A recent study has shed light on another possible cause of autism: processed foods. In their report, researchers from the University of Central Florida explored the possible role of the gut microbiome in developing autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a lifelong neurological and developmental disorder that begins in childhood.
Published in Scientific Reports, their study revealed that exposing neural stem cells to high levels of propionic acid (PPA), a preservative found in processed bread and cheese, led to brain inflammation, altered neural connectivity and overproduction of glial cells. These conditions are considered markers of ASD.
Overall, their findings suggest that exposure to PPA triggers adverse changes in the brain, as seen in patients with autism. The results also strengthen the association between gut microbiota and ASD.
Exposure to PPA triggers gliosis and other precursors of ASD in developing fetal brain
Earlier studies suggest that the gut microbiome is implicated in the development of ASD. For one, patients with ASD are known to have unique gut bacteria, including Clostridia, Bacteroidetes and Desulfovibrio.
These bacteria ferment fibers in the gut and produce short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate (BA), acetate (AC) and propionate (PPA). PPA is universally used as a preservative in processed foods.
Increased PPA production by gut microbiota is thought to be beneficial for the prevention of diabetes and obesity. But excessive amounts of PPA can also be toxic, causing impaired mitochondrial function as seen in rats exposed to the acid and in some children with ASD.
For their study, the researchers hypothesized that exposure to elevated PPA levels could trigger gliosis, an increased inflammatory profile and disturbed neural connectivity, similar to ASD.
To test their hypothesis, they exposed human fetal-derived neural stem cells to elevated levels of PPA. Their results showed that the neural stem cells underwent significant changes. For instance, there was an overproduction of glial cells.
Glial cells protect neurons and maintain homeostasis in the brain. They generally outnumber neurons by as much as 50 to one. More than that and glial cells can end up disturbing neural connectivity and affecting neural architecture, especially if overproduction occurs during the earliest stages of brain development.
Exposure to PPA also triggered the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Brain inflammation is said to be a hallmark of autism. (Related: Pomegranates reduce brain inflammation, helping protect against Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and neurological disease.)
PPA exposure also impaired neural communication and led to the reduction of neurons. The combination of these conditions affects how the brain communicates. This, in turn, can result in behaviors found in children with ASD, such as increased repetitive behaviors and impaired social communication.
PPA can be found in the gut in small amounts. But in light of these findings, the researchers also speculated that the increased consumption of processed foods containing PPA during gestation might lead to the accumulation of the acid in the maternal gastrointestinal tract.
PPA may then cross the semipermeable placental barrier and disturb fetal brain development by causing the overproduction of glial cells, triggering the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and disturbing neural connectivity. These effects may then translate to neurological conditions like ASD in early childhood.
While these findings are far from being conclusive, there are good reasons to suggest that the gut-brain axis is a potential culprit in the onset of ASD, the researchers wrote.
This is the first study of its kind to link PPA exposure to markers of ASD, including the overproduction of glial cells, increased inflammatory profile and disturbed neural connectivity. The researchers plan to conduct an in vitro experiment on mice to see if a PPA-rich maternal diet will cause autism in their offspring.
Learn more about how the gut microbiome influences brain health and development at Brain.news.
Divina Ramirez
Sources include:
WakingTimes.com
Nature.com
ScienceDirect.com
TodaysPractitioner.com
Blogs.ScientificAmerican.com


Related Posts
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
Published by dreddymd
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD focus on Biological Medicine (Biologische Medizin), Darkfield Microscopy (Dunkelfeld Mikroskopie), Orthomolecular Medicine (Orthomolekulare Medizin), Ayurvedic Medicine (Ayurveda), Psychosomatic Medicine (Psychosomatische Medizin), raw food (Rohkost), fasting (Fasten):
Our primary integrative medicine goal is the maintenance of your health and wellness, and we are committed to safe and effective healthcare.
Our specialties include online integrative medicine education by alternative doctor: food and allergy management through the use of Integrative medical therapy, Environmental Medicine, General Family Medicine, Ayurveda, Panchakarma, Chronic Fatigue, ADHD, autism, Fibromyalgia, Yeast/Fungus related diseases – Candidacies, mercury dental replacement and detoxification, Natural Thyroid Replacement, Weight loss, Lyme Disease, Irritable Bowel Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Addiction related programs, Intestinal Dysbiosis, as well as trigger point therapy using Neural Therapy.
Dr. Eddy Bettermann MD, physician from Germany, consultant and teacher in biological medicine, especially dark field microscopy known as Live Blood Analysis in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines. But he lecture also in the USA, Canada and the U.A.E. He speaks english and german.
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/the-interactive-live-blood-cd-and-the-certified-training-live-blood-analysis-online-course/
https://dreddymd.com/courses/
https://dreddymd.com/2017/01/17/live-blood-microscopy-analysis-darkfield-course/
“Let thy Food be thy Medicine and thy Medicine be thy Food.” — Hippocrates
Physician Member of the Medical Board at AOX Singapore,
Medical Doctor at Nurse Mobile Clinic and
Physician at DrEddy Clinic
Our Mission:
The mission of the Integrative Medicine is to search for the most effective treatments for patients by combining both conventional and alternative approaches that address all aspects of health and wellness – biological, psychological, social and spiritual. Biological Medicine is a big part of my work and so is Dark field Microscopy, what I use in my daily practice and what I teach more then 15 years in Asia and around the world: Live Blood Analysis in dark field based on Haematology.
We utilize Live blood analysis since 2004, conventional as well as specialty laboratories for a thorough diagnostic work up of the disease in question. Our integrative medicine treatment regimens are especially unique and are tailored specifically to the individual needs of each patient.
Our Mission: don’t harm, prevent, use food as medicine
We are a reliable partner for integrative medicine in Medical Spa & Clinic Development and integrative medicine Education Training for alternative doctors – we bring different holistic approaches, like Integrative Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Medicine together. On your request we offer our service in your place as well.
Heavy metal poisoning
Heavy metal poisoning is much more common than most people realize, and if you’re thinking that it doesn’t apply to you because you haven’t been exposed to any, think again. If you’ve eaten fish regularly, had amalgam fillings, received vaccinations, drank contaminated water, or done industrial or agricultural work or pharmaceutical manufacturing, there’s a good chance that you have a fair amount of toxic metals in your system..
We are here to help and to educate!
Wishing your health and happiness
Dr Eddy Bettermann MD
Multimedia library https://bit.ly/2Wgqsd3
Protect you and your family from harmful radiation https://bit.ly/synergyscience-dreddymd
More information about 5G and EMF: https://dreddymd.com/?s=5G+and+EMF
Protocol https://amzn.to/2Nxsfql
DrEddyClinic is affiliate of Amazon and get comission for the products, which we recommend https://www.amazon.com/shop/dreddyclinic , same as GlobalHealing https://dreddymd.com/shop/supplements/
View all posts by dreddymd