Autism Therapy: vitamin therapy

definition of vitamin therapy: Type of therapy that involves taking vitamins as nutritional supplements in order to improve health. Some vitamins are believed to help reduce autism symptoms. Different vitamins may be used for different people, depending on their situation.

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Complementary Alternative Medicine for Children with Autism: A Physician Survey
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Golnik, AE, and Ireland M., published in 2009, summarized Jan 8, 2010

Some physicians may recommend complementary alternative medicine (CAM) therapies for children with autism.

A survey was offered to 3,100 pediatricians and family medicine practitioners, and about 1 out of 5 responded to the survey (539 physicians). The survey showed that 49% of the doctors encouraged multi-vitamin therapy for children with autism. And 19 to 25% of them encouraged essential fatty acids (EFAs), melatonin, and probiotics as therapy for autism. Physicians discouraged parents from using some therapies. Therapies that were discouraged include chelation (61%), anti-infection treatments (57%), and secretin (43%). Many of the doctors (76%) also urged immunizations according to the recommended schedule. The authors said that doctors may want to ask families about therapies that families might be using, even if the parents do not bring up the topic.


Commentary: Potential Neurobiologic Mechanisms through which Metabolic Disorders Could Relate to Autism
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Johnston, MV, published in 2000, summarized Oct 21, 2009

Scientists are beginning to understand how some gene defects and metabolic problems can lead to autism symptoms.

Metabolic problems are defects in specific proteins or enzymes that make energy from food in the body. The author describes how these defects may cause brain problems in two ways. One way of causing problems is by changing specific steps of normal functions as the brain does its job every moment of every day. The second way of causing problems is by changing brain development, causing lifelong changes in how the brain works. The first type of problem may be quickly fixed with a metabolic therapy such as diet or vitamin therapy. The second type of problem may be difficult to correct if the stage of development has already passed and the brain is mature.


Metabolic Approaches to the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, by Page, T., published in 2000, summarized Oct 20, 2009

Diet and vitamin therapy may help people who have metabolic problems and autism symptoms.

Metabolism is the way your body breaks down foods to make energy. Some people with autism have metabolic problems or disorders. They may lack certain proteins or enzymes that are important parts of the metabolism machinery. This article discussed some examples of metabolic syndromes such as phenylketonuria, histidinemia, and adenylosuccinate lyase deficiency. Diet therapy can be very helpful for people with metabolic syndromes, and a specific diet may be tailored to the specific metabolic problem. Vitamin therapy, including pyroxidine (vitamin B6) therapy, may also be helpful for some metabolic disorders.


The Role of Vitamins and Minerals in Psychiatry
Integrative Medicine Insights, by Cornish, S., and Mehl_Madrona L., published in 2008, summarized Jun 4, 2009

Vitamin B6 and magnesium therapy may help some children with autism.

In one older study, 42% of children with autism had low levels of vitamin B6. These results prompted doctors to try vitamin B6 therapy for patients with autism. Parents of some children with autism reported improvements in behavior with vitamin B6 treatment alone. Some children also showed improvement after combined treatment with vitamin B6 and magnesium. A recent large study (Rimland and Edelson) of 5,780 autistic children and adults reported clinical improvement in 47% of the patients who received combined vitamin B6 and magnesium therapy.


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Is Your Child with Autism Getting Enough "Brain Food"?

Sep 24, 2009

Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleau, a doctor of naturopathic medicine in Canada, has written about the importance of "brain food" for all children, and most recently those with autism and other learning disorders. She calls the brain the "hungriest organ" in the body and stresses that breakfast along with essential fatty acids, like omega-3, are important for learning and concentration. She is finding that kids who do not get enough protein and iron in their foods may have problems with distraction and hyperactivity (ADHD). Dr. Rheaume-Bleau thinks that the most important supplements are found in the foods we eat, but that sometimes, vitamin supplements may be necessary.

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Methyl-B12 May Be a Good Vitamin for Children with Autism

Apr 23, 2009

Dr. Jon Ahrendsen at the Wright Medical Center in Iowa has begun using Methyl-B12 as a supplement for children with autism. He learned about this vitamin therapy from Jodie Harker, parent of a patient with autism. She had heard about a New Jersey physician, Dr. James Neubrander, who is considered the "father" of Methyl-B12. Neubrander discovered that this vitamin may help with a defect of an enzyme that children with autism might have. Ahrendsen has used Methyl-B12 injections in 6-8 weeks trials and his patients' autism symptoms have improved. Harker says, "We were, and continue to be, amazed at the results and steady progress Chance is making. The Methyl-B12 treatment brought our son back."

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Mother Gives Every Therapy a Chance in Fight Against Autism

Feb 12, 2008

Jennifer Blaton of Shreveport, LA, like a lot of parents, will stop at nothing to help her daughter with autism. At the foundation of her daughter's treatment is a gluten- and casein-free diet; this appears to have made the biggest different in Darbee's integration. In addition, Blaton gives her daughter vitamin supplements including B12 and magnesium sulfate cream. Her daughter receives regular testing for the presence of heavy metals in her body as well as monthly intravenous chelation treatments. While Darbee is non-verbal, she makes straight As in school.

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Autism Treatments Tailored for Each Child

Jan 17, 2008

Defeat Autism Now (DAN) is a model that encompasses alternative therapies for children with autism. Drs. Buckley and Kartzinel of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, tailor treatment based on a child's individual history. Therapies include: wheat free and dairy free diets, vitamin supplements, and in some cases chelation.

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    • Synonyms for vitamin therapy include: vitamin supplement, vitamin supplements
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