VITAMIN D AND AUTISM

In an earlier issue, the hypothesis advanced by Dr. John Cannell regarding a possible connection between vitamin D deficiency and autism was presented. Thanks to one of the readers of this Newsletter, I was alerted to an interesting commentary by Dr. Cannell on this subject in the form a record of email exchanges with the mother of an autistic child. This exchange discusses the improvement in the child’s autistic symptoms with vitamin D supplementation. There is also an interesting discussion of genetic polymorphisms.

But of even more interest, it would appear, is the point Dr. Cannell makes concerning the adverse influence on the benefits from vitamin D caused by vitamin A. In his advice to the mother, he makes a very strong point that all supplemental vitamin A including cod liver oil and vitamin A from multivitamin preparations must be eliminated if her son is to get maximum benefit from vitamin D therapy. He provides five references to back up this assertion, and it appears to be a significant and perhaps generally unrecognized issue. As a substitute, he recommends colored fruits and vegetables. When the exchange of emails ends, the dose which started at 5000 IU/day had been reduced to 2000 IU/day which appears to be the maintenance dose Cannell favours.

The boy continued to show improvement in a number of areas including speech and various activities. His mother was also prompted by this experience to recall seasonal variations in behavior which correspond to seasonal variations in vitamin D status in the absence of supplements or intentional UV exposure. This exchange of emails should be of considerable interest to any parent of an autistic child.

Hopefully Dr. Cannell’s article in Medical Hypotheses will stimulate research into this interesting aspect of vitamin D.

Your Health and Mine