Md. Mahmudul Hasan
It is good to mention and remember that autism does not occur due to nutritional factors. However certain troublesome features like hyper impulsivity, attention deficit, and poor coordination may be brought under control by certain dietary modifications. Avoiding casein and gluten containing foods, fortification of diet with vitamin and mineral supplements and foods which stimulate optimum functioning of the thyroid gland are beneficial in this regard.
Avoiding gluten and casein containing foods
Gluten containing foods include pastas, noodles, bread and pastries, cereals and some casein containing foods are yogurt, ice cream, butter, cheese, custard. These foods cannot be easily digested or assimilated by autistic children. In fact, the byproducts of the incomplete digestion of casein and gluten accumulate to produce immunological reactions. The reactions are responsible for problems like irritability, confusion and worsening of cognitive functions. Slow weaning off from the above mentioned foods under the supervision of a nutritionist, can have a positive impact on the behavioral aspect of autistic children.
Ensuring proper digestion of food
Inherent errors of digestion and metabolism may be triggered by familial predisposition or antibiotics and is often a health concern for children born with autism. Gluten and casein free foods like potato, rice, nuts, soy milk and eggs should be used to substitute casein and gluten containing foods, if an optimum level of digestion and absorption is to be ensured. Vitamins, minerals, omega 3 fatty acids help in digestion and should be added to the diet of children with autism.
Maintaining proper blood glucose levels
Children with autism are less capable of utilizing glucose. This causes glucose to accumulate and lead to troublesome features like irritability, hyper impulsivity and other neurological disturbances. Recent research has shown that autistic children who consume increased amounts of refined sugars, chocolates, sugary drinks are prone to be more impulsive and cantankerous then autistic children who eat less sugar. To maintain ideal blood glucose levels, parents and caregivers should refrain from feeding sugary foods to children with autism.
Avoiding mineral & vitamin deficiencies
Since casein and gluten should be avoided in children with autism, foods containing vitamins and minerals must be added to compensate any nutritional deficiency. Recent research has shown that Vitamin B6, C and Magnesium are beneficial in helping children with autism. Vitamin B6 helps in the development of the central nervous system and Magnesium helps to stabilize muscle spasm and irritability. Rich sources of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium include fish, eggs, nuts, liver, various fruits and green leafy vegetables. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, helps in the synthesis of steroids and helps in muscle tissue repair. Rich sources of Vitamin C include citrus fruits, guava, amra fruit or dongdong etc.
Proper functioning of the thyroid gland
The thyroid gland is a large ductless gland in the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of metabolism. The thyroid hormone is its chief secretion. Congenital hypothyroidism is inadequate thyroid hormone production in newborn infants. It can occur because of an anatomic defect in the gland, an inborn error of thyroid metabolism, or iodine deficiency.
Children born with congenital hypothyroidism suffer from profound mental retardation and other features resembling autism spectrum disorders. Early treatment of such newborns with exogenous thyroid hormone may curtail the effects of intellectual deficits and mental retardation significantly. Iodized salt and sea fish also help in the synthesis on thyroid hormone and should thus be added to the diet of children with or without thyroid deficiency.
It is vital for parents to keep a note of various foods which can produce aggression or irritability in the child after ingestion of that food. A proper inventory can greatly relieve troublesome features in children with autism. Loving and caring for a child with special needs can be an enormous physical and emotional burden however the ability of parents to be charitable, loving and kind to their offspring despite the enormous odds elevates man to God’s love and likeness.
The writer is a nutritionist. He can be reached at:
[email protected]