There is a new debate about treating autism, and it involves a familiar vegetable. Experts and families are wondering if broccoli sprouts can help the condition. A small study, titled “Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder,” found that a chemical from broccoli sprouts helped improve autism symptoms.
Food To Live Broccoli Seeds for Sprouting
The Study
The study included a placebo-controlled trial, but one of the issues is that only 29 people with autism received the treatment. Critics believe the sample size is too small, so more research is needed before families and caretakers start piling broccoli sprouts on their dinner plates every night. However, the study gives hope that a chemical from a common vegetable could one day help treat the condition.
Sulforaphane
Sulforaphane is the chemical that was derived from the broccoli sprouts in the study and given to patients in capsule form. Researchers found that 42 percent of the people who received the treatment had better verbal communication. In addition, 46 percent of the people who received the treatment had better social interactions. Furthermore, researchers noted that they were less hyperactive and less irritable. On the other hand, the patients who received the placebo did not show any improvements.
Source Naturals Broccoli Sprouts
Stopping Treatment
There is one part of the study that some have found disturbing. Once treatment with sulforaphane stopped, the improvements researchers noted disappeared. The progress made with the chemical did not last. It appears that ongoing treatments are required, but more studies will be necessary to understand this.
Diet Caution
Researchers point out that the extracted sulforaphane from the broccoli sprouts was at a very high dosage that cannot be replicated at the dinner table. Unfortunately, adding huge amounts of broccoli to a patient’s diet may not be enough because the concentration of sulforaphane is limited. In addition, seizures and liver enzyme problems appeared in a few cases during the study. Experts recommend using diet caution.
SOURCE:
http://www.pnas.org/content/111/43/15550
you know… it couldnt hurt, right???
So TRUE Molli!
I think I would have to do a lot of research on this one, but thank you for sharing.
Any treatment plan that involves diet is crucial in the treatment of autism
Further to the comment above regarding the ‘very high dosage’, this is not EXACTLY correct. Although consuming broccoli vegetable won’t supply the higher doses used in the study, a 100% whole myrosinase-active Broccoli Sprout supplement such as EnduraCell will supply this. Many families who are dealing with autism have been using this supplement for the last year or so and many have reported very good responses. Many integrative medical practitioners prescribe EnduraCell capsules or powder.
Thanks Christine for your input on EnduraCell. I am not aware of this so I can’t really comment.
I really don’t know anything about autism. It’s hard to understand unless it touches you personally. Unfortunately with many people, if they don’t know about a subject they are critical. If a food can help, I’m all for it!
Thank lisa and you are right. My grandson is on the spectrum so I try to find accurate information to share.