Toxic Baby Food and Tylenol Exposure, Contributing to Autism

Currently, 1 in 36 children nationwide struggles with autism, which has increased alarmingly over the past decade. While there are many risk factors for the disorder, such as having certain genetic conditions, two more obscure contributors to autism are acetaminophen exposure in the womb and eating commercial baby food. A European Journal of Epidemiology study found that children exposed to acetaminophen in utero were 19% more likely to develop autism. This medication, meant to alleviate pain and reduce fever, is mainly sold under the brand name Tylenol, and pregnant women should avoid taking it excessively.

In the winter of 2021, a congressional report exposed four popular baby food companies for allowing dangerous arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury concentrations in their products. These heavy metals are neurotoxic and can wreak havoc on the neurodevelopment of infants and toddlers. The concentrations of toxic metals found in the baby food of these manufacturers are unsettling. For instance, the arsenic level in the baby food of Beech-Nut was 913 ppb when the safe exposure limit was only ten ppb, whereas the lead concentration in the same company’s products was 886 ppb when the safe exposure limit was just five ppb.

How Exposure to Heavy Metals from Baby Food May Cause Autism

Because infants and toddlers have a greater nutrient uptake by the gastrointestinal tract and underdeveloped detoxification systems, they are more prone to experiencing the adverse effects of exposure to heavy metals. Exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, or mercury can irreversibly affect the brain, eventually resulting in autism. Initially, a child who has been fed toxic baby food regularly might exhibit neurotoxicity signs, such as weakness in the arms and legs, headaches, cognitive and behavioral problems, and loss of memory.

Over time, heavy metals accumulate in children’s brains, as they can easily cross the blood-brain barrier. There, these neurotoxins will cause oxidative stress, which is a hallmark of autism. Lead is perhaps the most harmful to developing children, as exposure may cause permanent mental capacity loss, even in small amounts. Finally, if a child has a high mercury concentration in their brain, neurotrophin-3, a marker of oxidative stress, will also be found in their body.

3 Natural Alternatives to Tylenol for Pregnant Women

According to a medical journal PLOS One study, up to 50% of pregnant women use acetaminophen worldwide. It is important to note that only women who take the medication excessively and in high doses have a greater risk of having a child with autism. Using Tylenol occasionally will not impact the neurodevelopment of the baby. Significantly enough, there was a Tylenol Autism Lawsuit in 2020 where parents in over 50 states accused Tylenol of causing their child’s autism. And this number is only expected to grow. If you want to know more about this lawsuit or if you are a victim yourself, contact ActionMatters.org.

Still, if you are looking for natural pain relievers, here are three alternatives to the drug.

Capsaicin

This substance is derived from chili peppers and can relieve minor muscle sprains and strain pain. It works by reducing Substance P, a pain transmitter in your nerves. Capsaicin also helps reduce pain and tenderness in the joints and has no major safety problems. It has anti-inflammatory effects and comes in gel or cream that should be applied to the body area where you feel pain.

Boswellia

Commonly known as frankincense, this is a resin used in Ayurvedic medicine. It can be found in tinctures, pills, and topical treatments. Boswellia can help alleviate inflammation and eases pain and stiffness. While Boswellia is a natural extract, it can still have side effects. It may cause nausea, acid reflux, and diarrhea, so it is best to consult your doctor before using it.

Turmeric

Turmeric is the spice that gives curry a yellow hue and unique flavor. It contains curcumin, an antioxidant that helps protect the body against free radicals that can damage cells. Curcumin is also known for its ability to ease swelling and reduce inflammation. Turmeric is available in supplement form and is often paired with piperine, a compound found in black pepper, to increase its absorption.

3 Ways to Avoid Feeding Your Child Toxic Baby Food

Unfortunately, homemade baby food may contain as many toxic metals as store-bought. Nevertheless, you can avoid feeding your child baby food with heavy metals in many ways, and these are just three of them.

Breastfeed for as Long as You Can

Perhaps the most important thing you can do to delay your child’s need for baby food is to breastfeed for as long as possible. The recommended time is one year or longer, according to pediatricians. Not only will breastfeeding delay the need for baby food, but it will also bring many health benefits. Breastfed children have a lower risk of asthma, diabetes, lung infections, stomach bugs, and ear infections. Furthermore, breastfeeding women are less likely to develop breast cancer, high blood pressure, and ovarian cancer.

Rice, Just Occasionally

Because white rice is high in arsenic, containing up to 20 times more of this heavy metal than other crops, you should give it to your child as rarely as possible. When you cook it, use plenty of water, which you should drain off at the end. Two good alternatives for white rice are sushi and basmati rice, as they contain less arsenic.

Pick Out the Fish You Give Your Child Carefully

Some fish are high in mercury, so when it is time to introduce this food into your child’s diet, pick out the fish you plan to feed them carefully. Good options are salmon, anchovies, flounder, pollock, catfish, and haddock, while the fish you should avoid include swordfish, fresh tuna, marlin, king mackerel, and tilefish. Fish take up mercury from oceans and streams as they feed. Cooking it will only slightly remove this toxic metal from it.

Are you still unsure about what food to give your baby? Now, by the Toxic Baby Food Replacement Initiative, you can receive safe, non-toxic products made by ethical companies that regularly test for heavy metals and other harmful contaminants. To request free products, you must fill out the form at the bottom of the page, and someone will contact you shortly.

About the Author

Jonathan Sharp is Chief Financial Officer at Environmental Litigation Group, P.C. The law firm, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, specializes in toxic exposure, assisting parents whose children were exposed to Tylenol in the womb and were fed baby food with heavy metals. Jonathan Sharp manages firm assets, case evaluation, and financial analysis.