Benefits of L-Carnosine for Autistic Children

Possible Benefits of L-Carnosine for Autistic Children. L-Carnosine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. The highest concentrations of L-Carnosine are found in the heart, muscle, and brain tissues. Carnosine is classified as a dipeptide, which is a compound made up of amino acid molecules that are linked together. It is thought to enhance frontal lobe function in the brain, and research suggests that it is also a powerful antioxidant.

The definition of a “vitamin” or “essential mineral” is that the lack of that vitamin or mineral results in disease or even death. The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) is the minimum amount required to prevent disease, but may be less than the amount needed for optimal mental and physical health. Most people in the US consume less than the RDA of one or more vitamins and minerals. For example, many women lack enough calcium and iron, leading to osteoporosis and anemia, respectively. Vitamins and minerals are available in vegetables, fruits, meat, and other sources. However, the typical U.S. diet is lacking in key vitamins and minerals, so many people need to take a supplement. Children with autism seem to have an increased need for certain vitamins and minerals. The primary role of vitamins and minerals is to act as enzymatic co-factors for many important reactions in the body. For example, the production of serotonin (an important neurotransmitter) requires the conversion of 5-HTP to serotonin, and vitamin B6 is the co-factor for the enzyme for that reaction, meaning that it greatly accelerates the rate of the reaction. If you have too little vitamin B6, then the reaction is slow, and less serotonin is produced. Vitamin B6 is involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions in the body, including the production of several neurotransmitters. Some vitamins and minerals are involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions, affecting most of the major metabolic pathways in the body. To put it simply, vitamins and minerals are essential for a healthy life.

A: In Living Gluten Free for Dummies by Danna Korn, “Gluten is a mixture of proteins in wheat, rye, and barley. Oats don’t have gluten but may be contaminated, so they’re forbidden on a strict gluten-free diet, too.”

When you hear the words “essential oils,” one image that might pop into your mind is going to the spa for some much-needed relaxation. Essentials oils are sometimes associated with spas because they are often used by a massage therapist or masseuse during a therapy session. But did you know essential oils can be beneficial for children on the autism spectrum and kids with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), as well? Before we discuss the best essential oils for autism and ADHD, first let’s explore what they are and what they can do for our bodies.

Dr. Debra Moore, a psychologist who has worked extensively with children, teens and adults on the autism spectrum, talks with Dr. Temple Grandin about how to provide ‘loving pushes’ so kids with autism can become successful adults.

Scientists have discovered what could be the latest breakthrough in autism. It was revealed in a  recent study that the cause of autism might be the result of too many synapses or brain connections. These excessive brain connections are said to create communication problems within the nervous system.

When asked to name a therapy that will help the autistic community, most people will say applied behavior analysis (ABA), occupational therapy (OT) or even speech therapy, but I am here to tell you there are additional therapies out there that can help.  In this article, I will describe two specific therapies, their benefits, and what typical sessions might look like:

Ollie was slow to speak—I believe he was intensely absorbing instead! For the first three years of his life, he appeared to be on total sensory overload. As he grew, it became increasingly clear that he was very bright, but he lacked the ability to read and process faces and body language or to second guess social situations.  One reception teacher remarked to me one day that she “didn’t know which box Ollie fitted into.” Ollie retreated into a wonderful 3D world of words, compiling lists of vocabulary and writing endless stories and poems. Contrary to established myths about autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Ollie is full of empathy and feeling, these emotions being the focus of his writing. He is a magical Shape Shifter with ink in his veins. Writing is his gift, his song, and for a long time, it was the life raft that got him through mainstream school and into the gifted and talented sets at middle school.On October 8th, 1997, my life changed forever with the birth of my son, Ollie.  I knew from the very start that he was “different,” but nothing could have prepared me for the journey ahead: the utter heartache, the immense highs, the tough battles, and the total lack of understanding and support surrounding us.  As a mother, I am always “learning on the job.” It can be a rollercoaster ride, but the blessings and gifts my Ollie has brought far outweigh the challenges and frustrations.

Encopresis is a common struggle for autistic children. The scientific term comes from the Greek en– (“inside”) and kopros (“stool”).  In other words, “you have poop stuck inside you.”  When simple constipation turns into a hard, dry blockage, soft stool leaks around the block. The child usually can’t control the leakage. Often, the encopresis develops into a vicious cycle. It hurts to go to the bathroom, because you didn’t go before. So you don’t go to the bathroom again.

An autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis can be difficult news to hear.  Parents of newly diagnosed children, or adults with autism, actively seek out treatment methods that relieve the anxiety and stress that can accompany autism. When anxiety and stress are relieved, daily functions improve, sometimes dramatically.  One gentle and reliable method that can often provide this welcome relief for people with ASD is craniosacral therapy.