A newbie with a very basic question « Gluten free diet blog

A newbie with a very basic question

16 Apr, 2007 Diet

I am hoping someone here can help me to understand the basics of thegluten free diet. My son was recently diagnosed with an ASD. Thepsychologist suggested both a dairy free and gluten free diet. We havealready begun the dairy free but are waiting on the gluten free fornow. Does the gluten free diet make a difference, how so? How exactlydoes the gluten free diet work? Why does it work?Could some wonderful person here please explain this to me a littlebit. The only info I got from the psych was to try a gluten free diet,but I do not have any idea where to start, and it is a littleoverwhelming.

2 Comments so far »

Santina Winkelbauer said,

Wrote on April 17, 2007 @ 4:49 pm

There are three reasons, depending on your child, that the gluten- andcasein-(dairy)-free diet “works” with many children on the ASD spectrum (as wellas others).

#1) The child is sensitive to/intolerant of gluten and or casein (the proteinin milk). This may be the immediate (IgE-mediated) “allergy” recognized byallergists, but often these kids test as “not allergic” per allergists to thesethings but would show up as sensitive on a delayed-sensitivity (IgG-mediated)test, especially as the symptoms show up other places besides the traditionalhives, upset stomach, anaphylaxis, etc. In my daughter’s case, for example, milkgave her earaches 4 days later and affected her frustration level,transitioning, and related activities.

#2) The child breaks down gluten and/or casein incompletely, instead of allthe way down to individual amino acids stopping at a peptide level. The problemhere is that the peptides that result are similar in structure and effect on thebody to morphine or heroin. Therefore this is referred to as the “opiate excess”problem. Somewhat recently (a couple of years ago), it was determined that someof these kids break down soy in the same way as they do gluten and/or casein.Note also that the peptide for wheat (gluten) is smaller than that for casein,and they appear to have similar reactions, even though for some children milkseems to be a bigger issue than wheat or vice versa.

#3) The child has both problems #1 and #2 with these foods (one or both).

As far as the best resources where to start, go to http://www.tacanow.com. Scrolldown to the “GFCF Diet” link on the left side. Click that and find their “10weeks to the gfcf diet.” If you’ve already taken dairy out of your son’s diet,you’ve accomplished the first couple of weeks’ worth of the plan. Continue fromthere. There are several other resources besides this plan on that page, and allof them are useful. A few, such as restaurant lists and where to buy what arespecific to southern California, but even the latter of these (the where to buylist) can be adapted by listing off the items and finding them in your area.Another good resource is http://www.gfcfdiet.com. In fact, many of the lists on thetaca site are taken and/or adapted from this. A third good resource iswww.danasview.net. There is all sorts of information there. As you will see asyou read the posts here, this is another good resource. With the number ofpeople on this board and the variety of experiences we’ve had, if you post a question, there’s probably someone who’s experienced somethingsimilar or can help guide you.
Wesley Marske said,

Wrote on April 18, 2007 @ 11:20 am

I have some suggestions for you. the main web site for this forumwww.gf/cfdiet.com has some wonderful information. Dana, one of the moms whoposts to this forum regularly http://www.danasview.net great info and links andwww.tacanow.com has info and a 10 week plan to starting the diet. The book ‘Unraveling the mystery of autism and PDD’ by Karen Serouski is what made me takethe plung. If you can get it from the library or go out and buy it, shedescribes the reactions and causes of glucomorphine and caseimorphine, thepeptides from gluten and casein that have drugged our kids.

My son has been on this diet for 18 months and (I BELIEVE!!!!!!) He is nolonger in a fog, he CAN and DOES learn and at a phenominal rate, he has wowedhis teachers at school. Hope this helps. Good Luck.