Autism Therapy: digestive system

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Ketogenic Diets: An Update for Child Neurologists
Journal of Child Neurology, by Kossoff, EH, Zupec-Kania BA, and Rho JM, published in 2009, summarized Jan 1, 2010

A ketogenic diet that cuts down on carbohydrates may be helpful for children with autism and may help reduce seizures.

With a ketogenic diet, most of the daily nutrition comes from eating fat and protein. The Atkins diet is a type of ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets have been reported to be helpful for children with epilepsy. While on the diet, some children have fewer seizures. Some children with autism also have seizures, so the diet may be helpful for children with autism as well. Neurologists are exploring whether a ketogenic diet may also be helpful for other autism symptoms. However, there were no published studies reported in the article about this diet and autism. There have been side-effects reported, and some can be long-lasting. Side effects include slower growth, digestive system problems, kidney stones, bone fractures, and other problems.


Probiotics: Delineation of Prophylactic and Therapeutic Benefits
Journal of Medicinal Food, by Kaur, IP, Kuhad A., Garg A., and Chopra K., published in 2009, summarized Aug 13, 2009

Probiotics may be helpful for digestive problems that can occur in some children with autism.

Probiotic therapy involves taking supplements or foods that contain "good bacteria" that live and thrive in a healthy gut. The two most common good bacteria are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. This review article describes how some people do not have enough good bacteria in their guts and may be helped by probiotic therapy. People with autism who also have gut problems (gas, bloating, diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease) may find probiotic therapy very helpful. Probiotics may also be helpful for a broad range of health issues, such as diabetes, obesity, and allergies.


A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Oral Human Immunoglobulin for Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Children with Autistic Disorder
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Handen, BL, Melmed RD, Hansen RL, Aman MG, Burnham DL, Bruss JB, and McDougle CJ, published in 2009, summarized Jul 14, 2009

Oral immune therapy does not seem to improve digestive problems in children with autism.

People with autism may have digestive problems like diarrhea or constipation. One theory is that digestive trouble is due to inflammation (overactive immune system) in the gut. The authors tested whether oral immunoglobulin treatment might calm down the immune system in the gut and improve symptoms of autism. This study was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled. Oral immunoglobulin or placebo was given to 125 children (2-17 years old) for 12 weeks. There was no significant (noticeable) difference in digestive troubles between treated children and controls. The authors also said that the possible link between autism and digestive problems is still controversial. They said that there are not enough scientific studies to know whether there is a link. While some children with autism have digestive trouble, there are also many children without autism who have digestive troubles.


A Genetic Variant that Disrupts MET Transcription is Associated with Autism
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. (epub), by Campbell, DB, Sutcliffe JS, Ebert PJ, Militerni R., Bravaccio C., Trillo S., Elia M., Schneider C., Melmed R., Sacco R., et al., published in 2006, summarized Nov 14, 2006

This article describes a study showing that many children with autism have a mutation in a gene involved in brain development, immune system function, and digestion.

The authors describe how previous research into the genetics of autism has focused on genes involved only in brain function. In this study, they take a different approach, and focus on a gene that is also involved in the immune system and digestion. Previous studies have shown that many children with autism seem to have problems in their immune system and digestive system. After analyzing the genes of 1,231 individuals with autism, they found that this gene was significantly more likely to be altered than in the general population. Because this gene is involved in brain development as well as the function of the immune and digestive systems, the result suggests that more than one system may be affected in autism.


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video of Dr who specializes in completly curing autism with diet and probiotics

Nov 13, 2007 by Anonymous

Have you seen this video by a Doctor in England that has a book out now on how she cured her son's severe autism with a special diet and probiotics. She says that one of the main causes of autism is taking antibiotics and that one needs to replace the good bacteria in the digestive system in order to heal the digestive system and that will cure the autism. Here the free you tube video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zpe4kcvaesw
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gut-Psychology-Syndrome-Depression-Schizophrenia/dp/0954852001


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