What is soy?
Soy is a legume that is grown and highly chemically processed, even the “organic” versions. Virtually all soybeans grown today are genetically modified. Many countries outside the US won’t accept US-grown soy because of carcinogenic chemicals used as herbicides and their genetically modified status. Research has shown that the phytoestrogens in soy may play a role in breast cancer, so it should be avoided by females. Raw soy flour is also known to cause pancreatic cancer in rats. Soy is called soya outside the US.

Research indicates that soy consumption presents several potential problems for patients with autism.

Roundup link with modern diseases suggested: ​(Page 213 of the study GMO Myths and Truths) A review published in 2013 (Samsel and Senef, 2013) hypothesized a mechanism by which glyphosate herbicides could be contributing to modern human diseases that are on the increase worldwide. The authors focused especially on celiac disease and gluten intolerance, but also drew potential links between glyphosate toxicity and a broader range of diseases, such as ADHD (attention defcit hyperactivity disorder), autism, Alzheimer’s disease, infertility, birth defects, and cancer.

This means that the GM and Roundup Ready (RR) foods available for purchase are likely contributing to the struggles faced by our children with autism.  We don't want to feed that to our son Jovan as we are trying to heal him, not add to his list of autism-related issues to overcome. Please research and buy non GMO-free, organic foods not touched by Roundup.  

​Arguments that Roundup replaces more toxic herbicides are false: (Page 214 of the study GMO Myths and Truths) GMO proponents often argue that Roundup has replaced more toxic herbicides and that GM Roundup Ready (RR) crops therefore reduce the toxic burden on humans and the environment. But this is false. GM RR crops have not only increased the use of glyphosate herbicides but have also increased the use of other, potentially even more toxic herbicides, due to the spread of glyphosate-resistant weeds (see Myth 5.2). Farmers can no longer control weeds with glyphosate alone and add other herbicides to their spray mix. Also, as we have seen, the presumed safety of Roundup is a marketing claim that does not refect the scientifc facts. (Source reference: Samsel A, Senef S. Glyphosate’s suppression of cytochrome P450 enzymes and amino acid biosynthesis by the gut microbiome: Pathways to modern diseases. Entropy. 2013;15:1416-1463).

Claims that the Roundup used on GM Roundup Ready crops replaces even more toxic herbicides are misleading. First, the toxicity of Roundup has been underestimated. And second, the failure of Roundup Ready technology due to resistant weeds has resulted in the industry developing GM crops that tolerate other, potentially even more toxic herbicides, such as 2,4-D, an ingredient of Agent Orange.

This excellent article called Glyphosate May Be a Contributor to Creating Autism references a recent informative study linking glyphosate to autism: Study: Reducing Herbicide Glyphosate in Diet Reduces Autism Symptoms.

What are ORAC Values? The ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) unit, ORAC value, or “ORAC score” is a method of measuring the in vitro antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. More than two decades in the making, it was originally developed by scientists working at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and USDA. Measuring in vivo (meaning inside the human body) is not possible and for that reason, the exact relationship between the ORAC value of a food/supplement and any suspected health benefit it may have as a result is unproven. However, many scientists theorize that foods higher on the ORAC scale may be more effective at neutralizing free radicals. Although unproven, according to the free-radical theory of aging, this may slow the oxidative processes and free radical damage that can contribute to age-related degeneration and disease.

When I pick an apple from a tree, at the moment I pulled the fruit off the branch the fruit has the highest nutritional value. Organically-grown food has full nutritional value. Fresh food even tastes better. We might forget what real food tastes like because we go to the market and buy our food, which might not be as fresh as possible. Do we ask ourselves "What is the ORAC value in the food I'm eating today?"

When I took  Jovan and my other son to a farm a few months ago, I told them to pull the vegetables from the dirt. The owner gave us a basket and allowed us to pick what we wanted.  When we brought the vegetables home their freshness made our home smell amazing. I had never truly smelled farm-fresh veggies before. The basil, thyme, spinach, and onions all had their own unique fresh aroma. Now we love going to farmer's markets to choose our fresh veggies together. It's important to buy vegetables with high ORAC values because as days pass, the ORAC values and nutritional content decrease. Higher ORAC values mean better health for my family. 

I can't stress enough about how dangerous bottled water can be if the plastic bottle contains BPA, better known as Bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1960s. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles.

BPA is a carbon-based, synthetic compound that is ubiquitous in modern-day life. It’s used in everything from shatter-resistant plastic water bottles and food storage containers to cash register receipts and canned food and drink liners. It’s even in coffee cans and beer kegs. Despite it being literally impossible to fully avoid, BPA toxic effects are now well-documented in medical literature. And the findings are not appetizing. The science shows this hormone-disrupting chemical causes widespread damage throughout our bodies.

I try not to buy plastic items, and instead purchase glass items. Unfortunately, even glass can have BPA, so I do my best to buy our products from trusted places.

Our water can be contaminated with toxins, BPA or fluoride. There was a study about fluoride and autism. Harvard published a study in 2006 that pointed to fluoride as a "developmental neurotoxicant," and this newer study looks to over 27 additional investigations into the matter via meta-analysis. In the previous study, it was already established that fluoride consumption lowered children’s IQ scores. The left-over from industry, passed off as ‘medicine,’ obstructs brain development, and can cause a full spectrum of serious health issues – including autism, dyslexia, ADHD, ADD, and more. 

I like to research information so I can understand how we can protect our family from the dangerous side effects of the neurological problems coming from the toxins in our environment.  Amazon.com has many different vendors that sell quality BPA-free items.  

It's easy to prepare Ketogenic foods.  Take a look at these delicious meals we prepare for Jovan.  The entire family enjoys these delicious dinners and they are healthy for all of us! 

These are some products we purchase from Amazon to test ketone levels:

• Precision Xtra NFR Blood Glucose Monitoring System
• ​Abbott Precision Xtra Ketone Test Strips
• ​EasyTouch 830101 Twist Lancet

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​Below is a helpful video for the Precision Xtra Ketone Glucose Test. ​

​My family consumes these foods daily from the ketogenic diet:

• Fats & Oils. Try to get your fat from natural sources like meat and nuts. Supplement with saturated and monounsaturated fats like coconut oil, butter, and olive oil.
• Protein. Try to stick with organic, pasture-raised and grass-fed meat where possible. Most meats don’t have added sugar in them, so they can be consumed in moderate quantity. Remember that too much protein on a ketogenic diet is not a good thing.
• Vegetables. Fresh or frozen doesn’t matter. Stick with above ground vegetables, leaning toward leafy/green items.
• Dairy. Most dairy is fine, but make sure to buy full-fat dairy items. Harder cheeses typically have fewer carbs.
• Nuts and Seeds. In moderation, nuts and seeds can be used to create some fantastic textures. Try to use fattier nuts like macadamias and almonds.
• Beverages. Stay simple and stick to mostly water. You can flavor it if needed with stevia-based flavorings or lemon/lime juice.

• Saturated Fats. Eat these. Some examples of these are butter, ghee, coconut oil, and lard.
• Monounsaturated Fats. Eat these. Some examples of these are olive, avocado, and macadamia nut oils.
• Polyunsaturated Fats. Know the difference. Naturally occurring polyunsaturated fats in animal protein and fatty fish are great for you, and you should eat these. Processed polyunsaturated fats in “heart healthy” margarine spreads are bad for you.
• Trans Fats. Completely avoid. These are processed fats that are chemically altered (hydrogenated) to improve shelf life. Avoid all hydrogenated fats, such as margarine, as they’re linked to heart disease.

Some ketogenic diet foods that are ideal for fats and oils (organic and grass-fed sources are preferred):

• Fatty Fish
• Animal Fat (non-hydrogenated)
• Lard
• Tallow
• Avocados
• Egg Yolks
• Macadamia/Brazil Nuts
• Butter/Ghee
• Coconut Butter
• Cocoa Butter
• Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Macadamia Oil
• MCT Oil

 

• Fish. Preferably eating anything that is caught wild like catfish, cod, flounder, halibut, mackerel, mahi-mahi, salmon, snapper, trout, and tuna. Fattier fish is better.
• Shellfish. Clams, oysters, lobster, crab, scallops, mussels, and squid.
• Whole Eggs. Try to get them free-range from the local market if possible. You can prepare them in many different ways like fried, deviled, boiled, poached, and scrambled.
• Beef. Ground beef, steak, roasts, and stew meat. Stick with fattier cuts where possible.
• Pork. Ground pork, pork loin, pork chops, tenderloin, and ham. Watch out for added sugars and try to stick with fattier cuts.
• Poultry. Chicken, duck, quail, pheasant and other wild game.
• Offal/Organ. Heart, liver, kidney, and tongue. Offal is one of the best sources of vitamins/nutrients.
• Other Meat. Veal, Goat, Lamb, Turkey and other wild game. Stick with fattier cuts where possible.
• Bacon and Sausage. Check labels for anything cured in sugar, or if it contains extra fillers. Don’t be overly concerned with nitrates.
• Nut Butter. Go for natural, unsweetened nuts and try to stick with fattier versions like almond butter and macadamia nut butter. Legumes (peanuts) are high in omega 6’s so be careful about over-consumption.

 

• Greek yogurt
• Heavy whipping cream
• Mayonnaise (preferably homemade)
• Spreadables including cottage cheese, cream cheese, sour cream, mascarpone, creme fraiche, etc.
• Soft Cheese including mozzarella, brie, blue, colby, monterey jack, etc.
• Hard Cheese including aged cheddar, parmesan, feta, swiss, etc.

Dairy is a great way to add extra fats into meals by creating sauces or fatty side dishes like creamed spinach, but always remember that it does have protein in it as well. You should always take this into account when pairing dairy with protein-heavy dishes.