Quick Nutrition Guide for Children with #FASD

QUICK NUTRITION OVERVIEW TO GET YOUR STARTED TO HELP FEED CHILDREN WITH FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDERS

 

By Jodee Kulp

Our FAScinating Journey – Keys to Brain Potential Along the Path of Prenatal Brain Injury  is available at https://www.createspace.com/3579462

The material following has been selected from Our FAScinating Journey to give you beginning knowledge and ideas for further research in helping children and adults with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)

PROTEINS

PROTEINS are the building blocks of neurotransmitters. It is essential to eat enough protein in balanced amounts with fats and carbohydrates.  The protein needs of each individual vary. Too much protein for some people can restrict ‘brain protein.’ Not enough protein will result in a protein deficit.  There are many sources of protein and protein combinations to provide adequate protein sources. Protein quality determines which proteins are the best for your body is dependent on the types and amounts of amino acids that the protein contains and how well your body can digest the protein, or the protein’s digestibility. Proteins eaten alone on an empty stomach can pick up dopamine and acetylcholin nuerotransmitters.

Best protein resources
Fresh cold-water fish, low fat cottage cheese, free-range and drug free poultry, eggs, hard cheeses, low fat low lactose yogurt, beans, seeds, nuts, and some fruits and vegetables. (organic and grass fed lean red meat contain rich sources of minerals, protein and B-group vitamins and though costly you may decide is worth the extra money). You do not need to eat animal products to get all the protein you need in your diet. Fruits and vegetables with highest protein values include: asparagus, aubergine, brussels sprouts, broccoli, beetroot, spring onion, mushroom, okra, spinach, sweet corn, tomatoes, yams, dried apricots, raisins, avocados, dates (search vegan diet protein sources.)

CARBOHYDRATES

CARBOHYDRATES are made from carbon dioxide and water by green plants in the sunlight. Sugars, starches and fibers are the most common carbohy-drates. They enhance neurotransmitters. Most people think of carbohydrates as grains and high starch vegetables like potatoes.Carbohydrates also include lower starch (3%) vegetables like asparagus or fruit like strawberries or higher starch (20%+) vegetables beans, corn, yams and potatoes or fruit like bananas, figs and prunes. Lower starch fruits and vegetables release glucose (sugar) slowly into the bloodstream, as do whole grains and legumes. Potatoes and rice release glucose quickly causing power surges in some people and then a let down. If glucose levels fluctuate, mental confusion and dizziness may occur.

3% Slowest releasing vegetables

asparagus, bean sprouts, beet greens, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, chard, cucumber, endive, lettuce, mustard greens, radishes, spinach and watercress.

3% Slowest releasing fruits
cantaloupe, rhubarb, strawberries, watermelon, melons and tomatoes.

6% SLOW RELEASE VEGETABLES
beans (string), beets, brussels sprouts, chives, collards, dandelion greens, eggplant, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, okra, onions, parsley, peppers (red), pimento, pumpkin, rutabagas, turnips.

6% SLOW RELEASE FRUITS
apricots, blackberries, cranberries, grapefruit, guava, melons, lemons, limes, oranges, papaya, peaches, plums, raspberries, tangerines, kiwis.

ENZYMES

Enzymes are chemical catalysts that are needed to change chemicals into organs, cells and hormones. They are manufactured in the body from amino acids, plus vitamins and minerals. Without a particular enzyme, any one of thousands of chemical changes needed in the body won’t operate.  You need a balance of protein, vitamins and minerals to continue to manufacture enzymes.

            For example, take an elderly woman eating only white bread and tea for each meal or a teen eating only junkfood and sodas.  Each day they are using up protein already in the body to rebuild cells. They are not adding any protein to the diet nor getting any real vitamins and minerals. Even if they suddenly start eating steak, milk and eggs poor nutrition leads to poorer nutrition their body has stopped producing ‘protease’ the enzyme needed to break down protein, lactase the enzyme to break down lactose, phosphatase to breakdown calcium and galactase to breakdown glacactase. In other words, she can no longer digest and utilize this food with higher nutritional value.

Providing enzyme supplementation can help kick start enzyme production, but it takes time.

AMINO ACIDS

AMINO ACIDS are the building blocks of protein. There are over 20 different amino acids found in animals and humans. The term essential amino acid refers to the amino acids that your body cannot make. Because your body cannot make these amino acids, they must be consumed in the diet, thus making them essential. There are nine essential amino acids.

ANTIOXIDANTS Help to clean the brain. These are foods that produce healthy chemicals that clean the brain from free radicals that cause cell deterioration. They act like a rust cleaner that keeps rust off brain matter. Vitamin E and C, beta carotene, lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, grapeseed and pinebark extract are antioxidants.

RICHEST ANTIOXIDANT FOOD resources Blueberries, strawberries, cooked kale, raisins, raspberries, apples, grapes, cherries, prunes, blackberries, garlic and raw spinach. Mangoes and sweet potatoes contain high levels of vitamin E and C, plus beta carotene. 

CYANIOXIDANTS—PINE BARK (pycnogenol) and GRAPE SEED Has 20 times the antioxidant activity of vitamin C and 50 times that of vitamin E. It can cross the blood-brain barrier and can stay in the blood stream for up to 72 hours. Few other antioxidants cross this barrier and none do it as well.

MULTI-VITAMIN

MULTI-VITAMIN Insure your child’s vitamin and mineral intake with a high quality daily multi-vitamin. Liz takes an intensive care, easy absorbable multi. Her vitamin is designed to include high levels of B vitamins, vitamins E, C, folic acid and selenium.

Research studies now show a strong correlation between aggressive behavior in children and deficiencies in nutrients such as niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron, magnesium and tryptophan. Before changing your child’s medications, try a daily multi-vitamin, one preferably without artificial colorings.

WATER SOLUBLE VITAMINS

B VITAMINS: Essential for cognitive function, helps to improve memory and assists in brain development. Prenatal exposure, encephalitis, stroke, prolonged drinking or vitamin B deficiency can cause damage to the hippocampus and thalamus. The effect may be good recall of past and normal short term memories, but they are unable to recall what they had for breakfast, last hours class notes or what spelling words they had just learned. Their procedural memory seems unaffected and the person may become steadily more competent and faster at performing a task, even though they do not remember ever doing it.

B1  Thiamin Changes carbohydrates to glucose then into energy or fat and helps to provide energy to the brain, heart and central nervous system. It helps prevent nervous irritability; necessary for a good appetite.

RICHEST VITAMIN B1 resources  

whole grain, nuts, legumes, yeast, liver, beans, peas, soy products, fish, and pork.

B2 Riboflavin Transports hydrogen; is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins; helps keep the skin and eyes in a healthy condition.

RICHEST VITAMIN B2 resources  

lean meats, nuts,. liver, brewers yeast, leafy green vegetables, whole grain cereal, cheese, fish, eggs, milk

B3 Niacin Needed to convert food into energy, maintains normal functions of the skin, nerve tissue and digestive system. Can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol. Reduces allergic reactions and supports sugar metabolism.

RICHEST VITAMIN B3 resources  fortified cereals, breads and grain products, meats, fish, poultry, nuts, grain products, peanuts

B6 Pyridoxine Essential for brain function and the production of red blood cells. Aids in the immune system. Essential to protein, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. This is found in most foods naturally but a problem may be in the malabsorbtion.

RICHEST VITAMIN B6 resources  yeast, liver, crabmeat, brown rice, meat, fish, wheat bran, germ and grains, vegetables, white and sweet potatoes, eggs, poultry, bananas

B12 Cyanocobalamin Helps to build and maintain the central nervous system. Important in the production of dopamine (energy) and serotonin (well-being). Necessary for production of red blood cells and normal growth.

RICHEST VITAMIN B12 resources

clams, shellfish, meat, eggs, green vegetables, orange juice, yogurt, cheese, eggs, milk, fortified breakfast cereals.

FOLATE (FOLIC ACID) Necessary for the production of RNA and DNA (the building blocks of cells) and normal red blood cells. Helps to lower homo cysteine levels and prevents some birth defects. Helps relieve depression.

RICHEST FOLATE resources  

Fortified rice; pasta, breads, cereals, and grains, poultry, lentils and beans, green leafy vegetables, avocados, papayas.

VITAMIN C Ascorbic Acid Protects against infection, assists in healing, helps maintain strength and elasticity of blood vessels. Enhances iron absorption. It is so important to the brain that it is found in concentrations of 15 to 100 times higher than elsewhere in the body. It is one of the most active and abundant antioxidants in the body. Stress hormones deplete it, since vitamin C is needed to synthesize them. Water, heat, light, oxygen and cooking all destroy vitamin C. When cooking steam lightly. Smoking one cigarette destroys 25 mg and aspirin triples the excretion rate of vitamin C.

RICHEST VITAMIN C resources

orange juice, rose hips, guava, kiwi, black currents, kale, parsley, red peppers, brussel sprouts,  broccoli, collards, cabbage, white and sweet potatoes, citrus fruits, tomatoes, artichokes, swiss chard, strawberries

VITAMIN K Necessary for blood clotting, aids in bone formation, helps regulate levels of calcium.

RICHEST VITAMIN K resources  

Brussel sprouts, kale, broccoli, spinach, lettuce, cabbage, turnip greens

FAT SOLUBLE VITAMINS

VITAMIN E Protects fatty acids in the blood stream and improves overall blood circulation including blood to the brain. It is the primary fat-soluble anti-oxidant in the brain. Heat, oxygen, freezing and chlorine destroy vitamin E.

RICHEST VITAMIN E resources:
seeds, nuts, soybeans, eggs, brown rice, oats, fresh wheat germ, peanut butter, sweet potatoes, mangoes, sunflower oil

MINERALS

CALCIUM necessary for teeth and bones, where most dietary calcium is found. The rest moves in and out of cells allowing conduction of impulses between nerves and contraction of muscles. Aids in heart regulation, blood clotting, muscle contractions and relaxation. Excess calcium depresses magnesium levels.

RICHEST CALCIUM FOOD resources
cooked bones as in canned salmon or sardines, sesame seeds, tofu, dairy products, yogurt, turnip greens, broccoli, milk, blackstrap molasses, spinach, broccoflower.

CHOLINE research indicates a mother’s choline intake may influence the development of the memory center in fetal brains. Helps maintain healthy cellular structure and functions, plays role in muscle control.

Video (2012): FASD Expert -
Jennifer Thomas on Choline
youtu.be/KRpHPcqis5o

Linus Pauling Institute

lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/othernuts/
choline/

RICHEST CHOLINE resources
eggs, milk, fish, whole grains, liver, iceberg lettuce, cauliflower, peanuts

IRON is essential to the production of red blood cells. Aids in manufacturing amino acids, hormones and neurotransmitters. It strengthens the immune system. An iron deficiency in babies and children can have significant and permanent effects on brain development. Iron is a vital component for fueling our bodies, carrying oxygen to the brain and helping our newborns reach their greatest potential. Iron is deposited in the brain—it is part of the brain structure and an essential nutrient for mental development. Newborns have three times the ratio of iron in their bodies as adults.  Babies have very high iron needs, because they grow so rapidly. Infants who are iron deficient can suffer from altered behavior, reduced immunity, slower language, gross and fine motor development, and reduction in IQ. Most babies are born with enough iron stores to last four to six months. Breastfed babies rarely lack iron, not because there is a high concentrate of iron in breast milk, but because the iron in the breast milk is readily absorbable.  A US study of nearly 5,400 children 6 to 16 found those who were deficient in iron were more than twice as likely to score below average on standardized math tests than more well nourished peers. (Reuters Health, 2001)

NOTE: Before using iron, get a blood test. Some of the symptoms of iron deficiency are the same as iron overdose. In addition, not all iron supplements are the same. Some are dangerous. Too much iron can make you sick or KILL A CHILD

Evidence is showing that children with ‘pica’— eating dirt (geophagia), lead paint, or ice (pagphagia) often show iron deficiencies. Symptoms of iron deficiency include listlessness, fatigue, memory deficits, sore tongue, reduced cognition.

RICHEST IRON resources  
organ meat, liver, red meat, poultry,  mussels, oysters, tofu, legumes such as lentils, kidney beans and chickpeas, eggs, enriched breads and pasta, nuts.

MAGNESIUM Important for bone development and protein building; necessary for energy production, muscle relaxation and maintenance of heart health and function. Activates almost all the key enzymes needed for your neurons to create energy from glucose. Low levels of magnesium can cause the nerves to fire too easily even from mild stimuli. This can result in noises sounding too loud, lights too bright, and emotional reactions on the edge. Magnesium deficiency in children is characterized by excessive figiting, anxious restlessness, psychomotor instability and learning difficulties in the presence of a normal IQ (Magnesium in Health and Disease, Seelig, 1980). Magnesium seems to absorb better in combination with folic acid and vitamins b6 and B12.

RICHEST MAGNESIUM resources  
nuts, meats, tofu, milk, beans, bananas, apricots, legumes, yogurt, whole grains, leafy green vegetables, avocados, brown rice, carrots, citrus fruits.

SELENIUM Acts as an antioxidant to help protect cells from damaging free radicals. It works in synergy with vitamin E to protect polyunsaturated fats from becoming oxidized. It is necessary for thyroid function. Helps with moods. It is a detoxifier of heavy metals that damage the brain. It binds mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium which disrupt brain chemistry. 

RICHEST SELENIUM resources  Grains, garlic, meats, seafood, tuna, soybeans, molasses, cashew nuts, brazil nuts, breads, oatmeal, soynuts, pasta, poultry, shellfish, sunflower seeds, cabbage, celery, mushrooms, onions

ZINC is a component of every living cell in the body. It is essential for the structure and function of over 50 enzymes. Is needed to maintain proper levels of vitamin E in the blood. It is important for growth, sperm production, night vision, appetite, sense of taste and smell, immune system functioning and wound healing.  Zinc deficiency may make children irritable, tearful, sullen and have gaze aversion (Moyhahan, Zinc Deficiency and Disturbances of Mood and Behavior. Lancet, 1:91, 1976)  Chineses studies with school children show improved performance in memory, reasoning, perception and eye-hand coordination with additional zinc intake. Beef and lamb have a high zinc content especially in kidneys and liver meats. 

RICHEST ZINC resources  
oysters, seafood, red meats, poultry, nuts, whole grain breads and cereals, tofu, eggs, milk.

INTERESTED IN NUTRITIONAL THERAPY FOR CHILDREN LIVING WITH FASD and/or HAVE QUESTIONS —Join Diane Black, PhD, Netherlands at Nutrition_for_FASD@yahoogroups.com

5 Star Approach to Healing #FASD by Victoria Deasy

HEALING FETAL 

ALCOHOL 

EXPOSURES: 

Guest Post - Victoria Deasy

Whether a child has a diagnosis of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FAS, ARND, Partial-FAS, or anything in between) or a suspected exposure, the few professionals who know something about FASDs, along with the literature, talk about the 'permenant brain damage" that ensues. Damage to the brain is certainly accurate but 'permenant' may no longer be true. We have learned a lot in the last 5-10 years about how plastic the brain is, how different parts can heal or take over for other parts, and how new neurons can grow over time. 

Because of these new neuro findings, we need to look at FASD a bit differently.

It should be noted that the alcohol that damages the brain damages different parts of the brain in different people. Some of this can be because of the amount of alcohol ingested, the time just before and during pregnancy in which the mother was using alcohol, the number of occasions in which the woman drank, the nutrtional state of the mother before and during the pregnancy, whether other drugs were also ingested, if the mother smoked, lived an unhealthy life-style, received pre-natal care or not, what kind of emotional life the mother was experiencing (whether she was abused, under stress, etc.) and many other things that could affect the fetus at anytime, with or without the alcohol exposure. Add these things to the alcohol exposure, and the direction of the damage is on its course. 

There are also the things that happen to a child after birth. 

There are traumas: 

• If the infant is placed in an unstable household, the brain changes some more; if the child is placed in an orphanage, especially an orphanage where children are not held, caressed, nourished, allowed to move, spoken to and sung to, the brain has less of a chance to grow and develop properly; if the child is abused or harmed in any way, there are more doors shut to proper brain growth and development. 
• Even if everything goes very well after birth, if the child is adopted, even right out of the hospital, there is "trauma" in the mere fact that the child has been removed from the birth parent to which there has been a nine-month bond, a bond that is now broken. We usually can't separate out all the things that make up our children, especially if they are adopted and we don't know for sure all the things that have occurred to create the brain and brain damage that is now part of the whole picture called FASD.

I often have people ask me what we have done to try to heal my son's FASD. I can tell what we have done but I cannot tell others that all of this will work for them. I feel very strongly that what we have done (some learned from the autism community) has been very effective. I also have to say that it took years and years of trial and error to get all of this put into place. I can't help but wonder if we had done all the interventions earlier, if things would be even better. But, one cannot dwell on such conjectures. We did this on our own, unable to find doctors who knew anything that would help us. Now a days, there is more help out there and I would suggest that finding doctors who can help, would be the best route. 

Some of us will need to teach some of those doctors and some of us will need to forge our own paths.

MY 5-STAR APPROACH: 

There are 5 intervention strategies that I think are vital: 

1. Nutritional Therapies (diet, supplements, chelation, etc.) 
2. Neuro-Movement Therapies (NeuroReorganization, Musgatova, Rhythmic Movement Training, HANDLE and the like)
3. Therapeutic Parenting (Heather Forbes, Bryan Post, Howard Glasser, and others), including psychologists/ psychiatrists, when needed
4. School Choice (the child needs what s/he needs, not what is apparently available; this can include Montessori, Waldorf, homeschooling, unschooling, small private school, special ed school)
5. Belief System (not necessarily religious) and a 'village' to support such. I think if these things can be put into place so as to keep the child calm, non-anxious, feeling cared for instead of experiencing constant punishment, anxiety (of things that no one knows are anxiety-producing), and feeling worthwhile, then healing has a chance. 

Nutritional Therapies: for us, this started with eliminating all food dyes (Red#40 made my son almost bi-polar!) and to keep them out of shampoos, lotions, toothpaste, etc., because these are absorbed through the skin; eliminate all chemical sugars, all corn syrups (not just high fructose corn syrup), and to go as organic as possible, eat grass-fed beef, eat chicken and eggs that are hormone and anitbiotic free and which are free-range. A lot of children may need to be taken off casein (most dairy products) and/or gluten (most grains). For those who are nervous about their child not getting enough calcium from milk, just remember that calcium can be found in many other sources and there are many substitutions for cow's milk. 

• Our next thing to try was Omega-3 Fatty Acids (per THE LCP SOLUTION by Jacqueline Stordy, a book I found in the library, somewhat by accident). I had to research this even more and figure out dosages but there is a lot of information in THE LCP SOLUTION, even the brands used in actual research. We chose one of those brands, but I don't really know why we chose the one we did. I was to discover several years later, that this brand has extra Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)and when we ran out and I gave my son my store-bought omegas, I noticed some regression (especially with hyperactivity, impulsivity, etc.) I went back to THE LCP SOLUTIONS and discovered some studies which showed that about 15% of boys didn't do as well on Omegas until they added the EPO and then, they came up to the levels of the other study participants. Even though we have now switched to krill oil (for more bio-availability), we buy one for women because it has the EPO in it. This may or may not work for others, as well. 
• Over time, as I researched and researched, we eventually added stomach enzymes, amino acids, extra Vitamin Bs, extra Vitamin D (only after a blood test to determine my son's levels, showing how deficient he was)and then, added choline (per studies by Dr. Ed Riley, et.al, at San Diego State University. It took awhile to decide on doses but per the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, I at least knew what the 'adequate' doses would be (adequate meaning enough to keep someone alive). It also listed the possible 'toxic' amounts, an amount that was so high that no one would ever get that high. Later, I learned about piracetam. This is a synthetic and not for everyone. I started my son on this at age 17-18 and his senior year in high school was astounding, compared to all his other years in school. 
• The choline affected my son's memory...all for the good. 
• The piracetam also affected memory but for the first time, he knew what his school assignments were, knew when to hand them in, actually handed them in, juggled his long-term projects, began to feel bad if he made a mistake, felt awful if he forgot an assignment....he actually would shake his head in disbelief when fellow students would do the exact silly things he used to do, only now he couldn't believe how 'stupid' they were being (his word, not mine). 
• These nutritional changes helped to get the Therapeutic Parenting into his psyche.

The Neuro-Movement therapies helped to re-organize 

his very disorganized brain and nervous system. 

Each part of my star helped to fortify the other points. I chose the right schools (I only knew this for sure after the fact, of course) and found other people, at school and at a church I joined just for what my son needed, to nourish my son, to help him along the way, to understand him in all his 'differences,' to give him the examples that his 'chameleon self' needed. 

Is my son "cured" of his FASD? 

No. There is no cure, as of yet. But, healing can take place. It's like children who have polio: do we leave them in an iron lung or do we do something so they can be in a wheelchair or using a walker or crutches or even, to get through life with just a limp. We are working towards the limp! 

Is any of this easy? 

Heck no! Trying to raise a child with FASDs is probably the most difficult thing any of his will have to do. We have children no on seems to understand, we get no help, we seem to have to fight for every little thing our child needs, we are blamed for their behavior, we are blamed for not parenting them well, we are blamed for letting them get away with poor behavior....

So, let's be the change we want to see. 

We will do whatever we need to do to heal our children. We will fight for them, guide them (even as they try to get us off their backs), support them, and keep them close and safe for as long as they need us to do this. 

And then, let us give them a chance to spread their wings and try life on their own... but knowing that we tried everything we knew how to get them to that place.