Many of the treatments used to manage and supposedly treat autism are usually labeled as part of alternative medications. As the name suggest, alternative medicines are not part of the mainstream drugs largely sold in pharmacies. A number of the medications suggested by sectors and organizations such as the Autism Research Institute mostly prescribe alternative medications to autism patients, mainly because their treatments are not acknowledged by mainstream doctors. Of course, this does not mean that these alternative medications are not effective. After all, alternative medication has been used for hundreds of years already. The fact that it is not recognized should be hinder a person from taking alternative medications, especially if these alternative medications have a number of researches and studies backing it up.
One of the alternative medications currently used to fight autism is the coQ10, also known as the Coenzyme Q10. It is a oil soluble vitamin like substance that has the ability to act as an antioxidant in the body, hence its use as a dietary supplement. The Mayo Clinic says that the Coenzyme Q10 is recommended for a number of conditions, it is also still under research in some areas. For instance, it is an acknowledged medication for mitochondrial disorders and for its benefits for people with congestive heart failure. Most recently, it has also been attached to the treatment of brain disorders and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s due to its beneficial effects on the human brain. It has been observed that people suffering from Parkinson’s disease have low levels of this enzyme. The same was observed among autism patient; this wasn’t surprising at all since autistic children also have low levels of antioxidants to begin.
How can the coenzyme Q10 work for autistic patients?
Since it works as an antioxidant, the CoQ10 protects the brain from free radicals. This is the main purpose of antioxidants, and this is how many say the autism symptoms can be prevented. To understand this further, it is important to note how free radicals come to exist in the body. Free radicals are created through the oxidation process in the body. During oxidation, these toxins—also called free radicals—are created, damaging certain parts of the body such as the brain, among others. Antioxidants such as the Coenzyme Q10 delays or prevents the oxidation in the body, hence preventing the creation of free radicals. When these free radicals are left inside the body, they can further damage the brain of an autistic child. Whether this is the cause of autism or merely an effect is still being discussed. Nonetheless, what is known is that these free radicals can harm children with autism; and they need CoQ10 supplements since, as mentioned earlier, they have very low levels of this enzyme.
Of course, interested parties should always note that the Coenzyme Q10 is an alternative medicine. With this, it means its effects are not yet fully tested. To be sure, no negative effects can be caused by the use of this medication. But just the same, the use of Coenzyme Q10 is furthering the progress of autism treatments.
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