Research: Pilot Study of a Moderate Dose Multivitamin/Mineral Supplement for Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

This article shows that sleep and digestion improved significantly when children with autism took a multivitamin supplement containing vitamins B6 and C, among other vitamins and minerals.

Two common alternative therapies for autism are supplementation with vitamins B6 and C. This article tests the scientific basis for these alternative therapies. Interestingly, the authors report that 20 children with autism (3-8 years old) had B6 levels higher than those of controls, but that these same children had vitamin C levels lower than those of controls. They suggest that the high levels of B6 support previous evidence showing that children with autism have a less active version of the enzyme used to break down B6 into its active form, PLP. Therefore, in these children, more vitamin B6 is left unused. In a well-controlled, double-blind study, 11 children took a liquid multivitamin containing vitamins B6, C, and other nutrients (Spectrum Support II and III from BrainChild Nutritionals), gradually increasing the dose to 1mL/5 pounds body weight three times a day with food. Nine other children took placebo. The parents of the children did not know whether their child received the supplement or placebo. After three months, these parents rated the improvement of their children in sleep patterns and digestive symptoms. Parents with children who took the supplement rated their children as significantly better in these areas than the parents of children who were taking placebo.