DAN Protocol (Defeat Autism Now)
"The Biochemical/Nutritional Treatment of Autism/PDD
In 1995, one of the leading researchers into the field of Autism, Dr. Bernard Rimland, brought together a group of experts to brainstorm the nutritional, genetic and chemical factors that might be involved in autism and other autism spectrum conditions. Their sessions, refined over the years, brought about what has been popularly called the DAN Protocol.
DAN (Defeat Autism Now) is an organization which is a leading research group, centered at the Autism Research Institute. Two members of the original group, Dr. Sidney Baker and Dr. Jon Pangborn were selected to write the actual protocol, using the information that had been developed. Then the full group reviewed the protocol and suggested changes before it was finally published.
One of the key tenants of the DAN Protocol is returning to a diet that is healthy. To quote Dr. Baker, "The American diet is not fit for human consumption." Elimination of refined sugars, junk foods, artificial additives, and the other things that are common in the diet of most children in the United States does nothing to promote good health. Instead it loads their system with unnecessary substances some of which have been shown to be harmful.
A Gluten Free/Casein Free diet is also an important step toward implementing the DAN Protocol. This diet has been shown to have beneficial affects in children with autism and is a key component of the protocol. These substances often are found in laboratory blood tests that are done on children, as well as in urinary peptide tests. The DAN Protocol suggests specific lab testing that should be done, and provides a list of recommended laboratories to do these tests.
These labs have been found to provide the best quality information about the test results and help the treating physician determine the priorities that must be addressed in each individual case. It is important to note that each child should be looked at on an individual basis, and there is no "cookie cutter" approach that can be taken for everyone.
Dietary supplementation is also a key ingredient of this treatment method. Many children on the spectrum have been found to have deficiencies in various vitamins and minerals. The combination of all of the above factors have been shown to have sometimes dramatic effects on children with autism, but the people at DAN are the first to admit that it is not a "cure all" and that all improvements may not be solely the result of the protocols. Autism is a complex illness, and there are multiple factors that may influence it's course.
A Summary of the DAN Protocol
The DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Protocol involves a combination of changes to the diet and implementation of vitamin supplement therapy as a means of producing changes in aytistic behaviors. These changes include the following steps, according to published information.
1. Eliminate dairy products. The introduction of casein free diet appears to be primary in the treatment of autism by means of this protocol. Instead of cow's milk, substitute rice or soy milk or use Vitamite (chocolate) as a replacement.
2. Eliminate cereal grain products. Gluten has been shown to aggravate the digestive systems of individuals and with the known bowel involvement found in children on the autism spectrum, this action helps to relieve these problems. Instead substitute rice or another product for the gluten containing wheat.
3. Eliminate junk foods and other food products that contain refined sugars. These are not necessary to good health and in fact have been shown to be harmful, due to their chemical composition and the artificial additives that are included in many of them. A "natural" source of sugar, such as fruit offers a much better alternative.
4. Supplement the diet with the vitamin and mineral therapy. Below is a list of the supplements and their dosages which are recommended:
Calcium: 300 mg twice a day. This can be done in two doses, or once at bedtime to facilitate sleep.
Magnesium: 50 mg twice a day
Vitamin C: 50 mg twice a day
Vitamin B5: (Pantothenic Acid) 500 mg twice a day
Vitamin B6: 100 mg twice a day
1 multiple vitamin daily
DMG: 125 mg twice a day
Pycnogenol: 50 mg twice a day
Gaba: 75 mg twice a day
If your child is currently taking any medications especially those such as Prozac or Ritalin, it is recommended that you discontinue use before beginning Secretin infusions.
Note: As with any treatment, the DAN Protocol should only be undertaken with medical supervision. "
Reference: http://www.autisticsociety.org/news/article/sid=541.html
In 1995, one of the leading researchers into the field of Autism, Dr. Bernard Rimland, brought together a group of experts to brainstorm the nutritional, genetic and chemical factors that might be involved in autism and other autism spectrum conditions. Their sessions, refined over the years, brought about what has been popularly called the DAN Protocol.
DAN (Defeat Autism Now) is an organization which is a leading research group, centered at the Autism Research Institute. Two members of the original group, Dr. Sidney Baker and Dr. Jon Pangborn were selected to write the actual protocol, using the information that had been developed. Then the full group reviewed the protocol and suggested changes before it was finally published.
One of the key tenants of the DAN Protocol is returning to a diet that is healthy. To quote Dr. Baker, "The American diet is not fit for human consumption." Elimination of refined sugars, junk foods, artificial additives, and the other things that are common in the diet of most children in the United States does nothing to promote good health. Instead it loads their system with unnecessary substances some of which have been shown to be harmful.
A Gluten Free/Casein Free diet is also an important step toward implementing the DAN Protocol. This diet has been shown to have beneficial affects in children with autism and is a key component of the protocol. These substances often are found in laboratory blood tests that are done on children, as well as in urinary peptide tests. The DAN Protocol suggests specific lab testing that should be done, and provides a list of recommended laboratories to do these tests.
These labs have been found to provide the best quality information about the test results and help the treating physician determine the priorities that must be addressed in each individual case. It is important to note that each child should be looked at on an individual basis, and there is no "cookie cutter" approach that can be taken for everyone.
Dietary supplementation is also a key ingredient of this treatment method. Many children on the spectrum have been found to have deficiencies in various vitamins and minerals. The combination of all of the above factors have been shown to have sometimes dramatic effects on children with autism, but the people at DAN are the first to admit that it is not a "cure all" and that all improvements may not be solely the result of the protocols. Autism is a complex illness, and there are multiple factors that may influence it's course.
A Summary of the DAN Protocol
The DAN (Defeat Autism Now) Protocol involves a combination of changes to the diet and implementation of vitamin supplement therapy as a means of producing changes in aytistic behaviors. These changes include the following steps, according to published information.
1. Eliminate dairy products. The introduction of casein free diet appears to be primary in the treatment of autism by means of this protocol. Instead of cow's milk, substitute rice or soy milk or use Vitamite (chocolate) as a replacement.
2. Eliminate cereal grain products. Gluten has been shown to aggravate the digestive systems of individuals and with the known bowel involvement found in children on the autism spectrum, this action helps to relieve these problems. Instead substitute rice or another product for the gluten containing wheat.
3. Eliminate junk foods and other food products that contain refined sugars. These are not necessary to good health and in fact have been shown to be harmful, due to their chemical composition and the artificial additives that are included in many of them. A "natural" source of sugar, such as fruit offers a much better alternative.
4. Supplement the diet with the vitamin and mineral therapy. Below is a list of the supplements and their dosages which are recommended:
Calcium: 300 mg twice a day. This can be done in two doses, or once at bedtime to facilitate sleep.
Magnesium: 50 mg twice a day
Vitamin C: 50 mg twice a day
Vitamin B5: (Pantothenic Acid) 500 mg twice a day
Vitamin B6: 100 mg twice a day
1 multiple vitamin daily
DMG: 125 mg twice a day
Pycnogenol: 50 mg twice a day
Gaba: 75 mg twice a day
If your child is currently taking any medications especially those such as Prozac or Ritalin, it is recommended that you discontinue use before beginning Secretin infusions.
Note: As with any treatment, the DAN Protocol should only be undertaken with medical supervision. "
Reference: http://www.autisticsociety.org/news/article/sid=541.html