Autism Spectrum Disorder Prevention: The Real Cause Of Autism, According To Dr. Harvey Karp

Many people still think that getting vaccines causes the development of autism spectrum disorders. However, many studies have shown that there is no link between vaccines and autism. A popular pediatrician and author named Dr. Harvey Karp says the real cause of autism is a chemical that disrupts the endocrine system.

This endocrine-disrupting chemical which is suspected as a cause of autism is called bisphenol A or BPA, according to Dr. Karp via a report from Pop Sugar. BPA can be found in plastic containers such as water bottles, as cited by Mayo Clinic.

Previous Studies On BPA

"In 2009, studies showing that BPA was leaching out of baby bottles and infant formula cans and into humans pressured leading bottle manufacturers to stop using the chemicals in their manufacturing processes," Pop Sugar explained. "And over the next year, most states banned the use of BPA in children's products, but it is still used in many canned foods."

Aside from being suspected as a cause of autism, BPA can also lead to several serious health conditions. "Exposure to BPA is a concern because of possible health effects of BPA on the brain, behavior and prostate gland of fetuses, infants and children," Mayo Clinic explains. "Additional research suggests a possible link between BPA and increased blood pressure."

Avoiding BPA

Fortunately, there are several things a parent can do in order to avoid BPA and the development of autism in children. Parents should avoid getting plastic containers that are marked with #7 because these appear to contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Parents can also avoid the development of autism spectrum disorders by eating a healthy diet. Eating fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables as much as possible is recommended. Parents should also avoid eating canned fruits and vegetables because these products might be lined with endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

Another way to prevent the development of autism spectrum disorders is to purchase storage products made of silicone instead of plastic containers. Silicone containers are recommended because they do not contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals like BPA and BPS.