I think this is one of the most intriguing areas of research concerning the gluten-free diet. Evidence shows that some people with autism show extraordinary improvement on a gluten-free (and casein-free) diet.

Several well-digested randomized, controlled studies are currently underway at reputable institutions to offer more-substantive data, but years of anecdotal evidence supports the concept, and I’ve personally met hundreds of people who have experienced amazing results on the diet.

Although celiac disease and autism may actually be associated, in many cases, an entirely different mechanism’s at work. Some people with autism may metabolize gluten and casein (the protein found in milk) into the form of an opiate — muck like heroin. Basically, when they eat gluten and casein, they’re getting a high off it — and they’re becoming addicted.

The high they experience is similar to the high that an opiate user experiences, and may account for traits typical in autistic kids, such as monotonous body movements (for instance, finger-flicking in front of their eyes, spinning, and head-banging), as well as being withdrawn and having a fascination with parts of objects (like fixating on one part of a toy rather than the toy itself). Also typical of opiate users and autistic kids is the distress they feel when there are small changes in their environment or routine.

Danna goes on to share that results on a gluten-free and casein-free diet vary, with some people seeing improvements within a week, while for others it could take a year or more.

To learn more about the possible connection between autism and gluten, get yourself a copy of Danna’s highly rated and reviewed book, Living Gluten-Free For Dummies.

Stay tuned for more on this topic as I will be blogging about it again the weeks to come.