Autism Spectrum Disorders - Can Vitamins and Supplements Really Help?

Medical technology shows that autistic children are born without a "block" between the left and right sides of their brain. This means autistic children are born with "Whole Brain Thinking" and are capable of processing enormous amounts of information as seen by Dustin Hoffman's portrayal of an autistic adult in "Rain Man." Autistic children are often easily distracted, unable to focus or concentrate. Many autistic children are sensitive to loud sounds, crowd noise, bright lights and touch.

Autistic children are often carbohydrate addicts and are frequently extremely picky in their food choices. It is a test that parents of autistic children are put to daily. Essentially, many autistic children are "drugged" on wheat and milk products, as if they were on a morphine drip. They have special digestion issues that must be handled to help them with concentration and their comfort levels.

Spectrum

Statistics show between one in 200 and one in 500 children are born with autism spectrum disorder. Researchers performed a colonoscopy on 60 children with autistic spectrum disorders who also had symptoms such as stomach pain, constipation, bloating, and diarrhea.

Diet

There are also natural ways to treat your autistic child by taking wheat and glucose out of their diet. I have seen it make incredible differences without the use of drugs. Autism can be aided by a gluten-free, casein-free diet. Many physicians are prescribing this new diet, as up to 8 in 10 autistic children may benefit greatly. Protocol recommends that every autistic child be placed on a gluten-free, casein-free diet for at least 3 months.

Vitamins and Supplements

For many reasons, it is very important for such children to take a multivitamin. These children often have very particular tastes in food and are unlikely to eat a wide variety of items. It is crucial that children in need of digestive, metabolic or neurological support consume a specially formulated multivitamin. Here is a list of vitamins that can be helpful.

Beta-carotene is a nutrient found in plants that the body converts into vitamin A. Vitamin A promotes normal cell growth and differentiation in the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract and brain. Children who need neurological, metabolic or digestive support may benefit from beta-carotene because of its ability to promote normal tissue and cell growth and promote healthy sensory development.

B Vitamins are water-soluble vitamins that promote normal processing of carbohydrates, fat and protein. They can help maintain a healthy nervous system, respiration, antibody production, brain functions and normal human growth. Folic acid is a B vitamin essential for numerous processes in the body and supports normal development of the nervous system.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin that has a number of biological functions. It supports normal tissue repair, healing and immune function. Vitamin C supports glutathione levels, another important antioxidant in the body. Vitamin D, a powerful antioxidant, promotes proper brain development.

Calcium is an important mineral that supports numerous body processes. Children who need neurological, metabolic or digestive support have growing bodies that can benefit from calcium because it supports growth and strength of teeth and bones, skeletal health and growth, and healthy teeth and gums.

Digestion

Children in need of neurological, digestive or metabolic support often need extra digestive support. Proper digestion is essential for the body to utilize food for use by cells and tissues.

Enzymes are responsible for the breakdown of food into substances that can be used to provide energy to the body. Supplementation with digestive enzymes provides the body with the additional support it needs for proper digestion.

Poor digestion goes beyond abdominal discomfort. There is a proposed connection between the function of the digestive system and the brain. Research suggests that promoting normal digestion may in turn support physical health. Here are supplements to look for to aid in the digestion process.

Digestive Enzymes such as amylases (starch hydrolyzing enzymes), proteases (protein hydrolyzing enzymes), lipases (lipid hydrolyzing enzymes), lactase (lactose hydrolyzing enzyme) and cellulase (cellulose hydrolyzing enzyme) aids in the absorption and utilization of important nutrients. These enzymes promote the absorption of nutrients, especially in children who need digestive support.

Conclusion

The correct vitamins and supplements are essential for autistic children. Researchers have noticed that many commonly prescribed vitamins do not dissolve well resulting in insufficient absorption of the nutrients. Doing your research on vitamins can be very rewarding and time well spent to ensure a healthy and happy child. More in-depth information is available.

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