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Ileum
Large intestine/Colon
Rectum
Liver
Pancreas-secretes enzymes and hormones
Digestion-digestive tract function
Digests food
Absorbs nutrients
Carries vitamins and nutrients into
bloodstream
Chemical detoxification
Excretion
How do you get nutrients from foods?
Protein
Foods are made up of proteins
When foods are eaten and properly digested,
proteins are broken down by enzymes into
peptides
Peptides are then further broken down into amino
acids
Amino acids are the building
blocks of life
What can go wrong with the GI?
1. Leaky gut
2. Intestinal dysbiosis
a. Constipation
b. Diarrhea
c. Enterocolitis
3. Allergy
1. What is “leaky-gut”?
Definition: an abnormal or unfavorable increase
in intestinal permeability
Epithelia are either 'tight' or 'leaky' depending
on the ability of the tight junctions to prevent
water and solute movement
The intestinal lining is supposed to be the
protective barrier between the gut and the
bloodstream
If the intestinal lining becomes damaged-it is
possible for incompletely digested proteins
and/or other by-products to “leak” through the
intestinal lining
They can be recognized as foreign by the
immune system, and/or “leak” into
bloodstream
2. Dysbiosis
Intestinal flora (yeast and bacteria) are a normal
part of digestive track
Intestinal dysbiosis occurs when there is an
overgrowth/imbalance of intestinal flora(s)
Dysbiosis results from
Increased use of antibiotics, steroids, etc.
Poor diet
Diets high in sugar
Stress
Immune system dysregulation
a. Constipation/ b. Diarrhea
a. Constipation-having a bowel
movement fewer than three times per
week
Stools are usually hard, dry, small in size,
and difficult to eliminate.
Can be painful to have a bowel movement
and
often experience straining, bloating, and the
sensation of a full bowel
b. Diarrhea-frequent loose or liquid
bowel movements (often associated
with infection, allergy and food
intolerances)
c. Enterocolitis
Inflammation [itis](due to infection or irritation)
that affects part or all of the intestines (the small
[entero]and/or large [col] intestines)
Hyperplasia-general term for an increase in the number
of the cells of an organ or tissue causing it to increase in
size
Endoscopy-looking inside, the human body for medical
reasons, by inserting a small scope in the body
Ileonodular Normal Terminal
Hyperplasia Ileum
Consequences of intestinal dysbiosis
or “leaky gut”-if left untreated
Nutrients and vitamins aren’t absorbed
properly---vitamin deficiencies
Intestinal distress
Food allergies are created
Detoxification is compromised
Bacteria and yeast can be mobilized
Formation of antibodies you might not want---
because of immune dysregulation
3. Allergy
The most obvious place for an allergic reaction to food
to take place is in the GI track
Reactions can range from acute to chronic
A large part of the immune system is located in or near
the intestinal tract-to helps prevent microorganisms in
the intestine from entering into the rest of the body
1st line of defense against pathogens
Defects in the immune system can lead to gastrointestinal
problems
Food allergies vs. food sensitivies
Food allergies
An immune system response . . . to foods
Body mistakes a protein in food as harmful, and
creates a defense against it (antibody)
Allergy symptoms appear within minutes to an hour
or so after eating the suspected food-body is battling
invading food
Symptoms include eczema, an itchy red rash most common
in the elbow creases or behind the knees hives, nausea,
swelling, difficulty breathing and/or anaphylactic shock
Food sensitivities/food intolerances
infection immunity
Immune system function
The immune response is how your body recognizes and
defends itself against bacteria, viruses, and substances
that appear foreign and harmful to the body
Normal immune system function, depends upon proper
immune system responses
1. Protects and defends against foreign cells
2. Memory-gets smarter
3. Responds appropriately
4. Do no harm
Things can go wrong with the
immune system . . .
Hypersensitivity
Autoimmunity
Inflammation
Immune system dysregulation
Immune system dysregulation
Immune system dysregulation causes an abnormal
immune response
there is a “ shift or skewing” – lack of balance
The immune system looses the ability to respond
appropriately. . . and when this happens, it is
possible that the body develops abnormal
responses to things it might not normally react
to . . .
like foods
What happens if the immune system is
compromised
Immune dysregulation
Abnormal balance and communication between immune
cells
Chronic Inflammation
An abnormal, persistent activation of immune cells in the
tissues
Autoimmune reactions
Antibodies targeting and causing injury to normal body
tissues
The immune system is closely connected to virtually every
other system of the body
Disorders in the immune system can cause disease
The liver & detoxification
Designed to remove toxic matter from the bloodstream
Produces bile
Metabolizes proteins and fats
What happens if liver function is
compromised?
If detoxification systems are overloaded,
destruction of nutrients necessary for proper
detoxification occurs
If detoxification pathways are overloaded,
build up of toxins can occur
If transsulfuration is disrupted,
there is less antioxidant production, and
oxidative stress can occur
The Vicious Circle •heavy metal exposure
Of Chronic Toxic •environmental toxins
Liver •foreign proteins-
Overload Overload incompletely broken-
down
food
Candida Intestinal
Detoxification
Problems
permeability
Dysbiosis
Transsulfuration Pathway
Methionine
Remethylation
pathway SAM
THFolate TMG
Methionine DMG
Synthase SAH
Methylene
THFolate Homocysteine
Methyl
B12
Methyl B6
THF B12
MTHFR
Cysteine
Glutathione (GSH)
Critical to the body’s ability
to remove toxins!
Methionine/glutathione transsulfuration
pathway in autistic children
How do you treats biomedically?
Look for a physician or other healthcare practitioner
who considers an integrative approach to treatment
combining mainstream medical therapies and CAM
(Complementary and Alternative Medicine) therapies
No single treatment works for every child.
What works for one child may not work for another,
and a successful course of treatment often includes a
combination of approaches
Expected key benefits of biomedical
treatment for autism
Improvements in immune function, resulting in
healthier children who seem to be very resistant to
coughs, colds, runny noses, ear infections and who
seem to get over viral infections quicker than the
rest of the family.
Improvements in digestive function, resulting in
more normal stool frequency and consistency;
reduction or elimination of lower abdominal pain
or discomfort; reduction or elimination of loose
stools or diarrhea.
Children seem to thrive
Expected key benefits of biomedical
treatment for autism
Improved appetite and a wider variety of foods
tried and consumed, increased nutrition
THEN . . .
Better socialization and initiation of
communication with family and peers;
Increase in more normal social interactions and
social play
Improved vocabulary and sentence structure;
Improved cognitive function
Improved higher order functions
Some basic biomedical interventions
Diet
Healthier diet
Specialized diet
Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet (GFCF)
Rotation Diets, others
Nutritional Supplementation
Detoxification
Some complementary/alternative
biomedical interventions
HBOT
Chelation
Healthier Diet
Read labels . . . .
Are special diets so “special”
and which one do I choose?
Many autistic children suffer from
inflammatory response/immune system
dysregulation
Many autistic children don’t/can’t digest
their foods efficiently
diet options: GF/CF, SCD, BED, LOD,
Pick one that works best for you and your
family
regardless of diet choice, it is important
to ensure proper nutrition
Diet: Gluten-free Casein-free Diet
A restrictive diet that removes all food items that
contain both
gluten and casein
The are two main theories currently present in
scientific literature that explain why some people
with autism and PDD respond positively to a
GFCF diet
improperly broken down dietary peptides
immune system dysregulation
Improperly broken down dietary peptides
Some people with ASD cannot properly digest gluten and
casein, which break down into substances that act like
opiates in their bodies
According to this theory, these "drug-like" substance alters
the person's behavior, perceptions, and responses to his
environment
Casein/casomorphin and
gluten/gliadorphin
Casein is a protein found in milk and products containing
milk
Casomorphin (or caseomorhin) is a peptide derived from
the milk protein casein
Chelation
Chemical process in which a substance is used to bind molecules, such
as heavy metals metals (arsenic, lead, mercury) and hold them tightly
so that they can be removed from the body
How do you implement a detoxification
program?
Should be done under the direction of an
experience physician or other practitioner
Support the body’s own detoxification system—
nutrients,
Methyl B12
Glutathione
DMG/TMG
Folic acid
Remove accessible toxins—chelation
Monitor closely
Maximize metabolism;
normalize biochemical pathways
Understanding the “overlay”
of biomedical and behavioral
interventions . . .
Why consider behavioral therapy
programs?
An autism diagnosis is based upon behaviors---NOT
medically based
Generally a psychiatric/psychological diagnosis is
made at 18-24 months
Most neurological development occurs during this
time
Experienced 18 months of abnormal deviant
developmental behaviors . . . HUGE developmental
gap
You can not go back in time to go through this
developmental period
18 month old
Warning signs that might reflect
biomedical issues
Any shift in behavior
Looks for patterns of behavior change
Look for signs and sources, red flags:
Changes in sleep
Increased irritability
Rashes
Red ears
All discipline strategies can be affected by
biomedical issues/conditions
Why is there an overlap between
behavioral and biomedical interventions .
..
Remember co-morbid biomedical conditions which
can setback or slow down therapies
No single treatment works for every child--What
works for one child may not work for another, and
A successful course of treatment often includes a
combination of approaches
Be aware of any change in meds or supplements–
this can affect behavior- applies for
neurotypical as well as child with autism
Why do behavioral and biomedical
interventions go hand in hand?
If a child suffers from allergies
Focus and concentration can be affected
If a child suffers from GI distress, like constipation,
diarrhea
Cramping, bloating will distract them
Pain may lead to self-injurious behavior
If their are immune system issues
Increased infections, inflammation can affect attention
and concentration
If biochemical pathways compromised
Neurotransmission can be under or over stimulated
Why do behavioral and biomedical
interventions go hand in hand?
If a child suffers from digestive issues
Improperly broken-down foods can have an affect upon
behavior
Not receiving essential nutrients for biochemical
pathways and maximum metabolism
If a child has detoxification problems
Build-up of toxins, increased oxidative stress, symptoms
—affect attention
Treat underlying medical conditions
Look for signs:
Posturing
Bloated belly
Eczema
Allergy
Sound sensitivity
Look for symptoms associated with
abdominal pain…
Crying
Unexplained tantrums
Night time wakening
General irritability
Vocalizing complaints
Posturing
Irritability just prior to bowel movement
Hyperactivity and distractibility
Self injurious behavior
Treat underlying medical conditions
Look for signs:
Sleep issues
Toileting issues
Tantruming
Irritability
Hyperactivity
Self-injurious behavior
A happier, healthier child is
going to be more responsive to
behavioral, social and sensory
interventions
Paradigm switch
S. Shore, L. Rastelli,
T. Grandin
Take home lessons
1. There are many behavioral therapy options-pick
one that works best for you and your family
2. There are biomedical options for treatment
3. Basic immunology and biochemistry can explain
how things can go wrong in the body, and
that many autistic children suffer from real clinic
symptoms that are treatable, and
nutritional supplementation may be necessary to replace
necessary building blocks for proper cell function and
system functions
Take Home Lessons
4. If detoxification is not functioning properly, it
may be necessary to supplement with co-factors
to bypass deficiencies. These include methyl
B12, folic acid, B6, DMG and/or TMG
5. Most importantly, understand that biochemical
and behavioral interventions need to be
implemented together to enable more successful
treatment results and outcomes
And this is how you feel now . . .
Don’t try to do everything all at
once!!!!
Baby Girl: 12 weeks
Baby girl: 9 months
Baby girl: 12 months
Baby girl: 13 months
Baby girl: 15 months
Baby girl: 20 months
Baby girl: 24 months
Baby girl: 30 months
After interventions:
4 year old girl
Same child: Age 10 and 12
Baby boy: 12 weeks old
Baby boy:13 months old
Baby boy: 22 months old
Baby boy: 24 months old
Boy after interventions