While there is no cure for autism, patients are generally prescribed medications and parents and caretakers are often encouraged to pursue different diets and sometimes even other types of alternative treatments. And, of course the condition of an autistic patient is consistently monitored as well as assistance and a wealth of information provided, both about autism in general and the patient’s specific individual condition.
Much talk has been going on about a gluten free diet and autism and how it can help with symptoms in patients with autism. This type of dietary regimen is of course also healthy in general, so you can see why it has become so popular as it has been announced that there is a theorized link to an improvement in a patient’s condition.
It has been suggested as well that autistic patients are often restrictive regarding their own dietary choices like a preference for bland or plain food. So the question posed here by many parents, caretakers and other professionals in the medical field is whether a gluten free diet really helps a person with autism or if the autism is really just responsible for limiting a patient’s dietary regimen and food choices. It seems obvious where the thought of the gluten free diet and autism link originated, but the question about which direction it really works is the key aspect of all research going into this medical theory.
When choosing gluten free foods for a patient’s dietary regimen, the theory is that autistic patients might have allergies. Therefore, allergy testing is often performed by those trying to see if this might be an option for their autistic child. If allergies are found, well then it would make sense that the autistic patient should stay away from foods with gluten. But, does this prove that the actual symptoms of autism would see an improvement with the gluten free diet?
Gluten free diet and autism is continuing to be researched. The idea that is being further looked into is that autistic patients process the proteins and peptides in foods containing gluten in a much different way than people without autism. More information is sure to surface in the future, and if you’re considering this as an option, speak with the medical professional handling your child’s health and perhaps any other medical professionals you wish to seek advice from concerning your children’s dietary needs.