Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition characterized by challenges with verbal and nonverbal communication, social skills development, and certain repetitive behaviors. A point of note is that there is no one type but a series of autism disorders caused by different combinations including genetic and environmental aspects. Hence, the term, autism is a spectrum disorder with both unique strengths and differences.
Autism is an intricate and exigent medical condition, complete with numerous and intertwined symptoms. Among them, bloating, gastrointestinal discomfort, and constipation or diarrhea. Recently, it was discovered that the gut environments of autistic children contain a high number of Clostridium histolyticum colonies.
Clostridia species are well known in Microbiology to produce toxins, and most importantly neurotoxins. These toxins not only affect the gut health but also can contribute to the development of autism.
Brain-Gut Connection
In the human gut, there are countless species of bacteria that live there. This number varies in individuals and most of these gut bacteria are harmless or beneficial, albeit some cause diseases. However, the ratio of harmless or beneficial to disease-causing is always in perfect balance, or rather the latter is kept in check by the former.
One critical beneficial bacteria is the Lactobacillus. Quite familiar to most of us, it breaks down sugar (lactose) in dairy products like milk, which makes milk digestion easy. Aside from that, it aids in digestion in the gut and absorption of food easier. As these bacteria serve their purpose, they also release waste molecules. Some of these waste molecules are neurotransmitters which get absorbed into the bloodstream and travel to the brain. Neurotransmitters influence our mood or indirectly stimulate the brain through the vagus nerve.
Probiotics vs. Autism
Autistic symptoms are well noted to be mental rather than physical, and as noted, we have seen the correlation between the gut and the brain. As a parent, seeing your autistic child struggle with intestinal disorders can be heart wrenching and difficult. Moreover, these symptoms are often accompanied by anxiety and depression. Luckily, research has discovered that a healthy gut can lessen this impact.
By introducing probiotics and promoting a healthy gut through increasing the colonies of beneficial bacteria, harmful bacteria like the clostridia species can be overrun. Not only does this mean a healthy gut and reduced intestinal discomforts but also no more neurotoxins affecting the brain. How do we promote a healthy gut? Well, introduce Kefir into an autistic child’s diet.
Regular consumption of kefir introduces probiotics which reduces distress, lessen depression and anxiety. It further improves mental health and problem solving as well as improve the gut beneficial bacterial composition, outnumbering the harmful bacteria.
Conclusion
Both forms of kefir, i.e., milk and water kefir are ideal, considering the main aspect here is to overcrowd the gut with beneficial microbiota. However, it should be noted that milk kefir is more nutritious. If your child is lactose intolerant, you can use goat milk, which has less lactose or simply introduce water kefir.
Kefir is indeed a holistic wonder and adding it to your family’s diet should record some improvement in your autistic child and promote overall health.
A detailed testimony by a parent of an Autistic kid –
Source: Parentree, is a parenting community
The parent has provided strategical information that helped them to get their son off the autism spectrum. It includes right diet, therapy, supplements, natural probiotics like coconut kefir water, HBOT and Chelation. Please check this thread.
Helpful Link : Solicitude Parenting by Ritu Jain, Generation Z Parenting Advisor and influencer. https://www.solicitudeparentingbyritujain.com/
You can order Coconut Water Kefir Grains Online and get it delivered throughout India.
Kids friendly Coconut water kefir Flavoring Video, by my daughter Disha – (Kids will enjoy the kefir)
References:
https://www.foodsmatter.com/nutrition_micronutrition/pre_and_probiotics/articles/probiotics_and_autism.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12173102
https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/probiotics-benefits-for-autism/
