Autism: eating helps change behavior

Some people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have biological issues and experience day-to-day pain that usually remains in the background, invisible.

According to researchers from Institute of Spirit and Life (Mind and Life Institute) at Davis University in California, United States, children with autism are six to eight times more likely to suffer gastrointestinal problems than those with normal development.

These digestive system disorders, including constipation, diarrhea, chronic infections, and multiple food sensitivities, could be linked to behavior problems like irritability, repetitive behavior and avoiding social contact.

Careful treatment of these problems generates positive changes in quality of life and in the symptoms under which ASD is diagnosed in many cases.

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What is the Relationship Between Diet and Autism

The Chronic inflammation and infections of the intestinal tract are associated with an activated immune system and increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are hormones of the immune system. This has a direct effect on the brain and affects behavior, which includes increased anxiety, problems with motivation and socialization, avoiding new situations and adhering to routine and repetitive actions.

Children with autism may benefit from complete assessment of your gastrointestinal condition, especially those who lack verbal skills. For these children, treatment to relieve stomach problems is likely to improve the behavior problems.

Gut microbiota and TEA

A study, published in the journal Microbiome, shows that transplantation of fecal matter to improve the composition and variability of the gut microbiota is very effective for the treatment of some of the gastrointestinal and behavioral disorders associated with autism.

What is a fecal transplant? Basically the transfer of bacteria from the gut flora of a “healthy” donor (in terms of their gut microbiota), in which about a thousand different bacterial species are found, to a patient with ASD. In this way, it is achieved that the recipient can have an intestinal microbiome with “normal” composition and variability.

The results showed that the procedure had long-term benefits for recipients, such as an average 80% improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms associated with ASD and a 20-25% improvement in behavioral disorders (among others). ., Social skills and sleep patterns).

To recommend it as a treatment and to be able to apply it in clinical practice, phase II and III studies are needed. Now he is looking to expand research on this therapeutic strategy through a larger placebo-controlled study, which will be conducted in the future.

Beyond this promising treatment, we believe that the multiplicity of medical problems must be evaluated and intervened in an appropriate way in each patient in order to guarantee above all an optimized health.

Dr Nicolás Loyacono (MN 133.199) is president of the Argentine Society for Neurological Development and Associated Disorders (SANyTA). Member of the TEA-Integrative Approach transdisciplinary scientific model and co-author ofHumanism in medicine. The crucial role of the pediatrician in autism spectrum disorders