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likely to have leaky gut syndrome (intestinal permeability), which allows peptides from gluten and casein to escape from the digestive tract, cross the intestinal membranes, enter the bloodstream and go to the brain, causing the neurobehavioral symptoms known as ASDs, according to the American Acad- emy of Pediatrics. While the AAP knows of no scientific proof that a GFCF diet will bring benefits, they note that it’s possible, especially in people suffering from celiac disease. Parents have also observed that food dyes can exacer-


bate hyperactivity in children, a connection unconfirmed by the federal government. In 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Food Advisory Committee suggested further testing, while voting against additional food labeling requirements for potentially problematic dyes. Meanwhile, some parents affirm that eliminating such


dyes has helped them better manage their children’s atten- tion deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A 2011 study taking into account 35 years of research found that many ADHD children showed significant improvement after eliminating dyes from their diets; it also registered that greater than 70 percent were positively influenced by vari- ous dietary changes. The results were promising enough for researchers to conclude, “A trial elimination diet is appro- priate for children that have not responded satisfactorily to conventional treatment.”


The Role of Vitamin D


A 2012 study in the Journal of Neuroinflammation found that autistic children had significantly lower levels of vitamin D


Brita Belli is the author of The Autism Puzzle: Connecting the Dots Between Environmental Toxins and Rising Autism Rates.


than control subjects. Vitamin D, the study notes, regulates immune function and thus autoimmunity; when the immune system is disrupted and the body attacks itself, it may play a role in the development of autism. Dr. John Cannell, founder of the nonprofit Vitamin D Coun- cil, remarks that fear of sun overexposure has led to the deficien- cies. “Vitamin D is not a vitamin,” Cannell clarifies. “It’s a steroid hormone system that begins in the skin. If children aren’t getting any photons of UVB light, they’re not making any vitamin D.” He notes that the rise in autism rates during the last 25


years tracks with increases in 50-plus SPF sunscreen use, more time spent indoors and a rise in breastfeeding. Be- cause breast milk contains low amounts of vitamin D, since 2003 the AAP has emphasized the importance of parents giving vitamin D supplement drops to breastfed infants. The same vitamin D study showed that the severity of autism correlated strongly with deficiencies of this vitamin and that the higher the level, the less severe the symptoms. Cannell has witnessed this phenomenon via a clinic hosted by the Vitamin D Council, recommending increases in vita- min D levels for autistic children to “high normal levels” and reducing vitamin A, which blocks the action of vitamin D. “We have children on 5,000 to 10,000 units of vitamin


D a day,” Cannell reports. “We see improvements in terms of sleep, meltdowns, eye contact, cognitive capacity, fine motor skills, language and reading—across the spectrum.”


natural awakenings


January 2013


39


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