So having a leaky gut can lead to all kinds of conditions and illnesses. What can be done about it? Well, one of the first lines of defense is a change in diet, removing all the foods that have antigens that filter into your bloodstream and cause an allergic reaction. The two biggest culprits…casein and gluten. Both are proteins and are similar to the carrier proteins that transport the vitamins and minerals.

The problem with this is that maintaining a gluten-free/casein-free diet is very difficult. People with Celiac Disease are put on a gluten-free diet. It is rough because wheat is in everything. But since 1 out of every 250 Americans has Celiac Disease, there are more and more gluten-free products on the market all the time. There are even restaurants that carry gluten-free menu items.

It becomes more difficult, though, when you try to combine removing gluten and removing casein (protein in dairy products). This means the removal of all dairy products, including those that are “lactose free”. By removing casein from many children’s diet, their behaviors improve rather dramatically.

In our case, removing the casein was the easy part. LuLu has been casein-free (except during her hospital stays this fall – heavy sigh) for almost 2 years. Our family has adjusted well, substituting rice and soy products and finding lots of foods that don’t need cheese in them (like pasta dishes) even though we used to load on the cheese.

It’s the gluten removal that’s been difficult for us. About the only way for these diets to work for one family member is for all family members to participate, and the rest of the tribe protests mightily to the gluten-free pastas, breads, etc.

Another defense to leaky gut is the use of digestive enzymes, to break down the proteins and other antigens what can permeate the intestinal walls. In people who suffer from leaky gut, their ability to produce digestive enzymes may also be compromised. Supplementing with enzymes can be done along with the diet for the best results. Which types of digestive enzymes you use depends on which types of foods you want to improve the digestion of. DPPIV is the type that specifically targets gluten and casein digestion.

To learn more about the use of enzymes in the treatment of autism and other brain disorders that could be caused by leaky gut and an imbalance in the immune/GI system, check out this book by Karen DeFelice, Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions. Karen also operates a yahoo discussion group, Enzymes and Autism that is helpful as well.

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