In lieu of my lovely depressing post yesterday I thought I’d write about something that I am just figuring out. It has to do with nutrition.
I’ve been reading a lot about nutrition, special diets, etc. I got turned on to all this stuff by Jenny McCarthy’s books, where she talks about the connection between special diets and children with autism. In her books she just mentions the connection between the gut and the brain, so I’ve been reading other books and trying to understand more.
I’m going to paste a quote here about yeast/candida:
There is a great deal of evidence that a form of yeast, candida (rhymes with “Canada”) albicans, may cause autism and may exacerbate many behavior and health problems in autistic individuals, especially those with late-onset autism.
Candida albicans belongs to the yeast family and is a single-cell fungus. This form of yeast is located in various parts of the body including the digestive tract. Generally speaking, benign microbes limit the amount of yeast in the intestinal tract, and thus, keep the yeast under control. However, exposure to antibiotics, especially repeated exposure, can destroy these microbes. This can result in an overgrowth of candida albicans. When the yeast multiplies, it releases toxins in the body; and these toxins are known to impair the central nervous system and the immune system.
Some of the behavior problems which have been linked to an overgrowth of candida albicans include: confusion, hyperactivity, short attention span, lethargy, irritability, and aggression. Health problems can include: headaches, stomachaches, constipation, gas pains, fatigue, and depression. These problems are often worse during damp and/or muggy days and in moldy places. Additionally, exposure to perfumes and insecticides can worsen the condition.
So it seems that when someone has yeast overgrowth it causes behaviors like irritability and depression.
I have noticed that Nathan is generally happier lately. He seems to have more energy and unless he’s feeling bad (which he has been on and off since he has an ear infection), he’s been a lot more happy and receptive to trying new things. He’s even enjoying time spent on his belly!
And I am starting to realize this has a lot to do with this yeast thing.
One reason why I’m so interested in this is because I just realized that I myself have this problem. I took the probiotic I’m giving Nathan, VSL#3 for a couple of days, just so I could know what I was giving Nathan. I didn’t think much of it, and then I got the most awful horrible headache the other day, and very intense cravings for sugar. Something felt completely off. I started looking online and realized that the VSL#3 was causing yeast die off and I was experiencing the symptoms of this die off.
So now I am realizing that not only can nutrition seriously affect behavior in our kids, but it can in us too!
I’m going through some pretty heavy duty detox myself and it’s AWFUL. I think thats what had me so emotional yesterday. So I’ve decided to see a doctor myself and go through the same nutritional treatment that we’re doing with Nathan. I figure this will be the best way to improve my own health, as well as to know what Nathan might be going through so I can best help him.
Anyways, I wanted to point out this discovery to illustrate just how important this nutritional connection is for our kids, I am just so sorry I didn’t find out about this sooner.
Anyways, things went very well today, we took Nathan to my grandma’s house and he spent some time in the kidwalk and he actually enjoyed it! He took a couple of steps on his own if I stimulated him by pushing it forward. I think this will take him some time to figure out as his muscle tone gets all funky. When he wants to move he gets tight, and if he relaxes he gets too floppy. Hehehe. But I am sure with enough time and practice he will figure out how to control his muscles. If he doesn’t, at least he’ll have the experience of being upright and when he is hanging out with his buddies he can at least be at eye level!
Just wanted to let you know that I read about Nathan as often as I can. Just wanted to let you know I have been here. You are an inspiration. In fact just the other day I read your post aboutg the ergobaby & I immediately purchased one. Im not sure that I am as happy with it as you are but I’ll keep trying. Im so envious as you guys just keep traveling the world….lucky, lucky and what a lucky little boy to have a wonderful mom.
Michele Corn from cerebralpalsymoms
Hey MIchele! So happy to know that you keep an eye on Nathan! How is Sienna doing? I think of you guys often. I know Sienna likes to be carried around a lot, so I thought of you when we got the Ergo Baby. I’m so glad you got it! How come you’re not so happy with it? Does it feel uncomfortable to you? Does she like/dislike it? When we first got it, we had to play with the settings and it literally took us 2 days to get the settings/adjustments right. Once we did though, it was great. I put him on my hip, but instead of using just 1 strap like they recommend, I keep both straps on. Then, I use a towel or whatever I can find to hold his head in towards my chest. If I don’t put something behind his head I have to keep holding it and putting him in. Eventually I ordered the infant insert and I bend it in half and that’s what I put behind him, but if I can’t find it, I just ue whatever I can find. You also have to get her very high up so all the weight is carried by the belt. Anyways, play around with it, it may take time, but you will feel it when you get it right, you will barely feel her weight and she will be snugled right up to you like a tick 🙂 At last that’s what I call Nathan – my overgrown tick.
As for us…we figured we’d do as much as we could as early as possible because we figure things will get harder when he’s older. So we have spent almost every last cent we’d saved to buy a house in all these therapies and trips but it was well worth it!
Did you read what I was saying about tummy time? She probably won’t like it but try putting her on her belly, I’ve heard that it’s the single most important thign we can do for our kids.
Anyways, stay in touch, and let me know how Sienna is!
Hugs,
Marcela.
Oh, see there you go!!! Laughing, I just posted encouraging comment on previous blog. It sounds like Nathan is on his way to making friends with the Kidwalk! And, feel free to share nutritition tidbits you learn, I sure could use the help. Never lost my baby weight!
Hi Marcela,
I’m glad you and Nathan are having a good day and feeling good. And Yeah! for Nathan taking his own steps. Please be patient with your little guy and don’t feel so bad. He’s doing it. He just nee more time. 🙂
Reading your results with VSL#3 probiotics, I’m thinking I’d like to try it with my son. Did you get them from this site: https://shop.sigmatau.com/VSL3/
My son weeks after birth was diagnosed with reflux and was taking medications till like 3.5. They never fully worked though and at some point I started even thinking maybe it’s not reflux. So I stopped the reflux medication and started him on aloe vera. Seems like the effect about the same but at least it’s all natural. I tried some probiotics before but didn’t notice anything much. So he still doesn’t eat much and has tommy pains daily and nightly. I read description you posted above about a child with yeast and it does sound like my son.
I don’t have a blog. I’m just not sure I’ll be updating it often enough.
Good for you for taking care of yourself! That’s so important and we, moms, never have time for it. Guilty as I’m writing… 🙂
Much love and hugs to you and Nathan,
Gala
Hey Gala,
Sorry I’m just catching up with emails and stuff from last week, it was a busy week and I was really out of it with streph and an ear infection. But I am doing a bit better now. I’ve decided to stop expecting anything from Nathan and just patiently try and give him opportunities. I realize it’s the expectations that get me every time so I’m checking them out the door. I’ve been taking him out more and more in the kidwalk – sometimes he takes steps, other times he just doesn’t. He’s not really moving it on his own but I will keep trying. Removing expectations helps a lot!
I’m glad the aloe vera is helping with the reflux! I spoke to the naturopath about it and when we see him next he will give us a natural replacement to Prevacid. Yay! I don’t like to give him western meds unless it’s absolutely 100% necessary. If you are going to be combating the yeast, try not to give him any sugar! Try to make sure his food is as low on sugars as possible. Even fruits and juices with too much sugar should be avoided. Let me know if the VSL#3 helps! I hope you can figure out what is going on with his tummy too.
Try and take the time for self care! I realize I am so depleted because I never did take good care of myself and that has affected my ability to care for Nathan. So now self care is a big priority and once I get healthy I am going to make sure I stay healthy! Stress seems to be one of my biggest issues so I am trying to learn to relax more, remove expectations, and worry less. Hard but possible.
It’s great staying in touch and I hope you do decide to start a blog even if you just pictures every once in a while.
Hugs to you and the little ones,
Marcela.