(Most of this i agree with, some i don't...what i do or want to do for
Daniel is listed here: Daniels
Supplements....
GFCF is not a requirement for everyone, in my opinion. I think
each person has to decide what is or is not needed, but most is. Daniel
is CF and his behaivior dramatically improved with the removal of
caesin. Some parents report no change on GFCF, some use enzymes to
avoid the Diet. To "diet" or not is a matter of finding what works).
List of biomedical
treatments for Autism
Gluten and Casein Free Diet
Gluten is a protein found in all wheat, rye, oat, barley, spelt and
kamut. Casein is a similar protein found in all dairy products
including goat’s milk. Most autistic kids are unable to properly break
down these proteins. Undigested, the peptides leak into the gut and
attach themselves to opiate receptors of the brain. They cause an
increase in autistic behaviors and gastrointestinal distress. Defeat
Autism Now recommends that every autistic child be placed on a strict
GFCF diet for a minimum of 3-4 months to decide if that child can
benefit from the diet. Even small pieces of gluten or dairy can cause a
severe reaction. So 100% compliance is essential. Some describe the
side effects much like someone on drugs, stimming, inability to focus,
spacey, irrational behaviors, and distended abdomen. There are a few
online sites that can be a lot of help in going gluten and casein free.
www.gfcfdiet.com
has a lot of information and resources. If you want to order online www.glutensolutions.com
has a large variety of GFCF foods. There is also www.specialtyfoodshop.com,www.energ.com,www.GlutenFreeMall.com..
You local health food store or grocer should be able to order anything
you request. Enzymes
There is a nerve system that is interconnected with the digestive
tract. Things that may affect the digestion will also interfere with
the nervous system. Since most kids with autism cannot properly break
down certain proteins, supplementation with enzymes can help their body
to do this more efficiently. And for those who are on the Gluten and
Dairy free diet, enzymes will still be of great assistance in healing
the intestines. Any small infraction of gluten and dairy can cause a
reaction. Taking enzymes will eliminate or lesson any reaction one
might have from accidental ingestion. Many kids with ASD have a limited
diet whether it is the child limiting it to certain foods or the parent
taking offending foods out of the diet. Parents report, shortly after
starting enzymes that their child is willing to try new foods, doesn’t
seem to be as picky, is tolerating foods that had once made them gag,
an increase in their appetite overall and better gastrointestinal
functions. Continuous use of enzymes will assist the body in healing of
the intestines by eliminating any undigested particles and storing
unused enzymes for use at a later time. Enzymes can increase
gastrointestinal secretins that many kids with ASD are deficient of.
Two of the best enzymes available are AFP Peptizyde and HN-Zyme Prime
by Houston Nutraceutical, Inc. You can find these enzymes online at
many sites including www.enzymestuff.com.
Antifungals
Yeast overgrowth can be caused by over use of antibiotics, too many
peptides (undigested gluten and dairy), heavy metal toxicity, food
allergies and viral and bacterial infections. Yeast can cause so many
different problems in kids with ASD. Uncontrollable laughing or crying,
distended abdomen, gas, skin irritations like eczema, high frustrations
levels, inability to focus, food allergies, intestinal permeability,
bed wetting or inability to potty train, diarrhea, itching from their
bottoms, thrush, sexual promiscuity, food cravings can all be a
symptoms of intestinal yeast. Many doctors will start off with Nystatin
or Diflucan, but probiotics are essential in keeping the yeast under
control. You can get good probiotics at any health food store in the
refrigerated section. Make sure that if you are doing a GFCF diet that
the probiotics are dairy free as well. Antifungals are very safe and
most kids are on them for many years so the intestines is able to heal.
Chelation
Autism is considered by DAN doctors to be a metabolic processing
disorder where their bodies cannot properly regulate metals. Our kids
have toxic levels of many different metals including mercury, lead,
aluminum, copper, cadmium, tin, bismuth, arsenic, antimony, nickel, and
Thalium while being deficient in others such as zinc, manganese,
calcium and magnesium. Neurotransmitters cannot function properly when
the ratio of zinc/copper is not at optimal levels. In order for the
body to heal, the toxic level of metals need to be chelated (taken out
of the body and brain) and other metals that are deficient need to be
supplemented. There are many ways to chelate heavy metals out of the
body. Years ago, the medical community thought of chelation as a
dangerous therapy because the IV chelations used would pull too much
toxic metals out at once overloading the kidneys and the liver. Some
patients ended up with liver/kidney problems due to the stress on their
organs. Chelation therapy has come a long way. Our kids do not use the
IV chelations as a proper way to chelate their metal toxicity. The best
way to chelate is slow and steady, just as a healthy body would.
There are two common prescription chelators, TD-DMPS and DMSA. TD-DMPS
is a prescription transdermal chelator that is fairly new and has had
very positive results for many patients. You can read more about it at http://www.drhirani.com/TD-DMPS-1.pdf.
DMSA is a sulphur based chelator that is in pill form and is best used
with alpha lipoic acid. It is considered one of the safest chelators
available by prescription and is known to cross the blood brain
barrier. It is also available without a prescription at www.vrp.com. But it is
highly suggested to do the chelation with an experienced DAN doctor to
avoid depleting certain essential minerals.
There are also some natural chelators that are available without
prescription that do not take away essential minerals. NDF PLUS and NDF
are available at www.bioray2000.com.
You can read information and the studies at www.healthydetox.org.
NDF and chlorella, one of NDF's ingredients bind to both chlorine and
Dioxin. Clinical evidence also indicates that the NDF binds to
neurotoxins, mycotoxins, exotoxins, petrochemicals, pesticide residue,
certain pharmaceutical drugs, and plaque. PCA-RX by Maxim is available
at www.awakennutrition.com,
along with a few other products parents have used to assist in the
metal detox. Both the Bioray and Maxim products are said to cross the
blood brain barrier. Metal Free is another optional chelator that has
been shown to dump large amounts of metals out of the body. It can be
found at www.metal-free.com.
If you decide to use the non prescription chelators, remember to start
off slow to avoid the large dumping of metals in the beginning and
increase as soon as your child can tolerate.
Glutathione Supplementation
Numerous studies have found that autistic kids have a severe deficiency
in glutathione, the bodies most important detoxifier. This can explain
their inability to excrete mercury and other heavy metals. Glutathione
levels are naturally lower in males and also may explain why 70% of
autistic children are boys. Estrogen is an antioxidant like glutathione
so girls have more of a defense against metal toxicity. Glutathione is
also needed for intestinal health. Some doctors, such as the ones at
Pfeiffer Treatment Center believe that once the glutathione is working
properly and at optimal levels, the need for the gluten and casein free
diet will not exist. But it is unknown how long the healing process
would take to safely digest both gluten and casein. There are many
different ways of supplementation. Metallothionein promoter through
Pfeiffer Treatment Center helps to repair the body so that glutathione
is kept at optimal levels. Still many others have supported the use of
Lipoceutical Glutathione. It’s a soy based liquid that is distributes
only through Wellness Pharmacy, Coastal Pharmacy and health
professionals. There’s also transdermal glutathione available. Reduced
glutathione is the best kind and is the kind found in each of the
products listed.
Epsom Salt Baths (Magnesium
Sulfate)
Epsom salt baths helps with detoxification, reduces inflammation to
sore muscles, helps with relaxation and circulation and can normalize
sleep patterns. With prolonged use it can help reduce sensory
integration symptoms either by detoxifying or by healthier function of
the nervous system. Epsom salt helps with PST (phenalsulfotransferase)
which most autistic kids have a problem with. Deficiencies in sulfate
inside the cells can make phenols build up which then interferes with
neurotransmitters. Sulfation is also important for a healthy intestinal
lining. Over time decreased sulfation can allow small portions of the
gut wall to be exposed creating “The Leaky Gut.” Leaky gut is
responsible for some allergies, intolerances, asthma and
neurobehavioral disorders. If sulfate has been deficient for some time
some aggravations may appear as the cells start to replenish their
supply. You can avoid many side effects by starting out with a low dose
(such as a teaspoon per bath) and increase a little at a time. Epsom
salt can be found at any health food store, grocery store, and some
dollar stores carry it too. It’s a very easy, painless way to start the
healing process.
Methyl B12 injections
Both folate and vitamin B12 deficiency may cause similar neurological
and psychiatric disturbances including depression, dementia, and
peripheral neuropathy. B12 is needed to properly excrete metals from
the body. Methly B12 and folinic acid can bring glutathione levels back
to normal. Many kids on the spectrum notice dramatic improvements soon
after starting the injections. Testing for B12 deficiencies can be very
misleading. Even if kids test normal for B12 in the serum, inside the
cells may be very deficient. Just like the epsom salt, beginning
supplementation can cause aggravation for some kids. The cells are so
deficient that they grab as much B12 as they can to save some for
later. So if you start slow, you can avoid aggravations like
hyperactivity, aggressiveness, crying, screaming. Still most kids show
very little aggravation and improvements can be immediate, or seen
steadily over time. Most doctors recommend that the B12 shots be given
on the butt. Many parents do it while the kid is asleep to avoid any
struggles. Most report that the child sleeps right through it.
Vitamin C with Bioflavanoids
Vitamin C is one of the most potent antioxidants. Using higher levels
of Vitamin C can help to excrete metals like mercury, lead, copper,
cadmium, tin and aluminum. And by adding the bioflavanoids, you
increase the production of bile, which is how the body best excretes
heavy metals. The Vitamin C will help to eliminate free radicals so
that the body has an easier time of healing. It not only eliminates the
toxins, it supports the immune system. Mercury is a cumulative type
poison. There is no barrier that stops mercury from reaching the brain
cells, and it is retained in the pain center of the brain and in the
central nervous system. Its presence there can prevent both the normal
entry of nutrients into the cells and the removal of wastes from the
cells. It can bind to immune cells, distorting them and interfering
with normal immune responses. This may be one factor behind autoimmune
disorders. Significant amounts of mercury in the body can produce
arthritis, depression, dermatitis, dizziness, fatigue, gum disease,
hair loss, insomnia, memory loss, muscle weakness, and excessive
salivation. High levels can also interfere with enzyme activity,
causing blindness and paralysis. Many food and environmental allergies
may be caused by mercury poisoning. Supplementing with Vitamin C with
bioflavanoids has resulted in better communication, focus,
socialization, retaining information, improvement in gastrointestinal
function, and overall better health.
DMG or TMG
Both DMG and TMG are in the B vitamin family and are methyl donors like
B12. Most kids respond better to one than the other. Parents report
better speech, easier flow of words, better pronunciation and improved
focus. DMG and TMG work much like the B12 would by increasing the
methylization process. Some who start with DMG can see an increase in
hyperactivity but that will subside for many by adding folic acid. DMG,
Dimethylglycine is a component of many biochemical processes in the
body including cellular perception and response. It contributes to
keeping homocysteine at healthy levels. TMG, Trimethylglycine is the
newest and many say the most effective methylation enhancing compound.
Methylation is a natural process that makes new cells, creates natural
antioxidants and breaks down harmful chemicals. TMG converts one of
these harmful chemicals, toxic homocysteine into methionine. It also
boosts the level of beneficial SAMe and then becomes DMG. You should
use one or the other, not both.
GABA
Gama-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a calming neurotransmitter in the
brain. It’s used to calm the nervous system and is helpful for many
kids with autism.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids are polyunsaturated and grouped into two
families, the omega-6 EFAs and the omega-3 EFAs. A proper balance
between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids is important for optimal
health. EFA’s are not supplied by the body and must be supplemented.
The main sources of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable oils such as corn
oil and soy oil that contain a high proportion of linoleic acid.
Omega-3 acids are found in flaxseed oil, walnut oil, and marine
plankton and fatty fish. The main component of flaxseed and walnut oils
is alpha-linolenic acid while the predominant fatty acids found in
fatty fish and fish oils are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The most beneficial and active of these
fatty acids are EPA and DHA. Alpha-linolenic acid can be converted to
EPA and DHA in the body, but the conversion is inefficient some people.
EFAs helps the GI tract resist and repair damage. Cod liver oils and
fish oils are not the same. Cod liver oil is extracted from cod liver
and is an excellent source of vitamins A and D. Fish oils are extracted
from the tissues of fatty fish like salmon and herring and are good
sources of EPA and DHA. Fish oils contain very little vitamin A and D,
but cod liver oil does contain EPA and DHA. You would probably exceed
the recommended daily intake of vitamins A and D if you were to try to
obtain therapeutic amounts of EPA and DHA from cod liver oil. This
should not be done, so supplementation of both is recommended.
_________________
(Tami W...Gavin's mom
customer support for BioRay
as of 11-10-05.) http://www.autismweb.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70
Starting Biomedical
Interventions
Step 1, block the casein and gluten
peptides
Start GFCF diet.
o Refer to GFCF in 10 Easy Weeks.
o Visit www.gfcfdiet.com
o Use your support group to help you through.
Order digestive enzymes from Houston (AFP PEPTIZYDE™) 1 (866) 757-8627
Use along side of the diet to help block the peptides and help heal the
gut.
Step 2, Start Reading some books and
information
Refer to Recommended Books list
Visit the helpful links section of our website: www.quadcityautism.com
Step 3, contact a good DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. It may take a
while to get an appointment, so make it right away to get in.
Tami or I can help you find a good DAN
Step 4: Supplementation and early detoxification help the body
start to get rid of the bad stuff and gain back essential vitamins and
minerals. Add supplements one at a time, one to two weeks apart, to see
the positive or negative effects of each. Kirkman Laboratories
(www.kirkmanlabs.com or 1-800-245-8282) has great high quality
supplements that are gfcf legal. Some supplements you can get at your
local health food store.
Calcium/magnesium (kirkman)
Vit. C with Bioflavonoids (Solar Ray, local HFS)
DMG with folic acid or TMG with folic acid. (Kirkman)
Super Nu-Thera, multi-Vitamin with high B-6 (Kirkman)
Cod Liver Oil (Kirkman)
Probiotics (make sure they are gfcf). There are many to choose from,
here are a few.
o Pro-bio Gold (kirkman)
o Culturelle
o Primal Defense
o Klaire’s Therabiotics
o Threelac
Early Chelation (see handout), NDF-plus
Lipoceutical Glutathione (Wellness pharmacy 1- 800-227-2627)
Epson Salt Baths (local drug store)
Step 5: Visit with your DAN doctor.
Your DAN will probably want to do some initial testing and change your
supplementation. Other things you cannot do without your DAN. Here are
tests and other supplements that your DAN may add.
Tests that may happen
o OAT, organic acids test (tests for yeast and bacteria)
o Hair Elements (tests of metals in hair)
o IgG Food Panel (test for food sensitivities)
o GFCF peptide test
o Measles, tetanus and other titers
o Blood Hematology and Chemistry
Additional supplements/treatments that might be added
o Methel B-12 injections
o Nystatin (to fight yeast)
o Biocidin (for bacteria)
o Extra minerals such as Zinc, Selenium
o Chelation (such as TD-DMPS or DMSA)
Step 6: Prayer, Patience, Perseverance
and Determination (and a bit of stubbornness)
Much of the success of your child’s treatments depends on you. There
will be many ups and downs in your child’s progress. Many times there
will be periods of regression which may be necessary for progress to
begin. Doctors, autism specialists, friends, family and even strangers
will look at you like you are either crazy or cruel.
Money, time and convenience will be sacrificed in your step down the
biomedical path. The right path isn’t always the easiest. It is a slow
process, and we are here to help you through, one step at a time. With
prayer, patience, perseverance and determination, the biomedical path
will hopefully lead to the recovery of your child.
GFCF in 10 easy weeks
AutismOne presentation by Mary Romaniec
What is gluten?
Proteins found in the plant kingdom
• Wheat, Oats, Barley, Rye, Triticale, Spelt, Kamut
• And all derivatives: Malt, grain starches, hydrolyzed vegetable plant
proteins, textured vegetable proteins, grain vinegars, soy sauce, grain
alcohols, flavorings and the binders and fillers found in vitamins and
medications.
What is Casien?
A phosphoprotein of milk, which has a molecular structure similar to
gluten and includes:
• Milk
• Butter
• Cheese
• Yogurt
• Ice Cream
• Creams
• Caseinate
• Pediasure
What is Leaky Gut?
Many of our kids have gastrointestinal disorders believed to be caused
by an insult to the immune system, which contributes to the gluten and
casein proteins break down of the intestinal wall. Proteins go through
a permeable gut wall and cross the blood/brain barrier, causing many of
the autism symptoms.
• Clouded mental function
• Insomnia
• Diarrhea
• Impaired Social Connection
• Blocking of pain messages
• Dilated pupils
• Crave opioid effect
Remove these proteins to begin healing the gut to heal the brain
• GFCF diet
• IgG food sensitivity removal
• Anti fungals
• Biomedical Treatments
• Supplements
• Digestive enzymes
• Find a good DAN doctor.
GFCF in 10 easy weeks…(really)
• Don’t tackle all at once
• Create a feeling of success, less frustration
• Move quicker than the proposed calendar only after the second week
Week 1 and 2
• Remove all milk based products
• Do not replace with soy milk or yogurt
• Replace with the following
Rice milk or Almond Milk or Darifree
• Add in a calcium supplement to avoid eye stemming and more sleep
problems
• During these two weeks read the book “special Diets for Special Kids”
by Lisa Lewis
• Stock up on gluten free foods.
• Buy ready to eat and package mixes only
• Hold off purchasing the weird flours for awhile
Week 3
Find 5 GFCF foods that your child will eat for breakfast and serve it.
• Frozen GFCF waffles and real maple syrup
• Bacon and eggs (gfcf bacon) and gfcf has browns like Cascadian farms
• Cream of Rice cereal
• Any of the Envirokids cereal with rice or almond milk (avoid Rice
Dream ..not gf)
• GFCF pancakes made from a mix
• GFCF French toast made from GFCF bread
• Earth balance margarine or Fleishman unsalted are very good butter
replacements (earth balance has a small amount of soy which is okay as
a sub ingredient as long as there is not a food sensitivity)
Week 4
Find 5 GFCF food your child will eat for lunch and serve it,
maintaining the gfcf breakfast choices
• GFCF hotdog, (no bun)
• Chicken or turkey hotdogs too
• Fritos (yes these are gfcf)
• Lays potato chips
• Cascadian farm French fries
• Boars Head lunch meats
• Tostitos Tortilla chips
• TJ fruit leathers
• Fresh fruit
• TJ White Organic Corn Tortilla
• Most juice boxes
• Even McDonald Happy Meals (hamburger, no bun)
Week 5
Find 5 foods your child will eat for dinner and serve it, maintaining
breakfast and lunch choices.
• Any meat, starch (like rice or potato) and a vegetable. Just ensure
they are cooked gfcf method.
• Rice spaghetti and Prego Spaghetti Sauce
• Home made chicken nuggets with French fries
• Any breakfast or lunch item your child will eat for dinner.
Week 6
Replace all snack items with GFCF
• GFCF Pretzels
• Paul Newman Plain Popcorn
• Fresh fruit
• Welch’s fruit snacks
• TJ Fruit leathers
• Sorbets
• ANDI or R.O.C.K. nutrition bars
Week 7
Replace all soaps, shampoos, lotions, sunscreens, toothpaste, laundry
detergent, and over the counter medications with gfcf.
Check with GFCFDiet.com to see if your brand is ok or what you should
consider as the replacement.
Week 8
Replace all classroom contaminants
• GFCFDiet.com has a whole section for teachers and caretakers
• Offer to provide some replacement material for use while your child
is in class.
Week 9
Begin making GFCF goodies from mixes. Buy lots to have on hand at all
times.
Some websites
• www.causeyourespecial.com
• www.creationsbykristin.com
• www.glutenfreepantry.com
• www.delandbakery.com
• www.missrobens.com
• www.glutensolutions.com
Week 10
• Make a GFCF meal from scratch. Go ahead and stock up on baking items.
• Create a separate area for them in the kitchen to avoid contamination
with regular wheat four
• Cook one new item per week to discover your favorites.
What else??
• Buy “Special Diets for Special Kids” by Lisa Lewis “Special Diets for
Special Kids book two” is good as well.
• Buy “Unraveling the Mysteries of Autism” by Karyn Seroussi. Great
comments on cross contamination and food sensitivity issues.
• Buy “Children with Starving Brains” By Dr. Jacqueline McCandless
• Visit www.GFCFDiet.com
• Visit www. TACA.org
What to expect
• Better sleep patterns
• Bowel movements may change
• Increase in some speech patterns
• Child will scream for “narcotic” foods
• After several weeks your child may seem calmer
• Better cognition
• Less stemming
• Able to stay on task
• May quickly potty train
• Etc.
How to shop GFCF
• Go easy….buy lots of ready to eat items that are GFCF
• Read every label and understand what items are “no no’s”
• Call the manufacturer when in doubt
• Bring website list of GFCF items to grocery store (replace current food choices with GFCF
• Whole Foods
• Online Websites
• Hy-Vee has a good health food market
• Greatest Grains, health food store.
What to say to Family and Friends
A little bit WILL hurt.
• Educate your spouse
• Educate family members
• Educate everyone in regular contact with your child
• And then…INSIST!!
• Do not take apathy toward GFCF and its affects on your child lightly
because you are the one to live with the consequences.
Other Issues
• Supplement with Calcium/magnesium right when diet is started to avoid
eye stemming and sleep problems
• Connect with a DAN doctor to receive recommendations on rest of
supplements.