Autism and Nutritional Supplements
by Ray Smith

Unfortunately, it has been proved beyond doubt that a large percentage of the United States population suffers from nutritional deficiency. Studies show, 30% of the general population has a marginal level of Vitamin C and 15% are Vitamin C deficient. Low level of vitamins and minerals like, calcium, iron, folic acid, magnesium, and chromium continue to be a significant but common problem in the United States. It is also being noticed that children suffering from Autism are the most common patients for vitamin and mineral deficiency. Generally children suffering from Autism have much lower level of vitamins A, C, D, and E, and all B vitamins (except choline) and some minerals (zinc, magnesium, selenium).

The most common problems that are detected in children suffering from nutritional deficiency can be listed as follows:

§High Copper: Zinc ratio §B12 deficiency §Calcium deficiency §Sulfate deficiency §Vitamin A

Why children with Autism suffer the most?

Chronic diarrhea/constipation: Malabsorption is a common problem related to Autism. A recent study by the Southwest Autism Research Center of over 400 people with autism has found that 48% reported chronic diarrhea or chronic constipation

Gastrointestinal inflammation: Many patients suffering from Autism experience chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and structural compromise in the digestive tract. This intestinal inflammation likely reduces nutrient absorption.

Dietary restrictions: One of the classic symptoms of autism is restricted interests and behaviors and this often extends to choices of food. Restricted, self-limited diets are highly likely to be deficient in one or more essential nutrients.

The Brighter Side

When we are all concerned with the increasing rate of autistic children and problems due to lack of necessary vitamins and minerals it has also been proved that multivitamin/mineral nutrient supplement goes a long way in helping these children. These nutritional supplements significantly contribute towards their improvement of IQ, scholastic test scores, and early neurological development. Children with learning disabilities experience substantial behavioral, cognitive, and academic gains by use of these multivitamin nutritional supplements.

Studies and feedback from parents of children with Autism has shown that calcium, vitamin C, folic acid, and vitamin B6 with magnesium, zinc, niacin, niacinamide, and dimethylglycine resulted in improvement in 41-58% of cases.

The Liquid Vitamin Formula and the Liquid Mineral Formula (available at http://www.awakennutrition.com ) developed with the advice of James Adams. Ph.D. Arizona State University is an ideal solution to meet the nutritional needs of Autism and ADHD. James B. Adams is a father of a young girl with autism, diagnosed in 1994, and that is what led him to eventually shift much of his research emphasis to autism, focusing on biological causes and treatments.

It was found in research that a combination of Vitamin B6 and Magnesium is highly effective in reducing many of the deficits and symptoms of autism. Vitamin C has also been shown in a clinical trial to facilitate a reduction in symptom severity in children with autism. Vitamin B6 is significantly elevated in children with autism, probably due to defective pyridoxal kinase, implying a functional need for more. This may explain why very high doses of vitamin B6 have been shown in numerous studies to benefit children with autism. However, further study is required to measure pyridoxal, pyridoxamine, PMP, and PLP simultaneously to validate this interpretation. Alpha lipoic acid levels should also be higher and preferably at par with those found in typical adults.

These are some of the basic requirements that must be kept in mind while developing any nutritional supplements to be effective and contribute towards proper treatment and growth of children with autism and people suffering from lack of minerals and vitamins. James Adams research ahs gifted us with two such multivitamin nutritional supplements however we should put in continuous effort to develop even better solutions and products that would be effective to cure autism.

• ADHD medicine shortage frustrating patients, parents
  
  Trish Luberda makes her living as an education consultant and advocate for people with special needs. But those credentials have been of little use in a crisis closer to home, as she has tried desperately to get her hands on the medication that two of her daughters, ages 11 and 17, need to manage their attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
  


• ADHD: Is Stigma Back in Style?
  
  With the latest ADHD controversy, it seems as if we've regressed to an era when all mental health problems were blamed on Mom
  


• Anesthesia in Early Childhood May Be Linked to ADHD
  
  THURSDAY, Feb. 2 (HealthDay News) -- Children who have more than one surgery with general anesthesia by their second birthday might be at higher risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a new study suggests.
  


• Anaesthetic use linked to ADHD
  
  Children repeatedly exposed to anaesthetic early in life are more likely to develop Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), an American study suggests.
  


• Study Highlights Potential Link Between ADHD and Anesthesia
  
  According to a new study from a leading U.S. medical research center, children are more likely to develop attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) if they receive anesthesia more than once at a young age. ADHD is a developmental disorder that typically appears in children before the age of seven. As the name indicates, it is usually characterized by a combination of hyperactivity ...