When I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2001, the only treatment option I was given involved strong drugs with many undesirable side effects. I chose not to take the drugs. Since they do not claim to cure multiple sclerosis, I thought the side effects were not worth the risks.

Here are some of the most common multiple sclerosis drugs and their side effects:

Avonex, Betaseron, Copaxone are commonly reffered to as the ABC drugs. These are strong interferon drugs taken every other day or weekly by injection. side effects include depression, flu-like symptoms, liver, heart, blood, and thyroid problems, risk to pregnancy, seizures.

Tysabri increases your chances of getting a rare brain infection that usually causes death or severe disability. this infection is called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PMI). there is no known treatment, prevention, or cure for PMI. These side effects seem worse than the disease.

Patients today, more than ten years since my diagnosis, are still being pushed toward drug therapy only. my treatment option is a life long gluten-free diet. After being on the diet for a short time (i.e. months) all my multiple sclerosis symptoms were relieved and I was on my way to a complete recovery! Do the MS drugs have the same success? no.

Here are some of the most common side effects from a gluten-free diet: NONE.   

autism cannot be cured

however, pregnant women should not consume high amounts of tuna fish because if its high levels of murcury (which have been linked to causing autism)

You have to create a book account on google, but this book from there might be of interest to you…
Best of luck
books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&…

This is a brain disorder, and nothing one eats can cure it. sorry. please don't get your hopes up.

I have read about people using probiotics to help autistic children. we use probiotics for our son for other reasons, so I've come across it a number of times when researching.

I have also heard about food additives being eliminated from autistic children's diets.

I hope this helps at least a little.

I've heard that a gluten free diet can sometimes lessen autism symptoms, but it is by no means a cure.

Any body can benefit from better nutrition. the best way to make sure someone has good nutrition is to provide them with a variety of foods to choose from. Avoid processed foods and foods that contain things not found in nature. also avoid anything that causes allergy symptoms. Everyone is different and dietary needs vary.

As far as I've seen, a healthy, balanced diet with fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and a reduction of high sugar and processed foods can help improve anyone's behavior, focus, and educational performance.

There are a lot of special diets promoted for children with autism. However, to the best of my knowledge, there is currently not research to support these diets. (Although some research I believe is currently being conducted). It's really important to make sure that any interventions that you choose for your child are based on published research, to avoid scams.

Here are some additional autism resources. best of luck to you!

Websites:

"Ten things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew" by Ellen Notbohm – southflorida.com/sfparenting/…

Website of Paula Kluth, Ph.D. – paulakluth.com/autism.html

Positively Autism (free online magazine, includes free resources/activities) – positivelyautism.com

Teaching Tips for Children and Adults with Autism by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. – autism.org/temple/tips.html

Books:

"Your Life is Not a Label: a Guide to Living Fully with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome" by Jerry Newport

"You're Going to love this Kid!: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom" by Paula Kluth

"Not even wrong: Adventures in Autism" by Paul Collins

Any book by Temple Grandin

In the first double blind randomized placebo-controlled study of gluten and symptoms in people without celiac disease, researchers from Australia have confirmed that gluten is a trigger of digestive symptoms and fatigue. They concede that “non-celiac gluten intolerance” may exist.

The researchers challenged and re-challenged people with IBS in whom celiac disease had been excluded whose symptoms were controlled on a gluten-free diet. these individuals were randomized to gluten-free diet with daily supplements of muffins and bread with a standard amount of gluten added or not added. both the patients and the investigators were blinded to whether they were getting gluten containing muffins or bread and taste tests were done confirming that the two forms were indistinguishable. Symptoms were tracked by analogue scale. Patients were significantly worse within one week of gluten ingestion and had significantly worse bloating, abdominal pain, altered bowel pattern and fatigue.

In an editorial following this article in the March 2011 issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology, Dr. Elena Verdu, MD, PhD., states “…gluten may be one of a multitude of triggers of low-grade inflammation and/or gut dysfunction in IBS” and “Gluten sensitivity could be raised as a possible cause of functional symptoms in patients with a positive anti-gliadin antibodies, and gluten restriction advised as a therapeutic trial.”

There is accumulating evidence that IBS does in fact involve low-grade inflammation and immune activation. Mast cells have been implicated for several years but only recently has there been studies showing increased activated mast cells present in the duodenum, ileum and/or colon of individuals with IBS symptoms. the trigger in these individuals is believed to be some type of immune stimulating event such as an intestinal infection (hence the post-infectious form of IBS) or proteins in the gut such as foods and/or microbes that are sensed by the body as being foreign attackers. The role of microbes is getting a lot of scientific and research attention whereas food proteins as a cause of IBS, has generally been doubted by US scientists or ignored until just recently.

Quoting research findings of Wahnshaffe et al, Dr. Verdu points out the presence of genetic markers for celiac disease predicted responsiveness to a gluten-free diet in people with IBS. This is consistent with my clinical research findings of positive responsiveness to a glutenfree diet in individuals with at risk genetics (HLA DQ2 and/or DQ8) without proven celiac disease, though many had positive AGA tests.

Furthermore, my data indicates a higher prevalence of these genetics in individuals with increased mast cells in their intestinal lining, that is so-called mastocytic enterocolitis (MCE) or as I prefer mastocytic inflammatory bowel disease (MIBD).  MCE or MIBD is gaining attention as an inflammatory process in some people with IBS. Treating such with medications and a gluten-free diet has resulted in very favorable response in most the patients I have diagnosed and treated.

The role of mast cells and gluten in IBS is something I will continue to explore as I have now accumulated almost 400 patients with MIBD, many of whom have had celiac genetic testing and tried a gluten-free diet. Stay tuned for more information on mast cells in gastrointestinal disease.

Selected References:

Gluten Causes Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Subjects Without Celiac Disease: A Double Blind Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. Biesiekierski, J. et al. Am J Gastro 2011;106:5080514.

Can Gluten Contribute to Irritable Bowel Syndrome? Verdu, E. Am J Gastro 2011;106516-518.

Mast Cells in Gastrointestinal Disease. Ramsay D., et al. Gastro and Hepatol 2010;6(12):772-777.

Mastocytic Inflammatory Bowel Disease ( MIBD ) : Increased Prevalence of Celiac – Related HLA DQ Genetics, CBir1 and Antigliadin Antibodies Associated with Response to Gluten Free Diet. Lewey, S. Am J Gastroenterol 2009; 104:S431-S484

—————————-Author Information: Dr. Scot Lewey, Colorado Springs, CO, USAScot M. Lewey, DO, FACG, FASGE, FACP, FACOI, FAAP, FACOPClinical Associate Professor of MedicineRocky Vista University College of Osteopathic MedicineGastroenterology Associates of Colorado Springs

The Food Doc, LLC, PO Box 51460, Colorado Springs, CO 80949, USA

Tags: Chronic fatigue, Gluten, Gluten free, IBS, Research, Symptoms