Dare I bring up a topic that most of you will probably skip over? I dare, and I hope that you stick around long enough to get the important message that is being addressed, as This is not your ordinary exercise article. I’m talking about exercise, but not in the traditional sense that we all assume. I am talking about exercise as it relates to our kids with Autism.

Yes, we all know that exercise is good for us, but how many of us have heard the exercise spiel so many times that even the mention of the word switches our brains quickly onto the next important task. What would you say if someone asked you “Why should you exercise?” The most common answers usually involve weight-loss, endurance, cardiovascular health, or some simple term like, “for our health”. But what many of us don’t think about is the fact that exercise helps our bodies to detoxify!

Many studies indicate the slow or malfunctioning detoxification systems that are widespread in our children with Autism Spectrum or related disorders. Heavy metals, toxic build up from improperly metabolized food, and many other exogenous and endogenous toxins are not being properly filtered out of these children’s bodies. Detoxification is vital to maintaining good health and is absolutely essential to regaining health that is in jeopardy.

Some quick and painless science talk: The blood, which transports nutrients and oxygen to tissue fluid, also transports metabolic waste and toxic materials to the elimination channels. Exercise accelerates the oxygenation and improves cellular metabolism. In addition, the rise in body temperature mobilizes waste by-products and accelerates that elimination. In short, the blood and lymph responsible for ridding this waste get turbo charged during exercise.

I, being in my kitchen many hours of the day, liken the scene to doing dishes (oh, so many dishes!). When I have food stuck to a dirty dish, it is nearly impossible to remove the food with a slow stream of water, so I almost always turn the water on high, make sure that it is as hot as it can get, and switch the stream to the high-powered flow that gets the job done. Exercise can provide that high-powered stream to rid your body of toxic build up.

Last month I attended the Autism Research Institute’s conference. One lecture relating to this topic is still lingering in my thoughts. Dr. Stephen J. Genuis spoke on the importance of sweating out some toxins. In his experience, there are certain toxins that need to be released from these children’s systems that cannot be sufficiently cleared through chelating methods or liver boosts. The most effective way of removing some of these metals and other residues that imbed themselves into tissue (and will not leave via the digestive tract, etc.) is through the sweat. The FIR saunas have come highly recommended for this process, we have one in our home ourselves and use it for this specific reason; but, let us not discount the easiest and least expensive way to promote a good flow of sweat – exercise!

Going beyond the benefits of detoxification, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the other very positive side effects of regular exercise, including but never limited to:

Exercise comes pretty easily to most kids, running and playing and chasing those proverbial butterflies. For some families, merely getting them outdoors once a day will suffice in getting their motors running, and will even get them a good, healthy dose of Vitamin D. For more specific activities, try some of the following activities:

The options are endless. So, what are you sitting here reading this for? Go out and exercise your Autism!

*Adults are suggested to maintain a cardiovascular (aerobic) activity for approximately 20 minutes. For children, try to aim for a continued 10-15 minutes. It is important when beginning a new exercise regimen to start slowly and monitor your body’s reactions closely. Do not overdo it. Always consult your healthcare provider when beginning any alteration in health care, including an exercise program.

EAT HAPPY!
Kendra Jean Finestead
Greater Tots Organization
www.greatertots.org

Greater Tots is a 501c3 Organization providing support & services for families on special diets.
We are on a Greater Mission: "Growing a Happy, HEALTHY generation of kids one special diet at a time!"