Nutrient Therapy Leads To Improvement In Autism
by Bernard Rimland, Ph.D.

Nutritional therapy individually tailored to an autistic child's needs can result in significant improvements in behavior and health, according to a recent open clinical trial by H. Ron Isaacson et al.

Isaacson and colleagues evaluated 41 consecutive autistic or autistic-like patients between the ages of 3 and 27 who underwent nutrient therapy at the Pfeiffer Treatment Center in Illinois. The treatment, the researchers note, "is based upon an in-depth interview, physical exam, and approximately 80 laboratory analyses." These analyses revealed a high incidence of copper/zinc imbalances, pyroluria (a condition that can result in the depletion of vitamin B6 and zinc), lead and cadmium toxicity, malabsorption problems, and abnormal histamine levels.

Subjects underwent four or more months of therapy (generally receiving five to ten nutrients, including B6, magnesium, and dimethyglycine). Isaacson et al., report that following therapy, "Nine (22%) showed major improvement (and) 30 (73%) showed significant improvement while two (5%) showed little or no improvement." The greatest improvements were seen in health, thought processing, sleeping patterns, speech, tantrum reduction, socialization, and reduced repetitive behavior, while little change was seen in compulsive behaviors.

The researchers conclude that "nutrient therapy, as applied on an individual basis, is quite effective in ameliorating the symptoms of autism and related disorders." they also note that the high levels of pyroluria seen in study subjects may explain why vitamin B6 benefits about half of autistic individuals.

Noting the biochemical patterns varied widely among study subjects, the researchers say their results "demonstrate that autistic patients must be treated as individuals."