Nourishing Hope for Autism, ADHD, Asperger’s and Allergies

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We interviewed Julie Matthews, Certified Nutrition Consultant, about nourishing hope for autism, ADHD, Asperger’s and allergies. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to enter your email address at the 30-minute mark to finish listening to this webinar.


In This Webinar

Julie is well known for her work with bioindividual nutrition, which customizes the diet based on an individual’s needs. We discussed the following topics:

  • Is there research about the benefits of diet and supplementation for children with neurodevelopmental disorders?
  • What are some of the pitfalls you see when people implement diet?
  • Is there one diet that is best?
  • What are some of your favorite diets to understand and consider?
  • Where are some good places to start with diet?
  • Support for picky eaters

Key Discussions

The Importance of Bio-Individual Nutrition

Bio-individual nutrition involves tailoring dietary interventions to the unique biochemistry and health requirements of each child. There is no one-size-fits-all approach, and diets must be adjusted based on the individual’s responses and symptoms.

The Challenge of Diet Implementation

There are complexities involved in accurately implementing diets such as gluten-free, dairy-free, or other specialized diets. Partial implementation can lead to misconceptions about the diet’s efficacy. Proper and full adherence is crucial for evaluating a diet’s true impact on health and behavior.

The Effects of Dietary Changes on Behavior and Health

Changing the diet can lead to significant improvements in digestive symptoms, socializing, mood, hyperactivity, language, and physical symptoms. Nutritional interventions should be an integral part of managing and improving the symptoms of autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

The Navigation of Nutrition Research and Resources

Julie’s book, Nourishing Hope for Autism, helps parents and practitioners access and understand different specialized diets.

Addressing Food Sensitivities and Allergies

Identifying sensitivities to foods such as gluten, dairy and soy and eliminating problematic foods can be a key strategy in improving overall health and alleviating symptoms related to autism, ADHD, allergies and other chronic health conditions.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Julie is a nutrition expert and author.
09:23 Avoid overly restrictive diet, monitor changes carefully.
14:40 Book provides comprehensive information on autism studies.
22:51 Picky eating may need professional feeding therapy.
27:51 Long journey to diagnose children’s health issues.
36:43 Dietary trials can reveal individual needs.
42:49 Emphasize organic foods due to pesticide dangers.
46:23 Consider yeast.
52:44 Consult holistic MD for allergy supplements, dietary changes.
58:15 Seek recommendations from experienced parents for doctors.
01:00:14 Encourage a specialized diet for better results.

About Julie Matthews CNC

Julie Matthews is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and Education, globally respected nutrition expert, published researcher, accomplished author, and inspirational educator.

Her guidance is backed by sixteen years of clinical experience and scientific research with complex neurological and physiological needs; particularly autism and related disorders.

She has lectured in more than 60 cities across three continents, been on television, radio, newspaper, blogs/podcasts and more, and published scientifically referenced articles in journals and websites.

Julie has been featured by Price-Pottenger, honored by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and sits on two scientific advisory boards including the Autism Nutrition Research Center. She founded Nourishing Hope in 2005 to stand for the efficacy of improved diet and nutrition for autism, and the BioIndividual Nutrition Institute in 2014 to share the synthesis of her knowledge with cutting edge clinicians to help improve their effectiveness with therapeutic diets.

She published Nourishing Hope for Autism: Nutrition and Diet Guide for Healing Our Children in 2008. You can find out more about her work at her websites nourishinghope.combioindividualnutrition.com and nutritionforpregnancy.com.

Disclaimer

This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.

Disclaimer

This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.

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Sources & References

Adams, J.B., et al. Comprehensive Nutritional and Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Randomized, Controlled 12-Month Trial. Nutrients. 2018 Mar 17;10(3).

Adams, J.B., et al. Effect of a vitamin/mineral supplement on children and adults with autism. BMC Pediatr. 2011;11:111.

Adams, J.B., et al. Nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism vs. neurotypical children, and the association with autism severityNutr Metab (Lond) 2011 Jun 8;8(1):34.

Brown, et al. Observable essential fatty acid deficiency markers and autism spectrum disorder. Breastfeed Rev. 2014;22(2):21-6.

Cortese, S., et al. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, iron deficiency, and obesity: is there a link? Postgrad Med. 2014;126(4):155-70. 

Darling, A.L., et al. Association between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood: results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Br J Nutr 2017 Jun;117(12):1682-1692.

El-Ansary, A., et al. Lipid mediators in plasma of autism spectrum disorders. Lipids Health Dis. 2012;11:160.

Ghanizadeh, A. Increased glutamate and homocysteine and decreased glutamine levels in autism: a review and strategies for future studies of amino acids in autism. Dis Markers. 2013;35(5):281-6.

Li, S.O., et al. Serum copper and zinc levels in individuals with autism spectrum disorders. Neuroreport. 2014;25(15):1216-20.

Mahmoud, M.M., et al. Zinc, ferritin, magnesium and copper in a group of Egyptian children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Ital J Pediatr. 2011;37:60.

Matthews, J.S., et al. Ratings of the Effectiveness of 13 Therapeutic Diets for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of a National Survey. J Pers Med. 2023 Sep 29;13(10):1448.

Millichap, J.G., et al. The diet factor in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Pediatrics. 2012 Feb;129(2):330-7.

Mossin, M.H., et al. Inverse associations between cord vitamin D and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms: A child cohort study. Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2017 Jul;51(7):703-710.

Pastural, E., et al. Novel plasma phospholipid biomarkers of autismmitochondrial dysfunction as a putative causative mechanism. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2009 Oct;81(4):253-64.

Patrick, R.P., et al. Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism. FASEB J. 2014;28(6):2398-413.

Reynolds, A., et al. Iron status in children with autism spectrum disorder. Pediatrics. 2012;130 Suppl 2:S154-9.

Sucksdorff, M., et al. Maternal Vitamin D Levels and the Risk of Offspring Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2019 Dec 18.

Verlaet, A.A., et al. Nutrition, immunological mechanisms and dietary immunomodulation in ADHDEur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2014;23(7):519-29.

Vuillermot, S., et al. Vitamin D treatment during pregnancy prevents autism-related phenotypes in a mouse model of maternal immune activation. Mol Autism. 2017 Mar 7;8:9.

Wu, D.M., et al. Relationship Between Neonatal Vitamin D at Birth and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders: the NBSIB Study. J Bone Miner Res. 2018 Mar;33(3):458-466.

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