functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...
functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...
functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...
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AAPI’S NUTRITION GUIDE TO OPTIMAL HEALTH: USING PRINCIPLES OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND NUTRITIONAL GENOMICS<br />
hormone insulin to lower his blood glucose level.<br />
This in turn causes his blood glucose level to<br />
drop rapidly (reactive hypoglycemia), triggering the<br />
release of adrenaline <strong>and</strong> other hormones to raise<br />
his blood glucose level once again. Some children<br />
are more sensitive than others to this abnormal,<br />
rapid rise <strong>and</strong> fall of blood glucose levels, <strong>and</strong><br />
their bodies overreact with a biochemical response<br />
that can lead to physical <strong>and</strong> behavioral<br />
symptoms. Symptoms vary from child to child<br />
depending on their sensitivity, but some common<br />
symptoms include nervousness, shakiness, lightheadedness,<br />
dizziness, fatigue, sweating, tremors,<br />
flushing, confusion, anxiety, headaches, depression,<br />
irritability, <strong>and</strong> craving sweets. Sugar does not<br />
directly cause hyperactivity; however, it does set<br />
into motion biochemical responses in a child’s<br />
body that can lead to behavioral problems.<br />
2) CORRECT NUTRIENT DEFICIENCIES<br />
If a child is lacking basic nutrients in his diet, his<br />
brain <strong>and</strong> immune, gastrointestinal, <strong>and</strong><br />
detoxification systems will not function to the best<br />
of their ability. Protein, carbohydrate, fat,<br />
vitamins, minerals, <strong>and</strong> water are important basic<br />
nutrients the child needs. Getting a child with<br />
autism to eat a diet that includes all the basic<br />
nutrients is challenging. The majority of children<br />
with autism eat a very limited diet accepting less<br />
than five or ten different foods. Children with<br />
autism often refuse new foods, throw tantrums<br />
when offered an unfamiliar food, will only drink<br />
fruit juice, or seem to crave carbohydrates. If this<br />
is the case, a child with autism will not start<br />
eating a healthier diet just because it is offered to<br />
him. This child is likely not a ‚picky eater‛ rather<br />
he is a ‚problem feeder‛ that requires feeding<br />
therapy to exp<strong>and</strong> his diet. Refer to Chapter 5<br />
in the book ‚Eating for Autism‛ by Elizabeth<br />
Strickl<strong>and</strong> for detailed information on feeding<br />
problems <strong>and</strong> how to get a child with autism to<br />
exp<strong>and</strong> his diet <strong>and</strong> eat healthier foods.<br />
Basic Nutrients are divided into six categories:<br />
protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, <strong>and</strong><br />
water. These basic nutrients provide a total of 45<br />
essential nutrients, which our bodies are dependent<br />
on to sustain life. An essential nutrient is a<br />
117<br />
substance that your body is unable to make on its<br />
own <strong>and</strong> must be consumed through your diet.<br />
Protein is an important basic nutrient, especially<br />
during infancy, childhood, <strong>and</strong> adolescence when<br />
children are growing <strong>and</strong> developing rapidly. The<br />
body uses protein to manufacture hormones,<br />
antibodies, enzymes, tissue, <strong>and</strong> neurotransmitters,<br />
<strong>and</strong> to repair body cells <strong>and</strong> produces new ones.<br />
Protein can also be turned into glucose for energy<br />
required by the brain when carbohydrates are not<br />
available. Lastly, our bodies need adequate protein<br />
in order to provide amino acids, which are the<br />
building blocks of the body.<br />
When a child eats a food that contains protein,<br />
his body breaks the protein down into amino acids<br />
that are used throughout his body for various<br />
purposes. Protein provides the essential amino<br />
acids histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine,<br />
methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan,<br />
<strong>and</strong> valine. Some amino acids are used to<br />
produce energy during times of starvation; others<br />
are used to produce enzymes that act as catalysts<br />
for biochemical reactions, <strong>and</strong> antibodies to fight<br />
off illness. Still others build muscle tissue <strong>and</strong><br />
generate cell signaling. Several amino acids<br />
function as neurotransmitters to generate cell<br />
signaling within the brain. Some of these amino<br />
acids are involved in activities such as learning,<br />
memory, <strong>and</strong> specification of nerves in the<br />
developing brain. If a child with autism eats a<br />
poor diet or refuses to eat meats, he may have a<br />
protein deficiency. Signs of a protein deficiency<br />
include decreased mental alertness, comprehension,<br />
<strong>and</strong> concentration (25).<br />
How much protein should a child consume? The<br />
chart below shows the Recommended Dietary<br />
Allowance (RDA) of protein children need based<br />
on age (26). While the RDA provides a good<br />
idea of the minimum amount of protein a child<br />
requires, he may need more protein depending on<br />
variables, such as illness, infections, stress, <strong>and</strong><br />
genetics. It is best for a Registered Dietitian to<br />
assess the child’s <strong>nutritional</strong> status <strong>and</strong> determine<br />
his individual protein needs <strong>and</strong> whether he is<br />
meeting them in his current diet. The Registered<br />
Dietitian may request that the physician order<br />
2012