Gluten-free diet and autism

In individuals with autism, the nutritional and gastrointestinal problems often present push families to seek “harmless” alternative treatments. Among these is the gluten-free and casein-free diet (GFCF), which has its roots in the opioid theory, which suggests that the digestion of casein and gluten in some autistic individuals is incomplete and leads to the formation of substances gifted of similar abilities to opiates. High levels of these peptides in urine due to incomplete degradation allow these substances to affect the nervous system by crossing the blood-brain barrier and interacting with opiate receptors. Some cases report positive improvements in autistic behavior, language, social engagement, and gastrointestinal symptoms with this diet. However, despite these anecdotal successes, there is no inadequate evidence to definitively demonstrate its effectiveness. Furthermore, prolonged adherence to this diet could potentially result in micronutrient deficiencies, intensifying the controversy over its long-term benefits.