Treating Autism with Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid Supplements for Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Jun 9, 2008
Jennifer Copley

Vitamin C - Jennifer Copley

Studies indicate that high-dose vitamin C supplements can have a beneficial effect on those with autistic spectrum disorders.

Those who are deficient in vitamin C suffer from confusion and depression, conditions that often afflict those with autism and a variety of other disorders as well. Such parallels caused many researchers to become interested in exploring the potential of vitamin C in treating various conditions.

Studies and Parent Ratings

A study of autistic adults and adolescents found that a dose of 8,000 mg of vitamin C a day brought about significant improvement (Tolbert, 1991). Another study that aimed to discover whether vitamin C could be beneficial for those with autism found that while it was not as effective as vitamin B6, a high dose could produce favourable results (Dolske et al., 2003). These findings were confirmed by a 2004 study of autistic children, which found reduced gastrointestinal problems and significantly improved sleep in the vitamin C group (Adams & Holloway, 2004).

While these results are encouraging, it should be noted that the subject pools were quite small and more research is required to confirm these findings. However, given that vitamin C is relatively safe and provides additional benefits as a result of its antioxidant properties, supplementation may be worthwhile.

Of the Autism Research Institute's 2,390 parent ratings of the use of vitamin C for treating autism symptoms, 43% saw improvements, 55% no change, and 2% a worsening of symptoms. Of the 201 parent ratings of vitamin C for treating Asperger's syndrome symptoms, 46% reported improvements, 51% saw no change, and 2% said that their children grew worse.

How it Works

There are several theories regarding vitamin C’s benefits for those with autistic spectrum disorders. The first is that children with autism are deficient in vitamin C or need more of it than neurotypicals (non-autistic children).

Another theory is that vitamin C’s benefits are due to its effects on the brain’s response to the neurotransmitter dopamine. Vitamin C supplementation has a calming effect on people and reduces stereotyped behaviour among animals. Stereotyped behaviour is a symptom of autistic spectrum disorders among humans.

A third theory regarding vitamin C’s effects focuses on the benefits of its antioxidant properties. Some researchers believe that those with autism have more difficulty in managing free radicals. Free radicals can damage the immune system, the brain and other areas of the body. As an antioxidant, vitamin C provides some protection against the effects of free radicals.

It's likely that all three beneficial effects of vitamin C play a role in mitigating some of the problematic symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders.

Safety

Water soluble vitamin C can be taken in relatively high doses without serious side effects. However, it can act as a laxative in high doses, which could lead to dehydration. Tolerance to vitamin C varies from one person to the next, and there may be other medical problems to take into account for certain individuals, so a family physician or pediatrician should be consulted to establish an ideal dose.

Additional Benefits

As well as helping the immune system fight off colds and flus more rapidly, vitamin C has a beneficial effect on a variety of conditions, ranging from schizophrenia to depression. Because many of those with autism also suffer from depression, vitamin C supplementation may be useful even if it does not directly reduce autistic symptoms. The ability of high doses of vitamin C to improve the social functioning of those with schizophrenia is also of interest because although the two conditions are quite different from one another, autistic people also suffer from deficits in social functioning (Rimland, 1997).

Consult a Physician

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you are interested in using vitamin and mineral supplements to treat autism, depression or other conditions, you should consult your family physician.