The Main Offenders

Casein is one of the major proteins in the milk of all mammals including cows, goats, and humans. Casomorphin (or caseomorphin) is a peptide derived from casein, a milk protein. When Casein is digested properly, it breaks down into large peptides like casomorphin, and should then be broken down further into smaller amino acids. However, Dr. Reichelt in Norway, Dr. Cade at the University of Florida, and others found that urine samples from people with autism, PDD, coeliac disease, and schizophrenia contained high amounts of the casomorphin peptide in the urine. In its peptide form, casein has opiate properties similar to morphine, and may plug into the same opiate receptor sites in the brain. Researchers have found that these peptides may also be elevated in other disorders such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and depression based on anecdotal reports of symptom remission after exclusion of wheat and dairy.

Gluten is protein found in wheat , rye, barley and oats and spelt. Additionally it is present in derivatives of these grains; e.g. malt grain-starches, malt wash, hydrolysed vegetable/plant proteins, grain vinegar, soy sauce, flavourings, liquid glucose, wild rice. MSG (E621) Monosodium Glutamate, MPG (E622) monopotassium glutamate.

Many manufactured foods contain gluten which is not always shown on the label. Some medicines and vitamins also contain wheat flour as a filler even some herb and spice mixes contain gluten.

The international food guideline codex alimentarius allows food to be labelled gluten free whilst still containing a trace of gluten. The super-sensitive nature of the subset of autistic children who respond to dietary intervention are unable to tolerate even the tiniest trace.

Gliadorphin (also called alpha-gliadin or gluteomorphin) is a substance that resembles morphine. Ordinarily, this is a short-lived by-product from the digestion of gluten molecules (found in wheat, barley, rye, oats, spelt and several other grains).
Gliadorphin is very similar to casomorphin. Gliadorphin has been verified by mass spectrometry techniques to be present in unusual quantities in urine samples of children with autism, and are believed by many to be a central part of the system of causes and effects that cause autistic development. The most probable reasons for the presence of these molecules are:

One or more errors in the breakdown (digestion) process caused by enzyme deficiency and/or abnormal permeability of the gut wall, (allowing these relatively large molecules to enter the bloodstream from the intestine in abnormal quantities).

Monosodium Glutamate and Glutamate
Glutamic acid or glutamate is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids. As its name indicates, it is acidic, with a carboxylic acid component to its side chain.

Glutamic acid is critical for proper cell function, but it is not considered an essential nutrient in humans because the body can manufacture it from simpler compounds.

In addition to being one of the building blocks in protein synthesis, it is the most widespread neurotransmitter in brain function, as an excitatory neurotransmitter and as a precursor for the synthesis of GABA in GABAergic neurons. Glutamate activates both ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors. The ionotropic ones being non-NMDA (AMPA and kainate) and NMDA receptors. Free glutamic acid cannot normally cross the blood-brain barrier in appreciable quantities; instead it is converted into L-glutamine, which the brain uses for fuel and protein synthesis. Due to the inefficient sulphation system, however, the blood brain barrier as well as the gut in many ASD sufferers is considerably more permeable than normal.

It is conjectured that glutamate is involved in cognitive functions like learning and memory in the brain, though excessive amounts may cause associated neuronal damage in diseases like Alzheimer’s disease.

The sodium salt of glutamic acid, monosodium glutamate (MSG) is responsible for one of the five basic tastes of the human sense of taste (umami), and MSG is extensively used as a food additive.

The EU E number (additive code) is E621.

Aspartame is the name for the artificial, non-carbohydrate sweetener, Aspartyl-phenylalanine-1-methyl ester; i.e. the methyl ester of the dipeptide of the amino acids aspartic acid and phenylalanine.

It is 160 times sweeter than sugar (sucrose or saccharose), and is marketed under a number of trademarked names. The EU E number (additive code) is E951. It is a common sweetener in prepared foods, particularly soft drinks. Aspartame is one of the sugar substitutes used by diabetics. Products containing aspartame usually have a warning label that they contain phenylalanine, a natural amino acid found in many foods, which is deleterious to sufferers of the genetic disorder phenylketonuria. Aspartame is a peptide which breaks down into its constituent amino acids when heated in the presence of water and acids. It is commonly used in diet soft drinks.

Rosemary Kessick 2005©

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