Parents of children with autism constantly search for new methods of treatment to cure or, at the very least, alleviate the symptoms of their child’s illness. For the most part, the damage has been done when it comes to the effects on the brain and, for that reason, many parents find themselves on goose chase after goose chase.

While mainstream media, Big Pharma, and the medical industry refuse to look at the cause of autism, however, there is research being done in regards to the symptoms.

One such study, “Identification of urinary metabolites that correlate with clinical improvements in children with autism treated with sulforaphane from broccoli.,” published in Molecular Autism has taken a look at using “urinary metabolomics analysis” as a method of identifying pathways that might be involved in the treatment of abnormal physiology in ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder).

Basically, it has been discovered that children with autism have “urinary metabolites” which suggest impairments in a number of pathways, – oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and gut microbiome alterations.

Interestingly enough, sulforaphane, a supplement with indirect antioxidant effects, has been shown to lead to improvements in the social responsiveness and behavior of children with ASD.

The study was designed to look at changes in urinary metabolites associated with clinical improvements in order to determine a “potential mechanism of action,” i.e. how it works.

Notably, sulforaphane is derived from broccoli sprouts and seeds.

Not only broccoli and broccoli seeds but Brussel sprouts and cabbage are also high in sulforaphane.

While certainly not a cure for autism, such research does provide hope for parents who are struggling to relieve the symptoms of their children’s illness.

Sulforaphane and the discovery of just how improvements in social responsiveness and behavior of autistic children works are just one piece of a much bigger puzzle. However, it may very well be an important part.