Bugs to the rescue

Here’s a fascinating article from the Economist about a particular gut bacteria, Lactobacillus reuteri, that reduces symptoms of autism in mice. https://www.economist.com/science-and-technology/2018/12/08/gut-bacteria-may-offer-a-treatment-for-autism

We all have this particular bacteria in our guts already. But it’s known that the intestines of people with autism have different mixes of bacteria than those without autism, and that those with autism are three times as likely as those without autism to develop serious gut issues during their lives.

Of course, mice aren’t people, and human trials would have to be conducted. But as the article points out, this bacteria is “easily obtainable for use as a pro-biotic from health-food shops”, and “The general availability of L. reuteri does, however, bring with it another possibility – that people will conduct their own, “off-label” trials, either on themselves or on their children.”, and “In practice, it may be hard to discourage people from testing L. reuteri’s effects themselves.”

Oh, yeah, no kidding. I hadn’t even finished the article before I was on amazon.com buying it for myself and both my kids. $20 for 90 capsules. We’ll give it a try and let you know.