14: Diet And The Three A's: ADHD, Autism and Alzheimer's | Dr. Larry McCleary

AIR DATE: April 19, 2012 at 7PM ETFEATURED EXPERT: Dr. Larry McCleary -- DrMcCleary.comFEATURED TOPIC: Episode 14: “Diet And The Three A's: ADHD, Autism and Alzheimer's”

Neurosurgeon  is the retired Acting Chief of Neurosurgery at Denver Children’s Hospital. His latest book  examines the close interconnection between the role of gut health, nutrition and the health of your brain (listen to my interview with Dr. McCleary about this book in ). His special areas of expertise involve the neurological system and metabolic medicine which makes him very highly-qualified to address the role that diet plays on mental health ailments such as ADHD, Autism and Alzheimer's. Can these be prevent or even reversed through the use of nutrition? That's what we be explored in greater detail in this podcast with Dr. McCleary.

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Here are some of the questions we addressed in this podcast:

DANNY'S COMMENT: Haven't needed my ADHD meds since I reduced carbs.

MARTA'S COMMENT: My son is in the autism spectrum and last year when I started Atkins and was restricting certain foods in the house - he adapted to a "modified" Atkins way of eating. I noticed about 6 months ago how he has changed - for the better. Originally he was also diagnosed with ADHD - his re-diagnosis as of last month is that he does not have ADHD anymore!! He has become such a happier, more outgoing child and yes he does not like a lot of foods - his favorites are broccoli, cucumbers and salad, and he has always been a big meat eater. He has peanut and tree nut allergies so candy and sweets were never a big part of his diet. He does like an occasional hershey bar or cup of ice cream - and I let him. Its not every day. AND he also has Tourette's which has subsided too with NO MEDS!!!!!!!

RICHELLE FROM AUSTRALIA ASKS:The modern diet is dreadfully low in omega 3 and high in omega 6 FA’s – are these implicated in the 3 A’s?

What are the physiologic effects on the brain of ketosis? Do those effects protect the brain from the 3 A’s? Does the mother's diet during pregnancy lead to the child developing autism and ADHD?

KEVIN ASKS:Are you familiar with Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride's GAPS diet protocol (listen to  for Jimmy's interview on this) for these conditions and if so what are your thoughts about the program? Do you believe these conditions are primarily diseases of digestion and gut flora dysbiosis and "leaky gut"?

TRECIA ASKS:Are there any specific nutrition recommendations for people with ADHD? I have 2 adult children and a hubby who could use some more direction. We have a variety of eating styles going on in the home. I'm Paleo, my son (25) is Primal, my daughter (20) is Gluten-Free and hubby (48) can't quite decide if he is just Gluten-free or if he wants to go back to a SAD diet.

RANDY ASKS:Please ask him about how magnesium plays into the Three A's? What are his thoughts on how important magnesium is and why the modern human is so high in calcium and low on magnesium?

MORLEY ASKS:Given that all three conditions share the same mineral deficiency -- Magnesium -- what is Dr. McCleary's recommendation on the best way to measure its status within our body? What levels of magnesium has he learned from his research into this that correlate most with these three conditions? What is the ideal ratio of Calcium to Magnesium to keep these three conditions in check?

AILSA FROM THE UK ASKS:If you have an autistic child who is fruit and vegetable phobic, how do you get around that? It's quite common with my son Luke who is now 16 and eats relatively low carb. We tried fish oil supplementation and it made no difference. And he's been diagnosed with Asperger's, ADHD and Dyspraxia and his father also has Asperger's. Last year he lost 28 pound and 7 inches off his waist eat low-carb and he is now at a normal BMI. Luke takes slow release ritilin too. We tried doing the natural version first, but we were desperate and my son was miserable. He only takes medication when at his special needs private school to help with his concentration.

LINDA ASKS:WIth autism, there are structural differences in the brain. How far can diet go in correcting autistic symptoms with these brain changes being present?

GRETA ASKS:We've read recently of the value of coconut oil in helping to prevent Alzheimer's. Many of us cook with it and put it in our coffee every morning. Can you give us your suggestions on how much would be needed to be taken to make a difference?

MARK ASKS:Which commonly consumed foods (i.e. sugar, wheat, etc.) should be eliminated when someone has autism and what improvements could someone expect to see?

SASKIA FROM BELGIUM ASKS:Kids with autism and Asperger's tend to have trouble with eating in general. Textures, smells, tastes, mixing foods and how the food looks on the plate can cause problems. Some kids like this don't like change either. For my ADHD-diagnosed daughter, I am afraid to try changing her diet to low-carb because it will be very restrictive in the beginning at least to find out what foods she is most sensitive too. I am afraid that putting her on a restrictive diet will cause problems either physical or psychological. She is 13 and slowly accepting more food but still only likes one kind of fruit (apples) and just few vegetables. She would rather go hungry than eat things that stress her out. I have been trying for years to get her to be less picky but it's a very long process. Any suggestions?

DAVID ASKS:Some studies have shown that chemicals used in the growing process of some of the top selling fruits such as Grapes, Strawberries, Peaches, etc. play a major role in ADHD, autism and Alzheimer's. What role do these toxins play and if you go organic instead what are the top foods to be consumed?

PAUL ASKS:My son is 18 and has Asperger's. He is graduating high school and heading to college in the summer. At the age of 18, do you think it would be worth attempting to put him on a low-carb diet? He struggles, as most Asperger's kids do, with the social aspects of relationships. I am a low-carber myself who has consistently kept 20 pound off for the past year. At his age, I would have to try to convince him to do it. Any suggestions about doing that and if you think low-carb will help him?

SHAWNA ASKS:My son has Asperger's syndrome. He is addicted to milk and won't give it up. He's extra picky about food and doesn't like certain textures such as meat--only chicken nuggets. I guess my question is what should I do about nutrition with a picky Asperger's/autistic child?

MARIA ASKS:My mind is absolutely more calm and I don't feel as much irritation against other people now when I eat low-carb as I did before. My temper was definitely my enemy. I have not been diagnosed with ADHD but my education as a school teacher has given me a working knowledge about it. I have no doubts about the relationship between ADHD and a high-carb diet. Is it too late for me to avoid Alzheimer's at the age of 54 and can I heal from the many years of damage my poor nutritional choices inflicted on me?

CANDANCE ASKS:Is there a point in Alzheimer's Disease where you have no hope of trying to reverse the effects of the disease with diet? My aunt has lost all memory of who anyone is, and I've been trying to convince her sons to request a dietary change for her to see if there could be improvement, i.e. adding coconut oil. However, I'm afraid that at this point it is far too late.

KATHY ASKS:I heard mention of a new study that suggested that low-carb diets, particularly if they're supplemented with coconut oil and induce ketosis, can slow or arrest cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease. I am looking for the reference because I wanted to see if it's a good study. Are you aware of this research?

BRYAN ASKS:What is the role of ketosis in treating Alzheimer's and why it might not be as beneficial for those with the APO-E4 genotype (according to the work of Samuel T. Henderson). Is there anything we can do for those folks with the APO-E4 genotype who presently have the disease?

JENNIFER ASKS:I have my own hypothesis that the low-fat diet craze over the past 40 years is a strong contributing factor to ADHD, autism, and other behavioral issues in childhood (because the young brain is deprived the needed fats that are crucial for normal brain development). Does Dr. McCleary feel the same?