Autism is an epidemic. The most recent statistic, courtesy of a study published in Pediatrics, states that one out of 91 children are on the autism spectrum, with one in 58 boys affected.1 That's almost 2 percent of boys.
It's time to take a stand because we all need to do something to help. We need to reverse the process. There are many beneficial ways to help the nervous system, chiropractic being one of them, along with the behavioral and occupational therapies currently being used to treat autism. Nutritional supplements cannot be overlooked. There is an imbalance in chemistry inside the bodies of these children. An overactive nervous system burns through nutrients. A poor diet just adds to the vicious cycle of symptoms.
Here is the list of the most important supplements to use. I encourage you to use nutritional supplements with all your child patients, but particularly autistic children.
Digestive enzymes: A study of 36 autistic children using endoscopic procedures revealed esophagitis, gastritis and duodenitis. Limited carbohydrate enzyme activity was reported in over half of the children. Give them digestive enzymes with every meal.2
Fish oil: Our brain is made of healthy fats. A study reported that giving 1.5 g of fish oil to autistic children led to a reduction in hyperactivity, tantrums and aggression, as compared to placebo. I give 2 g or more to all children.3
Magnesium and vitamin B6: These nutrients have been used the longest for autism, with good effect. They improve social interactions, communication, restricted behavior and delayed functioning. I use a supplement with a sweet taste palatable to most children.4
Vitamin B12: This vitamin is becoming very popular, especially as a 1,000 mcg IM injection. In addition to helping neurochemistry, it increases glutathione antioxidant status.5
Folate: Another enzyme important for neurochemistry function, the methylated folate (5-MTHF) is indicated in autism. The methylating enzyme, dihydrofolate reductase, can be inhibited in autism.6
Zinc: Wonderful for the immune system, zinc also balances copper in the body. The copper level in autistic children is usually high, and can be removed with supplemental zinc.7
Antioxidants: Inflammation causes oxidation, which destroys the body, even the neurons. Most children with autism have decreased antioxidant levels. A plethora of antioxidants are available, including A, C, E, Se, Zn, CoQ10, ALA, glutathione and NAC.8
Amino acids: These building blocks of protein are essential to neurotransmitter production, along with a myriad of other body functions. Different children have abnormal values of different amino acids. I create custom amino powders based on the child's individual amino-acid test results. While they most commonly need 5-HTP, taurine, theanine and gamma-aminobutyric acid, other amino acids may be indicated.9-11
All of these supplements work wonders at improving the symptoms of children on the autism spectrum. The big issue is compliance. Some supplements taste bad, while other children have specific tastes. Here's what I've learned over the years from my work with children.
Look for a combination formula. A mild-tasting combination supplement that has the majority of the above nutrients including B6, folate, B12, magnesium, zinc, 5-HTP, taurine, theanine and TMG may help maximize compliance.
Keep their bowels moving. Constipation is no one's friend. Mineral oil, topical castor oil and magnesium are all great alternatives to laxatives.
Invent new ways to take supplements. Applesauce and yogurt are old standards to sneak supplements into children. Try making popsicles or Jell-O in an ice cube tray, and dosing the supplements that way.
Introduce things one at a time. Adverse reactions are uncommon but possible. Give three to four days for each supplement to see how the child tolerates it.
Have patience. I wish we could flip a switch and these children would instantly be better, but it doesn't work that way. We need years of every therapy, internal and external, to help these children fulfill their optimal potential. Make sure the families understand this is a journey of a thousand steps, but improvements will be seen along the way. I ask parents to take monthly videos because we forget what last month or last year was like. I promise, you will see a difference. Good luck.
References
- Kogan MD, Blumberg SJ, Schieve LA, et al. Prevalence of parent-reported diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder among children in the US, 2007. Pediatrics, 2009 Nov;124(5):1395-403.
- Horvath K, Papadimitriou JC, Rabsztyn A, et al. Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. J Pediatrics, 1999 Nov;135(5):559-63.
- Amminger GP, Berger GE, Schaefer MR, et al. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in children with autism: a double-blind randomized, placebo-controlled pilot study. Biol Psychiatry, 2007 Feb 15;61(4):551-3.
- Mousain-Bosc M, Roche M, Polge A, et al. Improvement of neurobehavioral disorders in children supplemented with magnesium-vitamin B6. II. Pervasive developmental disorder-autism. Magnes Res, 2006 Mar;19(1):53-62.
- James SJ, Melnyk S, Fuchs G, et al. Efficacy of methylcobalamin and folinic acid treatment on glutathione redox status in children with autism. Am J Clin Nutr, 2009 Jan;89(1):425-30.
- Adams M, Lucock M, Stuart J, et al. Preliminary evidence for involvement of the folate gene polymorphism 19bp deletion-DHFR in occurrence of autism. Neurosci Lett, 2007 Jul 5;422(1):24-9.
- Faber S, Zinn GM, Kern JC 2nd, et al. The plasma zinc/serum copper ratio as a biomarker in children with autism spectrum disorders. Biomarkers, 2009 May;14(3):171-80.
- Krajcovicova-Kudlackova M, Valachovicova M, Mislanova C, et al. Plasma concentrations of selected antioxidants in autistic children and adolescents. Bratisl Lek Listy, 2009;110(4):247-50.
- Chez MG, Buchanan CP, Aimonovitch MC, et al. Double-blind, placebo-controlled study of L-carnosine supplementation in children with autistic spectrum disorders. J Child Neurol, 2002 Nov;17(11):833-7.
- Fatemi SH, Folsom TD, Reutiman TJ, et al. Expression of GABA(B) receptors is altered in brains of subjects with autism. Cerebellum, 2009 Mar;8(1):64-9.
- McDougle CJ, Naylor ST, Cohen DJ, et al. Effects of tryptophan depletion in drug-free adults with autistic disorder. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 1996 Nov;53(11):993-1000.
Dr. Jared M. Skowron is on faculty at the University of Bridgeport, where he teaches pediatrics and is founder of the Pediatric & Autism Clinic. His new book, Fundamentals of Naturopathic Pediatrics, compiles researched natural treatments for more than 100 children's conditions. To learn more, visit www.naturopathicanswer.com