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Nutrition
Rosemary Boon, Psychologist, Teacher and Nutritionist October 2007.
Links to related matter
are included throughout this page - use your browser's "Back" button to return
to this page.'Quick
Jumps' On This Page:-
Fast Foods – are
they good? / We are what we eat / Evidence / Links
Nutrition is the
study of the food and liquid requirements of human beings for normal
physiologic function, including energy, need, maintenance, growth, activity,
reproduction, and lactation1.
Nutritional science is the evidence-based application of the study of the
relationship between diet and optimal health and wellbeing.
In today's fast paced life style, ‘fast foods’ have become an accepted trend and with that trend, a whole plethora of ‘dis-ease’ processes which were rare in our grandparent’s time have emerged with life-threatening consequences.
Most fast/convenience food contains additives and/or trans-fats (trans fatty
acids are the altered chemical structure of unsaturated fatty acids in dietary
oils after they have been modified from their natural cis-fatty acid state - i.e:
heating). Trans fatty acids increase weight, promote ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL)
and, over time, cause a slowing of the conduction of electrical impulses in the
axonal sheath of neurons within the brain giving rise to increased risk of
cardiac, neuropsychological and other serious conditions.
Gluten and casein – proteins found in wheat, rye, barley and oats and dairy
products respectively, have been shown to be toxic to the gut and brain in
susceptible individuals. Gluten is hydrolised in the digestive system to yield a
peptide - alpha-gliadin, a well established intestinal irritant2,3.
to all individuals. Casein is converted to Beta-casomorphin-7, which is capable
of crossing the blood-brain barrier4. and binds to opioid receptors5.,
6..
Both gluten and casein are implicated in a wide range of disorders including:
Diabetes7,8., Ischaemic Heart Disease7, 9, and
Neurological Disorders10, 11..
Food additives
commonly utilised in processed foods in
We truly are what eat, drink and breathe!!!!
Nutrients are the building blocks of human physiology and
play a key role in a person's health and wellbeing. Current medical literature
increasingly bears out the fundamental role of good nutrition in
health-optimisation and the prevention and treatment of many common conditions.
Aspects of nutrition to be taken into consideration when investigating causes of any condition include such factors as:-
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the person’s external environment, taking into account their particular allergies, sensitivities, toxicities etc.
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as well as their internal environment - the level of that individual’s ability to detoxify, the condition of the Gastro-Intestinal (GI) tract - gut flora balance (good vs. bad bacteria), the integrity of their intestinal wall (inflammation and leaky gut syndrome in particular - as this will reflect their capacity for nutrient absorption and potential of toxins to cross the blood-brain barrier inviting neurological problems)
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and of course the integrity of the immune system.
Common clinical presentations
of childhood complaints such as earaches, runny noses, tummy aches and/or
inattentiveness - may be due to underlying undiagnosed metabolic, immune or gut
problems. These can lead to more serious neurological, learning or behavioural
disorders.
Some recently
published books highlighting the gut-brain connection in Autism, ADHD, Learning
Disabilities, Schizophrenia, Dyspraxia, Anxiety, Depression, and Dyslexia include:-
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“Gut and
Psychology Syndrome (GAPS)” Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, neurologist and
nutritionist |
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“Children with
Starving Brains” by Dr Jaquelyn McCandless, psychiatrist and neurologist |
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"Is Your
Child's Brain Starving", by Dr. Michael R. Lyon, M.D. |
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"They Are
What You Feed Them", by Dr. Alex Richardson, Senior Research Fellow,
Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford; and Founder/Director
of FAB (Food And Behaviour) Research. |
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"Natural Healing For Schizophrenia - and other mental disorders" by Eva Edelman |
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"The Encyclopedia of Cinical Nutrition, Volume 1 - The Nervous System" by Henry Osieki |
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"Nutritional Influences on Mental Illness" by Melvyn Werbach. M.D. |
Many children and adults with undiagnosed food allergies
and intolerances respond profoundly to dietary modification and/or supplementation
of specific nutrients with improvements in health, behaviour and immune
strength. Symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorders,
Attention Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder etc.
may in most children be improved with sound, evidence-based nutritional
intervention with a decreased reliance on prescription medication.
To make an appointment for
assessment for an individualised nutritional plan for your needs, please contact the clinic on (02) 9637 9998 during business hours
The
Paleolithic Diet
- Are
our eating habits out of sync with our evolutionary ascent?
This article explores the relationship between our diet and modern disease.
Food
Allergies - How food sensitivity can influence mood and behaviour
ACNEM – The Australian College of Nutritional
and Environmental Medicine The premier Australian body
offering post-graduate study of nutritional medicine to medical and allied
health professionals.
Dr Alex Richardson
Senior Research Fellow, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics,
www.gfcfdiet.com The GFCF Diet:- Gluten Free Casein Free Dietary
Intervention For Autistic Spectrum Disorders. The GFCF Diet Support Group
Information Website
Download a copy of the "True Food Guide" - A listing of all manufacturers who have said NO (and yes) to Genetically Engineered foods. This is essential reading for all people especially those with young children, and those who experience developmental, learning, behavioural or psychiatric disorders.
1. Stedmans Medical Dictionary, Lipincoot, Williams and Wilkins, NY, 2000
2. Clemente MG, De Virgiliis S, Kang JS, etal: Early effects of gliadin on enterocyte intracellular signalling involved in intestinal barrier function, Gut 52:218-223, 2003.
3. Giovanni C, Mataresse P, Scazzocchio B, etal: Wheat gliadin induces apoptosis of intestinal cells via autocrine mechanism involving Fas-Fas ligand pathway, FEBS Lett 540:117-124, 2003.
4. Banks WA, Kastin AJ, 1987, Saturable transport of peptides across the blood-brain barrier. Lif Sci 14:41(11); 1319-38.
5. Paroli E, Opiod peptides from food (the exorphins). Wld. Rev. Nutr. Diet. 1988 ; 55; 58-97
6. Teschemacher H. Casein-derived opioid peptides: physiological significance. Adv. Biosci. 1987, 65; 41-48.
7. Laugesen M, Elliott, R. 2003. Ischaemic Heart disease, Type 1 diabetes, and cow's milk A1 Beta-Casein. The New Zealand Medical Journal, V116(1168).
8. Bigisdottir B E, Hill J P, Harris D P, Thorsdotter M. 2002. Variation in consumption of cows milk proteins and lower incidence of Type 1 diabetes in Icelan vs 4 other Nordic countries. Diab. Nur. Metab. 15:240-245
9.McLachlan C N S. 2001. Beta-Casein A1, ischaemic heart disease mortality, and other illnesses. Med. hyp. 56(2), 262-272.
10. Sun Z, Cade R. 2003. Findings in normal rats following administration of gliadomorhin-7 (GD-7). Peptides Feb;24(2):321-3
11. Chabance B. etal. 1998. Casein peptide release and passage in the blood after consumption of milk or yoghurt. Biochimie 80(2), pp 155-165.
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"The doctor of the
future will give no medicine,
but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame,
in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease"
- Thomas Edison
Send mail to gregory@learningdiscoveries.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2007 Learning Discoveries Psychological Services
Last modified: Monday, 15 October 2007