Mangosteen and Autism
Autism is generally considered an abnormality in brain structure or function. Once believed to be a rare disease, autism is now considered to be on the rise. It is estimated that almost one out of every 100 children is diagnosed as autistic. Autism is manifest in such behavior as self-injury, mood swings, isolation and verbal communication skill deficiencies. The exact cause of autism is not yet known, but there is scientific research that relates it to a myriad of conditions in the body. Gastrointestinal disorders, toxicity, neurogenic disorders, and poor dietary habits are some disorders that researchers believe could aggravate symptoms in autistic children and adults.
AUTISM AND IMPAIRED CUT PERMEABILITY
There have been numerous studies that correlate abnormal gut permeability to gastrointestinal imbalances, food allergies, protein absorption problems, bacterial and fungal overgrowth, and nutritional deficiencies in tryptophan (an essential amino acid) and zinc. One study conducted in Rome found that 43 percent of autistic children had a higher rate of intestinal permeability when compared to a controlled group of other children. Researchers believed that an altered intestinal permeability could represent a possible mechanism for the increased passage through the gut mucosa of peptides derived from foods causing subsequent behavioral abnormalities. In other words, the GI function is abnormal and is allowing more amino acids (peptides) to permeate into the bloodstream than is needed for a healthy body. These scientists hypothesize that behavior abnormalities are caused by this increase of amino acids in the bloodstream. Because amino acids are primary building blocks of neurotransmitters (which influence mood and behavior), it is possible that any imbalance of amino acids in the body may have an effect on a person’s mood and behavior. Some researchers feel there is a correlation between symptoms in autistic children and amino acid digestion. Better digestion and assimilation of essential amino acids may play a prime role in the health of an autistic individual.
AUTISM AND ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Another factor believed to possibly contribute to the rise in diagnoses of autism is an imbalance in fatty acid ratios. Essential fatty acids are critical for normal brain function, and low levels of essential fatty acids in the developmental stages can lead to abnormal brain development. The ratio between Omega 6 and Omega 3 intake diet is commonly out of balance. In the early 1900s, Omega 6:3 ratios were 4:1. In the late 1980s, this ration has risen to a staggering 25:1. This Omega 6 overbalance is due primarily to the increased use of vegetable oils and grain oils and the reduction of fish and flaxseed oils in our diets. Fatty acid imbalance causes a reaction throughout the body on the cellular level by stimulating the production of inflammatory prostaglandin that causes swelling at the cellular level throughout the body. Another possible complication from an overbalance of Omega 6 oils in the body is the oxidization of the cell membrane. Oxidation is linked to an increase in free radicals in the bloodstream. In addition, neurotransmitters like serotonin may also be affected by a fatty acid imbalance. In fact, one study demonstrated that autistic children were often found to have significantly higher Omega 6 levels. Low Omega 3 levels were linked to hyperactivity and frequent or excessive tantrums, both characteristic of autistic children. A researcher wrote, “Abnormalities of fatty acid and membrane phospholipids may play a part in a wide range of neurodevelopment and psychiatric disorders.” A possible treatment for fatty acid imbalances is to use something on a daily basis that has the ability to counter oxidation and the inflammatory processes that are both induced by dietary problems associated with fatty acid imbalance. Xanthones in mangosteen are powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents.
AUTISM AND MELATONIN IMBALANCE
Melatonin is a hormone secreted in response to the light/dark cycle of the body. It also is responsible for controlling body temperature, hormonal changes, and the body’s internal clock. At night, melatonin levels rise in response to the body’s need to sleep. In the morning hours, these levels diminish, allowing the body to become more alert. Interruption in the sleep cycle has been linked to drops in melatonin production. Scientific research has suggested that autistic children are much more susceptible to sleep cycle disturbances. This suggests that children with autism may produce lower levels of melatonin so that their internal clocks are poorly regulated. Further more, clinical research has linked abnormal levels of tryptophan and serotonin, both of which the body uses as source material for producing melatonin, to autistic behavioral symptoms in adults. Melatonin is also a powerful antioxidant that has both fat and water-soluble qualities, allowing it to cross the blood/brain barrier. This is very important as it keeps the brain cells healthy and free from free radical oxidative stress, which may alleviate some autistic symptoms. Mangosteen’s xanthones help in preventing tryptophan, serotonin, and melatonin imbalances. This, in turn, may help symptoms of autism.
AUTISM AND FOOD ALLERGIES
It has been noted that many autistic patients are sensitive to certain foods. Consumption of these foods appear to increase autistic symptoms and episodes of these patients. Children with autism may display increased permeability of the intestinal mucosa (leaky gut) allowing more peptides from foods to enter the bloodstream and trigger immune system reactions that may be associated with behavioral abnormalities. If this is the case, the anti-inflammatory capabilities of xanthones in mangosteen can have a positive effect on the reduction of allergic episodes in autistic patients. Not only do xanthones help ease inflammation of the gut, they also kill parasites and bacteria that aggravate GI inflammation and “leaky gut syndrome.”
AUTISM AND HEAVY METALS
Children are particularly susceptible to the deleterious effects of heavy metal exposure for many reasons. First, their developing nervous systems are more sensitive. Second, their bodies absorb toxins more rapidly but clear them from the system more slowly than adults. Lastly, a child’s blood/brain barrier, the natural protective mechanism that blocks harmful substances from entering and damaging the brain, is not fully formed until age 1. Investigators have found that damage to the mucosa in the form of “leaky gut” has been present in over 40 percent of autistic children tested. This gastrointestinal dysfunction would allow greater amounts of toxins (heavy metals) to penetrate the gut barrier into the systemic circulation (blood stream), and thus increase the toxic burden in children unable to properly process this onslaught of toxic agents.
In other studies, scientists hypothesize that autistic children have problems metabolizing and detoxifying certain compounds due to an impaired biochemical process called sulfation (a process occurring in the liver). Sulfation plays an important role in the second phase of liver detoxification. Impaired sulfation could make autistic children more vulnerable to multiple chemical sensitivities. It could also explain an increase of behavioral problems after children eat foods containing phenol, tyramine, and phenyl compounds, which are normally neutralized through the sulfation process. Sulfation is a normal function of the liver. Phase 2 detoxification of the liver is dependent on normal gut function. “Leaky gut syndrome” is an abnormal function of the intestinal tract that leads to abnormal liver function. Through good diet and supplementation with mangosteen, we have the ability to change body function back to the norm. The tremendous anti-inflammatory abilities of xanthones and the juices powerful anti-oxidant capabilities may help reduce peptide imbalance caused by “leaky gut” and thereby relieve some autistic symptoms.
Now, there’s a company that makes mangosteen commercially available. The whole mangosteen fruit is pureed and bottled by Xango thru Wild Flavors as a juice.
RECOMMENDED SERVING WHEN DRINKING XANGO JUICE
Take one ounce (or 30ml) per day. Serving can be increased to one ounce three times a day after a week. Drink eight to ten glasses of water every day to help flush out toxins.
For more information, check out
http://www.researchmangosteen.com
http://www.mangosteenexperiences.com
http://www.healthyoption.sawit.net
http://www.mangosteen.sawit.net
Information herein is NOT intended to be taken as medical advice. No therapeutic or medical claims are either implied or made. DO NOT ALTER ANY MEDICAL TREATMENT, OR THE USE OF MEDICATIONS, WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF YOUR MEDICAL CARE PROVICER. FDA regulations prohibit the use of therapeutic or medical claims in conjunction with the sale of any product not approved by the FDA.
