Researchers have spent decades studying the brains of autistic children trying to figure out why they have trouble with things like communicating, socializing, and motor function.
Despite extensive research, little progress has been made in finding a cure for autism.
But what if scientists have been looking in the wrong place? What if the problem is not in the heads of autism patients…but in their stomachs?
A surprising new study found that autism symptoms are cut in half with a procedure that changes the intestinal microbiome of patients.
The research was published in the journal Scientific Reports. Scientists compared the gut microbiome of children with autism to the microbiome of kids without the disorder. The microbiome is made up of the microorganisms in our intestines—bacteria, viruses, and fungi.[i]
Beneficial bacteria in the gut microbiome help with digestion and immune system support. They fight harmful bacteria. Scientists have recently found they also help keep our brains healthy. We are just beginning to understand the extent to which the microbiome is important to our health.[ii]
The research team found that autistic kids had less diversity in their gut microbiomes.
Dr. Rosa Krajmalnik-Brown was one of the study authors. She said autistic children lack “important beneficial bacteria.”[iii]
The scientists used a technique called microbiota transfer therapy (MTT) on autistic subjects. MTT involves transplanting bacteria in fecal matter from one person to another.
After the treatment, parents reported a gradual but steady reduction in their kids’ autism symptoms. They improved for two years following the procedure.
A professional evaluator found a 45% reduction in symptoms. This included improved language, behavior, and social interaction skills.
At the start of the study, 83% of subjects were diagnosed as having severe autism. At the end, that number had plummeted to 17%. And 44% were no longer even classified as having autism.
Dr. Krajmalnik-Brown said researchers “are finding a very strong connection between microbes that live in our intestines and signals that travel to the brain.”
Fecal Transfer: Don’t Try This at Home
Dr. Krajmalnik-Brown cautions people not to try MTT as a home remedy. The fecal matter used in the study was purified so that it did not transfer diseases.[iv]
“We caution people not to do this at home,” she said. “It needs to be done with very clean material. If it’s done with sub-optimal material, it could result in gastroenterological infections.”
The research team is now planning a larger study that will include adults with autism. Eventually, they hope to get FDA approval for MTT and make it widely available.
Editor’s Note: Research studies show that cannabis can treat autism symptoms.We have reviewed all recent cannabis research that has been published in scientific journals to answer two key questions: Which conditions do cannabis products help? And what’s the best way to use them?
You won’t get the answers in the mainstream media… But you’ll find them in the February issue of Independent Healing… It’s your best source for evidence-based, non-biased medical information.
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[i]https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-42183-0
[ii]https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-microbiome-and-health#section9
[iii]https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-04-autism-symptoms-percent-years-fecal.html
[iv] https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-health/2019/04/11/asu-research-autism-symptoms-improved-fecal-transplants-intestinal-health/3424039002/