New Survey by Enzymedica Links Autism & Digestion, Suggests Successful Strategies

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Autism is the fastest growing developmental disorder in the world. With 1 child in 91 facing the disorder, the diagnosis is more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined.

“A product containing a full spectrum blend of all enzymes is considered an ideal digestive aid.”

Autism and Digestion: The Surprising Link

A new survey by Enzymedica and the Enzyme Research Group (ERG), links autism and digestive problems, and suggests diet modification and dietary supplements as successful tools for families facing the diagnosis.

While autism is generally considered a neurological disorder, the new survey reminds us that autistic children face additional health challenges, including 80% who report digestive difficulty, sensitivity, or intestinal inflammation.

Survey Participants Tout Special Diets for Autism

Food sensitivities and cravings are widespread in the autism community. The ERG survey found that 35% of children craved sugary treats, 30% dairy, 25% wheat and 32% junk foods; and cravings were not mutually exclusive.

Interestingly, the craved foods also caused the greatest digestive reaction. Lactose, gluten, casein, and phenol were the top reactive contenders in children on the spectrum.

* 70% currently follow, or have tried, a restrictive diet
* 52% gluten-free
* 55% casein-free
* 44% eliminate artificial flavors and additives
* 70% use digestive enzymes or probiotics

Since even healthy foods can cause problems, supplementation can be used to prevent nutritional deficiency. 80% of parents said they offer dietary supplements in some form, typically in combination with a special diet, to soothe and support healthy digestion, and reduce dietary sensitivities.

Healthy Digestion Requires Digestive Enzymes

Our body uses enzymes to enhance digestion and turn the food we eat into energy. Produced throughout the digestive tract, and available from raw foods and supplements, these enzymes include amylase for carbohydrates, lipase for fats, protease for proteins, and cellulase for fiber.

“Many of our children are enzyme deficient,” writes Elizabeth Lipski, Ph.D., C.C.N., a board-certified clinical nutritionist in her book, Digestive Wellness for Children. “These deficiencies can play a pivotal role in the development of childhood disease.” Lipski has over 20 years experience working in the field of holistic and complementary medicine and views enzymes as the body’s workhorses.

“In children, enzyme supplements have been used successfully to treat food allergies, gastroenteritis, asthma, and other illnesses, and research on enzymes for children is promising,” she continues.

Like healthy bones and muscle tissue, our enzyme producing organs rely on good nutrition to fuel production. Physical stressors and inflammation are also implicated as a component in compromised enzyme capacity, and these conditions are common with autism.

The ERG researchers found a statistically significant 80% of autistic children experience digestive disturbances related to certain types of food, with dairy topping the list. 57% said dairy is the culprit, and wheat was second in line with 43%.

Autism Breeds Picky Eaters

“Many children on the spectrum are unwilling to eat a sufficient quantity of raw, unprocessed foods,” declares Kristin Selby Gonzalez, Director of Autism Education for Enzymedica, herself the mother of a son with autism. “It’s unfortunate because these healthy foods naturally contain the enzymes and micronutrients needed to support a healthy intestine and aid digestion.”

Taking a daily enzyme supplement can create the foundation of a healthy digestive process,” says Ellen Cutler, D.C., whose Mill Valley, California practice caters to patients with allergies and digestive distress. “A product containing a full spectrum blend of all enzymes is considered an ideal digestive aid.”*

While typical parents may experience difficulty getting growing children to eat their fruits and veggies, consider the behavioral challenges present in some autism diagnoses. Families with autistic children often find mealtime a battleground.

The junk foods and processed snacks craved by many children on the spectrum contain common allergens which cause food sensitivities. These types of foods are hard to digest and are a frequent and familiar source of the constipation and diarrhea autistic children experience.

Science Investigates the Autism / Digestion Link

A 2009 study in Pediatics, described a gene called MET, involved in both brain development and the process of gastrointestinal system repair. The study indicated a genetic variation may contribute to increased risk for autism spectrum disorder that includes familial gastrointestinal dysfunction.

More than 58% of parents, aunts and uncles, 45% of grandparents, and 20% of siblings reported problems in the ERG survey. While still considered controversial, the new survey indicates the familial autism/digestion link may indeed be viable.

Diet and Enzymes Provide Hope

“Given the option, my son would survive on processed snacks and treats like cookies, crackers, chicken nuggets and French fries,” declares Gonzalez. “I’ve learned by keeping them out of his diet and adding enzymes Jaxson behaves better, his attention is more focused, and many of his digestive reactions evaporate.”*

To read the results of the entire survey, please visit www.Enzymedica.com. To learn more about Enzymedica’s commitment to the autism community, visit www.hopeineverybottle.com.

About the Survey:

Enzymedica sponsored the recent survey in association with The Enzyme Research Group. The survey evaluated 143 parents with children on the autism spectrum, surveying their experience with digestive health issues. The survey was conducted online and in anonymous interview and ran from May – June, 2010.

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Hypertension hazardous, but controllable

Hypertension is the most common chronic disease in the U.S. and is becoming a major health concern for Americans of all ages, says a University of Georgia specialist.

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is excessive force of the blood on the blood vessels as it circulates. It can cause problems such as heart attack, heart failure, vision loss, stroke and kidney disease, says Connie Crawley, a nutrition and health specialist with UGA Cooperative Extension.

Know your numbers.

A healthy blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure of 120 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure of 80 mm Hg. Hypertension is defined as a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or greater, said Crawley.

Although genetics and family history can influence hypertension, she said, unhealthy choices such as smoking, eating certain foods, inactivity and being overweight cause it, too.
Unless a person is experiencing extremely high blood pressure, there are typically no symptoms. The condition can often go untreated.

“It is important for people to keep track of their blood pressure and bring it to the attention of their healthcare provider if it is not in control,” she said. “Sometimes the health care professional is focusing on other health issues and may not notice an elevated blood pressure until the patient mentions it.”

Lose weight, reduce stress.

Lifestyle changes and medication are usually combined to treat the problem, she said.
Stress management is helpful in reducing hypertension. Beneficial practices include deep breathing, yoga, tai chi, meditation, exercise, prayer or reducing responsibilities, Crawley says.
When medication is prescribed, three to four medications may be needed to lower blood pressure to the desired range.

Weight loss can also prove beneficial to controlling hypertension.

“Losing weight helps the most if the person is overweight,” she said. “A person does not have to lose to an ideal body weight to see a positive result. Just a loss of 10 to 20 pounds is often enough to see an improvement.”

Becoming more physically active, quitting smoking, keeping alcohol intake at a moderate level and eating more healthy foods rather than salty restaurant and convenience foods can also help reduce hypertension.

Follow DASH diet.

Following the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, or DASH, diet has been proven to lower blood pressure up to 11 points, Crawley said.

“It is one of the few clinically proven meal plans to treat a disease,” she said.

The diet includes eating eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, at least three servings of whole grains and three servings of nonfat dairy foods each day. Only one to two ounces of meat are allowed per meal. The diet also requires eating several servings of cooked legumes, like beans and peas, and nuts several times a week.

By Allie Byrd
University of Georgia

Allie Byrd is a student writer with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

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