The human body is the greatest machine on earth. It needs the correct type of fuel, good quality and in the correct amounts. This fuel comes from the very foods we eat and how well we digest and absorb the nutrients and other beneficial components from them.

These nutrients are in the form of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water, amino acids (from protein) carbohydrates and fats. All have a specific function within the body and are transformed, predominantly, by the liver to be utilised in whatever reaction is required. A deficiency in any of these nutrients will cause dysfunction in the body. Many foods eaten today are lacking essential nutrients through predominantly over farmed soils and refining.

Other plant ingredients such as phytonutrients are important to health such as anti-oxidants like carotenoids, flavonoids, polyphenols and such like and are classified as a new form of supplementation called neutraceuticals. Pycnogenol from pine bark is one of the most potent anti-oxidants found in plants and through research has been used to reduce free radical activity and is therefore a very potent anti oxidant.

We are aware that many autistics eat a very self limiting diet and are therefore missing many nutrients in the correct amounts from the very foods they consume or do not consume. Many individuals with autism also have issues relating to mastication (how they chew foods), low acid levels in the stomach, impaired pancreatic release of digestive enzymes and bicarbonates, inflammation of the intestinal tract, including truncated villi in the small intestine reducing absorptive capacity.

Many individuals have dysbiosis. This is where the gut has the incorrect balance of beneficial bacteria, which are important in providing the correct pH in the intestine and also to complete the digestion and fermentation of beneficial foods.

There is no individual sufferer with exactly the same requirements and therefore selecting the appropriate protocol must be designed around individuality by a qualified and experienced professional.

There are also other issues to consider when formulating a protocol. Each unique individual will have differing symptoms such as immunological disorders, gastrointestinal problems and detoxification imbalances to name a few. There is then the question about the type of supplement, its components and its specificity in addressing deficiencies and imbalances. It is also important to consider the form of the supplement i.e. capsule, tablet, liquid, powder etc and what form is preferable to the individual taking it.

Supplements must be selected upon their absorption capacities such as emulsified essential fatty acids. Zinc and chromium as examples are better absorbed as picolinates and many supplements are now using amino acids to bind to the minerals to aid absorption such as amino acid chelates which have absorption of 40-80%.

For a comprehensive list of all available supplements, please select the following link -