CUSTOM PROBIOTICS Inc.

Intestinal Microflora, Probiotics and Autism

Phone: (800) 219-8405 Web: www.customprobiotics.com

AUTISM is a complex developmental disability that affects a persons ability to communicate and interact with others, with a wide range of behavioral, social, and language problems. It usually appears during the first three years of life. It is characterized by a collection of neurobehavioral, neurological, gastrointestinal and immunological dysfunctions that include a loss of eye contact, deficiencies in socialization and communication, abnormal theory of mind function, language dysfunction, restrictive, repetitive, and stereotypic behaviors, food allergies, constipation, yeast infections and other behavioral and medical conditions. Autism is called a spectrum disorder since it affects individuals differently and to varying degrees. It is estimated that one in every 150 American children has some degree of autism with males being affected three to four times more frequently than females. Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are complicated conditions that may require an integrative treatment protocol involving many factors including behavioral and social therapy, pharmacotherapy, environmental control, dietary supplements, nutritional, alternative and biomedical therapies. Many are sick with gastrointestinal, immunologic, and metabolic problems that significantly affect their behavior and their physical and emotional health. Treating the medical problems often leads to improvement in clinical signs and symptoms and, in some cases, to recovery.

flora and food allergy improvement, amelioration of skin conditions, more relaxed and less agitated conditions, better concentration, behavior, language, eye contact and speech. Daily probiotics usage is recommended and dosage varies from person to person. Dosage depends on the age of the child, extent of intestinal flora imbalances due to candida or other pathogenic bacteria and the response of each child to it.

CAUSES OF AUTISM
There has been an exponential increase in the number of new diagnoses of autism. And there is continuing debate and controversy as to what the diagnosis autism actually constitutes. There is even more debate and controversy as to its causes, and potential for treatment /amelioration. The fundamental cause of Autism, based in our experience, is severe intestinal flora imbalances resulting into immune imbalances mainly due to gastrointestinal infections, antibiotics and vaccinations that in turn affect the brain. We have daily phone and e-mail contacts with parents of ASD children where parents detail causes and symptoms of Autism and treatments they undertake for their children. Our evaluation of causes of Autism is as follows. Autism usually appears during the first three years of life. The reason is, and it is well documented, that between the ages of 0-3, the intestinal microflora of a child is not well established yet. The same can be said about the brain and nervous system. They are in a stage of formation and are fragile. During this time, if a lot of antibiotics and/or vaccinations are given, and if the immune system of a child is somewhat low, the intestinal microflora being fragile is affected negatively. As a result a toxic condition is produced in the gut that will affect the brain and the nervous system to various extents. The more toxicity in the gut the more the effect on the brain. As a result, the majority of children with Autism reveal abnormal gastrointestinal symptoms including food allergies, yeast infections, constipation. Factors affecting Gut/Brain/Immune dysfunction and Autism is indicated in Fig. 1. These factors result into at least two types of ASD with regard to disease development: abnormal cognitive development evident from birth (classical autism); and in the majority cases developmental regression, usually between 18-36 months of age, following apparent normal development (regressive autism).

D-LACTATE FREE PROBIOTIC FORMULATION

Custom Probiotics, Inc. has formulated a D-Lactate Free Probiotic powder formulation that has been used most specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). D-Lactate is a by-product of probiotic fermentation that may produce neurological problems. Our D-Lactate Free Probiotic powder formulation is very high in potency at 250 billion cfus per gram. It contains L. Salivarius, L. Rhamnosus, B. Bifidum and B. Infantis. It is dairy free, hypoallergenic and does not contain any artificial colors, flavors, sugar, casein, gluten, soy or FOS. A few thousand children with ASD have used our D-Lactate Free formulation successfully worldwide. We have seen from moderate to dramatic improvements in their conditions ranging from formed stools, reduction of diarrhea or constipation, yeast or Candida control, intestinal

Gut/Brain/Immune Dysfunction and Autism

Maternal Health Cesarean Section Delivery Premature birth Formula Feeding Antibiotics Infections and toxicity Vaccinations/immunizations Nutritional insufficiencies Stress Heavy metals such as mercury Environmental factors Dysbiosis i.e. intestinal microflora imbalances Increased gut permeability Reduced digestion / absorption of nutrients
HPA & HPG Dysfunction Behavioral disorders ADHD Autism Aspergers Syndrome Insomnia Immune Dysfunction
Th1 - increased infection (virus, bacteria, fungus) Th2 - increased allergies, atopy, hypersensitivity Th3 - decreased oral tolerance

GUT-BRAIN-IMMUNE AXIS
The gastrointestinal tract is a complex ecosystem in which there is a delicate balance between the intestinal microflora and the host. A healthy gastrointestinal tract should contain a high percentage of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria beneficial bacteria to prevent the over colonization of disease causing pathogenic micro-organisms such as E. Coli, Clostridia, Salmonella and Candida. Bidirectional interactions between the brain and intestinal microflora might have an important role in modulating gut and brain function and may be involved in the modulation of emotions, pain perception, mucosal immune activity and general well-being. The reduction of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria and overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria will be stressful to this brain/gut interactions especially for infants aged 0-3 producing neurological and immune imbalances and affecting their development. The neurological and immune systems are inextricably intertwined beginning in the embryonic stage of life. Disruption of the bidirectional interactions between the intestinal microflora and the nervous system may be involved in the pathophysiology of acute and chronic gastrointestinal and neurological disease states. Fig. 2 is a representation of such interaction.
EMS Visceral stimuli perception Emotion Modulation of nervous system function by enteric microbiota

Figure 1

Gastrointestinal Disorders Colic Constipation Diarrhea Bloating Food Allergies

It is very important to understand the direct relationship between the gut and brain, especially during the first three years of life, when both are in a stage of formation. The above factors make the immune system of each child different and unique. Therefore physicians, especially pediatricians, should not treat all children alike, but on a case by case basis after careful evaluation with the parents. A detailed history should be taken that can determine, at least qualitatively, the immune system of each child. Hence the standard vaccination schedule can not be applicable, if the above factors are not evaluated and taken into consideration properly.

Direct and indirect modulation of enteric microbiota by the CNS

ANS

HPA axis

GI motility, secretion, permeability

Mucosal immune function

Viscerosensory mechanism

Enteric microbiota

Abbreviations: ANS, autonomic nervous system; CNS, central nervous system; EMS, emotional motor system; GI, gastrointestinal; HPA, hypothalamuspituitaryadrenal.
Fig. 2 Source: Rhee, S. H. et al. Nat. Rev. Gastroenterol. Hepatol. 6, 306314 (2009)

PROBIOTICS and AUTISM

Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host. They possess the ability to transiently colonize the GI tract, increase the concentration of beneficial microbes, and thereby create a balance in the gut microbiota to the ultimate benefit of the host, in a natural and safe way. Potential or known mechanisms whereby probiotic bacteria might impact on the microbiota include (1) competition for dietary ingredients as growth substrates, (2) bioconversion of, for example, sugars into fermentation products with inhibitory properties, (3) production of growth substrates, (4) direct effect on pathogens, (5) competitive exclusion for binding sites, (6) improved barrier function, (7) reduction of inflammation, thus altering intestinal properties for colonization and persistence within, and (8) stimulation of innate immune response. Probiotics can therefore be used to prevent or reduce the risk of ASD for infants aged 0-3. This can be done by protecting their digestive and immune systems by using probiotics at appropriate dosages prior, during and after any intervention, such as antibiotics or vaccinations, that affect negatively the intestinal microflora and immune system of the mother and infant, as indicated in Fig. 1. Choosing the correct probiotic formulation and dosages are considerations that also must be understood and followed by pediatricians and parents alike. To conclude, it is important to understand the causes of Autism and take steps to prevent or reduce the risk from its happening. While probiotics will not cure Autism after the fact, modifications of gut function using proper probiotic dosages can improve symptoms to various extents, depending how severe the brain is affected. Our D-Lactate Free probiotic formulation has been very successful in this respect. It has been used by Health Care Professionals and parents of children with ASD around the world for the past 8 years. Our clients have also seen improvements using various biomedical treatments such as gluten, casein and sugar free diet, chelation, antifungals, DAN protocol, methyl B-12 shots, speech therapy and social groups and Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

2947 Honolulu Ave., Unit B Glendale, California 91214 USA Phone: (818) 248-3529 Toll Free: (800) 219-8405 Fax: (818) 248-6343 E-mail: info@customprobiotics.com Web: www.customprobiotics.com

CUSTOM PROBIOTICS, Inc.