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AAPI’S NUTRITION GUIDE TO OPTIMAL HEALTH: USING PRINCIPLES OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND NUTRITIONAL GENOMICS and natural liquid oils in our foods because they are cheaper and they prolong the shelf life and flavor stability of foods. Trans fat can be found in vegetable shortenings, some margarines, crackers, cookies, chips, cakes, pies, bread, snack foods, and foods fried in partially hydrogenated oils. It’s also used in some dietary supplements, energy bars, and nutrition bars. In January 2006, the FDA required food manufacturers to list Trans fat on their product labels. Dietary supplement manufacturers are also required to list Trans fat on the product label if it contains more than 0.5grams. There are a number of reasons why Trans fats should be avoided (13). But the autism community is especially concerned about the negative impact Trans fat has on the liver. Trans fats interfere with the enzyme delta 6 desaturase, which is critical in the process of converting omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in foods to the active forms arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (14). A deficiency of delta 6 desaturase causes a deficiency of ARA, EPA, and DHA, which are critical for brain development, brain function, brain cell signaling, and vision processing. Research indicates that children diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and autism may already have low levels of delta 6 desaturase, so when these children consume foods with Trans fat, it makes their situations worse (15). It is suggested to limit Trans fat in the child’s diet. Limit Exposure to Pesticides The best way to limit a child’s exposure to pesticides is to buy organic foods whenever possible. An organic food has been grown, handled, and processed without the use of artificial pesticides, artificial fertilizers, sewage sludge, artificial additives, hormones, or antibiotics. It does not contain genetically-modified ingredients and has not undergone irradiation or been chemically ripened. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established levels of pesticide residues that are considered safe, but these levels were set based on the studied effect pesticides have on adults and do not take children into account. 116 Children are much more vulnerable to pesticide exposure because of their smaller size and developing brain and nervous system. They may also be more sensitive to pesticides because their detoxification system is less able to adequately process and excrete them. Pesticides disrupt acetylcholinesterase, a key enzyme needed for brain cell communication. Additionally, animal research shows that certain classes of pesticides can affect the developing fetus and impair normal brain development, resulting in hyperactivity, and learning and developmental disabilities (16, 17, 18, 19). A recent research study indicated that children are primarily exposed to pesticides through their diet, and when their foods were replaced with organic foods, their levels of pesticides dropped dramatically (20). While we cannot completely control the amount of pesticide a child is exposed to, we can significantly lower his exposure by purchasing USDA organic foods. Avoid Refined Sugar Sucrose, more commonly known as white sugar or table sugar, has typically been the sugar of choice to sweeten food and beverages. Over the last several years, high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) has begun to replace sucrose in many processed foods in the U.S. Sugar and HFCS can be found in soft drinks, fruit juice, candy, peanut butter, yogurt, snacks, ice cream, and many other foods our children eat on a regular basis. We know that too much sugar is unhealthy for children because it contributes to problems like diabetes, obesity, and tooth decay. Numerous research studies support the belief that sugar has a negative impact on behavior, attention, hyperactivity, aggression, mood, and mental function; however, many other research studies conclude just the opposite, that sugar has no affect (12, 21, 22, 23, 24). How does sugar affect children? Sugar is a simple carbohydrate that is rapidly digested and broken down into glucose, which is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream. When a child consumes a sugary food or drink, it causes a rapid rise in his blood glucose level (hyperglycemia). This spike in the child’s blood glucose level triggers his pancreas to release the 2012
AAPI’S NUTRITION GUIDE TO OPTIMAL HEALTH: USING PRINCIPLES OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND NUTRITIONAL GENOMICS hormone insulin to lower his blood glucose level. This in turn causes his blood glucose level to drop rapidly (reactive hypoglycemia), triggering the release of adrenaline and other hormones to raise his blood glucose level once again. Some children are more sensitive than others to this abnormal, rapid rise and fall of blood glucose levels, and their bodies overreact with a biochemical response that can lead to physical and behavioral symptoms. Symptoms vary from child to child depending on their sensitivity, but some common symptoms include nervousness, shakiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, tremors, flushing, confusion, anxiety, headaches, depression, irritability, and craving sweets. Sugar does not directly cause hyperactivity; however, it does set into motion biochemical responses in a child’s body that can lead to behavioral problems. 2) CORRECT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES If a child is lacking basic nutrients in his diet, his brain and immune, gastrointestinal, and detoxification systems will not function to the best of their ability. Protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water are important basic nutrients the child needs. Getting a child with autism to eat a diet that includes all the basic nutrients is challenging. The majority of children with autism eat a very limited diet accepting less than five or ten different foods. Children with autism often refuse new foods, throw tantrums when offered an unfamiliar food, will only drink fruit juice, or seem to crave carbohydrates. If this is the case, a child with autism will not start eating a healthier diet just because it is offered to him. This child is likely not a ‚picky eater‛ rather he is a ‚problem feeder‛ that requires feeding therapy to expand his diet. Refer to Chapter 5 in the book ‚Eating for Autism‛ by Elizabeth Strickland for detailed information on feeding problems and how to get a child with autism to expand his diet and eat healthier foods. Basic Nutrients are divided into six categories: protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. These basic nutrients provide a total of 45 essential nutrients, which our bodies are dependent on to sustain life. An essential nutrient is a 117 substance that your body is unable to make on its own and must be consumed through your diet. Protein is an important basic nutrient, especially during infancy, childhood, and adolescence when children are growing and developing rapidly. The body uses protein to manufacture hormones, antibodies, enzymes, tissue, and neurotransmitters, and to repair body cells and produces new ones. Protein can also be turned into glucose for energy required by the brain when carbohydrates are not available. Lastly, our bodies need adequate protein in order to provide amino acids, which are the building blocks of the body. When a child eats a food that contains protein, his body breaks the protein down into amino acids that are used throughout his body for various purposes. Protein provides the essential amino acids histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Some amino acids are used to produce energy during times of starvation; others are used to produce enzymes that act as catalysts for biochemical reactions, and antibodies to fight off illness. Still others build muscle tissue and generate cell signaling. Several amino acids function as neurotransmitters to generate cell signaling within the brain. Some of these amino acids are involved in activities such as learning, memory, and specification of nerves in the developing brain. If a child with autism eats a poor diet or refuses to eat meats, he may have a protein deficiency. Signs of a protein deficiency include decreased mental alertness, comprehension, and concentration (25). How much protein should a child consume? The chart below shows the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of protein children need based on age (26). While the RDA provides a good idea of the minimum amount of protein a child requires, he may need more protein depending on variables, such as illness, infections, stress, and genetics. It is best for a Registered Dietitian to assess the child’s nutritional status and determine his individual protein needs and whether he is meeting them in his current diet. The Registered Dietitian may request that the physician order 2012
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