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In looking for ways to minimize the effects of Autism, parents are turning to their child's diet.
Some believe that Autistic children, in general, have a sensitivity to many foods. Dairy products, which
contain Casein, is one of the foods high on the list for
causing problems in Autistic children.
Removing all dairy foods, milk, cheese, etc., from your child's
diet can, at first, appear to be very difficult to do. Most kids love cheese and demand ice cream. But healthwise
a temporary period of food disappointment is well compensated by better daily health.
The ingredient in dairy foods that is thought to cause problems is Casein. Casein is a protein that is
found in milk, cheese, yogurt and butter. It is also used, independently, as a binding agent in many
foods including hotdogs. It is very important to read all the labels on any food your child
will be eating.
In most people, Casein is
easily broken down by the digestive system into peptides known as casomorphins. A further digestive process
then turns the casomorphins into basic amino acids that can be used by the body. Some evidence suggests
that for those who are autistic, this digestive process is incomplete. The casein is only broken down into
casomorphins, and then the process stops.
Casomorphins, as the name suggests, may have an effect
on the body similar to that of morphine or other opiates. This dulling effect is certainly unwanted in anyone
who has autism.
If you place your child on a the dairy free diet, you will need to make sure they are
getting enough calcium. This can be done with vitamin supplements, or milk substitutes. Many types of
food are alternative sources of calcium such as dried beans, broccoli, rhubarb, and greens
(beet, collards, spinach, kale, mustard, turnip), Tofu (soybean curd) and even some seaweeds.
If the Casein is reacting in the Autistic child's body and causing unwanted behaviors,
it is hoped that by removing dairy products, some of the unwanted behaviors will disappear. It make take a
few months to determine if the change in diet is working for your child. Note that many people following
a dairy free diet also remove Gluten, another common food allergin, from the diet.
If you are planning
to take Gluten out of your child's diet, try removing the dairy foods first. The residual components from
dairy products are removed from the body much faster than the Gluten. Gluten can take ten months or
more to be completely removed from the body.
In following a Casein free diet, you may want to consider milk replacements
such as rice milk or soy milk as well as other Casein free foods. Not all stores will carry the dairy free products. They can usually be
found at specialty, or health food stores. You can find Casein free products on the internet for mail
order. There are also lots of Casein free recipes available online.
If you choose to try a Casein (dairy) free diet with your Autistic child, be sure to allow enough
time to see if the diet is helping. One way to keep track of changes in your child's behavior is to
keep a journal while trying the diet. Record any
behaviors your Autistic child has. Then observe if the number of behaviors begins to drop. If you
have not removed Gluten from your child's diet, you may want to try this next, if your child has not
improved by being on a dairy free diet alone.
To find out if your Autistic child has a sensitivity to dairy (Casein), an allergy test is
recommended. Other allergy tests can also guide you in determining if you should remove any other foods
from the diet. For more information about
Casein free diets, visit your local library. You can find many books that deal with dairy free living.
The internet is also a great source of information.
A Casein or dairy free diet could be helpful in treating your child's Autism. It is not a cure
for Autism though. It will only help treat some of the symptoms, helping your child and you to lead
Better lives.
Publisher's Note: Make sure your child is getting his daily requirement of Vitamin D!
The NEW AUTISM Miracle Breakthrough - If you are intent on changing your child's life,
there is new research out for people with Autism that has helped dozens of children reverse the effects
of their condition.
To learn more about this AUTISM BREAKTHROGH, click here.
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About the Author: Scott Harker is the publisher of several websites including:
Sherlock Holmes Pastiches,
The Hoppy Store - Collectible Frogs,
In the Trade - Stocks and Bonds,
Dieting Help | Move More - Eat Less, and
Global Warming - Save The Earth.
News about Dairy Free Diets
Huffington Post (blog) |
Get Food AlertsHuffington Post (blog)I had two kids, ages 8 and 12 at that time, and changing my diet made sense to me and gave me hope. Kale was just one of the many new foods I added to my ... |
Plainview Daily Herald (blog) |
The skinny Cow!Plainview Daily Herald (blog)It costs a lot to go Gluten Free and Dairy free. After cutting down my grocery list three times and just getting what we barely have to have for practical ... |
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