Autism, Increased Oxidative Stress, and Impaired Methylation Capacity What Every Health Practitioner Should Know

For many individuals with autism, a core problem they suffer from is poor methylation and folate metabolism that adversely influence brain function. This lecture will explain why and how this occurs and provide strategies for improvement. In 2004, a seminal research paper by J. James, et al. showed the relationship between impaired methylation capacity and increased oxidative stress in autism. It was this article that helped establish the understanding that many individuals with autism are highly vulnerable to oxidative stress, which can be caused by both environmental exposures and biochemical imbalances, that compromise both methylation and folate metabolism. These complementary biochemical systems are intimately involved in brain and nervous system function with regards to attention, environmental awareness, focus abilities, and language processing and speech. The use of various nutrients, including betaine, folinic acid, and methylcobalamin are often helpful for improving these deficits in autism, as well as improving the core methylation impairments reported by James and now many other researchers. This lecture will outline the various biochemical steps with regards to methylation and folate chemistry, how impairments in these systems lead to overall biochemical imbalances, and how these imbalances create problems for so many individuals with autism. In addition, Dr. Woeller will discuss various types of methylation support supplements, including the use of methylcobalamin (aka methyl-B12) subcutaneous injection.