See our tests of CoQ10 and ubiquinol supplements, including those with water-soluble formulations, and learn more about these products in the CoQ10 and Ubiquinol Supplements Review>>

Some herbal supplements, such as butterbur and feverfew may also be helpful. However, be aware that taking St. John’s wort with migraine medications or the painkiller tramadol can cause adverse effects.

One clinical study found that a DAO (diamine oxidase) supplement reduced the duration of migraine attacks by 30%, but did not reduce pain or frequency.

For more information, see the article about Migraine in our Encyclopedia, and also use links above.

Multivitamins and minerals -- These are one of the most widely recommended supplements by physicians for children with autism. One randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 141 children and adults with autism found supplementation with a specially formulated liquid multivitamin/mineral (see ingredients and amounts here) which also contained CoQ10, MSM and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), improved the nutritional and metabolic status of children with autism, and significantly reduced symptoms such as hyperactivity and tantrums (Adams, BMC Pediatrics 2011). The supplement was given in three equal doses at breakfast, lunch and dinner.  For more about multivitamins, including our most recent product tests and reviews, see the Multivitamin Supplements Review >>

Melatonin -- Many children with autism have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.  In fact, an estimated 50% to 80% of children with autism spectrum disorders may suffer from sleep difficulties or insomnia (Malow, J Autism Dev Disord 2013). Several studies have found individuals with autism to have lower levels of melatonin or melatonin metabolites than those without autism (Rossignol, Dev Med Child Neurol 2011). An analysis of 18 studies of people with autism (mostly children between the ages of 2- 18, although two studies included individuals over the age of 18) found that melatonin supplementation (in doses ranging from 0.75 mg to 25 mg daily) significantly improved the time it took to fall asleep and sleep duration, and, in some individuals, also improved daytime behavior (Rossignol, Dev Med Child Neurol 2011). Another study also found that a daily dose of 1 mg or 3 mg of melatonin improved sleep latency in children with autism spectrum disorder (Malow, J Autism Dev Disord 2013). For more about melatonin, including our most recent product tests and reviews, see the Melatonin Supplements Review >>

Probiotics -- Children with autism can experience significantly more gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, constipation and abdominal pain, than others (McElhanon, Pediatrics 2014), and probiotics may be helpful for some of these symptoms.

Because abnormal gut microbiota and gastrointestinal dysfunction in children with autism has also been associated with increased irritability, tantrums, aggressive behavior and sleep disturbances, researchers have proposed further study of the use of probiotics (Critchfield, Gastroenterol Res Pract 2011). One interesting, preliminary animal study found a specific bacterial strain, Bacteroides fragilis, improved gut permeability and autism-like behaviors in mice (Hsiao, Cell 2013). For more information about specific strains used to reduce abdominal pain, and our most recent product tests and reviews, see the Probiotic Supplements Review>>

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) -- This amino acid has been found to reduce irritability, but not other symptoms, in children with autism (Hardan, Biol Psychiatry 2012) and in children taking risperidone (an atypical antipsychotic drug sometimes prescribed for people with autism) (Ghanizadeh, BMC Psychiatry 2013). The dose in these studies ranged from 900 mg to 2,700 mg daily, which was generally well tolerated. (ConsumerLab.com will be testing NAC supplements later in 2014).

L-carnosine -- An 800 mg daily dose of L-carnosine for 8 weeks in children with autism was found to significantly improve scores on the Gilliam Autism Rating Scale in a small clinical study (Chez, J Child Neurol 2002).

L-carnitine -- One preliminary clinical trial found that L-carnitine, taken daily (50 mg per kg bodyweight) as a liquid supplement, significantly improved clinical measures of autism spectrum disorder in children (Geier, Med Sci Monit 2011).

Ubiquinol -- Some research on autism has proposed oxidative stress as a potential cause of neuronal dysfunction and clinical symptoms in autism (Gvozdjakova, Oxid Med Cell Longev 2014). Ubiquinol, which is the active form of CoQ10, taken at 50 mg twice per day, at morning and lunchtime, for three months, was found to improve communication, sleep, and decrease food rejection in a small study of children with autism, based on parental reports (Gvozdjakova, Oxid Med Cell Longev 2014). The authors noted that in the first days of supplementation, a small subset of children had increased anger, hyperactivity or sleep disturbance, which was managed by modifying the timing of the doses to morning and evening. For more about ubiquinol, including our most recent product tests and reviews, see the CoQ10 & Ubiquinol Supplements Review>>

Omega-3 Fatty Acids -- Several very small, preliminary studies have linked supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids with decreased hyperactivity in children with autism or improvement in other autism symptoms. The studies used daily doses of 1,000 mg to 1,500 mg of omega-3 fatty acids (in the case of the 1,500 mg dose, 840 mg was from EPA and 700 mg from DHA) (Meiri, J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2009; Bent, J Autism Dev Disord 2011; Amminger, Biol Psychiatry 2007). For more about omega-3s and fish oil, including our most recent product tests and reviews, see the Fish/Marine Oil Supplements Review>>

Vitamin C -- One small study found significant improvements in behavior in autistic children who received a high dose of vitamin C (8,000 mg per 70 kg of body weight) daily when compared to placebo. (Dolske, Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 1993). It is important to note, however, that taking such a large dose of vitamin C may cause diarrhea in some people.  For more about Vitamin C, including our most recent product tests and reviews, see the Vitamin C Supplements Review >>

See ConsumerLab.com’s Encyclopedia article on Autism for more information about supplements that may or may not be helpful.

It is true that some supplements contain special ingredients, or enhancers,  which can improve the absorption or bioavailability (amount of ingredient circulating in your blood) of certain supplements, such as CoQ10, curcumin, milk thistle, green tea, grape seed, ginkgo,  and resveratrol. Enhancers typically act in the gut to either improve solubility or reduce the amount of enzymatic breakdown which occurs there. By allowing you to absorb more active ingredient, the supplement may be more potent, meaning that a smaller dose may be used. At the same time, enhancers may increase the absorption or otherwise interact with other supplements or drugs which you take, so it is important to use caution.

The four main types of enhancers currently found in supplements are emulsifying agents, like lecithin; self-emulsifying systems, which involve an oil; phytosomes made from phosphatidylcholine; and enzyme inhibitors, like black pepper extract. Liposomes and nanoparticles have also shown promise for improving absorption. Pros and cons of these enhancers, and the types of ingredients with which they may be useful, are discussed below (and in many of ConsumerLab.com's Product Reviews).  See the full answer >> >>

The supplements which may have this effect include aloe, chromium, ginseng, and CoQ10, and there is weaker evidence for about 30 others.  See the list of these supplements and get more information in the Insulin article, which is part of the extensive Drug Interactions section of our website (where you can also look up supplement interactions for other drugs you may be taking).