Vitamin A and Autism

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is found in animal sources, such as eggs, meat, fish, milk, cheese.

Beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A, is found in vegetable sources such as carrots, squashes, and most dark green, leafy vegetables.

Some people believe that individuals with autism don't have enough vitamin A in their bodies, or that their bodies are poor at making use of the vitamin A available to them.

These people believe that these nutritional deficiencies may be the cause of some of the problems faced by people with autism - such as problems with vision, sensory perception, language processing and attention.

They also believe that some of these problems can be overcome by taking supplements of vitamin A - often alongside other vitamins and minerals.

More Information

Please note: We have been unable to find any scientific studies or trials into the use of vitamin A for people on the autism spectrum.

Related Glossaries

• Vitamin A

Related Publications

• McAbee G. N. et al. (2009) Permanent visual loss due to dietary vitamin A deficiency in an autistic adolescent. Journal of Child Neurology. 24(10), Read Abstract (New Window)
  
  
• Vyas A. K., White N. H. (2011) Case of hypercalcemia secondary to hypervitaminosis a in a 6-year-old boy with autism. Case Reports in Endocrinology. Read Abstract (New Window) Read Full (New Window)
  
  

Quick link:

http://researchautism.net/vitamin-a

Updated

14 Jun 2018