Research summaries for autism therapy: protein

definition of protein: Essential nutrient that is the building block of cells and organs. Proteins are made of amino acids linked together.
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Ketogenic Diets: An Update for Child Neurologists, 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.... Read more...

Is Autism a G-alpha Protein Defect Reversible with Natural Vitamin A?, Summarized Oct 1, 2009

Vitamin A therapy may be helpful for some people with autism.

The author describes her idea that vitamin A may be helpful for people who are missing a certain gene and have a syndrome known as G-alpha protein defect. This article describes two cases of children (a 10 year old and an infant) whose autism symptoms were improved when they were treated with vitamin A (from cod liver oil). The author believes that both children had G-alpha protein defects. G-alpha protein defect can also cause night blindness, and thyroid and pituitary gland problems.

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Gluten- and Casein-Free Diets for Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Summarized Jan 9, 2009

This article reviews research on whether gluten- and casein-free diets can help improve the behavior and/or health of children with autism, and concludes that, even though there is some evidence that a combined gluten- and casein-free diet can be helpful, more research is necessary. Some researchers think that the symptoms of autism can be explained by high levels of protein by-products affecting the bodies and brains of children with autism. These by-products are made by the body from the proteins found in grains (gluten) and milk (casein). The purpose of this article is to critically review the research showing that gluten- and casein-free diets help improve the behavior of children with autism.... Read more...

Inherited Metabolic Diseases in Neurodevelopmental and Neurobehavioral Disorders, Summarized Nov 12, 2008

High protein diets and creatine monohydrate may help some children who have inborn errors of metabolism that result in autism.

This paper reviews autism that is caused by problems in getting energy to the brain (inborn errors of metabolism). Inborn errors of metabolism can include problems with creatine biosynthesis, gamma-aminobutyric acid catabolism, purine and pyrimidine metabolism, and glucose transport across the blood-brain barrier. Creatine biosynthesis problems may be treated with store-bought creatine monohydrate. Patients with glucose transport problems may be treated with the high protein, low sugar ketogenic diet. Other inborn errors of metabolism are harder to treat. Read more...

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