Some people claim that a hormone called secretin can help with the symptoms of autism.
Thus an acid in the duodenum causes it to secrete a hormone to which the name of "secretin" has been given.
The small intestine produces secretin, a hormone that stimulates the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes which aid in normal digestion.
There has been some documented success in the use of secretin given orally to children with autism.
The most common method of treatment is to give secretin orally three times a day either 20 minutes before or 20 minutes after eating.
Along with the secretin, a vitamin compound consisting of vitamins A, B-1, B-2, B-6, B-12, magnesium, zinc, chromium, calcium, and lecithin should be given.
According to The Cochrane Collaboration, studies fail to prove that secretin is effective in treating autistic disorders at all.
A gluten and casein free diet involves avoiding grain products, including wheat, rye, and barley, which can reduce the presence of secretin.
Secretin therapy for autism appears to fall short of its promises.