Week #7 & #8- Meeting Autism's Nutritional Needs

The more I research autism, the more I find that it always brings me to dietary conditions. 

Which I can't fight the lingering question: Why didn't Leo's GI tell me!?! Why didn't the ABA therapist address this?!

Maybe because ABA therapist would be out of a job if the symptoms of autism improve with just changing and modifying the diet...? Hmmm...

I am consolidating both weeks 7 & 8 because there is little to update at this point, but much to talk about. I want to focus on the relationship between nutrition and the diagnosis. 

I discuss this in our Video Diary, as well as show you our juicing and protein shake routine. However, here I am going to share some information from various sources.

We've discussed Magnesium deficiencies, and detoxification in Week #5 and in our category titled "Dietary Challenges and Changes" I explain our goals and different experiments we are trying to improve and expand Leo's diet. 

In an email from Julie Damant from Autism Support Program, I received this information:

"It is vitally important to increase the nutrient levels in your child’s body. Research is showing that kids on the spectrum are typically lower in various nutrients than their neuro-typical peers. A good quality liquid supplement will help improve nutrient status.

Here are some reasons kids are low in nutrients:
  • Most kids on the spectrum are picky eaters resulting in very poor levels of nutrients
  • Poor digestion means that nutrients are not broken down into absorbable components
  • Gut inflammation greatly reduces the absorption of nutrients
  • Detoxification places a tremendous requirement on the body for nutrients
Essential fatty acids are vital nutrition for the body and particularly for the development of the nervous system. Every cell in our body needs essential fatty acids to grow and thrive. Our brains are rich in DHA, (Docosahexaenoic acid – this is the DHA found in fish oil)  and as expected, DHA is incredibly important for brain development.

Studies show that children with Autism often have a deficiency of DHA and when supplemented, improvements were seen in cognition, behaviour, language and social development. That being said it is still recommended to give a product that supplies both DHA and EPA (Eicosapentaenoic acid)

Another important function of fish oil is its role in the reduction of inflammation, so critical for kids on the spectrum.

Studies show that the overwhelming majority of children with developmental disorders have DHA deficiency and inflammation from lack of EPA.

Fish oil needs to be of particular high quality as it can easily go rancid which decreases the active ingredients. It can also be contaminated with heavy metals."

Like I said, it always comes back to dietary conditions.

Brain Udell, MD. Had this to say about the subject:

"A healthy diet is essential for all kids, but even more so with kids with ASDs because there is concern their GI issues may lead to poor absorption of key nutrients for growth and development. One of our primary goals is to get kids eating a nutritionally complete diet and to reestablish a healthy GI system.
I recommend a healthy, natural, varied diet as close to the earth a possible. Avoiding pesticides, preservatives, artificial ingredients, fast foods, monosodium glutamate, or processed foods is ideal, but not always practical. Diets that are less processed and more natural, like an organic diet, are easier to digest and absorb because they contain fewer toxins that need to be eliminated." 
At this point, if you are a parent who has your child in several therapies, seeing several specialist including GI and have your child on behavior modifying medication, you owe it to your child to at least take a serious look at the relationship between diet and the diagnosis!

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