The Role of Vitamin D3 in Autism

The sunshine vitamin D may help alleviate symptoms of autism when taken during pregnancy and when given to children . . . 

We know that autism is more frequent when there is a history of autism in the family and in families with certain risk factors and genetic vulnerabilities. It is now becoming clear that environmental factors (exposure to toxins and lack of key nutrients) can also trigger autism in those who present these vulnerabilities.

The study "Core symptoms of autism improved after vitamin D supplementation" found that vitamin D3 (cholecaliferol) seems to play a role in the cause of autism. The study’s authors suggest that vitamin D is important for brain development and that higher levels may reduce the risk of autism. The study reports that a 32-month old boy with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) and vitamin D3 deficiency, who, after being given adequate vitamin D3, showed significant improvements in his symptoms.  

In yet another study, "Vitamin D in fetal development: findings from a birth cohort study" it was found that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy resulted in neurodevelopmental delays seen at age 10. 
 
Nearly all of us are deficient in vitamin D – few if any of us have optimal levels – mainly because the only way to make enough in the body is to be exposed to a lot of direct sunlight (without sunscreen). If there was one vitamin that I would recommend to almost everyone it would be vitamin D3! 

​If you are pregnant - you simply MUST take enough vitamin D3 (4000 to 5000 IU daily).
 
In a previous blog on my Integrative Pediatrics site I've gone more in depth on how much vitamin D you should take to reach the optimum level of 50-80 ng/ml. I recommend that everyone should get their vitamin D level checked (blood test) and if deficient begin supplementation. 

• Supplementation for adults with a vitamin D deficiency should take 5000 IU of vitamin D3 daily, or 30,000 IU weekly for six to 12 months and then have your level checked again
• If you are pregnant, you should still take 4,000 to 5,000 IU daily
• Newborns should start taking 1000 IU daily as soon as breast feeding is well established (around age two weeks).
• For teenagers and adults, studies have found you can give a onetime loading dose of up to 300,000 IU 

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and it promotes bone growth. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to several maladies like cancer of the breast, colon and prostate, heart disease, weight gain and depression.