After my conducting my interview with Jennifer, I was very interested to find out more information on one of the terms that she had mentioned she came across very often in her own research of the affects of gluten and casein in autistic children. The term she referred to was called “leaky gut,” which both she and my research have described as a condition that affects the lining of the intestines and is commonly found in autistic children. Research suggests that leaky gut syndrome is caused by damage of the intestinal lining, which makes it very difficult for the body to properly digest certain foods. The result of this damage causes bacteria and toxins to leak into the bloodstream, triggering an “autoimmune reaction, which can lead to gastrointestinal problems such as abdominal bloating, excessive gas and cramps, fatigue, food sensitivities, joint pain, skin rashes, and autoimmunity” (What is Leaky Gut?).
After reviewing an article written by a medical doctor, I learned that in the past, Leaky gut syndrome was not considered to be a real condition, but the author of the article, Dr. Weil explains that that “evidence is accumulating that it is a real condition that affects the lining of the intestines” (What is Leaky Gut?). He also explains that a colleague of his who deals with this condition in children has “established that a significant percentage of children with autism have increased intestinal permeability, but it isn’t known whether this is the cause of an affect of food sensitivities and an underlying metabolic problem”(What is Leaky Gut?). If the information of leaky gut syndrome is in fact true, then I can certainly understand how a condition such as this can cause autistic children to experience developmental delays.
After reviewing an article written by a medical doctor, I learned that in the past, Leaky gut syndrome was not considered to be a real condition, but the author of the article, Dr. Weil explains that that “evidence is accumulating that it is a real condition that affects the lining of the intestines” (What is Leaky Gut?). He also explains that a colleague of his who deals with this condition in children has “established that a significant percentage of children with autism have increased intestinal permeability, but it isn’t known whether this is the cause of an affect of food sensitivities and an underlying metabolic problem”(What is Leaky Gut?). If the information of leaky gut syndrome is in fact true, then I can certainly understand how a condition such as this can cause autistic children to experience developmental delays.
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