Autism & Vitamin D

[Don Smith]

A very interesting article exploring the possible link between low vitamin D levels at birth (i.e., because of low maternal levels) and autism.

Autism spectrum disorder and low vitamin D at birth: a sibling control study
Elisabeth Fernell, Susanne Bejerot, Joakim Westerlund, Carmela Miniscalco, Henry Simila, Darryl Eyles, Christopher Gillberg and Mats B Humble
Molecular Autism 2015, 6:3 doi:10.1186/2040-2392-6-3
Published: 14 January 2015
Abstract (provisional)

Background
Insufficient vitamin D activity has attracted increasing interest as a possible underlying risk factor in disorders of the central nervous system, including autism.

Methods
In this study, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was analysed in 58 Sweden-born sibling pairs, in which one child had autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and the other did not. The study group consisted of two representative samples; 47 Gothenburg sibling pairs with mixed ethnicities and 11 Stockholm sibling pairs with Somali background. 25(OH)D levels were analysed in the stored dried blood spots taken in the neonatal period for metabolic screening.

Results
The collapsed group of children with ASD had significantly lower vitamin D levels (M = 24.0 nM, SD = 19.6) as compared with their siblings (M = 31.9 nM, SD = 27.7), according to a paired samples t-test (P = 0.013). The difference was - most likely - not only accounted for by a difference in season of birth between ASD and non-ASD siblings since the mean 25(OH)D levels differed with similar effect size between the sibling pairs born during winter and summer, respectively. All children with African/Middle East background, both the children with ASD and their non-ASD siblings, had vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusions
The findings suggest that low prenatal vitamin D may act as a risk factor for ASD, however, there is a need for replication with larger samples. Future research should study whether or not adequate supplementation of vitamin D to pregnant women might lower the risk for ASD in the offspring.

http://www.molecularautism.com/content/6/1/3/abstract

[Turbo Girl]

woah!

[peach2]

Autism linked to vitamin D deficiency? Great. Add that to the list of major illnesses caused by lack of vitamin D.

All of these groups should get together, hire some good lawyers and file a class action lawsuit against the AMA and the US Surgeon General for medical malpractice for their open and repeated statements against UV light. Now that would be a good use of ITA / ASA dollars. I would contribute to that. Today. That would be a proactive and aggressive defense of our business.

I won't hold my breath.....

[uv2021]

The problem is the AMA and the surgeon general along with big pharma also control the courts and the govt.The real problem is that if there was no health benefits from indoor tanning,there would be no attacks on indoor tanning.so many people use sunbeds,not just for the tan,but because it makes them feel good.The AMA and the surgeon general have no dreams of ever allowing you to feel good....unless it is from a pill.

[Hot Tan]

Low Vitamin D Might Be Risk Factor for Glaucoma

April 2014 — Low blood levels of vitamin D could increase your risk of glaucoma, according to a new study.
Woman getting her vitamin D by reclining in the sun.
Spending some time in the sun is the best way to boost your blood levels of vitamin D — and possibly decrease your risk of glaucoma.

In research published this month in Public Health Nutrition, investigators examined the relationship between five categories of serum vitamin D levels and the prevalence of open-angle glaucoma among 6,094 adults in South Korea.

The odds ratio of having glaucoma among study participants comprising the group with the lowest vitamin D levels was significantly higher than that for those with more robust vitamin D levels.

The researchers also found that predictors for worsening of open-angle glaucoma — such as high eye pressure and changes in appearance of the optic nerve — had a significant relationship with low serum vitamin D levels.

The study authors concluded that vitamin D deficiency should be considered a potential risk factor for the development of open-angle glaucoma.