Autism and the gut

[Guest guest]

For a while now there have been ideas that Autism is caused by eating certain foods or such and that cutting out certain things and eating other things, Autism can be controlled or even cured. Not too likely.

However, there is a new theory out there that may explain why so many people with Autism have intestinal issues.

This is the theory of the ENS or Enteric Nervous System. It is a nervous system like the Central Nervous System (CNS) only it is in the gut. The gut has more neurons than the spinal cord and several times more surface area than the skin. The ENS is designed to monitor all the functions of the digestive tract, what's happening and what it and the body needs, and then passing that information along to the CNS and eventually the conscious mind.

That's a lot of processing power. Now, the important point here is that the CNS and ENS develop at the same time and may share some genes since they communicate so closely together. The theory is that the genetic abnormalities that cause autism may also affect the ENS. That is why people with Autism sometimes have intestinal issues. The root cause is genetic, not the foods they eat.

That said, foods definitely do have an effect on the body. When the body craves a certain kind of food, there is a reason for it, like wanting fatty foods when depressed (because the fats stimulate the release of certain hormones that can relieve stress and depression). However, certain foods can also cause allergies or irritate a condition like irritable bowel syndrome. Again, it isn't the foods that cause the problem, merely exacerbate it in certain people. Cutting out certain foods is simply like keeping allergens away from an allergic person: they feel better because the irritant is gone. They are still allergic, they just don't notice it because the offending substance is gone. It is the same with Autism and the ENS link: gluten doesn't cause Autism or the intestinal problems, it just irritates the underlying condition. Take it away from sensitive people and they will naturally feel better.

Its an interesting theory. The ENS hasn't been studied much and really has only gotten attention in the last few years. Some say that it may be possible one day to prescribe foods and herbs and such like medicine is now in order to treat certain conditions like depression, anxiety, or to alter the bacteria in the gut to the same effect. However, that's all in its infancy and again, Autism is still a genetic condition and won't be cured this way, but comorbidities could be treated with foods and bacteria rather than drugs as they are now.

Of course, it is also a little disturbing to think that changing the types and balance of bacteria in your intestines could also influence your moods and even behavior.