Since 2003, there has been buzz in the medical world about the benefits of a gluten- and casein-free diet for children with autism. The idea spawned from a case study performed by the University of Eastern Michigan in 1998 that showed inconclusive indication that a casein- and gluten-free diet showed a decrease in autistic symptoms for children with autism spectrum disorders. Today, the idea that this special diet can help with autism continues to be tested by research universities.
Why Casein and Gluten?
Gluten is the complex protein found in wheat, barley and rye; casein is a derivative of dairy products. The basis of the first case study performed by the University of Eastern Michigan theorized that autism is caused by an immune deficiency that is caused by the body's inability to properly digest nutrients from foods containing gluten and casein. In 2005 and 2010, The University of Texas and University of Rochester, respectively, expanded on the initial study to determine the effectiveness of a gluten- and casein-free diet on children with autism.
University of Eastern Michigan Case Study
The study by the medical research center at the University of Eastern Michigan was based on the theory that by increasing the immune system with the removal of gluten and casein from a child's diet, the symptoms of autism would decrease. In the study's final analysis, 21 of the 33 participants were used. Each participant ranged between age 2 and 6; all of the participants were placed on a strict gluten- and casein-free diet for six months. Fourteen of the participants showed an improvement in temperament, eye contact and vocal use after three months. Participants were not initially tested for sensitivity to gluten or casein, which is part of the reason that the study was deemed inconclusive and not adequate enough to support the theory that a gluten- and casein-free diet can fully help with autism. In addition, the study did not have a control group.
University of Texas Case Study
Austin Malloy of the University of Texas created a study titled "Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders" in 2005 as part of his doctoral research. The study concluded in 2009 when the findings were released. Overall, 188 participants were involved in 14 different case studies that ranged from four days to four years. Participants were placed on a casein- and gluten-free diet for the duration of the study. Each participant was tested for gluten and casein sensitivity before the trial started and was compared to a control group of children with autism not on the diet. According to the findings of the 14 different case studies, there was no discernible difference in the behavior of those children on the casein- and gluten-free diet, which lead to the conclusion that the diet is ineffective at treating autism.
University of Rochester Medical Center Case Study
On May 19, 2010, ABC News reported the conclusion of a study conducted by Dr. Susan Hyman of Golisano Children's Hospital as part of the University of Rochester's Medical Center. The study included 21 children who did not have a gluten or casein sensitivity before the trial started. Children were placed on a strict gluten- and casein-free diet for 12 weeks and offered a snack each day that was either casein and gluten free, normal, or a placebo until each child had received the snack three times. At the end of the study, it was revealed that none of the children showed improvement in autistic symptoms with the use of the special diet, therefore determining that the diet is not a remedy for treating autism.
References
- ABC News: Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet No Remedy for Autism
- University of Rochester Medical Center: Popular Autism Diet Does Not Demonstrate Behavioral Improvement
- "Elsevier Editorial System;" Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders; Austin Malloy; October 2009
- The University of Texas: Gluten- and Casein-free Diet Not Effective Autism Treatment
- The University of East Michigan: A Gluten-free Diet as An Intervention for Autism and Associated Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Findings
