Autism Studies and Related Medical Conditions, January 2009 - TACA

National College of Naturopathic Medicine, Portland Oregon 97216.
Vitamin D increases intestinal calcium and phosphate absorption. Not so well
known, however, is that vitamin D stimulates the co-absorption of other essential
minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc; toxic metals including lead, cadmium,
aluminum, and cobalt; and radioactive isotopes such as strontium and cesium.
Vitamin D may contribute to the pathologies induced by toxic metals by
increasing their absorption and retention. Reciprocally, lead, cadmium,
aluminum, and strontium interfere with normal vitamin D metabolism by blocking
renal synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. This is the first review of the role of
the vitamin D endocrine system in metal toxicology.
PMID: 7706586 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Moretti R, Torre P, Antonello RM, Cattaruzza T, Cazzato G, Bava A. Vitamin B12 and
folate depletion in cognition: a review. Neurol India. 2004 Sep;52(3):310-8.
Dipartimento Fisiologia e Patologia, Università degli Studi, Trieste, Italy.
moretti@univ.trieste.it.
In cross-sectional studies, low levels of folate and B12 have been shown to be
associated with cognitive decline and dementia Evidence for the putative role of
folate, vitamin B12 in neurocognitive and other neurological functions comes
from reported cases of severe vitamin deficiencies, particularly pernicious
anemia, and homozygous defects in genes that encode for enzymes of onecarbon
metabolism. The neurological alterations seen in these cases allow for a
biological role of vitamins in neurophysiology. Results are quite controversial and
there is an open debate in literature, considering that the potential and
differential role of folate and B12 vitamin in memory acquisition and cognitive
development is not completely understood or accepted. What is not clear is the
fact that vitamin B12 and folate deficiency deteriorate a pre-existing not overt
pathological situation or can be dangerous even in normal subjects. Even more
intriguing is the interaction between B12 and folate, and their role in developing
hyperhomocysteinemia. The approach to the rehabilitation of the deficiency with
adequate vitamin supplementation is very confusing. Some authors suggest it,
even in chronic situations, others deny any possible role. Starting from these
quite confusing perspectives, the aim of this review is to report and categorize
the data obtained from the literature. Despite the plausible biochemical
mechanism, further studies, based on clinical, neuropsychological, laboratory and
(lastly) pathological features will be necessary to better understand this
fascinating biochemical riddle.
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