Is Autism Genetic? It’s NOT a Fight, It’s Our Future

Author: Tara MClintick

Is autism a genetic condition?

The scientific evidence definitely shows genetics are involved. The fact that males are diagnosed at a ratio of 4:1 to females points to a genetic piece. Identical twins having a higher concordance than fraternal twins also shows genetic significance.

Genetics are not the end of the story, however.

The more important question in regard to the genetic piece of the autism puzzle is “Now what?”

I have no problem with science trying to understand and explain the possibilities of genetics’ role in regard to the current increase in autism we are having. As long it’s not being used as an excuse to dismiss society’s responsibility in the matter. Please, do not dismiss autism as if there is nothing that can be done due to the genetic piece of the puzzle.

We ALL have genes. Obesity, freckles, near-sightedness, hair color, diabetes, – genes play a role in just about everything. That does not, however, mean that there is nothing that can be done about the number of children who are struggling to master even the most basic daily functions.

My son is 13, and he has to work extremely hard to express himself, understand others, and keep his body/emotions from spinning out of control. Things like eating with utensils, washing his own hair, and writing his name are challenges equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest for him. I don’t think he understands why either, and I believe he wishes things were easier.

Still doubting there is an actual increase? The latest study out of California represents what is going on in at least one state. Over the past two decades, autism has increased twelve-fold, which is over 1200 percent. In contrast, the general population of California only increased by 27 percent. These statistics only included individuals diagnosed with classic autism and did not even count those with Asperger’s or other diagnoses on the spectrum.

Other increases included: mental retardation by 95 percent, cerebral palsy by 73 percent, and epilepsy by 66 percent. Such increases show that we can not relegate autism to genetics alone and disregard what can be learned from this information – let’s please open our eyes! We are talking about human beings, not statistics.

Articulate individuals with autism firmly defend the genetic piece to their condition. I can certainly see why. If the entire world is continually saying there is something wrong with you, I’m sure if feels great to understand that there are reasons why you’re experiencing the world differently than others seem to be.

To individuals on the spectrum who think differently and who can not conform and fit in as easily as it seems others are able to, let me share from the other side of the fence – being able to conform is not necessarily beneficial for anyone.

Many undiagnosed individuals express feelings of inadequacy, experience relationship challenges, chronic health issues, and a desire for anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds. Some people just seem to be better at stifling their inner world so they can concentrate on fitting in socially. Maybe it’s time for a shift in thinking for everyone.

The term “autism” encompasses such a large span of symptoms, and is behaviorally diagnosed only – I do want to clarify my position. I do not mean we need to fight or overcome autism. The individuals with autism who can easily express themselves, those are the people I want to talk to! Anyone with autism can teach us a lot. My son has to struggle to communicate his thoughts to me.

I am not trying to overcome his autism per se, but I would like to help him overcome the communication barriers he is experiencing because I know he wants to be understood! Improvement and/or recovery for individuals with autism simply means the symptoms resulting in the diagnosis are no longer observable or at least have lessened quite a bit.

Finding that autism may be a genetic condition does not diminish the possibility for improvement of debilitating symptoms. It happens, I’ve seen it. Video tapes of children before and after various treatment plans are undeniable evidence, or those toddlers deserve an Oscar!

God made us each unique for a reason. We all have gifts to offer. I believe society could do a lot better in supporting and encouraging one another in the expression of their gifts. As it is now, we seem to be focusing on trying to force individuals with autism to conform to the non-autistic “real” world.

Instead, I think it would be best if we could support individuals in ways that respect and appreciate their individuality and passions. Helping individuals build relationships is a two-way street, as interaction always is. Society needs just as much work and support as the individual with autism does:

Are we able to tune in to each other?

Are we able to focus to move towards our goals?

Are we able to take in the information around us, make sense of it, and integrate together to make a plan?

Are we being sensitive to each other’s non-verbal cues as well as our words?

Are we able to express ourselves to each other in ways that can be understood and not end up tantruming when they are not?

Are we easily overwhelmed by the stimulus of daily life?

Environmentally and nutritionally, there are changes we could all consider that would benefit everyone. As Pottenger’s cat study shows, each generation weakens when basic nutritional needs are altered or not met. Whether we are talking autism, athletic talent, mental giftedness, diabetes, aging, etc. etc etc..; these changes can make a drastic difference in the quality of one’s life.

Those of you on the spectrum voicing your rights to be exactly who you are, I applaud you. You have been pushed around long enough. You are our real world now, and I feel blessed to be learning your perspectives. Please respect my right to speak up regarding the environmental piece to the autism puzzle.

When a condition is found to be genetic, it does not excuse society from providing a free and appropriate public education, health care that meets the unique needs of the individual, and a conscious effort to eliminate ignorance and prejudices.

Genetics does not excuse society from learning the possibilities behind the rapid increase of diagnosed cases, and the reason autism affects some children, such as my son, to such an extensive degree.

We can learn compassionate, effective ways to support individuals no matter what their diagnosis. We can each take responsibility for our own beliefs and actions to create changes that will improve the health, functioning, and quality of life for everyone. It is our future.

Related reading:

Autism Awareness Month

Autism: 10 Strategies for Implementing Diet Changes

The Autism Diet Connection

Autism: 10 Tips for Everyone

Author: Tara McClintick is an Early Childhood/Special Education teacher as well as a Son-Rise mom. A great deal of Tara’s 20+ years experience has been working one on one with her youngest son, Jake, who was diagnosed with severe autism shortly after his first birthday.

Jake is now 13 and together they continue the journey towards learning and recovery through nutritional and natural methods. Tara also creates fun, unique picture books for kids using real-life scenes and images www.BooksByTara.com.

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Are You a Sugar Zombie?

By Dr. Scott Olson

Author of Sugarettes.

If you were a normal zombie, you would rise up out of your grave and stumble off in search of your craving: flesh. Sugar zombies, however, typically rise from their couch and go off in search of their craving: sugar. Sugar zombies yearning for sugar can sometimes only be satisfied with a pure sugary treat, but remember, certain foods act like sugar in the body (such are grains, chips, crackers, French fries and others…) and these “foods that act like sugar” are sometimes what the sugar zombie are searching for.

A funny thing about sugar zombies is that they can sometimes eat sugar even when they are not hungry and have just eaten. Do you remember going to a restaurant and having a full meal, and yet you still ordered desert? True sign of sugar zombieness.

Most people, when asked, will admit to some kind of sugar addiction and zombie-like behavior, but they often don’t realize just how strong that addiction can be, nor do they realize how much sugar can do to destroy their health.

What Science is Discovering about Zombies

Science is beginning to take sugar addiction serious. They have investigated how animals (mostly rats) act when they become addicted to sugar. Let’s take a peek inside the laboratory and see what they found out:

• Rats who were allowed to eat as much sugar as they like, eat a ton of it. If fact, they will often eat more sugar than any other type of food. Sometimes, they become so addicted to sugar that they become rat sugar zombies and sugar is all they will eat.(1)

• What happens when you addict rats to sugar and then take it away? Typically, they shake, tremble, become anxious and their teeth can even chatter.(2) They can also become much more aggressive. If this sounds like the symptoms of a junkie (or a zombie), you are exactly right. These typical withdrawal symptoms, show up in all sorts of other addictions, including smokers, drinkers, and drug addicts.

• Scientists took the next step, they addicted rats to sugar, took it away and then they brought it back. Guess what happened? The rats binged on the sugar and ate much more than they previously did. If this sounds a bit like the last time you went on a diet and gained more weight than you lost, then you are a true sugar zombie. Binging when the addiction is removed and then brought back is a clear sign of addiction.(3)

• When rats are under stress, they eat more sugar.(4) Once again, I’m guessing that this sounds a bit familiar to you? Do you eat more sugar when you are stressed?

• Scientists have discovered that the brains of rats change when they become addicted to sugar and the changes in their brains are very similar to those of other addicts, including smokers, alcoholics and drug addicts.(5)

• To test if a substance is really addictive, scientists will give animals the addicting substance (alcohol, drugs, nicotine…) and then give them a drug called an opioid antagonist. What the opioid antagonist does is block the brain from sensing the pleasurable aspects of the addicting substance. When opioid antagonists are given to sugar addicted zombie rats, they experience withdrawal exactly like rats addicted to morphine, alcohol or cigarettes.(6)

But are Zombies Hurt By Sugar?

Here is the real question you want to get to: You are a confirmed sugar zombie, but what is wrong with that? Well, it turns out, a lot! Sugar harms your body in three ways: it increases your weight, it leads to problems with insulin and blood sugar control, and it has a toxic effect on our blood vessels.

Let’s take a look:

• Weight Gain: According to the scientific and medical communities sugar is really not associated with weight gain. These health professionals will tell you that sugar contributes to weight gain because it contains calories. This is true. But sugar also contributes to weight gain just because it is sugar. It works this way: Your body has certain basic energy needs and sugar (mostly glucose) is the fuel that runs your body. Once you have enough sugar-fuel for all your energy needs, your body tends to store all the extra sugar as fat (and sugar zombies eat meals that often create a large amount of extra sugar in the blood that will get turned into fat).(7)

• Insulin Resistance: Sugar contributes to insulin resistance whenever blood sugar levels in the blood spike too high too often. When blood sugar levels in the body rise, insulin in the body also rises. Consistently high amounts of insulin in the body will eventually lead to cells down-regulating (or removing) insulin receptors; this eventually leads to a condition called insulin resistance (were the cells of the body are resistant to insulin) and diabetes. Insulin resistance does not develop when blood sugar levels are kept low.(8)

• Toxic Effects: Surprisingly, sugar is actually toxic blood vessels in the exact same way cigarette smoke is toxic to the lungs. Sugar causes harm to the protein structure of the blood vessel walls, eventually leading to destruction. This destruction can be seen dramatically in diabetics who have kidney disease, eye disease, heart disease, tingling in hands and feet, and even blindness and loss of limbs – all due to the destruction of blood vessels. (9) This same destruction happens in sugar zombies who don’t have diabetes, only at a slower pace.

How to Break the Zombie Spell

Getting over sugar cravings is not easy, especially when you are a sugar zombie, but then getting over any addiction can be hard. Know that the efforts you make are well worth it as the destruction that sugar creates is enormous.

Try these tips to stop your zombie sugar cravings:

• Eat more often: while this seems backwards, eating more often is much better for your blood sugar, your metabolism, and your sugar cravings.

• Eat fruit: It is easy to overdo this, but focus on fruits that are low on the glycemic index and try to eat them after a meal where they affect blood sugar less.

• Brush your teeth: This is a trick many people use to stop cravings and it will help your zombie smile.

• Exercise: A simple walk is often enough to stop cravings as it gets you up and moving and away from your temptations.

Take these tips and walk away from your zombie life. Simply being aware that you are a sugar zombie will make a huge change in your life. Take your sugar craving seriously – as you would any other addiction: know that the road will be tough at times, but that you can do it. Your reward, on the other side of your addiction, is better sleep, more energy, less sugar zombie-like behavior and a healthier life.

Recommended Reading: Sugarettes

Dr. Scott Olson is a Naturopathic doctor, expert in alternative medicine, author, and medical researcher. Spurred on by his patients’ struggles with sugar addiction, he was determined to discover how addictive and harmful sugar can be and ways to overcome that addiction.

The result of that study is his book Sugarettes, which details the addictive qualities of sugar and the harm that sugar does to our bodies.

Dr. Scott also maintains a blog which highlights the latest in health and healthy living. Subscribe or stop by to check out his latest research on sugar addiction.

References:

1.Spangler R, Wittkowski KM, Goddard NL, et al: Opiate-like effects of sugar on gene expression in reward areas of the rat brain. Brain Res Mol Brain Res. 2004 May 19;124(2):134-42.
2.Colantuoni C, Rada P, McCarthy J, et al: Evidence that intermittent, excessive sugar intake causes endogenous opioid dependence. Obes Res. 2002 Jun;10(6):478-88.
3.Pelchat ML. Of human bondage: food craving, obsession, compulsion, and addiction. Physiol Behav. 2002 Jul;76(3):347-52.
4.Gosnell BA. Sucrose intake predicts rate of acquisition of cocaine self-administration. Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2000 Apr;149(3):286-92.
5.Avena NM, Rada P, Hoebel BG: Evidence for sugar addiction: behavioral and neurochemical effects of intermittent, excessive sugar intake. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2008;32(1):20-39. Epub 2007 May 18.
6.Avena NM, Long KA, Hoebel BG: Sugar-dependent rats show enhanced responding for sugar after abstinence: evidence of a sugar deprivation effect. Physiol Behav. 2005 Mar 16;84(3):359-62.
7.Livesey G: Low-glycaemic diets and health: implications for obesity. Proc Nutr Soc. 2005 Feb;64(1):105-13.
8.Henriksen HB, Kolset SO: Sugar intake and public health. Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen. 2007 Sep 6;127(17):2259-62.
9.Friedman EA: Advanced glycosylated end products and hyperglycemia in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications. Diabetes Care. 1999 Mar;22 Suppl 2:B65-71.

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