Conclusion
As a naturopathic doctor, I have found autism in young children does indeed respond to naturopathic therapies, especially if treated as quickly as possible after diagnosis. The longer someone waits to be treated, the less likely that complete recovery is possible, though many cases even of long standing do improve. Nutritional deficiencies are common in the modern diet, and because of genetic differences, some individuals may need higher levels of essential nutrients. Nutritional therapies that comprise an excellent diet including fruits and vegetables along with vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as herbal medicines, are all indispensable to the recovery of these children. Especially helpful are supplements in adequate doses of the B vitamins including folate and biotin, vitamins C, D, E, essential omega-3 fatty acids found in walnuts, flax seeds, and fish oil, probiotics, and essential minerals including magnesium. [10,11] In conclusion, the cost of preventing autism is merely to give nature a gentle boost.
Autism spectrum disease
The role of vitamin D in reducing risk and/or symptoms of autism spectrum disease has been studied since John Cannell proposed the connection in 2008. Two recent papers from Egypt found beneficial effects on autism symptoms from vitamin D supplementation.
In the first study, conducted in Egypt on 122 children aged 3 to 9 years with autism spectrum disorder, autism scores were found to be inversely correlated with 25(OH)D concentration: the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores improved from 41 near 8 ng/mL, to 30 for 25(OH)D concentration near 25 ng/mL [Saad, 2016a]. 106 of the children participated in an open label study in which they were given 300 IU/d vitamin D3/kg/d, not to exceed 5000 IU/day over a three month period. After vitamin D therapy, significant improvements were found in most of the CARS scores.
In a vitamin D RCT, autistic children aged 3-10 years were given 300 IU/d vitamin D3/kg/d, not to exceed 5000 IU/d, over a four month period. 25(OH)D concentrations increased from a mean of 26 ng/mL to 46 ng/mL. Scores for aberrant behavior reduced by about 50%, those for autism treatment evaluation reduced by zero for communication to 50% for behavior, while social responsiveness scale improved by zero to 10% [Saad, 2016b].
Mounting evidence that vitamin D deficiency is an important risk factor for autism
A study from Saudi Arabia examined the relation between serum 25(OH)D level and anti-myelin-associated glycoprotein (anti-MAG) auto-antibodies in autistic children near the age of eight years [Mostafa and Al-Ayadhi, 2012]. There was a very strong inverse relation between the two levels (r = -0.86, p<0.001). The serum 25(OH)D levels in autistic children averaged 19 ng/ml, while that for healthy children averaged 33 ng/ml. Both autistic and healthy children had about six hours of sun exposure per week. The reason that MAG is relevant to autistic children is that MAG is a compound that promotes regeneration of young neurons. Anti-MAG auto-antibodies appear to play a role in some autoimmune disorders relating to neurons through attacking cells that maintain a healthy nervous system. Serum anti-MAG auto-antibodies are strongly related to autism measured with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale. This provides very strong evidence that vitamin D deficiency is associated in some way with autism. Whether increasing serum 25(OH)D levels for those with autism reduces the symptoms of autism remains to be determined.
could go for 90 or 180 days at a time