ADHD, Autism & the Gut

By Ross Pelton, RPh, PhD, CCN

The burden of gastrointestinal problems in the United States has reached near epidemic levels. It’s reported that 1 out of every 5 visits to a doctor (20%) are for gastrointestinal complaints.ⁱ

The incidence of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders such as ADHD and autism have also continued to rise at alarming rates during the past several decades. For example, data from the National Health Interview Survey reported that in 1997-1998, 6.1% of US children were diagnosed with ADHD. In 2015-2016, the incidence of ADHD had increased to 10.2%.ⁱⁱ

In the 1970s, the rate of autism in the U.S. was less than three children per 10,000. In the 1990s, the incidence of children with autism exploded with more than a 10-fold increase to over 30 children per 10,000.ⁱⁱⁱ

Could there be a link between the increased incidence of gastrointestinal problems and the escalating rates of ADHD and autism? Also, could probiotics improve conditions in the microbiome ecosystem, which could result in reducing the risk of developing disorders such as ADHD and autism?

For the past several years I have been educating people about the association between gut problems and brain problems. Now scientists are starting to make the association between leaky gut and leaky brain.^iv Intestinal permeability allows inflammation-producing substances to pass into systemic circulation. This results in brain inflammation which causes the blood-brain barrier to become “leaky” and allows toxins to enter the brain.

For decades, scientists and physicians have been looking for “what’s gone wrong,” in the brain of kids diagnosed with autism or ADHD. Research is revealing these conditions are culprits of poor gut health. For example, in one review 43% of children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) were found to have mucosal damage and intestinal permeability compared to placebo controls.^v An increasing number of studies are also being published that link altered gut microbiome and gastrointestinal symptoms with ADHD.^vi

Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics has developed a world-wide reputation for its ability to rapidly create improvements in people with dysbiosis. Recent research reported that Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics contain over 400 postbiotic metabolites. Dr. Ohhira’s is a complete microbiome system that contains probiotic bacteria, prebiotic foods and postbiotic metabolites. However, it is the postbiotic metabolites in Dr. Ohhira’s that immediately begin to create change by reducing inflammation, attacking pathogens, accelerating the growth of healthy new cells in the lining of the GI tract and reestablishing healthy gut-brain communication. This is , “The Dr. Ohhira’s Difference!.” Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics is the best product to rapidly improve conditions in the microbiome ecosystem in children with autism or ADHD. A good gut creates a great mind!