Evidence of the gluten-free and casein-free diet in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review.
In autism spectrum disorders, many parents resort to alternative treatments and these are generally perceived as risk free. Among these, the most commonly used is the gluten-free, casein-free diet. The objective of this work was to conduct a systematic review of studies published from 1970 to date related to the gluten-free, casein-free diet in autism spectrum disorder patients. Few studies can be regarded as providing sound scientific evidence since they were blinded randomized controlled trials, and even these were based on small sample sizes, reducing their validity. We observed that the evidence on this topic is currently limited and weak. We recommend that it should be only used after the diagnosis of an intolerance or allergy to foods containing the allergens excluded in gluten-free, casein-free diets. Future research should be based on this type of design, but with larger sample sizes.
Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
Salvador
S
Marí-Bauset
Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Physiology, University of Navarra, Navarra, Spain Biomedical Research Centre Network on Obesity and Nutrition (CIBERobn), Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Itziar
I
Zazpe
Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics Unit, Navarra Hospital Complex, Navarra, Spain.
Amelia
A
Mari-Sanchis
Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Agustín
A
Llopis-González
Unit of Public Health and Environmental Care, Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain CIBER Epidemiologia y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, Spain maria.m.morales@uv.es.
María
M
Morales-Suárez-Varela
D002364:Caseins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000178:diet therapy*; D004035:Diet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055050:Diet, Gluten-Free; D006801:Humans
D002364:Caseins
autism; autism spectrum disorders (ASDs); casein-free diet; gluten-free; review