GEORGE AND TORY MEAD

September 23, 2002

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

A STORY OF HOPE. RECOVERY, AND AUTISM

By George And Tory Mead

(Part Three)

There has been a lot written about yeast or Candida overgrowth. Less has been written about yeast die-off or "Herxheimer’s Reaction." Ironically, the "die-off" is the most visible, lasting and unpleasant manifestation of treating the gut. It is also the best signal you have nailed the problem on the head. First discovered by Dr. Herxheimer in connection with studies involving syphilis, of all things, it was observed that symptoms worsened significantly with treatment. Many microbes or single celled animals, when they die, release their toxins into the system. In many cases it is the toxin, and not the microbe itself, that causes the illness. Although yeast causes gut deterioration ( like English Ivy destroying a brick wall), it is the toxin Gliotoxin, which is the cause of many immune and behavioral problems.

Yeast, as any beer drinker will tell you, is also the main mechanism for converting sugar to alcohol. Many sufferers of yeast report a drunken or foggy feeling. This is not surprising because yeast produces alcohol, which goes straight into the blood.

Gliotoxin, which has been studied largely in connection with organ transplantation, is known for its extraordinary immune suppression properties. It is also known to attack the central nervous system and to cause premature cell death. It is, in short, a very bad actor, which has not been very well studied. Yeast is one of the main causes of final system breakdown and ultimately death in AIDS patients. Animals injected with concentrated gliotoxins suffer seizures and can die.

When you start treating for yeast or clostridia, these toxins will be released into the child’s system, through a leaky gut. These can cause problems such as aggravated behavior, diarrhea, drunkenness and withdrawal symptoms. These are good signs. Herxheimer’s can vary from a few days to upwards of several weeks. Do not be discouraged! You are on the right track!.

It is possible to treat the symptoms of Herxheimer’s, often with fairly dramatic results. Studies have shown that gliotoxins attack the central nervous system. There is also evidence that Vitamin C , combined with either Alka Seltzer Goldâ or Tri Salts ( a mixture of calcium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and potassium carbonate) seems to be a very effective way of neutralizing the gliotoxins and preventing acidosis of the blood. We have seen William calm down within a matter of two to three minutes after getting 250 mg of Vitamin C mixed with Tri Salts (bicarb) or Alka Seltzer Goldâ Although it is also controversial, sauna, or hypothermia, also seems to help with die-off reactions. Lots of water to flush the system is also a good idea.

Chelation

Perhaps no other single therapy, with the possible exception of intravenous gamma globulin (IVIG), is as controversial, and filled with dread as chelation. In short, chelation is the process of pulling heavy metals out of the system using chemical compounds. The term chelation comes from the Greek "chela" or claw, for the shape of the molecules. In layman’s terms, the molecules, which have sulfur atoms in them, attach to the mercury with a stronger bond than the surrounding atoms. The resulting molecule is then evacuated.

The principal agents used for chelation are:

Chelation with these agents is safe and should be done under the supervision of a qualified health care provider. Beginning in the 1940’s, DMSA was used on thousands of inner city American children for chelation of lead. The kids are now in their fifties and sixties, and have shown no apparent long-term effects of using DMSA. Consequently, DMSA has been approved for childhood use for decades for lead.

DMSA is also an effective, if somewhat slower chelator of mercury. The controversy arises from treating a supposedly lifelong disabling mental disease with a chelating agent. The fact of the matter is that with removal of mercury, the children show improvement, sometimes dramatic improvement. It has also been shown that autistic children do not excrete mercury during the fist 18 months of life. Consequently, they are carrying the entire load of the mercury injected into them as a result of the vaccine schedule

It is essential, in our view to get the heavy metals out of the children to begin the process of accomplishing homeostasis and immune function. However there are several issues that are inherent in the use of chelators, especially DMSA and Lipoic Acid (ALA). Chelation, is the proverbial "Faustian bargain." You have to make a deal with the devil to get progress. DMSA and lipoic acid are yeast foods. The more you chelate, the heavier the yeast is going to be. It is essential you get the gut issues resolved before beginning the chelation. An unhealthy gut will not rid itself of toxins effectively. However, the gut will not be completely healed until the mercury is removed. You see the problem.

Second, there is the issue of the blood brain barrier. It appears as though neither DMSA nor DMPS will cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). This barrier , which protects the brain, is semi permeable, and will not allow molecular structures of a certain size, or larger, through. Consequently, it appears that DMSA cannot remove mercury from the brain. Alpha lipoic acid can and will cross the BBB. Mercury will also attach to ALA. ALA does not appear to be strong enough to remove mercury entirely. The theory is that by using ALA and DMSA together you will be able to pull mercury out of the brain and the DMSA will take it out of the body.

In the end, we have been pulling large quantities of mercury out of William. In one year William dropped from 22 to 12 on the scale. We continue to periodically chelate him, although yeast continues to be a problem when we do.

The lab tests will frequently show other dangerous heavy metals such as antimony, arsenic, nickel and lead. Chelation works for all of theses metals as well.

Enzymes and Healing

About 20 years ago, Norwegian physician Kalle Reichelt, M.D. began studies of the digestion of autistic, schizophrenic and bi-polar children. At the same time, at the Sunderland University in England, Paul Shattock began work on the blood of autistic children. They found, almost without exception, abnormal digestive processes, and especially of casein and gluten. In particular they found abnormal by-products called peptides in the urine of affected children. These peptides were almost identical in molecular form to opiates like morphine. It was determined these substances could cross the blood brain barrier and trigger the "opiate receptors." i.e. receptors in the brain. If an autistic child appears stoned or far away, it is because they are being bombarded by peptides (gliadin and casomorphins). Where do these peptides come from?

Normal digestion of casein and gluten requires an enzyme called Di Peptyl Peptidase IV (DPPIV). Heavy metals, as well as yeast interfere with the production of DPPIV. Incompletely digested gluten and casein do not break down into the fundamental amino acids available to the body. Instead they become toxic peptides. Because of the leaky gut, the peptides go straight to the brain and interact with the opiate receptors there.

There are enzyme supplements, which are available to assist in digestion. These should not only include DPPIV, but also Lipase, Sacchrydase, and a host of other enzymes. Of course, this area is very new, and there are new discoveries being made about enzymes every day. William showed dramatic improvement after we placed him on something called the the Enzyme Complete with DPPIV products.

Immune Treatments

Few of the issues confronting these children are scarier, and fewer still are more daunting that the immune system breakdown. By this, we mean the myelin basic protein antibodies , and the complete breakdown of the gamma globulin system. In effect, the children have the same immune system profiles as AIDS patients. Indeed, children with autism are using many of the treatment protocols available and used by AIDS patients, such as N-Acetyl cysteine, transfer factors etc.

The presence of autoimmune antibodies means the children’s immune system has gone haywire. Their own antibodies believe the cells of the nervous system, in particular the myelin sheath, are external invaders. The body then sets about attacking its own cells. Another well know form of this process is rheumatoid arthritis. Certain forms of asthma are part of this process.

The essence of recovering the immune system is to re-educate the body, and re-introduce immune factors into the system, that appropriately identify invaders and stop the inappropriate responses. The challenge with these treatments is they frequently involve blood products, or transfer factors from other species. The treatments are both expensive and controversial

Because of the fact William had almost no IGg or immunoglobulin factor g, we decided to have intravenous gamma globulin via transfusion. Aside from the trauma of getting an IV into an autistic child, the inherent threat of blood borne pathogens in any blood product is scary. We also used a pathogen specific transfer factor directed at measles. William responded dramatically. He threw up a gelatinous mess and his health seemed to improve overall. He no longer had coughs and recurrent asthma or bronchylitis. Most dramatically, the next time we checked his blood for myelin basic protein antibodies, he was clean. William’s measles titer also dropped. We managed to rebuild a portion of his immune system, which has proven very difficult to fix. William managed to beat one of the toughest issues facing the children!

NEXT: MALNUTRITION AND SUPPLEMENTS