Gluten has been blamed for a variety of disorders, and many people have had improved health by eliminating gluten from the diet. Gluten is a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes in oats. It is actually a combination of different proteins that are broken down during digestion. Gluten intolerance, particularly among toddlers, may result in health problems, causing behavioral issues.
Intestinal Permeability
The body normally has a complex gastrointestinal system that processes food for digestion and absorption. For some toddlers, the gastrointestinal tract may become damaged, increasing permeability and permitting larger molecules, such as gluten proteins, to slip through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream, leading to an immune response. The condition may be referred to as leaky gut syndrome and is associated with increased inflammation, allergies and autism. Although leaky gut syndrome is not an exact cause of these conditions, behavioral issues in a toddler with autism or allergies could be related to intestinal permeability.
Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is a disorder in which a person is unable to eat foods containing gluten. The gluten destroys the villi, which are small projections in the intestine that help the body digest food. When these villi are destroyed, the body is unable to absorb food and a person becomes malnourished, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Celiac disease manifests as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting or weight loss. For the toddler with celiac disease, painful symptoms can lead to poor behavior if she is unable to explain her discomfort because of her age.
Gluten-Free Diet
A gluten-free diet is a type of elimination diet in which your child does not eat any foods that contain gluten, including foods made with wheat, rye or barley. Because gluten is also found in many flours and food additives, parents must read labels carefully to avoid adding gluten to the diet. Some people have had success with eliminating gluten from their toddler’s diet, which may result in improved behavior. Toddlers on this type of diet may develop better behavior, such as reduced aggression, fewer tantrums and improvements in eye contact and overall mood.
Success
If your toddler is having significant behavioral problems or she is showing signs of gastrointestinal distress, talk with your doctor about her diet. A gluten-free diet may be the answer in some situations, and eliminating gluten could help overall behavior and health. Alternatively, unless your child has been diagnosed with celiac disease, completely removing all gluten from her diet may not necessarily be a cure for some of the issues she is having.
