Evidence supporting the use of: Choline
For the health condition: Autism

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Choline has been investigated for its potential role in supporting individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), primarily based on its importance in brain development and neurotransmitter synthesis. Several small-scale clinical trials and animal studies have suggested that choline supplementation may have positive effects on some core symptoms of autism or associated behaviors, particularly in children with low baseline choline levels or in populations at risk for nutrient deficiencies. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in 2017 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that children with ASD who received choline and folic acid supplementation showed improved receptive language scores compared to placebo, though the sample size was small and the magnitude of effect was modest. Animal studies also suggest that prenatal and early postnatal choline supplementation can influence brain development and behavior relevant to ASD. However, the overall evidence remains limited, with few large-scale, well-controlled human studies and inconsistent findings. Major autism organizations and treatment guidelines do not currently recommend choline supplementation as a standard therapy for ASD. While choline is essential for health and neurodevelopment, more robust clinical trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety specifically for autism treatment. Thus, its use is scientifically motivated, but the evidence is preliminary and not strong.

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