Scientists urge caution over claim of link between pregnancy (folic acid & B12 excess) and autism

[nitpicker]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/folate-folic-acid-pregnancy-autism-alarmist-irresponsible-a7024281.html

Scientists urge caution over 'alarmist' claim of link between pregnancy folate and autism

Ian Johnston Science Correspondent |
2 hours ago|
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Scientists have suggested that researchers who claim to have discovered a link between excessive consumption of folate by pregnant women and a higher risk of the unborn child developing autism are potentially being “irresponsible” and “unduly alarmist”.

Currently expectant mothers are advised to take the synthetic version, folic acid, as a supplement because it has been shown to reduce the chance of spina bifida and other birth defects, some fatal.

But a new study found that if a mother had four times the “adequate” level of folate just after giving birth, the risk the child would develop a disorder on the autism spectrum doubled.

The researchers, of Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University, also said very high levels of vitamin B12, which is involved in processing folate, in new mothers could triple the risk of autism or a similar condition. And if both folate and vitamin B12 were high, the risk increased 17.6 times.

However experts pointed out that the study had not been fully peer-reviewed – a key part of the scientific process. The findings are due to be presented at International Meeting for Autism Research in Baltimore on Friday and a press release was issued about this in advance of the event.
(snip)

The study’s lead author, Ramkripa Raghavan, said: “This research suggests that this could be the case of too much of a good thing. “We tell women to be sure to get folate early in pregnancy. What we need to figure out now is whether there should be additional recommendations about just what an optimal dose is throughout pregnancy.”
(snip)

[Baobab]

1. A link between glutathione status and autism is pretty clear, though.

Two good food sources of cysteine (the main rate limiting precursor of glutathione) are whey protein and the dietary supplement NAC.

Here is an interesting paper on toxicant pathways that illustrates just how important having enough glutathione precursor is to an expectant mother and her fetus!

Also, stay away from pro-oxidant environmental toxicants / chemicals! This is an important thing to know for everybody because availability of glutathione effects our body's ability to prevent cancer and dozens of other conditions.

Should people, especially pregnant women and older people who don't drink milk or eat yogurt or whey protein daily - take supplemental cysteine, such as NAC?

For the evolving answer- see http://www.ajcn.org >> search for glutathione