Evaluation of nutritional interventions through biochemical markers and their effects on the development of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects communication and social interaction and is frequently associated with food selectivity, gastrointestinal alterations, and biochemical imbalances. These factors may compromise adequate nutrient intake and influence brain metabolism. In this context, there is growing interest in nutritional interventions such as complementary therapies, including specific diets and supplementation, aimed at improving behavioral and metabolic symptoms in individuals with ASD. The objective of this study was to evaluate scientific evidence on the effects of nutritional interventions in modulating ASD symptoms based on biochemical markers. This is an integrative literature review conducted in the PubMed, LILACS, and SciELO databases, considering publications from January 2020 to February 2025. The review included studies involving children and adolescents diagnosed with ASD that assessed nutritional interventions using biochemical markers to measure their clinical and metabolic effects. The analyzed studies demonstrated that strategies such as gluten- and casein-free diets, vitamin supplementation, probiotics, and essential fatty acids showed positive results in reducing inflammatory markers and improving social behaviors. Evidence suggests that these interventions may positively impact ASD symptoms, although findings remain heterogeneous. The need for methodological standardization and larger sample sizes in future studies is emphasized. Nutritional approaches appear to be promising in ASD care, acting as a complementary strategy to traditional treatment, with beneficial effects observed through biomarkers and clinical symptoms.