Search Results for: blog why kids with autism need vitamin supplements

Why Does My Body Need Selenium?

If you look at the list of vitamins and minerals on your multivitamin, you might find selenium there. Selenium is a “trace mineral” — one that your body needs, but only in very small amounts. What does selenium do for the body? This mineral is used by proteins in the body to make antioxidants called selenoproteins. Antioxidants are good things — they help prevent cell damage from free radicals. Selenoproteins also help the immune system function and assist in regulating thyroid function. Many people get their necessary selenium from foods — plant foods in particular. The selenium content of grains … Continue reading →

Why Does My Body Need Magnesium?

I’ve been a fan of magnesium since I read about a study about magnesium helping something like eighty percent of migraine sufferers find some relief. But this mineral does other good things for your body! Of all the minerals in your body, magnesium is the fourth most abundant. About half the magnesium in the human body is found in the bones; the other half is mostly found inside tissues and organs. About one percent of the magnesium in the body is found in the blood. So what does all that magnesium do? Helps the body maintain normal nerve and muscle … Continue reading →

A Simplified Look at Gluten-Free and/or Casein-Free Diets for Autistic Kids

If you start to delve into the massive amount of information available on dietary restrictions for your autistic child, you might initially be overwhelmed. How can you determine what should be eliminated from your child’s diet, and what shouldn’t? Or is diet even a factor you should be concerned with? All over the internet, you’ll find testimonials from parents who have eliminated one substance or another (or several) and observed marked improvement in their son or daughter’s behaviors. But are these parents only seeing what they want to see? Will dietary restrictions really help your child? It’s hard to know … Continue reading →

Why Kids with Autism May Need Vitamin Supplements

The new theory of autism is that it is a whole-body disease and not just a brain disorder. Autism, which is said to be linked to autoimmune illness and disorders of the GI tract, may also cause abnormal enzyme function, and thus inadequate digestion and nutrient absorption. Most of us already have observed that many kids with autism have very particular tastes in foods, preferring to eat the same things repeatedly and refusing to try anything new. So right from the start, these children are often at a nutritional disadvantage. But even if they did have a healthy diet, their … Continue reading →