Although ‘diets’ are a popular treatment for ASD, particularly advocated by alternative nutritional practitioners, there is a lack of consistent and good quality scientific evidence. Therefore, no particular diets are recommended across the board for the treatment of ASD. A minority of individuals with ASD do seem to find that their specific behavior or bowel problems improve with some dietary changes, but there are no blood or other clinical tests that can reliably indicate which dietary changes could be helpful to individuals. The following is a brief overview of six of the most common dietary ‘treatments’.
Exclusion diets or food avoidance
1. Gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diet
Involves:
Avoiding gluten – a protein contained in wheat, barley and rye, and a similar protein in oats. Bread, pizza, pasta, pastry, biscuits, some breakfast cereals, and some processed foods contain gluten. Plus avoiding casein-a protein in cow’s milk and similar proteins in goat’s and sheep’s milk. Yogurt, cheese, butter, some margarines, ice-cream, milk chocolate, biscuits, and some processed products contain casein.
The theory:
People with ASD have a gut which is abnormally ‘leaky’, creating an intolerance to these proteins which affects mental function, and influences behaviour.
The evidence:
Well-respected independent reviews of the evidence have found the evidence inconclusive. There is evidence that supports and refutes the use of this diet.
2. Exclusion of food additives
Involves: Avoiding a wide range of food additives, which commonly include colourings (E100-E199), the flavour enhancer monosodium glutamate (MSG, E621), the sweetener aspartame (E951), flavourings (not given E-numbers), benzoate preservatives (E210-219) and caffeine.
The theory: That people with ASD are intolerant to these additives, which affects their behaviour.
The evidence: There is no evidence that people with ASD should avoid food additives. All food additives are regulated by the government for safe use in the UK, but some people show intolerance to individual or groups of food additives numbers.
3. Exclusion of phenolic compounds and foods high in salicylates
Involves: Exclusion of a wide range of foods including cheese, chocolate, tomatoes, oranges, bananas, yeast extract, some food colourings and many other fruits and vegetables.
The theory: That some individuals lack the enzymes needed to break down compounds in these foods, affecting symptoms of ASD.
The evidence: There is no evidence to suggest that avoiding these foods is beneficial.
4. Yeast-free diet
Involves: There is no standard ‘yeast free’ diet, but it often excludes natural and refined sugars (including fruit), fermented foods such as breads, vinegar, alcohol, cheese, soy sauce, coffee and processed meats.
The theory: Eating less yeast and sugar reduces the growth of yeasts in the gut, which in theory make the gut more leaky and make an individual suffer from intolerances.
The evidence: Yeast overgrowth in the gut is usually treated by prescribed medications, and there is no evidence that eating less sugar and dietary yeasts (which are not the same as gut yeasts) helps.
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