne Research

>

> Where to buy nutritional supplements

> • Allergy Supply Company †" allergysupply.com †"

†" sells

> nebulizers

> • Family Pharmacy of Sarasota - ssl.familypharmacy.net †" (888)

> 245-5000 †" sells Thorne, Nordic Naturals, Klaire, and lots of

other brands

> • Houston Nutraceuticals †" houstonni.com †" †"

> specializes in digestive enzymes for kids on the autism spectrum

> • Kirkman Labs - www.kirkmanlabs.com †" -

specializes in

> all kinds of nutritional supplements for kids on the autism

spectrum,

> and will talk to you about dosage, etc.

> • Learner’s Edge - www.learners-edge.com †" †"

has a

> short list of excellent products for kids on the spectrum

> • People’s Pharmacy †" www.peoplesrx.com - numerous locations

in Austin

> †" sales people knowledgeable, be sure to ask for gluten-free

> casein-free supplements

> • Thoughtful House - www.thoughtfulhouse.org †" -

3001

> Bee Caves Road, Austin 78746 †" medical clinic for the treatment

of autism

>

> Ways to give nutritional supplements

> • Open capsules and mix contents with food or beverage

> • Swallow capsules intact

> • Rubbing a transdermal cream on the skin

> • Injecting it into a muscle (can be done by parents at home)

> • Infusing it into a blood vessel, by either a relatively quick

> “push,†or a slow drip (requires a doctor)

> • Breathing in a mist containing the supplement, using a

nebulizer

> • Nose spray

>

> Books

> • “Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma,

and

> Allergies,†by Bock, M.D.

> • “Changing the Course of Autism,†by Jepson, M.D.

> • “PDR for Nutritional Supplements,†available from Kirkman

Labs

> • “Earl Mindell’s New Vitamin Bible,†by Earl Mindell and

Hester

> Mundis 12/4/2008

>

[Guest guest]

Totally agree Karyn in regards to the side effects that could occur.

Glad you also posted in regards to losing his placement at the group

home.

This also goes for when under a special diet to make sure to replenish

the nutrients where needed as it could stir other health issues too.

Always consult with one who specializes in this arena with supplements

or special diet.

Irma,20,DS/ASD

> >

> > Highly recommend consult with one who specialize in this field.

> >

> > Notes on -

> >

> > Nutritional Supplements for People on the Autism Spectrum

> >

> > Tips on giving nutritional supplements

> >

> > • It really helps to have a medical professional guide you

> through the

> > maze. Consider Dr. Jepson or one of the nutritionists, at

> > Thoughtful House, www.thoughtfulhouse.org.

>

[Guest guest]

The nutritional Supplements have helped the most. Since his

cellulitis of the face/head a few years ago he felt really bad. I

could not wash his head without him pulling away. He would come home

from school and scream for 2-3 hours and nothing I did would make him

happy. He has been on supplements since April of 2008. He is more

cognative,happy, and he is more aware of what we ask him. He is still

mostly non-verbal but he is trying to talk more. He completely quit

talking after cellulits. In Sept he went through 40 HBOT treatments

which also has helped tremendously. His head did not heal with

conventional treatments but has healed from the HBOT or Hyperbaric

Oxygen Treatments. We have done the gf/cf/ diet since April 16th of

2008 also. All of this together has made him feel better. I want to

share something That I started recently. After reading Dr. Rimlands

study on high amounts of B-6 and magnesium with good results for

behavior I have been trying this and we are having success. For each

child it is a trial and error to see what will help but for it

is working. still takes Abilify but it was not working by

itsself. Now you get what you pay for and what I mean by that is I do

not get his supplements from a grocery or drug store. I get them from

a Pharmacy that does gluten free/casein free supplements and I get

supplements for me from them. You need a Dr. to help you with

supplements for your child and it does not matter what they believe

it is what you believe. Make them understand if you want to try this

route you need their help. They do not have to like it but you just

want to see if it will help. I am saying that because I know what

does have to say about vitamins,supplements,etc. You can call

Wellness Pharmacy and order without prescriptions and they will talk

with you about your concerns. If you want to know exactly what

takes and that does not mean it will help your child but as a

reference guide what he is taking I will tell you. Email me offlist.

had bloodwork done to show us what he needed. Also his Dr. that

is a " Defeat Autism Now Doc " order a PANDAS test that showed had

a strep infection that was attacking his antibodies and that caused

him to be OCD. He was not OCD until he got bit by a child at school.

Seriously. He was autistic in every other way. Now we having been

addressing the strep infection with good ole penacillin shots because

he does not affect the gut like taking the penacillin or antibiotic

pills. I am sharing with you because I hope I can help just one more

child with mine and 's experiences. Will ever be an

astronaut maybe not or president of the USA I doubt it. However my

typical daughter will not be these things either amd she has a very

high IQ. Can I make happier, and his life easier? Yes. Can I

make him understand things better yes and he is communicating his

needs better, he is starting to learn again. was a typical kid

with DS until the autism set in at age 3 and then it was all

downhill.I am not trying to change but help him be the best

person he can be. This child was screaming in pain and unhappiness

and the Dr's were not listening or helping. Maybe they did not know

what to do since supplements and vitamins are not taught in Medical

school but maybe a weeks worth of information. Dr. Mumper

said she took it upon herself to learn about therpies to help and it

took her about 3 years. I love and I want him happy. He is

slowly returning to a kid with just Down syndrome and that is all I

can hope for. Have a great day everybody. Cyndi B

>

> We do supplements with and they have made a tremendous

> difference for him with his overall health and

behavioral " symptoms " .

> BUT, Please work with a Dr on this. 's behavior got so bad on

> Methyl B-12 and folinic acid that it contributed to him losing his

> group home placement. You wouldn't think a nasal spray of vitamins

> chould do that but they did.

>

> Karyn

>

>

>

> >

> > Highly recommend consult with one who specialize in this field.

> >

> > Notes on -

> >

> > Nutritional Supplements for People on the Autism Spectrum

> >

> > Tips on giving nutritional supplements

> >

> > • It really helps to have a medical professional guide you

> through the

> > maze. Consider Dr. Jepson or one of the nutritionists, at

> > Thoughtful House, www.thoughtfulhouse.org.

> >

> > • Be sure that all supplements are gluten-free and casein-free,

> and

> > free of anything else that your child is allergic or intolerant

to.

> If

> > your child has a bad reaction, they may be reacting to colors,

> > sweeteners, flavorings, or soy in the supplement; if so, try a

> > “cleaner†version of the same supplement.

> >

> > • Most supplements are best taken with food, but most

probiotics

> are

> > probably best given at least two hours away from digestive

enzymes.

> >

> > • Usually it is best to only introduce one supplement at a

time,

> so

> > you can see how your child reacts to it. Wait until your child is

> > stabilized on it before you add another supplement.

> >

> > • Keep a log of when you introduce a supplement (with brand and

> > dosage), or change the brand or dosage, and how your child reacts.

> >

> > • Just because a supplement is not good for your child at one

> time,

> > does not mean that it might not be good for them at another time,

> > either because of changes in their body, or because you are

giving

> it

> > in combination with different supplements.

> >

> > • Parents should also take some supplements if they are to make

it

> > through the journey, especially a good multi-vitamin,

> > calcium/magnesium, and an omega-3 fatty acid supplement.

> >

> > Nutritional supplements to try or to consider - This is just a

> > selective list. There are lots more that may help your child.

> >

> > • Digestive Enzymes - Giving digestive enzymes at the beginning

of

> > every meal helps break down food into usable nutrients, including

> any

> > gluten or casein that might have inadvertently gotten into the

food.

> > Some of the major brands are Kirkman, Houston Nutraceuticals, and

> > DigestRight from Learner’s Edge.

> >

> > • Probiotics - We all have beneficial bacteria living in our

> > gastrointestinal tracts. These help us digest our food and absorb

> > nutrients. Kids on the spectrum have trouble maintaining a healthy

> > level of these beneficial bacteria, so supplementation with

> probiotics

> > can be important. Make sure that your probiotics are not grown on

> whey

> > or other dairy products. Some doctors say they are best given at

> least

> > two hours away from digestive enzymes. Some of the major brands

are

> > Kirkman and Klaire.

> >

> > • Essential Fatty Acids - Omega-3 fatty acids are very

important

> for

> > kids on the spectrum. Be sure to only use fish oil that has been

> > tested for mercury. Give EFA’s only in the morning, so that

they

> do

> > not interfere with sleep. Some of the major brands are Thorne and

> > Nordic Naturals.

> >

> > • Hydrogenated Oils - AVOID hydrogenated oils (trans fat) in

the

> diet,

> > which are very bad for all of us, but especially bad for kids on

the

> > spectrum. Look for cooking oils that are expeller pressed or cold

> pressed.

> >

> > • Cod Liver Oil - Cod liver oil can help tremendously with eye

> > contact. It is one of the few sources of the cis form of vitamin

A,

> > which is believed to reconnect the retinoid receptors in the

brain.

> > Use a cod liver oil that has been tested free of mercury. Give it

> only

> > in the morning, so that it does not interfere with sleep. One of

the

> > major brands is Kirkman.

> >

> > • Multi-Vitamin Multi-Mineral - A good multi-vitamin multi-

> mineral can

> > get a lot of the important vitamins and minerals into your child

in

> an

> > efficient way, as well as include some of the trace elements that

> they

> > only need in small amounts. Be sure to use a multi-vitamin that

does

> > not contain copper, as kids on the autism spectrum tend to have

> > unbalanced zinc to copper ratios. It’s best to give these only

> with

> > breakfast or lunch, as some vitamins given later in the day can

> > interfere with sleep. Some of the major multi-vitamins are Kirkman

> > Nu-Thera with P5P and Child Essence from Learner’s Edge. A good

> > multi-mineral such as Thorne Citramin II may also help with Pica

> > (chewing on non-food items).

> >

> > • Methylcobalamin (Methyl B-12) and Folinic Acid

> > Methylcobalamin (the methyl form of Vitamin B-12) can be a

powerful

> > thing for kids on the autism spectrum. It is not absorbed well

when

> > given orally, and is best given by injection into a muscle or

> through

> > a nose spray, but injections are more effective than nose spray.

> > (Injections can be given by parents at home.) The nose spray is

> > available by prescription from Coastal Compounding in Savannah,

> > Georgia (). The injections are available from

People’s

> > Pharmacy by prescription.

> > In healthy kids, folic acid is turned into folinic acid before the

> > body can use it. Doctors think kids on the autism spectrum may

have

> > trouble with this conversion, and that it is better to give them

> > folinic acid. Folinic acid works synergistically with methyl B-

12,

> and

> > can be combined with methyl B-12 in an injection or nose spray.

> > Methyl B-12 and folinic acid are also available in capsule or

liquid

> > form from Kirkman. Give them at breakfast or lunch so they do not

> > interfere with sleep.

> >

> > • Vitamin B-6 - Vitamin B-6 was one of the first nutritional

> > supplements that was found to help kids on the autism spectrum.

Most

> > of the multi-vitamins formulated for kids on the spectrum will

> contain

> > it. It’s best to give B-6 only with breakfast or lunch, as it

can

> > interfere with sleep if given later in the day. P5P is a preferred

> > form of B-6. Kirkman is a good brand.

> >

> > • Vitamin E - Vitamin E is an essential antioxidant. It is also

> > important in supporting immune response and may play a role in

> > allergic response. Taken at dinner, vitamin E can help with sleep.

> > Kirkman is a good brand.

> >

> > • Calcium and Magnesium - Calcium and magnesium help to calm

kids

> and

> > improve their sleep. They work together, and are often found in

the

> > same capsule or tablet. Calcium is one of the few nutritional

> > supplements that is unaffected by heat, and you can get it from

> > Kirkman Labs in powdered form and cook with it. Magnesium tends to

> > soften stools, and calcium tends to harden them. They are often

> > contained in small amounts in multi-vitamins. Calcium and

magnesium

> > can be given any time of day, and can be given at bedtime to

improve

> > sleep (but multi-vitamins should be given earlier in the day).

> Thorne

> > is also a good brand.

> >

> > • Zinc - Kids on the autism spectrum generally have an out-of-

> balance

> > copper to zinc ratio, with too much copper and not enough zinc.

Zinc

> > can have a calming effect, too. It can be given any time of day.

> > Kirkman is a good brand.

> >

> > • Chromium †" Chromium given before meals can help with sugar

> craving.

> > Kirkman is a good brand.

> >

> > • TMG or DMG - Kids on the spectrum have a methylation problem.

> TMG

> > (trimethylglycine) or DMG (dimethylglycine) give them the methyl

> > groups they need. They work with folinic acid to complete a

chemical

> > chain reaction in their bodies. Kirkman is a good brand.

> >

> > • Taurine - Our digestive systems break down our food into amino

> > acids, which are the building blocks of our bodies. Taurine is a

> > sulfur-containing amino acid that plays a calming role as a

> > neurotransmitter, has antioxidant properties, and is needed for

> proper

> > bilary function. Thorne and Kirkman are good brands.

> >

> > • Melatonin - Melatonin makes us sleepy. Our bodies make

melatonin

> > naturally, but most kids on the autism spectrum don’t have

enough

> in

> > their bodies. Kirkman Labs makes a Slo-Release Melatonin that is

> > released slowly over the course of the night. Give melatonin only

at

> > bedtime. It is also a strong antioxidant that is really good for

> our kids.

> > • Glutathione - Glutathione is in every cell of our bodies, but

> kids

> > on the autism spectrum don’t have enough of it. Glutathione is

not

> > absorbed well when given orally, and should be given

transdermally

> on

> > the skin, by infusion into a blood vessel, or by breathing it

using

> a

> > nebulizer. It can be given any time of the day. The liquid form

used

> > in a nebulizer is available by prescription from McGuff Pharmacy

in

> > Santa Ana, CA .

> >

> > Major supplement brands

> > • Houston Nutraceuticals

> > • Kirkman Labs

> > • Klaire Labs

> > • Learner’s Edge

> > • Nordic Naturals

> > • Pure Encapsulations

> > • Thorne Research

> >

> > Where to buy nutritional supplements

> > • Allergy Supply Company †" allergysupply.com †" (800) 323-

6744

> †" sells

> > nebulizers

> > • Family Pharmacy of Sarasota - ssl.familypharmacy.net †" (888)

> > 245-5000 †" sells Thorne, Nordic Naturals, Klaire, and lots of

> other brands

> > • Houston Nutraceuticals †" houstonni.com †"

†"

> > specializes in digestive enzymes for kids on the autism spectrum

> > • Kirkman Labs - www.kirkmanlabs.com †" -

> specializes in

> > all kinds of nutritional supplements for kids on the autism

> spectrum,

> > and will talk to you about dosage, etc.

> > • Learner’s Edge - www.learners-edge.com †"

†"

> has a

> > short list of excellent products for kids on the spectrum

> > • People’s Pharmacy †" www.peoplesrx.com - numerous

locations

> in Austin

> > †" sales people knowledgeable, be sure to ask for gluten-free

> > casein-free supplements

> > • Thoughtful House - www.thoughtfulhouse.org †" (512) 732-

8400 -

> 3001

> > Bee Caves Road, Austin 78746 †" medical clinic for the treatment

> of autism

> >

> > Ways to give nutritional supplements

> > • Open capsules and mix contents with food or beverage

> > • Swallow capsules intact

> > • Rubbing a transdermal cream on the skin

> > • Injecting it into a muscle (can be done by parents at home)

> > • Infusing it into a blood vessel, by either a relatively quick

> > “push,†or a slow drip (requires a doctor)

> > • Breathing in a mist containing the supplement, using a

> nebulizer

> > • Nose spray

> >

> > Books

> > • “Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma,

> and

> > Allergies,†by Bock, M.D.

> > • “Changing the Course of Autism,†by Jepson, M.D.

> > • “PDR for Nutritional Supplements,†available from Kirkman

> Labs

> > • “Earl Mindell’s New Vitamin Bible,†by Earl Mindell and

> Hester

> > Mundis 12/4/2008

> >

>