Autism
Compounded Medications and Nutritional Supplements

Autism is a developmental disorder of the brain that appears in early childhood. The condition causes impairment of social interaction and communication, as well as unusual behavior. It is becoming more apparent that the cause of autism is biomedical. Therefore, it is critical to identify and treat underlying health issues.

Many parents have found that their children have made significant behavioral and cognitive gains when put on nutritional interventions. Researchers are finding that children with autism do not digest their food properly, setting into motion an unfortunate chain of events. Incompletely digested food in the intestinal tract becomes a breeding ground for yeast, bacteria and other pathogenic organisms, stressing the immune system and contributing to leaky gut syndrome. Large molecules of this incompletely digested food pass directly into the blood stream, triggering allergies. Other improperly digested food molecules mimic opiates that pass directly into the brain, overloading the brain with opiates and causing further damage.

Most children with autism benefit from the gluten and casein free diet. Children on the gluten and casein free diet avoid foods, drinks and medications containing the gluten and casein proteins commonly found in wheat and milk. Children with autism mal-digest gluten and casein proteins which form opiate-like molecules that flood the brain with opiates, interfering with the proper function and development of the brain.

Children with autism do not create enough natural detoxifiers to remove heavy metals and other toxins from their bodies. Toxic substances tend to build up in them. The processes of methylation and sulfation are two of the healthy body's natural means of ridding itself of toxic substances. These individuals often need supplements to provide them with the raw materials their bodies need to carry out methylation and sulfation.

Autism is a multi-spectrum disorder with wide ranging symptoms that appear in varying degrees that are unique to each patient. Mega-vitamin therapy was one of the most significant, early breakthroughs in the treatment of individuals with autism. Researchers have been able to confirm through clinical tests that many children with autism suffer from severe vitamin deficiencies and that nutritional supplements could improve or even eliminate symptoms in many cases. Healthway carries Kirkman products because they offer a full line of the nutritional supplements that have been found to be beneficial to patients with autism.

The following supplements, available at Healthway Compounding Pharmacy:

B Vitamins
The use of B vitamins that are bioactive (in a form the body can most readily use) are recommended because these children do not easily absorb adequate amounts of B vitamins. The bioactive form of vitamin B6, P5P, is specifically recommended.

Magnesium and Vitamin B6
Some researchers have added magnesium to vitamin B6, reporting both nutrients may have better effects than taking B6 alone. Super Nu-Thera (R), a vitamin formulation especially high in B6 and magnesium and formulated by Kirkman Laboratories, is available at Healthway Compounding Pharmacy. According to Kirkman Laboratories, more than 50,000 individuals with autism have used Super Nu-Thera (R). Those who have taken Super Nu-Thera (R) report a wide range of benefits that include better eye contact, less self-stimulatory behavior, more interest in the surrounding world, fewer tantrums, more speech and more normality in general.

B12 and folic acid are also critical vitamins used by the body to detoxify itself on a regular basis. TMG (trimethylglycine) and Betaine, both powerful methylators, are recommended to assist in the methylation process.

A Word About Diet
Children with autism may be selective eaters, which may put them at risk for some vitamin deficiencies. If a diet is high in processed foods, the child may be deficient in vitamins C, E, and B-6 and minerals such as magnesium, molybdenum, chromium, and selenium.

Healthway Compounding Pharmacy is proud to carry Kirkman Laboratories products. Kirkman Laboratories is working with the leading doctors and research scientists to offer scientific nutrition products that are beneficial for patients with autism and PDD. Kirkman is the only manufacturing company completely devoted to developing therapeutic dietary supplements for the individual with autism.

Compounded Medications
Healthway can also custom-make supplements and prescription medications to fit your child's needs and patients with autism. We can formulate medications that are: