We have already discussed that autism is a “whole body” disorder and it needs to be addressed in a holistic way rather than an orthodox medical approach! See my blog from September 2015: (https://liverighteu.wordpress.com/2015/09/14/discover-a-great-lesson-from-children-with-autism).
However, today, during autism awareness month, I want to especially focus on the influences of nutrition and gut microbiome on ASD.
Nutrition is one of the universal holistic approaches that everyone seems to understand to a certain degree because it is an essential way to get energy into our body. We eat and drink on a regular basis as we need fundamental ‘building material’ for our organs, tissues and cells. We do it all the time, but we do not realize how POWERFUL nutrition can really be in not only maintaining an energy level, but in actually PROTECTING and HEALING our body and even our mind! As a scientist, it is so exciting for me to see how modern research keeps discovering new details of the gut-brain connection which then explain the tendencies of many chronic diseases including autism. This knowledge helps to understand how exactly our microbiome influences our health, our brain function and even our personality in more detail. At the same time, it shows us the huge therapeutic potential of nutrition and healing diets on autism.
So, how exactly does our gut flora effect our brain function and how exactly do our bowels influence our behaviour? There is a good reason for why we call our gut “the second brain”! More than 100 millions of neurons are embedded in the wall of the digestive system, all the way from gum to bum, causing that famous “butterflies in stomach” effect when we feel excited or nervous! This communication between our “two brains” runs both ways and is the pathway for how foods affect our mood or why anxiety can make us sick to our stomach, for instance. One of the ways in which the gut communicates with the brain is via the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve runs throughout the body, and “is responsible for the function and regulation of several bodily systems such as the heart and digestive tract. Another way of communicating between these two brains is via the immune system. Gut microbes interact with the immune system which communicates with the brain. Furthermore, scientists have demonstrated that irritation in the gastrointestinal system may send signals to the brain and trigger mood changes thus causing anxiety and depression. Additionally, gut microbes make neuroactive compounds, including neurotransmitters and metabolites which also act on the brain. So, microbiome influences our brain in many different ways and clearly contributes to its dysfunction. Lots of research keeps demonstrating and confirming this link. For example, it has been shown that 92% of children with autism have gastrointestinal distress and 85% have constipation. The same study has revealed a strong association between constipation and language impairment. The correlation between pathogenic bacteria and autism has been demonstrated many times. For example, we know that he number of Clostridia species in the stool of children with autism is much greater than in the stool of other children. In children with autism, the digestive system becomes a major source of toxicity in their body. Various neurotoxins are produced by abnormal gut flora, then they are absorbed through the damaged gut wall into the blood and taken to the brain. The most well-known example of such toxicity is opiates from gluten and casein. Undigested proteins from wheat (gluteomorphins) and milk (casomorphins) affect the brain and block certain areas just like real morphine does. Another interesting example is Clostridia neurotoxins that have been shown to effect the brain and behaviour of children with autism. In his clinical study, Dr William Shaw demonstrated a very positive effect of anti-Clostridia treatment on children with autism. One more illustration is based on Candida yeast overgrowth during which two byproducts of the fermentation process are produced: ethanol and acetaldehyde. As we all know the ethanol causes a lack of self-control, impaired coordination, impaired speech development, aggression and even loss of memory. Meanwhile, acetaldehyde is also a very toxic agent with the ability to change the structure of proteins causing auto-immune reactions.
Therefore, the question is, whether by restoring the microbiome we can actually restore normal function of the whole body including brain performance and behaviour improvement? And the answer is YES! One particularly fascinating technique has been developed to help in some severe cases is called FECAL MICROBIAL TRANSPLANT (FMT). It does indeed concern fecal transplantation from one healthy person (donor) to anther unhealthy person (recipient). In the book “Brain Maker”, which I really like and recommend everyone reads, the author Dr Perlmutter describes an interesting case from his own practice. One of his patients, a 12 year old boy with autism called Jason who had lots of gastrointestinal issues, had a very disturbed microbiome and as result had lots of developmental problems like a delay in ability to speak, lack of social skills, issues with balance, repetitive hand movements and so on, was going through FMT procedure. One month after completing this treatment Jason was much more talkative, socially interactive and started to make very good progress in school. Is this not amazing!? This is absolute proof that a healthy set of bacteria can restore the healthy function of the brain and the whole body!
There are a lots of other fascinating stories where healing diets and life style changes reverse autism. For example, one story from the practice of Nutrition Consultant Julie Matthews is about a little boy called Tim who was diagnosed with autism at the age of 2.5 years. This boy was taken through a combination of different healing diets to get the best results and allow his sick body to restore step by step and completely overcome health issues. At the age of 13 Tim was a happy, healthy child with great progress in school and a dream to become an author and write about Military history. His full story can be found here: www.nocowstoday.com.au. These are fantastic examples of how the life of a child, and of course a whole family, can be improved through nutrition! I found these stories fascinating and inspiring! I really encourage you to read, and be motivated by, a book filled with similar stories: “GAPS Stories, Personal Accounts of Improvement and Recovery through the GAPS Nutritional Protocol” published by Medinform Publishing.
I hope I was able to show you that the gut-brain connection is real and that we all need to look after our gut in order to be in good form. However, this is especially true for children with ASD! It is possible to help them significantly by addressing their gut health through an individual nutritional program, by following certain healing diets and changing their life style. And of course, autism is preventable just like many other conditions! Let’s help our children be healthy and happy! Take responsibility for your health and the health of your children by earning today and applying this knowledge in your everyday lives!
As usual, I look forward to receiving your ever valuable questions, comments and feedback: irina@liveright.eu
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