Fructose

problems with paying attention, concentrating, and remembering. Recently, many of these same
people have decided to go back “on diet” hoping to feel better. In order to go “on diet” a person
must drink a special phenylalanine-free formula and choose low phe foods so that blood phe
levels are in the safe range.
It is never too late to go back “on diet.” A low phe diet helps most young adults with PKU to feel
better and improves attention span, concentration, and memory. In general, young adults who
have made these changes report that they think and feel better. The effort that it takes to bring
down blood phe levels is well worth it for everyone, no matter how long they have been “off diet.”
Casein-Free Diet for Lactose Intolerance +
Children with Autism Published Nov 5, 2009,
last updated Dec 21, 2009
What is it?
A casein-free diet is an eating plan in which milk protein (casein) is eliminated by removing all
dairy products and all foods containing casein from the diet. It is often, if not always, used in
combination with a gluten-free diet, which calls for the elimination of wheat, barley, rye, oats, and
any products made from these grains. Both diets are called elimination dietsbecause a particular
type of food is virtually eliminated from the child’s meals (1).
Proponents of the casein-free diet say that many children with autism may
havegastrointestinal difficulties that make it hard for them to digest milk protein properly. There
are different possibilities for ways in which this could affect children with autism. The most
studied theory is that eating or drinking milk protein leads to high levels of protein by-products,
called casomorphines, in some children with autism. These by-products may then affect behavior
like a drug would. Specifically, in these children, casomorphines could reduce their desire for social
interaction, block pain messages, and increase confusion. Ifmilk protein is taken out of the diet,
the idea is that this will reduce the level ofcasomorphines, and behavior will improve as a result (2-
4).
What’s it like?
Parents who choose a casein-free diet for their child must become aware of the ingredients of everything
in their grocery cart. Products that contain milk or milk proteins include butter, cheese, yogurt,
cream, ice cream, PediasureTM, casein, or caseinate. Foods containingmilk or casein in any form
should not be purchased. Read labels carefully, because milk or mild products can be present
in surprising places, like soy yogurt or sausages. Maintaining a milk-free diet can be hard at
first because milk or casein are present in many prepared foods. However, parents can take
a casein-free cooking class or read a casein-freecookbook (see Resources) to learn how to cook
without milk protein and still provide enough nutrition for the child (see Is it harmful?).
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