Hamlin JC, Pauly M, Melnyk S, Pavliv O, Starrett W, Crook TA, James SJ. Dietary intake and plasma levels of choline and betaine in children with autism spectrum disorders. Autism Res Treat. 2013;2013:578429. http://www.hindawi.com/journals/aurt/2013/578429/
Graf-Myles J, Farmer C, Thurm A, Royster C, Kahn P, Soskey L, Rothschild L, Swedo S. Dietary adequacy of children with autism compared with controls and the impact of restricted diet. J Dev Behav Pediatr. 2013;34(7):449-59. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3819433/pdf/nihms505909.pdf
Pilla SSDD, Ravisankar P, Penugonda V, Kattula RVR. Dietary interventions in Autism Spectrum Disorders. AP J Psychol Med 2014;15(1):24-31. http://medind.nic.in/aag/t14/i1/aagt14i1p24.pdf
Marti LF. Dietary interventions in children with autism spectrum disorders - an updated review of the research evidence. Curr Clin Pharmacol. 2014;9(4):335-49. http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/ben/ccp/2014/00000009/00000004/art00003?token=004b1178d39412f415d766b256f452e2b2f2a406a43253048296a7c2849266d656cb11819c8
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Ranjan S, Nasser JA. Nutritional Status of Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Do We Know Enough? Adv Nutr. 2015;6(4):397-407. http://advances.nutrition.org/content/6/4/397.abstract
Here are some new and exciting findings concerning the potential application of vitamin D hormone in ameliorating autism .
R. P. Patrick, B. N. Ames. Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism. The FASEB Journal, 2014; DOI: 10.1096/fj.13-246546
Serotonin and vitamin D hormone (vitamin D3, cholecaliferol) have been proposed to play a role in autism, however, no causal mechanism has been established. Now, researchers show that serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin, three brain hormones that affect social behavior related to autism, are all activated by vitamin D hormone. Supplementation with vitamin D and tryptophan would be a practical and affordable solution to help prevent autism and possibly ameliorate some symptoms of the disorder.
In a new study, Dr. Rhonda Patrick and Dr. Bruce Ames have found a causal link found between vitamin D, serotonin biosynthesis and autism. Their investigations document the impact that Vitamin D may have on social behavior associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dr. Patrick and Dr. Ames show that serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin, three brain hormones that affect social behavior, are all activated by vitamin D hormone.
In this study, Dr. Patrick and Dr. Ames show that vitamin D hormone activates the gene that makes the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), that converts the essential amino acid tryptophan, to serotonin in the brain. This suggests that adequate levels of vitamin D may be required to produce serotonin in the brain where it shapes the structure and wiring of the brain, acts as a neurotransmitter, and affects social behavior. They also found evidence that the genethat makes the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (TPH1) is inhibited by vitamin D hormone, which subsequently halts the production of serotonin in the gut and other tissues, where when found in excess it promotes inflammation.
This mechanism explains many of the known, but previously not understood, facts about autism including: 1) the "serotonin anomaly" low levels of serotonin in the brain and high levels in the blood of autistic children; 2) the preponderance of male over female autistic children: estrogen, a similar steroid hormone, can also boost the brain levels of serotonin in girls; 3) the presence of autoimmune antibodies to the fetal brain in the mothers of autistic children: vitamin D regulates the production of regulatory T-cells via repression of TPH1. The Patrick/Ames mechanism is relevant to the prevention of autism, and likely its treatment.
Core Symptoms of Autism Improved After Vitamin D Supplementation Pediatrics January 1, 2015 135:e196-e198
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a complex interaction between genetic and environmental risk factors. Among the environmental factors, vitamin D3 (cholecaliferol) seems to play a significant role in the etiology of ASD because this vitamin is important for brain development. Lower concentrations of vitamin D3 may lead to increased brain size, altered brain shape, and enlarged ventricles, which have been observed in patients with ASD. 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. It has also been suggested that vitamin D3 deficiency may cause ASD symptoms. Here, we report on a 32-month-old boy with ASD and vitamin D3 deficiency. His core symptoms of autism improved significantly after vitamin D3 supplementation. This case suggests that vitamin D3 may play an important role in the etiology of ASD, stressing the importance of clinical assessment of vitamin D3 deficiency and the need for vitamin D3 supplementation in case of deficiency.
Vitamin D and ASD by John J. Cannell http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/135/1/e196.abstract/reply#pediatrics_el_69367
Krishna, you have received valuable information concerning diet and autism. I would add that exercise may be beneficial, as well. Attached is a link for the an autism organization
Some children with autism are sensitive to specific foods such as casein, gluten, artificial sweeteners, and dyes (this is true of children without autism as well). Some children with autism, probably because of picky eating habits, have nutritional deficits which can be addressed through supplements. The Gluten Free/Casein Free Diet is the removal of all wheat protein (gluten), and milk protein (casein) from the diet. Many parents and physicians have found that implementing the GF/CF diet relieves many of the symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorders.
5 Foods That Can Make Autism Worse:;
1) DAIRY. When casein (one of the proteins in dairy) mixes with stomach acid, it produces something called an exorphin. ...
2) GLUTEN. A mixture of proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, gluten can increase inflammation when ingested. ...
3) CORN. ...
4) SUGAR. ...
5) ARTIFICIAL INGREDIENTS.
What vitamins are good for autistic children?:;
Vitamins and Supplements
Use of Vitamins and Supplements: Children with ASDs. ...