Organic Acids Test from a Young Non-Verbal Child with Developmental Delay (Part 2)
Implementing antimicrobial (botanical and probiotic) intervention to reduce yeast, fungus, and clostridia bacterial compounds detected on an organic acids test
This article is part 2 of the analysis of an organic acids test (OAT), from Mosaic Diagnostics Laboratory, which comes from a young child with a special needs diagnosis. This individual struggles with poor eye contact, sensory system imbalance, developmental delay (poor milestone development), and constipation.
To review the entire OAT profile, along with my description of test markers make sure to read article 1 - HERE.
What makes this case challenging is not only the sensitive nature of the child with regards to their condition, but also many OAT markers are elevated indicating multiple problems including digestive candidiasis, mold colonization, clostridia infection, elevated oxalic acid, mitochondrial and fatty acid metabolism dysfunction, and glutathione deficiency. In addition, there are nutrient imbalances too linked to various B-vitamins such as a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency. The ‘Fungal and Yeast Marker’ section of the OAT has so many positive markers that doing nothing more than trying to eliminate fungus is a reasonable approach to consider.
Image 1 - Marker 7 (arabinose) is linked to digestive candidiasis, and markers 2, 4, 5, and 6 are associated with digestive system colonization of aspergillus mold. Marker 9 is linked to fusarium mold exposure.
The difficulty with just trying to eliminate fungus is there are bacterial toxins present too which in many special needs children negatively influences their behavior and certain cognitive abilities. The three compounds below in the ‘Clostridia Bacterial Markers’ section can all compromise specific neurochemicals of dopamine and norepinephrine.
Image 2 - the three elevated clostridia bacterial OAT compounds can interfere with dopamine metabolism.
Dopamine inhibition in autism can lead to cognitive imbalances compromising attention and focusing abilities, as well triggering severe behavioral problems in sensitive individuals. Often in the presence of high 4-cresol and HPHPA, aggressive and self-injury behavior can be induced. Fortunately, for this child these behaviors were not occurring.
In my clinical experience, when there is the presence of fungal organisms and clostridia bacterial compounds it’s important to try and reduce both at the same time if possible. This is not achievable with individual dosings of antifungals (e.g., nystatin, diflucan) or antibiotics (e.g., metronidazole, vancocin). However, the reduction of bacterial and fungal compounds can often be accomplished with botanical supplements and probiotics (see examples below). The next image shows the relationship between dopamine, norepinephrine, and the presence of clostridia OAT compounds (4-cresol and HPHPA).
Image 3 - dopamine is converted to norepinephrine through the actions of dopamine beta-hydroxylase (DBH). This enzyme can be inhibited by clostridia bacterial compounds (4-cresol and HPHPA) detected on the organic acids test from Mosaic Diagnostics Laboratory.
In this case, the decision was made to initiate antimicrobial supplement intervention first before adding other products. It’s not that other nutrients such as B-vitamins are not important in a case like this, but it’s often best to move slowly with the introduction of multiple products to limit side reactions such as irritability, hyperactivity, etc. in a sensitive special needs child. The following group of supplements come from New Beginnings Nutritionals:
Infant Probiotic - https://www.nbnus.net/products/532-infant-probiotic-formula-66-g/ - 1/2 scoop before bed.
CoreBiotic - https://www.nbnus.net/products/568-corebiotic-60-caps/?bc=no - two capsules nightly before bed with Infant Probiotic.
Biocidin (liquid) - https://www.nbnus.net/products/525-biocidin-broad-spectrum-liquid-30-ml/ - 3 drops mixed in water or juice three times daily.
Oreganol - https://www.nbnus.net/products/278-oreganol-p73-60-softgels/ - one softgel twice daily.
Disclaimer - this information is for educational purposes only. The amount of each product are specific for this case only and may not be appropriate or necessary in other situations.
The introduction of these supplements is done slowly adding one new product every 24 to 48 hours starting at the top of list (Infant Probiotic) and ending with Oreganol. In most cases the continual use of these products for at least 60 days (sometimes longer) and then rechecking the fungal and bacterial markers is advisable.
In part 3 of this series, I will discuss foundational supplements recommended to address the other imbalances seen on this child’s OAT. These include mitochondrial dysfunction, fatty acid metabolism imbalance, and certain B-vitamin deficiencies.