Mitochondrial Supplements And Autism
Mitochondrial supplements have been shown by some clinical studies to provide support for autism. This is not surprising considering how important a role nutrition plays in preventing and supporting various diseases.
Mitochondrial health is a topic which is becoming a lot more relevant in relation to our health. Our mitochondria play a central role in producing the energy needed for the body to use in health supporting processes on a day to day basis. They work relentlessly throughout the day to produce ATP or energy.
Mitochondrial dysfunction is thought to contribute to various diseases such as obesity, cancer, heart and brain disorders. Nutritional assistance of our mitochondria or mitochondrial supplements are a new and innovative approach to support mitochondrial linked diseases or disorders.
Recent research supports a link between autism and mitochondrial health. Autism spectrum disorder is a behavioural disorder which currently effects around 2% of children. Individuals with autism seem to have a higher amount of irregular mitochondrial activity. This suggests they may have poor mitochondrial health in a large number of cases. One recent trial has found that mitochondrial supplements may support the wellbeing of individuals who are suffering from autism.
Here the findings of this trial will be summarised for you to see how mitochondrial supplements may support people with autism. This will be compared with evidence from other mitochondrial supplement trials too.
How Mitochondrial Supplements Could Support Autism
Various studies have found links between autism spectrum disorder and mitochondrial abnormalities. Research estimates that up to 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder could have a form of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Abnormal mitochondrial electron transport chain activity has been found in individuals with autism spectrum disorder. Some studies have found unusual mitochondrial activities involving the electron transport chain in the brain and skin. Mitochondrial supplements have therefore been proposed as an ideal support for unusual mitochondrial respiration or activity.
High strength antioxidants for example are one of the mitochondrial supplements which have been suggested for the support of autism. These could cleanse the mitochondrial electron transport complexes of harmful radical molecules and support the optimal movement of electrons to reduce mitochondrial dysfunction. Other supplements could support the structure of the mitochondria or provide nutrients for DNA synthesis.
Mitochondrial Supplements Trialled For Autism Sufferers
Our mitochondria have important steps that are rate limiting in energy production. These include the activities of electron chain complexes and citrate synthase within the mitochondria.
One trial study has looked at the effects of mitochondrial supplements on these activities in sufferers of autism.
Antioxidant Supplements
One of the standout mitochondrial supportive supplements for autism sufferers seems to be antioxidant supplements. Antioxidant supplements supported more optimal mitochondrial conditions or activity in sufferers of autism and those with autism who had mitochondrial issues.
Antioxidants protected citrate synthase activity within the mitochondria of autism sufferers and boosted the activity of this enzyme in autism sufferers with mitochondrial disorders. Antioxidant mitochondrial supplements could therefore protect mitochondrial health in sufferers of autism. Antioxidant supplements influenced the harmonisation of mitochondrial energy producing complexes.
Folate And B12
Folate was another compound which was shown to improve the harmonisation between the mitochondrial electron transport complexes. This supplement could therefore support healthy mitochondrial activity in sufferers of autism spectrum disorder.
Folate and B12 mitochondrial supplements also had a balancing or calming effect on mitochondrial energy producing activities. These are both B vitamins which naturally support energy production within the body.
The trial considered folate to be the most effective supplement at overall mitochondrial protection within autism sufferers.
Omega 3 Or Fatty Acid And Carnitine Supplements
Fatty acids are used as an energy source by mitochondria and may support mitochondrial membrane health. The trial showed that fatty acid supplements like omega 3 may assist with increasing and supporting the overall activity of mitochondria.
Carnitine is an amino acid which loads fatty acids into the mitochondria but also has some antioxidant capacity. Mitochondrial supplements containing carnitine were shown to improve the harmonisation between the mitochondrial electron transport chain and citrate synthase in autism sufferers. Carnitine could therefore stabilise mitochondrial activity in sufferers of autism spectrum disorder.
Alongside antioxidants this trial considered carnitine supplements to be effective at protecting the overall activity of the mitochondria in autism sufferers.
Other Mitochondrial Supplement Research
Other clinical studies seem to be in agreement with these findings and this is positive for the future outlook of sufferers of autism.
Research has consistently identified L carnitine or carnitine as a possible mitochondrial supportive supplement for sufferers of autism. This amino acid seems to assist with some improvement in symptoms of autism spectrum disorders and loads fatty acids into the mitochondria.
Studies also recommend the use of omega 3 fatty acids in support of autism. Research supports the importance of fatty acids for preserving mitochondrial function and this supports findings of the trail with mitochondrial functioning in autism sufferers.
Other studies have also found that the use of vitamin B12 and folate together as a supplement supports cognitive functioning within sufferers of autism. These vitamins also improved levels of the important antioxidant glutathione in autism sufferers. This antioxidant supports harmony within the mitochondria and this provides important supportive evidence that these supplements could assist with optimal mitochondrial functioning in autism sufferers.
Vitamin B12 also supports slightly improved oxygen transport through a higher red blood cell count. This may calm overall oxidative stress and stabilise mitochondrial activity for more optimal energy production.
Mitochondria replicate and have their own DNA too. Folate may support healthy DNA synthesis within the mitochondria to provide further support as a supplement for optimal mitochondrial functioning in sufferers of autism.
Antioxidant supplements have been associated with decreases in autistic behaviours and severity too. Oxidative stress and inflammation is thought to influence autism while antioxidants may calm mitochondrial oxidative stress from variations in mitochondrial activity. The findings from the trial with antioxidant supplements are supportive of this.
There seems to be evidence that mitochondrial supplements such as folate or antioxidants could support overall mitochondrial functioning which could influence autism spectrum disorder.
Summary
Mitochondrial supplements could provide support for sufferers of autism. Our mitochondria play a role in various functions of the body through energy production.
Research has linked autism spectrum disorder with irregular mitochondrial activity. Autism spectrum disorder is a behavioural disorder and effects 2% of children. Though supporting optimal mitochondrial health research suggests that mitochondrial supplements may assist people with autism. Up to 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder could have a form of mitochondrial dysfunction.
Some mitochondrial supplements could support mitochondrial structure or cleanse the mitochondria of radicals produced during energy production.
Antioxidants and folate have been shown to protect mitochondrial activity. Folate containing mitochondrial supplements could harmonise the energy producing complexes of the mitochondria. Carnitine could also stabilise mitochondrial activity in sufferers of autism spectrum disorder. Omega 3 or other fatty acid supplements may also assist with increasing and supporting the overall activity of mitochondria.
Other research supports this and mitochondrial supplements such as folate or antioxidants could support overall mitochondrial functioning in sufferers of autism spectrum disorder.
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