Low Vitamin D Slows Serotonin Production, May Impact Autism

[bananas]

http://psychcentral.com/news/2014/02/27/low-vitamin-d-slows-serotonin-production-may-impact-autism/66469.html

Low Vitamin D Slows Serotonin Production, May Impact Autism
By Rick Nauert PhD Senior News Editor
Reviewed by John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on February 27, 2014

A new study demonstrates the way in which Vitamin D may influence social behavior associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Rhonda Patrick, Ph.D., and Bruce Ames, Ph.D., of Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI) showed that serotonin, oxytocin, and vasopressin, three brain hormones that affect social behavior, are all activated by the vitamin D hormone.

Autism, which is characterized by abnormal social behavior, has previously been linked to low levels of serotonin in the brain and to low vitamin D levels, but no mechanism has linked the two until now.

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According to researchers, the proposed pathway explains many of the known, but previously not understood, facts about autism including:

- the “serotonin anomaly” low levels of serotonin in the brain and high levels in the blood of autistic children;

- the preponderance of male over female autistic children: estrogen, a similar steroid hormone, can also boost the brain levels of serotonin in girls;

- the presence of autoimmune antibodies to the fetal brain in the mothers of autistic children: vitamin D regulates the production of regulatory T-cells via repression of TPH1.

<snip>

The most recent National Health and Examination survey reports that greater than 70 percent of U.S. population does not meet this requirement and that adequate vitamin D levels have plummeted over the last couple of decades.

<snip>

The study suggests dietary intervention with vitamin D, tryptophan, and omega 3 fatty acids would boost brain serotonin concentrations and help prevent and possibly ameliorate some of the symptoms associated with ASD without side effects.

<snip>

Researchers believe vitamin D levels should be routinely measured in everyone and should become a standard procedure in prenatal care.

[Demeter]

1. Thank you for this post

[KT2000]

2. we should also look at

environmental exposures to find out what is causing 70% to be low in Vit. D in the last 2 decades.
I am going to guess glyphosate after reading a review article that suggested that is possible.

[greiner3]

3. I'm waiting to read that the lack of Vitamin D;

Is caused by fluoride.

[libdem4life]

5. Could also be that kids don't play outside as much and parents slather sunscreen on

which, I believe, blocks Vitamin D from the sun. Just a couple of thoughts.

[Lucky Luciano]

4. The Scandinavians get quite depressed in the dark days of winter.

Perhaps Less sunlight ---> Less Vitamin D ---> less serotonin ---> more depression?

[PeoViejo]

6. Vitamin D does work

I take 3000 units a Day during the Winter. I tried reducing it to 2000, but within days I could feel the negative effects. Upping the dose back to 3000 had a positive effect within Hours.