Folinic acid for Autism
NOT FOLIC ACID
Why take folinic acid for autism?
How do you take it?
How it works.
Useful testing for issues
Scientific research on folinic acid and autism
Why take folinic acid?
Folinic acid is a form of folate (vitamin B9). Folate is necessary for normal brain development and function. It helps with DNA repair, DNA production and gene expression. It also helps prevent oxidative stress which damages cells within the body and brain.
When there is a lack of folate within the brain normal processes cannot occur and cell damage can accumulate.
Many individuals with autism have an issue with getting folate into the brain and many studies have shown increasing the amount of folinic acid which is a form of folate significantly improves language, speech and social interactions in autism.
DO NOT LET CHILDREN DEVELOP WITHOUT SUFFICENT FOLATE/FOLINIC ACID.
FOLATE is necessary for brain development in early childhood.
If your child has
Cerebrel Folate Deficiency
act NOW.
Studies show a large proportion of children with autism has something called cerebral folate deficiency(CFD) about 38%[2]. Of these children 83% of CFD is caused by a condition called folate receptor alpha antibodies [2].
Almost 40% of children with autism have cerebral folate deficiency
How to give folinic acid
Studies in which folinic acid helped children when they received a dose of 2mg/kg/day with a maximum of 50mg per day[1, 4, 5].
According to the research improvements were found from 5 - 24 weeks[1, 2, 3, 4, 5].
Weight
Folinic acid per day
1kg 2mg
2kg 4mg
3kg 6mg
4kg 8mg
5kg 10mg
6kg 12mg
7kg 14mg
8kg 16mg
9kg 18mg
10kg 20mg
11kg 22mg
12kg 24mg
Folinic acid AKA leucovorin, calcium folinate.
Things to consider as a Parent:
- Is my child getting enough folate from their diet?
-Does my child have Folate receptor alpha anti-bodies?
-Does my child have MFHTR defiencey?
Folinic acid is safe and often given to children with autism.
Studies show it has no significant as first effects
It's been shown to help children with autism especially with Cerebral Folate Deficiency and Folate Receptor Alpha Antibodies
PROS
CONS
Possible gastrointestinal upset
Allergic reaction(rare)
Possible low calcium levels
Example
3 year-old Billy has autism and he weighs about 15kg.
If deciding to give folinic acid, then 2mg/kg/day of folinic acid would be:
2 x 15 = 30mg per day.
Below is a table of how much folinic acid was given in the studies mentioned.
13kg 26mg
14kg 28mg
15kg 30mg
16kg 32mg
17kg 34mg
18kg 36mg
19kg 38mg
20kg 40mg
21kg 42mg
22kg 44mg
23kg 46mg
24kg 48mg
25kg 50mg Max dose
Folinic acid per day
Weight
Folinic acid is given as a tablet or capsule. Many tablets and capsules should not be should not be ground up or opened because they have a coating which stops the stomach acid from destroying it.
If your child has difficulty taking tablets, try and find a form of folinic acid which can be ground up/opened to make it easier to consume.
Cerebral Folate Deficencey
Studies show a large proportion of children with autism have something called cerebral folate deficiency(CFD) about 38%.
Lack of folate in the brain has many different negative effects especially in developing brains of young children. Let's go over these effects:
DNA repair, sysnthesis and expression
Neurotransmitter production- Folate is necessary to make neurotransmitters. These neurotransmitters are chemicals in the brain which are necessary for brain cells to communication with each other. Without folate these neurotransmitters are lacking and can affect brain cell communication leading to autism symptoms.
Oxidative stress - oxidative stress is when the body produces waste particles which if uncleared from the body can cause cell damage. Folate helps in preventing these waste products from building up in the brain.
How folinic acid helps with autism
Children with autism often have low folate in the brain which affects development. This can lead to symptoms like irritability, lack of speech and other autistic symptoms.
Folate
A common reason is because the body produces antibodies which prevent folate from entering the brain.
Folinic acid which is a different type of folate can enter the brain allowing for normal brain development.
Folinic acid
Folinic acid allowing for normal brain development can help improve symptoms of autism as shown in many studies such as improved speech, improved cognitive ability, and social skills [1, 3, 4, 5].
Folate Receptor Alpha Antibodies
Folate receptor alpha antibodies are antibodies which attach and special receptor on brain cells. These receptor open channels to allow folate into brain cells and when these receptors are blocked or impair by antibodies then folate cannot get into the cell.
When the antibodies which are supposed to attach to infections from outside the body like viruses and bacteria attach to the cells of the body it's called autoimmunity.
