Maternal
Low vitamin D levels in utero, postnatal, and in early childhood have been hypothesized to be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ASD.
The present study revealed that Vitamin D deficiency was higher in autism children compared to healthy children.
Theoretically, vitamin D can affect neurodevelopment in children with ASD through its anti-inflammatory properties, stimulating the production of neurotrophins, decreasing the risk of seizures, and regulating glutathione and serotonin levels.
In this longitudinal study of schoolchildren, vitamin D deficiency in middle childhood was associated with higher parent-reported externalizing problems scores such as higher aggressive and rule-breaking behaviors and internalizing problems scores such as anxiety disorders in adolescence.
Vitamin D & Childhood Behaviour
Dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline are examples of some brain chemicals that vitamin D helps produce and regulate (2). These brain chemicals are involved in maintaining a child's memory, emotions, motivation, attention, sleep cycle, concentration, and cognition (3).
Low levels of the vitamin may contribute to schizophrenia in adults, depression, and seasonal affective disorder. Other health problems that can arise from the deficiency include: Low bone density.
Vitamin B6 and magnesium to ease autism symptoms
The theory is that a child with ASD may show improved behavior once vitamin B6 and magnesium is introduced into the diet.
Vitamin D₃
In addition, more studies have shown that children who take vitamin D3 supplementation documented an improvement in autistic symptoms such as eye contact, repetitive behaviors, communication, and social interactions. This makes sense given that every cell in the brain has vitamin D3 receptors.
People with autism may lack the ability to recognize and label emotions, and they may have difficulty responding to social cues. This can vary from individual to individual.
Autism is not caused by malnutrition or food-related challenges, but, for many people, there is a connection between autism and food. Research suggests that food-related challenges have a significant impact on many people who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause babies and children to get rickets. Rickets is a disease that causes thin, weak and deformed bones.
The present systematic review and meta-analyses found that children and adolescents with ADHD have lower mean concentrations of serum 25(OH)D than do healthy controls. The studies which reported ORs also showed a significant association between lower vitamin D status and the likelihood of ADHD.
Vitamin D3 is converted into 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 in the liver. Higher serum concentrations of this steroid may reduce the risk of autism. Importantly, children with ASD are at an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, possibly due to environmental factors.
Children born to vitamin D deficient mothers have a two-fold higher risk of language difficulties compared with mothers with sufficient levels of vitamin D [9]. Lower serum vitamin D level is also associated with impaired motor and physical performance [10,11].
Research has shown that Methyl B12, also known as methylcobalamin, can help relieve symptoms of autism.
Some evidence indicates that magnesium could also be involved in neurological diseases such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism. However, no direct study has been published to confirm this assumption.
Schmidt and her colleagues estimated folic acid and iron intake from the supplement brands the women reported taking, and they found that children born to women who consumed the most folic acid show the greatest decrease in autism risk.
A diet focused on whole, unprocessed, nutrient-dense foods is a must when it comes to autism natural treatment. Ayurvedic Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and homeopathy can offer unique yet helpful perspectives on autism and various autism natural treatment options.
Microglial cells in brain fight against these types of inflammation. Vitamin D deficiency affects the inflammatory process in the brain causing exposure of the brain to these vulnerable pathogens [33].
“Adding an over-the-counter vitamin D supplement can make improvements in just three to four months time. Vitamin D with a strength of 1000-2000 international units daily is the recommended dose for most adults,” Dr. Ropte says. Most multivitamins contain vitamin D, so extra supplementation isn't always necessary.
Most over-the-counter children's vitamins contain 600 IU of vitamin D, which is the recommended daily allowance set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for kids 1 year old and older.