Probiotics for Autism
Many children on the autism spectrum experience gut issues - in fact, children with autism are 4 times more likely to report GI symptoms when compared to children without autism. While there are several factors that may cause this, one of the key problems is dysbiosis [1], which is an imbalance of the bacteria in the gut. The ultimate goal for using probiotics for autism is to establish a healthy gut - and the basis of a healthy gut lies in the foods we eat. So, while we’ll focus our attention on probiotics, it is important to remember that they’re meant to supplement a healthy, fiber-filled, nutrient-rich diet.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that have been known to help with digestion, contribute to a strong immune system, and help with gastrointestinal issues. Probiotics feed off fiber, called prebiotics, so a diet rich in fiber can support healthy bacterial growth in the gut.
The goal of probiotics, or “good” bacteria, is to foster the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut, crowding out bad bacteria and bringing balance between the different strains of bacteria. Probiotics can be found in foods, such as yogurt, kefir, kombucha, and fermented foods like sauerkraut and pickles (only specific types are actually fermented). They also can be obtained by taking a probiotic supplement.
How Can Probiotics Help with Autism?
The Gut-Brain Connection
Some research indicates microbes in the gut could be connected to autism, through the gut-brain axis. [2] Our gut is connected to the brain through a variety of nerves and chemical messengers, like hormones and neurotransmitters. Those messages that pass between the gut and brain can be affected by the bacteria in the gut, meaning our gut bacteria can have a positive OR negative effect on the brain. In children with autism, we often see changes in behavior, speech, and sleep associated with the function of the gut-brain axis being compromised due to poor gut health. Probiotics can be used to establish a healthy balance of bacteria in the gut, which leads to a healthy function of those chemical messengers that are vital to the role of the gut-brain axis.
Leaky Gut
The gut is meant to be a barrier that contains food, water, and nutrients that we eat - and the gut has a wall, or lining, that keeps bacteria and toxins from getting in the bloodstream. With leaky gut, the lining of the gut develops tiny gaps that bacteria and toxins can sneak through and wreak havoc in the body. [3] There are many different possible causes of leaky gut, including gluten sensitivity, excess sugar intake, certain medications and illnesses, stress, yeast overgrowth, and dysbiosis. Probiotics help address dysbiosis, or unhealthy bacterial balance in the gut.
Which Probiotics are Best for Autism?
When looking for autism probiotics, the research is pretty limited. Many of the studies done have been poorly designed, but there is some evidence showing that Lactobacillus Acidophilus may lead to an improvement in mental concentration in kids with autism. [4] There is also plenty of evidence of specific probiotics being beneficial for the improvement of gut health in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is common in children with autism. Strains like L. rhamnosus GG, L. reuteri, and bifidobacterium have been helpful in achieving gut health in children with IBD. [4] Saccharomyces boulardii is another probiotic to look for (though it’s technically yeast) - it has been shown to help with OCD, which can be a common occurrence in autism. [5]
Since the gut is home to thousands of types of bacteria, and the key to gut health is to balance our gut bacteria, the most important factor in finding an effective probiotic is to choose one with a wide variety of strains, including those mentioned above. The good news is, almost all GI symptoms reported to be a problem in ASD have shown improvement with probiotics (in animal studies). [4] So, how do you choose the right probiotic for your child? We’ll look at that next.
6 Things To Look for in a Probiotic Supplement:
Contain at least 10 billion CFU (colony forming units) - since our gut has billions or trillions of living bacteria at any given time, it is important to supplement with dosages high enough to make an impact, especially if your child is experiencing GI symptoms. Shoot for 10 billion or higher to start with.
Contain at least 5 strains of bacteria - Like we discussed above, the key with gut bacteria is balance, so we want a variety of different bacteria.
Third-party tested - It is important to know what is in your supplement, so third party testing is vital to ensure your probiotic is active and has the bacteria in the amounts listed on the package.
Strains to look for -
Lactobacillus acidophilus, rhamnosus GG, reuteri
Saccharomyces boulardii
Bifidobacterium
Free from allergens - free of gluten, dairy, soy, corn
Bonus: Contains prebiotics, which provide fiber for probiotics to feed on
Best Autism Probiotics
Here are some of the probiotics I recommend most often for children with autism:
Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Complete Powder
Great for if you’re looking to give a variety of bacteria (12 strains) in a concentrated & flavorless probiotic. Just 1/4 tsp gives 100 billion CFU. Since most kids don’t need that kind of support, 1/16 tsp is a typical dose that still provides 25 billion CFU.
Klaire Labs Vital-10 Probiotic Powder
Great for if you’re looking to give a variety of bacteria (12 strains) in a less concentrated probiotic (still flavorless). 1/4 tsp gives 10 billion CFU. This probiotic contains a strain of Streptococcus, which is generally not recommended for kids with PANS/PANDAS.
Aspire Nutrition 5-in-1 Bio-Heal Powder
Great for if you’re looking for digestive support in addition to a probiotic Includes digestive enzymes and Saccharomyces Boulardii.
CAPSULES
Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Complete Capsules
Great for if you’re looking to give a variety of bacteria (12 strains) in a concentrated capsule probiotic. Just 1 capsule provides 25 billion CFU.
Aspire Nutrition 5-in-1 Bio-Heal Capsules
Great for if you’re looking for digestive support in addition to a probiotic Includes digestive enzymes and Saccharomyces Boulardii. This supplement is flavorless.
CHEWABLE
Klaire Labs Ther-biotic Children's Chewable
Great for if you’re looking to give a variety of bacteria (12 strains) in a concentrated capsule probiotic. Just 1 tablet provides 25 billion CFU.
Smarty Pants Probiotic Gummy (Adult)
Not my preferred option, but your child needs a gummy for sensory reasons, this is an option that is easy to find in most stores. I prefer the adult version as it is the same formulation as the kids but provides 7 billion CFU for 2 gummies.
Are Probiotics Safe? Do they have side effects?
The good news is, probiotics are safe to use and have minimal side effects. The most common side effects reported include gas and bloating, which usually go away after a few days of use. Rarely, probiotics can cause an allergic reaction, diarrhea, or infection.
Probiotics are a great tool for kids with autism, especially those experiencing GI symptoms. They are widely available, safe, and effective. To get a more personalized probiotic recommendation, stool testing can be a good option and helps clinicians to dig a little deeper into what is going on in the gut and give a more personalized plan to improve gut health. No matter what path you choose, ensuring your child has a healthy diet at the foundation makes a world of difference in gut health, as well as overall health.
Looking for Nutrition Guidance & Community?
Want To Learn More About Nutrition For Autism?
BLOG WRITTEN BY KALEE LUNDMARK, MS, RDN
Kalee Lundmark is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and creator of The Crowded Table blog, where she shares family-friendly recipes focused on whole, nourishing foods the whole family will love.
You can find her on her website The Crowded Table
References:
[1] Fattorusso A, Di genova L, Dell'isola GB, Mencaroni E, Esposito S. Autism Spectrum Disorders and the Gut Microbiota. Nutrients. 2019;11(3).
[2] Srikantha P, Mohajeri MH. The Possible Role of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain-Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Int J Mol Sci. 2019;20(9).
[3] Arrieta MC, Bistritz L, Meddings JB. Alterations in intestinal permeability. Gut. 2006;55(10):1512-20.
[4] Navarro F, Liu Y, Rhoads JM. Can probiotics benefit children with autism spectrum disorders?. World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(46):10093-10102.
[5] Kobliner V, Mumper E, Baker SM. Reduction in Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Self-Injurious Behavior With Saccharomyces boulardii in a Child with Autism: A Case Report. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2018;17(6):38-41.
