Why the autism diet doesn't work - and how it can

Why the autism diet doesn't work - and how it can

Many families of children with autism offer their children a gluten-free or gluten-free casein-free diet. Some believe that children with autism have a specific digestive problem that is related to autistic behavior.

This year, the medical journal Pediatrics reported that no rigorous evidence suggests that special diets for children with autism work or that children with autism have more digestive problems than other children.

Many parents report individual cases that this type of nutrition helps their children. Medical experts have concerns that children following these special diets may encounter nutritional deficiencies.

It is this author's belief that many children who show symptoms of autism between the ages of two and eight years old have just that, a nutrient deficiency.

In fact, most Americans are at risk for 900 nutritional diseases. The problem is not with the “autism diet” but with its administration without the required 90 essential nutrients and some of the elements contained in the diet.

As children's brains develop, they need all the essential nutrients and raw materials for their brain to produce neurotransmitters. In typical American society, a child progresses from breast milk or formula to grains and juices.

Examples include instant oatmeal, sweet fruit cereal, grape or apple juice, sweet toaster products and sweet punch. As you can see, I try not to mention product names, but you can imagine the different brands of cereal, etc. that might be on this list.

Children's brains cannot develop on carbohydrates and sugars. Not only can this restrict brain development nutritionally, but it can also show up behaviorally. This is where the gluten-free diet can come into play. A gluten-free diet can help with digestive problems and can be healthy if a child also receives the right nutritional supplements.

Another deadly nutritional mistake we make in America is feeding our children fried foods. Can someone say “chicken nuggets”? Eggs are a food that is great for the brain. Of course not fried, but mixed up, poached or boiled until soft. Pumpkin and sweet potatoes can be on this diet. If your child is not allergic to milk, you can put butter and milk in it. Rice, millet, flax and buckwheat, as well as meat for protein and vegetables are also healthy choices.

The problem I have with some “autism diets” is the amount of carbs and sugars I see in them. These are the most important things to avoid. Unfortunately, fruits and fruit juices are sugars that can be problematic for these children. This is where supplementation has to come into play. For this reason, the medical review team of the study published in Pediatrics raised concerns about the diet.

As already mentioned, we can suffer from over 900 nutritional diseases. Dr. Joel Wallach, a pioneer in nutritional medicine, has been successfully treating patients with this science for years. We need 90 essential nutrients for our body. 60 minerals, 16 vitamins, 12 amino acids and 3 essential fatty acids (Omega 3 and 6 are essential). Over the years our soils are depleted of these minerals and plants cannot put into food what the soil does not give them. That's why we need to supplement the 90 essential nutrients.

Dr. Wallach suggests that children born with true autism benefit from a gluten-free diet and receive the 90 essential nutrients, or the "Mighty 90" as he calls them. Next, however, comes the most important statement from Dr. Gelding. He states that the 85% to 90% who have changed from normal behavior to autistic behavior can change dramatically with this diet and the 90 essential nutrients.

It is this author's hope that more awareness can be created about nutritional deficiencies. Actually treating our illnesses, rather than masking them with medications and making temporary corrections with surgery, can benefit us tremendously and lead to a better quality of life and longevity. Autism is just one of those malnutrition diseases that can be treated through diet and supplementation.

Inspired by Brian Sater