To Gluten or Not To Gluten?

Lately I've been thinking of putting Logan on a gluten-free diet and seeing what happens.  This is a popular thing among parents of autistic children because of their belief that autism is connected to gluten-sensitivity issues.  But what is gluten, and why is it so bad?

Gluten is a protein found in certain grains like wheat, barley, and rye.  Gluten is what gives bread its elastic, doughy texture. It is not a simple protein by itself, but is made of two proteins:  gliadin and glutenen.  When you think of all the things that people eat on a daily basis, gluten is abundant in many of those dishes.  Breads, pastas, cereals, hamburger buns, pizza crust, cookies all contain gluten.  Anything that is made with flour probably has gluten in it.  Even yogurt that contains cookie or candy pieces might be hiding bits of gluten.

For some people, eating something that contains gluten can have devastating effects.  Many people suffer from gluten intolerance, which means they are, in effect, allergic to the gluten.  They will develop digestive issues, skin rashes, autoimmune disorders, cluttered thinking, and other symptoms.  Some people also suffer from celiac disease, which damages the small intestine and causes the body to attack itself every time someone consumes gluten.

What does this have to do with autism?  A lot of autistic children suffer from what's called "leaky gut syndrome".  This is a slang term and it simply means that they have a lot of digestive issues.  Some parents feel that the out of control behaviors associated with some autistic children can be attributed to the discomfort they feel due to digestive distress, a discomfort that they cannot find the words to describe or convey.  A recent study at Sweden's Karolinska Institute found no link between autism and Celiac disease.  They did, however, find that many autistic children had high levels of gluten antibodies in their systems, which suggests that these individuals are experiencing a reaction to gluten.  “In the past, we have had the believers and nonbelievers when it came to the role of gluten in autism,” comments gastroenterologist Alessio Fasano. “Hopefully this paper can clarify, once and for all, that a subset of those with autism has gluten sensitivity, a condition triggered by gluten but distinct from celiac disease.”  ("Autism Study Finds No Link to Celiac Disease; Gluten Reactivity Real".  autismspeaks.org. Autismspeaks. 25 Sept 2013. Web.  07 Feb 2014.)  <http://www.autismspeaks.org/science/science-news/autism-study-finds-no-link-celiac-disease-gluten-reactivity-real> .  

So will we be putting Logan on a gluten free diet?  It's something I am seriously thinking about.  It requires a lot of lifestyle changes, for everyone. More fruits and vegetables, more meats and fish (you have to be careful here, buying the meat/fish pre-breaded or pre-marinated can add gluten), some milk and cheeses.  There are a multitude of websites that offer gluten-free recipes and lists of gluten-free foods and ingredients.  The main thing is to watch out for hidden gluten, in things such as ice cream, and to also only buy bread, pasta, and pre-packaged foods that are specifically labeled "gluten free".