Gut-Brain Connection

Did you know that your gut and brain are in constant communication? This connection is called the gut brain axis, which is a two-way communication system between your gut, your digestive spinal cord. Research shows that children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder have less variety of gut bacteria than other children. This is very important because this bacteria, which we call the microbiome, actually affects brain-focused concentration learning and behavior.

There are many key findings with the gut microbiome differences showing that children have less diverse gut microbiome diagnosed on the autism spectrum disorder. They can have increased levels of clostridium and decreased levels of bifidus bacterium. These differences can influence both GI functioning and behavior. Changes in the gut microbiome can affect other compounds impacting brain function and behavior, as well as the immune system interaction.

When we have less of the good microbiome, it influences the immune system, which leads to increased production of inflammation throughout the body. Given the potential role of the gut microbiome with individuals diagnosed on the autism spectrum disorder, there are several therapeutic strategies such as probiotics as well as dietary interactions to include more fiber. Reducing processed foods may support a healthier gut microbiome, potentially impacting autism symptoms. What happens when we don’t have beneficial bacteria, we can have a gut lining that has leaky junctions. And that means it is a leaky gut linked to behavioral issues, communication difficulties, and socialization problems.

Ongoing research into gut microbiome-based therapies offers hope for interventions, biomedical, nutritional, and diet aimed at improving the quality of one’s life and reducing the autism spectrum symptoms. We teach this all at the Total Wellness Empowerment Institute where we have a program for you to become a certified autism health coach. You can implement it for your own child, or you can also have a thriving practice helping others.