Wednesday, 15 June 2011

• Do Supplements Help those with Autism?

  
  
  
  When you think of supplements, your mind may jump immediately to the ephedra diet pillsthat permeated the market a few years back, posing as a safe herbal supplement to aid in weight loss, but actually leading to dementia and even death in some cases.  However, there are many, many types of supplements on the market, most of them tested, regulated, and entirely safe for use (although you may want to avoid the herbal type unless you have discussed them with your doctor).  The question is: are there supplements that may be able to help those who have autism spectrum disorder?  The answer is yes, but maybe not in the way you are hoping.

  For starters, everyone can benefit from the addition of a daily vitamin supplement.  Even if you eat a balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean sources of protein, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, you can’t possibly hope to consume all of the nutrients your body needs on a daily basis.  This is true for everyone, including those with autism.  But children are known to be especially picky when it comes to their diet, and kids that suffer from autism spectrum disorder may further limit their food choices simply because they prefer to avoid certain colors, textures, and tastes.  So it is important to add a daily vitamin to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients to keep their bodies healthy and functioning at peak performance levels, despite the fact that they’re missing out on certain food groups.  Simply talk to your doctor about which vitamin supplements will work best for your child.

  Of course, there are other ways in which supplements can specifically help to deal with symptoms of autism.  In some cases, autism has been linked to digestive disorders by which children may experience not only motility issues, but also problems getting the nutrients they need from their food.  Vitamin supplements, in particular, are easily digestible because they are in a raw form, unlike foods that need to be broken down in order for the body to absorb their nutrients.  But even beyond that, there are supplements that will aid in digestion.  Digestive enzyme supplements can help to break down food so that it can be more easily absorbed (coenzyme Q10 will give natural enzymes a boost) while vitamin C, fiber, and quercetin can ease inflammation and purge toxins from the GI tract to help with motility.  Also, peppermint can ease gas and bloating while ginger can help with nausea.

  If you’re curious about whether or not supplements can help autistic children to overcome their disorder, in particular, the answer at this point is no.  But everyone can benefit from the right kinds of supplements, and keeping your child healthy and happy couldn’t hurt.  At the very least, you can avoid additional health issues.  And you never know what other benefits they could be receiving.  It is certainly possible that the dietary supplements you give your child could have positive effects that are unforeseen, such as being complementary to their medication.  But as of yet, there is no proof to say that supplements can improve the prognosis for autistic individuals.
  

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