Abstract
Purpose: To identify changes in bowel habits when there is exposure to glucosamine.
Design: Case study.
Materials and Methods: Six autistic children were exposed to glucosamine 500 mg twice daily without any change in diet.
Results: Five of the children had relief of diarrhoea, the sixth had no change in bowel habit but ate bread containing gluten without any change in behaviour.
Conclusion: Gluten contains a plant lectin that binds glucosamine. Glucosamine binds to potato lectin in the same manner and may protect the gut in responsive children. This is reflected in a change in bowel habit, indicating a possible protective activity.