Natural Approaches to Treating Autism

Dr. Jennifer Greenfield

Before We Begin…

Let Go of The Guilt!!!Let Go of The Guilt!!!

Causes of Autism

• Gestational Nutrition• Pregnancy Stress• Toxic Metals• Birthing

More on Birth…What Can Compromise the Mother’s Vaginal Tract?

• Antibiotics• Contraceptive Pill• Steroids• NSAIDS• Diet• Stress• Personal Care Products• Infections

Why does this matter?

• Compromises the digestive tract and immune system.

• Leaves children more susceptible to negative influences such as – antibiotics, – vaccinations, and – toxic metals/minerals

Prevention

• Breastfeeding & Colostrum• Remember to Focus on YourYour

Nutrition as Well as your child’s!

Prevention

• Adrenal Support– Mother & Child

Treatment

• Diet• Supplementation• Lifestyle Changes

Diet

• Why GFCF diet is Not Enough!

…Diet

• Phenols & Salicylate Free Diet…Not Enough

…Diet

• Anti- Candida Diet is also Not Enough

Conclusion on Diet

• What should Autistic persons avoid in their diets? – Carbohydrates:

• disaccharides (double sugars): sucrose, lactose, maltose

– Proteins• peptidases

– Fats

Supplementation

• Essential Supplements Include:– An effective therapeutic strength

probiotic

– Essential Fatty Acids

– Vitamin A

– Digestive Enzymes

– Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

…Supplementation

• Probiotics– Engage the immune

system– Nourishment for the body– Treat GI issues– Fight off pathogens

…Supplementation

• Essential Fatty Acids:– Omega-3 (LNA)

• Best sources: flax seed oil, hemp oil, and other exotic oils

– Omega-6 (LA)• Best sources: safflower, sunflower, walnut, hemp oils and

all seeds and nut butters.

– Autistic Children also need Fish Oils (Good sources of the derivatives of LNA and LA

* Ideal Ratio is 2:1 LNA:LA *

…Supplementation

• Vitamin A– Common Sources: Organ

Meats, Dairy Products, eggs and oily fish

– Richest Sources: Liver oils from marine fish such as cold, halibut and shark.

Supplementation…Digestive Enzymes• Digestion of Fats, Vitamins and

Minerals Requires sufficient digestive enzymes.

• Autistic Children are deficient in these enzymes and therefore require supplementation– Good source: Betaine HCl with

added Pepsin

Supplementation…Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

• Wrong: Using Megadoses of Supplements, Using the “one size fits all” model for supplementation

• Right: Testing for Nutritional Deficiences

– Hair AnalysisHair Analysis

Hair Analysis• Analyzes common nutritional ratios

• Results are:– Enhancement of absorption and digestion

– Nutritional balancing facilitaties detoxification

– Strengthens organs

– Provides natural toxic metal antagonists and chelating agents.

Lifestyle Changes

• Personal Care Products: – Reduce Use to Absolute minimum.

• Cleaning Products– Use biodegradable products and

natural homemade combinations to clean.

Questions?

• For more information please visit the sites given to you in the information packet.

• Also check out the literature recommended. Gut and Psychology Syndrome is an excellent resource as well as Nourishing Traditions