April 4, 2012
By Autism Society
In celebration of its partnership with Potandon Produce, the Autism Society will share autism diet and nutrition tips each week throughout April. It is the hope of the Autism Society and Potandon that we can work together to empower individuals to make the best decisions for themselves or a loved one with autism. Please note that these tips are meant to be informational. Before making any dietary changes, you should consult a physician. The Autism Society does not endorse any specific treatment (see the Options Policy).
Tips are republished from the Autism Advocate article, Autism Diets and Nutrition: Providing Health Benefits for Many Children with ASD.
Week 1:
How to Begin: Dietary Modifications to Improve Leaky Gut and Gut Inflammation
Improving digestion, reducing inflammation and healing the gut are important steps in overall health and healing. Behavior, language, eye contact and skin rashes are a few of the areas that can improve. The following dietary changes are a good place to start:
- Remove foods that inflame the gut. Gluten, casein, soy, corn and eggs are common offenders. The exact foods to remove will depend on the individual; however, gluten- and casein-free diets are among the most popular and effective. Sugar and refined oils also contribute to inflammation.
- Add foods that heal the gut. Foods such as ginger and turmeric reduce inflammation. Fish oil, flax seeds and walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Fermented foods help heal the gut. Butyric acid is a short-chain fatty acid (often produced by good bacteria from the consumption of soluble fiber) found in butterfat and ghee that helps nourish the intestinal lining.
- Include foods that supply beneficial bacteria. Fermented foods, such as non-dairy yogurt, young coconut kefir and cultured vegetables, help supply good bacteria that reduce inflammation and create an environment that is healing.
- Add foods that increase beneficial bacteria levels. Prebiotics are foods, often high in soluble fiber, that support good bacteria and increase levels in the gut. These foods include: asparagus, bananas, beans/legumes, chicory root, garlic, honey, kefir/yogurt, leeks, onions and peas.
Matthews, Julie. "Autism Diets and Nutrition: Providing Health Benefits for Many Children with ASD." Autism Advocate Second Edition 2010 (2010).
Topics:Living with Autism
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Submitted by: bdsinger Date: April 1, 2013
When my son was diagnosed at age 2, we immediately sought the assistance of a naturopathic doctor. He had a leaky gut, little to no eye contact (more with us than anyone else), and was unable to focus on anything for any specific amount of time. For three years now we have all been on the no gluten, casein, and soy diet. Additionally he was taking probiotics and digestive enzymes to help heal his system. It didn’t take but a few months and we began seeing results. His behavior seemed to become more intentional and less sporadic, his language seemed to increase at an enormous rate daily, he was and is able to maintain eye contact for periods of time, and his digestive system was healed. I had heard for years, certainly well before we ever had a son, and certainly before he was diagnosed, that this diet doesn’t work. But it has for him.