It is surprising that someone with AS would make a blanket scientific about the biochemical aspects of AS without doing the research first or, if that's not doable to have someone else research it and explain it to them.  Autism is intrinsically linked with digestive issues.  Brain chemistry and digestion are intrinsically linked.  To discount the science because unethical people are using it in connection with their cause is using bias.  It's putting a slant on things in the same way that the unethical group is.

Thank you, Zoey - I thought I'd read something to that affect, but because I can never remember *where* I read these things, I didn't want to talk about it if I couldn't back it up.

I'm on a gluten-free diet because eating anything with gluten in it causes intense gut pain within twenty minutes that lasts for hours, followed by weeks of diarrhœa.

I also try to avoid milk products within an hour or so of bedtime or I will be snoring all night from allergic rhinitis. But having an otherwise permanently stuffy nose is something I am prepared to tolerate as milk products are by far the simplest source of calcium (I am far more afraid of osteoporosis than a blocked nose) and the vast majority of GF foods contain cows' milk products.

Now, I can imagine that me-on-gluten, because I am sick and in pain, looks far more autistic than me-on-the-GF-diet but that doesn't mean that my autism is 'cured' by the diet, just that I have more energy to cope with the stresses of 'normal' life.

When I am ill, I just cannot be bothered with the outside world and I withdraw just the way a sick animal does.

Unfortunately, all the articles I have found that posit a connection between gluten enteropathy and brain chemical (im)balance come from fringe sites, usually associated with some product or other. If anyone has a link to a reputable site that mentions anything about gluten and the brain, I would be very interested...

I did some research on GF/CF diets and while it may or may not help with behavior, they can help with digestive problems. I'm sorry for speaking out against GF/CF diets. However, that thing about autism being intrinsically liked to digestion I cannot believe. Me and five of my siblings are autistic, none of us are on GF/CF diets, and we're all fine. This is because, according to the doctors, they haven't found any sign of food intolerances in our bodies. While I won't make blanket statements, I stand firm on this statement: autistic people don't always have digestive problems, but if they get along better by avoiding certain foods, that's fine.

I don't really apply to any kinds of diets. That being said though, I dislike eating any and all seafoods. They really don't agree with my guts.

Man, this thread has come a long way; From a question about why people hate us, to dietary discussion.
I think I much prefer this topic over the original topic.

Okay, Joker, if it makes you feel better, I'll do my best to switch it to the original topic. I hate that people look at autism as a disease to be cured. It hurts my feelings a lot because I like the way I am and I do not think I am diseased. It sickens me that people try to cure autism through chelation and a whole bunch of other things.

Man, this thread has come a long way; From a question about why people hate us, to dietary discussion.
I think I much prefer this topic over the original topic.

(My emphasis)

Either you didn't read what Joker wrote, or you deliberately did the opposite!

But she's not actually talking to us, it's a speech made for the benefit of all the people who are goingto find this thread through google.  

Actually, I gave up speaking to speaking to people finding this page through Google a while ago. Unfortunately, putting someone on Ignore doesn't mean that you cannot see the subject's posts. This means that the person cannot flame you through PM, but s/he can do it in posts. *sighs*

Personal attacks reported to moderator.

    When you say you did some research, that is not going to be enough.  It is a hugely complicated subject.  Austistics do not have the amount of food enzyme production non-autistics have.   The lack of enzyme is a genetic component of being autistic.  Neurotransmitters and brain chemical hormones are countless other body functions are created and regulated through processes that start with the breakdown of food by enzymes.    

    Try to let go of the curebie wheat dairy diet concept.  It was just a theory a few years ago, never proven.  That diet can help autistic people sometimes, but it is not a direct connection, it just helps other things that help other things that eventually help with the brain chemicals. It is very very complicated and pretty boring unless you are an older aspie and have to deal with it because the little amount of enzyme production you had reduces to pretty much nothing and you have no choice but to learn about it just to get through your life.

...effect...

Sorry.

I dunno, I'm an aspie and my digestive system works quite admirably.

About that, I have been trying not to attack you and would very much like this flame war to end because I don't like being rude and I'm sure both of us are worn out.

Johanna, it's very simple.  If you don't want to be rude, don't be.  If you don't want to pick fights, don't.  If you want to play nicely with the other members, do so.

But if you DO insult other members, call them names, question their sanity, tell them they sound like they're incoherent from chemotherapy, or that they need psychological help because their belifs differ from yours, do not expect the rest of us to lie down and take it passively.  I am not a doormat, and having a random stranger type words at me for 48 hours is not remotely going to "wear me out".