dietary interventions and autism

1. Dietary Interventions and Autism

2. Main dietary points:

Gluten and casein free diet

Remove other allergens from diet

Increase healthy fats in diet

Increase cholesterol

Probiotics

Digestive aids

3. Gluten and Casein Free Diet

Removing gluten and casein from the diet can
relieve or improve symptoms of autism and
related developmental delays (Whiteley et al.,
2010).

Sometimes it takes 8 to 12 months of a strict
diet to fully see results.

Autism patients who present with
gastrointestinal or allergic symptoms are more
likely to benefit from dietary intervention
(Pennesi & Klein, 2012).

4. Remove allergens from diet and
environment

Autistic individuals typically show abnormal immune
function (Han et al., 2017).

Increased levels of plasma cytokines are common among
autistic individuals and provide evidence of immune
dysfunction and inflammation (Ashwood et al., 2011).

Food and environmental allergy testing are necessary in
order to remove them from the diet and environment.

Removing potential allergens will help relieve some of the
inflammation, and hence some of the behavioral and
neurological issues associated with autism.

5. Healthy Fats are important for
neurological function and
development

Ketogenic diets have been shown to be effective for those with
autism in that they reduce the behavioral symptoms associated
with ASK (Castro et al, 2015).

Ketogenic diets rely on healthy fats, particularly medium chain
triglycerides, as the main fuel, rather than carbohydrates.

Coconut oil is the most popular MCT.

There is also concentrated MCT oil that can be taken as a
supplement.

Other healthy fats that can be used include ghee, olive oil,
organic, pastured animal fats such as lard and tallow, avocado
oil and palm oil.

Avoid most polyunsaturated oils, as they are prone to rancidity
and oxidation.

6. Autism and Cholesterol

Children with autism have shown to have abnormal sterol
metabolism, resulting in very low cholesterol levels
(Tierney et al, 2006).

Increasing cholesterol levels in the diet may help to
increase serum cholesterol.

Increasing cholesterol in the diet of autistic individuals
relieves some of the behavioral symptoms associated with
autism (Townsend, 2008).

Some cholesterol rich foods include egg yolks, liver, ghee,
cheese, some seafoods, red meat, pork, bacon

Products sourced from pastured animals are preferred

7. Microbiome and Autism

Children with autism also are prone to gastrointestinal
disorders

Disorders in the intestinal flora are common

Probiotics help to rebalance the flora in the intestine

Autistic children will benefit from supplemental and dietary
probiotics (Navarro et al., 2016)

Foods that contain probiotics that could be beneficial
include: nondairy yogurt, home made sauerkraut, kimchi,
kombucha, water kefir, beet kvass

8. Digestive Aids

Because of the prevalence of digestive and
gastrointestinal disorders in autistic individuals,
digestive aids are necessary and beneficial.

Digestive enzymes are important to fully absorb
the nutrients from foods and supplements

Digestive bitters taken before meals will also
help with fat digestion and absorption, which is
very crucial as we have seen in previous slides.

9. Concluding Remarks

A strict diet free of gluten and casein maintained for at
least 8 months is important

Finding and removing other potential allergens in food and
environment is crucial

Healthy fats, such as those in ghee, egg yolk, avocado,
coconut products, animal fats and seafood need to be
increased substantially.

Cholesterol should also be increased

Probiotics should be taken as supplements and as foods
during meal times

Digestive supplements are essential

10. Concluding Remarks

A strict diet free of gluten and casein maintained for at
least 8 months is important

Finding and removing other potential allergens in food and
environment is crucial

Healthy fats, such as those in ghee, egg yolk, avocado,
coconut products, animal fats and seafood need to be
increased substantially.

Cholesterol should also be increased

Probiotics should be taken as supplements and as foods
during meal times

Digestive supplements are essential