Cerebral folate deficiency or low folic acid in the brain is associated with autism.
One of the reasons for the present brain deficiency of folic acid is the presence of antibodies against the folic acid receptor.
It is called autoimmunity, and it means that the body is fighting its own tissues and, in this particular situation, the area where folic acid works in the brain.
The presence of folic acid receptor antibodies in autism is 71%, which is a pretty significant number (1).
It means that many children with autism have issues with folic acid in the brain.
These antibodies will block the beneficial effects of folic acid in the brain.
Children with autism are 19 times more prone to be positive for antibodies against folic acid when compared with non-autistic kids.
Therefore, I am suspicious of low vitamin D levels as a part of the problems with autoimmunity. Vitamin D helps with the regulation of the immune system but is at low levels in autism.
What Can You Do?
*Leucovorin (high doses of folinic acid), which requires a prescription, is a critical tool that can override this problem in autism.
Leucovorin can improve autism symptoms, irritability, movement disorders, and epilepsy. Also, it has a significant effect on improving communication (speech) in children with autism (2).
*Vitamin D: It is present at low levels in autism. It helps to regulate the immune system and autoimmunity (3).
*Anti-Inflammatory Diet
*Avoidance of Refined sugars and junk foods, which are inflammatory.
You can do many things to benefit children on the spectrum.
There is hope for autism!
Have a wonderful week!
In Health and Faith,
David
By the way, if you want to learn more on how to benefit brain function with nutrition, my book Resilient Brain is available on Amazon. Nutrition has been a life-changer for my son affected by severe autism.
If it happened to me, it could happen to you.
Here is the link: www.nuterel.com
References:
(1): Rossignol, D. A., & Frye, R. E. (2021). Cerebral Folate Deficiency, Folate Receptor Alpha Autoantibodies and Leucovorin (Folinic Acid) Treatment in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Personalized Medicine, 11(11), 1141.
(2): Batebi, N., Moghaddam, H. S., Hasanzadeh, A., Fakour, Y., Mohammadi, M. R., & Akhondzadeh, S. (2021). Folinic acid as adjunctive therapy in treatment of inappropriate speech in children with autism: a double-blind and placebo-controlled randomized trial. Child Psychiatry & Human Development, 52(5), 928-938.
(3): Dankers, W., Colin, E. M., Van Hamburg, J. P., & Lubberts, E. (2017). Vitamin D in autoimmunity: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Frontiers in Immunology, 697.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your primary care provider before adding dietary supplements or doing lifestyle changes.
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