by | Jun 23, 2016 | Uncategorized
by Abigail Draper PhD RPsych
Job burnout is a type of psychological stress characterised by lack of enthusiasm and motivation, ineffectiveness in the workplace and the feeling that one is overwhelmed and unable to meet constant demands. Occupational burnout can lead one to feel cynical and resentful. It is particularly prevalent in the helping professions with social workers, nurses, teachers, physicians, customer service representatives, and police officers being most at risk.
The negative aspects of burnout may affect both home and work life. In addition, burnout can lead people to be more susceptible to illnesses such as colds and flu.
Burnout may be a problem for you if you feel:
• Every day is a bad day
• Taking care of your work or home life feels like a waste of time
• You are plagued with exhaustion
• Tasks at work feel mind-numbingly dull or overwhelming
• You do not feel your work is appreciated
Burnout may occur gradually over a period of time. Physical signs of burnout include:
• Feeling tired and drained all the time
• Lowered immunity
• Frequent headaches, back pain and muscle aches
• Change in appetite or sleep habits
Work-related causes of burnout include having unclear job expectations, having little recognition for good work or not experiencing a sense of control over your work. Research has revealed that having a bad job is worse than having no job at all. Apart from work related causes of burnout, there are also lifestyle causes of burnout. These include working too hard and not having enough time to relax and destress. In addition, taking on too many responsibilities and being expected to be too many things for too many people may become a problem. Poor sleep and lack of social support are often causative factors. In addition, certain personality traits are correlated with burnout. These include having an A type personality or traits such as pessimism.
Psychotherapy Calgary
Is burnout the same as depression?
Stress at work can cause physical and mental symptoms. Exhaustion is a sign of stress and not necessarily of illness. How is burnout different from other disorders such as depression? Symptoms of burnout resemble symptoms of depression. These include:
• Extreme exhaustion
• Feeling low
• Reduced performance at work
One of the main differences between depression and burnout is that in depression, negative thoughts and feelings are not just restricted to work but may occur in all areas of life. Symptoms that may be typical of depression include low self-esteem, hopelessness and poor energy. It is worth pointing out that burnout symptoms may put one at risk of depression. The unhappiness and depression that burnout produces could threaten your relationships, health and job.
Preventing burnout
Cut back on obligations and extra commitments. Set boundaries and learn how to say “no”. Give yourself time to slowdown, take a break and change your outlook. Make sure you plan a vacation – research shows that North Americans do not always take all of their vacation time. Lots of short vacations are more beneficial than one long vacation.
Be mindful of your thoughts and actions rather than rushing from one thing to another. Take the time to appreciate the small things that bring joy. Reconnect with feelings of fun and a sense of purpose.
Reach out to others and look for social support. You might find others who have experienced a similar story. Sharing your experience can bring a feeling of relief and renew friendships and relationships.
Ask yourself what you can do to manage your stress. This may include learning how to practice relaxation, exercising regularly, eating healthy, being assertive and having a realistic attitude. It may also include learning how to manage your time wisely.
Stop being burnout and be active. Contact us today and see what treatment is best for you!
by | Apr 23, 2016 | Uncategorized
Abigail Draper PhD
Registered Psychologist
Insomnia is fairly common. Approximately one in four people experience difficulties with sleep. These difficulties include trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or waking early, as well as sleeping too much or having unsatisfying sleep.
Insomnia affects people of all ages but people in the following groups have a higher chance of acquiring insomnia:
• Individuals older than 60
• History of mental illness such as depression, anxiety etc.
• Emotional stress
• Working late nightshifts
• Travelling through different time zones
Insomnia Treatment Calgary
Getting good sleep is fundamental to improving one’s mental well-being. There are a number of strategies that can be helpful in getting a good night’s sleep.
- Set a bedtime routine. Have a bedtime routine helps to cue the body to relax and rest. Don’t dwell on, or bring problems to bed. A routine may involve having a hot bath, a cup of non-caffeinated beverage, and reading before going to bed. A light snack can also be a good idea, especially if it is high in tryptophan which is a natural sleep inducer. These foods include bananas and milk. Avoid heavy, sugary or spicy foods.
- In addition, it helps to keep the sleep-wake cycle regular by going to bed and waking at the same time.
- Avoid caffeinated food or drink (tea, coffee, cola, chocolate) in the afternoons and evenings as these are stimulating. Nicotine can also be stimulating. Avoiding alcohol is also a good idea as this interrupts the quality of sleep.
- Use your bed only for sleep and sex. The bed should not be associated with watching TV, working, reading, playing on a tablet etc.
- Don’t watch the clock. Checking the clock when you wake up can reinforce negative ideas such as “I’m going to be exhausted tomorrow; I’ve only had 4 hours of sleep”.
- Get up after 20 minutes. This is probably one of the most important tips. If you haven’t been able to fall asleep after about 20 minutes or more, get up and do something that is calming, non-stimulating or boring until feeling sleepy again. Keep the lights low and read a magazine or the sports section of the newspaper. This strategy may feel like it will make things worse but if one sticks with it, it can really help.
- Get exercise. Exercising at least 30 minutes three times a week can improve your sleep. The best time to exercise is in the late afternoon or early evening. Exercising in the morning, while good for one, will not help with sleep.
If you are suffering from insomnia, there are many steps you can take to change your lifestyle. Contact our clinic today so we can help!
by | Apr 11, 2016 | Uncategorized
Dr. Michelle Hagel ND
“A promising new method to loose weight without exercising or changing your diet and lifestyle.” We hear it constantly, a new diet becomes popular and works for awhile then all that weight just comes pouring back on, seemingly more easily than the first time it appeared. Don’t fall for it, there is no miracle pill to loose weight, it is about being good to your body. Diets shouldn’t be about following the latest trend and loosing weight fast, it is about choosing healthy foods to fuel our body ‘our machine.’ What we put in our bodies is fuel, for optimal performance both physically and mentally we have to consume the appropriate fuel. Being denied all our comfort foods or treats lead to a good period followed by cheating, then the healthy diet disappears altogether. Education on/about how these diets work is not provided, which can be one of the most important factors in maintaining a healthy diet/lifestyle. Learning the impact bad foods have on our bodies, and reducing them can change our taste buds in about 2 weeks. We no longer have as many cravings and what used to be yummy becomes way too sweet. Finding healthier alternatives to our devilish desires like, dark chocolate instead of milk, avocado chocolate mousse, black bean brownies, cauliflower pizza crust. These choices can make the transition away from the bad stuff manageable while getting valuable nutrition from the healthy alternatives.
Weight Loss Guide NW Calgary
1) Broken Metabolism:
Certain diets can have damaging impacts on our metabolism. The average person puts on 11 pounds after every diet. Specifically, calorie restrictive diets, which can have initial weight loss (sometimes at a rapid rate) but in the long term may damage our metabolism. Your body cannot function on 800-1000 calories a day for extended periods of time. The body goes into protective mode believing it is in a state of starvation, when calories are limited from our normal. Our bodies are programed to protect us from starvation by increasing the hunger response and decreasing our metabolism, conserving our valuable energy (or storing fat and losing muscle). Balance is what we are always trying to achieve so if there is an increase use of calories (exercise) without change in diet, our metabolism adjusts. This does not mean to eat more and exercise less, but gradual long term changes are more adaptive than drastic calorie restrictive diets.
2) Toxins:
We are exposed to toxins everyday in the food we eat, and environment we live in. Obesity levels are rising, as are environmental toxin levels. Our bodies have an ability to “protect us” from toxins by storing the toxins we are exposed to everyday in our fat cells. The problem is when we begin to lose weight these toxins are released back into circulation. If we lose weight at a rapid rate it becomes faster than our body’s ability to get rid of the toxins. Signs you are carrying a toxic load include making it more difficult to loose weight: asthma and allergies, brain fog, depression, fatigue, headaches, memory problems, chronic pain, chemical sensitivity, and even infertility. Trying to minimize the amount of toxins we are exposed to everyday eating organically when possible (especially the dirty dozen), and avoiding chemical exposure. As well as supporting our organs of elimination, to ensure we are flushing instead of retaining the harmful toxins. Cleanses can be a great way to help to kick start weight loss, or continue seeing the weight drop after already have lost weight. It is important to select a good cleanse that supports your elimination organs during this flushing out period.
3) Inflammation:
Inflammation throughout the body has be linked to almost every disease. The major contributing causes of inflammation include food sensitivities/allergies (GMO’s), chemicals, sugar, and stress. Foods that are common allergens include soy, dairy, gluten, eggs, corn, sugar, and artificial sweeteners. This doesn’t mean that everyone will break out in hives by consuming these foods, they are common foods that create an immune response thus causing inflammation. Another factor that has increased inflammation is changing what we feed animals. Consumption of grains rather than grass-fed has increased our omega 6 to omega 3 ratio. Omega 6 fatty acids lead to more inflammation throughout our bodies.
4) Sleep and Stress
Cortisol is a stress hormone, released from the adrenal glands when we are in a heightened state of stress. Cortisol help the body prepare for “flight or fight” from stressful situations, freeing up energy stores. After this experience we have an increase in hunger because all of our energy should have been used to ‘flee or fight.’ However, when we experience chronic stress we have chronic cortisol release and energy is stored away in our tissues overtime causing weight gain and insulin resistance. Our parasympathetic nervous system opposes this and allows us to rest and digest, when we are relaxed or sleeping. Promote relaxation through activities like meditation, walking, expressing/receiving gratitude, reading or whatever activity you find re-charging and relaxing. Watching television can actually be draining and habit forming, with certain programs elevating our cortisol levels.
Lack of sleep causes inflammation throughout the body. When we have sleep disruption this has an impact on our circadian rhythm which can elevate our stress hormone cortisol especially at night. When we are tired, we get hungry and crave sugary/high carbohydrate foods to maintain our energy levels, we also move less. This is a double whammy contributing to weight gain. Shortened/disrupted sleep reduces our insulin sensitivity and impairs glucose tolerance, which is what Type 2 diabetics suffer with. Insufficient sleep also down regulates leptin levels (our satiating hormone) and upregulate ghrelin which increases appetite. So get your 7-8 hours minimum of sleep!
5) Exercise
Cardiovascular exercise has been largely promoted for weight loss, although it is very good for your health specifically heart it is not the most effective strategy to loose weight and keep it off. During cardio workouts you are burning calories however once you stop the workout the calories stop burning. Weight lifting and high intensity short duration exercise are more effective because your muscles continue burning after the activity itself. This short duration has greater effects on appetite suppression, while longer duration may actually increase your appetite. All forms of exercise are so important in maintaining health and body weight. It decreases cravings, stress, inflammation, improves sleep quality, mood and energy all important factors to weight loss.
6) Macronutrients
Fats are so important in our diet, they feed our brains, our joints and keep us full and satisfied. Contrary to popular belief healthy fats will lower cholesterol, rather than raise it. Low fat products aren’t very tasty like their full fat counterparts, so they are generally loaded with sugar. So opt out the low fat, processed, high sugary foods and go for whole healthy fats, to keep you fuller longer. Various vegetable oils can be inflammatory so try to stick to good healthy anti-inflammatory ones like olive oil (great for your heart) and coconut oil (great for your brain). Other heathy fat sources include wild fish, grass-fed beef, nuts, seeds and avocados.
Protein another important component often overlooked in diets. Protein like fat keeps us fuller longer, it also helps to reduce sugar cravings and decrease the impact sugar has on our blood-glucose levels by leveling out the response.
Carbohydrates Reducing (not eliminating) carbohydrates especially from grain sources. Focusing on getting your carbohydrates from vegetable and fruit sources that are packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals as well as fiber which like protein controls the blood-glucose levels. Consuming fiber is another important aspect especially concerning the toxins discussed earlier. Fiber helps collect toxins lingering in our digestive system, and gets it out of our system. Grain fiber sources are not the best because they generally have inflammatory qualities to them. Look to flax seeds, chia seeds, vegetables and fruit, they come packed with other anti-inflammatory nutrients. Avoiding sugar, sugar causes an increase in our blood sugar and insulin release which causes inflammation. Sugar has been called the most addictive drug, in a study conducted with rats they chose sugar over cocaine! The more sugar we consume will intensify our cravings, and removing it can cause withdrawal symptoms much like drugs. So managing these sugar cravings is vital to the success of healthy diets. Research is now showing that it may be the bad bugs in our gut that cause these sugar cravings, because that is what they feed off.
7) Surround yourself in a healthy, happy support system to hold you accountable and provide you with the will power to maintain your new healthy lifestyle.
My passion is education around healthy foods and lifestyle that are sustainable to treat/prevent diseases. Supplements can also be appropriate to adjust for nutritional deficiencies, to address underlying causes and support body systems. Contact the the clinic today to book a consultation – I would LOVE to partner with you today to create the healthy life and body you deserve. 403-452-6262
by | Mar 27, 2016 | Uncategorized
Dr. Michelle Hagel ND
Magnesium is one of my favourite supplements and has been largely underrated. Magnesium is one of the most common nutrient deficient in adults, and is so important. It is involved in hundreds of biochemical processes including energy production, muscle relaxation, hormone processing, and bone health. The most common conditions magnesium is used for (but not limited to) include high blood pressure, constipation, fibromyalgia, chronic pain, stress, osteoporosis, headaches, PMS, asthma and restless leg syndrome. Higher intakes of magnesium have demonstrated an increase in bone mineral density, flexibility and integrity, especially in postmenopausal and elderly individuals.
What causes low levels of Magnesium?
Due to the deteriorating soil quality, lifestyle and diet factors in North America, majority of individuals are low in magnesium. Food processing strips our food of many of the nutrients including magnesium. Individuals with gastrointestinal issues can have poor absorption of nutrients in the gut. Calcium and magnesium compete with one another for absorption. With an increasing amount of individuals supplementing calcium alone for their bone health, can lead to low levels of magnesium. Lone calcium supplementation can also lead to calcium deposition in soft tissues contributing to arthritis and kidney stones. Ensuring adequate Vitamin D is important as well. Vitamin D increases magnesium absorption, and a low vitamin D status will impact magnesium levels. Different medications including chronic use of diuretics and proton pump inhibitor decrease magnesium absorption.
Why are there so many types of Magnesium and what do they all do?
Elemental magnesium is not stable and cannot be absorbed in our gut, so it comes bound to a carrier molecule. It can be very confusing because there are a lot of different forms of Magnesium out there, but these just indicate what carrier molecule it is bound to. These carrier molecules influence the percentage of magnesium, it’s absorption and can have health benefits themselves. Even when bound to these carrier molecules only 35%-45% of the magnesium is absorbed. The more depleted an individual is the more they will absorb. Choosing the appropriate Magnesium is very important based on the individual’s concerns.
Magnesium citrate is the most common because it is the best absorbed and inexpensive. Citric acid (citrate) is a mild laxative therefore this form has laxative properties at higher doses. It is a good choice to keep your magnesium levels up. If you require magnesium at higher doses and wish to avoid loose stools choosing something like Magnesium Glycinate would be a better option.
Magnesium Glycinate/Bisglyinate, glycine is a large molecule so there are smaller amounts of magnesium compared to glycine contained in this formula. However, it is a readily available form that is well absorbed in the gut, therefore unlikely to cause loose stools. Glycine is an amino acid and relaxing neurotransmitter, this form is a great option for promoting mental calmness and relaxation throughout the body.
Magnesium Malate is similar to magnesium glycinate, it is a larger molecule with good availability. Malic acid also contributes to ATP synthesis and energy production so optimal for treating fatigue and conditions like fibromyalgia and low energy states.
Magnesium Oxide simply means bound to oxygen. This isn’t the best choice of magnesium because it is non-chelated and therefore has a poor rate of absorption compared to other forms. But at high doses it is a muscle relaxer, nerve tonic and laxative.
Magnesium Taurate is also an amino acid. Taurine helps with cardiac muscle so this form is best for cardiac conditions and general heart health. It helps with high blood pressure, and improves the contraction of the heart without the laxative qualities.
Magnesium Sulfphate or Epsom salts are well absorbed through the skin, so if used externally can help lower blood pressure, decrease muscle tension and reduce stress. If taken internally will have a strong laxative effect, which can be dangerous.
Magnesium Chloride comes in gel/oil, which is good for topical application for cramps and muscle relaxation and has the ability to detoxify cells and tissues.
Magnesium L-threnoate is a new form. It is being studied for it’s impacts on brain function and memory improvement in Alzheimer’s and other cognitive diseases due to it’s ability to cross the blood brain barrier. Further research of this form is ongoing.
Holistic Health NW Calgary
Magnesium is an essential mineral in maintaining our health and well being. It is used in various conditions and is generally very well tolerated. Our daily requirement or RDA for magnesium in a healthy adult is 400mg/day, while some intravenous doses may be as high as 2000mg. Dietary sources of magnesium include coffee, tea, chocolate, spices, legumes, nuts, green veggies (spinach, edamame, avocado), and brown rice. If you are supplementing to improve your levels choosing the right magnesium can make a big difference.
Live your life in a way that improves your health. Contact the clinic and book your initial consultation today!
by | Mar 6, 2016 | Uncategorized
Dr. Michelle Hagel ND
The human microbiome is defined as the “full collection of genes of all the microbes in the human body… it consists of 10–100 trillion symbiotic microbial cells” outnumbering the number of human cells by ten times. (1) An individual’s genome is 99.9% identical to another human, however, their microbiomes will only show 10–20% similarity to one another. This illustrates that the microbiome is immensely important in making each individual different from one another. Majority of our microbiome exists, and is formed, in our gut The microbiome influences many of the processes in the body including physiological and immunological. In fact 80% of the immune system can be found in the gut. The greatest influence of microbiome formation occurs at birth and is dependant upon the mode of delivery.(2) Twenty minutes after a baby is born naturally they will have a microbiome in their gut resembling that of the mother’s birth canal. The microbiome of babies born by caesarean section will resemble those found on the external skin and the bacterium existing in the hospital. The infant’s stomach will then act as an incubator to grow the bacteria it has acquired; therefore, those naturally born have a great advantage over the infants born of a cesarean section. In Canada we have seen a rise in caesarean births from 17% to 27% from 1995 to 2010. (3) This has been labeled the #1 public health problem facing our society.The next large influence of the microbiome is if the infant is given breast milk or formula fed. (2) Formula provides very little beneficial bacterium to an infant’s incubating microbiome.
The diagnostic criteria of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 “persistent deficits in social communication and social interaction. Deficits in social-emotional, reciprocity and non-verbal communicative behaviors for social interactions, developing maintaining and understanding relationships.” (5) The term Autism Spectrum Disorder encompasses varying degrees of severity, all children diagnosed with ASD fall somewhere on this spectrum. We have seen a large increase in the rate of autism over the years, it is estimated that 1 in 100 children will be diagnosed with autism in Canada this year. (6) The United Nations estimates up to 70 million people worldwide fall somewhere on the autism spectrum.
What is causing the increasing rate of ASD? This topic has been heavily disputed over the last decade. ASD is a diverse disorder; there are likely numerous contributing factors. Studies have shown that siblings with autism may not carry the same autism risk gene. (7) This leads us to believe that although genetics are involved in ASD, environmental factors are the stronger influence. Now where does the microbiome and gut health come into play? The National Institute of health conducted a study in 2012 with children diagnosed with some form of ASD, they found that 92% of these children had gastrointestinal distress. The CDC estimated that children with ASD have a 3.5x greater chance of having chronic diarrhea and constipation. (7) There is clearly an association between the gut health of children and ASD, but it is undetermined if it is a result or a cause. What we do know with confidence, is that changing the microbiome and improving gut health will have beneficial affects on our health.
A study conducted at Harvard determined that microbiomes are dynamic and can change greatly within a day of modifying an individual’s diet.(8) So what food you eat will determine the bacteria that you grow, and these bacteria can be responsible for activating various genes. Neurologist and author of Brain Maker, David Perlmutter states, “we’re now discovering how gut health and functionespecially gut bacteria connect to brain development… and a brain disorder such as autism.” (7) The composition of children’s gut bacteria is different between children with ASD and those without.(9) The flora of ASD patients tested higher in Clostridium histoyticum bacterium and lower in the good bifidobacteria, in comparison to the floras of healthy children. Bifidobacteria produce vitamins and have antibacterial properties. The Clostridium species of bacteria are known to be toxin producing, these toxins can cause inflammation and adverse effects to immune system and the brain. One of the toxins produced is PPA (Propionic acid) which in the gut will weaken the junctions between the intestinal lining cells, causing foreign substances including PPA to leak into the bloodstream and thus throughout the body. This is termed ‘leaky gut’ and causes a cascade of immune responses, because our immune system is activated whenever foreign substances enter. This cascade can include inflammation and damage to cells. Dr. Derrick F. MacFabe and his team fed a group of pregnant rats and their offspring a diet high in PPA. (7) At one to two months old the rat pups showed developmental impairment similar to what is seen in ASD children.
Most kids with autism have an early life history of at least one or two microbial challenges, including cesarean sections, formula feeding, antibiotic use in the mother or in the child, processed food, NSAIDs, steroids, and various environmental pollutants. To elaborate further on the impact of antibiotics, they do not pick which bacteria to kill, they kill the good and bad. Antibiotics cause a shift in our microbiome and the impact can vary, for example, clindamycin will cause a four-month shift, while ciprofloxacin can impact the microbiome for up to a year. (10) Various antibiotics such as Flouroquinolone, some cephalosporins and sulfur-based antibiotics can cause an overgrowth of the bacterial species Clostridium difficile, this can cause potentially fatal diarrhea. (7) The point of this information is not to discourage the taking of antibiotics as they can be necessary, however, it is important to acknowledge the effect they can have on the microbiome and to take measure to mitigate the shift in our systems.
We are what we eat; higher intakes of unhealthy food during pregnancy and in children up to 5 years old show higher levels of behavioral and emotional problems. (11) Consuming good food is very important but it is equally important to establish a healthy environment in the gut so that we are able to extract the nutrients from our food. For example, serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters important in regulating mood and behavior, they are manufactured in the gut. So if ASD children have gastrointestinal challenges, it is likely that they will have difficulty producing these necessary neurotransmitters. Children with ASD have also been found to have lower levels of the amino acids that are required to manufacture these two neurotransmitters. So it is vitally important that they consume lots of protein containing these amino acids. Finally, how do we feed and heal our microbiome? By incorporating fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha, fermented meat, fish, and eggs. These foods have been used in traditional diets for thousands of years. (12). Other important considerations that assist with a healthy microbiome are ensuring high quality food: where it is grown, how it is grown, what happens while and after it’s grown, how quickly it is eaten, how it is prepared.
Oral probiotics are important to establish good bacteria in the microbiome. A more aggressive and unconventional therapy used for individuals with microbiome disruption is fecal microbiota transplantion (FMT). This method has been used since the fourth century CE and is considered a cure for a potentially fatal antibody resistant Clostridium difficile infection. Naturopathic doctor Mark Davis notes FMT “ has been safe and beneficial for people with ulcerative colitis, Crohns, IBS, MS and other conditions.” (13) FMT involves transplanting healthy fecal flora from a donor to the individual with symptoms, this is able to reset, and re-colonize the microbiome quicker than any other treatment. As of 2013 the FDA banned physicians to perform FMT in practice, likely because of the inconsistency and lack of reproducibility from sample to sample. (13) However, physicians can educate patients on how to do this in their own home. Dr. Perlmutter has used it successfully to treat neurological diseases, including a 12-year-old boy with ASD. He began by using oral probiotics, but then switched to FMT, where they saw huge improvements in behavior. (7) I am not implying that FMT is the “cure” to ASD, but wanted to shed some light on a more unfamiliar therapy. There are other important protocols for treating autism that are used in naturopathic medicine that I will not elaborate on including, gluten and casein-free diets, high quality vitamin/mineral supplementation, iron, and essential fatty acids. Before initiating any treatment it is important to consult a Naturopathic doctor.
Autism Disorder Treatment NW Calgary
In conclusion, we can transform our health by transforming our microbiome, the trillions of organisms that exist within us. The microbiome that exists in ASD children is altered, and by promoting healthy bacteria we can improve the behavior and health of these children. Also, by improving the microbiome in the mothers at conception, throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, we may be able to reduce the rate of ASD in our population. It is important to avoid factors that challenge our microbiome, such as cesarean section and antibiotics; while incorporating things that build and strengthen it, like fermented foods.
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References :
(1) Ursell, LK, Metcalf, JL, Parfrey LW, Knight R. Defining the Human Microbiome Nutr Rev. 2012 Aug; 70(Suppl 1): S38–S44.
(2) Mackie RI, Sghir A, Gaskins HR. Developmental microbial ecology of the neonatal gastrointestinal tract. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:1035S–1045S.
(3)http://healthydebate.ca/2014/05/topic/quality/c-section-variation
(4) Leach J. Reconnecting our ancestral Microbiome proceedings of the 2014 Vermont Traditional Foods and Health Symposium. Sept 25-27, 2014: Shelburne VT. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY34qzDpESk.\
(5) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5. Autism Spectrum Disorder
(6) http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/u-s-and-canadian-autism-rates-on-the-rise-studies-show-1.1749020
(7) Brain Maker; The Power of Gut Microes to Heal and Protect Your Brain-for Life. Perlmutter D. Loberg K. 2015, Yellow Kite Great Britain.
(8) David, LA, et al. Diet rapidly and reproducibly alters the human gut microbiome. Nature 2014, 505, 559–563 doi:10.1038
(9)Parracho HM1, Bingham MO, Gibson GR, McCartney AL. Differences between the gut microflora of children with autistic spectrum disorders and that of healthy children. J Med Microbiol. 2005 Oct;54(Pt 10):987-91.
(10) Happy Gut: The Cleansing program to Help you Lose Weight, Gain Energy and Eliminate Pain. Vincent Pedre (2015) Available at https://mutzelnutrition.infusionsoft.com/app/linkClick/18213/1e5af7ed57248a84/2418527/0e760540b967e8df
(11) Jacka FN, Ystrom E, Brantsaeter AL, Karevold E, Roth C, Haugen M, Meltzer HM, Schjolberg S, Berk M. Maternal and early postnatal nutrition and mental health of offspring by age 5 years: a prospective cohort study. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2013 Oct; 52(10):1038-47.
(12) Selhub EM. Logan, AC, Bested AC. Fermented foods, microbiota, and mental health: ancient practice meets nutritional psychiatry. J Physiol Anthropol. 2014; 33(1): 2.
(13) Davis M. Fecal Microbiota Transplantation NDNR Jan 2014 11 (1), Pg 18