We interviewed Julie Matthews CNC about the effectiveness of 13 therapeutic diets for autism as detailed in her latest peer-reviewed medical research article. You can watch the replay below. Please note that you will be asked to provide your email address at the 30-minute mark to continue viewing the replay.
13 Therapeutic Diets for Autism Analyzed
Bioindividual nutritionist Julie Matthews and Jim Adams PhD of the Autism/Asperger’s Research Program at Arizona State University (ASU) evaluated the responses about therapeutic diets from the National Survey on Treatment Effectiveness for Autism. Their results were published in the study Ratings of the Effectiveness of 13 Therapeutic Diets for Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results of a National Survey in 2023.
This study analyzed the effectiveness of therapeutic diets for autism for which there were at least 20 responses. Other diets for which there were less than 20 responses such as the GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet, the low-glutamate diet, the Body Ecology Diet and the low-oxalate diet were not included in the analysis. Therapeutic diets included in the analysis were:
- Ketogenic diet
- Corn-free diet
- Casein-free diet
- Paleo diet
- Soy-free diet
- Gluten-free diet
In This Webinar
In this webinar, Julie helped us understand, according to survey results:
- How was the survey designed? What was the rating scale for responses?
- On the whole, do therapeutic diets for autism help with symptom relief? If so, by how much?
- Which diets had the highest overall benefit? Was this a surprise?
- Did any of these 13 diets have negative effects?
- Were some diets better than others at relief from specific symptoms?
- Which diets had the highest benefit for the largest number of symptoms?
- Were some people following more than one diet at a time?
- Was the ATEC (Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist) run before and after the survey to correlate against symptom relief? If not, are there plans to do so in the future?
Key Discussions
The Effectiveness of Therapeutic Diets in Managing Autism Symptoms
Different therapeutic diets, such as the ketogenic, Feingold, and GFCF (gluten-free, casein-free) diets, show varied levels of effectiveness in reducing symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This effectiveness is measured through improvements in attention, cognition, anxiety, hyperactivit, social interactions and other symptoms. These diets provide alternatives to traditional medications, offering improvements with fewer side effects.
The Role of the Gut Microbiome in Autism
There is a significant interplay between diet, gut health, and autism symptoms. The gut microbiome‘s health influences overall health outcomes, suggesting that dietary interventions targeting gut bacteria could alleviate some symptoms of autism. The correlation prompts further research into specific dietary strategies that could enhance microbiome health and, consequently, symptom management in ASD.
Challenges in Researching Dietary Impacts on Autism
Conducting rigorous research on the impact of diets on autism faces several challenges, including funding constraints, the influence of contradicting industry interests, and survey fatigue among participants. Despite these hurdles, there is a clear need for consistent, reliable research to explore and validate the benefits of various diets, necessitating quantitative analyses and comprehensive studies to substantiate dietary claims.
Importance of Personalized Nutrition
Children with autism exhibit diverse responses to dietary changes, highlighting the need for personalized nutrition. This approach considers unique dietary reactions and the specific nutritional needs of each individual, underlining the necessity of tailored diet plans rather than a one-size-fits-all solution. Personalized diets can optimize health outcomes by addressing specific symptoms and dietary sensitivities present in different individuals.
Comprehensive Approach to Management of Autism
Managing autism symptoms requires a holistic approach that encompasses more than just dietary changes. Factors such as environmental toxins, sensory sensitivities, and other individual health issues are part of the total load of stressors that can additionally affect a child’s ability to heal. Keeping track of your child’s dietary intake and any symptoms that change over the course of two to three days can help you figure out which foods may be negatively affecting your child. We also talked about Jim Adams’ ANRC Autism Treatment Rater iPhone app, which can be helpful in understanding which diets, supplements, medications and therapeutic interventions could be helpful.
Timestamped Overview
00:00 Survey collected diverse data on autism treatments.
06:40 Diets include healthy diet, low-sugar diet, Feingold diet, ketogenic diet, GFCF diet and others.
13:15 Focus on net benefit; healthy diet ranks highest.
18:58 Healthy diet was top for improving health.
21:01 The ketogenic diet was the top diet for seizures, improving various symptoms.
26:08 Study analyzed 700 data points.
34:24 Use of IgG and IgE testing and observation to avoid certain foods can help with symptom improvement.
38:09 Comparing GFCF and ketogenic diets for health.
47:22 Study finds diet affects severity of autism.
55:08 Comparing interventions and symptoms for survey analysis.
01:03:09 Some diets take time to show effects.
01:08:39 Personal opinion on potential benefits of study.
01:11:55 Emphasis on protein, variety, and individual needs.
01:17:17 Study condenses health advice on selecting diets: charts, graphs.
01:25:03 Individuals varies in protein preference, health concerns.
01:25:57 Beef protein, broths, and creative protein options.
01:32:11 Making good choices and healthy living important.
About Julie Matthews CNC
Julie Matthews is a Certified Nutrition Consultant and Education, globally respected nutrition expert, published researcher, accomplished author, and inspirational educator.
Her guidance is backed by sixteen years of clinical experience and scientific research with complex neurological and physiological needs; particularly autism and related disorders.
She has lectured in more than 60 cities across three continents, been on television, radio, newspaper, blogs/podcasts and more, and published scientifically referenced articles in journals and websites.
Julie has been featured by Price-Pottenger, honored by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals and sits on two scientific advisory boards including the Autism Nutrition Research Center. She founded Nourishing Hope in 2005 to stand for the efficacy of improved diet and nutrition for autism, and the BioIndividual Nutrition Institute in 2014 to share the synthesis of her knowledge with cutting edge clinicians to help improve their effectiveness with therapeutic diets.
She published Nourishing Hope for Autism: Nutrition and Diet Guide for Healing Our Children in 2008. You can find out more about her work at her websites nourishinghope.com, bioindividualnutrition.com and nutritionforpregnancy.com.
Disclaimer
This webinar is not a substitute for medical advice, treatment, diagnosis, or consultation with a medical professional. It is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on to make determinations related to treatment of a medical condition. Epidemic Answers has not verified and does not guaranty the accuracy of the information provided in this webinar.
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Resources
Articles
CBS News: ADHD Diet Study Suggests Healthy Eating May Help Kids
Chicago Tribune: Do Diet Changes Help ADHD Children?
The Feingold Diet: Our Family’s Experience with a Dye-Free Diet
Julie Matthew’s BioIndividual Nutrition recipes
Julie Matthew’s BioIndividual Nutrition Feingold Diet / Failsafe Diet
Our Journey with the Feingold Diet
Books
Adams, Mike. The Truth About Aspartame, MSG and Excitoxins. Truth Publishing, Inc., 2010.
Ballantyne, Sarah. Paleo Approach: Reverse Autoimmune Disease Heal Your Body. Victory Belt Publishing, 2014.
Blaylock, Russell L. Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills. Health Press, 1996.
Bock, Kenneth. Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies: The Groundbreaking Program for the 4-A Disorders. New York, NY. Ballantine Books, 2008.
Campbell-McBride, Natasha. Gut and Psychology Syndrome: Natural Treatment for Autism, Dyspraxia, A.D.D., Dyslexia, A.D.H.D., Depression, Schizophrenia, 2010.
Cordain, Loren. The Paleo Diet Revised: Lose Weight and Get Healthy by Eating the Foods You Were Designed to Eat. Harvest, 2010.
Davis, Sheri. All Natural Mom’s Guide to the Feingold Diet: A Natural Approach to ADHD and Other Related Disorders. Sheri Davis, 2014.
Ernsperger, Lori, et al. Just Take a Bite: Easy, Effective Answers to Food Aversions and Eating Challenges! Future Horizons, 2004.
Feingold, Ben. The Feingold Cookbook for Hyperactive Children, and Others Associated with Food Additives and Salicylates. Random House, 1979.
Feingold, Ben. Why Your Child Is Hyperactive: The Bestselling Book on How ADHD Is Caused by Artificial Food Flavors and Colors. Random House, 1985.
Galland, Leo. The Effect of Intestinal Microbes on Systemic Immunity. Excerpted from Power Healing. Random House, 1998.
Giustra-Kozek, Jennifer. Healing without hurting: treating ADHD, apraxia, and autism spectrum disorders naturally and effectively without harmful medication. Howard Beach, NY: Changing Lives Press, 2014.
Herbert, Martha, Weintraub Karen. The Autism Revolution: Whole-Body Strategies for Making Life All It Can Be. New York: Ballantine Books; 2012.
Hersey, Jane. Why Can’t My Child Behave?: Why Can’t She Cope? Why Can’t He Learn? The Feingold Diet Updated for Today’s Busy Families. Pear Tree Press, 2014.
Hong, Maria Rickert. Almost Autism: Recovering Children from Sensory Processing Disorder, A Reference for Parents and Practitioners. 2014.
Lambert, Beth. A Compromised Generation: The Epidemic of Chronic Illness in America’s Children. Sentient Publications, 2010.
Lemer, Patricia S. Outsmarting Autism: The Ultimate Guide to Management, Healing and Prevention for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Tarentum, PA, Word Association Publishers, 2014.
Matthews, Julie. Nourishing Hope for Autism: Nutrition and Diet Guide for Healing Our Children. Healthful Living Media, 2008.
Scott, Trudy. The Antianxiety Food Solution: How the Foods You Eat Can Help You Calm Your Anxious Mind, Improve Your Mood and End Cravings. New Harbinger Publications, 2011.
Seroussi, Karyn. Unraveling the Mystery of Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorder: A Mother’s Story of Research and Recovery. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Sisson, Mark. The Primal Blueprint: Reprogram Your Genes for Effortless Weight Loss, Vibrant Health, and Boundless Energy. Primal Nutrition, Inc., 2019.
Tam, Michelle, et al. Nom Nom Paleo: Food for Humans (Volume 1). Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2013.
Voegtlin, Walter. The Stone Age Diet: Based on In-depth Studies of Human Ecology and the Diet of Man. Vantage Press, 1975.
Wahls, Terry. The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles. Avery, 2020.
Wahls, Terry. The Wahls Protocol Cooking for Life: The Revolutionary Modern Paleo Plan to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions. Avery, 2017.
Phone Apps
Websites
Amy Yasko’s list of foods with high free glutamates
Katie Reid’s pantry list of recommended foods.
Unblind My Mind: Dr. Katie Reid’s website gives extensive explanation about the science, a TED talk by Dr. Reid and video tutorials to help parent’s discern appropriate foods in a local supermarket.
Videos
Excitotoxins, Neurotoxins & Human Neurological Disease Lecture by Russell Blaylock MD
Glutamate, Excitoxicity and Autism
Minding your mitochondria | Dr. Terry Wahls | TEDxIowaCity
Unblind My Mind: What Are We Eating? Dr. Katherine Reid at TEDxYouth@GrassValley
