De-coding autism Q: My grandson was recently diagnosed with autism. The doctor didn't offer any actual treatments, just behavioral modifications my daughter and son-in-law should try to incorporate into their daily routines. Isn't there anything that could help improve his condition? Dr. Wright: More evidence is pointing to the link between autism and heavy metal toxicity -- particularly mercury. And this isn't "just" statistical research, either. Researchers took urine samples from hundreds of children and discovered that the ones with autism had much higher levels of a family of proteins called porphyrins. Porphyrin metabolites bind to receptors in the brain and have been linked with both epilepsy and autism. Heavy metals, including mercury, cause the production of abnormally high levels of porphyrins. So your daughter and son-in-law may want to contact a physician skilled and knowledgeable in natural medicine to have the child tested for heavy metal toxicity. A blood test or a hair analysis won't be sufficient, so make sure the doctor does a chelation test. If your grandson does test positive for heavy metal toxicity, chelation therapy could be a worthwhile solution. While it hasn't been tested or proven in a controlled study at this point, I do know of a few individuals who have tried it and have had good results. To find a doctor in your area who can help with testing and any subsequent treatment, contact the American College for Advancement in Medicine at (800)532-3688 or visit www.acam.org. Source:
"Porphyrinuria in childhood autistic disorder: implications for environmental toxicity," Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2006; 214(2): 99-108 | 
