Autism Treatment - Environmental Toxins and Treating Autism – Part 2

Glutathione is our bodies’ primary defense against toxicity, whether that is environmental toxins like air pollution or chemicals in our foods, or cellular toxins from our own body’s metabolism. Glutathione is crucial for our health. It is an antioxidant chemical produced in our cells and has many roles including the prevention of free radical damage, supporting the immune system, improving sensitivity of certain brain chemicals such as dopamine (a problem in Parkinson’s Disease) and serotonin (a chemical responsible for mood and general feeling of well-being). It also is crucial for the heart and prevention against cancer.
In autism, glutathione reserves can be very low. This common finding often leads to an inability for many individuals with autism from detoxifying toxins such as mercury and lead. These toxins adversely affect brain chemicals that are needed for attention, focusing, and general awareness. Many autistic individuals have benefitted from glutathione therapy.

Dr. Perlmutter, a well-known neurologist in Florida, with a specialty in treating people with Parkinson’s Disease, has seen tremendous success in using glutathione because of glutathione’s positive influence on dopamine function. The neurotransmitter dopamine is the major problem in Parkinson’s Disease.

Glutathione is a chemical of three different amino acids that support cellular detoxification and protects our cells from chemical reactions. The real problem occurs when glutathione production cannot keep up with demand or genetically (as is the case with many individuals on the autism-spectrum) cannot produce normal levels to begin with.

Glutathione is available as oral capsules or liquid suspension (also called liposomal or lipoceutical glutathione). Capsules are minimally effective. Blood levels do not get high enough to have much of a clinical effect. The oral liquid forms are better, but limited studies exist to really show increased cell levels particularly for conditions such as Parkinson’s. There is a transdermal (skin application) form of glutathione available by prescription. This cream is applied once to twice daily and has shown some benefit for children on the autism-spectrum.

The most effective route to date for glutathione therapy in is through an intravenous (IV) infusion. Although, not practical for some children (at which point the liposomal, aka lipoceutical oral form is preferable), this route of administration has the greatest benefits – particularly for adults, and those with neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, Multiple Sclerosis or older children, teenagers and adults on the autism-spectrum who can handle an I.V. The IV route is most direct, and you can obtain higher blood levels. The infusion is very simple and quick. The process takes about 3 to 4 minutes. For Parkinson’s patients up to two to three times per week seems more effective. Other individuals obtain benefit with less frequent dosing. For autism treatment, doing once or twice weekly is beneficial.