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Introduction <p>Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. Emerging research suggests that dietary interventions may influence ASD symptoms, particularly through modulation of gut microbiota and the gut-brain axis. This review explores the effectiveness of dietary approaches, including the Gluten-Free Casein-Free (GFCF) diet, ketogenic diet (KD), and camel milk supplementation, in managing ASD symptoms.</p> Methods <p>A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies published up to 2025. The search strategy incorporated a combination of keywords, including “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or “ASD,” “diet,” “dietary intervention,” “gluten-free casein-free” or “GFCF,” “ketogenic diet” or “KD,” “camel milk,” “children,” “gut microbiota,” “behavioral outcomes,” “cognition,” “gastrointestinal symptoms,” “sleep,” and “anxiety.” Boolean operators (AND, OR) were used to refine results, and filters were applied to limit the search to English-language publications involving human subjects. Studies were included if they were original research articles (randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case–control studies), systematic reviews, or meta-analyses, and specifically examined the effects of dietary interventions on at least one of the following domains in children with ASD: social communication, repetitive behaviors, sensory processing, cognitive function, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep, or anxiety. Exclusion criteria encompassed non-English publications, animal studies, opinion pieces, editorials, letters, conference abstracts, and studies focused solely on adults or lacking clear outcome measures. The selection process involved an initial screening of titles and abstracts by three reviewers to assess relevance, followed by full-text reviews of potentially eligible studies. Discrepancies in study selection were resolved through discussion with a fourth reviewer. From this process, 51 articles were deemed eligible based on their methodological quality and relevance to the review objectives. Data extraction was performed independently by three reviewers using a standardized form, capturing information on study design, sample characteristics, intervention type and duration, outcome measures, assessment tools, key findings, and reported limitations. Any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The extracted data were synthesized narratively and organized thematically under the major dietary approaches (GFCF, KD, and camel milk) to facilitate comparison and interpretation.</p> Results <p>Findings suggest that while some dietary interventions show promise, results remain heterogeneous and inconclusive. The GFCF diet has demonstrated mixed outcomes, with some studies reporting improvements in behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms, while others found no significant changes. The ketogenic diet has been associated with cognitive and behavioral benefits, though its long-term effects require further investigation. Camel milk supplementation has shown potential in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which may positively influence ASD symptoms. However, variability in study methodologies, sample sizes, and intervention durations limits definitive conclusions.</p> Conclusion <p>Dietary interventions may offer potential benefits for managing ASD symptoms, particularly in individuals with gastrointestinal comorbidities. However, due to inconsistent findings and methodological limitations, larger, well-designed studies are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines. Individualized dietary plans under professional supervision remain crucial to ensuring nutritional adequacy and therapeutic effectiveness.</p>

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Dietary interventions in children with autism spectrum disorder: Contemporary Overview

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年7月3日

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  • Reem Elshamy,
  • Heba Tarboush,
  • Bushra Alghfeli,
  • Zainab M. Alameeri,
  • Aisha Khalfan Sabt AlAli,
  • Mohammad Fityan

摘要

Introduction

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by social communication deficits, repetitive behaviors, and sensory sensitivities. Emerging research suggests that dietary interventions may influence ASD symptoms, particularly through modulation of gut microbiota and the gut-brain axis. This review explores the effectiveness of dietary approaches, including the Gluten-Free Casein-Free (GFCF) diet, ketogenic diet (KD), and camel milk supplementation, in managing ASD symptoms.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies published up to 2025. The search strategy incorporated a combination of keywords, including “Autism Spectrum Disorder” or “ASD,” “diet,” “dietary intervention,” “gluten-free casein-free” or “GFCF,” “ketogenic diet” or “KD,” “camel milk,” “children,” “gut microbiota,” “behavioral outcomes,” “cognition,” “gastrointestinal symptoms,” “sleep,” and “anxiety.” Boolean operators (AND, OR) were used to refine results, and filters were applied to limit the search to English-language publications involving human subjects. Studies were included if they were original research articles (randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, case–control studies), systematic reviews, or meta-analyses, and specifically examined the effects of dietary interventions on at least one of the following domains in children with ASD: social communication, repetitive behaviors, sensory processing, cognitive function, gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep, or anxiety. Exclusion criteria encompassed non-English publications, animal studies, opinion pieces, editorials, letters, conference abstracts, and studies focused solely on adults or lacking clear outcome measures. The selection process involved an initial screening of titles and abstracts by three reviewers to assess relevance, followed by full-text reviews of potentially eligible studies. Discrepancies in study selection were resolved through discussion with a fourth reviewer. From this process, 51 articles were deemed eligible based on their methodological quality and relevance to the review objectives. Data extraction was performed independently by three reviewers using a standardized form, capturing information on study design, sample characteristics, intervention type and duration, outcome measures, assessment tools, key findings, and reported limitations. Any discrepancies were resolved by consensus. The extracted data were synthesized narratively and organized thematically under the major dietary approaches (GFCF, KD, and camel milk) to facilitate comparison and interpretation.

Results

Findings suggest that while some dietary interventions show promise, results remain heterogeneous and inconclusive. The GFCF diet has demonstrated mixed outcomes, with some studies reporting improvements in behavior and gastrointestinal symptoms, while others found no significant changes. The ketogenic diet has been associated with cognitive and behavioral benefits, though its long-term effects require further investigation. Camel milk supplementation has shown potential in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, which may positively influence ASD symptoms. However, variability in study methodologies, sample sizes, and intervention durations limits definitive conclusions.

Conclusion

Dietary interventions may offer potential benefits for managing ASD symptoms, particularly in individuals with gastrointestinal comorbidities. However, due to inconsistent findings and methodological limitations, larger, well-designed studies are needed to establish evidence-based guidelines. Individualized dietary plans under professional supervision remain crucial to ensuring nutritional adequacy and therapeutic effectiveness.