It's well done and informative.
This blog will discuss a few premises from the DVD, some information from the book "The Natural Medicine Guide to Autism" by Stephanie Marohn, and my years of experience as a naturopathic physician treating Autism with homeopathy and nutrition.
Autism is becoming increasingly prevalent in the United States, and Idaho. It's incidence in Idaho is stated by the above DVD to be about 1 out of 170 children.
Autism is a nervous system development disorder that is a characterized by impaired social interaction and communication often with repetitive behavior. It most commonly begins in early childhood.
It is generally regarded by medical experts to have a genetic basis. Many holistic health care practitioners, medical scientists, and parents believe that Autism results from damage to the brain's nerve cells from environmental toxins, such as heavy metals (mercury, lead, aluminum, etc.), synthetic chemicals (e.g. herbicides, pesticides, food preservatives and additives), information or stimulation overload from society (stress), and immune dysfunction and inflammation due to food sensitivities, vaccinations and unhealthy gut.
Despite denials from the Centers of Disease Control, the FDA, and the pharmaceutic industry, there are convincing reasons to suspect that thimersol, a mercury compound widely used in vaccines as a preservative, may be a significant factor in the onset of Autism. Mercury is a known neurotoxin.
In my opinion, all children and individuals with Autism will benefit from super nutrition focused on the nervous, digestive and immune systems.
Some basic recommendations:
1) Daily supplementation of essential fatty acids for cell membrane integrity and to lessen inflammation. Omega 3 oils, especially DHA for children, from organic flaxseed oil, raw nuts or fish oils.
2) Minimize processed, refined foods, (junk foods) especially those with food additives and preservatives. Preferably eat a variety of organic and wholesome fruits, vegetables, grains, fish, legumes and meat.
3) Elimination or avoidance of wheat and diary which are common food allergens, and are theorized to be particularly adverse for many autistic individuals. Eat non gluten grains such as rice, quinoa, and millet.
4) Food based or supplement source of anti-oxidants to protect cell membranes and DNA, and to lessen inflammation.
5) Other nutraceutical therapies such as vitamin B12 as indicated by symptoms, diet, and/or testing
6) Classical homeopathy based on the totality of the symptoms
7) Consider nutrition or chelation to assist the body to detox and eliminate heavy metals such as mercury and lead.
8) Bodywork and energetic therapies such as craniosacral or chiropractic to optimize nervous system function.
9) Heal the gut, with foods, nutrients and probiotics
10) Above all, LOVE, for each one with Autism, and their family
Dr Brent Mathieu, naturopathic and homeopathic physician, the health-wise greenman of Boise is available to help.
Contact via www.greenmanhealth.com