Fad Diets and Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which can present with a variety of challenges including behavioral concerns, gastrointestinal (GI) complaints, and nutritional concerns. Dietary approaches have been explored as potential interventions that could address the role of the gut-brain axis in ASD. The most commonly proposed dietary approaches include gluten-free diets, casein-free diets, dietary supplementation, and/or probiotics, in an attempt to decrease behavioral and/or GI symptoms. Unfortunately, research on these dietary interventions for behavioral and/or GI symptoms in ASD is limited and results are mixed. Overall, these approaches have not demonstrated any significant benefit when evaluated in research studies. However, many caregivers trial these dietary approaches. More prospective controlled trials with large sample sizes are needed to determine whether specific subpopulations of youth with ASD and behavioral and/or GI symptoms might benefit from certain dietary interventions in order to confidently make recommendations regarding the ideal diet for youth with ASD.