Foodie Friday

I have been reading up more and more about Gluten Free and Casein Free diets. Mainly for Adam's benefit, but I think I am going to move the whole family into this eating pattern.

Basically there are some proteins that are harder for our bodies to break down into amino acids. And two of the most complicated protein chains are from gluten which comes from the grass family of grains: wheat, barley, oats, semolina, bulgar, couscous, graham flour, groats, malt.
And the other is casein which is found in mammal milk and milk products, including cheese, yogurt, sour cream, ice cream, butter, etc.
When a person's body cannot properly break down these chains into the "links" the amino acids, they can stay in the large intestine and eventually leak into the blood stream. They can cross the blood-brain barrier and have an opiate like effect to that person's brain. Those with Autism and ADHD seem to be particularly sensitive to the gluten and casein and have negative effects on their brain processes and behavior. "These opiate-like peptides mimic the effects of drugs like morphine and have been shown to react with areas of the brain that are involved in speech and auditory processing. Opiate-like effects on the brain could also result in social withdrawal. A child may "zone out" or "be in his/her own world." He/she may laugh or giggle for no apparent reason. In addition, a child may have a high pain tolerance since opiates, like morphine, are excellent painkillers" ---Quote from The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook
By removing the offenders from a person's diet their brain does not continue to have the same short circuits that negatively effect, behavior, speech and other stereotypical behaviors associated with Autism and ADHD. This book and a couple of others I am in the middle of really make a lot of sense to me. There is actual science to back up these claims, as well as hundreds of "real life" examples of children whose autism symptoms nearly disappear when kept on this diet.

I am looking forward to implementing this more fully in our family and look forward to the results I hope to see in Adam. And the rest of the family too. I think we will have happier, healthier kids as a result. Don't worry, I will keep you up to date!