I was recently watching the Larry King Show and I was particularly intrigued by listening to Jenny McCarthy speaking about Autism. According to the Autism Speaks Website:

1 in 150 individuals is diagnosed with autism, making it more common than pediatric cancer, diabetes, and AIDS combined. Autism impairs a person’s ability to communicate and relate to others. It is also associated with rigid routines and repetitive behaviors, such as obsessively arranging objects or following very specific routines. Symptoms can range from very mild to quite severe.

McCarthy as well as other parents of autistic children have placed their children on a new diet. The program encourages a diet that is free of wheat and gluten. Gluten is a special type of protein that is commonly found in rye, wheat and barley. Therefore, it is found in most types of cereals and in many types of bread.

According to Dr. Jerry Kartiznel, a doctor who works with autistic children, “Gluten in the body has been theorized to make a morphine-like substance, and that morphine-like substance….. will affect the brain.”

Dr. Kartzinel can be reached at:

Jerrold Kartzinel M.D.
Pediatric Partners of Ponte Vedra Beach
5270 Palm Valley Rd.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Telephone: 904-543-1288
Fax: 904-543-1289