Comprehensive Guide to Managing Autism 
 

Willis S. Langford 

Slightly changed by Kees de Vries, Drunen, Holland (june 2003) 
 
Warning: Do not scan and read this paper piecemeal. It must be studied to avoid mis-steps.

Introduction

There are several very basic things discussed in this paper that can be done at home with little or no expensive testing. Foremost is the home testing for thyroid function discussed toward the end of this paper, and support of thyroid function. The “unloading of the donkey” is vital to possibly 80% of these troubled children for they are poisoned, drowning in their own toxic wastes. Elimination of bowel disorders is very first on the list of vital action. It is often as simple as supplying a digestive enzyme supplement, or removing milk. Some autistic children can be helped dramatically by medical procedures such as an infusion of the intestinal hormone secretin. The need and the beneficial response to secretin, I think, are dependent upon the amount of damage to the duodenum and small intestine from whatever cause, and on the stomach’s ability to produce adequate hydrochloric acid (HCl) for proper digestion. Since proper functionality of these two things largely determine proper digestion, it is vital that both be operative. Without adequate HCl, secretin infusion can, at best, be only partially effective in restoring digestion and proper physical and mental function. Secretin is reduced in hypothyroid rats (Robberecht et al, 1981), so first support the thyroid. HCl production is very dependent on adequate zinc levels, usually lacking in these children. With support for the thyroid, adequate zinc, and possibly supplemental betaine hydrochloride, secretin infusion may be totally unnecessary. 

The path of autism is different for each child. Some are prone to seizures, some are not; some behave aggressively while others are overly passive. However, children with autism and with ADHD share several factors. There is a deep disturbance in their fatty acid metabolism that impairs their utilization of amino acids, and often there is an imbalance in their electrolytes. Electrolytes control what’s called membrane traffic—what goes in and out of cells. This means that providing other nutritional supplements is relatively ineffective until the electrolyte (sodium-potassium-magnesium-calcium) imbalance is corrected. The delicate balance of electrolytes also controls the electrical activity within the brain. Practitioners suggest the extent of the nutritional problem in these observations:  

Nutritional abnormalities: 

a. Zinc deficiency exists in 90% of autistic children

b. Copper excess exists in 85%

c. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies are common

d. Omega 3 fatty acid deficiency exists in nearly 100%

e. Fiber deficiency exists in nearly 100%

f. Antioxidant deficiency exists in nearly 100% 

Additionally, there is heavy metals poisoning: A recent study found 85 percent exhibited severely elevated Copper/Zinc (Cu/Zn) ratios in blood, suggesting a disorder of metallothionein (MT), a short, linear protein responsible for homeostasis of copper and zinc and many other metals. “The severity of the Cu/Zn imbalance was far greater than that of any other population we have studied over the past 25 years,” said William J. Walsh, Ph.D., Physician, biochemist and chief scientist of the Pfeiffer Treatment Center, Naperville, Illinois. His database suggests that copper overload and zinc depletion are the most common metal-metabolism abnormalities in behavioral conditions such as, ADHD, autism, depression, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia. In addition, these sufferers are unusually sensitive to lead, cadmium, mercury, and other toxic metals that they tend to accumulate rather than eliminate. Nevertheless, if a mouse cannot make MT, then it should not get copper deficient when fed a high-zinc diet. We fed some of these mice and some control mice (ones that can make MT) diets that contained normal amounts of zinc and some that contained much more zinc. The results showed that the mouse without MT got copper deficient when fed the same high-zinc diet as the mouse that had MT. This study strongly suggests that the old theory is not true and that stimulation of MT is not necessary for high-zinc to bring about a copper deficiency. We suggest instead that the high zinc is inhibiting a copper transport protein in the intestinal membrane, and copper cannot be absorbed—Reeves PG, Copper Metabolism in Metallothionein-null Mice Fed a High-zinc Diet. J Nutr Biochem 9:598-601, 1998.  

Blood and urine analyses yielded evidence of a metallothionein dysfunction in 499 of 503 patients (99%) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders, according to Walsh, suggesting that autism may be caused by either a genetic MT defect or a biochemical abnormality, which disables MT protein. “An MT disorder may affect the development of brain neurons and may cause impairments in the immune system and gastrointestinal tract, along with hypersensitivity to toxic metals,” he said. The excess copper in these kids is probably from two causes. Mercury depresses zinc, and there is a high incidence of zinc malabsorption. To reduce copper, you must use significant amounts of vitamin C and zinc.  

Treatment for this imbalance centers on stimulation of MT protein with divalent metals (such as zinc and manganese) that are in depletion, and by providing N-acetylcysteine, serine, selenium, and other constitituents of MT. Of secondary benefit are vitamins B₆, A, C, D, E, glutathione, genistein and biochanin A (both from soy), and glucocorticoids (anti-inflammatory drugs). This treatment should be gradual during the first 4 weeks of treatment to avoid rapid release of copper from tissues, which could cause a sudden worsening of symptoms. 

Mercury adversely affects detoxification systems such as metallothionein, cytochrome P-450 (Phase I), and bile. Mercury ties up this material so it cannot bind and clear other metals such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. Mercury inhibits sulfur ligands in MT and, in the case of intestinal cell membranes, inactivates MT that normally binds cuprous ions, thus allowing buildup of copper to toxic levels and malfunction of the zinc and copper containing Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). Mercury induced reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation (forming free radicals) has been found to be a major factor in mercury’s neurotoxicity, along with its leading to decreased levels of the vital enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismustase (SOD).  

Metallothioneins across species are rich in cysteine (~30%) and have higher affinities for mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) than for zinc. Therefore, as Hg and Cd bind to metallothionein, and are restricted from entering the mitochondria, zinc is released. The free, ionized zinc, which would be toxic if permitted to accumulate, binds to a metal regulatory element on the promoter region of the metallothionein gene and “turns on” the synthesis of metallothionein. Increases of as much as 3-times are reported. Such induction of metallothionein provides increased binding capacity for both toxic metals (protective) and zinc (functional). The displacement of zinc in the presence of toxic metal burden may explain in part why increased levels of zinc are so commonly seen in the scalp hair of patients exhibiting significant levels of toxic metals Hg, Cd, Pb (Quig, unpublished observations). 

Furthermore, their minerals and amino acids are deficient and/or imbalanced. Their production of red and white blood cells is irregular. They have a dysfunctional immune system (often attacking “self”). Eighty percent suffer mitochondrial disorders (lack of energy production) according to Dr. Colemen, George Washington University Hospital. Ninety percent suffer some degree of hypothyroidism despite “normal” TSH readings (Raphael Kellman, MD). Eighty-three percent suffer dysfunctional Phase I and II, liver-enzyme activity (causing a build up of toxins and heavy metals), and 85% of autistic meet criteria for malabsorption leading to a multitude of nutrient deficiencies (Wm. Walsh). Both the autistic and the ADHD children often suffer lymphoid modular hyperplasia (measles infection in the gut—Wakefield). Thus, children with autism do not absorb food properly, leading to nutrient deficiencies. The most common deficiencies of poor diet and malabsorption are fatty acids, the minerals zinc, selenium, magnesium, and calcium, and the vitamins A, B₆, C, and D, and E. This compromises immune function, and provides inadequate antioxidant protection to offset the high oxidative stress these children suffer, thus causing significant damage to cells throughout the body and brain. It is interesting to note that uric acid plays a key antioxidant role in the plasma, and many of these children have low urea/uric acid, possibly reflecting high oxidative stress. The nutrient deficiencies can occasionally cause extreme behaviors; some children with autism have been reported to have actually gouged out their eyes due to a calcium deficit. If your child is pushing at his eyes, supplement calcium and vitamin D, and get him in the sun.  

Children with autism have a lot of metabolic abnormalities as indicated, but that is a result of the problems with their immune system. Heavy metals such as mercury induce a dramatic activation of the immune system and autoantibody production in the genetically susceptible. This autoimmune syndrome is dependent on T-Cells, which are important for B-Cell activation and cytokine secretion. Studies have found mercury impairs the body’s ability to kill Candida albicans by impairment of the lytic activity of neutrophils. A population of plant workers with average mercury excretion of 20 ug/g creatinine was found to have long-lasting impairment of neutrophil function. 

Another study found such impairment of neutrophils decreases the body’s ability to combat viruses such as those that cause heart damage, resulting in more inflammatory damage. Samplings of immune data reveal that most of these autism-spectrum disorder (ASD) children have atypical elevations of antibodies against otherwise common pathogens such as Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, and/or Human Herpes Virus 6 (EBV, CMV, HHV-6), and in some 30%, elevated anti-measles antibodies indicative of chronic infection from measles vaccine—Kawashima H, Mori T, Kashiwagi Y, Takekuma K, Hoshika A, Wakefield A; Department of Paediatrics, Tokyo Medical University, Japan. “Of the 160 autistic children we looked at, only five did not have bowel disease”—Wakefield. (Attenuated vaccines contain live viruses that don’t usually cause overt disease.) HHV-6 induces synthesis of a broad range of host cell proteins, including interferon alpha, CD4, interleukin-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor alpha.  Additionally, HHV-6 kills Natural Killer Cells. 

Human herpesvirus-6, the etiologic (causative) agent of roseola, is ubiquitous, establishes latency in the host, and can infect a variety of immunocompetent cells, with CD4+ T lymphocytes being the targets in which it replicates most efficiently, and HHV-6 has an “Immunosuppressive effect... on T-cell functions” such as “suppression of interleukin-2 synthesis and cell proliferation.” 

HHV-6 is a commensal inhabitant of brains. Various neurologic manifestations, including convulsions and encephalitis, can occur during primary HHV-6 infection, or in immunocompromised patients. HHV6 has been reported within oligodendrocytes and microglia, and focal HHV6—encephalitis has been documented. It is considered causative in CFS. 

John O’Leary, Ph.D., a world-class researcher and molecular biologist from Ireland, using state of the art sequencing technology, showed how he had found measles virus in the gut of 96% of autistic children, compared to 6.6% of normal children. This virus did not come from the natural disease; it came from the measles vaccine. In addition, Dr. O’Leary found measles virus present in 75% of children with Crohn’s Disease. Crohn’s has traditionally been an intestinal disease of adults, following years of dietary abuse. Its appearance in children is a new event, and Dr. O’Leary’s work points to measles virus from vaccines as the likely cause. Additionally, Candida, according to antibody studies done at the Atkins Center, is involved in more than 80 percent of all cases of Crohn's and Colitis. 

Their pathogenic (disease producing) power is derived from the fact that they can set up persistent infections within various lymph tissues (that of the gut, for example, as shown by Wakefield) as well as within circulating cells of the immune system. Wakefield found that controls had prevalence in the gut of HHV-6 DNA similar to that of those with ulcerative colitis—86%! Virus infected monocytes (White Cells) travel freely throughout the body, and have been shown to enter the brain, take up residence there, and secrete cytokines (chemical messengers) toxic to brain tissue. They also serve as foci of infection. It is not uncommon for infants to run fevers and show other signs of acute inflammation after receiving multiple vaccinations. Interferon production is stimulated by infection with a virus to protect the body from super infection by some other microorganism. In this study, vaccination of one-year-old infants with measles vaccine caused a precipitous drop in the level of alpha-interferon produced by lymphocytes. This decline persisted for one year following vaccination, at which time the experiment was terminated—Journal of Infectious Diseases. Thus, this study showed that measles vaccine produced a significant long-term immune suppression. Similarly, the report in the British medical journal Lancet confirmed that a significantly higher percentage of these children had received a DTP shot within 30 days of the onset of polio compared to a control group of children without polio, 43 percent of polio victims compared to 28 percent of controls. The DTP vaccine suppresses the body’s ability to fight off the polio virus. Thus, we have evidence of long-term damage to the immune system from vaccines. Starting at about 4 months, this leads to the infections, antibiotics, more infections, and more vaccines that often precede autism. 

“Complete Immunoglobulin E (IgE) deficiency was seen in 10% of the patients. Almost 20% of the patients had low IgA, and 8% of them had a complete lack of it, which is quite high compared to the general population (1 in 700-1,000). About 25% of the subjects had IgG subclass deficiency. About 25% of the patients had a deficiency of various subsets of lymphocytes (e.g., CD3, CD4, and CD8 Killer T-Cells). In fact, almost 35% of these autistic children had a deficiency in Natural Killer Cells. In general, the cytokines IL-2 and alpha-interferon are increased, while IL-1 is normal”—Dr. Sudhir Gupta. IgG anti-brain autoantibodies were present in 27% with ASD, and with 2% from healthy children. IgM autoantibodies were present in 36% with ASD compared with 0% of controls. The presence of these antibodies raises the possibility that autoimmunity plays a role in the pathogenesis of language and social developmental abnormalities in a subset of children with these disorders—Serum autoantibodies to brain in Landau-Kleffner variant, autism, and other neurologic disorders. J Pediatr 1999 May;134(5):607-13.  

“I firmly believe that up to eighty percent (and possibly all) cases of autism are caused by an abnormal immune reaction, commonly known as autoimmunity. The autoimmune process in autism results from a complex interaction between the immune system and the nervous system.  

“Antibodies to measles (rubeola) virus (MV) and human herpes virus-6 (HHV-6) are elevated, which is a sign of a present infection, past infection, or a reaction to the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine. The HHV-6 and measles viruses are etiologically linked to autism because they are related to brain autoantibodies and demyelinating diseases.  

“Recently, I conducted a study of measles virus (MV) and HHV-6 in autism....This study showed two things in particular: first, that the virus antibody levels in the blood of autistic children were much higher when compared to normal children; and secondly, the elevated virus antibody levels were associated with the brain autoantibody titer. Interestingly, the viral antibody and brain autoantibody association was particularly true of MV antibody and Myelin-Basic Protein (MBP) autoantibody (i.e., 90 percent of autistic children showed this association). This observation led me to hypothesize that a measles virus-induced autoimmune response is a causal factor in autism, whereas HHV-6, via co-infection, may contribute to the pathophysiology of the disorder. Although as yet unproven, I think it is an excellent working hypothesis to explain autism, and it may also help us understand why some children show autistic regression after the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) immunization. 

“There is enormous potential for restoring brain function in autistic children and adults through immunology....The goal of therapy should be to normalize or reconstitute the immune response instead of inducing immune suppression or stimulation. This will maintain a balance within the normal immune response, avoiding major fluctuations of overt immune activity which could be detrimental to the patient”—Excerpts from Autism, Autoimmunity, and Immunotherapy: a Commentary by Vijendra K. Singh, Ph.D. Department of Biology & Biotechnology Center, Utah State University, Logan Scientific Board Member, Autism Autoimmunity Project. 

Reed Warren, et al, mention how the IgA findings relate to infections and report a fascinating double susceptibility in that 6 of 8 autistic kids with low IgA levels also had null alleles of the complement C4b: “...IgA is also important in protection against pathogenic infections and participates in the clearance of pathogens via the alternative complement pathway. C4 proteins [e.g., from the C4a and C4b genes] are involved in the other complement pathway, the classical complement pathway. Therefore, it is interesting that of the eight autistic subjects with decreased IgA levels, all but two also had a C4b null allele suggesting that, in these patients, both pathways of complement activation [and response to infections] are probably operating at less than optimal level.”   

A test of thirty-six children revealed grade I or II reflux esophagitis in 25 (69.4%), chronic gastritis in 15 (42%), and chronic duodenitis in 24 (67%). Low intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzyme activity was reported in 21 children (58.3%), although there was no abnormality found in pancreatic function. Seventy-five percent of the autistic children had an increased pancreatico-biliary fluid output after intravenous secretin administration (indicating hypersensitivity of the pancreas) —Gastrointestinal abnormalities in children with autistic disorder. J Pediatr 1999 Nov;135(5):559-63. 

Children with autism produce higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines than children without autism. Autistic children have been shown to exhibit many anomalies in cell-mediated immunity, including abnormal T-cell activation (Warren et al, 1995), decreased relative numbers of helper-inducer lymphocytes, and a lower helper-suppressor ratio. (Denney et al, 1996) These last 2 measures were inversely correlated with severity of autistic symptoms. In children with these abnormal antibody patterns, selenium supplementation at a dose of 10 mcg/kg body weight for six months significantly increased IgG-2 and IgG-4 levels and reduced the number of infections. Low blood values of these two antibodies are associated with intractable seizures. Selenium and vitamin E supplementation has overcome intractable seizures that were resistant to drugs.  

In workers exposed to fluorine, those with subclinical hypothyrosis [reduced tri-iodothyronine (T3) in 51%] had immune alterations that were more evident. T-lymphocytes count rose, but their functional activity declined, indicating impaired cooperation of immunocytes as a result of imperfect control under low concentrations of T3 (Balabolkin, 1995). Their immune system is driving with no brakes!  

Elevated serotonin levels have been consistently found in 30% -50% of autistic patients, and may represent a marker for familial autism. Hyperserotonemia in autism appears to be due to enhanced 5-HT uptake, as free 5-HT levels are normal and the current report of an excess of the long/long 5-HTTLPR genotype in autism could provide a partial molecular explanation for high platelet serotonin content in autism—PMID: 11378854. Serotonin synthesis is decreased in the brains of autistic children and increased in autistic adults, relative to age-matched controls (Chugani et al, 1999), while whole blood serotonin in platelets is elevated regardless of age (Leboyer; Cook, 1990).  

Finally, these kids are hypersensitive to everything: sound, light, touch, and colors. Typically, bright yellow will drive them up the wall leading to all sorts of aberrant behavior. This sensitivity is usually related to a deficiency of vitamin B₆, zinc, and magnesium.  

These medical facts show that every symptom of these dear children is treatable! These kids are sick. They are not usually brain damaged. What seems to be occurring is an immune mediated, abnormal “shut down” of blood flow in the temporal lobe area of the brain, and therefore an interference with central nervous system function. 

This paper is not meant as a medical prescription, nor do all the conditions and suggested interventions apply to every child. You must study this paper until you see your child’s face in it, and then use the parts that are applicable to him. In all instances, it is good to consult with your medical professional when making any major nutritional changes.

Immune 101

There are three major classes of Immune Cell types: granulocytes, monocytes, and lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are divided into three subgroups: B-Cells, T-cells, and Natural Killer Cells. T-cells are divided into CD4, helper cells, CD8, suppressor cells, and cytotoxic, CD8, Killer T-cells. That is, they show the Cluster Determinant (CD) glycoproteins on their surface. During the first two years of life a delicate one-to-one ratio between CD4 (helper) and CD8 (suppressor) cells forms.  CD4/CD8 ratios that do not equal 1:1 are indicative of abnormal immune systems. All these produce cytokines, chemical messengers that tell the other cells what to do. Cytokines, also called growth factors, are the common language of the immune, hormonal, and nervous systems regulating the growth and development of cells and tissues. Scientists state that: “Stimulation of the developing immune system (by early childhood diseases—WSL) can prevent auto-immunity” with clinical evidence proving that immune stimulation prevents auto-immune disease by up-regulating growth factors that bring the body back into balance with normal cell-to-cell communication. 

Growth factors are biologically active, biochemically well-characterized, small proteins (cytokines) that regulate cell growth, repair, renewal, and cell death throughout the body, including the developing nervous and immune systems. Growth factors need not enter cells to exert their effects upon DNA and cellular activities because they use specific cell receptors that carry their signals into the genes. Specific growth factors, such as platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF_B) play critical roles early in the four-stage, cell cycle, during what is called G1 phase. These growth factors determine the cell’s fate by regulating what genes are turned on or off. If a gene is “turned on”, it will be read and its message translated into protein. If a gene is “turned off”, its message will remain dormant. Many viruses compete for the same DNA gene regulatory (transcription) sites as growth factors do since viruses need to overcome the growth factor’s control of the cell’s fate so that the virus can multiply and infect more cells. Growth factors contribute to healthy communication between the protective systems in the body, such as the nervous, immune, and hormonal systems. If growth factors do not work appropriately, there is aberrant cell-to-cell communication throughout the body, and a type of chaos ensues—Dr. Barbara Brewitt, Chief Science Officer, Biomed Comm, Inc. 

The CD4+, lymphocyte helper-cell activities are divided into Th1 (Cell-mediated immunity), and Th2 (humoral immunity). Th1 is the first-line of defense primarily against viral, fungi, and protozoa, while Th2 helps the B-cells to produce antibodies. The T-cells are separated into these two classes depending upon the specific cytokines the cells secrete in response to antigenic stimulation. Th1 cells primarily produce interferon (IFN) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), whereas Th2 cells produce IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-13. The two helper T-cell classes also differ by the type of immune response they produce. While Th1 cells tend to generate responses against intracellular parasites such as bacteria and viruses, Th2 cells produce immune responses against helminths and other extracellular parasites. Interestingly, the cytokines produced by each Th subset tends to both stimulate production of that subset, and inhibit development of the other subset. Th1 and Th2 represent two, separate, counterbalancing functions of the immune system, and problems occur when they are out of balance. 

After a strong Th1 response to infection gets on top of the search-out-and-kill activity, Interleukin 4 and 10 promotes a change of a class of antibody (IgG1) produced by memory cells, and suppresses the activity of the killer cells and starts to shut down the Th1 immune response. The production of memory cells is dependent on this strong Th1 immune response. For example: the immunological action taken against a primary attack of measles is primarily Th1, with a later back-up by a Th2 antibody that is dependent on the initial Th1 response, and then a dampening down of the Th1 system by the Th2 antibody. However, “These alterations support the hypothesis that the immunologic alterations induced by immunization do activate type-2 cell responses leading to improved antibody production, while suppressing type-1, T-cell responses leading to reduced lymphoproliferation.” (JID 1996, Vol 173, pg 1324-1325) Do you understand the implications of this? There are plenty of antibodies at the expense of the ability to “search-and-destroy”—to fight other infections. This is the key—the difference between natural Th1, and vaccine induced Th2 immunity—and yet, some fail to show antibodies even when vaccinated and boosted and revaccinated! Could that be because they had no sufficient Th1 response?  Possibly, but magnesium deficiency has been shown to decrease antibody production, and lymphocytes, the body’s defense against invaders, are inhibited by magnesium deficiency, and most of these children are deficient in magnesium. 

To avoid rejection of the fetus, a Mother’s immune system shifts quickly to Th2, and the baby is born with this skew to Th2. After the baby is born, the healthy mother’s immune system changes back to normal Th1 dominance very quickly, and breast milk quickly starts the process of changing the baby’s balance towards Th1 dominance. The vaccinated Mother’s immune function is likely to stay Th2 predominant, robbing her of her natural immunity to infections and allergies, and she passes this skewed system to her baby! The poor, bottle-fed child gets no help at all to restore Th1.  

It’s most revealing to learn that the same insult given to those of different genetic makeup will cause some to have a Th1 response, whereas others will have a Th2 response! The ratio of these two is determined by the balance of adrenal steroids, notably cortisol and DHEA. Since cortisol is an antagonist of DHEA, stress-induced cortisol production shifts the number of CD4+ lymphocytes to predominantly Th2 expression. Cortisol also impairs liver detoxification, allowing buildup of environmental and physiological toxins. "Thus, even a potentially Th1-inducing virus may fail to induce Th1 during a time of stress"-Lancet, 1997, Volume 349, pg 1832.  

When Th1 is diminished, Th2 predominates leading to a host of chronic diseases. Conditions are pro viral, pro Candida. The chronic viral infection, whether measles or other, cannot be cleared as long as this bias exists. Furthermore, Candida can enhance Th2. This increases IgE, causing Candida to really flourish. One of the things that’s primarily responsible for maintaining the balance is healthy, gut microflora. When microflora are depleted or destroyed you're going to become more Th2 dominant, and have more tendencies towards allergies, and asthma. A strong presence of IgE in the blood is evidence of prominent Th2 activity, and a deficiency of vitamin B₆. Elevated IgE is associated with a history of numerous allergies. Allergies are indicative of an overactive (reactive) immune system. So, if you have high IgE, suspect that Candida and stress are at work, and supplement the vitamin B-complex. IgE mediated allergies have disappeared with removal of mercury.  

Stress is a major factor in the Th2 skew, and is considered a major cause of depression. Any type of stress raises a hormone called cortisol and a secondary hormone called epinephrine, your stress hormone, and this will make you more Th2 dominant, and more prone to allergic type situations. It will put a “tire” of fat on the belly and hips, and it can damage and kill neurons. It also decreases levels of growth factors that enable brain cells to thrive, and it reduces levels of serotonin needed to promote neurogenesis (growth of new neurons). A diet high in refined carbohydrates is going to alter the slow hormonal collective which includes cortisol, epinephrine, and insulin and create a Th2 dominance. Adrenal exhaustion will promote a cytokine shift from Th1 to Th2. Additionally, there are chemicals and heavy metals, such as mercury, that will make you more Th2 dominant. To reduce stress-produced cortisol by 47%, give the child 100 mcg of chromium each day (200 mcg for adults). Magnesium, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid also reduce cortisol and should be supplemented. A 45-minute massage (back rub?) will give a like reduction.  

One study shows that glutathione levels in antigen-presenting cells determine whether Th1 or Th2 response patterns predominate. “Raising glutathione levels has been shown to alter the cytokine balance in favor of a Th1 immune response”—“The immune system”, Peterson, JD, et al., 1998. The best way to increase glutathione quickly is with a transdermal lotion from Kirkman. Another interesting way has been developed to aid those with respiratory problems. Doctors at the Tahoma Clinic have observed remarkable improvements in many with chronic bronchitis or with emphysema who used 60 mg of nebulized, inhaled glutathione two times daily. If you have a problem metabolizing sulfur this may cause yur body to accumulate too much sulfite, creating a wheezing symptom, among others. For an appointment with a physician at Tahoma Clinic, call (253) 854-4900. For a doctor in your area inquire at (800) 532-3688.  

Additionally, when patulin, a sulfhydryl-binding chemical that conjugates glutathione rendering it unavailable for mBCl interaction, was applied to cells that were treated with the glyconutrient Ambrotose™ by Mannatech™, the glyconutrients protected the cells from glutathione depletion. This shows the potential of glyconutrients to not only increase glutathione production as reported elsewhere, but to protect it from loss leaving twice as much glutathione available —Proceedings of the Fisher Institute for Medical Research, November 1997, Page 14. Acemannan® (Manapol®), and reishi mushrooms among others, have been shown to increase the enzyme glutathione synthetase, which in turn produces glutathione (providing the substrates glycine, glutamine, and cysteine are available, WSL). Additionally, in a series of human trials, Acemannan® (from aloe) improved food digestion and absorption and enhanced “good” bacterial flora in the digestive tract by reducing yeast and pH levels—Sugars That Heal, Dr. Emil I. Mondoa, MD. The aloe extract found in Ambrotose® by Mannatech™, also significantly inhibited superoxide anion formation. This is one type of free radical that can have dangerous effects on the fragile DNA in our cells—Kim, HS et al. In Vitro Chemo-protective Effects of Plant Polysaccharides, Carcinogenesis, Aug 1999, 20:8, 1637-40.  

In addition to stress-induced, immune suppression, the body’s natural defense system is also susceptible to stress-induced malnutrition. When the body begins to suffer from stress-induced malnutrition, the cells of the immune system are deprived of critical nutrients necessary for their function. In addition to the macronutrients, myriad micronutrients that include zinc, selenium, vitamins A, C, E, and B₆, the amino acids glutamine, cysteine, and arginine, and proper ratios of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids are known to be necessary for a functional immune system. Observations indicate that Fatty Acids (FA) can modulate immune responses by acting directly on T-cells, and suggest that alteration of cellular FA toward Omega-3 may be a worthwhile approach to control of inflammation that often tends to cancer. It is vital to note that MMR vaccine, and the chronic measles infection so often following, depletes the body of vitamin A. A deficiency of vitamin A and zinc, in particular, hinders cell-mediated immunity (Th1), and “our” kids are universally lacking in these vital nutrients. Scrimshaw, et al. (1968) reviewed over 50 studies of infection and nutrition and wrote, “no nutritional deficiency in the animal kingdom is more consistently synergistic with infection than that of Vitamin A”. In Southern Africa, it was found that injection of 250,000 units of vitamin A reduced measles vaccine deaths to virtually zero. Children with vitamin A deficiency are more susceptible to the effects of DDT, hydrocarbon carcinogens, and PCBs. 

Additionally, the Australian, Archivide Kalokerinos, M.B., B.S., Ph.D., noted for his work among the Australian aborigines in which he reduced an infant morality rate approaching 50% to virtually zero. Noting features of scurvy among some of the infants and children, and observing that many deaths followed vaccinations, he hypothesized that the vaccinations provoked death by throwing the infants into fulminating scurvy. Based on these observations, he improved the nutrition of the children, provided generous amounts of vitamin C, and avoided vaccines when children were ill with colds or other minor infections. As a result of this work he was awarded the Australian Medal of Merit in l978. 

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in many infants is probably low, and the vaccines lower CMI further. One vaccine decreases CMI by 50%, two together by 70%. Three? Yet, repeated immunizations with three vaccines simultaneously from four weeks to 12 or 18 months are given. All these triple vaccines markedly impair CMI, yet some uninformed doctors, solely for convenience and profit give 10 viruses into these struggling immune systems in one sitting! Don't let this happen to your child! The longest safety trial of the triple vaccine MMR (all live attenuated viruses) was three weeks!  

Repeat DPT is given at 12 months. In mice, spectrally assayed cytochrome p450 was decreased by 50% for 7 days following DTP vaccination. Phospho-sulfotransferase, a Phase II detox enzyme was also decreased as was the RNA necessary to their production. Children receiving DPT show three times as many seizures as is the norm for children. A similar increase 3.3 times the norm occurred within four to seven days following MMR. This decrease of p450 enzymes tends to harbor toxins within the system, leading to toxicity through a build up of heavy metals and other poisons, including the thimerosal (mercury), aluminum, formaldehyde and other poisons in the vaccine. Mercury has also been found to play a part in neuronal problems through blockage of the p450 liver enzymatic process. Mercury has been shown to diminish and block sulfur oxidation thus reducing glutathione levels which is the part of this process involved in detoxifying and excretion of toxics like mercury. Glutathione is produced through the sulfur oxidation side of this process. Low levels of available glutathione have been shown to increase mercury retention and increase toxic effects. The cytochrome p450 (Phase I) enzyme pathway is the only way a baby has to deal with endotoxins from the gut. The Phase I system is one of several shut down temporarily by the DPT and other vaccines. Toxins from E. Coli (and those of Candida), being given off when the liver is impaired by DTP, can have severe consequences, having been associated with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome! This is all the more likely when there is a chronic deficiency of vitamins A and C as might be induced by a poor diet or by a chronic measles infection of the gut. No effort should be made to eradicate bacteria and fungi, releasing as it does large amounts of endotoxins, without ensuring the child is adequately supplied with nutrients, particularly vitamins A and C. Use of AlkaSeltzer Gold™ is said to reduce the impact of this die off.  

“The repeated use of vaccinations would tend to shift the functional balance of the immune system toward the antibody-producing side (Th2), and away from the acute inflammatory discharging side (the cell-mediated side or Th1). This has been confirmed by observation especially in the case of Gulf War Illness: most vaccinations caused a shift in immune function from the Th1 side (acute inflammatory discharging response) to the Th2 side (chronic auto-immune or allergic response).  

“The wise use of vaccinations would be to use them selectively, and not on a mass scale. In order for vaccinations to be helpful and not harmful, we must know beforehand in each individual to be vaccinated whether the Th1 function or the Th2 function of the immune system predominates. In individuals in whom Th1 predominates, the cellular immune system is overreactive causing many acute inflammations, thus a vaccination could have a balancing effect on the immune system and be helpful for that individual. In individuals in whom Th2 predominates, causing few acute inflammations, but rather the tendency to chronic allergic or autoimmune inflammations, a vaccination would cause Th2 to predominate even more, aggravating the imbalance of the immune system and harming the health of that individual”—Philip F. Incao, MD. 

Multiple vaccinations, in shifting this delicate balance to a predominant Th2 response, favor the development of atopy (asthma, eczema, hay fever, and food intolerances) and, perhaps, autoimmunity through vaccine-induced, polyclonal activation leading to autoantibody production. An increase in the incidence of childhood atopic diseases may be expected as a result of concurrent vaccination strategies that induce a Th2-biased immune response. 

The literature shows an association between antiviral vaccination and onset of childhood asthma. We have noted that attenuation of viral target by conventional vaccine preparation does not completely remove or degrade viral nucleic acids such as double-stranded RNA (dsRNA). It is known that viral dsRNA can induce activation of a host’s antiviral protein kinase (PKR). We have shown that activation of PKR by dsRNA leads to expression of Th2-type immune responses, e.g., allergy and asthma—Farhad Imani, M.D., David Proud, M.D. Recent discovery shows the gamma-delta group of T-cells are responsible for allergic responses through their production of interleukin-4 (IL-4). 

The odds of having a history of asthma were twice as great among (DTP) vaccinated subjects than among unvaccinated subjects (adjusted odds ratio, 2.00; 95% confidence interval, 0.59 to 6.74). The odds of having had any allergy-related respiratory symptom in the past 12 months was 63% greater among vaccinated subjects than unvaccinated subjects (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 2.54). The associations between vaccination and subsequent allergies and symptoms were greatest among children aged 5 through 10 years—Hurwitz, E.L., Morgenstern, H; UCLA School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, Los Angeles, California. 

One study published in the “Journal of Infectious Diseases” documented a long-term depressive effect on interferon production caused by the measles vaccine. Interferon is a chemical produced by lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) that renders the host resistant to infection. Vaccination of one-year-old infants with measles vaccine caused a precipitous drop in the level of alpha-interferon produced by lymphocytes. This decline persisted for one year following vaccination, at which time the experiment was terminated. Thus, this study showed that measles vaccine produced a significant long-term immune suppression. This suppression lays the child open to all sorts of infections. 

For example: a study published in the “American Journal of Public Health Investigators” on children who contracted polio, a total of 1,300 cases in New York City and 2,137 cases in the remainder of New York State, discovered that children with polio were twice as likely to have received a DTP vaccination in the two months preceding the onset of polio than were the control children. More recently, in a polio epidemic in Oman, DTP vaccination caused the onset of paralytic polio. The report in the British medical journal “Lancet” confirmed that a significantly higher percentage of these children with polio (43% compared to 28% of the controls) had received a DTP shot within 30 days of the onset of polio. The DTP vaccine suppresses the body’s ability to fight off the polio virus. 

Usually then, the autistic child needs to boost Th1 cells. This can be done with Omega-3 fatty acids [EPA at 1000 to 1500 mg a day (two to three teaspoons of CLO), and DHA between 1500 to 2500 mg a day (3 to 5 teaspoons of CLO or fish oil)]. The extra Virgin Olive oil, that contains oleic acid: four tablespoons a day of fresh oil that’s been refrigerated is very supportive of Th1, as is Vitamin A, 25,000 IU (adults), with a lot of carotenoids, a lot of vegetables, carrots, and things like that. In addition to that, L-glutamine, 10 to 20 grams (adult) a day, will strengthen Th1. Use Lactobacillus, two or three different kinds, and Bifidus, and magnesium, zinc, chromium, and silica.  

Hepatic glutathione is a key substrate for reducing toxic oxygen metabolites and oxidized xenobiotics in the liver enabling their clearance from the body. Depletion of hepatic glutathione is a common occurrence in mercury and cadmium toxicity and Leaky Gut Syndromes contributing to liver dysfunction and liver necrosis. It has also been demonstrated that Hg not only directly removes GSH from the cell, but also inhibits the activities of two key enzymes involved in GSH metabolism, GSH synthetase and GSH reductase. Hg also inhibits the activities of the free radical quenching enzymes catalase, superoxide dismutase, and perhaps GSH peroxidase. Inside the cell, Hg0 is oxidized by catalase to the highly reactive Hg2+. Once assimilated in the cell, Hg2+ and MeHg+ form covalent bonds with glutathione and cysteine residues of proteins. Many factors can affect liver function and glutathione availability. For instance, a recent or chronic-active infection can deplete glutathione as does a single dose of Tylenol™. Studies have found that heavy metals, especially mercury and cadmium, deplete glutathione and protein-bound sulfhydryl (SH) groups resulting in inhibiting SH-containing enzymes and the production of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide ion, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. These reactive oxygen species result in increased lipid peroxidation, enhanced excretion of urinary lipid metabolites, modulation of intracellular oxidized states, DNA damage, membrane damage, altered gene expression, and apoptosis. Increased fragility and decreased sulfhydryl content in cell membranes follow closely, within 4-5 days, a decrease in plasma zinc concentration. These latter signs are readily reversible within 1-2 days by zinc supplementation. Additionally, one must supplement antioxidants vitamins C and E, selenium, and glutathione, and attempt to enhance the body’s production of glutathione. 

The displacement of zinc in the presence of toxic metal burden may explain in part why increased levels of zinc are so commonly seen in the scalp hair of patients exhibiting significant levels of toxic metals Hg, Cd, Pb (Quig, unpublished observations). Such high zinc readings in hair tests would indicate an actual lack of systemic zinc! 

Platelets from zinc deficient rats exhibit abnormal aggregation (failure to aggregate normally), a defect that is associated with impaired calcium uptake. The evidence suggests defective calcium channels in the plasma membrane of cells. Similar observations have been made in brain synaptic membranes from zinc deficient guinea pigs. As in the red cell, membranes from platelets have a lower than normal concentration of sulfhydryls. Treatment of zinc deficient blood with glutathione increases the aggregation response of platelets isolated from the blood of zinc deficient rats, bringing it back to normal. 

Chelation with DMSA needs GSH or NAC to metabolize out as disulfide-bound DMSA-GSH or DMSA-NAC. If replacement NAC/GSH is not supplied, DMSA and DMPS (3-4 times more so than DMSA) consume available stores leaving a dangerous deficiency. In humans, oral glutathione is readily absorbed by the gut mucosa, repleting its glutathione supply; but all remaining GSH is then broken down by the mucosa preventing systemic absorption. This may explain why oral glutathione has been of help to autistic children even when there is apparently no systemic absorption. This being true, one must support the body in its manufacture of GSH to avoid a dangerous lack due to chelation. Nevertheless, given the gut dysfunction found in many autistic children, oral glutathione at 250 - 500 mg/day may be of significant help. Additionally, a glutathione cream has become available. I think this means of replenishment of cellular glutathione is highly desirable. Further, it seems both forms should be used.  

An important point should be emphasized, however, regarding the potential for DMSA to contribute further to cysteine depletion. Ninety percent of the DMSA absorbed is excreted in the urine as a cysteine-DMSA-cysteine disulfide complex.⁴² Therefore, between days of oral administration of DMSA it is important to replace cysteine, except in those instances where the child is cysteine toxic. The important point here is that pharmacological doses of cysteine/NAC, in the range of 1500 mg daily, have the potential to exacerbate the adverse neurological effects of toxic metals since it moves mercury into the brain in rats. It is of interest to note that intravenous glutathione removes mercury from the brain. 

Methionine, betaine, and choline enhance liver function and increase the levels of SAMe and glutathione. In addition to the above supplements, use these that build glutathione: garlic, dandelion, shark liver oil, rice bran extract, lysine, and SAMe. All are totally nontoxic. Carotenes enhance immune response and “spare” the glutathione, a Phase II detoxification enzyme in the liver that we rely on to safely eliminate pollutants and toxins from the body. You might even want to add, after careful testing, Pregnenolone or DHEA, (both suppress cortisol), because the higher the levels of DHEA, within normal, the better Th1 performs. Thyroid, along with the retinol form of vitamin A, is needed to create progesterone and pregnenolone, so it may be better to support the thyroid and use cod-liver oil as suggested herein. Chromium reduces cortisol by 47%. Vitamin E, vitamin B-complex, panax ginseng, digestive enzymes, Transfer Factor™, even some things called arabinogalactans and glyconutrients (AmbroStart™ by Mannatech™), all build Th1 (enhance macrophage action and Natural Killer Cell function). Aloe (Manapol™—a stabilized, standardized Aloe contained in Ambrotose®), Ambrotose®, AmbroStart™, Phyt•Aloe®, PLUS, and ImmunoStart™ (all from Mannatech, Inc.) are without peers in producing glutathione, and in modulating this function of the immune system. A good back rub will make it all come together.  

Additionally, it is known that Vitamin C seems to suppress the Th2 system and promote the Th1 system, which is why asthmatics on Vitamin C have fewer and less severe attacks than those who don’t take Vitamin C (Trop Geogr Med 1980;32:132-7). It has also been shown that the mean vitamin C level in patients with asthma is significantly lower than in healthy control subjects (Afr J Med Sci. 1985;14:115-120), and that Vitamin C can have a protective effect and block Exercise-Induced Asthma (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med Vol 151, April 1997, pg 367). 

Other than vaccines, candida, and stress, what causes Th2 to be elevated? Faulty digestion, a leaky gut, over consumption of glucose (sugar) and processed foods (that weakens systemic resistance to infection), transfatty acids, a diet high in the Omega-6 fatty acids like linoleic acid (cut canola, use olive). All of these promote over-functioning of Th2. This makes the cell membranes porous, and very vulnerable to infection. Adrenal exhaustion or a lack of glutathione may promote a cytokine shift from Th1 to Th2. Adrenal dysfunction can lead to hypoglycemia, increased allergy symptoms, weight gain, increased menopausal symptoms, mood swings, and mental confusion. Any suffering allergies, including asthma, undoubtedly have two conditions undiagnosed: hypoglycemia and hypoadrenocorticism. These must be corrected by temporary elimination of allergens, a low carbohydrate, high protein intake, and a supplement of nutrients chosen to support the adrenals and pancreas, including desiccated, whole-adrenal glandular. If not needed, the adrenal tablets may make you feel weak. The doctor may wish to offer whole, adrenal-cortex extract injections for faster results. Do not accept cortisone or prednisone! Do not fail to heed what you have just read! 

Additionally, vitamins B₆, B₁₂, A, C, E, para-aminobenzoic acid, pantothenic acid, and the minerals zinc, magnesium, and calcium aid the adrenals in conditions of hypoadrenocorticism (adrenal cortex deficiency). Pantothenic acid (300 mg), vitamin C (2000 mg), for adults, will support the pancreas. The bioflavonoids will reduce allergic reactions to foods and other substances.  

To determine if you have adrenal exhaustion, have your blood pressure checked after lying quietly for 5 minutes, then stand up and immediately recheck the pressure. If the blood pressure reading is lower when you are standing, suspect reduced adrenal function. The degree to which the blood pressure drops upon standing is often proportionate to the degree of hypoadrenalism. (low adrenal function). 

A “Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology” at McGill University and the Institute Pasteur in France article says, “A new study has found additional evidence that a chemical involved in inflammation may play a role in asthma. The study found more of the chemical known as Interleukin 9 (IL-9).” IL-9 is one of those Th2 substances that gets overactive, suppresses Th1, and you wind up with asthma. They believe that if you can lower IL-9 this is going to help treat, and even prevent, asthma. It says, “Interleukins have been known to play a role in regulating the immune system, and in particular, to be responsible for causing the early stages of inflammation.” They found that if you can lower the Th2, especially these Interleukins, and boost Th1 with all the nutrients we’ve been speaking about, they’re going to help dramatically in the management of a wide range of illnesses, including multiple sclerosis, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, AIDS, Chronic Fatigue, candida, multiple allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, hepatitis, Gulf War Syndrome, cancer, and other autoimmune diseases, like autism. Just the elimination of candida has been found to cure a third of all eczema, irritable bowel, some asthma, joint pains, and virtually all psoriasis. Other symptoms of candida: internal bloating of the lower abdomen that is aggravated by beer, bread, pasta, sweets, or juices. Another good clue (90% probability) is when one reacts adversely to taking vitamins orally. To this add a high sensitivity to yeast and fungi or products containing them, like yeast, yeast breads, beer, mushrooms, cheese, mustard, vinegar, and mold spores that will cause discomfort when in bathrooms, basements, areas with wet leaves, summer beach houses, etc. Note: Good Housekeeping and Heloise have determined that regular vinegar kills molds at 90% and bacteria at 99.9% efficiency.  

Cytokines (hormone messengers secreted by immune cells), actively transported into the Central Nervous System (CNS), play a key role in this immune activation. It was recently observed that cytokines activate astrocytes and microglia cells (immune system cells) that in turn produce cytokines by a feedback mechanism. Where T-cells are over stimulated, they produce large numbers and amounts of cytokines that cause inflammation in the body, muscular pains, headaches, and often weight loss, and malnourishment. The free radical damage to “self” is great. Moreover, cytokines strongly influence the dopaminergic (dopamine), noradrenergic (noradrenaline), and serotonergic (serotonin) neurotransmission. There are indications that the cascade of cytokines can be activated by neuronal processes. These findings close a theoretical gap between stress and anxiety and their influence on immunity (they greatly lower the natural-killer-cell function). “When we are fit and healthy it means our bodies are working properly and keeping the germs and bugs at bay. It is only because the immune system falls down that we get ill,” said Michael Endecott, research director of the Institute for Complementary Medicine in London. 

Gluten (from grains) and casein (from milk) have immune, as well as neurotransmitter, impacts. Therefore, they have the ability to cause immune dysregulation and neurotransmitter imbalance. Opioids decrease T-cell proliferation via the mu-receptors, and this may cause a mild, immune suppression. Opioids can increase levels of gamma interferon also. When an opioid molecule attaches to a receptor in which it “fits”, adenylate cyclase is inactivated, leading to a decrease in intracellular Cyclic AMP (cAMP). Cyclic AMP is an important messenger system in the brain and body. When intracellular cAMP levels have been lowered because of constant (inappropriate) stimulation of opioid receptors on the cell surface, less tryptophan hydroxylase is phosphorylated, and therefore more of the enzyme is inactive. When this happens, tryptophan is not converted into serotonin, but is shunted down alternate pathways, eventually leading to urinary IAG (indolyl acryloyl glycine) and 3-indoleacetate. It is reported this affects 93% of autistic children. Urinary excretion of IAG in 15 normal subjects was significantly increased in June-September against the November-April collection in the same subjects. Elevated levels of IAG are also found in Hartnup's and SAD (seasonal depression from darkness).   

Organo-phosphate pesticides cause paralysis by inhibiting certain enzyme systems. One of these pesticides, Diazinon, has been shown to seriously interfere with the metabolism of tryptophan in a way that might force tryptophan metabolism towards the IAG route. Are these pesticides contributing to the increased IAG in the urine samples from the majority of people with autism and related disorders? In England, about 80% of those with autism or ADD/ADHD have high IAG levels. Increased IAG could contribute to increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut), and perhaps increased blood-brain barrier permeability. In animals, high opioid levels cause indifference to mother and others in the family. 

Immune B-cells can secrete the antibodies, immunoglobulins IgD, IgM, IgG, IgA, and IgE, which bind with the foreign antigen and produce red cell lysis, inactivate the virus, or produce bacterial phagocytosis. Most autistic children have delayed allergic reactions to some foods (show high IgG), and/or immediate, strong reactions to foods, inhaled pollens or mold (high IgE). These allergic reactions disrupt normal immune balance and alter interleukin-2 levels exacerbating their symptoms. IgA is normally secreted into the digestive tract in response to incoming food. IgA protects the mucosal surfaces of the mouth, nose, throat, gastrointestinal tract, ears and the eyes. Recurrent infections are an indication of deficient IgAs. Secretory IgA (sIgA) levels are elevated in the presence of infection or overgrowth of unwelcome germs, and are depressed if the infection or overgrowth is excessive. The incidence of selective IgA deficiency is 10 times higher in those with celiac disease than in the general population. IgA protects the mucus membranes of the body. Comprehensive stool analysis often finds below normal levels of Secretory IgA’s in the gut. One of the first things you want to do is to balance these Secretory IgA’s so as to protect the first line of defense in the intestinal tract. Tribes that live mainly on animal protein have the highest levels of IgA, and they almost never have infections according to Wolfgang Lutz who wrote the book on the myth of carbohydrate. IgA is found at very high levels in colostrum. The use of Bovine Colostrum should be very productive in overcoming these chronic infections, and should be preferred to repeated courses of antibiotics. When there is active infection, take a dose of colostrum every four hours around the clock until symptoms are fully cleared.  

It is interesting to note that diseases that can be associated with celiac disease include lactose intolerance, dermatitis herpetiformis, insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid disease, and autoimmune disorders. In fact, if you have dermatitis herpetiformis (an itchy, blistery skin problem), you have celiac disease. 

One additional bit of advice: Never, ever let a child be vaccinated if he has had a recent infection/sickness, or is prone to repeat infections with the related antibiotic courses. Early and high frequency rates of ear infection are associated with greater severity of autism (J Autism and Dev Dis 17:585,1987). It is the children who have had three or more antibiotic courses who have a 4-times higher rate of adverse vaccine reaction. It is the ones vaccinated while suffering an infection or after a recent infection that often regresses into autism. Be warned. It all has to do with the immune function. Never accept a vaccine containing Thimerosal™, and never accept more than one shot per day. To pump ten viruses with the related mercury and other toxins into a child at one sitting is asinine and stupid, and should be criminal!   

Yeast species like candida are known to induce immune changes, and to produce neurotoxins, and most autistic children have yeast problems. Yeast binds the B-vitamins, and in absence of Bifidus flora, creates subclinical pellagra and beriberi. This lack of B-vitamins, particularly vitamin B₆ will interfere with the production of serotonin, melatonin, and other important neurotransmitters that controls behavior—so normal brain chemistry in the presence of yeast overgrowth is unlikely. Clostridia, found in approximately 20% ASD patients, and other harmful bacteria, also cause neurotoxic effects. These immunological changes (altered interleukins, cytokines, histamine, neuro-hormones, and other immune factors) affect brain chemistry, especially in the cerebellar and sensory components of the brain, and most autistic children have altered sensory perception. Reactions to clostridial toxins in mice suggest that it enhances glutamate efflux, leading to seizure and hippocampal neuronal damage. Komulain and Tuomisto, in 1981, found that methyl mercury, even in low concentrations, inhibited the uptake in synaptic nerve endings in the brain of the neurotransmitters dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin. This would be excitotoxic and tend to deplete the available neurotransmitters. The possibility of each of these imbalances should be examined, and, if present, corrected.  

Since a major consequence of this immune imbalance is allergy, it is good to note some frequent manifestations. “Toddlers have excessive infections. They whine, they pinch, they hit, they spit, they kick, and they bite in excess between two and four years. They bite their siblings, their mother in particular, and sometimes their father. They have excessive temper tantrums. They have a lot of intestinal symptoms. They vomit clear mucous, and that means milk allergy. They dislike being held. They say the same sentence over and over again. They’re hyperactive, fatigued, and they have bowel problems. These are characteristic symptoms that frequently are related to something they ate, touched, or smelled. (You can often tame the Terrible Two’s with a zinc supplement—WSL.) Any food can cause diarrhea, but the food that’s most apt to cause constipation in any age group is milk and dairy products. Abdominal complaints such as swelling, belching, bloating, rectal gas, that sort of thing, is the result. 

"Bad breath is almost always milk, wheat and eggs. Bedwetting, after age five, if it’s related to a food, is due to milk or it’s due to a fruit juice. Soiled underwear: when they leak, and they have a little bowel movement on their pants all the time, it’s frequently due to grapes and raisins, but other foods can also cause it (like undigested fats, shown by light-colored stool—WSL). Leg aches, called growing pains—take the milk out of the diet for a week, then add the milk back, and you’ll see that many leg aches are due to milk sensitivities. Again, there are other causes for leg aches, but this is one of the causes. Clucking throat sounds—that’s a milk allergy. The potbelly is very characteristic of people who have food allergies. There are many other causes; you may have parasites, enzymatic dysfunction, or a malfunction in your gut, but one reason is allergies. 

"Learning, behavior problems, and depression: Young children four and five that want to kill themselves. Again, ask what did they eat, touch, or smell? They have headaches. They make strange noises. They bark like dogs. That sort of thing. They have asthma, hay fever, and eczema. When a person eats a food that causes eczema, which is an itchy rash in the creases of the arms and the legs, the area will get red when you’re eating the food, and the next day, they have the rash. So, there’s a delayed reaction, and that makes it difficult to put cause and effect together. But, if you watch the skin while they’re eating, you’ll be able to tell when it feels red and hot and that’s when they’ve eaten a food to which they are sensitive. 

"The adolescents have intestinal problems. Depression and fatigue are much more common. They say they have a ballooned, fuzzy head. They recognize that their head’s not thinking, not feeling right. Their muscles and joints ache. They frequently have an irregular heartbeat. Take your pulse. It should be nice and regular, if it’s irregular; something’s wrong (it could be a lack of potassium or magnesium—WSL). What did you eat, touch, or smell? Start to pay attention to your body, especially to your pulse. It’s like a smoke alarm in a room. (Get “The Pulse Test” by Dr. Arthur F. Coca, MD—WSL.) 

“Irritability and aggressiveness in adults are very common. I believe that much battering—wife battering, husband battering, sibling battering, mother battering—I think a lot of that is due to unrecognized sensitivities to foods and chemicals, and things of that sort. Now, the adults tend to be too tired. The women, in particular, cry easily, and are very depressed. Many times, they are moody and easily upset.”—(edited) Dr. Doris Rapp, MD.  

Aggression has also been connected to both too much and too little magnesium. Usually it is too little. Magnesium controls the breakdown and loss of serotonin in the synapse, and it is the best calcium channel blocker. 

Research shows that it is the magnesium status that controls cell membrane potential and through this means controls uptake and release of many hormones, nutrients, and neurotransmitters. It is magnesium that controls the fate of potassium and calcium in the cell. If it is insufficient, potassium and calcium will be lost in the urine and calcium will enter the cell excessively causing spasms and cramps, and it will be deposited in the soft tissues (kidneys, arteries, joints, brain, etc.).  

Magnesium protects the cell from aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium, and nickel. Evidence is mounting that low levels of magnesium contribute to the heavy metal deposition in the brain that precedes Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer’s. It is probable that low total body magnesium contributes to heavy metal toxicity in children, and it is a participant in the etiology of learning disorders.   

In addition to allergy or opioid production, it has been found that milk and dairy can actually cause a microscopic blood loss in the intestine by a “reactive” inflammation of the bowel. This can lead to anemia. Curiously, a child that might go berserk on milk may not have a reaction to “processed” cheese. When the protein structure is changed, the food will not give as large an allergic reaction. “Unless a child has eczema where yolk or egg is triggering off a skin reaction, for some reason the immune pathway fired off by eggs doesn’t seem to play a role in what we are talking about in the brain. I rarely have to worry about taking a child off of eggs, even though you may have this ‘huge reaction’ on the food screen”—Dr. Michael Goldberg.  

There is evidence of immune suppression on exposure to testing doses of phenols (see PST).  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. It can contribute to the toxic overload in PST, or it can precipitate an allergic reaction. 

These alterations in normal body chemistry are largely due to a damaged, chronically-irritated, gastrointestinal tract largely caused by vaccinations, heavy metals, particularly mercury, antibiotics, resulting candida and bacterial overgrowth, and by chronic viral infections, and milk. While it is important to remove the allergens and to deal with the yeast, the single most effective, least expensive, way to treat the cause and not the secondary symptoms is homeopathy. I know the principles of homeopathy offend reason and the good American Way, “more is better”. With homeopathy, “less is more”. There are forces we do not begin to comprehend working in this body, and homeopathy is working with one. Find a skilled homeopath, and ask him to clear the vaccine damage and resultant virus infections, and the heavy metals poisoning. There seems to be two schools. Some will treat individual allergies. If you treat the causes (vaccine damage to the immune system, and the metal overload) and not the allergic symptoms, expensive tests and therapies for allergies will be unnecessary. The method I recommend uses the actual vaccine to clear vaccine damage and the toxins and metals that vaccine introduced into the body. When this is done, the gut is usually healed, there will be few if any allergies left, and candida will likely no longer be a problem. You will be amazed at the simplicity and relative, low cost, and immediate results, though there is some temporary regression with each course. This will restore the immune function to balance, and then other necessary, nutritional and behavioral interventions will be 10 times more effective. Until you have done this, other efforts will be very expensive and not fully effective. To those who are ready, I will supply the name of a homeopath using real vaccine remedies that are not usually offered by other homeopaths.

Leaky Gut

In a test of 36 autistic children reported by Repligen Corporation, 75% had a greater than normal pancreatic response to secretin infusion, especially among those with diarrhea (whose stool improved in consistency for several weeks afterward). These children are probably producing too little secretin, and thus receptor sites have proliferated. Human secretin receptor is a G-protein-coupled receptor that is functionally linked to the cAMP second messenger system by stimulation of adenylate cyclase (Ng et al, 1999). When given secretin, there is overactivity of the pancreas. I.V. Secretin causes a five-fold increase in the output of IGF-1 in pancreatic fluid. They also documented a pattern of intestinal inflammation (esophagitis, gastritis, and duodenitis that would greatly hinder absorption of nutrients) in the majority. The most frequent gastrointestinal complaints were chronic diarrhea, gaseousness, and abdominal discomfort and distention. Histologic examination in these 36 children revealed grade I or II reflux esophagitis in 25 (69.4%) with symptoms of wakefulness with irritability or crying, pressing of the lower abdomen, and diarrhea. Chronic gastritis was detected in 15, and chronic duodenitis in 24. Low intestinal carbohydrate digestive enzyme (amylase) activity was reported in 21 children (58.3%), although there was no abnormality found in pancreatic function. Thirty-nine percent were deficient of the enzyme Lactase, and thus had digestive problems with milk, with bloating, gaseousness, and a loose stool (these symptoms can be alleviated with a digestive enzyme supplement containing lactase). None showed signs of Helicobacter Pylori infection, or of fungal or bacterial overgrowth even in the one-third with suspected fungal or bacterial overgrowth based on urine acid test results.  

Your doctor has probably forgot a simple, inexpensive, urine test the doctor can make in office that uncovers toxic bacteria. Ask for a “urinary indican” test. Indican is created when the essential amino acid tryptophan is fermented by harmful bacteria in the bowel. If the indican test is positive, decrease intake of sugar and high glycemic carbohydrates because eating these things encourage overgrowth of many types of unfriendly critters, including candida. Supplement friendly flora to crowd out the nasties.  

This inflamed gut (dubbed “Leaky Gut” because it has become porous allowing large, food particles both protein and undigested starch to pass unnaturally into the blood) produces a number of symptoms. Increased intestinal permeability (IP) may reflect damage to the microvilli, which can reduce levels of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest milk sugar, eventually triggering osmotic diarrhea. Once this disease process starts, small bowel mucosal damage, indicated by higher IP ratios, remains “an important factor” associated with increased acidosis, hypokalemia (lack of potassium), iron deficiency, dehydration, and parasitic infection. Sucrose (table sugar) leaks into the blood, and this abnormal sugar in the blood stream causes a host of problems. Particles [especially from milk (casein) and grains (gluten/gliadin)] called peptides pass through the “Leaky Gut”, and activate the immune system creating many allergic symptoms, and also creating opioids in the brain that cause much of the “weird” behavior. Dermorphin and other opioid-like peptides can reduce stomach acid output (by inhibiting a zinc-bearing enzyme needed to make HCl), and change emptying time for the stomach, and therefore, hamper digestion. Undigested particles of undercooked grain starches pass into the blood and to the capillaries where they slow and clog blood circulation. Collateral circulation is likely enough to keep the organ functioning, but in the brain, neurons may be lost. This is why digestive enzymes are so vital to break down these protein and starch particles before they reach the gut.    

Mothers are often perplexed when, having been on Gf/Cf for a period, they find high levels of peptides still present. When a person goes Gf/Cf the body takes the opportunity to dump these things in the blood/urine again. That is why we see them in the urine for some time afterwards. In celiac literature, it speaks of taking 7 years to totally clear the system! “Treatment of the latter (candida) with conventional synthetic antifungal agents often causes impairment of liver detoxification functions, and a decrease in synthesis of phospho-sulfotransferase, an enzyme necessary to cleave food proteins, e.g., casein, into smaller easily absorbable peptides.”—Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, MD. Thus, fungicides exacerbate the opioid problem, and increase the potential for toxicity in PST kids. Of utmost significance is the observation that those eating soy proteins or drinking soy milk may also have high peptide readings in their urine. Soy proteins are used extensively as emulsifiers, binders, and stabilizers in meat, poultry, snack foods, sausage, frozen spaghetti, and whipped toppings. Textured vegetable protein is soy-based, and many meat substitutes are soy-based. It has been found that those on soy may have high values of gliadorphin and casomorphin, presumably because of peptides from soy that are similar or identical to those in gluten or casein (Zhang XZ, Wang HY, Fu XQ, Wu XX, Xu GL. Bioactive small peptides from soybean protein. Anri NY, Acad Sci 1998 Dec 13, 864: 640-5.  

Additionally, those on SerenAid™ or EnzymAid™ may show high peptide values in the urine. This may be because these products are interfering with the test. 

Are the symptoms being suffered symptoms of “autism”, or of malnutrition, toxicity, and immune changes induced by that chronically inflamed, out of balance, gastrointestinal tract? Can nutritional intervention ameliorate these “autistic” symptoms?

Digestion 101

Digestion begins in the mouth. Here foods are to be chewed until totally fluid, thus mixing ptyalin and other enzymes necessary to digestion of starch with the food. No fluids should be taken during chewing. Furthermore, thorough mastication of food may nourish the gut by providing it with salivary Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) that is healing to the epithelial lining of the gut. Purified Epidermal Growth Factor has been shown to heal ulceration of the small intestine.  

The food then passes to the stomach where it is thoroughly mixed and “ground” down to smaller pieces, separated and held back as required for proper digestion. It may be held for an hour while starches continue to digest. Food ready for digestion passes to the lower stomach, the pyloric antrum, where most digestion takes place. This highly sensitive area of the stomach controls the acidity of the stomach digestive juices. Secretions of the parietal cells into the stomach create the acid necessary to the breakdown and digestion of proteins. Acting as a thermostat, its G-cells secrete varying amounts of gastrin into the blood that signals the H2 cells of the upper stomach to produce more or less acid as needed. Histamine acts on the H2 receptors of the upper stomach’s parietal cells empowering them to produce hydrochloric acid (HCl) when called for by gastrin. It’s interesting to note that the acid is actually produced in the stomach by the mixing of chemicals secreted by these cells. Acetylcholine, released by the nerves, also affect the amount and timing of HCl production. Stress and emotions, then, also affect HCl production. These same cells, also release “Intrinsic factor” necessary to utilization of vitamin B12. Sodium and potassium are required in optimal amounts for production of HCl. If these things are not happening, your child may refuse meat, or will not digest it well.  

This dislike for meat, or a loss of taste, could indicate cellular distress and possibly cancer, or a lack of hydrochloric acid, or a zinc deficiency, for zinc controls the enzyme that makes HCl. Because there is a strong association between protein and zinc content in virtually all foods, insufficient protein intake, or stress on fish and fowl, may often be the cause of zinc deficiency. The food additive tartrazine is found to act directly as a zinc-chelating agent. Zinc is an essential component of about 70 metalloenzymes (including dehydrogenases lactate, malate, alcohol, and glutamate), alkaline phosphatase, carbonic anhydrases, carboxypeptidase A and B, and DNA and RNA polymerases. Zinc is thus widely found, and in relatively high concentrations throughout the body. A deficiency has far reaching consequences. Studies show that a marginal zinc deficiency reduces serum testosterone levels by 50% in adults. This adversely affects muscle tone and strength as well as digestion and utilization. Acrodermatitis enterophatica is presently the most well recognized human zinc responsive syndrome attributable to an inherited defect of zinc absorption. However, there are also a variety of other conditions that have been found to respond to zinc therapy, such as idiopathic hypogeusia, improvement in wound healing, gastric ulcers, acne, rheumatoid arthritis, as well as dyslexia. Zinc controls the release of vitamin A from the liver. An inadequate zinc nutriture has been linked with a variety of immune deficiency disorders, including cancers in both animals and in humans. 

Complex nitrogen (protein) metabolism appears to flourish in children with seizures, developmental delay, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) involving not only Nitric Oxide (NO), but nitrogen retention as a whole (described previously as purine autism by Mary Coleman). Kids presenting with suppression of carbon dioxide (CO₂) may shun nitrogen rich foods due to the formation of ammonia (an alkaline compound of nitrogen and hydrogen) leading to a state of hyperammonemia. Excitotoxic effects of ammonia are augmented by increased synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which is associated with N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation and/or increased synaptic transport of arginine. The behavior associated with excess NO/ammonia production in the autist is maniacal laughter.  

Hyperammonemia means that ammonia, instead of being discharged by the liver, is recirculated into the blood stream. It is apparently caused by a deficiency of four Amino Acids: Citrulline, Aspartic Acid, Threonine, and Arginine. Vegetarians are especially susceptible to Hyperammonemia because of the lack of essential, Medium-Chained Amino Acids (L-Leucine, L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine) that in turn cause a deficiency of those Amino Acids named above. Thus, a hyperammonemic state yields the spacy “brain fog” reaction, or in more severe instances may lead to seizures.  

Over breathing, expelling too much carbon dioxide through fast, shallow or even fast, deep breathing is part of the primitive stress response built into every human body. If this natural fight-or-flight response becomes chronic, the lack of CO₂ causes much havoc. Dr. Robert Fried found that hyperventilation (low CO₂, high alkalinity) precedes seizures and results in arterial constriction, including brain arteries, and spasms. This reduces blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain. This affects the brain’s metabolism, therefore its function. Additionally, apnea is the absence of effective breathing for 20 seconds (15 in a preemie), and is associated with color changes (blue, gray, or dusky) and/or reduced muscle tone (turning “floppy”). In the infant, whether premature or not, breathing is exquisitely controlled primarily by the level of carbon dioxide in the blood, and to a lesser extent by oxygen levels. The method of children re-breathing their own air through “masking” used at The Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential has often been helpful with these children as they raise their CO₂ and oxygen levels (and acidify the system). (Conversely, one Mom writes, “What we thought to be seizure behavior are periods of her blood pressure dropping suddenly and dangerously”.) Fried concluded that the abnormal electrical activity picked up on EEGs is the result of seizures, not the cause, nor the seizure itself. CO₂ is the main regulator of Cerebral Blood Flow, so this impaired vasoreactivity (constriction) may reflect the brain dysfunction in the seizure focus and adjacent areas.  

“By examining blood chemistries, the data that began to unfold was fascinating and clearly earmarked the acidosis and hypoxic state (low serum bicarbonate = low oxygen levels). Seizures were often brought under control by examining the electrolytic disturbance, and matching them to the child’s needs. Potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, and the like were used. (Potassium Bicarbonate from Emerson Ecological, Inc., www.emersonecologics.com.) (These normally alkaline minerals release the carbonate raising carbonic-acid levels, acidifying the system. CO₂ acts as an anticonvulsant, and also reduces glucose metabolites, which accumulate around the foci. Blood flow is increased to the brain—WSL.) Now we began to understand why so many children responded to Buffered C (potassium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate), and why others needed a more specific buffer (in some children for example niacin was grossly depleted, and they required niacin bicarbonate). (Calcium carbonate tends to constipate, and may be useful in controlling diarrhea, or when magnesium is tending to loose bowels—WSL.) Buffers and butyrates attenuate (lessens the effects of) abnormal nitrogen metabolism, however, children with ASD are unique in their presentations, and as we examine nitrogen retention/NO, electrolyte stability, catalysts, and lipid status to determine disturbances in metabolism, it requires that we act upon these aberrations in an integrative manner from a cellular perspective, not as singular interventions....We found that mineral endings contained in many multiples were worthless (magnesium oxide—a laxative), or irritating to the CNS (aspartates), or to the urea cycle (picolinates), but the children responded beautifully to alkaline salts such as Buffered C, the carbonates, and digestive support, including duodenum (naturally containing secretin and other components of the small intestine—1 teaspoon after meals—WSL. Obtain from www.krysalis.com.), and pancreas (available in porcine, bovine, or bovine derivatives—1 to 2 capsules after meals—WSL)”—Patricia Kane. “I found...that many, many of these children are in negative nitrogen balance. Their BUN-to-creatinine ratios are very high”—Dr. Mary Megson. Nitrogen retention is dependent upon dietary consumption of nitrogen-rich foods, along with lipid consumption, electrolyte stability, and mineral density and balance. Those with organic acidemias or amino acidemias will often exhibit this same protein intolerance.  

Purines are key building blocks for the synthesis of DNA and RNA, and are involved in a variety of other cellular processes. “Purine autism” was first characterized in the 1970s by Mary Coleman who noted elevated levels of uric acid in the urine of some patients. Uric acid is the end product of purine metabolism, and is elevated in other diseases of purine metabolism such as Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome. Recent studies at UCSD suggest that some of the autistic patients with elevated urate levels also have evidence of abnormally high rates of intracellular purine synthesis further indicating that they have a purine metabolism defect. A few of these patients have been treated with an analog of uridine for several years, with improvements observed in cognitive performance and muscular function. Repligen Corp now holds the patent to uridine treatment for this condition. 

Through its conversion into carbonic acid, carbon dioxide is the most vital player in the maintaining of the body’s acid-base balance. Lowering carbon dioxide in the lungs by hyperventilation shifts the body’s pH towards alkalinity, which slows the rate of activity of all body ferments, enzymes, and vitamins. Chronic hyperventilating is not good for an alkaline system is more susceptible to virus and allergies. This shift in the rate of metabolic-regulator activity disturbs the normal flow of metabolic processes and leads to the death of the cell. The lowering of carbon dioxide in the nerve cells heightens the threshold of its excitability, alerting all branches of the nervous system and rendering it extraordinarily sensitive to outside stimuli. This hypersensitivity to light, sound, touch, taste, smell, heat or cold leads to irritability, sleeplessness, stress problems, unfounded anxiety, fears, allergic reactions, and inordinate stress. Concurrent with this, the breathing center in the brain is further stimulated causing a further loss of carbon dioxide. A vicious cycle has commenced. The detrimental influence of the rapid, deep breathing on the organism is a direct result of the creation of a carbon-dioxide deficit. It is clear that a deepening of the breathing does not necessarily mean an increase in oxygen uptake. On the contrary, it can mean a decrease in oxygenation, which leads to hypoxia, an alkaline imbalance, and cell spasming. “You are hyperventilating if breathing is predominantly thoracic (chest); if little use is made of the diaphragm (abdominal movement is minimal); if breathing is punctuated by frequent sighs; if sighing has an effortless quality with a marked forward and upward movement of the sternum but little lateral expansion.”—Dr. Robert Fried.  

If the above condition is suspected, one should obtain a roll of pH paper and check the pH of saliva and urine. Details of this testing are found in my electronic book “Self-help to Good Health”, (34 Chapters, 535 Pages, $21.95 US) in the Chapter “Digestion and Utilization”. An excessively acid condition would likely signal a too high CO₂. The lungs are not getting the carbon dioxide out and the needed oxygen in. The opposite would be true for an excessively alkaline condition—there is too little CO₂, yet the cells will be starving for oxygen. The best time for checking pH is mid morning and late afternoon before the evening meal. A word of warning: in using sodium bicarbonate excessively, potassium can be excreted producing a potassium deficiency that can cause heart palpitations. Use of too much bicarbonate can cause the system to become overly alkaline. 

If suffering hyperammonemia, or over alkalinity of any cause, calm the child’s breathing in whatever manner you can in order to raise CO₂ levels, and use these carbonate buffers to restore CO₂ and body acidity. One quick way to restore acidity is to drink a teaspoon of raw, unfiltered, apple-cider vinegar every hour or so until desired acidity is restored. Deep breathing can be used consciously, and perhaps unconsciously, to make more alkaline an already acid system—quite common in ASD. As Dr. Fried states, the over breathing may be “the body’s best adjustment to its present needs.” If the acidity were that of excess lactic acid, consciously hyperventilating would likely make the condition worse. Use these methods also to stop severe allergic reactions. The average asthmatic, for example, over-breathes 3-5 times the recommended amount, sometimes more. If you think someone’s having an allergic reaction, and you don’t have those (bi)carbonate buffers, try half a teaspoon or a teaspoon of baking soda in a half-glass of water. Sometimes, that will stop a reaction within 10 to 15 minutes. Three commercial, bicarbonate products AlkaAid™, AlkaSeltzer Gold™, and AlkaLime™, or alkali salts (from health food stores, usually a combination of sodium and potassium and sometimes calcium carbonate) can be used. This is very effective, not only in stopping reactions, but if you take it before you eat a food to which you are sensitive, you can sometimes prevent a reaction. If you’re going to dinner, and you’re not quite sure what they’re going to serve, you certainly should try to take that in advance. Supporting the thyroid will increase carbon dioxide production. A word of warning: in using sodium bicarbonate excessively, potassium can be excreted producing a potassium deficiency that can cause heart palpitations, and reduce HCl production. It is possible to cause the system to become overly alkaline. Many have found bee pollen, or perhaps more so, honeycomb, from local honey farms to be highly effective in relieving environmental allergy. Start with very small amounts, and slowly increase amounts until the allergy is overcome.  

ButyrEn™ (butyric acid) by Allergy Research Group/Nutricology, Inc (800-782-4274) is a short-chain, fatty-acid, dietary supplement in the form of an enteric-coated formulation of calcium and magnesium salts of butyric acid (2 tablets crushed, 2x daily, mixed in food). It supports the integrity of colonic mucosa by acting as primary fuel for the colonic epithelium. Colonic bacteria normally produce it, but when these bacteria are disrupted this supplement will support colon health as you rebuild colon flora. This has been shown to modulate local electrolyte flux, thereby mediating diarrhea. Alpha ketoglutarate clears ammonia, and butyrate clears ammonia, spores, and nitrogen. Butyrate and another short-chain fatty acid, caprylic acid, are frequently used as anticandida agents. Ecological Formulas (800) 654-4432 supplies a fluid butyrate. Liver and gallbladder congestion are major issues in states of toxicity. To insure that your gallbladder bile flow is functional add magnesium taurate or L-taurine, and butyric acid. An increased amount of niacinamide will be helpful too for it aids in release of toxins stored in fats. Sugar, caffeine, alcohol, and drugs deplete niacin. Vitamins E, C, selenium, CoQ10, and low dose Alpha Lipoic Acid all support the liver.   

As indicated, the undigested protein turns into ammonia and goes to the brain. Kane recommends that one hour after every meal, when the body is supposed to be producing its own bicarbonate the carbonate buffers be given, along with a big glass of carbonated water. I feel this is too soon for it will stop protein digestion and defeat the purpose of intervention. Studies of stomach content have shown that for up to an hour after eating, the stomach produces no acid, but digests carbohydrate. Though dumping takes place in small lots over time, it seems to me that 2 1/2 or 3 hours after eating would coincide with dumping time, and serve the purpose better. A child with these problems will consume mostly carbohydrates. All those carbs cause high glucose which produces more insulin than is healthful, and that interferes with fatty acid metabolism and protein utilization, and produces insulin resistant cells, tending to overweight and diabetes. Overweight children with high levels of insulin in their blood are also likely to have high levels of homocysteine, a substance that appears to raise the risk of heart disease, stroke, and birth defects, as well as possibly other adverse effects as well. In addition, these children and adolescents appear to have lower levels of folate, a vitamin that can lower homocysteine levels. These children may have high albumin—which is the substance that transports toxins out of the body. High albumin means high levels of toxins are presently being transported.  

“Albumin binds organic acids and neutralizes their toxic effect to some extent. A low serum albumin is a significant risk factor that results in a more serious clinical episode in patients with organic acidemias. The administration of valproic acid (Depakene™), or salicylates, should be carefully evaluated in cases of suspected organic acidemias, since these drugs also bind to albumin, and diminish the protective effect of albumin in neutralizing toxic organic acids. Swedish developmental biologist Rodier has found that valproic acid, a common anti-seizure drug known to induce autism, causes brain damage in rodents, and precisely in the places expected, based on what’s known about autism. Anytime you are taking Valproic Acid, you must supplement L-carnitine (Carnitor™) and folic acid to avoid the deadly consequences of their deficiency.  

“Lactic acid may be elevated in a wide range of conditions including the pyruvate dehydrogenase, pyruvate carboxylase, 6 diphosphatase, and phosphenol-pyruvate carboxykinase, and dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase deficiencies, glycogen storage disease type I, fructose 1, and respiratory chain deficiencies”—Wm. Shaw. Additionally, vigorous exercise, bacterial overgrowth of intestines, shock, and anemia will elevate lactic acid. A possible link of metal toxicity to chronic fatigue is via metal binding to the sulfhydryl-containing antioxidant, lipoic acid, making lipoic acid unavailable for its vital role in the energy-producing tricarboxylic acid (citric acid, Krebs) cycle. A deficiency of lipoic acid results in reduced muscle mass, brain atrophy, failure to thrive and increased lactic acid accumulation. An enzyme complex that contains lipoic acid, niacin, and thiamine breaks down the pyruvate. If pyruvate were high, I would supplement these nutrients.  

When the mitochondrial respiratory chain (Krebs or citric acid cycle) is blocked, metabolites that are normally processed by its enzymes may build up in the cells and cause problems. When glutathione levels are compromised the mitochondrial respiratory chain is a vulnerable target and cell death ensues. Aluminum interferes with the citric acid cycle (inhibits alpha-ketoglutarate and results in toxic levels of ammonia), and thereby reduces energy production from foods. This has been shown to influence mood and energy levels. High aluminum levels were found to be related to encephalopathies and dementia. Recent studies suggest that aluminum contributes to neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, senile and presenile dementia, clumsiness of movements, staggering when walking, and inability to pronounce words properly.  

Aluminum, as obtained from antacids, can bind pepsin and weaken protein digestion. It also has astringent qualities, and thus can dry the tissues and mucous linings and contribute to constipation. Regular use of aluminum-containing deodorants may contribute to the clogging of underarm lymphatics and then to breast problems such as cystic disease.  

Acute aluminum poisoning has been associated with constipation, colicky pain, anorexia, nausea and gastrointestinal irritation, skin problems, and lack of energy. Slower and longer-term increases in body aluminum may create muscle twitching, numbness, paralysis, and fatty degeneration of the liver and kidney. It is worse with reduced renal function. Aluminum may reduce the absorption of selenium and phosphorus from the gastrointestinal tract. The loss of bone matrix from aluminum toxicity can lead to osteomalacia, a softening of the bone. Skin rashes have occurred with local irritation from aluminum antiperspirants. 

Pyruvate is a chemical derived from glucose that’s normally shipped into the mitochondria. A mitochondrion is a bean-shaped organelle that resides in the cytoplasm of every cell. One of the more unsung heroes of cellular life, the mitochondria use Pyruvate and fatty-acid metabolism and electron transport to provide energy for cells. Researchers studying the enterprising organelle have discovered that in 95 percent of the cases of stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, and ALS, there are elevated levels of free radicals and crashed mitochondria.  

Pyruvate is processed further so that the respiratory chain can harvest its potential energy. However, when the respiratory chain (electron transport) is blocked, pyruvate accumulates outside the mitochondria, and when too much pyruvate has accumulated, the cells start to convert it to lactic acid. “Many patients with mitochondrial disease have lactic acidosis—lactate in the blood,” neuroscientist Eric Schon of Columbia University in New York says. “And there’s decent evidence that the lactate isn’t just a sign of faulty mitochondria, but that the lactate itself is bad—especially in the brain, but probably also in the muscle. If this is true, then holding that lactate down would help the patient.” There is a frequent association of lactic acidosis and carnitine deficiency in autistic patients, which suggests excessive nitric oxide production in mitochondria (Lombard, 1998; Chugani et al, 1999). Sport by Mannatech™ can aid in removing excess lactic acid, whether in sports, or in autism; however, supplementing small amounts of alpha lipoic acid (several times a day), NADH, and CoQ10 may enable the mitochondria to use the pyruvate. Children with inborn errors of pyruvate metabolism showed symptomatic improvement with a supplement of Alpha Lipoic Acid. 

Cellular energy production itself produces free radicals that can damage cell structures, including the mitochondria, and ultimately lead to various diseases if the body’s natural antioxidant capacity is inadequate. Acetyl l-carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid are both endogenous (naturally present in the body) antioxidants that have been shown to restore mitochondrial function and reduce free radical damage. (Hagen TM et al., 1998; Lyckesfeldt J et al., 1998) Together with NADH and coenzyme Q10, they work to maintain the function of the mitochondria. Elevated levels of free radicals from immune activation produced by dietary intake of food substances identified as pathogens (allergens) in the autist contribute significantly to the production of toxic and neurotoxic substances. Mitochondria are vulnerable to a wide array of endogenous and exogenous factors that appear to be linked by excessive nitric oxide production. Strategies to augment mitochondrial function, either by decreasing production of endogenous toxic metabolites, reducing nitric oxide production, or stimulating mitochondrial enzyme activity may be beneficial in the treatment of autism. To accomplish the strategies to augment the mitochondrial function requires that the dietary pathogens be identified and eliminated, the nitrogen containing amino acids be regulated, and the metabolism be functioning at optimal levels with healed mucosal linings and the recognized essential nutrients present and available.  

The volume of hydrochloric acid needed for digestion may be as important as its strength (acidity). It must register a pH of 3 or below for pepsinogen to be converted to pepsin—needed to dissolve proteins into polypeptides in the first step of reducing protein to amino acids that the body can use. In today’s crazy world, even children do not produce enough HCl to digest their foods properly! It seems that autistic children in particular have a preponderant number who are lacking HCl. One test identified 52% lacking. 

Conditions associated with the depressed secretion of hydrochloric acid include infancy, aging, elevated levels of prostaglandin E2, cannabis use, billiard disease, allergies, autoimmune phenomenon, disorders in calcium metabolism, Vitiligo, and the signs and symptoms associated with fat-soluble vitamin deficiencies (A, E, D, K, Fas). Fatigue, vague epigastric distresses after meals, reflux, chronic excessive intestinal gas, constipation, belching, abdominal distention, coated tongue, nausea, vomiting, morning diarrhea, and frequent appearance of undigested food in stools all signal that HCl secretion may be impaired. 

Chyme leaves the stomach in small dumps. When the chyme leaving the stomach is sufficiently acid, the duodenum triggers the secretion of secretin from S-cells in the small intestine walls into the blood. HCl is the only known stimulus of secretin. Zinc appears to influence the bioavailability of secretin as well as the availability of HCl. The amount of secretin released is dependent on the volume and pH of the chyme. This release of secretin does three things immediately. It signals the stomach to: 1) shut down HCl production (indicating that infusions should not be administered immediately after a meal, and that signs of an acid stomach after the stomach is empty may be due to a lack of secretin output), 2) to release bicarbonate of soda in precisely the right amounts to neutralize the acid, and 3) to release pancreatic enzymes to continue the digestion of the food. The secretin passes throughout the system, even into the brain, where it affects many body functions. Slowed emptying time of the stomach, reduced gastrointestinal symptoms, and—in many—dramatic improvements in behavior, as manifested in improved eye contact, alertness, and expansion of expressive language, are documented in many of those receiving infusions. 

Secondarily, secretin generates a signal to the gall bladder to send down appropriate amounts of bile to aid the digestion of the sensed amount of fat present. The body has many “backup” or secondary systems to function under varied conditions. When fat and protein enter the duodenum, apparently even in the absence of sufficient acid to trigger secretin production, cholecystokinin (CCK) is secreted from the walls of the duodenum, which signals both the pancreas and the gall bladder to do their thing. That is why we can exist without HCl, but not well, for HCl/pepsin has not broken down the protein in the stomach, and vitamin B₁₂ is not being assimilated. Similarly, if food is not thoroughly chewed, some carbohydrate digestion will still take place in the small intestine due to the pancreatic enzyme Amylase (that is often deficient in Autism).  

CCK is dependent upon an adequate supply of the amino acid phenylalanine. Secretin and other hormones are also dependent upon adequate amino acid substrates. “Available pools of these sulfhydryl amino acids can be depleted by the metal-induced, high turnover of GSH. Persistent candidiasis/dysbiosis associated with Hg burden can compromise the absorption of aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, which are precursors to dopamine/norepinephrine and serotonin, respectively” (Quig, unpublished). Due to poor digestion, and the poor eating habits of these children, amino acid concentrates must often be supplemented. Lewis Laboratories’ Brewer’s yeast, or desiccated liver, or pure amino acid supplements must be supplied. Seacure™, a specially predigested concentrate of white fish, is a good way to go since it is absorbed by those too weak to digest regular protein.  

If the fat is not digested because of insufficient bile or a lack of the pancreatic enzyme lipase, or there is a deficiency of lipotrophic agents (primarily vitamin B-complex) there will develop a fatty acid deficiency affecting the amino acid balance, and a deficiency of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K contributing to many of the “autistic” symptoms, and causing heart problems in adults. The already dysfunctional immune system will be further compromised. If the stool floats, is light tan or gray in color, bulky, shiny, and foul smelling, then fat is not being digested and a supplement of magnesium taurate or L-taurine and L-glycine are needed. If these do not correct the problem soon, then a supplement of ox bile or of bile salts is needed. I’ll say more on that later. It is of interest to note that lipase is present in good amounts in raw meat, but not at all in cooked meat, and cooking destroys all enzymes found in raw food. To compensate for our cooked-food diet, we must use a digestive enzyme supplement. I recommend Kirkman’s EnZym-Complete™ or SpectraZyme™, or Hn-Zyme Prime™ by Houston, Inc.  

Felsenfeld, et al, found pancreatic enzymes useful in restoring proper intestinal flora and in the nutritional management of gastrointestinal bacterial overgrowth problems which come from increases in bacteria such as Clostridia, 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 (a type of distillation) processed pancreatin hastened the return of the altered intestinal flora to their pre-infection levels and restored gastrointestinal ecology. Additionally, vitamin B₁₂, folic acid, and zinc were better absorbed and utilized. 

As with secretin, CCK does many things throughout the body. There are two receptors identified: CCKA found abundantly in the pancreatic acinar cells, and CCKB, that functions also as gastrin receptors. That is the predominant form found in the brain where CCK produces satiety. Both secretin and CCK have a direct gut/brain connection. It would appear that gastrin, a hormone produced by the G-cells of the lower stomach, but secreted not into the stomach but into the blood stream, may have widespread effects also as it uses CCKB receptors.  

“Many forms of CCK are active but the octapeptide form of CCK, which is a chain of eight amino acids, is able to promote the same degree of signal at the CCKB receptor regardless of whether sulfate has attached to it or not. On the other hand, the CCKA receptor is a thousand times more responsive to sulfated octapeptide than it is to the octapeptide’s unsulfated form. In a condition of low sulfate (PST—poor sulfoxidation), CCK’s maturation might be affected, and the delivery of its signal at the CCKA receptor would be unreliable. When one looks at the function of the CCKA receptor, the possible relevance to autism begins to become clear. Though it is clear there are some regions where the CCKA receptor does not regulate the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, it clearly does have effects in the hypothalamus, and it is also clear that CCK has very powerful effects on serotonin in other regions where the receptor has not been differentiated. It may consequently have effects on serotonin’s metabolite, melatonin, in the pineal gland. (Serotonin, through its effect on CCKB, produces satiety—WSL.) The CCKA receptor powerfully regulates another neurotransmitter, dopamine, and also intrinsic factor, a substance in the digestive system that allows the body to absorb vitamin B₁₂. When B₁₂ is lacking, it will result in elevations in methylmalonic acid in the urine, which was found to be consistently elevated in the children in Wakefield’s recent study...The CCKA receptor also governs the release of and regulates the release of the hormone oxytocin, dubbed the ‘social hormone’,....CCK also helps to regulate another hormone: motilin”—Susan Owens. Thus, a lack of sulfation will greatly diminish available pancreatic enzymes necessary to digestion, and adversely affect all these neurotransmitter functions (see the information on sulfation deficit, and PST below). Opioid peptides inhibit oxytocin release, and thereby promote the preferential secretion of vasopressin when it is of functional importance to maintain homeostasis during dehydration and hemorrhage. Both neuromodulators and neurohormones coexist in the same neuron”—Susan Owens. 

Pancreatic function was significantly reduced in patients with hypothyroidism compared with healthy subjects. Treatment with thyroxin restored the pancreatic function to normal. In two additional hypothyroid patients studied by means of duodenal intubation, pancreatic secretion of both bicarbonate and enzymes were found to be significantly decreased. It was concluded that the thyroid gland plays an essential role in maintaining the functional integrity of the exocrine pancreas in humans (Gullo et al, 1991). A new study published in the July issue of the American Journal of Gastroenterology by Dr. Vincenzo Toscano and colleagues at the Universita La Sapienza in Rome indicates that adolescent patients with celiac disease have elevated levels of anti-thyroid and anti-pancreatic autoantibodies.  

Infants born to women with underactive thyroid were at increased risk of cardiac problems even if the mothers were on medication. (Medication does not correct the nutrient lack, the excess fluoride, or the mercury poisoning that induced the hypothyroidism!) There was increased risk of other problems, mostly intellectual or developmental, in children as a result of hypothyroid (underactive thyroid) pregnancies. Moms with hypothyroidism were more likely than those with hyperthyroidism to have babies with defects. Do the iodine and morning temperature test for you and your children (outlined later).  

It was shown in an in vivo experiment that treatment of rats with thyroid hormone increased hypothalamic oxytocin (OT) mRNA levels, the pituitary OT content, as well as OT levels in blood. The results reveal thyroid hormone as a physiological regulator of OT gene expression, which stimulates OT promoter activity directly through interaction with a thyroid hormone-response element in the OT gene. (Adan et al, 1992) Thyroid hormones affect oxytocin gene expression in hypothalamic neurons. (Dellovade et al, 1999) 

Researchers observed that there was a remarkable family resemblance between social bonding and narcotic addiction—from the initial attachment-dependence phase to the eventual tolerance-withdrawal phases. It rapidly became clear that when animals were given very tiny doses of opiates, they were not distressed by social isolation, and they became comparatively unsocial (even though they could exhibit increases in certain social activities such as rough-and-tumble play). When given opiate antagonists, such as naltrexone, they were more disturbed by social isolation, and they became more eager for gentle and friendly social contact. A double blind study using naltrexone produced significant reduction in autistic symptomology among the 56% most responsive to opioid effects. The behavioral improvements were accompanied by alterations in the distribution of the major lymphocyte subsets, with a significant increase in the T-helper-inducers and a significant reduction of the T-cytotoxic-suppressors and a normalization of the CD4/CD8 ratio.  

Clinical signs that may attend high urinary opiates are aphasia or poor language development; 
constipation or constipation mixed with wet stools; strong growth and gain or excess weight for stature; marked perseveration and rigidity; and marked lack of social connectedness. Opioid peptides are known to adversely affect neuronal development in the central nervous system, to affect perception, sleep, pain, cognition, and immune function, and to create perseverative behaviors.  

Other studies have found that mercury causes increased levels of the CD8 T-cytotoxic-suppressors. It’s not a far step to imagine that these opiate effects on social behavior might reflect something that is happening in childhood disorders such as autism. “When we focused on the data, it was clear that only the animals given opiates became unsocial and less pain sensitive (dysautonomia)”, researchers said. Thus, it seemed more compelling to suggest that some kids with autism might also have too much opioid activity in their brain. This was especially attractive since there were experimental drugs, such as naltrexone, that could reduce such brain activities. Still, some of the kids, perhaps the insecure/anxious ones, may have too little opioid activity. Naltrexone should be used only as a diagnostic tool to indicate an opioid problem. 

“The digestive actions (of motilin—WSL) can be suppressed...when there is a high level of histamine from an allergic reaction or from an immune attack against parasites, and...when there are low levels of serotonin in the gut. Lowered gut levels of serotonin might occur if bacteria were squandering available tryptophan in order to produce the precursor to indolyl acryloyl glycine (IAG). IAG is very often extremely elevated in urinary profiles of those with autism. (It usually returns to normal when the lactobacillus acidophilus is restored to the gut—Wm. Shaw). Motilin also appears to be very influenced by opiates. This regulatory influence could have significance in a syndrome in which excess opiates from dietary sources (gluten and casein) have been frequently described; and in which inflammation is frequently seen, because inflammation would induce the expression of endogenous opiates, such as interferon-alpha. These influences upon motilin’s digestive activity may account for the variable digestive difficulties that are commonly described in autism”—Susan Owens.  

Motilin is reported to be elevated in the plasma of some autistics. “Motilin has similar effects to morphine on the reflex involved with urination (and may cause difficulty in potty training—WSL). Acute elevations in plasma motilin seem to follow on the heels of immune activation in the gut and in other GAG-rich areas such as the lungs. It could become elevated in plasma due to a regulatory effect of low bicarbonate released from the pancreas. This could happen if secretin levels were unusually low, or when CCK is not fully sulfated. Since secretin seems to stimulate the release of sulfated glucosaminoglycans (GAGs) from some epithelial tissue, this interplay of intestinal hormones may furnish more reasons why secretin has recently been found beneficial to those with autism. Motilin is also an important neurotransmitter found in abundance in the areas of the brain suspected of having problems in autism. It is a major neurotransmitter in Purkinje cells in the cerebellum, where the most conspicuous problems in brain morphology in autism have been described”—Susan Owens.  

Colostrum is very high in motilin, and may be helpful in this respect as well as in its antibacterial properties. It is, however, at least in mother’s milk, high in casein, so those on casein-free diets should verify there is none in the commercial colostrum of cow’s milk. In one independent testing of several brands, only Kirkman Labs’ Colostrum Gold™ was casein free. Casein is often hidden in dextrose, maltose, modified food starch, caramel color, barley malt syrup, calcium caseinate, etc. 

What are GAGs? They are molecules of long unbranched polysaccharides (mucopolysaccharides) containing a repeating disaccharide unit. The disaccharide units contain either of two modified sugars—N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc), or N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc), and an uronic acid such as glucuronate or iduronate. GalNAc and GlcNAc are two of the eight essential polysaccharides. They are lacking in the diet and should be supplemented. Gags are extremely vital to your health and immune function, and require vital sulfate to be properly formed. The specific GAGs of physiological significance are hyaluronic acid, dermatan sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate. 

The pancreas secretes many enzymes, including amylase (starch digesting) lipase (fat digesting), protease (protein digesting) lactase (milk digesting), and peptidase. The peptidases will breakdown the peptides of milk and gluten that, if undigested, may pass through a damaged “Leaky Gut”, and become responsible for many of the problems seen in the autistic. Mercury, however, inhibits the peptidase—dipeptidyl peptidase IV—that cleaves, among other substances, casomorphin during the digestive process (Puschel et al, 1982). Mercury then is a major contributor to the opioid problem. Curiously, gelatin in that favorite of kids, Jell-O™, is now said to inhibit this enzyme, and should be eliminated from the diet. The enzyme is dependent on zinc that is universally lacking in these kids, so a zinc supplement would help. Candida, antibiotics, vaccines, and pesticides all deactivate DPP-IV—Dr. Wm. Shaw. Of 36 vaccinees, 10 were demonstrated to be allergic to gelatin—Allergic Reactions to Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccinations, by Anna Marie Patja, MD, Soli Makinen-Kilujen, Ph.D., Irja Davidkin, Ph.D., Mikko Paunio, MD, Ph.D., and Heikki Peltola, MD, Ph.D. The allergic response these opioid-forming peptides cause makes the gut all the more permeable. One study of delinquent boys (Schauss, 1980) found that they drank an average of 64 ounces of milk daily! This is an allergic addiction. The control group of non-delinquent boys drank less than half that amount. Milk doesn’t always “do the body good”. Beta-casomorphine-7 is a morphine-like compound that results in neural dysfunction, as well as being a direct histamine releaser in humans and inducing skin reactions. Additionally, milk increases the bioavailability of Mercury. 

The rapid turnover of the epithelial cells of the gut (3 to 6 days) demands high nutritional levels, especially of the sulfates, that are not being adequately supplied. A low level dysfunction called “dysbiosis” develops within the gut. Ordinarily unvirulent organisms (yeasts, fungi, and bacteria) begin to alter the metabolic and immune responses of the body. The immune system may react to and destroy normal gut flora. Contributing to this may be a low grade, measles infection in the gut from vaccines, and chronic infection from common pathogens such as Epstein-Barr virus, Cytomegalovirus, and/or Human Herpes Virus 6. The liver is overburdened, creating a flood of free radicals that damage the liver and create toxic bile that can damage the pancreas. Restoring the beneficial bacteria that line the intestinal tract may help to prevent the body’s immune system from causing inflammation in the gut. Researchers found that these bacteria are actually able to control the immune system of the host. 

It has been observed that those children whose autism appears at or around the time of birth may have a problem with casein and show diarrhea, eczema, and ear infection from an early age. These have 10 times normal IAG and high peptides; whereas those who show regression into autism at about two years of age following MMR and introduction to a wheat-based diet, have particular difficulties with gluten. These would likely not have high IAG, but do have high peptides. Both gluten and casein may need to be removed, but this may give priority in beginning the program.  

A test devised by Susan Bryson of York University in Toronto gives an early measure of autism. She measures a child's ability to shift focus from one stimulus to another. First, one light is turned on, and then as a second light is turned on, the first is shut off. All children will shift their focus from the first to the second light. In the second part of the test, the first light is left on as the second is turned on. Normal children will disengage from the first to the second light, but autistic children cannot make that shift. In contrast, a severely retarded 6-month-old can refocus its gaze with no problem. 

It is worthy of note that over 80% of the children with acute otitis media improve without antibiotic therapy within a week. That compares with 93% recovery during the first week with antibiotic treatment, according to a study released by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). “Watchful waiting” is suggested as preferred treatment. This will prevent the damage to the gut, candida overgrowth, and if made accepted practice, it will greatly reduce bacterial resistance to antibiotics. To enable the body to throw off the infection quickly, use Echinacea extract in juice three times a day. It is totally nontoxic, but it works best if it is taken in courses of 10 days to two weeks. Never exceed eight weeks without a break. It becomes ineffective if used longer. Do not use if allergic to daisies.  

Recurring ear infections or inflammation produces fluid buildup in the inner ear. A magnesium deficiency has been found to result in fluid retention, even after the infection is controlled or eliminated. Fluid retention in the inner ear is a sign of increased magnesium need in children. 

One way to temporarily address that undigested peptide/leaky gut problem is to remove the casein or gluten, and the allergens from the diet. I urge you to undertake that as early as possible (See www.gfcfdiet.com). Food sensitivities that express themselves in severe symptoms, such as would be the case for autism, rarely are limited only to a relative few food categories, such as gluten and casein. I strongly encourage you to determine the full extent of relief and improvement your child can achieve through dietary intervention. It is essential to avoid not only gluten and casein containing foods, but every other problem food in your child’s diet. If the immune system is triggered by an allergen, the body is affected for a minimum of a week to ten days (or longer). So it’s necessary to be particularly strict at the start of the treatment, when the goal is to “cool down” the immune system. It has been shown that these opioids permanently increase the permeability of the blood-brain barrier opening the brain to heavy metal poisoning and other toxic damage. Antibodies to gluten of the IgA type have been observed to lead to cerebellar degeneration.  

It is especially important to have the child gluten-casein free during the teen years when his brain is being pruned of one-third of brain cells and synapses in the maturing of the brain. The opioids hinder this vital phase of development. In instituting a casein free diet, one must supplement calcium (500 mg). Testing has found 2/3 of these children receiving less than the RDI.  

Only about half of all Americans get the RDA of vitamin D, E, folic acid, and calcium, yet anticonvulsants lower levels of vitamins B₆, D, and E, calcium, manganese, zinc, copper, folic acid, and carnitine! Valproic acid in particular depletes carnitine, alpha-ketoglutarate, and folic acid, and interferes with the conversion to vitamin B₆ to P5P.  

Folic acid deficiency can be caused by use of Depakote™, Tegretol™, aspirin, Pepcid®. Methotrexate, Dilantin™, Zantac®, oral contraceptives, and 21 other commonly used drugs. Use of DMG/TMG requires a greater intake of folic acid. Deficiency symptoms include: harm to DNA that causes abnormal cellular development, especially in those with the most rapid rates of turnover (red cells, leukocytes, and epithelial cells of the stomach and gut, vagina, and uterine cervix). There will be birth defects, cervical dysplasia, elevated homocysteine, headache, fatigue, hair loss, memory loss, anorexia, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, and increased infections. Folic acid is necessary for the production of red blood cells, thus a deficiency can result in anemia leading to tiredness, weakness, diarrhea, and weight loss. 

Epilepsy often ceases when the child is placed on a gluten-casein free diet. Supplements of copper, vitamin B₁, B₆, niacin, vitamin E, and Evening Primrose Oil have been shown to be helpful in ameliorating epilepsy. A supplement of DMG has benefited many. 

Clinical studies showed that children using anti-epileptic medication had reduced plasma levels of vitamin E; so doctors at the University of Toronto tested Vitamin E on 24 children with epilepsy whose seizures could not be controlled by medication. The frequency of seizures was reduced by more than 60 percent in 10 of 12 children taking vitamin E supplements. (They took 400 IU per day for three months in addition to their regular medication.) For additional helps see Dr. Donna Andrew’s website at www.andrewsreiter.com. She has epilepsy. However, she has not had a seizure in 25+ years. She taught her brain not to go into convulsions. This woman has dedicated her life to teaching others how to be seizure-free.  

Have you been aware of food-related problems in your child? This would include, but would not be limited to, food allergies such as food-related asthma or rashes, food intolerance, food addictions, food sensitivities, food aversions such as being a very picky eater, or experiencing moderate to severe dietary limitations that are self-imposed. If your answer is ‘yes’ to one or more of these questions, then food allergies, intolerances or sensitivities are more likely to be an underlying cause of the autism-related symptoms in your child. However, avoiding the foods that trigger your child’s symptoms is a very difficult, expensive stopgap unless the improved condition it brings is used to heal the digestion and the inflamed, leaky gut.  

When the duodenum or upper intestine is damaged, as in celiac disease, secretin production may be diminished or lacking. That may require administering secretin even when adequate HCl is present, as well as going on a gluten-free diet, at least until the damaged gut is healed. I think that frequent transdermal application is more natural if secretin is to be used. This would avoid the trauma of infusion, and the possibility of seizures following infusion that has been reported in rare instances. To administer secretin without first testing for pancreatic enzymes in the stool would be counterproductive. “We have been measuring pancreatic enzymes in the stool for 8 years: chymotrypsin directly and amylase and lipase indirectly. About 15% of autistic spectrum patients were deficient therein; they were given capsules containing these 3 enzymes, plus 2 additional ones (bromelain and papain) in a neutral solution. This group improved initially and continued to do so as normal enzyme levels were attained.”—Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, MD. Bromelain is also said to “digest” the outer shell around a developing tumor, allowing the immune cells to attack and destroy it. It stops the inflammatory prostaglandins (PgE2) without affecting the anti-inflammatory ones. It reduces blood clotting, reduces sinus problems, and speeds healing of bruises and sprains.   

Repligen has found that 25% to 30% had abnormal values of chymotrypsin. The reason for the low chymotrypsin levels in these patients is currently unknown since other indications of pancreatic insufficiency are absent in this population. Kids with low levels did not respond to secretin infusion. 

“Autism” is of unknown cause, and has no effective treatment, however, this failure of digestion, whether from HCl or secretin deficiency, or a damaged gut causes most of their mental and physical symptoms! These symptoms of malnutrition can be ameliorated by nutritional intervention. As the nutritional status is improved, the immune function will be able to deal with the pathogens, especially if given the benefit of Ambrotose® and Phyt•Aloe® by Mannatech™ in modulating and strengthening the immune function. See the statistics of malabsorption and other biochemical malfunction at end of this paper. Clinical studies are available on request.

Serotonin Connection

Serotonin (5-HT) content of blood platelets is variously reported to be excessive in 30% to 50% of autistic due to an errant peptide or to a variant gene (note that those with more than one autistic offspring are apt to fall into this category). It may be that a serotonin transporter is trying to reduce an excess of serotonin from the blood (caused by a sluggish Phase II, liver enzyme system not clearing the spent hormone). This high platelet level of serotonin is surprising in view of the limited protein intake of most autistic. McBride and colleagues recently presented results of a study that confirmed the importance of controlling for race and ethnicity in studies of platelet 5-HT. African-American and Hispanic-American subjects had higher levels of platelet serotonin when compared to Caucasian-American subjects. Interestingly, subjects with autism, who had a sibling with autism, had higher platelet, 5-HT levels than subjects without a sibling with autism. Platelet 5-HT levels have been demonstrated to be stable after the age of 9 years, supporting the hypothesis that platelet 5-HT levels are under genetic regulation.  

In platelets, thimerosal (mercury) causes aggregation, increase of arachidonic acid metabolism, and exocytotic release of serotonin. The herb feverfew contains a chemical (parthenolide) that inhibits the release of serotonin from platelets facilitating a more regular blood flow, and is said to be a benefit in migraine. One study, however, shows it to be toxic to the liver and to peripheral mononuclear blood cells (immune cells) and to inhibit Phase I liver enzymes. The cytochrome p450 (Phase I) enzyme pathway is the only way a baby has to deal with endotoxin from the gut. The Phase I system is one of several shut down temporarily by DPT and other vaccines, and suppressed by mercury. With these toxins (and those of candida) being given off when the liver is impaired, they can have severe consequences, including SIDS. Pharmacological evidence suggests more than 50% of the patients with autism may have an abnormality in serotonergic neurotransmission; however, no consistent patterns of behavior or of symptoms have been identified that relate to this high platelet level of serotonin.  

Nevertheless, Dr. Robert Reisinger, DMV, describes the final mechanism of death in infants who have temporary liver dysfunction, and E. Coli in the gut: “One bottle of formula is enough to change a baby’s gut dramatically, and it takes two weeks of breast feeding to return the gut to normal. How can this happen? E. Coli is the main culprit. This bacterium is putrefactive and protein loving. The protein content of human breast milk is lower than in any other mammal, and the protein content of formula or any other milk supplement has a direct influence on the numbers of E. Coli in the gut often raising it to 1000 times higher levels. Not only does the acid gut and very low protein content of breast milk provide a more hostile environment for E. Coli, but breast milk also contains neutralizing factors against E. Coli. When E. Coli is elevated, absorption into the bloodstream over hours of time of small amounts of bacterial endotoxin not detoxified by a temporarily dysfunctional reticulo-endothelial system results in removal of blood platelets and fibrinogen from the circulating blood. The result is release of relatively large amounts of serotonin from platelets into the blood plasma (in some experiments the increase of plasma serotonin is almost 100-fold). This serotonin shock can cause such serious vasoconstriction as to cause sudden heart failure. Serotonin initiates, in some cases, the coronary chemoreflex (Becold-Jarisch reflex) in which there is inhibition of sympathetic outflow and increased activity of the cardiac (efferent) vagus, leading to profound bradycardia, hypotentions, and cardiovascular collapse. The complex pathogenesis of endotoxemia depending on time and dosages, also involves release of norepinephrine, epinephrine, corticosteroids, etc. However, if death occurs early in the course of this syndrome, it is due primarily to serotonin effect. Serotonin is associated with deep sleep and in certain circumstances strongly inhibits respiratory movements… Endotoxin also has a more direct effect on cellular respiration, since it interferes with oxidative metabolism of mitochondria in vitro as well as in vivo... Between three and six hours, vascular capillary permeability has become more substantial, and varying amounts of edema and hemorrhage by diapedesis are apparent. After six to eight hours or more, fibrin-platelet clots have formed, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is present in lungs, kidneys, and other organs and tissues.”  

“For nonautistic children, serotonin synthesis capacity (of the brain) was more than 200% of adult values until the age of 5 years and then declined toward adult values. Serotonin synthesis capacity values declined at an earlier age in girls than in boys. In autistic children, serotonin synthesis capacity increased gradually between the ages of 2 years and 15 years to values 1.5 times adult normal values and showed no sex difference.”—Developmental Changes in Brain Serotonin Synthesis Capacity in Autistic and Nonautistic Children. Chugani DC, Muzik O, Behen M, Rothermel R, Janisse JJ, Lee J, Chugani HT, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit 48201, USA.  

This imbalance in allocation of available serotonin, a tryptophan deficiency, a vitamin B₆ deficiency, a magnesium deficiency, or a deficiency of the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, or some combination, leaves a deficit for the brain. Evidence of serotonin deficiency in autism comes from a pharmacological study using tryptophan depletion. Tryptophan depletion leads to reduced serotonin synthesis, release, and neurotransmission. McDougle and colleagues found exacerbation of behaviors such as whirling, flapping, pacing, stomping, banging and hitting self, rocking, toe walking, and anxiety in more than 50% of the adults with autism after tryptophan depletion. Deficiencies in the brain chemical transmitter serotonin have been identified as a potential cause of suicide. There is evidence showing that aggressive dyscontrol—be it violence, rage, impulsivity, or disinhibition—is often linked to disturbances in serotonin metabolism. This study is consistent with the finding of decreased ratio of serum tryptophan to large neutral amino acids in idiopathic infantile autism relative to controls, which would lead to a lower basal level of serotonin synthesis, vulnerability to tryptophan depletion, and response to pharmacological manipulations that increase 5-HT neurotransmission.  

Drugs that inhibit transport of serotonin: the tricyclic antidepressants, and the Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI), and Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOI) that hold more serotonin in the synapse between brain cells longer greatly reduce the above symptoms. Normally, the enzyme MAO removes some serotonin from the synapse while a major part is sucked back into the neuron that created it (reuptake). In the autistic with the above behaviors, there needs to be more serotonin available in the synapse. That can best be ensured by increasing the supply in the neuron—naturally—by increasing the precursor it needs to make serotonin. This is accomplished by supplementing 5-HTP, and/or by conserving it from destruction in the synapse by supplementing magnesium and vitamin B₆. Folic acid is added to the regimen since requirements increase with pyridoxine-magnesium therapy and males with fragile X syndrome (a subgroup of autism) benefit specifically from folate supplementation. Vitamin B₆ may not be responsive if folic acid is depleted, so it should probably always be accompanied by folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂. 

Another nutrient, inositol, has been used in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder as well as the compulsive behaviors demonstrated by some autistic children. Doses vary from 1-6 grams, three times daily. Tryptophan is prescribed in orthomolecular therapy in cases of insomnia, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Based on studies done in animals, some digestive enzymes may also have an effect on neurotransmitter levels, especially dopamine.  

Serotonin is found in many foods we eat such as grapes, avocado, tomato, orange, plums, pineapple, bananas, and spinach. Eating carbohydrates with tryptophan supplements or protein meals increases conversion of tryptophan to serotonin by stimulating the pancreas to secrete insulin. Insulin increases the relative concentration of tryptophan in the blood by causing the body tissues to soak up competing amino acids from the blood so the tryptophan has less competition in transferring from blood to brain.  

Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin, tryptamine, melatonin, and indolamine, all neurotransmitters. Dehydration seems to cause a severe depletion of brain tryptophan. Tryptophan is the natural brain regulator for salt absorption in the body. This lack of tryptophan and its neurotransmitter products will establish lower than normal salt reserves. This will lead to a higher sugar content in the blood in an effort to balance osmotic forces. If blood sugar is to come down, a slight increase in salt intake will be necessary. In Type I  diabetes, there may be severe salt shortage, leaving the brain no alternative but to raise the level of sugar even more to compensate. One of the most effective ways to raise tryptophan, serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain is exercise. Another is the adequate intake of pure water. Tryptophan and water are essential to homeostasis, the balanced function of all body systems. A correction of tryptophan levels will bring many dividends in good health, feelings of well-being, and relief of depression. 

Foods that supply tryptophan: dairy products, turkey, bananas, complex carbohydrates, and nuts. Selling tryptophan for human consumption is illegal in the United States; however, it is available for use with animals. You can buy pure pharmaceutical grade tryptophan from BIOS  Biochemicals 8987-309 E. Tanque Verde, No 340, Tucson, AZ 85749-9399 (Phone 520–326–7610). Do not inquire about usage, or mention human use. Tryptophan can increase both the effectiveness and the toxicity of certain antidepressant drugs, including Prozac and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO). Mix them only if so directed by your doctor. 

For those on anti-seizure medications, it should be noted that behavioral side effects of the barbiturate-related agents, Phenobarbital and phenytoin (Dilantin™), may include irritability and depression as well as aggressive behaviors such as biting, pinching, and kicking. 

The anxiety produced by a lack of serotonin creates another problem. When the environment is not perceived as “safe”, the nervous system will function adaptively to facilitate fight-flight behaviors. Fear and stress tend to produce illness, but fear, stress, and illness result in a retraction of the voluntary “social engagement system”, leading to compromised social abilities. Depressing this neural system has several behavioral consequences including flat effect, aprosody (can’t pay attention), difficulty in phoneme recognition, articulation problems, hypersensitivity to sounds, and behavioral state regulation issues. Stress also has observable effects on intestinal micro biota. Release of ACTH from fear and anger leads to increased jejunal E. Coli, loss of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus from fecal samples, and increased levels of the pathogenic Bacteroides fragilis. Although these symptoms are nonspecific regarding differential psychiatric or behavioral diagnosis, many children with developmental disorders share them. The high level stresses these children suffer must be countered by a variety of antioxidants (Vitamin C, E, selenium) to avoid systemic damage. The excess cortisol this produces should be countered by supplementing 100 to 200 mcg of chromium, 400 mg magnesium, 50 mg pantothenic acid, and 500 mg vitamin C, and by various relaxation techniques, including a good back rub. It is reported that high stress induced levels of cortisol were present in one-third, and that the hippocampus (involved in memory) was 14% smaller than normal! 

Marked disturbances of uptake of deuterated phenylalanine and tryptophan from intestine into blood were found in a portion of autistic patients (group A). In another group of the patients, a remarkable decrease in turnover of tyrosine in blood was found (group B)....These findings might suggest that the supply of tyrosine (from phenylalanine metabolism) and free tryptophan to the brain (in group A), or supply of tyrosine to the brain (group B) might be decreased. We postulated that in some of autistic patients there might exist decreases in synthesis of catecholamine or serotonin. Based on the hypothesis, we started a new treatment with L-DOPA and 5-HTP in small doses, and found significant effects in some patients. However, in some, the amino acids caused marked aggravation of the symptoms—Naruse H; Hayashi T; Takesada M; Nakane A; Yamazaki K; Source: No To Hattatsu, 1989 Mar, 21:2, 181-9. The amino acids Phenylalanine and Tyrosine are precursors to L-dopa, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. One Mom reported significant increase in cognitive awareness and speech after supplementing Phenylalanine. One hundred to 500 mg on an empty stomach before bedtime would be a good choice. Do not exceed 1000 mg. 

Yet, studies in Australia revealed that high levels of tyrosine were present in many hyperactive children (dietary tyrosine is found in a variety of food products, including yeast extracts, cheese, coffee, citrus fruits, chocolate, and cream). 

Dr. Felix Sulman began his research on those who suffer from high serotonin levels because of an inability to metabolize serotonin. He found that serotonin is a stress neuro-hormone leading even rabbits, the most docile of creatures, to be aggressive. He coined the term “Serotonin Irritation Syndrome.” He found that those who were unable to break down serotonin (PST kids) would have the levels increase. An increase in serotonin in turn increases noradrenaline. They “were in effect being poisoned by the serotonin produced by their own bodies. The irritation victims suffered from migraines, hot flashes, irritability, sleeplessness, pains around the heart, difficulty in breathing, a worsening of bronchial complaints, irrational tension and anxiety, with horrifying nightmares. It also caused his volunteers to sleep badly—that is, always on the edge of consciousness so that they were not properly rested—and to wake after only a few hours of sleep.” He also found it caused pregnant women to abort—October 1977: Slater, et al, Inhibition of REM Sleep by Fluoxetine, a Specific Inhibitor of Serotonin Uptake, October 1977, at p. 385. Children so often get coughs and colds, yet using a cough or cold medication with dextromethorphan could cause the serotonin syndrome, a very serious and potentially fatal adverse reaction and/or produce PCP reactions. This being the case, neither Prozac™ type SSRIs nor 5-HTP should be used by PST kids. Additionally, when animals were severely deprived of zinc, levels of brain catecholamines increased, that is, elevation of noradrenaline occurred consistently, dopamine increased irregularly and serotonin relatively, when compared to controls. Experimental zinc deficiency in humans leads reversibly to reduced sperm count combined with reduced serum testosterone 

More to the point, 95% of serotonin is found in the gut! It is here we are able to see exactly what happens when SSRIs are used. When Prozac™ is given, stimulation of nerve cells becomes larger in amplitude, and longer in duration, and 8 to 10 times as many cells are activated, thus SSRIs are very likely to cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Continued use of SSRIs cause some serotonin receptors to desensitize and fail to respond anymore, while others simply become less sensitive. As desensitization sets in, cells stop responding and constipation follows. These are not “side effects” as usually suggested, but the direct effects of holding serotonin on the nerve cell receptors too long (preventing reuptake). Similar effects occur in the brain. Glutathione increases sensitivity to dopamine and to serotonin. 

Inositol Therapy can help in two ways: it can sensitize the receptors, or it can replace the SSRIs! Rahman and Neuman reported that exogenous inositol reverses the desensitization of serotonin receptors (Rahman, 1993). Increased membrane phosphatidylinositol could enhance effects of synaptic serotonin as do SSRIs (Fux, 1996). Inositol has been proven as beneficial as SSRIs in the treatment of OCD, depression, and panic disorder in double blind placebo controlled studies (Benjamin, 1995; Fux, 1996). Doses vary from 1-6 grams, three times daily. 

Due to the possible negative effect of 5-HTP in PST kids, I suggest use of DMG or TMG, which have similar improvements reported, often within hours. Each child responds at a different level of intake, usually 1 to 4, 125 mg tablets of DMG, daily; so begin with one and slowly increase the amount. One to four DMG is the equivalent of one to two TMG 500 mg.  

“Using TMG is an attempt to force the methionine resynthesis pathway from homocysteine by an alternative pathway to the 5-methylfolate-B₁₂-methionine synthase before Cystathionine Beta Synthase (CBS) can convert homocysteine to cysteine. The byproduct is DMG. The purpose of this addition is to try to keep homocysteine in the form of methionine in order to rob CBS of substrate for overproduction of cysteine (which would be toxic—WSL). This is essentially a backup pathway, and is meant to complement the folate route for remethylation rather than supplant it. It does not interfere with the folate route”—David H. Swenson Ph.D. Nevertheless, to avoid hyperactivity, and to effect the conversion in those who are cystathionine Beta-synthase deficient, one must supplement vitamins B₆, B₁₂, and folic acid when supplementing TMG/DMG. Nevertheless, supplementing folic acid excessively may cause breakthrough seizures by altering drug serum concentrations; so check with your doctor on this. The effect of TMG, folic acid, and vitamin B₁₂ is to reduce homocysteine (which sometimes builds excessively due to a cystathionine beta-synthase, serine, magnesium, zinc, and/or vitamin B₆ deficiency that prevents transulfuration to cysteine and taurine), while controlling cysteine production, where overproduction can be toxic. Additionally, TMG works with folic acid, vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ and methionine to form S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) to donate methyl molecules that are vital to proper liver function and cellular replication. Supplements of SAMe are available, but it is relatively unstable, breaks down into cysteine, and is very expensive. For most, it is best to supplement TMG and the B-vitamins allowing the body to form SAMe. Methyl Caps™ by VRP supplies TMG and these vitamins in a tasteless form that can be taken with food or water: www.vrp.com or (800) 877-2447.    

What is methylation? Your body’s chief mechanism for cellular housekeeping is methylation, a crucial, chemical reaction that converts inorganic to organic forms. When methylation is inefficient and sluggish, toxic compounds build up. This detoxification is costly to the body’s resources, requiring large amounts of vitamins B₁₂, folic acid, methionine, betaine, taurine, glycine, cysteine, lecithin, and vitamin C. The most significant of these toxic compounds is homocysteine, a metabolite in the pathway from methionine to sulfate. Elevated homocysteine harms arteries, impairs circulation, damages cellular DNA, and contributes to atherosclerosis, heart disease, cancer, and many other conditions. In order for homocysteine to be recycled to SAMe and methionine for reuse, there must be adequate amounts of folic acid, and vitamins B₆ and B₁₂. TMG (betaine) and DMG are methyl donors aiding in methylation. Mercury decreases zinc and methionine availability, depresses rates of methylation, and increases free radicals. A potentially harm side effect of any detoxification is the production of massive amounts of free radicals. Normally, this is not a problem for the healthy body’s antioxidant defenses (especially glutathione, the principle antioxidant in the liver) are adequate to neutralize the free radicals, and protect not only your liver and kidneys, but all the cells threatened. When mercury and other poisons are being chelated, and the glutathione stores are depleted as in autism, then great damage can be done. 

DMG’s greatest benefit has received little publicity. Studies show it can have a dramatic effect on the immune system. A study at the University of South Carolina showed that when the immune system was challenged with a vaccine, those taking DMG had 400% more antibody production than controls. Before administering any vaccines, you may want to discuss the benefit this could be with your doctor. Additionally, the lymphocytes’ T-cell response was increased—J. Infect Dis 81:143(1):101-104. It has been shown to increase interferon levels indicating possible antiviral activity. Since many autistic kids have elevated T-cell activity indicative of autoimmunity, this may be contraindicated for them—another thing to discuss with your doctor, and to have him monitor. 

There is a newly available substance that works in this same circuit with DMG/TMG, S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), that, additionally, helps neurotransmitters bind to receptor sites. This makes the neurotransmitters more active. It is also said to increase serotonin levels. This would seem safer than trying to control usage of serotonin or other neurotransmitters by use of SSRIs. It has been proven more effective than the tricyclic antidepressants, helping the severely depressed who did not respond to other antidepressants, and it is without the significant side effects of those drugs, though therapeutic intake may include a dry mouth, agitation, and gastrointestinal problems. It is faster acting with no withdrawal period. I would urge its use, possibly along with small amounts of 5-HTP, to control the above listed “autistic” behaviors.  

It should be possible, then, to reduce these behaviors by increasing serotonin production naturally, rather than by use of transport inhibitors (SSRIs) (that typically deplete the already reduced supply still further, loads the system with fluoride, and inhibits Phase I liver enzyme function). If one determines that the child may respond to more serotonin in the synapse, the best way to meet the need is by supplementing magnesium and vitamin B₆, the natural conservers of serotonin, and TMG or SAMe, and if necessary, small amounts of 5-Hydroxy-Tryptophan (5-HTP), a metabolite of tryptophan that easily translates into increased serotonin and melatonin. It is of interest to note that Michael Murray, ND, says that only 3% of oral tryptophan is converted to serotonin, but 70% of 5-HTP is converted, so keep the servings small (30 to 50 or up to 100 mg on an empty stomach before bedtime). 5-HTP, TMG, and SAMe are available at any health food store.  

To ensure proper conversion to serotonin, supplement vitamin B₆. A good choice would be Super Nu Thera™, by Kirkman Laboratories. It is specifically formulated to help autistic children. They presently have one without vitamin A, so you can use cod-liver oil as your source of cis vitamin A. Some have had difficulty in getting their child to take Super Nu Thera because of a “not so great” taste. One “trick” that has worked for some is to place 1/8 - 1/4 of a teaspoon of plain ascorbic acid (vitamin C) into water with the Super Nu Thera. The taste and look are almost like orange juice. 

Some are fearful of the higher amounts of vitamin B₆ and magnesium in SNT. Dr. Bernard Rimland says that every child is different, but he has found the average amount of vitamin B₆ that is beneficial is around eight mg per pound of body weight per day. The French found virtually the same 17mg/kg/day. That is 500 mg per 60-pound child. Dr. Rimland’s adult child has taken 1000 mg for longer than twelve years. He suggests starting with 1/4 the target amount and increasing slowly over a 10-14 day period. The amount of magnesium necessary with the vitamin B₆ is 3-4 mg per pound of body weight. That would be up to 240 mg for that 60-pound child. He further states that in thirty years he has heard of only four cases of autistic children suffering neuropathy. He adds that if no benefit is seen in six weeks, stop giving the high amounts. It is imperative that these higher amounts of vitamin B₆ and magnesium be taken with the underpinning of a good multivitamin/mineral supplement to avoid induced deficiencies that probably account for every reported case of neuropathy. Vitamins B₆ and B₁ sit on opposite ends of a teeter-totter, with B₁ adding CO₂ to molecules, and B₆ removing CO₂. One of the switch points into the Krebs cycle is made up of two enzymes that run in opposite directions. One is dependent on B₁, the other on B₆. All B-vitamins are closely linked, and so must be supplemented together. In general, the B-vitamins move little bits of things around, with B₅ moving fatty acids, B₃ moving electrons and protons, B₁₂ moving methyl radicals. 

Some 42% don’t convert vitamin B₆ to its necessary metabolite pyridoxal 5`-phosphate (P5P), so taking that coenzyme form of the vitamin may be more effective. One Mom wrote, “Previously, I could not tolerate anything but a low dose of plain B₆. I think this was because I was very low on alpha-ketoglutaric acid needed to convert B₆ to P5P. (Alpha-ketoglutaric acid is destroyed by candida yeast.) When I first started on alpha-ketoglutaric acid combined with a very low dose B₆, I was told to take it in the morning because it may disturb sleep. Indeed, it sort-of made me jittery. I was told this would end in about two weeks. It did. It was just an adjustment period while my body’s enzymes were starting to work again. When I gave my daughter P5P, I gave it in the morning. After two weeks of 150 mg of P5P, my daughter could fall asleep at night (she weighed about 120 pounds at the time. She is not autistic, but her sleep problem was severe). Afterward, I just gave her 50 mg of P5P once or twice a week. This has been enough to keep the benefits.”  

Zinc is required for the conversion of pyridoxine to P5P as is vitamin B₂ and alpha-ketoglutarate. Too much B₆ without B₂ can deplete the body of B₂ possibly leading to Cheilosis—swollen, cracked, bright red lips, a common symptom of B₂ deficiency. Vitamin B₂ is necessary for cellular growth and acts with Vitamin A in helping maintain the health of mucous membranes and the integrity of epithelial tissue. Vitamin B₂ is needed in glutathione production, in mitochondrial function for energy, and in the pathway that converts homocysteine to SAMe and methionine. A shortage would hamper production of cysteine, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, taurine, and the sulfate needed to detox Phase II toxins (PST). Vitamin B₂ is probably the most commonly deficient vitamin in America. Deficiency symptoms are: sensitive, easily-fatigued eyes; blurred vision; itching, bloodshot eyes; dizziness; inflammation of mouth; sore tongue; dermatitis; itching nose; and cracks in the corners of the mouth. Vitamin B₂ is an antioxidant that aids in utilizing oxygen. It lowers body pH. It aids in carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Radiation destroys 8% of B₂ in foods. Remember, these nutrients (Zinc, magnesium, a-ketoglutarate, and vitamins B₂ and B₆) are necessary to normalize the metabolism of, and to conserve the neurotransmitters serotonin, melatonin, and dopamine. Benefits reported are, variously, improved use of words, improved sleep, decrease in hyperactivity and irritability, better attention span, increased interest in learning, and reduced self-injurious or aggressive behavior.  

Studies show that when darkness is maintained, melatonin production is 3 times higher than daytime, but maintaining a bright, night lamp or TV in the bedroom prevents that increased melatonin production. For the pineal gland to function it must have distinct light/dark cycles. When you put the child to bed, make sure the room is dark, and do not turn on the light during the night for melatonin production stops immediately. Additionally, electromagnetic forces from a clock or other electrical machine in the bedroom will deplete this powerful antioxidant that protects the whole body. It is by this mechanism that a loss of melatonin to EMF is thought to increase the risk of breast cancer. 

Many studies have shown that attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorders in children are linked to changes in the levels of thyroid hormone in the blood, and that irritability and aggressive behavior are linked to thyroid hormone levels and hypothyroidism. Make the iodine/morning temperature tests and support the thyroid if indicated. Hyperactivity is common symptom of magnesium deficiency. Magnesium supplements are recommended for treatment of hyperness in many conditions besides the treatment of ASD. Other supplements known to help with the hyperness are calcium, zinc, folic acid, and chromium. Additionally, in a placebo-controlled study on prisoners with a history of impulsive/aggressive behavior, the group taking lithium supplements had a significant reduction in aggressive behavior and infractions involving violence.  

Mercury causes decreased lithium levels, which is a factor in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer’s. Chung and colleagues found that lithium protects brain cells against excess glutamate and calcium (that kill brain cells). Additionally, low levels of lithium cause abnormal brain cell balance and neurological disturbances related to lowered levels of neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Lithium also is important in vitamin B₁₂ transport and distribution, and studies have found low lithium levels common in learning disabled children, incarcerated violent criminals, and people with heart disease. Lithium supplementation has been found to be an effective treatment adjunct in conditions such as bipolar depression, autism, and schizophrenia where mania or extreme hyperactivity is seen. A recent Harvard study showed EPA and DHA supplements to be more effective than psychiatric medications in combating bipolar depression.  

One group with high copper and low zinc, sodium, and potassium tended to have extreme tempers, while another group with low zinc and copper, but high sodium and potassium tended to be sociopathic (aggressive, antisocial). Some factors that have been documented in depression, impulsiveness, and violent behavior are low serotonin levels, abnormal glucose tolerance (hypoglycemia), and low chromium and folate levels, which mercury has also been found to be a cause of. One mechanism by which mercury has been found to be a factor in aggressiveness and violence is its documented inhibition of the brain neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase. Low serotonin levels and/or hypoglycemia have also been found in the majority of those with impulsive and violent behavior. It was found that treatment (including nutritional therapy) of delinquent or violence prone individuals for metals related problems, usually produced significant improvements in mood, violent behavior, and functionality, with complete cure in the majority of cases. 

Aggressive and violent behavior was greatly reduced, and a fantastic increase in academic performance in math and English occurred in New York City Schools in a 1986 study (Schoenthaler 1986a, 1986b). The number of learning-disabled kids fell by an astonishing 74,000 in one year. They simply removed sugar from the school diet! They served nothing with more than 11% sugar (fruit). A vitamin A supplement (cod-liver oil), and balancing of zinc/copper ratios also affect the behaviors of these kids. Most are deficient in zinc. 

Since there is no indication that the ones with these problems of hyperactivity and aggressiveness are necessarily the ones with excess serotonin, platelet saturation, and no symptoms have been associated with that condition, I believe, where these behaviors are a problem, and the above nutrients have been first supplied and sugars greatly reduced, it warrants introducing SAMe and 5-HTP in small, increasing amounts while carefully observing behavior. If present symptoms worsen, reduce or discontinue the 5-HTP. As always, make such a potentially serious change only in consultation with your medical professional. First, make sure the child eats protein at every meal. Disguise it. Supplement amino acid powders, Seacure™ (a predigested concentrate of white fish), and Sunflower seeds (7.5% carbohydrate and 52 percent protein! Omega-6 content (Linoleic acid) of sunflower is 57%. Interestingly, no other oil comes close to Vitamin E—222 mg per 100 grams of oil. Whatever you do, get it down him. This is absolutely necessary for growth and development, and “normal” behavior. For sleep problems primarily, take 5-HTP (up to 100 mg) two to four hours before bedtime (each child may vary in how long it takes to work). This has solved the sleep problem for many. For the behavioral problems take 25 mg several times through the day. It could be a problem for school if the child is made to be drowsy, in that case reduce the amount or give it later in the day.  

Many find the solution to sleep problems with a supplement of melatonin (1/2 to 3 mg, 20 minutes before bedtime). Since 1/2 mg will restore normal nighttime levels, more does not necessarily work better. There are, potentially, several benefits to taking supplemental doses of melatonin other than improved sleep; for example, it promotes absorption of zinc, stimulates the thyroid, and as tests show, protects against brain damage from mercury poisoning reducing potential for Alzheimer’s (without it, glutathione was reduced 30%, and other damage occurred). It is a powerful antioxidant, able to enter every cell of the body. Dr. Reiter found melatonin to be 5.9 times more effective than glutathione and 11.3 times more effective than mannitol in fighting dangerous, hydroxyl radicals. It is reported that if you give the child a small dose of melatonin daily in the morning, and then the rest at night, it will ‘steady’ the melatonin levels so they don’t peak out at 2:00 a.m. causing him to awake. It seems to be successful with many of these kids. For a couple of days, the child may be pretty sleepy. To avoid problems at school, start this regime on a Saturday. Nevertheless, this could result in some degree of sleep disturbance, and may interfere with the circadian regulation of certain hormones.  

Glutathione has been mentioned several times. It is a small protein molecule composed of the amino acids cysteine, glutamine, and glycine. It is a powerful antioxidant found in fish and meats, and fruits and raw vegetables (asparagus, avocados, and walnuts). It is the body’s major detoxicant that binds to fat soluble toxicants, heavy metals, solvents, and pesticides, making them water soluble so they can be excreted through the kidneys (Phase II detoxification). It has been associated with prevention of cancer and cataract. It is greatly depleted in mercury poisoning, and children with autism are universally lacking in this vital nutrient, as are older people and diabetics. Increasing tissue levels is associated with improved good health in older folks. I believe it is the lack of glutathione that causes children to be heavily poisoned by heavy metals, pesticides, and arsenic. Never give your child Tylenol™ for it depletes the liver of all its glutathione in minutes! Haloperidol depletes glutathione, CoQ10, and NADH, all necessary to mitochondrial energy production. Candida’s main deleterious effect is avid binding of coenzyme Q10. When CoQ10 is depleted 25%, clinical symptoms occur, when levels drop 75%, death occurs. Additionally, Glutathione requires vitamins B₂, B₆, zinc, and selenium to be formed. Vitamin C (500 mg in two or more doses) increases its levels by 50%, Ambrotose® by 100%, Phyt•Aloe® by 200% (both by Mannatech™). When sulforaphane (from Phyt•Aloe’s cruciferous vegetables) reaches the cell, it also activates a group of proteins called Phase II enzymes. Supplementing milk thistle, whey protein, alpha lipoic acid, SAMe, and glutamine are known to increase glutathione. These latter ones have to be used with understanding as they are contraindicated in some children.  

These are the symptoms of glutathione deficiency: Coordination problems, generalized cell damage, mental disorders, various nervous system disorders, tremors and twitching; red cells tend to burst, white blood cells decline in function, and nerve tissue degenerates.  

Abstract: At a single evening dose of 5-10 mg of melatonin (MLT), the pineal gland hormone, can exert a positive effect on the frequency of epileptic attacks in children with sleep disturbances of various etiologies. We have shown that the sleep behavior can be normalized and existing epilepsy can be favorably influenced. Pretherapeutic MLT secretion profiles can provide new information concerning the origin and treatment of these disturbances. In vitro experiments suggest that this effect might be the result of the interaction between MLT and MLT-specific receptors in the neocortex. Due to its favorable safety profile, MLT can be liberally administered in the specified doses and be considered as a useful antiepileptic drug—Fauteck J Schmidt H Lerchl A Kurlemann G Wittkowski W Journal: Biol-Signals-Recept. 1999 Jan-Apr; 8(1-2): 105-10 1999 1422-4933. 

Hypoglycemia not only precipitates the release of glutamate in the brain, but that magnifies the toxic effect of all excitotoxins. Unfortunately, many foods have excitotoxins added to them as taste enhancers. 

Another abstract with no title credits says in part: Recent data indicate that melatonin inhibits brain glutamate receptors and nitric oxide production thus suggesting that it may exert a neuroprotective and antiexcitotoxic effect. Melatonin has been seen to prevent seizures in several animal models, and to decrease epileptic manifestations in humans....The results suggest that melatonin may have a useful role in mechanisms of neuroprotection, and they also indicate its use in other cases of untreatable epilepsy. Another study is of interest: Children’s Memorial Hospital, Chicago, in a report published by Lancet, found that, though their sleep problem was benefited, children with severe nervous–system damage, using a dosage of five mg melatonin, experienced an increased incidence of seizures that returned to previous levels on discontinuance. 

Additionally, Dr. Beth Malow, University of Michigan Health System, found that sleep apnea can be a contributing factor in seizures. Many that were unresponsive to medications were found to have a sleep apnea problem. Thirty-three percent of one study group had these sleep problems, and were prone to experience seizures at night. Medications often made the problem worse. 

Sleep can be poor because of sugar problems. When blood sugar drops in the middle of the night, the child will awake. If this be the case, 5-HTP or melatonin may not work until you remove the offending sugars and high glycemic foods from the diet, especially from the evening meals or snacks. Feed him at least 30% protein with each meal. Remember, sugar promotes candida, with its multiple problems (yeast grows 200 times faster), and sugar can actually make the child drunk and giggly!  

One of the keys to orderly brain function is glutamic acid. When sugar is consumed, the bacteria in the intestines, which manufacture vitamin B-complex, begin to die. The vitamin B-complex level declines, and the fatty acids they give off to nourish the cells of the gut lining is diminished. When the vitamin B-complex is lacking, the glutamic acid, a major brain fuel, is not properly processed and sleepiness occurs, with a decrease in short term memory function and a loss of numerical calculative ability. The removal of B-vitamins when foods are processed makes the situation even more tenuous. It is this loss of B-vitamins needed to process lipids (fats), coupled with a high glycemic, processed-food diet that creates the fatty acid deficiencies and imbalances. Vitamin B₁₂ therapy is based in part upon the role of vitamin B₁₂ in synthesizing essential fatty acids.

Healing the Leaky Gut

To heal the digestion and the leaky gut, basically seven things are needed—supplement the following divided into 2 or more servings:

      1. The amino acid L-glutamine (1500 mg/day, a maximum for your child would be 3000 mg/day) that also reduces blood and brain ammonia levels. Experiments with various animal models have demonstrated that the provision of glutamine can result in better nitrogen homeostasis, with conservation of skeletal muscle. This leads to better ability to learn, to retain, and to recall. There is also considerable evidence that glutamine can enhance the barrier function of the gut. Furthermore, it is now known that the gut produces large amounts of a vital antioxidant, glutathione, when adequate glutamine is present.  

Glutamine is the principal metabolic fuel for small intestine enterocytes, lymphocytes, macrophages, and fibroblasts (major players in the immune function). Supplemental use of glutamine increases intestinal villus height, stimulates the gut's mucosal, cellular proliferation, and maintains mucosal integrity. It also prevents intestinal hyperpermeability and bacterial translocation, which may be involved in sepsis and the development of multiple organ failure—Miller AL, Altern Med Rev, 1999 Aug, 4:4, 239-48. 

L-glutamine is essential for the synthesis of the mucoproteins present in the mucous secretions of the GI tract. These secretions are responsible for protecting the lining of the GI tract. In addition to protective qualities, L-glutamine administration has been known to actually improve mucosal structure and healing (Arch Surg 1990;125(8):1040-45). The Merck Index reports that cabbage contains vitamin U, the anti-ulcer vitamin, used in “treatment of gastric disorders” (Merck Index, Merck & Co., Rahway, NJ. 1989, p 1581). Some of the healing properties of cabbage may be due to its high L-glutamine content. Cabbage juice suppresses Candida yeast infection (Heinerman, ibid, p56), and is an excellent laxative. Use it to clear impactions of the bowel. 

Glutamine is often low due to yeast toxins. An adequate amount of this amino promotes the production of growth hormone. Just be careful with glutamine. When it converts to glutamate in the intestines this releases ammonia. Excess lysine tends to excess ammonia. If you have low arginine, it will be difficult to eliminate the ammonia. Arginine also promotes the production of growth hormone. It is possible that the bacteria in the gut have lowered the arginine levels. Dr. Braverman mentions a case presented by Stanbury and colleagues from MIT, where the presenting symptom was constipation. The bowel flora contained the bacteria Streptococcus fecalis, a potent source of arginine desaminase. This enzyme converts arginine back to citrulline, and an excess of the enzyme caused a deficiency of arginine in the patient. Supplement arginine while struggling with this invader.  

So, perhaps start correcting folic acid, B₁₂, zinc, molybdenum, arginine, aspartate, and the other aminos that help remove ammonia, before trying glutamine. If ammonia is already high, alpha-ketoglutaric acid (alpha-ketoglutarate) might be a better place to start. It will convert to glutamate when it absorbs ammonia. Glutamate then absorbs another ammonia molecule to become glutamine that delivers the unwanted ammonia to the urea cycle leading to the formation of urea that can be passed out through the kidneys. As an added bonus, alpha ketoglutarate is needed to convert B₆ into its useable coenzyme form. Get expert guidance on using the aminos, and be very observant when you use them.

      2. Bromelain (200 mg/day), a digestive aid and anti-inflammatory usually available in item 3.

      3. A digestive aid of pancreatic enzymes, including lipase, amylase, lactase, cellulase, and peptidase, (with ox bile if there is evidence of indigestion of fat). Use enough to correct all observed stomach or bowel irregularities. A good one is Kirkman’s EnZym-Complete™ or SpectraZyme™ by Metagenics™ available from www.randallnutritioncenter.com/rcnc2000/spectrazyme.html, or Fern’s Nutrition, 1-800-229-3376. SpectraZyme™ is $16.95 US for 60 capsules (Fern’s: free shipping in USA on orders over $25). It doesn’t contain ox bile. There are only a couple of possible downsides. If you are taking large, regular doses of aspirin or NSAIDS, these will make your stomach so raw, and your gut so leaky, that the protease could eat on your stomach or gut. To give the stomach full protection against HCl and protease, drink a large glass of water one-half hour before eating (this will hydrate the mucus lining of the stomach), and take the enzymes with the first part of your meal, unless they are swallowing veggie capsules. They take longer to dissolve. Take them 15 minutes before eating. (mix it in a spoon of food for children). So, if taking lots of pain pills, or if you have an ulcer, or severe gastritis, find an enzyme supplement without protease. RGardens, International, “Gamma-Zyme”, 200 capsules for $30.00, is the only one I know of (Phone 800-700-7767).  

Some have found MSM as effective as Tagamet™ or Zantac™ in relieving ulcer pain. Remember too, that aspirin or aspirin-containing compounds or anti-inflammatory drugs such as indocin, butazolidin, or cortisone should never be taken when hydrochloric acid is being supplemented. This combination increases the risk of ulcer. Two enzyme tablets at bedtime are reported to usually desensitize you to pollens and things that cause hayfever—and perhaps other allergies. Enzymes introduced in large amounts too quickly can affect the bowel: usually diarrhea, intestinal bloating, peculiar acrid smell of the stool, and, in some cases, itching of the perianal area. Work up to dose slowly, back off if these symptoms persist.

      4. Probiotics: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifido Bifidus—these produce most of the available vitamins B–complex and K, and the fatty acids that the cells in the lining of the gut depend on for their nutrition, and they keep candida yeast from becoming a problem. Take these on an empty stomach for best results, possibly with a little soda water to help them survive the journey.

      5. Supplement vitamins A and D [preferably as cod-liver oil (5000 to 10,000 IU vitamin A, 500 to 1000 IU vitamin D)], and the minerals zinc (15-30 mg/day) and copper (in an 8:1 zinc/copper ratio, unless testing shows there is high copper already—as it probably will in autism), in addition to a broad-based, multi-vitamin/mineral supplement Nutrilite™ Food Supplement by Amway™ or, preferably, Profile or GlycoBears™ chewable multivitamin/mineral by Mannatech™. Zinc reduces intestinal permeability in malnourished children with diarrhea. A lack of copper may cause seizures—Arch Dis Child, 1982;57[9]:716-18. A lowered hematocrit (red blood cell count) can be indicative of lowered blood copper levels (copper anemia). 

A 1977 South African Medical Journal study of vitamin A as therapy for excessive bleeding (bleeding is the leading cause of hysterectomies) resulted in a 92.5% cure rate. The article cited the use of vitamin A at Johannesburg General Hospital, and documented a 92% cure rate over a ten-year period. An extreme vegetarian diet, recommended and promoted by many, depletes the body’s stores of vitamin A leading to malnutrition. A search of standard nutrition textbooks confirms that persons with low thyroid function, babies, and young children are unable to convert beta carotene (found in vegetables and used in place of vitamin A in most vitamin pills) into usable vitamin A. Patients with low thyroid often have excess bleeding, and are at extreme risk of unneeded surgery to the reproductive organs. In addition to this, many foods, particularly the soy foods with a high copper, diadzen, and genistein content, are known to depress the thyroid function. The textbooks also state that vitamin A is needed for iron absorption, and the building of blood, but few indeed will direct that vitamin A be taken with iron supplements. 

The antioxidant Vitamin A is vital to a child’s ability to sleep through the night, to have abundant energy, and to have a strong immune system. Additionally, in Southern Africa, high death rates following measles vaccine were reduced to virtually zero by injecting 250,000 IU of vitamin A with the vaccine! In an American study, kids who stayed out of trouble got 8,000 IU of vitamin A in their diet, those who were usually in trouble, got 3,000! Grab that CLO! 

Dr. Woody McGinnis, MD, Tucson, Arizona, USA has this to say about copper: “I think a lot of our behavioral kids are intolerant of even a milligram or two of extra copper, even in the face of high Zinc supplementation. This is contrary to the usual proportional balance we like to strike. I get a serum Copper and a plasma Zinc, and try to keep the ratio less than 1:1.” This intolerance is probably because normal levels of copper are toxic to mercury-poisoned people. High copper is also one indicator of candida.  

The significance and urgency of building vitamin A is seen in a recent report: “These data indicate that vitamin A is necessary for optimal function in the hippocampus, which we know to be a main seat of learning,” said Salk researcher Sharoni Jacobs, “The study indicates that the detrimental effects of vitamin A deprivation (on learning) are remarkably reversible, which offers hope to the millions of children worldwide with vitamin A-deficient diets.”

      6. Aloe (preferably Manapol™, or Ambrotose^® by Mannatech™ that contains Manapol™ and many other saccharides for even better results, for they are the only stabilized, standardized, aloe products available).

      7. Fiber, preferably fructooligosaccharide to provide an environment for the “good guys” to overcome yeast and other “bad guys”, or other non-gluten fiber.

      8. Restore adequate sulfate to the body as outlined in the section Phenol-sulfotransferase below. 

When the gut is healed and the digestion restored, bizarre eating habits will cease, and a more balanced dietary will be possible. There are three things to know about glutamine:

      1. It can cause a buzz like excess caffeine—the kid will be hyper, in that case reduce the amount until this disappears. The amount recommended is not likely to do this.

      2. High glutamine readings are seen in subclinical ammonia toxicity. This could be due to a weak detoxification, or to excess protein intake. In the latter case, other amino acids will be high.

      3. Glutamine and arginine are the precursors that, with the help of vitamin B₆, produce the amino acid GABA. Perhaps because of this relationship, both glutamine and vitamin B₆ have been shown helpful to those suffering epilepsy. A pyridoxine deficiency decreased GABA in the hippocampal area by 32% in female rats. GABA is an inhibitory transmitter that exerts a calming action.

GABA

Recent research by Ed Cook and associates at the University of Chicago established that there are one or more genes on chromosome 15 that manifest in autism. The chromosome 15 children studied so far showed regression. Between 12 and 24 months of age they lost skills. These children displayed low muscle tone. “They walked on time,” Cook says, “and they can eat OK; it’s not severe. They may have had a little trouble holding their heads up as infants, and show a history of low tone in other ways. Most kids with autism aren’t like that, so the floppy ones stand out a bit. A lot of them visually look like Fragile X, with hyper-extensibility of the joints, double-jointedness, and ears that may be a bit longer than normal, and incorrectly ‘rotated’ backward.”  

Some had speech delay, lack of social skills, and “stereotyped” or repetitive behaviors. In addition, these children had seizures and hypotonia, or low muscle tone, characteristics that are not normally associated with autism. These children all had a duplication of part of chromosome 15. 

The prospects for knowledge of chromosome 15 leading to a biomedical treatment for autism are high. This is so because the affected region on chromosome 15 contains three genes that code for the neurotransmitter gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), This is the neurotransmitter involved in anxiety. Alcohol, anticonvulsants like Gabapentrin™ (Neurontin™) and Vigabatrin™, and anti-anxiety medications like benzodiazepine, Xanax™ and Valium™ all work by attaching to the GABA receptor. GABA is an “inhibitory” neurotransmitter; it prevents cells from firing. Some call it the brain’s “braking system.” Taking 750 mg, divided into 3 doses daily (Adult) is very effective even in acute anxiety, and may reduce nighttime urination. It is known that vitamin B₁₂ may be important for many conditions including anxiety, depression, mood swings, and memory loss, so it should be supplemented also (serum B₁₂ is not necessarily an accurate way of measuring B₁₂ status). 

This brings us to another line of converging evidence: in the cerebellum, the Purkinje cells—that Margaret Bauman has found to be diminished in the autistic brain—release GABA. 

Bolte notes that tetanus infection of the intestines leads to the formation of toxic compounds called phenols. As a corrosive substance, phenol denatures proteins and generally acts as a protoplasmic poison. Studies of autistic individuals have detected markedly elevated levels of the phenolic metabolite of tyrosine, DHPPA. [“After 5 years of research, the identity of DHPPA analog finally is established. The compound, called DHPPA analog on the organic acid test, has now been positively identified as 3-(3-hydroxyphenyl) - 3 hydroxypropionic acid (HPHPA), and after the revision of the organic acid test profile in the beginning of the year 2000, the name on the organic acid test report will be HPHPA instead of DHPPA analog”—William Shaw PhD, Great Plains Laboratory.] Several autistic children with high DHPPA (HPHPA) levels, “have shown a significant reduction in stereotyped behaviors when treated with antimicrobials effective against intestinal clostridia”—a genus of bacteria that includes tetanus. “When certain bacteria of the CLOSTIRIDUM family (genus) are present in high numbers, phenylpropionic acid or 3-hydroxytrosine may be formed in the intestinal tract. Either of these compounds may then be converted to 3-hydroxphenyl-propionic acid that is, in turn, converted to HPHPA by the enzymes in the human mitochondria that break down fatty acids”—William Shaw.  

The children treated for clostridia (usually with Flagyl™) became more sociable, spoke more, improved their eye contact, and were less hyperactive and hypersensitive. It should be noted that very high doses of L. Acidophilus may be equally effective as metronidazole (Flagyl™). Additionally, Flagyl™ has a lot of side effects, and can upset the ecological balance in the gastrointestinal tract and lead to a yeast overgrowth. Bolte adds, “Parents also noted that regression occurred very quickly” after treatment was discontinued. Given these findings, Bolte says, ”Parents, doctors, and researchers must combine efforts to determine if some people diagnosed as autistic are actually suffering from unrecognized forms of sub-acute tetanus.” This is very significant to that large block of children who do not handle phenol well (PST). The use of ORGANIC ACID TESTING can provide a valuable tool guiding therapy so that harmful microorganisms may be eliminated before treatments with amino acids like phenylalanine that might actually cause neuropsyciatric symptoms to worsen. It is most interesting to note that phenol poisoning, as suffered by the PST child, deadens the nerves endings much as does aspirin (a phenol), thereby masking pain.  

In addition, she notes, inhibitory neurons that release the neurotransmitter GABA are a preferred target for tetanus neurotoxins—and the Purkinje cells of the cerebellum, that often appear highly abnormal in autistic individuals, are inhibitory neurons that release GABA. Additionally, GABA is reported to stimulate the brain to release human growth hormone (HGH), and to stimulate the anterior pituitary function. 

Although GABA supplementation is used widely for a calming, sedative effect, there is mixed data indicating whether GABA taken orally has much clinical effect. Glutamine, a precursor of GABA, readily passes through the blood-brain barrier and is, therefore, a better supplement to take if one wants to increase brain levels of GABA, since Glutamine, once it is in the brain, converts into GABA. The question of GABA’s clinical usefulness may be a function of its dosage. That is, it appears that only mega doses of GABA have clinical effects. GABA activity is found in glands controlled by the sympathetic nervous system, namely: the pancreas and thymus. It is estimated that 30–40% of all CNS neurons utilize GABA as their primary neurotransmitter! Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) the active enzyme capable of decarboxylating glutamate to GABA requires pyridoxal 5-phosphate (P5P) as cofactor. 

When there is not enough GABA a person can have a seizure because receiving neurons can be flooded with signals that say, “pass on this message.” A different type of neurotransmitter that promotes message transfer triggers the “go” messages. The charged signals they set off are positive. This time, more positively charged sodium particles (Na+) enter the neuron, which tells the receiving neurons to pass on the message. Valproic Acid (Depakote™), on the other hand, blocks GABA transaminase activity, thereby elevating GABA levels, thus alleviating seizures. Why depend on a drug that robs the body of L-carnitine and folic acid, when GABA can be increased nutritionally with glutamine, zinc, and P5P? Further, Depakote™ (Epilum) is a bad choice of anticonvulsants due to the risk of fatal hepatotoxicity, and it acts on the metabolic pathways, which could further lower the platelet levels. The hepatotoxicity is probably due to valproate-induced carnitine deficiency.  

Drug induced tremors and tics are common, and Depakote™ can cause them. To prevent, use at least 333 mg each of vitamins C, and niacinamide, and 66 mg each of vitamins B₆ and E with a good broad-based, vitamin-mineral supplement. In one ten-year study, not a single case occurred! If already suffering the devastating effects of this doctor-induced condition, use 5 to 10 times as much, and pray. I believe Ambrotose® and Phyt•Aloe®, and PLUS by Mannatech, Inc. would be mandatory. Of course, when using Depakote™, supplement Carnitine and folic acid also.  

Symptoms of carnitine deficiency are poor muscle tone and problems walking. By encouraging the oxidation of fats, carnitine will suppress glucose oxidation. This could contribute to seizures because oxidation of glucose produces more carbon dioxide than does the oxidation of fats. This is important because carbon dioxide helps get oxygen delivered to the tissue and helps protect one from seizures. So, it may be wise to test for carnitine levels before supplementing.  

This study is enlightening: Ten control subjects and 14 patients with refractory complex partial seizures were examined. Brain glutamine concentrations were above normal in three of five patients taking valproate and two of nine taking carbamazepine or phenytoin (One-third are being harmed!—WSL). Mean glutamine levels of patients taking valproate were higher than control subjects and patients taking carbamazepine or phenytoin. Brain glutamate concentrations were above normal in four of nine patients taking phenytoin or carbamazepine and two of five taking valproate. Brain GABA levels were below normal in four of nine patients taking carbamazepine or phenytoin and one of five taking valproate. Above normal glutamate or below normal GABA was present in nine of 14 patients and may contribute to their refractory epilepsy. Increased brain glutamine associated with valproate therapy may reflect mild hyperammonemia—Petroff OA, Rothman DL, Behar KL, Hyder F, Mattson RH Department of Neurology, Yale University.  

Carnitine supplementation is effective in reducing valproic-acid associated hyperammonemia. Recommended dosages for carnitine replacement are 50 mg/kg/day in children, and 1 to 3 gm per day for adults in 2 or 3 divided doses. Seizures may result from glutathione peroxidase deficiency, which could be from lack of bioavailable selenium. Selenium (seleno-methionine) supplementation in children resulted in a reduction in seizures and improvement in EEG recordings after 2 weeks. Based on the following, Epsom salts baths should be helpful to those prone to seizures. Symptoms of excess glutamate in the brain include headache, numbness, tingling, and flushing. 

This abstract is revealing of the place of vitamin B₆ and zinc in the “excess glutamate” paradox: 

From “Controlling Seizures: a Nutritional Approach”, by Dr. Ward Dean, MD. 

<<<Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter, tends to be in lower than normal levels in seizure-prone rats and humans with epilepsy. Seizure-prone pre-eclamptic patients (hypertensive condition during late pregnancy) also have decreased brain GABA concentrations. Brain GABA levels depend on both zinc and vitamin B₆. Zinc is involved in the maintenance of pyridoxal phosphate concentrations by the activation of pyridoxal kinase. Pyridoxal kinase is important in decarboxylation, and lack of this enzyme results in lowered brain levels of GABA. Consequently, zinc deficiency may increase the risk of pre-eclamptic seizures by reducing brain GABA concentrations and lowering the seizure threshold. Unfortunately, plasma pyridoxal phosphate measurements alone do not appear to accurately reflect vitamin B₆ status or true tissue pyridoxal phosphate levels.  

Glutamate concentrations in the brain are higher in some seizure patients, and these concentrations can increase to potentially neurotoxic concentrations during seizures. These concentrations may reach levels capable of causing cell death. The importance of relative concentrations of glutamate, gamma aminobutyric acid, and pyridoxal-5-phosphate with respect to seizures is illustrated by a 33-month old male seizure patient whose cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glutamate levels were 200 times normal! When he was given vitamin B₆ at a dose of 5mg/kg body weight per day (350 mg), his EEG normalized and his seizures stopped, but the CSF glutamate concentration was still 10 times normal. With a higher dose of B₆ (10mg/kg bw/d-700 mg), the CSF glutamic acid normalized. These results indicate that the optimal dose of B₆ for epileptics should be the dose that normalizes CSF glutamate levels, not just the control of seizures. 

Magnesium sulfate is standard therapy for pregnancy-induced hypertension (eclampsia and pre-eclampsia) to prevent seizures. Ten grams of magnesium are administered intramuscularly initially, followed by 5 gm intramuscularly every 4 hours. If administered intravenously, a 6 gm bolus over 15 minutes is given, followed by 1 to 3 gm per hour. In a comparative study, Dilantin™ was compared to magnesium in preventing seizures and reducing blood pressure. The investigators found no differences in the patient’s tolerance, adverse reactions, or outcomes between the two groups.>>> 

Nevertheless, magnesium will not suppress the immune function: Dilantin: Evidence is accumulating that this anti-seizure medication may have significant immunosuppressive effects. (Hadden 1986) National Toxicology Program studies in mice exposed to diphenylhydantoin demonstrated a selective effect on immune function resulting in depressed serum IgA levels and altered bone marrow function. Researchers are trying to correlate these findings with the IgA deficiency and increased sinuopulmonary infection that occurs in humans on long-term diphenylhydantoin treatment (NTP 1984) 

GABA“B” receptors are metabotropic receptors that are coupled to G-proteins and thereby indirectly alter membrane ion permeability and neuronal excitability. Activation of GABAB receptors in many brain regions results in an increase in K+ (potassium) channel conductance with a resultant hyperpolarization of the neuronal membrane. This increase in K+ conductance is often blocked by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (pertussis toxin uncouples Gi-protein from receptors), indicating that many postsynaptic GABAB receptors are indirectly coupled to K+ channels through an intervening G-protein. There is considerable evidence that a large proportion of GABAB receptors are coupled to G-proteins, but there is also evidence that some presynaptic GABAB receptors may be directly linked to K+ channels. The fact that GABAB receptors are coupled to G-proteins may also explain, in part, the reported effects of GABAB receptor agonists on calcium (Ca2+) conductance and secondarily neurotransmitter release.  

One mother has noted increased verbal capacity after supplementing the amino acid GABA! An adult, Polly Hattemer, says, “I tried GABA. It made me regress intellectually. I could hardly recall any nouns. GABApentin™ was helpful.” It should be noted; GABApentin™ has been associated with a worsening of hyperactivity in some cases. The types apt to respond to GABA are the clearly identified “chromosome 15” kids, and those with high phenol levels (See PST below). That encompasses about everybody! Methinks, maybe we should try glutamine with vitamin B₆ (P5P), or GABA, or even Bethanechol, before Pepcid™? Once again, strengthen the immune function by following the suggestions herein. 

Some additional thoughts on the importance of supporting the thymus: Thymus glandulars taken orally with a multiple-vitamin/mineral supplement have been proven to be modulators of the immune system, normalizing the ratio of T-helper cells to suppresser cells whether the ratio is low as in AIDS, chronic infections, and cancer; or high as in allergies, migraine headaches, and autoimmune diseases. Thymus glandulars can be dramatically effective in children suffering chronic infections. In autoimmune diseases, a high ratio of T-helper cells to suppresser cells causes a higher than normal number of antibodies to be produced which can damage body structures. A robust thymus will normalize this ratio and suppress “immune complexes”. Who needs to rebuild the thymus? Typically thymic hormone levels are very low in the elderly, in those prone to infection, in cancer and AIDS sufferers, and in those undergoing chronic stress. Specifically, those with multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes, hepatitis, allergies, and other autoimmune diseases, the nutrient deficient (that is, those eating quantities of white sugar and refined foods), those with high cholesterol levels, and all children who never had a mother’s milk for at least four months. Did I miss anyone? Support the thymus by using a Thymus Glandular and multivitamin/mineral supplement!  

When the thymus gland dries up, no one treats that as a medical condition even though every doctor and nurse is taught that the thymus gland controls the immune system. It controls the immune system in two ways. First, it is a source of T (thymus)-cells or T-lymphocytes. It is these T-cells that fight the battle against viruses, bacteria, yeast, and other foreign invaders that attack the body’s immune system. The thymus gland seeds the bone marrow with immature T-cells that multiply and mature. Second, the thymus gland produces a variety of hormones that stimulate the maturation of T-cells and increase production of other hormones, such as interferon and the immune globulins. Several hormones have been isolated from the thymus, but the one receiving the most attention in medical studies right now is Alpha 1. Supplementation as recommended have been shown to increase Alpha 1 from 300% to 700% depending on the dosage—My Experience Treating Immune System Disorders with Glandular and Vitamin Supplements, by Dr. Carson G. Burgstiner, MD, PC. Zinc is specific to the improved function of the thymus. Except for nursing infants, 15 mg zinc daily is safe, however, when taking zinc and high amounts of vitamin C one must check copper status or run the risk of depleting copper and creating a copper anemia.  

Candida

Yeasts are single-celled forms that reproduce by budding, whereas molds form multicellular hyphae (filament tails). Dimorphic fungi grow as yeasts or spherules in vivo, as well as in vitro at 37°C, but as molds at 25°C. Dimorphism is regulated by factors such as temperature, CO₂ concentration, pH, and the levels of cysteine or other sulfhydryl-containing compounds. Regardless of their shape or size, fungi are all heterotrophic and digest their food externally by releasing hydrolytic enzymes into their immediate surroundings (absorptive nutrition). Fungi can use a number of different carbon sources to meet their carbon needs for the synthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and proteins. Oxidation of sugars, alcohols, proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides provides them with a source of energy. Differences in their ability to utilize different carbon sources, such as simple sugars, sugar acids, and sugar alcohols, are used, along with morphology, to differentiate the various yeasts. Fungi require a source of nitrogen for synthesis of amino acids for proteins, purines and pyrimidines for nucleic acids, glucosamine for chitin, and various vitamins. Depending on the fungus, nitrogen may be obtained in the form of nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, or organic nitrogen; no fungus can fix nitrogen. Most fungi use nitrate, which is reduced first to nitrite (with the aid of nitrate reductase) and then to ammonia. 

Generally, either low temperature or pH favors the development of a budding yeast. High copper is also one indicator of candida. Other substances such as biotin, cysteine, serum transferrin, and zinc are said to stimulate dimorphism (changing forms from yeast to fungus) in this yeast. Experiments designed to test the biotin-yeast hypothesis have demonstrated that the concentration of simple sugars in the culture medium is the only reliable variable to directly determine the form candida cells will take. Below a certain sugar concentration the yeast remain single-celled, and stay in the gut. When sugar concentration rises above a certain threshold, the organism becomes fungal, and tends to enter the blood and thrive in moist warm areas including the brain. (Importance of some factors on the dimorphism of Candida albicans. Vidotto V; Picerno G; Caramello S; Paniate G; Mycopathologia, 1988 Dec, 104:3, 129-35) 

Sugar also kills the bacteria that control candida. Further, a serving of cake and ice cream or a large bottle of sugary, soft drink will reduce the immune function by 50% for up to five hours—make that all day for those who indulge their sweet tooth several times a day. Remember, sugar promotes candida, with its multiple problems (yeast grows 200 times faster), and sugar can actually make the child drunk and giggly! Sugar is a deadly poison to these beautiful children. You wouldn’t give them arsenic would you? 

Yeast species like candida are known to induce immune changes, and to produce neurotoxins, and most autistic children have yeast problems. Yeast binds the B-vitamins, and in absence of Bifidus flora, creates subclinical pellagra and beriberi. This lack of B-vitamins, particularly vitamin B₆, will interfere with the production of serotonin, melatonin, and other important neurotransmitters that controls behavior—so normal brain chemistry in the presence of yeast overgrowth is unlikely. 

Just the elimination of candida has been found to cure a third of all eczema, irritable bowel, some asthma, joint pains, and virtually all psoriasis. Other symptoms of candida: internal bloating of the lower abdomen that is aggravated by beer, bread, pasta, sweets, or juices. Another good clue (90% probability) is when one reacts adversely to taking vitamins orally. To this, add a high sensitivity to yeast and fungi or products containing them, like yeast, yeast breads, beer, mushrooms, cheese, mustard, vinegar, and mold spores that will cause discomfort when in bathrooms, basements, areas with wet leaves, summer beach houses, etc. Persistent candidiasis/dysbiosis associated with Hg burden can compromise the absorption of aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan, which are precursors to dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin, respectively (Quig, unpublished observations). 

There are 3 types of infection: Superficial (most common) - characterized by inflammation of tissue linings, i.e., skin, GI tract, pharynx, upper and lower respiratory tract; Locally invasive—i.e., pneumonia, cystitis, esophagitis, the most common being ulcerations of the intestinal, respiratory or genito-urinary tract; and Systemic—an invasive infection, characterized by lesions of the heart, kidneys, liver, spleen, lung, brain, and other organs. 

We have to hypothesize that Candida, in the moment it is attacked by the immunological system of the host or by a conventional antimycotic treatment, does not react in the usual, predicted way, but defends itself by transforming itself into ever-smaller and non-differentiated elements that maintain their fecundity intact to the point of hiding their presence both to the host organism and to possible diagnostic investigations. The Candida’s behavior may be considered to be almost elastic: When favorable conditions exist, it thrives on an epithelium; as soon as the tissue reaction is engaged, it massively transforms itself into a form that is less productive but impervious to attack—the spore. 

“Treatment of the latter (candida) with conventional synthetic antifungal agents often causes impairment of liver detoxification functions, and a decrease in synthesis of phospho-sulfotransferase, an enzyme necessary to cleave food proteins, e.g., casein, into smaller easily absorbable peptides.”—Dr. Hugh Fudenberg, MD. Thus, fungicides exacerbate the opioid problem, and increase the potential for toxicity in PST kids. Further, the first order of implementation is restoration of digestive function with betaine HCl, pancreatin, and bile acids as needed to replace the normal output of stomach acid, pancreatic fluid, and bile. There is growing evidence of the efficacy of re-inoculation with favorable species of Lactobacilli. Feeding of non-absorbed fermentable carbohydrate like fructo-oligosaccharides and inulin stimulates growth of the genera Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus. These forms of carbohydrate are found in onion, garlic, chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, and wheat. Insoluble fiber lowers yeast, Clostridia, Staphylococcus, and Proteus in stool cultures and lowers output of ammonia and phenols.  

Zinc deficiencies have been frequently noted in women suffering from Candidiasis (Michaud E & Feinstein A., Prevention Magazine’s 30-day immune power program. Rodale Press, Emmaus, Pa. 1989. p144). 

Another important consideration is Metabolic Typing based on the understanding that genetic inheritance defines metabolic individuality, and metabolic individuality defines nutritional requirements. This is why what works for one person, doesn’t work for another with the same problem. There will never be one diet or nutritional approach for a given problem that works for all people. The essence of this article on candida overgrowth is the understanding that candida is not the problem. The problem is a compromised immune system that fails to control the candida. This is the reason that so many people fail to rid themselves of candida overgrowth. They limit their approach to trying to kill off the candida, but when the protocol is stopped, the candida overgrowth problem comes right back again. The only real, final solution is to restore efficiency to the immune system, a task that can speeded through addressing individual nutritional requirements through defining one’s Metabolic Type. 

Metabolic Typing provides a scientific means of identifying individual nutritional requirements based on the determination of the individual’s “metabolic type”. Once the metabolic type is determined, a diet and supplementation program can be recommended to meet individual nutritional requirements, thus providing an ideal means of restoring proper biochemical balance.  

There are several things to consider in a state of candidiasis: a) The inflammatory response must be treated; b) Lactobacillus count needs to be increased in order to keep Candida in check; c) The immune system needs strengthening, which decreases adherence ability; d) Antibiotics, steroids, and other immune-suppressing drugs, along with simple carbohydrate foods (eat only foods with a low Glycemic Index Rating) should be avoided; e) Digestive secretions should be increased; f) Nutrient deficiencies should be reversed; g) Liver function should be optimized to increase ability to filter toxins; h) Mercury must be removed. Candidiasis/dysbiosis associated with Hg burden can compromise the absorption of aromatic amino acids such as phenylalanine/tyrosine and tryptophan, which are precursors to dopamine/norepinephrine and serotonin, respectively (Quig, unpublished observations). 

Caprylic Acid is a naturally occurring fatty acid. It is readily absorbed in the intestines. Standard dosage is 1,000 to 2,000 mgs with meals, and it is totally lethal to candida. It is available over the counter and appears to be equal to Nystatin™ in effectiveness. However, it is not known to produce the sensitivity side-effects of the Nystatin™ drugs. Of the caprylic acid products on the market, CAPRYSTATIN, KAPRICIDIN-A and ORITHRUSH, when used together, appear to be the most effective by virtue of their capacity to address the entire digestive tract. These three products are available from Ultra Life / Synergistics, P.O. Box 440, Carlyle, IL 62231, (800) 654-8191 or (618) 594-7711, or Email: info@ullife.com. 

The reason for sure failure of treatment is the misunderstanding of how important it is to remove these complex sugars from the diet. It is important to remember that sugars are sugars, whether from natural sources or cane sugar. Antifungal drugs will not be successful without removing sugars from the diet. This includes all sweetened drinks & soda, fruits and fruit drinks, corn syrups, and other high sugar (high glycemic) containing products. Studies have emphasized the fact that Candida ferments and rapidly proliferates in the presence of simple sugars. Not only is this the case, but research has shown that sugars dramatically increase the ability of Candida to adhere to epithelial mucosa cells and may be one of the most important factor in the chronic states of gastrointestinal Candidiasis (Saltarelli). Further, sugar kills the controlling bacteria Lactobacillus Acidophilus.  

Complex carbohydrates/polysaccharides (starches) and even disaccharides (sucrose - table sugar, lactose (milk sugar), sometimes fructose (fruit sugar), et al.) can pass far down the gastrointestinal tract before they are broken down into glucose molecules and absorbed. Ninety-five percent of African-Americans cannot tolerate lactose, and many others lack the enzyme (lactase) to break down lactose into glucose and galactose. Intact, this sugar is broken down in the intestines by bacteria, and the results are gas, bloating, and intestinal distress. Candida supposedly resides and proliferates far down the gastrointestinal tract, but lacking HCl, they will move up into the small intestine. Complex sugars and polysaccharides can therefore be made available to Candida throughout the gastrointestinal tract (Chan). High protein diets and elimination of concentrated sweet sugars will help avoid this. Small amounts of lactose from fermented sources may actually be helpful for it establishes the slightly acid state preferred by the Acidophilus. It is still uncertain whether Candida can dominantly proliferate in the upper gastrointestinal tract. In that case, complex carbohydrate (starch only) consumption would be favorable since Candida cannot directly use long chain carbohydrates, which would pass farther down the gastrointestinal tract before it is broken into glucose.  

Thus, in regard to questions about Ambrotose^®, Candida cannot use long chain carbohydrates directly, and the sugars of Ambrotose^® are not broken down into glucose. Studies with Ambrotose^® showed a 50% increased capacity on part of macrophages to kill candida—Stanley S. and Doris L. Lefkowitz, Ph.D.s., Proceedings of Fisher Institute for Medical Research, Vol. 1, No. 2, February 1999. Additionally, concerning glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) one of the essential sugars found in Ambrotose^®: Numerous studies have shown that glucosamine, a derivative of chitin from fungal cells, has the ability to prevent the binding of Candida to epithelial mucosa cells (Saltarelli). It has also been suggested to directly aid in restoration of the mucosa. 

Another anti-fungal is iodine (it seems to be anti-viral also), but much weaker and milder than chloride as an anti-fungal. Iodine is a powerful anti-fungal (and in what seems to be higher doses, also antibacterial). Its reduction below the RDAs may well be a cause of a higher rate of fungal infections like schizophrenia, asthma, IBD, arthritis, lupus, etc. Modern day dietary reduction of table salt with iodine is a negative factor. Do the iodine test, and restore it to normal level. 

Pasteur and others found that lethal strains of bacteria could be rendered harmless if other benign bacteria were given simultaneously. High intake of Lactobacillus Acidophilus GG [20 billion count, as supplied by Culturelle™ (Klaire Laboratories), available from VRP at 775-884-1300, but said to contain traces of casein], or Pro-Culture Gold™ (Kirkman Labs), guaranteed casein free], is sometimes an effective way to replace these, and can be one means of controlling the Clostridia family of bacteria (as well as the candida), some of which are unaffected by broad spectrum antibiotics! These work primarily by exclusion and by environmental changes in the gut creating a favorable lactic-acid, living space for themselves. Other bacteria and candida prefer alkaline. Unfortunately, the acidophilus convert only lactose from milk, and without milk they cannot do their thing.  

Another way found very effective by Dr. David Williams is the use of Lactic Acid Yeast wafers (Standard Process Laboratories, available from your health practitioner) containing a blend of ingredients including a mycelium type of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that converts all forms of carbohydrates into lactic acid. We have seen elsewhere that some have an excess of lactic acid in the blood, so this should be used in that case with consent of your health practitioner. Further, it includes active Baker’s Yeast, and some believe that is a negative when fighting candida. According to Dr. Kurt W. Donsbach, who has successfully treated candida at his clinic for many years, eating yeast is not a problem. It may well be a positive way to restore balance, but again consult with your practitioner.  

Soil-based organisms (SBO) found in Nature’s Biotics (800-713-3888) have given tremendous benefits including a supply of GLA, activation of nearly all the immune defense systems, specifically the activation of three antibodies: IgM, IgG, and IgA that are highly effective against fungi, harmful viruses, and bacterial pathogens, and the production of the powerful systemic antioxidant enzyme SOD. The enzymatic activity of SOD increases the efficiency of energy production within the cells, allowing them to nourish and repair themselves at a more efficient and effective rate. There are very few food sources for SOD, so this is a valuable attribute of SBO.  

Taking probiotics on an empty stomach, with a little bicarbonate of soda water (1/4 teaspoon in 4 oz of water), will help them make the journey safely. The Bifido Bifidus should also be supplemented when concerned with candida. Use of a digestive enzyme can greatly improve overall results. Next time Flagyl™ is suggested, use L. Acidophilus, SBO, and enzymes, and skip the fluoride and the side effects (nausea, headaches, disorientation, and a metallic taste in the mouth). One study of fluoride in drugs found that fluorinated steroid was more detrimental to IQ than the nonfluorinated steroid, in particular reading comprehension; arithmetic calculation and short-term working memory deficits were greater. Flagyl™ will likely exchange a Clostridium overgrowth for a candida overgrowth.  

Symptoms of die off (diarrhea, rash, irritability, gas, bloating) usually lasts about 7-14 days and after that time the change in the child can be rather dramatic. If the die off does not end in 14-17 days, it is generally a reason to change choice of anti-fungal. If the treatment is successful, usually eye contact improves. The children seem more tuned in and less “foggy”. Parents report that after the yeast is under control the frequency of inappropriate noises, teeth grinding, biting, hitting, hyperness, and aggressive behavior decrease. The children no longer act almost drunk by being silly and laughing inappropriately. 

It is interesting to note recent research that shows that babies normally get their first gulp of Mother’s bacteria as they travel down the birth canal. Normally, this has meant a dose of Lactobacillus and Bifido bacteria that stake out the first claim to the gut environment, and the baby’s developing the immune system accepts these early invaders. Modern medicine is altering this. For babies born by cesarean section, the first gut inhabitants are common hospital bacteria such as Streptococci and Clostridia, and this may make it very hard to get them displaced later. Additionally, Mothers with autoimmune diseases may themselves not have the “right” balance of bacteria in their gut, birth canals, and milk, and this may affect their children adversely. According to Dr. Hulda Clark, Clostridium is the tumor-making bacteria, which supply the DNA, the toxic amines, and also isopropyl alcohol, which will eventually contribute to malignancy.

A Second Scenario

The stomach does not produce enough hydrochloric acid (HCl) and pepsin to breakdown the proteins in the stomach. Additionally, reduced HCl cannot activate the enzyme protease that is necessary to complete protein digestion. Other stomach hormones are reduced or lacking, and harmful bacteria are allowed to enter the gut with the food. The chyme leaving the stomach is not acid enough to trigger the secretin release. Digestion is greatly hindered for want of pancreatic enzymes (including peptidase), and the person so afflicted lacks the nutrients of protein, vitamins A, C, E, B-complex, and most of the minerals, all of which depend on HCl to be digested and assimilated effectively. One symptom may be Vitiligo. The lack of pancreatic enzymes, including peptidase, leads to peptides of casein and gluten passing into the blood stream and to the brain, creating many of the autistic symptoms including a 30% incidence of epilepsy. A small help is to choose supplements in the citrate, gluconate, orotate, or aspartate forms that will be utilized even in absence of HCl. Remember, the citrate form of magnesium is a laxative. 

Additionally, aspartate will breakdown the ammonia that is sometimes a problem with autistic children. It is also vital to the synthesis of glycoprotein that is essential to cell-to-cell communication and proper immune function. Being one of two main excitatory amino acids, an excess is found in Epilepsy and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). It enhances immunoglobulin production and antibody formation. A deficiency is seen in calcium and magnesium shortages. A low level of aspartate should lead to a test of calcium and magnesium status. In protein, aspartic acid exists mainly in the form of its amide, Asparagine. Among the biochemicals that are synthesized from aspartic acid are asparagine, arginine, lysine, methionine, threonine, isoleucine, and several nucleotides. Aspartic acid performs an important role in the urea cycle. Glutamate and aspartate are also very important in the tricarboxylic acid cycle (Krebs cycle), from which most of the energy is produced by metabolism. Their reaction in this pathway is by what is called the malate-aspartate shuttle for the transportation of energy into the mitochondria. One of its metabolites is a precursor of the pyrimidines. Clinically, aspartic acid may be used to treat fatigue or depression. Its effect on the thymus gland lets it be used as a mild immunostimulant. 

The presentation of autism is sometimes linked to ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency, the most common urea cycle defect. Damage to this enzyme can occur with exposure to mercury. A low level of OTC leads to states of hyperammonemia, seizures, and stroke critical issues in states of epilepsy and autism. The often spacy, confused behavior, “brain fog”, that is frequently observed in these disorders may be attributed to states of hyperammonemia as ammonia reaches the brain.  

Children with mild or moderate urea cycle enzyme deficiencies may not show symptoms until early childhood, or the symptoms may go unheeded. This childhood onset can be seen in both boys and girls. Symptoms include hyperactive behavior, sometimes accompanied by screaming and self-injurious behavior, agitation or irritability, and refusal to eat meat or other high-protein foods. Later symptoms include vomiting, lethargy, delirium, seizures, and finally, if the condition is undiagnosed and untreated, coma and death. Childhood episodes of high ammonia (hyperammonemia) may be brought on by viral illnesses, including chickenpox, or even exhaustion. The condition is often misdiagnosed as Reye’s syndrome. 

The lack of HCl causes the environment of the gut to be greatly changed, inviting overgrowth of candida yeast that produces a multitude of adverse symptoms. One of the characteristics of some severe fungal infections is that the patient never gets a cold. We hear, “He is the healthiest person in the family.” We know fungi provide protection from bacterial infections; however, when yeast is killed off without reestablishing proper flora, bacterial infestations are quick to take over. Bacterial overgrowth, such as citrobacter fruendii (that destroys the mucus lining of the gut), is also a result of this lack of HCl. Another nearly impossible to kill bacterium is Klebsiella Pneumoniae. Here is one successful way to beat them. Dr. Amy Holmes, Baton Rouge, Louisiana says, “I finally was able to completely rid Mikey of the ever-present Klebsiella Pneumoniae. It had been 4-plus in each and every stool culture for at least the last 3 years, despite throwing everything reasonable, both antibiotics and natural substances, at it. I finally realized that nothing was able to get at this bug because of its heavy LPS coat, so I ‘uncoated’ it with bismuth subsalicylate, and killed it with PO Neomycin. I used Neomycin 250 mg/bismuth subsalicylate 50 mg capsules—a compounding pharmacist must make these. It can be made as an oral suspension too. The dose is 1 capsule three times a day for 10 days. We are celebrating its defeat. Mike went through a period of apparent die-off for about a week, but has now gotten over that. His progress has been astounding lately.” See my Electronic Book “Self-help to Good Health”, Chapter “Candidiasis”.  

Great Smokies Diagnostic Labs does a stool test to determine what bacteria are present, and the natural substance to which they are susceptible. These are the substances that may overcome these “bugs”: Lauricidin®, Berberine, amphotericin B, Oil of Oregano, Plant Tannins, Uva-Ursi, and Tanalbit (3 caps per meal). [Intensive Nutrition Products, 1-510-632-2370, Oil of Oregano (2 drops AM meal/2 drops PM meal in juice, or 2 drops under the tongue. Capsules are available that can be used simultaneously, 800-769-7873]. Nystatin is a polyene antibiotic produced by the bacteria Streptomyces noursei. When given by mouth, it is not absorbed to any significant extent and remains in the intestine. This keeps the drug where it is needed and minimizes any systemic effects. The usual dose schedule is one to two million units a day, either as a single dose or in divided doses. Doses of up to 10 million units a day or more may be needed initially to eliminate yeast. Maintenance doses of one or two million units a day for in excess of a year are common. Please ensure that it is not formulated in a sugar base that feeds the candida! Side effects are limited to nausea and gastrointestinal upset, usually only seen at doses over 5 million units daily, however, die-off reactions may cause regression, nausea, rash, vomiting or diarrhea that may last for a week to ten days. Since it is not absorbed, the yellow color of the drug will modify the stool color, which may alarm some parents if they are not forewarned. 

Amphotericin B™ is more effective and less allergenic than Oregano, and all aromatic oils place an extra demand on Phase I liver enzymes that is undesirable for most autistic. Nystatin and Amphotericin B™ seem to work well in combination. For most children Nystatin is ineffective, and Candida, like bacteria with antibiotics, has become resistant to Nystatin (and other antifungals). Oral Amphotericin B™ is said to be safe, and about four times as effective as Nystatin. Injections, however, come with a long list of possible side effects that would indicate it is preferable to use it orally. Be aware, however, that it depletes _, a vital mineral already in short supply. It may be best to use the natural things first.  

Some use the herb Una Del Gato (Cat’s Claw) to fight candida and other parasites. This is dangerous for it is toxic to the liver and to peripheral mononuclear blood cells. It also inhibits cytochrome p450 (Phase I) liver enzymes causing unnatural retention of important body substances. Additionally, it would cause a buildup to possibly poisonous levels of several classes of drugs and body toxins. It also destroys the gut lining creating a condition favorable to “leaky gut” syndrome.  

Almost all remedies lose effectiveness in time and must be alternated, however, goat yogurt and hydrogen peroxide therapy (H2O2) seem to continue effectively. Perhaps an easier way is to periodically use colostrum (Kirkman Labs’ Colostrum Gold™ is casein free—others may not be), or whey, if you can tolerate it. (Whey must be undenatured. There are two I know of, Immunocal™ that may not be readily available, and is very expensive, and “The Ultimate Whey™” by Next Nutrition, Inc., www.designerprotein.com, that is available at most health food stores, or may be ordered from Nutrition Express 800-338-7979.) These provide lactoferrin that deprives these bacteria of the iron they need to replicate, and it contains a peptide, lactoferricin, that is bactericidal against E.coli, Klebsiella, pseudomonas, Proteus, Yersinia, Staphylococcus, Listeria, and other bacterial species. Lactoferrin also kills viruses, fungi, and certain tumor cells. The data indicates that lactoferrin may be of therapeutical value in treatment of autoimmune disorders—Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 1995, 43:3-4, 207-9. In any case, use of these natural aids will protect the “good guys” unlike antibiotics that destroy everything including the gut. Whey, because of its cystine content, may be undesirable where there is a sulfoxidation problem. 

Yersinia is the name of a genus of bacteria, of which Yersinia pestis (bubonic plague) is the most well known. In addition, there are several other species of Yersinia that can and do infect humans. One of the troubling aspects of Yersinia infections is that the immune response to them is severely impaired. Apparently, one of the ways that Yersinia does this is to “hide” in macrophages (a type of white cell which, in the blood stream, is called a monocyte) and then to suppress thyroid function, interact with the normal inflammatory response to cause it not to work correctly, alter the ability of the blood/brain barrier allowing foreign material, bacteria, etc. to get in there. When the Yersinia infected cells are found in the gut, they contribute to malabsorption of gluten (breads) and to cause colitis—Susan J. Leclair, Ph.D., CLS(NCA). 

Uva-Ursi is normally used for lower urinary tract infections (bladder and urethra), and as a mild diuretic. Candida infection of female organs and bladder can be readily controlled by either a boric acid suppository (98% success rate), or by filling the cavity with yogurt! Some are using Uva-Ursi for dysbiosis. It probably should not be used by children for it may damage the liver, nor should it be used for prolong periods, or in high doses. Use it only under a doctor’s supervision. The above named remedies do not treat systemic candida, however, and it may require Diflucan™, Sporanox™ or Lamisil™ for that purpose. Please note that Diflucan™ is fluoride based, and it is best to avoid it.  

These medicines prescribed should all be anti-fungal, i.e., nor-nicotine and nicotine (very limited usage), along with the nutrients vitamins B₁ through B₆ (especially nicotinic acid, that is strongly antifungal), potassium and lithium, iodine, sulfates and sulfur (MSM, Epsom salts), and iron. Soda breads (pancakes, waffles, crackers, and biscuits) are said to be helpful, but you must not use sugars with them. Glyconutrients containing 11 polysaccharides have been found to enhance phagocytosis of candida, and killing of candida was 55% greater than in controls (Fisher Institute for Medical Research “Proceedings”, November 1997). Those with candida have been shown to have significant deficiencies of vitamins B₁, B₆, and magnesium. Some of the vitamins, especially vitamin B₁₂, are best supplemented by sublingual tablets, or in their coenzyme forms. Unfortunately, sublinguals often contain dyes and sweeteners you may find unsuitable. There are liquid vitamins that can be sprayed into the mouth and held there. You may want to check their suitability. Using these sublingually will supply the needed help regardless of digestive problems.  

Remove all yeast and raw vegetables from the diet, and boil all vegetables in salt (NaCl) water—drain, and cook normally. This will remove all bacteria and fungi the child’s body is not yet able to handle. Supplement HCl, as suggested elsewhere, to provide an additional barrier and enhance digestion. Also avoid the strongly pro-fungal pill binder, lactose (milk sugar), and milk products, and the chlorophylls. All forms of stress must be avoided for that produces cortisol and other steroids that feed the fungi. Heavy or even modest physical workouts must be avoided because they generate lactic acids at a rate that the body cannot handle. If this cannot be avoided, then Mannatech’s Sport and Em•Pact™ have been shown to give rapid recovery from lactic acid overload.  

A most appealing way to rid the body of candida is the use of an inexpensive, transient, spore-forming, soil bacteria that are nontoxic, nonpathogenic, and has an extremely antagonistic effect on Candida Albicans. It is believed to actually “feed” selectively on candida, coexisting with Bifido-bacteria and L. Acidophilus that the formula also supplies. It is called “Bacillus Laterosporus BOD”, and can be obtained as Yeast Avenger™ from www.cfsn.com [888-801-2376, outside USA (503) 590-9519]. You may be able to control the rate of die off by how much you take, and can avoid reinfestation immediately, as often occurs when quitting drugs, by continuing a small amount periodically. An interesting idea is to use these bacteria as a challenge test. If you experience no die-off symptoms, then you likely do not have candida overgrowth. This should be coupled with Culturelle™ (Klaire), or Pro-culture Gold™ (Kirkman) 20 billion count L. Acidophilus.  

Die-off of yeast can produce severe regression in all autistic symptoms, explosive diarrhea, severe yeast diaper rash, lethargy, fever, bloating, nausea, vomiting, eczema, aching, headache, stuffiness, seizures, and an intense craving for sweets. To quickly relieve these intense cravings, mix a quarter teaspoon of sea salt in a cup of warm water and drink it down. Obviously, this is by stimulating the adrenals to release glycogen from the liver. This would speak of the need to support the adrenals as outlined elsewhere in this paper. The amino acid glutamine (250 to 500 mg up to three times daily) and the mineral chromium (200 mcg) supplemented regularly will also reduce cravings for sweets and starches caused by hypoglycemia by stabilizing delivery of sugar to the brain. To quickly break an irresistible craving, open the capsule of glutamine and place it under the tongue. Another suggestion: mix a teaspoon of baking soda into a glass of warm water and rinse the mouth for a few seconds. Drinking it may relieve the other symptoms listed, or use AlkaSeltzer Gold™ (sodium/potassium) to relieve die off. To overcome chocolate cravings, sip a cup of ginger tea. It contains the same chemicals, but not the calories. The cravings for sweets and creamy foods that are high in fat may be triggered by a deficiency of zinc. Taking up to 30 mg zinc daily over time will help reduce these cravings.  

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.  

This is a quotation from Dr. Shaw’s book “Biological Treatments for Autism and PDD”: “Many of the yeast byproducts are acids and release of the acids that are absorbed into the body may cause a condition called metabolic acidosis. An extremely simple therapy used by physicians who treat autism is to supply a mild antidote that neutralizes the excess acids. The most convenient product is a nonprescription drug called AlkaSeltzer Gold™. Do not use any other kind of AlkaSeltzer™. AlkaSeltzer Gold™ is simply a very safe product (sodium and potassium bicarbonate) that helps to neutralize excess acids of any kind. The dose for children is on the label. Do not exceed the number of recommended doses.” One mother wrote, “It worked so well for both of my children that the die-off was an uneventful experience, even though they both had very high levels of yeast.” The restoring of acid/alkaline balance also relieves many allergies.  

“These children also had grave disturbances in electrolyte chemistry, and tended to be acidotic (low CO). The data that unfolded was fascinating and clearly earmarked the acidosis and hypoxic state (low serum bicarbonate = low O₂ levels). Potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate and the like were used. Now we began to understand why so many children responded to Buffered C (potassium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate), and others needed a more specific buffer (in some children for example niacin was grossly depleted and they required niacin bicarbonate)”—Patricia Kane. Remember, the carbonates acidify the system. In any case, it should take no longer than six months to rid the body of all parasites. If it has been longer, you are probably not being aggressive enough, or you are not using a proper protocol. It will likely be necessary to make three or more tests for parasites since shedding of the eggs tends to be cyclical, and may not show in a single test. In any case, it is unlikely to detect the parasites that inhibit the upper intestine. Most parasites, except giardia and amoeba, will elevate levels of the white blood cell eosinophil (EOS) that is produced in response to allergens and infections. Giardia Lamblia is usually associated with food intolerances, gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, and fatigue, but severe hypothyroidism may be a result. It is often accompanied by candida. It is imperative you take aggressive action to rid the body of parasites and heavy metals. With them will go many “autism” symptoms. 

This additional information from Dr. Shaw: Most of the abnormal microbial products found in urine testing are almost surely from yeast and/or fungi in the gastrointestinal tract, since they decline following the use of an antifungal drug, Nystatin_@. Many autistic children have a background of frequent infections (especially middle ear infection), which are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (even though the ear infections are usually of viral origin—WSL). Some children may have elevated yeast metabolites after only a singular antibiotic exposure. Over 700 articles in the medical literature document antibiotic stimulation of yeast growth. Since both early onset and high frequency of ear infection are associated with greater severity of autism, a yeast connection seems worthwhile to evaluate. Autism is usually a regression. This regression is often associated with thrush and/or frequent antibiotic use. 

Dr. Shaw’s laboratory has biochemically documented the “yeast die off” or Herxheimer reaction that follows the initial use of antifungal drugs. During the first three days of antifungal use, values for these microbial metabolites increase dramatically, and begin to normalize near day four. Die-off usually lasts about 7-14 days and after that time the change in the child can be rather dramatic. Parents report that after the yeast is under control the frequency of inappropriate noises, teeth grinding, biting, hitting, hyperactivity, and aggressive behavior decrease. The child no longer acts almost drunk by being silly and laughing inappropriately. If the die-off does not end in 14-17 days, it is generally a reason to change one’s choice of anti-fungal.  

“All the mainstream medical textbooks talk about how people with hormone imbalances due to pituitary problems get yeast. Mercury causes pituitary problems. (In fact, heavy metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium as well as pesticides and chemicals in plastics we daily use are hormone disruptors—WSL.) As if that isn’t enough, yeast is controlled by neutrophils generating oxygen radicals, and mercury prevents your neutrophils from generating oxygen radicals. (Mercury inhibits macrophage and neutrophil defense against candida by its effects on Th1 and Th2 cytokines—WSL). So it seems reasonable that mercury toxicity causes yeast problems. The fact that lots of adults with intractable yeast problems have them suddenly go away without special treatment once they started mercury detox supports the view that mercury causes yeast. So, if you are mercury toxic, you have a high chance of having a yeast problem, and the yeast will cause its own symptoms. You can reduce those symptoms modestly if you treat the yeast, but you will never really get better until you treat the mercury—and once you do that, you can stop treating the yeast because your body will be able to keep it in check”—Andy Cutler.  

When candida has become fungal and entered the bloodstream (Candidiasis), it is an extremely serious problem that is best controlled by hydrogen-peroxide infusions. Done properly in a clinic setting, the allergies can be disappearing in five to ten days, and the yeast can be gone in 21 to 28 days. A palatable oral form of hydrogen peroxide is available from the health food store under Dr. Donsbach's brand, SuperOxy Plus™.  

In addition to having estrogenic effects, mercury has other documented hormonal effects including lowered levels of neurotransmitters dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Some of the effect on depression is also related to mercury's effect of reducing the level of posterior pituitary hormone (oxytocin) and depressing the thyroid. The concentrations of mercury in the pituitary and thyroid glands are much higher than found in the kidney, brain, or liver in humans.

Copperheads

An inordinate number of children with autism have an excess of copper stored in tissues. Women tend to have copper levels 1/3 higher than men, making them more susceptible to copper toxicity. At one laboratory, it is reported that more than 50% of all hair samples show a copper imbalance. This copper is unbound with protein (ceruloplasmin), and thus, unavailable for normal uses, including its use as an antifungal to fight candida. In one long-term study, the U.S. Army found that the immunized group had depressed serum iron and elevated serum copper. These “Copperheads” have very active minds, but the excess copper causes GI disturbances, impaired protein metabolism—causing a weakness of protein structures by interfering with the cross linking process (one effect being breakage or leakage of capillaries which may cause small strokes, and/or a dangerous aneurysm in vein or artery), salivation, acne, a metallic taste, dizziness, headache—including migraine, loss of appetite (underweight), no desire for the zinc of red meat (yet an inordinate desire for chocolate, avocados, soy, or carob that are very high in copper), anxiety, various female difficulties, severe fatigue—even after adequate rest, detachment from reality termed spaciness, alternating moods, panic, fearfulness, schizophrenia, phobias, and weakness. Excess copper also raises sodium and lowers potassium and manganese tissue levels. Excess copper, by displacing zinc and manganese, is often associated with pancreatic dysfunction. Pro-oxidant copper ions affect glutathione distribution in several ways. Jaundice and high bilirubin levels are signs of copper toxicity, as is earaches and ear infections.  

Additionally, copper imbalance can contribute to heavy metal poisoning by slowing the rate of metabolism (slowing the thyroid), reducing the body’s ability to detoxify heavy metals. Severe cases cause hypertension, liver damage, kidney failure, and death. In schizophrenia there is found increased levels of copper and mercury and reduced levels of zinc, magnesium, and calcium that are known to be inhibited by heavy metals and to affect neurotransmitter levels. A magnesium deficiency will create a vitamin B₁ deficiency! Supplement both together. 

Citrus fruit increases intestinal absorption of copper, and monosodium glutamate (MSG) binds and transports it, however, large amounts of vitamin C, with vitamin B₆ and zinc, will remove the excess copper from the brain. These should be combined with manganese, as a prolonged zinc therapy can result in manganese deficiency. These supplements will favorably influence the emotional and psychological symptoms listed. Before undertaking this, one should have a hair test to determine the zinc/copper status. However, caution is urged in the interpretation, as animal studies show that reduced dietary zinc leads at first to low zinc levels in the hair, but when zinc depletion continues, values seem to return to the normal range, presumably because reduced hair growth resulting from impaired protein synthesis leads to a compensating increase in concentrations of zinc and other elements in such hair when it grows.  

Major contributing factors to this excess copper is the use of birth-control pills (depletes zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B₆), copper intra-uterine devices, antibiotic therapy, stress, candida overgrowth, and strict vegetarian and refined food diets that are deficient in zinc. Certain food dyes and colorings have a high hydrazine content that causes zinc depletion. Excess copper can be from swimming pools and Jacuzzis using copper sulfate for algae control. Foods rich in copper include soy, avocado, chocolate, and carob. Persons with the Cu/Zn chemical imbalance need to be vigilant in limiting sources of copper. When dumping copper (when stress and or estrogen levels are high), there will be increased levels of insomnia and depression, skin rashes, anxiety, fatigue, headache (usually migraine), digestive disorders, abdominal bloating, and a flare-up of a wide variety of chronic conditions listed above, such as hypoglycemia and candida yeast overgrowth, including vaginal yeast infections. A hallmark is the feeling that no one understands them. These reactions usually last a couple of days, and then subside to their chronic levels again. Redness or red tints to the hair is also an indicator of a copperhead.  

Dr. Schmitt says that, in his opinion, rashes are a sign of excessive copper working itself out of the system. Unavailable, excess copper is one of the normal clinical findings for people with candida infections. The problems may not be due to copper toxicity, but rather with its interference with the absorption and distribution of other metals such as iron (which cannot be absorbed without available copper—fortifying iron will not help, but will actually make the anemia worse) and zinc.  

The distressing symptoms of copper toxicity are often due to both dietary and stress-induced zinc deficiency, not an excess of copper. It is the ratio that counts. The ideal zinc-copper ratio is 8:1. If below 6:1 (hair), one should consider the above symptoms to be copper toxicity. It is important to learn to cope with stress in order to spare the adrenals, and to reduce the loss of zinc. Supplementing 200 mcg of chromium has been shown to reduce cortisol levels by 48%! Magnesium, vitamin C, and pantothenic acid further reduce this deadly hormone. A 45-minute massage (backrub?) showed a similar reduction. The practice of a relaxation-meditation exercise would be similarly effective. Maintaining a positive expectation would work, as would strong religious faith, and an expectation of sustaining help from the Lord. This will reduce loss of zinc, and help to prevent the buildup of excessive copper in tissues. Supplement the diet with 20 mg zinc daily, and with up to 60 mg of zinc during any acute, disease state or other severe stress, along with the other supplements mentioned. Where the excess copper is non-bioavailable, it may be necessary to supplement a small amount of copper to enable the body to produce the ceruloplasmin that is necessary to the bioavailability of copper. 

The principal reason for copper toxicity is adrenal insufficiency (in 70 to 80%) resulting largely from stress, leading to a deficiency of zinc, sodium, manganese, pantothenic acid (PABA), inositol, Folic acid, rutin, and vitamins A, B₁, B₆, C, and E. This adrenal insufficiency prevents synthesis of ceruloplasmin, necessary to utilization of copper. Additionally, lead and mercury interfere with the synthesis of ceruloplasmin or ferritin, contributing to copper toxicity. When unbound with ceruloplasmin, copper begins to accumulate in tissues and organs. The adrenals are strengthened, and copper absorption and utilization are increased by supplementing adrenal glandular, molybdenum, iron, sulfur, folic acid, niacin, inositol, choline, and the above listed nutrients, including extra biotin and PABA. Significantly elevated moly is unusual, and some toxic effects are due to displacement of copper or inactivation of copper enzymes. Copper deficiency predisposes to moly excess. If suffering from high copper levels, avoid high copper foods soy, avocado, chocolate, nuts, and seeds, and all things that raise copper tissue levels such as birth control pills, antibiotics, and foods with high content of phytoestrogens (soy and flax). Some children do a lot more stimming when using soy. Unfortunately, copper sulfate is added to some city water supplies, and to swimming pools, as a fungicide. Unfortunately, also, the Mother may transmit her copper/zinc imbalances to her unborn child. 

Excess copper depletes zinc and vitamins B₆ and C, and zinc deficiency results in impaired absorption of folic acid. The best way to overcome copper toxicity is to rebuild the adrenals, as listed above, and to supplement significantly vitamins B₆ and C, and zinc. Large amounts of these will excrete the copper. Unless tests show the copper to be extremely high, our purpose is not so much to excrete it, but to make it bio-available so the body can use it rather than store it. Attempts to reduce copper levels will likely precipitate a copper dump, and a flare up of symptoms, including depression. One already suffering depression should attempt to lower copper levels only under a Doctor’s guidance. These symptoms signal a beneficial elimination of excess copper, and are indications of a healing process, and though uncomfortable, should be welcomed. Some, however, cannot tolerate the symptoms, and should reduce the amounts of the supplements, or should skip a day or two and begin again at lower amounts, or should take the supplements only once a day. Do whatever is necessary to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms to bearable levels, but do not cease the program if you desire to regain optimal health.  

Sometimes one will feel really good for a few days before the dump, with its discomfort and changing moods, hits. When the dump occurs, the individual will begin to feel hopeless, and will often go off their supplement program. This is a very grave mistake. While these symptoms may appear to be related to the supplement program, as often as not, they are caused by stress or a coming menstrual period. Any stress, physical or emotional, results in a necessary increase in metabolic rate. This frequently results in a dump of excess copper into the blood. In as much as an increase in one’s metabolic rate will cause a flare-up in symptoms, it becomes desirable to temporarily slow one’s rate of metabolism. This is accomplished by increasing one’s calcium intake, which also avoids a copper-induced calcium deficiency. One should also increase dietary fat intake 25-30% using Evening Primrose oil, cod-liver oil, nuts, salad oils, cooking oils, and where permissible, dairy products. Slowing one’s rate of metabolism is definitely of value in reducing the symptoms associated with copper toxicity. When the symptoms are once again under control, it is time to resume the original nutritional program. To slow the metabolism indefinitely, especially through a high intake of dairy, would result in increased storage of copper. 

How does this all manifest in autism? Copper toxicity is associated with symptoms of mind racing (commonly seen in ADHD) due to enhanced activity of the neurotransmitters epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin resulting in inability to stop thoughts. Common problems will be loss of appetite, failure to eat protein, failure to thrive, insomnia, getting up in the middle of the night jumping and stimulating the metabolism, and headache. This constant, self-stimulation is to enhance the metabolic rate by stimulating the burned-out adrenals. They are tired, and yet will compulsively do anything to stimulate the adrenals and make themselves feel more normal. This “stimming” raises the blood sugar, and may allow them to get back to sleep eventually. This activity further drains the adrenals, however, leading to complete adrenal exhaustion unless something is done to support the adrenals. Copper and mercury being elevated usually means not enough bile and glutathione are being made by the liver. This can sometimes be improved by taking milk thistle extract, taurine, and glycine.

pH

The acid/alkaline balance is one of the most overlooked aspects of health, though Gary Null and others have written much about it. In general, the American public is heavily acid, excepting vegetarians. A too-acid system speeds enzyme activity. Children with autism often are heavily alkaline. A too-alkaline system slows enzymes to a crawl. Minerals have different pH levels at which they can be assimilated into the body. Sodium and magnesium have wide pH assimilation ranges. It narrows somewhat for calcium and potassium, and narrows more for manganese and iron, and yet more for zinc and copper. Iodine, which is HIGH up on the atomic scale, requires NEAR PERFECT pH for assimilation into the body. Iodine as you may know, is one of the most important minerals for proper functioning of the thyroid, but the thyroid doesn’t get access to iodine unless the body pH is near perfect! Obviously, a less than optimum pH will predispose to a deficiency of iodine, zinc, and copper. These three are critical for thyroid function. 

We have just read Kane on the need of carbonates to acidify the system. Elevated citric (due to the glutathione deficiency) with low 2-oxo-gluteric (in urine tests) would affect oxygen getting into the cells. You can compensate by getting some carbon dioxide by using a rebreather mask, and by taking bicarbonates between meals to increase Co₂ as Kane has recommended. The carbon dioxide acidifies the blood, and helps the red blood cells release the oxygen to the cells. Supporting the thyroid helps the cells make more carbon dioxide, so that is something else to do. Obtain a packet of pH paper, and test the saliva and urine as indicated elsewhere in this paper. Dr. Cheney treats Chronic Fatigue (CFIDS) patients.  

Dr. Cheney’s Oxygen Treatment

By Carol Sieverling (slightly edited) 

Dr. Cheney prescribes oxygen for patients with alkaline venous blood. An hour of oxygen in the morning can provide half a day of significant improvement, and numerous benefits. He had seen alkaline blood results for years, but dismissed it as insignificant, based on medical school teaching. His growing suspicion that it was very significant was confirmed when a speaker at an international conference in London began a presentation by announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here to tell you that CFS patients are alkalotic.” Blood alkalosis inhibits the transport of oxygen to tissues and organs, constricts the blood vessels, and lowers overall circulating blood volume. 

The putative cause of the alkalosis is the glutathione deficiency that is pervasive in CFIDS. Low glutathione causes an elevation in citrate, which in turn lowers a substance (2,3 DPG) that controls the release of oxygen from hemoglobin. Our blood can be full of oxygen, but without enough of this substance it cannot break free and get into the cells. This causes oxygen deprivation in the tissues (hypoxia), which makes the body switch over to anaerobic metabolism, which can be painful. 

This blood alkalosis is unusual in that Cheney usually sees venous blood pH values over 7.4 and urine pH values under 6.0. When both blood alkalosis and urine acidosis are seen, it’s a metabolic problem not a psychogenic reaction to a needle stick. A blood pH above 7.4 shows impairment, and above 7.5 there is significant impairment, and almost no oxygen transport at all. A urine organic acid test will also reveal this problem. Elevated citrate and/or low 2-oxo-glutaric are markers. The really terrible thing is the vicious cycle. The blood alkalosis further lowers the levels of 2,3 DPG (inhibiting the release of oxygen), causing tissue hypoxia, which then causes blood alkalosis, which lowers 2,3 DPG even further—and around and around we go. 

The ultimate treatment for this situation is Immunocal™ or IMUPlus™, the undenatured whey protein supplements that helps restore glutathione, but some patients cannot afford them, and they do not work for all patients. An immediate solution to the oxygen transport problem is to use a partial rebreather mask set at 35 to 40% FIO2 (Fraction of Inspired Oxygen), which requires a flow rate of about 10 liters per minute. Do an hour a day, broken into one, two, or three sessions. You can do more than one hour a day, but do not do more than one hour at a time. Do not breathe heavily – breathe normally. Most CFS patients have headaches, and this can help those headaches. If a prescription is written for headaches, insurance may cover it. One hour of oxygen a day can run $75 to $100 a month. 

Oxygen through nasal prongs will not work. Oxygen alone in a mask will not work. It has to be a partial rebreather mask, which has a bag attached. This allows you to rebreathe your expired carbon dioxide along with the oxygen that is flowing into the mask. It is important to the function of the rebreather that the bag contract and expand with the breathing cycle. It’s not working properly otherwise. Breathing increased levels of both carbon dioxide (CO₂) and oxygen (O₂) at the same time is essential. The CO₂ breaks the cycle. It corrects the alkalosis and frees the O² in your blood to move into your cells. With proper functioning, vessels dilate and you start perfusing your brain and tissues, bringing out the toxins and bringing in the nutrients. Raising oxygen levels will also help kill off yeast and other pathogens. Lack of oxygen allows them to multiply. 

The speaker at the London conference sends his patients to breathing experts like Teresa Hale, who wrote “Breathing Free”. Most patients are walking around over breathing, and thus becoming more alkaline. Learning to under breathe can help increase oxygen perfusion and transport.  

Two problems can be seen in some patients on a rebreather mask. (1) Rapidly correcting blood alkalosis or overcorrecting (i.e., acidosis) can provoke vasodilation. If there is significant blood volume contraction some patients will become hypotensive and feel dizzy or faint. This problem can be prevented by taking oxygen lying down, and by expanding blood volume with an isotonic electrolyte drink such as Gookinaid ERG (Electrolyte Replacement with Glucose) (http://members.aol.com/Gookinaid) (1-800-283-6505). You can also address this problem by reducing the time spent on the mask rebreather. (2) Patients with a history of migraine may provoke a migraine in the moments just after going off the rebreather. Again, expanding blood volume and reducing the time of the rebreather can help this side effect.  

The ultimate treatment mentioned (whey) has little or no casein, but it can be dangerous to some with sulfation problems (PST), so several other ways to build glutathione are suggested herein. Use them rather than the expensive, time consuming breather mask or expensive, long term, hyperbaric oxygen. These both have value in short term, but do not “cure” the basic problem of alkalosis. To learn more about balancing the pH, see the Chapter “Digestion and Utilization” in my Electronic book, “Self-help to Good Health”, 34 Chapters, 535 pages, $21.95 US. .   

More than 25 years ago, IAHP was the first to recognize that among the various adverse environmental conditions which affect the brain-injured child the most important is chronically insufficient oxygen supply to the brain. In their experience, this is almost universally present to some degree in brain-injured children, although not ordinarily in obvious form. The shallow and erratic breathing patterns and small chests seen in the majority of our brain-injured children are primary indications that such subclinical, oxygen deficiency exists. 

Associated with oxygen insufficiency in various combinations are other adverse environmental factors contributing to seizures as well as other problems of the brain-injured child. Among these factors are: 1) blood sugar levels too low or unresponsive to the brain’s changing needs 2) nutritional imbalances or deficiencies, very common among children, most of whose diets are extremely poor both quantitatively and qualitatively, and 3) increases in pressure within the skull due to intake of liquids and water-retaining substances, such as salt, in amounts beyond the child’s needs or capabilities for handling. Additionally, magnesium, vitamin B₆ and dimethylglycine (DMG) all have strong anti-seizure properties, and can be effective even when other anti-seizure medications fail. The deficiency of vitamin B₁, has also been reported as a cause of epileptic seizures. Magnesium is an essential cofactor in the conversion of thiamine into active diphosphate and triphosphate esters. There have been reports of thiamine deficiency aggravated by magnesium depletion with refractory response to thiamine until magnesium was given. It seems plausible that magnesium depletion could provoke Wernicke's encephalopathy, possible by suboptimum thiamine phosphorylation. Pyridoxine, too, is only phosphorylated into its coenzyme (P5P) in the presence of magnesium. Some 70% of the enzymes are dependent on magnesium.  

During the first week of magnesium deficiency, Substance P and CGRP are increased. The second week, histamine is increased, along with PGE2 (inflammatory), and TBAR molecules. The third week, cytokines IL-1, IL-6, TNF alpha are increased (Weglicki & Mak, 1994). The cytokines, IFN gamma, IL-2, 4, 5, 10, 12, and 13 are also increased in magnesium deficiency (Weglicki, 1996).  

Clinical symptomology of magnesium deficiency is dominated by neuromuscular hyperexcitability (Rayssiguier, 1990; Durlach, 1997) exhibiting latent tetany (Durlach, 1997) and spasmophilia (muscle cramps and spasms) (Galland, 1991). Hyperarousal (Galland, 1991) with sensitivity to noise, bodily contact, and excitement (Langley, 1991; Goto, 1993) in the precipitation of neuromuscular hyperexcitability has been described in magnesium deficiency. Choreiform and athetoid movements can be produced by magnesium deficiency (Holvey,1972). Some tics may be forms of atypical latent tetany (Ploceniak, 1990). A chronic tissue magnesium deficit is found in HLA B35 individuals (Zeana, 1988; Henrotte, 1990; Durlach, 1997). A few clinical disorders that can be associated with magnesium deficiency are: migraine (Thomas, 1994), bruxism (Lehvila, 1974; Ploceniak, 1990), restless leg syndrome (Popoviciu, 1993; Hornyak, 1998), asthma (Fantidis, 1995), seizures (Galland, 1991; Goto, 1993), hearing loss, TIA (Galland, 1991), heart arrhythmia (Burtis, 1994), and mitral valve prolapse (MVP) (associated with HLA B35) (Rybar, 1989).

Mercury binds to Hemoglobin in the red blood cell and will reduce the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood—a major cause of fatigue. Mercury at a level of 1 part per ten million will actively destroy the membrane of red blood cells. Hyperbaric oxygen has been used with great results, but at great expense in time and money, and may be contraindicated where mercury toxicity is present due to oxidative damage. A simple way to increase oxygen in the cells is through addition of 2 drops of tasteless Cell Food™ Eden’s Secret (888-755-7715, 1 oz, $21.95) to water being drunk. Another that builds oxygen in the blood is OxyCharge™ (800-800-9119, 2-oz spray bottle, $29.95 plus shipping), a tasteless spray into the mouth. Each bottle will last about a month. I have seen these work in my grown son who was greatly anemic from multiple transfusions, and gasping for oxygen! It gave almost instant relief of breathlessness, even though deficient of red blood cells! The Cell Food™ supplies 78 trace, colloidal, ionic minerals, 34 enzymes, and 17 amino acids.    

Live Blood Analysis is a method of prescreening the blood that can be most revealing of a condition usually ignored. That is, the clumping of the blood. Blood clumps or sludges for several reasons. Platelets can become sticky. Red cells can fail to repel one another, especially following a high fat meal that lacks sufficient lipotrophic factors (chiefly lecithin, and vitamins B-complex, E, and C). It will show undigested carbohydrate particles circulating in the blood (signaling a need for digestive enzymes). It has been shown that when these clumped platelets, red cells, or undigested carbohydrate particles reach the small capillaries, they create a slowing or stoppage of blood flow robbing the cells in that area of necessary nutrients and waste removal. Additionally, a deficiency of glutathione tends to cause red cells to deform or burst, white cells decline in functional activity, and an alkaline condition of the blood ensues that constricts the blood vessels and reduces blood flow and oxygen transport. All this is evident by looking at one drop of blood under the electron microscope! Further, mercury binds to oxygen-carrying sites on hemoglobin reducing oxygenation of cells. All these causes of reduced oxygenation of cells lead to undesirable symptoms, many classed as autistic. Very low mercury concentrations block intestinal vitamin B₆. 

Garlic, vitamins E and C, bromelain, and the flavonoids (with rutin) all “thin” the blood. Use these in preference to aspirin. Recent studies by Dr. John Folts, Ph.D., who first touted aspirin, shows these nutrients reduced activity of platelets about 52%, the same as aspirin, without the side effects. Ginkgo Biloba effectively increases circulation and nutrient supply to the brain that is desperately needed by these children, however, because it enhances Phase I liver enzymes, it should be used for only a few months. It should not be used at all by one with a lack of fatty acids or with the PST problem. See my Electronic Book, “Self-help to Good Health”, Chapter titled “Sludged Blood” for additional details of how to improve circulation and oxygenation.

Transfer Factor

As indicated, bovine colostrum is very effective is helping the immune system destroy bacterial, viral, and fungal infections (including candida) in that it boosts the natural killer cell function and glutathione production too when sufficient substrates (the amino acids cysteine, glycine, and glutamine) are available. It has been used effectively in reducing inflammation in autoimmune conditions. It also increases Growth Hormone (hGH) that benefits the transport of amino acids into cells, and elevates the uptake of blood glucose, and causes greater utilization of fat for energy. It (hGH) also tends to increase muscle mass. Increased production of growth hormone greatly increases the need for EFAs.  

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have been able to demonstrate for the first time that children who face a greater risk for the illness through family history of major depression produce significantly less growth hormone than their normal peers when given growth hormone releasing hormone. This builds on their research from 1994 that discovered children and adolescents with acute episodes of major depression secrete less growth hormone during and after their illness. 

There is a product called “Transfer Factor” (TF) derived from colostrum in which the factor or factors in colostrum that boost the immune system’s ability to recognize antigens (foreign substances or bugs) it has never been exposed to, and destroy them, is concentrated to about 100 to 1. This “messenger molecule” is not destroyed in the stomach as a protein antibody would be. Thus, the immunity of the cow, which contains many of the antibodies of the human, is transferred to the human. It is also said to be an immune modulator, boosting Natural Killer Cell function and activity significantly while either boosting or suppressing T-cell activity as needed. You may learn more about it, and purchase it from 4Life™ at: www.supercolostrum.com/colostrum/Information/information2.htm. There is a general “Transfer Factor”, and there are specific “Transfer Factor” products, (e.g., one where the source is infected with HHV-6 should enable the body to overcome a chronic infection by that virus.). There is a version of “Transfer Factor” from Chisolm Biological Laboratory that first used the chicken, and now the egg, as the source. Dr. Fudenberg’s group did considerable work with this, I understand. While the 4Life™ “Transfer Factor” gives the wide exposure of the cow to the human, the Chisolm ImmunFactor™ gives the free-range exposure of the chicken, plus the chicken is then exposed to specific human antigens to produce eight combinations of “Antigen Specific Transfer Factors”. Thus, several select antigens such as various viruses and candida can be specifically targeted (www.chisolmbio.com or 800-664-1333). The need and benefit of such products is easy to understand when one recognizes most of these children are suffering with one or more low grade, chronic infections, and their immune system either does not recognize it, or does not have the antibodies sufficient to destroy it. Dr. Hugh H. Fudenberg has done the definitive work with TF in autism. An abstract of a study with autistic youngsters follows:  

Fudenberg, H. H. Dialysable lymphocyte extract (DLyE) in infantile onset autism: a pilot study. Biotherapy 1996;9(1-3):143-7. Immuno Therapeutics Research Foundation, Spartanburg, S.C., USA. Abstract: 40 infantile autistic patients were studied. They ranged from 6 years to 15 years of age at entry. Twenty-two were cases of classical infantile autism; whereas 18 lacked one or more clinical defects associated with infantile autism—dubbed “pseudo-autism”. Of the 22 with classic autism, 21 responded to transfer factor (TF) treatment by gaining at least 2 points in symptom severity score average (SSSA); and 10 became normal in that they were mainstreamed in school, and clinical characteristics were fully normalized. Of the 18 remaining, 4 responded to TF, some to other therapies. After cessation of TF therapy, 5 in the autistic group and 3 of the pseudo-autistic group regressed, but they did not drop as low as baseline levels. PMID: 8993773, UI: 97146917.  

I understand that the product should be used for three or more months, and then to prevent regression, it should be pulsed (used for a few days) every three months.

Negative Effects of Secretin

Let’s stop and think what secretin does to lipid (fat) metabolism. Autistic kids are universally deficient in the fatty acids. Secretin is a pro-oxidant hormone. The metabolic impact of Secretin is that it stimulates the arachidonic acid cascade (contraindicated in seizure disorders) and bicarbonate production, oxidizes or burns off (beta oxidizes) fatty acids (including both essential fats, insulating fatty acids, and very long-chain, fatty acids), increases the metabolism of bile acids, and, theoretically, may stimulate Cholecystokinin-B (CCK-B) that plays a neuromodulatory role in the regulation of GABAergic neuronal activity perhaps (theoretically) stimulating speech. When a child receives secretin over and over again without replenishing the lipids (fatty acids) and catalysts (vitamins and minerals), then the impact could ultimately be quite negative.  

On the other hand, children with autistic spectrum disorder tend to have a buildup of very long-chain, fatty acids (VLCFA) indicative of suppressed, peroxisomal, beta oxidation. Characteristically, plasmalogen synthesis and beta-oxidation of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) are affected. It’s been found that patients with generalized peroxisomal disorders have a profound brain deficiency of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3) and low DHA concentrations in all tissues and the blood. Supplementation with DHA-EE normalized blood DHA values within a few weeks. Plasmalogen concentrations increased in erythrocytes in most patients and after DHA concentrations were normalized, amounts of VLCFAs decreased in plasma. Liver enzymes returned almost to normal in most cases. From a clinical viewpoint, most patients showed improvement in vision, liver function, muscle tone, and social contact. In 3 patients, normalization of brain myelin was detected by magnetic resonance imaging. In 3 others, myelination improved. In a seventh patient, myelination is progressing at a normal rate. Curiously, DHA is a VLCFA.  

The use of secretin stimulates the burning off of these aberrant, excess lipids (VLCFAs) that irritate the brain (and many other systems of the body); thus, in that degree, secretin is of immediate benefit. The administration of secretin, DHEA, pregnenolone, or thyroid hormone stimulates the beta-oxidation (burning within the mitochondria for energy) of VLCFAs, as would pro-oxidant nutrients and oxidative therapies. Excess VLCFAs indicate a deficiency of cytochrome p450 (Phase I) liver enzymes, and pregnenolone increases Phase I activity by conserving existing Phase I enzymes.  Stimulating beta-oxidation, however, concurrently stimulates the burning off of essential fatty acids (EFAs) as we said. Children with ASD most often present with acidosis, low CO₂/Bicarbonate, and low oxygen. (Dr. Patricia Kane, Ph.D.). The spacy, dreamy, lack of clarity state you observe in most autistic children is often associated with a low bicarbonate and disturbed electrolyte status. Insufficient oxygen in the brain can lead to a spacy, confused, non-alert quality also. Infusions of Secretin will correct the acidosis that most children with ASD present ultimately impacting their hyperammonemic states that may be stabilized with the increased bicarbonate production (bicarbonate released from the pancreas plus ammonia yields urea that can be excreted). Sulfur containing amino acids become ammonia and remain ammonia without adequate folic acid, B₁₂, zinc, and molybdenum. Excess ammonia in the blood is associated with excess lysine. 

“Peroxisomes are organelles within cells that are pivotal in the biotransformation of endogenous compounds in lipid metabolism such as fatty acids, steroids, prostaglandins, the formation of myelin, neurotransmission, detoxification of exogenous compounds and xenobiotics (phenols and other compounds discussed under the section PST). VLCFAs are fatty acids with 22 or more carbons. Normally, these are oxidized down to C20 or less by p450 oxidase enzymes in the peroxisome organelles in the liver. Normally, the C20s are then shuttled by carnitine to the mitochondria for further metabolism. However, mitochondria cannot metabolize VLCFAs so they then accumulate in the nerve cells where they have toxic effects. This is almost universally true in autistic children, but is also seen in Alzheimer’s patients, chronic fatigue, Zellweger’s, and cardiovascular disease. The accumulation of VLCFAs [Docosahexaenoic (DHA), Docosapentaenoic w3, Behenic, Lignoceric, and Nervonicinside] inside the cell membrane represents defects in peroxisomal, beta-oxidation rather than a mitochondrial disturbance. This accumulation may be used to profile the deleterious effects upon the brain, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and immune systems, as well as the cytochrome P450 liver enzyme derangement involving nitric oxide synthase (NOS) characteristic in autistic spectrum disorder due to autoimmune presentation. Therefore, the toxic aspect so often described in autism may be defined clearly through examination of Red Blood Cell lipids with elevation of VLCFAs being a reflection of blocked detoxification mechanisms”—Patricia Kane. 

Additionally, a recent study shows another disturbing aspect of this fatty acid imbalance on cell walls: Red blood cell fatty acid compositions in a patient with autistic spectrum disorder: a characteristic abnormality in neurodevelopmental disorders? J. G. Bell, J. R. Sargent, D. R.Tocher, J. R. Dick Nutrition Group, Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling UK 

“Summary: The fatty acid compositions of red blood cell (RBC) phospholipids from a patient with autistic spectrum disorder had reduced percentages of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA) compared to control samples. The percentage of HUFA in the RBC from the autistic patient was dramatically reduced (up to 70%) when the sample was stored for 6 weeks at (-) 20 degrees C. However, only minor HUFA reductions were recorded in control samples stored similarly, or when the autistic sample was stored at (-) 80 degrees C. A similar instability in RBC HUFA compositions upon storage at (-) 20 degrees C has been recorded in schizophrenic patients. In a number of other neurodevelopmental conditions, including ADHD and dyslexia, reduced concentrations of RBC HUFA have been recorded.  

“Evidence suggests that the HUFA instability observed in a patient with ASD and found in other neurodevelopmental disorders may be caused by increased phospholipase activity, perhaps in conjunction with increased auto-oxidative stress. The evidence available suggests that autistic spectrum disorder involves an aberration in lipid metabolism that results in alterations in cell membrane phospholipid structure and function, and that these alterations are similar in a number of other neurodevelopmental disorders. The tryptophan metabolite indole acroyl glycine (IAG) has been found in the urine of the majority of patients with ASD, and has also been identified in numerous other neurodevelopmental disorders. The precursor of IAG, indole acrylic acid, when added to cells in culture affects the cellular PUFA compositions and the production of PGE.” 

Autism is said to often involve a demyelination of the myelin sheath of nerves, disrupting nerve transmission. Brain autoantibodies to myelin basic protein and neuron-axon filament protein have been found in autistic children. The perineuronal nets around neurons, which modulate their function, are primarily composed of chondroitin sulfate. Low sulfur would thus yield less modulation of neurons. Hepatitis B vaccine was found to inhibit sulfation chemistry for at least one week in typical people. When TNF (tumor necrosis factor) is elevated (frequently in autism), it can inhibit the conversion of cysteine to sulfate. This could be a contributing factor in PST.    

Mercury and other heavy metals (such as lead) can cause progressive myelin degeneration with the development of antibodies to myelin basic protein (MBA) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Recent discovery of herpes virus-6 in the damaged areas of the brains of a 73% of Multiple Sclerosis sufferers is impulse disturbing. The nervous system, once the insulation is stripped, can be likened to your home with bare wires inside the walls—a dangerous situation. In the body, symptoms may be many and varied:

         1) tremors, shaking, “palsy” due to malfunction of nerve transmissions.

         2) uncoordination in walking, writing and other automatic physical movements,

         3) slurred speech,

         4) excessive salivation,

         5) deterioration of memory and thinking processes

         6) blurred vision,

         7) difficulty urinating, incontinence,

         8) environmental sensitivity, allergic to smells, food, clothing, electrical equipment,

         9) breathing problems, short of breath,

        10) nervousness or nervous breakdown,

         11) numbness and tingling in extremities,

         12) heart problems/arrhythmia’s.  

Some have found Sphingolin™ most helpful (Ecological Formulas 800-888-4585). Vitamin B₁₂ is often lacking, and it is essential to sheath formation. These benefit the myelin sheath, increasing perception and response. Dr. Jeff Bradstreet, however, reports that children who took oral, myelin-basic protein (Sphingolin™) seemed worse when they were infused with secretin. The secretin burned off the fats (needed to make myelin and prostaglandins, both the insulating fats and the very long chain fats). It is a big “no no” to stimulate with peptides (secretin) with Sphingolin™ without fats! (Patricia Kane) If you choose to infuse, you must supplement generously with Evening Primrose oil (EPO); and always with fatty acids, you must supplement with the antioxidants vitamin C and vitamin E with selenium, preferably before beginning the EPO. A failure to do so may promote seizures, neurological disorders, and increased cancer risk due to increased free radical activity. Additionally, Dr. Woody McGinnis, MD, of Tucson, Arizona, USA, has reported investigating two seizures that occurred during or immediately following secretin infusion. One was near fatal. Make sure the one infusing is ready for any emergency. It is probably inadvisable to infuse one who is subject to seizures. Dr. McGinnis tells of a doctor whose son started having seizures (not immediately, but delayed) after secretin. She found the urinary pH really alkalotic, gave him generous unbuffered vitamin C, and says the seizures abated. Perhaps, before infusion, one should check for an overly alkaline urine, and do so again after the infusion to anticipate and forestall any possible seizures.  

In the case of inadequate HCl production, infusion or transdermal supply of secretin may indeed help, but it does not fully address the most basic need—that of necessary digestion and utilization of food. The proper course for many seems not to be secretin infusion, but a supplementing of hydrochloric acid to the degree necessary to trigger release of the secretin so vital to proper digestion and hormonal response. In at least a minority of these children, the gut will be able to release adequate secretin. The supply of adequate acidity to the chyme would then “Kick Start” secretin production. One mother reports, “Since I followed your suggestion, and supplemented HCl, my son has the same responses he had to his secretin infusion!”

Hydrochloric Acid May be a Solution

In view of the above, I think it better to address the need for HCl first. Low HCl production is associated with many problems. Iron deficiency anemia, owing to poor iron absorption or to lead or cadmium poisoning, and osteoporosis, resulting in part from decreased calcium absorption, are two important problems. General allergies and, specifically, food allergies are correlated with low HCl. Poor food breakdown and the "leaky gut" syndrome are associated with food allergies. More than half the people with gallstones show decreased HCl secretion compared with gallstone-free patients. Diabetics have lower HCl output, as do people with eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, Vitiligo, and tooth and periodontal disease. With low stomach acid levels, there can be an increase in bacteria, yeasts, and parasites growing in the intestines. You may obtain Betaine Hydrochloride or Glutamic Hydrochloride, 10-grain capsules from the health food store. If allergic to beets, choose Glutamic Hydrochloride. If sensitive to sulfites [MSG—Chinese restaurant syndrome, or diagnosed as suffering from phenol-sulfotransferase deficiency (PST)], choose Betaine Hydrochloride. Glutamic acid hydrochloride is only mildly acidic, and does not work as well as betaine hydrochloride. Betaine may be used alone, in supplements, or along with pepsin or other digestive agents. A child should get good results with one to five, 10-grain capsules, adults with five to ten (a predominantly pasta meal would need less than a high protein one). Start with one, and increase gradually. For children who will not swallow a capsule, it may be mixed with the food, or mixed in a small amount of drink that will be consumed completely. Woodlands Healing Research Center reports an older autistic boy showed marked improvement in digestive function, and a dramatic reduction in agitation when the mother began mixing betaine hydrochloride with pepsin into meat, poultry or other protein foods before meals. 

Low stomach acid can be corrected by eating a balanced diet of wholesome foods, and by reducing our daily levels of stress. Niacin stimulates HCl production. This can be taken before meals, as can magnesium chloride and pyridoxal-5-phosphate (the active form of vitamin B₆) to help stimulate the body’s own HCl output. Zinc is essential to HCl production. Drinking the juice of half a lemon squeezed in water or a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a glass of warm water 30 minutes before meals helps, and supplements taken during or after meals should be swallowed using the lemon or vinegar treated water. Use of Swedish Bitters or gentian has been helpful in improving digestion. 

We are talking acid here. One 10-grain tablet of HCl in 1-1/2 ounces of water will have a pH of about three. This is not nearly as strong as what you may have experienced when you burped, and the acid really burned your throat; but, when HCl is mixed with food, it must be swallowed right down without chewing. Do not leave this food in the mouth. It could damage the enamel on the teeth. Additional food should be eaten immediately to clear the throat. If mixed with a drink, drink it with a straw to protect the teeth. Rinse the mouth, and swallow to clear the throat. Try it yourself, Mama. You may be surprised to learn that a Coke™ is even more acid (2.8 pH)! As with all such matters pertaining to your child’s health, consult with your medical professional. 

If the hydrochloric acid is sufficiently strong, and the gut is able to release secretin, and the pancreas is functioning, the use of an enteric-coated, alkaline tablet will not be needed to neutralize the acid in the intestine. The pancreas will normally release enough bicarbonate based on the strength of the secretin signal. The amount of secretin released is dependent on the amount of hydrochloric acid in the chyme entering the gut.  

Where HCl is adequate, but secretin is not being adequately produced, or the pancreas is not functioning well, the proteolytic enzymes may not be released; or, because of a lack of bicarbonate of soda, they will be destroyed by the acidity of the chyme. This can result in incomplete breakdown of proteins. These “foreign” protein molecules may be absorbed into the bloodstream, and circulated throughout the body. These “peptides” can cause all types of allergic (autoimmune responses) or toxic reactions, in particular those relating to breathing and skin irritation. Taking an alkalizing substance (an enteric coated pill) in that case, will neutralize the stomach acid in the gut, prevent the destruction of the proteolytic enzymes if any are available, and maintain an environment for the flora of the gut. If a tablet is not available, taking 1/2 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in a glass of water after the stomach begins emptying (about 2-1/2 hours after eating) can be just as effective. Without sodium being present glucose cannot be absorbed. Picture a revolving door in the wall of the gut with two segments. Without these two substances filling the segments, the door won’t turn. Mercury causes excessive sodium excretion, as shown in studies of dental amalgam placed in monkeys and sheep (Lorscheider et al, 1995). 

Do not take any water, tea, or other nonfood drink with a meal or within two hours as that will dilute the HCl and hinder digestion. If you must drink water to take pills, put a tablespoon or more of lemon juice or apple cider vinegar in the water to help preserve stomach acidity. A convenient way to overcome gastric reflux that affects so many is to take the HCl with meals, or to drink a glass of warm water with one teaspoon of raw, unfiltered, apple-cider vinegar when you experience it. You may sweeten it with some honey if you must. 

As to the amount of acid in the capsules, you will not begin to administer as much as a normal stomach produces for an average adult meal (estimated to be equivalent to 30 capsules). It is the quantity as well as the degree of acidity that is important. Normal pH must be below three (preferably two) to convert pepsinogen into pepsin (needed to digest protein). It is often as low as one (the strongest acid). 

If there is burning or pain, or if the digestive distress experienced previously (bloating, belching, heartburn, reflux) becomes worse, discontinue the use of the hydrochloric acid. Sensitivity of the stomach to acid (especially a burning pain just below the sternum) may indicate an ulcer. However, it likely indicates the person is dehydrated, or using aspirin or NSAID for pain. Everyone should drink a large glass of water 30 minutes before eating. That will rehydrate the mucus lining of the stomach, and protect the stomach from the acid. If there seems to be adverse reactions other than pain or burning, an allergy to Betaine (beets) Hydrochloride may be the cause. Try Glutamic Hydrochloride instead.  

HCl production is controlled by the zinc-dependent enzyme carbonic anhydrase. Toxins of bacterial overgrowth, gluten-casein peptides, metabolic acidosis, and lack of zinc all depress this enzyme. An inflamed, irritated gut present in autism will not absorb zinc well. You must supplement zinc, balance your zinc-copper ratio, and restore the proper body pH to restore HCl production. This pH can be improved by supplementing ionic calcium—that autistics are universally lacking. When there is adequate calcium, the saliva will be near pH 7.0 between meals, anything less than pH 6.5 is cause for concern.  

There are some simple tests that may help determine if you or your child lack HCl. There is a hydrochloric acid reflex present on the bottom of the lowest rib approximately one inch lateral to the midline. If this area on the rib is tender to palpation there is a strong likelihood the person is deficient in hydrochloric acid, and would benefit from supplementation. Additionally:

      1. Drink four ounces of beet juice on an empty stomach. If this turns the next urine red, suspect low HCl for there isn’t enough acid to break down the red pigment—but, you could be iron deficient.

    2. Check the pH of the urine—drink four ounces of grapefruit juice, or a lemon–orange juice mixture, on an empty stomach. Test the pH of the urine one hour later. If it is significantly more acid (lower pH number), suspect low HCl. The citric acid should have been broken down.

    3. If you have heartburn or a too–acid feeling, swallow a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. If it makes the symptoms worse—you have more than enough hydrochloric acid. If the symptoms are relieved, you need HCl.

    4. If it appears that you may need additional HCl, obtain a bottle of 10-grain HCl (with pepsin) in capsule form from the health food store; “Adults...take five...of such a product with a meal. If you do not suffer the usual burps and belches, you have proven in one hour that you have need for digestive support. If five...solve your problem, then try four the next meal, then three...you will finally have a recurrence of the old symptoms. Slowly increase the dosage each meal to find the dosage needed to prevent symptoms. Continue that dosage indefinitely.”—Indigestion by Doctor Kurt W. Donsbach.  

You may need more than five, usually ten is enough for an adult; however, if your symptoms worsen, you are overproducing HCl. To aid in restoring vibrant health, strength, and normal weight, utilize that number of capsules of HCl with each meal. Be sure to take the HCl after the meal, so as to allow starch digestion to proceed for the first 45 minutes, and so as not to discourage the stomach from supplying all the HCl that it can. The Betaine can be discontinued once the reflex point is non-tender to deep palpation, or the other tests show no further need.

Biochemical Observations

Common features in those with autism include: raised blood or serum lactate, regional disturbances in glucose uptake in the brain, particularly in the cortex, and reduced brain levels of high-energy phosphate compounds.

These observations would suggest a mitochondrial energy disorder in the brain. Mitochondrial dysfunction may result from any of the following:

    1. Impairment of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation due to carnitine deficiency. Carnitine pumps fatty acids into the mitochondria. With the help of vitamins B₆, C, and niacin, the body produces carnitine from the amino acids lysine and methionine found in high quality protein. Adequate amounts are not thus formed so some carnitine must come from muscle and organ meats in the diet for it is not found in vegetables. Obviously, a low protein or a vegetarian diet would likely create a deficiency of this vital nutrient, and impair the mitochondrial function causing a loss of energy and a build up of triglycerides and fatty acids in the blood and cells.  

The Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center’s Department of Enzymology has identified two patients with the “carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein syndrome” through alpha-1-antitrypsin phenotyping. The carbohydrate deficient glycoprotein in the serum of these patients produces a band on polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing that moves cathodally of the Z-band. In the area of carnitine deficiency, there is, for example, less than 5% of normal muscle carnitine concentration. After carnitine supplementation, patients unable to talk or walk, with hypotonic musculature and symptoms of autism, became able to walk with the help of a walker. They could stand alone for short periods, and they acquired an interest in their surroundings. The common findings of carnitine deficiency were an impaired ability to walk, muscular hypotonia, reduced muscle carnitine concentration, and an improvement in locomotion while on carnitine.  

Cellular energy production itself produces free radicals that can damage cell structures, including the mitochondria, and ultimately lead to various diseases if the body’s natural antioxidant capacity is inadequate. Acylcarnitine and lipoic acid are both endogenous (naturally present in the body) antioxidants that have been shown to restore the mitochondrial function and reduce free radical damage. (Hagen TM et al., 1998; Lyckesfeldt J et al., 1998). Together with coenzyme Q10 and NADH, they work to maintain the function of the mitochondria.  

It should be noted that not only fatty acids are needed, but glucose must be able to enter the cell to produce energy needed by the cell and by the muscles. Just as L-carnitine pumps in fatty acids, Alpha Lipoic Acid pumps in glucose. Its supplementation tends to overcome syndrome X, where the cells are resistant to glucose. This resistance produces unnaturally high blood levels of insulin and sugar. 

Since the amino acid L–carnitine is frequently lacking in the autistic, this could predispose to heart problems and a lack of energy. The primary function of carnitine is to escort fatty acids into the mitochondrial furnace where the fat is burned to fuel ATP for energy. In this action it reduces blood levels of triglycerides and cholesterol dramatically, and aids weight loss. It boosts energy levels for those suffering from elevated blood sugar levels and kidney insufficiency. This reduces fatigue. Tests by Dr. Carl Pepine at the University of Florida showed that carnitine increases blood flow in the heart by 60%, and reduced vascular resistance 25%. It reduces heart arrhythmias by 58% to 90% in patients with chronic heart problems. He reported that patients were enabled to walk 80% farther before discomfort set in. Dr. A. Feller (1988) reported in the Journal of Nutrition that arrhythmias are usually a result of a carnitine deficiency. The heart is enabled to pump more blood, with fewer beats, and with less tendency toward oxygen deprivation. Vitamin E would be its ally in this for it enables muscles to function on 40% less oxygen. This would relieve angina and reduce risk of heart attack. A deficiency may result in chronic tiredness, fatigue, nausea, dizziness and anemia. Lysine is converted to carnitine, and carnitine increases Acetylcholine an important neurotransmitter. Autonomic system abnormalities can be caused by disturbances in Acetylcholine levels, known to be deficient in both autism and mercury poisoning.  

L-carnitine (500 mg capsules twice daily on an empty stomach, or with a carbohydrate snack) reduced ketone, triglyceride (up to 40%), and cholesterol (up to 21%) levels, and increased HDL levels (up to 15%). The suggested use is 200 mg three times a day, increasing after one week to 400 mg three times daily, to improve brain energy levels. Basic L-carnitine may draw moisture and become unstable, and it is not the most bioavailable. While the citrate, lactate, and tartrate are good forms, the most effective form is L-carnitine fumarate. It is up to 9% more bioavailable. Carnitine will conserve calcium, magnesium, and potassium, and may reduce heart arrhythmias and fatigue—which will reduce risk of heart attack. 

Due to increased fat burning, carnitine supplementation creates a significant need for caloric increase. If none is supplied there will likely be weight loss. It also generates increased free radicals that can severely damage cells unless additional antioxidants are supplied—particularly vitamins C and E and selenium. Additionally, lower than normal levels of certain essential fatty acids, such as cholesterol (needed as the precursor to many hormones) and triglycerides (a large proportion of the blood’s fatty substances) can be exacerbated by supplemental carnitine. One Mother says, “We lost our seizure control, and did not regain it until calories had been upped significantly...Please, everyone, let’s consider very carefully the premise that carnitine supplementation creates a significant need for caloric increase.” The level of fatty acids in the autistic child is an important factor because the endocrine system and its hormones, the brain and its neurotransmitters, the myelin sheath, and all the immune system components are derived from lipids (fats). 

However, mitochondria cannot metabolize very long-chain, fatty acids (VLCFA) which many autistic have accumulated; so, if carnitine pumps additional ones into the cell, they can accumulate in the cells where they have toxic effects. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare, fatal, degenerative disease caused by a build up of very long-chain, fatty acids (c22 to c28) that destroys the myelin (protective sheath) of the nerves. Canola oil is a very long-chain, fatty acid oil (c22). Inability to handle VLCFAs is almost universally true in autistic children, but is also seen in Alzheimer’s patients, chronic fatigue, and cardiovascular disease. The accumulation of VLCFAs inside the cell membrane represents defects in peroxisomal, beta-oxidation that is likely the result of hypothyroidism. Therefore, the toxic aspect so often described in autism may be defined clearly through examination of Red Blood Cell lipids with elevation of VLCFAs being a reflection of blocked detoxification mechanisms (that is, the Phase I liver enzymes are sluggish). These can be enhanced with milk thistle and other herbs mentioned herein. In some cases the VLCFA DHA is reduced. In that case supplementation of DHA has proven most helpful in relieving many symptoms of VLCFA disease.  

Carnitine supplementation holds great promise, and it must be supplemented when Depakote™ is being used, but I think there are some things we must guard against. Additional carnitine will pump more fatty acids into the mitochondria to produce additional energy. It would help to know from a previous blood test that the triglycerides and cholesterol were normal or elevated. When using carnitine, to avoid creating a deficiency in fatty acids, we must supplement with Evening Primrose and cod-liver oils as outlined elsewhere in this paper, and ensure the child is getting enough calories for his size and activity. The wild card is the VLCFAs. To determine their status run the Red Blood Cell Lipid test. Symptoms of fatty acid deficiency would tend to be thirst, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, excess urination, dandruff, eczema, and rough skin. If these symptoms, or low triglyceride/cholesterol levels, or excess VLCFAs were present, I would not supplement carnitine, until these problems were being corrected. As I understand it, carnitine could lower the fatty acids and blood fats adversely, and could overload the cell with VLCFAs that it cannot burn. Look to the thyroid, do the iodine test, and if indicated, support the thyroid.

      2. A second cause of mitochondrial energy disorder is inflammation associated with the release of excess nitric oxide. The herb Ginkgo Biloba selectively increases the release of nitric oxide synthase, the enzyme that reacts with arginine to produce nitric oxide. It should be avoided in this instance. Excess nitric oxide can cause uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation as well as inhibiting the Krebs cycle enzyme, aconitase. This will result in organic acidemias, and low mitochondrial energy production. Lactic acidosis and carnitine deficiency in autistic patients suggest excessive nitric acid production in mitochondria (Lombard, 1998, Chigani, et al, 1999), and mercury may be a participant. Methyl mercury accumulates in the mitochondria, where it inhibits several mitochondrial enzymes, reduces ATP production and Ca2+ (calcium) buffering capacity, and disrupts mitochondrial respiration and oxidative phosphorylation (Atchison & Hare, 1994; Rajanna and Hobson, 1985; Faro et al., 1998). The behavior associated with excess NO production in the autist is maniacal laughter. 

Neurological problems are among the most common and serious of mercury poisoning, and include memory loss, moodiness, depression, anger and sudden bursts of anger/rage, self-effacement, suicidal thoughts, lack of strength/force to resolve doubts or resist obsessions or compulsions. Mercury causes decreased lithium levels, which is a factor in neurological diseases such as depression and Alzheimer’s. Lithium protects brain cells against excess glutamate induced excitability and calcium influx, and low levels cause abnormal brain cell balance and neurological disturbances. Medical texts on neurology point out that chronic mercurialism is often misdiagnosed as dementia or neurosis or functional psychosis. 

Mercury at extremely low levels interferes with formation of tubulin producing neurofibrillary tangles in the brain similar to those observed in Alzheimer’s patients with high levels of mercury in the brain. Mercury and the induced neurofibrillary tangles appear to produce a functional zinc deficiency in the AD sufferers, as well as causing reduced lithium levels. Mercury binds to hemoglobin in the red blood cell, and will reduce the amount of oxygen that can be carried in the blood—a major cause of Fatigue. Mercury at a level of 1 part per ten million will actively destroy the membrane of red blood cells. Mercury binds with cell membranes interfering with sodium and potassium enzyme functions, causing excess membrane permeability, especially in terms of the blood-brain barrier. Less than 1 ppm mercury in the blood stream can impair the blood-brain barrier. Mercury also blocks the immune function of magnesium and zinc. Exposure to mercury vapor causes decreased zinc and methionine availability, depresses rates of methylation (a bodily process of converting inorganic forms to organic forms, part of the detox process), and increases free radicals—all factors in increased susceptibility to chronic disease and to cancer. Mercury, especially organic mercury, causes accumulation of calcium into the cells, therefore, one does not want to take much calcium, and one wants to have a high ratio of magnesium to calcium, that is, keep magnesium up and calcium down to reduce the accumulative effects. Mercury also blocks the metabolic action of manganese, allowing an increased production of NO and the entry of calcium ions into cell.  

Magnesium and manganese are the doorkeepers regulating the proper amount of calcium entering the cell. Mercury, if excreted in the urine, pulls out magnesium from the body, thus increasing the manganese relative to magnesium levels. Rarely is mercury excreted and most commonly it migrates to the brain where it can drive both brain toxicity and increases in manganese. In either case, increases in manganese relative to magnesium may increase measles viral mutations. Shifts in magnesium to manganese cations in the body can significantly enhance viral mutation rates by 6-10 fold. 

The significance of this in your child’s life may be seen in the following: A group measured mercury levels in 15 preterm and 5 term infants before and after Hep B vaccination. According to the group, after-vaccination mercury levels in both preterm and term infants showed a significant increase. Mercury levels in the preterm infants were three times higher than in the term infants, and this was statistically significant, according to the team—Dr. Gregory V. Stajich from Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, 

A recent study demonstrates that oral administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a widely available and largely nontoxic amino acid derivative, produces a profound acceleration of urinary methyl mercury excretion in mice. Mice that received NAC in the drinking water (10 mg/ml) starting at 48 hr after methyl mercury administration excreted from 47 to 54% of the 203 Hg in urine over the subsequent 48 hr, as compared to 4-10% excretion in control animals. When NAC was given from the time of methyl mercury administration, it was even more effective at enhancing urinary methyl mercury excretion, and at lowering tissue mercury levels. In contrast, excretion of inorganic mercury was not affected by oral NAC administration. Three other nontoxic elements that readily bond to mercury rendering it less toxic and more easily excretable are Oxygen, Sulfur, and Selenium. Mercury binds strongly to selenium, a trace element that is needed for cellular health, depleting its stores. Latest research shows a conclusive connection between reduced levels of Selenium and increased risk of cancers.  

A lack of selenium also affects the conversion of T4 thyroid hormone to T3. Stress reduces the conversion of T4 to the more active T3. Both cadmium and mercury inhibits the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to active T3. In a Chinese study, researchers found that selenium and vitamin E deficiency reduced blood levels of T3 by more than one-third. Vitamin E was thought to protect the T4/T3 conversion process. All myelination is controlled by T3. Free T3 regulates serotonin and melatonin metabolism. T3 controls serotonin uptake, binding to its receptors, so if there are serotonin problems, look to the thyroid. The active hormone T3 converts from T4, and to do this you need a specific ratio of zinc to copper of about 8:1. If you have had hair analysis and or fecal testing or blood tests you may know what your ratio is. If not, I would suggest finding out. Mercury (like in amalgam, and thimerosal in vaccines) will also cause hypothyroidism by interfering with selenoenzymes (Watanabe et al, 1999), and mercury competes and really messes up zinc absorption/utilization creating all kinds of effects throughout the body.

      3. Defects in respiratory chain enzymes. Pyruvate Dehydrogenase or mitochondrial respiratory chain defects, that is, NAD, NADH, Coenzyme Q10, and cytochrome oxidase deficiency. Although we find a variety of autistic phenotypes to have associated mitochondrial abnormalities, the most common is nonspecific PDD, typically of a form that manifests language and cognitive regression or stagnation during the second year. Most surprising among multiplex families is that the biochemical and clinical markers of mitochondrial disease often segregate in an autosomal dominant manner (that is, genetically induced). Although no molecular lesion has yet been found in the autosomal dominant families, the biochemical findings are most consistent with abnormal mitochondrial complex I activity (that is NAD/NADH activity—WSL). Early and careful evaluation of autistic children for these more subtle mitochondrial disturbances may rescue them from more severe brain injury (Kelley, Richard, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD). Note that the acetylaldehyde toxin given off by candida yeast inhibits the NAD/NADH exchange.

      4. Excess glutamate exposure, a common and increasing source being MSG. Generally, autistic children show low glutamine, high glutamate readings. Plasma levels of glutamic acid and aspartic acid are elevated even as levels of glutamine and asparagine were low (Moreno-Fuenmayor et al, 1996). Mercury inhibits the uptake of glutamate, with consequent elevation of glutamate levels in the extracellular space (O’Carroll et al, 1995). Thimerosal enhances extracellular free arachidonate and reduces glutamate uptake (Volterra et al, 1992). Excessive glutamate is implicated in epileptiform activities (Scheyer, 1998; Chapman et al, 1996). Cells that are without oxygen may release excessive glutamate. Low oxygen is common in autistics. Children’s forming brains are four times more sensitive to neuro-excitotoxins. The lower the energy production of the cell, the more susceptible it is to excitotoxicity. Low magnesium levels (common in “our” children) can double free radical production and magnify their toxicity! The generation of increased levels of free radicals within the cell can activate the p53 tumor-suppressor gene triggering apoptosis (cell suicide). Excess glutamate can kill neurons by necrosis (by its allowing excess calcium into the cells) as well. Magnesium is the calcium regulator. Elevated plasma glutamate lowers cellular GSH by inhibiting cystine uptake. 

Additionally, high levels of insulin inhibit an enzyme in the cell wall responsible for helping to regulate proper intracellular calcium balance. Since the interstitial fluid outside the cell usually contains a thousand times higher concentration of calcium than is normally present within the cell, this excess insulin response to our improper (high carbohydrate) diet simply opens the calcium floodgates into the cell by inhibiting this membrane enzyme. Mercury, and especially organic mercury, causes accumulation of calcium into the cells, therefore, one does not want to take much calcium, at least one wants to have a high ratio of Mg/Ca, that is, keep magnesium up and calcium down to reduce the accumulative effects—and supplement manganese. Otherwise, excessive calcium will enter the cells, impairing metabolism, producing cross-linkages and premature aging, and eventually producing dangerous arterial spasms. Manganese is a natural chelating agent when taken in the food supply or as a supplement. Manganese and magnesium will do everything a calcium channel blocker will do, but more naturally and effectively. There will be no excessive intracellular infiltration by calcium transporting through the cell membrane as long as manganese and magnesium are present. Manganese works in a similar way to magnesium’s characteristic of displacing calcium ions. One of the keys to mercury’s effects on health may be its ability to block the functioning of manganese, a key mineral required for physiological reactions. New studies in humans and in the laboratory show that PCBs and mercury interact to cause harm at lower thresholds than either substance acting alone.  

Though forced to remove MSG, baby formula today frequently utilizes caseinate that contains a high enough level of glutamate to endanger a newborn’s brain! These excitotoxic additives are hidden under the terms hydrolyzed vegetable protein, protein isolate, protein extracts, caseinate, and natural flavorings! Another damaging excitotoxin is Aspartame™ that has increased exponentially in all our foods. Some of the many aspartame toxicity symptoms reported include seizures, headaches, memory loss, tremors, convulsions, vision loss, nausea, dizziness, confusion, depression, irritability, anxiety attacks, personality changes, heart palpitations, chest pains, skin diseases, loss of blood sugar control, arthritic symptoms, weight gain (in some cases), fluid retention, and excessive thirst or urination. The phenylalanine in aspartame lowers the seizure threshold and depletes serotonin. Lowered serotonin triggers manic depression, panic attacks, anxiety, rage, mood swings, suicidal tendencies, etc. Clearly, regular exposure to a toxic substance such as formaldehyde may worsen, or in some cases contribute to the development of chronic diseases. Other excitotoxins include fluoride, aluminum, iron overload, and organophosphate pesticides and herbicides. 

It would appear that the pathology of autism is one of immune dysregulation, with associated food intolerance, and opportunistic infection that triggers excessive production of the inflammatory cytokines and nitric oxide leading eventually to neural mitochondrial inhibition. Dr Rosemary Waring tells us that the excess cytokines reduces available sulfates also.  

Nutrients that may improve the mitochondrial function include, magnesium, Coenzyme Q10, N-acetylcarnitine, N-acetylcysteine, vitamins B₁, B₂, niacin/niacinamide, folic acid, NAD (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide), alpha-ketoglutarate, and antioxidants such as vitamin E, C, alpha lipoic acid, manganese, and selenium. Supplementation of glutathione has improved skill with numbers and fine motor skills. Oral glutathione is expensive, and not well assimilated, though of benefit to the gut. If you use it, take it with some vitamin C that will improve its assimilation by up to 20%. Kirkman has a lotion for transdermal application that will overcome the absorption problem.  Use both. Where possible, help the body produce its own supply.

Solutions to the Problems

Olfactory and gustatory symptoms of psychiatric patients ameliorated completely or partially by zinc supplementation, that is, their sense of smell and taste are improved so they tend to eat better. In a small study (Am J Clin Nutr 53:16, 1991), 30 mg zinc per day intake increased the short-term recall of visual images. Since it is known that essential fatty acid metabolites stimulate intestinal zinc, taking fatty acids with zinc supplements is clearly warranted. Zinc deficiency leads to an impairment of vitamin A metabolism, as well as to an inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis from essential fatty acids, either by blocking linoleic acid desaturation to gamma linolenic acid, or by inhibiting the mobilization of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid from the tissue membrane stores. Zinc and vitamins B₃, B₆, biotin, and C are necessary for the conversion of essential fatty acids to PgE1 (prostaglandin E1) that is protective from the excessive gastric secretion. Zinc is known to help in the healing of gastric and peptic ulcers. This is probably because zinc is required for the synthesis of gastric mucosa. Zinc controls over 200 enzymes, one of which is necessary for the stomach to produce hydrochloric acid. Note this quotation: “We took hair samples from 31 boys and 15 girls, and had them analyzed by Dr. P. J. Barrow of the Dept of Environmental Health, University of Aston, Birmingham. Twenty-four of the boys and seven of the girls had zinc values below the normal range.”—from 1979 survey of hyperactive children belonging to the H.A.C.S.G. Our May 1981 research paper: “A Lack of Essential Fatty Acids as a possible cause of Hyperactivity in Children” was based on these findings.”  

>>>Dietary fat influences the effect of zinc deficiency on liver lipids and fatty acids in rats force-fed equal quantities of diet; Eder K, Kirchgessner M J Nutr 1994 Oct, 124:101917-26

Abstract:

Previous studies showed that zinc deficiency influences the fatty acid composition of rat tissues, but the influence of dietary fat on the effects of zinc deficiency was not considered at that time. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of zinc deficiency on lipid concentrations in the liver and on fatty acid composition of liver phospholipids in rats fed diets containing coconut oil or fish oil, using a bifactorial experimental design. To ensure an adequate food intake, all rats were force-fed. The zinc-deficient rats fed the coconut oil diet developed fatty livers, whereas zinc-deficient animals fed the fish oil diet did not. The zinc-deficient rats in both dietary fat groups had lower levels of linoleic acid, arachidonic acid, and total (n-6, that is, Omega-6) fatty acids in the liver phospholipids, especially in the phosphatidylcholine, but greater concentrations of (n-3, that is, Omega-3) fatty acids compared with zinc-adequate controls. We conjecture that zinc deficiency influences incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into phosphatidylcholine. The lower levels of arachidonic acid are replaced in the zinc-deficient animals fed a coconut oil diet by docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids (VLCFAs), and in the zinc-deficient animals fed a fish oil diet by eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The replacement of arachidonic acid by other fatty acids in the phospholipids is likely to have implications for prostaglandin synthesis. The study shows that the type of dietary fat influences the effects of zinc deficiency on fatty acid composition and especially on lipid concentrations in the liver. >>> 

In zinc deficiency, one is more susceptible to toxin-producing bacteria or enteroviral pathogens that activate guanylate and adenylate cyclases, stimulating chloride secretion, producing diarrhea and diminishing absorption of nutrients, thus exacerbating an already compromised mineral status, lowering zinc levels still further. In addition, zinc deficiency may impair the absorption of water and electrolytes, delaying the termination of normally self-limiting gastrointestinal disease episodes. One study showed zinc supplementation could reduce the duration of diarrhea by 20 to 30%, reduce incidence of diarrhea by 38%, and reduce acute respiratory infections such as pneumonia up to 48%—American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, August 1998. Parasites are better able to survive in the zinc-deficient hosts than in well-nourished hosts. The production of interleukin-4 in the spleen of zinc-deficient mice is depressed, leading to depressed levels of IgE, IgG(1) and eosinophils; and the function of T-cells and antigen-presenting cells is impaired by zinc deficiency as well as by energy restriction. Thirty days of suboptimal intake of zinc can lead to 30-80% losses in defense capacity. Supplementation with zinc, iron, or both, improved indicators of vitamin A status. The results of this study agree with previous observations of a metabolic interaction between zinc and vitamin A, and suggest an interaction between iron and vitamin A metabolism. 

Children that are unsettled, frequently demanding attention, upset much of the time, and those whose sleep is regularly broken during the night can be very wearying on parents to say the least. Additionally, recent studies show that in sleep-deprived people the part of the brain responsible for language slowed down tremendously. Furthermore, after a sleepless night a person will do only half as well on memory tests as when well rested. Sleep deprivation produces more insulin and cortisol, both damaging to health and well being. Dr. Joseph T. Hart, a pediatrician of Portland, Oregon, has found that by supplementing zinc you may be able to eliminate the problem of sleeplessness. He has supplied zinc drops to hundreds of children, and in the majority of the cases the chronic sleeplessness has disappeared! Additionally, copper, iron, and magnesium, as well as vitamin A deficiencies will adversely affect sleep. Dr. K. M. Hambridge of Denver, Colorado, observed that zinc-fed babies were much less irritable. Hart reports that zinc supplementation also produces improvement in appetite, and reduces daytime irritability, diarrhea, skin rashes, and pallor. In older children, whose wakefulness was followed by climbing out of bed and getting in with their parents, the habit was lost. This is understood when we realize the synthesis of serotonin involves vitamin B₆ and zinc enzymes, and since serotonin is necessary for melatonin synthesis, a zinc deficiency may result in low levels of both hormones. Unfortunately, zinc levels tend to be low when there is excess copper and cadmium. Moreover, high estrogen levels from soy and flax tend to cause increased absorption of copper and cadmium. Cadmium affects verbal ability more and lead affects performance measures more. The high estrogen can create anxiety in the child.  

Zinc also helps get rid of the terrible two’s. Within a week you can often see a definite settling down, and reduction of tantrums and of the terrorizing of the poor mother! Zinc is being successfully used for learning disabled children, for children with seizures, skin lesions, and histories of infections. Zinc is essential for new tissue formation. It is essential for white blood cell and antibody formation. It helps neutralize toxic minerals in the body, such as lead, cadmium, and copper. It also seems to make other nutrients work better. High lead, copper, manganese, or mercury levels have been found to be associated with ADHD, impulsivity, and inability to inhibit inappropriate responding. New research from Israel and the UK indicates the hyperactivity of ADHD is linked to zinc deficiencies. Studies have also found evidence of a connection between low levels of zinc and three other common childhood diseases: treatment resistant depression, childhood-onset diabetes, and epilepsy. Zinc is an antagonist to toxic metals like cadmium and mercury, and adequate levels are required to balance the adverse effects of these toxic metals on cellular calcium and other enzymatic processes. Additionally, in one study, “…damage of liver cell, such as lobular necrosis and portal inflammation, were relieved. From these results, organic germanium is considered to have beneficial effect on the protection of liver from cadmium intoxication” No such protection against mercury was observed—Hyo Min Lee and Yong Chung, The Institute for Environmental Research, Yonsei University, Korea. 

Violent behavior in young men appears to be linked to an imbalance in the relationship of copper and zinc, according to a study published in the Journal Physiology & Behavior. “Our preliminary findings show that young men who have varying levels of angry, violent behavior also have elevated copper and depressed zinc levels; the non-assaultive controls in our study did not”, said William Walsh, Ph.D. Any white spots on finger or toe nails, face noticeably pale? Definitely supplement zinc. Don’t let the doctor ignore a low Alpha Phosphatase (alk phos) reading for a lack of this zinc dependent enzyme means you need zinc. The commercial zinc tablets are particularly painful for many because free zinc binds to already damaged mucosal cells directly. The zinc drops then are preferable. Consult with your medical professional about this possibility. In the case of pallor, check for anemia and low thyroid activity also. Iron deficiency anemia is often the first sign of hypothyroidism. Very important is the observation that anemia in hypothyroidism is often not diagnosed because hypothyroids have a lower volume of plasma which causes a false high estimation of the amount of hemoglobin in the blood. A strong desire to chew ice is a sure sign of anemia. Zinc and selenium are essential to formation of T3 thyroid hormone. Vitamin B₆ and magnesium deficiency predominates in hyperactive kids also. 

Zinc is vital in another pervasive problem affecting autistic. Subnormal values for the essential amino acids Valine and Leucine are common. Leucine and isoleucine are commonly found to be deficient in the mentally and physically ill. RDA for Leucine is 16 mg per kg of body weight per day. Animal protein provides 70 mg per gram. RDA for isoleucine is 12 mg per kg of body weight. Animal protein supplies 42 mg per gram. These are “branched-chain”, essential, amino acids, and their digestion and uptake from food require proper peptidase function in the small intestine. This is why one should supplement a digestive enzyme containing peptidase (SpectraZyme™, Peptizyde™, EnZym-Complete™). Leucine aminopeptidase is one such enzyme. To be active, it requires zinc, and a gut pH between 6.5 and 8.5. Peptidase dysfunction, and resulting, excess-peptide uptake is what much of autism is about. Zinc deficiency can cause both peptidase dysfunction and growth failure. As indicated, mercury also inhibits the peptidase enzymes. The latest Government survey shows 81% of the kids are not getting the RDI of zinc! A high percentage of females with Anorexia Nervosa have low serum zinc.  

While the branched-chain aminos are usually deficient, Maple Sugar Urine Disease (MSUD), that derives its name from the sweet, burnt sugar, or maple syrup smell of the urine, is caused by an excess of these aminos. The disorder affects the way the body metabolizes the three branch-chain amino-acids Leucine, isoleucine, and Valine. These amino acids accumulate in the blood causing a toxic effect that interferes with brain function. 

One type of phagocyte cell is the macrophage. In the brain, this is called myelinophage, in the liver, kupffer cells. The primary function of these cells is to break down and remove substances the immune system marks as ‘non-self’. These pivotal cells in many immunologic functions are adversely affected by zinc deficiency, which can dysregulate intracellular killing, cytokine production, and phagocytosis. Dr. Woody McGinnis says zinc deficiency is involved in warts, acne, stretch marks, asthma, and frequent infections. One study of hyperactive kids showed almost 50% were deficient in stomach acid, most likely because of a zinc deficiency common to ADHD. Zinc citrate, the form in mothers’ milk, is probably the most bioavailable way to restore zinc levels. 

Several studies have found that most children with ADHD have deficiencies of certain minerals that are commonly depleted by exposure to toxic metals, such as magnesium and zinc, and most show significant improvement after supplementation with these minerals. Magnesium is the most common significant mineral deficiency among ADHD children, but zinc is commonly deficient among children with ADHD and disruptive behavior disorder.  

Studies have found the level of free fatty acids significantly lower in children with ADHD and autism. In 1981, Colquhoun and Bunday proposed that hypothesis based on a survey of hyperactive children. These children showed clinical signs consistent with a deficiency of essential fatty acids: excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry skin and hair, brittle nails, and skin problems. Blood biochemical studies subsequently provided supporting evidence for the hypothesis. Peet and colleagues reported that a dietary analysis of 20 patients with schizophrenia yielded significant relationships between the status of dietary Omega-3 fatty acids and the severity of both schizophrenia symptoms and tardive dyskinesia. A higher consumption of Omega-3 fatty acids correlated with less severe symptomatology. There is also a case report in the literature of a 77-year old patient with Alzheimer’s dementia who improved clinically over several months when placed on a regimen of increased fish consumption. Symptom improvements included regaining the ability to dress himself, decreased restless and destructive behavior, improved fine motor skills, and enhanced insight into his condition. An imbalance of fatty acids control the amino acid balance.    

So, ensuring the presence of all the essential amino acids is another problem area. In order for the body to properly synthesize protein, all the essential amino acids must be present simultaneously, and in proper proportions. If one or more essential amino acids are missing or in poor supply, utilization of all amino acids is reduced in the same proportion as the one that is lowest or missing! Protein, in proper proportion for one’s metabolic type, must be eaten with every meal. Amino acid assimilation and utilization are controlled by fatty acids (GLA/EPA) that must be in balance. High dietary sugar and high-glycemic food intake causes release of high levels of insulin that disrupts fatty acid balance. Additionally, the essential branch-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels are significantly decreased by insulin. 

Valine, one of the three essential BCAA, competes with tyrosine and tryptophan in crossing the blood-brain barrier. The higher the Valine level, the lower the brain levels of tyrosine and tryptophan, and there is a decreased production of the thyroid and catecholamine hormones. An excess of Valine may cause hallucinations and “crawling skin”. Biotin is essential for metabolism of branched chain amino acids, and may be involved in copper metabolism. Walsh finds Biotin very useful in the “slender malabsorber group”. Adults require 14 mg Valine per Kg of body weight per day. First-class protein provides 48 mg per gram. One of the implications of this competition is that tyrosine and tryptophan nutritional supplements need to be taken at least an hour before or after meals or supplements that are high in branched chain amino acids. Any acute physical stress (including surgery, sepsis, fever, trauma, starvation) requires higher amounts of Valine, Leucine and isoleucine (the 3 essential BCAA) than any of the other amino acids. During period of Valine deficiency, all of the other amino acids are less well absorbed by the GI tract. Valine is “useful in muscle, mental, and emotional upsets, and in insomnia and nervousness”—Borrman. 

A British allergist has found that adults taking 500 mg of the amino acid L-histidine, twice daily, improved gastric acid production in allergic patients. (Children should use one-half that amount.) If the allergies are severe, start with 2 to 3 grams per day and taper down to 1 gram as allergies improve. Improvements are because of increased histamine production. The amino acid L-glycine also increases gastric acid output. It may be used at 500 to 2000 mg daily in divided doses. This is often seen in its metabolite form Dimethyl (DMG) or Trimethyl (TMG) glycine. TMG (betaine) has been used for many years in the treatment of hyperactivity even though the mode of action has remained unclear. In giving up one methyl molecule, it becomes DMG, long used in autism (according to Mr. Dave Humphrey of Kirkman Labs, 1-500 mg tablet of Kirkman’s N,N,N, Trimethylglycine supplies approximately 250 mg DMG). Betaine hydrochloride (600 mg supplying 485 mg Betaine and 115 mg hydrochloride) is Betaine stabilized with hydrochloride. It has the advantage of providing hydrochloric acid to aid digestion and activate secretin, and at that time it becomes the methyl donor, trimethylglycine (TMG). Incidentally, Glycine in any form aids in production of HCl.  

SAM is the most important methyl-group donor in cellular metabolism. It is known to be utilized in synthesis of carnitine, CoQ10, creatine, methycobalamin, L-methylnicotinamide, N-methyltryptamine, phosphatidylcholine, and polyamines, and a number of other methyl reactions including Phase II liver detoxification. SAMe is an active lipotrope form of Methionine, and is a cofactor in a number of critical biochemical reactions and is found in almost every tissue of the body. SAMe has been used in clinical studies to treat depression, schizophrenia, demyelination diseases, liver disease, dementia, arthritis, peripheral neuropathy and other conditions. Several studies have confirmed that SAMe is up to 15% more effective in the treatment of depression than traditional pharmaceutical antidepressants. SAMe improves and normalizes the liver function. SAMe is essential for the production of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from the damaging effects of free radicals. SAMe reduces the number of trigger points, reduces fatigue, reduces morning stiffness, and improves mood in fibromyalgia patients. SAMe improves the binding of neurotransmitters to their receptor sites in the brain. SAMe is essential for the regeneration of neuron axons following injury. SAMe is also essential for the formation of myelin sheaths that surround axons. In tests SAMe has shown great promise in the treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy, and HIV related peripheral neuropathy. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients have very low levels of SAMe.  

The synthesized SAM is expensive, but your body produces SAMe naturally by utilizing five specific nutritional supplements. The combining of ATP (the energy molecule) and magnesium with methionine produces SAMe, and the combination of vitamin B₆, folic acid, vitamin B₁₂, and Trimethylglycine (TMG) that actively combats high homocysteine levels also produces SAM. In this chain reaction, the ATP/magnesium/methionine reaction produces SAMe, and when TMG donates a methyl group to the resulting homocysteine, dimethylglycine (DMG) remains, while the B₆, folic acid, and B₁₂ convert the homocysteine into beneficial amino acid products. Not only does this combination of TMG, B₆, folic acid, and B₁₂ greatly improve your health and well being, it also saves you money. These nutrients produce SAMe and DMG naturally at a fraction of the cost of the commercial pharmaceutical substitutes. It is of interest to note that The Pfeiffer Treatment Center found that 45% of children with autism were undermethylated with high histamine, and need TMG, but not folic acid; whereas 15% were overmethylated with low histamine, and do not do well on TMG. These need folate. Expressed differently, if TMG/DMG makes the child hyperactive, he needs folate to balance the TMG/DMG, or perhaps, he needs to reduce or discontinue the TMG/DMG because it is overmethylating, and supplement glycine instead.   

The DMG, by a secondary pathway, with the help of vitamin B₂, produces serine, and if necessary enzymes and nutrients are available, cystathionine, cysteine, taurine, and the vital sulfates. The importance of the above process is seen by the fact that a build up of homocysteine not only tends to heart problems, but it negatively impacts the formation of vital sulfated sugars (GAGs) interfering, as it does, with the normal pathway to cysteine and the final sulfates needed for Phase II detoxification and GAG formation. Benefits of DMG/TMG are improved speech, better eye contact, reduced frustration, better sleep, better bile flow, increased levels of glutathione, and a significant boost to immune function. Use vitamins B₂ and B₆, magnesium and TMG and its co-nutrients, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂, before buying SAMe. Magnesium and TMG both produce SAMe when adequate methionine is present. Get some protein into the kid!  

Dr. Shattock of England (a pharmacist) and others suggest that TMG is a higher priced Betaine hydrochloride long used to improve digestion and utilization of foods. The manufacturer denies this, but in any case, use of betaine hydrochloride, as recommended herein, produces HCl to aid digestion, and the betaine released is TMG. Additional folic acid, vitamin B₆ and B₁₂ supplementation may be necessary because TMG reduces to DMG that causes an excretion of folate, and its deficiency causes hyperactivity. The piddling amounts of folic acid, Pyridoxine HCl (B₆), and cyanocobalamin (B₁₂) in some TMG formulations is probably not adequate to avoid depletion of folate resulting in a homocysteine buildup and hyperactivity. Dr. Bernard Rimland’s experience indicates a need of two, 800 mcg folic acid tablets with each 125 mg tablet of DMG. TMG does significantly reduce homocysteine by methyl donation in becoming DMG, but additional vitamin B₆ (200 to 500 mg) and B₁₂ (500 to 1000 mcg, preferably as sublingual tablets), and folic acid (1600 mcg per each DMG) is probably needed. TMG/DMG, which is supposed to reduce hyperactivity, produces hyperactivity without the folate, vitamin B_6, and B₁₂. Got that? :-). 

Folic acid deficiency can be caused by use of Depakote™, Tegretol™, aspirin, Pepcid®. Methotrexate, Dilantin™, Zantac®, oral contraceptives, and 21 other commonly used drugs. Genetically, some simply need more than others. Use of DMG/TMG requires a greater intake of folic acid. Deficiency symptoms include: harm to DNA that causes abnormal cellular development, especially in those with the most rapid rates of turnover (red cells, leukocytes, and epithelial cells of the stomach and gut, vagina, and uterine cervix). There will be birth defects, cervical dysplasia, elevated homocysteine leading to heart problems, increased osteoporosis, headache, fatigue, hair loss, anorexia, insomnia, diarrhea, nausea, and increased infections. Folic acid is necessary for the production of red blood cells, thus a deficiency can result in anemia leading to tiredness, weakness, diarrhea, and weight loss. In today’s world, adults should supplement 800 mcg of folic acid.  

“A small percentage of autistic spectrum patients have methylation defects due to deficient methyl groups. The Autism Research Institute, San Diego, has in the past advocated DMG for all autistic spectrum patients. The methylation defect, when present, can cause a defect in sulfation. However, this is measurable, and if present, trimethylglycine (TMG—betaine) will provide more methyl groups (than DMG—WSL), and in addition, decrease the abdominal complaints present in patients with such deficiency.”—Dr. Hugh Fudenberg. Note that sulfation is a problem with the PST group of children. 

Pfeiffer Treatment Center found 15% were overmethylated which results in excessive levels of dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. Typical symptoms include chemical and food sensitivities, under achievement, upper body pain, and an adverse reaction to serotonin-enhancing substances such as Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, St. John's Wort, and SAMe. They have a genetic tendency to be very depressed in folates, niacin, and vitamin B₁₂, and biochemical treatment focuses on supplementation of these nutrients. These persons are also overloaded in copper and methionine, and supplements of these nutrients must be strictly avoided. If the child is hyper, it is likely because he is not getting enough folic acid to balance the DMG. Or, looking at it another way, he is being overmethylated by the DMG. In that case, reduce or discontinue the DMG, and add glycine. If you continue with the DMG, you must add folic acid and vitamin B₁₂.  

Pfeiffer Treatment Center found that 45% of children with autism were undermethylated with high histamine. Too much calcium entering the mast cells because of a lack of magnesium and manganese (calcium channel blockers) triggers release of histamine. An increased intake of methionine methylates, and thus detoxifies, histamine. These patients tend to obsessive-compulsive tendencies, oppositional-defiant disorder, or seasonal depression that are associated with low serotonin levels. Seventy-five percent of the undermethylated have seasonal allergies. They generally exhibit perfectionism, competitiveness, and other distinctive symptoms and traits, and often are suicidally depressed. They have a genetic tendency to be very depressed in calcium, magnesium, methionine, and vitamin B₆, with excessive levels of folic acid. These undermethylated persons may benefit nicely from Paxil, Zoloft, and other serotonin-enhancing medications, although nasty side effects are common. A more natural approach is to directly correct the underlying problem using methionine, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B₆. SAMe, and inositol (this from Dr. Wm. Walsh). These would benefit from TMG/DMG.  

Additionally, a subacute degeneration of the brain and spinal cord can occur by the demyelination of nerve sheaths caused by a folic acid or vitamin B₁₂ deficiency. In a study published in the Journal of Inherited Metabolic Diseases (1993;16(4):762-770), it was shown that some people have genetic defects that preclude them from naturally producing methylcobalamin (B₁₂). The scientists stated that a deficiency of methylcobalamin directly caused demyelination disease in people with this inborn defect. Since demyelination is one concern for a large segment of autism, it is probably wise to supplement vitamin B₁₂ in the form methylcobalamin. Regular vitamin B₁₂ will convert to Methycobalamin in presence of adequate SAM. It should be noted that vitamin B₁₂ is essential in synthesizing essential fatty acids needed in myelin. “Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency is widespread—nearly 40% of the US population may lacking. A vast majority of these people are completely unaware of their deficiency. Although age can have an effect, lifestyle choices are by far the biggest factor in this condition”—Dr. Joseph Mercola. 

Speaking of genetics, most think anything genetic is set in stone and bound to happen. The truth is, it is a tendency at best, and usually takes a trigger to cause it to manifest. Hudson Freeze, a professor of glycobiology (the study of glyconutrients) at the Burnham Institute in La Jolla, California is grappling with a different kind of childhood disease, even more rare than neuroblastoma but just as deadly. It takes at least 50 genes to make and tailor a typical sugar-protein chain (glycoprotein), Freeze notes. The failure of even a single gene to function properly can be problematic, even catastrophic. Resulting ailments include low blood sugar, blood-clotting problems, seizures, failure to thrive, gastrointestinal (vomiting, diarrhea), delayed psychomotor development, neurological dysfunction, and mental retardation. He keeps photos of his patients pinned to his computer and laboratory shelves. One shows a smiling, young, German boy suffering from a form of Carbohydrate-deficient Glycoprotein Syndrome (CDGS) that does not cause mental retardation. Doctors were flummoxed by the boy’s symptoms: low blood sugar, protein loss through the intestines, and a general “failure to thrive”. They stumbled upon a treatment when they prescribed adding a sugar called mannose to his diet. The boy’s symptoms disappeared over the next few months. Addition of mannose to culture media containing fibroblasts from CDGS patients with mannose-deficient oligosaccharides resulted in correction of the deficiency in vitro, consistent with the direct utilization of mannose by fibroblasts for the synthesis of mannose-containing glycoproteins. Studies in humans have shown dietary mannose is preferentially utilized to synthesize glycoproteins—Berger V, Perier S, Pachiaudi C, et al.; Dietary specific sugars for serum protein enzymatic glycosylation in man. metabolism 1998;47(12):1499-1503.  

“A healthy body can break down plant carbohydrates, restructure them into small sugars, and then use those sugars to build the glycoforms required for accurate cellular communication and resultant good health. Enzymes are the tools the body uses to build the “glyco” portion of glycoforms. These enzymatic conversions are complicated and require not only the presence of the needed enzymes, but specific vitamins and minerals as well. For example, fifteen enzymatic conversions are required to change galactose to fucose. 

“Changes in carbohydrate structures on cell surfaces have been shown to be characteristic of many disease conditions. A 1998 review addressed the association of many cancers with changes in glycoconjugates. Cancers in which such changes have been noted include leukemia, and intestinal, pancreatic, liver, ovarian, endometrial, prostate, urinary tract, lung, and breast cancers. Diseases that have been clearly related to deficiencies in the ability of cells to synthesize glycoproteins include leukocyte adhesion deficiency, hereditary erythroblastic multinuclearity with positive acidified serum lysis test, and carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome. Cystic fibrosis and inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, ulcerative colitis, and Crohn’s disease all are associated with alterations in glycoforms. Some blood-related and vascular disorders, including many diseases of the cardiovascular system, exhibit abnormal glycoproteins.  

“Another 1998 paper looked at studies that attempted to correct faulty glycoconjugate metabolism by directly administering the necessary sugar through diet. This paper cites a case in which a patient was successfully treated with dietary supplement therapy of the sugar, mannose. The authors stated, ‘. . . the finding that mannose, but not glucose, corrected glycosylation. . . was surprising. . . Mannose offers an attractive therapy because it should be easy to administer and is nontoxic. . . There is scant information on the availability of mannose in food, but dietary mannose is probably insufficient to supply all glycosylation.’ The authors continued that ‘Human and animal ingestion studies show that mannose is readily absorbed, elevates blood mannose levels by 3- to-10-fold, and is cleared over several hours. Some of the mannose in the studies was incorporated into glycoproteins, especially those made by the liver and intestine, and mannose was also found on glycoproteins in the brain and in the fetus’. The authors concluded: ‘It is likely that mannose is actively transported in the intestine and kidney’. 

“We now know that carbohydrates are fundamental to health in far more important ways than simple energy production. Carbohydrates act as recognition determinants in cell-cell communication and, as such, they are vital to every aspect of human health. ‘Almost without exception, whenever two or more living cells interact in a specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will be involved.’  

“Glyconutritional supplements are designed to make the necessary sugars available to the cells more quickly and in greater quantity. The more substrate provided, the fewer steps the enzymatic conversion system has to take and the more the system functions at optimal capacity.”—Excerpts from Dr. Reg McDaniel’s paper presented to an invitation only group at the U.S. Patent Agency. Complete paper available on request.  

It is interesting to note that the essential sugar, galactose, removed from the diet when casein free, is recognized to increase the expression and amount of DPP-IV in the mucosal membrane of the intestinal tract according to Dr. Mark Brudnak, Ph.D., N.D. This is the enzyme needed to break down casein and gluten, yet we reduce it when we remove milk! It is further interesting to note that there are receptor sites for mannose throughout the body, particularly lining the entire gastrointestinal tract. These essential sugars must be supplemented.    

Mannatech™ has documented records of 30 genetic conditions, symptoms of which have similarly disappeared using the only patented combination of a stabilized, standardized form of mannose and other glyconutrients. Genetics are not set in stone. Information is available on request to WillissL@aol.com. 

The compounds benzoate and hippurate, as measured in urine, have been markers of intestinal bacterial overgrowth, but they can convey additional information. Using a major hepatic detoxification pathway, benzoate is conjugated with glycine to form hippurate. This detoxifies benzoic acid, but glycine also detoxes phenols. Individuals with up-regulated hepatic detoxification pathways are frequently depleted in glycine. This situation will be reflected as an elevation of benzoate without concurrent elevation of hippurate. Intestinal dysbiosis with weakened mucosal epithelium is a common reason for toxemia, and the resulting up-regulation of the hepatic pathways. This loss of glycine would interfere with glutathione production, and lead to an excess of cysteine probably. The upregulation of the detoxification pathways will deplete the body of many needed substances, and render many drugs ineffective. This lack of glutathione would tend to hypothyroidism among many other things. Opioids have been shown to decrease hepatic glutathione. Glycine supplementation, along with the B-complex vitamins, particularly vitamin B₆, can relieve the hepatic pathway demand for glycine, and probably enhance glutathione production—reducing cysteine levels and contributing to proper thyroid function. Some individuals have an inborn error of glycine metabolism, which means increased glycine intake can result in elevated glycine levels in the blood that manifest themselves as severe mental retardation in infants susceptible to this condition. This is a very rare metabolic problem, but it should be evaluated in any individual who is going to be supplemented with glycine (DMG/TMG).

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 Life

One 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 Infection

Improving 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 Bowel

Most 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 A

Among 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.

Bethanechol

Bethanechol 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.

Managing Fatty Acids

Autistic children typically have a gross deficiency in almost all nutrients, but the nature of the condition is to throw things out of balance. This is true of fatty acids. These kids have a problem with fatty acids, including an accumulation of too many very-long-chain-fatty acids (VLCFA). Proper fatty acid intake and balance are necessary to protein metabolism. This paper will help you understand more about this subject, and give a few suggestions of possible help. Physical symptoms signaling an Omega-6 fatty acid deficiency in children are the appearance of small bumps on the skin, particularly the shoulders (often called “chicken skin”), excessive dryness of hair and skin, brittle nails, excessive thirst and urination, eczema, and seborrhea (dandruff).  

Our ancestor’s main sources of fat were lean wild animals, fish, and nuts. Currently the American diet contains similar amounts of fat (35-40%), but the amounts of the various types of fats are very different. The main fat types eaten today are saturated fat from fatty red meats and dairy products, and transfatty acids from margarine, peanut butter, and processed baked goods. Omega-3 fats are almost nonexistent in the diet. The overabundance of saturated fat and Omega-6 EFAs, the introduction of an entirely new fat type (transfatty acids that deplete selenium stores), and a major deficiency in Omega-3 EFAs have resulted in major health problems such as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, cancer, and chronic degenerative diseases, and contributes to other chronic conditions such as autism. Another adverse effect of trans-fats in the diet is an enhancement of the body’s pro-inflammatory hormones (prostaglandin E2) and inhibition of the anti-inflammatory types (prostaglandin E1 and E3). This undesirable influence on prostaglandin balance will render you more vulnerable to inflammatory conditions that don’t want to heal! The part of the brain that Omega-3 deficiency affects is the learning ability, anxiety/depression, and auditory and visual perception. The Omega-3 fats also aid in balancing the autoimmune system.  A growing number of children have autoimmune allergies, colic, and skin problems that are often shared by the parents. 

There are eight essential fatty acids divided into two classes: Omega-3 and Omega 6. Since we have quit saturated (solid) fats, and begun to use oils, we are getting too much Omega-6 fatty acid. The typical American diet is overbalanced to Omega-6/Omega-3 about 24 to 1. On the face of it, this would seem to justify supplementing Omega-3 for the general population to restore balance. For most, however, in particular the autistic, the enzyme Delta-6 Desaturase needed to convert the long-chain linoleic acid (LA) into gamma linolenic acid (GLA) is severely inhibited creating a marked deficiency of GLA. The resultant build up of unconverted Omega-6, and the overbalance of Omega-6 to Omega-3 tends to produce arachidonic acid and the inflammatory PgE2 that promotes inflammatory conditions throughout the body and tends to cancer. PgE2 is often present in angina, arthritis, Crohn’s Disease, diabetes, depression, food allergies, dysmenorrhea, multiple sclerosis, thrombosis, and schizophrenia. In humans with neuropathy or impairment of the immune system, significant deficits of Omega 3 EFAs have been measured. This detrimental effect can be offset by feeding more Omega-3, by supplementing antioxidants, and by managing the fatty acid pathway as outlined herein. Although there is always greater need for the Omega-6s than the Omega-3s, the farther north one goes, the greater the need for the Omega-3s that are more polyunsaturated. In the far north, the ratio of Omega-6 to Omega-3 is about 2.5:1 in the food chain, in temperate zones 4:1, in the tropics 10:1.  

Eicosanoids are a class of super-hormones that control all the body’s hormone systems, and virtually every vital physiological function. Those made from Omega-3 are rather neutral. Production of the “good” and “bad” eicosanoids all begins within the cell with the Omega-6, essential, fatty acid, linoleic acid, at least some of which has been delivered there by the amino acid carnitine. The enzyme Delta 6 Desaturase converts linoleic acid to gamma linolenic acid (GLA) without which no eicosanoids can be produced. For the first six months, GLA must be supplied by mother’s milk, since the child cannot produce it yet. Most “formula” or cow’s milk provide virtually none (and no DHA either). Children with eczema and asthma usually have a weakness in this enzyme, and supplementing GLA has produced significant improvement in their condition. After age thirty, the ability to produce GLA slows due to loss of Delta-6 Desaturase enzyme activity, and at 65 production is probably reduced to 1/3 what it was at age 25. Furthermore, any intake of transfatty acids, excess saturated fats, excess alpha linolenic acid (ALA—an Omega-3 fatty acid, precursor to EPA/DHA, found in high amounts in flax seed, flax seed oil, and walnuts), high carbohydrate meals, acetylaldehydes (from candida and alcohol), and stress all interfere with Delta-6 Desaturase, as does a deficiency of vitamin B₆, niacin, magnesium, and zinc. The worst of all is the transfatty acids from hydrogenated oils and processed foods. Avoid it like the plague.  

Zinc deficiency leads to an inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis from essential fatty acids, either by blocking linoleic acid desaturation to gamma linolenic acid, or by inhibiting the mobilization of dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) from the tissue membrane stores. It also leads to an impairment of vitamin A metabolism. Disease, especially viral infections (chronic measles, herpes, and Epstein Barr Virus?), along with stress produced hormones (adrenaline and cortisol, which increases insulin), acetylaldehyde (a neurotoxin produced by candida, auto exhaust, alcohol, and cigarette smoke), hypothyroidism (often induced or made worse by fluoride in drinking and bath water), and a high-carbohydrate diet (that increases insulin) all interfere with this Delta-6 Desaturase, therefore, almost everyone can be benefited by supplementing GLA in form of Evening Primrose oil.  

Herbs that excrete fatty acids (through enhanced cytochrome p450 liver enzyme activity) such as Angelica, Licorice, Turmeric, Ginger, Milk Thistle, Pau D’Arco, Royal Jelly, Sheep Sorrel, carrageenans, and Ginkgo Biloba can reduce these vital substrates, Omega-6 and Omega-3, thus reducing GLA and EPA leading to health problems, especially asthma, eczema, rosacea, and dry skin and hair. (See Dr. Darryl See’s report for a list of herbs adversely affecting these enzymes.) These several things that hinder Delta-6 Desaturase, and the use of these herbs, result in virtually everyone lacking GLA and DGLA. This will lead one to have weight problems, muscle loss, energy loss, suppressed immune function, and to be generally less healthy. GLA deficiency tends to seizures. Those showing any sign of seizure activity should have a fatty acid analysis before supplementing fatty acids. Since one of the many functions of Omega-6 is to regulate water loss, a deficiency GLA is often indicated by dry skin and hair, brittle nails, dandruff, excessive thirst and urination, and rough skin. The second common reason for dry skin is subclinical hypothyroidism.  

The well-documented phytates of cereal grains sequester many divalent ions including calcium, zinc, iron, and magnesium, leading to deficiencies that can impair bone growth and metabolism. Further, there are antinutrients in cereal grains that directly impair vitamin D metabolism [Batchelor 1983; Clement 1987]; and rickets is routinely induced in animal models via consumption of high levels of cereal grains [Sly 1984]. Deficiencies of vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, selenium, and zinc are common in autism because of a high carbohydrate diet and malabsorption.  

Less well appreciated is the ability of whole grains to impair biotin metabolism. Bruce Watkins [Watkins 1990], as well as others [Blair 1989; Kopinksi 1989], have shown that biotin deficiencies can be induced in animal models by feeding them high levels of wheat, sorghum, and other cereal grains. Biotin-dependent carboxylases are important metabolic catalysts of fatty-acid synthesis, and deficiencies severely inhibit the chain-elongation and desaturation of 18:2n6 (linoleate) to 20:4n6 (arachidonic acid). Biotin deficiency is common in autism. Human dietary supplementation trials with biotin have shown this vitamin to reduce fingernail brittleness and ridging that are associated with deficiencies of this vitamin [Hochman 1993].  

When yeast levels are high, often there are high levels of arabinose. According to Dr. Shaw, this can cause a functional deficiency of B₆, lipoic acid, and biotin. A lack of biotin will cause hypoglycemia and excess ammonia. A biotin deficit can also lead to depression, muscle pain, fungal infections of the skin, rashes, nausea, sleepiness, acidosis, fine and brittle hair, dry skin, hair loss, seborrheic dermatitis and a poor fatty acid profile due to interference with the Desaturase enzymes. It serves as a carrier of carbon dioxide. A deficit of biotin can be caused by prolonged antibiotic treatment, the ingestion of raw egg whites, or the use of certain anticonvulsant drugs, primarily Dilantin. (See this article by Dr. Sloan, http://author.emedicine.com/PED/topic238.htm.) 

The amount people are using to overcome this problem is rather high. A product called Biotin 5000 Yeast Free by Nutricology/Allergy Research Group. It has 5 mg of Biotin per capsule. Most Biotin supplements are measured in mcg, which is a much smaller measurement. Phone (800) 782-4274 or (510) 639-4572 or website www.nutricology.com 

However, some caution must be exercised. Biotin must be balanced with inositol, another B-vitamin, to avoid fatty liver damage. 

Those with multiple sclerosis or those who have antibodies to myelin protein (as found in many of the autistic) might also want to note that biotin is involved in the synthesis of fats in the nervous system, and so should probably be given special attention in the MS diet. 

Once GLA is available, it converts to Dihomo Gama Linolenic acid (DGLA), and the enzyme delta 5 Desaturase enters the picture. It is made overactive by a high carbohydrate-low fat diet and by stress-produced cortisol (both raise insulin levels), and by a magnesium deficiency, all of which enhance production of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 that causes inflammatory conditions. Delta 5 desaturase is inhibited by glucagon (the hormonal counterbalance to insulin that opens fat stores for energy supply), and by most flavons, especially Quercetin, and by EPA. These favor production of good eicosanoids, especially PgE1.  

There is a close correlation between insulin, excitotoxins, free radicals, and eicosanoid production. Glutamate primarily acts by opening the calcium channel, allowing calcium to pour into the cell’s interior. Intracellular calcium in high concentrations initiates the enzymatic release of arachidonic acid from the cell membrane, where it is then attacked by two enzyme systems, the cyclooxygenase system and the lipooxgenase system. These in turn produce a series of compounds that can damage cell membranes, proteins, and DNA, primarily by free radical production, but also directly by the “harmful eicosanoids”. Magnesium and manganese counter this undesirable flood of calcium into cells. 

Biochemically, we know that high glycemic, carbohydrate diets, that stimulate the excess release of insulin, can trigger the production of “harmful eicosanoids”. We should also recognize that simple sugars are not the only substances that can trigger the release of insulin. One of the more powerful triggers involves the amino acids leucine, alanine, and taurine. Glutamine, while not acting as an insulin trigger itself, markedly potentiates insulin release by leucine. This is why, except under certain situations, individual “free” amino acids should be avoided. Interestingly, insulin increases toxic sensitivity to other excitotoxins as well. Of particular interest is the finding that most of the flavonoids, especially Quercetin, are potent and selective inhibitors of delta 5-lipooxygenase enzymes that initiates the production of “bad” eicosanoids. Flavones are also potent and selective inhibitors of the enzyme cyclooxygenase (COX) that is responsible for the production of thromboxane A2, one of the “harmful eicosanoids”. The COX-2 enzymes are associated only with excitatory type neurons in the brain, and appear to play a major role in neurodegeneration. One of the critical steps in the production of eicosanoids is the liberation of arachidonic acid from the cell membrane by phospholipase A2. Flavonones such as naringenin (from grapefruit) and hesperetin (citrus fruits) produce a dose related inhibition of phospholipase A2 (80% inhibition), thereby inhibiting the release of arachidonic acid. The flavons can thus be somewhat helpful in inhibiting production of Arachidonic Acid and harmful, inflammatory eicosanoids. The non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs act similarly to block the production of inflammatory eicosanoids. Unfortunately, flavons, especially Quercetin, also inhibit Phase I liver enzymes. 

Eating the proper ratio of carbohydrate to protein (that stimulates glucagon) for your metabolic type enables the delta 6 desaturase to produce the necessary GLA, and by eating fish or supplementing fish oil, the resulting glucagon and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) prevents the delta 5 desaturase enzyme from forming excessive arachidonic acid. Where an overabundance of arachidonic acids exists, as it does for many, that imbalance can be helped by eating fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel, or tuna) two or three times a week—or using cod-liver oil (1 to 2 tablespoons several times a week for adults), and cooking with olive oil. This, along with adequate B-vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc, will divert the DGLA into the desirable pathway to produce the anti-inflammatory prostaglandin PgE1. If your metabolic ty