Various things might cause a decrease in appetite when starting the protocol. I would first check the doses, especially of the fish oil, which can cause nausea in excessive amounts, even in adults. If the doses are OK (double-check using our dosing guides), try just stopping the fish oil or giving it at a separate time from the olive oil.nnAnother consideration is that the decrease in hunger is a relative decrease from an abnormally high level of food-seeking, not necessarily eating less than might be healthy. As I discussed elsewhere, children with autism often have very low brain blood pressure, which contributes to hyperactivity, poor focus, anxiety, and an increased level of hunger since carbohydrates and salt tend to boost blood pressure in the brain (the brain likes this). Balancing the intestinal bacteria sometimes can significantly improve brain blood pressure causing the frequent food seeking to decline to a more normal level of hunger — a decline for sure, but towards a more appropriate level of eating.nnFinally, always consider the drop in hunger might be from some other medical issue. A middle ear infection, frightened of recent changes at school, a new therapist, a viral process, or something else causing diarrhea or bloating or some other new medication.

Yes. The low blood pressure that occurs is often from brain trauma that causes damage to the autonomic nervous system. The Nemechek Protocol lowers inflammation that leads to an improvement in the brain’s ability to repair these old injuries. As a result, the low blood pressure issues resolve.

Drugs that boost blood pressure have been known to help calm anxious, hyperactive children. They work either by stimulating the sympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system or by increasing the retention of saltwater in the body. Several medicines (Ritalin®, Adderall®, and Concerta®) commonly used for attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) improve the child’s behavior by boosting blood pressure into the brain as well as directly stimulating the brain (similar to caffeine).

Low brain blood pressure leads to suboptimal delivery of oxygen to the brain. This triggers a compensatory response by the brain to boost pressure and oxygen delivery. Symptoms such as a craving for salt and sugar, increased hyperactivity, toe-walking, laying flat on the sofa frequently all increase blood flow to the brain. Low pressure can cause anxiety, aggression, poor focus (ADD/ADHD), and headaches. The low pressure will slowly improve as the brain begins to repair the underlying autonomic nervous system injuries that lead to low blood pressure.