Nutrition & the Brain

1. Nutrition & the Brain Equipping Minds Conference 2019

2. Where Are We Going? • Who are we? • Why nutrition? • Bioindividual nutrition • Get rid of the bad guys • Reduce inflammation and heal the gut • Get help • Diet protocols & steps for success • Supplements, etc.

3. The Family The family that eats together…

4. Why Nutrition? “…a comprehensive nutritional and dietary intervention is effective at improving nutritional status, non-verbal IQ, autism symptoms, and other symptoms in most individuals with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).” (A Comprehensive Nutritional and Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder – A Randomized, Controlled 12-Month Trial)

5. “Children with ADHD and/or autism may do better on an elimination regimen that’s free of wheat, dairy, processed foods, and all forms of sugar and sugar alternatives, food dyes, and additives.” Dr. Daniel Amen

6. Hippocrates, 460-370 BC

7. “Treating autism as a body disorder that affects the brain gives us SO many other treatment options.” Dr. Hyman • Functional & systems medicine = biochemical individuality • EVERY child is unique

8. The Keys of UltraWellnessby, Dr. Mark Hyman • Improve nutrition • Reduce inflammation • Heal the gut • Detoxify

9. Remove the Problem Foods “There is one thing that ALL people with ASD should do, regardless of whether their brains are overactive or underactive…eliminate anything that can hurt their brain. It is important to realize that the food you eat is either medicine or it is poison. Here are the top 5 foods to avoid as they can make ASD worse.” Dr. Daniel Amen • Dairy • Gluten (and ALL other food allergens) • Corn • Sugar • Artificial Ingredients

10. Gluten • A mixture of proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye. • Can increase inflammation when ingested. • Your body can create antibodies to gluten which can inflame your brain. • Gluten negatively effects the functioning of the cerebellum. • Those with ASD already have decreased functioning of the cerebellum and gluten can make it much worse.

11. Casein • A protein found in dairy and is difficult to digest. • Can trigger a similar reaction as gluten. • In people with leaky gut, these proteins can pass through the intestinal wall and cause problems. • Brain fog, spaciness, inability to concentrate, and a numbness to pain. • According to Dr. Amen, when people with ASD removed dairy from their diet, they began talking more, their hyperactivity was reduced, and bowel problems were resolved.

12. Sugar Pro-inflammatory. Increases erratic brain cell firing. Can cause fluctuations in blood sugar leading to behavioral problems. Very addictive. Sugar has been shown to have major negative effects on the brain.

13. Artificial Ingredients Additives Preservatives Dyes and artificial colors Artificial flavorings Artificial sweeteners “Children with autism, especially those with ADHD, can be sensitive to a variety of food dyes and colorings.” Dr. Axe A 2007 study in the U.K. showed that artificial colors and/or the common preservative Sodium Benzoate increased hyperactivity in children.

14. Reduce Inflammation • By removing inflammatory foods • Processed/packaged foods • Gluten/dairy/sugar/artificial ingredients • High concentration Omega-6 fatty acid cooking oils • The Nemechek Protocol • Take and Omega 3 supplement • Consume extra-virgin olive oil

15. Heal the Gut • This could mean getting rid of yeast with anti-fungals or a candida diet like the BodyEcologyDiet • Killing off toxic bacteria in the small intestine (SIBO) with special antibiotics • The Nemechek Protocol suggests consuming inulin fiber (for children) and using the antibiotic Rifaximin (for children over 10 years old, youth, and adults) • Replenishing healthy bacteria with probiotics and probiotic foods. • Help digestion with digestive enzymes

16. Get Help • Work with a holistic nutrition practitioner or functional medicine doctor. Or both! • Get other expert opinions. • Every child is unique! • Consider food allergy testing. • Join communities of those who are walking a similar road.

17. GFCF Diet

18. Steps for Success • Become educated about the Gluten-Free and Casein-Free Diet (GFCF), as well as Soy-free (SF). • Learn the gluten grains and hidden sources of gluten. • Learn GF options. • Learn the Casein containing foods. • Learn CF options. • Gather recipes from cookbooks, food blogs, Pinterest. • Commit to doing it as a family!

19. Keep a Food Diary Record everything your child eats and what symptom occurred. Look for patterns Use a notebook or an app You may detect other intolerances like soy or citrus.

20. Work With Your Child • Before removing food from your child’s current diet, think of new GFCF alternatives. • Try different meal ideas and serve them to the family. (Get everyone involved!) • Keep track of the favorites, tweak the “not-so-favorites”, and throw out the utter-disaster-recipes. • Get your kids in the kitchen helping to menu plan and prepare.

21. Make a Meal Plan • Keep in mind that many foods your child may already enjoy are inherently GFCF; such as fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, nuts, beans, fats, and oils. Add these to your meal plan. • Add GFCF versions of the prepared foods your child enjoys, such as: pancakes (GFCF recipe), pasta (rice pasta), coconut milk yogurt. • Find grocery stores with GF and dairy free sections. Consider health food store options, or online sources.

22. Weekly Meal Plan

23. Go Shopping Consider removing snack and junk food from the pantry that might be a temptation. Use your meal plan to create a shopping list. Keep your pantry stocked. Purchase diet compliant flours, milks, and other cooking staples to make the basics.

24. Grains with Gluten Wheat Barley Rye Spelt Kamut Triticale Oats (except certified GF oats) Bulgar Semolina

25. GF Grains & Flours Rice Quinoa Buckwheat Millet Amaranth Corn * Wild rice Tapioca Coconut flour Nut flours Sorghum Teff

26. Casein Free Options Coconut milk Almond, hazelnut, hemp milk Rice milk Homemade nut/seed milks Coconut oil Ghee Lard or tallow CF and soy-free cheeses Sorbets without milk Non-dairy ice cream Coconut ice cream Homemade fruit popsicles GFCF chocolate

27. Fermented Foods Contain probiotics, which are essential in helping repair a leaky gut. Research is showing that a healthy balance of bacteria in the body has a major impact on autism. Water or coconut kefir Fermented/Cultured vegetables Sauerkraut Kimchi Kombucha

28. Natural Supplements • Fish oil • Digestive enzymes with each meal • Vitamin D3 • Probiotics • L-Carnitine

29. Various Diets…because we are all unique • The Body Ecology Diet, Donna Gates, M.Ed., ABAAHP • GAPS, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD • GFCFSF (Gluten-free, Casein-free, Soy-free) See: NourishingHope.com • The Nemechek protocol, Dr. Patrick M. Nemechek • KetogenicDiet • Other Websites: • Dr. Daniel Amen • Dr. Josh Axe • Dr. Mark Hyman • Autism Awareness Center • Autism Canada (discusses several diets)

30. Essential Oils Frankincense Sandalwood Vetiver Lavender Mandarin Cedarwood Chamomile Peppermint Bergamont Ylangylang

31. How About You? • Follow the principles of a healthy GFCF diet along with your child/family • Get 7-8 hours of sleep each night • Get out and walk for a minimum of 30min/day • Weight bearing exercises 4-5 times/weekhttps://www.fitnessblender.com/ • Take time to breath/pray/meditate (de-stress) • Take 1 day in 7 for doing what you love. Don’t even think about work! • Get a physical

32. Eat Real Food, Not Too Much, Mostly Plants

33. Stages Wellness Shannon Ebbers CNTP For feedback or questions: Shanebbers@gmail.com

34. Resources • https://bodyecology.com/articles/can-your-child-recover-from-autism-interview-with-susan-levin • https://draxe.com/autism-natural-treatment/ • The Brain Maker, Dr. Perlmutter, MD • Gut and Psychology Syndrome, Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD • https://nourishinghope.com/diet-for-autism/ • https://kellybroganmd.com/two-foods-may-sabotage-brain/ • https://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Article/2012/09/11/L-carnitine-helps-kids-with-autism-study-finds

35. Resources • https://www.verywellmind.com/how-sugar-affects-the-brain-4065218 • https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9739/how-gluten-wreaks-havoc-on-your-gut.html • https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/gut-brain-connection#section3 • https://youtu.be/p7BSZA_Fpaw (My boys make fermented Vegetables)