Wednesday, April 2nd, 2008, was the first World Autism Day, as proclaimed by the United Nations, and even CNN dedicated the day to the topic.
You never know when somebody you know may be affected by autism, so I figured this information might be helpful to others as well.
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The GFCF Diet
Contrary to conventional medical wisdom, many now believe that autism and autism spectrum disorders are treatable and recoverable, and a growing number of non-conventional doctors (called "Defeat Autism Now!" or "DAN!" Doctors) are practicing a "biomedical approach" to autism treatment and recovery. Nutritional therapy, or dietary intervention, is considered to be one part of this protocol (and the first, most basic step). There are six different diets that can be used in the biomedical approach, and the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet is one of those (and the most well-known). The GFCF diet is being used to treat autism, but it also is being used for asthma, allergies, and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and a slew of other issues as well (including SPD).
What is Gluten?
Gluten is present in wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Gluten is a protein that has a sticky, gluey texture that helps give wheat products the ability to bake properly. A large percentage of the American population has a deficiency of the particular enzyme that breaks down gluten. This enzyme is called DPP4 and is also involved in the digestion of milk products. When the DPP4 enzyme fails to do its job, gluten is only partially broken down. This creates partial proteins, or peptides, that can sometimes mimic the chemical composition of opiates. These peptides are also very similar to the innate human opiates called endorphins. These opioid peptides frequently cause feelings of spaciness, and even intoxication, in kids who don't have enough of the DPP4 enzyme, and who are therefore intolerant to gluten and casein. These feelings of intoxication can become very appealing to kids, and the pleasure they create can make it hard for kids to give up gluten and casein. [From Healing the New Childhood Epidemics by Kenneth Bock, M.D.]
What is Casein?
Casein is one of the primary proteins in milk and all milk products, including cheese, cream, and butter, and it's the hardest of these proteins to break down. An insufficiency of the DPP4 enzyme results in only a partial breakdown of casein, creating a peptide (partial protein). This mischievous protein can create caseomorphins that cause the same type of intoxication, contentment, and pleasure as the morphine-like substances that can come from gluten peptides. This intoxication can result in cravings, and in the strong attachment that so many kids have to milk. [From Healing the New Childhood Epidemics by Kenneth Bock, M.D.]
Beyond GFCF
The GFCF diet is considered to be just part of the puzzle. Other aspects of the biomedical approach include supplements (vitamins, minerals, etc), detoxification, and medication.
