Are "Gut Issues" Really Gut Issues?

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According to this study, to be published in an upcoming issue of Gastroenterology, it is quite possible (one might even say probable) that IBS originates not in the intestines, as one might expect, but in the brain - specifically, in neurological differences between standard-issue brains and the brains of IBS sufferers.

So, maybe there might actually be a connection between autism and "gut issues" - but is it possible that we have had hold of the wrong end of the stick? That the intestinal problems do not cause the autism, but in fact are caused by the autism?

An interesting question, at the very least...

Interesting. It certainly would make sense and explain a lot. I'm personally GF.

People have already connected intestinal abnormallities to autism, Many people (not particular experts though) Claim that autistic people have what they call 'Leaky Gut Syndrome'. in which an excess of nutrients enters the bloodstream from the intestines, this has led to an extreme theory that Autism is caused by Milk, and that excess milk enters the bloodstream, travels to the brain and causes some type of poisoning, however, most people agree that this is false.

I developed digestive problems when I was about seventeen years old (I think). Cutting out gluten* and dairy didn't help, and I have begun to suspect that it might be anxiety that causes it.

*Cutting out gluten is stressful in itself - I found that it made shopping, cooking and eating out very tiresome. I can live without dairy quite well, though it does seem to mean that I lose weight when I can't really afford to.

I would disagree with that. I find GF foods enjoyable to eat, but yeah it is expensive. And I never eat out.

Really? I couldn't find palatable bread anywhere, and I really missed it. I found one sort of pasta that I liked and didn't clag together horribly when cooked, which was promptly discontinued by the shop who sold it . . . and I don't eat out much either, but when I did, eating gluten-free made it a pain in the backside. Having said that, I did only go to Wagamama, most of whose dishes are flavoured with soy-sauce.

It is expensive, though . . . I deeply resent paying £2.29 for four gluten-free bread rolls, which is what they cost where I live.

I bake gluten-free bread. The sandwich type stuff already baked and in a bag is absolutely disgusting. The kind I bake is better than regular wheat bread. As for pasta, I eat pasta made of beans instead of a grain.

Most sweet-stuff like cookies are good, too. It might help that I'm used to "health" food or alternative food, I'm vegetarian as well. ^^

If anxiety is in fact neurological, as opposed to psychological and emotional as is often said about the Autism Spectrum.... It would make sense that "gut issues" could be "caused by autism"

I think neurological issues may indeed contribute to IBS and related issues. Food sensitivities and allergies play a role as well, which happen to be common amongst ASDers as well.

There are other neurological conditions that are known to lead to gut/intestinal problems. I.e. Parkinson's. It basically amounts to dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system, so it doesn't seem far fetched to imagine a brain-gut connection.