Spreading awareness. Contributing nutritional factors.
Children are being exposed to more and more chemicals every day, thousands of them. These environmental factors can greatly impact a child's health. There is proof in the literature that exposure to flame retardants, pesticides, PCB's, BPA and other hormone-disrupting chemicals does alter brain development in children.
Autism rates in the United States climbed 78 percent between 2002 and 2012.
Experts acknowledge that environmental toxins and genetics play a combined role that effects 1 in 88 children with the spectrum disorder.
Nutrition also plays a key role. By correcting nutrient deficiencies you can dramatically improve cognition, language and motor skills in children with autism. Here are some of the nutrient deficiencies that could need correcting:
Omeg- 3 fatty acids:
We need Omega-3 fatty acids for brain and nerve growth in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. The combination of high omega-3 fatty acids to DHA docosahexaenoic acid is important for membrane fluidity. Membrane fluidity allows us to create nerve pathways to catalogue new experiences, long-term memory and learning. Hyperactivity, impulsiveness and inability to concentrate improve with supplementation.
Zinc:
Zinc is the mood mineral. It affects the production of dopamine, a neurotrasmitter, that makes us feel good. Low zinc levels are associated with anxiety, behavioral issues and difficulty with information processing. Zinc is a major player in the immune system and it helps to eliminate mercury from the brain. Zinc deficiency impairs metallothionein - a protein that removes heavy metals from the body. We recommend a liquid zinc. If you are low it will be tasteless. If it leaves you with a metallic after taste then you are not deficient.
Antioxidants:
Anti-oxidants are necessary because autism is an oxidative stress disorder. People with autism have an impaired ability to eliminate toxins. Glutathione, selenium, copper, cysteine, Vitamin E and C are needed to combat oxidative stress. Vitamin A can fix a protein defect in a retinoid protein that is needed for language processing, attention and sensory perception. A new study published this week showed that Vitamin A is a critical component in pregnant moms for forming the immune system in developing babies. Pregnant women need B-vitamins, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Zinc probiotics and an array of GOOD GUT products to prevent disease in their offspring.
B6 and Magnesium:
B6 and Magnesium together are considered a breakthrough treatment for autism. B6 supplemented in an active form improved eye contact, speech and reduced self-stimulatory behaviors. Magnesium is involved in over 300 biochemicals reactions. It is a co-factor for the neurotransmitters that affect emotions and affect in social situations. People with autism have low levels of both. We're stocked with oxytocin - the feel good hormone - oxytocin improved facial recognition and reduced anxiety in children with autism. Two nasal squirts or 6 drops sublingual per day changed altered brain patterns.
How do you know if you are deficient in these nutrients? We prescribe SpectraCell Labs to get definitive answers to your nutritional needs.
We have a full array of nutraceutical choices for your child or adult with autism to improve their baseline of health and quality of life. We offer injectable vitamins and minerals for those who can tolerate injections; otherwise, we have powdered, liquid and small gel caps.
We are all under oxidative stress. We offer SpectraCell Lab testing to find your vitamin and mineral deficiencies. This ensures individualized intelligent treatment.
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