Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

How To Keep the Immune System Strong with Karen Thomas

Holidaze

During the holidays we tend to eat too many sweets which weaken our immune system. As much as we may enjoy the festivities our daily routines become even busier, we tend to get stressed and we don’t always get as much sleep as we need.

Strengthen Your Immune System

It is important to keep immunity strong, especially during the cold and flu season. Up to eighty percent of the immune system comes from the digestive tract. Poor eating habits, including too much sugar, will weaken the immune system.  When we eat sugar and drink alcohol in excess, that feeds the bad bacteria in our gut such as candida albicans or yeast. Candida thrives on sugar! When candida is overgrown, it substantially weakens our immune system and increases the body’s toxic load.

Probiotics And Omega 3

A key supplement that will assist the immune system and the gut are probiotics. Probiotics will assist in fighting both flu viruses and colds by building the strength of the necessary, healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. They will also help to crowd out the bad overgrown bacteria such as candida albicans.

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Special Detoxification Scenarios with Dr. Dashore

Often when children are mysteriously not detoxing, in-spite of a ton of effort from the parent,  here is whats helpful or what might be brewing underneath.

 

Where to Begin

You could start out with basic bloodwork and understanding labs keeping the broad picture in mind. Lyme is immune suppressing and often we don’t get the real picture of whats going on underneath. Mold toxins cause damage centralized in the brain where all the control centers are.

Get your free resource guide to Lyme and mold.

 

What Systems Can Be Affected

These can have an endocrine effect and many children can have an underlying adrenal, thyroid, issues slowing things down.

 

Yeast v/s phenols the similarities

Magnesium, B vitamins, Thiamine and appetite,

Methylation cycle

B6 and the serotonin pathway

PST sulfation pathway – connection to the genetic snips or SNP’s.

 

Radio Show Interview

In this interview with Dr. Dashore we will go over a few examples from labs and then we can talk about lyme bands a little bit more on detoxification, different symptoms that can arise and what you can do about it.

Please listen to radio show #61.

 

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The Benefits of Homeopathy for Autism with Amy Lansky

Although used commonly in Europe and India, homeopathy is not quite as accepted in America mostly because it is not well understood. Although many studies have been done, those in who do not understand how it works disclaim it. This is just like anything else, so you need to be informed.

Homeopathy is a very different concept to grasp. It is based on the Law of Similars. This law states that “a disease can be cured by a substance if that substance can cause, in a healthy person, symptoms similar to those of the disease.” The word homeopathy comes from homeo meaning similar and pathy meaning suffering.

This excerpt was taken from the book, The Impossible Cure by Amy Lansky. It is my favorite book about homeopathy for two reasons: firstly, it is written for the layperson and is very easy to understand; secondly, the author, Amy Lansky, also has a child who “was” on the autism spectrum. After her son’s 18-month measles, mumps, rubella shot he began exhibiting symptoms of autism. Homeopathic remedies have since recovered him. For the whole story you can read all about it in her book, “The Impossible Cure.”  It is filled with multiple studies on homeopathy.

The rise in cases of autism coincides with the increase in vaccinations. Another benefit homeopathy offers is to remedy illnesses or damage that the body has been affected by from vaccinations. This is what happened with Amy Lansky’s son. Homeopathy can repair the damage done by vaccinations including the body’s response to allergies, asthma, and behavioral problems that are a result of vaccinations. A homeopathic remedy should help the body do what it needs to do. It is used to inspire the vital force. Homeopathy works on susceptibility. It comes from recognizing the weakness in the body that has already occurred and the symptoms that are already present.

A “constitutional” remedy takes in both mental and physical components. The homeopathic doctor will take into account every aspect. The emotional and physical components are accounted for in order to help understand the larger picture of a person’s distress. Treatment is determined, generally, by matching symptoms. There is a common factor in that homeopaths take into account what is unusual about an individual’s pattern. Remedies are specific to each individual. Be patient, it can take some time for a good homeopath to find the proper remedy.

Today, Amy’s son Max, is great.  There have been no signs of his former autism since he was about 9 or 10. He is 28, living in LA, working as a motion graphics artist. Got his degree from the USC film school.

Please listen to my radio show interview with Amy Lansky. It’s show #60.

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Colonics and Enemas to Assist Detoxification in Autism with Julie Loggins

Children with autism have congested liver and detoxification pathways. We must support these areas during the detoxification process.

The Health of the Colon and Constipation

The health of the colon, or the large intestine, is critical to overall health and proper detoxification. Daily bowel movements must release toxic material or it can be reabsorbed into the walls of the large intestine. Constipation allows for toxic reabsorption due to the extended amount of time the waste stays in the bowels.

Proper amounts of water are needed to allow for the removal of waste including pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics in animal feed, and carcinogenic agents in the air we breathe. Dehydration and lack of proper fiber can cause constipation.

The large intestine also absorbs minerals necessary for our health. An improperly working colon causes nutrient deficiencies. Overall gut healing is essential.

The Effects of Toxins on Behavior

The bowels effect behavior through toxic reabsorption, but they are also very sensitive to the neurotransmitters in the digestive tract. These brain signaling chemicals include adrenaline, norepinephrine, and serotonin.

What About Fiber for Constipation?

Fiber is essential when feces are moving well to keep digestion on track, but contrary to popular belief, if the bowel is constipated and lodged with waste, taking fiber often makes it worse. Fiber acts to further bind what is not moving. If you are constipated, aloe leaf is an excellent choice for getting things moving. Be sure to avoid binding foods such as gluten, cheese and red meat.

Enemas and Colonics for Detoxification

Enemas are helpful to release fecal matter from the lower portion of the large intestine via stimulation from the hemorrhoidal veins. Coffee enemas will stimulate the nerves in the liver and assist its detoxification processes.

Colonic irrigation or colonics are an essential part of health.They gently remove old debris from the entire colon and its walls by cleansing it with distilled or purified water. Colonic hydrotherapy will flush the intestines much higher than an enema will.

Colonics can be done as early as age six, although many children may not agree to this. If they do, be sure to see an Advanced Certified Colon Hydrotherapist. To find and I-ACT certified professional go to, www.i-act.org, or call (210) 366-2888.

Your child must be willing to do this. A professional colonic hydrotherapist will be able to make your child feel as comfortable as possible. The first appointment may feel foreign to the child but once they feel how much better they are afterward they are often compliant to go again.

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The Role of Iron, Zinc and Copper in Autism with Dr. Beth O’Hara

Children with autism often have low levels of iron due to leaky gut or poor absorption of nutrition which leads to anemia, but is supplementing with iron really the best choice? Zinc is commonly deficient too and it is necessary for multiple functions in the body, especially with respect to the strength of the immune system. Copper levels tend to often be higher than they should be. Copper can displace zinc and zinc can displace copper so we need to be sure there is a balance between the two. This imbalance can lead to multiple health issues including mast cell activation.

 

In my radio show interview with Dr. Beth O’Hara, we discuss this delicate balance and what you can do about it for your child. Please listen to my live radio show interview with Dr. Beth O’Hara on The Roles of Iron, Zinc and Copper. It’s show #58.

 

Dr. O’Hara also shares her personal story in this episode about how it was for her growing up with undiagnosed Asperger’s, how she coped, and how she has been able to improve her social abilities, create a thriving medical practice and have a happy marriage. Please listen to radio show #58.

 

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The Benefits of Ozone Therapy For Autism with Dr. Karima Hirani

Ozone therapy can be very beneficial for children with autism. It is anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial.

Ozone stimulates your own body to activate its antioxidant power to fight infection. It decreases free radicals so that they are no longer harmful.

 

Benefits of Ozone Therapy

Ozone therapy can assist and improve issues with medical problems, behavioral issues, the GI tract, immune system, and endocrine (hormonal) systems, and dental decay. It has also been known to help with sleep, aggression, anxiety, and speech delay.

 

How Ozone Therapy Is Used

Ozone is well tolerated but it is best to do work with diet and detoxification first to reduce possible issues with die off reactions.

 

Ozone is administered with a stethoscope into the ear or rectally. IV’s are also a method used if the child is able and willing.

Frequency of therapy for infections such as bartonella from Lyme disease would be for eight weeks, at once per week. This is often a mix of the person’s blood with ozone and then injected.

 

Resources for Ozone Therapy

 

Suppliers: Longevity Resources in Canada

 

Directory for doctors:

 

For a list of medical professionals in ozone therapy go to, AEPromo.org, (an International directory).

 

Learn about Biosystemic Dentistry.

 

Radio Show Interview with An Expert On Ozone Therapy

Please listen to my radio show interview with Dr. Karima Hirani on the benefits of ozone therapy. It’s show #57.

 

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The Benefits of Chiropractic For Autism with Dr. Daniel Bronstein

A Doctor of  Chiropractic works to benefit the person as a whole. Issues can easily arise in neurodevelopment, physiology, and emotionally when there are skeletal misalignments, especially within the spinal cord and cranial bones.

When there is nerve disruption it can cause a myriad of symptoms. For example, if the upper portion of the neck is out of alignment and pressing on the vagus nerve it can create issues with digestion, anxiousness and respiration. Children with autism can benefit greatly from the expertise of a chiropractic doctor.

Please listen to my live radio show interview with doctor of chiropractic, Daniel Bronstein, who also specializes in working with children with autism spectrum disorders. It’s radio show #56.

Daniel Bronstein, D.C. Bio

Dr. Daniel Bronstein graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Southern California University of Health Sciences in 2010 having cultivated an acute appreciation for the care of children. Throughout his professional career, Dr. Bronstein has devoted the core of his practice towards helping sick kids, specializing on the management of chronic birth trauma and pelvic distortion in pregnancy. He is certified by the Academy Council in Chiropractic Pediatrics and in Webster technique by the International Chiropractic Pediatrics Association. Dr. Bronstein is a sought-after lecturer and instructor and has published multiple articles and editorials on the science and philosophy of chiropractic. He has also performed research on the safety and efficacy of chiropractic care for several agencies, including the Traditional Medicine Unit of the World Health Organization. He is the director of the Beacon Clinic of Chiropractic in Grover Beach CA – a principled, destination clinic for children and families – and continually engages in research, political advocacy and community activism. For more information, see Dr. Bronstein’s website at www.chirobeacon.com.

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Candida Questions-Sugars and More Ways to Test

I am asked questions about diet and pathogenic bacteria more than anything else. In my program, I suggest removing sugars and processed carbohydrates from the diet, along with adding in the healthy, gut healing foods.

One mom asked about cutting out all sugars, and how to know if and when her daughter’s candida is under control. She wrote,

“She (her daughter) doesn’t know how to spit in a glass of water (candida spit test), therefore, I do not know when I can introduce fruit back into her diet, especially when making her very healthy smoothies in the morning. A little fruit is what helps make them tolerable to drink with all the bitter greens, vegetables and herbs. We are trying to avoid expensive tests, but if you think this is what we need to do we will. Please include details of what kind of tests we need to do if that’s our only option.”

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Genetic Testing In Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders with Dr. Richard Boles

Genes are the blueprint, present at conception, that provide the instructions on how to build and operate our minds and bodies. We all have tens of thousands of genetic changes, called variants. Many have no effect, while others determine us to be unique individuals. Some of these variants act as risk factors for disease, either decreasing (resilience) or increasing (susceptibility) the chances of developing different disorders.

However, genes are not the only factor leading us to be the individual we are, and acting to decrease or increase the risk for disease. Environment is also critically important. Genes and environment act together in the development of health and disease, and act on each other. For example, environmental factors frequently affect the “expression” of genes, including when and where specific genes are activated. A partial list of environmental factors that act on genes includes physical and emotional trauma, infection, diet, exercise, drugs (both legal and illegal) and toxins.

Autism is not a single disorder, but a behaviorally-defined concept that can be caused by a variety of conditions that affect the brain. Autism is a highly genetic condition, in that genetics comprises most of the cause. There are thousands of genes implemented in autism, and different individuals have different genes that are involved in why that individual is affected. Despite this large, and highly varied, genetic component, environment is also a factor in terms of who will develop autism, and the degree of the disorder. However, manipulation of the environment frequently can play an important role in healing autism. As each individual has different genes involved in causing their disease, the number of environmental therapies (“treatments”) is large. The primary question is which treatments will most likely benefit a given individual patient. To answer this question best, one needs to identify the genes involved in that person’s disease. This is where genetic testing comes in.

The power and promise of genetic testing has improved dramatically in recent years, even over the last year or two, in terms of what it can offer families. Improvement can be in “core” autism areas (e.g. attention, language, behavior, anxiety, etc.) and/or outside the core (GI, fatigue, pain, depression, seizures, etc.). In many cases, the degree of improvement is remarkable, while in others it can be intermediate, subtle, or absent.

Live radio show interview with Dr. Richard Boles on Genetic Testing Options

In my live radio show interview with Dr. Richard Boles, we dive deep into the options for genetic testing, what to look for, and what those results can tell you. Please listen to the entire interview. It’s show #54. We discuss how genetic testing has dramatically improved in terms of what it can offer families, along with a substantial reduction in price, and what families should know about when they consider genetic testing.

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The Benefits of Martial Arts for Autism With Al Loren

Studies show that martial arts can be an effective way to build motor control through the repetition of movement in people on the autism spectrum. This helps both the motor and planning areas of the brain. It is also offers a great form of exercise in a group setting where socialization can be increased, while still allowing the individual to move at his or her own pace. Martial Arts is a great way to keep them physically active and engaged. This improves overall physical and emotional well-being.

Meet Sensei Al Loren

Al Loren has taught over 300,000 martial arts classes in 27 years. Al instructs kids, teens, adults, and seniors in multiple forms of martial arts including Karate, Aikido, T’ai Chi.  Al was the 1986 National champion in Karate. He teaches in Marin County and San Francisco. He has had great success working with children to adulthood who are on the autism spectrum and finds that it increases balance and coordination, motor skills, muscle strength, gives confidence and offers self defense.

Al Loren’s success comes from being compassionate and understanding the sensitivity necessary for each unique individual. Know that each accomplishment, however small, is a big deal. Building self esteem and trust through connection is key.

Please join me for my radio show interview with, Al Loren, an expert in martial arts who specializes in working with children on the autism spectrum and those with other special needs. It’s show #53.

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