Higher rates of autism and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder in American children: Are food quality issues impacting epigenetic inheritance?

Abstract

In the United States, schools offer special education services to children who are diagnosed with a learning or neurodevelopmental disorder and have difficulty meeting their learning goals. Pediatricians may play a key role in helping children access special education services. The number of children ages 6-21 in the United States receiving special education services increased 10.4% from 2006 to 2021. Children receiving special education services under the autism category increased 242% during the same period. The demand for special education services for children under the developmental delay and other health impaired categories increased by 184% and 83% respectively. Although student enrollment in American schools has remained stable since 2006, the percentage distribution of children receiving special education services nearly tripled for the autism category and quadrupled for the developmental delay category by 2021. Allowable heavy metal residues remain persistent in the American food supply due to food ingredient manufacturing processes. Numerous clinical trial data indicate heavy metal exposures and poor diet are the primary epigenetic factors responsible for the autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder epidemics. Dietary heavy metal exposures, especially inorganic mercury and lead may impact gene behavior across generations. In 2021, the United States Congress found heavy metal residues problematic in the American food supply but took no legislative action. Mandatory health warning labels on select foods may be the only way to reduce dietary heavy metal exposures and improve child learning across generations.

Nutritional epigenetics education improves diet and attitude of parents of children with autism or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder

“…Wang et al [ 76 ] found ultra-processed food consumption among United States youth aged 2-19 increased from 61.4% to 67% while the total caloric intake of whole or minimally processed foods decreased from 28.8% to 23.5% between 1999 and 2018. The increasing trends in ultra-processed food consumption among youth are alarming because strong evidence now suggests the consumption of ultra-processed foods is associated with heavy metal and pesticide exposures and the development of autism, developmental delay, and/or ADHD[ 42 ]. With the increasing ultra-processed food intake, we see increasing trends in the number of children struggling with these neurodevelopmental disorders.…”

“…With the increasing ultra-processed food intake, we see increasing trends in the number of children struggling with these neurodevelopmental disorders. Dufault et al [ 42 ] reported a 242% increase in the number of children ages 6-21 in the United States receiving special education services under the autism category while student enrollment remained flat between 2006 and 2021. The need for special education services for children under the other health impaired (including ADHD) and developmental delay categories increased 83% and 184%, respectively, during the same period[ 42 ].…”

“…Dufault et al [ 42 ] reported a 242% increase in the number of children ages 6-21 in the United States receiving special education services under the autism category while student enrollment remained flat between 2006 and 2021. The need for special education services for children under the other health impaired (including ADHD) and developmental delay categories increased 83% and 184%, respectively, during the same period[ 42 ]. Parent nutrition education programs focused on facilitating reductions in ultra-processed food intake are key to preventing the learning disabilities that are increasing in prevalence with each passing year: autism, developmental delay, and ADHD.…”

“…MT gene disruption leads to the bioaccumulation of heavy metals in the blood and problem behaviors and impaired learning in offspring. Maternal exposures to Pb and Hg via unhealthy or poor diet, lifestyle, and environment are transmitted to the child via cord blood[ 23 ] and are likely responsible for the development of autism and ADHD in children[ 24 , 42 ], especially in the case of PON1 gene suppression[ 10 , 11 , 43 ] which can result in oxidative stress[ 44 ] and changes in DNA methylation patterns[ 45 ]. Expression of the PON1 gene results in the body’s production of the Ca dependent paraoxonase enzyme that detoxifies organophosphate (OP) pesticide residues[ 46 ] found widely in the United States food supply[ 47 ].…”

Synthetic Colors in Food: A Warning for Children’s Health

“…In a data analysis covering the period from 2006 to 2021, Dufault et al [ 25 ] found a significant increase in the number of children in the United States who required tutoring in specialized education due to learning difficulties. There was a 242% increase in cases of autism and 184% in developmental delays, as well as other health problems.…”