Written by
Stephen M. Edelson, Ph.D.
Center for the Study of Autism, Salem, Oregon
An effective intervention for many autistic children
and adults is the use of vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
and magnesium. For over 30 years, parents have given
B6 and magnesium to their children and have observed
benefits ranging from mild to dramatic. B6 and magnesium
are safe and inexpensive.
B6 and magnesium have received more scientific support
than any other biological intervention for autism.
There are 18 studies showing that B6 and magnesium
are beneficial to about half of autistic individuals.
Eleven of these studies involved a double-blind
placebo design. These studies have documented decreases
in behavioral problems, improvements in appropriate
behavior, and normalization of brain wave activity
and urine biochemistry. There is also evidence that
B6 and magnesium may reduce seizure activity. Parent
reports also include: improvements in attention,
learning, speech/language, and eye contact. Information
about these research studies along with other relevant
information can be obtained from the Autism Research
Institute (e.g., answers to frequently asked questions,
dosage/weight chart).
Kirkman Laboratories in Lake Oswego, Oregon has
been manufacturing a flavored B6/magnesium formula,
Super Nuthera, for use in autism since 1968 (1-888-Kirkman;
www.kirkmanlabs.com).
The average effective dose is 8 milligrams (mg)
per pound (lb.) for vitamin B6, and 3 mg per lb.
for magnesium. These recommendations are for the
average autistic person; thus, a person may respond
better on a lower or higher amount. Parents should
first give about one-fourth of this dose (i.e.,
2 mg per lb. for B6 & 1 mg per lb. for magnesium)
and gradually increase the amount every 3 to 4 days.
Parents should keep track of their child's behavior
to determine the appropriate dose.
It is very important to give magnesium along with
B6 because B6 requires extra magnesium to be effective,
and thus may cause a deficiency. Problems associated
with magnesium deficiency include: enuresis (bedwetting),
irritability/agitation, and sound sensitivity. Occasionally,
an autistic person exhibits one or more of these
behaviors when given B6 along with magnesium. In
these cases, the person may need more than the recommended
amount of magnesium. Magnesium is relatively safe--too
high of a dose will cause diarrhea (e.g., Milk of
Magnesia).
A comprehensive multivitamin/multi-mineral supplement
is strongly recommended since vitamins and minerals
assist in metabolizing B6 and magnesium. Be careful:
many children's vitamins contain Aspartame (or Nutrasweet)
which is used as a sweetener. Parents should try
to avoid products with Aspartame because research
has shown that Aspartame can cause neurological
damage (see Russell L. Blaylock's 1996 book entitled
Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills).
There is some discussion on the side effects of
high doses of B6. The only documentation of an adverse
reaction to very high doses (higher than the recommended
doses for autism) is peripheral neuropathy, but
this is extremely rare. Peripheral neuropathy refers
to tingling or numbness in the fingers and/or toes.
Reducing the amount of B6 will usually eliminate
the tingling or numbness within a day or two.
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