Dietary Interventions

1

• Dietary Interventions
• For
• Autism

2
Overview

• Background (why diet and nutrition)
• Types of Diets
• Recommended reading
• Summary

3
Why Diet and Nutrition

• Children with autism commonly have dysfunctions
  of the following systems
• Digestive
• Immune
• Excretory (liver, kidneys, systems that rid body
  of toxins/wastes)
• When these systems are treated, the autism also
  seems to be treated and behavior improves
• Optimizing nutrition and absorption/digestion are
  keys to improved overall health and functioning

4
Why Diet and Nutrition

• First do no harm
• Diet modification is a proactive approach
• Minimal to no risk of adverse effects
• Almost all eating habits could stand improvement

Foundation of Autism Treatment
5
Types of Diets

• Gluten Free/Casein Free (GF/CF)
• Eliminate all glutenous grains (wheat, rye,
  barley, oats)
• Eliminate casein (milk protein)
• Theory individuals with autism do not
  process/digest gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy)
  proteins correctly, causes an opioid reaction in
  the body and affects the central nervous system
• Web Resources
• www.gfcfdiet.com
• www.gfcf-diet.talkaboutcuringautism.org/index.html
  

6
Types of Diets

• Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)
• Eliminate all simple and complex carbohydrates
  (grains, starchy vegetables, sugars, sweeteners)
• Theory carbohydrates feed bacteria and yeast in
  the digestive tract that wreak havoc on
  functioning of detox and neurological systems.
  Eliminate the food for the bacteria and yeast to
  kill them off, restore normal functioning
• Web Resources
• http//www.breakingtheviciouscycle.info/
• http//www.scdiet.org/
• http//www.pecanbread.com/

7
Types of Diets

• Low-Oxalate Diet
• Eliminate foods with high oxalate content,
  monitor consumption of medium and low oxalate
  containing foods
• Theory Oxalate is a highly reactive molecule
  that is abundant in many plant foods, but in
  human cells, when it is present in high amounts,
  it can lead to oxidative damage, depletion of
  glutathione, the igniting of the immune system's
  inflammatory cascade (Chronic inflammation is at
  the root of most, if not all chronic degenerative
  conditions, including cancer, diabetes, heart
  disease and neurological conditions such as
  multiple sclerosis, ALS and autism)
• Web Resources
• http//www.stillpointhealth.com/LowOxalateDiet-Hel
  pandSuggestion.html

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Types of Diets

• Body Ecology Diet (BED)
• Eliminate processed foods and those with gluten,
  casein. Add fermented foods and coconut kefir
• Theory establishes and nourishes the growth of
  beneficial microorganisms in the digestive tract.
  This 'microscopic militia' serves as your body's
  key line of defense against disease-causing
  unfriendly microbes
• Web Resources
• http//www.bodyecologydiet.com/

9
Resources

• Other Helpful Websites
• Generation Rescue
• http//www.generationrescue.org/
• Autism Research Institute (DAN!)
• http//www.autismwebsite.com/ARI/index.htm
• Pfeiffer Treatment Center
• http//www.hriptc.org/

10
Reading List

• Recommended reading

Changing the Course of Autism A Scientific
Approach for Parents and Physicians by Bryan
Jepson, M.D. with Jane Johnson, April 2007
11
Reading List

• Recommended reading

Special Diets for Special Kids, by Lisa Lewis
Children with Starving Brains, by Dr. Jaquelyn
McCandless
12
Reading List

• Recommended reading

Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook The
Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free
Diet by Pamela J. Compart, Dana Laake, Sidney
MacDonald Baker
A User Guide to the GF/CF Diet for Autism,
Asperger Syndrome and AD/HD by Luke Jackson,
Jacqui Jackson, marilyn Le Breton
13
Reading List

• Recommended reading

Breaking the Vicious Cycle Intestinal Health
Through Diet by Elaine Gottschall
The Body Ecology Diet by Donna Gates
14
Recommendations

• Recommendations for Families
• Learn all you can about biological basis and
  dietary interventions for treatment of autism
• Attend DAN! Conference, AutismOne or other
  workshop
• Find a health care provider who is open minded
  and willing to address biological issues of
  autism
• Consider treatments that make sense for your
  child and your family
• Stay informed!
• Subscribe to the Schafer Autism Report
• http//www.sarnet.org

15
Summary

• Research process is slow, but more and more
  studies are validating dietary interventions,
  providing evidenced based information
• Dietary intervention is a proactive approach to
  improve overall health and wellness