Vitamin D significantly improves autism symptoms in children

A study published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry found that supplementing with vitamin D can significantly improve the symptoms of autism in children.

• For the study, researchers from Egypt recruited 109 children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which is a common developmental disorder characterized by pervasive deficits in social interaction, impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication, and stereotyped patterns of interests and activities.
• Previous research has shown that autistic children lack vitamin D.
• The researchers randomly assigned the participants to receive either 300 international units (IU) per kilogram of vitamin D3 or a placebo every day for a period of four months.
• They also measured the vitamin D levels of the participants at the start and at the end of the study.
• In addition, they assessed the autism severity and social maturity of the children using various methods.
• The results showed that supplementation with vitamin D significantly improved autism symptoms of the children.
• In addition, vitamin D supplementation was well tolerated by the children.

In conclusion, the findings suggested that vitamin D may be used as a safe and effective supplement to improve the signs and symptoms of autism in children.

To learn more about the health benefits of vitamin D, go to VitaminD.news.

Journal Reference:

Saad K et al. RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL OF VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTATION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry. 21 November 2016; 59(1): 20-29. DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.12652