Perhaps if scientists modeled for Playboy, the media might pick up on the fact that, in the past 10 years or so, our diet and food chain has changed dramatically, and the increasing thoughts that this environmental change could be linked to autism. I find it amazing that no anti-vaxer can ever think of any cause of autism other than something that prevents diseases.
In the past 10 years, the incidence (not to be confused with prevalence) of autism has indeed increased substantially and, no. I don't think it can be entirely attributed to better methods of diagnosing (though I do think that it's a nice big chunk).
I do tend to believe in research and science over celebrities making stuff up and writing books that get featured on Oprah, so I've pretty much ruled out vaccines as the cause of autism. If a link is ever found, I will subject myself to measles and write a letter of apology to Jenny McCarthy.
Here are some ideas I've come across on the internet and last semester's food politics class that I think are likely links to autism:
Unfortunately, though these environmental factors do show quite a bit of promise as likely suspects, not a whole lot of research has gone into studying their possible links to autism.
Why is it not ok to continue to blame vaccines for everything?
Because in an effort to put some sense into people's heads, money is wasted over and over again proving that there is NO LINK between vaccines and autism. Lots of money. Research costs money. Researching the same thing over and over until the horse is pummeled into a bloody pulp in the ground costs even more money. That money could be going towards things. Things like finding the real cause(s) of autism and, who knows. Maybe a cure.
But why focus on a cure when you can place blame instead? We all know that blaming something or someone for problems is a valid way of solving them.
You may find my other vaccination blog at this link (and I originally posted this blog here).
What is sad too, is that all those things you listed contribute to a lot of problems for us and our planet, we are destroying ourselves by refusing to see that all of this fake shit people make and ingest is killing us and our world. im craving raw food now.
"O, I'm sorry you took that, -I meant that for the Devil, and you have stepped in and taken the blow. Don't get between me and the Devil, brother, and the you won't get hurt." --Billy Hibbard
I could totally understand the reasons you listed. Certain life-improving factors seem to do more lasting harm than temporary good....like not allowing babies to grow an immunity to illnesses or repeatedly using products like Pure-El which kills 99% of germs...and lets the last 1% grow tougher.
The 20-40X increase of Omega 6 oils in our diet, and a reduction in Omega 3 consumption from fish, and the heating of these oils which produces trans-fatty acids that damage cell membrane integrity.
Wait....
Does that mean cooking fish is producing an acid that damages cell membranes? So...we're going back to "fish are bad for you"? I always thought it was...what was it now, I'm trying to think...some sort of poison in the water that got into fish that made them increasinly unhealthy to eat. Like lead or something.
Mercury. And it's only really a concern if you eat fish that eat other fish (because the mercury is concentrated that way). Consequently, those who keep kosher don't have this problem :)
~C
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Ah, mercury was it. My brain got stuck and I just couldn't think of it at the time. So I'm assuming shark would be high on the list of mercury-saturated fish, being that's it's a large carnivore?
Kosher foods are always better...There's a little less wonder in what you're buying. Like with hotdogs...
Yeah, shark would likely have high levels of mercury.
And non-kosher hot dogs creep me out.
~C
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Omega 6 is found in seeds and nuts and the oils they make, so pretty much anything processed and most fast food are going to be saturated with omega 6, because of the high use of soybean oil.
Omega 3 oils are what you get from fish.
Both of these oils affect hormones, and both can only be obtained through diet, as your body does not naturally make them. The imbalance of these hormones, typically leaning toward omega 6, some people think is a major contributor to the rising rates of things like asthma, heart disease, neurodegenerative disorders, obesity, depression, dyslexia, hyperactivity, etc. I really don't think it's too far of a leap to contribute it to the growing rate of autism as well.
So, it's good to eat more fish, to get the balance in omega fatty acids, but you really do have to be careful about the mercury. I think eating fish 1-2 times a week is pretty harmless though. Or you can also get it from flaxseed, walnuts, soybeans, squash, and olive oil.
And I am pretty sure that mercury can cross the placenta and travel from the fish mom is eating because someone told her it was brain food, into the developing brain of the fetus. So, if you're pregnant, you may want to lay off the spicy tuna rolls and terryaki salmon.
Here is an interesting article about some research regarding the effect of using Omega 3 supplements to decrease violence in prisons.
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Thanks for the uber-informative comment! I...feel like I'm learning or something...
The article was very interesting. Now I think I understand a little more the difference between Omega-6 and-3, and how it can affect the mind. It's so strange to think of oils having such a profound effect, but I suppose it makes sense.
Oh, and you won't have to worry about this gal gettin' pregnant anytime soon. So long live the sushi! Or, in a more economical sense, the occassional piece of white fish.
Restaurant.com always has 80% off deals on their gift certificates and my 2 favorite sushi places offer certificates through them so I get some good sushi about once every couple months or so.
Also, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have pretty decent rolls between $4-$8. And, surprisingly, many grocery stores. It's not restaurant quality or anything, but it's tasty and scratches my raw fish itch.
And my epidemiology professor let us know that raw fish has less mercury than cooked, since fish loses water and shrinks when you cook it. So a piece of cooked fish has more meat (and, so, mercury) than an identically-sized piece of raw fish. :-D
Mainly, I just like excuses to eat sushi. :-D
"What a crazy random happenstance!"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
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"O, I'm sorry you took that, -I meant that for the Devil, and you have stepped in and taken the blow. Don't get between me and the Devil, brother, and the you won't get hurt." --Billy Hibbard