Autistic Spectrum Disorders & Diet part 2

I think I ran out of space with part 1 - I'm new to blogging & writing on an iPod so I can't see all the screen at once!

What I was saying was that over the last 10 years being gluten free has got MUCH EASIER! Far more ready made products are available - there is even bread in Tesco & Waitrose that tastes like real bread - it's called Genius and is pricey but if you are in a hurry or want to make packed lunch sandwiches which don't fall apart it is great. Doves farm are now marketing a gf self raising flour which does most things that a conventional sr flour would do. And of course we have worked out recipes and strategies and found short cuts that work for us.

The problem with gluten is two fold -
firstly probably an allergy or intollerance which triggers mucous produltion and other allergy/ intollerance symptoms including for some enuresis. This can to some extent be controlled by sodium cromoglycate as Nalcrom taken before cheating and therefore facilitating social eating, French trips and birthday treats. The sodium cromoglycate taken before a treat stabalises the mast cells and thus stems the allergic response.
Secondly and not controllable by medication, is the problem with the large size of the gluten (and casein from cows milk) molecule. People with Autism & Asperger's Syndrome & some other related conditions have gut problems (this relates to the much maligned research into vaccines & Autism by Andrew Wakefield but it isn't just a vaccine related problem it is part of an ASD PROFILE). If, as in these people is usually the case, the gut is leaky, then the large protein & casein molecules pass into the blood stream where they charge around the body possibly interfering with the immune system as they get in the way. But what is the worst is that most ASD people also have poor intercellular structures throughout their bodies including the all important blood brain barrier. The oversized gluten & casein molecules invade the brain interfering with the neuro transmitters and the neural pathways that in ASD conditions are already less than fully efficient.

I feel very very happy with my purchase of 48 litres of rice milk and look forward to my son giving himself the casein free trial which the interference of busy bodies prevented me imposing on him 10 years ago. I wait with interest & excitement!

Jan 27 02 2010