Evidence supporting the use of: Docosahexaenoic Acid
For the health condition: Autism

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 1

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is critical for brain development and function. The use of DHA supplements in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is based on scientific interest in the role of fatty acids in neurodevelopment. Several small-scale studies and a few randomized controlled trials have examined DHA supplementation in children with autism. However, the results have been inconsistent and generally show minimal or no improvement in core autism symptoms such as social interaction, communication, or repetitive behaviors.

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses, including Cochrane reviews, have concluded that current evidence does not support a significant benefit of DHA supplementation for ASD symptoms. While some individual studies have reported minor improvements in specific behavioral or cognitive measures, these findings have not been robustly replicated or shown to be clinically meaningful. As such, while the rationale for using DHA is grounded in scientific hypotheses about brain biochemistry, the evidence base is weak (rated 1/5), and DHA is not considered a validated treatment for autism. Major clinical guidelines do not recommend its use specifically for ASD.

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Products containing Docosahexaenoic Acid

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