Its such a great feeling to be back home in Australia, near the beach, watching all the blonde haired surfers heading out this morning 
✌️
🏊♀️
🏄♂️.
I have to mention my first client today, a young boy with Down Syndrome, who had issues in the past with high oxalates. Last OAT test showed oxalates at 817 while the range was 35 – 185. As you can imagine his mother was concerned and we finally retested and got results back this week.
Great news is that oxalate levels have reduced to 138 and are now sitting nicely in the range. Better news is that the whole test was close to perfect. I believe it was the combination of a Nutrigenetic program and gut repair that got us this result.
I used a combination of nutrition, phytonutrients and a Digestive Repair Program which I create for each client following a comprehensive stool test. I always work on stool testing and the gut before doing OAT tests as I know we can get good OAT results this way. I was also impressed that Glutathione markers had improved. Previously this child was producing low amounts of Glutathione, which alot of untreated children with DS do. Glutathione is our body’s most powerful antioxidant, diffusing the effects of stress our body encounters every day.
So, what are oxalates and why are they important?
Oxalates are organic compounds found in a wide variety of foods including spinach, chocolate, nuts, legumes etc. When oxalates accumulate in the body they form crystals which cause kidney stones. Under a microscope you can see these crystals look pointy and have jagged edges. These crystals can accumulate in the joints, kidneys, muscle tissue, nervous system and are irritating and aggravating. Children who accumulate high oxalates can have symptoms of poor sleep, poor coordination, behavioural issues, aggressiveness and can become agitated.
Its no wonder high oxalates have been investigated in relation to autism. Research (2012) from the European Journal of Pediatric Neurology discovered a link between high oxalates and the development of autism. It was suggested in this research that oxalates can cross the blood brain barrier and disturb CNS function.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21911305
Oxalates form crystals with minerals which can make your child low in minerals. If you are seeing consistently low mineral levels on a hair analysis despite supplementation it could be oxalates causing this.
Not all children have issues with high oxalates. I have heard of some practitioners who put all their clients on low oxalate diets, but this isn’t necessary. If a stool test is done, you can see levels of Oxalobacter Formigenes and this will indicate whether your child is absorbing oxalates or not. Some children have good levels of this bacteria and therefore don’t have issues with oxalate digestion and absorption. Remember, a functional medicine practitioner will always treat the individual.
Here we have discovered that children with Down Syndrome can have high levels of oxalates which can cause symptoms of autism and which can be treated.
I should mention this child struggled to take supplements initially, but we persisted and I believe he is now at full dose without issues. I have also heard from his mum that his speech is improving.
I’m just so happy for this child and mum, who has worked hard to achieve these great results for her son.
