arsenic in autism (small study), in food

[Guest guest]

Citation 1 is old news but merits re-presentation given the new findings

about arsenic in foods, nicely reviewed by quasi-mavericks Mercola and

Oz (2).

//

" Out of 10 patients, 6 had initial urine samples containing arsenic in

greater concentration than healthy controls.... Thiamine

tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide appears to have a beneficial clinical

effect on some autistic children, since 8 of the 10 children improved

clinically. We obtained evidence of an association of this increasingly

occurring disease with presence of urinary SH-reactive metals, arsenic

in particular. " (1)

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1. Treatment of autism spectrum children with thiamine

tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide: a pilot study.

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12195231>

Lonsdale D, Shamberger RJ, Audhya T.

Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2002 Aug;23(4):303-8.

OBJECTIVES: In a Pilot Study, the clinical and biochemical effects of

thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide (TTFD) on autistic spectrum

children were investigated.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Ten children were studied. Diagnosis was confirmed

through the use of form E2, a computer assessed symptom score. For

practical reasons, TTFD was administered twice daily for two months in

the form of rectal suppositories, each containing 50 mg of TTFD.

Symptomatic responses were determined through the use of the computer

assessed Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) forms. The

erythrocyte transketolase (TKA) and thiamine pyrophosphate effect

(TPPE), were measured at outset and on completion of the study to

document intracellular thiamine deficiency. Urines from patients were

examined at outset, after 30 days and after 60 days of treatment and the

concentrations of SH-reactive metals, total protein, sulfate, sulfite,

thiosulfate and thiocyanate were determined. The concentrations of

metals in hair were also determined.

RESULTS: At the beginning of the study thiamine deficiency was observed

in 3 out of the 10 patients. Out of 10 patients, 6 had initial urine

samples containing arsenic in greater concentration than healthy

controls. Traces of mercury were seen in urines from all of these

autistic children. Following administration of TTFD an increase in

cadmium was seen in 2 children and in lead in one child. Nickel was

increased in the urine of one patient during treatment. Sulfur

metabolites in urine did not differ from those measured in healthy children.

CONCLUSIONS: Thiamine tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide appears to have a

beneficial clinical effect on some autistic children, since 8 of the 10

children improved clinically. We obtained evidence of an association of

this increasingly occurring disease with presence of urinary SH-reactive

metals, arsenic in particular.

2. */Arsenic in foods - Mercola & Oz/*

An excellent overview with many useful links!

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http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/01/22/toxic-metals-on-fr\

uit-juices.aspx

Story at-a-glance

* Arsenic occurs naturally in the environment, and is a common

groundwater contaminant. The US EPA limits trace amounts of arsenic

in drinking water to 10 parts per billion. However, arsenic is also

showing up in food and drinks, for which no safety limits have been

set, raising concerns about overexposure through diet, especially

for children and pregnant women.

* Tests performed by both Consumer Reports and Dr. Oz recently exposed

high levels of arsenic in fruit juices, especially apple juice. As a

result, Consumer Reports is calling for government standards to

limit consumer exposure.

* Ten percent of 88 juice samples tested by Consumer Reports had

arsenic levels exceeding the U.S. federal drinking-water standard.

* Many foods, including chicken, rice, and processed baby foods have

also been found to contain high levels of arsenic.

* While acutely toxic at high levels, low-level chronic exposure to

arsenic can lead to a wide variety of health problems, including

gastrointestinal problems, skin discoloration and hyperkeratosis,

chronic fatigue syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes,

reproductive problems, reduced IQ and other neurological problems,

and various cancers.

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