Research paper

Improving Antioxidant Capacity in Children With Autism: A Randomized, Double-Blind Controlled Study With Cysteine-Rich Whey Protein

Frontiers in Psychiatry

Sep 2021

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.669089

Citations: 14

Influential: 1

Interventional (Human) Studies

Study answer

What this study found

Improvements were noted in glutathione levels and several behavioral assessments, particularly in the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, indicating a significant positive effect from CRWP supplementation.

Study & population: 46 preschool children with confirmed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, with 21 receiving CRWP and 19 receiving a rice protein placebo.
Intervention: A 90-day intervention using cysteine-rich whey protein (CRWP) to improve glutathione levels and ASD behaviors in children aged 3-5 years.
Key limitation: The small sample size and short duration of the intervention limit generalizability.

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Original abstract

Previous studies indicate that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have lower levels of glutathione. Nutritional interventions aim to increase glutathione levels suggest a positive effect on ASD behaviors, but findings are mixed or non-signi…