The amount of research on autism has grown exponentially these last 10 years, with now over 20,000 articles.
As impressive as the research is, parents, however, aren’t terribly concerned about what works in a particular study. They just want something that will help their child – and that means yesterday! Many parents of the kids with autism are very well read, and what I am going to say might be a review for that crowd. But maybe you aren’t up to speed on the 2 G’s, that is, glutathione and gluten. This blog will be a brief overview.
Glutathione (GSH) is the body’s master detox agent. Detox is important for environmental toxins like mercury and lead, and also for end products of normal biochemical processes that can be toxic. The body has several mechanisms to neutralize these. The most important, and first-line detox defense, is through glutathione.
Glutathione is made in every cell, so it can be present where it is needed at all times. Many researchers have noted that you can get a pretty good idea of a person’s disease resistance and probability of a long life by looking at their glutathione levels in the blood.
Kids with autism show a universal glutathione deficiency, according to published, peer-reviewed research. This means that these kids with ASD have trouble with basic detox processes, and that can lead to a myriad of problems, including interference with normal neuron development and communication.
We recommend LifeWave Glutathione Patches. These are super easy to use and help the body produce its own glutathione. With these patches, you don’t have to figure out how to get the child to take the supplement. If you have figured out a good way to use supplements (maybe adding them to a protein and fruit smoothie, for example) you can also add Apex Glutathione Recycler to the mix. This will help the Glutathione Patches do their job by adding some precursors and agents that help in glutathione’s remanufacture from breakdown products.
The other “G” is gluten. Many parents have experimented with a gluten-free diet for their child with ASD and noticed a dramatic shift within a few days. Most telling is what happens to the behavior once the gluten is reintroduced. Nobody is saying this will be magic cure-all, but so many parents have found this to be an essential component of their treatment formula. If you read the published literature, you will find a mix of reviews about this approach. Some will say there is no basis for believing this will help, and other studies report favorable results. Putting your child on a gluten-free diet is not dangerous, so you don’t have anything to lose. We can run some blood and genetic tests to look for the probability that a gluten-free diet will be helpful. Ultimately, you will just have to try it out and see what happens.
Just a heads up, in most cases you will not get the results you need on a low-gluten diet. You will have to learn to find hidden sources of gluten and also avoid products made where wheat is also processed. Flour can float in the air for a day or two and even these microscopic contaminants can be enough to stop the healing. So if you are going to try a gluten-free diet, make sure that it is really gluten-free.
Most parents have also found that along with a gluten-free diet, they will also have to go casein free. Casein is a milk protein. The rules here are the same. You will have to get the casein completely out of the diet for a few weeks to see what happens.
As someone whose family has a genetic history of Hashimoto’s and has a nephew with autism, I can testify that it is crucial to have a gluten-free diet and to supplement with glutathione to offset the detrimental effects of previously eating a diet that contained gluten. I currently take Apex Energetics Glutathione Recycler (4 – 6 capsules throughout the day) and believe that it does wonders in helping to heal the gut and provide essential nutrients to offset prior years of eating gluten.
Let me also encourage readers of this blog to view the articles and videos posted about the harmful effects of eating gluten in your diet. The good Doctor has posted a wealth of information and also offers diagnostic testing for gluten intolerance. I encourage people to get tested for gluten intolerance. Knowing your genetic predisposition is essential to maintaining good health for you and your children.
Thank you Alexis for sharing your story of gluten intolerance. We appreciate hearing what has helped you! I’m sure our readers will also benefit from your comments.
I have the auto immune disease, Hoshimoto’s thyroid. After three endocrinologists over medicated me, basis my prescriptions on TSH scores, I finally read a book about Hoshimoto’s and the connection with gluten. A year and a quarter ago, my doctor tested me for gluten sensitivity. Since then I’ve been gluten free and take Glutathione Recycler for support. My aches and pains have greatly decreased and mood swings stabilized. It’s been extremely helpful in my overall well being.
Recently, my Osteopath told me he promotes a gluten free diet and support with Glutathione for kids and adults with Autism. He found out about the connection when his son was diagnosed many years ago. Thanks for making this valuable information available to more people. This should be “common knowledge” by now!
Thank you so much Alberta for you comments. We appreciate you sharing with us your personal experience.
The two G’s are very big with my daughter who has Autism. They have both helped her, along with other things.