by disrupting their ability to communicate and interact socially. To reduce a child's symptoms of autism,
parents often try alternative treatments such as specialized diets.
Lately, the gluten-free/casein-free diet has grown in popularity. Some
parents report improvements in autism symptoms with this dietary
regimen.
Little research has
been done, though, on the gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism.
Consequently, many parents wonder whether this diet really does, in
fact, make a difference in the symptoms of children with autism.
What is a gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism?
A gluten-free/casein-free diet is also known as the GFCF diet. It
is one of several alternative treatments for children with autism. When
following this strict elimination diet, all foods containing gluten (
found in wheat, barley and rye) and casein ( found in milk and dairy
products) are removed from the child's daily food intake.
Some parents of children with autism believe their children are
allergic or sensitive to the components found in these foods. Some seek allergy testing
for confirmation. Yet, even when no allergy is confirmed, many parents
of autistic children still choose to offer the GFCF diet. Among the
benefits they report are changes in speech and behavior.
How does a gluten-free/casein-free diet for autism work?
The benefit of a gluten-free/casein-free diet is based on the
theory that children with autism may have an allergy or high sensitivity
to foods containing gluten or casein. Children with autism, according
to the theory, process peptides and proteins in foods containing gluten
and casein differently than other people do. Hypothetically, this
difference in processing may exacerbate autistic symptoms. Some believe
that the brain treats these proteins like false opiate-like chemicals.
The reaction to these chemicals, they say, leads a child to act in a
certain way. The idea behind the use of the diet is to reduce symptoms
and improve social and cognitive behaviors and speech.
There may be some scientific merit to the reasoning behind a
gluten-free/casein-free diet. Researchers have found abnormal levels of
peptides in bodily fluids of some people who have symptoms of autism.
Still, the effectiveness of a GFCF diet for autism has not been
supported by medical research; in fact, a review of recent and past
studies concluded there is a lack of scientific evidence to say whether
this diet can be helpful or not.
Unfortunately, eliminating all sources of gluten and casein is so
difficult that conducting randomized clinical trials in children may
prove to be very difficult.
Which foods contain gluten?
Gluten is a protein found in the seeds of several grains such as
barley, rye, and wheat. A huge number of foods contain gluten. Gluten
provides structure or binding to baked products. While it's quite
difficult to avoid gluten, many stores, particularly natural food
stores, display foods in a gluten-free area of the store. Still, it's
important to read nutrition labels to see if there are additives containing gluten.
When someone is on a gluten-free diet, most bread and grain
products are forbidden. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the
child (or other person) receives ample fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Supplementation can help make up for the lack of these nutrients when
foods containing gluten are eliminated.
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