ASD and diets

[VioletHaze_03]

This is not something i want to try myself, but i just want some clarification on this topic. There is a lot of debate on asd and diets, and i don't really understand why. there a few articles that talk about diets as a "cure" for autistic behaviour. this seems ridiculous to me. autism is not an auto-immune disease or an illness, so then why do people praise this as a "cure"? has there been any research regarding autism and gluten/casein free diets, or is the evidence mostly anecdotal? i understand that aggression can be linked to immune problems, but is autism to blame for these issues alone, or could it be attached to another condition? i'm not trying to offend anyone who has successfully tried a diet like this (if so, i'm glad you found something that works for you) but i just never understood this trend. to give some context, i am not a picky eater and have never had any problems related to food or intolarance, so this whole idea of special diets is a bit strange to me. could anyone explain?

 

[tree]

Speaking only for myself, being aware of what foods
make me crazy, sick, or stupid has been a great improvement.

Some ordinary things most people eat left me feeling very bad,
physically, emotionally, cognitively. Very similar to what I have
seen described as "meltdowns"----susceptible to rage, frustration,
timidity.

Plus dyslexia, crying, extreme depression, seizures, blinding
bright light (not flashes, episodes lasting for hours), aching muscles,
aching joints....etc.

So while I can't say being careful of what I eat removed me from
the spectrum, it has made living more comfortable.

 

[Streetwise]

This is not something i want to try myself, but i just want some clarification on this topic. There is a lot of debate on asd and diets, and i don't really understand why. there a few articles that talk about diets as a "cure" for autistic behaviour. this seems ridiculous to me. autism is not an auto-immune disease or an illness, so then why do people praise this as a "cure"? has there been any research regarding autism and gluten/casein free diets, or is the evidence mostly anecdotal? i understand that aggression can be linked to immune problems, but is autism to blame for these issues alone, or could it be attached to another condition? i'm not trying to offend anyone who has successfully tried a diet like this (if so, i'm glad you found something that works for you) but i just never understood this trend. to give some context, i am not a picky eater and have never had any problems related to food or intolarance, so this whole idea of special diets is a bit strange to me. could anyone explain?

I personally think unethical therapists have conned people into believing a diet will change something that is pre-determined before birth such as eyecolour ,skin colour ,hair colour .

 

[Warmheart]

From my own experience, cutting out all gluten has very significantly reduced meltdowns, irritability, insomnia, mental fog, anxiety, whole-body sensations of frustration, fatigue, and general achiness. Now I not only sleep and feel better, but I wake up feeling refreshed.

So yes, I’m happily still autistic. But removing all gluten has improved sleep, focus, mood, energy, and much fewer meltdowns and self injurious behaviors.

At first this was a huge change, but now I am comfortable with it. Bread, cereal, crackers all cost more in the gluten free aisle. But if I function and feel better, it’s worth the adjustment.

Note: I also do mainly “clean eating” now. This just means that if/when I eat anything packaged, there can be nothing in the ingredient list which I couldn’t have in my pantry.

I feel better now, can think more clearly, and I have new food favorites.

 

[Full Steam]

The answers could fill many books.

Gluten and casein contain opiate like substances that bind to opioid receptors in the brain. One theory is that we lack an enzyme to break down the protein chains allowing undigested gluten and casein into our guts which cause intestinal permeability and allows the opiods into our blood and then across the blood brain barrier.

They certainly affect me and my daughter.

I control glutamate too as it affects my ADHD.

I also have trouble detoxing sulphur and ammonia due to genetic polymorphism s. Low protein and no preservatives or colours.

It's made a huge difference to me but is still a work in progress.

Can it cure autism? Maybe it can make it sub-clinical, which may be the same thing to a doctor.

 

[onlything]

This is not something i want to try myself, but i just want some clarification on this topic. There is a lot of debate on asd and diets, and i don't really understand why. there a few articles that talk about diets as a "cure" for autistic behaviour. this seems ridiculous to me. autism is not an auto-immune disease or an illness, so then why do people praise this as a "cure"? has there been any research regarding autism and gluten/casein free diets, or is the evidence mostly anecdotal? i understand that aggression can be linked to immune problems, but is autism to blame for these issues alone, or could it be attached to another condition? i'm not trying to offend anyone who has successfully tried a diet like this (if so, i'm glad you found something that works for you) but i just never understood this trend. to give some context, i am not a picky eater and have never had any problems related to food or intolarance, so this whole idea of special diets is a bit strange to me. could anyone explain?

There are types of food that make me more vulnerable, suspect to stress and as such easily overhelmed. I tend to avoid these if it's possible. Also, lactose and gluten cause for me stomach problems and, just like too much sugar and caffeine, an exhaustion and chest pains that are not fully connected to too much of an outside sensory input. Obviously, if you're allergic to something, you don't use it. I find that avoiding these things make it slightly easier to go on.

It's obviously not a cure but may be a bit of a shortcut. If I care to remember about eating anyway.

 

[Lady Penelope]

When I heard doctors were recommending diets to 'cure' autism it made me angry and sick. However, if they change the wording to 'assist' or 'manage' then it makes more sense.

Personally I have found focusing on low sugar, anti-inflammatory and good gut health has made a difference to my anxiety and insomnia.