Good Day Sunshine (and Vitamin D, too)
July 6, 2007 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Yesterday I noted that MSG has been mentioned as a possible cause of autism; today, Dr. John Cannell, a psychiatrist, claims that the rise in the incidence of autism is due to pregnant women not getting enough Vitamin D, as noted in today’s Globe and Mail. According to the Vitamin D Council:
Falling vitamin D levels over the last 20 years due to sun‑avoidance explain autism’s rapid increase in incidence during that same time. The very different effects estrogen and testosterone have on vitamin D metabolism may explain why boys are much more likely to get it than girls are. Lower vitamin D levels in blacks may explain their higher rates of autism. The vitamin D theory has tenable explanations for all the epidemiological features of autism.
Dr. Cannell being a “vitamin D advocate,” it seems less than surprising, perhaps, that he should note such a link. Regarding Dr. Cannell, the Globe and Mail also notes:
Although Dr. Cannell is something of a maverick in research circles, he has credentials. Last year, he published an important peer-reviewed paper linking low vitamin D levels to an increased susceptibility to influenza, based on research at his hospital.
But for his autism hypothesis, he is now jeopardizing his chances of publication in a scientific journal by e-mailing the Vitamin D Council newsletter outlining the idea to thousands of U.S. autism activists – a possible violation of the rules of publication.
The Vitamin D Council newsletter posits that both the “current epidemic of vitamin D deficiency” and the “epidemic of autism” might have “the same root cause: sun avoidance.” A correlation between the American Medical Association (AMA) first warning about the dangers of sun exposure in 1989 with the rise in the prevalence rate of autism is noted:
In 1989, around the time autism began to rise, the American Medical Association’s (AMA) Council on Scientific Affairs first warned about the dangers of sun exposure, advising mothers to “keep infants out of the sun as much as possible.” In 1999, when autism rates really exploded, the American Academy of Pediatrics went further, advising mothers always to keep infants out of direct sunlight, use sun‑protective clothes and sunblock, and make sure children’s activities minimize sunlight exposure. Quite inexplicably, they said there was “no evidence” such “rigorous sun protection” would affect vitamin D levels. By 2002, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported such efforts were quite successful: “protection from sun exposure is reported for a high proportion of children.”
In considering this latest theory of autism causation, the main thing I have to say is that, for all of Charlie’s life, Jim and I have done a very poor job of following this particular warning from the AMA. I jogged and walked most days while I was expecting Charlie. From the time of his birth (and Charlie was born in May, and spent his first year in St. Louis, Missouri, where summers could not be more hazy, hot, and humid), Charlie has been outside and about, whether in Snugli or stroller. I suppose I put a hat on him, but we often had the problem of Charlie’s head being bigger than the latest cute baby hat, which usually ended up perched atop (literally) his head, or shoved into the diaper bag. Consequently, from the time he was a baby first visiting the Jersey shore at four months, Charlie has gotten a tan (much to the bemusement of his blue-eyed and blonde dad). Now, even before summer starts, Charlie (and I) get the summer-bronzed look just by going on our daily walks (I only discovered the varieties of SPF on suntan lotion after spending my first summer with Jim: my ancestors are all from southern China, where they were peasants who worked in the fields).
Dr. Cannell’s Vitamin D Council newsletter recommends that
pregnant women, infants, children, everyone—especially autistic children—should receive sensible sun exposure daily: around noon or 1:00 p.m., expose as much skin as possible, 10–30 minutes duration—depending on how easily one sunburns
and while I am filing away this theory along with so many others that link autism to the latest X, Y, and Z, I can say that, yes, Charlie and Jim and I will be getting plenty of sun this summer.
And, that I’m always sure to keep a bottle of suntan lotion in the car now.
Photo courtesy of random mariE via Flickr
“But for his autism hypothesis, he is now jeopardizing his chances of publication in a scientific journal by e-mailing the Vitamin D Council newsletter outlining the idea to thousands of U.S. autism activists – a possible violation of the rules of publication.”
He didn’t stop with “U.S. autism activists”, he emailed me (in Canada) twice…
Guess I’m not considered one as I haven’t received it!
Hmmm, Kristina. I too walked when I was pregnant with Mark.
I’d also sit outside in the sun and read the newspaper cup of coffee in hand.(Wish I had that luxury now!)
When he was born I would take him out for walks too.(in his stroller).
He’s always loved being outside, and has been bouncing on his trampoline since he was 3 years old.
We live in a part of the world that get’s plenty of sunshine.
Afraid the ‘not enough sun ‘theory doesn’t apply here either!
ay yi yi
I just don’t “get” the need to find the “root”. This one is laughable.
Hi. My name is Raquel. I have a blog re: Autism and would like for you to check it out.
If you share passion for solving the mystery behind Autism, please add my blog to yours. I’d like to use my blog as a source of information since I work with families of children with Autism.
This is my link http://autism4theuneducated.blogspot.com/
Hope to hear from you.
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I heard that autism may be caused by kookery.
I hate quack theories about the “cause” of the “epidemic,” but there’s something interesting about this one to me personally… because I have MS, which ALSO just recently was linked to in-utero Vitamin D deficiency. Except that my mom was a 70’s beach bunny who spent her whole pregnancy in baby oil and a string bikini… oh, well.
Don’t prenatal vitamins have Vitamin D? Yeah, I thought so. But I guess no one takes prenatal vitamins anymore. Or maybe it’s the “wrong kind” of vitamin D. Are we at the dawn of a “rickets epidemic” as well? I know I’ve seen, what, zero cases in 14 years. Truly disturbing.
No, no, no. You’re all wrong. The rise in autism corresponds with: a) the rise in personal video players and Walkmen, b) the increase in diagnostic use of ultrasound and the decrease of use of x-rays in pregnancy, c) the increase in the use of ceramic tooth fillings in lieu of mercury-laden amalgam fillings, d) the hole in the ozone layer expanding, e) the increase of CO2 in the atmosphere, and f) the decrease in average MPG of American designed automobiles. There is hope that with the gas crunch and increased fuel efficiency of next generation cars, we will see a downturn in autism.
Funny but there are a lot of Hummers here in NJ, with that highest in the nation prevalence rate………
Susan,
It’s such a pity to see that your head has been filled with leftist lies.
Everyone knows that the Liberal Media is the sole root cause of autism.
Ah, I stand corrected
Those damn pinko commy b*stards! And here we thought that red was dead and the cold war was over.
Autism is a communist plot…
And here I thought it was all a conspiracy cooked up by Big Pharma and the CDC!
I do not like my science by direct mass-mailer.
Like some other folks — me, my daughter, and the entire family are out and about in the sun. A lot. And take multivitamins with vitamin D. So this does not completely persuade.
If I were cynical sort of person, I might anticipate this as the prelude to some kind of *special* Vitamin D product coming down the pike here in the not too distant future.
I work with a kid who got a pool in his backyard last year. Needless to say, he’s been out in the sun a whole lot since they got it, since they heated the hot tub until January, and opened the pool again in April. Oddly enough, it doesn’t look like this is doing much of anything, but it is loads of fun since it has a slide and a diving board.
Who says fun can’t do some good?…….
Oh, it certainly does. We have a good time, and I even sneak some work in there too. I think the kid would agree that it beats working at the table when it’s possible.
Charlie would more than revel in it!
Those people who think it isn’t possible to be vitamin D insufficient if you regularly get regular exposure to sunshine should google “Low vitamin D status despite abundant sun exposure.”
There is a huge difference between the levels of vitamin D status which causes rickets and the ideal level of Vitamin D status for the proper functioning of all your body’s systems. “Circulating Vitamin D3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in Humans:” leads to a paper on the subject showing 100nmol/L is probably the safest minimum level to be sure every tissue, gene, enzyme reactions needing Vitamin D3 or it’s metabolites is not restricted. To achieve this 100nmol/L level requires a total daily intake from sun exposure, food and supplements of around 4000iu/d.
Google
“Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D-Related Disorders” and listen to a series of presentations from leading Vitamin D researchers to understand more of the role of Vitamin D3 in your body and brain.
I think one should take a balanced view of Dr Cannell’s theory.
On the one side the cost of Vitamin D3 cholecalciferol is cheap, free from sunshine and 5000iu Cholecalciferol capsules from the USA either from the links on The Vitamin D Council website or the supermarket are very cheap. You only need 3 of these each week to achieve a 2000iu/d increase in your status and if you live somewhere far from the Equator you still only need 5-6 of these to provide all your Winter requirements.
There is no downside to taking this level of Vitamin D “Risk assessment for vitamin D” shows adverse events have only been reported over 40,000iu/d and 10,000iu/d should be regarded as a safe upper limit. You actually need less that half that daily, and for most of the year this can be safely obtained by regular limited (20mins) full body prone sun exposure.
Where there is no risk from taking the supplement at an effective level, where the cost in minimal and the potential gain (optimal vitamin D status reduces cancer risk by 77%) irrespective of whether or not Cannell’s Autism theory is eventually proved correct, the wisest move it to use the supplements or ensure regular daily limited full body exposure to the sun.
“Effects of Above Average Summer Sun Exposure on Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Calcium Absorption ” shows that outdoor workers (clothed) averaged only 2800iu/d through the year so these people were insufficient in the Winter. Much of the information about the amount of vitamin D the skin can make in a few minutes sun exposure is based on too low an assessment of our daily needs.
BrstPathDoc said :
‘Are we at the dawn of a “rickets epidemic” as well? I know I’ve seen, what, zero cases in 14 years.’
Our pediatrician has recommended giving our breast-feed five month old daughter vitamin D supplements because they have seen an increase of rickets (in breast-feed children I think). I am not clear whether the increase is our local area or a more general increase. Just food for thought.
Where do you live, if I may ask, MJ?
“Nutritional vitamin D status during pregnancy: reasons for concern ” a paper by Bruce W. Hollis and Carol L. Wagner sets out some of the reasons why we need to encourage pregnant and nursing mothers to increase Vitamin D intake.
One of the unexpected outcomes of his research into using the effective amounts of Vitamin D3 our bodies’ would naturally acquire from regular limited sun exposure, a 70% reduction in Colds & Flu is detailed in the independent online article “The sunshine superstar: study reveals Vitamin D as ‘wonder vitamin’ ”
Most people in the UK are Vitamin D insufficient according to “Hypovitaminosis D in British adults at age 45 y: nationwide cohort study of dietary and lifestyle predictors” There is no reason to assume that younger women are likely to have higher vitamin D status “Inadequate Vitamin D Levels Common Among Children ” shows that the situation of children with low Vitamin d status is found when looked for.
Most Vitamin D researchers support “The urgent need to recommend an intake of vitamin D that is effective”
Because Vitamin D3 is not patentable it is very cheap or free from sunlight so NO ONE can make a profit promoting it’s use.
The session by Robert P. Heaney, M.D. Creighton University “Normal/Abnormal Vitamin D Physiology.”
From the most recent Vitamin D conference Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D-Related Disorders (available online) explains in detail the importance of generally higher Vitamin D3 status than most of the population in the UK/USA generally achieve.
“Where do you live, if I may ask, MJ?”
Around Pittsburgh PA
Hello friends –
Some parents of autstic children might be surprized to find what their child’s level of vitamin D actually are. Or parents of any children.
We live in Florida; Luke spends at least an hour outside every day; more like 4 hours a day on weekends. We gave him large doses of vitamin D via cod liver oil for a full month before testing, and still his levels of vitamin D were in the bottom 2% of the population.
Does this ’cause’ his autism? Probably not. Perhaps it is just a coincidence. But if a variety of metabolic processes are impaired, as they frequently are with autism, assuming that just because you are spending time in the sun you are converting vitamin D may not be accurate. Of course, vitamin d related problems have long been implicated in auto immune disorders.
Take care!
-pD
Fortunately it being summer, one can recommend that we all go out in the sun (with sunscreen, as needed).
Try looking at the sunscreen/sunblock itself as likely cause of autism & A.D.D.
Young girls slathering on toxic lotions, going into high gear about the time of first ovulation. These outbreaks coincide with the advent of sunscreens.
I’d be willing to bet that the “epidemic” in autism is higher in mothers hailing from sunbelt regions.
Sure, take the kid out in the sun, but make sure s/he’s chemically treated first.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunscreen#Sun_protection_factor
Sunscreen effectively prevents you from making Vitamin D. So if you go out in the sun, but are covered up chemically or physically it won’t work.
Also, if you are dark skinned or overweight, you need more sun exposure to produce the same amount of Vitamin D.
And about rickets…in Chicago they are seeing an increase in cases.
Boy howdy,
I hesitate to post this because I can anticipate some, “See, see…”.
Rather than thinking about the “cause” of autism, what I had been thinking about is the issue of possible decreased bone density in autistic boys compared to typical which Kristina had written about in a different blog post.
In the last month, both my doctor and the pediatrician had discussions with me about my and Eleanor’s vitamin D intake. Both of us had blood tests as part of our physicals: I have been put on a D3 supplement (cheap) and Eleanor’s was all right, but because of her milk restriction, she has already been on a calcium+vitamin D supplement for some time.
Part of the contributory reason for all this solicitude may be that the American Academy of Pediatrics has just issued new guideline recommendations (and that we are above 42 degree north latitude.)
Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D
Office of Dietary Supplements
National Institutes of Health
About the sun exposure we were talking about,
“Sun exposure
Most people meet their vitamin D needs through exposure to sunlight [6,27]. Ultraviolet (UV) B radiation with a wavelength of 290-315 nanometers penetrates uncovered skin and converts cutaneous 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3, which in turn becomes vitamin D3 [11,27-28]. Season, geographic latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, skin melanin content, and sunscreen are among the factors that affect UV radiation exposure and vitamin D synthesis [28]. The UV energy above 42 degrees north latitude (a line approximately between the northern border of California and Boston) is insufficient for cutaneous vitamin D synthesis from November through February [6]; in far northern latitudes, this reduced intensity lasts for up to 6 months…
Just FYI.
Doctors double vitamin D for children
Boston Globe October 13, 2008
“…That’s why today the American Academy of Pediatrics is set to announce it is doubling the amount of vitamin D it recommends for infants, children, and adolescents to 400 IU a day, beginning in the first few days of life…”
I don’t think a lack of vitamin D alone will cause autism. I’m not an expert on autism or a doctor but I am a teacher and mother of 2 autistic kids. In general autistic children are low in several essential minerals and vitamins. One of those is vitamin D so I can see how sun exposure may help some of them. I don’t think we’ll ever find 1 cause for all autistic kids but rather a variety of causes that are mostly environmental and have something to do with an impaired immune system. So the cure or treatments won’t be the exact same thing for each child. I can tell you that I have witnessed myself autistic students in my classroom that seem to have better days behavior wise when it is sunny and warm and they have recess outside. They seem to be totally different children on these days. I often wondered if this was a coincidence or if going outside for fresh air (getting out of the building which may have toxins) and getting some sunshine (vitamin D) was the reason they had better days. Interesting. For those of you who think autism and all the treatments are quakery or kookery you are entitled to your opinion its a free country. However, I live with autism 24 7 and it is real. I wouldn’t wish for anyone to have to go through what I’ve experienced. The world didn’t advance and get to the point it did with all the inventions and discoveries without those who didn’t try to do something different out of the ordinary. Autism is here to stay sadly. Even if you aren’t autistic, have a child that’s autistic or even know someone who is, it affects you – EVERYONE. I have the utmost respect for anyone who takes the time and energy to help find cures or interventions for this most complex disability.