Addressing ASD symptoms via supplementation with Speak®

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Severe and moderate Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) patients exhibit an under-connectivity between sensory cortices and association cortices leading to a failure to assimilate sensory information into a working environmental context. Additionally, ASD patients have a lack of connectivity of associative cortices to the frontal cortex.

Core CNS Symptoms in Moderate and Severe ASD Patients*

1. Impaired social communication and interaction.
2. Restricted, stereotyped and repetitive patterns of behaviour and interests.
3. Other disorders of the CNS:
   1. motor deficits
   2. speech disorders
   3. sensory impairments
   4. anxiety and phobias
   5. epilepsy
   6. behavioural problems
   7. sleep disorders
   8. tics
   9. delayed intellectual development
   10. obsessive-compulsive disorder

These ASD CNS (central nervous system) symptoms are caused by:

1. Impaired neurogenesis and apoptosis.
2. Impaired synaptogenesis and synaptic pruning.
3. Imbalanced excitatory-inhibition system.

Solution to Address Symptoms? 

Various studies have suggested that PUFAs with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA provided improvements in speech production and coordination in children with verbal apraxia. (1,2,3,4). 

In addition, PUFA supplementation increases utilization of vitamin E in the body (5-8). These two supplements may have a synergistic effect at higher doses. 

Study: A total of 187 children with verbal apraxia received vitamin E + polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation. Supplementation consisted of 280 mg DHA and 695 mg EPA per dose in liquid or capsule form, given with meal 1 to 3 times daily. 

A celiac panel, fat-soluble vitamin test and carnitine level were obtained in patients having blood analysed (9). The case series was published in the July/August 2009 edition of Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine and represents the most comprehensive summary of children with apraxia to date.

NourishLife Speak®

One option on addressing the symptoms exhibited by ASD patients to improve the quality of life for moderate and severe ASD patients (and their care givers) is supplementing with paediatrician formulated NourishLife Speak® – which provides 7 nutrients in precise doses and ratios for children with special nutritional requirements. 

Speak® is a proven supplement in a 20 mcg capsule form containing pharmaceutical grade Omega-3 with GLA and two specific types of Vitamins E, Vitamin K and Vitamin D.

Speak® Supplementation Facts

Recommended Protocol

As Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a spectrum disorder, there is no “set” supplementation schedule for all patients. 

Instead, the Speak® supplementation schedule is in the form of a gradual titration over time in which there is an increase in supplementation every two weeks until a demonstrative change in behaviour or speech pattern is developed.

A Guide to Speak® Supplementation

If after a change in behaviour, there is no additional improvement with a higher daily dosage, then return to previous supplementation level of the previous two weeks and maintain.

It is recommended that Speak® be taken for at least a minimum of 4 months.

Typical supplementation for small children (under 65 Kg) is 2 to 4 capsules per day (3,0 ml to 6,0ml per day). For older children (65 Kg+) 4 to 6 capsules per day (6,0 ml to 9,0 ml).

Recommendation if ASD Patient has Impaired Microbiota

If the ASD patients has impaired microbiota, the absorption of Speak can take up to three weeks to begin to take an effect. 

In order to prepare for the rapid uptake of Speak, it is recommended that supplementation with both Coriolus versicolor and Hericium erinaceus takes place two weeks prior to supplementing with Speak. After 8 weeks, both supplements can be discontinued based on changes in behaviour. (See Addressing gastrointestinal distress, neuroinflammation and immune modulation in ASD patients via supplementation with mushroom nutrition. )

 The key objectives in the use of mushroom nutrition is to regulate the microbiota and to reduce overall inflammation thereby setting the stage for the uptake in omega 3 and 6 complex represented by Speak.  This protocol will reduce the overall cost of Speak supplementation and increase the probability of an early change in ASD symptoms. 

Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rossignol, Frye  Mol Psychiatry. 2012 Mar;17(3):290-314. doi: 10.1038/mp.2010.136. Epub 2011 Jan 25.

(1) Agin MC, Geng LF, Nicholl MJ, The Late Talker; What to Do If Your Child Isn´t Talking Yet, New York, NY:St. Martin´s Press; 2004. (3) Kent RD, Research on speech motor control and its disorders: a review and prospective. J. Commun Disord, 2000;33(5):391- 427;quiz 428.

(2) Agin M. Verbal apraxia and the role of essential fatty acids:the perspective of a developmental pediatrician. Paper presented at: Research Workshop on Fatty Acids in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (FAN 2001). September 20-22, 2001; Oxford UK.

(3) Katz R, Agin M. Outcomes of essential fatty acid supplementation in verbal apraxia: an analysis of professional anecdotal reports. Paper presented at: Research Workshop on Fatty Acids in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (FAN 2001). September 20-22, 2001; Oxford UK. 

(4) Roth R, Agin M. Outcomes of essential fatty acid supplementation in verbal apraxia: Paper presented at: Research Workshop on Fatty Acids in Neurodevelopmental Disorders (FAN 2001). September 20-22, 2001; Oxford UK.

(5) Bourre JM, Effects of nutrients (in food) on the structure and function on the nervous system: update on the requirements for brain. Part 1: micronutrients J Nutr Health Aging 2006;10(5):377-385.

(6) Virmani A. Gaetani F. Binienda Z. Effects of metabolic modifiers such as carnitines, coenzyme Q10, and PUFAs against different forms of neurotoxic insults: metabolic inhibitors, MPTP, and methamphetamines. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2005 Aug; 1053:183-191.

(7) Nakamura MT. Cho HP, Xu J. Tang Z, Clarke SD. Metabolism, and functions of highly unsaturated fatty acids: an update Lipids, 2001:38(9)961-954.

(8) Volk EE, Hornstra G. Relationship between Vitamin E requirement and polyunsaturated fatty acid intake in man: a review Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 200;70(2):31-42.

(9) Morris CR, Agin MC ”Syndrome of Allergy, Apraxia and Malabsorption: Characterization of a Neurodevelopmental Phenotype that responds to Omega 3 and Vitamin E Supplementation” – Alternative Therapies July/Aug. 2009) Vol 15, No 4.