There are many theories about what causes autism. Some theories maintain that autism might be triggered by autoimmune disease or problems affecting a child's gastrointestinal tract. These conditions can lead to the malabsorption of essential nutrients or cause abnormal enzyme function. Vitamin deficiencies also can cause or make neurological syndromes worse. Check first with your child's pediatrician before giving him any dietary supplements, as they may interfere with other medications your child is taking.
Vitamin Supplementation
Some parents give their autistic children vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements as an alternative therapy. The body needs vitamin B6 to carry out many of its metabolic processes by converting it into an enzyme that helps break down proteins and releases energy from carbohydrates and starches. Vitamin B6 also plays a role in the production of brain chemicals. Magnesium is an essential mineral the body needs for brain and muscle cells to work properly. Although controversy surrounds the effectiveness of vitamin B6 and magnesium supplementation for autistic children, usually there are no side effects if supplements are given in moderate doses. Always check with your child's doctor before offering supplements.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Theories supporting dietary supplementation maintain that there may be a problem in autistic children with the enzyme needed to break down vitamin B6. In addition, children with autism often have lower levels of magnesium than non-autistic children. Some studies have shown that autistic children treated with a combination of vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements demonstrated fewer emotional outbursts and episodes of self-abusive behavior. Vitamin B12 is another nutrient the body needs to maintain a healthy nervous system and improve brain function. Since many children with autism are extremely picky eaters, it isn't uncommon for them to suffer vitamin B12 deficiency.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Recent theories point to a link between vitamin D deficiency and autism, reports the American Autism Society. Some research even suggests that women who lack vitamin D when pregnant put children at increased risk for autism. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and infancy might affect proteins involved in brain development. If vitamin D deficiency is an environmental factor contributing to autism, some researchers wonder if taking high enough daily doses of the vitamin throughout pregnancy and early childhood might help prevent the disease.
Prevention
Although the causes of autism are unknown, a study reported in the July 2011 issue of "Epidemiology" reports that mothers of autistic children are less likely to take prenatal vitamins prior to conceiving or during the first month of pregnancy. Researchers at the University of California Davis School of Medicine found that women who did not take vitamin supplements -- particularly folic acid -- before they became pregnant were more likely to have an autistic child. Vitamin supplementation before and during pregnancy is especially important for women who have a gene defect that might impair a child's ability to metabolize certain vitamins and minerals. More studies are needed, however, to examine the possible link between maternal nutrition and autism.
References
- Vitamin D Council: Is Scientific American Right About Autism?; January 2011
- Healing Thresholds: Autism Therapy --- Vitamin B6 and Magnesium; December 2009
- Autism Nutrition: Vitamin B12 as Brain Food for Children with Autism; Ang Poon Liat; 2011
- American Autism Society: Parenting an Autistic Child --- Nutritional Treatments and Vitamin D
- Epidemiolgy: Prenatal Vitamins, One-Carbon Metabolism Gene Variants, and Risk for Autism; Rebecca Schmidt, et al.; July 2011
