by Dr. Smith
23. February 2010 20:08
Researchers have noted that the increase in incidence of autism has paralleled an increase in prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin by exposure to sunlight. Thirty minutes of exposure will provide the body’s Vitamin D requirements for a full day. Due to urging by medical authorities over the last decade we have been limiting our exposure to sunlight resulting in an across the board deficiency in Vitamin D. We stay out of the sun and when we are out in it, we use all kinds of sun blockers on our skin to filter out the natural benefits of sunlight. During winter months the problem is compounded. Informed doctors are now routinely testing patients for Vitamin D and recommending it when indicated. It has been theorized that a vitamin D deficiency plays a role in autism starting with the pregnancy. It has also been implicated in a number of other conditions including colon cancer.
A call for Vitamin D and autism study participants
A study is under way which will test the theory of a Vitamin D and autism connection. Funded by the Autism Research Institute, the purpose of this study is to determine if autism can be prevented in the newborn sibling of a child with autism through the use of Vitamin D3. If the theory is proven to be correct it will constitute a tremendous leap forward in the battle against autism.
The investigators are seeking families who currently have an autistic child and are either pregnant or planning a pregnancy. The mother will be required to take Vitamin D through the pregnancy and the child will be given the vitamin up until age three at which time an evaluation of the child for autism will be conducted. There is no risk and no cost to participants. Anyone desiring all the details on the study can contact me.
I personally take 4000 IU of Vitamin D per day and urge all my readers to do so as well.
If you want to have your blood levels of Vitamin D tested, ask your doctor to do the 25(OH)D test. The experts tell us the optimal blood level should be around 50 even though the lab report normal range will be down around 30.
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