The Use of Digestive Enzymes for Kids with Autism

It’s well documented that many autistic children suffer from some form of digestive disorder.  For some that manifests as constipation, diarrhea, bloating or abdominal pain. Or they may have no obvious symptoms but within their digestive tract there may be inflammation, leaky gut and food intolerances which may be linked to their behavioral problems.

Digestive enzymes, specially formulated for kids with autism, are one of the supplements which can be extremely helpful. Our bodies already contain enzymes and when we eat it is our enzymes which break down our food.  It’s important that as our food goes through our digestive tract it is broken down enough by the time it reaches our intestines so that nutrients can be absorbed into our bloodstream and taken to the cells around the body where they are needed most.  Proteins, fats and carbohydrates are all broken down by enzymes but for many children with autism they seem to have problems breaking down and digesting their food properly. 

This can firstly be caused by intolerances to certain foods, particularly wheat and dairy.  It is the proteins in these foods which can cause problems for digestion – these are gluten, gliadin and casein.  If these foods are not broken down properly they can cause damage to the intestinal lining and cross undigested into the blood, where they can cause many symptoms, including behavioral problems.  Also what happens for many children with autism is that during the process of attempting to break down these proteins, opiate-like substances are created which can cross into the blood and reach the brain, where they can cause opiate-like effects which can explain many of the behavioural symptoms experienced by autistic children – poor communication, lack of eye contact and drowsiness for example.  Proteins which are not broken down properly can also interfere with cellular processes throughout the body. 

Whilst digestive enzymes should not be used as a substitute for eliminating gluten and casein from the diet, they can be extremely helpful for helping a parent to find out quickly whether their child has a digestive problem which could be contributing to their symptoms.  Typically within one month a change in symptoms is experienced.  Digestive enzymes can also be used to help prevent any problems which may arise if a suspect food is mistakenly eaten without realizing it.  Therefore it can be extremely useful to take these enzymes alongside an elimination diet.

Poor Digestion of Sugars and Fats

It’s not just the breakdown of proteins that can cause a problem.  Many children with autism have also been found unable to break down sugars.  It is undigested sugars which can feed unwanted gut bacteria, which may be the cause of dysbiosis in many children with autism.  Dysbiosis is when the unwanted gut bacteria grow uncontrollably at the expense of the good gut bacteria, which protect the gut and are important for immune strength as well as nutrient absorption.   When the digestive tract is overgrown with unwanted bacteria this can increase intestinal inflammation, which is very common in autistic children and can lead to a leaky gut, which allows undigested food to pass into the bloodstream and can aggravate many of their symptoms.

Poor absorption of fats is also common in autistic children and it’s important for health that fats are broken down properly so that essential fatty acids can be used in the body. These essential fats are vital for digestive and immune health, as well as general well being.

How to Take Digestive Enzymes

Once again it’s important to remember that digestive enzymes are not a substitute for an elimination diet, but should be seen as one tool in a complete strategy.  It’s important to take enzymes at the start of a meal and the dose depends on the amount of food eaten, not the age or weight of the child.  Also note that some parents report worsening behaviour to begin with and this is because the unwanted gut bacteria may be dying off, which can cause the release of toxins. 

These are a really safe supplement to take because they are basically proteins and if you don’t need them your body will simply break them down and absorb them just like any other protein you eat.  There are no reported side effects, no toxicity and no upper dosing limits.  They are available in capsule form which your child can take or if they cannot swallow capsules break them open and sprinkle them on their food.

To find out more about digestive enzymes for kids with autism, click on the link below: