Seagreens® may be useful in the treatment of a number of common problems in autism spectrum disorders, specifically:

• The inability to deal with heavy metals (see Detoxification);
• Compromised immunity (see Immune Deficiency);
• Thyroid disorders (see Hypothyroid).

Seagreens® comprehensive balance of nutrients includes a unique range of polysaccharides, stable protein-bound iodine, the full range of amino acids including cysteine necessary for the production of metallothioneins (MTs), all the minerals and trace elements including zinc.

Articles relating to the possible relevance of these features can be found in The Autism File (80). Seagreens® bind and remove or neutralize heavy metals including mercury, lead, cadmium, and radionucleids. The body’s detoxification system:

Seagreens® may be able to assist in regulating the metabolism and thyroid and provide a consistent nutritional foundation for the restoration of homeostasis. Whilst the path of autism can vary widely in different individuals, presenting a disparate range of symptoms (1), Seagreens® may prove helpful where there is evidence of the following (81):

• Inability to bind and remove heavy metals
• Deficient amino acids
• Mineral imbalance
• Thyroid disorders, hypothyroid
• Dysfunctional digestion, dysbiosis, acidosis
• Compromised immunity, Candida
• Disturbed fatty acid metabolism, electrolyte imbalance
• Dry skin, listless hair, poor circulation
• High levels of free radicals

A previously unreleased confidential report from the US Centers for Disease Control reports that an exposure to more than 62.5 micrograms of mercury within the first three months of life more than doubles a child’s risk of developing autism. The US legal firm Waters & Kraus, who are representing many families in a class action, indicated that in many of the cases the firm evaluated, the affected child had received more than 62.5 micrograms of mercury through paediatric vaccines in the first three months of life. (86).

In 2000, Sallie Bernard and colleagues linked the mercury based preservative thimerosal (ethyl mercuri thiosalicylic acid) not only to autism but to related syndromes such as ADHD (89).

Thimerosal is used widely as a preservative in vaccines, antitoxins, tuberculin tests and desensitisation solutions. It may also be found in soap-free cleansers, nose, eye, and ear drops, eye ointments, topical medications, antiseptic sprays, cosmetics (including makeup removers, eye moisturisers, and mascaras) and cleaning fluids for contact lenses. UK regulators have recommended phasing out its use in vaccines (87).

Clinical nutritionist Jonathan Tommey identifies 7 key areas where “Seagreens® may prove beneficial to many autistics” focussing on Seagreens® ability to:

• Bind heavy metals
• Increase amino acids for the anabolism of many enzymes, hormones and cellular structures
• Regulate mineral imbalances
• Provide thyroid function with tyrosine and its active co-factor in thyroxin, iodine (he points out studies have found autistics to be hypothyroid; shown by iodine tincture being rapidly absorbed)
• Balance acidosis from autistic diets rich in acid forming foods, supporting beneficial gut bacteria
• Support the lymphatic system vital to remove toxins and infectious pathogens (he cites frequent infections and inflammation of the glands being helped by Seagreens®)
• Rejuvenate gastro-intestinal tract and lungs with significant input of the seaweed polysaccharides (108).

Iodine, of which Seagreens® is an ideal natural source, has been noted by researchers in connection with the incidence ADHD and ADD in the children of iodine-deficient mothers in Western industrialised nations (124, 125).

See also Detoxification

See also Hypothyroid - Iodine Deficiency

See also Immune Deficiency