\If you’re navigating the challenges of autism—whether as a parent, caregiver, or professional—you’ve likely wondered how much diet and supplements really matter. Can nutrition and functional medicine truly make a difference for kids with autism?
The short answer: yes, absolutely.
In this post, we’ll break down the relationship between functional medicine and autism, with a spotlight on essential nutrients like zinc, and how nutrition and autism are deeply intertwined in ways many people overlook. You will want to read or listen to the end to hear the blood tests you can ask your doctor for today, and the surprising nutrients that can be effecting behavior.
What Is Functional Medicine—and How Does It Relate to Autism?
Functional medicine focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of chronic conditions rather than just treating symptoms. For children with autism, this can mean digging deeper into issues like gut health, nutritional deficiencies, food intolerances, and detoxification challenges.
Generally, a functional medicine doctor who works with individuals with autism will be different from your family doctor or pediatrician.
Denise Voigt, a functional medicine nutritionist that joined me this week, explains that the body operates as a complex biochemical lab. Every function, from sleep to behavior to immune response, depends on having the right nutrients available.
“If you don’t get enough nutrients, those systems can’t function,” Voigt explains. “But if you give the body what it needs, it can upregulate and start functioning better—often dramatically so.”
Nutrition and Autism: Why Picky Eating Is a Red Flag
It’s no secret that picky eating is common among children with autism. But what many don’t realize is that this isn’t just a behavioral issue—it’s often a medical one.
A 2019 study by Maayes and Zickgraf found that 70% of children with autism exhibit atypical eating patterns—15 times more common than in neurotypical children.
This can lead to severe nutritional deficiencies, which in turn may worsen behavioral symptoms, developmental delays, and even immune issues. It can be a vicious cycle because some nutrient deficiencies can make picky eating worse.
Zinc and Autism: A Critical Nutrient for Gut and Brain Health
Zinc is one of the most overlooked but essential minerals in the autism community. It plays a role in:
Neurodevelopment and cognition
Gut integrity and immune response
Appetite regulation and taste perception
Low zinc levels are commonly observed in children with autism and are linked to sensory issues like food refusal, pica (eating non-food items), and constant mouthing or chewing.
Voigt emphasizes the importance of zinc-to-copper ratio—a marker often skewed in kids with autism. When copper levels are high and zinc levels are low, children are more prone to behavior issues, sleep disturbances, and inflammation.
“We’ve seen kids calm down within minutes of removing copper-heavy multivitamins and switching to better-quality supplements,”
Understanding the Zinc to Copper Ratio in Autism
One of the most important but often overlooked markers in functional medicine and autism care is the zinc to copper ratio. These two minerals work in opposition, and when the balance is off, it can significantly impact a child’s behavior, immune function, and neurological health.
Why This Ratio Matters
Zinc is essential for brain development, immune regulation, and gut health.
Copper, while necessary in small amounts, can become toxic if it accumulates.
In children with autism, it’s common to find low zinc levels and elevated copper levels, which may contribute to:
Increased anxiety or agitation
Poor detoxification
Trouble with focus or sensory processing
Sleep disturbances
A disrupted zinc-to-copper ratio can also interfere with methylation—a critical biochemical process involved in everything from DNA repair to neurotransmitter production.
As I said, “I saw my son become more agitated after taking a multivitamin with copper,” “Once we removed it, the change was noticeable within 30 minutes.”
What to Look For
When selecting a multivitamin or supplement for your child:
Avoid copper unless specifically recommended by a healthcare provider
Look for zinc in a bioavailable form (like zinc picolinate or zinc citrate)
Consider testing blood levels to assess zinc and copper status
This ratio is a key marker in many blood tests recommended in functional medicine for autism and can offer valuable insight into what your child’s body needs to function better.
