The Mystery of Autism: 4 Potential Causes that May Surprise You
In this article, you will find:
Candida yeast and metal toxicity
Candida YeastThe debate over the role of intestinal yeast overgrowth in chronic illness has been going on for decades. Antibiotics that are often given to children for common illnesses, such as ear infections, have also been shown to kill beneficial bacteria in the intestine, thus allowing intestinal yeast to grow.
Although no definitive laboratory research exists to show intestinal yeast overgrowth may be linked to autism, the Environmental Illness Resource (EIR) cites several independent studies and circumstantial evidence that show autism spectrum disorders have risen in parallel with the increase in the use of antibiotics. Most of the autistic individuals who were studied had increased levels of tartaric acid, a substance produced primarily by yeast.
Heavy Metal Toxicity
Autistic children have been shown to have elevated levels of heavy metals, particularly thimerosal, in their bodies. Thimerosal is an inorganic mercury compound that has been used as a preservative in vaccines since the 1930s. According to the National Autism Association, infants are now exposed to three times more mercury than in previous decades due to the use of thimerosal in childhood vaccines. As this exposure has risen, so has the prevalence of autism.
It is important to note that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that there is no proven link between autism and vaccines, and urges parents to vaccinate their children, because the benefits far outweigh the risks. Still, in 2001, the CDC along with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended that thimerosal be removed from all vaccines given to children.
However, the EIR states that an examination of California's health records showed autism cases continued to rise between 1995-2007, even after thimerosal was removed from vaccines.
Children can also be exposed to mercury in other ways. Contaminated food and water supplies, especially fish, have been shown to have high levels of mercury due to oceanic pollution.