Autism, known as autism spectrum disorder or ASD, affects approximately one out of 110 children in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ASD may result in significant social, communication and behavior difficulties. Some believe that a gluten-free, casein-free diet or GFCF diet -- along with homeopathic remedies such as vitamin B6 -- may benefit symptoms of autism. However, you should consult your doctor before using the GFCF diet or any homeopathic remedy to treat autism.
GFCF Diet
A gluten-free, casein-free diet is thought by some to benefit children and adults suffering from an ASD, reports AutismWeb.com. Although disputed by many medical professionals, some theorists hold that autistic children do not effectively digest gluten and casein, which can lead to the formation of opiate-like peptides -- causing abnormal behavior, perceptions and environmental responses. Glutens and gluten-like proteins are found primarily in wheat sources such as oats, rye and barley, but can also be components of some unlikely products such as vinegar and soy sauce. Casein is a protein found in milk products such as cheese, butter and ice cream.
Glutathione
Children with autism may have an improper balance of the vital antioxidant, glutathione. According to the Kronos Science Laboratory, glutathione is vital for the removal of toxic substances from the body, and healthy cells and tissues should contain 90 percent of reduced-glutathione and less than 10 percent oxidized-glutathione. A study published in the December 2004, edition of the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition," led by Jill James, discovered that autistic children had lower levels of total glutathione and significantly higher levels of oxidative glutathione. Researchers concluded that these children, among other factors, had an increased risk of oxidative stress -- which can lead to cell damage by free radicals -- and contribute to the development and clinical manifestation of autism.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is thought by some in the medical community to have beneficial effects for children with autism. A Sept. 26, 2004 report on the Autism Archives website by Dr. Bernard Rimland, of San Diego's Autism Research Institute, states that 18 studies regarding the effects of vitamin B6 on autistic children have all had positive results. Rimland reports that this is impressive when considering that drug evaluations need to show positive results in only half of their subjects. In addition, British neurologists reported that 11 of 19 autistic children excreted abnormal metabolites -- organic compounds needed to remove toxins -- in their urine, according to Rimland. The children received 30 mg tablets of vitamin B6, which restored their urine metabolite levels to normal, reports Rimland. Further observations by a German researcher discovered that vitamin B6, when given in high doses of 100 to 600 mg per day, significantly improved the behavior of 12 of 16 autistic children, states Rimland.
References
- Centers For Disease Control and Prevention: Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs)
- Autism Web: The GFCF (Gluten-Free, Casein-Free) Diet for Autism Spectrum Disorders
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Metabolic Biomarkers of Increased Oxidative Stress and Impaired Methylation Capacity in Children With Autism; Jill James et al.; Dec. 2004
- Kronos Science Laboratory: Glutathione /Glutathione Panel
- Autism Archives: Autism and Vitamins...
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