Can Supplements Help In The Treatment Of Autism?

As per the CDC, ASD, or autism spectrum disorder, affects around 1 in 40 children.

To be honest, autism is indeed a chronic condition that affects communication, social interaction, and language. Those children with an autistic spectrum disorder might also engage in repetitive or stereotypical behaviors.

Although there is no cure for ASD still, a lot of treatment options are available for improving the symptoms of autistic spectrum disorder and helping the individual lead as normal a life as possible.

Apart from the behavioral treatment approaches, dietary changes also leave a crucial impact on autism treatment. Autistic children usually are too picky when it comes to food. Usually, they avoid some particular types or a particular group of foods.

As a result, they do not get enough nutrients that they actually require. That is where dietary supplements come into play. Here, we will discuss how supplements can help with autistic symptoms.

Can Dietary Supplements Help In Autistic Symptoms?

When it comes to handling or improving autistic symptoms, making some dietary improvements has been proven as an effective way. You can make changes in both your child’s diet and also supplementation.

Just by improving your child’s diet through some better food choices and also picking up some particular supplements, you can actually help your child in managing daily challenges in a much better way.

When you want to know exactly how dietary changes and supplements help your autistic child, you are required to know about the supplements that are believed to make the improvements. Many of these can be found in popular autism support supplements (Simple Spectrum as one popular example).

Here are the major nutritional supplements you should opt for.

Vitamin D

It has been found that vitamin D actually has an effect on the brain’s neurotransmitters. When it comes to forming new connections along with strengthening connections, which are already present, vitamin d actually helps the brain.

Also, a deficiency of vitamin D has been noticed among children with autism. It also has been seen that children with ASD who have taken vitamin D supplements have experienced a decrease in the core ASD symptoms.

That includes impairment in communication, social impairment, and also engaging in repetitive behaviors.

Melatonin

Melatonin is the naturally produced hormone of our body that regulates our sleep and wake cycle. Often autistic children suffer from sleeping difficulties and insomnia. Whether your autistic child is having difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or they needs treatment for insomnia, melatonin supplements need to be used.

Studies also have shown some direct connection between low melatonin levels and the severity of ASD symptoms in children. Melatonin supplements have shown positive results in improving sleep duration and also more positive daytime behaviors.

Oxytocin

This chemical is naturally produced in the brain. Oxytocin has severe effects on a particular part of the brain that is associated with social interaction and also social bonding. In some of the children with ASD, low production of oxytocin has been witnessed.

Some studies show moderate improvement in the symptoms of ASD after including oxytocin in the treatment of some children with lower levels of oxytocin. In order to improve some particular social behaviors, including oxytocin in the treatment can offer promising improvements.

Magnesium And Vitamin B6

Particularly vitamin B6 is responsible for improving more than 60 different types of biological processes in the body. Although it is usually found in multivitamins, still it also can be supplemented.

Generally, vitamin B6 is broken down by an enzyme, PLP, in the body. As per a number of research studies, this particular enzyme is not effective in children with ASD. Now, this enzyme is also required for the production of dopamine that controls the brain’s reward system.

On the other hand, magnesium is another important nutrient that is necessary for the proper functioning of muscle and brain cells. Studies show that autistic children usually have a deficiency of magnesium. Vitamin B6 and magnesium are usually supplemented together.

NAC Or N-acetylcysteine

Now, this supplement directly increases the levels of the main anti-oxidant of the body. This particular anti-oxidant is responsible for contributing to the natural defense system of the body. They basically protect the body from the damage of free radicals.

A study has found that NAC supplementation lowers irritability in autistic children and also reduces children’s involvement in repetitive behaviors. A number of studies also have suggested that including NAC supplements in the diet also can improve some particular autistic symptoms.

Some More Supplements

Here are some more supplements that also have shown positive results in improving some major symptoms in children with an autism spectrum disorder.

Vitamin C.
Sulforaphane.
Digestive Enzymes.
Sulforaphane.
TMG And DMG.
Methyl Vitamin B-12.
Probiotics.
Final Talks

Although there are some studies that include these particular supplements in the daily diet of autistic children, they have shown impressive results. Still, more studies and research are required to come to an ultimate conclusion.

So, it will always be best to consult with your doctor before giving your child any commercial supplements.