Gluten-Free Diet Does Not Decrease Autistic Behaviors

A new study published in JAMA Psychiatry on September 25th says there is no link between Celiac disease and the risk of autism. Many children on the autism spectrum experience gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea, constipation, food intolerances, and malabsorption of nutrients. Some follow a GF diet to try and improve health and behavior issues. For some, the diet works; for others there is no change.

“If there was a connection between these two diseases — either hidden celiac disease causing autism or autism causing celiac disease, it should have shown up in the study of this size. So, I think that’s the big message,” said Dr. Joseph Murray, a celiac disease specialist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “This brings some finality to that debate.”

One thing this study hasn’t addressed is the effect of GMO flour and the higher gluten content in flour on our children. Why is GF intolerance on the rise? One doctor I recently spoke to said avoid all flour produced in North America and only use flour from Italy as they have banned the use of GMO’s. There is likely more to the GF diet question than simply saying Celiac Disease and autism are not connected. A person can test negatively for Celiac disease yet still have an intolerance for gluten. To read more on this study, click here.