How do enzyme supplements help in autism and other pervasive developmental disorders (PDDs)?
Many of these people may have general digestion problems, leaky gut, inflammation in the gut, yeast overgrowth, or other conditions that result in insufficiently digested food and poor absorption which enzymes may help improve. Some, not all, children with autism exhibit behavioral problems that lessen with the removal of certain foods. There is some evidence that insufficiently broken down proteins may bind to receptors in the gut and brain causing problematic symptoms and behaviors. Other foods may result in equally problematic, although different, symptoms. Enzymes help break down foods more sufficiently so they will not be in a form that is problematic or causes an immune system reaction. At the same time, they may help heal the fundamental gastrointestinal issues.
