The gluten-free and casein free diet, or GFCF diet, is a biomedical treatment for autism spectrum disorders. The diet is used only when specific food allergies are suspected of causing or contributing to an individual's disorder. Experts warn the treatment is not supported by sound medical research and may cause irreversible harm to a child's physical development.
Gluten
Massachusetts General Hospital describes gluten as a naturally occurring protein in barley, wheat and rye. Its strength and elasticity hold baked bread together and make it an ideal addition to processed foods. Gluten-free dieters must take caution to avoid foods containing derivative products, including wheat starch, caramel color and emulsifiers, because these ingredients contain gluten. Note that oats are commonly contaminated with gluten and should be excluded from a gluten-free lifestyle. Gluten allergy is most commonly associated with celiac disease.
Casein
Casein is milk protein found in nearly all dairy products, including cheese, according to the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program. It is commonly extracted, like gluten, and used in processed foods. People following a casein-free diet must be aware of the distinction between lactose and casein. Products labeled "lactose-free" usually still contain casein and will cause a reaction in individuals with casein allergies. Casein is also known as potassium caseinate, zinc caseinate, and hydrolyzed casein.
Theory
The GFCF diet in autism evolved from the controversial theory of leaky gut syndrome. According to Laurine Brown, associate professor of environmental studies and health at Illinois Wesleyan University, tiny leaks in the wall of the intestine allow gluten and casein proteins to pass into the bloodstream before adequate digestion. The semi-digested protein travels to the brain and binds to opioid receptor sites, causing stupor and intoxication. The theory is that developmental delays occur when this process occurs in babies and young children, resulting in autism.
Benefits
Supporters of the GFCF diet for autism believe that eliminating all gluten and casein products from an affected child's diet will stop the biological reaction that causes the disorder. Many parents who have initiated the treatment independently claim to witness vast improvements in their children's conditions. Experts doubt the validity of these reports and a study by the Meadows Center Autism Spectrum Disorder Institute found research supporting the diet's effectiveness was seriously flawed.
Risks
Elimination of gluten and casein requires a radical change in diet. Parents should consult a dietitian before attempting the treatment to ensure their children's nutritional needs will be met. A study by the National Institutes of Health and Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center found boys following a casein-free diet for autism suffered impaired skeletal development. Bones of study participants abstaining from milk and dairy products were consistently 20 percent thinner than those of average children.
References
- Massachusetts General Hospital: Gluten Free Diet
- Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities Program: The Gluten-free Casein-free Diet in Autism
- Illinois Wesleyan University: Diet and Autism: is there a Connection?
- University of Texas at Austin: Gluten- and Casein-free Diet Not Effective Autism Treatment
- U.S. National Institutes of Health News: Thin Bones Seen In Boys with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorder
