Autism - Dr Amy Yasko - Recovering Autistic children and adults

247 Pages·2012·4.26 MB·English

Autism:

Pathways to Recovery
NRI
Dr. Amy Yasko
Neurological Research Institute
Autism:

Pathways to Recovery
Dr. Amy Yasko
Ph.D., CTN, NHD, AMD, HHP, FAAIM
Copyright © 2004, 2007, 2009 Neurological Research Institute, LLC
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1st Edition
ISBN: 978-1-4243-4320-1
Neurological Research Institute
Bethel, Maine
It is important for me to thank and appreciate those who make a positive
difference in my life. To me, this is part of paying it forward, and in that light
I would like to thank those whose love, help and support have given me the
strength to put together a program to help all of you.
To Missie, Jessie, and Cassie. The joy, love and support I receive from my own
children inspires me and gives me the strength to help others.
A special word of thanks is owed to Edward Yasko. He is my partner in life in
every sense of the word, and my work in this field would not be possible
without his love and support.
Thank you to all the parents who share their stories of progress, hope, and yes,
setbacks with the online discussion group. The concept of paying it forward has
helped to make the group a haven for knowledge, support and hope.
Thank you to all of our cyber moms, especially Erin for helping to make the
discussion group a resource for emotional support and information.
Thank you to Cindy, Erin, Melissa, Marcy, LJ, and Peg for compiling the
workbook to compliment this text; your contributions have helped to make this
program easier to follow.
Thank you to the entire office staff, Christine, Danielle, Kelly, Peter, Scott,
Frances, JJ, Debbie, Mark and Nancy for showing compassion and caring
beyond the call of duty.
Thank you to Missie and Sergio for amazing graphics to help make this book
easier to understand.
Thank you to Alison Rose Levy for her professional expertise in helping to
write this book so that it can reach a larger audience.

In loving memory of my parents.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Foundations of a New Approach
Chapter 1. Discovering the Pathways .......................... 1
THE AUTISM EPIDEMIC .............................................................. 1
A Paradigm Shift ........................................................................... 2
Living with Autism ....................................................................... 2
Recovery Is Possible ....................................................................... 2
How I Evolved My Approach ...................................................... 4
Working With a Practitioner ........................................................ 6
Using This Book as a Guide .......................................................... 6
The Core Science ........................................................................... 7
Following the Program ................................................................. 8
The Complexity of Modern Life .................................................. 8
The Complexity of Modern Ailments .......................................... 9
The Myth of the Magic Bullet ...................................................... 10
Beyond the Single Cause and Cure .............................................. 11
Where to Begin? ............................................................................ 12
THE PUZZLE OF AUTISM ........................................................... 12
Multifactorial Effects .................................................................... 13
Individualized Treatment ............................................................. 14
Understanding the Pieces of the Puzzle ...................................... 14
A BRIEF REVIEW ............................................................................ 16
BOOK OVERVIEW .......................................................................... 17
MY PROMISE TO YOU ................................................................... 18
Chapter 2. Nutrigenomics and the Methylation Cycle.19
THE DAWNING OF THE AGE OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE . 19
NEUROLOGICAL INFLAMMATION ......................................... 21
THE NEW SCIENCE OF NUTRIGENOMICS ........................... 23
Genetic Testing .............................................................................. 2 4
Why Do We Need Methylation? ................................................. 25
Which Genes Should We Test? ................................................... 26
AUTISM: A MULTIFACTORIAL CONDITION ........................ 26
METHYLATION IS THE MESSAGE ........................................... 28
Repairing and Building DNA ...................................................... 29
Immune Function .......................................................................... 30
Digestive Issues .............................................................................. 31
DNA Silencing .............................................................................. 32
Neurotransmitter Balance ............................................................. 32
Metal Detoxification ..................................................................... 34
Inflammation ................................................................................. 38
Membrane Fluidity ........................................................................ 41
Energy Production ......................................................................... 41
Protein Activity .............................................................................. 42
Myelination .................................................................................... 42
THE ROLE OF METHYLATION IN HEALTH CONDITIONS 43
Cancer ............................................................................................. 43
Pregnancy Risks ............................................................................. 43
Autism: Pathways to Recovery II
AGING ................................................................................................ 44
Infections, Bacteria, and Viruses .................................................. 44
METHYLATION: NATURE VS. NURTURE ............................... 44
MEET THE SNPS ............................................................................. 46
Why Gene Testing? ...................................................................... 47
The Alphabet of Genes ................................................................. 48
SNPs and the Methylation Pathway ............................................ 49
Basic SNPs ..................................................................................... 50
Chapter 3. Promoting Detoxification Safely ......... 55
GENETIC FACTORS ....................................................................... 55
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ..................................................... 56
The Invisible Burden ..................................................................... 56
Key Environmental Toxins ........................................................... 57
Toxic Metals and Neurological Inflammation ............................ 59
INFECTIOUS AGENTS .................................................................. 60
Strep and Gut Bacteria .................................................................. 62
Vaccination-Induced Viral Load .................................................. 62
Herpes Viruses ............................................................................... 63
Other Chronic Viral Infections .................................................... 63
Microbes and Metals ..................................................................... 64
TRACKING DETOXIFICATION .................................................. 69
Patterns of Metal Elimination ...................................................... 70
Using Creatinine to Monitor Progress ......................................... 71
CONCLUSION .................................................................................. 71
II. Implementing the New Approach .............................. 73
Chapter 4. Step One, Part One—
Building a Foundation for Health Balance ............. 75
BASELINE TESTS ............................................................................ 76
A THREE-STEP PROGRAM .......................................................... 76
Step One Overview ........................................................................ 76
Step Two Overview ....................................................................... 77
Step Three Overview ..................................................................... 78
STEP ONE: PREPARING FOR THE PROGRAM ...................... 78
Basic Supplement Support ............................................................ 79
Why We Use So Many Supplements ........................................... 81
Diet and Food Reactions ............................................................... 82
CONTROLLING EXCITOTOXINS .............................................. 85
Neurotransmitters: Balancing GABA & Glutamate .................. 85
How Glutamate Harms Nerve Cells ............................................ 88
TOXIC FOOD INGREDIENTS ...................................................... 97
Foods to Avoid ............................................................................... 99
CONCLUSION ................................................................................ 102
Chapter 5. Promoting Healthy Digestion .............. 103
THE LIVER ...................................................................................... 104
THE KIDNEYS ................................................................................ 105
Autism: Pathways to Recovery IV