Special Diets, Supplements Not Always Helpful for Kids With Autism
Special Diets, Supplements Not Always Helpful for Kids With Autism
These interventions are often tied to too little, or too much of certain nutrients, study finds
In addition, even among those who took supplements, up to 55 percent of the children with an ASD remained deficient in calcium, while up to 40 percent didn't get enough vitamin D, the study found.
The kids on the gluten-free and casein-free diet ate more magnesium and vitamin E, but they were still deficient in calcium, Stewart's team found.
Much of these special diets and supplements are unnecessary, the authors said, because even children with picky eating habits still get most of their essential nutrients from the food they eat. That's because many of today's foods are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, the researchers explained.
And, the study authors suggested, that could explain why some kids with autism are getting too much of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, folic acid and zinc.
"Few children with ASD need most of the micronutrients they are commonly given as multivitamins, which often leads to excess intake that may place children at risk for adverse effects," Stewart said. "When supplements are used, careful attention should be given to adequacy of vitamin D and calcium intake," she added.
Adesman pointed out that some parents with a child with autism may believe that nutrition is somehow key to their child's symptoms.
"Although this study identified nutritional deficiencies and excesses in some children with ASD, this study was not specifically trying to link the nutritional status of these children as a cause for their autism spectrum disorder," he said.
Autism is a neurobehavioral disorder that is now estimated to affect about one in 68 American children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Diets, Supplements May Not Help Kids With Autism
These interventions are often tied to too little, or too much of certain nutrients, study finds
In addition, even among those who took supplements, up to 55 percent of the children with an ASD remained deficient in calcium, while up to 40 percent didn't get enough vitamin D, the study found.
The kids on the gluten-free and casein-free diet ate more magnesium and vitamin E, but they were still deficient in calcium, Stewart's team found.
Much of these special diets and supplements are unnecessary, the authors said, because even children with picky eating habits still get most of their essential nutrients from the food they eat. That's because many of today's foods are fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, the researchers explained.
And, the study authors suggested, that could explain why some kids with autism are getting too much of certain nutrients, such as vitamin A, folic acid and zinc.
"Few children with ASD need most of the micronutrients they are commonly given as multivitamins, which often leads to excess intake that may place children at risk for adverse effects," Stewart said. "When supplements are used, careful attention should be given to adequacy of vitamin D and calcium intake," she added.
Adesman pointed out that some parents with a child with autism may believe that nutrition is somehow key to their child's symptoms.
"Although this study identified nutritional deficiencies and excesses in some children with ASD, this study was not specifically trying to link the nutritional status of these children as a cause for their autism spectrum disorder," he said.
Autism is a neurobehavioral disorder that is now estimated to affect about one in 68 American children, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.