There is increasing evidence that
The present study revealed that Vitamin D deficiency was higher in autism children compared to healthy children.
Over the past few years, evidence has been mounting that vitamin D deficiency plays a key role in autism. Vitamin D regulates thousands of coding genes in the human genome. Research indicates that vitamin D stimulates specific factors in the body that can have a beneficial effect on this disorder.
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.
Vitamin D deficiency can cause irritability, tiredness, depression, language delays, and issues with memory function and learning (5). Some neurodevelopmental disorders like autism, schizophrenia, and the risk for ADHD have also been linked to a mother's low vitamin D stores during pregnancy (5-7).
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.
A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines found that children with ASD who supplemented with Vitamin D3 showed improvement in signs and symptoms related to ASD.
In terms of prevention, a recent small study showed vitamin D supplementation during pregnancy (5000 IU/day) and during infancy and early childhood (1000 IU/day) significantly reduced the expected incidence of autism in mothers who already had one autistic child from 20% to 5%.
Five case-control studies reported the OR for developing ADHD based on vitamin D status; the meta-analysis of their data revealed that lower vitamin D status is significantly associated with the likelihood of ADHD (OR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.09, 6.04; I2 = 84.3%).
Children at risk of low vitamin D
Children whose skin is rarely exposed to the sun e.g. those who stay inside or who wear covering clothing. Babies born prematurely. Breastfed babies who have one or more of the above risk factors. Breast milk is the best type of food for babies, but it does not contain much vitamin D.
Most people with a vitamin D deficiency do not have any symptoms. If they do, common symptoms are muscle weakness or cramps, bone pain, feeling tired or being depressed. Vitamin D deficiency can cause babies and children to get rickets. Rickets is a disease that causes thin, weak and deformed bones.
Children born to vitamin D deficient mothers have been found to have a two-fold higher risk of language difficulties compared with the mothers with sufficient levels of vitamin D [9].
People with ASD often have problems with social communication and interaction, and restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. People with ASD may also have different ways of learning, moving, or paying attention. It is important to note that some people without ASD might also have some of these symptoms.
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.
Advances in diagnostic capabilities and greater understanding and awareness of autism spectrum disorder seem to be largely driving the increase, the Rutgers researchers said. But there's probably more to the story: Genetic factors, and perhaps some environmental ones, too, might also be contributing to the trend.
Nutrition Services recommends a daily 400 IU vitamin D supplement for all babies and children from birth to 18 years. Some babies, such as preterm babies, and children may benefit from higher amounts of vitamin D. Talk to your healthcare provider about your child's vitamin D needs.
Foods such as salmon, sardines, tuna, cod liver oil, egg yolks and shiitake mushrooms contain a lot of vitamin D. Many kids don't seem to love these vitamin D superfoods, so luckily store-bought milk is often fortified with vitamin D, as are many cereals and even orange juice.
Cerebral Folate Deficiency (CFD)
In other words, the brain doesn't have enough folate to function properly. Symptoms of CFD include developmental delays, speech difficulties, sleep issues, irritability, and more.
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 has been suggested as a therapy to improve symptoms of ASD including speech [18].
Vitamin D is an important calcium-regulating hormone with diverse functions in numerous tissues, including the brain. Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D may play a role in maintaining cognitive function and that vitamin D deficiency may accelerate age-related cognitive decline.
“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.
"Adequate levels of magnesium in the body are essential for the absorption and metabolism not only of vitamin D but of calcium as well," Dean states. "Magnesium converts vitamin D into its active form so that it can help calcium absorption.