Spectrum Vitamins For Autism: Can They Help Your Child Function?
Autism Spectrum Disorder!
Autism is a chronic condition that impacts social interaction, communication, and language. Children who have autism might also engage in repetitive or stereotypical behaviors. The causes of autism remain most a mystery though have been linked in some cases to the use of certain medicines during pregnancy.
When it comes to autism, a number of treatment options are available, including occupational and speech therapy, behavioral therapy, play therapy, and also medication options for managing behavioral symptoms.
However, these are not the only treatment options.
Can Spectrum Vitamins Help Your Child With Autism?
It has been seen that children with ASD or autism spectrum disorder often suffer from several nutrition deficiencies. It also has been seen that some dietary improvements through diet changes and supplementation can be really effective.
Just by improving the diet through some better food choices along with picking some particular supplements, autistic symptoms can be addressed. This way, you will be able to assist your child with managing daily challenges in a better way.
Here, we will talk about the most common dietary supplements and spectrum targeted vitamins that parents of autistic children use. Here, we would also like to mention that before giving your child any supplement, it is always advised to consult with their pediatrician.
Supplements To Consider For Autism
Here are the supplements that have been proven beneficial for children with ASD or autism spectrum disorder.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the crucial nutrients that have an effect on the brain’s neurotransmitters. It helps the brain to form new connections along with strengthening connections, which are already peasant.
Several studies have shown that children who are suffering from ASD often have a deficit in Vitamin D. Studies also have shown that children who get daily vitamin D supplementation experienced a decrease in core symptoms associated with ASD.
That includes impairment in communication, social interaction, and engaging in repetitive behaviors.
Oxytocin
Now, this is a chemical that our brain produces naturally. This particular chemical, oxytocin, affects the specific part of the brain that is associated with social bonding and also social interactions.
Some not all children with ASD have shown preliminary evidence of a compromised oxytocin system. Several studies have shown that oxytocin treatment can be a promising option for improving certain social behaviors, although more clinical studies are needed to establish.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 holds the responsibility of improving more than 60 different biological processes in the human body. In all those usual multivitamins, vitamin B6 is found, but you also can opt for supplementation as well.
The PLP enzyme breaks this Vitamin in the body, and research also has shown that in children with ASD, this PLP enzyme is not as effective. This particular enzyme is required for the proper production of dopamine, which helps in controlling the brain’s reward centers.
Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone that is responsible for regulating our sleep and wake cycle and naturally gets produced in the body. It has been seen that often children with ASD have difficulties with sleep, and that is why it is used for treating insomnia or any other sleeping difficulty.
A number of studies have found a relationship between low levels of melatonin and the severity of ASD in children. In children with ASD, melatonin supplements can drastically improve sleep duration and sleep quality.
Omega 3 Fish Oil
In seafood, two types of Omega 3s are found, and the third type of Omega 3 is found in plant oils. A number of studies have found that when compared to a control group, children with ASD usually have lower Omega 3 fatty acids levels in their systems.
Fish oil is the best supplement for Omega 3 fatty acids. However, there is really limited evidence supporting the benefits of using omega 3 fatty acids in improving the behavior and core symptoms of ASD in children.
Vitamin C
Now, Vitamin C not only helps our body to fight diseases and outside objects vitamin C also supports the production of neurotransmitters. This is the chemical that helps your cells to communicate with each other.
Vitamin C also protects the body from free radicals. Some children with ASD might show vitamin C deficiency. Children with ASD often have difficulty fighting off free radicals in their bodies. This eventually causes an imbalance in the body.
With Vitamin C supplementation, you may be able to see a significant reduction in stereotypical behaviors.
To Conclude
When you are choosing vitamin supplements for your autistic child, it is always advised to opt for the best ones and consult your doctors before giving your child any type of supplementation. Remember, supplements need to be added with proper dietary nutrition and are not a replacement for that.
