(516) 921-3456
77 Froehlich Farm Blvd Woodbury, NY 11797
Intestinal Dysbiosys Treatment
Research shows that more than 50% of children on the autistic spectrum have GI symptoms, food allergies, and maldigestion or malabsorption issues. It is obvious from talking to parents that GI problems are a major concern in children with autism. Antifungal use, both prescription and alternative remedies, is a common topic. Parents have tried anti-yeast diet and natural remedies, but they do not seem to solve the microbial problems these children have. Prescription drugs are more helpful. Many parents will pursue chelation for their children, but are unable to do so because of their inability to get the gut pathogens under control. Altered intestinal permeability, known as ‘leaky gut syndrome,’ is common in many autistic patients. Leaky gut means that there are larger than normal spaces present between the cells of the gut wall. When these large spaces exist in the small intestine, it allows undigested food and other toxins to enter the blood stream. When incompletely broken down foods enter the body, the immune system mounts an attack against these “foreign” substances which manifests as food allergies and sensitivities. The release of antibodies triggers inflammatory reactions when the foods are eaten again. The chronic inflammation lowers IgA levels. Sufficient levels of IgA are needed to protect the intestinal tract from certain bacteria and yeast. The decreasing IgA levels allow for even further microbe proliferation in the intestinal tract. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are also found due to the leaky gut problem.
One of the problems created by the vitamin deficiencies that occur within a leaky gut is vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 absorption is inhibited early in this process as microbes enter the small intestine because B12 is absorbed in the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine. Vitamin B12 is essential for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and the synthesis of proteins. Vitamin B12 is involved in the manufacture of the myelin sheath, the fatty layer that insulates the nerves in the brain. It is also essential for the formation of neurotransmitters and repair of damaged, flattened microvilli in the intestine. With sufficient B12 and folic acid in the bloodstream, the intestinal cells and microvilli can rejuvenate every 3 to 4 days. However, most children in the autistic spectrum have metabolic abnormalities in folate and B12 metabolism and cannot utilize these vitamins in the natural state. In the normal intestinal tract the small intestine and stomach are not inhabited by bacteria. When the bacterial balance in the colon is lost, the microbes can migrate into the small intestine and stomach, hampering digestion. They compete for nutrients and their waste products overrun the intestinal tract. Yeast has the ability to produce toxins that actually allow them to bore into the intestinal wall. They also produce toxins such as organic acids which can damage the intestinal wall. Bacterial growth in the small intestine destroys enzymes on the intestinal cell surface, which prevents carbohydrate digestion and absorption. The final stage of carbohydrate digestion takes place at the microvilli. Enzymes embedded in the microvilli break down complex carbohydrates so they can be absorbed properly and enter the blood stream. When the microvilli are damaged, the last stage of digestion cannot take place. At this point only monosaccharides, or simple carbohydrates can be absorbed because of their single molecule structure. The complex carbohydrates can cause overgrowth of bacteria and yeast.In the small intestine, the body should absorb the nutrients needed from what is eaten. In the case of malabsorption, the undigested carbohydrates left in the small intestine cause the body to draw water into the intestinal tract. This pushes undigested carbohydrates into the colon where the microbes can feed on them. This allows further proliferation of the unwanted microbes and continued increase in malabsorption problems.Autistic children have significantly lower intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzyme activity. This ongoing problem keeps the digestive system constantly weakened, leading to systemic disorders.
One of the problems created by the vitamin deficiencies that occur within a leaky gut is vitamin B12 deficiency. B12 absorption is inhibited early in this process as microbes enter the small intestine because B12 is absorbed in the ileum, the last segment of the small intestine. Vitamin B12 is essential for the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates and the synthesis of proteins. Vitamin B12 is involved in the manufacture of the myelin sheath, the fatty layer that insulates the nerves in the brain. It is also essential for the formation of neurotransmitters and repair of damaged, flattened microvilli in the intestine. With sufficient B12 and folic acid in the bloodstream, the intestinal cells and microvilli can rejuvenate every 3 to 4 days. However, most children in the autistic spectrum have metabolic abnormalities in folate and B12 metabolism and cannot utilize these vitamins in the natural state. In the normal intestinal tract the small intestine and stomach are not inhabited by bacteria. When the bacterial balance in the colon is lost, the microbes can migrate into the small intestine and stomach, hampering digestion. They compete for nutrients and their waste products overrun the intestinal tract. Yeast has the ability to produce toxins that actually allow them to bore into the intestinal wall. They also produce toxins such as organic acids which can damage the intestinal wall. Bacterial growth in the small intestine destroys enzymes on the intestinal cell surface, which prevents carbohydrate digestion and absorption. The final stage of carbohydrate digestion takes place at the microvilli. Enzymes embedded in the microvilli break down complex carbohydrates so they can be absorbed properly and enter the blood stream. When the microvilli are damaged, the last stage of digestion cannot take place. At this point only monosaccharides, or simple carbohydrates can be absorbed because of their single molecule structure. The complex carbohydrates can cause overgrowth of bacteria and yeast.In the small intestine, the body should absorb the nutrients needed from what is eaten. In the case of malabsorption, the undigested carbohydrates left in the small intestine cause the body to draw water into the intestinal tract. This pushes undigested carbohydrates into the colon where the microbes can feed on them. This allows further proliferation of the unwanted microbes and continued increase in malabsorption problems.Autistic children have significantly lower intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzyme activity. This ongoing problem keeps the digestive system constantly weakened, leading to systemic disorders.