http://www.clinicalepigeneticsjournal.com/content/4/1/6
Despite the overall decrease of special education services to students between between 6 and 21 year olds by 5% from 2005 to 2010, assistance for individuals diagnosed with autism has increased by 91%.This article by the Clinical Epigenetics Journal takes a comprehensive look at the increasing rate of autism and what may be causing it.
In the past, certain studies have indicated the possibility that a cause of autism in children comes from the presence of mercury, which can be found in fish, coal-fired power plants, thimerosal in vaccines, or dental amalgam.
Despite the apparent connection, it is not absolutely clear that these actually result in the recent increase of autism. However, this particular article notes that the spike in autism is related to the increase of high fructose corn syrup. The study highlights the increased consumption of HFCS, in sugars and sweeteners, found in the food and drinks that we consume each day. HFCS has been known to be associated with mercury. Since HFCS has a greater prevalence than ever before, this is exposing more people to mercury. Although there may not be immediate effects when it is consumed by an individual, it can affect the prevalence of autism in future generations.
This study has shed some light on the current Hg-Autism crisis that we have had difficulty identifying for a long time. Investigating further will allow us to find how we can change our efforts and reduce the prevalence of autism so that people can live healthy, and safe lives in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment