Autism: Lutein intolerance in 85% of Autistic Population

“What is food to one man may be fierce poison to others.”
Lucretius (c. 99 B.C.–c. 55 B.C.)





Background: lutein intolerance



Based on the developmental timeframe for the brain structures that are seen to be affected in autism, Eric Courchesne has speculated that an environmental insult happening at around 5 weeks of gestation is responsible for autism. But, an insult at that time, before the development of the immune system, and before neural tube closure, would more likely lead to autism co-occurring with spina-bifida, more severe brain damage, or would lead to spontaneous abortion.

As a result of our discovery of lutein intolerance in as many as 85% of the autistic population, we have developed a causal theory based on an immune system choice during fetal development. At the time when the immune system is developing, the first undifferentiated immune cells (called pre-immunocytes) must select a non-self substance which has crossed the placental barrier in order for the immune system to proliferate. In the developing fetus there is no apparent function for a substance called lutein, a pigment which is used by the human at birth to protect the eyes from ultraviolet light. The immune system is developing just after neural tube closure, which means that the developing spinal cord and brain is generally protected, but the neurons of the cerebellum and some other structures remain susceptible to toxic damage and immune system interference right into infancy and beyond. The immune system choice of a pigment as non-self pathogen would have a major impact on ascending neurons, such as those that send afferent fibers to the cerebellum, as seen in immune responses to pyridines and other neurotoxins. Pigment is transported through cellular membranes by structures called dynein motor transport. Dynein is found in purkinje neurons of cerebellum. Thus an immune system alerted to pigment would interfere with pigment access pathways, especially in the brain. So we see both neuronal loss of purkinje and granule cells, as well as ongoing immune system interference with pigment transport and signaling pathways. The removal of the immune triggers through dietary changes results in restoration of climbing fiber and mossy fiber growth and signaling functions, although restoration of purkinje and granule cells may not be possible. Nevertheless, even with as much as 90% Purkinje cell loss, cerebellar function is maintained, although it may be altered or simplified, resulting in the typical love of routine and sometimes mechanical movements seen in autism.


Lutein

The choice of a plant pigment such as lutein by the immune system to define ‘non-self’ against ‘self’ represents a major shift in the expression of innate immunity in the human population. It leads to immunogenetic changes, or frameshifting in the mitochondrial control regions of DNA. The immune system performs it’s primary function - to protect the vital functions - at the expense of the non-vital functions (sociological, and psychological). The type of immune response in autism is unlike any other, and so we postulate a new type of hypersensitivity reaction:


Type ‘V’ hypersensitivity

None of the current models of immune system reaction adequately describe what is happening in the autistic metabolism. The immune response in autism is immunologic, idiosyncratic, metabolic and response to pharmacological agent or toxin with signs and symptoms of food allergy both intensified and hidden. I therefore postulate that an additional classification is overdue and could be called Type V hypersensitivity, initiated and mediated by complement activity and complement receptor activity. This type of immune response is very variable and relative to the immune phenomena associated with mitochondrial gene region activity. In the autist this results in specific phenomena that may include binding of the Complement Receptor (CR) fragments (CRf) to macrophage cells which in effect ‘hitch a ride’ as they locate food fragments often containing sulphur. The CRf use ‘thiol’ (sulphur) to ‘mark’ the food fragment, like placing a quil (sulphur) onto the surface of the food fragment in a process called opsonization. The CR’s can also mark the toxin (food fragment) without being bound to the macrophage and this can result in ‘innocent bystander immune phenomena’ reactions, particularly in persons with autism who are ingesting or who are exposed to large amounts of environmental or food pathogens. I postulate that these immune activities result in the biochemical changes seen in autism which include inhibition of sulphating enzyme activity as a protective device regulated by immune activity at the basic level of immune-gene (IoGc) interaction, occurring in the mitochondrial DNA region already identified as altered in the autistic population without knowledge of why this occurs.

The Alternative Pathway Activation Pathway (APAP) has been studied in relation to Cobra venom factor (CoVF). Consequences of APAP activity include the formation of C5 convertase which results in rapid changes and increases the difficulty in finding consistent patterns of immune activity in the autistic population, but which have been found already with some degree of success, and the information consistently identifies this type of immune system activity. Factors which result in Convertase (C35 to C5a) activity within the Major attack complex, terminal complement pathway (MAC-TCP) are regulated by individual IoGc factors and can include cell lysis, influence virus receptor activity, opsonization, chemotaxis (seen in the increased immune activity leading to damaged gut lining in the autistic population) as well as neutrophil and monocyte activities which increase adherence of cells, resulting in degranulation and release of intracellular enzymes, toxic oxygen radicals and initiate other cellular events. These may include the formation of cathepsins (immune system enzymes) which may act and react as ‘normal enzymes’ in a metabolism under the control of the immune system. This pathway (APAP) in the autist allows for the immune system to control digestion and digestive activity beginning at the point of ingestion. This activity may begin with activated enzymes (cathepsins) and thoracic duct response and/or mediated release of these enzymes and immune activation whereby some foods are degraded immediately without ever reaching the digestive tract, and the immediate breakdown of some substances (toxins), particularly those which can be degraded to gases. Preventing the free radical gases from being degraded in the liver is also a ‘protective’ factor of the immune system. This can impact the individual’s ability to make fatty acids and a reduced ability to make long chain fatty acids has been observed in this population. It can result in free-radical activity in the brain and this too has been found to occur in autism.

At the basic level of understanding this is a ‘fight or flight’ immune response. The response is to food rather than to external stimuli, or it is in addition to external stimuli. In order to treat the autist we must remove the food pathogen as well as environmental substances which for some have become immune triggering substances by association (fumes from nail polish, petrol, pine oil and in the classroom oil based paints, cleaning products and dry erase markers).

http://saras-autism-diet.freeservers.com/Literature/Background%2D001.html


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Successful Results of a Lutein-free Diet

The theory, lutein intolerance, is simple and as yet has not been subject to rigorous research. Since 1995 we have worked to provide recommendations to families and physicians treating individuals with autism. Our results include that 80% of our clients report significant and measurable results when a nutrient balanced, lutein free, soy protein free and casein/gluten restricted diet is implemented with an adequate and balanced intake of essential nutrients. 10% report complete alleviation of symptoms or declassification from autism.20 The complexity of the dietary intervention results from the unique needs of each individual, their current diet and the age at which sufficient dietary intervention is applied.
The complexity of the dietary intervention needed results from the self-limited or restricted diets of the autists21 as well as the cascade of biochemical abnormalities that are a result of the immune system’s response to the non-self pigment pathogen, environmental factors as well as the unique make-up of each individual’s genetic information. This can be further complicated when a co-occurring disease, disorder or condition is present.



Ranking of Foods Containing Lutein


Vegetable/Fruit
(100 grams or 1/2 cup)
Lutein or Zeaxanthin (Micrograms)

Kale
21,900

Collard Greens
16,300

Spinach, cooked & drained
12,600

Cress Leaf, raw
12,500

Swiss Chard, raw
11,000

Chicory Leaf, raw
10,300
Parsley
10,200
Spinach, raw 10,200
Mustard Greens
9,900

Beet Greens 7,700
Okra 6,800
Pepper, Red 6,800
Dill
6,700

Romaine Lettuce 5,700
Endive 4,000
Celery
3,600

Scallions
2,100

Leeks
1,900

Broccoli, cooked
1,800

Leaf Lettuce
1,800

Green Peas
1,700

Pumpkin
1,500

Iceburg Lettuce
1,400

Brussel Sprouts
1,300

Summer Squash
1,200

Corn
790

Pepper, Yellow 770
Green Beans
740

Pepper, Green
700

Asparagus, raw 640
Cucumber Pickle
510

Green Olives
510

Avocado, raw 320
Carrots, cooked or raw 260
Plum, raw 240
Tomato Paste, canned 190
Peach, dried 188
Kiwi Fruit, raw 180
Prune, dried 120
Pear, raw 110
Tomatoes, raw
100

Apple, raw 45
Squash, winter, cooked 38
Peach, canned, drained 28
Cabbage, red, raw 26
Tangerine 20
Onion, yellow, raw 16
Nectarine 15
Orange 14
Watermelon, raw 14
Apricot, canned, drained 2
Turnip, raw 1





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Successful Results of a Lutein-free Diet

The theory, lutein intolerance, is simple and as yet has not been subject to rigorous research. Since 1995 we have worked to provide recommendations to families and physicians treating individuals with autism. Our results include that 80% of our clients report significant and measurable results when a nutrient balanced, lutein free, soy protein free and casein/gluten restricted diet is implemented with an adequate and balanced intake of essential nutrients. 10% report complete alleviation of symptoms or declassification from autism.20 The complexity of the dietary intervention results from the unique needs of each individual, their current diet and the age at which sufficient dietary intervention is applied.
The complexity of the dietary intervention needed results from the self-limited or restricted diets of the autists21 as well as the cascade of biochemical abnormalities that are a result of the immune system’s response to the non-self pigment pathogen, environmental factors as well as the unique make-up of each individual’s genetic information. This can be further complicated when a co-occurring disease, disorder or condition is present.



Ranking of Foods Containing Lutein


Vegetable/Fruit
(100 grams or 1/2 cup)
Lutein or Zeaxanthin (Micrograms)

Kale
21,900

Collard Greens
16,300

Spinach, cooked & drained
12,600

Cress Leaf, raw
12,500

Swiss Chard, raw
11,000

Chicory Leaf, raw
10,300
Parsley
10,200
Spinach, raw 10,200
Mustard Greens
9,900

Beet Greens 7,700
Okra 6,800
Pepper, Red 6,800
Dill
6,700

Romaine Lettuce 5,700
Endive 4,000
Celery
3,600

Scallions
2,100

Leeks
1,900

Broccoli, cooked
1,800

Leaf Lettuce
1,800

Green Peas
1,700

Pumpkin
1,500

Iceburg Lettuce
1,400

Brussel Sprouts
1,300

Summer Squash
1,200

Corn
790

Pepper, Yellow 770
Green Beans
740

Pepper, Green
700

Asparagus, raw 640
Cucumber Pickle
510

Green Olives
510

Avocado, raw 320
Carrots, cooked or raw 260
Plum, raw 240
Tomato Paste, canned 190
Peach, dried 188
Kiwi Fruit, raw 180
Prune, dried 120
Pear, raw 110
Tomatoes, raw
100

Apple, raw 45
Squash, winter, cooked 38
Peach, canned, drained 28
Cabbage, red, raw 26
Tangerine 20
Onion, yellow, raw 16
Nectarine 15
Orange 14
Watermelon, raw 14
Apricot, canned, drained 2
Turnip, raw 1

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