A ketogenic diet that cuts down on carbohydrates may be helpful for children with autism and may help reduce seizures.
With a ketogenic diet, most of the daily nutrition comes from eating fat and protein. The Atkins diet is a type of ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets have been reported to be helpful for children with epilepsy. While on the diet, some children have fewer seizures. Some children with autism also have seizures, so the diet may be helpful for children with autism as well. Neurologists are exploring whether a ketogenic diet may also be helpful for other autism symptoms. However, there were no published studies reported in the article about this diet and autism. There have been side-effects reported, and some can be long-lasting. Side effects include slower growth, digestive system problems, kidney stones, bone fractures, and other problems.
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Living Gluten Free – Right to Heal
Feb 22, 2010 by karmic healthBy Sandi Star, CCN
After struggling for over 40 years with chronic migraines, IBS, Muscle and joint pain, fatigue, brain fog, asthma and a slew of other ailments and frustrations I decided to take a closer look at the cause rather than obsessing on the symptoms. I was tired of relying on doctors to give me answers and tired of the medications that only gave me side affects and little relief.
I had been committed to health and fitness for over 20 years, losing close to 50 pounds and 5 dress sizes, however I still had all the chronic conditions that played havoc in my life. I realized there was a key element missing and soon found out it was my reaction to gluten and dairy. I didn't know enough about food intolerance or allergies or at least put the two together. I never believed food could have such a serious impact on overall health let alone be the direct cause of my diseases. With what I know today I’m surprised my doctor didn’t put the connection together when he diagnosed me with Sjögren’s Syndrome (autoimmune disease). Sjögren’s is one of the symptoms of Celiac along with a long list as you will see below and nutrition plays a critical role in the healing process. By making the appropriate diet changes – (gluten and dairy free), I’ve managed to eliminate my migraines, IBS………etc., etc., and have the Sjögren’s Syndrome under control. Even better, I have eliminated all medications and use food and natural remedies for nutrition and overall health. Now that you know why I became a clinical nutritionist and why I started Karmic Health lets get into the details of why it’s so important to understand gluten and its relation to diseases.
Why the problem with gluten now? A lot has changed in the way we harvest food compared to 50 years ago. Some of the seed companies began engineering wheat kernels that could be more easily ground and produce fluffier flour to make the soft, delicious white bread for example had to have greater yields; it made more money for the farmer and increased sales.
Gluten is a composite of the proteins gliadin and glutenin. These exist, conjoined with starch, in the endosperms of some grass-related grains, notably wheat, rye, and barley.
Understanding what happens in the body and some of the symptoms will help millions of people who go undiagnosed. Celiac is the most common genetic disease of mankind (yet for every person diagnosed, 140 will go undiagnosed).
A wheat allergy is the body’s abnormal autoimmune response to a certain protein component of wheat; it’s exhibited by a severe sudden onset allergic reaction. Usual symptoms are immediate coughing, asthma, breathing difficulties, and/or projectile vomiting. It can cause life-threatening responses in allergic people. A true Wheat allergy affects less than 1/2 % of population.
Intolerance's are much more common than true food allergies but are harder to diagnose. Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to food that does not involve the body's immune system. Generally food intolerance is an inability to properly digest certain foods. In some cases food passes right through the body before digestion is complete.
Leaky Gut is an increase in permeability of the intestinal mucosa to luminal macromolecules, antigens, and toxins associated with inflammatory degenerative and/ or atrophic mucosa or lining. Put more simply, large spaces develop between the cells of the gut wall allowing bacteria, toxins and food to leak into the bloodstream. Leaky Gut Syndrome has also been linked with many conditions, such as: Celiac Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, Autism, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Eczema, Dermatitis, and Ulcerative Colitis.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by an inappropriate immune response to dietary proteins found in wheat, rye, and barley (gluten and
gliadin). This response leads to inflammation of the small intestine and to damage and destruction of the villi that line the intestinal wall. These villi are projections (small folds) that increase the surface area of the intestine and allow nutrients, vitamins, minerals, fluids, and electrolytes to be absorbed into the body. When the villi are destroyed, the body is much less capable of absorbing food and begins to develop symptoms associated with malnutrition and malabsorption. When the body is exposed to the gluten and gliadin proteins, it forms antibodies that recognize and act against not only the grain proteins, but also against constituents of the intestinal villi. As long as the patient continues to be exposed to the proteins, he will continue to produce these autoantibodies. Celiac disease is found throughout the world but is most prevalent in those of European descent. It can affect anyone at any age and is more common in women. It is thought to be an inherited tendency that is triggered by an environmental, emotional, or physical event – although the exact mechanism is not fully understood.
According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, about 5 to 15% of close family members of a celiac disease patient will also have the condition.
Symptoms
There are literally dozens, if not hundreds, of symptoms of gluten intolerance. It all comes down to inflammation in the body! Many people believe the most common symptoms are gastrointestinal in nature - yet the majority of people with gluten intolerance (and celiac disease) have extraintestinal symptoms.
The most common symptoms of celiac disease include:
• Fatigue
• Addison’s disease (hormonal disorder)
• Gastrointestinal distress (gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting, reflux)
• Headaches (including migraines)
• Infertility
• Mouth sores
• Weight loss/gain
• Inability to concentrate
• Moodiness/depression
• Amenorrhea/delayed menarche (menstrual cycles)
• Bone/joint/muscle pain
• Dental enamel hypoplasia (dental enamel defect)
• Short stature
• Seizures
• Tingling numbness in the legs
The “cure” is a life long gluten free diet.
Making the Transition
1. Have a reality check. Remember this is a choice! If you want to feel lousy for the rest of your life and get worse as time goes on then continue eating gluten. If you want to start on a journey to heal; go gluten free!
2. Give it time. It takes time to heal. Take the 45 day challenge.
Within this time frame you will notice the brain fog is gone. Your body will start adjusting to a healthy weight. Yes, you will lose the bloating and weight around the middle. Don’t be discouraged if it takes a little longer to feel 100%.
3. Look at your current diet and go through your pantry and refrigerator to find the foods and meals you already eat that are gluten-free. You may need to keep a food journal if you haven't already.
Be sure to list condiments, ice creams, produce, snacks, and other foods.
This list will be helpful as you create menus around your new foods and give you encouragement that you're already on the right track!
4. Give yourself permission to eat things that you may have restricted from your diet before your diagnosis. Potato chips or GF cookies may not be appropriate for other people, but they are a treat in a GF diet in small doses of course. You will need to find treats for yourself initially as you adjust to this diet. Count calories after you are comfortable with your new way of eating, manage your portions instead.
Once you are comfortable with the switch start cutting back on refined grains, crackers, breads, etc., to help the gut heal quicker. In all honesty, bread will not be that important. It's all about taking baby steps!
5. Look at your current menus and meals and find ways to eliminate gluten from your diet. Replace bread in sandwiches with GF bread or green leaf lettuce and add your favorite fixings and condiments. Have breakfast burritos with rice tortillas instead of toast and eggs. Look for GF hot and cold cereals (must not have barley malt) and have those handy for a snack or meal. Replace bread and crackers with tortilla or corn chips, brown rice cakes or popcorn. For example, chicken or tuna salad on rice cakes or scooped onto corn chips is delicious. Popcorn is a filling side dish with soup. Be on the lookout for meals on your current menus or the menus of friends and family that are naturally gluten-free (roasted chicken, baked sweet potatoes and steamed veggies, for example) and make them a staple on your new menus. Surf the internet, watch cooking shows and browse magazines for ideas and adapt them as you see fit.
6. Clear out any and all foods that have gluten, wheat, wheat flour, oats, oat flour, rye, semolina, or modified food starch from your pantry. This will allow you to see how close you are to living gluten-free already. If you have family members living with you who are not gluten free, you might consider giving the "offending edibles" to them to be put in another part of the house while you learn to live and think gluten-free. As time goes on you can cook for the entire family without gluten.
7. Plan and prepare your meals ahead of time. Being caught hungry without a plan is not a good idea! Keep a few GF soups on hand in case of extreme hunger. Keep a small cooler in your car with snacks such as nuts, dried fruit and water. It helps to outline and pack any meals you're eating at home and away from home, including snacks. An example could be -
o Breakfast: scrambled eggs and mixed vegetables rolled in a rice tortilla, sliced apples, and coffee.
o Lunch: Lettuce with turkey, avocado slices, tomato, and mustard, 1 oz. chips, and 2 organic dark chocolate pieces.
o Dinner: Grilled fish or chicken with mixed vegetables, wild rice, and fruit.
o Snacks: 1 oz. almonds and popcorn.
o Desert: Coconut Ice Cream or fruit.
Tips
1. Be patient with yourself. You'll have days when being gluten-free is really depressing (maybe even "fall off the wagon"). This is normal.
Relax – it’s a process.
2. Carry snacks with you wherever you go. It's often difficult to find an appropriate snack when the hunger strikes. GF bars are great!
3. Arrange with the hosts of gatherings you may attend to bring your own sides or complete meals. Most people are very supportive of restricted diets.
4. Carry a small cooler in your car with small cold packs to store fruit, snacks and water.
5. Consider avoiding restaurants during your transition phase as you learn how to eat and think gluten-free. Grilled meats (over a flame), baked potatoes and salads without croutons are usually safe bets. But keep a log of places you eat, what you ate and how you felt afterward. Gluten is insidious and can turn up in the oddest places (french fries, for example which can be dusted with flour).
6. Get your hands on cookbooks or start collecting your own recipes in a binder.
7. Carry digestive aids (enzyme and bioflavonoid) with you in case of accidental ingestion. There are ones specifically for gluten such as GlutenFlam by Apex Energetics; available from your healthcare practitioner.
8. Consider taking a multi-vitamin to make up for vitamins and minerals you may lack with your new diet (ask your doctor or nutritionist if necessary).
9. Find a mentor or support system.
10. Breathe
About the author: Sandi Star, CCN
Sandi is the founder of Karmic Health, specializing in nutrition related to disease where a gluten and casein (dairy) free lifestyle is crucial; working with celiac, autism and all auto immune disorders. Sandi graduated from The Natural Healing Institute with a degree in Clinical Nutrition and is continuing her studies in Clinical Herbology. She has hands on understanding of many health issues and has dedicated her life in helping others reach their optimal health.
For more information related to this article please visit www.karmic-health.com or contact Sandi Star at 760.685.3154
© Copyright Karmic Health 2010
Best natural form of omega3
Dec 28, 2009 by AnonymousI want to share this information, because my son is taken this product and hi is making a lot of progress...
Sacha Inchi oil naturally contains 45% Omega-3 an award-winning flavor! Oh Mega! Sacha Inchi oil is obtained from cold-pressed Sacha Inchi seeds that grow in the Peruvian Amazon Rainforest and it was used to feed one of the most powerful civilizations in history, the Inca Empire.
Today, Oh Mega! Sacha Inchi oil is very popular due to its amazing omega content, especially omega-3 , which our bodies do not produce on their own.
Sacha Inchi contains the highest omega-3 concentration of any food on the planet.
Award-winning for its taste alone, sacha inchi oil is making a major breakthrough in the US for health and nutrition – especially as a completely natural, organic replacement for fish oil and other omega-3 supplements.
High unsaturated fatty acids content *Low level of saturated fatty acids *Vitamins A and E *Balanced Omega composition
Sacha inchi seed is grown wildly in the Peruvian Amazon, it was known by native Peruvians thousands of years ago. The Incas represented sacha inchi seed in their ceramics. This seed is also known as the inca peanut.
Scientific researches have found that Sacha inchi is one of the best oilseeds by its composition and high nutritional profile:
sacha inchi oil has more omega 3 then cod liver oil.
The seeds of Inchi have high protein (27%) and oil (35 - 60%) content. Its oil is one of the largest plant sources of the Omega family of fatty acids, an essential for human life. It contains Omega 3 (48%), Omega 6 (36%), Omega 9 (9%), and protein (27%). They are also rich in iodine and vitamin A and vitamin E.
Modern Uses
Sacha Inchi oil production is increasing in the Peruvian Amazon and is gaining international recognition for its taste and health properties. In June 2007, Sacha Inchi oil won the Médalle D'or (Gold Medal) at the AVPA[1] Specialty Foods Commodities competition. Sacha Inchi has been called a super food because of its high content of essential fatty acids. The oil has a mild flavour, not bitter, with a nutty finish. With new research emphasizing the health benefits of Omega fatty acids, interest in sustainable sources of Omega is increasing. Sacha Inchi oil is used in vegetarian diets to provide a plant source for Omega-3 fatty acids.
Humanitarian group Oxfam and a group called SEPAR are collaborating to develop techniques for growing Sacha Inchi. Used as a cash crop, Sacha Inchi is bringing money to rural areas and allowing indigenous groups like the Ashaninka to stay in villages.[
Nutrition and Essential Fatty Acids May Help Verbal Apraxia and Autism
Dec 2, 2009 by AnonymousCan nutrition help verbal skills in children with autism? A study reported the August 2009 issue of Alternative Therapies says yes, for some children. Combined vitamin E and omega 3 therapy may help a type of verbal apraxia (a type of speech problem) that may be linked to food allergies and nutritional problems.
Children with verbal apraxia have trouble pronouncing words and may have severe speech problems. Many scientists have thought that verbal apraxia is a brain disorder. This study suggests that verbal apraxia may also be related to metabolism differences and nutritional problems.
Metabolism is the process of making energy from food. Metabolism is a complex system of enzymes, proteins, fats, and carbohydrates that work together to digest food and turn it into energy that the body can use. People likely have a wide range of metabolic differences. Some of those differences can be quite large for some individuals. In this study, they suggest that some children with autism may have metabolism differences that affect how they process foods, and how their brain works.
What did the study show? This study tested 187 children with verbal apraxia, and many of them also had autism. All of the children took 400-3,000 International Units of vitamin E daily. They also took 1-3 grams of polyunsaturated fats (including omega 3 fatty acids) per day.
Almost all of the families (97%) reported improvements in speech, imitation, coordination, eye contact, and other skills with vitamin E and omega-3 therapy. There were few side effects reported during the length of the study.
The authors also described blood test results for nutritional information about 26 of the children. They reported low carnitine levels, high anti-gluten antibodies (suggesting a gluten allergy), low vitamin D levels, and fat absorption problems in most of the children they tested. They described how nutrition and metabolism might be different in some children with autism.
What do these results mean for children with verbal apraxia and autism? The results are exciting because 97% of the children showed improvements, and there were few side effects. Sounds perfect, doesn’t it? But it’s not quite as perfect as it sounds.
There are some major limitations of this study. First of all, the researchers asked parents to give their subjective opinion of improvements. The parents knew they were in a study. Although they were given specific improvements to look for, there is a possibility of bias in favor of reporting a good result.
Secondly, they did not use placebo controls. All of the parents and children knew they were getting the supplements. There is the possibility of the “placebo effect” which is when people taking placebo (“sugar pills”) report feeling better or actually show improvements. Many think it is the power of the mind/body connection that somehow influences how they feel or even how their body physically responds. There is scientific evidence for brain connections to the immune and endocrine systems to support these observations. It is possible that, in this study, the children and/or parents were hopeful that the supplements would work, and that influenced the outcome. There was a placebo effect observed in a recent study of citalopram and autism in children.
Third, the supplements may be helpful for only a subset of children with verbal apraxia. The researchers chose children with verbal apraxia who also had metabolism differences….
What is the bottom line for omega-3 and vitamin E from this study? In spite of the shortcomings of this study, the results are very promising. Children with verbal apraxia may benefit from vitamin E and omega-3 supplements, which may get their metabolism on a better track. And researchers will continue to explore the nutrition/metabolism link with brain function. Good nutrition is likely to be important for many brain functions, not just verbal apraxia.
Summer vacation cometh...
May 30, 2009 by AnonymousI’ve been getting that scary and nervous end-of-the-school-year feeling. Hayley finished pre-school over a week ago – yes, and graduated with flying colors. I know that Hayley is very well-prepared for kindergarten at this point. She’s already sounding out words and tries to read things we encounter every day (she sounded out “sewer” on a manhole the other day and we got into a long discussion about exactly what that was) and she’s been in Thomas’ class every Tuesday all year. She knows her teacher, the classroom and the classroom routine, so I have absolutely no worries there. That’s great, right? One less thing.
Thomas has been slipping into his alter-ego in the evenings lately; we call him “Super Crazy-Man.” He gets pretty wild and goofy and then alternately affectionate and loving. I think it has something to do with good weather finally coming to Chicagoland and him being able to spend more time outdoors. Soon, if there’s a day in the eighties, we’ll make our first trip to Uncle Tom’s pool, something the kids are very excited for.
Another thing I’m hoping for this summer is more “play-dates” with a nice family we’ve made friends with over the past school year. Thomas has a classmate who has a little sister that’s Hayley’s age and she actually came over to play one day last week while the boys were at school. This family is non-traditional in that the father stays home with the kids and the mother, who is an international flight attendant, works. They have three kids (their youngest, a girl, is two) and the dad is on his own with all three kids for days at a time while his wife is completely out of the country. Yikes! But here is a rare person of the opposite sex who understands what being a stay-at-home parent is like, what hard work it really is, and he has a tougher job than most stay-at-homers. So I’m hoping that over the summer, we can swap kids from time to time. I know he feels like he could use a break sometimes, Thomas and Hayley like playing with his two oldest kids, and his two year-old is a doll. She actually really likes other people to hold her, especially Jonathan for some reason. Hopefully they’ll come over more often over the summer and maybe we can go swimming together or something. But I really think it’s important for the kids to have playmates (this other family lives close enough for us to walk to their house) for many reasons, not the least of which is that I can’t play Barbies with Hayley much more before I lose my mind. The fact that she keeps asking me has made it very clear that these kids need friends to play with. Thomas has never had a friend over to play, nor has he been invited to anyone else’s house, so it would be a cool experience for him and I’m wondering how he’ll react. I’m kind of worried that we’d have this boy over to play and that Thomas would play with the PSP the whole time rather than engaging with his friend. Only one way to find out, I guess.
So the end of the year approacheth, along with all of the year-end activities it entails. Thomas’ “graduation” is on June 8 and his last day of school is June 9. He’s still unenthusiastic about first grade, but he’ll meet his teacher and see his new classroom soon which should help. The biggest hurdle will be the whole “eating lunch at school” thing. We have two choices: I can either pack lunch for Thomas everyday or we can purchase the school lunches for him. I’m not what you’d call a “health nut,” but I am a fan of good nutrition and I don’t really have any idea what the school lunch entails. On the other hand, Thomas has announced that he wants me to make pizza for his lunch every day. So I’d be spending every evening making pizza, sticking it in the fridge and putting cold pizza in his lunchbox every morning. We’ve been trying to figure out a sandwich that he would eat, since sandwiches are much more packable and convenient, but we have so far come up clueless. We’ll have to do a lot more thinking about it this summer.
Yes, at this time each year, I begin wondering when I’m going to get the grocery shopping done every week. And even though I didn’t mention it this time, we’re still really excited about Disney World, rest assured. 69 more sleeps until we go.