Nutrient Dense Foods

As I have already said, the first thing to do before trying any special diet or eliminating any foods is to make sure that your child is having a nutritious diet and this means giving them nutrient dense foods. A nutrient dense food is a food that is rich in macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, fiber, fats, essential fatty acids, protein and amino acids, and water, and that is also rich in micronutrients like vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients.

According to Catherine Gavin RD, LDN, MPH of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, a nutrient dense diet is essential because micro- and macronutrients are needed for “proper biochemical functioning of the body and brain”. She advises that parents should give their children organic foods, where possible, and foods that are whole and unprocessed because they are much denser in these essential nutrients.

Antioxidants

Everyone has seen vitamins and supplements that are labeled “antioxidant” but what does this actually mean and why are they essential in our diet?

Antioxidants are substances that protect the cells of our bodies from damage by free radicals which come from pollution, pesticides, artificial colors and flavors, heavy metals, trans fats and hydrogenated fats. Our children’s gastrointestinal tracts and brains are particularly susceptible to damage from these free radicals, which cause “oxidative stress”, and Austim experts like Dan Rossignol believe that oxidative stress is a key factor in autism.

Making your child’s diet richer in antioxidants does not necessarily mean that you need to resort to giving antioxidant supplements, unless your child is a “fussy eater”. Antioxidants can be found mainly in plant foods such as fruit, vegetables, nuts and seeds, wholegrains and beans. Here is a list to help you:-

Vitamin A – This vitamin is found in apricots, mango, cantaloupe, sweet potato, carrot, butternut squash and green vegetables.

Vitamin C – Vitamin C is found in fruit juices like grapefruit juice and orange juice, red pepper, sprouts, broccoli, peapods, kiwi and strawberries.

Vitamin E – This antioxidant is found in Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, pine nuts and raw sunflower seeds.

Vitamin B6 – B6 is found in fish like halibut, herring and salmon, poultry, beans, prune juice and potatoes with skins left on.

Zinc – This mineral is found in seeds like sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, pecans, almonds, chicken and turkey, beef , pork and lamb, and soybeans.

Selenium – Selenium is found in tofu, chicken and turkey, beef and pork, pasta, Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, oatmeal and oysters.

Magnesium – This mineral is found in fish, brown rice, dried beans, dark green vegetables, yogurt, soybeans, peanuts, nuts and seeds.

Coenzyme Q10 – This ezyme, also known as CoQ10 or ubiquinone, is found in sardines, mackerel, beef, lamb and pork, eggs, spinach, broccoli, wholegrains, wheatgerm and peanuts.

Carotenoids – These are found in orange, yellow or red foods like carrots, tomatoes and oranges.

Flavonoids – These antioxidants, also known as bioflavonoids, are found in chocolate, vegetables and berries.

Further Tips for an Antioxidant Rich Diet

Here are a few tips to help you and your child follow an antioxidant rich diet:-

• Buy organic – Organic foods are grown or produced without pesticides, which are free radicals, or harmful hormones and other pollutants. Buy organic options wherever possible to both reduce exposure to free radicals and increase consumption of antioxidants.
• Eat colorful foods – Gavin talks about serving a “rainbow of colors” at mealtimes and this is because colorful fruit and vegetables contain lots of antioxidants and phytonutrients which are essential for our health.
• Reduce your use of the microwave – Microwaving foods like vegetables can actually destroy around 90% of essential nutrients like antioxidants so steam your vegetables instead and don’t overcook. Vegetables are meant to be “al dente” (have a bit of “bite”) not soft and squishy.
• Introduce cold-pressed Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils – These are essential fatty acids that are required by the body for a healthy brain and healthy heart, and are also needed for concentration.
• Eat at least three servings of vegetables every day and two servings of fruit, and include one citrus fruit.
• Make vegetable soups and homemade fruit juices or smoothies – Soups are a great way of getting your child to consume a variety of vegetables and juices and smoothies are a fantastic way to get your child to consume nutrient dense fresh fruit.

If you find it really difficult to get your child to consume nutrient dense foods then you should consider using supplements like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and essential fatty acids. Speak to your pediatrician or doctor.

Autism and Nutritional Deficiencies

Research into autism has found that some autistic children have nutritional deficiencies, particularly in the B vitamins, Vitamin A, calcium, zinc, selenium and magnesium, so it may be worth getting your child tested for deficiencies.

However, it can be difficult to get a child to eat a healthy diet and almost impossible to get them to consume all of the right essential nutrients, especially if they are a fussy eater!

The good news is that there are vitamins and supplements out there that can remedy this and help ease some of the symptoms of autism. Here are some vitamins and supplements which have been found to be helpful in treating autism:-

The B Vitamins

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) – A thiamine deficiency can starve the brain of the fuel it needs to function properly, causing damage and inflammation to the brain. As autism is a neurological disease, a Vitamin B1 supplement can be beneficial, particularly where a child has suffered from gastrointestinal disorders which may have effected absorption of this vitamin.

• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) – Vitamin B2 supplements should be considered because this vitamin is needed for the production of an enzyme (MTHFR) which has found to be mutated in some autism sufferers. Vitamin B2 is also essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins.

• Vitamin B3 (Niacin) – A deficiency in this vitamin can lead to many symptoms associated with autism – emotional problems, irritability, memory loss, diarrhea, headaches, fatigue and loss of appetite. Vitamin B3 is essential for the production of hormones, energy metabolism and the repair of DNA.

• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) – Research has suggested that some autistic children have much in common with those suffering from pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy and can therefore benefit from supplementation. Many studies have shown that Vitamin B6, when taken with magnesium, can improve many autism symptoms.

• Vitamin B12 – A Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause a range of neurological and psychiatric problems, such as developmental regression, memory problems, confusion, delirium, slow thinking, depression and unsteadiness. This vitamin is vital for brain health and a properly functioning nervous system.

Other Useful Supplements

• Folic Acid – This vitamin is needed for a healthy brain, cell production and the maintaining of healthy cells, and for DNA. A Folic Acid deficiency can cause neurological problems such as slow thinking, depression, memory loss and irritability, as well as digestive problems, loss of appetite and slow growth. Research has shown that some autistic children have abnormalities in their “folic acid cycle”, so supplementation should be considered.

• Vitamin A – This vitamin is vital for many body functions, including language processing, cell growth, tissue health, a healthy immune system, sensory perception and attention skills. Research has suggested that supplementation of Vitamin A (cod liver oil and urocholine) can improve attention spans, language development and visual perception.

• Vitamin C – Studies have shown that autistic children are prone to a deficiency of this vital antioxidant vitamin and that Vitamin C supplementation can help the body to detoxify and excrete harmful heavy metals and lead to an improvement in behavior.

• Essential Fatty Acids – Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils are vital for a healthy brain, immune system, heart and cholesterol levels, skin, joints and eyes, and for aiding attention spans and concentration. Autistic children have been found to have lower than average levels of Omega 3 and so should be given supplements or have their diet enriched with fatty fish, flax seed oil, olive oil, eggs and walnuts.

Gut Healing and Supplements

It is important to heal the gut, through special diets like the GFCF diet or SCD, before starting supplements so that these essential nutrients will be properly absorbed by the body and put to use.
DAN! Physician Chun Wong blogging the whole truth and nothing but the truth on Autism, HBOT and all the Biomedical approach on a weekly blog.  If you’re ready to start improving the health of your autistic child, make sound judgement, and have more knowledge to do so, get your FREE breakthrough news now at www.NewAutism.com