Diet

“Diet does not cure autism – that is a fact.“

I realize that diet restrictions can be viewed as controversial. But I have to include it here because it has made such a huge difference in my quality of life and that of our kids.

We used to suffer from chronic allergic bronchitis and asthma, caused by the caseine. Once eliminated from our diet the symptoms miraculously vanished.

We also suffered from chronic IBS and my son was even diagnosed with autoimmune inflammatory bowel disease. But once wheat gluten was eliminated from our diet the symptoms miraculously vanished.

Coincidence? I think not.

Through many years of trial and error, lots & lots of prayer and my own research, we have actually implemented all these dietary adaptations ourselves. Even before I knew we were autistic and before I knew that there is a link between these foods and autism.

The best fit for us has been a Keto / Paleo diet. This has really been hugely beneficial for our family. To learn more about a ketogenic diet, I can recommend Dr. Berg. See https://www.drberg.com/the-healthy-keto-diet-for-beginners

The Autism Parenting Magazine has a helpful and comprehensive document on the topic. I’ll post some of the info underneath. Please download the document for more details.

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/aspergers-syndrome-and-the-power-of-a-good-diet/

Granted, our experience of Asperger’s has been what Uta Frith delicately defined as having ‘a dash of autism.’ Parents and carers of highly autistic children undoubtedly face more challenges. But how many of you out there wish a cure or is it more about adaptation and acceptance?

-Sarah Patten

https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/autism-diet-and-nutrition/

Although there is no conclusive evidence that diet can improve symptoms of autism, many parents and caregivers of children with autism are using nutrition to manage some behaviors that come with being on the spectrum.

-Autism Parenting Magazine

Before learning about popular autism diet options for your child, it’s important to understand how nutrition plays a part in autism. While nutrition or special diets do not cure autism, there have been reports indicating the positive effects of a modified diet.

What is the connection of diet to overall autism health?

Children with autism often have sensory challenges. As a result, they can have specific food aversions that prevent them from getting the number of nutrients they need to be healthy. If your child is a picky eater, you might find that introducing healthier food options can sometimes be next to impossible.

Autism and gastrointestinal issues: What causes GI problems in autism?

In a study published in 2014, gastrointestinal dysfunction was present in 49 percent of 164 children with ASD. Additionally, 22 percent showed signs of diarrhea, and 26 percent had constipation.

The findings confirm what many parents of children with ASD have long suspected: autism and gastrointestinal issues are connected.

Gastrointestinal dysfunction or GID refers to diseases that occur in the gastrointestinal tract. Some of these conditions include:

• Constipation – is a condition where there are difficulty and irregularity of bowel movements. Symptoms include a bloated or distended stomach and pain when experiencing a bowel movement.
• Vomiting – throwing up can be a symptom of a bacterial or viral infection, but it can also be caused by food allergies, migraines, and other underlying medical conditions.
• Diarrhea – is a condition that involves watery stools and the urgent need to go to the toilet. Beyond viral causes, diarrhea is a symptom of celiac and Crohn’s disease.
• Crohn’s disease – is a chronic bowel disease that inflames the gastrointestinal tract anywhere between the mouth and the anus. The cause is unknown, but studies have suggested a link to the immune system.
• Lactose intolerance – is the inability to digest lactose, a sugar found in animal milk (cow, goat, and sheep), and can be brought about by Crohn’s or celiac disease. People who are lactose intolerant experience bloating, stomach pain, nausea, or diarrhea within a few minutes of consuming lactose.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – defined as the “abdominal discomfort associated with altered bowel habits,” the symptoms are often sudden, persistent, and irregular bowel movements that can either be constipation-predominant or diarrhea-predominant.
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) – also known as heartburn or acid reflux, this condition is caused by a weak esophageal sphincter which makes partially digested food go back up the esophagus.
• Celiac disease – is an autoimmune disorder triggered by the protein gluten. Many parents of children with ASD have found that excluding gluten from their child’s diet improved symptoms as a response to the protein can damage the villi (the small, finger-like projections in the small intestine), which interferes with absorption and can lead to other health problems.

It is essential to determine the underlying causes of GI symptoms and whether they can be treated or resolved by adjusting food habits or applying special diets.

Ultimately, parents are advised to consult the child’s physician and report relevant diet, digestion, and bowel movement issues that might affect moods and behavior associated with autism.

Autism gut health: Studies on the microbiome and its effects on autism

A new study revealed that a healthy gut microbiome, which consists of different bacteria that live in the intestines, can affect and ease symptoms of autism. It suggests that autism and gut health are linked and that opting for a healthy diet can have benefits for children with autism.

Sleep and gastrointestinal problems in autism

Statistically, research estimates that between 44 and 86 percent of children with ASD experience sleep disorders. This number is significantly higher than the 10 to 16 percent of children in the general population. It takes an average of 11 minutes longer for children with autism to fall asleep compared to neurotypical children.

There is evidence that sleep and GI dysfunction are linked in children with autism. Sleep disorders are common in children on the spectrum. This includes refusing to go to bed, insomnia, abnormal breathing during sleep, problems waking up, and difficulty staying awake during the day.

To alleviate sleep difficulties connected with gastrointestinal issues, Sleephelp.org recommends the following:

• Avoid food that irritates or upsets the child’s stomach a few hours before bedtime
• Limit liquid intake before bed to avoid bedwetting
• Avoid caffeine (this includes tea, chocolate, and soda)
• Provide exercise or intense physical activities during the day
• Melatonin supplements are known to promote sleep (ask your child’s physician first)

Beneficial autism diet for your child

Despite the lack of evidence that a particular diet improves symptoms of autism, many parents opt for trying specific food regimens they believe will help. While these diets are not scientific, the response from parents proves otherwise.

Exclusion diets are popular in parents that administer specific autism diets to their children. These diets involve reducing or removing food that is considered harmful to a person’s health. Some examples of exclusion diets are:

• Gluten-free
• Casein-free
• Salicylate-free
• Yeast-free

Special diets/nutrition/vitamins to help ease autism symptoms

Diet does not cure autism – that is a fact. However, there is also no known adverse effects of specific diets that are believed to worsen symptoms of autism.

Let’s review some well-known diets developed for specific dietary needs and conditions. Keep in mind that benefits are not guaranteed for every child on the spectrum.

The ketogenic diet for autism

The ketogenic or keto diet is a popular diet that involves reducing carbohydrates and replacing them with fat. The body is then forced to use fat as an energy source which results in a faster metabolic state called ketosis. The keto diet was first used to treat patients with epilepsy, which is a condition present in some children with autism.

A small study suggested the possibility that a modified ketogenic diet is beneficial for people with autism. The study was done in 15 children ages two to 17 years old for three months. The children went under a modified ketogenic diet with supplemental MCT (medium chain triglycerides). MCT is a dietary supplement that contributes to weight loss and lowering inflammation.

The study concluded that: “Components of the KD are possibly beneficial in improving social effect in children with ASD. Additional studies are needed to understand how the KD improves behavior.”

To go on a keto diet, you need to avoid foods high in carbohydrates. Meats, high-fat dairy, low-carb vegetables (spinach, kale, broccoli), nuts and seeds, avocado, and artificial sweeteners are the main staple in this diet. These foods are not allowed in a keto diet:

• Grains (wheat, rice, pasta, corn, etc.)
• Sugar (table sugar, soda, honey, agave, maple syrup, etc.)
• Fruits (apples, bananas, oranges, etc.)
• Tubers (potatoes, yams, etc.)

Gluten-free diet for autism/casein-free diet for autism

The gluten-free and casein-free diet, also known as the GFCF diet, is gaining popularity in the autism community. The positive response from parents and advocates is always a source of discussion and debate. Studies and research findings are conflicting, as one study claims this diet has no positive benefits, while another suggests improvement of autism symptoms with this diet.

The GFCF diet involves eliminating gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) and casein (found in milk and dairy products) from the child’s everyday food intake. Some parents go with this diet due to food allergies, while others believe it alleviates autism symptoms.

The theory behind this diet states that peptides and protein found in gluten and casein contain opiate-like chemicals that can cause a person to react and behave differently. This chemical reaction can exacerbate symptoms for children with ASD.

The GFCF diet is believed to reduce symptoms and improve social and cognitive behaviors and speech in children with autism. In a 2012 study conducted by Penn State’s Human Development and Family Studies department, parents reported that a gluten-free and casein-free diet improved autism behaviors in their children who also exhibited gastrointestinal dysfunction. Children in the GFCF diet were said to achieve better language production, eye contact, attention span, and social responsiveness.

Foods to avoid in a GFCF diet are:

• Milk and dairy products (cheese, ice cream, yogurt, etc.)
• Bread, pastries, and most cereals (not labeled gluten-free)

What you can eat in a gluten-free casein-free diet:

• Chicken, fish, meat
• Fruits, vegetables
• Potatoes, rice, infant rice cereal
• Cereal and pasta labeled “gluten-free”

To counter the absence of milk products, parents often choose alternative dairy products such as plant-based milk (almond milk, rice milk, soy milk) for children without nut and soy allergies. As for the absence of gluten, parents opt for gluten-free options that are now widely available in almost all food items.

GAPS diet for autism

GAPS, which stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a term coined by nutritionist Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride who also created the GAPS diet.

The diet requires eliminating grains, pasteurized dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbs from a person’s daily food intake. It is geared towards people with neurological conditions such as autism.

The GAPS diet was developed under the theory of leaky gut syndrome. A leaky gut, to put, is a condition wherein undigested food particles leak to the bloodstream because of a damaged lining in the small intestine. When this happens, Dr. Campbell-McBride believes it affects brain function and can cause neurological disorders like autism, ADD, ADHD, dyslexia, depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.

Symptoms of a leaky gut include:

• Chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating
• Poor immune system
• Headaches
• Hazy memory and poor brain function
• Tiredness
• Skin problems (acne, rashes, rosacea)
• Craving for sweets and carbohydrate-rich foods
• Arthritis and joint pain

The GAPS diet has a very specific meal plan separated into two stages: introduction phase and full diet phase. There is a meal plan to be followed, and it involves gradually introducing new foods in the introductory phase until you are ready to implement the full GAPS diet.

The GAPS diet involves consuming a significant amount of bone broth, hormone-free and grass-fed meat, fish, shellfish, animal fats, eggs, fresh fruits and non-starchy vegetables, kefir, hard cheese, coconut milk, nuts, and white beans.

Foods to avoid in the GAPS diet include:

• Sugar and artificial sweeteners
• Syrups
• Alcohol
• Processed and packaged foods
• Grains such as rice, corn, wheat, and oats
• Starchy vegetables, such as potatoes and yams
• Milk
• Beans, except white and greens beans
• Coffee
• Strong tea
• Soy

The GAPS website promotes supplements to go with the diet. Specifically, it recommends its brand of probiotics for autism, as well as fish and cod liver oil.

There is no scientific evidence that the GAPS diet is effective in treating autism. In addition, health experts criticize the diet because of its long list of foods that are not allowed, which might be impossible to implement with a picky eater. More importantly, the restriction in certain food groups might cause malnutrition in children.

The GAPS diet is also viewed by some health professionals as a marketing scheme to sell books, DVDs, and supplements rather than treat conditions like autism. Parents and caregivers are advised to take caution when considering this approach.

https://www.webmd.com/brain/autism/gluten-free-casein-free-diets-for-autism#1