Full Transcript Autism: Genetics vs. Environment 0:02 If your child has autism, you have probably been 0:02 If your child has autism, you have probably been told one of these two things. 0:04 told one of these two things. 0:04 told one of these two things. Either it's genetic and there was nothing I 0:06 Either it's genetic and there was nothing I 0:06 Either it's genetic and there was nothing I could do, or the approach focuses 0:08 could do, or the approach focuses 0:08 could do, or the approach focuses directly on behavioral therapy and 0:10 directly on behavioral therapy and 0:10 directly on behavioral therapy and symptom management. I'm not 0:13 symptom management. I'm not 0:13 symptom management. I'm not here to dismiss either of them 0:15 here to dismiss either of them , but I want to talk about what's often 0:16 , but I want to talk about what's often 0:16 , but I want to talk about what's often missing from that conversation: the 0:18 missing from that conversation: the 0:18 missing from that conversation: the environmental factors that contribute to 0:19 environmental factors that contribute to 0:19 environmental factors that contribute to how autism actually develops 0:21 how autism actually develops 0:21 how autism actually develops . Factors that are measurable and,
Why Environmental Factors Matter 0:24 . Factors that are measurable and, 0:24 . Factors that are measurable and, in many cases, manageable. This is not about 0:27 in many cases, manageable. This is not about 0:27 in many cases, manageable. This is not about giving false hope or 0:29 giving false hope or 0:29 giving false hope or looking for someone to blame. It's about asking 0:32 looking for someone to blame. It's about asking 0:32 looking for someone to blame. It's about asking better questions than 0:33 better questions than 0:33 better questions than most doctors 0:35 most doctors 0:35 most doctors currently ask. Before we go deeper, a 0:37 currently ask. Before we go deeper, a 0:37 currently ask. Before we go deeper, a small favor. If you're interested in 0:39 small favor. If you're interested in 0:39 small favor. If you're interested in root cause integrative medicine that 0:40 root cause integrative medicine that 0:40 root cause integrative medicine that analyzes what's really driving 0:42 analyzes what's really driving 0:42 analyzes what's really driving disease, be sure to 0:44 disease, be sure to 0:44 disease, be sure to like this video, subscribe to the 0:45 like this video, subscribe to the 0:45 like this video, subscribe to the channel, and turn on 0:47 channel, and turn on 0:47 channel, and turn on notifications so you don't miss 0:48 notifications so you don't miss 0:48 notifications so you don't miss future content. And if you want 0:50 future content. And if you want 0:50 future content. And if you want more in-depth information like this, 0:51 more in-depth information like this, 0:51 more in-depth information like this, go to my website and subscribe to the 0:53 go to my website and subscribe to the 0:53 go to my website and subscribe to the newsletter. That's where 0:55 newsletter. That's where 0:55 newsletter. That's where I share things that I don't always put on 0:56 I share things that I don't always put on
Genetics, Prevalence, and Behavioral Therapy Limits 0:57 I share things that I don't always put on YouTube. When a child is 0:59 YouTube. When a child is 0:59 YouTube. When a child is diagnosed with autism, the conversation 1:01 diagnosed with autism, the conversation 1:01 diagnosed with autism, the conversation usually goes in only one direction: 1:02 usually goes in only one direction: 1:03 usually goes in only one direction: genetics. There is a susceptibility, 1:05 genetics. There is a susceptibility, 1:05 genetics. There is a susceptibility, possibly a mutation, and that 1:07 possibly a mutation, and that 1:07 possibly a mutation, and that becomes the explanation. And there is 1:09 becomes the explanation. And there is 1:09 becomes the explanation. And there is truth in that. Genetic factors 1:12 truth in that. Genetic factors 1:12 truth in that. Genetic factors play a role, but here's the 1:14 play a role, but here's the 1:14 play a role, but here's the problem with stopping there. Genes 1:16 problem with stopping there. Genes 1:16 problem with stopping there. Genes don't change fast enough 1:17 don't change fast enough 1:17 don't change fast enough to explain what we're 1:19 to explain what we're 1:19 to explain what we're seeing. In the 1970s, the 1:21 seeing. In the 1970s, the 1:21 seeing. In the 1970s, the prevalence of autism was 1:23 prevalence of autism was 1:23 prevalence of autism was approximately 1 in 2,000. 1:25 approximately 1 in 2,000. 1:25 approximately 1 in 2,000. Today, it's closer to 1 in 36. 1:28 Today, it's closer to 1 in 36. 1:29 Today, it's closer to 1 in 36. That's not a genetic story. That 1:31 That's not a genetic story. That 1:31 That's not a genetic story. That 's an environmental story. Other things 1:34 's an environmental story. Other things 1:34 's an environmental story. Other things parents often hear about include 1:36 parents often hear about include 1:36 parents often hear about include behavioral therapy, ABA, speech therapy, and 1:38 behavioral therapy, ABA, speech therapy, and 1:38 behavioral therapy, ABA, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. These can be 1:41 occupational therapy. These can be 1:41 occupational therapy. These can be truly valuable. I'm not 1:43 truly valuable. I'm not 1:43 truly valuable. I'm not telling anyone to stop, but 1:45 telling anyone to stop, but 1:45 telling anyone to stop, but behavioral therapy works on the 1:46 behavioral therapy works on the 1:46 behavioral therapy works on the outcome, the behaviors 1:48 outcome, the behaviors 1:48 outcome, the behaviors we can observe. It does not address what is 1:50 we can observe. It does not address what is 1:50 we can observe. It does not address what is happening in the body that is 1:51 happening in the body that is 1:51 happening in the body that is producing those behaviors in the 1:53 producing those behaviors in the 1:53 producing those behaviors in the first place. So, the 1:55 first place. So, the 1:55 first place. So, the most useful question becomes this. What is
Mitochondria, Brain Irritability, and Cumulative Load 1:57 most useful question becomes this. What is 1:57 most useful question becomes this. What is happening biologically that is affecting 1:59 happening biologically that is affecting 1:59 happening biologically that is affecting how this child's brain functions 2:01 how this child's brain functions ? There is a researcher at Harvard, 2:03 ? There is a researcher at Harvard, 2:03 ? There is a researcher at Harvard, Dr. Martha Herbert, a 2:05 Dr. Martha Herbert, a 2:05 Dr. Martha Herbert, a pediatric neurologist who has spent decades 2:07 pediatric neurologist who has spent decades 2:07 pediatric neurologist who has spent decades studying autism. His work has 2:09 studying autism. His work has 2:09 studying autism. His work has changed the way I think about 2:11 changed the way I think about 2:11 changed the way I think about this. His hypothesis, supported by 2:13 this. His hypothesis, supported by 2:13 this. His hypothesis, supported by years of data, is that autism is not 2:15 years of data, is that autism is not 2:15 years of data, is that autism is not something most 2:17 something most 2:17 something most children are simply born with. It is something that 2:19 children are simply born with. It is something that 2:19 children are simply born with. It is something that developed in response to a 2:21 developed in response to a 2:21 developed in response to a cumulative total load of 2:23 cumulative total load of 2:23 cumulative total load of environmental stressors. His team has followed 2:25 environmental stressors. His team has followed 2:25 environmental stressors. His team has followed babies from the womb onwards. What 2:27 babies from the womb onwards. What 2:27 babies from the womb onwards. What they found is surprising. They can 2:30 they found is surprising. They can 2:30 they found is surprising. They can observe brain electrical activity 2:32 observe brain electrical activity 2:32 observe brain electrical activity , EEG readings, in 2:34 , EEG readings, in 2:34 , EEG readings, in 2-week-old babies and predict which ones 2:36 2-week-old babies and predict which ones 2:36 2-week-old babies and predict which ones are more likely to develop 2:38 are more likely to develop 2:38 are more likely to develop autism by 13 months. The predictor 2:41 autism by 13 months. The predictor 2:41 autism by 13 months. The predictor is not a gene. It's brain irritability 2:44 is not a gene. It's brain irritability . How reactive and overstimulated 2:47 . How reactive and overstimulated 2:47 . How reactive and overstimulated is the brain already? And when you 2:49 is the brain already? And when you 2:49 is the brain already? And when you ask yourself what makes the developing brain 2:51 ask yourself what makes the developing brain 2:51 ask yourself what makes the developing brain irritable and 2:53 irritable and 2:53 irritable and overreactive, the answer always 2:55 overreactive, the answer always 2:55 overreactive, the answer always comes back to the same place: the mitochondria 2:57 comes back to the same place: the mitochondria . Mitochondria are the 2:59 . Mitochondria are the 3:00 . Mitochondria are the energy producers within each cell. 3:01 energy producers within each cell. 3:02 energy producers within each cell. When cells are under stress, they 3:04 When cells are under stress, they 3:04 When cells are under stress, they don't function as they should, and 3:06 don't function as they should, and 3:06 don't function as they should, and the brain is especially vulnerable 3:08 the brain is especially vulnerable 3:08 the brain is especially vulnerable because it requires enormous amounts of 3:10 because it requires enormous amounts of 3:11 because it requires enormous amounts of energy. This is what the 3:12 energy. This is what the 3:12 energy. This is what the research shows. The neural networks 3:15 research shows. The neural networks 3:15 research shows. The neural networks most affected in autism are the 3:17 most affected in autism are the 3:17 most affected in autism are the same ones that require the most 3:19 same ones that require the most 3:19 same ones that require the most mitochondrial energy, and the degree of alteration 3:21 mitochondrial energy, and the degree of alteration 3:21 mitochondrial energy, and the degree of alteration follows the mitochondrial dysfunction. 3:23 follows the mitochondrial dysfunction.
Key Environmental Stressors 3:24 follows the mitochondrial dysfunction. More stress on the mitochondria 3:25 More stress on the mitochondria 3:25 More stress on the mitochondria means greater disruption in the 3:26 means greater disruption in the 3:26 means greater disruption in the way the brain communicates 3:28 way the brain communicates 3:28 way the brain communicates with itself. So, what stresses 3:30 with itself. So, what stresses 3:30 with itself. So, what stresses mitochondria? Many things. And that 3:33 mitochondria? Many things. And that 3:33 mitochondria? Many things. And that 's the key idea. It is not a 3:36 's the key idea. It is not a 3:36 's the key idea. It is not a single cause, it is the total burden, an 3:38 single cause, it is the total burden, an 3:38 single cause, it is the total burden, an accumulation of exposures that 3:40 accumulation of exposures that 3:40 accumulation of exposures that push a vulnerable system 3:42 push a vulnerable system 3:42 push a vulnerable system beyond its threshold. Let me explain 3:44 beyond its threshold. Let me explain 3:44 beyond its threshold. Let me explain the main ones. Heavy metals. 3:47 the main ones. Heavy metals. 3:47 the main ones. Heavy metals. Mercury has been extensively studied 3:49 Mercury has been extensively studied 3:49 Mercury has been extensively studied for its effects on the developing nervous system 3:51 for its effects on the developing nervous system 3:51 for its effects on the developing nervous system . Sources include 3:53 . Sources include 3:53 . Sources include certain fish, 3:55 certain fish, 3:55 certain fish, industrial exposure, and old dental fillings 3:57 industrial exposure, and old dental fillings . Some children detox 4:00 . Some children detox 4:00 . Some children detox efficiently, others don't, and that 4:01 efficiently, others don't, and that 4:02 efficiently, others don't, and that difference matters. 4:03 difference matters. 4:03 difference matters. Environmental chemicals. Glyphosate, the herbicide 4:06 Environmental chemicals. Glyphosate, the herbicide 4:06 Environmental chemicals. Glyphosate, the herbicide in Roundup, is one I pay 4:08 in Roundup, is one I pay 4:08 in Roundup, is one I pay close attention to. It has been linked to 4:11 close attention to. It has been linked to 4:11 close attention to. It has been linked to disruption of 4:12 disruption of 4:12 disruption of gut bacteria, 4:14 gut bacteria, 4:14 gut bacteria, nutrient absorption and mitochondrial stress, and 4:15 nutrient absorption and mitochondrial stress, and 4:15 nutrient absorption and mitochondrial stress, and is found everywhere in conventionally grown grains, 4:17 is found everywhere in conventionally grown grains, 4:17 is found everywhere in conventionally grown grains, pulses and processed foods 4:18 pulses and processed foods 4:18 pulses and processed foods . 4:20 . 4:20 . Electromagnetic fields. This topic doesn't 4:23 Electromagnetic fields. This topic doesn't 4:23 Electromagnetic fields. This topic doesn't usually come up in most
Gut Health, Detox, and Total Biological Load 4:24 usually come up in most 4:24 usually come up in most pediatric practices, but some 4:26 pediatric practices, but some 4:26 pediatric practices, but some researchers are expressing 4:27 researchers are expressing 4:27 researchers are expressing concern about 4:29 concern about 4:29 concern about wireless radiation and electrical noise, 4:30 wireless radiation and electrical noise, 4:30 wireless radiation and electrical noise, especially during 4:32 especially during 4:32 especially during early brain development. The science in this area 4:34 early brain development. The science in this area 4:34 early brain development. The science in this area is still evolving, but the 4:36 is still evolving, but the 4:36 is still evolving, but the interventions are low-risk, 4:37 interventions are low-risk, 4:37 interventions are low-risk, which is important. Diet and 4:39 which is important. Diet and 4:39 which is important. Diet and gut health. The 4:41 gut health. The 4:41 gut health. The gut-brain connection in autism is becoming increasingly 4:42 gut-brain connection in autism is becoming increasingly 4:42 gut-brain connection in autism is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Many 4:44 difficult to ignore. Many 4:44 difficult to ignore. Many children have 4:45 children have 4:45 children have significant gastrointestinal symptoms: 4:47 significant gastrointestinal symptoms: 4:47 significant gastrointestinal symptoms: bloating, pain, diarrhea. 4:49 bloating, pain, diarrhea. 4:49 bloating, pain, diarrhea. Food sensitivities, 4:50 Food sensitivities, 4:50 Food sensitivities, especially to gluten and casein, 4:51 especially to gluten and casein, 4:51 especially to gluten and casein, can cause inflammation that affects 4:53 can cause inflammation that affects 4:53 can cause inflammation that affects brain function. And then there's the 4:54 brain function. And then there's the 4:54 brain function. And then there's the most important concept: the 4:56 most important concept: the 4:56 most important concept: the total load. No single exhibition 4:59 total load. No single exhibition 4:59 total load. No single exhibition tells the whole story. What matters 5:01 tells the whole story. What matters 5:01 tells the whole story. What matters is the accumulated load on the system. That is why 5:03 is the accumulated load on the system. That is why 5:03 is the accumulated load on the system. That is why two children can have 5:05 two children can have 5:05 two children can have similar exposures and very 5:07 similar exposures and very 5:07 similar exposures and very different outcomes. It's not just what they're 5:09 different outcomes. It's not just what they're 5:09 different outcomes. It's not just what they're exposed to, it's what their bodies can 5:11 exposed to, it's what their bodies can 5:11 exposed to, it's what their bodies can handle. When I work with families in 5:13 handle. When I work with families in 5:13 handle. When I work with families in an integrative context, I treat the child 5:15 an integrative context, I treat the child 5:15 an integrative context, I treat the child as a system. I don't just ask, " 5:17 as a system. I don't just ask, " What is the diagnosis?" I ask: " 5:19 What is the diagnosis?" I ask: " What is the total 5:21 What is the total 5:21 What is the total biological load on this child, and where are 5:24 biological load on this child, and where are 5:24 biological load on this child, and where are the weak points?" That means 5:26 the weak points?" That means 5:26 the weak points?" That means observing the detoxification. Some 5:28 observing the detoxification. Some 5:28 observing the detoxification. Some children have genetic variations 5:30 children have genetic variations 5:30 children have genetic variations that slow down the elimination of 5:31 that slow down the elimination of 5:31 that slow down the elimination of toxins. That can be verified. It means 5:33 toxins. That can be verified. It means 5:33 toxins. That can be verified. It means observing the intestine. Is there an 5:35 observing the intestine. Is there an 5:35 observing the intestine. Is there an imbalance, malabsorption, or 5:37 imbalance, malabsorption, or 5:37 imbalance, malabsorption, or inflammation? It means observing
Practical Steps to Reduce Toxic Load 5:39 inflammation? It means observing 5:39 inflammation? It means observing neuroinflammation. What is 5:41 neuroinflammation. What is 5:41 neuroinflammation. What is causing it? Toxins, infections, 5:43 causing it? Toxins, infections, 5:43 causing it? Toxins, infections, food sensitivities, and this 5:45 food sensitivities, and this 5:45 food sensitivities, and this means supporting the mitochondria, 5:47 means supporting the mitochondria, 5:47 means supporting the mitochondria, giving cells what they need 5:49 giving cells what they need 5:49 giving cells what they need to produce energy, nutrients such as 5:51 to produce energy, nutrients such as 5:51 to produce energy, nutrients such as coenzyme Q10, magnesium, B vitamins and 5:53 coenzyme Q10, magnesium, B vitamins and 5:53 coenzyme Q10, magnesium, B vitamins and N-acetylcysteine. I also pay 5:55 N-acetylcysteine. I also pay 5:55 N-acetylcysteine. I also pay attention to the moment. Parents 5:57 attention to the moment. Parents 5:57 attention to the moment. Parents often notice that symptoms worsen 5:59 often notice that symptoms worsen 5:59 often notice that symptoms worsen after stress, illness, a 6:01 after stress, illness, a 6:01 after stress, illness, a change in diet, or 6:02 change in diet, or 6:02 change in diet, or environmental exposure. That's not random. It is the 6:05 environmental exposure. That's not random. It is the 6:05 environmental exposure. That's not random. It is the system crossing a threshold. So 6:08 system crossing a threshold. So 6:08 system crossing a threshold. So what can a father really do? 6:09 what can a father really do? 6:10 what can a father really do? Start with the environment, not the child 6:12 Start with the environment, not the child . Clean the space where you sleep. 6:14 . Clean the space where you sleep. 6:14 . Clean the space where you sleep. Turn off Wi-Fi at night. Eliminate 6:16 Turn off Wi-Fi at night. Eliminate 6:16 Turn off Wi-Fi at night. Eliminate unnecessary electronic devices. The 6:19 unnecessary electronic devices. The 6:19 unnecessary electronic devices. The brain performs its 6:20 brain performs its 6:20 brain performs its repair work during sleep. Give him the 6:22 repair work during sleep. Give him the 6:22 repair work during sleep. Give him the best possible chance. Take the 6:24 best possible chance. Take the 6:24 best possible chance. Take the diet seriously. Eliminate 6:26 diet seriously. Eliminate 6:26 diet seriously. Eliminate processed foods, sugars, additives, 6:28 processed foods, sugars, additives, 6:28 processed foods, sugars, additives, consider eliminating gluten and 6:30 consider eliminating gluten and 6:30 consider eliminating gluten and dairy for a trial period, and 6:32 dairy for a trial period, and 6:32 dairy for a trial period, and observe carefully. Do tests, 6:34 observe carefully. Do tests, 6:34 observe carefully. Do tests, don't guess. Examine heavy metals, 6:36 don't guess. Examine heavy metals, 6:37 don't guess. Examine heavy metals, nutrients, inflammation, and 6:38 nutrients, inflammation, and 6:38 nutrients, inflammation, and bowel function. Standard labs will 6:40 bowel function. Standard labs will 6:40 bowel function. Standard labs will not show most of this. 6:41 not show most of this. 6:41 not show most of this. Reduce the toxic load wherever you can. 6:43 Reduce the toxic load wherever you can. 6:44 Reduce the toxic load wherever you can. Filtered water, cleaner food, 6:46 Filtered water, cleaner food, 6:46 Filtered water, cleaner food, non-toxic household products. 6:47 non-toxic household products. 6:48 non-toxic household products. Each step reduces the load, and seek
Closing Advice and Call to Action 6:51 Each step reduces the load, and seek 6:51 Each step reduces the load, and seek support. This is not a quick fix 6:53 support. This is not a quick fix . It's a step-by-step process. The 6:56 . It's a step-by-step process. The 6:56 . It's a step-by-step process. The families that do best are those 6:58 families that do best are those 6:58 families that do best are those that set their own pace. Autism 7:00 that set their own pace. Autism 7:00 that set their own pace. Autism is real. The struggle is real. I don't offer 7:02 is real. The struggle is real. I don't offer 7:02 is real. The struggle is real. I don't offer simple answers, and anyone who does 7:05 simple answers, and anyone who does 7:05 simple answers, and anyone who does should be carefully analyzed. 7:07 should be carefully analyzed. 7:07 should be carefully analyzed. But I've seen what happens when 7:08 But I've seen what happens when 7:08 But I've seen what happens when families stop asking, "How do 7:10 families stop asking, "How do 7:10 families stop asking, "How do we handle this?" And they begin to ask, 7:12 we handle this?" And they begin to ask, "Why is this happening?" 7:14 "Why is this happening?" 7:15 "Why is this happening?" The body wants to function properly. 7:17 The body wants to function properly. 7:17 The body wants to function properly. Sometimes, you just need the load to 7:18 Sometimes, you just need the load to 7:19 Sometimes, you just need the load to ease enough to give it a 7:20 ease enough to give it a 7:20 ease enough to give it a try. If this raised questions 7:22 try. If this raised questions 7:22 try. If this raised questions about your child's situation, talk 7:24 about your child's situation, talk 7:24 about your child's situation, talk to someone who takes the environmental factor seriously 7:26 to someone who takes the environmental factor seriously 7:26 to someone who takes the environmental factor seriously . Before you leave, I'd 7:28 . Before you leave, I'd 7:28 . Before you leave, I'd love to hear from you. What have you been 7:30 love to hear from you. What have you been 7:30 love to hear from you. What have you been told about the cause of autism? 7:32 told about the cause of autism? And does any of this change your way 7:34 And does any of this change your way 7:34 And does any of this change your way of thinking about it? Leave a 7:35 of thinking about it? Leave a 7:35 of thinking about it? Leave a comment below. I read each 7:37 comment below. I read each 7:37 comment below. I read each one of them. And if you found it helpful, please 7:39 one of them. And if you found it helpful, please 7:39 one of them. And if you found it helpful, please share it with another parent who needs to 7:41 share it with another parent who needs to 7:41 share it with another parent who needs to hear this. Make sure you're 7:43 hear this. Make sure you're 7:43 hear this. Make sure you're subscribed and watch the next video, 7:44 subscribed and watch the next video, 7:44 subscribed and watch the next video, because there's much more we can 7:46 because there's much more we can 7:46 because there's much more we can discuss here.
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