Recent Tufts study shows autistics experience allergies at 10 times the rate in neurotypical children

Recent Tufts study shows autistics experience allergies at 10 times the rate in neurotypical children
What is this about: this study finds autistic children have 10 times the chance to develop allergic symptoms compared to neurotypical children.
Why is this important: allergies are important because they cause inflammation and increase permeability (leakiness across the gut, blood vessels and so forth).
How is this a problem: inflammation is a problem since it overly activates a child's defenses and makes it easier to go into overload. Going into overload leads to isolation, disinclination to engage with others, temper flares... Increased permeability or leakiness is a problem because this allows toxins, debris and unsanctioned chemicals normally filtered out in the gut or blood to cross into the rest of the body and create an emergency. This emergency is manifested by further inflammation, activation of defenses and eventual overload.
What Can a parent do about it:
first be aware of foods that seem to upset your child. This could be anything. Wheat and grains are commonly the problem but many other foods may be allergic triggers too. For example, cow milk, hen eggs, soy, and sometimes even some vegetables could do it.
Second, recognize the difference between raw wholesome uncontaminated food and between processed chemically laden food. While everyone else may eat at fast food parlors, enjoying a burger or a pizza without visible consequences; one has to be especially cautious in th case of autism and asperger's. Children on the spectrum may not tolerate the chemicals in canned soup or processed candy or a commercial pizza as well as a neurotypical child can. Sensitive kids are also sensitive to environmental chemicals and food industry chemicals (preservatives, starches, food coloring...).
Third: symptoms resulting from food intolerance are typically an upset stomach, skin breakouts, ear infections, diarrhea or constipation. However sypmtoms can be a lot more subtle than that. Things like malaise, the child just looking off, or short tempered or experiencing a headache can be evidence enough of a food related problem. Once one makes the observation of which foods seem to be tolerable and which seem to cause problems, one can devise a diet that is free of these foods. This is not as easy as it sounds because you would have to include the right balance between fat, protein and carbohydrates. Additionally, one has to account for vitamins and rare minerals which are only available in certain food categories and not in others. A parent may be able to do this themselves but are strongly urged to seek the help of a healthcare provider, an enlightened doctor or nutritionist to help along. A provider can do a variety of testing to verify and confirm your child's food intolerances. An enlightened doctor can also help in keeping your child's diet balanced while avoiding the offending foods.
Are there any objective tests for related problems? Of course. There are two main types of food testing. IgG based food allergy panels are widely available and usually test for dozens of possible offending foods. On the other hand, IgA based food intolerance panels can test for major foods (staple foods). There is room for both types of testing in helping your child. However you would have to go to a holistic/integrative healthcare provider for this purpose. Mainstream doctors only do rudimentary and often insufficient food allergy testing. Besides most mainstream doctors lack training in nutritional help.

Please note that I am not including any specific recommendations for providers or laboratories in this piece. However if you are interested please email me for more specific guidance.
Rami Serhan, MD
http://sovereignresearch.org
consultant@sovereignresearch.org
http://sovereignresearch.org/psychesmartautismtm
https://autismtm.com