Here are some hard to accept statistics found in the U.S., the most affluent, most powerful country in the history of the world.

• 1 in 110 children is diagnosed with autism.
• 1 in 70 to be born will become autistic.
• A new case is diagnosed almost every 20 minutes.
• More children will be diagnosed with autism than with AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined.
• Autism receives less than 5 % of the research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.
• Autism symptoms are treatable but it is expensive, more than the average young family can afford.

Statistics like these should prove there is  room for alternative interventions concerning autism.  Obviously, the medical community does not have all the answers.  In fact, a number of  authorities contend that current medical practices, particularly vaccines, are actually a  cause of the problems. 

Autism costs the nation over $100 billion per year, a figure expected to significantly increase in the next decade.  If you do not know a family with an autistic child, one day in the foreseeable future, you will.  The rate of occurance is not slowing down.

For more information on autism symptoms read these articles

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

Autism is not a big concern for most people—unless there is an autistic child in the family.  Then, it becomes a very big concern.  Autism symptoms are a composite of symptoms produced by any number of seemingly unrelated, yet, not really unrelated, underlying conditions.  Examples of these conditions include food allergies, intestinal yeast overgrowth, vitamin deficiencies, and others.

Upon publication in September of my book Autism: From Symptoms to Solutions,  A Parent’s Track to Run On, I will begin a year long series of articles about autism and the biomedical treatment approach which has been very beneficial to many autistic children.
Jenny McCarthy was kind enough to write the forward for my book, to her I am much obliged.  Jenny is  a spokesman and activist for the biomedical autism treatment rationale.  She has written three excellent books on the subject and I encourage everyone interested in the subject to read them.

Next week, we will discuss the prevalence of the autism epidemic and some of the theories on how it has come about.

Here is what I wrote on this blog on March 15, 2010:

  In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last week, it was again documented that vitamin D is preventative against the flu.  During the swine flu fabricated epidemic which didn’t materialize, I, along with many other alternative medicine advocates maintained that (a) the swine flu shot was infinitely hyped  to the benefit of the companies selling the vaccine, and (b) though not a hoax, the swine flu was no more serious than a typical case of seasonal flu.  Some of the 60 million or so of us who obligingly rolled up our sleeves for the swine flu vaccine were rewarded with side effects such as paralyzing neurological disorders.  Those of us who did not roll up our sleeves but rather resorted to vitamin D and other natural remedies are doing just fine.  Meanwhile, we apparently have an oversupply of swine flu vaccine.  A large billboard on the main street in my town advertises that there is H1N1 flu vaccine available and urges everyone to get the shot.  I submit that the public has seen through the scare perpetrated by a the CDC and a cooperating media feeding frenzy and no one wants a dangerous flu shot that wasn’t needed in the first place.

Well, as of yesterday, August, 10, the World Health Organization has  declared the H1N1 pandemic to be officially over.  Pandemic? The official death toll, once predicted to be in the millions-reached 18,449. The "pandemic" turned out be less devasting than the run-of-the-mill seasonal flu.  So, I resubmit the notion that the "pandemic" was fabricated at the behest of the pharmaceutical companies who had the vaccine to sell.  One thing not published yesterday, is the number of cases of French polio and other adverse effects from the H1N1 vaccine which contained the mercury containing preservative, thimerosol. What will be this year's fabricated epidemic?  Stay tuned.

Every woman should understand completely the risk factors for osteoporosis.  The rate at which  bone density is lost begins to increase at around 10 years before menopause and gradually declines after a peak at menopause.  I have written about the dietary risk factors in previous blogs including the great need for vitamin D supplements in our culture.  Other risk factors include:

• History of smoking
• Mother had osteoporosis
• History of extensive steroid use
• Small, thin body build.

In the years leading up to menopause, and thereafter, women should have bone density tests every year or two.

Remember, Vitamin D is paramount in fighting osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Related Articles

Understanding Osteoporosis, Osteopenia and Bone Density

Why Eskimos have more osteoporosis than Africans

Do you know your Vitamin D number?

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

Bone density has been the object of much publicity in the last decade.  The loss of life style, interruption in activity, medical expense and disability from osteoporosis is greater than cancer of the uterus and cervix combined.  Every post-menopausal woman must understand the need for a bone density test. 

The test is done with a machine similar to an x-ray machine called a DEXA.  The readings the DEXA give the doctor are on a scale which compares the patient to “young normal,” or, the bone density of a woman in her 20’s.  A bone density reading of “0” means that the patient has the bones of a young normal.  A reading of greater than 0, such as +.15, means the bones are better than young normal.  A negative reading such as -.15 means the bones are worse than young normal.  A reading of -1.5 is termed “osteopenia,” and -2.5 is "osteoporosis." 

Vitamin D is paramount in fighting osteopenia and osteoporosis.

Related Articles

Why Eskimos have more osteoporosis than Africans

Do you know your Vitamin D number?

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

As discussed in my previous article, osteoporosis is a function of calcium metabolism dependent upon not only calcium intake levels but also the pH (acidity) of the foods consumed.  We talked about Eskimos who have a very high incidence of osteoporosis compared to tribal Africans who have a low incidence.  The difference lies in their diets and exposure to sunlight.  Eskimos have a very high consumption of protein including a lot of meat.  Meat has an acidic pH effect on the body.  The Africans have a high consumption of fruits and vegetables which have an alkaline pH effect on the body. We don’t see many Eskimos growing gardens and we don’t see many Africans eating whale meat.  Therein lies the difference.  Apply these facts to the American diet which is overall, too acidic.  As a general rule, the more natural foods such as fruits and vegetables, are more alkaline and therefore better for prevention of osteoporosis.  Meat is acidic.  The protein in milk is acidic.  Interestingly, the protein in milk has the effect of compromising the benefit of the calcium content.  That is why, for years, we have not seen milk advertised as a product for strong bones, because the truth is, the high protein content negates the positive calcium benefit.

The other obvious factor is exposure to sunlight.  The skin synthesizes vitamin D in the presence of sunlight.  For a significant part of the year, Eskimos do not get any sunlight.  Eskimos should be taking vitamin D, as should all the rest of us, if we do not get at least :30 minutes of sunlight exposure directly to the skin daily.

If we are unable to get 30 minutes direct sunlight exposure daily, we should be taking up to 5000 IU of vitamin D per day.

Related Articles

Why Eskimos have more osteoporosis than Africans

Do you know your Vitamin D number?

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

Calcium metabolism has a lot to do with the pH of your blood.  As a refresher, pH is the measurement of acidity and is recorded on a scale of 0 to 14 with 0 being the most acid possible and 14 being the most alkaline.  The pH of  water is neutral at 7 and blood is 7.4.  The blood pH varies according to a number of factors, especially our diet.  If we have a diet that is too acidic, (the typical American diet, by the way), the blood will become too acid as a result of what we eat.  The body’s response to neutralize our overly acid food intake is to use calcium as a buffer.  It is like the technique of putting baking soda (very alkaline) on the terminals of a car battery to neutralize the acid.  The body’s baking soda, in effect, is calcium.  If our diets are low in calcium or vitamin D, or both, the body will withdraw calcium from the bones to neutralize the acid diet and maintain the blood pH at acceptable levels.  The body will sacrifice the bones to maintain acceptable blood pH levels.  That is why, as discussed in last week’s blog, Africans who have a very alkaline diet and lots of sunshine have little osteoporosis and Eskimos who have an acid diet and much less sunshine have a very high incidence of osteoporosis.

Related Articles

Why Eskimos have more osteoporosis than Africans

Do you know your Vitamin D number?

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

An interesting study was done a few years back trying to determine why Eskimos have a very high incidence of osteoporosis and Africans have a relative low incidence.  They discovered two answers.  First, Africans eat lots of fruits and vegetables and Eskimos do not.  Fruits and vegetables are high in phytonutrients and low in protein, both factors being conducive for healthy bones.  Second, Africans get a lot more sunlight, which is nature’s osteoporosis treatment.  Vitamin D deficiency, or technically, vitamin D3, is synthesized in the skin in the presence of sunlight.  So if you care about your bones and have a concern about osteoporosis, take your vitamin D3, about 5000 IU per day. Or, get at least 30 minutes direct sun exposure daily.  If there is any doubt, do both, it will not hurt you. Next week we will discuss osteoporosis in more detail.

Related Articles

Do you know your Vitamin D number?

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

The Kansas City Star recently quoted cardiologist James O’Keefe stating that the general population is predominantly deficient in vitamin D.  African-Americans are especially susceptible because the skin pigment blocks the sun’s vitamin D producing rays.  Some of the lowest lab readings of vitamin D occur in black people. 

The good news is that a simple vitamin D supplement will solve the problem nicely.  I discussed the remedies including  sun exposuree and vitamin D supplements in my last blog.  In the next blog we will be discussing the health implications of vitamin D deficiency.  There are a couple forms of vitamin D available on the market.  The one most active in the body is vitamin D3. 

Related Articles

Do you know your Vitamin D number?

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency

You should know your cholesterol and your blood pressure numbers.  Now, from current research regarding vitamin D, (technically, it is vitamin D3,)  vitamin D deficiency is becoming a consideration to doctors everywhere.  To have your vitamin D3 level correctly tested by your doctor, ask him/her to do the blood test called (25OH) D3.  Then, when the results come back from the lab, you should be looking at a blood level of 50.  The current lab “normal” levels are around 30 but are soon to be upgraded to more accurately reflect the vitamin D deficiency epidemic we are experiencing. To get your blood levels up to 50 either spend 30 minutes a day with your skin exposed to the sun, or, take 5000 IU of vitamin D3 per day and have the blood level checked again in 2 months.

Related Articles

Autism and Vitamin D Deficiency

Does Vitamin D Deficiency Contribute to Autism?

Autism Symptoms and Vitamin D Deficiency