Autism, fibre and your gut

Autism has been increasing for years and we have no idea why. Is it because we don’t get dirty anymore or because we eat the wrong foods? Or is it the increase in c-section births? We don’t really know. What we do know is that there is a difference in the gut community between someone with autism and some who has no autism. There has been a number of studies in this area and even though they differ in their results, generally they all say there is some dysbiosis or imbalance within the gut community.

Some studies looking at autism in children have found a decrease in the Bacteroides/Firmicute bugs and an increase in some Lactobacillus species when comparing these with siblings or to someone with no autism. In human trials using Faecal Microbial Transplants (FMT) (yes putting someone’s No.2’s inside someone else J) significant changes were seen. These participants were given doses of the No. 2’s every day for 8 weeks. After the 8 weeks, there were significant improvements in their gastrointestinal symptoms and improved behavioural changes which were maintained up to 8 weeks after the initial FMT. The question is how long do these changes last if they don’t change their diet?

By increasing the variety of fibre in your diet you can alter your microbiota within 2 weeks, this can help with a lot of different health issues and also change your taste. I have seen this with several of my clients. Your gut community will dictate what it wants you to eat and by altering that community through food you can make it crave great food that is high in fibre. I have seen this happen within 2-4 weeks, depending on how determined the client is, and the changes are amazing.

References

Cristiano, C., Lama, A., Lembo, F., Mollica, M. P., Calignano, A., & Mattace Raso, G. (2018). Interplay Between Peripheral and Central Inflammation in Autism Spectrum Disorders: Possible Nutritional and Therapeutic Strategies. Front Physiol, 9(184). doi:10.3389/fphys.2018.00184

Kang, D.-W., Adams, J. B., Gregory, A. C., Borody, T., Chittick, L., Fasano, A., . . . Krajmalnik-Brown, R. (2017). Microbiota Transfer Therapy alters gut ecosystem and improves gastrointestinal and autism symptoms: an open-label study. Microbiome, 5(1), 10. doi:10.1186/s40168-016-0225-7