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What is Chelation and How Can it Help My Child with Autism?

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 01:42:22 -0800

Dear Dr. Jerry,

I keep hearing about “IV chelation and that a lot of children lose their diagnosis—could this be a winner for my son Luca? I have been told that chelation is not used here in the UK?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks & Kind Regards

Antonina

What is chelation?

Chelation is a medical intervention where an agent that attracts heavy metals is given in some form or another with the intent to remove heavy metals from the body. Chelation therapy is offered to patients who have laboratory demonstrated elevations of heavy metals including lead, mercury, and arsenic.

Where do these metals come from?

I have the privilege of seeing patients from all around the world. Different areas have different environmental pollutants. Some cultures have a diet which includes a lot of seafood and people from that culture tend to have high levels of mercury because there is a large amount of mercury in some of the species of fish they consume, some people live in a very polluted environment like Kuwait when the oil fields were set on fire, others live near heavily sprayed agriculture (or golf courses), and the list goes on and on.

In a recent article, Body Burden – The Pollution of Newborns (you can read the article here) the umbilical cord blood of 10 infants were tested. Tests revealed a total of 287 chemicals in the group. The umbilical cord blood of these 10 children, collected by Red Cross after the cord was cut, harbored pesticides, consumer product ingredients, and wastes from burning coal, gasoline, and garbage. Mercury was found in the cord blood too! We live in a toxic environment and susceptible individuals can inadvertently be poisoned by one means or another, starting from the womb.

Why don’t these metals come out naturally?

We have natural pathways that are designed to clear toxic metals from our body. We are all born with different capacities to accomplish this task. Some of our population is more easily “poisoned” than others. We know the very young and the very old are especially sensitive to poisonings and heavy metal exposures. In these cases, heavy metals can accumulate faster than they can be removed. When they do accumulate, they can poison enzyme systems that are necessary for normal metabolic function. Then there is a cascade of multiple metabolic dysfunctions that result in the child not being able to live at his or her full potential.

How do we test for heavy metals?

The science of detection of heavy metals is evolving nicely, but we have a long way to go. You see, when someone is exposed to heavy metals, the heavy metals are picked up by blood and transported quickly to the metal’s tissue of choice. This is like being in a taxi cab, you want to get to your destination and get out of the cab. Let’s take lead for example. Lead prefers to be bound to bone tissue. Thus when the body is exposed to lead, the blood stream transports it to bone, and the lead then deposits there. That’s why when a parent tells me that “they” tested the blood for lead and it was negative, all that tells me, is that the “taxi” is empty, currently (which is good because it means there is no on-going lead exposure), but tells me NOTHING about what happened 3 months ago or longer. There could have been a significant lead exposure, but today’s test won’t tell you that. One of the most sensitive tests available at most labs (like Lab Corp) is called a Porphyrin Profile. How this measures the total body burden of heavy metals as well as potentially pointing to a single agent is beyond the scope of today’s discussion. Suffice it to say that this test can be serially followed while doing chelation and you can actually watch the numbers improve. Another test, though less sensitive but a lot more gratifying is the urine toxic metal challenge. In this test, a pre-chelation urine is obtained and evaluated for several specific heavy metals, which are ascribed a value. When a chelating agent is then given, a follow up urine is obtained and if one or more of the heavy metals is increased, you can see quickly (they are usually bar graphs) what is coming out (i.e. lead or mercury) and “how much” more than without the chelator. There are some other ways to follow heavy metals, and your practitioner will certainly be well versed in one or more of these laboratory studies.

The Chelators

Calcium disodium EDTA (the only form of EDTA that I use)

This is an amino acid that attracts lead, other heavy metals, and some minerals from the bloodstream and expels the toxic elements in the urine. EDTA works to remove excess lead from the body, but is not specific to mercury or methyl mercury like DMSA or DMPS. It can be taken orally, rectal suppository, or given IV (intravenous).

DMSA

This is a FDA approved drug can be used in children when lead toxicity is suspected, but can remove other heavy metals including mercury and arsenic. It can be taken orally, transdermally, or given as a suppository.

DMPS (not FDA approved)

DMPS is given with the intent to remove mercury from the body. It can be given IV, intramuscularly, subcutaneously, transdermally, or by suppository.

The Procedure

Clinicians who include chelation therapy in their practice will have their “favorite” approach to both diagnosis and treatment and monitoring. They will often prescribe additional supplements because it is common for certain minerals to be removed during the process. Chelation can certainly be augmented with many different approaches, such as the addition of glutathione, vitamin B12, etc.

Clinical Outcomes

Yes, I have seen everywhere from marked improvement to no improvement. There are so many variables here: age of exposure (like in the womb, 1 day old, etc), amount of exposure, type of exposure (which metals/toxins), genetic ability to handle the exposure, route of exposure, and more. Regardless of the specifics on the variables, we know that we are trying to eliminate, to the best of our ability and as safely as possible, heavy metals. Two current obstacles remain in our way. One is that many of the metals’ preferred sites to “land” is the fatty tissues of the body, including the brain. Current chelators are water soluble and reaching into the fat can be very difficult. The second obstacle is having the chelators cross the blood-brain barrier. That is, actually getting the chelating agent into the brain to remove heavy metals there. With that said, there is no denying that many children improve with chelation, somehow in some manner that we just may not fully understand.

Beware!

There are many companies producing products that claim they chelate. I would like you to ask these four simple words, “HOW DO YOU KNOW?” They will tell you how the water changes color, the EEG changes, etc, but how do you know what you are doing is actually chelating? There needs to be some way to monitor what we are doing. Chelation should really be done with an experienced physician!

Want more info from Dr. Jerry? Send us your questions to monique.peltz @ generationrescue.org or post them in the comments section.

Are Enzymes a Secret Weapon For Weight Loss?

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 07:00:00 -0800

An Interview with Dr. Jerry Kartzinel by Zack Gonzalez - PART 1

Alright, so it’s winter. Basically, the time of year where we all eat just about twelve-times more than we promised ourselves we would on New Year’s Day. And although it’s winter, and it’s easy to hide our love handles under giant coats and jackets, how much of an impact can all this extra grubbing leave on our bodies? And what secret weapon(s) can we keep in our back pockets to make sure we aren’t completely throwing our bodies into havoc? Well, I got to sit down and get all the answers from Dr. Jerry Kartzinel. The big-dawg MD, himself.

ZACK: I heard that digestive enzymes help, not only to digest heavy food, but also to help beat belly bloat. True or false?

DR JERRY: I’m afraid the answer is false. While enzymes do help break down food, they don’t do anything to help with all of those excess calories! I will add that they may help with belly bloat if its because you’re eating foods you’re a little sensitive to, but if you know you’re sensitive to those foods, it’s best not to eat them.

ZACK: What other products might be helpful? For those with autism and for those without? And what makes them helpful?

DR JERRY: Overall, we have to treat the winter season the same way as we do the rest of the year. Healthy living is always in season. That being said, it can’t hurt to add some fiber to your diet to help your body stay regular if you’re eating more than usual of foods that may not be best for you. A multivitamin will always help with good nutrition, especially since the traditional favorite holiday foods aren’t usually vegetables. Finally, a probiotic might be a great idea to help those gut flora stay in balance with the additional sugar some people may be consuming.

ZACK: Now, clearly there's gonna be little weight gain post-holiday season, but I read something online that says that enzymes can actually help you lose weight. True or false? If they do help, how so? If not, what might be a common misinterpretation?

DR JERRY: Once again, this one’s false. Enzymes will help you breakdown food, but they don’t make the calories go away. This misinterpretation probably comes from a misunderstanding of how the digestive system works, and what our food does in our body. Put simply, the process of digestion involves the breakdown of foods to produce energy usable by the body. Enzymes help with the breakdown of the foods. The catch is, if you are consuming more energy than your body is using, your body will store it. So, when I eat a little more than I usually do (and more than my body needs), and especially if what I’m eating is simple carbohydrates and sugar, I’m getting a lot of extra energy that my body is going to store up for a rainy day. Really, moderation and limitation of those simple carbohydrates and sugar consumption will go a long way towards minimizing your holiday weight gain and help you a lot more than any enzyme will.

ZACK: Alright, so clearly enzymes aren’t magic weight loss pills. Now, with individuals with autism, their food sensitivities are more known than those of us without autism. So would enzymes be a good idea for all of us to have handy through out the year? Primarily those of us who aren’t very familiar with their personal food sensitivities. Like me. I eat a lot during the holidays. But I don’t know anything about my own food sensitivities.

Basically what I’m trying to say is, they don’t get rid of the calories, why should someone like me take them? You’re the car salesman. I don’t know why I NEED the car. Sell me the car, Doc. (And you know I want the car-fax.)

To find out the answer to this question and more, stay tuned for Part 2! (COMING SOON!)

You can watch Zack and Dr. Jerry on the all new season of it’s on with Zack.

You be sure get your hands on Dr. Jerry’s line of supplements, Kartzinel Heath.

For allergy-friendly holiday recipes, be sure to check out GFCF Done Easy!

Is Constant Eating Common For Kids On The Autism Spectrum?

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 06:00:00 -0700

I have a 6 yr old grandson who is autistic & is constantly eating, although it is impossible he is hungry! Do you see this often with autistic kids? What can I do about it?

-Judi G.

I see autism as the sum total of unusual responses to everyday stimuli. In this case, the “usual” response to a full stomach is to STOP eating, but in your grandson’s case, he continues to eat. I care for some children with just the opposite response, they do not eat when they are hungry hungry! The main concept behind treating children with autism is to correct what is medically wrong with them. Then, you get to see more and more of the natural responses “kick” in and they start responding to more and more stimuli appropriately.

Q: I have a 6 yr old grandson who is autistic & is constantly eating, although it is impossible he is hungry! Do you see this often with autistic kids? What can I do about it?

-Judi G.

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

For more Q & A and articles from Dr. Jerry Kartzinel visit his Blog.

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

Is It Too Early To See A DAN Doctor At 8 Months?

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 06:00:00 -0700

Q: Would a DAN doctor be worth involving for someone who has identical twins, age 8 months, who have been having feeding problems since early infancy? They gag easily and vomit their food.

Would a DAN doctor be worth involving for someone who has identical twins, age 8 months, who have been having feeding problems since early infancy? They gag easily and vomit their food.

-Liz.

Yes Liz, a doctor who specializes in a biomedical approach to treating children would be great! Due to their young age, it would be preferable to have this doctor be a pediatrician as well.

-Liz.

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

Yes Liz, a doctor who specializes in a biomedical approach to treating children would be great! Due to their young age, it would be preferable to have this doctor be a pediatrician as well.

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

For more Q & A and articles from Dr. Jerry Kartzinel visit his Blog.

How Common Is It To Have More Than One Child With Autism

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:00:00 -0700

Q: I was wondering how common it is to have more than one child affected by autism?

I was wondering how common it is to have more than one child affected by autism?

-Lina B.

Great question. I often see more than one child in the family having autism in my clinic. But more than often, I see children that follow the child with autism do NOT have autism. The difference? The parents choose not to vaccinate the subsequent children, where as in the families with more than one child with autism, the siblings received vaccines as well. I rarely see unvaccinated children with autism, but they are out there as well.

-Lina B.

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

Do You Often See a Dual Diagnosis of Autism & Cystic Fibrosis? Q&A With Dr. Jerry

Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:41:05 -0700

Dr. Kartzinel's ....

Answers To YOUR Questions

Beth Z. (Parent): Do you often see a dual diagnosis of Autism & Cystic Fibrosis?

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel: I see a lot of “dual” diagnosis of Autism and something, be it cancer, cerebral palsy, diabetes, bowel disease, autoimmune disorders, and cystic fibrosis in my clinic. This just stresses my point that each symptom the child exhibits must be dealt with in order to improve his or her quality of life!

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

For more Q & A and articles from Dr. Jerry Kartzinel visit his Blog.

What Can I Do For My Child Who Has A Short Attention Span?

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:00:00 -0700

What do you recommend for a child that has a short attention span? My son goes to mainstream 2 hours a day and they would like to increase his time but his ability to pay attention for longer periods of time is an issue. Some teachers are recommending medication to increase his attention, which they have seen work for other children with autism that have already been fully mainstreamed but I don't really want to put him on any meds.

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

I often see Attention Deficit (AD) with or without hyperactivity in my clinic. Parents tell me that their child simply cannot stay focused on anything. There seems to be a great issue with the child’s ability to concentrate and in the classroom, this can look like:

•   Child requires many prompts to stay on task
•   Very little toy play, moves from object to object
•   Constant fidgeting
•   Easily frustrated
•   Poor recall of information already learned
•   Slow processing speed
•   Impulsivity
•   Poor social function

Here are several interventions that may help with ADD/ADHD. I have also written individual blogs discussing some of these interventions in much greater detail.

Methylation Defect

Genetically speaking, it is very common to find a family history of Attention Deficit disorder, depression, bipolar disease, and anxiety. This family history points to what is known as a methylation defect and can be improved with Vitamin B12, Di- or Tri- methyl glycine, folinic acid, cysteine, and glutathione.

Thyroid Disorders

Thyroid disorders can manifest as ADD/ADHD and need to be addressed and corrected.

Allergies

Allergies can definitely hamper ones ability to stay tuned in and focused. Thus, these have to be addressed and treated.

Inflammation

Any chronic inflammation must be addressed and treated.

Diet

The diet can have a HUGE influence of focus, concentration and behaviors. I cannot stress enough how much this has to be evaluated and managed. Food sensitivities must be addressed and eliminated, removal of sugar and food additives, and each meal must be properly balanced and contain a protein, a carbohydrate, and a fat. Omega oils are essential! Good vitamin and mineral supplementation may help as well.

Supplements

Theanine

Theanine is derived from the leaves of Camellia sinesis which is a green tea, as well as 2 other Camellia species. Studies from Japan confirm this has a generalized calming effect on the brain, which in turn, helps with focus and concentration. Dosing in our clinic usually starts with 100mg capsules take 1-4 caps twice daily.

Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine is the amino acid attached to a phosphatidyl fatty acid molecule. These are derived from soy bean. Research has been weak demonstrating effectiveness, but use in my clinic seems to be calming, especially when combined with omega 3 fatty acids. These are thought to help by incorporating themselves into neuron cell membrane and helping with overall normalization of this membrane. It may really be beneficial for those children who have had severe self-limited diets like cookies or French fries and have an overall nutritional deficit. These may be used cautiously in those children with soy allergies. Dosing is usually 100mg capsules, 1-4 caps twice daily.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Many studies looking at attention disorder have focused on brain imaging and oxygen utilization/glucose utilization. Many of these studies note that there are definite areas of the “AD” brain that consistently show decreased oxygen utilization, or what is commonly termed “hypoperfusion.” Please note, that there are some other areas that have INCREASED perfusion as well. The rationale of using HBOT in children with autism and AD would then to increase the oxygen supply to these areas of hypoperfusion. We generally recommend starting at very modest pressures (this is measured in “atmospheres of pressure”), with 100% oxygen for 60 minutes, once daily. In about 20-40 sessions, we can generally see if this therapy is helpful. I will discuss hyperbaric therapy more extensively in a later blog.

Neurofeedback

Neurofeedback ultimately attempts to train the brain to have the most effective brain wave pattern for focus and concentration. There have been many pioneers in this research who have published impressive clinical results demonstrating marked improvement in the attention deficit. Briefly, a child’s brainwave pattern is determined by a qEEG (quantitative electroencephalography). After the therapist has evaluated this qEEG, a program is put into place where a child is usually allowed to play a video game or watch a video on computer. The trick is that the game or movie only plays if the child brain wave pattern conforms to the protocol set up by the therapist. Overtime, the brain “learns” what patterns are required to continue the play of the game/movie. What this translates into, eventually, is the minimizing of attention deficit.

MEDICATIONS

Sometimes medications may be required to induce focus and concentration. Of course, prior to using medications, it is important to try the natural options first. If the natural options are unsatisfactory, then prescription medications may be considered.

The goal is to find medications that work to help with inattentiveness, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. In addition, when you find a medication that addresses these problems, you often also find improvement in social skills, improvements with language - both expressive and receptive, and the general ability to learn improves as well.

Medications used in treating attention deficit are designed to stimulate receptor sites in the brain. Now it can get a bit confusing here. There are different classes of attention deficit medications and each class works on different receptor sites in the brain. The question is if we “tickle” the right receptor site in the brain, do we get more focus and concentration?

Many of us have used coffee as a “drug” to stimulate focus and concentration. Actually, it is the caffeine in coffee that stimulates caffeine receptors in the brain, and for some of us, it is just what we need to stay on task. Some use cigarettes. It is actually the nicotine that stimulates the nicotinic receptor sites in the brain, and that, for some, can stimulate focus and concentration.

A general rule of thumb when prescribing these medications is to start with a low dose and quickly work up the dose until it is working, or until side effects occur. Attention deficit medications work “today” and you do not have to wait more than 2-3 days before deciding on a dose adjustment.

Classes of attention deficit medications:

Atomoxetine: Strattera

Dextroamphetamine: Adderall and Vyvanse

Guanfacine: Intuniv

Methylphenidate: Ritalin and its long acting forms, Ritalin-SR, Metadate ER, Metadate CD, Methylin ER, Concerta

Tricyclic Antidepressants: include Anafranil and Tofranil

Side effects: Each class has its own potential side effects that must be reviewed individually as these medications can interact with other medications your child might be on, or, even conditions your child might have, such as epilepsy. As always, with everything we do in medicine, the benefits of a particular medication must outweigh the potential risks. With the children I see in my practice, when all the natural ways of inducing focus and concentration have failed to produce significant results, I do prescribe attention deficit medications.

The attention deficit medications, that I have found to have the fewest side effects in my patient population, are Strattera and Intuniv, so I usually start with one of these. Strattera can be compounded into a transdermal cream, which is great for those children unwilling to swallow capsules and have a hard time taking supplements in general. These medications dosages depend on the weight of the child. I always tend to start at a lower dose and work my way upward. It is important to be on the lookout for the side effects, I cannot stress that enough.

Several medications may have to be tried, and remember, we are stimulating different receptor sites in the brain. What works for one child may not for another child. Though I would prefer not to have to use any of these medications, some children will cease to progress academically without these medications, and for some, if not most parents I work with, that is intolerable. Benefits of learning and growing socially may then outweigh the risks of having to take some of these medications. This truly is a case by case intervention and definitely tailored to each child and their family.

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

blog

What is Chelation and How Can it Help My Child with Autism?

What is chelation?

Where do these metals come from?

Why don’t these metals come out naturally?

How do we test for heavy metals?

The Chelators

Calcium disodium EDTA (the only form of EDTA that I use)

DMSA

DMPS (not FDA approved)

The Procedure

Clinical Outcomes

Beware!

Want more info from Dr. Jerry? Send us your questions to monique.peltz @ generationrescue.org or post them in the comments section.

Are Enzymes a Secret Weapon For Weight Loss?

Is Constant Eating Common For Kids On The Autism Spectrum?

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

Is It Too Early To See A DAN Doctor At 8 Months?

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

For more Q & A and articles from Dr. Jerry Kartzinel visit his Blog.

How Common Is It To Have More Than One Child With Autism

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

Do You Often See a Dual Diagnosis of Autism & Cystic Fibrosis? Q&A With Dr. Jerry

Dr. Kartzinel's ....

Answers To YOUR Questions

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

For more Q & A and articles from Dr. Jerry Kartzinel visit his Blog.

What Can I Do For My Child Who Has A Short Attention Span?

Dr. Jerry's Answer:

Here are several interventions that may help with ADD/ADHD. I have also written individual blogs discussing some of these interventions in much greater detail.

Methylation Defect

Thyroid Disorders

Allergies

Inflammation

Diet

Supplements

Theanine

Phosphatidylserine

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT)

Neurofeedback

MEDICATIONS

Classes of attention deficit medications:

Dr. Jerry Kartzinel is Board Certified pediatrician and a Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatrics. He specializes in the recovery of neurodevelopmental, chronic neuro-inflammatory diseases, and hormonal dysfunctions. Dr. Jerry co-authored Healing and Preventing Autism with Jenny McCarthy.

Visit Dr. Jerry's New Autism Information Site: MendingAutism.com for thoughtful help for healing the bod and family.