The GFCF Diet as a Treatment for Autism.

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http://tinyurl. com/38qd3y <http://tinyurl. com/38qd3y>Friday, August 24, 2007 Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet or GFCF Diet<http://ourhealthyli ving.blogspot. com/2007/ 08/gluten- free-casein- free-di\et-or-gfcf.html> Courtesy Deborah Delp. [The GFCF diet is not a cure. It may only relieve some symptoms. - Jagannath] A gluten-free casein-free diet (or GFCF diet) eliminates intake of thenaturally-occurring proteins gluten (found naturally in wheat, barley,and rye) and casein (found in milk). The Autism Research

Institute andother advocacy groups recommend the diet as a treatment for autism andrelated disorders.Background and theoryIn the 1960s, Dohan speculated that the low incidence of schizophreniain certain South Pacific Island societies was a result of a diet low inwheat- and milk- based foods.[1] Dohan proposed genetic defect as aprobable etiology for schizophrenia, wherein individuals were incapableof completely metabolizing gluten and casein. The consequence ofincomplete metabolism is excess peptide levels in the gastrointestinaltract, which Dohan hypothesizes are responsible for schizophrenicbehaviors.The possible relationship between gluten, casein, and autism was firstarticulated by Kalle Reichelt, M.D. in 1991. Based on studies showingcorrelation between autism and increased urinary peptide levels,Reichelt hypothesized that some of these peptides may have an opiateeffect. Further

work determined opioid peptides such as casomorphines(from casein) and gluten exorphines and gliadorphin (from gluten) aspossible suspects, due to their chemical similarity to opiates. Reichelthypothesizes that long term exposure to these opiate peptides may haveeffects on brain maturation and contribute to social awkwardness andisolation. On this basis, Reichelt and others have proposed agluten-free casein-free diet to minimize the buildup of opiate peptidesand promote typical development of brain function.Reichelt's hypothesis is not generally regarded as a definitive etiologyfor autism, nor is the GFCF diet advocated as a "cure".Effectiveness of the GFCF dietReports on the effectiveness of the GFCF diet come overwhelmingly fromtestimonials of individual parents or teachers. Reported results rangefrom no discernible effect to claims of complete recovery

followingimplementation of a gluten-free casein-free regimen. There have beeninsufficient adequately designed, large-scale controlled studies andclinical trials to state whether the GFCF diet is effective.A smallsingle-blind study has documented fewer autistic behaviors in childrenfed a gluten-free, casein-free diet but noted no change cognitiveskills, linguistic ability or motor ability.This study has beencriticized for its small sample size, single-blind design which may haveskewed results on the basis of a "parent placebo effect".A 2006 double-blind short-term study found no significant differences inbehavior between children on a gluten-free, casein-free diet and thoseon regular diets. A long term double-blind clinical trial sponsored bythe National Institute of Mental Health is scheduled for completion inApril 2008; preliminary results are not yet available.Practical

implementationWikibooks Cookbook has an article onGluten-FreeThe implementation of a GFCF diet involves removing allsources of gluten and casein from the child's diet. Gluten is found inall products containing wheat, rye, and barley and may sometimescontaminate oats grown nearby or processed on the same equipment asgluten-containing cereals.[citation needed] Because a gluten-free dietis a well-established treatment for other disorders, such as celiacdisease and dermatitis herpetiformis, there are many gluten-free breads,pastas, and snacks available commercially. Gluten-free cookbooks havebeen available for decades. Casein is found in dairy products such asmilk or butter, but is also present in smaller amounts in manysubstitute dairy products such as margarine (in the form of whey) orvegetarian cheese substitutes, which use casein to provide texture.While testimonials vary, a significant fraction report

symptoms similarto withdrawal in the early stages of GFCF diet implementation. Positivetestimonials also vary in the time required to see improvements inautistic behaviors; some reports claim an immediate reduction in suchbehaviors while others take up to a year or more to achieve noticeableresults. These observations are the result of parent and teacherreporting and have not been substantiated in terms of formal diagnosticcriteria or quantitative behavioral assessments. [citation needed]Other indicationsThose suffering from celiac disease and/or dermatitis herpetiformis areinstructed to avoid all forms of gluten, though their metabolicdisorders are apparently distinct from the autism-related metabolicdisorder hypothesized by GFCF proponents"In conclusion,

vaccines are a perfect manifestation of everything that is satanic. They represent an adulterous and arrogant tampering with divine creation, based on the intellectual conceit of "perfecting" creation. They are poisonous, containing derivatives from metals such as mercury and aluminum, and from formaldehyde. They are made from the cell lines and viruses of biblically unclean animals such as monkeys, cats, etc. Worst of all, they are made from the cell lines of premeditatedly murdered children. " Bob Sperlazzo Christian Digest 11/29/2002

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