The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Supplemental enzymes are now considered a mainstay in supporting normal digestion in autism. Enzymes are a safe, inexpensive, and effective means of determining whether diet is a factor in spectrum disorders. However, not understanding how enzymes function may delay their use by families. This presentation will illustrate how enzymes function in digestion. The data will show why enzymes are effective as an alternative to the GFCF diet, and how parents can make good decisions on which enzymes to use. The content of this presentation is designed to give parents an understanding and working knowledge of dietary enzymes. Enzymes are useful in degradation of foods. The use of appropriate proteolytic enzymes may enable many children with spectrum disorders who present with protein intolerances to gluten, casein, soy and others to ingest such protein-containing foods without the associated behavioral and digestive problems.

For a parent to take full advantage of enzymes, they should possess basic knowledge of the digestive process, and how certain foods are changed by digestion to present as bioactive compounds. This presentation will inform parents on such matters using language and terminology that can be understood by those with a high school education. Emphasis will be placed on understanding which enzymes are used for certain foods, the importance of the source of food enzymes, and how best to determine appropriate dosing for their child.

Content Area: Medicine and Research