“Finally, some research that makes sense.”

This is what parents of autistic kids are saying, as new research validates my “DNA of crap” theory is suggesting that higher-than-normal levels of a protein element in the blood provide a link to both autism and immune system abnormalities, such as allergies.

The study, from the University of South Florida‘s Laboratory for Developmental Neurobiolgoy, used a mouse model to show that elevated levels of amyloid precursor protein (APP) circulating in the blood could explain immune system issues in the autistic population.

“Autism affects one in 110 children in the United States today,” said research team leader Jun Tan, MD, PhD. “While there are reports of abnormal T-cell numbers and function in some persons affected with autism, no specific cause has been identified. The disorder is diagnosed by behavioral observation and to date no associated biomarkers have been identified.”

The amyloid precursor protein is typically the focus of research related to Alzheimer’s disease. However, recent scientific reports have identified elevated levels of the particular protein fragment, called sAPP-α, in the blood of autistic children. The fragment is a well-known growth factor for nerves, and studies imply that it plays a role in T-cell immune responses as well.

Oh, T-cells. You crafty little buggers.

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A little dirt never hurt anyone

When my son and I leave the grocery store, I douse him in antibacterial lotion, especially since reading the recent finding that 72 percent of shopping carts contain fecal bacteria and other stomach-turners.

I’m similarly germ conscious when he comes home from school (all those hands wiping runny noses and grabbing the same paint brushes) or goes to eat a muffin after swinging at the playground.

But digging in the dirt, that’s a different story. Earth doesn’t phase me. This week, Cornell University researchers proposed that ingesting dirt actually has a protective effect for humans, particularly little kids and pregnant women. Here’s what they found: Continue reading »

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Before I had kids, I was distinctly not a germophobe. Since then, though, I have gotten a lot more worried about germs. I hate housecleaning more than pretty much anything else in the world, though, and I carry hand sanitizer, but way too frequently forget to use it.

A recent study from Northwestern University confirms that a laissez-faire attitude toward germ eradication can actually help kids, versus hurt them. Being too aggressive in keeping clean actually depresses a developing immune system, which leads to higher levels of inflammation later in life.
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I can never remember whether it’s starve a cold, feed a fever or the exact opposite. But according to a new eat-right program for families, you can feed your kids to stave off a fever at least.

The Dairy Council of California (the people behind all those talking cow commercials that my kid is obsessed with) (a government agency not directly linked to the California Milke Advisory Board which does the talking cow commercials) are cashing in on American parents’ swine flu fears with a new cookbook and Website designed to encourage us to mix up “flu-fighting foods” for the family. Continue reading »

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