29/05/2026
Leaky Gut Syndrome
An ASD child can be sensitive to almost any food, but the most common sensitivities are to gluten, a protein-like substance found in wheat prod-ucts, and casein, a protein found in milk products. Gluten and/or casein are found in pasta, pizza, bagels, milk, cereal, and macaroni and cheese-some of the most kid-friendly foods around.
Other foods that commonly cause sensitivities include:
Citrus fruit-oranges, grapefruits, lemons, etc.
Corn
Eggs
Legumes-peas, beans, peanuts, and soy
Tomatoes
Yeast products
If any area of a child's brain remains immature, so will her digestive system. Virtually all children will have a digestive system that is dysfunctional in three primary ways:
1. They produce less stomach acid and digestive enzymes, which chemically help break down and digest food.
2. They have poor muscle tone and fewer muscle contractions of their intestinal and stomach muscles that help mechanically break down food.
3. They have poor circulation in their intestine and stomach lining.
As more and new foods are introduced to the digestive system as children grow, more blood is needed to keep the digestive processes moving, but this doesn't happen when the digestive system is not maturing properly.
Normally, the stomach is lined with closely linked cells that form a tight barrier against only the smallest of molecules. This protects the stomach against foreign invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or para-sites. Inadequate blood flow, however, prevents these cells from maintaining a firm seal.
Food sensitivities are treatable and so are the symptoms of autism.
