Healing Autism with Diet and Nutrition
Diet and nutritional therapy have helped thousands of children and diagnosed with autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD) or Asperger’s Syndrome. The degree of improvements varies among individuals, and some see no improvement at all. Yet given the benefits even a small level of improvement can have for autistic children, diet and supplements are certainly worth a try.
Dietary Interventions
When starting out, parents can begin by simply improving the diet and then move on to try an elimination diet which will make it possible to identify which dietary interventions work and which ones don’t.
A balanced, nutritious diet provides the nutrients the body needs for optimum physical and mental health. On a daily basis, this includes at a minimum:
• Nutrient-rich vegetables (a minimum of 3-4 servings)
• Fresh fruit (at least 2 servings).
• Organic protein- 1-2 servings
• Healthy Fats- like avocado, olive, and coconut oils.
Avoid junk foods, sugar, and fried foods containing trans fats
Identify and eliminate allergic foods. Elimination diets can be very helpful for reducing or relieving symptoms in autistic children, but they are often extremely difficult to implement.
Many people with autism have food allergies and difficulties digesting certain foods, and this can have a dramatic impact on behavior.
Keep a diet log, watch for symptoms and reactions to suspect foods, and try eliminating potential food allergens one at a time. Gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) are often the main culprits in autism, but nuts, corn, eggs, and other foods should also be considered. The challenge here is that potential allergens need to be cut out ENTIRELY for a minimum of 3 months to really see full benefits.
Implementing elimination diets demands a great deal of patience and perseverance, and success often depends on the support of a helpful practitioner.
Nutritional Supplements
Nutritional supplements can help ensure the body receives enough key nutrients. This is especially important for anyone on a restricted diet. For instance, calcium should be supplemented if dairy is excluded from the diet.
Autistic children often benefit from additional vitamins and minerals obtained either through nutritional supplements or freshly juiced fruits and vegetables.
The following are some supplements that may help improve symptoms:
• Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. As many as 45-50% of individuals with autism benefit from high-dose supplements of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium. Taken together, they can improve the production of major neurotransmitters and other enzymatic reactions and help prevent hyperactivity.
• Amino Acids. Amino acids are the “building blocks” of life, and the body uses them to produce neurotransmitters, enzymes, antibodies, hormones and many other substances. Some autistic individuals fail to consume enough protein or lack the ability to digest proteins into amino acids, which contributes to a deficiency.
• Essential Fatty Acids. Autistic individuals typically have low levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Low levels of essential fatty acids can contribute to depression, bipolar and several other psychological disorders.
• Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics. Autistic children tend to have low levels of key digestive enzymes, and this can interfere with digestion of protein, carbohydrates and fats. They also may have insufficient levels of the beneficial bacteria necessary for proper digestion. Supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics can improve digestion so more nutrients are available to the body for mental and physical functions.
• Anti-fungals. Autistic children may have high levels of harmful bacteria and yeast in their digestive tract. Both may produce toxins that affect behavior and mental functioning. In addition to probiotics, an antifungal diet that reduces sugar and simple carbohydrates may be helpful. Mushrooms, foods containing yeast, cheese, vinegar and leavened foods should be avoided.
• Melatonin. Supplementing with Melatonin can help autistic individuals suffering from sleep disturbances.
• Thyroid testing and supplementation. While thyroid disorders that require supplementation occur in about 5-10% of the general population, the percentage may be higher in autistic individuals. Poor thyroid function caused by lack of iodine or other factors is a significant cause of mental retardation. If testing reveals poor functioning, iodine supplementation is the first option. Natural thyroid supplements are the second option if iodine fails to normalize thyroid levels.
• Sulfation. Autistic children may have low levels of sulfate which is involved in a variety of functions in the body, including hormone production, digestive tract maintenance, and detoxification. While it’s possible to test sulfate levels, adding Epsom salt to your child’s bath is a safe way to supplement sulfate without testing.
• Glutathione. Autistic children often have low levels of active glutathione which protects the body from toxins, including toxic metals. Talk to your practitioner for the best way to improve glutathione levels for your child.
• Chelation. Due to low levels of glutathione and beneficial gut bacteria, many autistic children accumulate excessive mercury, toxic metals and toxic chemicals. Chelation usually involves the care of a physician or other health care practitioner to determine effectiveness.
• Immune System Regulation. Autism has been linked with abnormal immune system function in several studies. Speak to your health care provider regarding support for your child’s immune system.
Some more good resources on treating Autism with diet and nutrition:
Books:
• Autism: Effective Biomedical Treatments by Jon Pangborn Ph.D., and Sidney Baker, MD
• Children with Starving Brains by Jaquelyn McCandless, MD
The Autism Research Institute website at http://www.autism.com.