Top Reasons for Implementing a GFCF Diet

Why is my child on a Gluten and casein-free diet?

Parents of children with autism should consider adopting a gluten-free and casein-free diet. We will explore some of the scientific reasons why this diet is so important in this article.

1. Safety and effectiveness

The most important of all reasons is this. It is worth trying to do something safe at home for your child that may benefit them.

2. Gluten and casein can cause a folate deficiency.

Folate is essential for brain development. Cerebral folate deficiency is a problem for many children with autism.

Folate is essential because it helps to support the metabolism of purines, pyrimidines and DNA building blocks. These are essential for the production of energy.

Folate is used by the body to develop cognitive abilities.

Casein (The Protein In Dairy):

• Studies have shown that dairy products block folate receptors. Recent studies have shown that most kids with autism have folate receptor autoantibodies, which prevent folate from reaching the cerebral spinal fluid.
• Folate deficiency is common in children with autism. Dairy products can exacerbate this problem.

Gluten:

• Folic acid is added to most processed wheat products, including cereals, pastas, breads, cake mixes, and cookie mixes. Folic acid, also known as oxidized folate, is a synthetic form of the vitamin.
• The majority of children with autism are genetically polymorphic, which makes it hard to use folic acid. In this case, the folic acid will float around in your blood and cannot be used. It can even block folate receptors.

3. Gluten and casein bind opioid receptors in the brain

A long-chain peptide (gluten or casein) can cause an opioid reaction, which causes a high threshold for pain and a fogginess, disconnected feeling. This is similar to feeling drunk. This may explain why many parents say that the fog has lifted after going gluten-free and casein-free.

• This study showed that intestinal permeability was abnormally high in almost 40% of autistic individuals, and 21% of first-degree relatives of these patients, compared to less than 5% in normal control subjects.
• This study shows that b-casomorphin-7 (BCM7), one of the biologically most active milk-derived peptides (BCM7), is significantly higher (1,6x) in the blood of children with autism.
• Gluten and casein have very long chains of peptides, which are small versions of proteins. They are similar to the natural opioid-binding molecules.
  • It is difficult to digest, especially if your child lacks digestive enzymes.
  • Undigested peptides can enter the bloodstream if the digestive system of the child is not properly breaking gluten and casein down.
  • Once they reach the brain, they attach themselves to opiate receptors.
  • The food becomes addictive due to this opiate reaction.
  • Many children experience withdrawal symptoms when gluten and casein are removed from their diet.
• You can also find out more about the following: This analysis is based on several factors. It is explained that exorphins, which are produced outside the body, mimic endorphins, which are made inside the body. If they reach the brain they can cause addiction. They can also trigger the symptoms of schizophrenia, autism, and other disorders.
  • Foods that contain exorphins such as dairy and wheat products have a reputation of being rewarding, and people find it extremely difficult to give up.
  • The release of dopamine is the reason they are called comfort foods.

4. Improvements in health and skills are possible

Parents report improvement in these areas.

• Fog lifting (also known as better cognition)
• Improved receptive language
• Improvement in expressive language
• Better Sleep
• Reduction in disruptive behaviors
• Hyperactivity is reduced
• Better bowel movements
• Reduced ear infections, other illnesses
• Normalizing pain tolerance
• Eczema clearing

5. The hormone content of milk is high

Dairy products are naturally high in anabolic hormonal substances.

• Anabolic hormones stimulate growth. These hormones can be harmful to a child’s growth. They may cause precocious sexual development or cancerous cells to grow.
• Dairy farmers use rBGH, a bovine growth hormone genetically modified to increase milk production.
• Even organically raised cows are frequently milked during pregnancy, resulting in milk full of hormones.
• Research has shown that the steroid hormones found in dairy products are a significant risk factor in various types of cancer in humans.
• Dairy is responsible for nearly 70% of estrogens found in the human diet.

6. Leaky gut is caused by mast cells that are activated by food allergies and sensitivities

Eating foods we are sensitive to stimulates mast cell production and can lead to a permeable lining in the gut. Continued consumption of these foods will only make the problem worse. The mast cells calm down when we stop eating the foods we are sensitive to.

• Mast cells play a major role in our immune system. They are not only responsible for causing an allergic reaction. The immune system is influenced by mast cells, which release histamine and interleukins.
• When mast cell granules in the connective tissues that line the GI tract are stimulated by food allergies or sensitivities, such as wheat or milk, they release their contents, which have been shown to lead to a permeable lining of the gut.
• Some children with autism may benefit from the use of oral mast cell stabilizers prescribed by doctors.
• Dairy and Wheat are two of the top eight allergens. Mast cell reactions can occur without a food reaction. This is why an allergy test will not detect mast cell responses. It is best to remove these foods, along with any other foods you may be sensitive to, from your diet. This will allow you to test your reaction to them. The best test is an elimination diet.

7. Gluten contains Zonulin, which can cause leaky gut

Gluten contains a component known as zonulin, which can cause intestinal permeability. This is also called a “leaky stomach”. The increased gut permeability in children with ASD can lead to an increase in food reactions. The child will become sensitive to the food they consume frequently. Children can have different reactions, but they usually include a lack of concentration, diarrhea or constipation, and widespread swelling. According to a 2017 review, a leaky gut can also lead to anxiety and depression.

• Zonulin modulates the permeability in the GI tract. The higher the level of zonulin in the gut, the more likely it is that the gut will be prone to leaky gut.
• In 2012, The American Academy of Pediatrics started to recognize the problem of leaky bowel in autism. The protein zonulin, which is found in intercellular tight junctions and is responsible for gut permeability regulation, is part of the tight junctions. The exposure of the small intestine to gluten and bacteria is one of the most powerful triggers that leads to zonulin-induced disassembly.
• Individuals with ASD who eat gluten-free and casein-free diets show significantly lower intestinal permeability compared to those eating unrestricted.

8. Gluten and casein fuel inflammation

When the gastrointestinal function is disrupted, as described above in “Leaky Gut”, there is an increase of antigens from dietary sources and microbes that interact with immune cells. This causes inflammation.

• This article will focus on the issues that gluten can cause inflammation.
• In this article from Frontiers in Immunology, we can see how diet plays a major role in neuroinflammation.
• Pasteurized Milk is acid-forming due to its lactic acid content. It can increase the symptoms of GERD by increasing stomach acid. To reduce inflammation you should consume an alkaline diet (not acidic).

9. Science supports a gluten-free and casein-free diet for autism

Thousands of studies prove that people with autism benefit from a gluten-free, soy-free, and casein-free diet. Here are some of our favourites.

A. A Randomized Trial on the Effects of Gluten Free Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Indices and Behavioral Indicators for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

• A study from 2016 suggested that a gluten-free diet could be effective at controlling ASD symptoms and gastrointestinal symptoms.
• 80 children, of whom 54% have GI abnormalities
  • Half (40) of the children are put on a diet free from gluten
  • The majority (40) of the children remained on a regular diet
  • Length is 6 weeks
• The gluten-free group showed a marked reduction in the frequency of gastrointestinal symptoms. It also saw a decrease in behavioural disorders.

B. Comprehensive Nutritional and Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized Controlled 12-Month Study.

• This 12-month study explains how nutritional supplements and interventions (a healthy gluten, casein and soy-free diet) can improve the quality of life of people with autism.
• Nonverbal intelligence increased in the group receiving treatment. Communication, interpersonal skills and coping skills were also improved significantly.
• Parents reported that essential fatty acids and GFCFSF diet, as well as vitamin/mineral supplements, were most beneficial.
• The treatment group developed 18 months more than the group that did not receive treatment over 12 months.

C. A modified ketogenic gluten-free diet with MCT improves behaviour in children with an autism spectrum disorder.

• This 2018 study suggests that a modified ketogenic diet without gluten and with MCT as a supplement could be a beneficial treatment to improve core autism features.
• The study shows that for some children, it is not enough to eliminate gluten and casein to achieve excellent results. Gluten-free food may still contain problematic carbohydrates.

D. A biological explanation for wheat sensitivity has been found.

• This new research is relevant to children who may not be celiac but still react to gluten.
• New research confirms that people with non-celiac gluten sensitivity have an intestinal barrier weakening, which results in a systemic response to wheat and other cereals.
  • This shows that gluten can cause a reaction in people who do not have celiac.

E. Ketogenic Diet Versus Gluten Free Casein Free Diet in Autistic Children: A Case-Control Study.

• The patients (aged 3-8) were divided equally into three groups:
  • The ketogenic diet as modified Atkins diet (MAD)
  • Gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet
  • Control group: balanced nutrition
• The ketogenic diet scored higher in cognition and sociability than the GFCF group.
• This study was important because it highlighted the fact that sometimes a diet change involves more than just eliminating gluten and casein. Include nutrient-dense, nourishing food.

F. Dietary Considerations in Autism Spectrum Disorders: The Potential Role of Protein Digestion and Microbial Putrefaction in the Gut-Brain Axis (an analysis).

• Strict implementation has led to a substantial improvement in ASD behaviours, physical symptoms, and social behaviour. There are also likely other proteins in the diet that are difficult to digest and should be avoided by those with a fragile gastrointestinal system.
• Regarding conflicting studies:
  • The study concluded that “Overall, the dietary intervention studies conducted in these children were not able to address multiple, integrated consequences associated with inappropriate proteins in their diets, including gut-associated immune reactions, dietary protein digestion and possible perturbations of the intestinal microbiota.”

G. Efficacy of diet therapies in children with autism spectrum disorder: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis

• The 2022 systematic literature and meta-analysis found that gluten-free diets can improve social behaviour and diet therapy can significantly improve core autism symptoms.

10. Glutamate levels are increased by gluten and casein

High anxiety, persistence on a topic, restlessness and tics can be caused by low GABA levels in the brain. Complex Motor Stereotypes such as flapping and sitting are also caused by this.

• Recent studies have linked elevated glutamate to Autism.
• Glutamate, which is an excitatory neurotransmitter, and GABA (which is a calm Neurotransmitter), need to be balanced. In autism, studies show that glutamate levels need to be reduced and GABA levels increased.
• About 25% of glutamic acid is found in gluten and casein. These proteins become free of glutamate when they are processed, pasteurized or degraded. This is problematic as it causes inflammation.
• Reducing glutamate can also help with seizure activity.