Root Causes of Autism + 10 Science-Based Solutions

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is one of modern health’s great challenges, affecting over 3.5 million people in the United States, with rising prevalence - especially among boys. An estimated 2% of children are impacted, specifically 1 in every 37 boys and 1 in every 151 girls. While there is no single cause, research has uncovered biological, environmental, metabolic, and immunological factors that contribute to both its origin and clinical expression.

With this premise, David Roberts, along with Drs. John Gildea (GL), Martin Katz, and David McDonald, organized a two-part seminar titled “Root Causes of Autism and 10 Science-Based Solutions,” exploring connections between biology, environment, lifestyle, and gut health in children on the spectrum. This is the written version of that seminar, divided into sections covering

• - oxidative stress
• - mitochondrial dysfunction
• - glutathione/detoxification deficits
• - chronic inflammation
• - gut health
• - sleep
• - infections and microbiota
• - epilepsy
• - depression
• - anxiety
  
  Below is a summary of the main root causes and how sulforaphane may provide support for each one. But first, what is sulforaphane?

Metabolic and Immunological Roots

1. Oxidative Stress (ROS)
   
   What happens: Children with ASD show elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS)—molecules that damage proteins, DNA, and cell membranes.
   
   Support strategies: The NRF2 pathway is the body’s natural mechanism to activate antioxidant genes and eliminate ROS. Molecules like curcumin have also been studied for NRF2 activation.
   
   Sulforaphane’s role: Sulforaphane is one of the most powerful NRF2 activators. Unlike isolated antioxidants, it turns the body into a persistent defense system against oxidative damage.

2. Mitochondrial Dysfunction

What happens: Mitochondria produce energy and enable cell communication. In autism, there’s reduced energy production and signaling abnormalities.

Support strategies: Regular exercise stimulates mitophagy and creation of new mitochondria. Molecules like SIA support energetic metabolism.

Sulforaphane’s role: Promotes mitochondrial renewal, helps balance NAD+/NADH, and improves neuronal energy efficiency, aiding restoration of mitochondrial function.

3. Glutathione and Detoxification Deficit

What happens: Glutathione is the body’s master antioxidant and central to cell detoxification. Lower levels in ASD increase vulnerability to heavy metals, pesticides, microplastics, and other chemicals.

Support strategies: Prefer organic food, minimize exposure to household chemicals, and eat foods or take compounds supporting natural glutathione synthesis.

Sulforaphane’s role: Considered the most complete detoxifier, it activates the body’s three-phase detox system:

• - Phase I: regulates enzymes that transform toxins.
  

• - Phase II: strongly boosts glutathione and other conjugating enzymes.
  

• - Phase III: helps final elimination of toxins via cell transporters.
  This integrative mechanism strengthens defenses and offers real protection against toxin accumulation that impacts the brain and development in children with ASD.
  
  Synergy for greater clinical potency: Sulforaphane (as in BrocElite®) combined with quercetin (as in QuercElite®) can cross the intestinal barrier and greatly stimulate phase II detoxification enzymes.
  
  

4. Chronic Inflammation

What happens: Both intestinal and immune system inflammation are common in ASD. Overactivity in the gut immune system (GALT) can trigger neuroinflammation.
Support strategies: Gradually diversify diet, anti-inflammatory diets, use prebiotics/probiotics.

Sulforaphane’s role: Inhibits central inflammation pathways like NF-κB, lowering gut and brain inflammation, especially powerful when combined with curcumin and quercetin.
Synergy for greater clinical potency: Sulforaphane (BrocElite®) activates NRF2; curcumin (CurcElite®) blocks inflammatory routes like NF-κB and COX-2. Together, they provide holistic anti-inflammatory support for gut and brain health.

5. Gut Health and the Gut-Brain Axis

What happens: Between 46% and 84% of children with autism have gastrointestinal issues (dysbiosis, leaky gut). Maternal stress and antibody exposure during pregnancy can also affect microbiota and neurological development.

Support strategies: Restoring microbial diversity is vital, surpassing the effects of antibiotics alone.

Sulforaphane’s role: Strengthens intestinal barrier, supports a more diverse microbiota, limits growth of harmful bacteria/yeasts, modulates immune response and systemic inflammation. Clinical trials show notable improvements in language, behavior, and social interaction after 18 weeks of supplementation, but symptoms often returned when treatment stopped.

Behavioral and Neurological Factors

6. Sleep: A Fragile Pillar in Autism

What happens: Over 50% of ASD children have sleep problems. Poor sleep interrupts cell repair and toxin elimination, perpetuating inflammation and neurological dysfunction.
Support strategies: Sun exposure at noon, stable routines, avoid screens before bedtime, prefer reading or relaxing baths, dark/cool/quiet bedrooms, vitamin D or melatonin where appropriate, magnesium or sleep-support formulas, natural anti-inflammatories like curcumin.

Sulforaphane’s role: Reduces neuroinflammation, boosts nighttime cellular detoxification, regulates circadian rhythms, improving sleep and neuro health.

7. Infections and Microbiota

What happens: ASD children often have dysbiosis and excess bacteria/yeast. Maternal infections may transfer antibodies that affect fetal brain development.

Support strategies: Not just antibiotics, but restoring diverse microbiota.

Sulforaphane’s role: Fosters beneficial bacteria, limits pathogens, modulates immune responses via NRF2, strengthens antioxidant defenses, and restores the gut-brain axis, supporting cognitive function and resilience.

8. Epilepsy

What happens: About 30% of ASD children show epileptic EEG changes related to neuron imbalance.

Support strategies: Ketogenic diet (raises butyrate, improves microbiota), supplements like glycine, CBD oil (under study).

Sulforaphane’s role: Reduces brain inflammation/oxidative stress, activates NRF2, promotes BDNF for neuroplasticity, stimulates butyrate production, boosting ketogenic benefits.

9. Depression in ASD

What happens: Hard to diagnose in non-verbal children, may appear as repetitive, gratifying behaviors. Gut-produced serotonin plays a key mood role.

Support strategies: Physical activity, sleep hygiene, special diet (gluten/casein-free or low-FODMAP).

Sulforaphane’s role: Lowers neuroinflammation, modulates neurotransmitters via the gut-brain axis, improves gut health with tangible mood impact.

10. Anxiety and the Gut-Brain Connection

What happens: Anxiety is common in autism, tied to gut inflammation and vagus nerve dysfunction.

Support strategies: Zinc supplements, deep breathing, singing/vagal stimulation techniques, social support, anti-inflammatory diet.

Sulforaphane’s role: Reduces gut inflammation, balances neurotransmitters, and may lower anxiety by optimizing gut-brain signaling.

Clinical Evidence and Medical Practice

Studies at Johns Hopkins report improvements in language, sociability, and behavior in ASD adolescents after sulforaphane supplementation. BrocElite® trials show a 30% reduction in interleukin-6 (IL-6, an inflammation marker) in just 48 hours. Dr. McDonald observed clinical improvements in memory, math, social skills, and speech in autistic children and teens.

This landmark Johns Hopkins trial found that daily sulforaphane significantly improved social interaction, abnormal behavior, and verbal communication in young men with moderate to severe ASD. Improvements were statistically and clinically significant compared to placebo.

This study showed preliminary data supporting safety and effectiveness of sulforaphane in children, showing symptom improvements in ASD with well-tolerated side effects.

Conversion & Bioavailability

Broccoli and broccoli sprouts contain glucoraphanin, a precursor requiring the enzyme myrosinase or healthy gut bacteria for conversion to sulforaphane. Cooking destroys myrosinase, reducing conversion rates. Stabilized sulforaphane (like BrocElite®) delivers the active molecule for maximum benefit. Many supplements try to fool you by writing "SGS" or "sulforaphane glucosinolate" on the label, but this is not sulforaphane. If the label looks like these, it does not contain sulforaphane, but rather the precursor and sometimes the enzyme myrosinase. Click here to learn more about reading labels and avoiding sulforaphane supplements that aren't going the distance.

Suggested Dosage:

• - Adults: 15–30 mg/day
  

• - Children: 5–15 mg/day, adjusted by weight

• Start low for sulfur-sensitive people and increase gradually. 

• Always take with food and stay hydrated.
  
  

Click here for more information on how to use BrocElite for kids.

Conclusion

Autism is a multifactorial condition: oxidative stress, mitochondrial changes, detox deficits, inflammation, gut issues, infections, epilepsy, depression, anxiety, and sleep problems all intersect. Sulforaphane stands out for its wide-ranging benefits: NRF2 activation, inflammation regulation, mitochondrial protection, gut health improvement, and cognitive/social gains.

The future of autism management will likely rest on integrative approaches combining nutrition, sleep, microbiota support, detox, and science-backed bioactives like sulforaphane. Scientific and clinical evidence suggests sulforaphane can truly improve the quality of life for affected children and families.

General Definition, Prevalence, and Causes of Autism

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• Lord, Catherine, et al. "Autism spectrum disorder." Nature Reviews Disease Primers, vol. 6, 2020, Article 5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41572-019-0138-4
  

• Litman, Aviya, et al. "Decomposition of phenotypic heterogeneity in autism reveals underlying genetic programs." Nature Genetics, vol. 57, 2025, pp. 1147–1158. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41588-025-02224-z
  

• Xu, Weihong, et al. "Age of machine learning: new trends in autism spectrum disorder prediction." Frontiers in Microbiology, vol. 16, 2025, Article 1492484. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1492484/full
  

• Li, Qian, et al. "Gut microbiota and autism spectrum disorders: An overview and current perspectives." Frontiers in Psychiatry, vol. 12, 2021, Article 770838. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.770838/full
  

• Sharon, Guy, et al. "Human gut microbiota from autism spectrum disorder promote behavioral symptoms in mice." Cell, vol. 177, no. 6, 2019, pp. 1600-1618.e17. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867419306896
  

• Singh, N., et al. "Sulforaphane treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD)." CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets, vol. 15, no. 5, 2016, pp. 574-578. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26922707/
  

• Frye, R. E., et al. "Mitochondrial dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder: Clinical and molecular perspectives." Mitochondrion, vol. 30, 2016, pp. 1-5. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567724916300263
  

• Köhler, C. A., et al. "Autism spectrum disorder and epilepsy: Two closely related disorders." Brain Sciences, vol. 8, no. 11, 2018, Article 197. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/8/11/197
  

• Becker, S. P., and W. E. Langberg. "Sleep and autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analysis." Sleep Medicine Reviews, vol. 26, 2016, pp. 56-67. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1087079216300410