Vitamin D and Autism

[adhocisadirtyword]

I stumbled across this today as I've been perusing this site lately.

http://perfecthealthdiet.com/2010/08/th ... nd-autism/

It's an interesting hypothesis. We've been taking a lot of fermented cod liver oil lately, which doesn't elevate Vitamin D in the same way that a D3 supplement will. But I find I don't get sunburns anymore if I keep up with my cod liver oil, so I'm definitely getting enough. I can't say whether or not I've noticed much improvement in my autie-type behaviors because the moment we went paleo, I felt completely different even without the cod liver oil. But I did notice that Elliot started talking a lot more and started actually interacting with a few older kids more easily when we started the diet. Again - I can't say how much of it is specifically Vitamin D related though.

Not sure it is worth it to overdose on Vitamin D3, but it might be worth it to try eating more fish or taking cod liver oil and getting more sunlight.

[goddessoflubbock]

Most of us have become deficient in vit d bc of the great job we do avoiding the sun! I was taking lg doses of d3 and began to think it related to my kidney stones. I've stopping taking it and now get 20 mins of plain old sunshine every day.

It was a few years back on another forum some guy was stalking me trying to sell me his supplements. Since that time it seems every ill from obesity to autism has been connected by somebody to vit d.

[adhocisadirtyword]

I think a lot of it is about diet. Sunshine can only convert the vitamin D someone has been eating. So we should be eating more Vitamin D rich resources AND getting sunshine.

I doubt that alone it could "cure" Autism (though "cure" depends on the perspective of the person discussing it), but I have seen improvements in Elliot since just going paleo - like talking for example. There's something about nutrition that can be a factor for some people. Maybe even a lot of people. Going paleo, however, has gotten us to eat more fish. Hard to say where one ends and the other begins.

When I was on a gluten free diet before I didn't feel much better. But going grain-free has made all the difference. Again, is that the extra nutrition from my diet, or better intake of just some fat soluble vitamins like Vitamin D? Don't know. I was eating lot's of vegetables before, but doubt I was getting much from them in terms of micronutrients.

[Civet]

I've been on D3 supplements for several months, my immunologist had me tested and like most females in the Northeast US I am Vitamin D deficient. It's just harder to get sunlight with the winter months up here. I also tend to avoid the sun or apply a lot of sunblock as a typically burn quite easily. I went on it not long after I started taking antidepressants so it's hard to say what has been what, but I think the most notable difference I've experienced that is less likely to be linked to the antidepressants is much more bearable periods. Less crippling lethargy and/or pain during that time of the month. My immunologist has me on them to boost immunity to illnesses and I think it may be helping in that regard as well as I've been sick less often than I normally would be.

Regarding cold liver oil, I tried taking omega-3 for some time awhile back for some skin issues and did not find any real improvements. I stopped taking it because it was also causing mild stomach upset. I personally eat a good deal of fish and really like seafood, as well. I have a young cousin who has ADHD symptoms (not sure if he is diagnosed or not) whose mother was started giving him cod liver oil, however, and it seemed to help his behavior quite a bit. Whether these supplements "cure" or "assuage" symptoms it's hard to say, I think if that's not the case it may just be that if you are missing nutrients and then start to get them overall you may start to feel better, which can in turn lead to better mood and behavior.

[adhocisadirtyword]

Omega 3 and Cod liver oil aren't really the same thing. The cod liver oil we take is high in Vitamin D and Vitamin A (in amounts which balance each other out well). Arctic Cod does have Omega 3 in it, but you get more bang for your buck in Omega 3 supplements made from Anchovies or Sardines. Regardless, I'd rather just eat a serving of salmon a week now to get the Omega 3 I need. I thought it was helping with my psoriasis when I was taking it, but I actually think it was making it worse due to the angiogenesis effect.

I don't think it will cure anything, but getting the extra nutrition definitely helps some things. If nothing else being able to enjoy sunlight more without burning and without needing sunscreen has significantly improved my mood. But I think it does keep you healthier too.

[renaeden]

I take Caltrate which is calcium with vitamin D added. I take it because being on Depo-Provera for so long decreased my bone density.

I read somewhere that vitamin D helps with heart regularity. And since I have been taking the Caltrate, I haven't been getting as many ectopic heartbeats as I used to.

Hasn't done anything for my autism though.

[Sophist]

Higher dose!

[adhocisadirtyword]

I've actually read recently that supplementing with calcium can cause bone loss (something about osteoblasts - I'll have to find the article).

Vitamin D is awesome though. I forget to take my cod liver oil from time to time, and totally feel it. Not in the Asperger's symptoms though, but in more physical ways like feeling more fatigued.

[Sophist]

I really wish vitamins were better regulated in the US. I'd definitely take them consistently if there were the guarantee that their levels of quality were equivalent to prescription medications. Alas, they are not.

[adhocisadirtyword]

Yeah ... I try to go for food sources (hence cod liver oil). I only supplement with biotin because it makes my hair awesome, small dose of zinc for stubborn acne, and nac which is the only thing that seems to help with my psoriasis.

[Sophist]

There are some research companies that produce research-quality vitamins/minerals which, if your doctor request a supply, you can get some.

[adhocisadirtyword]

There are some research companies that produce research-quality vitamins/minerals which, if your doctor request a supply, you can get some.

Interesting. Do you have some names for the companies? I'd like to look into it.

[Sophist]

I know I posted somewhere about them on my facebook. I'll have to try and find them, unless you want to sift through there as well.

[adhocisadirtyword]

I could look. That sounds familiar.

[goddessoflubbock]

Vit d is worthless without calcium. Your body can't make use of it.

I've added calcium rich foods to my diet and get at least 20 mins of sun per day. I truly believe high doses of vit d were causing my stones. We'll see who's crazy when I stop getting them I NEVER had a kidney stone until I started taking 14,000 IU a week :/

My mom used to make me sardine sandwiches every Saturday. Can't tolerate them now.