Carnitine
Two recent studies suggest that the dietary supplement, carnitine, may help treat the illness itself by optimizing mitochondrial function. Carnitine is required for the transport of fat from inside the cell into the mitochondria and helps transform the fats into chemical energy. In one study from Medical Science Monitor, participants diagnosed with autism taking carnitine saw significant symptom improvements than those taking placebo. In Molecular Psychology, the authors claim they found a strong correlation between autism and mitochondrial function to which carnitine, Co-Enzyme Q10, and B vitamins show much promise.

Prenatal Vitamins
A new study reports that mothers of children with autism and autism spectrum disorders were significantly less likely than mothers of children without autism to have taken prenatal vitamins three months before conception and in the first month of pregnancy. The finding, published in journal Epidemiology, suggests that taking vitamins in this period may help prevent these disorders, reducing the risk by some 40 percent. Researchers enrolled 288 children with autism and 144 with autism spectrum disorders, and compared them with 278 children who were developing normally. In mothers and children with gene variants that affect folate metabolism, not taking prenatal vitamins before conception was associated with an up to sevenfold increase in the risk of autism. 

Folate Genetic Polymorphism
A new study has documented the presence of a polymorphism in the gene encoding methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) - essential for the metabolism of vitamin B9 (folate) - which almost doubles the chance of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The study was presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies and Asian Society for Pediatric Research 2011 Annual Meeting. The researchers established a registry in 2002, and used the accumulated data to examine the reported genetic link in detail. The prevalence of ASD in those with MTHFR polymorphisms was 1.7 times greater than it was in the control population. The results add credence to the folate deficiency hypothesis.

New Complementary Treatments for Autism. (subscription only)  

This week's Well Connect topics are:

• Well Connect Feature:
  Digestive Disorders Series
  Part One: IBS    
• Wild Card:
  Lifestyle Solutions for Anxiety, Insomnia. 
• Brand Buzz:
  -All-New Gluten-Free Flour!
  -Organic Mixed Baby Kales                 
• Menu Savvy:
  Helpful Ways to Use Flax.       
• Smart Food:
  Fiber Good for More Than Motility.    
• Aesthetically Speaking:
  Popular Skin Rejuvenation Technique 
• Your Healthy Kitchen:
  Still Using Teflon?
• Mythbuster:
  Exercising on an Empty Stomach Is Better. 
• eNews Updates
  -Successful Regimen for Osteoarthritis.
  -Massage Therapy & Chronic Back Pain. 

**By subscribing to NCI Well Connect, in addition to the multitude of wellness topics covered in our eNewsletter, you have access to our entire library of Action Plans and Natural Foods Shopping List. The total value of these items exceeds the subscription price. Click here for a list of our Action Plans titles.

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Many people comment how wonderful it smells when they walk into our office. This often comes from aroma of the essential oils that I use in my practice. Watch this months video as I reveal the blends of oils that you too can create in your own home.

Click Dr. Schuster's Picture for This Month's Segment. 

Bonnie - due to the many clients I see who feel they need a serotonin boost (but do not want to take prescription meds), we have added serum serotonin testing to our list of optional blood tests. There is a protocol to follow three days before the blood draw to ensure complete accuracy: 

1. Avoid foods high in indoles such as avocado, banana, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant.
2. Avoid stimulants such as tobacco, tea, and coffee. 

The test can be ordered by your doctor or through our office (70.00). Contact our office at 847-498-3422 for details.