A gluten-free diet was recently cited to be effective for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Now, a study by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) has shown that dietary factors could be driving ASDs in children.
The study especially disclosed high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) to be one of the culprits as it disturbed the body’s composition. Basically, this syrup tends to eliminate zinc from the body, which subsequently results in the collection of harmful metals. Toxic metals like arsenic, cadmium and mercury could have adverse effects on growing brains.
“To better address the explosion of autism, it’s critical we consider how unhealthy diets interfere with the body’s ability to eliminate toxic chemicals, and ultimately our risk for developing long-term health problems like autism.†cited Dr. David Wallinga, a study co-author and physician at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).
HFCS intake may also be linked to loss of calcium that intensifies the negative impact lead exposure can have on the brains of kids and fetuses. Insufficient calcium may increase the proportions of organophosphates in the body, which is regarded as highly hazardous to the developing brain.
As we mention in almost every article, autism is the effect of a range of factors related to diet, exposure to heavy metals or risk genes. The team asserted that taken alone these variables may mean nothing, but it’s the cumulative effect that comes into play.
The analysis follows a CDC report stating the increasing incidence of ASDs among kids as young as 8 years old. It is published in the recent issue of the journal, Clinical Epigenetics.