The ever increasing incidences of autism may be associated with the typical American diet. A new study by Renee Dufault explores how mineral deficiencies created by diet could have potential impact on how the body frees itself of toxic chemicals like pesticides and mercury.
This report is right on the heels of news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that estimates a 78% increase in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) between 2002 and 2008 amongst eight year olds. Statistics show one in eight children has ASD and it’s five times higher in boys than girls.
“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,” said Dr. David Wallinga, a physician at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP).
Lead author Dufault has developed an innovative scientific approach called “macroepigenetic” which describes the subtle side effects of the high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) consumption, as well as other dietary factors and their relationship with health disorders. Using a model, researchers took nutritional and environmental factors as well as genetics into account and observed how they interacted and contributed to potential health outcomes.
“Rather than being independent sources of risk, factors like nutrition and exposure to toxic chemicals are cumulative and synergistic in their potential to disrupt normal development. These epigenetic effects can also be transmitted across generations. As autism rates continue to climb it is imperative to incorporate this new epigenetic perspective into prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies,” stated Dufault.
Source: MedicalNewsToday, Clinical Epigenetics
