Sleep disruption is prevalent in children and adults with autism. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of autism continues to rise from four to five cases in 1000 children in 1990 to over 2% of children. Lack of sleep affects not only the children but also the parents. I remember when my son, who was at a severe level of autism, was waking up at 2 am. I knew that the next day, I was going to be exhausted at work.
In a study published by the Preventive Care in Nursing & Midwifery Journal, twenty-one children with autism (4 to 11 years old) participated in an exercise program with or without the addition of Coq10.
The exercise program consisted of brisk walking a mile for a total of 92 minutes per week or twenty minutes per day. Also, they had a group that supplemented with CoQ10 only (no exercise) and a group that did both (exercise and Coq10).
The results of this trial indicated that exercise (brisk walking) for twenty minutes five times per week for two months improved sleep quality in autism. Also, supplementation with Coq10 increased sleep quality, and doing both therapies (Coq10 and Exercise) showed significant improvements in sleep quality in autism. Coq10 is a crucial nutrient for mitochondria, which is an area that is affected in up to eighty percent of children with autism.
This recent research article illustrates how vital are exercise and healthy mitochondria function for children with autism.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult with your pediatrician or primary care physician before starting any supplementation program.
References:
Ahmadi, S., Alsadat Aghvamy, M., & Afshingoo, M. (2020). The Effect of Endurance Training and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Sleep Quality in Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders. Preventive Care in Nursing & Midwifery Journal Zanjan University of Medical Science, 61-56.