Importance of Healthy Gut & Healthy Brain in ASD & ADHD Kids – A Technical Review

Children with ADHD and ASD have shown remarkable improvement and overall symptom reversal by using food-healing protocols that increase healthy gut microbes. This can be a great relief and blessing for families that have been following a strict gluten- and casein-free diet.

ADHD and ASD are just two of the many mental and developmental disorders that can benefit from the application of nutritional therapy to improve gut health. Gut health is important for brain health and directly affects mood and emotions. A growing number of researchers are interested in the relationship between gut microbes and brain function. According to the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), approximately 90 percent of serotonin is made in the gut. Researchers at Caltech are also studying the benefits of gut flora and its direct contribution to reducing autism symptoms in mice and humans.

Ayurvedic research has shown that gut microbes are responsible for creating most of our serotonin and numerous other neurotransmitters that are essential for healthy brain function. Serotonin is necessary for the brain to experience a positive mood and be resilient to stress. Microbes in the gut also have the essential task of supporting digestion by synthesizing vitamins, fermenting things we can’t digest and producing hormones that influence our immune, endocrine and nervous systems.

There is increasing evidence suggesting a link between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. Experimental and clinical studies have shown that patients diagnosed with ASD display alterations of the gut microbiota. These alterations do not only extend to the gut microbiota composition but also to the metabolites they produce, as a result of its connections with diet and the bidirectional interaction with the host.

At Jeevaniyam we follow a protocol with food therapy and neuro counselling which will work hand in hand and the future looks hopeful for children and families dealing with ADHD and ASD. Each child is his or her own unique being and will require an individualized protocol that is specific to that child.

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Why Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Diets For ASD Affected Children

One of the most important issues faced by parents having children affected with ASD is eating disorders. This will result in lower gut health thereby affecting the general health of the child. In Ayurveda we manage this gap by suggesting & cultivating healthy food habits for the kids.

A gluten-free/casein-free diet is also known as the GFCF diet. It is one of several alternative treatments for children with autism. When following this strict elimination diet, all foods containing gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye) and casein (found in milk and dairy products) are removed from the child's daily food intake. The benefit of a gluten-free/casein-free diet is based on the theory that children with autism may have an allergy or high sensitivity to foods containing gluten or casein.

Children with autism, according to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms. Some believe that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals. The reaction to these chemicals, they say, leads a child to act in a certain way. The idea behind the use of the diet is to reduce symptoms and improve social and cognitive behaviours and speech.

Autistic children can be notoriously fussy eaters, this diet may be very difficult to implement. Also, some supporters of this diet suggest parents stick with the diet for a year ideally, which can be a long time simply to evaluate this type of intervention.

Cutting any food from one’s diet unnecessarily and without guidance from a dietitian or other medical professional may lead to deficiencies in essential nutrients. There have only been a few scientific studies regarding whether a gluten and casein-free diet is effective for those with ASD. It is important to make sure that the child (or other people) receives ample fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Ayurveda feeding practices and dietary interventions will help your child to have a healthy gut and a healthy brain.

At Jeevaniyam once we adopt these kinds of diet changes and make sure there are no deficiencies for our young patients, the majority of their parents reported significant improvements in various aspects of their child’s wellbeing on a gluten and/or milk-free diet with significant improvements in bowel habits, general health, sleeping patterns, concentration and social communication. 

Dietary interventions & Correct Feeding Practices In An ASD Child

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are commonly affected by eating disorders. Parents and loved ones of individuals with autism know only too well that autism often goes hand-in-hand with picky eating. Children and adults with autism may exhibit strong food preferences and aversions, making it difficult to give them a nutritious diet. 

This is a vicious cycle, because various nutrient deficiencies, suboptimal digestive function, and gastrointestinal problems—which many individuals with autism also exhibit—may exacerbate the behavioural aspects of the condition. Their preference for energy-dense food with low nutrition can alter their metabolism, leading to the accumulation of oxidative radicals, causing them to deteriorate mentally and physically. Although dieting and losing weight are now commonly seen in the general population, it has become hard to bring awareness to children with special needs about diet, nutrition, and obesity. Despite efforts, parents of such children usually cannot help control their eating because tantrums and behavioural problems are common.

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) are the commonest population to manifest with an eating disorder when compared to the general population. Recent studies indicate that up to three percent of children or at least 23 in 1000 children in India may have autism and ASD with eating disorders. Many studies also indicate that parents of children with ASD have no formal education, belong to high socioeconomic status, have reduced sleep and affective problems that significantly contribute to their condition. Reports indicate that at least 30 percent of autistic children fall under the obese category. It is now imperative for doctors and parents to work alongside nutritionists and dieticians to help these children eat healthy to be fit and improve their quality of life. A trial and error of diets is a must to see what suits them best.

At Jeevaniyam it is our duty as doctors to educate parents to nourish the culture of eating healthy as children with special needs may not completely understand the concept and the benefits of healthy and nutritious food. We prescribe diet patterns which are rich in macronutrients such as proteins, fats, and micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, acts as antioxidants and improves these children’s better functioning. This will help in improving the gut health thereby reducing the stress that is suffered by children.

Ayurvedic Perspective of Autism -Dr.Reshmi Pramod

 

Ayurvedic Perspective of Autism

To know and understand the hassles of autism, you need to be up close to a person suffering from it. One of the most difficult factors of coping with autism is that the physical and emotional behaviour of one with autism keeps varying. Hence, it makes ASD a challenging one. This peculiarity of ASD makes it one of the hardest to deal with due to its severity.  Among the researches conducted for managing ASD in Ayurveda and Alternative medicine, The Agastya protocol is one of the most renowned ones. The Agastya protocol portrays great signs of management when it comes to ASD cases among patients.

Ayurveda is the famous traditional system of medicine practised in India thousands of years ago. The word implies the science of life in Sanskrit. In Ayurveda, we have 8 links known as Ashtanga and one of the major links is known as Kaumara Brityam which deals with the health issues of kids below the age of 16 years. This link details you to have a healthy prodigy and the various regimes to be practised to have a healthy individual right from infancy. This also suggests various medicines, treatments and procedures to be done to improve health, management of diseases and mental functions associated with children.

Neuro-developmental disorders are considered as the clinical manifestation of an angry Vaata dosha, one among the mighty tridoshas or basic functional units in most cases. Though it is stated that controlling Vata is a difficult task, many medicines & therapies are there to be done in such cases. 

According to Ayurveda studies, a new era in medical science has dawned with the realization of the critical role of the “forgotten organ”, the gut microbiota, in health and disease. Central to this beneficial interaction between the microbiota and host is the way bacteria and most likely other microorganisms contained within the gut communicate with the host’s immune system and participate in a variety of metabolic processes of mutual benefit to the host and the microbe.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by stereotyped behaviour and deficits in communication and social interactions. Gastrointestinal (GI) Dysfunction is ASD-associated comorbidity, implying a potential role of the gut microbiota in ASD GI pathophysiology. Several recent studies found that autistic individuals harbour an altered bacterial gut microbiota. In some cases, remodelling the gut microbiota can alleviate the symptoms of ASD.

The gut consists of millions of microbiotas, and we hypothesize that the microbiota and its metabolites might be involved in the pathophysiology of ASD. In Ayurveda, all Psychosocial abnormalities have been included under the category of Unmada. A defective digestive and metabolic function are postulated as the root cause of Unmada, leading to systemic accumulation of metabolic wastes (Dhatu Gautama). The metabolic wastes act as systemic toxins and impair the functional integrity of the brain.

Ayurveda can give wonderful results in differently-abled children when united with supportive & integrated therapies. Proper diet, lifestyle modifications and organic herbal formulations can help the child’s body systems function in a better way.  

One of the primary treatment protocols in Ayurveda is Ama Chikilsa in which Ama means – “Undigested Food Particles transformed into toxins”. In this protocol, the first step of treatment should always be the management of ama which is the root cause of that disease. This will help in metabolic correction and detoxification of the body, which in return will give the kid a better appetite and stabilize the brain stress that is created by ama.

At Jeevaniyam, with the unique blend of Ayurveda we use the Agastya protocol to manage ASD at three levels: 

• At the bodily level starting with Ama Chikilsa which takes out the toxins and heavy metals from your body clearing channels which in turn results in improvement of the microbiome in the gut, resetting the metabolism to an appropriate manner. 
• At the mental level by correcting the higher mental functions and correcting the brain pathogenesis.
• At the conscious level correcting the energy mechanism or the biological rhythm.

Along with the ayurvedic protocols we also have regular integrated therapies are also performed. We also introduce dietary and lifestyle inventions throughout the treatment period that enhances the kid to face challenges and cross all the obstacles that can make them a better person in society. 

The ayurvedic language for autism

A condition that involves problems with communication and behavior can be termed as autism. It is considered to be a minor issue or a disability which requires full-time care. Autism would lead to a psychiatric situation that will profoundly affect the personality, social interaction, and cognitive ability. 

Notice the signs
There are a few signs that need to be noticed and get the treatment on time. The symptoms would be as follows:

• Hyperactivity
• Issues with interactions
• Disinterested in playing or sharing with others
• Unable to understand emotions
• Delayed speech and language skills
• Hardly uses gestures
• Different voice
• Repetitive behaviors
• Fixation on particular objects
• Lack of coordination
• Improper eating habits
• Aggressive in nature
• A short span of concentration
• Impulsive

Ayurvedic treatment
To treat kids with autism or special kids, the doctor would recommend an ayurvedic treatment that provides a mixture of all the required therapies. Usually, ayurvedic treatment would begin in the morning with a gentle massage with the essential herbal oils and other necessary medications.

Early intervention programs can be provided from the first years for vocational training to make them better professionals. It focuses on improving the overall development of the child. The early intervention programs would ensure their education, therapies to improve behavior, social conduct, speech, and communication. The doctor will also focus on reducing parenting stress as this could have a direct impact on the child.

Using natural modalities such as a healthy diet, exercise, and lifestyle management, Ayurveda could help promote an optimal state of mind. With herbal medicines, oil massage, and brain stimulation techniques such as takra dhara and tala pothichil, Ayurveda could help restore and promote the child’s physical, psychological, and spiritual selves.

Timely audio integration, visual integration, olfactory integration, and exercises suggested by the doctor could help improve sensory-motor skills. This could help the child to balance social and emotional problems.

Unique teaching methods and special training aids will be provided for these special kids. Their educational goals are different; hence, the treatment would focus on these compelling grounds. Ayurvedic treatment ensures to assist with the intellectual ability of the child. 

Pranayama, asanas, and nada yoga can help improve the energy level of the child. With proper posture and meditation techniques, the doctor would help enhance the child’s personality and flourish their skills. 

With the touch and application of the ayurvedic treatment, the child will be able to get back and develop his skills.

Blog reviewed by:Dr Reshmi Pramod

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Break the walls of Sensory Processing Disorders through Sensory Integration Therapy !!!

Is your kid suffering from any of the sensory processing disorders ?? Are you looking for the best treatments that helps your kid to get relief from sensory processing disorder ??

On october, world celebrate sensory awareness month with aim of raising the sensory processing disorder(SPD) awareness. Autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) are the serious sensory processing disorder which affects the interaction and the social communication of the affected individual. In india, 10 million people are affected with autism. It is comparatively higher than the western countries. This is because of the lack of advanced techniques and improper diagnosis. According to statistics of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in every 45 children is born with autism spectrum disorder. In western countries, they use sensory integration therapy which is the advanced treatment for treating SPD. Many of them, in india are not aware about this therapy. What is Sensory integration therapy ?? It is used for helping out the kids affected with sensory processing issues. Jeevaniyam Ayurveda Hospital and Research Center Provides Sensory Integration Therapy for Differently Abled.

Self regulations, sensory information is efficiently organized, improved functions in home and school, actively involving and exploring the environments, maximized functional ability for performing recreational and daily activities are some Benefits of the Sensory Integration Therapy.

What is the Importance of Sensory Integration Therapy ??

Sensory integration is the process of senses working together. This helps us to play, learn and interact in this world. Sensory integration process is happening in the brain. Sensation and perception include in this process. Sensation is the passive process which brings information into the body from the environment and later this information is send into brain. In the case of perception, it is the active process which choose, organize and interpret information brought into the brain by various senses.

Sensory organs absorbs energy from physical stimulus in the environment. Sensory receptors, then convert this energy into neural impulses, then send to brain. When brain receives this impulses, it organises the information and translate to something meaningful.     This referred as perception. Brain has the ability to discriminate between important and irrelevant. If the brain fails to be active in this process, individual faces Sensory Integration Issues that include Hyposensitivity and Hypersensitivity which are the main reasons for autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder(adhd). In this situation, the importance of sensory integration therapy and sensory diets is raising up. Sensory diets is the sensory integration therapy which has personalized activity plan for improving the 5 senses like sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch to stimulate the brain. Sensory diet should include proprioceptive (gives information about your body position without looking at them) and vestibular (gives balance and movement of the body).

Sensory integration therapy is very successful in western countries. They use this techniques for the effective treatments of autism, adhd and other sensory integration issues. Jeevaniyam ayurveda hospital and research center posses the department of sensory integration with the aim of providing the best sensory integration therapy in India at an affordable cost.

 Our specialities :

• 24x7 consultation facilities
• The only ayurveda center for special kids
• We have short duration training programs and certified courses professionals     dealing with all aspects of assisting a differently abled kid
• An active research and documentation wing undertaking government projects for special kids

To know more about :

Visit us @ : http://jeevaniyam.in/

Mail us @ : info@jeevaniyam.in