What is in this article?:
- Linking nutrition and autism
- The GCFC diet
- Solving nutrient deficiencies
- Antioxidants
- Calcium
- Essential fatty acids (EFAs)
- Magnesium
- Probiotics
- Zinc
- Avoid additives, preservatives, and artificial colors
- Eliminate trans fats
- Go organic
Behavioral and educational therapies continue to serve on the front lines of autism treatment. But mounting evidence shows that nutritional changes, including the removal of common problem foods, can benefit many autistic children, as well as those with other conditions that affect behavior and learning, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
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Avoid additives, preservatives, and artificial colors
Nitrites and nitrates (preservatives found in bacon, hot dogs, and lunch meats), sorbic acid (found in cheese, frosting, and dried fruits), dyes (especially yellow dye #5), MSG (found most commonly in some Chinese restaurant food, chicken broth or flavoring, and bouillon), and aspartame (an artificial sweetener) can exacerbate symptoms for some children with ADHD and autism. A 2007 Lancet study found that artificial colors and preservatives increase hyperactivity in young children.
