Autism - Vitamins and Diet

B6/Mag Vitamin B6 (must be given with magnesium) was found to be helpful in almost half of all autistic children. Giving 8 mg of magnesium per pound of body weight, up to 400 mg per day for children and adults enhances the effects of the B6 and protects against possible B6-induced magnesium deficiency. This is not a megadose of magnesium, but rather the amount that many researchers, including Bernard Rimland, believe that everyone should take for optimum health. Almost every type of food processing depletes magnesium, so supplemental magnesium is essential to avoid a deficiency.

Calcium Apart from being a major constituent of bones and teeth, calcium is crucial for nerve conduction, muscle contraction, heartbeat, blood coagulation, and the production of energy and maintenance of immune function. Any child on the GFCF Diet NEEDS calcium. The RDA is as follows: Under 6 Months = 400mg; 6-12 Months = 600mg; 1-10 Years = 800mg; 11-24 Years = 1200mg; Over 24 Years = 800mg. BrainChild Nutritionals carries liquid calcium.

Chelation Chelation is the removal of heavy metals. A lot has been said lately of the toxic burden our kids may have with high levels of metals, most notably mercury. Check out http://tlredwood.home.mindspring.com/ www.geocities.com/autism_mercury or www.fda.gov/cder/fdama/mercury300.htm or www.garynull.com/documents/autism_2000.htm as well as past ARN Newsletter Number 4. for more detailed information. The 85 page "Autism: A Unique Form of Mercury Poisoning" study that was presented in Congress this year can be found on www.cureautismnow.org

Colostrum Kirkman Labs produces a product called Colostrum Gold which is a GFCF liquid. Colostrum has shown to help significantly with intestinal permeability and irritable bowel syndrome. This intestinal permeability or "leaky gut" is primarily caused by bad bacteria, overuse of antibiotics, yeast’s (candida) and other toxins. Ask for their hypoallergenic formulas.

DMG-Dimethylglycine the best suppliers of DMG provide it in tablets of 125mg each, wrapped in foil that are pure DMG. Determining right dosage really depends on trial and error experimentation. One-half to 4 tablets per day is the dosage range for small children. This is not a drug, it is a naturally occurring foodstuff. See also TMG below.

Folic Acid Folic acid itself has been reported to be helpful in autism (ARRI 8/4). A French researcher reported that supplements of about 250 mcg of folic acid per pound of body weight per day brought on major improvement in several autistic children. Folic Acid is thought to calm down hyperactivity from other supplements, particularly DMG & TMG.

Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF) A diet free of all casein (dairy) and gluten (wheat/oats/rye/barley) has been very beneficial to a great percentage of autistic spectrum children. www.GFCFDiet.com also, read Lisa Lewis' Special Diets for Special Kids. See The Autism Network for Dietary Intervention for their newsletter.

Ketogenic Diet John Hopkins University Hospital has been using the ketogenic diet to treat epilepsy for decades. Dr. John Freeman reports that about 70 percent of children, including those with very difficult to control seizure disorders, sometimes accompanied by mental retardation and other neurological injury, show considerable improvements. The diet is a high fat, low protein and carbohydrate diet. Foods and liquids are calculated based on the child's weight, age and activity level. Computer programs that make meal planning easier have recently been developed and provide for more variety in a child's diet. Ketogenic.org

Lactobacillus Acidophilus to improve gut flora, known as good bacteria. Culturelle is a widely used product in autism but is cultured on whey. Those highly sensitive to casein may want to chose another probiotic. Vitamin Research Products carries Culturelle as well as a full line of other supplements (800) 877-2447 Kirkman Labs carries Acidophilus Plus. Primal Defense and Flora Source are qualified supplements too.

Multi-vitamins made specifically for ASD
Spectrum Support 1, 2 and 3 Spectrum Support 1, 2 or 3 were specially formulated for the ASD population. See www.brainchildnutritionals.com for ingredients, pricing and dosing information. GFCF, NO egg, yeast, soy, corn, sugar, color, artificial flavor or sweeteners.

Super Nu Thera Super Nu Thera 500, is available from Kirkman Labs. The company sells the Super Nu Thera formula as a strawberry flavored liquid and a flavored power and as unflavored tablets. All three products contain, in addition to the B6 and magnesium, 20 other nutrients designed to enhance the effectiveness of the B6. Only one kind contains the non-palmitate form of Vitamin A. Ask specifically. Call for a sample 1-888-KIRKMAN; fax: (503) 682-0838. Hypo-allergenic versions are now available.

Secretin Secretin is a polypeptide hormone. Porcine Secretin is made from a pig. Numerous FDA approved trials are underway in the US now that may determine Secretin as a treatment for autism for some. Secretin has been used safely for 30+ years in diagnosing pancreatic insufficiency. Also read Victoria Beck's Secretin Book, see page 40 for details. If any one tells you Secretin is harmful or has killed someone, PLEASE ask them to show you the proof, because it is not true. Porcine is still available in the form of Gaspretin and Secrepan from Pharmaworld.com Synthetic Porcine will be available in 2001 from Repligen Corporation.

SerenAid Jon Pangborn created a digestive enzyme targeted at peptides found in autistic spectrum children. Also known as DPPiV, SerenAid is to be taken just before food is eaten. Early feedback tells us kids on GFCF Diet do well with SerenAid for diet challenges whereas non-diet kids do better with the treatment protocol of one enzyme at the beginning of every meal. See also EnzymeAID from Kirkman Labs

Sulfur/MSM Methylsulfonylmethane. Can be bought at a health food store. Try Epsom salts baths too, 2 cups per bath. If aggression occurs, check the amount of calcium your child is getting as the RDA is 1000mg per day of calcium.

Sphingolin Myelin Basic Protein from bovine spinal cord with 30 mg of Vitamin C. Be careful which brands you buy as only a few are made from New Zealand's Mad Cow-free cows. Ecological Formulas is a safe brand. Should not be given with IV Secretin.

TMG - TriMethylGlycene donates one methyl group (it has 3 while DMG has 2) that reduces harmful homocysteins and increases beneficial serotonin by stimulating the production of a precursor called SAMe. The remaining two methyl are DMG. The formula is 250 mg of TMG will result in 125 mg of DMG. Benefits include increased speech production and improved behavior. If hyperactivity occurs, supplement with 800-1600mcg folic acid. Only give in morning. Kirkman Labs makes a nice tasting liquid.

Vit A/CLO Dr. Mary Megson's study and protocol used Vitamin A/Cod Liver Oil but it was NOT off-the-shelf CLO, as most is spiked and is a palmitate form of Vitamin A. Her study used non-palmitate, non spiked compounded CLO. You can buy this now from Kirkman Labs. Megson's study said that many autistic children would benefit from CLO for vision and other issues. Please see the ARI website for more information.

Vitamin C 8,000 mg per day of vitamin C to adolescent and adult autistic persons brought about significant improvement (ARRI 6/1). If vitamin C is used in large amounts, most experts suggest that buffered vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) should be used rather than ascorbic acid, since the acid form may be too acidic in multi-gram doses. Sodium ascorbate powder (1 level tsp. equals 4 grams) may be purchased inexpensively by the pound or the kilogram from the Wholesale Nutrition Company (1-800-325-2664) or from Bronson (1-800-610-4848).

Kirkman's new 178-page Guide to Intestinal Health in Autism Spectrum Disorder. It is a comprehensive review of intestinal health issues in Autism Spectrum Disorders and the options available for treating them. Special section on enzymes and probiotic including the new enzyme-Complete with DPP-IV. Written by Drs. Brudnak, Hoener, Pangborn, Larry Newman and Ilene Buchholz.

Vitamins & Diet