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Where I Am: Home | Interventions | List | Dimethylglycine And Autism

Dimethylglycine and Autism

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Type(s) : Diets and supplements

Introduction

Dimethylglycine (DMG) is a derivative of the amino acid glycine. It is found naturally in plant and animal cells and in certain foods such as beans, cereal grains, and liver.

Dimethylglycine acts as a building block for many important substances in the body, including amino acids, hormones and neuro-transmitters. It also appears to play an important role in neurological functions and in the immune system.

Some people believe that people with autism have insufficient dimethylglycine in their bodies. They believe that by taking supplements of dimethylglycine they can boost those levels artificially, which may help to overcome some of the difficulties facing people with autism.

Our Opinion

There is currently no agreement amongst scientists as to whether individuals with autism have a particular pattern of vitamin, mineral or other nutrient deficiency.

There is a limited amount of research evidence, based on two scientifically valid and reliable trails, to suggest that dimethylglycine is not effective in improving social, language or other functioning in people with autism.

However there are many positive anecdotal reports about the benefits of dimethylglycine, which is relatively cheap, easy to use, and appears to have no significant side effects for most people.

For these reasons, further research into dimethylglycine may be justified.

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