Uses outside of coeliac disease
- There is not enough evidence to support the use of a gluten free diet in autism and multiple scelorsis
- If a gluten free diet is being considered by a patient, patients should be tested for coeliac disease before a gluten free diet is initiated
Autism
Currently there is not enough evidence to support the use of gluten free diets for the treatment of autistic spectrum disorders.
Some studies suggest a link between diet, autism spectrum disorder and gut epithelial changes. However, there is no conclusive evidence on whether gluten and/or casein have a role in influencing the behaviour, cognitive and social functioning of individuals with autism. Gluten free diets may be used within complementary and alternative therapies.
Gluten free exclusion diets for the treatment of autistic spectrum disorders are not recommended within the NICE guidelines ‘Autism in adults’ and ‘Autism in children and young people’.
Further information can be found from the British Dietetic Association and the National Autistic Society.
Multiple Sclerosis
There is an increasing interest in diet as a modifiable factor in multiple scelorsis (MS). Currently, there is not enough evidence to support a gluten free diet in MS.
Lina Moschoula Passali spoke at our Research Conference 2019 on the role of gluten free diets in MS.