Autism is a childhood disorder that has gained significant attention in recent years. Many different types of treatment are available, ranging from behavioral therapy to dietary supplements. One suggested treatment is a dietary supplement of vitamin B12, as it is thought that deficits in vitamin B12 are linked to autism.
Symptoms of Autism
As described by the National Institute of Mental Health, autism is a developmental disorder whose symptoms emerge in early childhood. Differences in the child's development become apparent between the first and third years of life. Individuals with autism demonstrate deficits in the areas of social interaction, communication, and repetitive interests or behaviors. Difficulties with making eye contact, reading facial expressions, regulating emotions, sustaining conversations, and understanding body language often become apparent. Additionally, persons with autism demonstrate repetitive behaviors such as toe walking and hand flapping, difficulty with changes in routine, and repetitively lining up toys.
Vitamin B12
According to the National Institutes for Health, there are several forms of vitamin B12; however, the two that participate in human metabolism are methylcobalamin and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin. Vitamin B12 naturally occurs in foods such as meat, fish, milk and milk products. It can also be included as an additive in various foods or as a dietary supplement. As described by Dr. Sonya Doherty, a naturopathic doctor, vitamin B12 is critical to methylation, the process of creating cells in the body. Methylation plays a role in producing DNA and RNA, removing toxins like heavy metals from the body, producing glutathione, an enzyme that helps with detoxification, producing proteins, controlling inflammation, and managing immune system functioning.
Sublingual Preparation of Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 can be administered in various forms, as described above. One form of the dietary supplement of vitamin B12 is a sublingual capsule or tablet. A sublingual medication is dissolved under the tongue and enters the bloodstream immediately. This avoids the need for the vitamin to pass through the digestive system, where stomach acid can destroy the vitamin, and thus speeds the availability of vitamin B12 to the body.
Vitamin B12 and Autism
As discussed by Dr. S. Jill James, children with autism have difficulty removing harmful toxins and substances from their bodies because their methylation processes are dysfunctional. Vitamin B12 supplements can be used to help the body accomplish these processes. Some children with autism have been found to respond to treatment with vitamin B12, typically in the form of methyl B12 injections. According to Dr. James Neubrander, children with autism who receive methyl B12 injections often demonstrate improvements in executive functioning skills such as attention and awareness, speech, socialization with others, and understanding emotions; however, research support in this area is limited.
References
- Sublingual Vitamin B12; Sublingual B12 or a Regular B12 Supplement?;2009
- National Institute of Health; Vitamin B12; 2011
- Treat Autism & ADHD; Methyl B12 Injections; Shannon Doherty, N.D.; 2010
- Talk About Curing Autism; Methyl-B12: A Treatment for ASD with Methylation Issues; Dr. James Neubrander; 2005
- National Institute of Mental Health; What are the Autism Spectrum Disorders?; 2010
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