Autism Therapy: yeast-free diet

definition of yeast-free diet: Dietary change used as a complimentary therapy for autism. In this diet, all foods that are believed to support the growth of yeast (sugar, alcohol, simple starches) are removed from the diet. Antibiotics are also avoided in an attempt to prevent yeast overgrowth.

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What is the Current Status of Research Concerning Use of Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet for Children Diagnosed with Autism?
Journal of the American Dietetic Association, by Marcason, W., published in 2009, summarized Apr 29, 2009

Food and nutrition professionals can help parents of children with autism by making sure that children on special diets get important nutrients.

This short article was written as a response to a question of the month. The author notes that some parents use diet therapies such as yeast-free diet, gluten free diet, and casein free diet as treatments for autism. The gluten free, casein free diet is known as GFCF diet and is one of the most common autism interventions. The diet can be hard for parents to follow and the food may cost more than the common American diet. Two studies are now being done in Norway and in the United States to see if this diet helps children with autism.


Brief Report: Alternative Approaches to the Development of Effective Treatments for Autism
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Rimland, B., and Baker SM, published in 1996, summarized Oct 21, 2006

This article reviews the research supporting the use of complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies for autism.

The first author of this article is a champion of the use of vitamin B6 to treat autism, so the article has a primary focus on CAM therapies involving supplements. There is little discussion of the scientific evidence that does not support the use of alternative therapies. The CAM therapies described here include: supplementation (especially B6 with magnesium), dietary changes (casein-, gluten-, additive- and yeast-free diets), and immune treatments. Finally, the author provides a chart of several of the physical problems faced by children with autism and the therapies that have been attempted in the treatment of each problem.


Novel Treatments for Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities Research Reviews, by Levy, SE, and Hyman SL, published in 2005, summarized Oct 21, 2006

This article gives an overview of research on alternative and complementary therapies for autism.

Many parents of children with autism are interested in complementary and alternative medical therapies (CAM). The authors of this article suggest that this could be because these methods are perceived as treating the cause, rather than the symptoms, of the disorder. The authors divide CAM approaches to autism into two groups: biologic and non-biologic treatments. Biologic treatments use nutritional supplements or dietary restrictions to change the physical processes underlying autism, while non-biologic treatments are intended to change behaviors without altering the diet. The article describes the scientific evidence for and against the use of many biologic treatments, including: food restrictions based on allergies; gluten- and casein-free diets; yeast-free diets; vitamin C; folate; vitamin B6; tryptophan, oxytocin; and essential fatty acids (EFAs). The non-biologic treatments described in the article are: auditory integration training; behavioral optometry; craniosacral manipulation; and facilitated communication.


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