A New Protocol to Consider for Digestive and Mental/Emotional Disorders

When in college 40+ years ago (1980’s) we were taught that once damaged, nerve tissue could not regenerate. Once injured or damaged, you were pretty much stuck with what you’ve got. Then beginning in 2008 - 2012 a succession of scientific papers began to reveal that humans can produce stem cells not only after they are born but throughout their entire lifespan. I say CAN, because there is an inhibiting factor that will prevent stem cells from working. That factor is chronic inflammation. 

Recent scientific advances are teaching us that the brain is capable of repairing severe injuries, producing stem cells, and in fact is continually replacing neurons throughout life.  The human brain is designed to fully and rapidly repair itself from all but the most serious of brain injuries. The key to healing and repair is to reduce or eliminate inflammation within the body, most notably inflammation within the digestive tract. It is in the absence of chronic inflammation that the brain and nervous system can heal. 

Dr Patrick Nemechek D.O. reports that the vast majority of children with autism and developmental issues can spontaneously recover from neurological injury or insult with a series of protocols he has discovered. He states that the human brain is perhaps the most capable organ of recovery after insults or injuries.  Chronic inflammatory stress is the single most likely culprit to inhibit recovery.

Inflammation is the normal process of the body to fight infections and repair tissue. When the inflammatory process is functioning normally, the inflammation is turned on, when the problem at hand is resolved and then the inflammation is turned off.  Short lived inflammation is a necessary part of healing throughout our lives.  But, if inflammation is not turned off and runs continually, then damage throughout the body can occur and ultimately disrupt natural repair mechanisms. 

Sources of inflammation are varied and many.  Pollution in its many forms, diet which includes food additives, preservatives, added sugar, highly processed foods, sugar, sweeteners and sugar.  Did I mention sugar causes inflammation?  Chronic psychological stress and unhealthy or altered intestinal bacteria also contribute to inflammatory stress within our bodies.

By recreating balance in the fatty acid nutrients we eat, we give our brain and nervous system the ability to balance unhealthy gut bacterial overgrowth.  By avoiding inflammatory oils in modern foods (highly processed seed oils such as canola, corn, soy, safflower, etc.), we can set the stage of improvement and the recovery of a wide range of childhood and adult ailments.

As follows is a brief overview of recommendations to get you started. I also recommend picking up one of Dr. Nemecheks’ books. Give the protocol several weeks. This protocol combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle (sleep, exercise, minimizing screen time, etc.) can really make a difference.

Childhood and Adult Neurological and Digestive Problems 

that may improve with The Nemechek Protocol®

• Autism

• SIBO (Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth)

• Bipolar Disorder 

• Chronic Depression

• Developmental Delay

• Anxiety Disorder

• ADD 

• ADHD

• OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder)

• ODD (oppositional defiant disorder)

• Sensory processing disorders

• Insomnia

• Cerebral Palsy

• Concussion

• Stroke

• CVA (cerebral vascular accidents)

• Intellectual Disability

• Schizophrenia

• Failure to Thrive

• Gastroparesis

• Reflux/GERD

• Picky Eater

• IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome)

• Constipation

• Neck pain

• Vagus nerve overstimulation

So here is the gist of this protocol; by reducing the stress or inflammation within the digestive tract, we can allow the stem cells within the body (the brain, the intestinal tract, etc.) to heal and improve function of those tissues (brain, nervous system, digestive tract, etc.) that are functioning at a suboptimal level.  Our bodies are designed to heal and function properly and will do so unless there are conflicting factors such as inflammation. If we can eliminate or reduce these interfering factors by providing healing nutrients, then your body will shift into a healing mode.

I have personally discovered that true principles are often very simple and make sense, as you will see with Dr Nemechek’s protocol. Don’t discount this because of its simplicity and ease.

The Nemechek Protocol consists of 3 things:

1. Prebiotic Inulin - ⅛ tsp - mix with food or drink daily

2. Pure Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 2 Tbsp - take straight, mixed in food or drink daily

3. Fish Oil (DHA/EPA) - adults work up to 3000mg (DHA+EPA) daily (Barleans Creamy Omega 3)

Eliminate:

• Omega-6 Oils - Canola, Corn, Soy, Safflower, Sunflower, etc.

• Processed foods - there are many harmful colors, preservatives, etc.

• Added Sugars - this includes all artificial sweeteners, and all refined/processed sugar

While I am new to using this protocol, we are seeing some very good and promising results. The protocol is very simple, inexpensive and for both child and adult is easy to implement.