Drake has been on a gluten and dairy free diet for the past 8 years. It seems to help a little, but he still has lots of bowel problems (like bouts of diarrhea). When we go off the diet we see more seizures, more sleepless nights, more irritable bowel problems and generally worse behavior. I have always been jealousy of those parents that have tried a GF/CF diet and their children have had major reduction in autism symptoms. GF/CF seems to be only part of Drake’s Puzzle. So we are now going to eliminate soy and corn! Here is the theory. These 4 foods are known to be the top allergens. It is theorized that these foods can damage the duodenum. The glycoproteins from gluten, casein, soy, and corn coat the villi and can kill the villi. Which can lead to malabsorption and leaky gut syndrome. Chronic malabsorption means the body is deprived of things like calcium, iron, vitamin C, iodine, B complex, and trace minerals, all of which are vital in the normal functioning of our bodies and immune systems.

Theses 4 foods are also high in a non-essential amino acid called glutamate. Simple put glutamate works with the excitatory receptors in a cell (if true no wonder Drake has problems sleeping thru the night). These foods soy, gluten, dairy and corn provide staggering levels of glutamate (and aspartate).

Applying this concept to epilepsy. The brain suffers from the chronic malnutrition and the immune system is taxed. Then add high levels of glutamate at the synapse. The glutamate acts as an excito-toxin. It is theorized that seizures serve a vital purpose to burn up the excessive glutamate in the brain.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) has been utilized to treat Autism in many countries throughout the globe. The rationale behind using hyperbaric for Autism is that the treatments increase cerebral blood flow and thus oxygen is delivered to areas of the brain, which are thought to be oxygen deficient. Greater amounts of blood and oxygen begin to stimulate cerebral tissues and aid in recovery of idling neurons. HBOT also reduces excess fluids and swelling of brain tissues which aid in neurological function and a less confused state in Autistics.

Theoretically, it is conceivable that reversing hypoxia may lead to activation of self-repair mechanisms. Such neural proliferation is seen after reperfusion in numerous animal models of cerebral ischemia. The concept of increasing oxygen to the autistic brain through various means such as hyperbaric medicine is currently being tested in 2 independent clinical trials in the US.

Hyperbaric is also used as a complementary therapy for the treatment of heavy metal detox for such materials as mercury. Hyperbaric assists in the metabolism of heavy metal removal. It can help a patient counteract the effects of heavy metal poisoning and helps the body deal with toxins even as noxious as cyanide. It is often used in conjunction with chelation and other detox procedures to help support the body to deal with the impact commonly seen in the removal of heavy metals, mercury, toxins, and other contaminants.

Worldwide, medical researchers are discovering promising results with the effects of hyperbaric therapy on persons with Autism.