Autism - Gluten Free Casein Free Diet

[Corey Blair]

Gluten is a special type of protein that is commonly found in many
cereal and bread grains such as oats, rye, barley, bulgur, durum,
kamut and spelt and foods made from those grains. It is also found in
food starches, semolina, couscous, malt, some vinegars, soy sauce,
flavorings, artificial colors and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins.
Casein refers to protein found in milk and other diary products such
as cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, whey and even some brands of
margarine. Those that are affected by casein may also be sensitive to
soy products since the protein is similar. Some parents report that
removing theses proteins led to equal or greater improvements in their
children's behaviors.
Some believe that the proteins break down into molecules similar to
opium-like drugs. Children with autism usually have leaky gut or IBS.
The child's stomach and very permeable intestines have an inability to
break down the proteins, thus, allowing the protein to leave the
intestines and be absorbed into the bloodstream. The molecules of the
proteins then travel to the brain giving the child a sort of high.
This sort of gut distress can cause array of symptoms, and your child
may have only one symptom or could have several. Many autistic
children have trouble communicating their symptoms or discomforts.
Your child may feel miserable and display behaviors that are difficult
to handle.
These symptoms are clearly associated with a gut problem. Such
discomforts may include, but are not limited to, bloating, abdominal
pain, headaches or sensory irritabilities. The majority of autistic
children have poor food or non-food choices. They may also have a
delay in language, motor and socialization skills as well as focus
issues and difficulty sleeping.
You may notice the obvious symptoms like constipation, leaky gut, acid
reflux and vomiting. Consider altering your child's diet if he/she
shows signs of any of these behaviors.
Many communities have health food stores or regular supermarkets that
carry products that are gluten-free as well as websites and businesses
online that sell GFCF foods and vitamins. Some of our favorite brands
like Welch's, Bush's Baked Beans, Ore-Ida Golden Fries and many others
are considered gluten-free and casein-free.
Foods that can be eaten on the GFCF diet include, but are not limited
to, rice, poultry, fish, nuts, eggs, potatoes, buckwheat flour, beans,
vegetables and many others. There are also many cookbooks and recipes
that can be found online or in stores for gluten and casein
intolerance.
So, you can see how important it would be to remove gluten and casein
from the child's diet. By removing a source of constant distress
parents are helping their children improve behaviors, focus, and even
lowered distress.