About
Meet Dan Loewensteiner
Dan Loewensteiner received his PhD in biochemistry from Purdue University. After several years working on the cutting edge of molecular biology, he became disillusioned with some aspects of academic research; he wanted to have more contact with the general public and wanted to have some sort of impact on the health and well being of others. He felt that his mission lay elsewhere.
He developed an interest in the culinary industry and opened a small restaurant featuring mostly vegetarian and healthful foods. Unfortunately (so he thought at the time!) it was not successful. He continued working in the food service, where he developed an interest in nutrition. He entered the didactic program in dietetics at University of California at Davis, followed by an internship at a State psychiatric hospital.
It was there that Dan found his niche, as it were, working with individuals with developmental disabilities. He has been working with this population since 1998, as a consultant dietitian at two Regional Centers under contract with State and Federal programs. His primary focus during most of this period has been in the Early Start (Early Intervention) and Children’s Programs. He has witnessed the rapid rise in the number of children diagnosed on the autism spectrum, especially over the course of the last ten years.
He became interested in dietary and biomedical intervention for ASD (autism spectrum disorder) after overcoming his initial skepticism. He experienced what he views as an epiphany, after reading Julie Mathews’ book, “Nourishing Hope for Autism” several years ago. Her philosophy and approach of “Bioindividual Nutrition,” combined with the work of others in the field of biomedical intervention, formed the basis of his current approach to treating children on the autism spectrum. He also developed an interest in the rapidly developing field of integrative and functional medicine, which provides a new, holistic approach in treating many diseases. Functional nutrition is an offshoot of this practice style. In order to fully utilize this approach, he set up a private practice a couple years ago, Nutrition For Autism Recovery. He took this fully online after the corona virus lock down.
Dan has been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics since 1994 and a member of Dietitians in Integrative and Functional Medicine practice group within the Academy for several years. He holds a Certificate of Training in Integrative and Functional Nutrition from the Academy and recently completed 30 hours of continuing education in Integrative Pediatrics. He has completed over 225 hours of continuing education courses related to his focus on children on the autism spectrum. He is a member of the Functional Nutrition Library and is a voracious consumer of books, articles, original research, websites, webinars, online summits, etc. related to biomedical/functional nutrition treatment of autism. He closely follows the work of several recognized authorities in the field. Dan is committed to providing recommendations based on best practices, evidence-based nutrition treatment for every child on the autism spectrum.
My Practice and Philosophy
Each child on the spectrum is unique, with unique behavioral characteristics, dietary and nutritional needs. I take a holistic approach in treating your child. You can be assured that my recommendations, whether dietary, supplementation, healing of the gut or immune system, are all based on scientific and clinical evidence and are designed to best meet the needs of your child.
My passion as a dietitian is to lead parents with a child on the autism spectrum on the road to heal / recover their child through a functional nutrition approach. While a “cure” for autism is not likely, many parents see “recovery” as a goal. I share this goal; however, this is not always seen, no matter the efforts put forth. Parents generally realize this. What we do see, is that the approach I take will produce significant improvements in all areas of the child’s autistic symptoms.
I believe that this healing process can best be achieved in an environment of trust and mutual respect. I am continually amazed and encouraged by the tremendous love and compassion I see in the parents of children on the spectrum. And I have come to appreciate that each child has great potential within themselves. Our goal is to uncover this potential. Our goal is to enable each child to achieve their highest potential; to thrive; to have a fulfilling life; to simply, be happy!
"Hi, I'm Giselle."
Tears welled up in my eyes. This simple greeting at the door from this adorable little four year old girl, brought tears to my eyes. Handshakes and hugs followed.
You see, about a year before, she was diagnosed with severe regressive autism. Her parents started her on the gluten free casein free diet on their own and she began to make some progress. When I met her family several months later, she was using a few words, had many stimming behaviors, poor stooling, poor sleep habits, was a very picky eater and had many behavior problems. She made little eye contact, was mostly unresponsive to her parents, was very withdrawn and preferred to sit by herself.
We worked on the diet and several supplements were added. We did various functional lab tests which enabled us to refine her diet and treat the microbiome and metabolic abnormalities and deficiencies. Then, almost suddenly, she started to blossom! I was really struck by how far she had come in only a few months. Her greeting completely took me by surprise!
A year later, and she has lost her autism diagnosis! Prior to the corona virus pandemic, she was in mainstream preschool and thriving. She enjoys peers, is a very friendly and loving child and excels in art. At our last Zoom visit she sang the ABC song to me. In both English and Spanish! I am so proud of her and her parents! And she is such a happy little girl!
Why am I telling you this story? Because her experience convinced me that autism is treatable; that a child can recover from their symptoms and that dietary modification and supplementation is a valid means toward recovery of a child on the autism spectrum.
If you want to see your child reach their full developmental potential and become a happy, healthy, loving person, please, give me a call or email. I’m here for you!
With my best wishes,
