<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>
 
Mike:
 
My server must be down, as I haven't seen *any* mail all day, but I want
to enlarge on what I sent to you tis morning.
 
Maybe this also defines the difference between celiac disease and gluten
intolerance.
 
I am quoting from Lisa Lewis' AUT INTRO:
 
"Proteins consist of long chains of units known as amino acids.  Normal
proteins are digested by enzymes in the intestines and are broken down
into these units.  However, if for some reason this digestion is
incomplete, short chains of these amino acids (known as peptides) will
result.  ....... The majority of these peptides will be dumped in the
urine, (but) a small portion will cross into the brain and interfere with
transmission in such a way that normal (brain) activity is altered or
disrupted....."
 
(snip.  The articles goes on to explain that these peptides are
biologically active & somewhat similar to opioid peptides.)
 
"It is well known that casein (from human or cow's milk) will break down
in the stomach to produce a peptide known as casomorphine, which, as the
name implies, will have opioid activites.  Similiar effects are noted
with gluten from wheat and some other cereals ...in which the compounds
fromed are gluteomorphins (or gliadinomorphins)."
 
So some of us who are gluten sensitive are also casein sensitive, and a
gluten ingestion will affect brain activity.
 
Here is something from AUTISM 95:
 
ENZYME AND SULPHUR OXIDATION DEFICIENCIES IN AUTISTIC CHILDREN WITH KNOWN
FOOD/CHEMICAL INTOLERANCES
 
 
(This is about a study) "to determine whether children with
autism and known food/chemical intolerance have a deficiency of
phenol-sulphotransferase-P enzyme and/or a low capacity to oxidise
sulphur compounds.  On the results obtained so far, all 18 children have
a low enzyme level, and some have a low capacity to oxidise sulphur
compounds.  This enzyme metabolises phenols and amines.  Therefore, with
a reduced level, these children will be unable to fully metabolise foods
and chemicals which contain phenols (and amines. Bec)
 
(snip)
 
"The majority of children in this category ... have allergy to or
intolerance of many foods/chemicals, the main offenders being wheat,
cow's milk, and salicylates.  Their family histories show asthma, eczema,
migraines, hayfever, plus many other allergy-related conditions.
 
"Their siblings display learning difficulties, dyslexia, etc.....
 
(end of quote)
 
Get the picture?  Migraines, learning difficulties...and my migraines
ALWAYS started with the fuzzy feeling.
 
Now, Paul Shattock & I were discussing this privately, and he explained
one more aspect of the picture:  the leaky gut syndrome.
 
"In autism and other disorders we suspect a peptidase deficiency so that
proteins are not broken down into individual amino acids and these short,
biologically active chains (peptides) exist in appreciable quanties.
Even in the "normal" gut there will be some of these substances but they
are not normally a problem.  If the gut wall is leaky (celiac disease or
lack of sulphur transferase, etc) these compounds will get into the
bloodstream.  Even then there should be no serious problem unless they
enter the blood.
 
"The brain is protected by the blood brain barrier (BBB) which is partly
physical and partly chemical in nature.  Thus this would keep peptides
out unless there are huge quanties circulating."
(snip)
 
So when the intestinal wall is not healthy and the brain is vulnerable,
the brain gets fouled up, and as a result, what is called schizophrenic
behavior can occur.
 
As you see, there are 3 things going on:  not enough enzyme to fully
digest particular protein chains, a breachable intestinal wall and a
susceptible brain.
 
Paul didn't specifically mention the liver as part of the blood brain
barrier, but I think it has functions to do to detox blood.  So do the
kidneys.  So alcohol would just make a bad condition worse, if only by
giving the liver more to detox.
 
I hope this helps.  My guess is that there is a sprectrum as regards the
amount of the sulphur transferase enzyme each one of us makes.  I think
it is interesting that people have posted comments about having
migraines...I have talked to some people privately about this, and made
suggestions what they can do to optimize the situation.
 
Of course, none of this is medical advice, I'm just quoting from what
I've read.
 
Becky Markle