Children with autism are known to have GI problems. What is not as commonly known is how much the gut directly affects the brain and behavior, and how part of that problem comes from opiates. Yes, studies show the same opiates that come from opiate-derived drugs come from some foods when they are broken down in the gut. People on the autism spectrum have a much harder time breaking down these opioids, (also called exorphines), due to poor digestion and detoxification. For this reason, these opioides build up to large numbers further affecting their health and behavior.
These opioids are just what they sound like, opiates, or morphine derivatives. They give that spacey look, and the lack of ability to concentrate. They have the same drug-like effects of morphine, so our kids get addicted to them.
Gluten and Casein
Gluten is the protein in wheat products and casein is the protein in dairy products. Gluten creates opioids called gluteomorphines, and casein creates ones called caseomorphines. These two food sources should be removed from your child’s diet completely. Additionally, spinach, rice and soy also contain opiate producing properties. Does your child “crave” breads, crackers, pasta, and other processed carbohydrates filled with wheat and possibly dairy too? Their opioids could be a big part of the reason why.
Common foods that contain gluten:
- Wheat
- Barley
- Rye
- Soy sauce
- Gravy
Non-Food Based Products To Be Aware Of
Due to the nature of biology, one person can be unaffected by a food or toxin, whereas another is greatly affected by the same product. Some individuals are so sensitive that merely touching a food with their hands can cause severe reactions because the skin absorbs it.
Seemingly harmless toys can have an effect on a highly sensitive individual. Colored playing dough that children play with contains both gluten and food coloring. Absorbed through the skin, the body’s largest organ, it travels into the bloodstream, just as a food particle can that passes through the intestinal lining. Check the labels on shampoos and lotions, too. Many of these products contain wheat, dairy, and soy, another common allergen.
Gluten-Free, Casein Free and Still Not Better
Additional Dangers To The Digestive Tract
It is important not to load the system up with gluten. It can case a major setback or prevent recovery for most. It is best to avoid altogether. Wheat is heavily sprayed with the toxic pesticide, glyphosate, causes inflammation in the gut and brain, feeds candida, and creates opiates in the body. Mold biotoxins from water damaged buildings, Lyme disease and Parasites all contribute to a weak digestive tract and they create holes in the gut leading to leaky gut which allow undigested food particles into the bloodstream which create allergens and toxicity and make their way to the brain.
Gluten can take up to two months to remove itself from the system, casein about three weeks. I sometimes hear, “My child is already on a gluten-free and casein-free diet, and they’re still not better.” If the GF/CF diet has been done in 100% compliance for at least three months and there has been no improvement in their symptoms then it is likely that:
- Their gut is not getting what it needs to recover from the damage that was done before the diet began
- There is an overgrowth of Candida or pathogenic bacteria that needs to be addressed
- Mercury toxicity still remains and is preventing gut health recovery
- Parasites exist that are injuring the gut
- Additional food allergies exist
- Mold exposure has created mold biotoxins that disrupt the gut
- Their brain is in need of additional support
- Other foods such as soy, rice and even spinach contain opiates and are still causing disruption
- Lyme disease injures the gut lining
- The glyphosate on the wheat is affecting them.
Just Because It’s Gluten-Free Does Not Mean It’s Good For You
- If you go on the gluten-free diet only to substitute their carbohydrate cravings with different starches such as potato flour and tapioca flour. The digestive system is having trouble with more than gluten and casein. The gut flora (bacteria), is usually so out of balance that it cannot successfully digest starches, but more importantly, the starches and sugars feed the bad bacteria in their gut. This only makes the problem worse.
One thing no one wants to waste is time. If you only remove gluten and casein from the diet, then there is a strong likelihood that your child’s gut will not get the chance to recover completely. If their gut does not heal, neither will their brain and behavior. It’s never just one thing. The gut issues along with the toxins and coinfections create your child’s symptoms of sleep issues, mood instability including anger, inability to focus and learn, anxiousness and much more.
Removing wheat products, dairy and other inflammatory foods from the diet is always a good idea for multiple reasons, including their opiate derivatives. However, removing healthier foods from their diet that are also known to create them such as spinach can be more difficult and they are needed for nutrition. We don’t want the build up of these opiates, so we need to heal their gut with all of the underlying issues being addressed and offer assistance to break down these drug-like chemicals in their body. Get your free guide to the top 7 foods to avoid to prevent further damage and to help your child’s gut heal.
Supporting Detoxification
When yeast “dies off” it releases toxins that can enter your bloodstream. This is also known as Herxheimer’s reaction. It means that the liver cannot keep up with filtering out the toxic waste being released by the dying pathologic organisms. This can cause headaches, fatigue and flu-like symptoms. Some people also experience either diarrhea or constipation.There may be heightened emotional outbursts or hyperactivity.
Remember that we are starving out the candida overgrowth in our child’s body and when they die they release more toxins into an already overburdened body. The detox pathways need support as well as some toxin binders in place to help sop up the extra toxins being released. Otherwise, we will see worsening behaviors while detoxifying.
Mindlinx Probiotics To Assist Removal of Opiates
Along with a healthy diet removing the inflammatory foods I made sure my son’s detoxification pathways were properly supported. By doing this we reduce the likelihood of die off reactions when detoxifying and when adding in any quality probiotic.
HLC Mindlinx contains specific strains of lactobacillus crispatus and lactobacillus rhamnosus which have been proven in scientific trials to degrade wheat and dairy exorphins, and to attach to and colonize intestinal epithelial cells.” Mindlinx is made by a company called Pharmax that has an impeccable reputation.
When I knew my son was stable and doing well, I then began adding in 1/4 teaspoon of HLC Mindlinx, twice per day before meals. This helped to break down any opioids in both the foods he was currently eating, and from those that had built up in his system in the past.
After giving HLC Mindlinx to my kids their stomach aches, headaches, and behavior improved tremendously, within days…for both of my children. I couldn’t believe it! Read one study here on the effects of this product on exorphins, or opioids, and autism.
Mindlinx is excellent but used short term. One or two bottles is usually enough to do the job. It is NOT a long-term use product because it contains glutamine which can turn into glutamate. Glutamate may be a trigger for those with seizures.
Prior to using HLC Mindlinx, my son’s stomach would hurt almost every day. If he ate dairy products or foods with gluten, he would be bent over in pain. After using Mindlinx his physical health changed drastically for the better through the use of this product. As his health improved, so did his behavior. I had no idea at that time what a significant impact his GI tract was having on his brain and behavior. He became calmer, less impulsive and reactive, and more socially engaged.
We cannot avoid healthier foods in our daily lives because we would likely become malnourished. The gluten and casein-free diet is based on ridding the body of these opiate receptors that can react with peptides in the body. We can live gluten and casein free just fine, but vegetables are necessary for good health and some of us need to eat meat. HLC Mindlinx contains strains that work to digest vegetable and meat exorphins, as well as gluten and dairy.
There is so much to learn to help your child, but it all starts with the right diet. Please be sure to get my free food guide now and begin implementing the initial dietary changes your child needs for better health and behavior. It is definitely worth it!
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Quickly Reduce Your Child’s Symptoms of Autism by Eliminating 7 Foods Most People Consume Daily!
The first crucial step of autism recovery is to begin restoring health to the gut and the immune system.
The health of the gut is directly linked to the health of the brain and therefore to the symptoms of autism. In fact, 80% of the immune system comes from the gut so if the gut is not healthy, then the brain can’t thrive, and the immune system is compromised. It’s a vicious cycle, but thankfully, it’s one that we can put an end to by first eliminating harmful foods.
- Harmful Foods: Identify the foods that worsen autism symptoms and understand the science behind their impact.
- Smart Food Choices: Learn about easy dietary swaps that can significantly enhance sleep, clarity of thought, and emotional well-being.
- Practical Implementation: Get valuable tips on how to implement these dietary changes easily and effectively.
This is for informational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or treat. Every child’s level of recovery is different. No two people are the same. It is never implied that all children will have the same outcome. Results are all based on individual biology and the work that is done. This process takes time and various steps, effort and resources need to be weighed. Our programs are intended to help you become more knowledgeable and guide you to help bring your child a better quality of life, whatever that may be. We want to help by giving great content, direction and strategies that move you forward. Nothing on this page or any of our websites is a promise or guarantee of results or future outcomes. The results on this page and any of our websites are not typical or promised. In fact, there will be people who purchase this and other programs and never put the work into implementing the strategies taught and therefore will achieve little to no results. Our more detailed earnings disclaimer, privacy policy, and terms and conditions for this program and website can be accessed via the links below. We hold ourselves (and you) to a high standard of integrity. We are cheering you on every step of the way.