Dec 2, 2018, Ionia (MI) Sentinel-Standard: Diet could be tied to student learning, behavior issues https://www.sentinel-standard.com/news/20181202/diet-could-be-tied-to-student-learning-behavior-issues By Ron Wilson, Superintendent of Ionia Public Schools In a previous article, I discussed the growing problem of educating students who have been exposed to Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). ACEs are traumatic events that can have negative, lasting effects on health and well-being. Is it possible that what we are feeding our children could also play a role in their school readiness and ability to learn?... … Much of the information points to plant proteins (lectins) as a possible culprit. Lectins are naturally produced by plants to kill insects and fungi and serve as defense mechanisms to protect seeds for new plant growth. Certain lectins are toxic for dogs, cats and humans. Research results reported by D.R. Stoler in “The Resilient Brain” identifies lectins as glycoproteins found in all grains (including quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, brown rice), seeds (such as flax and chia), legumes (including beans, peas, lentils, soybeans and peanuts) and night shade vegetables (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and white potatoes). … Depending on the location of the brain cells under attack, the autoimmune effects can result in autism, seizures, tics, inappropriate emotions, repetitive behaviors, dementia, decreased short-term memory, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, ADHA and ADD. Some of the behavioral problems that are manifested by children afflicted by ACEs may be exacerbated by the ingestion of gliadin proteins. … I began my career in education 35 years ago. During the past 20 years I have noticed a significant increase in the number of students with food allergies, autism, learning disabilities and behavioral issues. I continue to struggle with the root causes. However, I am intrigued by the thought that there may be a dietary connection. There is some good news! Most of the articles I reviewed suggest that the dose determines if a plant is a safe source of nutrients or a toxic hazard. Dr. Steven Gundry’s book “The Plant Paradox” claims that ninety percent of our cells are replenished every three months and prescribes a low lectin diet to cure or stall autoimmune diseases….
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Childhood Lost
Children today are noticeably different from previous generations, and the proof is in the news coverage we see every day. This site shows you what’s happening in schools around the world. Children are increasingly disabled and chronically ill, and the education system has to accommodate them. Things we've long associated with autism, like sensory issues, repetitive behaviors, anxiety and lack of social skills, are now problems affecting mainstream students. Blame is predictably placed on bad parenting (otherwise known as trauma from home).
Addressing mental health needs is as important as academics for modern educators. This is an unrecognized disaster. The stories here are about children who can’t learn or behave like children have always been expected to. What childhood has become is a chilling portent for the future of mankind.
Anne Dachel, Media editor, Age of Autism
http://www.ageofautism.com/media/
(John Dachel, Tech. assist.)
What will happen in another 4 years? How can we go on like this? This is a national (and international) problem of monumental proportions. We have an entire new class of children who cannot be accommodated by the system: many are manifestly neurologically impaired. Meanwhile, the government and the medical profession sleep on regardless.
John Stone,
UK media editor, Age of Autism
The generation of American children born after 1990 are arguably the sickest generation in the history of our country.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
It seemed to me that with rising autism prevalence, you’d also see rising autism costs to society, and it turns out, the costs are catastrophic.
They calculated that in 2015 autism cost the United States $268 billion and they projected that if autism continues at its current rate, we’re looking at one trillion dollars a year in autism costs by 2025, so within five years.
Toby Rogers, PhD, Political economist
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