Synopsis

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

There is emerging scientific interest in the use of probiotics to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), but the evidence remains preliminary and inconclusive. Research is motivated by the observation that many people with ASD experience gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, and that the gut-brain axis may play a role in neurological and behavioral symptoms. Small clinical studies and animal models have suggested that probiotics may improve GI symptoms in children with ASD, and in some cases, modest improvements in behavioral symptoms have been reported. However, these studies often have significant limitations, including small sample sizes, lack of blinding, short duration, and variability in probiotic strains and dosages used.

A 2020 meta-analysis found that while probiotics may have some benefit in improving GI symptoms in children with ASD, evidence for direct improvements in core autism symptoms (such as social communication or repetitive behaviors) is weak and inconsistent. Major scientific bodies, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, do not currently recommend probiotics as a treatment for ASD due to insufficient evidence. Overall, while the use of probiotics in ASD has a scientific rationale and is under investigation, robust clinical validation is lacking, and probiotics should not be considered a primary treatment for autism at this time.

More about Probiotics
More about Autism

Other ingredients used for Autism

Other health conditions supported by Probiotics

Products containing Probiotics