Scientists at the University of Texas Health Center in Houston are trying to find out if autistic children benefit from a gluten-free, dairy-free diet.

The gluten-free diet is particularly difficult to follow because it eliminates common ingredients such as wheat, rye, barley, and most grains, as well as foods containing starch, most flavorings, emulsifiers, and stabilizers. The dairy-free diet cuts out all dairy foods, even those with milk as an ingredient.

Many parents of autistic children have told their doctors that the diet improved their children's symptoms and well-being, but this is among the first scientific studies.

The Texas researchers enrolled 38 autistic children ages 3 to 9 in a gluten-free, dairy free diet program. Half the children are receiving a placebo, and the other half are using gluten and milk powder. Stay tuned for the results.

Labels: autism, diet

Posted By: Aspen Education Group