GFCF Diet Question

V.

In my practice I see many autistic children. Get him to a homeopath immediately.
You can short circuit many of his problems by getting good homeopathic treatment for him. For it to work you have to start before he is 5 years old. Later on the results are not so dramatic.

University of Oregon in Eugene is world famous for its program for autistic children and their families. Call and put him on the wait list for help.

I wish you patience and luck in finding a superb well experienced homeopath who has been at it for more than 10 years. That is what it takes to be well versed in homeopathy for more than ordinary problems.
Find someone who specializes in homeopathy only not a smattering of this and that.
Write me privately if you need help in finding someone really competent.

I have followed a gluten free diet for 6 years after being diagnosed with celiacs. I have tried virtually all processed GF foods and have had good luck with Bob's Red Mill and Ancient Harvest Quinoa Pastas (taste best). Someone posted Chex and other highly processed manufacturers works but I have reacted to most of them. Whole foods work the best. Legumes, brown rice, corn based, etc. A good resource is
http://www.celiac.com/articles/563/1/ROCK-Raising-Our-Cel...

And

http://www.westonaprice.org/

Don't give up.. eating GF is better for your whole family. Food tastes better and you feel better!

Good luck!

I have no clue what the statistical range is, but (taken on a case study basis) everyone I know who has done the GFCF diet and has responded to has responded almost immediately, dramatic effect within the first week.

I think in some cases the results are immediate and obvious and in some cases you have to abstain for 3 months and then re-introduce the foods, one at a time, with a 3 day gap inbetween.
Sometimes the effect of the food is seen only AFTER you start eating it again having completely gotten it out of your system. Watch carefully for changes in habits, personality, digestion, sleep etc as you re-introduce the food.
However I would consult a Naturopath. This is just my understanding.

Autism can be caused by immunizations and auto-immune disorders caused by allergies. I would, if I were you take him to a good Naturopath. They can help a LOT. My daughter is borderline special needs, and would be completely autistic if a Naturopath hadn't found celiac disease when she was 3. Meanwhile her old MD (pediatrician) swears she is not Celiac, even though she is. (this is a severe illness where wheat strips the celia out of the intestines)

It's amazing how a Naturopath can help. They are much better at diagnosing, than most MDs. Plus they address the real problem, to solve it, not just prescribing a pill. My favorite naturopaths are Dr. Jodi Berg in Everett, and Dr. Cheryl Wood in Lynnwood. They both will submit you to a battery of tests, to see what is REALLY wrong. They basically cured me of chronic fatigue, and Dr. Jodi Berg saved my daughter's brain from becoming totally autistic.

When my daughter was 3 her brain was shutting down. She talked less at 3 than she did at 2! Finally I woke up and said to myself "something is terribly WRONG!" I immediately took her to my Naturopath, who at the time was Dr. Jodi Berg, and she diagnosed her with a blood test for celiac disease. Dr. Berg also informed me that an MD would have misdiagnosed her as autistic. Within 1 week of taking her off wheat, she started talking again, and her vocabulary increased dramatically within a month. So, my experience is, if you take your son off the offending food, you should see a turnaround within a week to a month MAX. However, in some cases, for gluten, it might be longer, because if the Celia is stripped out of the intestines, it can be a while before they grow back enough to improve the health situation, and the resulting malnutrition can really impact the brain.

I am also a parent of preemies (I had twins) and what the docs told me was that they will exhibit preemie behavior until the are 5, then start to develop more like the "norm" or start catching up. It was true for us...Have you spent any money on a trip to a naturopath? It may be worth it to get a holistic opinion before you continue to put so much $$ into the GFCF diet. That diet is very hard to maintain especially for children. The naturopath will spend about an hour to two for an intake to get the whole picture of what is really going on and is qualified to make perform the right test if necessary. You could even try to find one who can do Kinesiology (muscle testing) to see if it really is what is going on or if the GFCF diet is even needed. I wish you strength, courage and patience with this, it can be a hard road.

You might try taking him to a naturopath (since allergists typically won't do food allergy testing until a child is at least 3) to see what allergies or sensitivities he actually has. Then you know for sure you are eliminating the right things from his diet and it will be easier to stick to if needed. (it might be corn, soy, or rice too...) I have a number of friends with children on the autism spectrum. Most of their children have one or more food sensitivities, but not all the same.

S.

Hi there,
I am on the GF diet, and have been for a year. My naturopath suggested it once we found out I was having thyroid issues and it was causing anxiety. My naturopath advised me that I wouldn't notice a change for at least three months of eating GF. GF does not have to be expensive. So many manufactureres and restaurants are becoming more accomodating. Rice Chex and Corn Chex have joined the Celiac Foundation and Betty Crocker now makes GF boxed items. I dont know that these fall into the CF diet as well, but there are so many options that I believe are more healthy for everyone whether you have been diagnosed with something or not. We are not meant to eat certain things, our bodies simply weren't made for it.
Anyway, I dont think you should feel guilty, afterall, you are asking for more advice. I think that you should do it for at least three months though and perhaps seek out the help of a naturopath.
Good luck and stay persistant.

I found this article to be interesting: Re: milk, gluten, etc.
http://www.autismndi.com/news/display.asp?content=RESOURC...

I would take him to a ND and get him tested for allergies. This would help determine if a special diet would work for him. Another thing to consider is if he has had vaccinations. As a preemie and unable to process all the chemicals and poisons in the vaccines as well as the sheer number of bacteria and viruses in the vaccines given to babies, his body may be overloaded and require detoxing. Getting the aluminum and mercury out of his body the best they can may help create tremendous improvements.

Other things that help are switching to all oganic and chemical free products wherever possible. Have him sleep on an organic mattress that is not filled with flame retardant chemicals that he will be breathing all night. Same thing with pajamas, get organic ones that aren't filled with chemicals. Use natural cleaning products like vinegar and baking soda or switch to brands like Biokleen, etc, etc. Getting all of these toxins out of your home will help his body clean out and feel better.

I wish you luck! A good resource is www.drmercola.com

A.