Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), a neurological and developmental disorder, typically begins in early childhood, with symptoms generally appearing in the first two years of life. It is characterized by limited and repetitive behavioral patterns that hinder social interaction and communication skills.
| According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1 in 36 children has been identified with ASD, and current statistics identify it is nearly four times more common among boys than girls. |
If you have a child who has been diagnosed with ASD, it is hard to accept there is no cure. Instead, the primary goal becomes helping to alleviate ASD symptoms through medications, diets, supplements, and therapies to optimize your child’s ability to function. The common nutritional supplements given to children with ASD include multivitamins, vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, and probiotics and postbiotics.
This article explains the benefits of a particular postbiotic, butyric acid, in children with ASD and how AuRx®, a proprietary butyric acid medical food developed by Tesseract Medical Research, is scripting autism success stories. Use the links below to jump ahead to different topics on the page.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids and Altered Microbiota in ASD
The primary short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the large intestine are acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid. These SCFAs arise from the fermentation of carbohydrates, such as dietary fibers, by the gut’s microbiota. Notably, SCFAs readily cross the blood-brain barrier and can exert powerful effects on the central nervous system (CNS).
Although the exact mechanism of SCFAs’ influence on the CNS is still unclear, research indicates that SCFAs influence neurological processes at the molecular level and affect behavior.1 Studies further show that children with ASD have altered gut composition, characterized by elevated levels of SCFAs, particularly propionic acid.2
Excess propionic acid that crosses the blood-brain barrier sets the stage for a toxic environment that can result in cognitive and motor impairments. It has been observed that the greater the gastrointestinal disturbance in autistic children, the greater the risk of behavioral problems, language impairment, and irritability.
The evidence on the role of SCFAs in influencing CNS functions highlights their role in influencing the gut-brain axis and their fluctuating levels.
AuRx® — A Butyric Acid Medical Food for ASD Children
Al Czap, the founder of Tesseract Medical Research, is well-versed in the difficulties faced by children with ASD and their caregivers. He developed a medical food called AuRx® — a stabilized butyric acid complex, to provide specific nutritional support for children with ASD. This hypoallergenic formulation has enabled parents to witness remarkable autism success stories resulting from countering the gut-brain nutrient imbalance experienced by children with ASD.
Tesseract’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables maximum absorption and bioavailability of butyric acid to bring positive behavioral changes in affected children. The CyLoc® technology envelopes each butyric acid molecule to mask its taste and maintain its integrity during transit through the stomach. The accompanying DexKey® reactors enable targeted delivery of butyric acid molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for optimal absorption. The highly absorbable therapeutic reality can bring positive behavioral changes in ASD children.
Autism Success Stories Powered by AuRx®
It is worth noting that beginning an AuRx® daily regimen is not the end of ASD symptoms. AuRx® won’t likely be a sufficient monotherapy for every child with ASD, but it can complement other types of interventions when added to a comprehensive treatment plan. The following are several success stories that highlight how AuRx® is transforming the lives of children with ASD.
Max’s Story:
Max was six when he was diagnosed with ASD. He struggled with social interactions and sensory issues and had trouble concentrating.
After starting AuRx®, Max showed remarkable improvements, including:
- Tying his shoes, which was something he couldn’t do before due to his inability to perform tasks that required sustained attention.
- Improved executive function and sensory issues.
- Comfortably making new social contacts.
Joey’s Story:
After being introduced to AuRx®, Joey showed notable positive differences in speech, eye-hand coordination, attitude, and social interactions, all in just a few months.
Luna’s Story:
Luna began showing gradual weekly improvements after starting AuRx®.
- After two weeks on AuRx®: Luna usually relied on screen time to calm herself at a doctor’s appointment. After starting AuRx®, Luna cooperated at the doctor’s appointment without asking for the cell phone.
- After three weeks on AuRx®: Luna wrote a note (prayer card) independently for the first time without being prompted.
- After one month on AuRx®, Luna could name the characters she colored, a task she had struggled with previously.
Jack’s Story:
Jack was a hyperactive toddler with limited verbal ability, repeating behavior, and aggression. Jack underwent various ASD treatment approaches, including OCD treatments, homeopathy, ABA therapy, and speech therapy.
After being introduced to AuRx®:
- Jack’s handwriting improved.
- Jack’s mood improved significantly.
- Jack could handle social situations better and was more comfortable around people.
Noah’s Story:
As a 10-year-old, Noah faced consistent difficulties in school due to irritable outbursts and diminished communication ability. After beginning an AuRx® daily regimen, Noah showed noticeable positive changes in his behavior, including:
- Reduced pickiness when eating.
- Improved appetite.
- Greater attention to social cues.
- Fewer frustrated outbursts.
- Enhanced mood.
These changes were not coincidental. It was reported that when Noah did not have his AuRx® on a family vacation, his symptoms returned and were better managed when his AuRx® was resumed.
*Note: Autism success stories have been provided by parents of children with ASD, and names have been changed to protect privacy.
Al Czap says, “When you meet a patient’s issues really well, it makes your heart melt.” These autism success stories reflect the efficacy of AuRx® in helping to alleviate ASD symptoms. With the growing use of AuRx, more parents of children with ASD are likely to experience similar successes.
How is AuRx® Different?
Although most dietary therapies designed for children with ASD target the CNS, there is growing evidence that multiple ASD symptoms are tied to the child’s gut health. AuRx® is formulated to support gut health, which, in turn, is connected to the CNS through the gut-brain axis.
Children with ASD are often reported to experience imbalanced inflammatory responses in the gut, resulting in an overstimulated gut-brain axis, which potentially causes sensations of bloating, abdominal discomfort, and resultant exacerbated behavioral symptoms. Butyric acid, the primary nutrient in AuRx®, helps maintain a balanced inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract, thus promoting gut and neurological health.
The following table highlights how AuRx® helps alleviate ASD symptoms.
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Factors That Make AuRx® A Gold Standard Medical Food |
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|---|---|
| a. Optimal Absorption: AuRx’s proprietary nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables optimal absorption of butyric acid molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract. | |
| b. Optimal Bioavailability: The targeted delivery of butyric acid enhances butyric acid’s bioavailability. | |
| c. Enhanced Palatability: Masking butyric acid’s unpleasant taste and odor enhances the formulation’s palatability, resulting in optimal patient compliance. |
Butyric Acid to Alleviate ASD Symptoms
Children with autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) often exhibit mitochondrial abnormalities and impaired energy production. ASD is also associated with increased oxidative stress and lower antioxidant capacity.
While propionic acid disturbs gastrointestinal function in a manner similar to the abnormalities in ASD, butyric acid has been found to positively up-regulate mitochondrial function, the blood-brain barrier, and gut permeability. Butyric acid has further shown promising results as a neuroprotectant agent in alleviating ASD symptoms by enhancing mitochondrial function and driving the energy metabolism of colonocytes or colon cells.3
The concentration of SCFAs in both the intestines and in circulation depends on an individual’s diet, intestinal microbiota, and metabolism. Supplemental butyric acid can enhance the gut microbiome, thus helping to maintain healthy levels of SCFAs to alleviate ASD symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about ASD:
What dietary interventions should I consider for a child diagnosed with ASD?
You should always consult with your child’s healthcare provider before considering a dietary intervention for a child diagnosed with ASD. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all solution’ for children with ASD, and a health expert can best determine your child’s nutrient requirements for alleviating ASD symptoms.
When is the best time to begin a dietary intervention for an ASD child?
As Czap says, “The younger we can intervene, the quicker we can analyze the child and the better served we are in responding.” While beginning a dietary intervention earlier is beneficial to address the symptoms, it is always recommended to consult with a health-care provider before including a medical food such as AuRx in the child’s diet, regardless of age.
Is supplemental butyric acid effective in alleviating symptoms?
It should be noted that some dietary interventions might not prove to be a sufficient monotherapy for achild with ASD but can work best when added to a comprehensive treatment plan. Various other dietary changes might also be required — changes typically involve modifying the type or quantity of dietary fiber the child is consuming.
The efficacy of supplemental butyric acid also depends on its absorption and bioavailability. A formulation with advanced nutrient delivery nanotechnology developed for optimal solubility can achieve the benefits of the butyric acid to help alleviate ASD symptoms.
The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing solubility, absorption, and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they support an autistic child’s neurological health.*
References:
1Lagod PP, Naser SA. The role of short-chain fatty acids and altered microbiota composition in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A comprehensive literature review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences vol. 24,24 17432. 13 Dec. 2023, doi:10.3390/ijms242417432
2MacFabe DF, et al. Effects of the enteric bacterial metabolic product propionic acid on object-directed behavior, social behavior, cognition, and neuroinflammation in adolescent rats: Relevance to autism spectrum disorder. Behavioural Brain Research vol. 217,1 (2011):47-54. doi:10.1016/j.bbr.2010.10.005
3Rose S, et al. Butyrate enhances mitochondrial function during oxidative stress in cell lines from boys with autism. Translational Psychiatry vol. 8,1 42. 2 Feb. 2018, doi:10.1038/s41398-017-0089-z
