Complex biological diseases, including autoimmune disease, GI tract abnormalities, speech impairments, etc., are all associated with autism. In addition, various hereditary and environmental variables influence the onset and management of autism.
No proof exists that people with autism spectrum disorders have a particular vitamin or nutritional deficiency pattern. However, an organic whole-food diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, and whole grains will provide you with these nutrients.
However, a sizable and expanding body of data shows that vitamin deficiencies may play a substantial role in ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).
There is a significant depletion of most vital vitamins (vitamins A, C, D, E, and all B vitamins) and minerals (zinc, magnesium, iron) in Autistic children.
The Importance Of Vitamins In Autism
Here we shall list all the seemingly important vitamins that you must not miss out on for your kid to help them cope with the symptoms of autism:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A can be extremely helpful if you want to witness spontaneous results in improving language, vision, social interaction and attention.
Food sources like meat, egg, fish and cheese have high levels of vitamin A. Additionally, vegetables like squashes, carrots and dark and green leafy vegetables have a substance called beta carotene in them. This substance converts into vitamin A when consumed.
Vitamin B6
According to studies, B6 can improve appropriate behaviours, attention, learning, speech and language, and eye contact and normalize brain wave activity and urine biochemistry. In addition, it can also reportedly reduce issues like seizure activity.
The vitamin B complex includes vitamin B-6, a water-soluble vitamin. It can be found in whole grains, fortified bread and cereals, eggs, meats, fish, nuts, beans, and legumes.
Vitamin C
A water-soluble vitamin called vitamin C is essential for healthy growth and development. All fruits and vegetables contain it.
Vitamin C can ease autism sufferers’ symptoms significantly. In addition, vitamin C is a great source to safeguard your child’s immune system. Therefore, if your child can escape frequent common illnesses, it will always help them to cope better with ASD symptoms.
The Importance Of Minerals In Autism
Next, we have the list of minerals that can help your child face ASD symptoms with greater strength and responsiveness:
Zinc
Zinc deficiency causes abnormal neural tube closure and ASD-related behaviour in mouse models. This includes reduced vocalization and social behaviour: a group of proteins that serve as postsynaptic scaffolds.
The relationship between the stomach and the brain is also influenced by zinc. Many people with ASD also experience digestive issues.
It is generally established that there is a connection between autism and the immune system and that zinc is essential for both innate and adaptive immunity.
Copper
Copper is implicated in neurological disease processes, and illnesses including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and Huntington’s Disease have been linked to dyshomeostasis of copper.
Numerous biological processes connected to autism, including immunology and placental development, depend on copper.
ASD severity may also be correlated with rising physiological copper levels. The zinc/copper ratio may serve as a biomarker for ASD diagnosis.
Iron
Iron deficiency anaemia is a serious health issue in industrialized and developing nations that can directly impact cellular function.
When compared to controls, children with ASD have been found to have an iron deficiency. ASD symptoms may be correlated with iron deficiency, especially with the severity of emotional and behavioural issues.
Magnesium
Magnesium plays a role in fundamental cellular functions like the synthesis of nucleic acids and the metabolism of energy.
Magnesium controls glutamate-activated channels in neuronal membranes.
Throughout neurodevelopment, this process is closely connected to the pathophysiology of ASD. Therefore, magnesium has been proposed as a possible dietary intervention for ASD when combined with vitamin B6.
Treating ASD Symptoms
Symptoms of physiological problems like gastrointestinal distress and behavioural difficulties like aggressiveness or hyperactivity usually resist all treatments.
Patients and caregivers frequently seek out therapies other than those doctors give due to the insufficient alleviation offered by traditional treatment.
These treatments often take the form of dietary supplements, which is tempting since they may be able to alleviate ailments that conventional medicines have been unable to treat and typically does so without causing adverse effects.
Autism spectrum disorder symptoms may be exacerbated by an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the digestive system (ASD).
Children with ASD should take vitamins to avoid any form of gut dysfunctionality. In addition, consciously feed your child and take good care of their general health if you want them to feel secure and effectively combat the symptoms of ASD.