GFCF Diet Troubles ~ Part 2

By: Dr. Julie A. Wilczynski, ND, CNC

Last month’s article we discussed the Gluten Free and Casein Free diet and some basics on why some children can benefit from this dietary intervention. Children on and off the Autism Spectrum can be picky eaters. As parents and caregivers we always want to know we are doing the very best for our children, providing them with positive nutritional fuel to feed their bodies. When the decision to begin this diet is made we can feel overwhelmed with the necessary changes and in what order they should be made.

Many children on the Autism Spectrum suffer with digestive shortcomings, their bodies do not properly process gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) correctly and that can cause an opioid reaction and like all opioids (heroin, etc.) they need to feed their habit with more of the same. When instituting a GFCF dietary change it is best not to go “cold turkey”, as you will likely have an ugly withdrawal reaction.

There are many ways to institute the GFCF diet. You need to take a look at all options and see which ones may work with your family and your child. One such method recommends that you start the diet gradually, one meal or one food at a time. That is, for a week, just make dinner casein free and/or gluten free.  Then once you've got that figured out, add in breakfast. Then after that's done, add in lunch and snacks.

Add more foods to your child's diet that are acceptable BEFORE you start the diet. Start introducing rice and potatoes if your child only eats noodles. Add fruits and vegetables to every meal so that you child may eventually try the new foods. The reason this is suggested is the gluten free and casein free substitutes don't really taste like the "real things" they know and love.  Rather than having them starve during a hunger strike, you will have backups in case they reject the gluten free and casein free substitutes.

Talk About Curing Autism also has a step by step process that can offer much needed assistance in beginning a GFCF diet. http://www.talkaboutcuringautism.org/gfcf-diet/gfcf-in-10-weeks.htm   This link can provide support and information during the beginning stages of that new diet.

Some generalizations that can assist in starting the diet; what to eliminate and in what order include:

• Stage 1 – Remove dairy (casein)
• Stage 2 – Remove gluten
• Stage 3 – Advanced dietary intervention: checking for possible soy, corn or other food intolerances
• Stage 4 – Advanced dietary intervention: removal of artificial coloring, flavoring, artificial sweeteners, preservatives (BHA, BHT, TBHQ) www.feingold.org
• Stage 5 – Additional nutritional supplementation

Supplementing with specific nutrients is a very important factor when working with GFCF dietary changes to ensure that your child is getting the necessary nutrients to feed their body. When the intestinal tract is inflamed, nutrient absorption is impaired and limited which causes further nutritional deficiencies. It can become a vicious circle, because without the nutritional building blocks gut balance and health cannot improve. Without an improved gut environment the nutrients will not absorb necessary nutrients. This does not mean that no nutritional uptake occurs; it just indicates that the full percentage of nutrition is not being absorbed. It is helpful to start with a few well chosen supplements to get needed nutrients into the system. As the gut improves more supplements can and should be added.

Here are a few of the many nutrients and supplements found to be very useful in support of Gluten and Casein Free protocols. Be aware, an excess of a nutrient can cause similar symptoms to a deficiency or a different set of symptoms.  It is always recommended to work with a doctor and or nutrition consultant before adding too many supplements, as it is possible to imbalance other nutrients.

• Enzymes: Help to breakdown fats, carbohydrates, and proteins, including (with some products) the protein in gluten and casein.  Enzymes reduce reactions from food intolerances by aiding in their breakdown, providing room for the gut inflammation to decrease and digestion to improve.
• Calcium: Add a calcium supplement to your child’s diet to prevent problems caused by calcium depletion; i.e., eye stimming.
• Probiotics: Supply the body with good bacteria to improve digestion, immune function, and gut healing.
• B6: Can improve neurological conditions. B6 was found to be more effective for hyperactivity than Ritalin.
• Magnesium: Helpful for energy production, muscle relaxation, and in enzyme activation.  B6 and magnesium together are often very helpful in autism.
• Omega 3: Crucial for cognitive function and brain development.  Helps reduce inflammation.

What tests should be performed – Gluten / Casein Peptide Test. I utilize the lab at Great Plains Laboratory in Lenexa, Kansas. In most cases people that have food allergies to milk and wheat, also have problems with peptides from milk and wheat interacting with their brain and causing an opiate-like affect. However, there are some people that may not show a food allergy to milk or wheat, but have the peptide problem and vice versa so it is a good idea to have both the peptide and food allergy testing done. The peptide test is a urine test and thus may be more convenient.

The peptides from gluten and casein are important because the react with opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs like heroin and morphine. These compounds have been shown to react with areas of the brain such as the temporal lobes, which are involved in speech and auditory integration.

When tracking progress, we are looking for change in behavior, and change in bowel movements and habits. There can also be change in sleep patterns. If infraction in following the GFCF protocol occurs, once it has been established, there may be a rash on the face, bottom or anywhere on the body. You may also see behavior changes and sleep disturbances. If infraction does occur you can minimize the effects of the offending food or foods by giving your child bath in Epsom salts. Epsom salts can be purchased at any drug store. You can give an Epsom salt bath every night if you wish. EnZymAid™, a digestive enzyme from Kirkman labs can aid in digesting the offending foods, as it specifically targets the breakdown of casein, gluten and gliadin and facilitates the breakdown of wheat (gluten) and milk (casein) proteins.

Julie is a Traditional Naturopath working out of a wellness clinic in Grove City, Pennsylvania and her own office in Butler, Pennsylvania. She is the mother of a child diagnosed with High Functioning Autism. Julie can be reached for question or comment at Julie@OurSpecialGarden.bizland.com    www.ourspecialgarden.bizland.com and 724-407-8017.