Autism is second most prevalent neuro-developmental disorder
after ADHD. It is a complex developmental disorder but, unfortunately, it is
not yet clear that what kind of mechanism is behind this disorder. More
interest has been in some particular repetitive behaviour which look abnormal
and some striking abnormality in immune-related molecules such as cytokines in
the brain and cerebral spinal fluid.
There is an increasing evidence of immune involvement in ASD. Some research
results reveal that the deregulation of glutamatergic neurotransmission in the
brain with enhancement of excitatory receptor functions by pro-inflammatory
immune cytokines is the underlying mechanism.
This immune deregulation may be a permanent state of the brain, which
generally began during the early stage of development. Low immunity of the
mother during pregnancy can also affect the foetus condition, which may result
as infantile autism in the child.
The children with autism usually have a frequent complaint
of gastrointestinal (GI) problems which may resolve by some dietary
elimination. Research evidences indicate toward its direct relation with ASD.
The intestine is the largest organ of the immune system and
the other organs in this system are thymus, lymph nodes, bone marrow and
spleen. These organs produce immune cells that arm the respiratory epithelia
and the skin against bacterial and viral onslaughts. What we eat and drink goes through the
intestinal tract, which contains bacteria called intestinal flora. These
bacteria assist the body to digest food by producing special enzymes, which
breakdown food into non-toxic absorbable substances. Immediately after birth
the intestines of the infants are totally sterile and do not contain any
bacteria, not even good bacteria. During the natural birth process, the infant
receives some beneficial bacteria from the mother. The gift of organism
immediately starts to multiply in the tiny GI tract of the infant and boosts
its immunity. Bifidobacteria infants is the dominant bacteria in infants which
prevents the growth of the rota-virus and thus helps in the prevention of
lactose intolerance and increases the absorption of minerals and vitamin
B. Thus, it is proved by researches that
there is a relationship between relative metabolic disturbance and
developmental disorder and, therefore, it is an emerging topic for the
scientific research.
Vitamins, minerals and essential amino acids are essential
for good human health. The studies on nutritional and metabolic status of
children with autism mostly focus on only a few biomarkers. Some studies
demonstrated that children with autism have impaired methylation, decreased
glutathione, and oxidative stress and thus establish that nutritional
supplementation with vitamin methyl- B 12, folic acid and trimethylglycine is
beneficial. A study exhibited that the children with autism had higher levels
of plasma having Vitamin B6 pre-supplementation, and which was confirmed in a
follow-up study, suggest a metabolic imbalance in B6. Another study on dietary intake
of 111 autistic children in China showed that most children with disorder had
an inadequate intake of folic acid, vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Zinc.
In a study on vitamin D intake status in Egypt, it was found that young
children with autism had lower levels of vitamin D in comparison to matched
(controlled) group. In Slovakia, another
study found that children with autism had significantly higher levels of
vitamin C and beta-carotene. A US study found that children with autism and
their mother had usually low level of lithium compared to neurotypical children
and their mothers; lithium is receiving increasing recognition as being an
essential mineral. The increased or decreased level of amino acid in autism is
the topic for deep research and discussion as in few researches it was found to
be high, but in others it was low.
In conclusion, we
can say that despite no single reason is available to say behind autism, it has
been proven through many single-biomarker researches that the nutrients are as
a strong mechanism behind the autism development which disturbs to the
metabolic functions and effects to the immunity of a child who may develop a
permanent abnormal state of the brain which is called as autism.
