Have You Attempted Going GFCF?

One of the first things that you hear about when entering the biomedical space of ASD is the gluten free casein free (GFCF) diet. With the many challenges that we parents are dealing with, it can seem overwhelming to take on a restrictive diet, especially with many of our kids being limited with what they are already eating which in many cases consists of gluten and casein.

Why are gluten (the protein in wheat) and casein (the protein in dairy) such problems for many of our kids?

·        They can affect folate metabolism, which is critical for brain development, detoxification, and making energy.

·        They can cause leaky gut leading to food and nutrients not being absorbed properly leading to metabolic imbalances and widespread inflammation.

·        Gluten and casein bind to opioid receptors in the brain which can have addictive effects on the brain and lead to many of the symptoms we see in autism.

·        They can cause a mast cell reaction similar to a food allergy which induces a systemic inflammatory response worsening a leaky gut which leads to a “leaky brain.”

·        Gluten and casein can glutamate levels increase which lead to more excitability which increases anxiety, chance for seizures and more stimmy behaviors.

The research supports a GFCF trial for our kids.

Who doesn’t want improvement in language, behaviors, energy, cognition, focus, allergies, and GI symptoms?

GFCF has been a game changer for many families, and we don’t have to worry about putting anything into our system that could cause side effects, however there can be mild “withdrawal symptoms” just like removing anything that the body has become accustomed to.

Anecdotally, approximately 2/3 of children with autism respond favorably to GFCF.

Some kids can have sensory defensiveness due to taste or texture of the new foods, so be prepared!

We don’t want our kids to become nutritionally deficient if they are not receptive to dietary changes, so take it one step at a time if you are meeting resistance- for example, remove casein first.

Make sure to get clearance from your practitioner, use organic GFCF products because glyphosate can cause leaky gut just like gluten and casein, and avoid ultra processed GFCF foods that contain ingredients you can’t pronounce.

There are many good reasons to consider implementing a GFCF diet.

We’ll be doing a 30-day GFCF challenge starting July 1, so follow me on Instagram @myhopewellness for pointers to help guide you through it and subscribe to our newsletter for up-to-date info on the challenge.

Check an Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) pre and post starting GFCF to measure effects.

Here’s a link to the ATEC: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bd0998ff8135a0c3bfefdc9/t/5bfc352b8985839163d1cb76/1543255339852/ATEC-AUTISM+Spectrum+Disorder++Checklist.pdf

Let’s do it!

Does your kid have an MTHFR mutation colloquially known as the Mother F’er gene?

The MTHFR gene regulates the enzyme methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase which is involved in methylation of B vitamins which are essential cofactors for many enzymatic pathways.

High levels of homocysteine and low levels of B vitamins such as B6, folate (B9) and B12 occur which can lead to many health issues such as cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, miscarriages, and pregnancies with neural tube defects.

Some reports have up to 98% of kids with autism having the mutation.

The two mutations seen that can lead to reduced MTHFR activity are C677T and A1298C.

Reduced activity of MTHFR leads to decreased formation of methylfolate and methyl B12 which are needed to form brain neurotransmitters- dopamine and serotonin- to regulate mood, attention, behaviors, communication, learning, and movement.

In addition, glutathione, one of the most potent antioxidants and detoxification molecules in the body, is reduced from an MTHFR mutation; therefore, detoxification can be impaired.

There’s genetic testing for MTHFR available through many companies such as 23andme.

Treatment typically is with methylfolate or folinic acid to provide the methylated form of folate since the body’s methylation’s ability is diminished.

With some kids, we see dramatic changes with folinic acid or methylfolate supplementation.

Support is sometimes also needed with methylB12 and glutathione.

In the Autism Healing Program, MTHFR is addressed since it is such a common finding amongst our kids.

You can schedule a complementary session at https://myhopewellness.satoriapp.com/offers/268129-discovery-session to review MTHFR and discuss other underlying factors that could be affecting your child and how the program can benefit them.