What's causing the alarming rise of metabolic dysfunction leading to the epidemic of chronic illness? October is ADHD awareness month: Explore the connection between gut microbiota and neuro-developmental disorders, common nutritional deficiencies found in people diagnosed with ADHD and root cause approaches and dietary eliminations to alleviate symptoms of attentional disorders. |
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In a recent survey by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey only 6.8% of Americans are considered metabolically healthy. https://www.levelshealth.com/blog/what-is-the-metabolic-health-crisis. Given the stress of the pandemic those numbers have likely gotten worse. Many illnesses can take decades to manifest. Focusing on prevention is key and a main component of Walker's Functional Nutrition counseling program. Given the increasing prevalence of ADHD, the most common neuro-developmental disorder in children that lasts into adulthood, I'm sharing interesting statistics on potential causes and research suggesting ways to empower adults and children diagnosed with ADHD to naturally alleviate symptoms using dietary strategies. Walker's Functional Nutrition is focused on helping clients heal metabolic dysfunction and leaky gut, which has become an epidemic in the United States. Metabolic dysfunction sets the stage for greater vulnerability to diseases of all types. Invest in yourself to learn what preventative measures you can take to increase your metabolic flexibility needed for optimal health. |
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Ten drivers of metabolic dysfunction according to the School of Applied Functional Medicine: High-glycemic diet –allows for rapidly digested/absorbed sugars (e.g. sweetened beverages, fruit juice, refined grains, sweetened foods, and excessive intake of fructose). Highly-processed foods – decreases availability of minerals such as chromium, biotin, and magnesium, critical for maintaining healthy insulin sensitivity, and increases ingestion of inflammatory chemicals. Often contain inflammatory transfats and/or excess levels of refined seed oils, both of which can impair insulin sensitivity at the cell membrane. (eat whole foods) Stress – Increases cortisol and/or adrenaline which increase blood sugar separate from diet. Steroids or drugs that increase growth hormone action may also contribute. Genetics – innate levels of insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in specific cell types. Oxidative Stress/Toxicity – myriad sources including water, food, air, (for some) stress. Age – innate insulin resistance increases with age, especially muscle cells. (start weight training) Lack of exercise – reduces insulin receptor sensitivity. Minimizes utilization of fuel. Promotes lower muscle mass. (get moving) Essential fatty acid deficiency – impairs cell membranes and insulin receptor sensitivity. (fish oil and flax, chia and hemps seeds daily) Medications – Corticosteroids, some hypertension drugs (thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers), some Antipsychotics, Statins. E.g. diuretics can deplete magnesium and reduce insulin sensitivity. Low energy from hypothyroidism, adrenal fatigue, or hormone imbalance can cause greater cravings (emotional & physiological) for refined carb foods, lower metabolism, & sedentary habits.
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Functional Nutrition approach to healing ADHD There’s been mounting research of the correlation between the microbiota-gut-brain axis and neuro-developmental disorders. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6893446/ One factor associated with a higher risk of developing ADHD, while simultaneously influencing the microbial composition are being born via C section. Did you know that one in three births in the US are born Cesarean, a rate that has increased 500% since the 1970's ? https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-09-25/the-rise-of-c-sections-and-what-it-means Like most root causes to illnesses there are often multifactorial reasons. Perhaps altered microbial composition of those born cesarean plays a role in that ADHD's prevalence which has also increased significantly in recent years. ADHD is a symptom of enhanced intestinal permiability (leaky gut). Some lifestyle and food treatments to address leaky gut are: Appropriate food hygiene (chew food well, get into a para-sympathetic state before eating). Avoid high inflammatory foods in the diet. Incorporate fermented foods, fresh ground flax and bone broth, collagen or gelatin. There is much evidence to indicate that ADHD is linked to nutritional factors. Chronic deficiencies of certain minerals such as; may have a significant impact on the development and deepening of the symptoms of ADHD in children. Studies have also demonstrated the positive impact of the elimination of food products containing synthetic food additives, like artificial food dyes and preservatives and those containing salicylates on the behavior of children with ADHD. Additionally, the intake of food products with a low glycemic index helps to reduce symptoms in some hyperactive children.
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Functional nutrition helps heal chronic health conditions. If you're interested in empowering yourself to learn how you can prevent or resolve metabolic dysfunctionand how utilizing personalized diet and lifestyle modification counseling addresses neurological conditions like ADHD please contact me for a systems based counseling approach that gets results. | | |
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