Naturally Recovering Autism with Karen Thomas

The Glycemic Index and Autism [Podcast Episode #159]

The importance of knowing the glycemic index of your food choices is a preventative measure in your child’s health and behavior. This will also help to prevent obesity and diabetes along with keeping his gut flora in better balance.

The glycemic index or GI is a way to measure the physiological effect that various foods have on blood glucose levels. Knowing this can help you to control those hunger and energy fluctuations during the day by eating better choices. This becomes very easy in a short period of time. Once you begin to learn what foods are high and which are low it starts to fall into common sense.

Based on scientific data foods have been tested to show their effect on blood glucose levels. Foods with a low GI will have less of an effect on blood sugar than foods with a high GI. The foods we eat have a direct impact on how quickly our bodies are able to digest them. Slower digestion gives your body a chance to regulate the release of insulin better.

Many inexpensive, pocket-sized books are sold on the glycemic index. It is worthwhile to pick one up and learn how the different foods you are feeding your child will affect his blood sugar. If we look around at the childhood epidemic of obesity and diabetes it is easy to see how it can be prevented by better choices of food. Some foods and their glycemic content are listed below. There are also many websites available.

• Foods with a high GI break down rapidly, therefore releasing glucose into the bloodstream very quickly. This causes a rapid release of insulin which starts to weaken the body’s ability to balance blood sugar levels. This also weakens the adrenal glands (our stress-handling organs), which then weakens the thyroid gland which helps to regulate our hormone levels. All of this contributes to diabetes and obesity.

Foods with a low GI will break down more slowly releasing glucose into the bloodstream more gradually.

Lower glycemic index foods will:

• Keep you feeling full longer
• Assist in weight loss, (by reducing insulin levels it helps you burn fat).
• Assist in the prevention of diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.
• Help prevent hypoglycemia, which is associated with headache, fatigue, sleep problems, and lack of mental clarity.
• Improve blood lipid profiles.
• Assist in better cholesterol levels
• Help with metabolic syndrome (insulin resistance also known as Syndrome X).

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Diabetes Triggers and Prevention [Podcast Episode #158]

There are other physical problems that can accompany autism. One disorder that affects so many children today is diabetes. It is important to recognize the signs of diabetes, know the triggers and understand what you can do to prevent it from happening to your child.

Two Types of Diabetes

There are two types of diabetes: Type I and Type II. Type II diabetes is acquired insulin and leptin resistance and is directly related to poor diet, such as one high in processed foods and refined sugars, combined with a lack of exercise. If you are lucky, you can balance Type II diabetes with the proper diet and exercise with no need for insulin injections.

Type I diabetes is more severe. It is an autoimmune disease caused by the immune system attacking the pancreatic cells that produce insulin. People with Type 1 diabetes need injections of insulin to prevent death. Type I diabetes can be hereditary and its onset can be triggered by many things...

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Holiday Eating and Behavior [Podcast Episode #157]

The Exponential Harm of Inflammatory and Chemical Laden Foods

Many foods eaten during the holidays such as sugar, gluten, dairy and food dyes will cause exponential harm to your child’s health and behavior. These foods bring common food allergies, inflammation, as well as physical and emotional instability. They are not good for anyone, but children on the autism spectrum and with ADD are particularly sensitive to these chemicals.  Their detoxification systems are not as capable as others to handle them. Their brain cells are particularly vulnerable also.

Symptoms to look for in histamine reactions

Symptoms from histamine triggers are both physical and behavioral. They can vary from itching, hives, rashes, sleep problems, anxiety, extreme mood changes, seizures, digestive issues and diarrhea to increased stimming and more. By reducing stomach acid histamines contribute to further issues with digestion working against your efforts to heal the gut, and is a common reason for GERD or acid back up. Too much histamine released causes histamine intolerance which causes mast cell activation. When this happens our protective mechanisms are broken down and we become hypersensitive to things we ingest or that are in our environment...

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What Causes Leaky Gut and How To Regain Your Child’s Health With Autism [Episode 156]

Did you know that the gut affects a lot more than digestion? An ill gut can create symptoms such as poor speech, social connection, anger, depression, anxiousness, an inability to focus and concentrate, and much more.

It’s important to work with the root causes, then once the toxins, pathogens and inflammation are out of the way some of the physical and behavioral symptoms and the acquired allergies can be eliminated. 

Autism can be a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can be a symptom of something underlying such as toxins, pathogens, infections, a compromised immune system, and inflammation in the brain. Many things cause the symptoms of autism. It’s not just one thing.

Gut Healing

Yes, there is much involved in healing leaky gut and if we don’t heal up the lining of the gut that is allowing undigested foods into the bloodstream so the immune system reacts to them then it keeps happening. The gut lining has many reasons why it may have holes like candida, parasites, glyphosate (in Round-Up weed killer that is sprayed onto food crops), mold biotoxins, Lyme. If we don’t get to the core of the issues then it keeps happening. 

Supplements are required along with the right diet for a long enough period of time, and getting the coinfections cleared. We also must support the organs of detoxification and their pathways during this process. It all takes time. Once all of this is done, or greatly reduced, the allergy elimination can work on eliminating the allergies that were acquired during the time when the gut was ill. Make sense? 

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The MindBody Connection: How To Remove Subconscious Emotions That Keep Us Ill [Episode 155]

The mind fears that the unconscious rage will break out into consciousness. It creates a physical distraction to keep your attention on your body instead of the rage. We rationalize structural pain because it is socially acceptable.

We must acknowledge the psychological basis for the pain to get to the subconscious. The unconscious is terrified by the rage. We must acknowledge and accept the emotions.

Think of your repressed rage and the reasons for it. The conscious speaks to the subconscious. You tell your mind that you know what it’s doing and it’s not needed. By identifying them they reduce the symptoms such as back pain or headaches, etc.

It helps to list all of your reasons for anger, even from childhood. By identifying pressures consciously we reduce it. Find solitude.

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The Autism Rate Surges To 1 in 30 Children in the U.S. [Episode 154]

1 in 30 U.S. Kids Diagnosed With Autism in 2020 — What’s Behind the Surge?

The Children’s Health Defense released an article on the surge of autism and the newly updated diagnosis rate for children with autism now being 1 in 30! According to a JAMA Pediatrics research letter published this month by a team of researchers in China, 1 in 30 — 3.49% — of children and adolescents ages 3 to 17 were diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2020

The letter also referenced a new study showing a 53% increase in ASD in American young people since 2017.

What is behind the current surge? Sadly, the CDC and other institutions in the medical community do not wish to dig deeply enough, so risk factors have not been adequately considered.

“Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D., a senior research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, attributes risk factors beyond genetics to the development of the condition.

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/154

What You Must Know About Toxins and Die Off During Your Autism Protocol [Episode 153]

Supporting your Child’s Brain & Body with the Detoxification & Die Off Process 

 

Detoxification often begins with the liver. When your child is loaded with toxins, the liver is congested and cannot function properly, creating a variety of physical and emotional symptoms. 

 

Until the liver is supported and working better — and many toxins have been gradually eliminated — the body is not able to handle detoxification or a die-off process. 

Toxins are in the blood, inside most cells, and are in fluids outside the cell, causing the pain, symptoms, and behaviors your child is experiencing. The cells want to get rid of them and a process of detoxification and protocol through nutrition and supplements will help.

 

What is die off? 

 

Die-off is not an illness or infection, it’s a temporary syndrome in response to the process of detoxification. It is the body’s immune response to releasing toxins. As toxins break down or pathogens  die, they can release harmful substances that can exacerbate symptoms. The symptoms from die off generally resolve within 3-7 days. 

 

While some increase in symptoms is common, if your child’s symptoms or behaviors worsen, you can stop or reduce the dose before too many toxins accumulate in the body causing further problems. Failing to intervene in time, can cause extreme behaviors to develop.

Stay With The Process

 

The detoxification and die off process is slow, but there really is no alternative. Give the process time, stay consistent, and keep with the protocol as long as is needed. 

 

Eventually, as toxins and pathogens are eliminated — and as other fundamental issues are corrected through diet and supplements — you will be able to get your child’s body and brain healthy and functioning as normally as possible.

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Tips for Reducing Anxiousness While Traveling With Your Child With Autism [Episode 152]

Tips for Car and Air Travel

Traveling with children who have special needs can bring up some of their challenges. Car sickness, anxiety over travel and unfamiliar territory are all issues that can come up quickly. Be prepared!

• Car or Air Sickness
• Anxiety
• Increasing Energy
• Hydrate
• Sunscreen
• Oppositional Defiance Disorder

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/152

On-The-Go Healthy Snack Tips [Episode 151]

Summer is here! As we begin taking trips, the reality of traveling with children with special needs can bring up some of their challenges. Food to eat on the go is another issue to navigate.

Here are some helpful tips for you to help make your travels more relaxing.

Eating out while traveling

Avoid MSG, aspartame, food dyes, bad fats, sugar, dairy, and gluten. Avoid fast food restaurants due to trans fats, preservatives, and artificial ingredients that disrupt the brain. Google “farm to table”, or “organic restaurants” to find healthier choices. If you find a healthier restaurant try chicken with no antibiotics or hormones and salads...

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Mitochondria Disease and Autism with Dr. Fran Kendall [Episode 150]

Podcast Interview with Dr. Fran Kendall on Mitochondria Disease

Karen Thomas interviews Dr. Fran Kendall, M.D.

Dr. Kendall is a Harvard trained physician with a career of over 25 years specializing in metabolic, mitochondrial, and inherited (genetic) disorders. This interview focuses on mitochondrial disease, a lesser known, but common genetic disorder causing symptoms ranging from seizures, GI problems, fatigue, and Rett Syndrome. Dr. Kendall is an expert in this field. In this interview we discuss what you need to know about mitochondrial disease and what you can do about it...

Mitochondria give cells over 90% of their energy. Without proper energy cells cannot carry out their functions.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction vs Mitochondrial Disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction simply means that the mitochondria are not working correctly. Mitochondrial disease is the term used when the primary cause of mitochondrial dysfunction resides in the mitochondria. Mitochondrial disease is generally genetic. It can be inherited from either or both parents. A special type of mitochondrial disease is caused by mutations on the mitochondrial DNA, and is inherited only from the mother. When the primary cause of mitochondrial dysfunction resides outside the mitochondria, mitochondrial dysfunction is called “secondary” (to something else)...

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https://naturallyrecoveringautism.com/150