One of my top priorities when my child was younger was ensuring his health. As many parents of children with autism can relate, visiting the doctor’s office can be a challenge—especially if any physical intervention is required.
I remember when my son had dengue during the pandemic... It was incredibly difficult to reassure him about going to the doctor when even we, as parents, were terrified of the possibility of contracting another virus.
This experience made me ask myself early on: Is there anything I can give my child to support his health and well-being?
Finding answers wasn’t easy. The internet is filled with an overwhelming amount of information, and sifting through it can be confusing.
To give you some context, I am 46 years old and grew up in a time when people were just learning to navigate the internet. Because of this, my initial approach to any new information is skepticism. However, that doesn’t mean I have a closed mind. I remain open to learning about potential breakthroughs, including new vitamins and supplements that could benefit my child. I consider myself skeptical but open-minded.
Children on the autism spectrum often have underlying conditions such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, gastrointestinal disorders (constipation, diarrhea), sleep disorders, anxiety, and more. Given this, one of my responsibilities is to research vitamins and supplements that could help my son in a meaningful way.
One of the most frequently recommended supplements is fish oil. It is widely endorsed by top brain health experts, but I believe parents should approach it with caution. Just because a product is labeled “fish oil” doesn’t mean it will be beneficial. This may seem like common sense, but many parents, eager to try anything that might help their child, often follow trends without proper research. Some even assume these supplements are only useful for children with autism and don’t consider trying them themselves. In reality, these supplements may provide benefits for adults as well.
Does this mean there’s no such thing as the best vitamin or supplement for kids with autism? I believe that while there is no one-size-fits-all solution—since every individual reacts differently to supplements—there are definitely options worth exploring.
In our case, one of the things our entire family (including my husband and I, not just our son) takes is organic coconut oil. We primarily use it to aid digestion and relieve constipation. We take one tablespoon a day, but not necessarily every day. Instead, once a month, we take it three times a week. Since we also use coconut oil for cooking, it naturally becomes a part of our diet.
Another staple for us is honey from stingless bees. We take one tablespoon a day, which serves as our vitamin C. When we’re feeling unwell, we increase the intake to twice a day.
Aside from these, we focus on getting essential nutrients from natural sources. This means getting morning sunshine, enjoying fresh air, and eating whole, unprocessed foods. While it may sound like a cliché, it truly makes a difference.
When grocery shopping, we avoid heavily processed foods and always check labels. A simple rule of thumb: if an ingredient is difficult to pronounce or is unfamiliar, take a moment to research it before buying. Ideally, the ingredient list should have no more than five recognizable components—anything more, and it’s worth investigating further.
According to brain health expert Jim Kwik, the following foods are great for cognitive function:
Avocados
Blueberries
Broccoli
Coconut oil
Eggs
Green leafy vegetables
Salmon
Turmeric
Walnuts
Dark chocolate
Fortunately, my son has learned to enjoy more than half of this list. But the key takeaway is not just to focus on brain-boosting foods but to prioritize whole, natural foods overall.
There are also alternatives to popular bottled supplements. For example, if fish oil isn’t an option, you can get Omega-3 from other sources like chia seeds, which can be easily added to rice or bread. Another often-overlooked option is probiotics. Many people associate probiotics solely with those small bottles of yogurt drinks we grew up with, but you can also get them from sourdough bread, which my son now loves.
Additionally, drinking plenty of water is essential. Our brain and body are about 75% water, and several studies show that well-hydrated individuals score better on brainpower tests. Staying hydrated supports cognitive function and overall well-being.
My advice? Keep an open ear to new developments, but always stay grounded in the basics: eat natural foods, drink enough water, and engage in physical activities to nourish both the body and mind.
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