Interactive Metronome Training combines the tradtional music metronome with computer technology to develop and enhance concentration, focus, rhythm, and timing. We use it effectively to improve  academic and athletic performance, as well as a component in our treatment for ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, and brain injuries. To learn more about Interactive Metronome Training click here...

Many have heard the term "probiotics" and some may even be taking them. But what do probiotics do and why are they so beneficial? How can we get the most out of them? After all that is our goal with everything isn't it? Getting the most for our money! Here is how to get all the benefits and why these benefits are so important.
 
Probiotics are organisms, bacteria and yeasts mostly, that contribute beneficially to healthy environments in the small and large intestines in our bodies[1]. We need these digestive helpers in our intestines to break down food into absorbable forms. They also produce vitamin K, B12 and folic acid, some very important vitamins for our brain, energy production and cardiac health. Probiotics also help to regulate cholesterol levels in our blood by recycling our bile acids[2]. Since they are so important in so many body functions when there is an imbalance it can lead to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease and even cancer.
 
Many things can throw off the balance of your digestive system including stress, antibiotics, food allergies and a compromised immune system. A fish aquarium is a good example of how this process works.
 
Our healthy intestine, with the right balance of probiotics, is similar to an aquarium with fresh water and fresh water fish in it. When the tank (the intestines) is clean and the water is fresh the fish (probiotics) are happy and living well. Then we put some salt in the water (stress) this affects the fish somewhat but they are still ok. Add more salt (antibiotics) and some of the fragile fish can't take it and we lose them. Add more salt (food allergies) and we lose more fish. The more salt we add, the more fish we lose. As we change the environment in which the fish live, we lose the fish. It's the same idea with the digestive system, except unfriendly bacteria and yeast are able to move in and take over when we lose our friendly bacteria. This can be very harmful!
 
So now we have a salt-water fish tank (unhealthy environment) and we keep adding freshwater fish (taking probiotics daily) and hope that they can live. They do not, even though we continually add them. Finally we test the environment and find that we need to change it to keep the fish healthy! We put fresh water in the tank with fresh water fish and they live happily again!
 
Probiotics are good for us, but they are not going to work efficiently and effectively if they don't have the optimal environment. To get the optimal environment we first have to see what is affecting it negatively. We use our laboratory testing to determine what is happening within the digestive tract. By reviewing the results, we are able to see what the environment is and how it needs to be changed. We can then make the necessary adjustments to strike a path to good health. Improve your health and make your body's use of probiotics much more efficient and effective by calling us. We can help!
 

This is a contribution from a friend of mine, Nancy M. Rene. She wanted to share her experiences so you could vacation easier...

 

I just returned from a two-week vacation in Washington D.C. and New England.  I thought that I would be able to maintain my gluten-free dairy-free diet while on the trip, after all, I did pretty well at home with trips to Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.  Well guess what, I was wrong.
 
First of all, let me say that I am a sixty-something grandmother who is on the GF/CF diet to improve allergic reactions to foods like milk, bread, eggs, cheese, pasta, and the like. If I cheat on this diet, the only consequence is likely to be a stuffy nose or nighttime congestion.  I'm not like my granddaughter who has autism.  For her cheating on the GF/CF diet is a huge no-no.  If she manages to sneak a cookie or piece of toast there is likely to be an intestinal upset or emotional meltdown. Sooo...since I'm not too sensitive to the problem foods I set out on a two-week vacation.
 
Before we left, I gathered up my supplements, placed them in plastic bags, purchased two bags of gluten-free granola and got ready to go.  I packed everything in my checked luggage so there wouldn't be any problems with the security check.  This worked fine, other things didn't go so well.
 
I found that most restaurants tried to be accommodating to my needs. They were willing to serve me a deli sandwich without the bread, just meat and coleslaw on a plate. They kindly left the cheese out of ceasar and Mediterranean salads, and there were lots of choices on most menus that worked. You may want to avoid Italian restaurants where almost everything is a form of pasta, and Mexican restaurants with their love of cheese. I was excited when we found Chinese, Thai or Indian food since the rice noodles were fine for me.
 
Breakfast was the biggest problem I faced. Think about it, toast, pancakes, eggs, cereal, milk, yogurt, everything at breakfast is to be avoided.  I tried mixing my powdered supplement in a glass of juice and got a lumpy mess.  A piece of fruit and the gluten-free granola I had brought with me worked best.  My problem...I got tired of granola day after day and began to cheat at breakfast.  As I said, I didn't expect to suffer any severe consequences for the occasional piece of toast or scrambled egg, but someone who is more sensitive could have real problems.
 
If you're planning a trip, take a few non-perishable items with you and look for markets that carry soy milk and fresh fruits and vegetables. We found a wonderful Whole Foods in Boston with a huge variety of take-out items.  We gathered our food and walked down to the Charles River for a great picnic lunch. You may want to find a motel room with a small kitchen so you aren't always looking for an appropriate restaurant. Eating out day after day for a week or more may be a challenge but with a little common sense and advance planning you can have a great time on your trip.  Bon Voyage.
 
 
Nancy is a member of the Autism Support Group at the Westside YMCA.