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Phenol-sulphotransferase (PST)This speaks of a
condition that affects 80% to 90% of the children with autism. It is vital that
you understand the symptoms, and if they affect your child, you must “unload
the donkey”. PST (phenol-sulfotransferase) is a Phase II enzyme that
detoxifies leftover hormones and a wide variety of toxic molecules, such as
phenols and amines that are produced in the body (and even in the gut by
bacteria, yeast, and other fungi) as well as food dyes and chemicals. These
reactions include the breakdown of bilirubin and biliverdin, which are the
breakdown products of hemoglobin. A high reading could indicate possible PST.
Yellow eyes or skin might be apparent. Low CO2, low glucose, and high
bilirubin are also indications of low thyroid function. In children, a low
thyroid condition is often not apparent in the blood. The high bilirubin
interferes with the clearance of thyroid hormones from the blood, so, the blood
will look normal, but there aren’t enough thyroid hormones available to the
cells. There are many
varieties of phenols. This may indicate why children’s intolerances vary.
Remember, Bolte notes that tetanus infection of the intestines leads to the
formation of toxic phenols, and states that these are particularly formed by
overgrowth of the Clostridium family of bacteria. The toxins formed can peel the
lining of the colon right off the organ, and lead to an explosive, debilitating
form of diarrhea. She notes that tetanus also attacks the Purkinje cells of the
brain potentially reducing the production of the amino acid GABA, a calming
neurotransmitter known to affect speech. “The PST enzyme is
only one of many sulfotransferases, and various other body chemicals can
increase the quantity of some sulfotransferases, and that would increase their
activity....Sulfate must be grabbed by any sulfotransferase before the enzyme
can attach it to something else, like phenols or MHPG (3
methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol, a natural breakdown product of a class of
neurotransmitters called catecholamines). If the PST enzyme activity towards
something is low, you can boost it by two approaches. The first is to increase
the amount of sulfate available to it. The second is to increase the amount of
the enzyme so it has an easier job finding the available sulfate.”—Susan
Owens. The PST enzyme links an
oxidized sulfur molecule (a sulfate) to these various toxic substances to
solubilize them so the kidneys can dispose of them. Obviously, if sulfate is low
or missing, this can’t happen effectively. Hence, the problem can be twofold:
there may be a lack of phenol-sulfotransferase enzymes, or of the sulfates (due
to the absence of protein and of sulfur carrying raw vegetables in the diet, the
poor absorption of sulfur from the diet, a failure to metabolize sulfur into
sulfate form, or increased urinary excretion of sulfite and sulfate). Dr. Rosemary Waring’s
research shows that the lack of sulfate is the primary problem in 73% of these
children (another study found low levels in 92%), but all of those Waring
checked had a low PST level too. Similar sulfate deficiencies have been reported
in people with migraine, rheumatoid arthritis, jaundice, and other allergic
conditions all of which are anecdotally reported as common in the families of
people with autism. Adequate sulfoxidation requires adequate supplies of
B-vitamins, especially vitamin B6. The PST enzymes are inhibited
or overloaded by chocolate, bananas, orange juice, vanillin, and food colorants
such as tartrazine. Removal of these from the diet and supplementation of
sulfates may well relieve all these symptoms. The lack of sulfation could well
be due to the largely carbohydrate diet of most of these children. It is likely
a combination of all these things. In any case, toxic compounds of these
aforementioned chemicals can build to dangerous levels. A high value for the
tIAG (?) as well as a high reading for DHPPA (rather HPHPA—a phenolic
metabolite of tyrosine) both indicate a PST problem. There are two pathways
by which the Phase II enzymes process these toxins. One attaches the sulfates as
mentioned, and the other attaches glucuronide. Dr. Waring has found that in
autistic patients there is not nearly enough sulfate to glucuronate ratio. She
and her associates feel that the “leaky gut”, that causes a need for a Gf/Cf
diet, is caused by this lack of adequate sulfate to provide sulfation of the
glucosaminoglycans (sulfated sugars). They found that the glucosaminoglycans (GAGs)
in the gut were very under sulfated, and that this causes a thickening of the
basement membrane of the gut. IGF (insulin-like growth factor) is important for
cell growth. IGF-1 (which is reduced in zinc deficiency) increases the
incorporation of sulfate in glucosaminoglycans. Unfortunately, a lack
of sulfated GAGs in the kidneys will allow loss of these sulfates. There is
often found low plasma sulfate and high urine sulfate and high urinary
thiosulfate as if the kidneys are not able to retain (recycle) sulfate. This
needed retention requires the work of a transporter that has been found in “in
vitro” studies to be blocked almost completely by mercury and by excess
chromium (but not as thoroughly). One study found urinary sulfite to be elevated
due to a lack of molybdenum in 36%. Supplementing moly showed improvements in
clinical symptoms. When supplementing sulfates, as in Epsom salts baths,
molybdenum is being lost and must be supplemented. Sugar increases the
amounts of calcium, oxalate, uric acid, and glucosaminoglycans being wasted in
the urine. Sulfates have a
negative charge and repel each other, so that charge forms a barrier on the
outside of the cell called the matrix, or the glycocalyx. Sulfate is often found
in the glycoprotein film also, usually attached to the essential saccharides
Galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylglucosamine. Glycoprotein is a
sugar/protein film that enables cell-cell communication. This film is on all
cells of the body, so if systemic sulfate is low, you most likely have a big
problem that is quite general to the whole body. Specifically, the more densely
sulfated the GAGs, the more they can resist all kinds of infection. These
sulfate molecules govern or influence the ability of the cell to produce its
unique set of specialized proteins. It is not something you want to be operating
from a deficit, yet that is the condition of most autistic children especially
those we call PST deficient. Dr. Waring found that
92% of autistic children seem to be wasting sulfate in the urine, for blood
plasma levels are typically low and urinary levels are high. There is also an
abnormal cysteine to sulfate ratio. In the aged, and in chronic disease,
methionine is not efficiently converted to cysteine, but builds homocysteine, an
intermediate between methionine and cysteine. This can create a deficiency of
this vital amino acid, cysteine, and a lack of sulfate. Cysteine is the amino
acid that should be used to make sulfate, so it appears that the sulfate is
probably being utilized far faster than the cysteine can be converted, leaving a
deficit of sulfate (sugar wastes it), or the cysteine is not being metabolized
to sulfate. That may cause the cysteine to build up to toxic levels.
Homocysteine and cysteine are powerful excitotoxins. A deficiency of
cysteine, or a failure to metabolized it to sulfate, will produce multiple
chemical sensitivities and food allergies. Being a major part of the
powerful antioxidants alpha lipoic acid and glutathione, a deficiency of
cysteine, or a failure to metabolize it into these antioxidants, would greatly
affect the liver’s ability to detoxify, and would lead to destruction
throughout the body by free radicals This would also allow buildup of the heavy
metals lead, cadmium, mercury, and aluminum. Supplementation of vitamin B2,
B6, B12, folic acid, magnesium, and TMG may normalize
metabolism of methionine into cysteine, but vitamin C is needed to prevent
cysteine (which contributes its sulfur more readily) from converting to cystine,
its oxidized form. What could be
interfering with sulfation? Primarily, mercury, but Hepatitis B vaccine was
found to inhibit sulfation chemistry for at least one week in typical people.
When tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is elevated (frequently in autism), it can
inhibit the conversion of cysteine to sulfate. A methylation defect, when
present, can cause a defect in sulfation. Another is swimming! High
concentrations of chlorate were detected in samples from a number of pools; in
one case as high as 40 mg/l. Higher chlorate concentrations were associated with
those pools using hypochlorite solution as a disinfecting agent, while
relatively low chlorate concentrations were found in pools treated with gaseous
chlorine. Chlorate IS the biological substance of choice to block sulfation.
Additionally, chlorate is known to inhibit hematopoiesis [the making of new
blood cells], a problem with many of our kids. Additionally, hypochlorite
reportedly combines with any phenolic compound, even in very dilute solutions,
to form an aromatic compound that can react in the body. This combining of
chemicals can be very toxic to susceptible individuals. One Mom found that an
Epsom salts bath immediately following eliminated after-swimming problems in
behavior. So, if you must swim, do the bath immediately after coming from the
pool. For home pools, one Mother reports, “An ionizer cuts down chlorine use
by 70-80%. Since installing this, we don’t see the reactions anymore.” Cysteine is one of the
sulfur containing amino acids. It can be manufactured in the body from two other
amino acids, serine and methionine. When a critical enzyme, cysteine oxidase,
used in metabolizing L-cysteine, is deficient, an abnormal metabolite of
L-cysteine, called cysteine-S-sulfate, accumulates in the nervous system. This
may cause the same pattern of neuron destruction seen with high doses of
glutamate or MSG. Dr. John Olney and others found that when L-cysteine is given
orally to mice in large doses it produced a pattern of brain damage identical to
that of excess glutamate. The excess-cysteine/low-sulfate condition that Waring observed may be because of a deficiency of the amino acid histidine that can be run low by seasonal allergies and the medications taken to treat them. Metal toxicities, common in these kids, can run it low. Experimental deficiency of histidine causes an excess of free iron in the blood. This can adversely affect the enzyme cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), the essential nutritional components of the enzyme being histidine and iron. A deficiency of this amino acid, possibly caused by allergies, heavy metals poisoning, and medications, not only affects HCl production (histidine delivers zinc to the cells, and together they produce HCl), but it will likely cause a toxic build up of the amino acid cysteine, and a lack of sufficient taurine and sulfate contributing to the PST problem. High histidine lowers zinc and copper by chelating them from the body. Supplementing taurine, the sulfur containing amino acid that is at the end of the metabolic chain, has been helpful in meeting this need for taurine; and, being the immediate precursor, may supply needed sulfates. Taurine is reported to have an anti-opioid effect (Braverman 1987). You must support the sulfation pathway and supplement sulfates. Vitamin A, GAGs, Measles, and PSTThose with inadequate
protein in the diet, or with poor assimilation, resulting in a deficiency of
histidine and other nutrients, form poorly sulfated GAGS robbing the cells of
ability to resist infection (that describes 100% of these children).
Additionally, it produces dysbiosis (flora imbalance) in the gut. Those with
chronic infection shed and replace GAGs so quickly that inadequate sulfate is
available even with adequate protein intake. Vitamin A deficiency has been
shown to produce an accelerated turnover of GAGs as well as their
undersulfation. When the live viral, measles vaccine is given, it depletes
the children of their existing supply of Vitamin A. The measles virus hidden
in the gut is able to create a chronic vitamin A deficiency. Natural Vitamin
A (cis form) is important for activation of T and B cells for long-term immune
memory to develop, and it is necessary for optimal Natural Killer Cell function,
Cis Vitamin A can bypass blocked G-protein pathways and turn on central retinoid
receptors. Available zinc controls the amount of vitamin A the liver will
release. In one study, the
urinary GAGs changed to normal when the vitamin A deficiency was corrected, but
if protein starvation caused the undersulfation of GAGs, the urinary GAGs did
not return to normal with adequate protein intake, but did improve quite a bit.
Most autistic children are vitamin A deficient. Do you or your child have bumps
on shoulders, thighs, elbows, and calves? Supplement with pure amino acids,
Seacure™,
Brewer’s yeast, or desiccated liver for their protein, and with Evening
Primrose oil (for its GLA), and cod-liver oil for its EPA, DHA, and vitamins A
and D. Seacure™
is available at www.voicenet.com/~seacure/seacure, or from HomeCure™
at 800-559-2873 or www.homecure.com. It was Dr. Andrew
Wakefield’s work that showed that at the core of the problem might be an
inflammation of the gut caused by a chronic measles infection. Other researchers
are vindicating Dr. Wakefield’s work. Under oath before Congress on April 6,
2000, Professor John O’Leary told how his state-of-the-art laboratory had
identified the measles virus, something that certainly should not have been
there, in samples taken from the intestines of 24 of the 25 patients. From
Japan: “The sequences obtained from the patients with Crohn’s disease shared
the characteristics with wild-strain virus. The sequences obtained from the
patients with ulcerative colitis and children with autism were consistent with
being vaccine strains. The results were concordant with the exposure history of
the patients. Persistence of measles virus was confirmed in PBMC (blood cells)
in some patients with chronic intestinal inflammation”—Kawashima H, Mori T,
Kashiwagi Y, Takekuma K, Hoshika A, Wakefield A, Department of Paediatrics,
Tokyo Medical University, Japan. From Canada: “The presence of measles virus
in the brain tissue was confirmed by reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction. The nucleotide sequence in the nucleoprotein and fusion gene regions
was identical to that of the Moraten and Schwarz vaccine strains; the fusion
gene differed from known genotype A wild-type viruses”—Bitnun A, Shannon P,
Durward A, Rota PA, Bellini WJ, Graham C, Wang E, Ford-Jones EL, Cox P, Becker
L, Fearon M, Petric M, Tellier R; Department of Critical Care Medicine, The
Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Clin Infect Dis 1999
Oct;29(4):855-61. From Sweden: “This study provides evidence that measles
virus can spread through axonal pathways in the brain. The findings obtained in
the gene-manipulated mice point out that a compromised immune state of the host
may potentiate targeting of virus to the limbic system through olfactory
projections”—Urbanska EM; Chambers BJ; Ljunggren HG; Norrby E; Kristensson
K, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. The gut sheds sulfated
glucosaminoglycans during inflammation, which could account for the low levels
there and the high levels in urine. This leads to a “Leaky Gut” condition,
and to the excess opioid problem. Not only do macrophages (scavenging white
blood cells) eat GAGs and release inorganic sulfate, there is a transporter the
intestines use to absorb sulfate from the diet, called the DRA transporter. Its
levels will decrease five-to-seven fold when the gut is inflamed. That would
make it extremely difficult to absorb adequate sulfate from food or from oral
supplements. The problem is a nutritional one, but it is not one easily solved
by oral supplementation of sulfate. Studies have shown that
patients suffering from ulcers, Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), Crohn’s
Disease, Colitis and other inflammatory disorders have a mucosal layer turnover
rate several times greater than normal. The synthesis of N-acetylglucosamine
(NAG) precursors is also higher in patients with IBD compared to normal
patients. The turnover of cells in the lower intestinal tract is three times
greater in patients suffering from ulcerative colitis compared to normal
patients. These high turnover rates require increased amounts of glucosamine
sulfate and of the metabolite NAG; but as Burton and Anderson have shown,
tissues from patients suffering from IBD have a reduced ability to perform an
early biochemical step in NAG synthesis, namely the N-acetylation of glucosamine. Thus, in many cases of inflammatory diseases, the body may not have
sufficient resources to manufacture enough of its own NAG, or it may be simply
unable to make its own properly-formed molecules. The result is poorly formed
and deficient NAG layers which are unable to adequately protect the rest of the
mucosal layer. This creates a vicious circle and leads to increased turnover in
the intestine and increased damage. This damage leads to intestinal permeability
(“leaky gut”) which has been linked to a wide variety of disease conditions,
including food allergies, autoimmune syndromes, microbial manifestations, and
malabsorption syndromes. Because of its role in
the repair of mucous membranes, sufficient quantities of NAG are important in
cases of asthma, food allergies, respiratory allergies, vaginitis, and
candidiasis. As a substance involved in the synthesis and proper use of collagen
and bone matrix, NAG is in great demand for the continuous repair processes
occurring during cases of tendonitis, bursitis, osteoporosis, and various skin
problems. Because of its role in the production of immunological substances, NAG
also could be important to help prevent immune related disorders such as lupus
erythematosus, Hashimoto’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus,
and myasthenia gravis. The role of amino sugars and the tissue “glue” is
especially important in the intestines since the molecules form the protective
mucous layer that regulates intestinal permeability. The gut must be healed.
Fortunately, Glucosamine sulfate and NAG can both be taken orally. Since sulfate
leaves the blood in 4-8 hours, it should be used at least twice a day, and
possibly more often. NAG is one of the eight essential sugars found in Ambrotose®. Essential saccharides
have also been shown in clinical trials to reduce allergies and to allay
symptoms in such chronic diseases as arthritis, diabetes, lupus, and kidney
disease. They accelerate the healing of burns and wounds and help heal skin
conditions from poison ivy to psoriasis. They increase the body’s resistance
to viruses, including those that cause the common cold, influenza, herpes, and
hepatitis. They quell the recurrent bacterial ear infections that plague
toddlers and children. Some people with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome,
Gulf War syndrome, and HIV have reported improvement in their symptoms when they
supplement their diet with these simple sugars—“Sugars that Heal” by Dr.
Emil Mondoa, MD. Another sugar that has
proven helpful is Xylitol. Daily doses of this sweetener derived from birch bark
may reduce the incidence of ear infections in children by as much as 40 percent,
according to a study from Finland. It is commonly administered in a chewing gum,
syrup, or lozenges, however Xlear™
is a saline/Xylitol nasal wash that stops the bacteria at the point of entry
preventing them from adhering to cells. It reportedly reduces attachment of
Strep and pneumonia by 68%, and flu by 50%. Expected ear infection was reduced
by 98% in one study. Order Xlear™
by calling 800-471-4007. Since sulfur intake is
low, and its oxidation is hindered in many autistic children, sulfate is low,
and PST activity is slower than it would be otherwise. It would seem that this
sub optimality of sulphotransferase activity is a function of low, plasma
sulfate levels rather than of deficits in the actual enzyme. Cellular level
enzymatic effects of mercury’s binding with proteins include blockage of
sulfur oxidation processes and of the neurotransmitter amino acids. These have
been found to be significant factors in many autistics. Thus, mercury, and any
foodstuff that requires or uses up sulfate ions during its metabolism, will make
the situation worse. These foodstuffs include foods that supply
neurotransmitters, like bananas (serotonin), chocolate (phenylethylamine), and
cheese (tyramine), apple juice (and one mother reports her child drank a quart a
day!), citrus fruit juices, and paracetamol (Tylenol™).
For instance, one or two minutes after a dose of Tylenol™,
the entire supply of sulfate in the liver is gone! In fact, any chemicals
with a high proportion of phenolic groupings will have this effect, and will
enhance the problems referred to above. Many coloring materials, whether of
natural or synthetic origin, possess phenolic groupings. Phenol, an organic
compound, has other names such as hydroxybenzene. If the PST enzyme is deficient
or sulfoxidation is lacking in some 70% to 80% of autistic kids as some say, it
behooves mothers to seriously heed the information in this section, and to
carefully guard their children from certain obvious sources of trouble. It is interesting to
note Dr. Waring’s statement that those with the PST/low sulfation problem have
central nervous system problems from the toxic amines. For example migraine
sufferers usually have low PST activity, and are readily affected by dietary
“triggers”, especially those with amines. Compounds such as flavonoids (red
wine and citrus fruits), aged cheese, beers, chocolate, and strong odors inhibit
PST leading to headache in the less resistant. Apple juice, citrus fruits,
chocolate, and paracetamol (Tylenol™)
were precisely those that were known to precipitate migraine attacks in
susceptible individuals. It should be noted that many multivitamin supplements,
grapeseed extract, Pycnogenol™,
Quercetin, and other antioxidants contain high amounts of flavonoids. Quercetin
is found in 78% of the foods. It is useful in hay fever (suppress the histamine
release), some forms of cardiovascular disease, and it chelates metals to
prevent oxidation. It decreases vascular fragility, but stimulates adrenaline
release (decreasing thymus weight), reduces general metabolism (reduces
temperature and oxygen consumption), suppresses thyroid activity, inhibits
cytochrome p450 (Phase I) liver enzyme activity, and it is linked with male
impotence. When Quercetin was added to the growth medium of cultured human
intestinal cells, Caco-2, the level of metal-binding, antioxidant protein,
metallothionein, decreased. The effect of Quercetin on metallothionein was
dose-and time-dependent. Genistein and biochanin A (from soy), on the contrary,
increased the level of metallothionein—Kuo SM, Leavitt PS, Lin CP, Nutrition
Program, State University of New York at Buffalo, 14214, USA. From this list of
negatives, one can see Quercetin should not be used in quantity for long term. Modifications of
serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and DA metabolites [homovanillic acid (HVA) and
dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC)] were assessed at urinary levels. Responders
and nonresponders showed a significant decrease of urinary 5-HT levels on
fenfluramine (appetite suppressant related to amphetamine). The main differences
between the two groups of subjects were found with HVA, the major metabolite of
dopamine. Fenfluramine (an amphetamine) significantly increased HVA levels in
responders whereas no significant modification was found in nonresponders.
Moreover, the initial level of HVA (lower in responders) significantly
differentiated the two groups. These results suggest that the clinical response
to fenfluramine could be related to the dopaminergic action of this drug and
that urinary DA metabolite levels could be considered as indicators of the
responsiveness to fenfluramine treatment in children with autistic
behavior—Barthelemy C; Bruneau N; Jouve J; Martineau J; Muh JP; Lelord G
Source: J Autism Dev Disord, 1989 Jun, 19:2, 241-54. Drugs such as Ritalin™
and ADDerol™
affect dopamine activity, and thus stimulate the part of the brain that monitors
the arousal system, resulting in better regulation. There are safer ways to
build dopamine than psychostimulants, amphetamines and alcohol. In France,
scientists found administration of NADH (ENADA™)
caused more than a 40% increase in production of dopamine and norepinephrine,
which are vital for strength, coordination, movement, cognitive function, mood,
and sex drive (Birkmayer 1996). The amino acid tyrosine builds dopamine and
norepinephrine also. “... Dopamine
sulphotransferase (ST) activity was inhibited strongly by (+/-)-catechin, (+)-catechin, octyl
gallate, tartrazine (yellow #5), and vanillin (synthetic
vanilla). Sulfation of the xenobiotic steroid (foreign to the body) 17 alpha-ethinyloestradiol (EE2) was inhibited by vanillin, erythrosin B, and octyl
gallate [antioxidant used in margarine]....Vanillin was found to inhibit 50% of
liver EE2 ST activity ...”—Common Food Additives are Potent Inhibitors of
Human liver 17 Alpha-ethinyloestradiol and Dopamine Sulphotransferases.—Bamforth KJ, Jones AL, Roberts RC, Coughtrie MW, Biochem
Pharmacol 1993 Nov 17;46(10):1713-20. There are a number of
consequences attributable to PST/sulfate deficiency including effects upon the
impaired breakdown and metabolism of classical neurotransmitters such as
serotonin and dopamine; impaired breakdown and metabolism of the bile pigments
bilirubin and biliverdin; impaired action of the hormone CCK on CCKA receptors
which would result in decreased secretion of pancreatic enzymes and of bile from
the gall bladder and biliary tract into the intestines. This would result in low
uptake of certain vitamins and other nutrients from the intestines; reduced
activity of gastrin (and subsequent reduced secretion of stomach acid, mucus,
and pepsin in the stomach), and, probably, reduced production of secretin
farther downstream. Secretin (esp. at high concentrations) inhibits the
histamine releasing action of gastrin and pentagastrin reducing HCl as the
stomach empties. Because there is a lack
of serotonin available to the brain, which causes many of the most distressing
symptoms of autism, it seems reasonable to build the available serotonin by
providing its precursor 5-HTP. The use of 25-50 mg three or four times a day
(unless it causes a drowsiness that interferes with school) should be most
beneficial. If drowsiness interferes with school, reduce the amount and/or give
it later in the day. Giving 100 mg one to four hours before bedtime has safely
improved the sleep of many. Nevertheless, a PST child may not tolerate it. If
hyperactivity or sleeplessness is observed, please discontinue. Those with these PST
deficits cannot readily excrete the phenols, amines, and other listed toxic
substances. These substances are strongly acidic, and they exert toxic effects
in the brain, where normally certain enzymes prevent their accumulation. They
build up to abnormal levels and interfere with the neurotransmitters serotonin,
dopamine, and noradrenaline among other things. Symptoms of PST/sulfate
deficiency are excessive thirst, normal urination, night sweats, odorous
bedclothes, black eye shadows, facial flushing, and red ears. These vary with
the degree or level of toxic buildup. Certain foods may cause fevers, and some,
especially those taking Paracetamol™
(Tylenol™),
may go up to 24 hours without urination. A phenolic compound may
cause a variety of different symptoms in various individuals. There is evidence
of immune suppression on exposure to testing doses of phenolics. There may be a
drop in T-suppressor cells or total T-cell numbers. An overabundance of B-cells
was interpreted as a reflection of toxic image to the immune system. An increase
in helper cells, antibody formation, and elevation of some immunoglobulins was
also noted. Other findings on phenolic exposure have been depressed serotonin,
elevated histamine and prostaglandins, abnormal complement and immune complex
formation. These compounds can contribute to the toxic overload in PST, or they
can precipitate an allergic reaction. Neurologic symptoms: In
severe phenol poisoning, initial signs and symptoms may include nausea,
diaphoresis (heavy perspiration), headache, dizziness, and tinnitus (ringing
ears). Seizures, coma, respiratory depression, and death may ensue quickly. Coma
and seizures usually occur within minutes to a few hours after exposure or after
a delay of up to 18 hours. Phenol also may cause demyelination and axonal damage
of peripheral nerves. Typically, transitory central nervous system (CNS)
excitation occurs, and then profound CNS depression ensues rapidly. Metabolic
acidosis and acute renal failure may complicate the condition. Vomiting and
diarrhea are common effects of phenol toxicity by any route. Peristalsis is
increased in the intestine and distribution of blood is altered by these
phenolics because of sensitizing smooth muscles to epinephrine, norepinephrine,
and other physiological stimulants. Nutritional
deficiencies will affect the body’s ability to detoxify foreign chemicals. For
example, magnesium is important in over 300 enzyme systems that relate to Phase
I and Phase II detoxification; however, the average American diet is low in
magnesium. The Phase I enzymes, alcohol dehydrogenase and aldehyde dehydrogenase, are zinc dependent, and
NAD, the coenzyme form of niacin,
activates these two enzymes that break down alcohol and acetylaldehyde (AH).
Magnesium and NAD are both dependent on adequate supplies of vitamin B6,
in the form P5P. Aldehyde oxidase requires molybdenum. A deficiency of P5P, NAD,
vitamin B2, iron, zinc, magnesium, molybdenum, or the amino acid
histidine could significantly impair the ability to detoxify those chemicals,
especially the toxins of candida
(acetylaldehyde). Those with aldehyde sensitivity are incredibly sensitive to
any type of fragrance. Molybdenum is
chemically responsible for breaking down acetaldehyde
into acetic acid. Acetaldehyde
cannot be excreted from the body; it accumulates. Acetic acid can be, though,
and the body naturally removes it or changes it into acetyl coenzyme A, a major
player in the body's energy system. By supplementing
molybdenum and histidine (needed in the molybdenum-histidine containing enzymes,
sulfite oxidase and cysteine dioxygenase, that oxidize sulfur), along with iron,
and the B-complex (preferably in coenzyme form), glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate
(stimulates synthesis of the GAGs we studied about above, and is mildly
anti-inflammatory without inhibiting the synthesis of Prostaglandins, and more
effective when taken together), minerals in sulfate form, such as iron sulfate,
and Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate—taken orally it is a good laxative for
those that need it), one may supply both the minerals and the sulfate needed to
detoxify phenols and other metabolites. When glucosamine gives up its sulfate,
it supplies glutamine. Chondroitin is comprised of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine and
D-glucuronate. Collagen Type II™
may be even better for it supplies at least 50 other types of sulfate such as
heparan, keratan, and dermatan sulfate. Curiously, bread is sulfate rich. This
program will increase the number and enhance the efficiency of the available PST
enzymes in doing their job. Buy a quality brand
(one using Good Manufacturing Practices) of glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate that
uses low molecular weight ingredients the use of which will supply adequate GAGs
to enable the cells to resist infection. There are 4 different methods of
manufacturing glucosamine capsules. According to sources at Jarrow Formulas,
both glucosamine hydrochloride and N-Acetyl-glucosamine have been stripped of
the “sulfate” component in the manufacturing process. Neither of these forms
is expected to have any anti-viral effect against lipid envelope viruses like
HIV, EBV, CMV and HHV-6, and of course, they would not supply needed sulfate for
PST. Published scientific research indicates that only the sulfated
polysaccharides and one sulfated monosaccharide (glucosamine sulfate) have a
powerful effect against lipid envelope viruses. If the word “hydrochloride”
or “N-Acetyl” appears anywhere on the label, do not buy it unless you are
planning to use it exclusively for arthritis or rheumatism. Additionally,
glucosamine sulfate helps heal the leaky gut, supplying the necessary sulfate
for forming GAGs. Remember to choose capsules instead of tablets. Former heart
surgeon Dr. Fukumi Morishige, a leading Japanese authority on vitamin C, reports
that when Reishi and vitamin C are combined, the results against cancer and
other diseases are far better than when Reishi is ingested alone. This is
because the vitamin C makes the polysaccharides more accessible to the immune
system. In addition, take an
Epsom salts bath (two cups or more in a tub of hot water). It may be best not to
use soap, as there may be chemical reactions that could be adverse. Soak it up
through the skin for 20 minutes, and don’t rinse off—and don’t worry if
the child drinks some of the water. This bath has been shown to increase sulfur
content of the blood up to four times. Sleep is improved immediately, as the
child is relieved of pain and calmed. Children begin to beg for the bath! I should mention that
there is a small chance of magnesium toxicity. Decreasing kidney function,
common in the elderly, may prevent magnesium from being excreted normally
leading to a toxic condition. Initially, symptoms include: drowsiness, lethargy
and weakness. At higher levels, nausea, vomiting, and serious arrhythmia
(irregular heart beat) may occur. If this be the cause of these symptoms, they
will disappear quickly once the use of magnesium bearing products is
discontinued. —Dr. Richard M. Ratzan, University of Connecticut Health Center.
This could only occur with very poor kidney function for the toxic level is
approximately 6000 mg daily. If there has been any indication that the child’s
kidneys are not functioning fully (possibly high creatinine levels), check with
your doctor before using magnesium (or potassium), and have him monitor
magnesium/potassium levels. Strive for high normal levels. Adequate potassium
stimulates the kidneys to excrete poisonous body wastes (usually toxic protein
acids from inadequate protein digestion). Be sure to filter
chlorine, fluoride, and other poisons from the water you drink and bath in.
Chlorine in bath water is breathed and absorbed, especially from hot water. This
is important, as chlorine is a deadly poison. It can produce fatigue and
tiredness after the bath. Industrial chemist, J.P. Bercz, Ph.D., showed in 1992
that chlorinated water alters and destroys unsaturated essential fatty acids (EFAs), the building blocks of people's brains and central nervous systems. The
compound hypochlorite, created when chlorine mixes with water, generates excess
free radicals; these oxidize EFAs, turning them rancid. Both chlorine and
fluoride inhibit the stomach’s ability to produce HCl, and impair the ability
of beneficial flora to grow in the gut. Do not buy a filter
that uses silver as a bactericide. It is known to leak into the water and
elevate levels in the blood dangerously. Do not use distilled water as it has
the wrong ionization, pH, polarization, and oxidation potentials. Do not use a
Reverse Osmosis membrane filter, it not only wastes 5-gallons of water to
produce one gallon, but both it and distilled water will drain your body of
minerals. Yes! While taking a warm
shower or lounging in a hot tub filled with chlorinated water one inhales
chloroform. Even worse, warm water opens the pores, causing the skin to act like
a sponge. One will absorb and inhale more chlorine in a 10-minute shower than by
drinking eight glasses of the same water. This irritates the eyes, the sinuses,
throat, skin and lungs, makes the hair and scalp dry, worsening dandruff. It can
weaken immunity. A window from the shower room open to the outdoors removes
chloroform from the shower room air, but to prevent absorption of chlorine
through the skin, a showerhead that removes chlorine from shower water is a
must. The ShowerWise™
filter and showerhead can be ordered for $69, plus two filters $129. They last
about one year. An extension hose can be used to fill the tub with filtered
water. For those times when
the bath is not convenient (camping), or when one wants to increase the amount
of magnesium, but bowels are sensitive to it, one can have the benefits of the
bath with a cream. Kyle, for whom it was developed, prefers the cream. Rub 1/2
teaspoon of the cream on the tender parts to obtain 250 mg magnesium. Key
Pharmacy, 1-800-878-1322 or 1-416-633-2244 especially formulates the cream, FAX:
1-416-633-3400. (A lotion is available from Kirkman Labs.) Ask for the Epsom
salts cream. A 4 oz. jar for $29.89, plus shipping, has approximately 48
servings. All ingredients seem safe for children, for it contains fatty acids, a
form of lecithin, and magnesium sulfate. The use of the cream should avoid the
following possibility. One researcher makes
this observation, “I have no doubt that oral sulfate is a substrate to feed
(some strains of) candida.
It probably takes some energy from the SO4 form and excretes it as H2S, and robs
the energy it may be able to get from reducing the sulfur, excreting toxic
H2S.” H2S is very foul smelling, so if an increased foul-smelling gas is
created in following these recommendations, you will need to deal with the yeast
overgrowth. Sulfate is the most
oxidized form of sulfur. It doesn’t need to be oxidized any more, so
supplementing or bathing in sulfate supplies what is lacking because of the
body’s inability to oxidize the sulfur in foods. Oral sulfate will be poorly
absorbed; so, supplement a gram or more of sulfate each day. Some will get
through. Supplementing papain enhances absorption of sulfates. SAMe (SAM) is
said to improve sulfoxidation; in fact, it is necessary to the manufacture of
all sulfur-containing compounds in the body. Dr. Jeff Bradstreet, MD, father of
an autistic child, has this to offer: “If the child has an unusual odor at
night or their bedclothes do, or if they sweat while asleep (PST defect), use
methylsulfanylmethane (MSM), 1500 to 3000 mgs per day. In the study, 83% of
autistic children were PST abnormal, and MSM should help this. It did in our
son’s situation.” MSM works with copper
in many functions, and may get depleted with copper supplementation or when high
copper levels are present. Additionally, our soils are depleted of sulfur, and
such sulfonyl as there is in foods is lost in cooking. MSM is a white,
crystalline powder that is odorless and somewhat bitter tasting. It mixes in
water more easily than sugar, and just barely affects the taste. In juice or
other beverages, it is undetectable. MSM is effective in ameliorating
gastrointestinal upsets such as that produced by the ingestion of aspirin and
other pharmaceuticals, or that from parasitic infections. Individuals with
gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, chronic constipation, nausea,
hyperacidity and/or epigastric pain (having been reported more effective than
Tagamet™),
or inflammation of mucous membranes also will experience dramatic relief.
Individuals presenting symptoms of pain and inflammation associated with various
musculoskeletal system disorders, including arthritis, report substantial and
long-lasting relief. Those lacking in sulfite oxidase cannot metabolize MSM, or
the sulfite used in Chinese foods or on some green salads, to sulfate, and may
get headache, dizziness, fatigue, wheezing, leg pain, and other symptoms. MSM
also seems to cause hair loss when there is heavy metals poisoning, particularly
mercury. This may be overcome by supplementing molybdenum and vitamin B6,
and this will enable more efficient metabolism in this pathway relieving the
sensitivity to sulfur-bearing foods, and producing needed sulfates. Many cannot
tolerate more than 500 mg MSM; yet show very positive benefits from even this
amount. So, start low and increase dosage as you can tolerate it. Always
supplement molybdenum when taking MSM. Two hundred to 300 mcg a day may be
enough, but moly absorbs poorly, and adults may require 1000 mcg twice daily for
three or four months or longer to overcome this aversion to sulfur-bearing
foods. One should note that
mercury binds to the -SH (sulfhydryl) groups, resulting in inactivation of
sulfur and blocking of enzyme function, producing toxicity. Sulfur is essential
in enzymes, hormones, nerve tissue, and red blood cells. Mercury also blocks the
metabolic action of manganese and the entry of calcium ions into cytoplasm.
Mercury thus has the potential to disturb all metabolic processes. Under these
conditions MSM should be most helpful. DMSO is being used as
the solvent in transdermal secretin. This is essentially the same as MSM. At
least one Mom is reported to have found good results with DMSO alone. When she
added secretin further gains were noted, but when she ran out of secretin, the
gains continued with DMSO alone! DMSO has long had a reputation as a panacea for
about everything that ails you. A case in point, applying it to the abdomen has
alleviated all symptoms of colitis and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Both it and MSM
work wonders for arthritis. To avoid skin dryness, dilute it 15% with distilled
water. If the child can
metabolize organic sulfur (like MSM/DMSO) all the way to sulfate, then MSM is a
good way of increasing sulfate. However, if the enzyme sulfite oxidase is not
working well, then MSM is a bad idea. Sulfite oxidase requires molybdenum as a
cofactor, and since mercury depletes selenium; and mercury, MSM, oral sulfate,
and copper tends to deplete molybdenum, selenium and molybdenum must be
supplemented. Conversely, tungsten inhibits the action of molybdenum and thus of
the molybdenum-based enzymes sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, and aldehyde
oxidase. This would likely cause an excess of molybdenum to accumulate. Thus,
both excess mercury and excess tungsten would create a shortage of the listed
enzymes. A coenzyme, vitamin
B-complex supplement of moderate potency should be supplemented. One mother in
supplementing molybdenum reports that her daughter, who was doing quite well,
regressed into severe, autistic symptoms for three days, including 18 hours of
screaming—possibly due to detoxifying. Her doctor urged her to cease, but she
stayed the course, and today her daughter is far and away better! This is
serious stuff. Incidentally, a gross
deficiency of molybdenum manifests as tachycardia, headache, mental
disturbances, and coma. An excess intake of 10-15 mg daily (for adults) can
cause a gout-like syndrome because of an elevated production of uric acid.
Dosage range should not exceed 1 mg per day (adult), bearing in mind that more
than 0.5 mg causes a loss of copper. Very little molybdenum is needed, but it is
an important element in several important metalloenzymes (xanthine oxidase,
aldehyde oxidase, and sulfite oxidase) that participate in crucial liver
detoxification pathways. Until the body regains
its ability to oxidize sulfur, it may be desirable to limit high sulfur
containing foods (cruciferous vegetables, broccoli, onions, garlic, turnips,
eggs, red meat, turkey, dairy products); and supplements like alpha lipoic acid,
glutathione, L-cysteine, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC can be better tolerated when
used with its team mates, the amino acids glycine and glutamine in ratio 2:1:1,
and the B-complex vitamins. It should be tried for the glutathione it produces
is so vital). Those who have a problem with these foods likely have an impaired
sulfur oxidation (a cysteine oxidation) problem, and should be alert to cysteine
toxicity. Even those who do not oxidize cysteine well can usually tolerate NAC
at 500 mg daily (adult dose) without contributing to cysteine toxicity.
Supplying any of these sulfur foods may be a problem to some of these kids who
do not oxidize sulfur well. One indicator may be fatigue after eating these.
Unless a problem is observed, however, these foods should not be restricted
unnecessarily for that will cause a reduction of the vital antioxidant
glutathione, and interfere with the conversion of T4 thyroid hormone into T3. Blueberry extract,
grape seed extract, pine tree bark, Resveratrol, green tea, and other things
have phenols, salicylates, and other stuff that are normally detoxified by PST.
Some recent studies indicate that salicylate has an effect on PST, an enzyme
needed by the brain and the gut to metabolize high-phenolic compounds like the
artificial colors and flavors. Salicylate suppresses PST enzymes up to 50%.
Phase II has been shown to be low for people with ADHD or autism. Excess boron
interferes with the metabolism (breakdown and excretion) of phenols. Ritalin,
used in the treatment of ADHD, inhibits the metabolism of coumarins (phenols).
Supplementing boron reduces calcium losses by 30%, but excess boron increases
copper in the body. High copper levels reduce the vitamin B1, and
this reduces oxygen supply to the brain. Excess boron reduces the vitamin B6
levels in the body also. Boron is found in apples, pears, grapes, nuts, leafy
green vegetables, and legumes. Supplying these substances, especially apples,
pears, and grapes, or their juices, in large amounts to PST deficient children,
will cause a build up of phenols, amines, salicylates, and other toxic
substances normally cleared by PST. In fact, any chemicals
with a high proportion of phenolic groupings will have this effect, and will
enhance the problems referred to above. Methyl Salicylate: (Salicylic Acid,
Wintergreen Oil) is one such. This phenolic is toxic in moderate concentrations.
It is used in birch beer, chewing gum (in high concentrations), grape, mint,
root beer, sarsaparilla, spice, walnut and wintergreen flavor in baked goods,
beverages, candy, ice cream, ices, syrups, mint-scented cleaning products, and
in perfumery. Symptoms of methyl salicylate poisoning are acidosis, pulmonary
edema and vomiting. This compound has lethal drug interactions with many
substances including anticoagulants, tricyclic antidepressants, Indocin, and
Methotrexate. Gallic Acid is another. Gallic Acid is found in food coloring
agents and is, unquestionably, the most important of all phenolics.
Neutralization of gallic acid is the basis of the Feingold Diet, which
eliminates salicylates. In the experience of
one who suffered it, salicylate intolerance is one of the most difficult things
to get under control. The symptoms can, in my personal experience (she says), be
fragmented visual perception, exposure anxiety and emotional hypersensitivity,
muscle tension (including throwing oneself backwards and back arching),
compulsive rocking and muscular twitching (ants your pants feeling), attention
problems, muscular aches and pains, allergic ‘shiners’ (black rings under
the eyes), difficulty sleeping, and OCD. Salicylate intolerance mimics a
cocaine-like effect. Beef patties containing
30% fat and grilled over mesquite wood had 24 aromatics at a total concentration
of 549 g/kg of meat while the same beef cooked over hardwood (hickory) charcoal
had 16 aromatics representing 68 g/kg. A heavy smoke flavor would produce a
higher concentration of phenols than light smoke. Hamburgers barbecued with lots
of smoke (especially in a covered grill) may be a potential phenol problem as
well as smoked bacon. Smoked bacon cured with nitrates is even more toxic than
phenols by themselves. Additionally, fruit
sugars will feed the candida
causing an explosive overgrowth with increased acetylaldehyde toxins. Candida
also produces arabinose and tartaric acid. Dr. Wm. Shaw of The Great Plains
Laboratory, Inc. thinks that high concentrations of arabinose may inhibit the
liver’s production of glucose, causing hypoglycemia and impairing neurological
function. Cheney described two boys diagnosed as autistic. Their urine test
showed high levels of arabinose and tartaric acid. Tartaric acid looks like
malic acid, and poisons cells by interfering with the Krebs Cycle. Both boys had
been on repeated antibiotics for recurring ear infections, and had not been
autistic until recently. They were about six years old. In these unusual cases,
when the boys were treated with Nystatin™,
they both recovered, and were no longer autistic! Dr. Bill McAnalley,
Mannatech Inc., a foremost authority in carbohydrate technology says, “The
elevated arabinose readings in autistic children are caused by the Candida.
It is the signal the body looks for to destroy the undesirable organisms. It is
possible that ingesting Ambrotose® (that contains arabinose sugar) could
further elevate Arabinose levels in the urine initially. Ambrotose® has been
studied for its candidicidal benefits. These were demonstrated in the paper by
Stanley and Doris Lefkowitz titled ‘Macrophage Candidicidal Activity of a
Complete Glyconutritional Formulation versus Aloe Polymannose’. This paper is
available at www.usa.glycoscience.com. Arabinose is a physiologically important
component for cellular recognition of errors of metabolism. See the 24th edition
of Harper’s Biochemistry, page 139, Table 15-2. Pentoses of physiologic
importance.”—Email dated 1/26/01. Many coloring materials
(porphyrin), whether of natural or synthetic origin, possess phenolic groupings.
For this reason, some practitioners recommend the removal of all pigmented foods
from the diet (Sara’s Diet). This may not be necessary due to the nature of
enzyme activity (the greater the need, the faster it works), but you must at
least eliminate juices (or limit to a little pear juice), and eliminate all
artificial colors and flavors. Avoid “deodorant” soaps and deodorants
containing “triclosan”, a chlorophenol. It should be noted that problems
relating to inhibition of cytochrome p450 liver enzymes (Phase I liver detoxing)
are involved with porphyrin in the foods and supplements named in the above
paragraphs. Additionally, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplant contain
glycoalkaloids that, even in small amounts, can greatly slow the metabolism of
anesthetic agents and muscle relaxants, requiring up to 10 times longer to
recover from an anesthetic. FDA has approved a test measuring porphyrins as a
test for mercury poisoning. However some other dental problems such as nickel
crowns and root canals also can cause high porphyrins. DPT immunization in
inbred mice has been shown to result in decreased synthesis of cytochrome p450,
and of phospho-sulfotransferase, and of the messenger RNA necessary for their
production. A decrease in production of the liver enzymes
phospho-sulfotransferase and the cytochrome p450 family of enzymes causes a
failure to break down food proteins (including gluten and casein) into amino
acids. The resulting intermediates, called peptides, can cross into the blood.
Anything that further inhibits these cytochrome p450 liver enzymes would
compound the problem of toxicity, and further contribute to the opioid problem. “Treatment
of the latter (candida) with
conventional synthetic antifungal agents often causes impairment of liver
detoxification functions, and a decrease in the synthesis of
phospho-sulfotransferase, an enzyme necessary to cleave food proteins, e.g.
casein, into smaller easily absorbable peptides.”—Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, MD.
Many drugs and opiates interfere with the immune system. Opiates increase
apoptosis (cell suicide) of T–lymphocytes from the norm of 5% to 30%.
Additionally, multiple chemical sensitivities and liver pain would likely
result. Metallothioneins (MT)
are small (short) cysteine-rich proteins that do more than just help cells
detoxify, scavenge free radicals, and regulate metals. They are involved in cell
growth and cell specialization (differentiation) and homeostasis. Growth factors
such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) cause rat liver cells to grow and secrete
MT. Zinc also stimulated MT and EGF+ zinc made the effect additive (the EGF
effect plus the zinc effect). It is believed that lots of growth factors that
influence liver regeneration play a major role in regulating MT synthesis and
secretion. MT is known to modulate
three fundamental processes: 1) the release of gaseous mediators such as
hydroxyl radicals or nitric oxide, 2) apoptosis, and 3) the binding and exchange
of heavy metals such as zinc, cadmium, or copper. It has been shown to be an
excellent antioxidant in in-vitro experiments, but it does not seem to play any
major role against oxidative stress in Zn and Cd challenged cells. Most of the
cross-resistance to oxidative stress in Cd challenged cells seems to be
accounted for by the parallel increase in glutathione. These results suggest a
dominant protective role of MT against Cd compared with other metals. In one study it was
determined that cadmium, zinc, and copper all induce the same identical
metallothionein isoform, MT1a. This is likely important information
because this provides a mechanism by which each of these three metals can
compete with the other two: by competition for binding locations on the
metallothionein molecule. William Walsh, senior
scientist, Health Research Institute and Pfeiffer Treatment Center of
Naperville, Ill., in his study of 503 children with PDD, Asperger’s, and
autism, found all but four were missing MT, which the body needs to bind with
toxic metals—like mercury—so it can be excreted before it damages the brain
and gut. Walsh believes a child who lacks MT may develop any of these
developmental conditions if he gets mercury in his system. This may explain why
some children become autistic after receiving a mercury-enhanced vaccine. It
also explains why autism hits before the age of 3. After that, the brain and the
gut have matured enough to withstand further doses of mercury, although the
child may develop ADD and lesser developmental problems. Additionally, one out
of five children has attention deficit disorder (ADD). A recent study in the
Journal of Autism linked ADD with a milk protein, casomorphin (www.notmilk.com/aa.html).
Of course, autistic children have responded most favorably to a casein-free
diet. Casein/gluten peptides are broken down by zinc dependent enzymes
(carboxypeptidase A, aminopeptidase, etc.). MT dysfunction is associated with
severe zinc depletion and reduced production of these enzymes. Diminished MT in
GI tract results in increased levels of unbound mercury, lead, cadmium, etc.
which can disable enzymes that break down casein and gluten. Correction of MT
disorder may eliminate need for a casein/gluten free diet. Glutathione (along with
L-histidine and zinc) is a key resource for the formation of metallothionein
(MT). This molecule prevents cellular toxicity by creating a stable storage
molecule for excesses of both essential minerals such as copper and zinc, and
toxic metals such as mercury and cadmium. In 1995, Sato et al. reported that
inhibition of glutathione-S-transferase induces decreased expression of MT.
Walsh recently reported that 91% of autistic patients had a deficiency of
metallothionein, and suggested this deficiency is likely to be genetic, and may
be a primary susceptibility factor for neurotoxicity from heavy metals including
vaccinal thimerosal. The cumulative effects of ingesting mercury can cause brain
damage. Thimerosal, a mercury compound, is used as a preservative in hepatitis
B, diphtheria, pertussis and acellular pertussis, tetanus and HIB vaccines. Most
infants have received a total of 15 doses of these mercury-containing vaccines
by age six months! Studies document thimerosal as both an allergen and a toxin
to sodium channels. Another interesting
connection: Some cysteine is broken down into taurine and sulfates unless the
essential enzyme cysteine dioxygenase is lacking. In some cases, the
sulfur-oxidation of cysteine is defective. About 30% of the population are slow
sulfur-oxidizers and 2% are “nul” S-oxidizers, but in a small study of
autistics, 45.8% were “null” oxidizers! It appears that, in a high
percentage of autistics, oxidation of cysteine is impaired. Slow
Sulfur-oxidation appears to be inherited, and has been associated with a number
of disease states, especially rheumatoid arthritis and allergy that are five
times more common in the families of autistic children. One study of severe food
and chemical allergies found 94% had low S-oxidation capacity and reduced plasma
sulfate. It appears, then, that the PST-troubled kid has numerous allergies, a
light-colored stool, a failure to digest fat from a lack of taurine-formed bile,
and is phenol toxic for want of sulfates. This condition might be indicated
by an elevated copper and mercury reading indicating not enough bile is being
made by the liver. This can sometimes be improved by taking taurine, and
glycine, and the overall condition can be improved by supplementing sulfates.
This seems to be added reason to supplement L-histidine and molybdenum. The
liver should be supported as indicated elsewhere in this paper. Clinical studies
showing that autistic children with significant allergy problems have elevated
cysteine/sulfate ratios in their blood, and there are other indications of
disordered sulfur amino-acid chemistry. High plasma
cysteine/sulfate ratio indicates a problem of the body either consuming or
wasting sulfate too fast, or not properly forming sulfate in the enzyme cascade.
Cysteine itself is usually in normal or elevated range, and the problems are
concerning the sulfate. Sulfite oxidase is the enzyme at the end of the
metabolic chain from methionine > cysteine > taurine > sulfate, and is
a histidine-molybdenum enzyme. Supplementing sulfate would surely be a benefit
for the problems directly related to not having enough sulfate for completing
detox and sulfating GAGs. However, the intermediate products of the impaired
sulfur-oxidation, and not just the lack of sulfate may cause some health
problems. High plasma or tissue cysteine, that is, cysteine that is above the
normal range, irrespective of the sulfate levels, is actually quite a different
problem, indicating a failure of the first enzyme step in metabolizing cysteine.
This enzyme, cysteine dioxygenase (CDO), is an iron-histidine enzyme. People with high
cysteine levels will report discomfort and illness as a direct result of eating
methionine/cysteine rich meats and plants such as garlic and broccoli. Don’t
take the glutathione precursors that contribute directly to the cysteine pool.
Both L-cysteine and whole glutathione do this. It’s of interest to note that
cysteine is commonly incorporated into pharmacological preparations as a
stabilizer for peptides such as secretin. Standard chemical calculations show
that a rapid infusion of 1.0 mg cysteine HCl, as contained in a vial of porcine
secretin, will produce a significant increase in the plasma concentration of
cysteine. Since secretin is not currently given in a weight dependent manner,
the lower the weight of an individual, the greater the concentration of cysteine
in the plasma. The increase in the cysteine level from one vial of secretin is
negligible in adults, but it almost doubles the cysteine concentration in a
30-pound child. This could have very definite toxic effects for some with a
sulfoxidation problem (PST kids). Cysteine possesses
excitatory neurotransmitter properties, acting centrally and peripherally at
NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) type glutamate receptors (Parsons et al., 1997).
This effect in the CNS may be responsible for hyperactivity reported by some
parents soon after a child receives secretin. In the presence of bicarbonate
ions in the GI tract (such as the bicarbonate-rich pancreatic fluid induced by
secretin), cysteine becomes a potent excitotoxin (Williams et al., 1991), which
could account for anecdotal reports of loose stools or diarrhea a few days after
a secretin infusion. NAC does not contribute directly to cysteine toxicity
unless you take massive amounts of it. Around 500 mg/day (adult) you stand to
benefit without significantly increasing risk of cysteine toxicity. The common
thread in all of these failing enzymes is the need for adequate L-histidine.
L-histidine is used by the body in many metal/mineral bearing enzymes, storage
molecules, and transport and excretion molecules. People having metal/mineral
enzyme problems, or metal/mineral dysregulation should be looking at
supplementing this amino acid in addition to adjusting their source of minerals
such as molybdenum, copper, iron, zinc, and manganese. In fact, histidine is
such a powerful chelator of heavy metals and minerals that it should probably be
used only under medical supervision lest a deficiency of necessary minerals be
created. Following the Feingold
diet plan will benefit these kids by exclusion of foods known to include
phenols. Salicylates, dyes, sodium benzoate, BHA, BHT, FD&C yellow dye #5
(tartrazine), vanillin, eugenol are all phenolic compounds. Foods have differing
amounts of phenols and salicylates in them and you need to eliminate some of the
highest ones and choose from the lower ones. For a small membership fee, The
Feingold Association will provide a listing of foods to avoid, as well as a
continually updated list of safe foods. Their address is: Feingold Association
of the United States, PO Box 6550, Alexandria, VA 22306, 1-800-321-3287. Short of avoiding all
these otherwise good foods containing phenols and malonic acid, what can a PST
child do to counter these undesirable happenings? Increase the amount of
insoluble fiber and supplement the amino acid glycine (possibly as DMG/TMG).
Take a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar several times a day as recommended
elsewhere in this paper. Two mothers report that Cranberry juice has reduced or
eliminated these effects, probably by reducing the yeast overgrowth. One should
use Schizandra Chinensis, a very important liver herb. It protects the liver
function and tissue from toxic damage, and has demonstrated a clinically
significant influence on the detoxification process. Schizandra extract enhances
liver glutathione status, and increases Phase I and Phase II liver enzyme
activity. It has no toxic activity. Glutathione is a substrate for Phase II
activity, and particularly for glutathione-S-transferase (GST), a Phase II
enzyme that adds a glutathione group to Phase I products. Ambrotose®,
Phyt•Aloe®, Dandelion, Ligustrum lucidum, Bovine colostrum, Shark liver oil,
excipients of powdered rice bran, Schizandra, Green Tea, vitamins A, C, E,
undenatured whey, and wheat grass all produce glutathione effectively without
any adverse toxicity or without messing with the Phase I or Phase II enzyme
activity. A number of foods stimulate the body to produce more of the Phase II
enzymes. These foods have been shown to improve liver detoxification, and to
decrease the risk of developing cancer. They include members of the cabbage
family (crucifers), which includes cabbage but broccoli, cauliflower, Bok Choy,
Brussels sprouts, green onions, garlic, and kale (all but one are in Phyt•Aloe®).
These vegetables contain compounds called aryl isothiocyanates that directly
stimulate the activity of an enzyme, glutathione S-transferase, an important
component of the Phase II system. Unfortunately, these same vegetables contain
high levels of phenols which is the toxin not being excreted adequately in PST
kids. They also supply high sulfur that some cannot tolerate, and of course,
some are allergic to them. Some have found Essaic™
(Ojibwa) tea helpful in this condition. Dr. Hugh Fudenberg uses it with his
immune-compromised patients, and states that it heals the endothelial cells of
the GI tract and the liver. It is a proprietary formula of Burdock Root (arctium
lappa), Slippery Elm (ulmas vulva), Sheep Sorrel (rumex acetosella), and Indian
Rhubarb (rheuma palmatum). It probably should be used intermittently for Burdock
is toxic to the liver and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Sheep
Sorrel enhances cytochrome p450 (Phase I) liver enzymes that will deplete fatty
acids, steroids, estrogen, Prostaglandins, retinoic acid (vitamin A), glycine,
and body alcohols faster, and make many drugs less effective. At least be aware,
and if you use it, supplement fatty acids (Evening Primrose and cod-liver oil if
your child can tolerate them) and glycine, and have the doctor watch the liver
and PBMC functions carefully. For limited periods, use of herbs that enhance
Phase I liver enzyme action would seem beneficial to those whose liver is
sluggish and/or to those without the PST/sulfoxidation problem. It can be
dangerous, however, for PST kids because the more toxic metabolites of Phase I
activity cannot be cleared effectively by PST (Phase II deficient) types. Nevertheless, enhancement of Phase I could enhance breakdown of protein to amino acids, and limit the peptides that upon entering the blood stream produce opioids. Some nontoxic herbs that do that are Milk Thistle, Bistort, Ginger, Royal Jelly, and the aforementioned sheep sorrel. Dandelion is nontoxic, a good chelator and detoxifier, and has no effect on the Phase I function, thus it may be the best choice for strengthening the liver function. I strongly advise that you get the small book “The Liver Cleansing Diet, Love Your Liver and Live Longer” by Sandra Cabot, MD, and follow this liver friendly guide to eating. Half the small book consists of recipes. It can make a world of difference when the liver functions as it should—otherwise nothing else really works.
Three things that build
the liver, even reversing hepatitis, are Alpha Lipoic acid, Milk Thistle (for
short time use), and selenium. To combat hepatitis requires significant amounts
of each (600 mg, 900 mg, and 400 mcg, respectively for adults) that should be
used only under direction of a nutritionally savvy doctor, but it does work (Dr.
Burton Burkson, MD, 505-524-3720). Also extremely effective is Ambrotose® by
Mannatech™.
All these except Milk Thistle should be very effective in restoring liver
detoxification in PST kids. An example of what can happen when cysteine (sulfur) toxicity occurs: this happened to a mother of a 17 and a 15 year old, both autistic—the older one more severely so. She is a very experienced, well-informed mother who taught me much of what I know. In fact, she saw tremendous gains in the first year using Mannatech™ products and many other nutritional interventions. Her son no longer suffers daily seizures. He actually went for over a year without seizures. She had been using Immunocal™ for both for six months or longer. Though she had seen this PST/sulfate information, she overlooked their obvious PST symptoms. While Christmas Shopping, her daughter, who now passes for “Normal” suddenly began screaming, attacked her, nearly ripped off one side her face, bit her arm—generally went berserk. Her eyes were glaring with the pink of a bunny rabbit! A red, lacy rash broke out all over her body! Of course, she hastened home, only to see the rash disappear almost as quickly as it came. The child showed high anxiety, and a day later diarrhea. She suspected Immunocal™, called them, and was informed it was possibly a sign of Immunocal™ having created too much glutathione. I suggested that before glutathione excess would come cysteine excess (what with it not being oxidized), probably triggered by toxic odors in the store. When I listed the symptoms of cysteine/NAC toxicity: violence, rash, anxiety, wheezing, nausea, cramps, and diarrhea, she immediately recognized these as the symptoms her daughter displayed, and when I reminded her of PST/sulfate symptoms (listed above), she acknowledged that both children had them, red ears and all! She discontinued Immunocal™, and the children are doing really well, in fact, her daughter is now classed non-autistic! This is serious stuff! Pay attention to what I am saying. We are modifying a child’s brain and central nervous function. |
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