Autism rates continue to increase in Canada. More and more parents are looking towards naturopathic and biomedical treatments to optimize their child’s treatment. One of the better-known biomedical treatments for Autism is Methyl B12 injections. Multiple studies have shown decreased methylation markers in Autism, which can lead to DNA oxidative damage.
A 2016 study published in the Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology (Hendren et al.) showed an improvement in clinician-rated symptoms in children treated with Methyl B12 injections compared to a placebo group. Lab tests also showed improvement in three markers: methionine, SAH, and SAM/SAH ratio. These improvements reflect an increase in methylation capacity, a common metabolic issue for children with Autism. Additionally in 2010 Bertoglio et al. showed MB12 injections increased plasma glutathione levels in a subset of children with Autism.
Clinically MB12 injections have been shown to help with speech, improved focus, increased eye contact, and heightened social awareness in children with Autism. Although this is a promising treatment, Autism is a complex condition that involves many systems. Complete naturopathic care addresses multiple biochemical pathways.
