Autism and Diet - What Are Your Options?

[Guest guest]

When, as parents, you hear your child has autism, the first response is usually

one of shock even though you may have had concerns that led to the diagnosis.

After the shock wears off, you'll probably be looking for things that can help

your child. Unfortunately, information regarding a cure or even the root cause

of autism is not yet known, so many parents turn to differing treatment options

and there are a number of theories that suggest there is a link between autism

and diet. More specifically that a special diet called GFCF that might help

children with autism in many ways.

GFCF stands for gluten free casein free. Following a GFCF diet means foods with

those proteins are eliminated from your child's daily diet. Sounds simple right?

Well, unfortunately it's actually pretty difficult to do.

The problem is that these proteins are commonly found in foods that most of us

eat each day, and therefore the diet can be somewhat restrictive.

Casein is found most commonly in milk and milk products like ice cream and

cheese that are made with milk. Gluten is found in grains and also in oats and

barley. It is also found in soy products, and many additives that are put in

foods for coloring, flavor, or as a preservative. Both these proteins also

appear in other food sources as well meaning you have to become an avid label

reader.

Though studies are on going, there is no conclusive link between the GFCF diet

and improvement for autistic children just yet. However, what is known is that

some autistic children find if very difficult to digest these types of proteins

in the same way as others can, and can lead the body to treat them as if they

are poisonous.

Having this reaction to these proteins might lead to problems with bloating,

gas, and diarrhea. Some also believe that these have an impact on social and

emotional problems that are very common in children and adults struggling with

autism.

Before removing any foods in order to follow a GFCF diet, it is a good idea to

get approval from a doctor. The doctor might want to keep a close eye on the

child because many important nutritional elements like calcium might be missing

from the diet once milk is removed.

There are other foods that can supplement calcium, and a doctor can help with

adding foods back to replace what following such a diet can miss. Vitamins and

minerals are important to any eating plan, and if they are lacking, a child will

suffer in other ways.

Continue reading for more information about GFCF diets and sign up to the

newsletter for additional information on managing autism with dietary changes.

Some parents' report astounding changes in both physical and emotional problems,

while others say that nothing changed when trying the GFCF diet. There are some

in the middle that say the elimination diet helped with one problem but not

others. How each child will react cannot be known until the diet is tried.

However, before jumping in and restricting your child's diet to see if there is

a link between autism and diet, parents should talk to the doctor and remember

that the results for other families have been mixed. As long as a physician is

overseeing the diet, and the child is receiving regular check ups, there should

be no harm in trying the diet to see if it works.

To Assist My Children In Keeping Their Power And Self Dignity In Tact -

http://kerricasp.key.to/

[Guest guest]

Please do not advertise here as you have done

[Guest guest]

Newsletter?

-- GFCFKids has over 14,000 members and has been thriving for 11+

years. It's an amazing resource.

[Guest guest]

Quite the contrary, knowing that the GFCF diet works wonders for many

in the autism spectrum, one should start looking into the connections right

away and see what works for their child as soon as possible.

Don't worry about the label reading, it becomes second nature after a while.

I would also recommend a good allergist or DAN Dr to run a few tests to

see what else needs to be limited in their diet.

mark

On Fri, Nov 27, 2009 at 8:33 AM, pbrqwibhvfcy <pbrqwibhvfcy@...>wrote:

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> Though studies are on going, there is no conclusive link between the GFCF

> diet and improvement for autistic children just yet.

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Coracle Ministries