Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects people of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, childhood immunizations do not cause it. Instead, certain gene problems in families can increase a child’s chances of developing ASD.
Your child may require genetic testing to see whether another condition is to blame. ASD symptoms might mimic those of other medical problems.
Whatever the case may be, there’s a way to fight the symptoms of ASD. You might not be able to eradicate symptoms entirely, but you can always bring down its effects by providing your children with the correct nutritional support system.
This article will help you recognize some important nutrition plans that can help children with ASD cope better with their conditions.
Autism And The Problem With Nutrition
It is important to remember that autism is not the effect of malnutrition or a lack of proper diet. However, most of the time, children who have ASD, develop eating disorders. Due to this, they often face additional health problems and their symptoms can worsen even more.
According to research, food-related issues substantially influence many persons on the autistic spectrum. Poor eating habits can lead to various nutritional problems, contributing to attentional and behavioural issues.
Here are some of the ways that eating challenges might affect your kid, as well as possible solutions to the problem:
- Autistic people are prone to sensory overload and sensory defensiveness.
- They are easily agitated by particular sensory stimuli and avoid them.
- They may also be sensitive to strong odours and certain tactile sensations.
Some of your child’s more severe actions might be caused by gas, bloating, diarrhoea, or acid reflux. If you address the underlying issue and alleviate the pain, your child may find it much easier to focus, think clearly, control emotions, and behave appropriately. Diarrhoea, constipation, gas, or a firm belly are all symptoms of GI distress.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a way to relieve your child of such additional distress, maintaining a balanced diet and providing them with the right nutrients is extremely important.
Dietary Supplements For ASD
Dietary supplements from trusted brands create supplements that are easily digestible and aid the nervous system of children suffering from autism.
Given below are some of the most important nutrients that you should be looking for when buying supplements for your kid:
Omega-3 Fish Oil
With the right quantity of DHA from a specialised cod liver oil, gaze aversion is eradicated or decreased by 85%.
Even after a short period of supplementation, parents report improved socialising, speaking, bladder control, and sensory processing. It has also aided many youngsters with ADHD, dyslexia, and bipolar disorder.
NAC
Irritability affects 60 to 70% of autistic youngsters. The antioxidant N-Acetylcysteine, or NAC, decreased irritation and repeated behaviours in a study. However, before NAC may be suggested for autism, the findings must be verified in a bigger experiment.
According to Hardan, the difference is not as significant as that in youngsters receiving antipsychotic medicines. “However,” he adds, “this is still a potentially helpful tool to have before jumping on these large weapons.”
Vitamin D
ASD is thought to be caused by dysregulated neurotransmitter systems (oxytocinergic, serotonergic and dopaminergic systems), according to many lines of evidence. Neurotransmission, brain growth, cortical anatomy, and behaviour all rely on these systems.
Vitamin D-related neurotransmitters control learning, memory, and emotions. ASD is associated with a deficiency in the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA in the brain.
Oxytocin
Oxytocin is a hormone that governs interpersonal trust and moderates our reaction to dangers. The hormone is largely generated in the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that regulates fundamental body activities such as appetite and thirst. According to research, autistic youngsters have lower oxytocin levels in their blood than their non-autistic classmates.
Because oxytocin in the blood cannot penetrate the brain, its intake is administered by nasal spray. Children with autism with low oxytocin levels in their blood begin enhancing their social abilities following this therapy.
Wrapping It Up!
Vitamin B6, melatonin, sulforaphane, and magnesium are some additional nutrients that help in brain development and ASD control. Moreover, taking the right amount of fiber is also important to keep their guts clean.