Restricted diet helps kids with ASD

By Shelby D Burns, Tue, March 06, 2012

Researchers have used survey data from parents to document the effectiveness of a gluten-free and casein-free diet for kids with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Research has shown that children with ASD common have GI [gastrointestinal ] symptoms,” said Christine Pennesi, medical student at Penn State College of Medicine. “Notably, a greater proportion of our study population reported GI and allergy symptoms than what is seen in the general pediatric population. Some experts have suggested that gluten- and casein-derived peptides cause an immune response in children with ASD, and others have proposed that the peptides could trigger GI symptoms and behavioral problems.”

The research team asked 387 parents of children with ASD to complete an online survey about their children’s GI symptoms, food allergies, food sensitivities as well as their adherence to a gluten-free, casein-free diet. According to the survey data, a gluten-free, casein-free diet was more effective in improving behaviors, physiological symptoms and social behaviors for those children with GI and allergy symptoms than those kids without.

“There are strong connections between the immune system and the brain, which are mediated through multiple physiological symptoms,” said Laura Cousino Klein, associate professor of biobehavioral health and human development and family studies. “A majority of the pain receptors in the body are located in the gut, so by adhering to a gluten-free, casein-free diet, you’re reducing inflammation and discomfort that may alter brain processing, making the body more receptive to ASD therapies.”

“While more rigorous research is needed, our findings suggest that a gluten-free, casein-free diet might be beneficial for some children on the autism spectrum,” Pennesi said. She also pointed out that soy seemed to be a problem for many of the same children.

Source: MedicalNewsToday, Nutritional Neuroscience

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