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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Ayurveda Feeding Practices for ASD Kids

 A healthy diet becomes one of the biggest hurdles when feeding the kid with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). It can relieve us of all the additional concerns about alternative diets. Nutrition can change the essence of your autistic kids. The good news is that Ayurveda has solutions for multiple problems.

Ayurveda has long used diet as a principal means of creating health within the body and mind. Hundreds of years before Hippocrates instructed, “Let food be thy medicine,” Ayurveda defined principles for making that advice practical.

Choosing foods according to your constitution, paying attention to food and eating as per your capacity are some of the Ayurvedic practices that could bring about a great deal of change in your overall well-being.

Cultivating healthy eating habits is essential for maintaining healthy body weight and the ancient Indian science of Ayurveda has some principles pertaining to just that. Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that goes back 4000 years. It believes in maintaining the balance of the bodily system through diet, natural herbs and some yogic practices.

A lot of these Ayurvedic practices are being studied in labs across the world and many of these practices have been shown to have scientific backing too. An ideal Ayurvedic diet talks about many eating habits that have the potential to cure so many of our modern and urban woes.

key areas Ayurveda concentrate related to food:

• Digestion – Eating involves sight, smell, taste, chewing, swallowing and digestion. Suitable nourishing diet for each individual need to be set and monitored by the Ayurvedic professional.
• Allergies – Individuals need to be monitored for food allergies.
• Toxins – causes of illness could be related to undigested, unsuitable foods that can lead to the accumulation of toxic material.

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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. 

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. 

Does watching of digital mobile screen cause autisim in children below one?

 Autism is a scary word for new parents. Countless hours of prayer are spent in trying to ensure that the child is born healthy without any physical or mental disabilities. Autism is quite scary but is it preventable? 

Several studies have been done to find if there is any link between autism and screen time in children under one. These studies have shed light on this mystery .Although there is no clear consensus among these studies (as is the case with most scientific work), the majority of the results point to the idea that autism isn’t a necessary side-effect of increased screen time.

However, parents need to be on alert always since there is scientific research that suggests that increase in screen time during the formative years of the child can result in a significant cognitive slowdown in your children. 

 Such a level of cognitive slowdown can set your child back in academics and other extra curricular activities as he grows old. Therefore, how you control your child today in terms of his/her use of digital screens could have a lasting impact on the child’s life however; there is very little evidence to show that it causes children to be autistic.

Blog reviewed by:Dr Reshmi Pramod

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Proper Ways Of Interacting With Children With Autism

About Autism

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a broad range of conditions that are characterized by several challenges including speech, repetitive behaviors, and nonverbal communications. Each person with autism has a unique set of challenges along with strengths. Around the world, 1 in 59 children is affected by this genetic disorder. One of the famous motivational speakers from Michigan, Anthony Ianni while speaking about autism said that “At the end of the day, we don’t dream our lives…WE LIVE THEM!”This quote rightly sums up the importance of living a normal and happy life for children affected with autism, and this can be done only with the active indulgence and help of their families and society.

Autism and Communication

One of the main challenges that the Autistic Children face is the disability to communicate. Most of them avoid eye contact and interaction with anyone. But quite a few of them love to communicate with people they know. With increasing age, most of these children develop a language to communicate (verbal or non-verbal). It is of utmost importance for the family members to try and understand their mode of language and communicate with them.

Although there is no cure for ASD, with the help of interaction and communication it is possible to help them lead a better social life. 

What are the proper ways to communicate with people with autism?

• Being Patient: A child with ASD usually takes longer time to assess any kind of information. Slowing down the speed of the conversation can help.
• Teaching the Child to express anger in a controlled manner: Children with autism usually get aggressive when they are angry. Counseling them from time to time on anger management is necessary.
• Stay Positive:  Positive approach always helps children with ASD. Time to time appreciating and rewarding them after good work can help the open up.
• Interacting with Physical Activity: Attention spans are very short in people with autism, especially while communicating. Helping them indulge in outdoor activities can help.
• Be affectionate and Respectful: Children with autism may or may not like physical contact. Respecting them and providing them with their required space is paramount.
• Showing love and interest: Children with Autism are usually unable to express their feelings but they seek love and attention like any other human being. Family members and friends must get out of their comfort zone and try to help them understand that they care and love.
• Pick the Right Moment: It is not always the right time to speak with an autistic child. Each one of them has its own rhythms and schedule of behaviour patterns. Picking up the right moment to communicate with them can help.
• If verbal communication doesn’t work, try writing or drawing to communicate
• Make an effort to communicate with them. Let them know that you are always there in their need.
• Pay Attention to their Non-verbal signals and try to understand their mode of language. If you can understand the pattern and reciprocate in a similar manner, communicating with them will be easier.

Jeevaniyam Ayurveda Hospital & Research Centre in Kochi help their patients to strive and get a better quality of life with the help of Ayurvedic medications, physiotherapy, yoga and several mental and personality training services. At Jeevaniyam you will find answers to all questions related to autism and will discover new ways to change your life for better. 

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Why Are Autistic Children More Prone To Gastric Problems?

Growing up, a person can face many challenges. Doing well at social interactions is one among them. But autism can turn your life upside down. It is a developmental disorder which is marked by difficulty in social interaction and communication and followed by restricted patterns of thought and behavior. The autistic disorder is most often accompanied by sensory sensitivities and issues like Gastro Intestinal disorders, seizures or sleep disorders. A patient suffering from autism also has a high chance of anxiety, depression and attention issues. If a child has an autistic disorder, the symptoms would be usually visible by the time the child is two or three years old. Difficulty in maintaining eye contact, poor motor skills and reduced sensory activities are all symptoms of an autistic disorder.

Normal Gut Microbiota vs Gut Microbiota in Autistic Children

Gut-Brain Axis refers to the biochemical signaling that takes place between the Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract and the Central Nervous System. The term ‘microbiome-gut-brain axis’ refers to the role of gut flora in the signaling activity between the Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract and the Central Nervous System. Gut flora is a community of microorganisms that live in the digestive tract of humans and animals. Gut microbiota contains the largest number of bacteria unlike other areas of the body. The gut flora is established in the human body by the age of two or three. By that time the intestinal epithelium and the intestinal mucosal barrier secreted by gut flora has co-developed for improved function. The gut microbiota in a normal body helps in the digestion of certain foods that were not properly digested in the stomach and small intestine. It also aids in the production of vitamin B and vitamin K.  Thus by combating harmful microorganisms and creating a barrier effect, the gut microbiota helps in boosting the immunity of the body. 

Most often, autism is linked to metabolic disorders of the gastrointestinal system. Abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea in autistic children are all symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders. Studies indicate that children with autistic disorder have different gut flora population. Any change in the composition of the microbiota can contribute to altered neurological and behavioral functions. In some cases, gastrointestinal disorders like a ‘leaky gut’ may occur where the intestine is excessively permeable and leaks the contents into the bloodstream. Thus a change in the gut flora population in autistic children leads to a variety of gastrointestinal issues. It can also alter the immune activation system leading to the inflammation of the intestinal tract.

Treatment

Ayurvedic treatments for autism can yield effective results. The treatments provided aims at improving metabolic activity and include personalized Ayurveda therapies. Speech and language therapy and vocational training programs help the patients to improve their speech and overall communication skills. Sensory Integration program focuses on improving the senses in an autistic patient through repeated exercises. This is combined with yoga and music therapy programs to improve the overall condition of the patient.

Autism treatment in Ayurveda

With effective and innovative approach in Ayurvedic treatment, Jeevaniyam Ayurveda Hospital and Treatment Center offers relief to all suffering from autism. The personized therapies will give effective results including better motor functions and communication skills for autistic patients. They also offer effective Ayurvedic treatment for gastric problems which is observed in Autistic patients.

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