What are Phospholipid Deficiencies in Autism?

[Lawrence Sheen]

Most people are not aware of the term phospholipid, but those who have
autistic children may become familiar with the term very soon. There
have been some recent studies that suggest autistic children are
lacking in some of the essential fatty acids that are vital for proper
brain processing and fundamental in development. The researchers found
that by taking measurement of the plasma phospholipid levels in the
cell membranes of red blood cells, deficiencies can be found in
children with developmental delays. They think that phospholipid
deficiencies in autism and related problems may be intertwined.
In order for the brain to operate as intended, these phospholipids are
essential components of the blood cells and must work correctly. They
are often described as a grease-like substance that facilitates the
movement of essential fats in and out of the red blood cells. When
there is a problem or an imbalance, things can go wrong in the brain.
It is estimated that about twenty percent of the brain is made up of
fatty acids, which in turn means that they are important for proper
workings within the brain. There is some suggestion that autism may be
triggered or effected by the imbalance, and this can also account for
many other neurological disorders in some people. Deficiencies in
phospholipids are also said to be found in those with attention
deficit disorder and other related condition like dyslexia and
dyspraxia. It is well known that the body can not produce these fatty
acids, so they must come from the foods that we eat.
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The defects associated with problematic phospholipid deficiencies in
regards to autism and other disorders are the lower amounts of
polyunsaturated fats. On the other hand, there is an increase in the
amounts of saturated fats present. This leads to issues with
homeostasis of the cells, and also with metabolism in regards to fatty
acids. As suggested by researchers, this may offer new insights into a
biological link to autism and could result in the development of new
procedures and treatments in the future.
The problem with this type of research is that it brings up many
issues that most have not considered, and much of the language used is
medical in nature. Because of that, it can be very confusing for
people outside of the medical arena. What is important to understand
is that this research has lead to what is being called the spectrum of
phospholipid disorders. Autism it seems is not the only condition
where phospholipid deficiencies are found, they include dysphaxia and
dyslexia, as mentioned earlier, and also seizure disorder, and
schizophrenia. These are all problems that can strike children and
adults alike.
It certainly seems that uncovering the existence of phospholipid
deficiencies in autism and other conditions might lead to new
treatments, however those options are still very unclear for the most
part. Some may come to the conclusion that filling a nutritional
deficiency might be the answer to help autistic children with some
hurdles they face. While dietary interventions and supplementation is
not a cure for autism, some studies show and plenty of parental
evidence suggests, it may lead to improvement in the day to day skills
that children with autism struggle with.