Dietisapowerfultool.Thechoiceswemakeaboutwhattoeatandwhattofeedourchildrenhaveprofound

impactonhealthandpresentagreatopportunitytosupporthealingandrecoveryfromautism.

Someparentshesitatetotryautismdiets(orphysiciansareslowtosuggestthem)becausetheydon’tknowif(why/how)dietworks.Onerecentnewsreportaboutautismdietssuggesteduncertaintyabouttheirefficacy,sayingitwasuncertainwhetherdiethelpsthesymptomsofautism,orwhetherithelpsthegut(whichinturnaffectsareliefinautisticsymptoms).Theinsinuationwasthatsincetheydon’tknowhowit’shelping-the“autism”or“thegut”-theydon’tknowifit’sworkingatall.Thisisfoolhardy:don’tlimityourpotentialbecausesome“experts”failtorealizewhyorhowdietworks!

AsaCertifiedNutritionConsultantwithexperiencesupportinghundredsoffamilieswithchildrenontheautismspectrum,IwillexplaintoyouWHYandHOWdietworks.Thiswillremoveanymysteryaboutdietandgetyouontheroadtorecovery.

Thecommonphysicalsymptomsofchildrenwithautismincludediarrhea,constipation,bloatingandGIpain,frequentinfections,sleepingchallengesandinflammation/pain.Formany,nutrientdeficiencies,imbalancedbiochemistryanddigestiveproblemsare

atthecoreofthesesymptoms.Theseweaknessesinphysiologicalfunctioningcanbedirectlytiedtobiochemicalprocessesthatareaffectedbydiet-i.e.theabsenceofrequisitenutrientsand/orthepresenceofoffendingsubstances.Alteringfoodchoicesaffectstheseprocessesandhelpsimprovesymptoms.

Why diet helps: A Whole Body disorderHistorically,autismwasconsidereda“mysterious”braindisorder,implyingthatitbeginsandendsinthebrain.ThroughthearrayofcommonphysicalsymptomsobservedandthebreakthroughworkoftheAutismResearchInstitute,amoreappropriate“wholebodydisorder”(thebrainisaffectedbythebiochemistrygeneratedinthebody)perspectiveofautismhasemerged.MarthaHerbert,MD,PhD,whowasoneofthefirsttodescribeautismthisway,referstothebrainas“downstream”fromthebody’sfunctioning.

Referringtothechart,WholeBodyDisorder,youcanseethecomplexsetoffactorsthatinfluenceautism(ontheright):toxins,environmentalfactors,digestivehealthandinflammation.Therightsideindicatestheeffectstheycanhaveonthebrain.Here’showimbalancedbiochemistryaffectsthebrainandthesymptomsofautism:

JULIE MATTHEWS, CNC

CErTIfIEd NUTrITIoN CoNSULTANT

AUTHor: NourishiNg hope

Julie Matthews is a Certified Nutrition Consultant, author, lecturer and dAN! Practitioner for families on the biomedical model for treating autism and AdHd. She has been studying the biochemistry of autism for seven years. Her book, Nourishing Hope, is a comprehensive guide to nutrition and dietary intervention for autism that informs parents and clinicians of the scientific rationale for autism diets and presents a holistic approach to applying this healing strategy. She embraces many of the dietary philosophies of the Weston A Price foundation nutritional model.

Julie presents her work at the defeat Autism Now! (dAN!) and Autism one national conferences, teaches Traditional Healing foods cooking classes, hosts a health-oriented radio show in San francisco and another on Autism one radio, and has a private nutrition practice in San francisco where she consults with clients from around the world. Her website: www.Nourishinghope.com contains free information, including links to videos of her presentations and interviews with experts.

AUTUMN2008THEAUTISMFILE8

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n Yeast.Whenthereisyeastovergrowthinthebody,toxinsenterthebloodstreamandmaketheirwaytothebrainwheretheycancausesymptomsrangingfrom“spaciness,”foggythinkinganddrunkenbehavior.

n Whenthebiochemistryofmethylationisnotworkingproperly,neurotransmitterscannotbemethylated(andthereforearenot“activated”)astheyneedtobe,increasingthelikelihoodofanxiety,depression,ADHD,andsleepingissues.

n Inflammationinthegutandbraincanbecausedbytoxins,foodsensitivitiesorbadbacteriaoryeastinthegut.Thiscancausepainthataffectsbehavior:self-injuriousbehaviour,leaningoverfurniture,eyepokingandheadbangingareallcommonsigns.n Whendetoxificationispoor(commonwithautism),toxinsfromfoodandthe

environmentcan,buildupandactlikedrugsonthebrain(causingirritability,aggression,brain/cellulardamage),aswithsalicylates,artificialingredients,MSG,mercuryandaluminium.

n Whendigestionispoorandthegutistoopermeable(a“leakygut”),thenutrientsthataresupposedtogetthroughcannotabsorbproperly.Thisleadstonutrientdeficiencies,whichcanaffectallcellularfunctionincludingpoorbrainfunction.

n Opiatescanbecreatedfrominadequatebreakdownofgluten,casein,andsoyleadingtosymptomsofopiateexcess:foggythinking,insensitivitytopain,opiateaddictionandwithdrawalandirritability.

AccordingtoHippocrates,“Alldiseasebeginsinthegut,”andthiscertainlyprovestruewithautism.Asyoucansee,digestion

andguthealthaffectthebrainandautism’sphysicalsymptoms.Foodinteractswiththegutconstantlyandcanhaveaprofoundimpactonthesesymptoms.Removingtheoffendingfoodsthatcontributetoinflammation,triggerimmuneresponse(foodsensitivities),andincreasetoxicityiscrucial,andaddingfoodsthatsupportahealthyecosystemandprovideneedednutrientsisessential.

UnderstandingthatgutandbrainareconnectedhelpsexplainWHYautismandoverallhealthareimprovedthroughadietthatsupportsdigestion/GIhealthandbiochemistry.GIhealthandbiochemistryarepartners.Biochemistryinvolvescellularprocessesthatrequireenergy,nutrientsandenzymestofunction;properdigestionisrequiredtoobtainandabsorbthenutrientsneededfortheseprocesses.Ifthereare

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insufficientnutrients,aninabilitytodigestandabsorbnutrients,alimitationonaparticularnutrient,oraninabilitytoconvertanutrienttotheactiveandusableform,biochemistrycangoawry.Dietiscrucial.

Bysupportingdigestionandbiochemistrythroughdietandnutrition,wecanimprovethesymptomsofautism.Hereareseveralexamplesofhowfoodandnutrientscanimprovethehealthofthegut,thewholebody’sbiochemistryandpositivelyaffectautism.

leAky gut ANd gut iNFlAmmAtioN. Improvingdigestion,reducinginflammationandhealingthegutareimportantstepsinoverallhealthandhealing.Behavior,languageandskinrashesareafewoftheareasthatimprove.

n Remove foods that inflame the gut. Gluten,casein,soy,cornandeggsarecommonoffenders.Theexactfoodstoremovewilldependontheindividual;however,gluten-andcasein-freedietsareamongthemostpopularandsuccessful.Sugarandrefinedoilsalsocontributetoinflammation.n Add foods that heal the gut.Foodssuchasgingerandturmericreduceinflammation.Fishoil,flaxseedsandwalnutscontainOmega3sthathaveanti-

inflammatoryproperties.Fermentedfoodshelphealthegut.

n Add foods that supply beneficial bacteria.Fermentedfoodssuchasnon-dairyyogurt,youngcoconutkefirandrawsauerkrauthelpsupplygoodbacteriathatreduceinflammationandhelpcreateanenvironmentthatishealing.

n Add foods that increase beneficial bacteria levels.Prebioticsarefoods,oftenhighinsolublefiber,thatsupportgoodbacteriaandincreaselevelsinthegut.Thesefoodsinclude:asparagus,bananas,beans/legumes,chicoryroot,garlic,honey,kefir/yogurt,leeks,onionsandpeas.Butyricacidisashortchainfattyacid(oftenproducedbygoodbacteriafromtheconsumptionofsolublefiber)foundinbutterfatandgheethathelpsnourishtheintestinallining.

NutrieNt deFicieNcies Nutrientdeficienciesarecommonamongchildrenwithautism.Poorqualityandlimiteddietsaddtothisproblem.SpecificnutrientsarerequiredforcomplexbiochemicalprocessesandnutrientscanonlybedigestedandabsorbedthroughfoodandsupplementationwhentheGItractisfunctioningwell.Inadditiontoboostingdigestion,itisimportanttogetawidevarietyofnutrientsthroughfoods.

n Increase the quality and digestibility of food.Increasefoodqualityandtheamountofnutrient-densefoodssuchasvegetablesinthediet.Forideasongettinggreatervariety,seethelistofnutrient-densefoods.Soakingandfermentinggrainsincreasesdigestibility.

n Sneak in vegetables for picky eaters.Pureeingvegetablesandaddingthemtomeatballs,smoothies,pancakes,muffinsandsaucesisagreatwaytodisguisethem.

Tryjuicingtogetconcentratednutrientsthatareeasytodigest-makingicepopsfromjuicesorsmoothiesisagoodwaytoservethesenutrientdensevegetablesandfruitstokids.

n Add supplementation. Itcanbedifficulttogettherequisitetherapeuticlevelsofnutrientsthroughfood.Addingvitamins,minerals,fattyacidsoraminoacidscanbehelpfulinboostingneedednutrients.

yeAst overgroWthYeastisaharmfulorganismthatcanaffectenergylevel,clarityofthoughtandintestinalhealth.Yeastovergrowthisoftentriggeredbyantibioticuse.Yeastovergrowthcreatesgutinflammationanddecreasesgutfunction.Thefollowingdietarypracticeshelpridthebodyofyeastovergrowth.

n Remove sugars. Sugarsfeedyeast,contributingtoyeastovergrowth.Reducetheamountofcookies,muffinsandothersugar-richtreats.Evensugarinfruit,especiallydriedfruitandfruitjuice,canbeaproblemforsome.

n Remove yeast-containing foods.Bread,grapes,plums,agedmeatsandcheesesandvinegarscanfeedyeastandshouldberemoved.

n Remove starches.SomepeoplechoosedietssuchastheSpecificCarbohydrateDiet(SCD)thateliminatestarchesthatcanfeedyeastsuchaspotatoes,cornandgluten-freegrains.

n Add probiotic-rich foods. Fermentedfoodscontainlivebeneficialbacteriathatcrowdoutyeastandsupportahealthyinternalenvironment.

toxicity & poor detoxiFicAtioNWhendetoxificationisnotworking

Understanding that the gut and brain are connected helps explain WHY autism and overall health are improved through a diet that supports digestion/GI health and biochemistry.

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NutrieNt-deNse Foods

Beta-carotene and Vitamin A:Carrots,sweetpotatoes,apricots,wintersquash,pumpkin,cantaloupe,mango,kale,collardgreens,spinach,broccoli,codliveroil,butter/ghee,liverandeggyolk.

Vitamin C:Sweetpotato,wintersquash,broccoliandleafygreens.

Vitamin B6:Sunflowerseeds,pistachios,walnuts,lentils,grainsandbeans,ricebranandblackstrapmolasses.

Vitamin B12:Liver,eggs,fish,lambandbeef.

Folic acid:Beans,ricegerm,liver,asparagus,broccoliandbananas.

Omega 3:Fish/codliveroil,beef,lamb,eggyolk,butter/ghee,flaxseeds,hempseeds,walnutsandalgae-basedDHA(neurominssupplement).

Iron:Blackstrapmolasses,liver,pumpkinseedsandduckegg.

Zinc:Pumpkinseeds,nuts,legumes,gingerandoats.

Magnesium:Sweetpotato,wintersquash,broccoli,leafygreens,seaweed,nettles,wholegrains,nutsandlegumes.

Calcium:Broccoli,leafygreens,wintersquash,seaweed,nettlesandnuts.

optimallyorisoverburdenedbypre-existingtoxins,avoidingadditionaltoxinsfromfoodisimportant.Thesechemicalscancrossthebloodbrainbarrierandaffectthebrain,creatinghyperactivity,aggression,irritabilityandself-injuriousbehavior.

n Avoid food additives.Artificialingredientsareverydifficultforthebodytoprocess;avoidingartificialcolors,flavors,preservativesandMSGiscrucial.

n Avoid toxins in food supply and meal preparation.Preventtheintroductionoffurthertoxinsintothebodybyavoidingaluminiumandplasticincooking,byavoidingaluminiumpans,aluminiumfoil,storingandmicrowavinginplastic,andcannedfoods.

n Eat organic. Eathighqualityfoodsthatarefreeofpesticidesandhormonesbyeatingorganicproduce,grass-fedmeatandpasturedeggsandchickens.Non-organicchickencancontainarsenic.Eatingorganicavoidsconsumptionofpesticides,GMOs(geneticallymodifiedorganisms)andhormonesandprovideshighernutrientcontent.

n Add foods that support the liver. Antioxidantssupportliverdetoxification:beta-carotene,vitaminsA,C&E,Bvitaminsincludingfolicacidandselenium(seelistofnutrientdensefoods).Sulphurrichfoodsareespeciallybeneficialinliverdetoxificationprocesses,suchasbroccoli,cabbage,cauliflower,collardgreens,kaleandBrusselssprouts.Thespicescinnamonandturmericsupporttheliver.Glutathioneisapowerfulantioxidantandadequatelevelsaresupportedbytheconsumptionofasparagus,watermelon,broccoli,herbmilkthistle,papayasandavocados.

poor methylAtioN ANd sulFAtioN Biochemistry Methylation,transsulfurationandsulfationareonesetofbiochemicalpathwaysthatdonotfunctionoptimallyformanychildrenwithautism.Thesepathwayscanbesupportedbyavoidingcertainsubstancesandsupplyingneedednutrients.

n Remove phenolic foods.Whenthebiochemicalprocessesofmethylation,transsulfurationorsulfationarenot

functioningwell,limitingphenolsandsalicylatesisimportant.Artificialphenolsoccurinpetroleum-derivedadditivessuchasallartificialcolors,flavors,andpreservatives.Evennaturallyoccurringphenols,calledsalicylates,presentin(organicandconventional)foodssuchasgrapes,raisins,apples,berries,almonds,honey,andmorecancreateavarietyofbehavioral,emotionalandphysicalsymptoms.

n Improve methylation and sulfation through supplementation. Supplementingwithnutrientsthatcansupportthesebiochemicalpathwaysisimportant.Methyl-donorsandmethylation/transsulfurationsupportsuchas:vitaminB12,folate,B6,DMG/TMG,magnesiumandzincareimportantsupplementstoconsider.Determiningwhichsupplementsareneededandaddingthemcanbeveryhelpfultothebiochemistryandreducingautismsymptoms.

Ihopethatparentsandpractitionerscanseethepossibilitiesforpositiveinfluenceandrealizethatdietcanhelpautism.Dietisapowerfulpersonaltool;ithasfewdownsidesandisaccessibletoeveryone.

Withdiet,parentshavegreatcontroloverchoicesthatcanhaveimmediateimpact.

Whereveryouare,beginthere:removeartificialingredients,reducesugar,avoidglutenandcasein,addfermentedfoodsorprobiotics,orincludemorevegetablesandlessenstarches.Startwhereverit’seasiestorenlistthehelpofanutritionconsultantorpractitioner.Athirdpartythatspecializesinnutritioncanhelpyoufeelconfidenttobeginandprovidehelpfulfoodsuggestions.Aprofessionalishighlyencouraging-theycanhelpdeterminethebestdietaryprinciplestostartwith,helpgetyououtofafoodrutandensureyourchildisgettingadequatenutrition.Whetheryoureachouttoanutritionconsultantorstartonyourown,gettinggoodnutrition,avoidingproblematicingredientsandsupportinggooddigestionarepracticesthatwillbenefiteveryoneinthefamily.

Julie Matthews is an internationally respected Certified Nutrition Consultant specializing in autism spectrum disorders. As an autism nutritionist, she provides sound diet and supplement intervention guidance backed by scientific research and eight years of applied clinical experience. Julie consults with families from around the world and routinely collaborates with pediatricians, M.D.s, and researchers. She presents at leading autism conferences, hosts multiple radio programs, writes for autism journals, and teaches healing foods cooking classes. Julie resides in San Francisco, California.

ORDER Online at NourishingHope.com

To inquire about a personalized nutrition consultation with Julie contact info@NourishingHope.com

Nourishing Hope for Autism, by Julie Matthews Nutrition Intervention for Healing Our Children

Nourishing Hope provides parents of autistic children and practitioners who believe recovery is possible with the proven scientific understanding of why diets help the autistic child. It comprises extensive clinical nutrition experience and intense research. Readers are given practical steps for dietary intervention and a roadmap for getting started, evolving, and customizing the varied approaches. This book is dedicated to parents and clinicians who are relentlessly working to help heal children and gives them reason to hope and persevere. Nourishing Hope discusses: The scientific rational for nutrition intervention The role of genetics and environmental toxins The impact of nutrients on biochemistry and healing The most beneficial dietary options for autism A holistic nutrition approach to determining & evolving a diet

“Julie joins a small group of doctors, researchers and parents who believe there are reasons to be hopeful and interventions worth trying. This is an important addition to the library of "must read" books for parents of autistic spectrum kids and the doctors who treat them.” - Lisa Lewis, Ph.D., Author, Special Diets for Special Kids “Julie's written a comprehensive guide to understanding why there is hope for autism. Nourishing Hope helps me support my patients by providing both complex scientific information and practical steps for implementing a healthy diet for children with autism.” - Nancy O’Hara, M.D., Board Certified Pediatrician “This book is full of pragmatic and helpful information for families who are eager to learn the best principles of nutrition for the optimal health of their children." - Elizabeth Mumper, M.D., Medical Director, Autism Research Institute

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