Nutrient supplements and methods for treating autism and for preventing the onset of autism

Abstract

Provided by the present invention are novel and non-obvious nutrient supplements that preferably comprise minerals, vitamins, amino acids, and agents capable of delivering cysteine in vivo. The nutrient supplements desirably are capable of promoting metallothioneins, and optionally, promoting the removal of excess metals from the bloodstream. Also provided by the invention are methods of treating autism involving administration of the nutrient supplements. The methods include treatment to prevent or slow down the onset of autism once a predisposition for the development of autism has been detected, and treatment to alleviate or reverse the symptoms of autism once autism has been diagnosed. The invention further provides methods of administering the nutrient supplements in the treatment of other diseases, disorders and conditions, that would benefit from such administration, especially those that would benefit from metallothionein promotion and/or removal of excess metals from the bloodstream.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, glutathione, and taurine, in amounts effective for treating a person having a predisposition to develop autism, or a person having autism.  
     
     
         2 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 1 , wherein said nutrient supplement further comprises a mixture of amino acids in amounts effective for promoting metallothioneins in said person.  
     
     
         3 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 2 , wherein said mixture of amino acids comprises serine, lysine, alanine, glycine, threonine, proline, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, methionine, glutamine, isoleucine, and valine.  
     
     
         4 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 3 , wherein said mixture of amino acids further comprises cysteine.  
     
     
         5 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 3 , wherein the amounts effective for treating a person having a predisposition to develop autism, or a person having autism result in an increase in the amount or activity of one or more metallothioneins.  
     
     
         6 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 4 , wherein the amounts effective for treating a person having a predisposition to develop autism, or a person having autism result in an increase in the amount or activity of one or more metallothioneins.  
     
     
         7 . A nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 100 to about 200 mg of glutathione, and    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine.    
     
     
         8 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 7 , wherein said nutrient supplement further comprises from about 150 to about 250 mg of a mixture of amino acids effective for promoting metallothioneins in a person.  
     
     
         9 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 7 , wherein said nutrient supplement further comprises 
 from about 37.5 to about 62.5 mg of cysteine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine.    
     
     
         10 . A nutrient supplement comprising 
 about 75 mg of zinc,    about 250 mg of vitamin B6,    about 35 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    about 350 I.U. of vitamin E,    about 2,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    about 750 mg of vitamin C,    about 10 micrograms of selenium,    about 150 mg of glutathione,    about 100 mg of taurine,    about 50 mg of cysteine,    about 27.4 mg of serine,    about 35.7 mg of lysine,    about 16.8 mg of alanine,    about 11.6 mg of glycine,    about 8.6 mg of threonine,    about 7.0 mg of proline,    about 8.5 mg of aspartic acid,    about 5.5 mg of asparagine,    about 12.0 mg of glutamic acid,    about 6.3 mg of methionine,    about 4.4 mg of glutamine,    about 4.0 mg of isoleucine, and    about 2.2 mg of valine.    
     
     
         11 . A nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 175 to about 350 mg of glutathione, and    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine.    
     
     
         12 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 11 , wherein said nutrient supplement further comprises from about 100 to about 200 mg of a mixture of amino acids effective for promoting metallothioneins in a person.  
     
     
         13 . The nutrient supplement according to  claim 11 , wherein said nutrient supplement further comprises 
 from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine.    
     
     
         14 . A nutrient supplement comprising 
 about 75 mg of zinc,    about 250 mg of vitamin B6,    about 35 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    about 350 I.U. of vitamin E,    about 2,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    about 750 mg of vitamin C,    about 10 micrograms of selenium,    about 275 mg of glutathione,    about 100 mg of taurine,    about 27.4 mg of serine,    about 35.7 mg of lysine,    about 16.8 mg of alanine,    about 11.6 mg of glycine,    about 8.6 mg of threonine,    about 7.0 mg of proline,    about 8.5 mg of aspartic acid,    about 5.5 mg of asparagine,    about 12.0 mg of glutamic acid,    about 6.3 mg of methionine,    about 4.4 mg of glutamine,    about 4.0 mg of isoleucine, and    about 2.2 mg of valine.    
     
     
         15 . A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autism in a person wherein said method comprises promoting metallothioneins in said person by 
 administering a nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, glutathione, taurine, and a mixture of amino acids in amounts effective to promote metallothioneins in said person.    
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said mixture of amino acids comprises serine, lysine, alanine, glycine, threonine, proline, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, methionine, glutamine, isoleucine, and valine.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein said mixture of amino acids further comprises cysteine.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the amounts effective to promote metallothioneins result in an increase in the amount or activity of one or more metallothioneins.  
     
     
         19 . A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autism in a person, wherein said method comprises: 
 (a) treating said person with a treatment regimen comprising detoxification by removal of excess heavy metals; and    (b) treating said person with a treatment regimen comprising normalization of metal metabolism,    such that the onset of autism in said person is prevented or delayed.    
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said detoxification is done by administering to said person an effective amount of a nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin C.  
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the amount effective for detoxification is one that results in any reduction in any level of a heavy metal.  
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said normalization is done by administering to said person an effective amount of a nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, glutathione, taurine, and a mixture of amino acids.  
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the amount effective for normalization is one that results in a change in a level of at least one heavy metal to fall within the normal range.  
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein said mixture of amino acids comprises serine, lysine, alanine, glycine, threonine, proline, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, methionine, glutamine, isoleucine, and valine.  
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 24 , wherein said mixture of amino acids further comprises cysteine.  
     
     
         26 . A method for treating a person exhibiting one or more symptoms of autism wherein said method comprises promoting metallothioneins in said person by 
 administering a nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, glutathione, taurine, and a mixture of amino acids in amounts effective to promote metallothioneins in said person.    
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein said mixture of amino acids comprises serine, lysine, alanine, glycine, threonine, proline, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, methionine, glutamine, isoleucine, and valine.  
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein said mixture of amino acids further comprises cysteine.  
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the amounts effective to promote metallothioneins result in an increase in the amount or activity of one or more metallothioneins.  
     
     
         30 . A method for treating a person exhibiting one or more symptoms of autism, wherein said method comprises: 
 (a) treating said person with a treatment regimen comprising detoxification by removal of excess heavy metals; and    (b) treating said person with a treatment regimen comprising normalization of metal metabolism,    such that one or more symptoms of autism are improved.    
     
     
         31 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein said detoxification is done by administering to said person an effective amount of a nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, and vitamin C.  
     
     
         32 . The method according to  claim 31 , wherein the amount effective for detoxification is one that results in any reduction in any level of a heavy metal.  
     
     
         33 . The method according to  claim 30 , wherein said normalization is done by administering to said person an effective amount of a nutrient supplement comprising zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, glutathione, taurine, and a mixture of amino acids.  
     
     
         34 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein the amount effective for normalization is one that results in is one that results in a change in a level of at least one heavy metal to fall within the normal range.  
     
     
         35 . The method according to  claim 33 , wherein said mixture of amino acids comprises serine, lysine, alanine, glycine, threonine, proline, aspartic acid, asparagine, glutamic acid, methionine, glutamine, isoleucine, and valine.  
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein said mixtures of amino acids further comprises cysteine.  
     
     
         37 . A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autism in a person, wherein said method comprises administering a nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 100 to about 200 mg of glutathione,    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine,    from about 37.5 to about 62.5 mg of cysteine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine,    such that the onset of autism in said person is prevented or delayed.    
     
     
         38 . A method for treating a person exhibiting one or more symptoms of autism, wherein said method comprises administering to said person a nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 100 to about 200 mg of glutathione,    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine,    from about 37.5 to about 62.5 mg of cysteine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine,    such that one or more symptoms of autism are improved.    
     
     
         39 . A method for preventing or delaying the onset of autism in a person, wherein said method comprises administering a nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 175 to about 350 mg of glutathione,    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine,    such that the onset of autism in said person is prevented or delayed.    
     
     
         40 . A method for treating a person exhibiting one or more symptoms of autism, wherein said method comprises administering to said person a nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 175 to about 350 mg of glutathione,    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine,    such that one or more symptoms of autism are improved.    
     
     
         41 . In a method of autism treatment, the improvement comprising the administration to a person of a nutrient supplement comprising an effective amount of zinc, vitamin B6, pyridoxal-5′-phosphate, vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, selenium, glutathione, taurine, and a mixture of amino acids, such that one or more symptoms of autism are improved.  
     
     
         42 . A method for treating a person exhibiting one or more symptoms of a disease, disorder, or condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's Disease, Wilson's Disease, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, cancer, premature aging, and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, wherein said method comprises administering to said person a nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 100 to about 200 mg of glutathione,    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine,    from about 37.5 to about 62.5 mg of cysteine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine,    such that one or more symptoms of said disease, disorder, or condition are improved.    
     
     
         43 . A method for treating a person exhibiting one or more symptoms of a disease, disorder, or condition selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's Disease, Wilson's Disease, postpartum depression, schizophrenia, hyperactivity, cancer, premature aging, and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, wherein said method comprises administering to said person a nutrient supplement comprising 
 from about 50 to about 150 mg of zinc,    from about 150 to about 750 mg of vitamin B6,    from about 25 to about 125 mg of pyridoxal-5′-phosphate,    from about 200 to about 400 I.U. of vitamin E,    from about 1,500 to about 3,500 I.U. of vitamin A,    from about 500 to about 1000 mg of vitamin C,    from about 5 to about 25 micrograms of selenium,    from about 175 to about 350 mg of glutathione,    from about 50 to about 150 mg of taurine,    from about 20.5 to about 34.4 mg of serine,    from about 26.8 to about 44.6 mg of lysine,    from about 12.6 to about 21.0 mg of alanine,    from about 8.70 to about 14.5 mg of glycine,    from about 6.45 to about 10.8 mg of threonine,    from about 5.25 to about 8.75 mg of proline,    from about 6.38 to about 10.6 mg of aspartic acid,    from about 4.13 to about 6.88 mg of asparagine,    from about 9.00 to about 15.0 mg of glutamic acid,    from about 4.73 to about 7.88 mg of methionine,    from about 3.30 to about 5.50 mg of glutamine,    from about 3.00 to about 5.00 mg of isoleucine, and    from about 1.65 to about 2.75 mg of valine,    such that one or more symptoms of said disease, disorder, or condition are improved.