None of the standard therapies for constipation (magnesium products, fiber supplementation, motility agents) will negatively impact the intestinal microbiome nor the balance of bacteria within the small and large intestines.
I don’t think so. As I described in my book, the awakening refers to the drop in propionic acid that occurs after reversing bacterial overgrowth. This typically occurs within the first 1-2 weeks. There is no evidence that fish oil and olive oil can do that specifically. Improvements from inflammation reduction by fish oil and olive oil might be noted 4-8 weeks later, and I can see someone referring to this as an awakening. However, this would be just from improvements in brain function and not the elimination of the sedating effects of propionic acid.
Yes, the awakening can occur within 1-2 days in some cases.
Depending on the severity of a child’s underlying developmental delay, children may start making eye contact, becoming more aware of their surroundings, allowing more physical contact, or otherwise communicating and speaking more within a few days to weeks of starting the protocol.
Increased insomnia sometimes is part of the awakening and often resolves with 1-2 months.
Yes in some cases parents report a difference in their child’s awareness within a few days; in other children, the difference might be noted in a few weeks. Children who were heavily sedated by propionic acid may see an immediate improvement upon starting inulin as it rebalances the intestinal tract and significantly lowers the toxicity of excessive propionic acid.
Many do, but not all. The awakening is an increase in awareness, eye contact, and social behavior within 1-2 weeks of starting the protocol. While most young children experience an awakening, not all do. Likewise, the older the child, the awakening is less intense and less noticeable and may not occur at all sometimes.nnIf you do not see an awakening, I advise staying with your initial protocol for at least 3-4 months before deciding if a change is necessary.
This is part of the Awakening period and will improve over the next 4-8 weeks.
The Nemechek Protocol uses inulin or rifaximin to balance the bacteria in the small intestine. Reversal of bacterial overgrowth by either method leads to a rapid decline in systemic inflammation and brings the excessive production of propionic acid to a halt. nnOnce bacterial overgrowth is reversed and propionic acid levels decline, these children are released from the toxic, stuporous prison they have been trapped in. Within a few days they often become more aware, have improved eye contact, and respond more readily to their name or simple commands. I refer to this early response as “the awakening period.” The awakening period is a direct effect of the drop in production of propionic acid.
The change of behaviors during the awakening period is often not the worsening of underlying neurological problems, it is a glimpse of the true degree of underlying damage and developmental delay. Once the sedating propionic acid dissipates from their system, their true underlying behaviors reveal themselves. The children are not actually worse, they are finally awake and free of the chemical effects of propionic acid.