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Dairy & Autism
28 Feb 2020
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Today, I watched videos by Dr Greger on autism. This article summarizes what I learnt.

Since 1960s, a hypothesis has floated around in the medical community that a gluten-free and casein-free diet (GFCF Diet) may ameliorate autism symptoms significantly. Success stories abound online. But is it really true that GFCF Diet helps? Turns out that medical evidence is limited (very few high quality studies). Why? Dr Greger's videos explain.

Dr Michael Greger

Dr Greger has an early video from 2012. He then prepared a 6-part video series in 2017 on the subject which explains the history of the GFCF Diet hypothesis — how did it emerge in the first place? He also summarizes interventional studies conducted to test the hypothesis.

Articles by Dr Greger:

Videos by Dr Greger:

(2012) Cow's Milk Casomorphin & Autism

(2 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "Opiate-like casomorphins liberated from the cow's milk protein, casein, are accused of participating in the cause of such conditions as autism, crib death, type I diabetes, postpartum psychosis, circulatory disorders, and food allergies."

(2017) Autism & Casein from Cow's Milk

(5 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "Casomorphins — breakdown products of casein, a milk protein, with opiate-like activity — may help explain why autism symptoms sometimes improve with a dairy-free diet. "

(2017) Does A2 Milk Carry Less Autism Risk?

(8 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "The casomorphins — breakdown products of casein, a milk protein, with opiate-like activity — in bovine milk appear to have opposite effects than those from human breast milk on infant development, but what about A2 cow's milk?"

(2017) Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diets for Autism Put to the Test

(7 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "What were the results of the first randomized controlled study of a dietary intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)?"

(2017) Are Autism Diet Benefits Just a Placebo Effect?

(6 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "The original randomized, controlled trials of gluten- and casein-free diets may have been complicated by parental expectation bias."

(2017) Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Diet for Autism

(7 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "What happens when autistic children on gluten- and casein-free diets are covertly challenged with wheat and dairy?"

(2017) Pros & Cons of Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diets for Autism

(5 mins) Transcript. Dr Greger's summary: "What did the most comprehensive double-blind study of diet for autism find, and what are the potential downsides?"

Diet & Autism

Cruciferous vegetables: Cruciferous Veggies & AutismSulforaphane & Autism

Glutamate & Excitotoxicity: Some theories are being developed along these lines: Autism, Excitotoxins & Glutamate Hypothesis

More info: Autism & WFPB

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