Multi-Vitamin and Mineral Supplements and Autism Ranking:

Current Research

We have identified three* studies of multi-vitamin/mineral supplements as an intervention for autistic people published in English-language, peer-reviewed journals. These studies included a total of 249 individuals aged from three to sixty years old.

• The study by Adams and Holloway (2004) was a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial which included a total of 25 individuals aged three to eight years old.The participants in the experimental group received a supplement containing 30 different ingredients for a three-month period.They reported that the supplement group showed statistically significant improvements in sleep and gastrointestinal problems compared to the placebo group.
• The study by Adams et al (2011) was a randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial which included a total of 141 individuals aged three to 60 years old.The participants in the experimental group received a supplement containing 30 different ingredients for a three-month period.They reported that the supplement group showed improvements in hyperactivity, tantrumming, receptive language, as well as overall behaviour.
• The study by Mehl-Madrona et al (2010) was a case control study which compared multi-vitamin/mineral supplements with various medications and included 88 individuals aged two to 28 years old. Different participants in the experimental group received different versions of a multi-vitamin/mineral supplement with 36 ingredients for a minimum of three months.They reported that multi-vitamin/mineral supplements reduced self-injurious behaviours and improved overall behaviour. 

*Please note: We have not included studies with fewer than three autistic participants or studies of individual vitamins and minerals.

Updated

17 Jun 2022

Last Review

01 Nov 2017

Next Review

01 Apr 2024