Pancreatic Enzymes:
Many anecdotal reports exist of the helpfulness of pancreatic enzymes for the digestive problems of autistic children. Nevertheless, other parents report that their children regressed on pancreatic enzymes (including the legendary Victoria Beck). I have seen both results in my experience, and have no way to determine which will happen. Needless to say, some children show no change. Cotazym and Creon are two of the most common pancreatic enzymes used.
Here is a typical story:
When my autistic daughter was born, she had severe diarrhea. After manytrips to the Pediatrician and changing her formula daily, it was decidedshe may have Cystic Fibroses. Thus she was given Cotazym. The firstday Maggie was on the meds, she slept all night (she was sleeping 10minutes at a time, 24 hours a day before) and the diarrhea stopped.
Upon starting pancreatic enzymes, some autistic children show improvements in speech, eye contact, tolerance, awareness of surroundings and self, improved color, and more understanding.
Cotazym, and other pancreatic enzymes, are given 4 times a day. Sometimes, one must open the capsule and mix the powder with something that does not need chewing (pudding, ice cream, jello). Unfortunately, then the powder starts breaking down the food before it is eaten.
Creon 10 is supposed to be delayed release. Creon 10 starts breaking down the food inthe intestines instead of 'on contact', which means it should not turn pudding into water before it can be eaten.
These medicines do not hurt the kids systems; anything they do not need they simply pass.
Pancrease capsules used daily have been anecdotally reported to solve problems with loose stools.

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Colloidal Silver:
Colloidal silver in a glass of water can also help with diarrhea, as well as frothy andsmelly stools. It is often given once a month.

Dmg Autism Dosage

For more information about colloidal silver please see:
  • What do We Know About Colloidal Silver?

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Super Nu Thera:
A product called Super Nu Thera powder has been reported anecdotally as helpful, but sometimes make children more irritable.
'A new, good-tasting vitamin B6 and magnesium formula, Super Nu Thera 500, is now available from the Kirkman Company of Wilsonville, OR. SNT-500 is a strawberry flavored liquid concentrate that is well-accepted by the vast majority of autistic children. The company will continue to sell the Super Nu Thera formula as a flavored power and as unflavored tablets. All three products contain, in addition to the B6 and magnesium, 20 other nutrients designed to enhance the effectiveness of the B6.
To contact Kirkman:
  • Phone: 1-800-245-8282
  • Fax: 503- 682-0838
(Courtesy Autism Research Institute's Suggested Dosages for Nutritional Supplements)

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
A new Omega-3 supplement has been developed by European Reference Botanical Laboratories, Inc. (ERBL). The new product called Coromega comes in an easy-to-use foil packet which doesn't spoil and contains a daily dose of Omega-3.
While the best source of Omega-3 remains cod liver oil and fish oil, this supplement is readily absorbed in the bloodstream. Omega-3 supplements in the past have been known to taste bad. ERBL claims to have solved this problems and says the new product tastes like 'orange creamsicles'.
See Coremega: An Omega-3 Dietary supplement for more information.

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Dimethylglycine (DMG):
'For over 20 years ARI [Autism Research Institute] has been hearing from parents who have tried DMG on their autistic children. In many cases remarkably good results have been seen, especially in enhancing speech. In some cases, drug-resistant seizures have been stopped by DMG. (See New England Journal of Medicine, 10-21-82, pgs 1081-82).
There is an extensive research literature on the safety and health benefits of DMG. Many studies have shown that DMG enhances the effectiveness of the immune system, improves the physical and athletic performance of humans and other animals (e.g. race horses) and has, all in all, a very wide range of beneficial effects. It is very safe. I have seen no evidence of any toxic or significant adverse effects. DMG is available in many health food stores in small, foil-sealed 125mg tablets from Food Science Laboratories. Ask for the original Aangamik DMG or for further information from the company, call toll-free at 800-992-8451. (Avoid DMG in liquid or large tablets.)
Dimethylglycine is technically classified as a food. It is found, in very small amounts, in some foods, such as brown rice and liver. Chemically and physiologically, it resembles the water-soluble vitamins, such as the B vitamins. The main reason it is not classified as a vitamin is that there are no specific symptoms associated with a deficiency of DMG.
Many parents have reported that, within a few days of starting DMG, the child's behavior improved noticeably, better eye contact was seen, frustration tolerance increased, the child's speech improved, or more interest and ability in speaking was observed.
For a pre-school child, I would start with 1/2 of a 125mg tablet or capsule a day, with breakfast, for a few days, or one tablet a day for a larger child. I would go up, gradually, to one to four tablets a day for a child, and to 2 to 8 tablets per day for an adult. If there is an initial increase in hyperactivity (rare) reduce the dosage. If the hyperactivity continues, the child may be telling you, in effect, that he or she needs more folic acid. Folic acid is a very safe B-vitamin. Purchase some 800mcg folic acid tablets and give two of these with each 125mg of DMG.
If you are just starting out, I suggest giving the DMG for 2-3 weeks then adding the B6/magnesium (which should also be started gradually: write to us for publication 39F). When you start a trial of DMG, don't confuse the results by simultaneously starting other vitamins, drugs, or other forms of treatment that might make it difficult to tease out the effects of DMG from the effects of the other things tried. If the child is already taking vitamin B6 and magnesium, or anything else that is helpful, there is no reason to stop taking the B6 (or whatever). The DMG is merely a highly concentrated food. It may in fact improve the effectiveness of the B6.'
Bernard Rimland, Ph.D.
Autism Research Institute
4182 Adams Avenue
San Diego, CA 92116
(Excerpted from: Dimethylglycine (DMG) for Autism)

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Calcium:
Calcium has been used, especially for twitching during sleep.

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Aloe Vera:
Aloe vera in a liquid solution can make food digest better and behavior seems better. You take a few drops 1/2 hour before a meal to prevent leaky gut.

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Flower of Sulphur:
Flower of Sulfur is suppose to return the ph balance in the stomach to where foods are digested better. It is also a natural chelater as sulfur is in the DMAS chelation capsules. Flower of Sulfur is also used for schizophrenia by some people.

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Efalex Oil or DHA Oil:
Efalex oil or DHA oil is supposed to help heal a leaky gut although it can takefive months to work. It is supposed to help vision and fine motor particularly.
(For more information on Efalex Oil, see the Efamol: Efalex Manufacturer's Home Page.)
On DHA Oil:
'..researchers have finally now discovered that children with adrenoleukodystrophy are deficient in docasahexaenoicacid (DHA) and are conducting trials on the administration of this fatty acid derived from algae (Martek Biosciences Corporation). DHA is available in marine oils but due to the fishy taste researchers shunned using it due to difficulties with patient compliance. It is crucial that medical testing of red cell membrane fatty acids be performed so that application of therapy is specific to the individual's requirements. Children with adrenoleukodystrophy have low docasahexaenoic acid, low nervonic acid and high lignoceric acid while children with autism, seizures and brain injury also may exhibit high lignoceric acid but have high docasahexaenoic acid and high nervonic acid. Arbitrary administration of specialized fatty acids is inappropriate due to the unique patterns of fatty acid derangement in specific medical conditions.'
(Excerpted from the article, Essential Fatty Acids - Lorenzo's Oil and Beyond, ©Copyright 1997 by Patricia Kane, Ph.D.)

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Other Food Allergies:
Corn and soy seem to upset many autistic people as well. sugar, yeast and preservatives etc. are also sometimes problematic.
See these sites for information about allergy and autism connections:

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Dmg Autism Dosage
List of Articles & Information on Nutritional Therapies and Autism:
Is Autism a G-Alpha Protein Defect Reversible with Natural Vitamin A? A pediatrician discusses how vitamin A therapy can help children with autism.

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What others in the field think of Nutritional Therapies and Autism:
Vitamin B6 (and Magnesium) in the Treatment of Autism, Bernard Rimland, Ph.D., Autism Research Institute

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Dimethylglycine, also known as DMG, is a natural substance found in both plant and animal cells, and is derived from the amino acid glycine (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary para 1). As a supplement, it is purported to offer a number of health benefits, from enhancing physical performance to improving behavior in children with autism and attention deficit disorder. However, the evidence to support these claims is lacking, according to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (see reference 1 under Mechanism of Action).

How DMG Works

The body produces DMG in the cells by breaking down choline (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). In the body, it acts as an antioxidant and improves oxygenation of the cells (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). The thought is that taking DMG as a supplement may further enhance oxygenation, which improves athletic performance (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). It is also thought to act as a neurological stimulator, which is why it has gained popularity in the autism community (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). According to an October 2009 review article on the use of complementary medicine in autism published in 'Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics,' the two clinical trials testing the use of DMG on children with autism showed no positive effect or improvement in behavior (see reference 2 under DMG).

Safety Concerns

DMG is considered a safe and non-toxic substance, according to MSKCC (see reference 1 under Clinical Summary). If you're supplementing your diet with DMG, be sure to inform your doctor to monitor for any potential side effects or interactions. Additionally, while it's safe to take DMG, do not rely on it as a cure or treatment for any illness.