New Vitamin D3 Improves Language And Behavior In Children With Autism

Children with autism often have low levels of vitamin D3, which can affect their behavior and language development. This study showed that using a new form of vitamin D3 in nanoemulsion (easier to absorb) improved children's behavior, social skills, and speech. However, the standard form of the vitamin did not provide the same benefits.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition that primarily affects how a child communicates, interacts socially, and adapts to daily life. Many of these children also have difficulty with language skills (such as understanding and speaking) and fine motor development (such as writing or handling small objects).

In addition, they often have very restricted eating habits, which can lead to significant nutritional deficiencies, particularly a lack of certain vitamins, such as vitamin D3.

Vitamin D3, popularly known for its connection to sunlight and bone health, also plays a fundamental role in the brain, aiding in the development of brain cells and protecting areas important for memory and language.

It exists in two forms in our bodies: a more common form (called 25(OH) vitamin D3) and a more active form (1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3), which undergoes transformations in the liver and kidneys. The problem is that, even with sun exposure, many children with ASD continue to have very low levels of this vitamin.

Therefore, researchers have been studying whether vitamin D3 supplementation can help these children, not only with their overall health, but also with aspects such as language, behavior, and development.

A promising innovation in this field is the use of nanoemulsion, a technology that transforms the vitamin into tiny particles, facilitating its absorption by the body. The idea is that this way, the vitamin will have a greater effect than in its traditional form (in capsules or drops).

This study compared two groups of children with ASD, totaling 80 participants. One group received vitamin D3 in nanoemulsion form (which is better absorbed), and the other received the vitamin in its traditional form. Both groups were administered for six months.

The researchers measured the children's blood vitamin D3 levels before and after treatment, as well as assessed their social, behavioral, and language skills.

The results showed that the group receiving the nanoemulsion had a significant increase in blood vitamin D3 levels, as well as improvements in several areas: there was a reduction in the severity of autism symptoms, improved social behavior, and improved language skills. The group receiving the vitamin in the traditional form did not experience the same improvements.

Comparisons of baseline and post-supplementation levels in groups I (A) and II (B) regarding language performance.

Importantly, the vitamin D3 nanoemulsion used in clinical research, like the one in the study we mentioned, is not generally widely available in regular pharmacies like traditional supplements. However, here's what you need to know: Commercial supplements with nanotechnology already exist.

Some brands offer products with vitamin D3 "nanoemulsions" or "micelles," mainly in countries like the US, Canada, and Europe. In some cases, they can be found on import websites, specialty stores, or compounding pharmacies.

In Brazil, these products are less common, but some compounding pharmacies can prepare formulations with similar technology (micro- or nanoemulsions) with a doctor's prescription.

It's important to note that the quality, composition, and efficacy of these commercial products can vary greatly. Not all products claiming to be "nanoemulsions" have studies proving the same effects as the products used in clinical research.

It's very important to always consult a pediatrician, neurologist, or nutritionist specializing in ASD before offering any type of supplement to a child, especially one with autism, where sensitivities to foods and medications can be greater.

In short, vitamin D3 is essential for brain function, and the way it is offered to children with autism can make all the difference. The nanoemulsion proved to be more effective than the traditional form, bringing real benefits to the behavior and development of these children. These findings pave the way for new approaches to ASD treatment that involve nutrition and innovative technologies.

READ MORE:

Improved core manifestations of autism following supplementation with vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion

Nagwa A. Meguid, Maha Hemimi, Gina Hussein, Ahmed Elnahry, Marwa Hasanein Asfour, Sameh Hosam Abd El-Alim, Ahmed Alaa Kassem, Abeer Salama, Amr Sobhi Gouda, Walaa Samy Nazim, Radwa Ibrahim Ali Hassan, and Neveen Hassan Nashaat

LabMed Discovery. Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2025, 100071

DOI: 10.1016/j.lmd.2025.100071

Abstract: 

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had lower vitamin D3 levels than neurotypical (NT) children, as well as deficits in language, social, and fine motor abilities. Nanotechnology has appeared as a suitable answer to absorption and bioavailability problems related to vitamin D3. This study aims to investigate the influence of vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion supplementation on adaptive behavior and language performance in children with ASD compared to the influence of the marketed product of vitamin D3. Supplementation of ASD children with an oral vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion was performed in group I while the marketed product of the oral vitamin D3 was used in group II for 6 months. Evaluation of their abilities and measuring the plasma levels of 2 types of vitamin D3 were performed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography before and after supplementation. Supplementation in group I (n  = 40) has led to an elevation of levels of 25 (OH) and 1, 25 (OH)2 forms of vitamin D3 (P  < 0.000,1), to behavioral improvement in the form of a reduction in ASD severity, and to a rise in the social IQ and total language age of ASD children (P  = 0.000,2, 0.04, 0.000,9, respectively). On the other hand, group II (n  = 40) did not show adaptive behavioral improvements. The vitamin D3-loaded nanoemulsion provided better vitamin D3 bioavailability and a true influence on severity, adaptive behavior, fine motor abilities, and language performance, reflecting the desired benefits of the rise of vitamin D3 levels in the blood.