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Autism and Dietary Supplements: Exploring Effective Options for Supporting Children with ASD

Article Summary:

  • Food selectivity in children with ASD often leads to nutritional deficiencies, which can further exacerbate their gastrointestinal and neurological health. 
  • Dietary supplements formulated for individuals with ASD aim to maintain optimal nutrient levels and support overall health. 
  • AuRx® is a specialized, hypoallergenic medical food containting butyric acid, uniquely formulated with proprietary nutrient delivery nanotechnology to enhance the absorption and effectiveness of the active nutrient.    

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) refers to a class of conditions associated with delayed development, repetitive/ stereotyped behavior, and impaired language communication, thereby affecting social interaction. Although the exact cause of ASD remains unknown, it is believed that several genetic, metabolic, neurologic, and immunologic factors contribute to the neurodevelopmental condition. 

In children, food selectivity and unusual eating patterns are often associated with ASD. Food selectivity can lead to inadequate nutrient intake, resulting in nutritional deficiencies that further aggravate the condition. Hence, both dietary supplements and medical foods are considered relatively safe and effective ways to fill nutritional gaps in the diets of children with ASD. 

Below, we discuss how both dietary supplements and AuRx®, a medical food developed by Tesseract Medical Research, provides nutritional support to children with ASD.        

How do Dietary Supplements Work for Autism Support? 

As stated above, dietary supplements play a supportive role in managing ASD by addressing nutritional deficiencies, promoting gut health, and supporting neurological function. These targeted interventions may complement other therapies to help improve overall quality of life and alleviate specific symptoms in children with ASD. 

Research has identified  deficiencies in vitamin D1 and omega-3 fatty acids2 among children with ASD. Supplementation with vitamin D3, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, probiotics, digestive enzymes, butyric acid, folinic acid, and sulforaphane may offer promising benefits, with varied success in alleviating ASD-related symptoms. 

The following table highlights how these dietary supplements can promote neurological and gastrointestinal health in children with ASD, providing clinical insights into their potential therapeutic roles.        

Key Dietary Ingredients & Supplement Nutrients for Autism Support
  • Vitamin D3:
    1. Vitamin D3 is critically involved in neurodevelopment, including neural cell proliferation, neurotransmission, immune function, and addressing oxidative stress.
    2. Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy and early childhood may significantly impact the developing brain, resulting in adverse neuropathologies, including ASD.
    3. Vitamin D supplementation helps maintain normal inflammatory responses in the brain.
  • Vitamin B12:
    1. Vitamin B12 plays a significant role in inhibiting the toxicity of nitrous oxide (N2O), an air pollutant considered to be a risk factor of ASD.
    2. Studies3 indicate that intramuscular B12 injections and oral folinic acid supplementation can counteract depleted plasma antioxidant concentrations in children with ASD.   
  • Omega-3 fatty acids:
    1. EPA and DHA are the two omega-3 fatty acids critical for brain structure and function. These omega-3 fatty acids are substrates for the production of lipid-based signaling molecules that are necessary for cellular communication and immune regulation. 
    2. Because reduced concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids have been observed in ASD children, supplementation might help alleviate ASD-related symptoms. 
  • Probiotics and digestive enzymes:
    1. The high prevalence of gastrointestinal disturbances in children with ASD indicates the role of the gut-brain axis in influencing both GI and neurological health.
    2. Dietary supplementation of probiotics and digestive enzymes helps restore normal gut microbiota and limits the production and absorption of toxins in the gut.
  • Butyric acid:
    1. The gut microbiomes of children with ASD differ significantly  from those of neurotypical children. A high acidic pH level in their stools indicates an imbalance in the microbiota that can lead to downstream adverse effects on the gastrointestinal and nervous systems through the gut-brain axis. 
    2. Butyric acid is an intracellular signaling molecule and immunoregulator. Studies4 indicate the beneficial role of butyric acid in gene expression in ASD. 
    3. Butyric acid supplementation can enhance gut health by upregulating the beneficial activity of white blood cells in the colon of children with ASD, thereby generating a more normal inflammatory response.
  • Folinic acid:
    1. Dysregulation of the circulating concentrations of homocysteine,an important intermediate in folate and vitamin B12 metabolism, is associated with ASD, reflecting potential impairments in methylation and detoxification pathways. Additionally, ASD is also accompanied by circulating low levels of key antioxidant, glutathione.
    2. Because folic acid is closely related to the metabolism of homocysteine and glutathione, disruptions in folate-related metabolism can increase the risk of ASD.
    3. Supplementation with folinic acid, the reduced form of folate, helps stabilize cerebrospinal fluid folate concentrations, which can improve the neurological symptoms associated with ASD.  
  • Sulforaphane:
    1. A phytonutrient derived from cruciferous vegetables, it is well tolerated, with no toxicity reported in children with ASD.
    2. Sulforaphane exerts beneficial effects against some of the potential causes of ASD, including oxidative stress, DNA damage, and adverse inflammatory responses. 

The efficacy of an autism dietary supplement depends on the bioavailability and absorption of its active nutrients. Before selecting the most suitable supplement for ASD, it is important to consider the active nutrients and delivery system used in the formulation.   

AuRx® — A Butyric Acid Medical Food for Autism Spectrum Disorder 

AuRx® is a gold-standard medical food for ASD, featuring a stabilized butyric acid complex delivered in a palatable powder that is easily blended with foods like applesauce to ensure patient compliance. This hypoallergenic medical food counteracts the gut-brain nutrient imbalance, which may help alleviate the behavioral changes, language impairment, and irritability common in children with ASD. AuRx’s proprietary CyLoc® – DexKey® nutrient delivery nanotechnology enables targeted delivery of its butyric acid molecules at the desired point in the intestinal tract for unprecedented absorption. However, it is important to remember to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating changes to an ASD management plan.

AuRx® is butyric acid supplementation reimagined, making it possible to address a specific nutritional requirement in children with ASD.     

The power of Tesseract supplements lies in enhancing palatability, maximizing absorption and bioavailability, and micro-dosing multiple nutrients in a single, highly effective capsule. Shop products on our website and learn more about how they can support your neurological health.*

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Citations:

1Siracusano M, et al. Vitamin D deficiency and autism spectrum disorder. Current pharmaceutical design vol. 26,21 (2020): 2460-2474. doi:10.2174/1381612826666200415174311

2Posar A, Visconti P. Omega-3 supplementation in autism spectrum disorders: A still open question? Journal of pediatric neurosciences vol. 11,3 (2016): 225-227. doi:10.4103/1817-1745.193363

3Rossignol DA, Frye RE. The effectiveness of cobalamin (B12) treatment for autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of personalized medicine vol. 11,8 784. 11 Aug. 2021, doi:10.3390/jpm11080784

4Frye RE, et al. Gastrointestinal dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder: the role of the mitochondria and the enteric microbiome. Microbial ecology in health and disease vol. 26 27458. 7 May. 2015, doi:10.3402/mehd.v26.27458

Al Czap, Founder | Tesseract

Al Czap has more than four decades of professional experience in preventative medicine. He founded Thorne Research in 1984 (sold in 2010) and he published Alternative Medicine Review for 17 years beginning in 1996. AMR was a highly acclaimed, peer-reviewed, and indexed medical journal. Al was the first to recognize the need for hypoallergenic ingredients and to devise methods of manufacture for and delivery of hypoallergenic products to underserved patient populations. His work has greatly impacted those with impaired immune and digestive systems and compromised health due to environmental exposures.

The advanced formulations based on our revolutionary, patented, and patent-pending technology are only available through Tesseract. No other medical, pharmaceutical, or supplement company is licensed to utilize our proprietary technology.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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