Page 47 - Winter2010

All Thumbs Book Reviews

Children with Starving Brains: causes a disease. McCandless does make it clear
A Medical Treatment Guide for that no autism gene has ever been identified.
Autism Spectrum Disorder A number of treatment options besides
By Jaquelyn McCandless, MD diet and supplements are covered. Low-dose
Bramble Books, 4th Updated Edition, 2009 Naltrexone (LDN) is an interesting option. It is
not a cure, but since digestive systems of autistic
Any book about autism will bring to mind a children tend to create caseo-opioid and gluteo-
comparison with Gut and Psychology Syndrome opioid compounds, it makes sense that LDN
(GAPS) by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, and (which was originally used to treat heroin addic-
there is a good deal of commonality between tion) might help manage symptoms. Hyperbaric
these two approaches. McCandless recognizes oxygen therapy also seems to stimulate at least
that a gluten-, casein- and soy-free diet is a criti- some temporary improvement.
cal part of the solution. Her list of nutrients in The list of supplements used for treatment is
which autistic people are deficient is very similar long and intimidating, and McCandless admits
to the list in GAPS. The discussion of copper-zinc that it is difficult even for parents, let alone chil-
imbalance concurs with what we have learned dren, to get all that down. Campbell-McBride,
about the late Paul Eck’s research from Laurie by contrast, recommends that supplements be
Warner (Wise Traditions, Spring 2007) and The- kept to an absolute minimum. There is a more
resa Vernon (Wise Traditions, Winter 2008). serious problem when we come to the section
I think both researchers would agree that on vitamin A. Unfortunately McCandless is led
vaccination is not the root cause of autism but is astray by Dr. John Cannell’s murky and muddled
definitely a contributing factor. McCandless does research, which informs his vitamin A-phobic
well to defend and support the controversial work advice, extending to cod liver oil as well. She
of Dr. Andrew Wakefield and the correlation be- notes several times that research does suggest
tween mercury-laden vaccines and autism. There the importance of vitamin A but always defers to Unfortunately
is a very good appendix in the back of the book Cannell. Fat-soluble vitamins are a core principle
revealing how the CDC has corrupted the data with the Foundation’s dietary recommendations McCandless is
pointing to that correlation. However, since not and McCandless’s intimidation has unfortunate led astray by
every child who is vaccinated becomes autistic, repercussions on my thumb. Dr. John
there must be other confounding circumstances. I do respect the intelligence of Dr. Mc-
McCandless describes the role of bacteria in the Candless. There is no question that she and the Cannell’s
gut, and of nutritional status in general. Because other contributing authors are intellectually and murky and
autistic children commonly suffer ear infections, emotionally engaged. Although I did not find any muddled
they tend to be subjected to many courses of an- mention of Campbell-McBride or GAPS, if I am
tibiotics, which will upset the bacterial balance correct, this book could be seen as independent research
in the gut. Breast-fed babies are less likely to be confirmation of much of Campbell-McBride’s which informs
autistic, which reinforces the understanding that research. If I had to choose between allopathic his vitamin-
nutrition is a factor in the development of the medicine and the approach of McCandless I
disorder. McCandless also suggests that genetics would readily choose McCandless, but would A phobia,
may play a role. I suppose that is possible but I’m not let her pry the cod liver oil out of my hands. extending to
always suspicious of that explanation. Genetics is The thumb is reluctantly DOWN for this one. cod liver oil as
a popular default scapegoat that scientists resort Review by Tim Boyd
to when they really don’t know for certain what well.

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