Autism ~ Recommended Vitamins, Herbs, and Other Dietary Considerations (1622 hits)
This month (April) is Autism Awareness Month, and today (April 2) is World Autism Day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Autism, formally known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a variety of complex brain disorders that affects six out of every 1,000 children.
Some experts believe that the rise in austism-related diagnoses is due to broader definitions of different disorders within the ASD family. Austism is the more severe form of ASD. A milder form of ASD is called Asperger's Symdrome.
ASD is seen is all socio-economic and ethnic groups. While most commonly diagnosed in children, adults can develop it as well. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, boys are three to four times more likely to have ASD than girls.
Causes and Risk Factors
No recognized authorities know exactly what causes austism, Asperger's Symdrome and other ASD disorders, however it is believed to be a combination of reasons, rather than one specific cause. It has been linked to:
Genetics
Diet
Vaccine sensitivity
Inability to properly process and digest vitamins and minerals
Mercury poisoning
Digestive track changes
Immune system disfunction
Symptoms
Many parents suspect something is wrong with their child by the time they are 18 months old, and generally seek medical advice by the time the child is two years old. The list of symptoms is quite long, depending on the type of ASD a child may experience.
Some recognized symptoms of austim, Asperger's, and other ASD conditions generally include:
Difficulty in social situations
Difficulty playing
Sensitivity to light, sound and other sensory activity
Experience distress when the environment or routine changes
Repeated movements
Unusual methods of communication such as using gestures, talking about themselves in the third person, repeats patterns of words, etc.
Difficulty interacting with others or making friends
Seizures
Obsessive-compulsive behavior
For more information, please visit www.autismspeaks.org
Healing Options
There is no known cure for ASD, but there are things parents can do to help their children live with it.
A combination of medical and non-medical treatments is recommending, including:
Educational therapy
Behavioral therapy
Occupational therapy
Physical therapy
Speech therapy
Dietary Intervention
Many parents report seeing an improvement in their children with ASD when they make significant dietary changes.
Learn to read nutritional panels and analyze ingredients in any processed foods if you decide to use dietary intervention in helping a child live with ASD.
Common changes in diet include:
Gluten-free
Casein-free
Sugar-free
Some vitamin and mineral supplements use gluten and casein as binders or fillers, so be especially careful when choosing which brand to buy.
Gluten-free diet Gluten is found in places where you wouldn't suspect, so carefully review ingredients before purchasing any processed foods. A gluten-free diet means no consuming of wheat, rye or barley.
Other names for gluten include: flour, bulgar, cake flour, semolina, spelt, frumento, duram, matzo, matzoh, matzah, graham, kamut, farina, couscous, barley, malt (which is different from corn malt), wheat protein, vegetable protein (unless specifically not from wheat), wheat germ oil, caramel coloring, and triticale.
Casein-free diet Casein is a protein found in all milk produced by mammals, including human beings. Like gluten, casein is found in many foods where you might not think it exists.
Other names you might find include: milk solids, curds, whey, sodium caseinate, sodium lactylate, lactose, lactalbumin, galactose, protein, caramel coloring, soy cheeses, hydrolized caseinate, etc. Products marked as non-dairy may not have fluid milk, but they almost always have casein or casein derivatives.
Sugar-free diet While opinions differ on the role of sugar in the diet, many parents see an improvement in their ASD children when processed sugar is removed from the diet.
Other names for sugar include: anything with the word "syrup," anything ending in "ose" (such as glucose, fructose, dextrose, etc.), caramel, honey, molasses, raw sugar, sorbitol, maltodextrin, and many more.
Recommended Vitamins for Autism
These include zinc, omega III fatty acids, vitamins C and D, magnesium, and, in the dairy-free child, calcium. Also, vitamin A is often needed.
And so, for an average-sized five year old child, we would add as daily supplements:
zinc (15-30 mg) (Make sure that zinc is given with food.)
cod liver oil (1-2 tsp),
vitamin C (500mg),
vitamin D (2000 units),
magnesium (100-300 mg),
and 200- 400 mg of calcium (if your child is dairy free).
These supplements should be added one at a time, with spacing of one week or so and with the recording of any improvements or signs of intolerance.
Herbal Remedies For Autism
One of many alternative treatments for autism, herbal therapies are controversial in the medical community. However, many people report improvement in some of the hallmark symptoms of autism spectrum disorders due to these herbal treatments. If you're considering this type of treatment for yourself or your child, it's important to learn as much as possible about the efficacy and potential drug interactions.
1. Melatonin Supplements
According to the National Institute of Health (NIH), melatonin is a supplement that is likely effective for children with autism who struggle with sleep. Since sleep disturbances can be a major challenge for families dealing with ASD, melatonin supplements could be a significant help. It's also possible that children's behavior and communication abilities would improve as an indirect result of using the medication to get regular sleep.
However, the NIH also warns that melatonin is possibly unsafe for use in children and warns that it should not be used by children. It can interfere with development, particularly during adolescence. If your child has a severe sleep problem associated with autism, talk to your doctor about whether melatonin is worth the risk.
There are several drug interactions with melatonin. Talk to your doctor if you (or your child) are taking any other herbal, prescription, or over-the-counter medications before trying melatonin.
2. Ginger Root
Anecdotally, parents report that ginger root can help with the symptoms of autism, although there aren't any studies that back up this assertion. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ginger can be effective in treating gastrointestinal complaints. Since a subset of people with autism also struggle with gastrointestinal problems, controlling these symptoms with ginger may make it easier for them to focus on interactions and behavior.
Ginger is not safe for children under the age of two years, but older kids and adults can try this therapy with the assistance of a doctor. It's also important to keep in mind that ginger interferes with several prescription medications, especially blood thinners, blood pressure medications, and diabetes treatments.
3. Gingko Leaf
According to Integrative Medicine for Children by May Loo, gingko leaf is a controversial treatment for people with autism and cognitive impairment. Estimated rates of cognitive impairment vary depending on the study, but researchers believe that a subset of people with autism also have an IQ below 70. Improving the cognitive functioning of these individuals could help reduce symptoms of autism; however, there have been very few studies regarding gingko leaf and autism.
Loo also cautions that the side effects of gingko leaf, which can include excessive bleeding, seizures, muscle weakness, headaches, and stomach complaints, make it unsafe to use with children. Gingko leaf can interfere with a number of prescription drugs including seizure-prevention medications, blood thinners, diabetes medications, and others. It can also cause a negative interaction with a number of other herbal supplements, like ginger root, saw palmetto, and others.
4. St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort is a popular herbal supplement that is typically used to treat depression and mood disorders and is sometimes used as an alternative treatment for autistic symptoms. A study from the Regional Hospital of Bolzano, Italy found that the supplement did not improve symptoms of autism significantly. The study did find that St. John's Wort slightly reduced irritability in some patients.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, St. John's Wort has few side effects. These can include digestive problems, sunlight sensitivity, fatigue, and headaches. Additionally, St. John's Wort has a number of drug interactions, including oral contraceptives, blood thinners, immune suppressants, depression medications, and others.
St. John's Wort can also increase the symptoms of ADHD, which affects a subset of people with autism.
5. Passionflower Extract
Many herbal products that purport to treat autism also include passionflower extract. There are not scientific studies that support the use of passionflower extract for pervasive developmental disorders; however, it may help with sleep, according to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research. Since a subset of people with autism struggle with sleep, this could be helpful.
The University of Maryland Medical Center cautions against giving passionflower extract to children, since the safety of this herbal remedy hasn't been tested with younger patients. There are no documented side effects of this treatment; however, it can interact with a number of medications, including blood thinners, sedatives, and anti-depressants.
Before you experiment with any type of herbal treatment for ASD, it's essential that you speak with your doctor. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, mixing prescription medications and herbal treatments can result in a number of harmful drug interactions. Your doctor can help you decide if an herbal supplement could result in a dangerous interaction.
It's also essential that you continue traditional treatments, like occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, speech therapy, and physical therapy, even if you decide to try an herbal treatment. Discontinuing these other therapies can cause regression of skills and stall progress during important developmental windows.
Thank you for reading!
Feel free to email me at sisterjuanita@yahoo.com regarding any health questions or concerns you may have.
