There is not enough evidence to recommend the gluten and casein-free diet for all autistic people but some do report feeling better when following it. A gluten and casein free diet involves avoiding all foodstuffs which contain gluten and casein. Following a gluten and casein free diet is not without risk.
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.
Eliminating gluten and casein may help to change symptoms and behaviors of autism. Some parents have started their child with autism on a version of the GF/CF diet for a different reason, and later noticed improvement in behavior, social skills, and learning.
Gluten Sensitivity & The Brain-Gut Connection
It is believed that the incomplete breakdown and excessive absorption of gluten peptides may react with opiate receptors in the brain, leading to neurological changes that dramatically exacerbate the symptoms of autism.
Research has shown that people with a family history of autoimmune conditions (remember, celiac disease is an autoimmune condition) are more likely to have a diagnosis of autism. 8 One study found that mothers who had celiac disease had three times the normal risk of having a child with autism.
Research also tells us that many individuals with autism tend to have strong preferences for carbohydrates and processed foods, while rejecting fruits and vegetables. This, too, may reflect an aversion to strong tastes and textures.
Every autistic person is different, but sensory differences, changes in routine, anxiety, and communication difficulties are common triggers.
In one study on neurological effects of celiac disease, researchers observed that 42% of patients experienced frequent headaches, 24% reported gait instability, and 12% had persistent sensory symptoms. A later report reiterated these findings and found that the patients also had abnormal brain imaging.
Some more recommended food items that help autism symptoms include: Prebiotic-rich foods (apples, asparagus, leeks, garlic, onions, bananas, and chicory root)
The strongest direct evidence of foods linked to autism involves wheat and dairy, and the specific proteins they contain – namely, gluten and casein. These are difficult to digest and, especially if introduced too early in life, may result in an allergy.
Gluten and Irritability
Hyperactivity and food with gluten seem to go hand in hand in children with some sensitivity to this food. Irritability and aggressiveness are other bad behaviors that gluten can trigger.
Casein is the main protein in dairy products such as cow's milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream. Some research has shown that this diet may improve some symptoms of autism like hyperactivity and communication, but it has not shown to improve digestive symptoms.
Genetics. Several different genes appear to be involved in autism spectrum disorder. For some children, autism spectrum disorder can be associated with a genetic disorder, such as Rett syndrome or fragile X syndrome. For other children, genetic changes (mutations) may increase the risk of autism spectrum disorder.
Autism is not caused by malnutrition or food-related challenges, but, for many people, there is a connection between autism and food. Research suggests that food-related challenges have a significant impact on many people who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Quinoa, rice, oats, eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes, and squash are just a few of the veggies that are on the autism food list. Strawberries, pineapple, and grapes are good fruit suggestions. Following a low FODMAPS diet has been shown to help patients manage their symptoms better than other types of diets do.
The results of this study suggest that a gluten-free diet improves ADHD symptoms significantly and that untreated celiac disease may predispose patients to mental and behavioral disorders such as ADHD.
It looked at 132 participants, ranging from toddlers to adults, and reported that "ADHD symptomatology is markedly overrepresented among untreated celiac disease patients." Again, a gluten-free diet improved symptoms quickly and substantially—six months after starting the diet, most people had vastly improved ADHD ...
Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges. If you suspect a food sensitivity may be contributing to your child's ADHD symptoms, talk to your ADHD dietitian or doctor about trying an elimination diet.
Cataract. Cataracts associated with celiac disease have been reported in the literature–. Malabsorption can be caused by chronic diarrhea. A severe vitamin D deficiency due to the malabsorptive syndrome interferes with the absorption of calcium, and the resulting hypocalcemia contributes to the development of cataracts ...
It affects the small intestine – the part of the digestive system responsible for absorbing nutrients. If you have coeliac disease, eating gluten – a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and oats – causes damage to the lining of your small intestine.
Among those with autism, common triggers include disturbing breaks in routine, lack of sleep, jarring “sensory stimuli” (noises, lights, or smells) or even undiagnosed mental health problems. Clearly, it's important to look beyond the behavior itself to identify the underlying cause.
There are five major types of autism which include Asperger's syndrome, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder, Kanner's syndrome, and pervasive developmental disorder – not otherwise specified.
Some studies, though not all, have found that autistic children have lower blood levels of oxytocin, on average, than their non-autistic peers. And autistic children with lower levels demonstrate poorer social skills than those with higher levels.