Is there a connection between leaky gut syndrome and autism?\u00a0 Does a gluten-free diet help?\u00a0 Studies suggest that there is a partial link, and some autistics may benefit from a gluten-free diet.<\/p>\n
Many parents report that a gluten-free, casein-free diet reduces problems with their autistic children.\u00a0 Some doctors are not convinced, while others take the attitude that if it seems to help, go ahead and do it.<\/p>\n
A study at the Department Magrassi-Lanzara, Gastroenterology, Second University of Naples, Italy shows a link between autism and leaky gut syndrome, which is related to gluten, as we shall see.<\/p>\n
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The study measures “intestinal permeability”, also known as IPT.\u00a0 High IPT means the gut allows large molecules, such as lipopolysaccharide, frequently a component of bacteria outer membrane (or “skin”).<\/p>\n
According to this study, 4.8% of “normal people” (non-autistic, without a close relative to autistics) have abnormally high IPT, in other words, the majority of us have guts that don’t leak.\u00a0 However, 36.7% of people with autism have high IPT, meaning over a third of them have leaky guts.\u00a0 While this says little about the majority of autistics, it does indicate that a very large minority, as in one third of autistics, have a leaky gut.<\/p>\n
Interesting.<\/p>\n
The study notes that this large minority of autistics could benefit from a gluten free diet.<\/p>\n
What this means to you if you have autism or know someone who does, is that going on a gluten-free diet has a roughly one out of three chance of being helpful.\u00a0 One can also assume that if either parent has symptoms associated with leaky gut syndrome, they should keep their children on a gluten free diet in the hope that this will reduce their chance of getting autism, at least this is one of the conclusions that I draw.<\/p>\n
What is your experience with autism, gluten free diet, and leaky gut syndrome?\u00a0 Please leave a comment.<\/p>\n