Vitamin B6, Magnesium and Autism Ranking:

Audience

Some people believe autistic people are deficient in a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B6.

For example, Cornish (1998) reported that “Nutrient intakes on analysis fell below reference nutrient intake (RNI) levels for 53% (nine) children in one or more of the following nutrients: vitamin C, iron, vitamin D, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium and zinc. “

Some people also believe that those deficiencies can be overcome by eating more foodstuffs that contain vitamin B6 or by taking vitamin B6 supplements.

For example, Rimland (1987) stated “At the end of the four-month trial it was clear that vitamin B6 was the most important of the four vitamins we had investigated, and that in some cases it brought about remarkable improvement. Between 30% and 40% of the children showed significant improvement when the vitamin B6 was given to them.”

However we believe that it is unclear whether autistic people do or do not have a deficiency of vitamin B6. For example, intakes falling below the RNI aren’t the same as being deficient, and don’t necessarily indicate an inadequate intake. It is also unknown whether a vitamin B6 deficiency can cause or worsen symptoms (of autism or related issues) or arises because of autism, or is completely unrelated to autism

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Dec 2018

Next Review

01 Oct 2024