Folate (Vitamin B9) is essential for numerous functions in the human body, and many autistic and ADHD children are low in this essential nutrient. I hope you find this video to be useful and informative.
If you’d like to have a hard copy, you may download Folate PowerPoint Slides (PDF).
Please remember that no matter your dreams or obstacles, you have the power to change your child’s life. I sincerely hope our resources can help you do just that.
The idea to take GABA was a natural ADD treatment we read about in this book:
Healing ADD: The Breakthrough Program that Allows You to See and Heal the 7 Types of ADD
Recently, studies have indicated that enhancing GABA activity may be beneficial in improving mental performance in children and may also be helpful in treating ADD and promoting better brain and mental health at all ages. Low levels or decreased GABA function in the brain is associated with several psychiatric and neurological disorders, but most primarily anxiety, depression, insomnia, and epilepsy. But rather than rely on drugs to accomplish this goal, a natural form of GABA known as PharmaGABA may be the best approach. (you want to avoid dangerous synthetic GABA) PharmaGABA is naturally manufactured via a fermentation process that utilizes Lactobacillus hilgardii—the bacteria used to ferment vegetables in the preparation of the traditional Korean dish kimchi.
A study was conducted in Japan by researchers from the Kyorin University Medical School, which involved 60 sixth graders. The students were divided into two groups and received either 100 mg of PharmaGABA or a placebo. The students then took a math test and were also evaluated for signs and feelings of stress. The results were quite dramatic. The average number of answers given by the PharmaGABA group was 20 percent higher than the placebo group, and the number answered correctly also increased by 20 percent. These results indicate that Pharma-GABA helped the kids not only think faster, but also get more answers right.
We found a whole 250mg tablet is too much (and it seems to give him nosebleeds) so I use a pill cutter, and give him only a half tablet, every night before bed. (I have also tried it – GABA is relaxing, and helps me sleep better by calming the mind.)
Fish Oil – DHA/EPA for brain development
Unless children get lots of sea foods in their diet, their brains are starving for the Omega-3s DHA/EPA (found in fish and fish oil). I encourage you to read the research/stories told by world traveler and researcher Dr. Weston A. Price of traditional (primitive) cultures who recognized the vital importance of foods from the sea for children (and pregnant women). Mountain tribes in the Andes would hike down 12,000 feet to get sea products. Other stories tell of peoples who would trade for these sea foods with neighboring tribes even when they were at war with each other. Any high-quality fish oil would be an excellent choice – to give you some ideas the products listed below are the fish oils that my son took when he was younger and/or the ones he is taking now.
Mercola Krill Oil for Kids supplements are “size 4” capsules – which are the smallest capsule size available (about the size of a tic-tac) so they are a great way to teach your child to swallow capsules!
NutriWest makes an excellent Fish Oil for kids Children’s DHA/EPA which is theoretically chewable – it has a nice orange flavor to me – but tastes yucky to some kids. So James swallows the fish-shaped gummy capsules. He currently takes 3/day but I’ve also heard excellent results from parents who only give one/day.
Case Study: My niece with ADHD was doing expensive tutoring at Sylvan Learning Center and still struggling in school. One month after starting a mere one capsule/day of Children’s DHA/EPA she obtained straight A’s. And no more tutoring.
If your child can swallow large capsules, Pure Encapsulations offers an eco-friendly supercritical CO2 extracted DHA fish oil concentrate. DHA Ultimate contains a whopping 395mg DHA / 94 mg EPA per capsule.
If you are curious to know what are your child's actual blood levels of Omega-3s, I recommend the OmegaCheck test from SpectraCell. (OmegaCheck can be ordered as a standalone test, or it is included as part of the CardioMetabolic Panel)
Please remember that no matter your dreams or obstacles, you have the power to change your child’s life. I sincerely hope our resources can help you do just that.
We have found Lion’s Mane (a medicinal mushroom) to be an amazing nerve regenerator. Capsules are convenient, but I feel the tincture is 7 times more effective than the capsules. My current go-to brand is Host Defense, which is sold in many places including Amazon.
Parents can take it too! To help keep your own brain working at its best.
Many kids that “can’t sit still” would be helped from some magnesium supplementation.
If your child can swallow capsules, I would suggest first giving a Whole-Food-Based Multivitamin (such as GSG GardenVites). Then if additional magnesium is needed, give capsules in the forms of Magnesium Glycinate or Magnesium Malate, which are the most bioavailable.
Transdermal Absorption:
Epsom Salt: (magnesium sulfate) baths are great for simultaneous magnesium and sulphate absorption via the skin. Tip: I find that I need to rinse off afterwards in the shower with clean water so I don’t feel itchy.
Magnesium Oil: I spray Magnesium Oil on the soles of James’ feet at bedtime. (I find the oil makes us itch if applied to any other place on our bodies). My favorite brand is Essence of Life, which you can order a sample bottle for only $7 which will last you for quite some time. (you may want to pour it into a spray bottle once you receive it.)
Aromatherapy is the art of using essential oils to help balance health. Three methods of application include:
Aromatically – Inhale directly from bottle, diffuse (with a diffuser), or from the palms of your hands.
Topically – Massage the oil into desired location. Depending on the oil you can do this neat (undiluted) or diluted with an organic carrier oil.
Another topical method is to fill a small spray bottle (1 oz or 2 oz) with 1:1 distilled water:witch hazel (alcohol-free) and add a few drops of essential oils. Shake bottle before each spritz.
Internally – Drop oil into an empty capsule and swallow with water. (This is the method I use with Oregano oil for parasites)
Or add a drop of oil to a small glass of water and drink.
I have discovered that quality varies from brand to brand. Some high-ranked companies include Doterra, Young Living, and deSensua.
For more information here is an excellent book: Aromatherapy for the Healthy Child: More Than 300 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Essential Oil Blends by Valerie Ann Worwood
Even if you decide not to try GAPS, I would recommend you RUN to the nearest lab and get this testing done. In disorders like Autism and ADD, the potential improvement of symptoms when even a single deficiency is corrected can often be quite dramatic.
Practitioner MNT wholesale cost is approximately $199 US (with insurance submission) or $290 MNT patient self-pay (w/o insurance).
As an Integrative Nutrition Heath Coach, I will typically order the Micronutrient test along with a few other panels to get a complete picture of the child’s nutritional status. (+ CardioMetabolic, Thyroid, CBC, CMP, Iron, Lead)
It takes time and expertise to achieve repletion – which is achieved through diet and supplements. Retesting is recommended every 6 months until all deficiencies are corrected. (regular retesting is key because it takes most clients 2-3 years to fully correct all nutrient deficiencies.) And, regular testing will give you peace of mind to know as you are doing GAPS (which is obviously a restricted diet) you aren’t inducing any new deficiencies.
Below are example test results to give you an idea of what to expect:
Micronutrient Test Results
CardioMetabolic Test Results
There are so many probiotic choices on the market, it truly makes my head spin. For your child, the first thing to consider is, can they swallow capsules or will they require a liquid probiotic?
Dr. Ohhira’s is my current favorite capsule. Dr. Ohhira merged modern science with ancient Japanese fermentation artistry to create a product unlike any other probiotic supplement on the market. A three-year fermentation process at seasonal temperatures encourages survival of the strongest bacteria and makes the blend stable without refrigeration.
Mercola also makes their kid-friendly Probiotics Packs but, they contain stevia. (which we dislike the taste)
Liquid probiotics are an option if your child cannot swallow capsules. If you are comfortable with fermenting your own yogurt, then you are ready to ferment your own probiotics. A starter bottle of EM (Essential Microbes) can be purchased as SCD Essential Probiotics, and then used to culture large bottles of EM extended (also known as EM-X). Here’s some basic how-to make EM-X instructions. I make EM-X in my dehydrator at 95°F, and it’s ready in 3 days. I then store it in the refrigerator, and it stays good for a long time. Bonus: when you make your own probiotics this way, it is CHEAP!
If you’re curious, here is an article on The History of Probiotics.
