Overview Autism and vitamin D
FACT: Studies have shown many associations between autism to low Vitamin D
FACT: Clinical trial has prevented Autism with Vitamin D during pregnancy
FACT: Clinical trial has treated autism in children
RECOMMENDATION: Take extra vitamin D when pregnant
- There is a tiny risk in taking vitamin D during pregnancy, but a major risk in not doing so if you already have an autistic child
Vitamin D Life - Autism category contains
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Summary of this page by CHAT-GPT-4 Sept 2023
Facts:
Many studies have shown associations between autism and low Vitamin D levels.
Clinical trials have shown that Vitamin D during pregnancy can prevent Autism.
Clinical trials have also treated autism in children with Vitamin D.
The recommendation is to take extra vitamin D when pregnant. While there's a small risk in taking vitamin D during pregnancy, the risk of not doing so is significant, especially if you already have an autistic child.
Highlighted Studies and Information:
Autism was 20X more likely if acetaminophen (Tylenol) was used from age 12 - 18 months (July 2023).
There were over 200 studies suggesting a link between vaccines and autism as of 2023.
The US saw an explosion of autism cases, with the cost associated with autism reaching $223 billion/year in 2020.
Almost 7% of 8-year-old boys in California had autism in 2020, with males being 3.8X more likely to have autism than females.
Autism symptoms, in some cases, disappeared by changing the diet.
A 3X increase in autism in boys by age 3 was observed if they had 3 hours of daily screen time before age 1 (potentially due to less vitamin D exposure) as of Feb 2022.
Autism may be synergistically treated by Vitamin D and probiotics (July 2022).
Autism was 2X to 3X more likely if there was a poor Vitamin D Receptor (June 2020).
Vaccinations resulted in increased office visits for children 16 months later (Nov 2020).
Dr. Cannell, who is associated with the Vitamin D Council, has written and spoken extensively about the relationship between autism and Vitamin D. He suggests that autism can be treated with Vitamin D levels between 80 – 120 ng.
Report on Autism and Vitamin D by Perplexity AI June 2025
📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Could You be a "Little Bit Autistic?": The Nonvisible Part of the Spectrum - May 2024
includes a substantial free portion of his book
Autism decreased by Omega-3, increased by Omega-6
Autism treated by a combination of Vitamin D plus Omega-3 - case report 2020
Omega-3 PUFAs and vitamin D co-supplementation as a safe-effective therapeutic approach for core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder: case report and literature review
Nutritional Neuroscience. An International J. on Nutrition, Diet and Nervous System. Vol 23, 2020 - Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2018.1557385
Marco Infante,Barry Sears,Angela Maria Rizzo,Daniela Mariani Cerati,Massimiliano Caprio,Camillo Ricordi
Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by abnormal development of cognitive, social, and communicative skills. Although ASD aetiology and pathophysiology are still unclear, various nutritional factors have been investigated as potential risk factors for ASD development, including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and vitamin D deficiency. In fact, both omega-3 PUFAs and vitamin D are important for brain development and function.
Case report: Herein, we report the case of a 23-year-old young adult male with autism who was referred to our Unit due to a 12-month history of cyclic episodes of restlessness, agitation, irritability, and oppositional and self-injurious behaviors. Laboratory tests documented a markedly altered omega-6/omega-3 balance, along with a vitamin D deficiency, as assessed by serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Omega-3 and vitamin D co-supplementation was therefore started, with remarkable improvements in ASD symptoms throughout a 24-month follow-up period. A brief review of the literature for interventional studies evaluating the efficacy of omega-3 or vitamin D supplementation for the treatment of ASD-related symptoms is also provided.
Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case reporting remarkable beneficial effects on ASD symptoms deriving from omega-3 and vitamin D combination therapy. This case report suggests omega-3 and vitamin D co-supplementation as a potential safe-effective therapeutic strategy to treat core symptoms of ASD. However, larger studies are needed to evaluate the real efficacy of such therapeutic approach in a broader sample of ASD patients.
📄 Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Vitamin D Life - studies in both categories Autism and Omega-3
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Autism appears to be somewhat treated by Omega-3; I wonder if it might prevent it as well - March 2017
- Autism Research Shows Benefit of Omega-3 Fatty Acids March 2017
- 23 references include the following
- "Omega-3 fatty acids in the management of autism spectrum disorders" 2015
- “Role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the management of Egyptian children with autism.” 2008
- . “A pilot randomized controlled trial of omega-3 fatty acids for autism spectrum disorder.” 2011
- Supplementation of omega 3 fatty acids may improve hyperactivity, lethargy, and stereotypy in children with autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Oct 2017
Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and/or vitamin D in autism spectrum disorders: a systematic review - Aug 2023
https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1238973 FREE PDF
Autism may be associated with Increased Omega-6 (which blocks Omega-3) Aug 2024
Autism Risk factors
Having an autistic sibling: 20X
Proven to be greatly decreased if the mother took lots of vitamin D in subsequent pregnancy
Autism 20X more likely if acetaminophen (Tylenol) from age 12 - 18 months - July 2023
16,000 results for query of acetaminophen and autism in Google Scholar July 2023
A Systematic Review of the Link Between Autism Spectrum Disorder and Acetaminophen: A Mystery to Resolve - 2022 📄 PDF
ADHD 2 X more likely if Tylenol used a lot during pregnancy (Autism increased too) – Dec 2016
Many childhood vaccinations: 4.4 X
Father over age 50: 2.2 X
- A review of the risk factors for Autism - Oct 2024 - [https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.1324FREE PDF]
Mother lived near a freeway during the third trimester of pregnancy: 2X
https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/autism
Less than 6 months between births 2.5X
Kaiser Probably Low vitamin D
200+ studies: Vaccines ==> Autism - 2023
If vaccines don't cause autism, then how do you explain all this evidence? Substack June 2023]
"There are large cohorts with a no vaccination policy which have NO autism."
Clinical pediatric practice for 35 years gave no vaccines and had ZERO autistic children.
Two of his charts: many more health problems in vaccinated


See also in Vitamin D Life: Problems after childhood vaccinations - many studies
5 vaccine ==> autism studies - Sept 2024
International scientists have found autism's cause. What will Americans do? Substack Handley

"CDC AND NIH UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SINGLE STUDY TO SUPPORT THE SAFETY OF INJECTING ALUMINUM ADJUVANTS DESPITE ITS WIDESPREAD USE IN CHILDHOOD VACCINES"
US Explosion of Autism

The chart is adapted from http://autisminnb.blogspot.com/2011/01/autism-speaks-cdc-autism-prevalence.html
Autism cases in U.S. jump to 1 in 45 Nov 2015 - based on 2014 data
In 2014, it was 75 % boys, 25 % girls.
Autism – 1 in 40 children in the US (as of 2016) – Nov 2018
CDC update: 1 in 88 as of 2008 Reported March 2012
This is a 78 % increase in (2003-2008) for ALL children
110% increase for Hispanics and 91% increase for black children (2003-2008) (dark skin strongly points to vitamin D)
CDC PDF of the 2008 study which was finally published in 2012 is attached to the bottom of this page
Prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder Among US Children and Adolescents, 2014-2016 JAMA 2018
Leveling out? 1.46% (1 in 68) based on a survey of parents - has the child been diagnosed with Autism

1 child in 68 CDC March 2014
An increase of about 30% from 2008 to 2010, which is also a 120% increase in the decade since 2000/2002
Autism Tsunami - US cost $223 billion/year in 2020
Autism Tsunami: the Impact of Rising Prevalence on the Societal Cost of Autism in the United States - May 2021
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders May 2021 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05120-7
Mark Blaxill • Toby Rogers • Cynthia Nevison
The cost of ASD in the U.S. is estimated using a forecast model that, for the first time, accounts for the true historical increase in ASD. Model inputs include ASD prevalence, census population projections, six cost categories, ten age brackets, inflation projections, and three future prevalence scenarios.
Future ASD costs increase dramatically: total base-case costs of
$223 (175-271) billion/year are estimated in 2020;
$589 billion/year in 2030,
$1.36 trillion/year in 2040, and
$5.54 (4.29-6.78) trillion/year by 2060,
with substantial potential savings through ASD prevention . Rising prevalence, the shift from child to adult-dominated costs, the transfer of costs from parents onto the government, and the soaring total costs raise pressing policy questions and demand an urgent focus on prevention strategies.
A modern day witch trial substack by Rogers in May 2023
"The titans of the autism industry have officially banned any discussion of the prevalence, causes, and costs of autism in order to continue profiting from the mass poisoning of children."
"A societal cost of autism model (or really any cost of disease model) is pretty straightforward. One just has to calculate the prevalence of the condition in the population and then estimate the costs across several categories — lost parental wages, lost personal wages (for the person with the condition), educational costs, healthcare costs, supportive services (particularly housing) costs — and then just multiply the number of people afflicted times the average cost per person to come up with a number for the whole society."
Almost 7% of 8-year-old California boys (1 in 15) had Autism in 2020 (males 3.8X that of females)
Autism: mitochondria, toxins, probably helped by supplements - Mercola Dec 2021
"More recent investigations looking at mitochondrial biomarkers and electron transport chain activity suggest mitochondrial abnormalities may be involved in as many as 80% of cases."
Autism and Dr. Cannell (who is Autistic) at the Vitamin D Council (closed ~2018)
Autism treated by Vitamin D (80 – 120 ng) – Cannell update May 2018
Autism Overview updated Nov 2015
Autism and Vitamin D - Dr. Cannell in Life Extension Mag - Jan 2014
- 50 IU of vitamin D / pound, with a goal of 80 ng/ml . Also, vitamin K2 3 mg/lb, best results before age 8
Dr. Cannell on Autism – Spring 2013 videos - also mentions nice results of accidentally getting 10X too much vitamin D
Autism treated by Vitamin D: Dr. Cannell - video June 2013, which includes reasons why Dr. Cannell believes Autism is related to Vitamin D (summarized by Vitamin D Life)
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- Study out of China finds correlation between vitamin D status and autism severity Vitamin D Council Oct 2013
- Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in Chinese children with autism spectrum disorders. - Oct 2013
Autism and Vitamin D - by John Cannell, MD Life Extension Jan 2014
Autism Causes, Prevention and Treatment: Vitamin D Deficiency etc. – Book April 2015

Animal study finds that suggests vitamin D may help prevent and treat autistic symptoms. Vitamin D Council Feb 2016
- ". . . "if you want your children to be free of autism, we recommend both mom and dad supplement with 5,000 IU/day of vitamin D for at least 3 months before conception (this dose will also improve both male and female fertility). Then, the pregnant woman should remain on 5,000 IU/day, and perhaps 10,000 IU/day, which is the No Observed Adverse Effects Level (NOAEL) level for vitamin D intake throughout her pregnancy."
- "After the child is born, he or she should supplement with at least 1,000 IU/25 pounds of body weight per day. When the child reaches 125 pounds, he or she should take 5,000 IU/day. If the child shows any signs or symptoms of autism, the dose should be increased to 2,000 IU/per day/per 25 pounds of body weight."
Vitamin D Council Autism Infographic April 2016

150+ Vitamin D Life pages have AUTISM OR AUTISTIC in the title
This list is automatically updated{LIST()}Autism and Vitamin D from Google Scholar 20,900 items Dec 2024
Associations Between Vitamin D and Core Symptoms in ASD: An Umbrella Review - Jul 2024 FREE PDF
Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - May 2023 doi: 10.9758/cpn.2023.21.2.240 FREE PDF
Vitamin D Status in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Determinants and Effects of the Response to Probiotic Supplementation - July 2022 FREE PDF
Steroid hormone pathways, vitamin D and autism: a systematic review - Feb 2023 FREE PDF
Research Progress on the Role of Vitamin D in Autism Spectrum Disorder - May 2022 FREE PDF
Vitamin D receptor gene variants and serum vitamin D in childhood autism spectrum disorder - Aug 2022 FREE PDF
Vitamin D: Before, during and After Pregnancy: Effect on Neonates and Children - May 2022 - FREE PDF
- "...while in infants, the clinical conditions are low birth weight, lower bone mass and possible relationship with the development of such diseases as bronchiolitis, asthma, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and autism included as VD non-classical actions."
The effect of vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials - Sept 2020 FREE PDF
The Role of Vitamin D Supplementation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Narrative Review - Dec 2021 FREE PDF
Maternal Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy and Offspring Autism Spectrum Disorder - Dec 2021 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.07.012 1.4X increased risk if < 30 nmol
The Relationship between Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder - Dec 2021 FREE PDF
Autism and Vitamin D on the web
Perhaps female autistics are just much better than males at masking their autisism - TedTalk 2023?
New York Times July 2011 report on a new study of autistic twins
- Autism was due to shared environmental factors 58 % of the time.
Long interesting blog post on Rickets, Vitamin D deficiency and Autism Feb 2012
Etiopathogenesis of autism spectrum disorders: Fitting the pieces of the puzzle together Medical Hypothesis, July 2013
- We suggest that ASD are disorders of the immune system that occur in a very early phase of embryonic development.
- In a background of genetic predisposition and environmental predisposition (probably vitamin D deficiency), an infection (notably a viral infection) could trigger, ,,
- Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy Raises Your Child’s Risk for Autism Mercola Dec 2016
- Includes Feb 2016 Interview with Dr.Patrick on Autism - both video and transcript
- New Study Confirms That Mercury Is Linked to Autism GreenMedInfo] Dec 2016
- The higher the mercury level, the higher the autism. This DOES NOT prove causation. It could be that Autism ==> higher Mercury level.
- Mercury and Autism Relationship Confirmed in Longitudinal Study July 2017
- Study in: Science of The Total Environment Dec 2017; lots of blood tests
- If the mercury level doubles at 2-time points, then 31% increased risk of mild to moderate” deficits of social behavior related to autism
- Autism on TedTalk March 2014
- good background, nothing about vitamin D; the following chart shows the 200-400 genes associated with different forms of autism

Is it Time to Give Up on a Single Diagnostic Label for Autism? Scientific American May 2018
- "That was the ruling by the editors of the authoritative Diagnostic and Statistical Manual in 2013, but it remains controversial" +"All autistic individuals share core features, including social and communication difficulties, unusually narrow interests, a strong need for repetition and, often, sensory issues. Yet these core features vary enormously in how they are manifested and in how disabling they are." +"There are huge disparities in many areas, such as language development or IQ, and in the presence or absence of co-occurring medical conditions and disabilities"
HYPOTHESIS Vaccine ==> increased Autism
The Clear Legal Basis that Vaccines Cause Autism Green Med Info Sept 2018
Lengthy abstract of book How to End the Autism Epidemic Amazon published Sept 2018,
- 1 Best Seller in Pediatrics Sept 19, 2018
The Vaccine Act has a 3-year statute of limitation, and virtually all Autistic behavior is not detected until after the 3-year limitation
The one case in which Autism did start within the 3-year time limit was conceded by the govt (and the evidence was sealed), but the 5,500 other Autism claims were thrown out
Table Of Contents

- Vitamin D, Immune Activation and Autism Oct 2016
- Vitamin D blocks the bad effects of the Vaccine
The Political Economy of Autism Sept1 4, 2021
- If zero vaccines, the autism rate = 1 in 715; If an alternative vaccine schedule, the autism rate = is 1 in 440; If a CDC vaccine schedule, the autism rate = is 1 in 36.
Highly acclaimed Madsen study (2002) is the wrong way to determine whether MMR causes autism June 2023
- The massive number of problems
Clinical Review of Autism and Vitamin D 2012 - excellent
[dl2624] if registered (free) for Vitamin D Life
Roundup and Autism
Powerful chart of the increase in Autism and increase in GMO food
from http://www.examiner.com/article/data-show-correlations-between-increase-neurological-diseases-and-gmos

Roundup May Be Most Important Factor in Development of Autism . . Mercola June 2013
Dr. Seneff publications many on interactions of roundup on Autism
Seneff Nov 2014 Winston Price Conference

See also Vitamin D Life
Which has many charts of increases in diseases with Glyphosate - which are HIGHLY LIKELY

Perhaps many Females are autistic - but they have very different symptoms than males.
- Why It’s So Difficult to Diagnose Autism in Girls Slate Oct 2015
- "Some researchers theorize that girls are better than boys at camouflaging their symptoms, particularly during highly structured interactions such as clinic visits. For instance, a colleague of mine described girls with autism as “caricatures” in social interactions. These girls may be motivated to interact, but their behaviors seem exaggerated."
- The Invisible Women With Autism Atlantic Mag Oct 2015
- Similar article to Slate - very interesting
- Wonder if the perceived ratio of male/female will decrease in the future
- Vitamin D and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Literature Review - 2016, 35 pages
Half of Autistic children have sleep problems such as insomnia
Autism and Sleep - What Parents Need to Know - Nov 2019
65% have shorter REM sleep, and many autistic children have sleep apnea
Bright light in the morning seems to help - similar to helping people with Seaonal Affective Disorder
It appears that Autistics supplemented with Vitamin D sleep better
Items in both categories, Autism and Sleep, are listed here:
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Many autism symptoms disappear by changing the food
sulforaphane
Fever Benefits for Autism in a Food Video and Transcript -Dr. Greger March 2021
Nobel Prize for Medicine for brain ailments went to the “father of fever therapy,”
When the brain gets too hot, it generates heat shock proteins to protect itself
sulforaphane, the active ingredient in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, kale, and collard greens, activates the heat shock response.
His 2nd video on Autism and Food points out that four different aspects of Autism are treated by sulforaphane
shock proteins are released to boost synaptic transmission,
Nrf2 is activated to wipe out the free radicals,
mitochondrial function is restored,
suppress the inflammation triggered by NF-kappa-beta
Broccoli Compound Eases Autism Symptoms by Mimicking a Child's Fever HealthLine, 2014?
"During the 18-week study, between 35 and 60 percent of those taking sulforaphane showed decreases in characteristic autism symptoms like repetitive movements, irritability, hyperactivity, and communication problems. "
A Randomized Controlled Dietary Trial for Autism June 2021, Dr. Greger
All had symptoms reduced after a gluten- and casein-free diet for a year
3X increase in Autism in boys by age 3 if 3 hours of daily screen time before age 1 (less vitamin D) - Feb 2022
Screen time in first year may raise autism risk at age 3 MDEdge FREE PDF
16p11.2 deletion syndrome: gene defect associated with Multiple Sclerosis and low vitamin D - June 2022
515 hits for Google Search of 16p11.2 "vitamin d" as of June 2022
Sabrina’s Parents Love Her. But the Meltdowns Are Too Much New York Times June 2, 2022, 📄 PDF
16p11.2 deletion syndrome MedlinePlus
"Most people tested for the 16p11.2 deletion have come to medical attention as a result of developmental delay or autistic behaviors."
" ...deletion in the general population is difficult to determine but has been estimated at approximately 3 in 10,000 ."
Pesticides may increase the risk of Autism - Oct 2021
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Prenatal or Early Life Exposure to Pesticides: A Short Review - Oct 2021 https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010991 FREE PDF
- "Conclusions: Among the different environmental pollutants, pesticides should be considered as emerging risk factors for ASD."
See also: Pesticides 8 X less likely to result in female infertility if take vitamin D – Sept 2023
Vitamin D Life - Does a vaccine increase the risk of Autism – March 2019
See also: Vaccinations resulted in increased office visits for children 16 months later - Nov 2020
Autism not mentioned, but huge increases in Asthma, ADHD, and 13 othe health issues
7+ Virus pages have AUTISM OR AUTISTIC in the title
This list is automatically updated
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Autism is associated with other categories: Pregnancy 30, Infant-Child 19, ADHD 15, Intervention 11, Cognitive 10, Omega-3 7, Virus 6, Depression 6, Vitamin D Receptor 5, etc.
Books, videos on Vitamin D 4, Antibiotics, probiotics 4, Skin - Dark 4 ,Youth 4, Sleep 4; as of May 2024
Close Associations
Short url = http://is.gd/DAutism