Qns about omega supplements and DAN doctors

[catski]

Hoping someone can help me find the way out of the jungle of the vitamin shelf in Boots...

Quick background - my son (almost 2) has mild autism. He has been CF since september and GF for the last few weeks. His doctor who made the diagnosis knew we were implementing the GF CF diet and also suggested that the right levels of omega and Vitamin D could be very important for children with autism.

We have seen a dietician where we live (sweden), but the dietary approach for autism is relatively unheard of and whilst she was great for advising us which GF CF products were available in the country, she couldn't really give any specific information on how much omega and vitamin D might be appropriate.

I am at my parents in the UK over easter and on my trip round tesco this morning saw that they had two brands of omega supplements suitable for his age - EyeQ and Eskimo kids. I think Eskimo kids also had vitamins D and E as well.

Any recommendations as to which brand to go for (or should I just try to make sure he gets enough through his diet - we've introduced a lot of sardines and rapeseed oil into his diet lately)? I'm not sure what the exact levels were in each brand (didn't have a pen with me), and am not sure if there are any other ingredients in there which might have a counter productive effect.

I've been toying with the idea of seeing a DAN doctor to help me with the biomedical side of things. They don't have them in sweden so would have to see one when I next came over to my parents. The nearest one is in york and he charges £200 for the first consultation so it ain't cheap, but it might be worth it for someone like me who doesn't know anything aabout nutrition (particulary when using it to help with ASDs). I'm not sure what the general consensus is on DAN doctors - the whole chelation thing makes me feel very apprehensive so I don't think we'd go the whole way with it....

Hi Cat!

You don't have to even think about chelation yet if you don't want to! Lots of parents do chelate and most do it orally with perfectly safe supplements you can get over the counter at your health food shop.
If you want to ask q's I'd consider joining the yahoo group Autism Biomedical Europe and also join the parent run charity Treating Autism for their fantastic library. I would recommend Ken Bocks book 'Healing the childhood epidemics', Bryan Jepson's book 'Changing the course of autism' Natascha Campbell McBride's book 'Gut and psychology syndrome' (all available from TA library for the cost of postage)
I think eyeQ is a generally recommended supplement. When my ds was 2 we were giving about 5000 iu of vit A per day and about 400 of D3. You could also add in vit D3 as an additional. Cod liver oil is a good source of both but also consider other EFA's (EPA/DHA/GLA) all are good for language development and gut healing)
If you haven't already started consider Enzymes and Epsom Salt baths too

J

P.S not all practitioners working with ASD kiddies are DAN! there is a list on Treating Autism, some also work by telephone so you could 'see' one whilst in sweden.
x

Thanks jg, and sorry for my delayed reply. I will definitely check the websites you've mentioned as I really need to find out more about this side of it. I think I'd still feel nervous doing it on my own so I may well contact a DAN or other doctor with similar experience.

Thank you again for your reply!

Jean Muscroft has a very good reputation -- she works with lots of asd children. She's based in Cheshire but does do phone consults

j

Hello catski,
your questions opened a can of worms.
I generally refrain to get into these sort of arguements but there is a very good reason why Sweden isn't up to speed with the dietary aspect in autism.....so before I get shot I'll shout a few words: FISH FISH FISH FISH and SOME MORE FISH (sardines excellent choice). If after all that FISH you feel up to stomach a large amount of bioflavinoids (in plain language: dark colour berries,fruit and veg) you would get a bonus. For when you really need an alternative to FISH: game meat (moose,deer...),lentils, chicken. The above covers every vitamin, co-factor, mineral necessary, it guarantees bioavailability and reduces the risk of synthentic chemicals, no private consultations fees involved....

Good luck and Happy Easter!

Hey Fava,

What can of worms? Is there a row going on another thread?
You're 100% right about having a healthy diet! When we started eating healthy foods again in our house I started to have vague dreamy memories about various foods. It occurred to me that it was only in the 1970's when I'd visit my grandparents house and my nan would cook pigs trotters, jellied eels (that my grandad had caught down in Pevensey Bay) brains and offal. We'd have beef dripping on toast. She'd pick and dry rose hips to make tea, we used to go out and pick berrys and greengages from side of road. She'd drink nettle soup, she'd make us drink the water she'd cooked the greens in. I even remember eating stewed fruit that she hadn't sugared (Am shuddering just thinking about tasting unsweetened rhubarb now. They weren't mad old hippies either. Grandad was a docker and nan was a dinner lady and they lived in Bermondsey.
I remember back when rabbit was really cheap too. Not any more though!

J
(Off to local park to kill a couple of swans --- joke! before someone reports me!)