Autism Spectrum Disorders - Can Vitamins and Supplements Really Help?

Medical technology shows that autistic children areand protein. They can help maintain a healthy
born without a "block" between the left and rightnervous system, respiration, antibody production,
sides of their brain. This means autistic children arebrain functions and normal human growth. Folic
born with "Whole Brain Thinking" and are capableacid is a B vitamin essential for numerous
of processing enormous amounts of informationprocesses in the body and supports normal
as seen by Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of andevelopment of the nervous system.
autistic adult in "Rain Man." Autistic children areVitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a
often easily distracted, unable to focus orwater-soluble vitamin that has a number of
concentrate. Many autistic children are sensitive tobiological functions. It supports normal tissue
loud sounds, crowd noise, bright lights and touch.repair, healing and immune function. Vitamin C
Autistic children are often carbohydrate addictssupports glutathione levels, another important
and are frequently extremely picky in their foodantioxidant in the body. Vitamin D, a powerful
choices. It is a test that parents of autistic childrenantioxidant, promotes proper brain development.
are put to daily. Essentially, many autistic childrenCalcium is an important mineral that supports
are "drugged" on wheat and milk products, as ifnumerous body processes. Children who need
they were on a morphine drip. They have specialneurological, metabolic or digestive support have
digestion issues that must be handled to helpgrowing bodies that can benefit from calcium
them with concentration and their comfort levels.because it supports growth and strength of teeth
Spectrumand bones, skeletal health and growth, and healthy
Statistics show between one in 200 and one inteeth and gums.
500 children are born with autism spectrumDigestion
disorder. Researchers performed a colonoscopyChildren in need of neurological, digestive or
on 60 children with autistic spectrum disordersmetabolic support often need extra digestive
who also had symptoms such as stomach pain,support. Proper digestion is essential for the body
constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.to utilize food for use by cells and tissues.
DietEnzymes are responsible for the breakdown of
There are also natural ways to treat your autisticfood into substances that can be used to provide
child by taking wheat and glucose out of their diet.energy to the body. Supplementation with
I have seen it make incredible differences withoutdigestive enzymes provides the body with the
the use of drugs. Autism can be aided by aadditional support it needs for proper digestion.
gluten-free, casein-free diet. Many physicians arePoor digestion goes beyond abdominal discomfort.
prescribing this new diet, as up to 8 in 10 autisticThere is a proposed connection between the
children may benefit greatly. Protocolfunction of the digestive system and the brain.
recommends that every autistic child be placed onResearch suggests that promoting normal
a gluten-free, casein-free diet for at least 3digestion may in turn support physical health. Here
months.are supplements to look for to aid in the digestion
Vitamins and Supplementsprocess.
For many reasons, it is very important for suchDigestive Enzymes such as amylases (starch
children to take a multivitamin. These childrenhydrolyzing enzymes), proteases (protein
often have very particular tastes in food and arehydrolyzing enzymes), lipases (lipid hydrolyzing
unlikely to eat a wide variety of items. It is crucialenzymes), lactase (lactose hydrolyzing enzyme)
that children in need of digestive, metabolic orand cellulase (cellulose hydrolyzing enzyme) aids in
neurological support consume a speciallythe absorption and utilization of important
formulated multivitamin. Here is a list of vitaminsnutrients. These enzymes promote the absorption
that can be helpful.of nutrients, especially in children who need
Beta-carotene is a nutrient found in plants thatdigestive support.
the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin AConclusion
promotes normal cell growth and differentiation inThe correct vitamins and supplements are
the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and brain.essential for autistic children. Researchers have
Children who need neurological, metabolic ornoticed that many commonly prescribed vitamins
digestive support may benefit from beta-carotenedo not dissolve well resulting in insufficient
because of its ability to promote normal tissueabsorption of the nutrients. Doing your research
and cell growth and promote healthy sensoryon vitamins can be very rewarding and time well
development.spent to ensure a healthy and happy child. More
B Vitamins are water-soluble vitamins thatin-depth information is available.
promote normal processing of carbohydrates, fat