How Can Autism Nutritional Therapy Alleviate Symptoms of Autism?
Often referred to as Vitamin C, ascorbic acid is water-soluble and a strong antioxidant. Unfortunately, ascorbic acid deficiency is far too common in children on the autism spectrum.
Vitamin C helps prevent or improve colds, and it can lower oxidative stress when the body is struggling to handle free radicals (creating imbalances between antioxidants and radicals).
This article will explore ascorbic acid deficiency in children with autism, including what can be done to resolve this common health challenge.
Why Is Ascorbic Acid Important?
A required co-factor increasing neurotransmitter production, ascorbic acid plays a critical role in maintaining healthy connective tissues to support organs.
Additionally, ascorbic acid is essential to collagen protein production, enabling stable bone and tissue formation. In fact, scurvy could develop as a result of a severe vitamin C deficiency in those who do not eat enough produce—resulting in numerous skin issues or even bleeding under the skin.
Too much vitamin C, however, can cause symptoms as well. These may include vomiting, diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain, and more. Those who consume ascorbic acid over a prolonged period of time may also develop higher iron levels.
Ascorbic acid is stored in specific parts of the body in a higher concentration than in the blood. For instance, the retinal and adrenal glands store concentrated amounts of acid up to 10% more than in the blood.
Additional regions where ascorbic acid is stored include the salivary gland, brain, liver, and lungs. Excess ascorbic acid is naturally removed from the body in the urine.
What Can Cause Ascorbic Acid Deficiency?
There are several ways a person can get ascorbic acid deficiency.
Selective eating— or not eating fruit and vegetables—is one of the more prevalent ways. Foods that contain key nutrients include citrus fruits, peppers, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, bananas, strawberries, cherries, potatoes, tomatoes, and more.
It’s also important to note that anxiety and depression symptoms can increase vitamin deficiency as well.
How Does Ascorbic Acid Affect the Body?
Ascorbic acid helps to increase the production of cells and antibodies within the immune system, including lymphocytes and macrophages. Additionally, ascorbic acid plays a role in neurotransmitter production, including the production of dopamine and norepinephrine, which are responsible for attention, focus, and concentration.
In addition, ascorbic acid helps to boost the neurotransmitter serotonin levels, which is responsible for sleep, relaxation, and positive mood.
Ascorbic acid also assists in metabolizing the amino acids tryptophan and tyrosine. It even lowers CRP (C-reactive protein) values, which measure inflammation while increasing iron absorption.
Finally, ascorbic acid regulates the inflammatory mediator production of leukotrienes, helping to reduce allergies through antihistamine activity.
What Are Some Nutritional Sources of Ascorbic Acid?
To increase vitamin C levels, children with autism can consume fruits and vegetables such as spinach, cauliflower, bell peppers, citrus, strawberries, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, cherries, and more.
Eating citrus like oranges or grapefruit is a better option than squeezing and drinking juice from the fruit alone. This is because there are significantly higher amounts of vitamin C in the fruit itself than in the liquid. Eating fruit rich in vitamin C is also more helpful because vitamin C oxidizes upon exposure to oxygen (meaning while baking, cooking, freezing, or thawing).
Although dietary supplements can contain ascorbic acid, they should only be used if there is a deficiency present. Once this is confirmed, supplements may be consumed daily.
See How C.A.T.’s Targeted Nutritional Supplements Therapy Changed Matteo’s Life
The film documents Matteo’s targeted therapy and teaches how it is possible to dramatically reduce autism symptoms by analyzing advanced laboratory tests and applying an in-depth understanding of how to repair impaired metabolic processes.
How Are Ascorbic Acid Levels Measured?
A urine test is conducted to detect ascorbic acid levels and determine excess or deficiency. Ask your doctor about testing for organic acids and your vitamin C levels if you have any relevant symptoms.
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Read More
- Understanding Autism Spectrum Disorder and Limb Pain
- Methyl-B12 (Cobalamin) Therapy for Autism Recovery
- A Dive Deep into the Stress-Autism Connection
- Why Do Children with Autism Experience Ascorbic Acid Deficiency?
The information in this article is exclusively for general knowledge purposes. It should not be used for personal treatment or as a substitute for medical advice. There is no representation or warranty, explicit or implied, involving the accuracy, validity, or completeness of the content in this piece. Nutritional supplementation should only occur under the supervision of a licensed professional (and in accordance with laboratory test results).
