Exploring Autism and Homeopathy: The Limitations and Potential

Article Summary:

• Homeopathy is a complementary approach to address ASD symptoms. 
• There is no substantive evidence of homeopathy’s efficacy on ASD symptoms.
• AuRx® is a butyric acid supplementation that addresses gut microbiome imbalances in ASD children.  

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, along with restricted and repetitive behaviors. Due to the the limitations of currently available treatments, many parents of children with ASD are increasingly exploring complementary and alternative approaches to help manage symptoms. These approaches may include: 

1. Biological approaches, include dietary interventions, supplements, and nutraceuticals.
2. Non-biological approaches, including music therapy, auditory integration training, sensory integration therapy, acupuncture, massage, and yoga.  

This article explores the potential of homeopathy as a complementary approach for ASD, highlighting studies that evaluate its efficacy in children with ASD and related neurological conditions. Furthermore, the role of butyric acid in supporting mitochondrial function in children with ASD is explored.    

Autism and Homeopathy: Does it Work? 

There is an ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness of homeopathy as a complementary therapy for ASD. Since the exact cause of ASD remains unknown or indefinitive, several different theories have been proposed to explain its development. One such theory is the Opioid-Excess Theory. 

The opioid-excess theory proposes that peptides with opioid-like activity, derived from dietary sources (such as foods that contain gluten and casein), may pass through an abnormally permeable intestinal membrane and enter the central nervous system (CNS). This process is thought to interfere with neurotransmission, potentially contributing to ASD symptoms. It has been suggested that the reduction of peptide levels, either through exclusion diets or the administration of homeopathic preparation of secretin, may improve social and language skills in children with ASD.. The following table highlights the observed effects of homeopathy on ASD symptoms. 

Butyric Acid Supplementation to Address ASD Symptoms

It has been observed that a significant proportion of children with autism and autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) exhibit mitochondrial abnormalities and impaired energy production³. This observation has led to the hypothesis that autism may be linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. ASD is also linked to increased levels of oxidative stress and lower antioxidant capacity. 

Children with ASDs often experience eating disorders and gastrointestinal symptoms, frequently favoring low-nutrition, energy-dense foods over fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This dietary imbalance can contribute to altered metabolism and the accumulation of oxidation radicals. The resulting oxidative stress and redox imbalance, driven by elevated levels of reactive oxygen specides (ROS), are believed to play a role in ASD pathophysiology.  

Butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) produced by gut bacteria from the fermentation of dietary fiber, positively up-regulates mitochondrial function and has been proposed as a neuroprotectant. Several reports highlight the relationship between gastrointestinal microbiota, oxidative stress, and ASD. Butyric acid, a key energy substrate for colonocytes (colon cells), drives the energy metabolism of colonocytes. Data from a pilot study on mitochondrial function in cell lines from boys with autism suggest that butyrate enhances mitochondrial function and could be a critical metabolite to help rescue energy metabolism in ASD-affected individuals⁴. 

AuRx®: The Gold Standard Medical Food for ASD

Current reporting on autism and homeopathy is inconclusive. In contrast, several studies support butyric acid supplementation to counteract the gut-brain nutrient imbalance observed in ASD children. 

AuRx®, developed by Tesseract Medical Research, is a hypoallergenic, gold-standard medical food for ASD children. It contains a stabilized butyric acid complex delivered in a palatable-tasting powder intended to address specific nutritional requirements of ASD children. 

The proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology optimizes the bioavailability and absorption of butyric acid molecules. The CyLoc® technology surrounds each butyric acid molecule in its smart delivery system to maintain its integrity during transit through the stomach. The accompanying DexKey® reactors release each molecule at the desired point in the intestinal tract for maximum absorption.     

Citations:

¹Robinson, T W. “Homeopathic Secretin in autism: a clinical pilot study.” The British homoeopathic journal vol. 90,2 (2001): 86-91. doi:10.1054/homp.1999.0468

²Shaddel, Farshad et al. “What is the best available evidence for using homeopathy in patients with intellectual disabilities?.” Iranian journal of pediatrics vol. 24,4 (2014): 339-44.

³Siddiqui, Maheen F et al. “Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Autism-open access vol. 6,5 (2016): 1000190. doi:10.4172/2165-7890.1000190

⁴Rose, Shannon 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