When kids with autism have behavioral problems, lack of concentration, anxiety, or sleep issues, many medical and educational professionals recommend medication and supplements. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that involves hindrance in the development of many basic skills and functions, including social and communication abilities.
Research suggests that genes along with influences from the environment might act together to affect a child’s development in a way that brings about autism spectrum disorder. Starting from infancy, this condition can last lifelong.
Alternative Treatment for ASD
It is a challenge to treat autism as there is no permanent cure for this disorder. But intensive treatments at the early stage can make a big difference. The treatment aims at addressing the core disabilities of the child and helps improve those conditions. Thus assists the child to function better by reducing symptoms and supporting developmental learning.
Many autism researchers believe that brain function and guts have an interrelated link. Studies show that what happens in the gut microbiome may affect brain function too. Intake of probiotics for autism has proven beneficial in many such cases. According to autismparentingmagazine, they are referred to as the “Gut-Brain Axis” determining how your brain will function based on how your gut is functioning.
Dietary supplements like Multivitamins, Magnesium, Zinc also have a promising effect on autism. Experts claim that there are several foods that can effectively help in treating autistic children, as well as adults. Here are some scientifically proven beneficial approaches to autism.
Benefits of Probiotics and Gut Health
Probiotics are live bacteria living on and inside our body and are termed as the “Forgotten Organ”. They have been at the cutting edge of research for guts as well as the health of the whole body. Probiotics are involved in a number of areas of our well-being including brain health and balancing hormones. They help in breaking down different fatty acids, lower cholesterol, solve digestive disorders, improve intestinal health, help in mental conditions, enhance immunity, and regulate hormones.
Extensive studies provided researchers with proofs that link autism with gastrointestinal (GI) distress, changes in brain function, immune dysfunction, inattentiveness, and some serious repetitive behaviors. Supplements are important especially for children as their diets can be quite limited. Prescription probiotics affect autistic behavior in teens as well. In addition to the probiotic, a healthier lifestyle and daily light exercises play a major role in this.
Kids who have autism lack particular probiotics in their system. Studies have proved the impact of probiotics in many mental health disorders like anxiety, psychiatric disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, and depression. A good healthy gut makes sure of good probiotics in the system. This gut-brain axis is a measure of brain health based on gut health.
Are There Any Severe Side Effects of Probiotic Intake?
Studies show that the role of probiotics in maintaining a healthy microbiome in the system is vital and has more benefits than side effects. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to treat particular diseases with meds. They either slow down the growth of bacteria or destroy them by messing up with the immune system.
Overprescription of antibiotics might eradicate the whole microbiome from the system resulting in poor health. Whereas, probiotics assist in restoring the microbiome and maintain healthy bacteria in the system.
Treating autism with probiotics have shown improved results over the past years of research. Probiotics help to treat autoimmune conditions and depressed immune systems. These conditions occur when the body becomes prone to viral attack of the flu and loses the power to fight the diseases. Probiotics help to boost the immune system and maintain a healthy balance.
Probiotics also help in treating skin disorders. People with acne problems are often prescribed with antibiotics. They improve the digestive system which in turn assist in improving skin conditions. Thus the overall body health is maintained.
Mental Health and Dietary Supplements
Nutritional supplements like Multivitamins, Zinc, Magnesium, and in some cases Omega-3 fish oils are commonly given to children with autism. Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acids have been used as supplementary therapy also that has shown some benefits but not as much as Vitamin D.
1. Vitamin D
Children with autism are proven to have lower levels of Vitamin D in their blood compared to other kids. With a low Vitamin D level in the system, the intensity of autism increases. There have been promising cases that signify the positive improvement of autism in children with the intake of Vitamin D3 supplements.
Vitamin D has significant impacts on the improvement of behavior and attention. Studies show that depending on weights, daily intake of a safe amount of IU of Vitamin D has beneficial effects in children with autism, especially in anti-inflammatory measures, speech and DNS repair. To conclude, Vitamin D3 is safe and easily available. It has been proven to be beneficial in treating children with ASD by improving overall health.
2. Magnesium and Zinc
Deficiency of Magnetism and Zinc are linked to ASD. Supplementation of Magnesium can be used as a cofactor in the treatment of autism. It is a mineral that effectively produces energy and maintains nerve functions. It also helps in the contraction of muscles and maintaining bone health. Conditions like anxiety, seizures, sleep issues, inflammation, muscle numbness, and constipation can be treated with the prescribed dosage of magnesium.
Magnesium is very important for the healthy function of the body and is usually obtained from food intake. In the case of people with autism, the gut does not function properly. Thus digestion hampers and magnesium deficit occurs. The effects of magnesium are not that much adverse as in other cases, it might cause bowel upset and can be overcome by maintaining the dosage.
To sum up, the impact of the “Gut-Brain Axis” or “Forgotten Organ” in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cannot be overlooked. Probiotics play an essential role in improving brain health and maintaining a balanced immune system. A healthy gut provides healthy digestion and in turn, helps to sustain mental equilibrium.
