The Shocking TRUTH About Vitamin B for Autism

Dr. Stengler: In this video, you're going to learn about a promising B vitamin therapy for helping kids with autism. I'm going to walk you through the type of folate being used to treat autism and why it can be helpful. I'm Dr. Mark Stengler. I've researched and written 20 books on nutrition and functional medicine, and I've been in practice for over 30 years. So let's dive in.

There's a core problem with having a shortage of folate in the brain. You may have heard the discussions on the news and the internet about a B vitamin therapy showing promise for individuals with autism. This has created both excitement and confusion, especially about the different forms of this vitamin. Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is an essential nutrient for brain development and function. It plays a critical role in many processes — it's involved in producing the brain's chemical messengers, it's needed to build DNA, and it's needed to maintain healthy brain cells. But here's the thing: for folate to work, it must first be transported from the bloodstream into the brain.

This is managed by special proteins called folate receptors, which act like gates into the brain cells, deciding what can come in and what can't. What researchers have found is that in a significant portion of individuals with autism — some studies suggest about 70% — the immune system mistakenly attacks these gates, or receptors, creating what's known as folate receptor autoantibodies. These autoantibodies block or disable the receptors in the brain for folate, resulting in a condition called cerebral folate deficiency, also known as CFD, where the brain is basically starved of folate even if blood levels are normal. This deficiency can disrupt brain function and contribute to developmental delays and features associated with autism.

So what is the right type of folate to use in these cases? The type of folate used is very important, because not all forms are created equal, and using the wrong one can be ineffective. Let's talk about folic acid — this is the synthetic form found in most fortified foods and basic supplements, and the body must convert folic acid through many metabolic steps into its usable form. For people with common genetic variants like MTHFR, this conversion process is slow and inefficient. Then we have methylfolate, 5-MTHF, the final, most active form of folate, which requires no conversion at all; while highly effective for many body processes, its ability to bypass the specific antibody blockade in CFD is still being studied. Now, folinic acid, which has been in the news, also known as leucovorin, is a more biologically active form of folate, and it's the form that can get folate into the brain even when the primary gates are blocked by the antibodies. For individuals with folate receptor antibodies, folinic acid — the prescription form, leucovorin — is the form recommended based on research. In fact, the FDA recently approved a prescription drug called leucovorin for the treatment of CFD, and because CFD is an underlying issue in many with autism, this therapy is now being used to address their symptoms.

What does the research show with folinic acid? This is an active area of scientific investigation. In a fairly recent 2024 randomized controlled trial published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, the study demonstrated that oral folinic acid supplementation (folinic acid is also available in injection form) provided significant benefits for children with autism spectrum disorder. The study showed it improved communication and social interaction skills compared to those given a placebo.

Let's look at the big picture. While folinic acid therapy is a groundbreaking medical treatment for those with CFD, it's not a one-shot cure for autism. Autism is a complex condition with many contributing factors. However, folinic acid therapy, or even methylfolate, is a powerful example where an integrative approach using a specific biological treatment can be very effective. The best outcomes for autism are achieved through a comprehensive plan that addresses multiple factors — a child's overall nutrition and diet, gut health (very important for absorption and inflammation in the body and brain), the effect of chronic infections, genetic variations, and environmental factors.

If you suspect this issue may be relevant to someone in your care, it's essential they work with a knowledgeable doctor. Neurologists, developmental pediatricians, and especially integrative doctors specializing in autism can perform the necessary tests to check for folate receptor antibodies and determine if this therapy is appropriate, while also looking at all the other contributing factors. Remember, leucovorin is a prescription medication, and dosing must be carefully managed by a qualified medical professional. Folinic acid is also available as a nutritional supplement, and methylfolate — really the form I use the most with patients — is readily available too. Using targeted nutritional therapy can make a difference for these kids with autism, because you're addressing the underlying biological issues. I hope you found this information helpful. If you did, please hit the like button and subscribe for more. Share this video with someone who might need it. Thanks for watching.

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