Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder):

functioning in social interaction and communication, unusual behaviours, symbolic or imaginative play, repetitive movements (such as body rocking, and hand flapping), reduced intelligence, self-injuries (such as head banging, skin picking, hand biting, and eye poking), and unusual abilities in some children (such as exceptional memory, or calculation skills).

Autism begins before 3 years of age and is much more common in boys.

Potential contributing factors:

1. Genetics.
2. Perinatal complications.
3. Certain medications taken by the mother during pregnancy, such valproic acid and thalidomide.
4. Heavy metal toxicity (especially mercury and lead).
5. Dysbiosis (normal flora imbalance).
6. Dietary factors:
   1. Nutritional deficiencies, such as Omega-3, vitamin B12, B9 and B6 and magnesium.
   2. Poor digestion.
   3. Leaky gut syndrome.
   4. Food allergies, especially to casein protein.
7. Chronic inflammation of the brain caused by some vaccines, chemicals, or chronic infections.
8. Environmental toxins, such as solvents, phthalates, phenols, pesticides, and parabens.

Nutritional Supports:

Restricted Foods:

1. Sugars and sweets.
2. Saturated and hydrogenated fats.
3. Gluten – containing foods: wheat, couscous, kamut, spelt, semolina, rye, barley, triticale, and most oats.
4. Allergenic foods: wheat, dairy products, citrus fruits, corn, peanuts, and soy.
5. Food additives, preservatives, and colorings.
6. Cow milk.
7. Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame.
8. Caffeinated drinks.
9. Carbonated beverages.
10. Processed foods.
11. Fried foods.
12. Coffee and caffeine.

Recommended Foods:

1. Sufficient water: dehydration could lead to building up of toxins and by-products that might aggravate symptoms.
2. Green leafy vegetables, especially parsley and cilantro (Chinese parsley). They contain higher amounts of chlorophyll that chelate heavy metals from the body.
3. Freshly prepared foods.
4. Gluten free foods: amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, millet, potatoes, quinoa, rice and teff.
5. Casein – free diet.
6. Whole grains.
7. Unsweetened yogurt.
8. Foods high in Omega-3: fish, walnuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and hemps seeds.
9. Lean proteins: fish, chicken, turkey and beef.
10. Foods high in zinc: legumes, and seeds.
11. Fresh fruits and vegetables.
12. Foods high in flavonoids: berries, and red grapes.
13. Ginger.
14. Chamomile tea.
15. Spirulina.

Recommended Supplements:

1. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 1000 – 3000 mg a day. Essential fatty acids are important for normal development of the brain.
2. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day. It is a potent antioxidant with blood flow-enhancing effect.
3. Grape Seed Extract: 50 -100 mg a day.
4. Magnesium: in children, 5 mg/kg per day, and in adults, 400 – 600 mg a day.
5. L – Carnitine: in children, 100 mg/kg per day, and in adults, 2000 – 3000 mg a day. It is important for normal brain function.
6. Vitamin B6: in children, 25 mg – 50 mg a day, and in adults, 50 – 100 mg a day.
7. Melatonin: in children, 1 – 3 mg a day, and in adults, 6 – 9 mg a day.
8. L – Theanine: 200 – 400 mg a day. This amino acid improves concentration and reduces irritability and impulsiveness.
9. Carnosine: 400 – 800 mg a day. It improves function of the nervous system.
10. ALA (Alpha – Lipoic Acid): in children, as instructed on the label or by the practitioner, and in adults, 500 – 750 mg a day. ALA is a powerful antioxidant that chelates mercury in the body.
11. DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic Acid): in adults, 100 – 300 mg a day, and in children, as instructed on the container. DMSA chelates heavy metals particularly lead. Caution: DMSA is not considered as a food supplement in some countries and should be taken under the supervision of a physician.
12. Digestive Enzyme: a broad spectrum product.
13. Probiotics: a product that provides 4 – 8 billion organisms per serving, or as instructed on the label.
14. Chlorophyll: in adults, 200 – 600 mg a day, and in children, as instructed on the container or by the health practitioner. It has a chelating affect and promotes detoxification and cleansing.
15. Spirulina: as a tablet: 2000 – 3000 mg a day, or as a powder: 2 – 3 teaspoons a day. Spirulina is a powerhouse of nutrients, providing different vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.
16. Vitamin D: 2000 – 3000 IU a day.
17. Vitamin B – Complex: A high potency product.

Miscellaneous Suggestions:

1. Liver detoxification.
2. Whole body detoxification.
3. Colon cleansing.