Dietary Interventions with Autism

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According to the CDC, ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) seems to be common these days with instances of being diagnosed in 1 in every 54 children. This condition consists of a variety of challenges, such as abnormal social skills, communication problems, development delays and behavioural issues. Research suggests over 70% of children diagnosed with autism have at least one prevailing physical and mental condition and about 40% have two or more problems co-existing. Most children with autism have:

• 11-40% have anxiety
• 30-61% have ADHD
• Over 50% have sleep problems
• 7% have depression
• 16% are obese
• 32% are overweight

Children diagnosed with autism have 8 times more chances of developing gastrointestinal problems due to the tendency to eat more junk foods or picky eating habits. This shows food choices can have a high impact on the severity of autism symptoms among children. Not to mention the higher probability of contracting dental issues so the food choices need to be considered for the solution of these problems.

The food that you eat matters

It must be kept in mind that the food a person eats either acts as a poison or medicine. It is either helping your brain, mind, body or hurting them. Take a look at five top foods that can make ASD (autism) worse by the minute.

Dairy

When one of the proteins in dairy products such as casein mixes with stomach acids, it produces exorphins. Exorphins can react with the body and cause various types of health troubles such as inability to concentrate, brain fog, numbness or body pains etc.

Dairy is also considered as one of the most pro-inflammatory foods out there. Due to consumption of dairy products, autistic patients may develop inflammation in the abdomen and also get their immune system compromised.

So if you have a family member diagnosed with autism, try replacing dairy products in their diet with other alternatives such as almond milk, soy, etc. It has been observed that reducing dairy consumption among autism patients helped them begin talking more, reduce hyperactivity and resolve bowel problems.

Sugar

Not only is sugar a pro-inflammatory ingredient, it also makes the person addicted. The ongoing trend of drinking carbonated and fizzy drinks full of sugar content has made about 1 in every 10 people addicted to sugar. Researchers have observed that people with autism tend to develop type 2 diabetes, glucose intolerance and produce excessive levels of insulin as a result making the autism signs worse. Children with sugar addiction become more hyperactive and show inability to focus.

Avoiding sugar in all products and increasing the intake of protein consumption can improve judgement, concentration and decrease hyperactivity.

Gluten

Gluten is a mixture of proteins found in wheat, rye, barley etc. It can increase inflammation in the intestines when ingested. Moreover, if your body is allergic to gluten, it can produce antibodies to fight gluten which can severely damage the brain as well. According to research, ingesting gluten decreased the functioning of the cerebellum and made the autism symptoms worse.

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Key Factors to Consider When Designing the Interior of Your Home

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Every homeowner desires to have an exceptional interior design. Besides enhancing the look of your home, a well-done interior design can dramatically increase the value of your home. Not everyone is gifted at interior design; considering the high level of detail and precision required, most individuals opt to hire a specialist like Denver Interior Design Firm - Truss Interiors. Those who have engaged interior designers will tell you that nothing is more satisfying than sitting back and letting an expert take care of your interior design needs.

Things to consider in the process of interior design

Before executing your interior design plan, it is essential to factor in some critical elements to streamline your design experience. Keep in mind that failure to adhere to certain design principles will easily compromise the quality of your work. Here are vital factors to consider when carrying out interior design for your home;

• Do your research and make a budget - It is always advisable to research and come up with an interior design that suits your taste and preference. Once you have settled on your most preferred design, you should make a budget that you can fund without straining your finances. Remember that nothing is more embarrassing than running out of materials in the middle of an interior design process. It is possible to achieve an excellent interior design while working within your budget.

• Consider how you are using the space in your home - A typical home comprises rooms and areas that serve different purposes. It, therefore, means that no single design can be used as a standard measure for designing all rooms and spaces within the home. You will have to adopt an interior design with the role played by a given space. Bedrooms, for instance, require brighter paint colors and appliances as compared to the living room.  

• Remember to create free space - It is easy to forget the critical role of space as you embark on your home's interior design process. Have you ever walked into a crowded room and witnessed the inconvenience caused by lack of space? When family members and guests cannot freely move within your space, the idea behind interior design is defeated. Ensure you choose furniture that is not too bulky, as such, it can significantly minimize your available space. Loud colors can also make your space appear stuffy and squeezed. You can avoid that by using neutral colors, especially when designing your living room.

• Carefully decide on a color scheme - A home should always offer the much-needed relaxation and hospitality that is hard to find in the workplace or any other outdoor space. To achieve this objective, it is essential to put great emphasis on your choice of theme color. Ensure that there is a noticeable harmony in color matching. A living room designed using furniture comprising shaded colors is better off with rugs, rugs, and curtains of a similar color.

Final thought

It is not a secret that a good interior design for your home can benefit you in several ways; knowing how to go about this process is the key to a successful interior design process. By adhering to factors discussed in this article, you will not go wrong in your quest to facelift your home and make it more attractive.

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How Stress Affects Health

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It is natural for people to feel stressed. It could be over a problem that requires immediate solving, or caused by waiting for a result or outcome. Stress could also be amplified by the amount of work that needs to be done, much less gets started.

The presence of stress, therefore, is as expected as it can get in one’s daily life. What makes it a bad thing, however, is the effect that it has on the body and your overall health, once you let it get out of control. Various studies have, in fact, found that stress can directly impact the quality of your health. It could also lead to fatal results if not addressed properly at the soonest possible instance. Here are some ways that that stress can impact your overall health.

Physical Effects

Did you know that stress manifests physically? Observe yourself when you’re feeling stressed. You’ll find that your muscles are tight and tense, and possibly, you could even feel a persistent pain. You might even feel a heaviness on your chest, as well as an upset or hyper-acidic stomach.

Other physical manifestations of stress include weight loss, hair loss, skin breakouts, constant headaches, insomnia, and even a lack of sex drive. The more stressed you are, the more these physical symptoms may appear, which could then lead you to further worries, and thus, more symptoms.

Emotional Effects

This leads us to the other way stress affects your health--emotionally. As mentioned above, the manifesting physical symptoms can be really worrisome, which is why people tend to further perpetuate their state of being stressed.

Anxiety, depression, a sense of being helplessly overwhelmed, intense sadness, and lack of drive or motivation and focus all are part of the emotional effects of being stressed. It can be so overwhelming that it becomes such a debilitating condition wherein the person experiencing it simply is frozen and cannot do anything else.

Mood and Behavior

When people are stressed, they’re not usually in the best of moods and dispositions. Think back to the time when you were last stressed. Most likely, you wanted to be left alone, or you were hostile to someone else. Stress can also drive people to pick up less than ideal habits, such as smoking or drinking. It can also lead them to imbibe unhealthy eating practices, such as bingeing, purging, or completely abstaining from eating food.

All of these various effects impact different people differently. What remains constant, however, is the fact that stress does have far-reaching detrimental effects on a person. That is why it is important to address the root cause of the stress as soon as possible, such as through functional medicine Colorado.

In the meantime, however, stress management strategies can help bring you back to your center, so you can get back to being functional, productive, happy, and well.

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The Advantages of Well Pumps

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Most individuals in large cities may not think very deeply about the source of their water or the idea of putting a well pump system for their cleaning and drinking water. It might seem quite strange to them. However, most homes all around the United States ensure they have a private well to help them access water.

Modern systems contain a lot of outstanding benefits which you can enjoy as a homeowner. Some companies ensure your home pump is well installed, such as a submersible pump, and offer maintenance services for your worn-out pump. Here are the advantages that you can obtain from getting a well pump.

Healthier and Cleaner Water

Everyone wants to feel content with the quality of water we use to clean and drink every day. The people living around the cities or those who utilize the water that goes around municipal treatment plants often rely on the system of treating water. Most of them use water filters to eliminate water impurities and obtain clean water for use. Nevertheless, this process may filter out a lot of important minerals and nutrients.

Meanwhile, well water that uses a high-quality well pump and often the testing system can offer a wide range of health benefits. Rather than passing water through treatment plants, a well pump has a natural filter and purification process. This process ensures the water obtained is clean and rich in minerals such as magnesium and calcium. It also comes with a purer and better taste.

Freedom and Independence

The main reason why many individuals prefer having a private well pump is the independence and freedom it can bring. As mentioned earlier, when you own a well pump, you stop relying on treatment plants or municipal systems to clean your water. You are only concerned about yourself and your pump system as well as your private source of water.

Most individuals don’t recognize that their water is contaminated. It is common that when you use chemicals like treatment plants, your water may contain added chemicals such as fluoride. The use of such systems to treat water may result in your water having minimal nutrients. Although when you get a well pump, you can have fresh water filled with nutrients just as you prefer.

Keeping Costs Down

A few individuals shy off from installing a private well because they are worried about the cost. Although the initial cost of installing a well pump can add up, once the well pump is already installed, you will save up your cost in the long term. You won’t need to pay a monthly cost for your water once it is set up.

Those individuals who depend on municipal systems and treatment plants must pay almost every month to access clean water. Nonetheless, when your water source is from nature, your cost will be lower. You only need to pay for repairs or maintenance of your pump well, which is quite rare.

How Long Will Your Well Pump Last?

The life of your well pump depends on the model and type you choose. Typically, most well pumps can last an average of 8 – 15 years. Nevertheless, a few factors might contribute to how long your well pump will last. Some of the common factors that may influence it to include:

• The duty cycle of the pump. The number of times the pump runs in a day is very influential to how long it can last.
• The motor quality
• The water-sediment level
• The power loss

A well pump is a great choice if you need clean water free from harmful chemicals. A private well has no disturbance since you use it alone with your family. Always repair and maintain your pump system regularly for better efficiency.

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