It is well-known in clinical research that gut bacteria is of incredible importance for lowering chronic disease risk. Healthy gut bacteria helps control inflammation and blood sugar control. Also, by improving the gut, brain function may improve due to the gut-brain connection axis.
It is of no surprise that autism, which is a significant disease in our children, is associated with severe gastrointestinal dysfunction. Improving the gut can be a great strategy to benefit brain function in patients affected by neurologic/psychiatric disorders, including autism.
In this study published in the Journal Nature Medicine, a plant-based diet was associated with a specific population of healthy bacteria like Prevotella copri and Blastocystis species (1).
In other words, the healthier you eat, the better the population of gut bacteria, and less risk of disease.
What can we do about it?
*Eating fruits and vegetables have an amazing power to optimize health, especially brain function.
*Adding spices like turmeric or ginger can increase the anti-inflammatory effect of a healthy diet.
*Adding healthy fats like Extra-virgin olive oil, omega-3 fatty acids, nuts, and Flax seeds are an essential step to maximize health.
One of the researchers mentioned that:
"When you eat, you are not just nourishing your body,
you are feeding the trillions of bacteria that live inside
your gut."
There is Hope for Autism!
David Rivas, RPh, MSc, CCN
Pharmacist and Clinical Nutritionist
References:
(1): Asnicar, F., Berry, S. E., Valdes, A. M., Nguyen, L. H., Piccinno, G., Drew, D. A., ... & Segata, N. (2021). Microbiome connections with host metabolism and habitual diet from 1,098 deeply phenotyped individuals. Nature Medicine, 1-12.
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