Latest Biomed Research Highlighted in DAN Update
In early December, Dr. Anju Usman was the featured speaker at the latest ACE meeting held at Claymore Securities in Lisle. Dr. Usman discussed research presented during the DAN conference held in San Diego, CA in October of 2008 and highlighted developments of interest to families living with autism.
 The first study discussed was the work of Dr. Andrew Wakefield, of Thoughtful House in Houston, TX and Dr. Laura Hewitson, a University of Pittsburgh Medical School professor and autism researcher with the Magee-Women's Research Institute. The team looked at the effect of the current human vaccine schedule on monkeys. The team adjusted the dosages for age and weight of the primates and monitored the monkeys' health and development until they were two years old.
The results, say Dr. Usman, show the team had created a group of "very sick monkeys. It’s the same type of thing we see in children with autism, brain inflammation and gut inflammation." The research team also noted behavioral and social differences consistent with the human definition of autism symptoms. Dr. Usman also remarked on the professionalism of the research and its use of top-notch professionals from well-known research institutions. The study has not yet been widely published in medical journals, but you can learn more at the following websites.
 Dr. Usman also discussed Dr. John Cannell’s presentation of research into vitamin D supplementation. Dr. Cannell is a psychiatrist and
Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council. Dr. Cannell believes vitamin D deficiency affects many sectors of the population, causing
immune issues, sulfation issues and other symptoms consistent with autism. Dr. Usman says research into vitamin D deficiencies
indicate, "The incidence of having a child with autism is much higher if you are a mother with a low vitamin D level." The research group
looked at a group of mothers in Minnesota who are originally from Somalia and found the group had a higher than normal number of children
on the autism spectrum. The theory behind the finding is that because the mothers come from a climate where their vitamin D exposure from
the sun is much higher in a warm climate, contrasted with their new, colder, less-sunny climate their vitamin D levels plummeted, causing
the higher incidence of children born with developmental delays.
The new vitamin D3 recommendation, according to Dr. Usman, is likely to be increased from 400 IU’s a day for a healthy adult to 5000 IU’s
a day. Dr. Usman’s recommendation for children with autism spectrum disorders is to have the vitamin D 25 OH level checked. The goal level
is between 70-80 ng/ml. If levels are low, parents should give 1,000 IU’s for every 10 point rise needed to achieve optimum levels. The safe
dosing for children in limited sunlight exposure (Chicagoans) without blood testing would be 1,000-2,000 IU’s a day, depending on body weight.
Dr. Usman said, "Vitamin D aids the body in areas of glutathione production, sulfation, calcium regulation particularly important in
excitation and hyperactivity. We have a vitamin D protocol that we do at the clinic for our kids who suffer from hyperactivity and have OCD
issues." One thing to note, according to Dr. Usman is that often vitamin D2 is added to rice milk. Vitamin D2 blocks absorption of vitamin
D3, which is the form needed in the body. For more information on Dr. Cannell’s research you can check the following website or visit the
website of the Vitamin D Council.
Research into issues concerning the gastrointestinal systems of children with autism is also of great interest to parents attending the
Defeat Autism Now conference and this year was no exception. Dr. Usman explained the importance of gut issues saying, "We’ve been wondering in some kids
why does the yeast or virus keep coming back? Or in some cases, why can’t we ever get rid of it? How can we clean this up?" She presented
biofilm as one possible reason for persistent gut problems. Biofilm is a slimy substance which adheres to areas of the body such as the mouth, teeth, pancreas, lungs, and intestinal tract. It provides a tough shield for microbial infections in the human body and is very often drug-resistant. Dr. Usman explained that many avenues are being explored as ways to break down the biofilm which guards infections in the body including prebiotics and probiotics, EDTA, iron chelating compounds and mucous-degrading enzymes. After explaining some of the leading research on breaking down biofilm, Dr. Usman presented the results from a small trial done with True Health patients recently. Twenty patients utilized the biofilm elimination protocol for an average of just over 4 months. During this period, patients utilized enzymes, EDTA, and other supplements to break down the biofilm, and then clean up and normalize the gut. Sixteen out of the 20 patients who filled out a questionnaire following the use of the protocol reported positive changes as a result of the effort. Four of the 20 questioned reported little or no change. Positive benefits included
more social language, weight gain, improved cognitive function, and fewer tantrums. Negative side effects included those consistent with
die-off. One strep infection developed during the protocol. Other negative side effects included increased stimming and OCD behaviors as
well as poor attention. Dr. Usman continues to work with patients on refining and utilizing the biofilm breakdown protocol to benefit their
children. For more information about biofilm and treatments…
Nature. 2002 May 30;417(6888):552-5.
Singh PK, Parsek MR, Greenberg EP, Welsh MJ.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1393226
Dr. Usman closed her talk with encouragement to parents who are seeking biomedical remedies for their children’s symptoms. She offered a
quote from Sir Winston Churchill who said, "Never, never, never give up."
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