ENZYMES: APPLICATION TO DIETARY PROTOCOLS IN AUTISM

Devin B. Houston, Ph.D.President

Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc

US Autism and Asperger Association

Park City, UtahAugust 2006

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

SPEAKER CREDENTIALS

ENZYME FACTSEnzymes 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 orally• Pancreatic enzymes OR plant enzymes?• Dietary enzymes are SAFE

Activesite

Products arereleased

Enzyme availablewith empty activesite

Substrate isconverted to

products

Substratebinds to

enzyme withinduced fit

ProteaseEnzyme

ProteinSubstrate

Amino acids

Enzymes keep working as long as

substrate is available and conditions

are favorable for enzyme function.

Metabolic EnzymesOver 4000 involved in synthesis, detoxification, movement, and cellular regulation

Usually found within cells

Not active orally

Digestive EnzymesInvolved in food degradative processes

Found primarily in pancreas and GI tract

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENZYMES

Animal-based - Enzymes extracted from pig and cow pancreas (Viokase, Creon, Pancreatin)Function in narrow pH rangeMust be enteric coatedWork only in intestinal tract, produce exorphin peptides

Plant-based - Isolated from papaya, pineapple, and fungiFunction in broad pH rangeSimilar function as pancreatic, but different structureWork in stomach and intestinal tractClassified as dietary supplements (no prescription needed)

Pancreatic Vs. Plant-Derived Enzymes

(Digestive Enzymes)

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.

DIGESTIVE ENZYMES WORK ONLY ON PROTEINS, CARBS, AND TRIGLYCERIDES

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.

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 short-chain 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 non-nutritive foods to become nutritious.

The Answer?

Respiratory type allergies are potentially life-threatening conditions, and no supplement will allow ingestion of such offending foods.

Many benign food allergies may be caused by incomplete breakdown of proteins.

FOOD INTOLERANCES ARE DIFFERENT FROM FOOD ALLERGIES

EXORPHIN PEPTIDESDerived 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 PEPTIDESDecreased 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

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

Casein

Casomorphin

CASOMORPHIN FROM CASEIN BLOCKED BY DPP IV

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

Casein

Casomorphin

DPP IVIn Stomach

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

DIETARY ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT IN AUTISM

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.

THE GLUTEN-FREE/CASEIN-FREE DIET (GFCF)

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.

ENZYMES AND THE 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

INDICATIONS FOR ADDING ENZYMES TO 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

CHALLENGING THE GFCF DIET

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.

ENZYMES AND SCD

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

LOW OXALATE DIET

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.

ENZYMES AND CELIAC DISEASE

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 500 DU

Lipase 50 FCCLU

I-Do-Jest 100 mg

Bottom Line: ASK THE COMPANY, IF THEY WON’T TELL WHAT IT IS AND DOES, DON’T BUY IT!

DECIPHERING THE LABEL OF AN ENZYME PRODUCT

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

REASONS TO TRY ENZYMES

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

ENZYME DOSING TIPS

“Withdrawal” symptoms during first 3 weeksMore emotionalEmotional support needed as awareness increasesShould 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

ARE ENZYMES WORKING?

Dr. Devin Houston, PhDPresident

Houston Nutraceuticals, Inc

email: devin.houston@houstonni.comphone: 866-757-8627website: www.houstonni.com