Autism

A randomized-controlled trial conducted by Mazahery, Hajar, Conlon, Kathryn, et al evaluated the efficacy of vitamin D (VID), omega-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 LCPUFA, OM), or both (VIDOM) on core symptoms of ASD. New Zealand children with ASD (n = 73; aged 2.5-8.0 years) received daily 2000 IU vitamin D3, 722 mg docosahexaenoic acid, both, or placebo. Outcome measures were Social Responsiveness Scale and Sensory Processing Measure. Of the 42 outcome measures comparisons, two showed greater improvements and four showed trends for greater improvements. Omega-3 LCPUFA with and without Vitamin D may improve some core symptoms of ASD but no definitive conclusions were made in this study.

A recent research report suggests that children ages 3-8 on the autism spectrum may benefit from zinc supplementation. In this 2019 study, 30 patients were treated with zinc supplementation and evaluated. The data suggests an increase in cognitive-motor performance and an increase3d serum metallothionein concentration as well as a significant lowering of circulating serum levels of copper.