There are several different types of stress, and learning how to control them can make all the difference. You have physical stress (lack of exercise, illness, sleep habits, etc.), mental stress (how you deal emotionally with life) and chemical stress (nutritional and environmental). Here are a few straightforward ways to help you reduce all three stress factors.
How does gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) affect my child? I have been asked this question a plethora of times. Let’s take a closer look at the situation. Have you ever taken an opioid or prescription pain killer? Whether pre- or post- surgery, due to chronic pain, or a broken bone, these drugs tend to cause a mix of euphoria, lethargy and clouded brain function / hallucinogenic thought. If your child / children test positive for a gluten or casein allergy (or both), their bodies are unable to break down these foods. A casein allergy indicates incomplete breakdown of milk, while a gluten allergy is directly linked to an inability to break down wheat or cereal products.
The incomplete breakdown of wheat, milk, or both turns the partially digested food into peptides. When the peptides mix with stomach enzymes, they produce opioid peptides. Gluten peptides are known as gluteomorphins. Casein peptides are known as casomorphins. At this point, the gluteomorphin and casomorphin in the system will either enter the urine or permeate the blood brain barrier. If they reach the brain, they will ‘fit into’ an opioid receptor sites and mimic a hallucinogenic drug. The peptides will alter the nervous and immune systems as well.
Long story short, a piece of cheese pizza could replicate an opioid drug when consumed. Imagine standing in front of your child watching them consume a prescription pain pill. It’s not a ‘warn fuzzy’ thought.
Prior to making any dietary alteration, its imperative you meet with a physician and test for food allergies. It’s not a given that all autistic children have food allergies. Based on my experience, a very high percentage will test positive for at least gluten, casein or soy. Some parents are able to strictly adhere to the diet.
I have counseled a tremendous amount of parents with newly diagnosed autistic children. Based on my follow up, the GF/CF (and sometimes soy free) diet has been beneficial. GF/CF foods have dramatically improved. From your local supermarket to specialized markets like Whole Foods to a wide variety of internet sites, GF/CF foods are widely available.
Dr. Brandon Heath is the owner of The Joint Mount Pleasant and a freelance writer on health and wellness and kids. Dr. Heath can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.thejointmp.com
