Study connects vitamin D deficiencies with autism social behaviour difficulties
Written on 13th Jun 2014 by Sylvia Lowery
Researchers from the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute have found that Vitamin D may be implicated in the social behavior associated with Autism.
Vitamin D levels are estimated to be too low for a large number of the UK population.
Serotonin, oxytocin and vasopressin are three hormones that play a part in social behavior. Vitamin D hormone has been found to activate these three hormones. Autism, which is characterized by abnormal social behavior, has previously been linked to low levels of serotonin in the brain and to low vitamin D levels.
Dr. Patrick and Dr. Ames were able to show that vitamin D hormone activates the gene that makes the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase 2 (TPH2), which converts the essential amino acid tryp- tophan into serotonin in the brain. This suggests that adequate levels of vitamin D may be required to produce serotonin in the brain.
The study suggests that vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids would boost brain serotonin concentrations and provide a cost effective treatment for some of the symptoms of autism.
Vitamin D levels in the UK are a concern to physicians. Professor Mitch Blair, from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, says more action is needed – potentially including fortifying more foods and even cutting the cost of the vitamin to make it more easily available (BBC ).
References
Industry News, April 2014, ‘Study Connects Vitamin D, Serotonin Synthesis & Autism’ p. 14, Study found here [Accessed 13.06.2014 @11.07].
Rhonda Patrick, PhD, and Bruce Ames, PhD.
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Sounds like I have to get my kid outside more – not a bad prescription! 🙂
That make sense as one of the young people I work with is much happier and less stressed in the summer. As we get out more this time of year. looks like picnics more often.