Treating Autism with Vitamin B6

Pyridoxine & Magnesium Supplements for Autistic Spectrum Disorders

Jun 6, 2008
Jennifer Copley

Vitamin B - Jennifer Copley

Studies suggest that vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements may provide benefits for some autistic individuals.

Many studies have been carried out to examine the effects of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) and magnesium supplements on autistic spectrum disorders. Although B6/magnesium therapy shows great promise, studies of supplementation often use small sample sizes or rely on subjective reporting by parents, so more research is required before definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Remarkable Results

A 1968 study of 16 autistic children with serious behavioral problems found that 75% made dramatic improvements with high doses of vitamin B6, 3 of them actually speaking for the first time ever (Bonisch, 1968). The subjects also made better eye contact, showed greater interest in interacting, and had fewer outbursts of emotion or temper. While not cured, their functioning was significantly higher.

A number of additional studies suggest that treatment with high doses of vitamin B6 along with normal doses of magnesium may be quite effective in reducing autistic symptoms ranging from communication difficulties to poor emotional control, though there have also been studies that have found no effect.

Of 6,634 Autism Research Institute parent ratings of the use of vitamin B6/magnesium for treating autism symptoms, 48% saw improvements, 48% no effect, and 4% a worsening of symptoms. Of 321 parent ratings for the use of B6 to treat Asperger's syndrome, 50% saw improvements, while 45% saw no effects, and 5% said that their children grew worse. Magnesium on its own was not as effective, with improvements noted in just 29% of autism cases and 16% of Asperger cases.

How it Works

Some believe that those with autistic spectrum disorders may suffer from deficiencies of vitamin B6 and magnesium, given the significant benefits sometimes achieved through supplementation. Interestingly, magnesium has also proven beneficial for some children with ADHD, the symptoms of which are often similar to those of high-functioning autistic spectrum disorders (Autism Canada, 2011).

Safety

Minor side effects of large doses of vitamin B6 may include nausea, diarrhea or hyperactivity. However, these effects are uncommon and more likely to occur only when the dose is too high or increased too rapidly. Nausea can also result from taking B vitamins on an empty stomach, so children should take vitamin supplements with meals. A very small number of children taking large doses of B6 suffer peripheral neuropathy, which causes numbness or tingling of the feet and hands. However, side effects are rare, and taking magnesium with vitamin B6 lowers the risk of them occurring.

Overall, studies indicate that vitamin B6 and magnesium supplementation is safe when overseen by a family doctor or pediatrician. However, the British National Formulary warns that the effects of long-term use of high doses of vitamin B6 are not known.

Required Dose

Dr. Bernard Rimland (1997), Autism Research Institute, recommends approximately 8 mg of vitamin B6 per pound of body weight each day, or 500 mg for a 60-pound child. Magnesium can be toxic at high doses and so only average dosing should be used. Parents should consult a physician to establish the correct dose for their children, as there may be other medical issues to take into consideration.

Dr. Stephen M. Edelson (2002), Center for the Study of Autism, notes that B6 and magnesium supplements should be taken in conjunction with a children’s multivitamin, as this will help in their metabolism. Also, he emphasizes that when choosing vitamins, it is important to avoid those that contain Aspartame (Nutrasweet), as this substance has been linked to neurological damage.

Treating Depression and Anxiety

Those with autistic spectrum disorders often suffer from depression or anxiety as well. Because vitamin B6 has the beneficial effect of increasing the levels of GABA and serotonin in the blood, it may reduce dysphoric or unhappy mental states (Barker & Meletis, 2004). While these are preliminary findings and more research is needed, given that vitamin supplementation is relatively safe when overseen by a qualified doctor, B6 could be useful in treating the problematic emotional states of those with autism or Asperger’s syndrome.

Consult a Physician

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be taken as medical advice. If you are interested in using vitamin and mineral supplements to treat autism, depression or other conditions, you should consult your family physician before proceeding.