New Scientific Data Supports Nutrition and Dietary Intervention for Those with Autism

Until recently treatment options for those with autism had been limited because of a narrow perspective that views autism as simply a brain malfunction or psychiatric disorder. However, more recent scientific data is expanding that perspective and suggesting that nutrition and dietary interventions, particularly the removal of wheat and dairy products, make a significant difference.

According to a Nov. 27 press release, controlling the symptoms of autism is no longer limited to behavior and communication therapies and prescription medications. Now thousands of parents who've applied nutrition interventions report that what they feed their children with autism definitely makes a difference.

Julie Matthews is a Certified Nutrition Consultant specializing in autism spectrum disorders. According to the Healthful Living website, Matthews has been a Defeat Autism Now (DAN!) practitioner for several years, presents at national DAN! conferences, has written a book on diet and nutrition for autism, "Nourising Hope," and hosts a weekly radio program in San Francisco, Calif., that focuses on autism. Matthews asserts that something has been missing all along in the perspective and treatment approach for those with autism. But now science is "rethinking autism and new data supports the idea that special diets can help," she says.

According to the press release, University of Western Ontario scientists recently found a link between a compound produced in the digestive system and autistic-type behavior. This compound is also found in wheat and dairy products, which suggests that what autistic children eat could alter their brain function. Dr. Martha Herbert, Assistant Professor in Neurology at Harvard Medical School, said in response to this discovery: "Now we're learning that the brain and body can influence each other. There are chemicals produced by and influenced by foods that can affect the brain." Therefore, it stands to reason that if those foods are removed from the diet of a person with autism, the negative impact on the brain should stop.

According to the press release, Mark. A. Hyman, M.D., is the editor-in-chief of the "Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine" journal. In what he identifies as a new "systemic way of thinking" about autism, Dr. Hyman believes that some autism symptoms are related to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances, and "the body's influence on the brain must come to the forefront of research and treatment."

For parents of children with autism, Matthews recommends removing wheat and dairy products from the diet. Wheat gluten and casein in dairy products are known to affect the brain in such a way that thinking can become foggy, with an inability to concentrate, and cravings are triggered. Matthews also recommends that parents add easily digestible foods to their kids' diets, as well as supplements such as cod liver oil, probiotics, B6, magnesium and zinc. Probiotics are dietary supplements or foods that contain beneficial or "good" bacteria normally found in the body.

With children, especially toddlers and pre-school kids, parents are the sole overseers of their diets. That being the case, this major key to autism is literally in the parents' hands, say the experts.

Sources:

Press release, "Science helps validate special diets for Autism, hope may be right in parents' hands;" http://www.prweb.com/releases/autismdietinformation/juliematthewsnutrition/prweb571554.htm

Healthful Living; http://www.healthfulliving.org/index.php