The Physical Aspects of Asperger's Syndrome
2. GFCF Diet: Background, Symptoms, Etiology, and Benefits
Background
The book Children with Starving Brains, by Jaquelyn McCandless, says that
"ASD [Autism Spectrum Disorder] is a complex biomedical illness...." I am
glad to live in a time in which this is starting to be recognized.
Personally, living in one of these bodies, I completely agree. I
definitely feel that something physical is preventing me from fully being who I
want to be, and using my brain, body, and senses to their fullest extent.
Scientific research is finding a number of biological and physiological
differences common in those with forms of autism, but nearly unseen in the
common population. To me, this means I have a physical illness; in which
case, I want to be treated!
Some with Asperger's Syndrome, including myself until recently, feel that they are losing special abilities they once possessed. They feel that their brains are harder to access, memory is murky, and some basic skills are not as simple as they once were. One woman told me that her "talents were going away". I've been there, and my heart breaks for others who are there now. I am getting out of this physical entrapment. My body is beginning to release its hold on my spirit. I am beginning to be able to move, act, think, remember, and be happy as I once did. I am free because I stopped eating gluten and dairy.
I have begun a gluten-free and casein-free diet including additional digestive enzymes and other supplements. I will go into that in more detail in the coming sections. I have come to find in my research that most, if not all, of us with Asperger's Syndrome and similar conditions have physical ailments that cause our problems. We are not imagining it, nor is it "all in our heads".
Symptoms That Suggest the Possible Need for GFCF Diet and Supplemental
Enzymes and Probiotics
Digestive Symptoms that may suggest need for GFCF diet and Enzymes
· Gas
·
Burping (other than burping caused by carbonated drinks)
·
Skin Rash
·
Inconsistent stools
·
Constipation
·
Diarrhea
· Lack
of Appetite
· Lack
of Hunger Feeling
·
Stomach Ache / Abdominal Pain
·
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Other Physical Symptoms
·
Chronic Fatigue
·
Weakness
·
Dizziness
·
Headaches
·
Inability to Concentrate
·
Muscle and Joint Pains
·
Peripheral Neuropathy (numbness in hands and feet)
· Paresthesia
(abnormal skin sensation)
·
Asthma
·
Allergies
·
Irritability
·
Moodiness
· Acne
·
Symptoms of Malnourishment
·
Reproductive Problems
·
Uncontrollable Weight Loss or Gain
·
Insomnia or other Sleep Problems
·
Hormone and Endocrine Problems
·
Symptoms of Addison’s Disease (Adrenal Insufficiency)
·
Symptoms of Hypothyroidism
·
Low Cortisol levels
·
Hypoglycemia
· Iron
Deficiency
Etiology
Though scientists try, they can not discern one particular etiology, or cause, for Asperger's and autism. Instead, they have three or four. The current theory is that this is because there are, in fact, a handful of possible causes that cause Asperger's. One Aspie may or may not have become an Aspie for the same reason as another. The general thinking, and I agree with this, is that certain individuals are genetically predisposed to the condition, and then various things happened in their environment during their development which "switched on" the autism.
The different causes of autism and Asperger's allow those with the condition to be divided into biomedical subgroups. Members of each subgroup became the way they they are as a result of a different set of causes. Different treatments will work on different subgroups.
The genetic part means this runs in families. Indeed, my nephew is an Aspie like me. In addition, both of my parents and all of my siblings share many physical and mental things in common with me. My children are also clearly related to me. Every Aspie I have met has a similar back story. Sometimes, this genetic predisposition shows up via similar conditions in family members such as ADHD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Sensory Integration Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Fibromyalgia, and Celiac Disease.
The possible environmental factors which may have triggered the higher degree of autism appear to include: mercury amalgam fillings (on the individual or from maternal fillings during pregnancy), antibiotics (use goldenseal instead), vaccinations, mercury-containing fish, pesticides, and other toxins in the environment. More is discussed about these factors in Section Seven. These theories are still just theories. Everyone is different and is sensitive to different things, so this list only describes some subgroups. There are probably other subgroups with yet unknown etiologies.
Benefits of the GFCF Diet
For individuals who are gluten and dairy intolerant, there are many advantages
and benefits to being on the diet. First and foremost is the alleviation
of all of the symptoms listed above in the "Symptoms" section.
In addition, I've noticed the following other benefits:
Maintaining Who You Are
I know there are some Pro-Aspie groups out there. Being in favor of who
you are is great, and I support that. These groups, however, are sometimes
against biomedical interventions such as supplements and dietary intervention
for the aiding and healing of the autistic body. I understand the concern
that healing the body might change the mind, making an autistic person think
like and act like a normal person. However, it is my understanding, my
experience, and my belief that healing the body, allowing it to digest food
properly, and allowing nerve endings to be properly sheathed heals the body and
allows the mind to function at its highest potential. These healing
actions allow the person to truly be themselves. Their unusual behaviors,
quirks, and unusual interests will remain. In addition, in my experience,
unusual abilities and talents will increase with a healthier body. Healing
the body makes the autistic person more comfortable in their body, able to think
as they choose to, and therefore free from hindrances that were keeping them
from reaching their full potential.
Here is a YouTube video on the subject that I love and highly recommend:
Cure or Accept Autism?:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=EWQN-liX918&feature=related - In this video,
Phil talks about how he's trying to cure the physical problems (environmentally
caused) in his son, Jake, but we like and we will keep the fun quirkiness and
the child's true self (the genetics). The only difference between this guy and
his son is the physical problems the son has in addition, such as needing the
GFCF diet, so that's what he's treating. We like who Jake is and we're not
changing that. This is a good message for anyone who believe like I used to,
being concerned that an autism diet and autism enzymes and vitamins might make
the autistic person "completely normal". I've found this to be not true. On
these treatments, the autistic person is exactly the same person, but they are
more comfortable, and more free to be who they want to be instead of
being trapped in an irritating and painful body.
Disclaimer: This site and its content are not intended to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, or treatment. The information provided in this site, and its links to other sites, is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. The author is not liable or responsible for any advice, course of treatment, diagnosis or any other information, services, or products you obtain as a result of visiting this site.