The autism diet
According to the research, one child in every 100 in the UK has a disorder somewhere along the autism spectrum, although it is not clear whether this is a real increase in the number of children affected by the disorder, or whether it is a reflection of better diagnosis. What has become clear though is that there is no connection between autism and the MMR vaccination – and the research paper that first suggested a link was recently retracted by the medical journal The Lancet, which published the study in 1998.
Presently the only treatment that is known to help children with autism is an education program matched to their individual needs, which focuses on speech development and social skills. However many parents of autistic children claim that a special “autism diet” has helped them manage or even reverse their child’s autism.
The autism-diet connection
Ironically, the suggestion that there might be a link between autism and gastrointestinal disorders was mooted in the discredited 1998 research, which suggested that children with autism might have a problem called “leaky gut”, in which food proteins aren’t absorbed properly and leak through the intestines into the bloodstream, eventually reaching the brain.The diet connection stems from the theory that people with autism can’t properly digest gluten and casein, which form substances that act like opiates, altering the way autistic people behave and respond to their environment and other people. Research has found a larger number of these peptides in the urine of people with autism.
However, reputable research hasn’t yet established a link between diet and autism. A recent study published in the US journal Pediatrics found no statistically significant difference between autistic and non-autistic children when it came to the incidence of gastrointestinal problems. It noted that autistic children are more likely to suffer from constipation but pointed out that problems such as this might be caused by medications they take, and also by the fact they often are picky eaters and this might mean they don’t consume enough fibre. The researchers concluded that any improvements seen from dietary changes might just be ascribed to an autistic child feeling better because an underlying gastric disorder common to children with and without autism has been treated.
What is the autism diet?
Despite the doubts of the medical profession anecdotal evidence suggests the autism diet is helping many autistic children to function better. The diet has been widely publicised in the US by actress Jenny McCarthy, who claims the diet has reversed her son’s autism. However, while some studies have found evidence of behavioural improvements in autistic children following the diet, others haven’t.The diet excludes gluten, which is found in grains such as wheat, oats, rye, barley, bulgar, durum, kamut and spelt, and foods containing those grains. Gluten also is present in food starches, semolina, couscous, malt, some vinegars, soy sauce, flavorings, artificial colors and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins. Casein is a milk protein that occurs in milk products including cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, whey and some margarines. It also may be added to non-milk products in the form of caseinate.??
Because so many foods contain gluten and/or casein, the diet can be hard work and parents following it need to be hyperaware of hidden casein and gluten – labels may list them as curds, caseinate, lactose, bran, spices or certain types of vinegar. Foods that can be eaten include rice, quinoa, potatoes, buckwheat flour, corn, fruits, oil, vegetables, beans, tapioca, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, nuts and eggs. Soy and soy products are allowed, although soy protein is very similar to gluten and casein, and some parents have reported a greater improvement in their child if soy is restricted.??
Many health food stores stock gluten-free foods and flour, and some foods designed for people with coeliac disease also come in casein-free varieties. However, you need to be aware of the fact that the autism diet will restrict certain aspects of your child’s nutritional intake – for example, milk, which provides vital calcium. This may be an issue if you also are avoiding soy and your child refuses to drink rice or almond milk. Many proponents of the diet suggest removing milk from your child’s diet first, as the body clears itself of casein faster than it does gluten, which can take up to six months to clear.??
It is very important to keep your GP informed about your child’s diet and, if possible, to consult a registered dietitian so you can be sure you are making up for any possible shortfalls in your child’s diet. Ensuring your child is well nourished can help to relieve stress and any other underlying factors – such as constipation – that may negatively affect your autistic child’s behaviour and functioning.??
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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