Hi all – with autism in the news lately, I thought it would be a good time to review our practices at Optimal Health Spectrums with our autistic patients.

There has been renewed interest in a medication called Leucovorin, which is a prescription form of the B vitamin Folinic acid. We have been prescribing this for years. Folinic is a natural vitamin (unlike folic acid) and can enter the brain easily and improve brain function even in people with MTHFR mutations. Leucovorin had been known for years to help with language and other brain functions in autism, and it also has shown benefits in schizophrenia, and major depression. Leucovorin is dosed based on body weight with a maximum dose of 2 mg/kg, however it is important to start lower and increase slowly as tolerated to avoid causing side-effects such as agitation or hyperactivity.

The test that is usually done before prescribing Leucovorin is the FRAT – Folate Receptor Antibody Test. It turns out that dairy proteins can cause the immune system to make an antibody that can cross-react with the folate receptor in the brain – binding to it and/or blocking it – which then leads to various degrees of Cerebral Folate Deficiency – which in a nutshell – is bad. When this antibody is found on the test, it is imperative to go on a dairy-free diet, and to take Leucovorin. When autistic patients do this, many improvements are seen clinically which is a breakthrough in autism treatment and offers hope to many.

Another issue of interest has been the use of Tylenol, or Acetaminophen, during pregnancy and its association with autism. Again, for years we have recommended that anyone pregnant should avoid Tylenol before and after birth whenever possible, and also before or after early childhood vaccines. We recommend other ways to deal with fever if needed. Tylenol depletes the body of glutathione – which is one of the most important brain antioxidants and detox agents. Glutathione provides important protection from the potentially inflammatory and toxic effects of vaccines on developing brains. We also recommend spreading out and delaying vaccines whenever possible and never vaccinating a child who is sick. With some relatively simple interventions, it may be possible to help prevent some of the potentially devastating effects of autism.