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Histamine: Solution or Problem?Since the mid forties,
we have been told we need an antihistamine for allergies. Before we were sold
that bill of goods, Dr. Horton of Mayo Clinic had remarkable results against
allergies, including MS and others suffering demyelination, by infusing
histamine. So, I suggest that you allow the body to produce its histamine
naturally by supplementing L-histidine (see warnings elsewhere in this paper).
Take it with a supplement of vitamin C. Since autism is often thought to have
much in common, it is of interest to note that high histamine levels define one
type of schizophrenia (histadelic, who is over stimulated), and low levels
define another type (histapenia, who is often suicidally depressed). Excess
copper, common in autism, is a contributing cause of histapenia, and overloads
of mercury, aluminum, lead, cadmium, and bismuth all contribute to histapenia.
The amino acid methionine detoxifies histamine, epinephrine, and nicotinic acid
which would be helpful (along with calcium lactate, zinc, and manganese) in
regulating histamine in the histadelic. Water is the very best antihistamine
known. Drink lots of water (1/2 your body weight in ounces), and take a small
amount of salt on the tongue after each glass of water. Histamine acts on the
H2 receptors of stomach cells increasing production of HCl. It also promotes
production of the “intrinsic factor”, allowing digestion and assimilation of
vitamin B12. However, excessive histamine, acting as a
neurotransmitter, may have an inhibitory effect on the speech and social action
centers of the brain; so, if there is regression in eye contact, social
interaction, or speech, cut back or discontinue the L-histidine—or perhaps
supplement GABA? In larger amounts (over 2 grams per day), histidine can reduce
zinc levels and this is readily recognizable because the client develops a
stuffy nose. A zinc lozenge or capsule quickly remedies the situation. Too much
histidine will actually cause constipation, and this is overcome by taking zinc
and GLA (in the form of Evening Primrose Oil). Histidine is an excellent
chelator of copper and heavy metals as well, so when using this amino acid, you
must supplement all the known minerals, particularly zinc and copper—unless
suffering a high copper condition already. To reduce the excess copper, if not
using histidine, supplement the diet with vitamin C, zinc, manganese, and
molybdenum; however, this may make you feel worse, more depressed, as the copper
is dumped from bone and tissue into the blood. Do not cease taking these
supplements, but reduce the amount to slow the process of cleansing. When you
begin feeling better, you can increase the amount again. About three months of
supplementing will be necessary for maximum improvement. If you are severely
depressed, this effort to lower copper levels should be attempted only under a
physician’s care. It is vital that you have your doctor monitor the
zinc-copper-iron ratios in particular. The amino acid
methionine serves to decrease histamine. It methylates, and thus detoxifies,
histamine and many heavy metals. It should offer some of the same benefits as
the H2 blockers. Therapeutic doses for adults run from 200 mg to 1000 mg per
day. Methionine is a sulfur bearing amino, and may be contraindicated for those
unable to oxidize sulfur efficiently. In “The Chemistry of Success”, Dr.
Susan M. Lark writes: “Magnesium helps relax muscles and stabilize mast cells,
preventing them from bursting and releasing a flood of histamine, thereby
triggering an allergic reaction. In contrast, calcium stimulates mast cells to
release histamines.....in individuals with inflammatory conditions, the normal
calcium to magnesium ratio of 2:1 can be modified to 1:1 or even 1:2.” It is
should be noted that most antihistamines have a significant anticholinergic
action (interferes with the action of the parasympathetic nervous system) which
accounts for certain undesired side effects, but which can be used to advantage
in a variety of conditions. Antihistamines are, by the very nature of their pharmacological activity, immunosuppressant. An allergic reaction occurs when a foreign antigen activates T-cells passing through the site of the allergic response. These activated T-cells stimulate B-cells to produce high levels of IgE antibodies. At the same time, the T-cells release chemotactic factors that attract basophils into the affected tissue. The basophils, bind with the newly produced IgE and when these cells come in contact with the allergen, they release stores of histamine, heparin and other mediators amplifying the allergic response. Antihistamines block the effects of histamine on blood vessels and smooth muscle, thus they help to suppress the body’s reaction to a foreign antigen. Enzymes: The Fountain of LifeOne should additionally
supplement digestive enzymes (pancreatic enzymes). This seems particularly so
for those suffering the PST/sulfate problem. This will often improve HCl
production, and will improve digestion enabling a universal restoring of health,
and of physical and mental function, as a result of improved nutrition. Lactase
in the supplement would help digest milk products better, and would be
beneficial to at least that 39% reported deficient. Cellulase is desirable to
break down fibers, and supplementing peptidase would break down the peptides of
casein and gluten, and reduce the problems attributed to them. Introduce enzymes
gradually in the diet, with food, otherwise it may cause diarrhea, or even
constipation—yet the use will often control chronic diarrhea. When ox bile is
used, increase the amount until the fat is being digested. The health food store
will have several choices for you. Papaya is a good source of the peptidase
enzyme. Enteric-coated papaya tablets are available at the health food store. SerenAid™, by Klaire Labs, 1-800-533-7255, $49.95 for 180 capsules (www.SerenAid.com), and EnzymAid™, a newer version from Kirkman’s, are protease/peptidase supplements especially prepared for those sensitive to gluten and casein. These peptidase supplements are not to take the place of a Gf/Cf diet, but will give other benefits, such as when there is a slip-up on the diet, and in enhancing digestion and availability of branch-chained amino acids. They lack amylase, lipase, and cellulase, enzymes these children desperately need in my opinion; so, I recommend EnZym-Complete™ by Kirkman Labs. It contains everything except ox bile. If the stool is light or gray colored, frothy, floating, bulky, shiny, and foul smelling, one may choose a digestive enzyme with ox bile to help digest the fat, or supplement the amino acid taurine, glycine, and butyric acid to enhance bile function. The glycine will enhance HCl production too. One can use bile salts with the enzymes (ask your pharmacist). Improved Nutrition Relieves Bowel and InfectionImproving nutrition by
use of HCl and an enzyme supplement, and by judicious supplementation of amino
acids and other nutrients, relieves bowel problems and overcomes infection.
Taurine, like carnitine, is synthesized from methionine and cysteine. It, too,
is found only in animal products. A deficiency in intake of these three amino
acids, or a metabolic defect in metabolizing these sulfur amino acids may lead
to a deficiency of taurine creating numerous symptoms, including poor digestion
of fat. The cellular level enzymatic effects of mercury binding with proteins
include blockage of sulfur oxidation processes, and a lack of several
neurotransmitter amino acids which are significant factors in many autistics.
Taurine deficiency is seen in Parkinson’s Disease, anxiety, Candida,
AIDS, cardiac insufficiency, hypertension, impaired vision, cholesterol-gall
stones, convulsions, depression, and kidney failure. Taurine is a major part of
the GTF Factor, being a metabolite of cysteine. One will likely never be free of
candida until five things
are occur: 1) eliminate mercury and other toxins interfering with energy
pathways, 2) eliminate excess systemic alkalinity—these individuals exhibit a
sodium-potassium ratio of less then 2.3:1, indicative of adrenal burnout,
induced hyper-alkalinity, and an impaired immune system, 3) restore deficient
HCl and bile secretions—these shortages lead to an excessively alkaline gut,
to poor digestion of proteins, to poor assimilation of most minerals and
vitamins, and to poor digestion of fats that creates fatty acid imbalances
leading to amino acid imbalances, and 4) restore biochemical energy production (mitochondrial function)—the energy pathways require optimal amounts of
copper, iron, manganese, potassium, magnesium, carnitine, alpha lipoic acid,
NADH, and CoQ10, (see the Section “Healing the Leaky Gut”), 5) Correct
carbohydrate intolerances—Stress causes a rapid depletion of zinc and the
bio-unavailability of copper resulting in a severe derangement of glucose
metabolism. Poor absorption of carbohydrates in the intestines creates
fermentation by gut organisms. This, as well as sugar in the diet, actually
makes children drunk, and some have the smell of alcohol on their breath. This
causes hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and a proliferation of yeast in the
gut. A lack of exposure to full spectrum light of the sun may lead to a
reduced concentration of this neurotransmitter in the pineal and pituitary
glands and probably accounts for seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Vitamin A
and E deficiency, and stress, causes a spill of taurine into the urine. These
kids are highly stressed, and are typically lacking these nutrients. A supplement of
molybdenum enhances sulfite oxidase activity and helps convert potentially
harmful sulfites into sulfates. For 36%, this reduced urinary sulfite loss and
improved symptoms, one of which is wheezing. This improved enzyme activity
enhances detoxification of the very toxic cyanide ions improving oxidative
phosphorylation and cellular oxidation increasing ATP (energy molecule).
Supplementing molybdenum (which is
depleted by supplemental sulfates), or the amino acid L-taurine (500 mg daily,
shortly reducing to 100 mg), will improve the function of the liver, producing
better quality bile (darkening of the stool), protecting against gallstones, and
improving the digestion of fats. Carnitine will conserve calcium, magnesium, and
potassium, and may reduce heart arrhythmias and fatigue, aids in detoxifying the
body, and serves with GABA and glycine as inhibitory neurotransmitters in the
brain. A deficiency would likely be associated with abnormally low levels of
uric acid in the blood and high sulfate in the urine. It promotes the proper
regulation of blood sugar in those who may be insulin insufficient.
Taurine is relatively inert, has a
half-life of about 5 days, and can remain as a free amino acid. Vitamin B6
is essential to its formation. It
is considered to be conditionally essential for human infants and children. In
other words, many don’t have enough unless supplemented. Glycine is the major
inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain stem and spinal cord, where it
participates in a variety of motor and sensory functions. Glycine is also
present in the forebrain, where it has recently been shown to function as a
co-agonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptors (it
stimulates their function). In the latter context, glycine promotes the actions
of glutamate, the major excitatory neurotransmitter. Thus, glycine subserves
both inhibitory and excitatory functions within the CNS. Blockage of that
receptor could cause reduced pain, tunnel vision, inability to shift attention,
auditory problems, repetitive behaviors, dilated pupils, and language problems.
The reason is that it controls pruning of brain cells during development,
modulates pain, and modulates dopamine and serotonin. The NMDA receptor is
activated mainly to amplify the effect of glutamate during periods of especially
intense excitation. People of any age with depleted levels of reduced
glutathione are especially vulnerable to the free-radical damage associated with
glutamate excitotoxicity. Glutamate excitotoxicity damages or destroys some
neurons, leading to deficiencies in memory and learning; on the other hand,
excess of GABA can lead to lethargy. At the same time, excess ammonia, not
detoxified through sufficient glutamine synthesis by the glia, leads to further
neural damage. “There is evidence that depletion of reduced glutathione makes
neurons more susceptible to excitotoxicity, and that intact mitochondrial
function is essential for neuronal resistance to excitotoxic attack. It is
believed, for example, that reduced levels of the energy currency of the cell
(ATP) that accompanies loss of mitochondrial function causes depolarization of
neuronal membrane, which exposes NMDA receptors to excessive levels of
glutamate. The resulting neurohormonal cascade leads, in many cases, to the
death of neurons in the brain, and in the central and peripheral nervous
systems.”—LEF Magazine, March 1996. Most of the excitatory
neurons of the cerebral cortex have glutamate as their primary transmitter. One
type of glutaminergic neuron accumulates zinc within vesicles at axon terminals
and releases it into the synapse upon firing. The precise roles of zinc in
synaptic function are not known, although its presence is certain, and there are
zinc-binding sites on one subset of glutamate receptor called the NMDA
(N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor. Zinc, copper, and magnesium all appear to play
important modulatory roles in controlling the NMDA receptor, which has been
implicated in various forms of cortical plasticity, including learning. It is
possible, then, that decreased levels of some minerals in the brain may produce
abnormal NMDA mediated plasticity and subsequent abnormalities in behavior.
Since the blockade of NMDA receptors in the cerebral cortex enhances the release
of dopamine from lower brain regions, reduced glutamate transmission could be
the ultimate cause of excessive dopamine activity in the brains of schizophrenic
patients. High levels of another
NMDA receptor blocking agent, kynurenic acid (a tryptophan metabolite that
requires vitamin B6 for its further metabolism), are found in the
spinal fluid of patients with AIDS dementia, and is frequent in autism. The
amino acid glycine indirectly activates NMDA receptors, and may reduce apathy,
withdrawal, and cognitive impairment in schizophrenic patients. Strychnine
poisoning results in muscular contractions and tetany as a result of glycinergic
disinhibition and overexcitation. Other a- and b-amino acids, including b-alanine and
taurine, also activate glycine receptors, but with lower potency.
A deficiency of taurine or GABA in relation to serotonin and dopamine may lead
to convulsions; so, in the nervous system, adequate presence of taurine
stabilizes cell membranes, which raises the seizure threshold and helps treat
epileptic seizures. Its anti-convulsant effect is long-lasting, and can be
confirmed both clinically and by repeat EEG’s (electroencephalograms). It
strengthens neutrophils (white blood cells/part of immune system) in their
ability to kill bacteria. I’ll pick up the taurine thread two paragraphs
later. The enzyme kynureninase, which breaks down
kynurenine, requires magnesium and pyridoxal
phosphate (P5P), and its activity is decreased in a vitamin B6 or
magnesium deficiency (Shibata, 1991). Increased serum kynurenine has been found
in Tourette’s Syndrome (TS) (Dursun, 1994; Rickards, 1996). Kynurenine
promotes vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow, via noradrenaline release (Rudzite, 1991). Anxiety can be produced by increased kynurenine
(Orlikov,
1991), which can be related to magnesium deficiency (Shibata, 1991). An
increased release of catecholamines is found in magnesium deficiency (Gunther,
1989). Enhanced stress responsivity of TS patients undergoing lumbar puncture
was shown by their significantly high ACTH secretion and their significantly
high norepinephrine excretion as compared to normal controls; and reported a
higher level of anxiety before and during the procedure than the controls
(Chappell, 1994). A heightened reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal
(HPA) axis and related noradrenergic sympathetic systems is suggested in TS
(Chappell, 1994; Leckman, 1995). Kynurenine markedly
increases tics in animals when injected peripherally (Handley, 1977). L-
Kynurenine interacts with GABA receptors in vitro, displacing GABA, and induces
convulsions in vivo in rats (Pinelli, 1985). L-Kynurenine sulfate induces
locomotor excitement (continuous rotation in rats around a longitudinal axis in
one or other direction) and potentiates the convulsant effect of caffeine
(Lapin, 1982). The neurotransmitter GABA has been implicated in a number of
psychiatric and neurologic disorders (McGeer, 1989). The main support for GABA
involvement in TS comes from drug studies that have shown in some patients the
suppression of tics with the use of the GABA agonist clonazapam (Goetz, 1992;
Hewlett, 1993). GABA modulates dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens
and corpus striatum (Dewey, 1997). If the stool is light
tan or gray in color, taurine and/or glycine supplementation will restore normal
bile and improve fat digestion. Taurine excess may be seen when Vitamin B6
or zinc is deficient in Rheumatoid Arthritis and liver disease. In fact, taurine
in serum rises with low zinc serum, and results in low taurine levels in the
brain, increasing the possibility of seizures. Taurine levels, whether high or
low, indicate further lab work is needed. For example, if Taurine levels are
low, and the clinical picture is suggestive of candidiasis, one should test for candida
through comprehensive stool analysis and/or anti-candida
antibodies. If candida
is found, supplement Taurine. If Taurine levels are high, zinc and vitamin B6
levels are probably low, and should be tested. P5P, an important form of vitamin
B6, is necessary for many amino acid reactions to take place. Taurine’s function
and effectiveness are controlled by vitamin B6 and zinc. Zinc and
vitamin B6 are almost universally deficient, and they are lost due to
diarrhea. Considering the atrocious diet, and an inflamed gut, why wouldn’t an
autistic need to supplement vitamin B6 and zinc, and possibly taurine? Always balance with copper in a 1-to-8, copper/zinc ratio, unless you
know a high copper condition exists, or your child is hyper to copper, and
monitor that ratio lest you create a copper anemia that will be made worse if
you treat it with iron. An overactive thyroid can create a copper anemia also
since copper gets used up in de-activating thyroid hormones. Be careful with taurine for it tends to shut down the E1 Prostaglandins. Omega-6s (particularly GLA), when properly balanced with Omega 3s (particularly EPA), give rise to the E1 series of anti-inflammatory prostaglandins. When this balance is not present, arachidonic acid is produced excessively creating the inflammatory E2s. The B-vitamins help convert essential fatty acids (EFA) into the prostaglandin (PG) tissue regulators. It turns out that, through hydrogenation, milling, and selection of w3-poor, Southern foods, we have also been systematically depleting, by as much as 90%, a newly discovered trace, Nordic EFA (w3) that is the sole precursor of the PG3 prostaglandins, of special importance to primates. This shortage of fatty acids has occurred even as a concurrent fiber deficiency increases body demand for EFAs. Since substrate EFA is processed by many B-vitamin catalysts, an EFA deficiency will mimic a panhypovitaminosis B, that is, a mixture of substrate beriberi and substrate pellagra resembling vitamin deficiency beriberi and pellagra but exhibiting as even more diverse endemic disease. Supplementation with cod-liver oil for up to 12 weeks may be necessary to see this shift from PgE2 to PgE1, however, Vitamin E in succinate form enhances both cellular and humoral immunities, and induces macrophages to produce elevated levels of IL-1 and/or to down-regulate PgE2 synthesis. It also shields the immune cells from the toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Elevated PgE2 suppresses immunity. These eicosanoids serve as a communication “wiring” for the body, communicating information from cellular DNA. Care and Feeding of the BowelMost of these children
eat such a poor diet they suffer either diarrhea or constipation (sometimes
producing the odd symptom of toe walking), perhaps alternating. One Mom reported
that toe walking was stopped for her son by cranial-sacral therapy. One mother
reports that what she thought to be a two-year-long bout of diarrhea was in fact
constipation! Her son who frequently screamed, rubbed or punched his stomach,
and walked on his toes, had an impacted bowel with a blockage as large as a
small cantaloupe! This should have been accompanied by telltale gut noises as
the contents forced their way around the blockage. Doctors said this was merely
self-stimulatory action (don’t you believe it). This is an increasing
problem especially in those with poor digestion from a lack of HCl and enzymes
such as among the autistic, the aged, and the ones taking antacids and H2
blockers (Pepcid™,
Zantac™).
Foods are not being broken down, and the fibers, in particular, build up in a
ball (Bezoar) in the stomach and migrate to the intestine. This can grow to such
size that surgical removal is necessary! An additional supplement (digestive
enzymes with cellulase) can help prevent that, and alleviate the usual
constipation. The use of soluble fiber: fructooligosaccharide, psyllium, oat,
guar gum, pectin, or a combination of fibers; along with a probiotic (preferably
goat yogurt, if not on casein free diet, or capsules of these beneficial
bacteria), and the supplemental digestive enzymes that contain cellulase will
work wonders to improve the bowel and the digestion. Where there is elevated HCl, the Lactobacillus Acidophilus may not survive, so to ensure they do, take
the capsules on an empty stomach (three hours after eating) with some
AlkaSeltzer Gold™
or with 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water. Use of
excessive bicarbonate of soda can disrupt potassium balance so the use of
AlkaSeltzer Gold™
may be preferred. Felsenfeld, et al.,
found pancreatic enzymes useful in restoring proper intestinal flora, and in the
nutritional management of gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth problems that
come from increases in bacteria such as Clostridia, Lactobacillae,
Bifidobacteria, Bacteroides, Pseudomonceae, and the Enterobacteriaceae, such as
E. Coli and Klebsiella. Many of these organisms can be recognized as those
bacteria involved in protein putrefaction, and the so-called toxic bowel
syndrome. Use of azeotropically processed pancreatin hastened the return of the
altered intestinal flora to their pre-infection levels, and restored
gastrointestinal ecology. Antibody production was increased by 250% over
controls in Swiss white mice. Vitamin B12, folic acid, and zinc
absorption was enhanced. Conditions such as chronic and terminal illness,
chemotherapy, physical and emotional trauma (surgery, car accident, etc.),
prolonged and chronic pain, severe mental depression and emotional stress may
alter HCl secretions. This in turn, disrupts the flow and activation of
pancreatic enzymes; hence, the malabsorption of food. In such situations,
hydrochloric acid supplementation may be warranted in addition to pancreatic
enzymes. In a little heard of
experiment at Rockefeller Foundation researchers found “a host of diseases
generally never associated with faulty diet were definitely connected with the
type of food eaten by the individual man or animal.” The parts of the body
affected were the chest, ear, nose, upper respiratory passages, the eye,
gastrointestinal and urinary tracts, the skin, blood, lymph glands, nerves,
heart, and teeth. Sinusitis, adenoids, infections of the middle ear,
pneumonia, and bronchiectasis were some of the afflictions that the
experimenters were able to reproduce in the animals at will by feeding them the
diet that produced these diseases in man. Since these afflictions
are usually regarded as infectious in nature, this is another proof that lowered
resistance and impairments resulting from nutritional deficiencies rather than
an invasion of microorganisms are the primary causative factors. Only in a body
that is depleted or weakened can a germ or virus gain a foothold. All members of
one viral type (there are five types) are usually almost identical in every way except
for the glycoprotein antigens on their protein coat. It is this signal that
can trigger an immune system response in a host. Without adequate glycoproteins
in the host, the virus may not be recognized. Rebuild your immune function by
correcting your dietary, and by supplementing with Ambrotose® and Phyt•Aloe®
by Mannatech™. Additionally, many
studies support the idea that the Coxsackie’s virus, hepatitis B, and even HIV
and other retroviruses are made more virulent by a selenium deficiency, and that
supplementation with selenium significantly reduces incidence of these diseases.
It has been shown that the relatively benign Coxsackie’s virus in a selenium
deficient mouse can mutate into a more virulent form that wrecks more damage,
and retains its virulence even when injected into those with adequate
selenium!—Dr. Ethan Will Taylor. Scary. Considering that mercury depletes
selenium, poor diets lack selenium, our kids universally lack selenium, and that
most of these kids harbor chronic viral infections, shouldn’t you supplement
selenium? Use 5-mcg/kg body weight. Your doctor may wish to use more to overcome
the chronic viral condition. A Brazil nut typically may contain 120-mcg
selenium, and would be a good way to meet this need. What one eats or absorbs from what is eaten also determines how the bowel functions, which in turn determines what one absorbs—whether nutrient or toxin. Diarrhea and constipation are both severe problems for most autistics. Diarrhea is the most debilitating due to loss of nutrients and necessary water, and must not be allowed to continue. Dehydration alone is a serious condition producing a multitude of symptoms. In this paper, I have mentioned a number of conditions contributing to diarrhea, but I summarize them here for ready reminder and as a checklist to pursue in elimination of this most serious condition: 1. A lack of symbiotic bacteria in the gut, creating a lack of butyric acid and nutrients. 2. Milk, either due to casein sensitivity, or to a lack of lactase to digest lactose. 3. Morning diarrhea due to lack of HCl. 4. Overgrowth of harmful bacteria, especially E. Coli, clostridium, and or giardia lamblia usually accompanied by a deficiency of B-cells. A T-cell problem may be present. An immune imbalance is indicated. 5. A deficiency of one or more nutrients: Vitamins A, B1, D, K, pantothenic acid, niacin, folic acid, zinc, magnesium, potassium, MSM, fatty acids, and of protein. Supplementing these nutrients, especially vitamin A and zinc usually stops diarrhea, measles, malaria, and ear infections. 6. An excess of vitamin C, and of the B-complex. These should not be taken in high potency, single doses, but in three or four servings of lesser amounts. Look not only for loose stool as a sign of excess vitamin C, but also for too-rapid passage time. Check the time from eating a food to seeing it in the stool. Passage time should be a minimum of 18 hours—better 24 to 30 hours. 7. Rarely, a toxic build up of vitamins A, D, niacin, potassium, copper, phosphorus, zinc, or iron. 8. Use of the oxide and citrate forms of minerals, especially of magnesium. These are laxatives. Like vitamin C, more than 500 mg magnesium can be laxative. Look not only for loose stool, but also for too-rapid passage time. Reduce the amount used to allow normal passage time. 9. Too much fatty acid, or an imbalance between EPO and CLO. Too large a serving at the beginning in particular will affect the bowel, especially when vitamin B-complex is lacking and bile is not being formed adequately (stool is light colored, gray or yellow). In this case, a supplement of taurine, glycine, and niacinamide may darken the stool and improve digestion of fats. 10. Encephalitis will cause alternating diarrhea and constipation. This is a likely condition, especially early on in an adverse reaction to a vaccine. 11. Phenol toxicity. This is prevalent in the PST condition. One must “unload the donkey”. 12. An imbalance of acetylcholine/dopamine/norepinephrine, usually too much acetylcholine or too little dopamine or norepinephrine. 13. Antibiotic use causing destruction of symbiotic bacteria and a “Leaky Gut”. 14. Use of fluoride. This is present in city water, juices, prepared cereals, soft drinks, toothpaste, and drugs. It’s easy to get an overdose. Eliminate these and other sources. 15. Apple juice and other fruit juices, honey, and fructose sweetener, including high fructose corn syrup being added to everything these days. Fructose is a laxative to many. 16. Stress, emotional and otherwise, and these kids are under extreme stress. 17. Celiac disease, and lesser gluten/gliadin intolerance. 18. Dish soap not being rinsed from dishes adequately. 19. Mercury poisoning. 20. Systemic acidity as in diabetes, epilepsy, or hyperventilating. Calcium carbonate may help. 21. Excess insulin, as in a largely carbohydrate diet, or in soy formula/milk or a high intake of flax or other foods high in phytoestrogens. 22. A Bezoar, or a
flaccid gut, or a lack of water causing impaction. This is actually
constipation, but presents as diarrhea as the gut pours out water trying to
flush the excess stool. Apple juice is often
oversupplied to children, causing diarrhea. This juice is not readily absorbed,
causing digestive distress. Substitute white grape juice that is better
tolerated. In any case, give only enough juice to keep the bowel regular and the
stool soft–formed. More juice than this provides too much sugar leading to
sugar control problems, overweight, candida,
and other health concerns. Diarrhea may improve
with a diet high in fiber. Some leftovers from digestion, such as bile, produce
diarrhea by irritating the intestine and acting as powerful laxatives; some
fibers, such as pectin and gum, may help to bind these food residues and reduce
diarrhea. If using a supplement of fiber, give a large glass of water, and do
not use large amounts of fiber to begin. Care must be used not to block the
intestine. For those with irritable bowel, colitis, Crohn’s, and such irritations, four things will surely save the day. Take bromelain, and aloe vera—preferably as found in Ambrotose® by Mannatech, Inc. (Ambrotose® is a superior form, containing a patented, standardized extract of aloe, Manapol™, and the other essential saccharides too), and glutamine (amino acid—500 mg, twice daily). When we are sick, the body fails to manufacture enough of this nonessential amino acid that is said to help intestinal cilia regain their ability to function. These three should relieve pain and diarrhea caused by inflammation and irritation of the bowel, and it could save your colon! The fourth is probiotic bacteria, and of course water soluble fiber, preferably fructooligosaccharide. Some additional aids to overcome diarrhea:1. Buttermilk and bananas: buttermilk stops diarrhea caused by certain harmful bacteria, and bananas alone are well proven to soothe the bowel and reduce diarrhea. One can give small babies one-third banana (mashed) per pound of body weight. Give 2–3 ounce feedings, eight or ten times per day. The banana pulp may be incorporated with 1–1/2 ounces of buttermilk for each pound of body weight for the first 48 hours; afterward, the banana may be mixed with any accepted infant formula. The diarrhea should subside in about four days. Prevent the return by incorporating buttermilk and bananas into the youngster’s diet. 2. Yogurt, unsweetened, non–pasteurized (use only that guaranteeing live bacteria), preferably from goat’s milk. Yogurt is known to aid in controlling both constipation and diarrhea. It helps maintain a predominance of symbiotic bacteria in the gut. Yogurt is great for babies too. It is good to use a probiotic supplement too. Use one with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, as the later tends to diminish Candida Albicans, Clostridia, and Streptococci populations, and is able to colonize the lower intestine more effectively than L-acidophilus. They are more resistant to antibiotics. Some supplements incorporate other types that are also helpful. The inclusion of Fructooligosaccharide will ensure that the Bifido Bifidus have the advantage, and can squeeze out the harmful competition. 3. Whey concentrate: Whey promotes a healthful bacteria population in the gut. That is why methods 1 and 2 work. A recent method of concentrating the immunoglobulins in whey makes this help more readily available, and more effective. Use of it before traveling largely prevents “Traveler’s Trots” caused mainly by E. Coli bacteria. It is effective also in eliminating the condition. It can be used to relieve diarrhea in babies. Ethical Nutrients® provides the Active Immunoglobulin Concentrate “Inner Strength™” for this purpose. It is also a nutritious protein supplement. One fighting mercury poisoning needs to remember that whey also supplies Cystine, a sulfur-bearing amino acid, which, with selenium, stimulates glutathione peroxidase production in the cells. 4. Hydrochloric acid: E. Coli and other bacteria can’t survive in a stomach with strong hydrochloric acid (HCl) present. To improve digestion and protect against the “Trots”, take three or four tablets of HCl with each meal. See Self–help Method #1 for more on HCl. A drink with a very strong mixture of lemon or limejuice will protect also. Make it as strong as you can tolerate to provide sufficient acidity to kill bacteria. A strong drink of apple cider vinegar will work too. 5. Garlic: Garlic is a most healthful food. It too prevents an imbalance of harmful bacteria in the intestine, soothes the whole digestive tract, prevents formation and absorption of harmful toxins into the system, and stops diarrhea; even that from diphtheria, parasites, scarlet fever, and tuberculosis. For mild cases, take two capsules of aged, deodorized garlic concentrate three times daily. For severe problems, take two capsules five times daily. Garlic aids in lowering blood pressure. It demonstrates antibiotic powers comparable to penicillin. Documented cures for tuberculosis have been reported. It is said to be a preventive of polio, pneumonia, diphtheria, typhus, and tuberculosis. It is an expectorant, useful in all respiratory infections, especially those with a dry hacking cough, as in bronchitis, colds, and asthma. It is an excellent nerve tonic, and a destroyer of pin, round, and thread worms. (Round worms cause many attacks of asthma.) In large quantities, it is antagonistic to vitamin E when taken at the same meal. Take the succinate (dry) form of vitamin E, or take the garlic at a different time. In some instances, you may need to discontinue the garlic to realize the full benefit of vitamin E (in control of angina pectoris). A good source of garlic and onion and other vine–ripened, phytochemical rich foods is Phyt•Aloe® by Mannatech™. 6. Carob and
Slippery Elm: Two tablespoons of 100%, raw, carob flour and a dash of the
herb, Slippery Elm (both available at the health food store), stirred into a
glass of milk, sweet or sour, provides a tasteful and nourishing way to
control too–frequent bowel movements. Heat the milk to boiling before
mixing if a greater effect is needed. To regulate the bowel, these should be
taken daily until the bowel is normal, and then in reduced amount every
other day or so. One can mix these with cereal and milk if desired. Slippery
elm (available in capsule) is very effective alone. Carob at 5% total food
intake (mixed with formula or cereal) has been twice as effective for
children and infants as conventional medical treatment. Do not continue for
too long; lest you constipate the child. There are many
reasons for constipation, but there are usually a few obvious ones that
should be addressed at the first. The first signs may be quite subtle. Signs
of constipation may be just gas, or commonly moodiness, nervousness and ill
temper. Gastritis, or indigestion, is defined as a vague abdominal
discomfort, a bad taste in the mouth, ranging up to nausea, lack of
appetite, headache, etc. This may be a manifestation of constipation. 1. Destruction, or imbalance of intestinal flora. Yogurt often helps. 2. Lead poisoning. 3. Potassium deficiency (and laxatives deplete it the more). 4. Excess milk (due in part to a lack of bulk).In young children, chronic constipation can be a manifestation of intolerance of cow’s milk (N Engl J Med 1998;339:1100-4). 5. Lack of Hydrochloric acid (necessary to digestion and assimilation). 6. Lack of digestive enzymes (poor pancreatic function, all foods cooked). 7. Protein deficiency. 8. Parasites. 9. Lack of fiber in diet. 10. Zinc deficiency. 11. Candida. 12. Inadequate water intake that can cause impaction. 13. Lack of B-complex vitamins, especially B1, niacin, pantothenic acid. 14. Lack of bile (gallbladder removed or blockage of bile ducts). 15. Thyroid sluggish (hypothyroidism). 16. Excessively alkaline system (constipation promotes alkalinity and harmful flora that creates and alkaline system). 17. Overuse of antacids (destroying necessary hydrochloric acid). 18. Excess vitamin D (hypercalcemia from excess vitamin D). 19. Enzymatic damage to liver. 20. Side effects of some drugs (Dilantin™). 21. Prolonged use of SSRIs. (Prozac™). 22. Deficiency of arginine. Streptococcus fecalis in the gut will deplete arginine. 23. MSM deficiency. 24. Too much histidine 25. Poor smooth-muscle tone due to a lack of acetylcholine and serotonin, it often causes an impaction, and presents
itself as diarrhea. Poor smooth muscle tone
is a frequent cause of impaction that is unnoticed or ignored. Why would you
wait while the system is poisoned by the reabsorption of toxins that should have
been expelled? Why would you wait while all the organs are put under such
pressure they cannot function rightly? Why would you allow the bowel to swell
beyond its normal size and risk a torsion? Torsion of the bowel can twist and
destroy a segment of the GI tract requiring emergency surgery. Laxatives are sometimes necessary to overcome an acute condition, such as impaction. First, increase the child’s intake of water. Use prune juice judiciously, for it can be harsh to a sensitive colon. The laxative of choice for low peristalsis is said to be cascara sagrada, said to actually improve muscle tone of the bowel. Cabbage juice is also an effective laxative for these children with low peristalsis. One mother said, “One natural remedy worth trying is kiwi fruit. Works on my kids and myself every time!” All these problem areas are discussed in detail elsewhere in this paper. Cod-liver Oil and Vitamin AAmong the number of
causes that have been proposed in autism seemingly all have two common
denominators, G-proteins and thyroid hormones. G-protein-coupled receptors and
G-protein-mediated cell responses are of key importance in the processes of
neurotransmission and intercellular signaling in the brain. In normal
circumstances, G-proteins are modulated by thyroid hormones. In the absence of
thyrotropin (TSH), the G-protein is totally inactive. The binding of thyrotropin
to its receptor activates G-protein, which stimulates the effector systems and
then quickly becomes inactive. The end result of this signal-transduction
process in the thyroid gland is stimulation of thyroid hormone synthesis and
thyroid growth (Utiger, 1995). G-proteins direct information transfer from
outside the cell to inside the cell. HIV infection, electromagnetic signals, and
growth factors all use G-proteins to transmit their signals. Here is a part of Dr. Mary Megson
statement to US Congress on April 6, 2000 about vitamin A deficiency in Autism: “In the vast majority
of these cases, one parent reports night blindness or other rarer disorders that
are caused by a genetic defect in a G-protein, where they join cell membrane
receptors, that are activated by retinoids, neurotransmitters, hormones,
secretin, and other protein messengers. G-proteins are cellular proteins that
upgrade or downgrade signals in sensory organs that regulate touch, taste,
smell, hearing, and vision. They are found all over the body, in high
concentration in the gut and the brain. They turn on or off multiple metabolic
pathways including those for glucose, lipid, protein metabolism, and cell growth
and survival. Close to the age of ‘autistic regression,’ we add the
pertussis toxin, that completely disrupts G-Alpha signals. The opposite G-
proteins are now “on”, without inhibition, leading to: 1. Glycogen breakdown or gluconeogenesis. Many of these children have elevated blood sugars. There is sixty-eight percent incidence of diabetes in parents and grandparents of these children. 2. Lipid breakdown that increases blood fats that leads to hyperlipidemia. One-third of families have either a parent or grandparent who died from myocardial infarction at less than 55 years of age and was diagnosed with hyperlipidemia. 3.
Cell growth differentiation and survival that leads to uncontrolled cell growth.
There are cases of malignancies associated with ras-oncogene in 60
families of these autistic children. The measles antibodies cross react with
intermediate filaments that are the glue that holds cells together in the
gut wall. The loss of cell-to-cell connection interrupts apoptosis or the
ability of neighboring cells to kill off abnormal cells. The MMR vaccine at 15
months precedes the DPT at 18 months, which turns on uncontrolled cell growth
differentiation and survival. “Most families report
cancer in the parents or grandparents, the most common being colon cancer. The
genetic defect, found in 30-50% of adult cancers, is a cancer gene (ras-oncogene). It is the same defect as that for congenital stationary night
blindness. (Of significance is a study from England that found a pregnant
mother’s allergies can be passed to her child, but that restricting her
allergic reactions during pregnancy can help prevent this transfer—Dr. Jill
Warner, Southhampton General Hospital. Dr. Rosemary Waring reports that the
group with this hereditary background are the most likely to respond favorably
to the gluten/casein free diet—WSL.) “G-protein defects
cause severe loss of rod function in most autistic children. They lose night
vision, and light-to-dark shading on objects in the daylight. They sink into a
“magic eye puzzle,” seeing only color and shape in all of their visual
field, except for a “box” in the middle, the only place they get the
impression of the three dimensional nature of objects. Only when they look at
television or a computer do they predictably hear the right language for what
they see. They try to make sense of the world around them by lining up toys,
sorting by color. They have to “see” objects by adding boxes together, thus
“thinking in pictures.” Their avoidance of eye contact is an attempt to get
light to land off center in the retina where they have some rod function.
Suddenly, mother's touch feels like sandpaper on their skin. Common sounds
become like nails scraped on a blackboard. We think they cannot abstract, but we
sink these children into an abstract painting at 18 months of age, and they are
left to figure out if the language they are hearing is connected to what they
are looking at, at the time. “The defect for
congenital stationary night blindness on the short arm of the X chromosome
affects cell membrane calcium channels that, if not functioning, block NMDA/glutamate receptors in the hippocampus, where pathways connect the left and
right brain with the frontal lobe. Margaret Bauman has described a lack of cell
growth and differentiation in the hippocampus seen on autopsy in autistic
children. The frontal lobe is the seat of attention, inhibition of impulse,
social judgment, and all executive function. “When stimulated,
these NMDA receptors, through G proteins, stimulate nuclear (of the nucleus)
Vitamin A receptors discovered by Ron Evans, et al. Dec 1998. When blocked, in
the animal model, mice are unable to learn and remember changes in their
environment. They act as if they have significant visual perceptual problems and
have spatial learning deficits. “Of concern is that
the Hepatitis B virus protein sequence was originally isolated in the gene for a
similar retinoid receptor (RAR beta), that is the critical receptor important
for brain plasticity and retinoid signaling in the hippocampus. “I am using natural
lipid soluble concentrated cis form of Vitamin A in cod-liver oil to bypass
blocked G-protein pathways and turn on these central retinoid receptors. In a
few days, most of these children regain eye contact, and some say their
“box” of clear vision grows. After two months on Vitamin A treatment some of
these children, when given a single dose of Bethanechol to stimulate pathways in
the parasympathetic system in the gut, begin to focus, laugh, concentrate, show
a sense of humor, and talk after 30 minutes as if reconnected. “This improves
cognition, but they are still physically ill. When these children get the MMR
vaccine, their Vitamin A stores are depleted; they cannot compensate for blocked
pathways. Lack of Vitamin A that has been called “the anti-infective agent,”
leaves them immuno-suppressed. They lack cell-mediated immunity. T-cell
activation, important for long-term immune memory, requires 14-hydroxy retro-retinol. Using cod-liver oil, the only natural source of this natural
substance, the children get well. “The parasympathetic
nervous system is blocked by the second G-protein defect. These children are
unable to relax, focus, and digest their food. Instead, they are in sympathetic
overdrive with a constant outpouring of adrenaline and stress hormones. They are
anxious, pace, have dilated pupils, high blood pressure, and a high heart rate.
These and other symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are part of
this constant “fright or flight” response. These symptoms improve on vitamin
A and Bethanechol. “I live in a small
middle class neighborhood with twenty-three houses. I recently counted thirty
children who live in this community who are on medication for ADHD. One week
ago, my oldest son, who is gifted but dyslexic, had twelve neighborhood friends
over for dinner. As I looked around the table, all of these children, but one,
had dilated pupils. After two and one half months of taking vitamin A and D in
cod-liver oil, my son announced, ‘I can read now. The letters don’t jump
around on the page anymore.’ He is able to focus and his handwriting has
improved dramatically. In his high school for college bound dyslexic students,
68 of 70 teenagers report seeing headlights with starbursts, a symptom of
congenital stationary night blindness!” There’s a nutritionist in Britain,
Jacqueline Stordy, Ph.D., who examined dyslexics, and realized that they were
night blind, and when she treated them with fish oil, the night blindness went
away. A study of dyslexic children with normal IQs found the dyslexic group had
a cadmium hair level average of 2.6 PPM, 25 times that of the control group,
exceeding the maximum of the normal acceptable range. The dyslexic group also
had somewhat higher aluminum and copper levels. Dr. Megson said,
“These children are unable to relax, focus, and digest their food. Instead,
they are in sympathetic overdrive with a constant outpouring of adrenaline and
stress hormones.” It has been shown in many studies that magnesium suppresses
the sympathetic function, while potassium stimulates parasympathetic activity.
Furthermore, a largely vegetarian diet tends to be very alkalinizing, and the
neurophysiologic research documents that in an alkalinizing environment,
sympathetic activity is reduced and parasympathetic activity increased. Use the
magnesium and potassium and Phyt•Aloe® (vegetable concentrate) with the
Vitamin A and with any of a number of acetylcholine builders listed herein. Dr. Megson also
suggests letting autistics have salt. If there is a G-protein defect, three of
the channels that remove calcium from the cells are blocked. The only other
major means of removing calcium is with salt. Salt will also support the
overworked adrenals. Without enough salt, there is a danger that an autistic
will calcify his or her brain cells. While much has been
said about congenital night blindness, there are three nutrient deficiencies
that produce night blindness: Dark adaptation has been used as a tool for
identifying patients with subclinical vitamin A deficiency. With this functional
test, it was shown that tissue vitamin A deficiency occurs over a wide range of
serum vitamin A concentrations. However, serum vitamin A concentrations >1.4
micromol/L predict normal dark adaptation 95% of the time. Other causes of
abnormal dark adaptation include zinc and protein deficiencies. Aside from its
well-known role in facilitating vision, vitamin A is now recognized as an
essential hormone for maintaining the structural and functional integrity of
epithelial membranes, such as the cornea. It also has a role in inducing
epithelial cell differentiation in mucus-secreting cells. Besides night
blindness, severe deficiency of this vitamin can cause keratinization of the
corneal layer leading to permanent blindness (xerophthalmia). Other organ
systems that would be susceptible to vitamin A deficiency include the
respiratory (impaired breathing), gastrointestinal (indigestion and diarrhea)
and genitourinary systems (calculi formation, impaired spermatogenesis and
abortion). Deficiencies of this vitamin also result in increased susceptibility
to carcinogenesis of epithelial tissues and to damage by the measles virus. It’s significant to note that Secretin receptors, opioid receptors, oxytocin receptors, dopamine receptors, thyrotropin-releasing-hormone (TRH) receptors, Thyroid-stimulating-hormone (TSH) receptors, stress inducers, etc., are all coupled to G-proteins. G-proteins function essentially as on-off switches for cellular signaling. They consist of three, non-identical, protein subunits [(alpha), (beta), and (gamma)] that are non-covalently associated. In the resting state, the nucleotide guanosine diphosphate (GDP) is tightly bound to the (alpha) subunit. This is the “off” position of the G-protein switch. When the binding of a hormone activates the membrane receptor—it interacts with the G-protein, causing GDP to dissociate from the (alpha) subunit. GDP is rapidly replaced by guanosine triphosphate (GTP), which activates the G-protein. This in turn leads to its dissociation into (alpha)-subunit and (beta)(gamma)-subunit complexes, either or both of which can activate effectors. The switch is now “on”. Within a few seconds the (alpha) subunit, which is a guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase), hydrolyzes GTP to GDP. This inactivates the (alpha) subunit, allows it to reassociate with the (beta)(gamma) subunit, and resets the switch to the “off” position. Many different G-proteins mediate diverse physiologic effects by this mechanism. BethanecholBethanechol is an oral
parasympathetic agonist, very similar to endogenous acetylcholine, in fact it
mimics acetylcholine, but it is more resistant to inactivation by endogenous
acetylcholinesterase, and therefore, it is much longer acting. “We have a
pretty good idea from Stephen Davies’ work, and by inference, that many of our
kids are hypochlorhydric, and this must diminish the secretion of pancreatic
digestive enzymes and peptide messengers, like secretin, with receptors outside
the gut. Bethanechol is a strong pancreatic stimulant. It has a ubiquitous
positive effect on gastric acid secretion. Happily, this increased parietal cell
activity isn’t usually associated with increased gastro-esophageal reflux.
Relatively, there is a very long, clinical tradition using Bethanechol expressly
for symptoms of G.E.-reflux. “In healthy adult
males, Bethanechol increased gastric-residence time by 64%, but did not affect
mouth-to-cecum time. (Pharmacotherapy 9[4] 226-231, 1989). Increased volume of
stomach acid and increased time of exposure to it in the stomach would seem
beneficial to digestion and absorption. In spite of its parasympathetic
qualities, Bethanechol does not appear to cause problems with hypermotility, and
my very first Bethanechol patient had his first-ever, formed stool the following
day. Improved digestion, and more ordered peristalsis may explain the firmed
stool. “I have observed
truly marked language and social gains within 40 minutes of the first dose of
Bethanechol, as if a switch had been flipped. Bethanechol could have such an
immediate effect either as a strong pancreatic stimulant physiologically
upstream to Secretin, or through its own effect at numerous known CNS binding
sites (Biochemical Pharmacology 38[5]: 837-50, 1989, Mar 1). My early
impression, by the way, is that the children who have demonstrated a response to
secretin may fall within the group of likely Bethanechol-responders. “The official
literature suggests contraindication in asthma, seizures, hyperthyroidism and
peptic ulcer, though one clinician reports a definite pattern of improvement
with Bethanechol in numerous patients with seizure activity, and I have used it
effectively in one child with quiescent reactive airway disease. At the low
doses being used, no significant abdominal pain or other clinical suggestion of
ulcer activation is being seen. I strongly advise observation of the first dose
in the office for one hour with injectable Atropine handy in the unlikely case
of respiratory difficulties. “I am very happy to
add to this discussion some recent literature research from Teresa Binstock and
Linda Carlton. Experimentally, Bethanechol stimulates secretion of numerous
antimicrobial peptides (defensins) by the small intestine (Infect Immunol
64[12]:5161-5 Dec 1996). These defensins may have a wide spectrum, including
antiviral. One child with damaged intestinal ganglia and pseudo-obstruction
associated with active Epstein Barr was treated successfully with Bethanechol.
(Am J Gastroenterol 95[1]:280-4 Jan 2000) Dysbiosis control could be an
important mechanism. “The thin, scored 10
mg Bethanechol tablets are easily halved or quartered for starting doses of
2.5-5.0 mg. For the tablet-averse, Bethanechol has been shown stable in water
solution for at least thirty days (Ann. of Pharmacotherapy 31 Mar p 294-6 1997).
There may be a preference for the generic Bethanechol over the proprietary (Urecholine™)
in order to avoid the dyes. It is inexpensive. “Some adults have
been on Bethanechol for many years for heartburn or urinary retention, but we
must advise parents that safety in children over long periods has not been
established. If a significant part of its mechanism is improved digestion and
assimilation of nutrients, then perhaps the need for the Bethanechol will lessen
over time. “I would emphasize
that we don’t think that the Bethanechol is effective unless you prime for
about two months prior with cod-liver oil. Kirkman Labs is the first supplier to
tell me that their cod-liver oil is 100% natural, unspiked with any A-palmitate.
“Protocol: Pre-treat for a few days prior to cod-liver oil (and continue): Use vitamin E 200-400 IU/day and Vitamin C 250-1000 mg bid (twice daily). Use Cod (Salmon) Liver Oil according to Vitamin A content: Less than 2 years of age--850 IU Vitamin A 2-5 years--2500 IU Vitamin A 5-10 years--3750 IU Vitamin A Older--5000
IU Vitamin A “Minimize A-Palmitate
(It blocks a Retinol G-Protein Signaling Protein). Try to keep total
supplementation with preformed Vitamin A (Carotene sources do not count towards
this maximum) not greater than double the amount provided with the CLO over the
long term to stay well below potential toxic doses of Vitamin A. “Begin Bethanechol
after child has been on CLO for 2 months, continuing the CLO: Less than 5 years of age--start with 2.5 mg of Bethanechol PO (by mouth) 5-8 years--start 5.0-7.5 mg Older--start
10 mg “Adjust dosages
upward to observe effect (arbitrary current maximum is 12.5 mg). A second dose
in the afternoon is often desirable. “Pupillary size (gets
smaller) may help guide dosing (anyone else seeing a tendency to relatively
dilated pupils in our kids, by the way?)”—Dr. Woody McGinnis, MD, Tucson,
Arizona. Dr. Amy Holmes, after
supplementing 3500 units of vitamin A from cod-liver oil for three months found
Mike’s (age 5) vitamin A level was still only 19 (“normal” being listed as
25-90). She is now giving significantly more vitamin A from cod-liver oil. My
personal opinion is that Dr. Megson and Dr. McGinnis are recommending far too
little cod-liver oil. Vitamin A in amounts up to 20,000 units (about 4
teaspoons) has been used with no evidence of toxicity. This amount is needed for
its EPA input as well. Dr. Robert Atkins, MD, recommends up to 50,000 IU
(adults) at the beginning of any infection, reducing to 10,000 IU once symptoms
have subsided. Three teaspoons of cod-liver oil approximates 6 oz of oily fish. The
marker to reduce the amount is the clearing of the “Chicken-skin” bumps on
shoulders, elbows, thighs, and calves. As Dr. McGinnis indicates, pupil size
will decrease (normalize) as vitamin A stores are replaced. One can increase
acetylcholine production, and better utilize the vitamin A, by supplementing one
or more of these: lecithin granules, phosphatidylcholine, acetylcarnitine, DMAE,
TMG, or Coenzyme A as well as by using Bethanechol. This increase of
acetylcholine will restore muscle tone to the intestines preventing impaction
that often accompanies a lack of muscle tone exemplified by dilated eyes. It is
reported that not all autistic children do well on choline, but this group
should. Now, if one is going to
resort to drugs to control reflux or to encourage speech, wouldn’t it be much
better to use Bethanechol that supports digestion rather than Pepcid™
or other H2 blockers that stop digestion of meats and proteins, and interfere
with utilization of many vital nutrients? Additionally, the herb ginger is
reported to tighten the sphincter muscles, and thus prevent reflux. It should be
used with an awareness that it enhances Phase I liver function, and could
deplete several body elements and reduce the effectiveness of certain drugs.
Children with PST problems should avoid ginger, milk thistle, and other herbs
that stimulate the Phase I enzymes. Dr. McGinnis offers
these further observations about Bethanechol based on continuing experience:
“This is looking oh-so muscarinic (producing direct stimulation of smooth
muscles, though in this usage it means the opposite—WSL)—big pupils (we are
measuring them now—its easy with the graded circles, which can be drawn by
hand in mm diameters, and held right alongside the eye), poor vision, bowel
dysmotility with constipation and large-bore stools (diarrhea can stem from
dysmotility, too, and of course even if they have a muscarinic block, the
overgrowths and malabsorption may manifest as diarrhea), decreased sweating, and
pallor. All this is consistent with low muscarinic tone. There will be
subgroups, but many of these autistic kids are looking clinically like
muscarinic wipeout. Our assumption is that the CLO is building receptors, or
otherwise favoring transmission so the Bethanechol can work. “These kids really
turn around like nothing I’ve ever seen or heard before, especially as a
single intervention. They are fun, connected, social, “with-it” kids, with
many waking-up age appropriate. First changes are sometimes immediate, sometimes
a little later. Bowels improve. Appetite improves. There is cumulative
improvement in gaze, speech, sociability, and language. We expect urinary
organic acids and intestinal permeability will improve if the Cod-liver Oil and
Bethanechol are restoring the gut as expected. “More than ever,
I’m realizing that the visual problem these kids have is in many ways worse
than total blindness. It is more confusing, harder to integrate with the other
senses. Dilated pupils and poor ciliary function from the muscarinic failure
means fuzzy vision. Absent or poor rod function (we have all those long-ignored
ERGs) means poor shading. The poor shading and edge definition cripple depth
perception. We have a flat canvas with poor focus, and changing, fuzzy masses of
color. A swing moving back and forth toward you would be a growing and shrinking
colored mass. He sees body and head shapes by color, but no facial features.
Spooky. It's no wonder these kids start running around hugging everybody after
the Bethanechol. “One might worry
about damaging receptors by over-stimulation with long-term use of a messenger
like Bethanechol, but I found two children who was improving on this cholinergic
for several months, and then they started acting over-stimulated, hyperactive,
and driven. With lower doses, this stopped right away, and behavior continues to
improve. I find this comforting, and hope it is a real trend, that the taper
will continue. There is no suggestion of tolerance so far. “No serious adverse
reactions yet, even in quiescent reactive airway. We have a report of a
seventy-pound child having really excessive lacrimation with a 25 mg initial
dose of oral Bethanechol, prompting immediate dose lowering. There was no
suggestion of excessive bronchial secretion, or of a need for atropine in this
case, but one should be ready. “Chronic low-level
insecticide exposure is known to decimate muscarinic receptor populations in
animals. Some of the insecticides hang around for an awfully long time. Mercury
is awfully rough on muscarinic receptors, too.” Typical signs of excess
Bethanechol commonly include sweating, salivation, flushing, lowered blood
pressure, nausea, abdominal cramps/diarrhea, and even bronchospasm, and would
indicate a reduced dosage. In those who show
the dilated eyes, and other signs of loss of smooth muscle tone, avoid these
foods, herbs, and drugs that relax smooth muscles: Most increase nitric
oxide—the gas that relaxes the smooth muscles in blood vessels contributing to
better blood flow. The results are essentially the same as for calcium and beta
channel blockers (prescription drugs) that should be avoided also. A supplement
of manganese will likely help to degrade arginine, preventing excessive levels,
and zinc inhibits nitric-oxide formation. Be aware that stress increases nitric
oxide production, and that NO inhibits the mitochondrial function, especially in
Complexes I to III, and that it depletes intracellular glutathione. The
detriment can be reversed by high intensity light or by replenishment of
intracellular reduced glutathione. Oleuropein (Olive Leaf Extract) Hawthorne Garlic (allicin) Niacin Arginine (amino acid), and high arginine Ginkgo Biloba, increases blood flow foods. Increases growth hormone and NO. to brain, increasing oxygen and increasing nutrients to the brain. Increases nitric oxide synthase & increases NO. Choline Inositol Ginger Yohimbine increases NO Nitroglycerine, increases NO. Fluvastatin (cholesterol lowering drug), Nitrates increases NO. Viagra™ increases NO (should not be Chocolate used with these other nitric oxide donors.) Forskolin Sumatripan (antimigraine drug) Additionally, organic
solvents and pesticides, whose exposure is reported to precede and presumably
induce multiple chemical sensitivities, are also reported to induce excessive
nitric oxide synthesis. Such chemicals are also reported to induce increased
synthesis of inflammatory cytokines (growth hormones) that induce, in turn,
increases in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (leading to increased synthesis
of nitric oxide). A recent study of Fibromyalgia implicates elevated nitric
oxide, and also elevated NMDA stimulation, and such NMDA stimulation is known to
increase nitric oxide synthesis. Infection and other stress that often precede
CFS may produce CFS. The theory predicts that each of these can lead into this
mechanism by inducing excessive nitric oxide. Infection is not the only stress
that may be involved in this way; both physical trauma and severe psychological
trauma can produce excessive nitric oxide synthesis. In addition, tissue hypoxia
may induce this cycle by increasing levels of superoxide (the other precursor of
peroxynitrite). In animal models of
MCS, there is convincing evidence for an essential role for both excessive NMDA
activity (where such activity is known to induce excessive nitric oxide) and for
excessive nitric oxide synthesis itself. If one blocks the excessive nitric
oxide synthesis in these animal models, the characteristic biological response
is also blocked. An increased production
of nitric oxide and of various inflammatory peptides—such as substance P (pain
registering substance), CGRP (calcitonin-gene related peptide), and VIP (Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; Secretin is a 27 amino acid peptide, one of a
family of neuropeptides that include VIP and glucagon)—is observed in
magnesium deficient rats, so I suggest that a high intake of vitamin B6
and magnesium (5-10 mg/kg/day) and an equal amount of calcium can benefit these
low-muscle-tone kids, including, of course, the ones with weak peristalsis. (A
distinct new family of G protein-coupled receptors include VIP, PACAP, glucagon,
parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin.) Dopamine, a neurotransmitter, and the
amino acid tyramine (formed from tyrosine metabolism that produces dopamine) are
phenolic compounds that are strongly vasodilative, and they lower the pressure
(in the gut) at which peristalsis begins. It seems then that a supplement of
tyrosine would help with these kids with poor peristalsis. Furthermore, since
serotonin induces a stronger peristalsis, a cautious use of 5-HTP should benefit
the low smooth muscle tone condition. One can increase
acetylcholine production and enhance the tone of skeletal muscles by
supplementing one or more of these: Bethanechol, melatonin, N-acetylcarnitine
(or L-carnitine), CDP Choline, MSM, SAMe, DMAE, TMG, manganese, Coenzyme A,
lecithin granules (choline), or phosphatidylcholine. The effectiveness of these
will be enhanced by a supplement of pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). It
is reported that not all autistic children do well on choline, but this group
should. Loss of gut mucosal integrity (common in ASD) would decrease by 85% gut
absorption of CoA, shunting choline into homocysteine production that SAMe,
folic acid, vitamin B6, and B12 metabolize back into
usable aminos. TMG helps make SAM. I think that in building acetylcholine, one
should supplement the TMG, folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12,
and possibly SAMe, to protect against a build up of homocysteine. There is
probably a need to detox mercury, PCBs, and candida
for all depress acetylcholine production. There may be a real need for
serotonin. Serotonin stimulates the peristalsis of the bowel. So, unless the
child is strongly PST, I suggest the supplementing of vitamin B6
and magnesium to conserve serotonin, and of TMG, SAMe, and/or 5-HTP to create
more serotonin. See cautions in using 5-HTP elsewhere in this paper. The
laxative of choice for low peristalsis is said to be cascara sagrada, said to
actually improve muscle tone of the bowel. Cabbage juice is also an effective
laxative for these children with low peristalsis. A reduction of
norepinephrine (NE) and/or dopamine, or too much acetylcholine activity causes
diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, cramps, nervous stomach, increased saliva,
raised insulin levels, and airways and cerebral blood vessels constrict. A lack
of dopamine is a problem in some patients with chronic anxiety. It has been shown that a deficiency of vitamin A, the amino acid cysteine, the minerals zinc, iodine, iron, and selenium, and of the antioxidant glutathione (which requires cysteine), and an excess of copper will adversely slow the thyroid function creating low muscle tone. White sugar also paralyzes the intestinal peristalsis, and leads to immune system failure. Copper slows the thyroid while zinc increases thyroid action. What? Rickets?There is also a condition growing quite common: children with unrecognized subclinical rickets. If your child has a sweaty head when asleep, coupled with sensitive scalp that makes it a struggle to comb the hair, and when walking, the child keeps calling, “Mommy, pick me up”, the child needs two teaspoons of cod-liver oil each day to avoid full-blown rickets. Fish oil and flax oil can inhibit the action of the staphylococcal, membrane-damaging toxins also. Rickets may also present a bulging forehead and a sunken chest. Get the kid in morning and afternoon sun. He needs the vitamin D, and the sun will convert trans vitamin A (palmitate) to the cis form. Vitamin D–deficient, IL-10 KO, mice bred to develop irritable bowel syndrome, rapidly developed diarrhea and a wasting disease, which induced mortality. In contrast, vitamin D–sufficient IL-10 KO mice did not develop diarrhea, waste or die—College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University. Vitamin D deficiencies include: irritability, tensions, diarrhea, insomnia, myopia, convulsions, soft teeth, rickets in children, and brittle bones in older folk (osteoporosis). It includes those symptoms listed as calcium and phosphorus deficiencies also.
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