Tag Archive for: autism

Folinic Acid and Autism

/in /by

The other news related to autism was talk about the potential benefits of a pharmacological form of folate called folinic acid, an active form of vitamin B9; it’s being described as a cure for autism. In fact, the new CDC administration is fast-tracking a change in label use for the drug so it can be prescribed more often. Here’s why I think that would be a mistake.

While doing background research on an updated webinar on pregnancy, I found a paper that discussed the potential impact of mutations of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene of the mother on the development of the baby. If the mother had both mutated genes, her body wouldn’t process folate very well, resulting in the over production of homocysteine as well as other issues. That could be related to the development of neurological disorders in their babies, including autism spectral disorders and ADHD.

Folinic acid is a pharmacological form of folate that has been prescribed for use with chemotherapy patients. Some forms of chemo block the MTHFR gene, and folinic acid helps ameliorate the problems related to the chemotherapy. It seemed obvious to me that it could potentially help pregnant women with the mutated MTHFR genes and thus maybe prevent the neurological disorders in the baby. That’s where it ended because there’s not enough research to suggest it will work. The research has to happen now. Simply changing the uses for the drug based on small studies and testimonials isn’t good enough without research to support it.

As far as a treatment for autism, the same holds true. We don’t know whether the impact is dependent on, or independent of, the MTHFR mutation. Perhaps in people without the gene mutation it wouldn’t be effective, or worse, detrimental in some way that is not apparent right now.

I hope reason rules the day, as exciting as the potential seem to be, but treatments should not be based on a few case studies or worse, solely on potential. We need at least some conventional proof.

Next week, I’ll turn to a couple of cooking topics to lighten things up a little.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Acetaminophen and Pregnancy

/in /by

There have been statements circulating in the health news related to autism in the past couple of weeks, and I want to provide some perspective on both. Today it’s about a link between autism and acetaminophen, the generic name for Tylenol, also known in other countries as paracetamol. Acetaminophen is also an ingredient in OTC meds such as Nyquil, Alka-Seltzer Plus, Theraflu, Goody’s Powder, Pamprin, and so on.

The controversy surrounds a recently published study that concluded pregnant women should use acetaminophen with caution under the supervision of a physician for short periods of time—which is exactly what the major medical associations already recommend.

The researchers used a statistical technique called navigation guide analysis. Essentially, it’s a meta-analysis typically used to assess environmental toxins; whether it should be used in a pharmacological analysis is not clear. In addition, there’s always the risk of bias when selecting studies for inclusion in any meta-analysis, and this is no different.

It’s especially difficult to ignore bias when three of the four researchers have provided expert evidence for plaintiffs in prior lawsuits against acetaminophen manufacturers. Even if that were not a concern, the methodology for assessing acetaminophen use depended on recall questionnaires from the mothers-to-be or their healthcare providers—not medical records. We know how well that works in Food Frequency Questionnaires, so let’s go: Did you take any pain meds in the last year? Which ones? Don’t remember? I’m not surprised—neither would I expect a woman who’s busy growing another person to remember every OTC med she took.

One more thing? Acetaminophen has been recommended for pain since the 1950s. If it were directly linked to the risk of autism or other neurological issues, it would have become apparent before this, some 75 years later. It doesn’t mean research shouldn’t continue, but for now, acetaminophen appears to be safe when taken as recommended for short periods of time under the direction of a physician. Pregnancy comes with a host of worries—which diapers, which car seat, which baby vitamins—but I’d take acetaminophen off that list.

On Saturday: is there a new treatment for autism?

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: Environmental Health (2025) 24:56

Let’s Improve Kids’ Health

/in /by

I’m kicking off the New Year with a webinar about children, Kids’ Top Health Issues. Specifically, I’ll cover the top three questions that I get all the time about kids: digestive issues, especially constipation; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; and autism. If you have children who face these issues or even if, like a teacher or grandparent, you just want to better understand these conditions, sign up for this webinar today; space will be limited for the live event.

The webinar will cover the following:

            Defining each condition and giving some background information

            Examining the latest research on the potential causes

            Exploring the best dietary approach for each condition

            Reviewing some natural approaches that may help

The webinar will be presented so that people with no scientific background can understand each condition and what may help from a nutritional and exercise perspective. Whether you have a child with these conditions or not, you’ll learn something that will be helpful.

The Kids’ Top Health Issues webinar will be held on Sunday, January 26 at 4 p.m. Eastern Time. Admission is $14.95; if you can’t attend the live presentation, the replay of the webinar will be available. It is certainly appropriate for kids to watch if they want, and I will leave time to answer questions at the end of the live presentation.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Should I Use Folate or Folic Acid?

/in /by

In the past few years, there has been a trend toward using folate, the natural form of vitamin B9, versus using folic acid, the synthetic form. Many times I’ve answered the question “Which form is better? I’ve heard…” I said on Tuesday that the study on folic acid, blood lead levels, and autism had a lesson. That lesson is this:

Folic acid from enriched foods or supplements is equivalent to folate from foods or supplements.

The body efficiently converts folic acid to folate, and from that point, there’s no difference in the benefits to the mothers or their babies. Even in women who have the MTHFR mutations, folic acid is still beneficial.

This won’t close the door on people who insist that folate is the better choice, but we know their assertions aren’t based on research. Every study on the impact of folate/folic acid on pregnant women and their offspring used folic acid. That’s the form that was put into grain-based foods beginning in 1998 with the objective of reducing birth defects; the reduction in birth defects has been estimated at 70%. Further research has demonstrated benefits to the children of mothers who supplemented with folic acid, such as reductions in allergies, asthma, and ADHD.

The Bottom Line

The results from the study on the benefits to the offspring of women who may have been unintentionally exposed to lead is that folic acid intake is directly related to prevention of harms to their babies. It also illustrated that megadosing is not required. The lesson is that folic acid, whether added to grain products or in supplements, is an effective form of B9 to accomplish that goal.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14479

Folic Acid, Lead, and Autism

/in /by

Every once in a while, a research study provides an important lesson as well as some interesting findings. Let’s begin with the study.

During 2008 through 2011, researchers selected almost 1,900 pregnant women as subjects from 10 cities across Canada for the study. The overall goal was to identify environmental impacts on the mothers and children; this is an ongoing study. In this case, researchers looked at children who were diagnosed with autism, based on standard diagnostic criteria. Understand that autism is on a spectrum, and they used behaviors associated with autism when the children were three or four years old. They also tested maternal lead levels, folate levels, and folic acid intake in early pregnancy.

Researchers found there was an inverse relationship between blood lead levels and folic acid intake—as folic acid intake increased, the blood levels of lead decreased. The autism scores were also lower in the children of mothers who had sufficient folic acid intake, verified by their blood folate levels; 400 mcg intake was sufficient, and taking more folic acid didn’t provide additional benefit.

What does it mean? No one has to megadose folic acid to benefit their unborn children in response to environmental toxins. And even if pregnancy isn’t part of your future, the folic acid had a protective effect; if you suspect you have lead pipes, additional folic acid is a good idea.

What was the lesson? I’ll let you know on Saturday.

What are you prepared to do today?

        Dr. Chet

Reference: https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14479

Are Prenatal Vaccinations Safe?

/in /by

Vaccinations for infants and children always inspire debate. Sometimes, fierce debate. Today I’m going to look at a study that examined whether it’s safe for pregnant women to get the tetanus, diphtheria, and acellular pertussis (Tdap) vaccination or if it increases the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in their babies.

Researchers examined the records of over 81,000 mothers and offspring who were continuously in the care of the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Hospitals. They determined which pregnant women were vaccinated with Tdap. Those women and their children along with the women who were not vaccinated with Tdap and their children were monitored for four to seven years.

The rate of ASD diagnosis was 1.4% of the total subjects. The rate for the children was 3.78 out 1,000 per year for those who were exposed to the vaccination and 4.05 per 1,000 per year for those who were not. In other words, there was no impact on the children of the Tdap vaccination during pregnancy. The researchers concluded that the use of Tdap vaccinations was supported during pregnancy.

But my focus isn’t really on the use of vaccinations; you can look at the data and decide for yourself. It’s on the controversy around vaccinations.

Debate is good, especially as it relates to health, and nothing inspires more debate than vaccinations. But are all debates a real discussion of the issues or are they an attempt to create discord? A recent study may give us some insight. More on that Thursday.

What are you prepared to do today?

Dr. Chet

 

Reference: PEDIATRICS 14(3) September 2018:e20180120

 

Extracts vs. Foods: Broccoli and Autism

/in /by

There have been a few studies published lately that examine foods and extracts from foods used for specific health conditions. I’m going to review three such studies this week and wrap things up by considering the question of what works best, extracts or foods, or whether there’s another possibility. Let’s start with an extract from broccoli called sulforaphanes and it’s affect on autism spectral disorder (ASD).

Sulforaphane, a phytonutrient found in broccoli sprouts, seems to stress the body in positive ways that help us deal with insults caused by toxins and other substances. These effects also . . .

We're sorry, but this content is available to Members and Insiders only.

If you're already a DrChet.com Member or Insider, click on the Membership Login link on the top menu. Members may upgrade to Insider by going to the Store and clicking Membership; your membership fee will be prorated automatically.