Child health: how to treat autism with a nutritional perspective

I.Definition

A nutritional supplement is also known as a food supplement, it is defined as a form of food supplement that is prepared with the intention of providing nutrients to people who, for whatever reason, are deficient in nutritional supplements, such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, fatty acids, amino acids, etc. Many countries define nutritional supplements as food, while in others they are defined as medicines.

II. Types of nutritional supplements and how they help treat autism

A.Vitamins

a) Vitamin A

Vitamin A helps prevent the formation of free radicals and improves immune function. It is an important vitamin, because most children with autism have a weakened immune system. Vitamin A is said to help boost immune memory and improve eye contact and behavior in children with autism, when taken with vitamin D.

b) Vitamin B complex

The vitamin B complex is a vitamin from the family, which includes thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), folic acid (B9), cyanocobalamin (B12) and hill. They work together to enhance each other’s function, therefore a deficiency in one B vitamin can reduce the effectiveness of the others. The vitamin B complex helps improve the function of the nervous system and glands by creating enzymes necessary for the brain.

i) vitamin B1

In addition to helping the proper functioning of the heart, it also helps improve the function of brain cells and the central nervous system in the transmission of information. Study shows that B1 vitamins help improve test scores for children with autism. It can be found in leafy green vegetables, including spinach and peas.

ii) Vitamin B2

In addition to being important in helping to build healthy DNA, it also helps improve mental function and manage stress by increasing the production of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, which is a rare genetic defect in some children with autism.

iii) vitamin B3

In addition to being important for the metabolism of energy production, it also helps to increase cerebral blood flow, thus decreasing the risks of nervous symptoms such as emotional problems, irritability, memory loss, etc.

iv) Vitamin B6

Vitamin B6 is said to decrease behavior problems, improve eye contact and attention span, and the learning ability of children with autism, when combined with magnesium.

v) Folic acid

Folic acid, also known as vitamin B9, is vital for maintaining a healthy brain, cell production, and DNA replication. Most children with autism are found to be deficient in folic acid, leading to neurological problems such as slow thinking, depression, memory loss, and digestive disorders.

(vi) Vitamin B12

In addition to helping to improve the absorption of all essential nutrients in the body, it also improves the proper function of the nervous system and the brain so that they work as they should, thus decreasing the risks of nervous symptoms, including developmental regression, memory problems , slow thinking. , anxiety and depression.

c) Vitamin C

In addition to being best known for its antioxidant in fighting the formation of free radicals and bacteria and viruses, it is also crucial for brain function. Some studies show that vitamin C helps to eliminate toxins from our body as well as heavy metals accumulated in the brain. In some studies, vitamin C increases IQ scores in normal and Down syndrome children and decreases confusion and depression in children with autism.

d) vitamin E

The study shows that vitamin E helps improve verbal speech in children with autism, if taken together with Omega 3 fatty acid.

B.Minerals

a) magnesium

Magnesium is vital for the proper functioning of brain and muscle cells. The study shows that magnesium has significant positive effects on the behavior of children with autism when taken together with vitamin B6. Magnesium can be found abundantly in green vegetables, seeds, nuts, and whole grains.

b) zinc picolinate

Zinc is not only important for reducing elevated levels of other minerals such as copper, but it also helps improve the function of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, thus decreasing the risk of nervous tension and increasing the digestive system in absorption. of vital vitamins and minerals.

c) Calcium

It is also a very important mineral for strong bones, it also plays an important role in neurological function in the transmission of messages. Calcium deficiency causes nervous tension, resulting in unpleasant dispositions, tantrums, muscle twitching and spasms, restlessness, and insomnia.

d) selenium

Selenium is also one of the essential enzymes, which prevents the formation of free radicals in brain cells, it is also vital for the production of glutathione, which helps remove toxic metals and other harmful man-made chemicals from our bodies. .

e) Sulfates

Most children with autism have little or no ability to convert the compounds to sulfate, leading to the body’s inability to protect itself against environmental chemicals and some chemicals produced within the body, leading to nervous tension as a result of the environmental toxins accumulated in some parts of the body. body.

g) iodine

Iodine is vital to regulate the normal functioning of the thyroid gland and prevent mental retardation. Most children with autism are found to be iodine deficient, leading to behavioral problems.

i) potassium

Some children with autism may experience low muscle tone as a result of low potassium levels in the body or the body’s inability to absorb potassium due to low magnesium levels.

C.Other accessories

a) Taurine

Taurine is an amino acid that not only helps calm the brain and inhibits nerve cell excitation, but also helps block the excitotoxic effects of glutamate and aspartate, reducing the risk of extreme hyperactivity and regression.

b) Glutamine

It is a precursor to the antioxidant glutathione. In addition to helping prevent excessive oxidation of cells, thus decreasing the risk of abnormal information transmission from brain cells due to damaged cell membranes, it also improves digestive enzyme and probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract, thus restoring the integrity of the system. digestive.

c) glutathione

Glutathione is found in the liver, it helps the liver to detoxify many harmful compounds through the secretion of bile. In addition to helping protect our body against oxygen oxidation of cells and increasing neurological function, it also replenishes the gastrointestinal tract.

d) Carosine

Carosine is said to help improve neurological function, including behavior, language, eye contact, and speech. Studies show that carosine intake helps improve brain control of emotions, seizure activity, cognitive and expressive speech, and abstract thinking in some children with autism.

e) Melatonin

Melatonin is a type of hormone that is produced by our brains to help us fall asleep and is often used as a medicine to help children sleep. Since most children with autism have behavioral problems, including sleep disturbances, melatonin enhances the combination of better sleep, better control of biological rhythms, and a high antioxidant effect. No matter how good it is, it is still a type of hormone, check with the children’s doctors before applying.

f) DMSA

DMSA is an oral chelating agent that helps remove mercury and other metals from the body, including toxic heavy metals in the brain, improving social reciprocity in children with autism.

g) Coenzyme Q 10

Coenzyme Q 10 is also important for maintaining a healthy immune system, it also helps improve neurological functions by bringing more oxygen to the brain and central nervous system, increasing energy as a result of the ATP energy cycle and improving mental state. mind alert.

h) Essential Fatty Acids

Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids, in addition to helping to maintain the normal functioning of brain cells, and lowering cholesterol in the bloodstream. it also plays an important role in improving the attention span and improving the concentration of children with autism. Omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids can be found in cold-water fish, flax seed oil, olive oil, and nuts and seeds.