Autism Symptoms Eased By Broccoli Extract, Study Finds
By Michelle Diament
October 14, 2014
A chemical thats found in broccoli and other vegetables may be able to dramatically improve behavior and social skills in those with autism, researchers say.
In as little as four weeks of taking daily doses of the broccoli sprout extract sulforaphane, many teens and adults with autism saw significant gains in behavior, socialization and communication, according to findings published Monday in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The study involved 40 males ages 13 to 27 with moderate to severe autism, 26 of whom received daily doses of the broccoli sprout extract while the rest were given a placebo.
After 18 weeks, an assessment found that 46 percent of those taking sulforaphane showed noticeable gains in social interaction, 54 percent saw improvements in behavior and 42 percent exhibited better verbal communication.
http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2014/10/14/autism-broccoli-study/19757/