GUT HEALTH
I’m sure you have already heard those two words.
What do they really mean?
And how is gut health and autism related?
I believe they are related and I am sharing with you my experience.
There are some things you need to know first. I am not a doctor. I am a mother that loves her children and wants them to be as healthy as possible and I want them to live their best life. I am always on the hunt to find ways to help my son with autism to be and feel his best self. I always consult my children’s pediatrician first before making any kind of changes.
Please talk to your doctor first.
One of the biggest things that have helped us in our autism and ADHD journey is my son’s diet change. I share about our journey here and you can read more about his diet here.
Recently I’ve changed my diet and have seen incredible changes. Changes physically and mentally. I knew that there is something going on. I started hearing from others who have seen changes as well. I’ve also talked to mom’s that changed their children’s diet and have seen a change in their behavior.
Every single person is different and every child is different. Even if you make the same diet change as your neighbor you may see different changes. But you WILL see change.
I do not believe gut health is a cure for autism. A good healthy gut helps our children and us feel better. It helps our bodies and brains feel better and do better.
Now, what is this gut health and why is it important? And how is it related to autism?
What is gut health
BMC Medicine has a great article on this.
They define gut health in these terms:
-effective digestion and absorption of food
-the absence of GI illness
-normal and stable intestinal microbiota
-effective immune status
-status of well-being
I would also add that gut health is in direct relation to our physical health. If we have great gut health, our physical health is great as well.
Why is gut health important?
Your gastrointestinal (GI) system is complex. Its health is determined by the existence, levels, and types of bacteria. If there is too much of something or too little of something else, there is an unbalance. An unbalance can result in a number of illnesses.
Signs of an unhealthy gut
If you have an imbalance in your gut there is irritation or inflammation in the gut. Irritation and inflammation in the gut can result in obesity, cancer, bowel diseases, even Autism. And an unhealthy gut can trigger mood changes and affect cognitive function such as memory.
The Feingold Association is a great resource on children’s diet and how it affects them.
When thinking about gut health and how you can help your child feel better you can become overwhelmed. The good thing is you can start small and make as many changes as you and your child can handle.
Check in with me next week and I will give you some ideas on the small changes you can make to make a big difference.
You got this mama!
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