Can Gut Health Affect Autism? A Pediatric Specialist Weighs In

Have you ever had a “gut feeling?” Parents know this all too well, but what if it’s more than just a figure of speech? Recent research reveals a fascinating connection between the brain and the gut and its potential to help maintain overall well-being, especially for individuals with neurodivergent conditions like Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

This new avenue may be another way for parents to support children on the spectrum. In an interview with Dr. Jan Harold Sia, a a developmental-behavioral pediatrician and member of the Smart Parenting Board of Experts, Dr. Sia discusses how gut health can influence brain function in children with ASD and touches on the potential of psychobiotics such as Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 to support mental clarity and emotional well-being.

Understanding the Gut-Brain Axis: Where Neuroscience Meets Digestive Health

So, how does the gut-brain connection, also known as the Gut-Brain Axis (GBA), work? Think of it like a two-way communication between your brain and gut, with the vagus nerve as the highway linking your emotions and thoughts to your gut's health.

This communication involves signals from neurons, the immune system, and endocrine system, with the gut microbiota (the bacteria in your gut) playing a big part in influencing the brain’s activity and emotions. Dr. Sia explains that certain chemicals produced in the gut, such as serotonin and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), can manifest changes in behavior. Up to 95% of our serotonin, a key player in mood and mental health, is made in the gut.

Naturally, what we eat impacts the condition of our gut health. That’s why eating a healthy diet is so important, as it helps nourish the good bacteria in your gut, supporting your gut and brain to function at their best.

Ways to Improve Gut Health for Children with Autism

For children with ASD, maintaining a healthy gut becomes even more crucial. “[They] often have a limited food repertoire and refuse to eat certain kinds of food… A selective diet could affect the gut microbial community, microbial metabolites, and dietary products,” says Dr. Sia.

This pickiness can manifest in gut concerns like immune responses (due to “leaky gut”), gastrointestinal discomfort, and dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria), which can impact your child’s well-being. It can manifest in outbursts and mood swings, and it can be difficult for parents to support them.

That said, gut health can be supported with foundational strategies: “A more diverse healthy diet and a diet rich in fiber and plant-based proteins are recommended for all children and adults,” advises Dr. Sia. According to the expert, including various “gut microbial therapies” may also contribute to “improvement of behaviors and ASD-related symptoms.”

Benefits for ASD Children: Balancing the Gut for a Balanced Mind

Dr. Sia also mentions an area of research focusing on “psychobiotics,” which are special probiotics that may help improve mental health.

While the exact mechanisms are still being explored, research suggests that psychobiotics may help improve mental health by supporting the nervous system or the immune system in multiple ways: regulating stress, reducing inflammation, balancing the immune system, and modulates helpful brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine which can help “affect the psychophysiological markers of depression and anxiety.”

Dr. Sia notes that the research on the gut-brain connection, probiotics, and the gut microbiome is in its infancy, but “the current data show promise. I anticipate that future research will bridge the gap between bench research and clinical studies, including personalized gut-brain therapeutics.”

Supporting Brain Health for Children with ASD

If you’re interested in psychobiotics, Bened Life is notable for the proprietary PS128 bacterial strain and distinction as the first neurologically active medical probiotic. With 18 clinical studies backing its potential, Neuralli MP (Medical Probiotic) shows promise in improving mood and behavior through the gut-brain connection.

One study showed results of how PS128 has beneficial effects on behavioral and emotional problems in younger children with ASD. Meanwhile, another study showed that PS128 could help reduce certain autism symptoms, especially things like disruptive behavior and hyperactivity.

Bened Life is the first U.S. company to provide scientific-backed and natural dietary support options designed for the neurodivergent community, including parents caring for children with ASD and other conditions, such as Parkinson’s and Anxiety. Neuralli MP bridges the gap between supplements and pharmaceuticals, built upon over 30 years of research and supported by numerous studies of Bened Life’s proprietary L. plantarum PS128 strain.

Learn more about the new research, Neuralli MP, and how it may complement your health goals here.