Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD/GAPS) and Dietary Supplements for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

The objective of the study was to investigate the potential of a specific carbohydrate diet and selected dietary supplements in reducing some autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms in children. This was a quantitative, non-blinded, non-randomised three-month pilot study of a dietary and nutritional intervention. The study participants were 17 children from Latvia and the United Kingdom with a diagnosis of ASD or autistic symptoms waiting to be diagnosed (intervention group n = 10, control group n = 7). The intervention group received a specific carbohydrate dietary plan — Specific Carbohydrate Diet / Gut and Psychology Syndrome diet (SCD/GAPS) — and a few dietary supplements (omega-3 essential fatty acids, ascorbyl-palmitate, probiotics, vitamin D, and vitamin C). Family compliance to the dietary guidelines was 40–80%. Autistic and digestive symptoms were evaluated by parents using validated questionnaires. By the end of the study, gastrointestinal symptoms decreased in both groups (p = 0.01 for the intervention group, p = 0.02 for the control group), especially abdominal pain and bloating. The Overall Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist (ATEC) score decreased by 23% in the intervention group (p = 0.05), with the largest improvement in Socialising (p = 0.03) and Health/Behaviour (p = 0.02) aspects. The Aberrant Behaviour Checklist (ABC) score decreased by 29% in the intervention group (p = 0.01), with the largest improvement in Irritability (p < 0.01) and Hyperactivity (p = 0.02) subcategories. Overall Parent Global Impressions — Revised-2 (PGI-2) evaluation showed a 43% improvement in the intervention group in comparison to 14% in the control group, p = 0.02. The specific carbohydrate diet (SCD/GAPS) and supplements were found to be a safe and effective approach for reducing some symptoms of ASD in children.

A pilot study of possible anti-inflammatory effects of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Background To explore possible anti-inflammatory effects of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This diet has shown anti-inflammatory effect in children with inflammatory bowel disease. Methods Twenty-two patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age 6.3–17.3 years), with ≤2 inflamed joints and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 30 mm/h, were included in this explorative study. Fifteen children completing four weeks on the diet were evaluated. A dietician introduced parents and children to the diet, and two follow-ups were performed during the intervention. Conventional laboratory tests and multiplex analyses of 92 inflammatory proteins were used. Short-chain fatty acids in faecal samples were examined. Results The diet significantly decreased morning stiffness (p = 0.003) and pain (p = 0.048). Physical function, assessed through the child health assessment questionnaire, improved (p = 0.022). Arthritis improved in five of the seven children with arthritis; in those seven, multiplex analyses showed a significant decrease in nine inflammatory proteins, including TNF-alpha (p = 0.028), after four weeks. Faecal butyrate, analysed in all 15 participants, increased significantly (p = 0.020). Conclusion The specific carbohydrate diet may have significant positive effects on arthritis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but further studies are needed. Clinical trials identifier NCT04205500, 2019/12/17, retrospectively registered. URL: https://register.clinicaltrials.gov

A Pilot Study of Possible Anti-Inflammatory Effects of The Specific Carbohydrate Diet in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Background: To explore possible anti-inflammatory effects of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. This diet has shown anti-inflammatory effect in children with inflammatory bowel disease.Methods: Twenty-two patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (age 6.3–17.3 years), with ≤ 2 inflamed joints and an erythrocyte sedimentation rate < 30 mm/h, were included in this explorative study. Fifteen children completing four weeks on the diet were evaluated. A dietician introduced parents and children to the diet, and two follow-ups were performed during the intervention. Conventional laboratory tests and multiplex analyses of 92 inflammatory proteins were used. Short-chain fatty acids in faecal samples were examined.Results: The diet significantly decreased morning stiffness (p = 0.003) and pain (p = 0.048). Physical function, assessed through the child health assessment questionnaire, improved (p = 0.022). Arthritis improved in five of the seven children with arthritis; in those seven, multiplex analyses showed a significant decrease in nine inflammatory proteins, including TNF-alpha (p = 0.028), after four weeks. Faecal butyrate, analysed in all 15 participants, increased significantly (p = 0.020).Conclusion: The specific carbohydrate diet may have significant positive effects on arthritis in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, but further studies are needed.Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT04205500, 2019/12/17, retrospectively registered. URL:https://register.clinicaltrials.gov.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet and Diet Modification as Induction Therapy for Pediatric Crohn’s Disease: A Randomized Diet Controlled Trial

Background: Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disorder associated with intestinal dysbiosis. Diet modulates the intestinal microbiome and therefore has a therapeutic potential. The aim of this study is to determine the potential efficacy of three versions of the specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) in active Crohn’s Disease. Methods: 18 patients with mild/moderate CD (PCDAI 15–45) aged 7 to 18 years were enrolled. Patients were randomized to either SCD, modified SCD(MSCD) or whole foods (WF) diet. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. PCDAI, inflammatory labs and multi-omics evaluations were assessed. Results: Mean age was 14.3 ± 2.9 years. At week 12, all participants (n = 10) who completed the study achieved clinical remission. The C-reactive protein decreased from 1.3 ± 0.7 at enrollment to 0.9 ± 0.5 at 12 weeks in the SCD group. In the MSCD group, the CRP decreased from 1.6 ± 1.1 at enrollment to 0.7 ± 0.1 at 12 weeks. In the WF group, the CRP decreased from 3.9 ± 4.3 at enrollment to 1.6 ± 1.3 at 12 weeks. In addition, the microbiome composition shifted in all patients across the study period. While the nature of the changes was largely patient specific, the predicted metabolic mode of the organisms increasing and decreasing in activity was consistent across patients. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the impact of diet in CD. Each diet had a positive effect on symptoms and inflammatory burden; the more exclusionary diets were associated with a better resolution of inflammation.

FoFA: Diet Information for Children with Autism with Semantic Technology in Android Based Application

The number of people with autism in Indonesia increases by 0.15% or 6,900 children per year. One of the actions that can be done to overcome developmental disorders of children with autism is to do Feingold and Failsafe Diet, Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD diet), and Casein-Free Gluten Free diet (CFGF diet) on foodstuffs given to children with autism. There is a need for socialization and presentation of information regarding the regulation of food items given to children with autism. Currently, there is no presentation of information in the form of mobile-based applications as a forum for parents to exchange information, especially those that utilize semantic technology. By utilizing semantic technology, the Food For Autism (FoFA) application was created to share knowledge for users related to food and beverage diet menus for children with autism. The test results show that the application of FoFA can apply semantic technology related to diet and food diets for children with autism.

Anti-inflammatory effect of the specific carbohydrate diet in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Background Diet has an effect on the intestinal immune system, which may have consequences for inflammatory diseases. Specific carbohydrate diet (SCD) is an effective anti-inflammatory treatment for inflammatory bowel disease in children. We explored the anti-inflammatory effect of SCD in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Methods Twenty-two patients with JIA (age 6.3–17.3 years), with stable, low-to-medium disease activity, were included in the study. Seven children dropped out within two weeks from the start of SCD, and fifteen patients, who completed four to five weeks of SCD, were evaluated in the final analyses. A dietician introduced parents and children to SCD with written and verbal instructions, and regular follow-ups were performed during the intervention period. Patients were studied with clinical and laboratory examinations before, during and after the intervention. In addition to conventional JIA laboratory tests, analyses were performed of short chain fatty acids in faecal samples at inclusion and after two and four weeks of SCD. Results SCD significantly decreased morning stiffness (p = 0.003) and pain (p = 0.048), and improved physical function assessed through the child health assessment questionnaire (p = 0.022). Arthritis improved in five of the seven children with arthritis at inclusion. Faecal butyrate increased significantly (p = 0.020). Conclusions SCD has significant positive effect on arthritis activity, morning stiffness, pain and physical function in children with JIA. Our results suggest that change in bacterial activity of the intestinal canal by dietary intervention may provide an effective and feasible complementary treatment for JIA.