autism

HOW STRONG IS THE EGG ?

Correct biochemical balance in our children help increase their resilience, balancing the impact from environmental factors

Have you ever seen a chick emerge from within its egg? The yellow and fluffy, soft and very cute little ball popping into the world.

Recently I read a quote by Jim Kwik, an expert in memory improvement, brain optimisation, and accelerated learning (Jim Kwik has a lot of interesting knowledge to share, so check him out if you do not know him yet). The quote reads:

“If an egg is broken by an outside force, life ends. If broken by an inside force, life begins. Great things always begin from the inside.”

What a fantastic analogy for our children, and especially for kids with Autism or other neurodiversity. Wouldn’t you agree?

Every child needs the strength, energy, and a certain level of resilience in their body to respond to outside stimuli in the right, healthy way. Inside capacity should correlate with outside effort; yin and yang; push and pull! Otherwise, the stronger external force will cause an imbalance and, consequently, a blockage.

Sometimes parents provide lots of positive external factors to support their child in the best possible way, but, for some reason, the child is not fully responsive to those stimuli. For example, you want your child to have better focus, be less hyperactive, process information better and attain better results at school. Right? With this goal in mind, as a caring, and loving parent, you may take your child to different activities, therapies, and educational programmes. But the child is only partially responding to all of your efforts. They improve a little bit, but then, no further breakthrough! Why?

Because the effort from outside exceeds the effort, or rather your child’s capacity to react, from inside.

Nowadays our kids often have low energy levels. They do not have enough essential minerals and other nutrients like essential fatty acids, amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins. Their mitochondria do not work at full capacity to produce enough energy for optimal functioning, healing and learning. Our kids are full of different toxins that their bodies spend too much energy on trying to get rid of, to detox. Our children simply do not have enough internal strength to be able to react properly to the great activities they are being exposed to. Our children are, consequently, very sensitive and instead shut themselves down to feel protected from any stimuli (positive and negative).

Since our kids are so delicate and vulnerable, too much of a good thing could be TOO MUCH for them. Have you noticed this as well? We need to be careful to not break their “egg” with our outside force.

So, how can we generate better inside force, boost the energy level, and increase the resilience level of our kids? The answer is to RESTORE THEIR BIOCHEMICAL BALANCE by addressing malnourishment, dysbiosis, detoxification, and oxidative stress. Let’s help our kids gain the internal strength to better respond to an enriched external environment. Our kids need balance in their internal environment so that they can easily step out of their “protective state”, break out from their “eggshell” into reality, into your parental loving and supportive hands, into this world. Let us remember that “great things always begin from the inside.”

How strong is the egg — The impact of external and internal factors can be balanced out

My simple, yet very effective method could help to identify exactly if your child requires additional internal strength to step out of their ‘eggshell.’ Contact me to discuss how we can restore the biochemical balance in your child.

Book a free discovery call through my website: https://dririnaschurov.com/

Picture by Irina Schurov, photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

Embracing Real Neurodiversity: Understanding the Body-Brain Connection

What is neurodiversity and why are we talking about it?

In recent years, the discussion surrounding neurodiversity has become increasingly prominent.

It’s important to emphasize that neurodiversity includes a wide range of conditions, including but not limited to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), learning disorders, sensory processing disorders, and various others.
These days, from social media conversations to academic discussions, people are recognizing and celebrating the unique ways in which our brains function.
And this dynamic is understandable, especially given the stark statistics that illustrate the rapid growth in the number of individuals diagnosed with various neurodiversity conditions. For example, since 2000, autism prevalence has surged by a staggering 178%. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, approximately 1 in 36 children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). At the same time, we are also observing a steady increase in the number of children exhibiting learning differences. For instance, according to the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), dyslexia affects approximately 15-20% of the population. Additionally, it is estimated that between 5% to 20% of children demonstrate symptoms of dysgraphia. Such statistics highlight the significant prevalence of neurodiversity in our society today.

It is, therefore, crucial to understand all factors that influence neurodiverse children’s functioning, enabling us to provide sufficient support and resources for them to excel academically and socially, and to maintain good health.

A holistic view of neurodiversity! Bottom of Form

So, let’s take a holistic view, a bigger picture of neurodiversity!
I propose that we not only focus on the external experiences and how neurodiverse children react to outside triggers and their behaviours but let us also consider the internal factors that influence their actions from inside of their bodies.
This includes understanding the internal triggers these children may face, such as various allergies, sensitivities, infections, gastrointestinal issues like indigestion and constipation, sleep disturbances like insomnia, and many others.
Seeing the bigger picture and understanding this holistic perspective can guide us in providing more effective support to help our neurodiverse children thrive.

Body-brain connection.

First of all, in most of this conversation about neurodiversity, it’s crucial to remember one fundamental truth: our brains do not operate in isolation. Instead, they are intricately connected to the rest of our body’s physiological, biochemical, metabolic, and emotional functions. Through updated scientific findings and practical experience, it’s becoming increasingly evident that approximately 80% of neurodiversity symptoms (approximately 80%) are influenced or even rooted in chronic dysfunctions within the body.
As someone who closely interacts with neurodiverse children, I witness the reality of neurodiversity first-hand. Through this experience, I’ve come to understand neurodiversity as a complex interplay of body-brain imbalances that contribute to the diverse ways in which children think and behave.

The following observations further support my statement:

Research shows that up to 90% of neurodivergent individuals experience various digestive issues, selective eating habits, dysbiosis, and elevated levels of toxicity in the body.
The majority of neurodiverse children have compromised immunity and heightened sensitivities, including sensory issues.
Scientific findings and personal practice demonstrate that at least 50% of children diagnosed with various neurological conditions encounter additional challenges such as oral malfunction and delays in achieving physical milestones. These problems can be linked to the retention of primary reflexes, which may further exacerbate their cognitive and motor development.
Many individuals within the neurodiverse community demonstrate chronic inflammation in both the body and brain, alongside elevated levels of oxidative stress and impaired detoxification processes.

It is, therefore, evident that neurodiverse children deal with a range of health and developmental challenges, all of which impact their behaviour and performance, and consequently, contribute to the symptoms of neurodiversity.

Overlap among neurological conditions.

Seeing the bigger picture and viewing neurodiversity as a complex interplay of body-brain imbalances, is further supported by the significant overlap observed among various neurological conditions that fall under the neurodiversity umbrella. This includes different diagnoses such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and others.
As an illustration, half of individuals diagnosed with ASD also meet the criteria for ADHD. Additionally, ASD can overlap with social anxiety disorder in up to 30% of cases, and up to 10% with panic disorder.
So, instead of only concentrating on specific diagnoses and external symptoms, it’s imperative to recognize the shared biochemical and physiological imbalances that underlie many overlapping neurological conditions under the neurodiversity umbrella.

Factors that influence neurodiversity development.

We’re also aware that research suggests up to 30% of neurodiversity symptoms may be linked to genetic factors. However, the remaining 70% of neurodiversity symptoms originate from various epigenetic influences such as environmental pollutants and lifestyle choices—all of which are modifiable and can be changed. This understanding presents a significant opportunity for us to influence body-brain imbalances and foster normalized functions at the cellular, organ, and systemic levels.

So, what does it mean?

Taken together, thanks to numerous breakthroughs in science, we now have the opportunity to identify and address a multitude of factors that influence the scope of neurodiversity. By addressing the root causes of body dysfunctions, we hold the power to improve the landscape of neurodiversity!
This perspective might not sit well with everyone, especially in a society that champions acceptance and inclusivity. And that’s okay. It’s important to have open discussions and consider different viewpoints to find the best ways to support neurodiverse children. While values like acceptance are undoubtedly crucial, it’s also vital to understand that supporting neurodiverse individuals involves more than just accepting them.

Summary.

In conclusion, understanding the intricate connection between the body and brain is paramount in our approach to neurodiversity. By adopting a holistic methodology that looks into the root causes and triggers contributing to the manifestation of neurodiversity, we open up the opportunity to truly embrace REAL neurodiversity. This involves looking beyond surface-level symptoms and exploring the underlying physiological, biochemical, and environmental factors that contribute to neurodiverse experiences.
By addressing these contributing factors comprehensively, we can foster a more inclusive and supportive environment that celebrates the unique talents and perspectives of neurodiverse individuals.
I really hope that looking at neurodiversity from a different angle will get people talking more openly about it.

Photo: Photo by Hiki App on Unsplash

DO NOT LET ANXIETY RULE YOUR LIFE!

The COVID-19 pandemic period is still ongoing and continues to influence our lives in many different ways. One very important impact, that goes beyond physical health and financial challenges, is the enormous resulting emotional overload. In fact, this pandemic has been associated with a dramatic increase in mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression. But this is no surprise! How do you feel when, wherever you look, you see people around you in masks, when you cannot see their faces and cannot tell what they’re feeling? How do you feel when people are desperately trying to avoid each other? How do you feel when you cannot invite friends to your home or meet with your relatives? Personally, I feel confused, stressed and simply uncomfortable. All of this behaviour is completely counterintuitive for humans, it goes against our very nature! This is exactly why sensitive children with neurodiversity are experiencing a considerable surge of anxiety, which, to varying degrees, is already commonly present in many of them. The reason for this is that their nervous system is more alert and quicker to react to different stimuli, causing a sensory overload which, in turn, fuels their anxiety! It is important to note that all of these feelings, if left unresolved, will not simply disappear. As with all negative emotions, they are, instead, likely to transform into longer-term issues that can last multiple years.

Thus, arises the question, what can we do to help our sensitive children overcome their pandemic-induced anxiety and move forward with confidence and optimism?

BE CALM AND GROUNDED

We have to remember that children look to their parents for guidance on how to handle the world, meaning that when parents are stressed, their children also feel stressed. Therefore, we need to start with ourselves. We need to be calm and emotionally grounded. Take a deep breath. Meditate. Calm your anxious mind. You will soon notice that when you are calm, your kids will also be. Children tend to do what they see.

2. TALK TO YOUR CHILDREN

Don’t be afraid to calmly talk to your children about COVID-19 at a level they understand, without overloading them with information. This is an opportunity to share actual facts and help them work through their feelings. Let them ask questions and help them express themselves through drawing, music and physical activities like dance or sport.

3. CONTROL YOUR ENVIRONNENT, ELIMINATE UNNECESSARY STIMULI

Eliminate extra toxins and irritants, such as bright light, EM pollution, junk food, processed food, drinks with sugar and additives, and negative news. Do lots of calming and relaxing activities like Epsom salt baths, massages with essential oils, read books, listen to music, practice mindfulness together.

4. ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO LEARN HOW TO PAUSEAND BREATHE

Show your children how to pause, recognise what is bothering them and gently but deeply breathe through the nose and out through the mouth. This slows everything down and allows the child to calm themselves down.

5. BUILD A RELAXING SPACE

Together with your children, create a space for for them to “escape” should they need to. Let them choose their favourite cushions, blankets, bean bags etc., anything they want, to really make the place their own little sanctuary! This would be a perfect place for them to keep their “worry box” and “happy box”, where they can put notes about what is concerning them or bringing them joy. Identifying and writing out the emotions felt in such a way, and then physically placing them somewhere else, helps to relieve any anxiety.

6. USE ESSENTIAL OILS

Aromatherapy has proven to be very helpful when dealing with anxiety. The most effective choice is Lavender oil, as it contains an active compound that targets the same parts of the brain as anti-anxiety drugs, only without side effects. The best oils for anxiety, apart from Lavender, are Bergamot orange, Chamomile, Clary sage, Lemon, Neroli, Rose, Ylang-ylang. You can either use them topically or by inhaling them directly or passively through an infuser. Additionally, children may enjoy massages or baths with oils.

7. KNOW WHICH SUPPLEMENTS YOU CAN USE

You can also try different supplements that help with anxiety and stress. Here are a few that I can recommend.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid, more commonly known as “GABA” is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in our brain. Very often children with neurological conditions have an imbalance of neurotransmitters and a low GABA level may contribute to their anxiety. You can use the “GABA Calm” formula by Source Naturalis or “GABA” by KAL. You should be able to see whether or not the supplements have had an impact on your child relatively quickly (in 2-3 days).
L-theanine is an amino acid that boosts GABA levels in the body. It is not an essential amino acid, and our body doesn’t produce it, however, it can be found in green or black tea. As children do not tend to drink very much tea, they may benefit from such supplementation.
Magnesium is an essential mineral in our body and plays a key role in the body’s stress response, as it helps our muscle cells relax after contracting. When magnesium levels are low, our muscles may contract too much contributing to anxiety and stress. Research shows that the best mineral form against anxiety is Magnesium L-threonate, as it is able to pass through the blood brain barrier and be absorbed by cells.
Cod Liver Oil contains long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Omega-3 plays a role in strengthening cell membranes and improving the passage of Serotonin, the happiness hormone, into cells.
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that produce neurotransmitters including GABA, Serotonin and Dopamine. Research shows that probiotics are able to improve people’s mood and response to stress.
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been shown to lower anxiety, especially anxiety related to open or crowded places, as it is lowers cortisol levels in people with chronic stress.
CBD oil is a non-psychoactive compound that blocks certain enzymes that trigger inflammation in the body and brain, reducing anxiety, an otherwise negative consequence of such inflammation.

With all of these tools, you can work on your own stress levels and then help your children to deal with their anxiety. Lead by example!

The festive holiday period is a great time to practise positive activities as a family, especially this year! Connect with your family in new ways: read books together, play games, go on long walks to breath the fresh winter air and enjoy the opportunity to chat! Best of all, prepare meals together! Take advantage of this time to become closer and to discover different family activities, which will help diminish the anxiety in you and your children.

SET UP YOUR SUCCESSFUL DAY IN THE MORNING

“My morning is absolutely hectic!”

“I do not have any time in the morning to do any extra things. It is just impossible!”

“We run as chickens in the morning, everyone is stressed out and I just keep thinking how to don not forget something and leave home at time for school and work.”

Does it sound familiar to you? Do you experience the same challenges in the morning?

Many people I work with and coach often express this exactly opinion. However, our morning routine is VERY IMPORTANT as it is setting up our energy, metabolism and attitude for a whole day! Our morning is a gate to our success or failure during a whole day.

You probably heard many times that all successful people have a certain routine in the morning that they follow religiously as they perfectly understand that only this way, they can achieve much more during their day and therefore during their life.

So, this is true for everyone. And it is especially important for our children who are sensitive to many things, have variety learning and developmental challenges and differences. Just think about it!

Children often afraid of the unknown things. This can be new food on their plate or moving to a new class or school. So, then more predictable their morning is, then calmer kids will be. Their morning will be less stressful, more nourishing and encouraging and therefore, more productive.

What the morning routine could looks like?

Waking up to a nice energising music. During wintertime you may consider a light lamp that mimics sunrise that helps the body receives enough light to build a biochemical response to ease the waking up process.
Having a glass of water on empty stomach (lemon water is better) will help further to wake up body and importantly, the digestive system. You can prepare it from the evening. Put it on the bed side table that you and child remember it.
Washing and brushing teeth can be a challenging process for some children. You can do it together with your child. It will be more fun; you can show her how you do it and lead by example!
Stretching exercise, small jumps together around room, dry brushing for 2-5 mins will help further wake up the body, increase blood and lymph circulation, prepare digestive system to work.
Breakfast is very important! It sets up the glucose level in the blood and provides energy to our kids that they can better focus and concentrate in the school. It should contain some protein! Avoid sweet, processed food! Porridge, home-made granola, eggs, whole flour pancakes, seeds, nuts, home-made yogurt or smoothie, all these will provide a variety of essential nutrients that provide stable energy level till lunch time. But how you eat your breakfast is very important as well! Spending some time together around table, allowing your kids to make some certain choices are empowering practice. For example, your child can choose what he wants to sprinkle on top of his porridge today: fresh berries, raisons, chia seeds, crashed almonds… Choice is her! Making positive associations between food and activities helps child to accept food you propose, recognize the value in it and setting up his intention toward activities. For, example you can say that porridge helps to do math’s test faster or smoothie helps to play football better.
Eating together even for 10 mins and talking about a day ahead in a positive way, sets up the right attitude, wining mindset for a whole day. You can diffuse some peppermint or cinnamon essential oils (motivation blend) in the room during the morning. Highly sensitive children especially will positively respond to this.
Dressing up can be a challenge as well. If you discuss and prepare things child will wear from the evening, would help to avoid uncertainty and conflict in the morning.
Check all things that child needs to take to school. Together you can create the check list that can be colorful, descriptive and very visible as you child likes. You can put it on the door and before she lives the house you can together check if you have everything with you.

To implement such routine that takes 40-60 mins needs some practice and patience. But once you and your child master it, you will see enormous benefit of it. So, holiday season can be an excellent opportunity to start to practice it, implement some element

Any routine brings comfort and consistency to a child’s life, reducing number of micro-stresses l and increases a level of performance. Knowing what comes next, helps your child to reduce anxiety and boost self-confidence.

With a routine, a child will learn what she is supposed to do next and start doing it by her selves, gaining independence and get better with her time management. The visual plan of the morning routine or morning routine chart may help to some kids to move through the morning.

Here three tips how to start to implement this routine in your life:

Prepare many things from the evening:

- What to wear
- What to eat (soaking porridge, making butter for pancakes and so on)
- Prepare main things for the lunch box

Get up at least 30 min before children to set up your own positive intentions for a day, do your affirmations, to have you me-time, do your meditation.
If you feel frustrated at some point and want to yell, you rather whisper and talk very quietly. This will help you remember to use a calm voice rather than raising your voice or yelling. This will help to keep anxiety under control and it would have much bigger impact on your child.

I hope you get some ideas how to create a calmer and more productive morning routine that will lead a whole family to a successful day.

However, it still may be a challenge for parents who have kids with Autism. These families are facing another level of complexity for everything. Recognising this, I would be happy to assist anyone who needs an extra help.

Please, contact me for more details: irina@liveright.eu

“UNDIET” YOURSELF THIS YEAR AND GO WILD!

At the beginning of each new year, many people set themselves a variety of objectives, such as aiming to follow a specific diet as a part of their healthy eating plan. This is a wonderful initiative! Have you tried it before? Which particular diet did you try adopting? Vegan, Keto, Raw Food diet, Intermediate Fasting? Let me know how it went! The trouble is that many people give up on these resolutions very quickly, determining the specific diet attempted to be ineffective and seeing no point in continuing with it or trying it again. However, the truth is that the diet in question may not work for you simply because it is not the right eating pattern for your body at this current moment in time.

Each diet addresses specific health issues or eating needs. It is, therefore impossible to decide which specific diet you may need and how long you should follow it, without first understanding your own symptoms. Once your body’s needs have been addressed, the eating plan should be adjusted accord to your personal response. However, if you were to explore all the different diets, you would notice one factor common to them all – each diet suggests replacing eating rubbish with eating real food! This fundamental principle of eating healthy is encoded deep in our human genetics.

Therefore, today, I would like to share with you a very simple 7-step solution that will help you improve your health without needing to adopt any particular diet. So, here is your Healthy UNDIET Guide to fundamental and essential changes for the better!

“Eat real” as much as you can!

Simply do not buy any processed food, including sauces, biscuits and tinned products. You can start gently, reducing little by little, and eventually aim to eat 100% whole food that you know was made in your kitchen! This will help eliminate any unwanted components, that happen to be toxic, from your body and raise awareness about food and its nutritional value.

“Eat wild” and organic as much as possible!

Nowadays we mostly eat modified food that looks good and tastes better, but that, unfortunately, has lost many of its healing properties and contains fewer nutrients. For example, wild blueberries are much smaller and less sweet than big, commercially produced berries. However, despite their lesser size, they actually contain more useful micronutrients!

Drink more water!

This sounds very easy, yet, how many of us drink at least 2 litres of water a day, especially during the winter? Water is essential for the digestion, detoxification, energy level maintenance, healthy skin, blood pressure control and so much more.

Eat slowly and chew better!

Digestion starts in your mouth. Make sure you swallow properly liquified food. Even when you eat soup, do not rush and take your time ensuring that the enzymes from your saliva have had the chance to do their job in the oral cavity. This way you will also experience more flavours, textures and smells from the meal you eat, allowing you to enjoy it more!

Eat diverse food!

Any single food doesn’t contain all the essential nutrients that we require for health and well-being. Therefore, by eating a diverse, balanced, multicoloured range of ingredients, you can consume the necessary amount of micro-elements for normal body function.

Take a deep breath before you eat!

When you do diaphragmatic breathing 5-10 times before your meal, you reduce your level of stress, improve your digestion and increase your metabolism. Simple, but so powerful.

Stop counting calories!

A calorie is not a measure of health. The quality of the food consumed sets up your metabolism and is much more important than calories. It has been shown that counting calories can actually increase your appetite and cause weight gain.

Therefore, follow these 7 practical steps and let me know how they go! They may take some time to take effect, and that is OK. Work on them one step at the time and be patient! The aim is to live a rich and fulfilling life without any restrictions and to enjoy your food every day.

Please, do not hesitate to contact me for more information, advice or consultation.

Photo by Peter Wendt

Irina

SET YOUR INTERNAL CLOCK FOR GREAT WINTER SEASON

I am sure you have noticed that our days have been getting shorter and that we now experience far less sun light exposure. At this time of year lots of people start to undergo a form of seasonal blues, lack of energy and emotional slumps. People who are especially sensitive to such changes of environment can sometimes be diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Of course, children who experience troubles with learning, concentration, sensory issues and emotional challenges will be even more susceptible to lack of day light. For example, it was shown that deficiency of sun light can potentially lead Asperger’s children to have low self-esteem, feel disappointment, isolation, mood swings and a lack of motivation. Consequently, while everyone feels the shortage of light exposure, we all tolerate and adapt to it in different ways.

From a biological perspective, as the seasons shift, our bodies experience certain biochemical changes, which are absolutely normal! Although humans aren’t as seasonal as animals and we do not hibernate in the winter, environmental changes have a clear impact on our biology!

Our master clock, located in the hypothalamus, responds to light by secreting certain hormones such as serotonin, which helps the body to feel awake, alert and satisfied. When it is dark, serotonin is converted to melatonin, making the body feel sleepy. It is for this reason that lack of day light causes hormonal imbalance, leading to many troublesome consequences, including sleep disorders, behavioral problems, hormonal imbalances and stress. To summarise; HUMANS’ ARE VERY DEPENDENT ON LIGHT!

Have you noticed that during the winter we try to compensate for our low levels of serotonin by reaching for comfort food and eating lots of carbohydrates and sweets? This gives us instant but fleeting satisfaction, which passes quickly and leaves us with long-term consequences such as elevated levels of blood glucose, extra weight, irritability and insulin imbalance.

Here is a quick check list of typical signs of SAD:

Depressed mood, low energy during the day
Anxiety or irritation, not handling stress well
Feeling lethargic and sleeping more than usual
Difficulty to concentrate and focus
Preferring to stay alone, less socializing
Craving for easy carbohydrates and sweets
Feeling a need for a sunlight

So, how can we prepare for this year’s winter? Here is a short list of changes you can implement into your routine, to ensure you experience a pleasant and energetic few months!

1) BALANCED DIET

Research has shown that the Mediterranean variety of diet lowers our chances of depression. Therefore, make sure you focus on oily organic fish like salmon, sardines, trout, mackerel, anchovies and seafood. Small amounts of good quality meat, together with organic dairy products (if you tolerate them) and eggs also reduce the odds of developing depression. This way you can get your fat-soluble, and absolutely health essential, vitamins A, D and K as well as vitamin B12, which is individually associated with combating depression and anxiety.

Consume plenty of nutrient-dense food like leafy greens and multicolored vegetables, including a few starchy products such as sweet potatoes and beetroot. Nuts, seeds, beans and lentils provide many necessary microelements as well.

A healthy gut helps our body to adapt to any stress, including seasonal changes. So, do not forget to eat fermented food like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, tempeh, kombucha, and many others containing active live cultures.

By eating easily digestible food, such as fermented food, gluten-free food, cooked vegetables, bone broth, you save your body lots of energy, which you may need for other activities.

Additionally, turmeric is a fantastic product! I always say this because it is always true, and, in this case, my comment is especially relevant as turmeric has been proven to help with depression symptoms. Other spices like chili powder, saffron, vanilla, cloves, sage, nutmeg and black pepper also help fight depression and get your mood and activities back on track.

Do not forget to indulge yourself with a small bit of dark chocolate. Not a candy bar or milk chocolate; I’m talking about high-quality, 85% dark of higher, pure cocoa packed with potent and brilliant antioxidant polyphenol.

Notice that if you eat all of the above and minimize the amount of sugar and easy carbohydrates, such as bread, cookies, etc. you traditionally consume, you will not gain extra weight!

Please, remember that any dietary recommendation you apply must be based on your own individual response and food sensitivity profile!

2) CONSIDER SUPPLEMENTATION

Fish oil supplementation is a good way to ensure you consume a sufficient amount of both vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids. The positive effects of EPA and DHA fatty acids and Vitamin D on brain health and general mood have been extensively demonstrated. I would, however, recommend checking your vitamin D levels with a blood test before increasing the amount of vitamin D you consume, as overdosing on vitamin D is not very healthy! Vitamin D is complementary with other fat-soluble vitamins (A and K) that work together for heart, bone, and immune health. You may consider supplementing them as well! Vitamin B12 may be another option to consider to keep your energy level and anxiety under control.

3) OTHER CHANGES TO IMPLEMENT

Go outside every day even if it is chilly and raining and try to expose your arms and chest to the sun (if it is not too cold) for a few minutes to top up your level of vitamin D. Spending time outdoors helps fight our internal inclination to hibernate, restoring our mood and energy levels.
Respect the natural day pattern as much as you can and make sure you go to bed earlier, as during the winter we need longer rest periods. No need to feel guilty for going to bed when you are tired! At the same time, make sure you maintain a steady sleep routine. Do not ingest any caffeine six hours before bed and avoid bright lights and screens in the late evening. Remember that even 5 minutes of white light can stop your melatonin production for 4 hours and can spoil the quality of your sleep.
Consider Light therapy. Simply choose a lamp that illuminates at 10,000 lux and filters all UV light and set it up in your bedroom. You can configure the light for the morning, at least 30 min before your alarm goes off, so that your body receives enough light to build a biochemical response to ease your waking up process. Keep the lamp around you for another 30-60 min in the morning. You can do another 30 – 60 min in the afternoon if you feel your body needs it but avoid such light exposure in the evening. SAD lamps emit strong light, so be careful not to look directly into the bulbs!
Look for other ways to improve your mood.
Enjoy sitting by the fire if you have a fire place or lighting candles during long evenings, to provide yourself with additional emotional balance and stability
Read an interesting book
Do your favourite sport or activity and don’t forget to find time to meet your friends.
Meditation if a very powerful tool for bringing depressive thoughts under control.
Saunas help many people feel better by warming up their body temperature.
Essential oils can provide good support for focusing, concentration and energy levels. Enjoy aromas of basil, lavender, bergamot, frankincense and geranium to lift your mood and energy.

Note that THE BEST RESULTS ARE ACHIEVED WHEN YOU IMPLEMENT COMBINATIONS OF THE ABOVE STEPS AS OPPOSED TO JUST ONE.

I hope this post helps you and your loved ones prepare for this traditionally melancholy season! By implementing these steps try instead to enjoy this time of year, and all the warmth, comfort, and pleasure it brings, instead of experiencing a lack of energy and concentration, depression and anxiety and a stagnation in all your activities.

Please, share your thoughts and feedback, send me your comments: irina@liveright.eu

Photo by Oliver Hihn on Unsplash

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S POOP

I am continuing to talk to you about the principle clinical tests you should be aware of in order to properly help your children, and yourself, when necessary. Today we will be talking about stool and stool analysis.

As the festive season approaches many parents will have the chance to spend more time with their children. It is a great opportunity to have fun, play games, cook together and do so much more! However, it is also a great moment to better observe your children and to take note of their poop, especially if your children are young. In case you have teenagers, it is a good time to discuss this very important topic with them, if you have not done so before. Yes, by “this topic” I do mean the stool of your children. Maybe it is not a very glamorous subject, but it is definitely a very important one to be aware of. Stool is a very important physiological biomarker which shows how our body is functioning and if there are any possible problems we need to start thinking about.

Several times, I have come across people who follow a healthy way of eating and practice such eating habits in their family, but who still experience bloating, gases and abnormal bowel movements. This is especially typical among children. The frequency of such symptoms indicate that healthy eating means something different for each person and it is our responsibility to start to understand our own bodies better. We also need to help our children to develop this valuable life skill! Our body is the most valuable thing we have and we need to learn how to hear it and interpet the signs and signals through which it manifests its problems. How often, when you have a headache, do you actually think about what your headache means, instead of just taking a painkiller? Does it mean that you need some rest, fresh air, exercise, a little positive energy, water or food? Or perhaps it is indicating a certain toxicity level in your body and that your liver needs support and you need to change your lifestyle a bit? WHILE WE KEEP IGNORING OUR OWN “BODY LANGUAGE”, WE WILL KEEP SUFFERING FROM DIVERSE CHRONIC CONDITIONS!

Therefore, stool is an important marker to recognise! We need to monitor the regular bowel movements of our children and actually teach them how to pay attention to those signs as well.

VERY OFTEN CHILDREN CAN BE CONSTIPATED EVEN IF THEY POOP EVERY DAY. Because constipation is not only about the frequency of the stool, but also about its consistency. Ideally the consistency should be soft and not very formed. If your child does not produce very much poop, it means it is being held up for some reason, which can cause damage to the lower part of the GI tract (rectum) and can be a reason for bed wetting and urinary infections in girls. Abnormal stool consistency, colour and smell can be very indicative of a child having certain digestive issues that need to be addressed.

If your child is constipated or has diarrhoea, a few things need to be addressed. First of all, of course, is their diet and water intake. All pro-inflammatory processed food needs to be removed, whole food like vegetables and fruit need to be consumed in sufficient amounts (minimum 5-7 portions per day) and the water intake increased (1-1.5 L per day). However, if lifestyle changes do not resolve the stool issue, we need to look deeper. What other symptoms is the child manifesting? Bloating, belching, heartburn or any other stomach problems? To better understand the situation and to correctly address any possible dysboiosis, it is recommended to do a Comprehensive Stool Analysis Test.

What is this? A Comprehensive Stool Analysis Test is a clinical test that will analyse the stool for bacteria, yeast, viruses, fungus and parasites. It also looks for markers that demonstrate inflammation, the level of absorption of nutrients in the gut, production of short-chain fatty acids and much more. It is an excellent test that indicates the many possible reasons for abnormal stool and helps to identify the real causes of digestive issues that play an enormous role in the health of the whole body and brain.

Therefore, it is incredibly advisable to consider undergoing this test! And, the good news is, this test can also be done at home without going through the stress of traveling and visiting a laboratory, in a similar way to the Food Intolerance Test (https://liverighteu.wordpress.com/2017/10/16/why-you-may-consider-taking-a-food-intolerance-test/). Once the results have been revealed, a specific and very effective protocol can be suggested to deal with the identified microflora imbalance. This test definitely helps to identify any well-hidden pathogenic bacteria that can sometimes continue making the lives of our children uncomfortable for a long time, despite the many positive changes that have already been introduced.

Please contact me for more information and to book the test. You can also book the test directly via my website: https://www.liverightautismcoach.com/services

Why you may consider taking a food intolerance test!

Recently, I have been frequently asked about Food Intolerances. As a result, I have come to the realisation that many people do not have a very clear understanding of what Food Intolerances actually are, or of what role they play in our bodies and brains. Let us, therefore, discuss this topic and clarify the differences between allergies and intolerances.

First of all, Food Intolerances differ from Food Allergies. A food Allergy causes a specific immune reaction and is mediated by immunoglobulin E (IgE). A Food Allergy is a response to food proteins, resulting from the body’s release of histamine that triggers a cascade of serious symptoms, such as flushing, itchy skin, wheezing, vomiting, throat swelling, and even anaphylaxis. These reactions can occur immediately following exposure to certain allergens. Obviously, such reactions can be life threatening, and it is very important to identify your personal allergens and minimise your exposure to them. It is also vital to learn how to recognise a severe allergic reaction and to know how to deal with it.

At the same time, a Food Intolerance is mediated by non-specific immune responses and is associated with immunoglobulin G (IgG), the body’s reflex to attack anything that is identified as foreign. The mechanism of Food Intolerances involves a release of inflammatory chemicals which then cause damage and inflammation in different tissues and organs. This can take place in any part of the body such as the gut; causing Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) symptoms, in the joints; producing symptoms of arthritis, in the head; producing migraines, and so on. The symptoms of Food Intolerance generally take longer to materialise and they become noticeable several hours after ingesting the offending food. In some cases, symptoms may take up to 48 hours to appear and can remain for several days. This makes it very difficult to identify the real cause of the symptoms.

The effect of food-induced activation of the immune system can, initially, not be very obvious, but may become very serious over time. The continuous intake of food causing local micro-inflammation in the intestinal tissue, can spread the inflammation to other tissues and organs. Any system, for instance the nervous, hormonal and metabolic systems, can be affected and symptoms may vary considerably. This makes the whole situation complicated and the initial cause of the symptoms may be masked and difficult to identify.

THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT UNIDENTIFIED, HIDDEN FOOD INTOLERANCES CAUSE ONGOING INFLAMMATION IN THE BODY AND BRAIN.

In children, this inflammation disrupts information processing, interrupts reading and direction comprehension, and shortens the attention span. It also messes with neurotransmitters, which are responsible for emotional and behavioural responses, and is what leads to children’s inability to sit still and creates emotional outbursts.

Nowadays more and more people develop Food Intolerances, especially children with special educational needs and compromised immune systems. Therefore, it is very important to identify the hidden cause of inflammation that may be making your, and your children’s, life so much more difficult.

Furthermore, I have excellent news for you! THE FOOD INTOLERANCE TEST IS INCREDIBLY EASY TO DO! There is no need to go to any hospital or laboratory, you do not need to wait for your appointment in a waiting room and there is no need ti think of ways to entertain or occupy your child. You do not need to take time off from work and your child doesn’t need to miss school. You can simply do it at home at your own personal convenience! You can prepare your child slowly for this process, so that they are not afraid, so that they are aware of exactly what is happening and why. Then, once both you and your child are ready, you can perform the sample collection. All this means is pricking your child’s finger using a specially provided device and collecting four drops of blood on a special card. Once you are done, you simply send this card back to a laboratory, directly from your home. It is, therefore, an absolutely stress-free process! In two weeks’ time, you will receive results that will help resolve many of your child’s health issues and could very well be life changing.

However, this doesn’t mean that you should buy any tests online and do everything without any guidance! Be careful! Some tests are not very reliable and not very accurate. You could end up wasting your money and time, simply to get misleading results, which you will then try to implement in life. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED TO ORDER THIS TEST FROM A GOOD CERTIFIED LABORATORY THROUGH A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL. Then, ideally, the results should be explained and interpreted by your practitioner. You should receive a clear, specific action plan based on your profile and personal circumstances.

This is why I would like to offer you my help and assistance with this process. I am working with the best laboratories and have extensive experience in dealing with the results of such tests. An IgG Food Intolerance test typically checks from 55-184 different foods and gives you a report as to how much chronic inflammation and adverse reaction particular foods cause upon consumption. The test delivers results as values of high, moderate, and low. After correctly avoiding the foods that cause high and moderate levels of reaction, and after following the gut-healing protocol, it is possible that up to 80% of Food Intolerances will disappear and that the avoided foods can be carefully introduced back into the diet. However, the price for this test varies from 200 to 300 Euros and, unfortunately, cannot be reimbursed by medical insurance.

So, if you or your child have any of the most common symptoms of food intolerance listed below, please consider doing the incredibly EASY Food Intolerance test. Please remember that this small investment could save you lots of time, money and, most importantly, HEALTH in the future!

List of symptoms associated with Food Intolerance:

Diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, IBS, reflux, stomach ache
Eczema, psoriasis, rashes, urticaria
Migraines, headaches, memory problems, mood swings, depression, ADHD, ASD
Cough, sinusitis, runny nose
Chronic fatigue, feeling under the weather, general lack of energy
Obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, inability to lose weight, weight loss
Stiff or sore joints, arthritis, tendonitis
Reduced immune status against viral infections, allergies, autoimmune disease

To conclude, in order to avoid any serious long-term conditions caused by hidden food intolerances, which may then complicate an already tricky health situation enormously and may have a hugely negative impact on academic performance, I would recommend performing this test and to follow sensible temporary diet recommendations based on the results.

Please contact me for more information and to book the test. You can also do it directly via my website: https://www.liverightautismcoach.com/services

5 TIPS FOR PARENTS FOR AN AUTISM-FRIENDLY SUMMER

The summer holidays are here and, of course, many of us are getting ready to have some fun, relax and meet lots of interesting people. However, for families with children with autism, summer can be a particularly challenging time. Keeping children on the spectrum busy and entertained during the holidays can be exhausting, expensive and stressful. As one mother said to me: “I wish my son’s school would work all year around without any holidays”. So, how can you make your holiday less stressful and more enjoyable? And what is an easy way for you to make the most of your time together and keep your child on the spectrum learning and further developing their skills? Here are my five tips for an AUTISM-FRIENDLY SUMMER.

Nature is the best therapist

Nature is a great healer for all of us but especially for children with autism who have many sensory issues. Spending more time in nature and getting away from the noises, smells and perhaps even electro-magnetic pollution of every day life, could be very calming and relaxing for your child. Leave all your electronic gadgets behind and just enjoy the real world! Stimulate your child’s curiosity and draw their attention to different plants, insects and birds. You may discover your child likes to draw or play with sticks or maybe create something with the flowers. All these activities improve sleep and normalise the day-night rhythm of hormones and, therefore, enhance overall health and behaviour.

Increase your child’s amount of “Vitamin G”

Allow your child to walk bare foot in the garden and along the beach as much as possible. Grounding is the best anti-oxidant to neutralise any free radicals in the body. If your child is not ready to walk with bare feet, they can begin by wearing socks. Grounding reduces stress, provides great support for the immune system and restores energy levels.

Experience new activities

The holidays are a great opportunity to explore what other possible activities your child may really enjoy doing. For example, you could try introducing them to different sports. Maybe you never had the chance to see if your little one likes horse-riding or even “horse-sitting”, which is more acceptable for some children with autism, at least to start with. Or, perhaps you never had the opportunity to try taking them to an art, music or drama class. Now is the perfect time to try just that and to see if your child enjoys themselves. It is very important to find an activity your child likes, as hobbies are definitely very therapeutic on many different levels.

Water therapy

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy water in whatever form and amount your child accepts. Even if it’s a quick dip in an inflatable pool or a simple paddle in the sea. Please keep in mind that I am not talking about a swimming pool with chlorinated water, but real, fresh water from a natural source. You could even let your child play under the warm rain or give them buckets to collect water that they can later splash about in. Water can be a sensational sensory integration experience and releases stress and tension.

Teach your child how to cook

Of course, summer is a great moment to have some fun and quality time in the kitchen and teach your child some basic, but essential, cooking skills. This is particularly beneficial because cooking addresses many important issues. When you teach your child with autism to cook, you also address their sensory issues, motor skill, ability to follow instructions, eating habits and social skills.

Just think about it, your child may well experience certain sensory challenges when faced with the different textures, smells and colours found in the kitchen. This is important to realise and prepare for. Avoid unpleasant sensations! Simply do not use products that posess any qualities your child doesn’t like. For example, if your child dislikes slimy textures, avoid giving them fish or a peeled boiled egg. Alternatively, you could suggest using gloves, which may actually resolve this particular issue.

Motor skills are very important and often under-addressed in children with autism. By engaging your child in the different steps of food preparation, you focus on their fine motor skills on different levels. You can help your child control the pressure of a knife when they are slicing a tomato or pealing an apple. They may produce big chunks to start with, but with time the presentation will improve.

Processing information and following instructions could be difficult for your child. That is why, it is a great idea to first discuss with them what you will be making together, draw a picture for each small step and, of course, include a nice illustration of the final product. You can even find special picture recipes for people with autism. What a great idea!

You can start by cooking something your child really likes to eat. The home-made version will always be better than the ready-made processed alternative you get in the supermarket. Then, when your child is engaged in the process, you could suggest a little experiment with other ingredients and explain why they might be better and tastier. This process is hugely educational about food and will lead to gradual changes in eating habits. You can progress as slowly as you like, but very often, at a certain stage, kids actually start to be more advanced than their parents. For example, one of my clients, a 16 years old boy with autism has developed a much more advanced taste for herbs and spices then his parents. His favourite dish is different types of home-made sausage, which he loves to make and cook with his mother. Sounds great, doesn’t it?

Finally, cooking and sharing a meal with other people, decorating and serving it to the family is a fantastic way to develop the social skills of your child. They communicate with you while you cook together, then explain to the others what the meal is. Of course, listening to compliments and receiving lots of positive feedback will boost your child’s self-esteem and confidence enormously.

Therefore, LEARNING HOW TO COOK IS A LIFE SKILL; a technique for developing many other important abilities. This is the way to build your child’s independence and to help them discover a practical hobby that could possibly even, one day, become a profession. However, please remember that whatever the result of this exercise, it is perfect! Even if it doesn’t look like the meal on the picture you have. During this process, you must provide your child with support, but certainly not criticism. Always keep things positive!

So, my message for you today is: YOUR SUMMER HOLIDAY CAN BE LESS STRESSFUL THAN YOU THINK! IT CAN EVEN BE VERY BENEFICIAL FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD!

Have a great holiday!

I look forward to receiving your ever-valuable questions, comments and feedback.

Please contact me at www.liveright.eu or email me at irina@liveright.eu.

Photo: http://www.epicurious.com/archive/everydaycooking/family/cooking-with-kids

How Nutrigenomics Can Help Your Child With Autism – A Solution For Parents!

Today I came across this devastating message from a mother of a child with autism: “I am very confused. My non-verbal son did something very strange, he insisted that I touch him! I am terrified that somebody is sexually abusing my son! I’m terrified and extremely lost in what to do. Please help. WHAT DO I DO?!?!!!”