Essentially, Methyl-B12 helps to increase the amount of “fuel” to the brain. With more fuel, autism patients tend to see improvements in their speech, language, cognitive, and social abilities. Perhaps most importantly, Methyl-B12 is integral to a biochemical process known as methylation.
Research has shown that Methyl B12, also known as methylcobalamin, can help relieve symptoms of autism. In the body, B12 assists with detoxification because it is a critical factor of the methylation pathway that helps the body make the powerful antioxidant, glutathione.
A new study observes that elevated maternal serum levels of vitamin B12 were significantly associated with the prevalence of childhood autism in offspring, in the large-scale Finnish population studied.
Both autistic and brain-injured B 12- deficient children have obsessive-compulsive behaviors and difficulty with speech, language, writing, and comprehension. B 12 deficiency can also cause aloofness and withdrawal. Sadly, very few children presenting with autistic symptoms receive adequate testing for B 12 deficiency.
Conclusions: Methyl B12 treatment improved clinician-rated symptoms of ASD that were correlated with improvements in measures of methionine metabolism and cellular methylation capacity. Clinical Trial Registry: Efficacy Study of Subcutaneous Methyl B12 in Children with Autism: NCT01039792 ( clinicaltrials. gov1 ).
Dopamine
Numerous studies have suggested that ASD could be linked to dopaminergic dysfunction and have hypothesized that dopamine imbalances in specific brain regions could lead to autistic behaviors [71].
Low vitamin D levels in utero, postnatal, and in early childhood have been hypothesized to be a risk factor for neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ASD.
Neurological changes
vision problems. memory loss. pins and needles. loss of physical co-ordination (ataxia), which can affect your whole body and cause difficulty speaking or walking.
Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause symptoms that affect your brain and nervous system (neurological symptoms), including: numbness. muscle weakness. psychological problems, which can range from mild depression or anxiety, to confusion and dementia.
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can result in hematological changes, neurological and psychiatric problems, which can manifest as irritability, changes in personality, depression, and memory loss [9]. It is also known to worsen depression by excitotoxic reactions caused by the accumulation of homocysteine [10].
Vitamin B6 and Magnesium
A study published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders found that supplementing with vitamin B6 and magnesium improved socialization, communication, and behavior in children with autism.
Methylated Vitamin B₁₂ (Cobalamin)
Children with autism have shown significant behavioral improvement while taking vitamin B12 supplements in the way of increased awareness and responsiveness, better focus, eye contact, socialization, and speech. Vitamin B12 is known as being one of the best natural stress relievers.
Good Foods for Autism
High quality proteins such as pastured chicken and eggs, grass-fed beef, and wild-caught salmon. A variety of fresh fruits or frozen fruits and vegetables. Whole grains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids including nuts, seeds, and fish.
Behavioral approaches have the most evidence for treating symptoms of ASD. They have become widely accepted among educators and healthcare professionals and are used in many schools and treatment clinics. A notable behavioral treatment for people with ASD is called Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
What is the idea behind oxytocin therapy for autistic people? Oxytocin helps babies and children develop social skills. It also reduces repetitive behaviour.
Doctors can also inject vitamin B12 into your child's muscles if they are young, have a severe deficiency, or have trouble absorbing the vitamin. Most of the problems caused by low B12 go away once a child starts treatment and their vitamin levels rise.
B12 Shots Can Make People Feel Like They've Been “Born Again.” Here's Why. Experts say the vitamin can boost mood, energy, memory and more in folks who are deficient. B12 is a nutrient needed to form red blood cells, DNA, and brain and nerve cells.
Brain Function
B12 is a key nutrient for nervous system health. It is important for producing serotonin and dopamine, which are mood-enhancing neurotransmitters. As a result, vitamin B12 can help to prevent and treat depression and anxiety. It can improve focus and memory as well.
It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.
There are certain foods that also need a cut-down in case of vitamin B12 deficiency. “Some foods and drinks can interfere with vitamin B complex intake like alcohol, caffeine and processed foods, etc should be avoided completely,” Shah added.
People with autism may lack the ability to recognize and label emotions, and they may have difficulty responding to social cues. This can vary from individual to individual.
Some evidence indicates that magnesium could also be involved in neurological diseases such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism. However, no direct study has been published to confirm this assumption.
Finally, supplementing vitamins B and C can also help alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms. Vitamin C, like zinc, iron, and magnesium, is used to produce neurotransmitters like dopamine. Additionally, vitamin B deficiency is linked to irritability and fatigue in children.