Treating Autism with Vitamin C
Ascorbic Acid Supplements for Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Those who are deficient in vitamin C suffer from confusion and depression, conditions also suffered by those with autism and a variety of other disorders. Such parallels caused many researchers to become interested in exploring the potential of vitamin C in treating various conditions.
Autism Studies
A 1991 study of autistic adults and adolescents found that a dose of 8,000 mg of Vitamin C a day brought about significant improvement. Another study carried out in 1993 that aimed to discover whether vitamin C could be beneficial for those with autism found that while vitamin C was not as effective as vitamin B6, a high dose could produce favorable results. These findings were confirmed in a 2004 study of autistic children which found reduced gastrointestinal problems and significantly improved sleep in the vitamin C group.
While these results are encouraging, it should be noted that the subject pools were quite small and more research is required to confirm these findings. However, given that vitamin C is relatively safe and provides additional benefits as a result of its antioxidant properties, supplementation may be worthwhile.
Parent Ratings
Of 201 parent ratings of vitamin C provided to the Autism Research Institute, 46% reported improvements using the supplement, 51% saw no change and 2% said that their children grew worse.
How it Works
There are several theories regarding vitamin C’s benefits for those with autistic spectrum disorders. The first is that children with autism are deficient in vitamin C. This theory was supported by a study which found lower levels of vitamin C in children with autism.
Another theory is that vitamin C’s benefits are due to its effects on the brain’s response to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Vitamin C supplementation has a calming effect on people and reduces stereotyped behaviour among animals. Stereotyped behaviour is a symptom of autistic spectrum disorders among humans.
A third theory regarding vitamin C’s effects focuses on the benefits of its antioxidant properties. Some researchers believe that those with autism have more difficulty in managing free radicals. Free radicals can damage the immune system, the brain and other areas of the body. As an antioxidant, vitamin C provides some protection against the effects of free radicals.
It is likely that all three beneficial effects of vitamin C play a role in mitigating some of the problematic symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders.
Safety
Water soluble vitamin C can be taken in relatively high doses without serious side effects. However, it can act as a laxative in high doses, which could lead to dehydration. Tolerance to vitamin C varies from one person to the next, and there may be other medical problems to take into account for certain individuals, so a family physician or pediatrician should be consulted to establish the ideal dose.
Additional Benefits
As well as helping the immune system fight off colds and flus more rapidly, vitamin C has a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions, ranging from schizophrenia to depression. Because many of those with autism also suffer from depression, vitamin C supplementation is useful even if it provides no direct benefits in the reduction of autistic symptoms. The ability of high doses of vitamin C to improve the social functioning of those with schizophrenia is also of interest because although the two conditions are quite different from one another, autists also suffer from deficits in social functioning.
Consult a Physician
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you are interested in using vitamin and mineral supplements to treat autism, depression or other conditions, you should consult your family physician.
Further Reading
For parent ratings of other medications and supplements for autism, see the Autism Research Institute’s Parent Ratings of Behavioural Effects of Biomedical Interventions. For more information on nutritional supplements for autism, see Treating Autism with Vitamin B9 and Vitamin A & Urocholine for Autism.
References:
- Autism Canada Foundation. (2007). “Nutritional – Vitamin C.” AutismCanada.org.
- Autism Research Institute. (1998). “Vitamin C in the Prevention and Treatment of Autism.” Autism Research Review International, Vol. 12, No. 2, page 3.
- The National Autistic Society. (2008). “Diet and Vitamins: Therapeutic Approaches.” Autism.org.uk.
- Rimland, B., PhD. (1997). “What is the right 'dosage' for Vitamin B6, DMG, and other nutrients useful in autism?” Autism Research Institute, AutismWebsite.com.
