With autism soaring in America, increasing at a rate of more than 20 percent per year, the need for answers is both vital and urgent. Mercury in early childhood vaccines has been pointed out as one main culprit. An additional theory that makes a whole lot of sense is the link between rampant vitamin D deficiency and the proportionate jump in autism.

The Vitamin D Council observes that sun-avoidance has increased in the last 20 years as the medical community started warning about the dangers of sun exposure. They believe there is a link. The vitamin D receptor appears in a wide variety of brain tissue early in the development of the baby, and activated vitamin D receptors increase nerve growth in the brain.

Just recently, the National Institutes of Mental Health concluded that it is vital that the mother get enough vitamin D while pregnant in order for the baby’s brain to develop properly. The child must also get enough vitamin D after birth for “normal” brain functioning. Moderate sun exposure would take care of these issues, as the sun is irreplaceable when it comes to the body’s ability to produce adequate amounts of vitamin D.

It may be just a theory right now, but it is a viable one. I’ve written about the radical benefits of sun exposure on many occasions. Although excessive tanning and burning is not wise, appropriate sun exposure is truly vital for your health. Daily exposure, for short amounts of time without using toxic sunscreens, may be just the thing to halt the epidemic spread of autism as well.

Vitamin D Council May 2007

Dr. Mercola"s Comment:

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