ThreeLac is an alternative treatment for candida/yeast/fungal infections which seems to be receiving considerable attention as a biomed autism treatment thanks to Jenny McCarthy. I wouldn't be surprised if it soon overshadows other treatments currently in vogue, such as Chelation Therapy or Me-B12 injections.
ThreeLac is unproven, of course. There are no published studies on its effectiveness as it relates to any condition, never mind autism.
However, there is one "study" underway which purports to demonstrate its effectiveness as an autism treatment. I'm not going to link to its web page but it's easy to find if you're interested. It is not a controlled study, as you can imagine. It's reminiscent of the uncontrolled work Amy Holmes did in the early days of Chelation Therapy for autism. In any such uncontrolled "studies", you will find that the children "improve", some markedly. I would go as far as to say, frankly, that non-controlled treatment studies are worse than useless in autism for reasons that should be well known by now.
What caught my attention about the ThreeLack "study" was the "existing supplement routine prior to and during the study." It's jaw-dropping. The following is a selected list of existing supplements taken by some of the children in the study.
Child #2: Magnetic clay baths finished, transdermal DMPS – ongoing. Other supplements: H. Pheno, H Enzyme HN – Mult, H. Enzy – APF – gfcf, Zn monomethionine, Folic acid, Multicarotene, Co Q10, Black Currant, V E, Epson S cream, EFA, D Plex, B Complex, Eskimo oil, CLO flavored, Myelized A, PicMins, Custom amino acid base, LGS, 5-HTP, taurine, OPC – 100, Biotin-8, Sacro-B, L-carnitine. Parent's comments: "He likes to watch picture of books. His eye contact has improved. He sleeps 7-8 hours every day. He is gentle. He enjoys his life. He often smiles. So, we all enjoy peaceful life."
Child #3: No chelation listed. Other supplements: Carnosine, H. Pheno, H. Enzyme HN – Mult, H. Enzy – APF – gfcf, Zn monomethionine, Folic acid, Multi-Carotene, Co Q10, Black currant, V E, Epson S Cream, EFA, D Plex, B Complex, Eskimo oil, CLO, Myelized A, PicMins, Custom amino acid base, LGS, 5-HTP, taurine, OPC-100, Biotin – 8, L-Lysine. Parent's comments: "He can solve many questions of Science, Social Studies, Arithmetic, and Language. He likes to read Harry Potter. He is gentle."
Child #4: TD-DMPS finished June 2005. Other supplements: Ambrotrose, Arabinex, Ascorbic acid, Amino acid, Biotin, Black currant oil, calcium Citramate, Carnosine, Cod liver oil, Co-Enzyme Q10, DMG + Flonic acid, D Plex, EFA, Enzymes – NF, ZP, AFP, Eskimo 3 fish oil, Glutathione cream, Glutathione liquid, 5-HTP Tryptophan, L-Arginine, L-Carnitine, L-Glutamine, L-Tyrosine, Magnesium sulfate, Mercurious Virus, Monolaurin, Multi-carotene, N-Acetyl Cysteine, OPC-100, Pantethine, Pic-Mins, Pyridoxal 5 phosphate, RNA – Nerve Calm, RNA – Health Foundation, RNA – Stress Foundation, RNA – Mood Focus, Sac. Boullardii, Selenium, Transfer Factor, Vitamin A, Vitamin B-12, Vitamin B Complex, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Zinc, Zinc Sulphate.
Child #5: DMSA, Clay baths, TD-DMPS, still in progress. Other supplements: Super Nu Thera, Vitamin C, TMG/Folinic Acid/B12, CoQ10, Amino Acids, Methylcobalamin shot, Enzymes, Glutathione, Milk Thistle, Cod Liver oil, Monolaurin, Pro-Bio Gold, Hemp oil, EP oil, Multi Mineral, Transfer Factor, Zinc. Parent's comments: "Improved computer skills, improved handwriting and spelling. Has mastered tying shoes on shoe board."
Child #7: TD DMPS, ongoing. Other supplements: Lipoceutical Glutathione, Multi-vitamin, Multi-mineral, Buffered Vitamin C, Zinc, Transfer Factor, Amino Acid blend, L-Carnitine, Taurine, MB12 shots & Folinic Acid, Cod Liver oil. Parent's comments: "Toilet training improved (B.M.'s are the best)."
Child #8: Magnetic Clay baths and Transdermal DMPS gel ongoing. Other supplements: Vitamin E w/Tocotrienols 400I.U., B-Complex #3 caps, Multi-Vitamin Pro-Support, Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Malate, Zinc Monomethionine, Calcium Citramate, Pic-Mins (multi-minerals), Epsom Salt Cream, FlorVital Iron liquid, Cod Liver oil, CoQ10, BAM (Amino Acid base), L-Carnitine, Glycine, TMG w. Folinic acid & B12, L-Theanine, Melatonin, Sacro-B, O.P.C. (oligomeric Pranthocyanidin), Lipoceutical Glutithione, Methyl-B12 shots, Enzymes: No-Fenol, Zyme Prime, AFP Peptizyde. Parent's comments: "He is much better. Overall, a much calmer boy."
Child #9: Oral DMSA, two rounds only during study. Daily application of TTFD chelating cream. Other supplements: Essential fatty acids, Multi-vitamin, amino acids, Acetyl l-carnitine, Vitamin C, B6, Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin E, Transfer Factors, Methylcobalamin injections, Glutathione lotion. Parent's comments: "She has improved well in areas of sociability and cognition. Sociability is 60% improved, irritability is 20% improved and academic is 60% improved."
Child #10: Oral DMSA, 3/2005 – present. Other supplements: Pic-Mins, zinc monomethionine, selenium picolinate, magnesium malate, N-acetyl cysteine, L-carnitine, OPC-100, carnosine, taurine, multicarotene, CoQ10, glycine, biotin, folinic acid, Kirkman Nu Thera Everyday Companion, Kirkman EFA, amino acid mix, B-complex, vitamin A, vitamin B6 (P5P), vitamin C, vitamin E, black currant oil, fish oil, cod liver oil, glutathione, B-12 injections, T.A.P.S. (liver support), TTFD.
Child #11: DMPS transdermal prior to starting ThreeLac and ended in May, 2005, changing to clay baths. Other supplements: Micel A drops, Wellness LipoCeutical Glutathione, Black Elderberry extract, Cod liver oil, Eskimo oil, Transfer Factor, NAC, Multiple vitamin Pro Support, Magnesium malate, Selenium, Zinc monomethionine, Pic-Mins, ASD-Plex, Nu-Thera Everyday Companion, Amino acids, H. No-Fenol, H. HN-Zyme Prime Multi, H. Enzyme AFP Peptizyde cfgf, Kirkman vitamin C candies, Balanced Omega combination, Black currant oil, Hydrosoluble CoQ-10, Multi-carotene, Vitamin E, Taurine, L-Carnitine, O.P.C., Biotin-8, B-Complex #3, Folinic acid, Empsom salt cream, Zinc Sulfate cream, Methyl-B12 shot, Melatonin. Parent's comments: "She was off ThreeLac and all supplements completely for 8 weeks, and her diarrhea (of > 1yr) never returned. She also showed no regression and her behavior is that of a recovered autistic child (no behavioral symptoms). She is now able to tolerate moderate amounts of sugar, and we just started her on 1 packet/day maintenance and the rest of her supplements ½ dose. I think she's completely normal except for needing to stay on the diet and supplements. She still has a bit of a speech delay, but improved so much that it doesn't get in her way of making friends. She's one of the friendliest kids in her class. If you were to observe the class and guess which one is autistic, you probably wouldn't guess (my daughter). She's 90% potty trained."
Child #12: TD-DMPS ongoing. Other supplements: Custom amino acid, Carnosine, Buffered C, DMG w/ B-12 + folinic acid, Pic-Mins, OPC-100, Magnesium Malate, Transfer Factor, Co-Q10, LGS, Selenium Picolinate, Black Currant Oil, Folinic Acid, Sacro-B, Calcium Citramate, Vitamin E, B-Complex, Biotin-8, Zinc Monomethionine, Glycine, Micelized Vitamin A, Cod Liver Oil, Omega Brite, RNA, GABA, Pantethine, LipoCeutical Glutathione, TTFD cream, Glutathione cream, Epsom salts cream and baths. Parent's comments: "His imagination skills have improved. The ThreeLac has made a huge improvement with his stools. Mouthing has improved 100% and lining up objects has improved 50%."
Child #13: TD-DMPS since 12/6/2004, ongoing. Other supplements: Transfer Factor Advanced, Trace Mins, Pic Mins, Zinc Picolinate, Vit E with Tocotrienols, Evening Primrose oil, Black Currant, CoQ-10, Cod liver oil, Eskimo oil, Magnesium Malate, L-Tyrosine, D-Plex, Customized Amino Acids, Selenium, Biotin-8, B Complex #3, MB-12, Melatonin, 5HTP, GABA, Buffered C Powder, Calcium C, Taurine, Multi Vit Pro Support. Parent's comments: "Fine motor skills 50% improved. He is almost 100% toilet trained (90% improved)."
Child #16: Clay baths – ongoing. Other supplements: AFP-Peptizyde, B-12 shot, Black Currant Oil, Carnosine, Cod Liver Oil, Custom Amino Acid Base, DMG w/Folinic Acid, D-Plex, EFA, Epsom S Cream, Eskimo-3 Oil, Hydrosoluble CoQ-10, L-Carnitine, L-Glutamine, Lipoceutical Glutathinoe, L-Methionine, Lycopene, Magnesium Malate, Micel-A, NAC N-Acetyl-Cysteine, No Fenol, Nu-Thera/Everyday Companion, Pantethine, Pic-Mins, Super Nu-Thera, Taurine, Vital-10, Vitamin E w/ Tocotrienols, Zinc, Zinc Monomethionine, Zyme Prime. Parent's comments: "He went from being mostly non-verbal to a "chatter box." He enjoys talking and singing. He has been diagnosed with apraxia of speech and as a result it's not always easy to understand what he's saying...but it's a huge improvement over where he was at when we started."
Child #17: Clay baths – ongoing. Other supplements: 5-HTP, AFP-Peptizyde, B-12 shot, B-Complex w/ CoEnzymes Pro, Black Currant Oil, Black Elderberry Extract, Cod Liver Oil, DMG w/ Folinic Acid, Epsom S Cream, Eskimo-2 Oil, Floradix, Glycine, Hydrosoluble CoQ-10, L-Carnitine, L-Glutamine, Lipoceutical Glutathione, L-Phenylalanine, Lycopene, Magnesium Malate, Melatonin, Micel-A, NAC N-Acetyl-Cysteine, No Fenol, Nu-Thera/Everyday Companion, O.P.C.-100, Pantethine, Pic-Mins, Super Nu-Thera, Taurine, Vital-10, Vitamin E w/ Tocotrienols, Zinc Monomethionine, Zyme Prime. Parent's comments: "She has always been a "chatter box." We have seen amazing changes in her as well. On her annual IQ tests she scored 39 points higher than last year... and 49 points on the other IQ test. If she was reevaluated today, the psychologist expects that she would lose her diagnosis."
Damn. I hope the reason most children in the study take so many supplements is because the study self-selects for curebie parents. Additionally, I hope these kids make it through all that.
This reminds me of a supplement soup JB Handley was giving his kid, but I couldn't find the link to that.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
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27 comments:
Yikes! I know a lot of that, like the clay baths and the black currents, is harmless, but it can't be good for these kids to have so many potentially physiologically active substances in their diet.
Those poor kids. How do you even get all of that stuf in your kid? On second thought, I don't want to know.
This ThreeLac stuff is a probiotic, I'm assuming that it's 3 strains of lactobacilli, but what can be better than three strains? FiveLac!
I'd imagine they put it in the food without the kids knowing.
(imitating)
Oh MoOOOOooom!, how come my cold cerial tastes like dried fish guts and seaweed today?
(gag spit puke)
Geez, it's hard to make my son take ONE multivitamin a day, I can't imagine how they get those poor kids to swallow 30 supplements a day. It's probably mixed in the food or juice, or shoved in their mouths via syringe.
I also wonder if all those supplements are not hurting the kids' stomachs/liver etc.
That's my thinking as well. What are the odds that not one of those supplements is toxic long term? We're not talking trivial doses here I'm sure.
Just wanted to mention Threelac has been out there for a long time, its not a new thing. It is very strong, anti yeast treatment.
mother of child with autism,
well if all you have is criticism, does anyone have suggestions for chronic abdominal bloating and alternating diarrhea with constipation?, by the way, it's easy to get your kids to take more than 1 supplement/vitamin...get creative.
Yes, I'd suggest you talk to your pediatrician.
Hi, wanted to delurk. I'm an autistic-spectrum adult female and have been following your blog for awhile as well as some others, and I have to say I've found it very helpful.
That said, I believe in healthy eating, and that food can affect your thoughts and behavior, HOWEVER, I don't think poor diet causes autism nor does good diet "cure" autism and there's a difference between promoting healthy eating habits and doing some weird fad diet and/or giving mega-doses of Whatever long term.
I live in Southern California and Jenny McCarthy and the Curebie squad are set to hit my home turf quite soon. I find it funny that in my work with the local autistic community, the parents seem to not want to socialize with the autistic adults, like they just want us to go away and not disturb their comfort zones and associated belief systems anymore.
Oh and by the way: taking mass doses of a probiotic IS harmful. Just as taking mass doses of an antibiotic can mess up your tract, taking mass doses of a probiotic can also cause harm. Too much of anything is not a good idea.
Thanks.
Hi Sigrun. I assume you have found the Autism Hub already.
I agree that nutrition and having a healthy gut is important. I just have a problem with people who proclaim they know what causes autism and how to cure it, based on just-so stories.
Hi Joseph,
Yes, I've found the Hub, and I also read Ballasexistenz and NTs are Weird (love that name) on a regular basis. I'd actually like to know how to get my blog on the Autism Hub. I mean, it's a LiveJournal and most of it is friend-locked but I'm trying to return to public posts in regards to some of my autistic stuff, esp. in light of recent *ahem* misinformation *ahem*.
And I absolutely agree with you about people who say "mercury, junk food, video games and (Hot Theory of the Week) cause autism" being completely wrong. Nutrition is great, but quackery is not.
The thing with DAN!, DAMN!, or whatever they're going to call themselves :) is they have maybe 8 "cured" kids who don't look all that non-autistic to me, and there are parents out here in Southern California who I've actually witnessed with my own eyes, talking about their efforts to "cure" their kid which results on them hopping on the bandwagon of This Week's Autism Cure. Meanwhile, the kid needs acceptance, not "you're wrong and we want to make you something different".
I realize because I can talk that people tell me, "Well you don't have MY child's kind of autism", however, I have firsthand experience with neuroleptic drugs and institutionalization because of how "severe" I supposedly am/was/whatever, and neither of those things help, really. (For the record, I'm not on neuroleptics or institutionalized right now.) On the other hand, being in a safe and supportive environment, and being allowed to be myself, have helped out with the things that are really a problem, depression and anxiety.
We're not "wrong", just different. "Curing" me of my autism would make me a fundamentally different person, and it smacks of, oh I don't know, trying to cure someone of being Jewish or gay.
Thanks. Keep blogging, you all are a great source of support in my journey.
Sigrun, you need to talk to Kev (kevleitch at gmail dot com) about Autism Hub membership. I'm not sure if the hub is currently accepting new members, but you can ask him. Certainly, your views are consistent with the purpose statement of the hub.
I know it seems a bit overboard, but I have a 2 year old son who I cant give up hope that some of these things may work. He is my whole heart and I cant stop trying to find something that may work for him to make him better. I'm glad for you that you dont have to be sad everyday that this is your child. But, I will never stop searching for treatment. I have HOPE.
Anon: I am the parent of a classically autistic child. If you want science-based information on what you can reasonably hope for, see my most recent post.
Of course, parents are free to pursue alternative medicine; just be careful not to hurt the kid in the process. Can you be sure that stuff is safe when there haven't been clinical trials on it?
Honestly it is so shocking to me the amount of anger that some have toward jenny mccarthy. I am a mother who's son was just diagnosed with autism last week and I will tell you unless you have lived it and feel the pain that comes with not knowing how to help, don't judge. You will do anything to help get your baby better!
I am an adult who lives on the autism spectrum (very mild) and I have a child who has autism (probably moderate). I can without a doubt say that some of this alternative therapy is true. As a child, I was on antibiotics until I was 15. Now I have yeast issues. I constantly have bacteria issues and probably have lyme disease. My brother who is an aspie could not metabolize vitamins so he could not grow eyebrows and had rough skin. All of the things that I experienced as a child, my child is experiencing now. For the record, I am usually in a fog because I feel like crap.
I have a 4 year old who is autistic. He went from totally uncomunicative to only mild autism in two years. I never pursued diet as he was improving, but as my other child who is two has celiac sprue and other digestiv/allergy problems, I decided to see what would happen if I put Jameson on the same diet & got rid of refined sugar. Wow, he doesn't look ill anymore! The fact is that many things in moderation are good, and talk to your doctor or test some of this on yourself first. Our kids carry our genes after all.
The angst of watching your child struggle with autistic symptoms cannot be explained. It's natural for parents to want to try to fix it if they can. Thank God we were able to reverse my son's autism by using anti yeast/parasite measures and supplemental nutrition. It has taken many years and was incredibly hard. It's easy to judge others...but to understand is to have compassion, which is what these families need.
If I wasn't the parent of an autistic child, not to mention autistic myself, your complaint might make some sense. However, I know what it is like to have an autistic child and I don't see why I should be inclined to give you compassion. I don't think your child would think it's OK for you to request compassion about having to care for him/her.
I wonder why you are so anti treatment. Many of these kids (mine included) have significant physical problems (gut issues, diarrhea, allergies) that beg for treatment. My son had an autistic regression at 18 months and lost the ability to point, wave, speak and lost eye contact overnight. He got better with a gluten free/casein free/soy free diet and supplements (fish oil, B6, B12, probiotics, enzymes) He is a talkative, happy boy now and not the spacey wasting away chronically sick kid who couldn't even say mama. What is the problem with parents trying to heal their kids. Why is it so hard for people to believe that there is treatment for this disorder???
There is a ton of science to back up the treatment. Poor diet-->Less glutathione to detoxify-->environmental toxins you can't detoxify b/c low in vitamins and poor nutritional status-->body clings to metals and pesticides and is overloaded.
ALL SCIENCE BEGINS WITH ANECDOTE!
This is very tricky disease and it doesn't lend itself to the double blind studies, which is why few are done. But doctors are healing these kids. They might not all recover, but many get better.
Probiotics are hugely important because of our processed food and antibiotics in the food supply. See my blog for more and more
This is very tricky disease and it doesn't lend itself to the double blind studies,
That doesn't make sense considering that many double-blind studies have been done. Maybe what you're arguing against is science as a way of knowing. Good luck with that.
If you don't understand the point of view of those of us who are skeptical of unproven autism treatments, that means you are way new to this discussion.
I have a hard time understanding why so many are so judgemental about something are are not experiencing. With all do respect, this includes adult's on the spectrum. If you are on this blog writing and judging, then you shouldnt be because most kids who are on supplements and diets have MAJOR medical problems. My small child tested HIGHLY positive for casein peptides in his urine and after taking all milk products away he no longer runs into wall or doorways and does not have bruises all over his face. He can now look at me once in awhile and does not space out. My son also lost ALL speech and social skills. Now some of his social skills are coming back.
also, please understand that when children are put on supplements it is for a reason. My sons numbers on all of his tests are through the roof. It would have made you cry to read that he is under major stress according to his lab work. So as parents you are telling me that you would not give your child that has bloating diarhea, consitipation, bites himself, does not sleep because he is in so much stomach pain, and even grabs my hand to put on his bellie trying to say it hurts because he can not talk....and you think as a parent you wouldnt give your kids supplements? You would in this situation. Oh, did i mention that he also has toxic amounts of arsenic and other heavy metals in his body, all from a certified lab!!
We just started supplements and i will try it if it will help ease my sons pain and discomfort. Please do not be judgemental!! I really wish adult's on the spectrum would be supportive and help rather than wasting their time judging, when they can talk and are obviously not in as much pain as my young son...or else you wouldnt be on here posting. I wish we would feel comfortable approaching ASD adults, but comments like these would obviosuly hinder that. Spend one week with my child...then judge me!!!
A very disappointed mother of an ASD son
Note: Spam is not allowed in comments. I just deleted 3 spam comments in this thread.
Please do not be judgemental!! I really wish adult's on the spectrum would be supportive and help rather than wasting their time judging, when they can talk and are obviously not in as much pain as my young son...or else you wouldnt be on here posting.
That's an assumption you probably shouldn't be making. Second, I'm a parent of a non-verbal autistic child. The fact that I'm autistic also is incidental. Do I have less of a right to speak as a parent because of this? Argue this point if you think so.
I can be as judgmental as I want of poor standards of science, anecdotes presented as data, and so forth. In fact, people should not keep quiet about this crap just because some people might be offended.
I didn't even know Jenny M recommended ThreeLac. I used it because of a throat problem my 16 year old autistic daughter constantly deals with (multiple years). No doctor helped. I did some googling and figured out it might be a candida problem in her throat. I gave her the ThreeLac - one packet a day and her throat got better. That and her seasonal allergies have not emerged as they usually do this time of year. I have not supplemented her with vitamins and the like up to this point, but I understand why parents do that. I tried a couple things when my daughter was much younger, but figured out they weren't helping her and didn't see the point of continuing. For now I would have to say that the ThreeLac helped; and since it did it seemed logical to consider that candida may be a systemic issue for her. Since that may be the case I have opted for a candida cleanse program that doesn't last too long, doesn't require much to maintain, and has already resulted in improvement within the first month - for my daughter. I would have to agree that it might not be what everyone needs, but for now we are trying it.
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