When it comes to autism, diet is often one of the first things parents look into for potential treatment options. There are many different dietary approaches that have been tried for autism, ranging from eliminating gluten or casein to restricted diets like the ketogenic diet. One of the more recent autism diets gaining interest is the Nemechek Protocol.
The Nemechek Protocol for Healing Autism and Gut Issues
The Nemechek Protocol was developed by Dr. Patrick Nemechek, a board-certified family physician and pediatrician with expertise in developmental disorders and autonomic nervous system dysfunction. The core focus of the Nemechek Protocol is healing the gut and addressing bacterial imbalances that may contribute to autism symptoms and co-morbidities.
To start, the Nemechek Protocol calls for removing the following from the diet:
- Gluten
- Dairy
- Sugar
- Processed foods
And ADD these 3 things:
- Inulin fiber
- Olive oil
- Fish oil
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The reasoning is that this combination helps promote healthy gut bacteria while discouraging unhealthy gut bacteria. Supporting a healthy gut microbiome is thought to reduce gastrointestinal issues and systemic inflammation that can exacerbate autism behaviors. Additionally, adhering to a Carnivore Diet may further support these benefits by eliminating potential sources of gut irritation found in plant-based foods.
Health Goals of “Dieting”
Dr. Nemechek states that the health goals of any dietary approach for autism should include:
- Improving regularity
- Reducing abdominal bloating and discomfort
- Eliminating sugar cravings
- Improving eye contact and language skills
- Lessening tantrums, aggression and self-injurious behaviors
- Improving sleep
He will break down his instructions from the simplest to the more complicated ones to implement in one’s daily routine.
Protect Yourself from Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Omega-6 fatty acids promote inflammation when consumed in high amounts and imbalance with omega-3s. To reduce omega-6 intake:
- Avoid vegetable oils like soybean, corn, cottonseed, safflower and sunflower oil
- Limit processed and fried foods
- Choose grass-fed/pasture-raised animal products
Increase Omega-3 Intake
Omega-3s are anti-inflammatory and support brain health. Get more omega-3s by:
- Eating 2-3 servings of low mercury fish per week like salmon, sardines or anchovies
- Taking a fish oil supplementwith EPA/DHA
- Choosing pasture-raised eggs and grass-fed meat
- Eating walnuts, flaxseeds and chia seeds
Increase Exercise
- Aim for 30-60 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 3 times per week
- Strength training twice a week provides added benefits
- Outdoor exercise like walking helps manage stress
Regular exercise reduces inflammation, balances gut bacteria, relieves anxiety/depression, improves focus and leads to better sleep.
Lowering the intake of AGEs by Changing How You Cook Your Food
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are harmful compounds that form when food is exposed to high heat. AGEs promote oxidative stress and inflammation. To reduce AGEs:
- Cook foods below 250°F when possible
- Avoid burning/charring meats
- Choose steaming, poaching, stewing or baking instead of grilling, broiling, searing, frying
- Use lower heat, cook slower and add acidic ingredients like lemon juice
Improve Weight Control
Carrying excess weight increases risk for metabolic issues, inflammation and oxidative stress. To achieve a healthy weight:
- Follow a whole foods diet high in vegetables
- Limit processed carbohydrates
- Focus on portion control
- Engage in regular physical activity
Reversal of Insulin Resistance with Carbohydrate Reduction
Lowering overall carbohydrate intake can help reverse insulin resistance. Try limiting total carbs to under 150g/day or, for some, under 50-100g/day. Focus on getting carbs from vegetables, fruits and legumes versus processed grains or sugars.
A low-carb diet supports fat burning, balanced blood sugar and reduced inflammation.
Trigger Hormesis with Intermittent Fasting
Intermittent fasting helps trigger a beneficial cellular stress response called hormesis. Periodically fasting for 16-20 hours can boost neuronal autophagy, growth factor production, mitochondrial function and antioxidant activity. This enhances cognitive function and neuroplasticity.
Balance Intestinal Bacteria
Supporting healthy gut flora provides wide-ranging benefits. Specific tips include:
- Eat a diverse range of vegetables, fruits and whole foods
- Consume prebiotic fibers like inulin– they feed good bacteria
- Minimize use of antibiotics, NSAIDs and antacids
- Take a probiotic supplementwith a variety of bacterial strains
- Eat fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir and yogurt
Benefits of a Low Carbohydrate Diet (Less than 100 grams per day):
- Improves insulin sensitivity
- Reduces inflammation
- Stabilizes blood sugar
- Suppresses appetite
- Aids fat loss
Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet:
- Increased fiber, vitamins and minerals
- Lower saturated fat and cholesterol
- Reduced risk of chronic disease
- More antioxidant-rich plant foods
- Can support healthy gut flora
Benefits of a Mediterranean Diet:
- High in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes
- Moderate fish, poultry and dairy
- Low in red meat and sweets
- Emphasizes healthy fats like olive oil and nuts
- Associated with longevity, heart health and brain function
This completes the draft of the full blog post outline. Please let me know if you would like me to expand or refine any sections further. I aimed to provide a good overview of the Nemechek Protocol and various diet strategies that can support gut health and autism symptoms.
Buy All Your Nemechek Protocol Supplements
Dr. Nemechek has partnered with HolistaPet to offer a line of supplements to support the protocol including:
| Product Name | Type | Main Benefit | Source |
| O3 Essentials Fish Oil | Fish Oil Supplement | Provides omega-3s | Anchovies and sardines |
| DHA Chews | Fish Oil Supplement | DHA for kids | Fish oil |
| Buffered C Powder | Vitamin Supplement | Buffered vitamin C for immune support | – |
| Inulin Fiber | Prebiotic Supplement | Prebiotic inulin | Chicory root |
| ProBiota 12 | Probiotic Supplement | Multistrain probiotic with 12 bacteria strains | – |
| SBO Probiotic | Probiotic Supplement | Spore-based Bacillus probiotic | – |
Purchasing these supplements in a bundle can help save on costs versus buying individually. HolistaPet also offers discounts to make the protocol more affordable for families.
Detailed Review of Nemechek Protocol
In summary, the Nemechek Protocol is a dietary and supplementation program developed specifically to help treat autism spectrum disorders and autonomic dysfunction. It focuses on:
- Removing inflammatory foods
- Providing key anti-inflammatory nutrients
- Supporting healthy gut microbiome balance
- Reducing factors that promote GI issues and systemic inflammation
This comprehensive approach aims to address the underlying factors influencing brain connectivity, gastrointestinal health, immune regulation, metabolic function and neural recovery in autism.
While no single diet is universally effective for every individual, the Nemechek Protocol provides an evidence-based framework parents can follow that is safe and targeted for addressing core issues associated with autism. Working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider can help guide proper implementation and customization of the protocol for each person’s needs.
What can you eat on the Nemechek protocol?
The Nemechek protocol emphasizes whole, unprocessed foods like vegetables, fruits, healthy fats and clean proteins. Refined grains, sugars and vegetable oils should be avoided.
Should autistic children be on a gluten-free diet?
Removing gluten may benefit some children with autism, but should be tried under medical supervision to assess effects and ensure nutritional needs are met.
What is the diet protocol for autism?
pacific protocol like Nemechek eliminates inflammatory foods, provide key nutrients, balance gut flora and reduce GI issues to improve autism symptoms.
What is the Nemechek protocol?
The Nemechek protocol is a dietary plan developed by Dr. Patrick Nemechek to treat autism by supporting gut health and reducing bacterial overgrowth.
nemechek protocol oils to avoid
The Nemechek protocol recommends avoiding vegetable oils like soybean, corn, cottonseed, sunflower and safflower oil
nemechek protocol supplements
Recommended supplements in the protocol include fish oil, inulin fiber, vitamin C, and strains of probiotic bacteria.
There are many dietary approaches that parents of children with autism try, ranging from going gluten-free to restricted diets like ketogenic. The Nemechek Protocol is one of the more recent autism diets gaining interest. It focuses on healing the gut and rebalancing bacteria by removing inflammatory foods like gluten and dairy while emphasizing anti-inflammatory nutrients like omega-3s from fish oil.
While no one diet works universally for autism, the Namecheck Protocol provides a solid, evidence based framework to start with. It offers parents a way to address underlying factors related to brain connectivity, gut health, immunity, metabolism and neural recovery. Working with a knowledgeable healthcare provider allows customization of the protocol to suit each individual. Though more research is still needed, the Nemechek Protocol shows promise as a strategic dietary approach for improving autism symptoms and co-morbidities
