GF/CF Info

"Gluten and gluten-like proteins are found in wheat and other grains, including oats, rye, barley, bulgar, durum, kamut and spelt, and foods made from those grains. They are also found in food starches, semolina, couscous, malt, some vinegars, soy sauce, flavorings, artificial colors and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins.

Casein is a protein found in milk and foods containing milk, such as cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, whey and even some brands of margarine. It also may be added to non-milk products such as soy cheese and hot dogs in the form of caseinate."

"According to one theory, some people with autism and PDD cannot properly digest gluten and casein, which form peptides, or substances that act like opiates in their bodies. The peptides then alter the person's behavior, perceptions, and responses to his environment. Some scientists now believe that peptides trigger an unusual immune system response in certain people. Research in the U.S. and Europe has found peptides in the urine of a significant number of children with autism. A doctor can order a urinary peptide test to see if proteins are being digested properly. "

"Foods that CAN be eaten on a gluten-free, casein-free diet include rice, quinoa, amaranth, potato, buckwheat flour, soy, corn, fruits, oil, vegetables, beans, tapioca, meat, poultry, fish, shellfish, teff, nuts, eggs, and sorghum, among others."

"Research into the GFCF diet continues. A study released in 2010 shows benefits for some kids with autism spectrum disorder. "Our results suggest that dietary intervention may positively affect developmental outcome for some children diagnosed with ASD," according to the study. It was published in Nutritional Neuroscience by a research group that included Paul Shattock and Dr. Paul Whiteley of ESPA Research. "Further studies are required to ascertain potential best- and non-responders to intervention." "

http://www.autismweb.com/diet.htm


"Proponents of the gluten-free diet say many children with autism have gastrointestinal difficulties that make it hard for them to digest certain grains properly. There are different possibilities for ways in which this could affect children with autism. The most studied theory is that eating gluten leads to high levels of protein by-products, called gluteomorphines, in some children with autism. These by-products may then affect behaviour like a drug would. Specifically, in these children, gluteomorphines could reduce their desire for social interaction, block pain messages, and increase confusion. If gluten is taken out of the diet, the idea is that this will reduce the level of gluteomorphines, and behaviour will improve as a result."

"One well-controlled study focused on children with autism who had abnormally high protein by-products in their urine, and therefore were more likely to be sensitive to casein and gluten. One group of these children was fed a strict casein- and gluten-free diet for 12 months. This group had significantly fewer autistic symptoms than the remaining children, who were not fed this diet. Another well-controlled study of casein- and gluten-free diets focused on children with autism regardless of the level of protein by-products in their urine. Overall, the study found no significant differences in behaviour between children on the elimination diet and children on regular diets, although individual parents reported behavioural improvements. This overall lack of effect in the second study could be because the elimination diet only lasted 6 weeks, or because the children were not pre-selected according to the level of protein by-products in their urine.

Regardless, in both cases, the tested diets were casein- and gluten-free, so it is not clear whether it was the elimination of casein, gluten, or both that resulted in any improvements. A third study that examined the effects of a gluten-free diet on the behaviour of children with autism did not compare children on the elimination diet with children not on the diet. Therefore, even though there were improvements seen in the behaviour of children on the diet, these may also have occurred over the 5 months of the study without the elimination diet."

http://www.autismcanada.org/glutenfree.htm

http://www.the-gluten-free-chef.com/gluten-free-diet-autism.html

http://www.paleocookbooks.com/?hop=cazza46

http://www.liveglutenfreely.com/?WT.mc_id=paid_search_300801_636119&WT.srch=1

http://www.brighttots.com/Autism_Diet/Gluten_Free_Casein_Free

http://blog.glutenfreeworks.com/category/autism-gluten-free-casein-free-diet/

http://www.newautismcure.com/tag/gluten/

List of foods containing gluten

http://www.the-gluten-free-chef.com/avoid-gluten.html

http://www.godairyfree.org/Food-to-Eat/Food-Label-Info/Dairy-Ingredient-List.html

http://www.ei-resource.org/treatment-options/treatment-information/gluten-free-and-casein-free-diet/

http://www.gfcfdiet.com/

http://www.gfcfdiet.com/NewpageDirectory6.htm

That's only the beginning..*SIGH*