Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
ENZYMES: APPLICATION TO DIETARY PROTOCOLS IN AUTISM US Autism and Asperger Association Park City, Utah August 2006 Devin B. Houston, Ph.D. President Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc SPEAKER CREDENTIALS Ph.D. in Biochemistry (South Alabama, 1987) Enzyme research since 1982 NIH-funded research at Virginia and St. Louis medical schools Enzyme product development at Nat’l Enzyme Inventor of enzyme product supplements ENZYME FACTS Enzymes used in food industry for decades Used as digestive supplement for over 60 years FDA status: Generally Regarded As Safe (GRAS) No fungal spores or allergens in products Anti-inflammatory properties in animal studies Target of action only in gut Eventually broken down as any other food protein Minimal or no effect on pancreatic enzyme secretion with “normal” dosing WHAT ARE ENZYMES? • Catalytic Proteins (Energizer Bunny!) • Specific Enzyme for each Chemical Reaction • Thousands of different enzymes, most not useful oral • Pancreatic enzymes OR plant enzymes? • Dietary enzymes are SAFE Protease Enzyme Enzymes keep working as long as substrate is available and conditions are favorable for enzyme function. Active site Protein Substrate Amino acids Products are released Substrate is converted to products Enzyme available with empty active site Substrate binds to enzyme with induced fit THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENZYMES Metabolic Enzymes Over 4000 involved in synthesis, detoxification, movement, and cellular regulation Usually found within cells Not active orally Digestive Enzymes Involved in food degradative processes Found primarily in pancreas and GI tract (Digestive Enzymes) Pancreatic Vs. Plant-Derived Enzymes Animal-based - Enzymes extracted from pig and cow pancreas (Viokase, Creon, Pancreatin) Function in narrow pH range Must be enteric coated Work only in intestinal tract, produce exorphin peptides Plant-based - Isolated from papaya, pineapple, and fungi Function in broad pH range Similar function as pancreatic, but different structure Work in stomach and intestinal tract Classified as dietary supplements (no prescription needed) DIGESTIVE ENZYMES WORK ONLY ON PROTEINS, CARBS, AND TRIGLYCERIDES Proteases - Break down large proteins into peptides, which in turn are degraded to amino acids: Pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, “peptidase”, elastase, papain , bromelain, ficin, actinidin. Carbohydrases - Complex carbohydrates degraded to simple sugars: Amylase, lactase, glucoamylase, cellulase, sucrase, maltase, galactosidase, glucanase, xylanase. Lipases - Triglycerides broken down to short-chain fatty acids: Lipase. THE PROBLEM The behavior, health, and mood of many individuals are apparently affected by certain foods. These effects, or intolerances, are especially evident in many children with autism spectrum disorders. In many of these children, enzyme supplementation may help reduce the intolerances to foods such as wheat, dairy, soy, etc. THE ANSWER? Better digestion of food, especially proteins, may bring relief from some intolerances. Increased breakdown of protein, carbohydrates, and fats should provide better availability of amino acids, sugars, and shortchain fatty acids for metabolic needs. Supplemental plant-based enzymes are intended to enhance and support normal digestion, as well as decreasing certain peptides implicated in certain ASD behaviors. The Answer? Enzymes may allow a broader range of food choices which can then allow better nutrition and health. Enzymes are NOT designed to allow nonnutritive foods to become nutritious. FOOD INTOLERANCES ARE DIFFERENT FROM FOOD ALLERGIES Respiratory type allergies are potentially lifethreatening conditions, and no supplement will allow ingestion of such offending foods. Many benign food allergies may be caused by incomplete breakdown of proteins. EXORPHIN PEPTIDES Derived from proteins: casein, gluten, soy, blood Produced normally from sequential action of pepsin and elastase enzymes, if casein/gluten present Interact with opiate receptors in gut, and possibly brain, producing opiate-like effects such as decreased gut motility and less sensitivity to pain These opiate interactions appear to be different in those with ASD EXORPHIN PEPTIDES Decreased levels of exorphin peptides often have beneficial effects on stereotypical ASD behavior Peptide levels may be decreased by restricting intake of dairy, wheat, and soy proteins, OR; Use of proteolytic enzymes to alter and enhance breakdown of same proteins without producing specific exorphin peptides. DIPEPTIDYL PEPTIDASE IV Only known enzyme to break down casomorphin Present in cells lining GI tract DPP IV activity detected in several fungal enzyme blends (Houston, Nat’l Enzyme, 1998) One of many PEPs (prolyl endopeptidases) Very specific (and limited) in function ENZYMATIC FORMATION OF CASOMORPHIN FROM CASEIN Casein X-X-X-X-tyr-pro-phe-pro-glu-pro-ile-X-X-X-X (1) Pepsin (2) Elastase tyr-pro-phe-pro-glu-pro-ile Casomorphin CASOMORPHIN FROM CASEIN BLOCKED BY DPP IV Casein X-X-X-X-tyr-pro-phe-pro-glu-pro-ile-X-X-X-X (1) Pepsin (2) Elastase DPP IV In Stomach tyr-pro-phe-pro-glu-pro-ile Casomorphin DIETARY ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT IN AUTISM Gut Inflammation (leaky gut) = reduced enzymes? Dietary restrictions can be helpful (GFCF, SCD) but may hinder nutritional status Increased immune system problems Food allergies more prevalent THE GLUTEN-FREE/CASEINFREE DIET (GFCF) GFCF diet found to be helpful in eliminating many ASD behaviors and digestive problems. Requires elimination of wheat, dairy, soy, and often many other foods. Often requires lifestyle change for whole family. Foods expensive, hard to find in some areas. Much of what the diet does can also be accomplished using appropriate enzymes. The GFCF Diet is a shotgun while enzymes are more like a laser. ENZYMES AND THE GFCF DIET Enzymes may be used with or without GFCF diet, those on diet often find additional benefits with enzymes. Enzymes help break down ALL food proteins, not just casein and gluten. In many cases, enzymes can be a suitable alternative to the GFCF diet. Most find that enzymes allow GFCF diet to be less stressful part of the family lifestyle and “real-world” situations. INDICATIONS FOR ADDING ENZYMES TO GFCF DIET Increased intolerance to other foods Decrease in nutritional status on diet Stools not consistent in appearance Lack of weight gain or height increase Appearance of undigested food in stools CHALLENGING THE GFCF DIET If possible, use enzymes consistently for one month prior to challenge. Challenge on weekend, when possible reactions can be monitored. Initial food challenges should be small, and don’t spare the enzymes. If the first attempt is not successful, try again after 2 - 3 months. Not all foods may be added back to diet. Effective doses will vary between individuals ENZYMES AND SCD Goal of SCD is to reduce carbs in gut, thus eliminating a food source for bacteria & yeast. Products with multiple carbohydrase enzymes help break down starches and complex carbs. Amylase, glucoamylase, lactase, xylanase & galactosidase are most helpful. LOW OXALATE DIET Oxalates are found in high amounts in spinach, greens, and other vegetables Oxalates are known inhibitors of many enzymes Reducing oxalates may make enzymes more effective. LOD is a much easier diet to implement ENZYMES AND CELIAC DISEASE 2 enzymes have shown promise for celiac treatment. EP-B2 is a barley-derived enzyme cleaving glutamine peptide links. AN-PEP is an enzyme from A. niger. Recent studies indicate that both enzymes may be able to break down gliadin peptide, but some immune response still noted. AN-PEP present in current fungal protease formulations? Both enzymes must go through New Drug Application process. ENZYMES AND CELIAC DISEASE Latest study showed that combination of BOTH peptidases worked better in breaking down gliadin AND preventing immune response from affected cells. Study adds further credibility to “multiple protease” theory for protein degradation proposed by HNI in 2001. Until further testing is verified, those with CD should stay GF. DECIPHERING THE LABEL OF AN ENZYME PRODUCT Unfortunately, lack of enzyme knowledge by public can allow for “shenanigans” by some companies. “The Unique Blend” - Company establishes a “proprietary” blend of enzymes, gives it “new” name and function. Company should tell you what is in the blend; YOU NEED TO KNOW! Are activity units listed? If not, there is no guarantee of ANY activity, and should be considered invalid. Enzymes are not “created”, only discovered. DECIPHERING THE LABEL OF AN ENZYME PRODUCT Each capsule contains: Protease A 5,000 HUT Protease B 2,000 HUT Protease C 2,000 HUT Amylase Lipase I-Do-Jest 500 DU 50 FCCLU 100 mg Bottom Line: ASK THE COMPANY, IF THEY WON’T TELL WHAT IT IS AND DOES, DON’T BUY IT! REASONS TO TRY ENZYMES Most results obvious within one month Inexpensive relative to other choices No special preparation needed No toxicity issues, FDA says is safe (GRAS) No interference with therapies or meds Enzymes may be a better fit for your family situation than restrictive diets Running out of foods for your child ENZYME DOSING TIPS Some experimentation needed to find optimal dosing. For optimal benefits, enzymes should be taken at the beginning of a meal. Enzymes are dosed by amount of food eaten, not age or body weight. May be taken with other medications or supplements with no interaction occurring. Enzymes are effective with first dose, no “critical level” needed for efficacy ARE ENZYMES WORKING? “Withdrawal” symptoms during first 3 weeks More emotional Emotional support needed as awareness increases Should taper off within 7 -10 days, if doesn’t, decrease the enzyme dose. Better digestive function Child may show more interest in other foods Reduced cravings for carbs Weight gain in thin children Dr. Devin Houston, PhD President Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc email: [email protected] phone: 866-757-8627 website: www.houstonni.com