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Upcoming Events

Celiac Awareness Night at the Phillies
July 20, 2012
Philadelphia, PA

Relay for Life
July 21-22, 2012
Crescent City, CA

Raw Foods Potluck & Recipe exchange</>
August 5, 2012
Crescent City, CA

14th Annual Autism Charity Golf Outing
September 10, 2012
Monroe Township, NJ

Pulling for the Kids Sporting Clays Tournament
September 27, 2012
Newnan, GA

Category: Autism

5 Does the Specific Carbohydrate Diet work?

  • May 8, 2012
  • Brian Heilweck
  • · Autism

Does the Specific Carbohydrate Diet work?

If you believe autism may be caused by harmful microorganisms (think bacteria, fungi, and yeast), then the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) may be for you.

The premise.
Harmful microorganisms which feed on starches and simple sugars damage the lining of your small intestine within your body. The small intestines can never heal as long as these microorganisms are present. How do you stop these microorganisms? By ridding the body of the food supply from which these bad guys feed. Once they die from starvation, the body is allowed to heal…….and when the body heals, the body recovers, and some of the symptoms of autism disappear.

What foods must be avoided?
The nutrients from which these microorganisms feed; namely foods high in starch, milk, and foods high in simple sugars (the exceptions being honey and fruit sugar). Examples of starchy foods include potatoes, breads, tortillas (one of my personal favorites), rice, corn, pasta, and cereal grains.

What foods are allowed?
All other foods, including meats, beans, nuts, cheeses, vegetables, fruits, and honey.

How long must I be on the SCD diet?
It is generally believed that a minimum of one (1) year is needed to see any real results.

Does it work?
I have my doubts. Microorganisms causing the flu, or fatigue, or even a sour stomach…..absolutely. But microorganisms causing autism?? I just don’t see it. Note that there are just as many skeptics as there are believers so this diet is quite debatable. If you’re interested in experimenting with this diet, more info can be found at http://www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info
 
 
Am I wrong? Does this diet actually work by killing microorganisms??  Let me know.

 

 

14 Autism: Nourishing the Neurotransmitters

  • April 16, 2011
  • Brian Heilweck
  • · Autism

Autism: Nourishing the Neurotransmitters

Neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers which transmit signals across nerve cells, have a marked affect on our behavior. For those with autism, the focus is on those neurotransmitters which are involved with memory, attention, learning, and emotion.

Below are nutrients which are 1) converted into neurotransmitters and 2) necessary for the formation of the neurotransmitters.

Amino Acid proteins:

Tryptophan. Tryptophan is important as it is converted into the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is involved with memory, appetite, sleep. Too little serotonin can lead to depression and an overall loss of well-being. Because tryptophan cannot be produced within the body, it must be acquired through the diet. The suggested daily amount of tryptophan is 340 milligrams (mg) for both males and females.

Tyrosine. Tyrosine is the precursor to the neurotransmitter dopamine and is involved with attention, learning, and motivation. Dopamine, in turn, produces nor-epinephrine which is a contributor to learning, sleep, and emotions. The suggested daily amount of tyrosine is 6.8 grams for both males and females. Tyrosine can essentially be seen as the precursor to attention, learning, motivation, sleep, and emotions.

Phenylalanine. Phenylalanine is similar to tyrosine as it is also a precursor to dopamine. In fact, tyrosine is made from phenylalanine. The suggested daily amount of phenylalanine is 6.8 grams for both males and females. Phenylalanine and tyrosine go hand-in-hand and the benefits they can collectively provide go beyond words. Unless contraindicated, autistic individuals should emphasize these three (3) amino acids because of their strong associations with serotonin, dopamine, and nor-epinephrine.

Micronutrients:

Vitamin B6. Vitamin B6 is very important as it is necessary for the conversion of tryptophan into serotonin (see above). The U.S. Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for vitamin B6 is 1.3-1.7 mg for adults and 0.5-0.6 mg for children ages 1-8 years.

Magnesium. Like vitamin B6, magnesium is also a required co-nutrient necessary for the tryptophan-serotonin conversion. The U.S. Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for magnesium is 240-420 mg for adults and 80-130 mg for children ages 1-8 years.

Choline. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine is derived from the choline. Acetylcholine is involved with intellectual function and memory formation. An interesting note is the emerging preliminary research which correlates a lack of acetylcholine with autism. The U.S. Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for choline is 375-550 mg for adults and 200-250 mg for children ages 1-8 years.

View our free recipes tailored for autism diet plans with these and several other important nutrients at http://medicalcookbooks.com/e-cookbooks/autism-asd

If you like these recipes, become a member for free and get free e-cookbooks at http://medicalcookbooks.com/join-us

 

 

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