Today, there are a very large number of food supplements on the market. These products can help us to be healthier by giving our bodies the added nutrients they need. It is especially important for people with autism to have a proper diet, because they are more likely to have problems with nutrition than most of us. It can be very helpful for them to take supplements to help balance their nutritional state.
Two proteins that have been found to potentially worsen the symptoms of autism are gluten and casein. In many autistic children gluten and casein, seem to cause the production of natural opiates in the brain. This can make foods that contain these proteins practically addictive! For this reason, the first step toward treating autism with food supplementation is to adopt a diet free of gluten and casein.
Of course, having a healthy balanced diet is very important. Because autistic children are usually very affected by routines, a healthy diet should be instituted and followed as early as possible. When this is done, autistic children will usually continue to adhere to a healthy diet.
It is also important to determine if your autistic child is absorbing the proper amount of nutrients. A doctor can determine this with Simple blood tests that measure nutrient levels. This data can then be used to adjust a diet if it turns out there are any shortfalls. Medical professionals who have been trained to understand the challenges that autistic children face are a good place to start.
A list of nutrients that autistic children often do not have at optimum levels or may simply be lacking includes: calcium, selenium, zinc, magnesium, folic acids, essential fatty acid, vitamins C and E, taurine, cod liver oil, and various amino acids.
It is important to move slowly when beginning a regimen of supplements. It is also very important to document any changes in behavior. Be very attentive to the effects of the supplements seem to have on your child. Be sure to note any changes and be prepared to discuss them with your doctor or nutritionist.
Both positive and negative effects can result from the changes in diet and use of supplements. Positive effects can sometimes be seen in reduced severity of behaviors. Often, autistic children show improvement in their ability to manage their behaviors and interact socially. Undesirable changes in behavior may also be noted, however. If negative behavior changes are observed, the supplement that was added should be reduced or eliminated. Determining the best diet and what supplements to use for an autistic child is mostly done by trial and error. For that reason, you should start with small packages when purchasing supplements. In the long run you can save you money by buying in bulk quantities. If you were to buy a large quantity of a supplement and then find that it produces undesirable results, you would be stuck with a product that is useless to you.
If you decide to add supplements to your child's diet, it is important to do so in a controlled manner. You should not just dole out supplements on a random basis. Instead, work with your doctor or nutritionist to develop a specific plan that is designed for your child's success. The plan should include stool analysis, frequent tests for metal toxicity, and tests for various amino acids and peptides.
There is a great deal to consider when choosing supplements for your child. This is a very important process that can greatly improve the quality of your child's life. You should take your time with the process and be sure to cover all the bases as you go. Be sure to give supplements time to work. It often takes time for the body to accurately process nutrients and for you to see any changes in behavior.
Larry Roach has worked in the field of employee safety for more than twenty-five years. He developed a particular interest in Autism because one of his grandchildren is severely autistic. You can read more articles about Autism and Aspergers Syndrome at http://autism-aspergers.info.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larry_Roach
No comments:
Post a Comment