Autism and ADHD Recovery is Possible: the Answer Lies in the Gut

In the Unites States alone, autism rates have increased by 11,400 percent since the year 1980. In 1980, autism rates were 1 in 10,000 children in the United States. Today 1 in 68 children have autism! Additionally 10% of all children in the United States have been diagnosed at one one time or another with ADHD. In 2018, Adderall was the 24th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 25 million prescriptions. This is an epidemic. Has anyone stopped to think that if 10% of all children are diagnosed with ADHD and 1 in 68 children have autism, then maybe its not the kids, maybe its not genetic? Maybe its environmental factors causing this situation? If thats the case then drugs like ritalin and adderall prescribed for ADHD and antipsychotics like Risperidone for autism are not the answer. Drugs will do nothing to stop this problem. They enrich the pockets of Big Pharm but are nothing short of a bandaid with toxic ingredients that could cause permanent side effects, including drug addiction, severe depression, hallucinations, nightmares, facial tics, chronic brain fog, reduced appetite, increased heart rate, development of mania, growth suppression, and the worst is that these medications can actually prevent or alter brain growth in young children especially if taken long term.

So what's causing this phenomenon?

New research actually points to abnormal gut flora. In fact, the gut is actually called the second brain. What we eat affects our mood & behavior. Load up a child full of candies and within 10 minutes he'll be jumping on tables (I've witnessed this numerous times at shul kiddushes). ADHD is obviously easier to resolve then autism, but the same principle is true for both. The gut must be repaired.

But how does a baby/toddler/child get abnormal gut flora? Generally a child inherits their gut flora from their mother. However, if the mothers gut flora is compromised either from antibiotics, bad diet, or vaccines, then the child will inherit his mothers bad flora. This is why its improtant for mothers to eat healthy before and during pregnancy. Childhood vaccines can also wreak havoc on our gut flora. Many Vaccines contain antibiotics and preservative agents, and when antibiotics are administered via the blood stream, which is what happens with vaccines, they are even more potent. These antibiotics can virtually wipe out all the good bacteria in a baby or toddlers gut. Without proper gut flora, the body cannot detoxify and remove heavy metals, which further weakens an already weak gut. Without proper gut flora, we cannot absorb nutrients from food. And let me tell you folks, one of the key elements of a healthy mind is a healthy gut.

Thankfully, there is something we can do about the repairing the gut and detoxing from heavy metals. Below is a simple to-do-list. Miracles don't always happen overnight, but complete recovery from ADHD and even Autism is possible, I know from first hand experience. The key is to forge on no matter how difficult. Be stubborn in this matter, all mothers with recovered kids have one thing in common- they never gave up!

HOW TO REPAIR THE GUT

1) Throw out all Processed Foods. Most Processed Foods, even if they are organic, contain loads of unhealthy ingredients like sugar, trans fats, MSG, guar gum, xanthan gum etc... Replace all sugar with healthy alternatives like organic raw honey, organic maple syrup, or pure coconut sugar. If you cannot bake yourself, Joseph's Organic Bakery has healthy vegan organic cakes sweetened with a little maple syrup. They never add flavors or colors. They use real fruits, never extracts. All gums such as xanthan gum and guar gum, wreak havoc on the gut lining so be sure to avoid them entirely.

Ridding your house of junk & processed foods might sound daunting, but if there is junk food in the house this plan will never succeed. You cannot expect a young kid to eat healthy, while everyone else in the house is eating ice cream. It wont work. This is a family effort. As a parent you must set a good example.

2) Avoid all bread except Joseph's Organic Bakery stone ground kamut bread. If bread is light and puffy, its a clear indication that its high in gluten, bromides, and dough risers. Remember-if its puffs up-it will puff you up! Real bread doesnt rise high! Soft and fluffy Bread with dough conditioner and bromides destroy the gut lining. At Joseph's Organic bakery their sourdough breads are made from wholegrain fresh stone ground kamut grain for optimal vitamins and nutrients. This bread is full of fiber and probiotics. Their bread improves digestive health and helps support healthy blood sugar levels.

3) Keep blood sugar levels steady. Ive written about this often, but its important to keep blood sugar levels stable, especially in kids with ADHD and autism. When we flood our blood stream with sugary foods, we cause blood sugar highs. At this stage kids will experience hyperactivity. Soon after as our body starts moving the sugar out of the blood stream, the body will go through a blood sugar low. At this stage kids will feel angry or irritable. They will be lathargic. Studying will be difficult. To avoid this blood sugar roller coaster, choose foods that are high in natural fiber and nutrients. Real food like fruits vegetables and real bread will not cause blood sugar highs and lows.

3) Foods to avoid: pasta, modern wheat (only eat ancient grains), white bread, oats (heavily sprayed), sprouted bread (contains bacteria and mold), white rice, corn, soy, corn syrup, rice syrup, fructose, trans fats, canola oils, peanuts, vegetable oils, potatoes, quinoa, meat from antibiotic treated cows, all fish (high in mercury), fried foods (high in trans fats), cheese, all dairy except goats milk and kefir, artificial colors and flavors, natural colors and flavors. Foods with added colors and flavors tend to be low in real healthy ingredients hence the need for the added flavors. Natural colors and flavors are completely unregulated literally it could mean anything.

4) Foods to eat: ancient grains like kamut & einkorn, Some organic brown basmati or jasmine rice is ok, all vegetables except potatoes, all fruits, berries. Good oils for cooking include extra virgin coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil, dont cook with any other oils.

5) Load up on fresh fruits and vegetables. Cook vegetables in soups or serve them raw. Vegetables are so important for gut health. Cut up fruits in a beautiful way. We eat with our eyes first. If the fruit looks pretty, then your child might give it a try instead of reaching for junk food.

Green Juicing

Juicing is one of the best ways to detoxify from heavy metals. Kale is part of the cruciferous vegetable family that has been shown to potentially up-regulate liver detoxifying enzymes, which may help increase the body’s ability to detoxify. Cruciferous vegetables also contain powerful antioxidants that may be cancer-preventive.

Cilantro is one of the best herbs for detoxification. Aluminum, lead, Arsenic, cadmium, and mercury can become resident in our tissues. Cilantro has been shown to bind to these toxic metals, loosening them from tissue, and facilitating their elimination from the body. Incorporating a little into the diet can go a long way.

One of favorite Green Juice Recipes: (juice or blend)

Note:Always use organic produce!

1-2 green apples

handful of lettuce

bunch of kale or fresh spinach (not boxed)

handful of cilantro (optional)- some kids dont like the flavor so use sparingly

handful of parsley (optional)

6) Safe Heavy Metal Detox: CLAY BATHS

Autistic children usually have high levels of heavy metal toxicity. This might not be seen in regular blood tests, because the body stores heavy metals away from the blood, in the liver, bone, and fat cells. Mineral Hair analysis may also not be accurate, since autistic children are not able to excrete heavy metals into their hair. Therefore, levels of heavy metals in the hair will be low. This is because the heavy metals are literally trapped in the body. Only as the body starts detoxifying will heavy metal hair levels begin to rise, indicating that the body is finally excreting the toxins.

Bentonite Clay baths remove heavy metals. Raymond Dextreit, a French naturopath, notes that most of the poisons in the body are positively charged, whereas healing clays possess a negative ionic attraction to these toxins. The clay draws the toxins out of the body through the skin. When heavy metals are removed from the brain, healing can begin to take place.

Not all clay is created equal. Companies who sell detoxifying clay choose clay with special properties and minerals. I have given my children Bentonite clay baths and have seen great results. There might be a classic detox reaction after the bath, with symptoms of slight stomach ache or headache. This is normal. However, within a few days many parents have reported serious improvements in their children, such as speech for the first time and increased communication. Often, the child himself will request to take the 'mud' bath. A series of clay baths may be necessary. After the bath, electrolytes should be replenished in the body (a teaspoon of Spirulina or green superfood powder will do the trick). Make sure to stay hydrated.

7) Vitamins : some vitamins such as vitamin C, Niacinamide , and MSM help strengthen the immune system and help to detoxify. For more on this subject click here.

Many autistic children have vitamin deficiencies. Its worth looking into.

8) Cranial Massage & Qigong Massage

If your child hates being touched or cant handle even the slightest touch, thats a sign that there are many energetic blockages in his body. Certain types of massage can help with that.

Cranial Massage has been seen to completely cure Autism even in 17 year olds. I have personally heard of 20 year old autistic girl who felt the healing effects of the massage and hugged her doctor after he gave her this massage. Qigong Massage is a wonderful massage technique that parents can administer to their children themselves. It is very relaxing and opens up blocked energy. In many cases, the child begins to enjoy touch for the first time. Qigong Massage for Autism recovery was started by Dr. Louisa Silva.

9) THe Power of Prayer- when I was dealing with my daughters autism, for 2 years, I kept on seeing gains and then having setbacks, there were always improvements but I wanted complete recovery. Only G-d can give that to your child. I believe that autism is not only a physical problem, but its a spiritual/emotional problem as well. Only G-d can fix that. After 2 years, something happened and she was cured completely. We need that miracle. If we as parents put in our efforts, then G-d will do the rest.

There are many alternative treatments for autism and ADHD. Thousands of parents in the USA have completely cured their children. There are many different approaches. The key is never give up!

M.P. Geulah is the author of "Managing ADHD Without Medication- from a Mother's Perspective".