Evidence supporting the use of: Vitamin D
For the health condition: Autism

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Synopsis

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

Vitamin D has garnered interest as a potential supportive treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to its role in brain development, immune modulation, and anti-inflammatory properties. Epidemiological studies have found associations between low vitamin D levels and increased ASD risk, and some research suggests that children with autism are more likely to have vitamin D deficiency compared to neurotypical peers. Additionally, vitamin D is involved in the regulation of neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors, which could potentially influence behaviors relevant to autism.

A handful of small clinical trials and open-label studies have evaluated vitamin D supplementation in children with ASD. Some of these studies report modest improvements in core symptoms, especially in social responsiveness and stereotypical behaviors, following supplementation. However, the evidence remains limited due to small sample sizes, short durations, and methodological limitations such as lack of blinding or placebo control. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews generally conclude that while preliminary findings are promising, there is insufficient high-quality evidence to recommend vitamin D as a standard treatment for autism.

In summary, the use of vitamin D in autism is based on a scientific rationale and early-stage research rather than tradition. The current evidence is suggestive but not conclusive, and further large-scale, rigorous clinical trials are needed to determine its efficacy and optimal dosing for ASD management.

More about vitamin D
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Other health conditions supported by vitamin D

Acne
Allergies (food)
Allergies (respiratory)
Alzheimer's Disease
Amenorrhea
Anemia
Anorexia
Apathy
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune Disorders
Backache
Birth Defects (prevention)
Body Building
Broken Bones
Calcium Deficiency
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Celiac Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Colds (antiviral)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Concentration (poor)
Concussions
Confusion
Congestive Heart Failure
Contagious Diseases
Convalescence
Convulsions
Cramps (menstrual)
Cramps and Spasms
Crohn's Disease
Cystic Breast Disease
Cystic Fibrosis
Dandruff
Debility
Dementia
Depression
Dermatitis
Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Erectile Dysfunction
Estrogen (low)
Fatigue
Fibroids (uterine)
Fibromyalgia Syndrome
Fibrosis
Grave's Disease
Grief and Sadness
Hair (loss or thinning)
Hair Care (general)
Hashimoto's Disease
Headache (cluster)
Heart (weakness)
Hypertension
Hypothyroid
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Infertility
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Influenza
Injuries
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Itching
Knees (weak)
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Leprosy
Lesions
Leukemia
Lou Gehrig's Disease
Lupus
Lymphoma
Melanoma
Memory and Brain Function
Menopause
Menstrual Irregularity
Mental Illness
Metabolic Syndrome
Migraine
Miscarriage (prevention)
Mood Swings
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscle Tone (lack of)
Muscular Dystrophy
Myasthenia Gravis
Nephritis
Nerve Damage
Nervous Exhaustion
Numbness
Nursing
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Oral Surgery
Osteoporosis
Pain (general remedies for)
Pancreatitis
Paralysis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
PMS Type D
PMS Type H
PMS Type P
PMS Type S
Pneumonia
Polyps
Post Partum Depression
Post Partum Weakness
Pregnancy (herbs and supplements for)
Progesterone (low)
Prostatitis
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Schizophrenia
Sciatica
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Senility
Tuberculosis