Nutritional medicine is used to enhance metabolic pathways that promote detoxification and the healing of the digestive, immune and neurological systems. 

 

The most common metabolic pathways involved are: 

Methylation.

Methylation is a process involved in vitamin B6, B9 and B12 metabolism. The methylation process is required for many important chemical events to occur in the body.  These include detoxification, DNA and RNA formation, neurotransmission (chemical messengers between nerve and brain cells) and the reading of genes (“switching” genes “on and off”).  It is responsible for the formation of glutathione – a major antioxidant and detoxification compound in the body. 

Sulphation

Sulphur is one of the most prevalent minerals in the body.  It is involved in many functions including detoxification, maintenance of the digestive tract lining, hormone production and microbial balance.   Sulphation is necessary in the second phase of the liver’s detoxification process.  Inhibited sulfation can result in sensitivities to phenols, including salicylates and artificial food additives and phenolic amines such as dopamine and serotonin (which are also neurotransmitters).  Symptoms include hyperactivity, red cheeks and ears, agitation, aggression, fatigue, poor sleep, and many more! 

Pyrroluria (Pyrrole Disorder / Malvaria):

Pyrroluria is an abnormality in the synthesis of haemoglobin (a protein that allows red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body).  People with pyrroluria have an excess amount of a haemoglobin synthesis by-product called hydroxyhemopyrrolin-2-1 (kryptopyrrole) which blocks zinc and B6 absorption resulting in deficiencies of these two essential nutrients. Pyrroluria was first implicated in schizophrenia, and is now found to be common in ASD, depression and bi-polar disorder.  Symptoms include easily becomes agitated, little or no dream recall, white spots on finger nails, poor morning appetite, sensitivity to bright light and loud noise, dyslexia, mood swings, anger outbursts, pale skin that easily burns, insomnia, anaemia and ADHD.  Pyrroluria is easy to test for. 

With underactive methylation or sulfation, an individual will have trouble processing toxic by-products and environmental substances, including heavy metals.  This is one reason why many ASD individuals have high levels of heavy metals. Heavy metals have a direct effect on immune, neurological and metabolic function. Chelation therapy to remove heavy metals from the body is frequently employed in the treatment of ASD.