| There is an issue with regression that comes up | | | | Acid Test and the Microbial Organic Acid Test |
| frequently in my practice. Oftentimes, this | | | | which look at the specific yeast and clostridia |
| regression will happen following a course of | | | | bacteria markers. HPHPA is the clostridia marker |
| antibiotic treatment or following antifungal | | | | and a metabolic toxin that is picked up on these |
| treatments, and rather than improvement, you | | | | tests. That metabolic toxin appears to interfere |
| see regression. Antifungal treatments can include | | | | with brain chemicals, which then can manifest in |
| prescriptions such as Nystatin, Diflucan or Nizoral | | | | some of those behavioral issues we see with kids |
| or herbal remedies like oregano oil, grapefruit seed | | | | on the spectrum. |
| extract, etc. If you see a worsening in behavior | | | | Yeast and clostridia live in competition with one |
| along the lines of irritability, aggression, self injury | | | | another in the digestive tract. So that is why we |
| or withdrawal, you could be seeing signs of an | | | | often see regression with the use of antifungals. |
| underlying bacterial problem. | | | | If you are not treating them both at the same |
| A common bacteria that many children on the | | | | time, when one is lowered then the other one can |
| Autism spectrum deal with is called clostridia. | | | | tend to flourish. So if you are treating a yeast |
| There are many types of clostridia bacteria, one | | | | overgrowth without also treating a clostridia |
| type is called clostridia dificil and can actually cause | | | | overgrowth, clostridia can get worse because it |
| one form of inflammatory bowel disease. When | | | | has less competition from the yeast that is dying. |
| we talk about these negative behavioral changes | | | | You can also have an increase in clostridia |
| and regression, we are not talking about this type. | | | | following antibiotic use as that can kill off the |
| Although that form can produce certain toxins | | | | beneficial bacteria in the gut which allows more |
| that could contribute to these negative behaviors | | | | growth for the opportunistic clostridia. If you see |
| but we are really talking about the broad family of | | | | regression in your child following a course of |
| clostridia rather that a specific form. | | | | antibiotics or antifungals, it may be wise to look |
| Great Plains Labs has two tests called the Organic | | | | into whether a clostridia overgrowth is the cause. |