What is Gluten and Casein?

Casein: Casein is one of the several proteins found in all mammalian milk. It is known to break down into molecules with opioid properties, called casomorphine. If the enzymes designed to digest milk are not functioning properly, the resulting peptides could still be biologically active-that is, they could function as opioids ( explaining some of the symptoms we see in autism). If this happens, most of the peptides should be dumped harmlessly into the urine, but if some of these peptides escape the gut and enter the blood stream, they could cross the blood-brain barrier and cause serious neurological problems.

Gluten: Glutens are proteins found in the plant kingdom subclass of Monocotyledonae,the grass family of wheat, oats, barley, rye and triticale. Derivatives of these grains include: malt, grain starches, hydrolyzed vegetable and plant proteins, textured vegetable proteins, grain vinegar, soy sauce, grain alcohol, flavorings and the binders and fillers found in vitamins and medications. Like casein, gluten breaks down into molecules with opioid traits, called gluteomorphine. It to can retain biological activity if the enzymes needed to digest them are not functioning properly.

The above definitions are from the "DAN! 2002 Conference" booklet.