How to Prevent Autism During Pregnancy?

If you have a child with ASD, it is not because you did something wrong — you are not to blame. It’s because you didn’t have access to the information that might have helped reduce the risk.

What we’re sharing here is cutting-edge information, and our goal is to share knowledge, raise awareness, and provide hope. Please keep this in mind: our mission is to help, not to hurt.

We want to empower you, give you hope, create awareness, and foster lasting change.
Our goal is to help reduce known contributing factors to ASD and support those already living with it.

There is no single known root cause of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD); rather, it appears to be the result of multiple interacting factors, including:

1. Gut Microbiota Imbalance

There is growing evidence of a strong connection between the gut microbiota and autism, as many children with ASD frequently experience gastrointestinal issues.

A 2019 review, “The Possible Role of the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Autism Spectrum Disorder” (NIH.gov), highlights the specific gut microbiota alterations observed in patients with autism and the common conditions that tend to co-occur in children with ASD.

2. Slow Metabolic Pathways

Some individuals have a reduced ability to convert synthetic folic acid and dietary folinic acid into active folate (L-methylfolate) due to certain genetic polymorphisms (variations).

This means that the genes responsible for producing enzymes that metabolize folates into their active form are not fully functional in everyone.

3. Genetic Variants in the Folate Methylation Pathway

Genes involved include MTRR and MTR.
Studies (Pu D, Shen Y, Wu J et al., 2013) have confirmed the presence of these variants in children with ASD. However, many people may also have these polymorphisms without developing ASD.

Is It Just Genetics?

No — definitely not.
Genetics are influenced by lifestyle, environment, infections, diet, and nutrition.

Recommendations for Pregnant Women

What to Avoid:

1. Avoid synthetic folic acid supplements. That’s where the issue lies.
2. Synthetic folic acid must pass through several barriers before it becomes useful in the body.
3. These barriers are the very genetic variations mentioned earlier.

If You’re a #NutriWhiteMom Seeking to Prevent or Support ASD:

1. Avoid synthetic folic acid.
2. Replenish natural folate through green leafy vegetables.
3. Use prenatal vitamins that contain active forms of nutrients, such as 5-MTHF (L-methylfolate) instead of synthetic folic acid.
4. Check homocysteine levels before pregnancy — ideal levels are between 6 and 10. Too low or too high can both be problematic.

If you’re pregnant and can’t find a prenatal supplement with 5-MTHF, we recommend:

• Increasing your intake of leafy green vegetables (natural folate sources).
• Applying your 3R Protocol to heal your gut and improve nutrient absorption — for you and your baby.

Living Well Despite Genetic Variations

Even with methylation pathway variants, a healthy life is absolutely possible.

The key is awareness:

1. Know your genetic variants through genetic testing.
2. Monitor inflammatory markers such as homocysteine.
3. Check for L-methylfolate deficiency through specialized lab tests.
4. Apply a personalized 3R Protocol based on your results.

By doing so, you can prevent, treat, and strengthen both your health and your child’s.

References:

Autismo y mutación genética MTHFR: ¿es el autismo causado en parte por una deficiencia de vitamina? Dr. Pablo Rosales, 2017 https://www.elblogdelasalud.info/autismo-y-mutacion-genetica-mthfr-es-el-autismo-causado-en-parte-por-una-deficiencia-de-vitamina/30156  

Association between MTHFR gene polymorphisms and the risk of autism spectrum disorders: a meta-analysis. Pu D, Shen Y, Wu J, 2013 https://www.epistemonikos.org/es/documents/ca4a1b8eefee9f6e4a45beb4fd9175d5bd7b77a5