Autism affects 1 in 86 children in the UK (Lancet, 2006) and has been steadily rising. In fact, if you look at a graph plotting the increase in autism levels, it seems to correspond directly with advice to pregnant women to stay out of the sun and wear sun protection at all times, according to a report by Dr. Cannell of Alascadero State Hospital in California . Could it be that the lack of vitamin D producing UVB rays is directly involved with the development of autism in the womb? Charities U-Turn on Sun Advice
This also ties in with the fact the autism seems to be more prevalent in areas where the UVB rays we need to make adequate levels of vitamin D are lacking. This would include countries in the upper part of the northern hemisphere (including the UK), where for the colder 6 months of the year we have little or no UVB rays available to help us produce vitamin D in the skin. A Belfast study showed inadequate levels of vitamin D in 99% of women tested. The levels recommended are still be questions and there is a strong lobby for increasing the conventional view on upper levels of Vitamin D: Industry demands action on vitamin D deficiency
Food sources of vitamin D, such as fish, eggs and mushrooms, contain very little compared to what we can make from the right kind of sunlight. Even the levels of vitamin D in prenatal supplements don’t compare to what can be produced in the skin from UVB rays. Areas of high pollution and rain also miss out on these vital UVB rays, and autism is more prevalent in such places too. Vitamin D Crucial Missing Nutrient in Pregnancy
This may also in part explain why people with darker skin have higher rates of autism, as the pregnant mother’s skin blocks the UVB rays. It would even point to why autism is 4 times more common in boys, as oestrogen helps to send vitamin D to the brain and nervous system, but testosterone doesn’t provide that extra helping hand.
Vitamin D and brain function
What is more, vitamin D has been shown time and time again to be crucial to a baby’s brain development throughout pregnancy. Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of 36 proteins involved here, as well as in the expression of over 200 genes. It helps to protect brain and nerve cells and is important for their structure and the most fundamental aspects of their function. Quite simply, the brain cannot function properly without adequate vitamin D.
In addition, vitamin D has been shown to raise levels of glutathione in the brain. Glutathione is a detoxification enzyme that protects the brain from heavy metals, including mercury, and from oxidative stress, both of which have been linked with autism.
Studies have also shown evidence of inflammation in the brain and blood of those with autism, and vitamin D has potent anti-inflammatory properties including the lowering of inflammatory cytokines in the brain that are specifically associated with autism.
Vitamin D supplementation improves autism markers
It can be no surprise to find then, that vitamin D has been shown to improve brain function markers in autism. Or that autism studies have shown sleep and behavioural patterns to dramatically improve in the summer months.
How much to supplement?
Usual guidelines cite 400IU or 600IU in pregnancy, but most organisations and even some governments are now recognising this as inadequate, with some recommending daily supplementation of up to 10,000IU of vitamin D3 for adults, whether pregnantor not. As for children with autism, according to Dr. Cannell, autistic children should supplement at least 2,000 IU per day for every 25 pounds of body weight.
(Cannell, JJ “Autism and Vitamin D”, Medical Hypotheses Vol. 70, Issue 4, 2008, pp750-759)
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