Transcript ENZYMES: SUPPORTING DIGESTION IN AUTISM SPECTRUM

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