Some research has been published lately, all of which have been trying to find what causes some neurological disorders. Autism specifically has triggered interest in the scientific community from all over the world, including Israel, Japan, the USA, Canada, the UK, Africa, and others.
Japan – Autism polyunsaturated fatty acids research
Japan specifically has a team of researchers from the University of Fukui that recently published a new paper with unique insight. This study, released on July 23 in the journal Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, revealed a significant correlation between particular types of polyunsaturated fatty acids present in umbilical cord blood and the symptoms associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
If you’re unfamiliar with Polyunsaturated fatty acids, these are nutrients frequently found in certain foods, including fish and nuts. As Professor Matsusaki explains, when a person eats foods containing these acids, the acids are then broken down by enzymes in the body.
Next, after the first breakdown, two different fatty acids are produced. One tends to cause inflammation, while the other can help reduce it.
Anti-inflammatory fatty acid Autism
First, the researchers theorized that having lower levels of the anti-inflammatory fatty acid or higher levels of the inflammatory one could have an impact on the severity of ASD symptoms.
This, of course, required testing, which they did by analyzing the levels of fatty acids present in the cord blood of 200 children and correlating them with their ASD scores. Just to note, the cord blood was collected right after birth, and the children’s ASD symptoms were evaluated when they reached 6 years of age.
Findings revealed that diHETrE, a compound found in cord blood, significantly impacted the severity of autism symptoms and impeded adaptive functioning. The amount of diHETrE present in cord blood at birth was closely related to the development of ASD symptoms after birth, indicating the importance of diHETrE levels during fetal development. Professor Matsuzaki and his team’s research re-ignites the discussion on the importance of prenatal care and monitoring for pregnant women to ensure optimal fetal growth and development.
According to Professor James McPartland, a Yale University professor of child psychiatry, these findings will help pave the way for further hypothesis-driven research to better understand the underlying mechanisms of ASD and develop effective prevention strategies.
Autism Early Intervention
As always recommended, healthy eating habits during pregnancy directly impact the child’s long-term health and well-being. Early intervention programs, especially those focused on skill building, communication, dietary changes, and nutritional supplementation, can benefit young infants who have been diagnosed with ASD.
For Autism help related to these areas, we at Sacramento ABA Therapy are here to assist.
