I'm a Believer

Well, it's been four days since I took Liberty off of casein; specifically milk-based yogurt. I have not seen one episode like the ones I was witnessing that looked like some type of seizure or brain blip. KNOCK ON WOOD.

Also, I just realized Lib is probably going through a type of opiate withdrawal since he has had a few interesting fits "out of the blue."

Here's a refresher on how gluten and casein proteins can affect brain function:

"...a note on the opiate receptors from Great Plains Laboratory:

The peptides from gluten [gliadorphin] and casein [casomorphin] are important because they react with opiate receptors in the brain, thus mimicking the effects of opiate drugs like heroin and morphine. These compounds have been shown to react with areas of the brain such as the temporal lobes, which are involved in speech and auditory integration.

Children with autism frequently seem addicted to wheat and dairy products. Presumably, people with Autism and schizophrenia incompletely digest wheat and dairy products. These incompletely digested peptides are then absorbed into the body and bind to opiate receptors, altering behavior and other physiological reactions."

I first placed Liberty on a gluten free/casein-free diet May 7, 2007. It was around the end of April of this year that I began to re-introduce the yogurt into his diet and I really did not see much in the way of reaction. I thought I was safe because I was also giving him an enzyme to help digest the food. But, apparently, the casein can have a cumulative effect. So says Dr. Bock. His words, "You'd be surprised at how nasty casein protein can be."

Well, we will see. I am hoping this is it so we won't have to go on an anti-seizure medication, especially since we were unable to obtain an EEG. And, he seems so much more with it, especially today on his first day back to OT and Speech. And, wouldn't it be nice if it was something SIMPLE for a change?

My blogger friend Robin has been so gracious in helping me collect GF/CF recipes to try.

If anyone has any great tried-and-true meals, send 'em my way, okay? Thanks and I'll be happy to return the favor with my tasty but extremely limited repertoire of gf/cf foods.