What's up with the gluten-free diet and ADHD?

My son and I both just recently discovered we suffer from gluten intolerance and researching has brought to my attention that a diet free of gluten may also benefit my daughter with severe ADHD. How could gluten negatively effect her?

Gluten intolerance seems to be genetic, as it runs in families. Given that you already know 2 relatives by blood of your daughter (you and your son) suffer from this problem, it's not unlikely that she also has it, though not necessarily in the same form.

Many of the symptoms of gluten intolerance which are less well known relate to emotional/behavioral and/or mental disturbance. The theory is that people who are gluten intolerant do not digest gluten completely.

Normally, gluten is digested in a two-stage process. The first stage produces an opioid peptide called gluteomorphin or gliadomorphin. It has a structure and effect similar to opium, and due to leaky gut syndrome, which is often (possibly always) present in the gluten intolerant, this substance can leak into the bloodstream and cause any of a huge number of different possible effects.

Leaky gut was controversial until last June or July, when researchers in Maryland (I think) found the mechanism behind it. I don't have the reference to hand, but this is a breakthrough, because much of conventional medicine was simply denying the possibility - and also denying that gluten could have any effect beyond celiac disease, even though it's already known that celiac is associated with other disorders, including celiac ataxia (the shakes, similar to Parkinson's Disease).

As you are obviously having to cope with a gluten free diet for the two of you, this should not be as difficult for you to try with your daughter as for other mums. And in general, many families find that it's a lot easier for everyone to go gluten free than just some of the family, so as to avoid issues like cross-contamination.

Food allergies/intolerence/sensitivities can cause anywhere from severe to mild behavior disturbances in children. My best friend was having a very difficult time with her 4 yr. old son's behavior and had tried everything under the sun. After a full year she was worn out and feeling desperate! Her regular Dr. referred the child to a gastroenterologist due to some ongoing digestive issues. That Dr. ordered some allergy testing and VOILA! the poor kid had several food allergies. They began to "clean up" his diet immediately and the change in his behavior has been astounding!! This isn't to say that all ADHD is food allergy related, however, it is well worth the effort to follow the "elimination diet" that helps pinpoint possible trigger foods, and talk with your Dr. about allergy testing, especially if your family history suggests a genetic predisposition to food allergy. Hopefully you have already started to eliminate glutens from her diet as well? Good luck.

The theory regarding food sensitivities for people with ADHD is as follows:
The digestive tract may have some areas where it is not as healthy as it should be. This is often referred to as, "Leaky Gut". Due to small "holes" in the actual lining of the intestines, certain undigested food proteins can leak through the lining and into the blood, getting into the brain chemistry. This is sometimes referred, casually by enviromental doctors, as a 'brain allergy', although it is causing possible inflammation in the brain. That inflammation seems to be responsible for various behavior problems, as well as physical complaints. Additionally, if a child or adult consumes to many carbohydrates, they also can have Candida overgrowth. Candida can also create chemicals of its own which also leak into the blood and brain chemistry. There are a lot of negative chemicals made by Candida and they cause side effects including silliness which might be compared to acting a little drunk, irritation, rashes, infections and other behavior problems. You can look up the following: ADHD and Candida, ADHD and Leaky Gut, ADHD and food sensitivities, Candida toxins, ADHD and wheat sensitvity, or gluten sensitivity. When using the elimination diet, the goal is to find out what foods are creating problems, currently, eliminate them, and then work to heal the gut. After the gut is healed, the expectation is that the person can eat most of those same foods, but not in huge amounts, and on alternating days. View the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRDpcWZUE...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzvIq8WIS...