Study warning over dietary supplementation for children with autism spectrum disorder
A new study analysing dietary intakes of children with ASD has warned that dietary supplements and certain dietary regimens – such as gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets – can man that ‘not enough and too much’ are often the result.
Led by Dr Patricia Stewart from the University of Rochester Medical Center, the team warned that well-intentioned efforts by parents and caregivers to tailor nutritional intake often result in excessive intakes of cdrtain nutrients – while children may be deficient in others.
Findings from the study showed, for example, that despite supplementation, children with ASD still were deficient in calcium, while some were consuming excessive amounts of vitamin A and other nutrients.
"Many families try a GFCF diet in an attempt to improve symptoms of ASD," said Stewart. "While 19% of all Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network (AS ATN) participants were reported to be on a GFCF diet, 12% of the children in the subgroup participating in this study were given a GFCF diet and were significantly more likely to use nutritional supplements (78% vs 53%), however, the micronutrient intake of children on or off the diet was remarkably similar."
