Grains and dairy are dietary mainstays, appearing in everything from your morning cereal to the creamer in your coffee. Yet for some people, gluten and casein -- two proteins found in certain grains and dairy -- can trigger a cascade of health problems, including autoimmune reactions and possibly developmental disorders. You may use a gluten-free, casein-free diet in the treatment of celiac disease and sometimes as an alternative therapy for autism.
Description
A gluten-free, casein-free diet excludes all foods made from gluten-containing grains and most foods made with dairy. The most common gluten-containing grain is wheat, but other sources include barley, rye, semolina, spelt, bulgur, farina, kamut, graham flour, matzo meal and triticale. Casein is in most dairy products and dairy-containing foods, including milk, yogurt, sour cream, sherbet, puddings, ice cream, half and half, cream and both hard and soft cheeses. As Bruce Semon, M.D., of the Wisconsin Institute of Nutrition explains, ghee -- a form of clarified dairy fat made from boiling butter -- is one of the only dairy foods free from casein. Although many foods are off-limits on a gluten- and casein-free diet, you can consume an abundance of fruits, vegetables, potatoes, lean meats, fish, chicken, gluten-free grains such as corn and rice, and dairy replacement products, such as soy milk or almond milk.
Function
A gluten- and casein-free diet is most often used to treat celiac disease and as an alternative therapy for autism spectrum disorders. Gluten causes intestinal inflammation in people with celiac disease, which is an autoimmune disorder affecting the digestive tract. Although avoiding gluten alone is often enough to relieve celiac symptoms, a study published in the March 2007 issue of "Clinical and Experimental Immunology" found that many celiac patients react to casein as well as gluten, and avoiding both these proteins may be necessary to fully relieve symptoms. In addition, some autistic individuals and parents of autistic children use a gluten-free, casein-free diet to improve behavior, learning and social skills, although clinical evidence to support an autism-diet link is scarce.
Challenges
Because gluten and casein are present in many foods, adhering to a gluten-free, casein-free diet can be difficult, especially in social situations or at restaurants when ingredients labels are not available. Gluten can be particularly hard to avoid, because it appears in many unexpected foods, such as beer, lunch meats, salad dressings, soy-based meat replacements and some soups. Consistently following a gluten-free, casein-free diet requires diligently reading ingredients labels and planning ahead when eating away from home.
Considerations
Although a gluten-free, casein-free diet has been proven useful in treating celiac disease, its role in autism spectrum disorders is less certain. A literature review published in the "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews" in April 2008 found that a gluten-free, casein-free diet may offer some improvement for social isolation, ability to communicate and interact and overall autistic traits, but for many variables, there were no behavioral differences between autistic children fed a standard diet and those avoiding gluten and casein. Because current science studying diet-autism links is sparse, more research is needed to clarify the link between autism and specialized diets.
Warning
Because a gluten-free, casein-free diet eliminates so many foods, this diet may increase your risk of certain nutrient deficiencies. As the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota explains, eliminating most grains and dairy can result in a lower intake of calcium, fiber,B vitamins, vitamins A and D, and overall calories. Before embarking on this type of diet, consult your physician to assess your need for supplements.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Gluten-Free Diet; January 2010
- Wisconsin Institute of Nutrition; Answers to Frequently Asked Questions; Bruce Semon; July 2009
- Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota; Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet for Autism Spectrum Disorder; March 2008
- "Clinical and Experimental Immunology"; Mucosal Reactivity to Cow's Milk Protein in Coeliac Disease; G. Kristjansson, et al.; March 2007
- "Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews"; Gluten- and Casein-Free Diets for Autistic Spectrum Disorder; C. Millward, et al.; April 2006
Member Comments