Longevity & AgingNutritional Strategies Show Promise for Gut Health in Autism Spectrum Disorder
This comprehensive review examines nutritional strategies for managing gastrointestinal symptoms in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Children with ASD face a fourfold increased risk of GI problems including constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. The authors analyzed evidence for various interventions including elimination diets, vitamin supplementation, digestive enzymes, and gut microbiome modulators. While some approaches showed promise—particularly vitamin/mineral supplements and digestive enzymes—the evidence remains limited by small study sizes and methodological inconsistencies. The review highlights the need for standardized protocols and emphasizes that nutritional interventions offer safer alternatives to conventional medications for managing both GI and behavioral symptoms in autism.
