Meet Elaine DeLack, CEO and Founder of MedDev inc.,
Developer of Respen-A™
I have been told, many times, that I take a different approach to science and developing a treatment. I actually test everything first on myself. I suppose this comes from my history of being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), and needing to find something to help myself as traditional medicine had nothing to offer of benefit. Once I have thoroughly researched something, I test it first on myself, and then on the next willing guinea pig- who has been my husband. This was how Respen-A™ came to be used in bipolar disorder, then depression, then anxiety, then autism, then ADD/ADHD, and even cancer.
No, my husband didn’t have all of these conditions, but he was bipolar, often suffered from depression and anxiety, and had a very volatile temper. He could be whistling happily, and then the next minute throwing things and swearing. This could happen several times within an hour. A nebulous stimulus could set him off- so we walked on eggshells around him, not knowing what might trigger a rage. Although he only drank on occasion, when he did drink, he couldn’t stop after just a couple of beers- he would drink until he was inebriated. He volunteered to try the Respen-A™ to see if it would mellow his mood swings, and it did, immediately that same day.
Seeing how well it resolved my husband's symptoms, it was decided to study Respen-A™ in a double blind, placebo controlled crossover study in patients that had major depressive disorder. Most of the patients were resistant to treatment with antidepressants. Based on the results that my husband had seen with the Respen-A™, but being only one patient (an N of 1), the statistician predicted that we needed a minimum of 40 people in the study in order for the study to have power- meaning that a noticeable effect would be statistically identified if the Respen-A™ was effective in treating the symptoms of depression.
Most pharmaceuticals are first tested in a very homogenous group in which the participants are “cherry picked”, excluding any subjects that may have other conditions that would diminish the likelihood of them showing a favorable effect of the drug being tested. These homogenous studies are then followed by several more studies carefully broadening the selection of participants. Due to our limited financial resources to fund studies, we chose a very heterogeneous group of participants for our pilot study- might as well find out right away if Respen-A™ had a robust enough effect to show statistical significance at the get go. We included participants that would have been excluded from any antidepressant drug study, such as participants with fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and even cirrhosis of the liver due to alcoholism.
Due to funding constraints, we decided to close the study with only having 21 patients enrolled, because we had already expended the funds we had budgeted for participant recruitment. Despite the heterogeneous study population, and only 21 participants, Respen-A™ showed a very robust effect with a p value of 0.001 (a p value of 0.05 or less is considered a significant effect).
The Respen-A™ depression study showed that Respen-A™ also showed significant effect in treating the symptoms of anxiety as measured by the Profile of Moods (POMS) testing done in the study. Thus, my granddaughter, who frequently suffers anxiety and facial/eye tics, started using the Respen-A™ when those symptoms arose, and within minutes of applying the Respen-A™ disc, her symptoms resolved.
I was watching my granddaughter play in a basketball tournament one day, and noticed that she was displaying some facial tics, and that her attentiveness in the game was not her usual. She seemed to be running around the court unaware of the position she was supposed to be playing, and she was becoming very frustrated. I discovered that she was not wearing the Respen-A™ disc during the game. So, before her next game I applied the Respen-A™ disc, and her performance in the game took a 180 degree turn. Her concentration and performance in the game improved so much that parents of her teammates commented, and wanted to know what had changed. Interestingly, one of the parents pursued getting the Respen-A™ for their daughter who struggled in school and on the basketball court due to ADD. Their daughter, too, saw impressive improvement in her basketball skills and school performance.
Some may wonder how Respen-A™ can show benefits for so many different health conditions? This is because all of these conditions have been shown to have a common mitochondrial dysfunction—deficient MAO-A activity. Respen-A™ is a homeopathic dilution of Reserpine, which has been shown to double the activity of MAO-A.
Leiana
MAO-A, The Tree of Life!
When a tree is not thriving, the closer the treatment is to the root of the tree, the quicker the tree responds by returning to good health. I once had an apricot tree that required far more attention than I knew how to give. I should've just chopped it down and used it for kindling, because it was so dry and brittle on the outside. But I hoped that by pruning it, I could bring it back to life. Many days and hours of work later, I had a tree that was in a beautiful shape, and I waited for spring to bring green leaves and fruit. I was rewarded with some of each, but the trunk of the tree still looked like a good windstorm would snap it in half. My husband was convinced that if we started scattering the ashes from our fireplace around the base of the tree, it would make all the difference, and the tree would thrive once again, but that didn't help either. Next, I sprayed for insects, convinced that they were leaching the life out of the limbs. Then I began clipping off all of the dead and dying twigs thinking that at least they would no longer be pulling nourishment from the branches of the tree, which I thought needed it more in order to produce healthier twigs. Ultimately, we spent a lot of money having a very large tree- that was overshadowing our small apricot tree- heavily pruned back to allow more sunlight, all to no avail. The years and treatments progressed with little benefit, and finally we moved to a new home. Years later and many trees wiser, I now know that instead of trying to bring a sick tree back to a healthy state by pruning twigs and branches, and spraying for insect infestation, I should first focus my attention on the roots by nourishing them with water, fertilizer, and good soil.
When you begin looking at how MAO-A (Monoamine Oxidase A is an enzyme at the cellular level that helps to maintain neuron firing rates throughout the body) is at the root of so many neurodegenerative diseases as well as aging, you'll see that it can be compared to the roots of a tree. Let's look at the diagram of the MAO-A Tree of Life and compare this to how the cells function in your body- at the most basic level as the science is far deeper and more intricate. As you go up the tree, with MAO-A being the roots, MAO-A activity is required for the ATP (an energy molecule, or the 'trunk') production to run all of the chemical reactions (direct 'branches') in the body. These chemical reactions are Liver Detoxification, Norepinephrine Utilization, Serotonin Utilization, and Histamine2 Production. Each of these chemical reactions stimulate further functions ('twigs') of the body like Memory & Social Recognition, Fine & Gross Motor Skills, Sensory Integration & Discrimination, and Concentration/Focus to name a few. You will see some twigs on more than one branch, indicating that more than one branch stimulates those functions.
Take a look at Histamine2, which is shown at the top of the tree because it is needed for SO much! It is involved in all of the higher functions; Gastric Function, Digestive Enzymes, Thyroid Function, Hypothalamus Function, Heat Stress, Oxytocin Utilization, Eye Contact, Language Learning, Circadian Rhythms, and SO much more!
The body can actually have adequate production of MAO-A, but its activity can be inhibited, kind of like having its hands tied- it's there, but it can't do anything.
Things that Inhibit MAO-A Activity :
(Note that autistic patients are sensitive to all of these)
High Estrogen such as Soy, tea tree oil (this is why soy should be avoided)
EFA supplements
Many, many Herbal Supplements
Stress
Heavy Metals such as aluminum, mercury, cadmium
High copper levels
High phenols
High amounts of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
Parasites and other Pathogens (interfere with the production of MAO-A)
Lipid peroxidation (this is why the EFA supplements should be avoided)
High levels of alanine (an amino acid- we have far too much alanine and glutamine in our bodies, which is the result of eating too many calories and not having the activity to burn them off. The body stores the excess calories as alanine, and alanine inhibits MAO-A).
Stress is probably the biggest inhibitor on MAO-A. Everything we put into the body, the body is required to do something with, and this just puts more stress on the body. You may have had a difficult decision in choosing Respen-A™ over fish oil, but let me ask you this- if fish oil was working for your child, why were you looking for something else? Perhaps because fish oil causes lipid peroxidation, which causes MAO-A activity to be inhibited, which then shuts down ATP production, which shuts down the rest of the branches and twigs on the tree, which results in all of the symptoms you are seeing in your autistic child.
We have found that those who don’t take any supplements other than the calcium and magnesium necessary to make the Respen-A™ work, and 5-HTP and/or inositol if you don’t eat meat or are on a gluten free diet, do the best on the Respen-A™. Instead of worrying that you still need to fix the twigs by supplementing with vitamins, herbs and medications for individual symptoms, get to the root, or cause, of the issue and let Respen-A™ stimulate the activity of MAO-A to do the job of fixing everything for you.
Respen-A™ increases the activity of MAO-A, or unties its hands, which allows the entire body to function and be healthy again. The newest research shows that MAO-A is one of the greatest detoxifiers in the liver (toxins, drugs, metals, chemicals). If you get the MAO-A production healthy again by increasing its activity, then the liver can do its job of detoxification. This applies to every branch on the tree, like norepinephrine. Without MAO-A activity, the norepinephrine can't get converted into its active neurotransmitter, which means that norepinephrine can't be utilized. This results in every twig on the norepinephrine branch reacting in chaos.
There are many supplements that inhibit MAO-A and many that have not been tested for such inhibition, like herbs. As for homeopathic products, homeopathic frequencies are like music notes; some notes can be put together, such as in a chord, and it enriches their sound, but one wrong note in a chord ruins the sound- which means it will negate the Respen-A™. The only way to determine whether or not something enhances or inhibits the effects of the Respen-A™ is by stopping all other supplements. Then, see how you respond to the Respen-A™ and get to baseline on it. If you want to add back one of the supplements after a month or so on just the Respen-A™, add one at a time and monitor it for two weeks to see if it helps or negates it. If it doesn't negate the Respen-A™, and you see no added benefit, you probably don't need it.
Supplements give us such high amounts of nutrients that it is easy to get too much. If the volume is too high, we can reach toxic levels- even too much water can be toxic! It is best to pull the nutrients we need out of the foods we eat. As long as we are eating a balanced diet and getting plenty of whole and organic foods, our body will pull out exactly what it needs in terms of vitamins, and flush out the rest. This is the same for gluten.
Gluten stimulates the release of serotonin into the nerve synapse. A child with autism has trouble converting the serotonin in the nerve synapse into its active neurotransmitter because the MAO-A activity is deficient. This causes the serotonin to build up in the nerve synapse triggering a shutdown and negative feedback on other systems such as the Oxytocin system. Prior to Respen-A™, if a child with autism ate gluten it would just cause more serotonin to build up. With the Respen-A™, the child is able to convert the serotonin- therefore avoiding a build up of serotonin- which means that gluten is now tolerated.
You've got to have a balance of serotonin production, serotonin release, and serotonin turnover. Otherwise you'll end up with a buildup of serotonin, which shuts systems down, or a depletion of serotonin, which creates the same symptoms (shuts systems down). It's much easier to balance this if you don't restrict gluten. Just let your child have whatever in their diet, in moderation, and the body will handle this balancing act. This is a lot simpler than counting crackers/pretzels and making sure they are getting gluten every two hours. You are just better off to let the body do its own regulation of the balancing system- it will let you know what it needs with cravings.
Back to the MAO-A Tree of Life. Think about how much simpler- and less expensive- life will be when you get to the root of the issues/symptoms and let MAO-A fix everything! You won't need a drug for focus (Ritalin, Risperdal, Focalin, Adderall,) which will only fix the twig- the Norepinephrine branch has that covered. You won't need supplements for digestive or sleep issues- Histamine2 Production and Serotonin Utilization take care of those. You won't need herbs or medications for allergies- the MAO-A converts histamine in the body to H2 instead of H1 (the allergy histamine). You'll save money on detox treatments when the liver has its hands untied and can do that for you for free. You won't have to worry about fixing the twigs when MAO-A is the active root it was designed to be!
...Instead of working out on a branch, get to the root...
Be prepared to evaluate how you are doing every six months or so. If you've lost ground or if things are pretty much the same, what you are doing is not working. If it is only helping one thing, and nothing else is better, then you are working on a twig instead of the root of the issue. There are several other factors that can tie the hands of MAO-A: inability to convert L-tryptophan to 5-HTP, not enough gluten consumption to convert serotonin into its active neurotransmitter, poor calcium absorption, and impeding the active docking sites on the MAO-A. If you see no change in symptoms, or a return of symptoms, please contact us! Elaine is brilliant at pinpointing the problem. Our deepest desire is for you or your loved one to return to good health through the MAO-A Tree of LIFE, with the use of Respen-A™!
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Gluten, Serotonin and 5-HTP
Perhaps the most difficult- and easiest- decision I've had to make this past year was to use Respen-A™...on myself. Easy, because I've been telling people for years that it helps with gut issues, and after decades of trying everything possible to resolve mine, I wanted results for myself. Difficult, because I didn't want to go backwards. I hadn't eaten gluten for 9 years, and was dreadfully aware of just how crippling one spec of it would be to my body.
In addition to gluten, after an elimination process, I'd been off of nuts, most oils, dairy, eggs, most meats, vegetables and fruits for the past three years. Consequently, I'd been eating a combination of only 7 food items- the few I'd found that didn't cause a multitude of issues. How I longed to eat a real meal again, to not be limited to cold snacks, to have the freedom to sit in a restaurant and order, indiscriminately, off a menu, and finally, to enjoy a hot meal without any fear of repercussions!
I started Respen-A™ in May of 2018. While I could tell immediately that things were different, I waited a couple of weeks before I tried gluten- my biggest nemesis. While I waited, I began gaining weight, because my body was finally absorbing nutrients from the foods I was eating. It sounds awful, but I put on 23 lbs in 3 weeks! This was fine with me as I'd become scarecrow thin over the years, since I hadn't been able to keep weight on. Now, people tell me how much healthier I look.
Testing the gluten began a few crackers at a time, and soon evolved into ordering gluten items off the menu at restaurants, and even eating slices of pizza! Honestly, what shocked me most was how bad all of the processed 'foods' tasted- cookies, Danish pastries, candy bars I'd once enjoyed, even Taco Bell...which was a real treat when I was a starving college student sick of Top Ramen. So, it was super easy to maintain my new weight; I'd been without processed foods for nearly a decade, and wasn't willing to eat anything that tasted bad.
As a mom with a son diagnosed with autism, reintroducing gluten for him (back in 2009) was even more frightening. One spec for Tyler resulted in a meltdown that lasted 10 1/2 hours. But, after her first reformulation of Respen-A™, Elaine said it 'should work' for gut issues- and someone had to be the pioneer (guinea pig?). Elaine says that it works by activating MAO-A to convert Histamine to Histamine2. Histamine2 stimulates the production of gastric acid and digestive enzymes, and corrects the pH balance of the stomach and intestines. Click on the link below to see a video of Tyler the morning after we had a big pizza party- with no meltdowns from gluten! Back then, we had to increase the Respen-A Disc by half a disc, but now you don't.
Gluten has come under attack, from everybody. Going gluten-free has become not only a fad for the general public, but a necessity for most kids with autism. However, according to Elaine, gluten isn't the problem. It is just a protein that our body doesn't make. But it is not a pathogenic protein, so it presents no threat to our body. Because of this, the immune system would normally just ignore it. But, when MAO-A (monoamine oxidase-A) is inhibited, such as by stress (environmental toxins, financial worries, working three jobs), this causes our Mast cells to become neurotic, and our immune system goes nuts.
Mast cells are the first line of defense for the body- they are the alarm system for the immune system. The lungs, gut, and skin are portals of entry that a pathogen could use to get into the body. These organs are loaded with Mast cells. Mast cells go into high alert when MAO-A is under attack and suppressed. As a result, a person experiences a full blown, immune inflammatory response to gluten.
As far as autism goes, the reason the gluten-free diet has helped these children is because gluten releases the serotonin in the gut. With low MAO-A activity, the serotonin builds up and is not able to be converted into its active neurotransmitter. Behaviors get better when gluten is restricted because you are avoiding the build up of serotonin. However, gluten isn't the culprit. Instead, whatever is inhibiting the MAO-A is.
Things that Inhibit MAO-A Activity :
(Note that autistic patients are sensitive to all of these)
High Estrogen such as Soy, tea tree oil (this is why soy should be avoided)
EFA supplements
Many, many Herbal Supplements
Stress
Heavy Metals such as aluminum, mercury, cadmium
High copper levels
High phenols
High amounts of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K
Parasites and other Pathogens (interfere with the production of MAO-A)
Lipid peroxidation (this is why the EFA supplements should be avoided)
High levels of alanine (an amino acid- we have far too much alanine and glutamine in our bodies, which is the result of eating too many calories and not having the activity to burn them off. The body stores the excess calories as alanine, and alanine inhibits MAO-A).
Prior to Respen-A™, if a child with autism ate gluten, it would just cause more serotonin to build up. With the Respen-A™ disc, the child is able to convert the serotonin- therefore avoiding a build up of serotonin- which means that gluten is now tolerated.
Some children on a gluten free diet have seen a return of symptoms after seeing good improvement on the Respen-A™ Disc, and some children have seen no results, or even a worsening of their symptoms, when starting the Respen-A™ Disc. Elaine thought that this was due to a depletion of their serotonin by the Respen-A™, so she recommended that they take 5-HTP or L-Tryptophan to replenish the serotonin. Several of the parents reported that this made no difference, but one parent noticed that if her child had a small amount of gluten, the symptoms resolved. A few more parents have reported the same findings after incorporating some gluten back in their child’s diet.
Researching the scientific rationale for this, Elaine discovered that L-Tryptophan produces 5-HTP, and 5-HTP increases the production of serotonin. This newly synthesized serotonin is put into storage vesicles in the cells. The stored serotonin then needs to be released into the synapse (the junction between nerves), so that the Respen-A™ Disc can stimulate its conversion into the active aldehyde (active neurotransmitter). Research shows that gluten (and inositol 500 - 700 mg once per day, 15 minutes after applying the Respen-A™ Disc) will stimulate the release of serotonin from the storage vesicles. The Respen-A™ Disc activates MAO-A, which then stimulates the turnover/conversion of the serotonin in the synapse into the active aldehyde (active neurotransmitter) so the body can utilize it.
Without Respen-A™, MAO-A activity is decreased, which is what causes the buildup of serotonin in the nerve synapses, triggering a shutdown and negative feedback on other systems, such as the Oxytocin system, which results in other systems shutting down. When you start Respen-A™, you have the ability to immediately turn the stored serotonin over into its active neurotransmitter so the body can utilize it, however you need gluten to release it from the storage vesicles into the nerve synapse.
You've got to have a balance of serotonin production, serotonin release, and serotonin turnover. Otherwise you'll end up with a buildup of serotonin, which shuts systems down, or a depletion of serotonin, which creates the same symptoms. It's much easier to balance this if you don't restrict gluten. I want to encourage you to let your child have whatever in their diet, in moderation, and the body will handle this balancing act. This is a lot simpler than counting crackers/pretzels and making sure they are getting gluten every two hours. You are just better off to let the body do its own regulation of the balancing system- it will let you know what it needs with cravings.
If your child is on a gluten-free diet due to food intolerance, these should be resolved when using the Respen-A™ Disc. However, there is no carryover, so if you have to stop the Respen-A™ Disc, PLEASE be aware of this as you will need to return to your previous gluten restriction.
If your child is on a gluten-free diet due to allergies, you will need to supplement with inositol to release the serotonin from the storage vesicles, so that the Respen-A™ Disc can stimulate its conversion into the active aldehyde. In most cases, 500 mg to 700 mg daily of inositol supplementation has been adequate in the release of serotonin to keep up with the turnover stimulated by Respen-A™ Disc.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Link Video of Tyler after eating Gluten
How Developmental Milestones can bring your child up to their chronological age...
Developmental milestones are a set of functional skills or age-specific tasks that most children can do at a certain age range. Your pediatrician uses milestones to help check how your child is developing. Although each milestone has an age level, the actual age when a normally developing child reaches that milestone can vary quite a bit. Every child is unique! At least, this is what the general rule is, which is why a diagnosis of autism can be difficult for a pediatrician to acknowledge. Mine told me that my son was doing just fine, that I had nothing to worry about even though life at home proved otherwise, and she looked at me like I was crazy to have accepted an offer to enroll my 4 year old in an autism study.
Now that my son has been free from the trap of autism because of Respen-A™, I've learned, through Elaine, that children cannot skip developmental milestones- every human being must experience them! When your child became trapped in autism, he/she stopped experiencing these milestones, and they need to be revisited. This will bring him/her up to chronological age responses and behavior quickly, in a profound way.
Child development refers to how a child becomes able to do more complex things as they get older. Development is different from growth. Growth only refers to the child getting bigger in size. When we talk about normal development, we are talking about developing skills like:
Gross motor skills: using large groups of muscles to sit, stand, walk, run, etc., keeping balance and changing positions
Fine motor skills: using hands to be able to eat, draw, dress, play, write, and do many other things
Language skills: speaking, using body language and gestures, communicating, and understanding what others say
Cognitive skills: thinking skills including learning, understanding, problem-solving, reasoning, and remembering
Social skills: interacting with others, having relationships with family, friends, and teachers, cooperating and responding to the feelings of others.
With autism, clearly there is a disconnect, and some missing pieces. Think of childhood like putting together a puzzle in the brain. The pieces prior to autism are in place, and more begin to be laid when your child is set free from the trap, but not quickly, and most are missing from the developmental milestone years (age 0 - 5 years). Parents often comment, "he's doing better in all of these areas, but he still behaves like a six year old in many ways!"
Put it to the test. Ask your child to crawl. Does he/she do it correctly? The right hand should move forward at the same time as the left knee, then left hand with right knee. You will likely see a right hand with right knee, then left hand with left knee approach- which is wrong. Why does this matter? Milestones lay the foundation for the brain to function correctly. Chaos disappears with use of the Respen-A™, but then you'll need to prepare an environment for life and learning by putting the missing puzzle pieces into place, in the brain, and this can only happen by doing the developmental milestones. These will set your child up for success, both now and in the future.
For general ranges on what developmental milestones are often expected at various ages, check out the guides by following the link below. However, not knowing where your child stopped experiencing them, I suggest beginning with age 0 - 3 months when you revisit them, and work up from there. Then, think outside the box to turn these milestones into a game that your child will be acquiescent to 'play'. Following are some examples:
Thumb sucking : blindfold your child, then dip their thumb into one of three smooth substances, eg; melted chocolate, melted marshmallow, peanut butter. They must put their entire thumb in their mouth and suck it clean (no licking allowed) before guessing what the substance is.
Reaching and grasping : have your child lay on their back. Stand over them and swing a pencil or pen- that has been tied to a string- back and forth, just within reach, and challenge them to reach and grasp hold of it.
Turning eyes from bright light : take your child into a small room with no windows. Turn the lights out. Turn on a flashlight that you have aimed straight into their eyes. If they don't look away instantly but instead squint at you, teach them the correct response and explain why. Then, repeat the process several times till you are certain they've learned.
You won't need to revisit all of the milestones- at some point while working through them your child's body and brain will naturally take over, but you do need to get the process started. Here's to your success!
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Feedback from a mom after starting the Developmental Milestones with her son
We started going through just a few of the developmental milestones a couple of days after reading this article, and Alex has been so much more interactive already. Today he initiated playing with a few toys - and we even played together. It was fun, not forced. I noticed his motor skills have improved. Without even asking him, Alex came and sat down at the dinner table (we usually have a tantrum). Tonight he played games with me and sat through Toy Story! He never does that. It is unbelievable how he has grown in just a few months!
(Respen-A™ Mom, Suzanne)
Website Link for Developmental Milestones
Why You'll Need to Teach Your Child How to 'Act' Their Age
...after they are at baseline on Respen-A™
"My 8 year-old son is now free from the trap of autism through the use of Respen-A™, and sometimes he still acts like a 3 year-old! What's up with that?!"
As part of Team Respen-A™, I talk with parents about many issues, and this is a simple concern that, through Elaine's wisdom, I was able to understand and address with my own son, Tyler, who uses Respen-A™.
Just because you've started using Respen-A™ doesn't mean that your child is going to instantly behave beautifully in all situations. Responding with meltdowns and tantrums is what they are familiar with- it was their 'normal' behavior, perhaps one of the only ways they knew to 'connect' with you if they were non-verbal before they started using Respen-A™. However, to fit into a mainstream classroom, or to behave politely and properly when out in public, your child will need to learn what they missed when they were trapped in autism.
Your child missed all of your teaching moments while they were 'trapped' in autism, which is why, now that they are free, you'll want to teach them again- only this time, they'll actually be learning and retaining the information because their brain is functioning at a far higher capability (see before and after Respen-A™ EEG images through the link below).
Here's an example that one mother shared with me. Within her son's first two weeks on Respen-A™, she brought him to his classroom, and several of his new friends happily ran up to him wanting to play. He responded, "go away! I don't like you!" His mom was horrified- he had been making so many gains, and this was like taking ten giant steps backwards! This was actually a teaching moment in learning to use the right words. Hopefully next time, when her son is not wanting to play as soon as he steps into the classroom, he can say, "I want to play, but not right now".
Teaching moments can help your kiddo learn how to use the right words instead of throwing a tantrum or having a meltdown. Help your child by preparing them for life, teach them, then set them free!
*Another great tool for bringing your child up to speed on age-appropriate behavior is to work through the Developmental Milestones with them.
Watch for teaching moments- your child is going through a metamorphosis, and
you've got to help them become a butterfly... help to set them FREE!
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Website Link to pre and post EEG images
Website Link for Developmental Milestones
CBD Oil and ASD
I recently had such severe back pain that it was keeping me awake at night- I couldn't fall asleep because the pain was so intense, and ibuprofen wasn't even scratching the surface in taking it away. Desperate for relief, I remembered that I had some CBD oil that my husband's aunt had recommended, and I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. For the first four nights, I slept well. Then, for a few more nights, I found myself waking after 4 hours, with the pain returned. Applying more oil at that point helped for a couple of nights, then did nothing. Soon, applying the oil the first time didn't even help, and by the end of a week and a half the oiled area had begun itching horrendously for well over an hour and a half. By then, I realized that I was having issues with my hormones that I hadn't had for months. It dawned on me that, since I hadn't added anything but the CBD oil to my regimen, it was the culprit. I had only dipped the tip of my finger into the jar and used the amount that had clung to it, which seemed scant, but apparently it was enough to shut down my receptors and mess with other systems. Following cessation, it took over a week to begin feeling normal again- at which point I sought acupuncture to relieve the pain for good.
Following this experience I asked Elaine for input, because there are many parents who use CBD oil for their ASD children, mostly to help them sleep and to stay calm. My concern is that many of these children still have symptoms that should've been/begun resolving with use of Respen-A™. I learned from Elaine that using just a little bit is o.k. However, too much has the reverse effect. There are cannabinoid receptors throughout the body, and they are involved in appetite, mood, memory, sleep, and pain sensation. Whenever you are supplementing something that works directly on receptors in the body, a low dose will boost the cell's response to the receptor activation, but a high dose will decrease, or even shut down the cell's response to the receptor supplement.
The reason for this is that a low dose will just stimulate a few of the receptors, and this increases the sensitivity of the receptors and increases the density of the receptors on the cell membrane. Think of it like whetting the receptor's appetite. If you eat a few appetizers before dinner, it can increase your appetite for dinner. But if you eat too many appetizers, it spoils your desire to eat dinner. If you saturate the receptors with the supplement, it causes damage to the cell by causing it to be over activated. Thus, the receptors become desensitized to the supplement- they will even shutdown, and decrease in density on the cell membrane. This is why, when you supplement something that the body has receptors for, if you give a little, it boosts, and if you give too much, it has a bad effect.
Incidentally, adolescent cannabinoid exposure has been reported to cause long-term impairment in specific components of learning and memory, and to have differential effects on anxiety, social behavior, and depressive-like signs.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
No Supplements Challenge!
One of the questions I'm asked most often from other Respen-A™ parents is, "what else do you give Tyler?", or, "what other therapies do you do?" My son, Tyler, has been using Respen-A™ successfully for nine years, and the answer is pretty simple: we've never supplemented with anything except the required calcium/magnesium, and zinc/P-5-P because we saw benefit- which indicates that Tyler has Pyroluria. We began working through Developmental Milestones with him over four years ago- that was profound! The ONLY time we added something new was when his naturopath (at the time) advised DHA for brain function. Two weeks later, when I'd just about had enough of full symptom return, I called Elaine for advice. That's when I learned that DHA negates Respen-A™ because it inhibits MAO-A, which is what the Respen-A™ makes active in the body.
Since then, I've learned from Elaine that far more supplements than we realize inhibit MAO-A. [See link at the bottom of this article for some known items. The pertinent information in the link is the MAOIs list, in particular the items that inhibit MAO- A (not B). This list references items as used in herbal remedies, which are highly concentrated. It does not refer to eating whole foods! For further known items that negate MAO-A, see the FAQ page at the www.respen-a.com website.
The link/list we've shared of items known to negate MAO-A is by no means complete. We have found other, far more extensive lists, but don't quite understand them. What we do know is that your best solution is to stop all supplements and let MAO-A, activated by the Respen-A™, fix the body for you. And so, we bring to you a No Supplement Challenge to start off the New Year!
As a parent, having spoken with many, many parents over the years, I can share that the ones who see dramatic results are the ones who don't supplement. The ones that do, struggle. Yes, they are happy that their child is calmer- some of the time- has fewer tics, is more verbal and has better eye contact, etc. Eventually they want more and better, and each supplement they give up brings another gain.
We'd like to see people experience the full benefits of Respen-A™ and challenge you to stop all supplements, diet restrictions, alkalizing and detoxifying protocols. We are not suggesting that these regimens weren’t helpful and necessary prior to Respen-A™. They were important when the MAO-A activity was deficient. But with Respen-A™, we are changing the equation- the MAO-A activity is restored, and now you can just let the body fix itself. If you continue to follow pre-Respen-A™ protocols, you most likely will cause imbalances in the body and not see full benefits. Think of it like a sailboat with a hole in the sail. You have to make certain adjustments to compensate for the defective sail, but once you repair the sail, if you continue with the compensatory settings you used when the sail was defective, you won’t be able to steer the boat on course.
The beauty of MAO-A is that it fixes everything. MAO-A is throughout the body, so it is not a case of what gets fixed first. Wherever the MAO-A has been affected, you will see improvement. You no longer need to supplement for liver or kidney function, or worry about detoxifying metals and toxins. I like to think of MAO-A (which Respen-A™ activates) as a Ford Tesla: why would you only drive it at 35 mph when it can go 0 - 60 mph in 1.9 seconds? Why hold yourself back when you can achieve better results? The parents who have finally taken the step of stopping other supplements are seeing greater gains. Let your child's results, or lack thereof, speak for themselves. Then as scary as it may seem to consider giving up everything you've done over the years to help your child, as afraid as you might be to start anew while fearing the loss of gains, 'bite the bullet' (or step on the gas...put pedal to the metal...floor it!) and wake up to 90 new days of possibility.
You have an imbalance in the body which can be fixed just with the Respen-A™...you've got to just take a deep breath and let go of the rest. It doesn't mean that you can't ever re-add something (after the challenge), but if you do, you must test only one thing at a time for a two-week time frame. If it negates, you will see a return of symptoms. If there are no symptoms, and no benefit, you don't need it. If there is a gain, keep it, but be prepared to monitor it over time.
We realize that Respen-A™ might not be for everyone. We'd rather you get optimum results and experience the full potential of Respen-A™ for your child rather than spend money on something that can't be fully utilized.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
WHAT IF MY CHILD’S IMPROVEMENTS ON THE RESPEN-A™ DISC HAVE REACHED A PLATEAU?
The FAQ page at the Respen-A™ website (www.respen-a.com) is a wealth of information! If you are having continuing issues, or a return of symptoms with your child that you can't quite figure out, your first choice should always be to contact Elaine, the developer of Respen-A™. She welcomes phone calls and helping people! She is your lifeline when you begin your journey of recovering your child with the use of Respen-A™. If it is a weekend or evening, and you'd like to figure out the problem on your own, the answers to the most frequently asked questions are posted on the website, and are in depth and thorough.
Let me give you an example of something that you can determine and resolve on your own. Pyroluria. As many as 50% of those with autism, 70% of persons with depression and 30% of persons struggling with ADD/ADHD may have Pyroluria underlying these conditions that make them very difficult to reach with traditional and even holistic therapies.
The symptoms of Pyroluria are very similar to many of the symptoms associated with autism. In general, these symptoms have a mysteriously intractable quality to them, and may lead to lifelong issues with severe inner tension, ongoing anxiety, poor stress tolerance (with added stress of any kind making the symptoms worse), digestive issues and difficulty digesting protein, frequent colds and infections, joint pain or stiffness, acne, eczema or psoriasis, mood swings and reactivity, poor short term memory, and a tendency in many to lean towards being a loner…among many other potential symptoms.
Pyroluria is the result of a buildup of the waste products, called kryptopyrroles, from the production of hemoglobin. Kryptopyrroles don’t really serve any useful biological purpose, and are normally excreted by most of us uneventfully. In someone with Pyroluria, however, these kryptopyrroles don’t get excreted and will tend to build up–even more so under stress of any kind. Kryptopyrroles have a tendency to bind very strongly with things like Zinc and vitamin B6, making these largely unavailable to the body…which is a very big problem. Zinc and B6 are nutrients critical for the functioning of the entire body and mind–including digestion, immune system, cognitive functioning and emotions. Over time, deficiencies can really take their toll on the way one feels and functions, and have serious consequences. Often, people will go for years suffering the effects of Pyroluria regardless of what therapies they try or how well they eat.
If you feel that your child’s improvements have reached a plateau, or that there seems to be some hurdle they just can’t get over, it may be this common, co-existing condition called Pyroluria. You can pay for a urine screening to determine if your child has Pyroluria, OR you can save time and money by testing on your own. The treatment for Pyroluria is supplementation of 15 mg Zinc, 30 mg vitamin B6 in the form of pyridoxal 5-phosphate (p-5-p*), AND eating foods high in arachidonic acid, which are eggs, butter, red meat and liver. If your child won’t eat these foods, you can buy a supplement of arachidonic acid from Molecular Nutrition called X Factor. It is available in 250 mg soft gel caps at:
https://www.molecularnutrition.com/search?type=product&q=x+factor
Put the Zinc and p-5-p to the test. Give them in the morning, and wait at least 30 minutes for results. If you notice improvement in your child's behavior, they have Pyroluria. If you notice no changes, your child probably doesn't have Pyroluria. Based on results, if my son forgets to take his Zinc and B6, he is argumentative beyond belief, and everything that goes wrong is everyone else's fault- he will not claim personal responsibility for ANYTHING. His attitude is sour and mean, and he will not stop talking back if his life depended on it. Within 30 minutes of Zinc and B6, he is compliant, helpful, sweet, focused and polite. For us, Zinc and B6 bring peace and harmony. I encourage you to find out if your child can be helped with them, too!
A website to learn more about Pyroluria is www.primalbody-primalmind.com/?p=398.
Disregard the website advice on other supplements, as Respen-A™ is negated by the oils.
*If you or your child is sensitive to phenols, then they should not take P-5-P as it inhibits the enzyme, phenol-sulfur transferase, which is needed to metabolize phenols. High phenols inhibit MAO-A.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
How to Cure Lyme Disease, etc., While Recovering Your Child From Autism
Elaine recognizes that parents who use Respen-A™ for their children are often dealing with multiple issues, eg; Autism, Lyme Disease, parasites, mold, etc. While MAO-A fixes much of what is wrong in the body, and in fact is the biggest detoxifier of the liver, many parents feel the need to add alternative therapies, most that inhibit MAO-A, which then negates the Respen-A™.
My boys and I have recently been successfully treated for clearing Lyme Disease, toxins, metals, and much more from our bodies, using the protocol of Dr. Nader Soliman of Rockville, MD. He (literally a genius) has developed complex homeopathy that is so successful that people travel from all over the world to treat with him, or train with him (including Western medicine MDs so they can help their own families get well).
Dr. Soliman tests on the spot, with 100% accuracy and instant results, using the VAS system- no need to send out for expensive blood work or wait weeks for results. VAS stands for Vascular Autonomic Signal. It's a form of energy testing where the practitioner feels for changes in the pulse. It was developed by Dr. Nogier in France nearly a century ago.
Dr. Soliman's therapies (sprays or pellets) do NOT negate Respen-A™. In fact, while virtually nothing in the United States compares to his complex homeopathy, Dr. Soliman was so impressed with Respen-A™ and its ability to protect the body extremely well from symptoms (layman's terms), that he has asked to use it in his practice. Congratulations Elaine!
Because this protocol does not interfere with the success of Respen-A™, parents who want more and choose to use it will be able to successfully recover their children from Lyme, etc., quickly and cost effectively, while at the same time recovering their children from autism with the use of Respen-A™.
I had Lyme disease for 48 years, and had given it to my babies in utero. I had spent $75,000 trying to clear it from my body, with no results. Treating locally in Montana with a practitioner who trained under Dr. Soliman, Lyme was gone in 8 months for me, 4 months for each of my boys. My personal cost was less than $1500. Boys were $900 and $1550 respectively. Incidentally, my son who has been on Respen-A™ for 10 years had NO metals to clear, while my youngest son and I did. This proves the validity of MAO-A, via Respen-A™, of clearing metals from the body.
Following is a testimony from a lady in New Jersey that I recommended Dr. Soliman to. She took her 5 year old son (autism, Lyme, parasites, etc.) to see him:
From me: When the innate immune system returns to proper function, symptoms (immunopathy, or IP) may increase, but without this return to function, there cannot be a cure.
Staci's experience with Dr. Soliman for her 5 year old son (mostly unedited):
Ok, so we’ve seen Dr. Soliman twice. First time he said Jack (my son) had many viruses affecting his brain, and Lyme, and that his immune system was a mess. Said we had to treat /strengthen the immune system before we could even consider addressing Lyme. All sounded pretty darn accurate to me. So, $1500 later we were on our way.
The healing crisis (regressions) were horrible and sudden. Oddly, academically, he was immediately improved. In less than a week he was writing letters on lines. I didn’t even know until I got a letter in the mail “Dear Mommy, Thank You for packing my lunch. Love, Jack”. Oh, not a single tear there (I was bawling!). It’s a project they do in kindergarten to learn about mail. I was floored. And, yes, they help him sound out the letters and spell, but he was choosing what he wanted to say, and writing on his own (not tracing). Less than a week prior, it was extremely difficult to give him a blank sheet of paper and ask him to write one single letter anywhere on the page!
His efforts in school progressed. To my knowledge, he is now caught up to his peers in math. Still can’t read worth a lick, but the teacher says he knows more sight words than I think he knows. She says he is very social. I believe that is also since protocol.
About a month in, the health crisis started to subside. At 8 weeks I could breathe, feeling like he was a pretty normal kid. The regressions were pretty much gone (that was freaking rough) and progression had begun. He was easy to talk to (so far as being able to tell that he certainly understood), and I noticed he was becoming lighter- kind of like the child I remembered. Smiling more. Starting to joke a little. Having small conversations. Sometimes telling me about events in his day. Thought processing was speeding up, which was far less frustrating for both of us.
Well, then at 8 weeks, it was time to re-evaluate. I knew the protocol would likely be changed, and it was. Previous protocol (15 items 3x/day) was decreased to 10 items 2x/day, with a new protocol of the rest (other 5) plus 4 new at 3x/day. Hope that made sense.
We are now starting to work on the viruses and Lyme. Naturally that comes with some regression, but not nearly to the extent of the first time. He is mostly back to some nonsensical talk, wearing the same pajamas every single night, wanting the same clothes, things of that sort. Slower speech- just not so light and bright (if that makes sense) more back into his own world.
The funny thing about the regressive stages is that, with him, some things were like stages/phases prior to treatment. I was able to almost pinpoint the regression/unwinding of things, which actually made me feel a little better. You know, like o.k., we might actually come out on the other side of this. Like, difficulty getting out the door o.k.- that was in the beginning of pre-k4. Absolute meltdown over simple stuff- that was at about age 4.5, and lasted about 2 months...whew. Obsessed with the same pajamas every night- that’s when he turned 3, then 5 (he'll be 6 in August).
During the initial protocol, when the regression was really bad, I called the office for advice. Once I found out that I could give him anything supportive without disruption of protocol, that helped. We recently had a couple of meltdowns, and I was able to just add a little serotonin support until it subsided- great help. Jack had such amazing results in the first 8 weeks that I am expecting he will return to at least that state once Lyme treatment is finished.
Overall, I’m super happy and can’t thank you enough for the recommendation. Problem is, it’s expensive and I’m dying to start myself and my daughter. Intended to start myself in June, but I think my daughter may need to go first. She’s pretty NT- but who can be a little better?
Also, we do tablets/pellets instead of sprays because it was Jack's preference. We got two in spray to try, and he hated those (thankful we used up the sprays). I will say that I’ve discovered that the pellets last much, much longer than the sprays.
Super thanks!
I asked if Staci (1) would recommend Dr. Nader Soliman, and (2) if she felt the cost was prohibitive. Her responses:
1. Absolutely!
2. Does it really matter what it costs if it works?
Elaine and I hope this information helps many people, especially those who struggle with multiple issues. Dr. Soliman's website can be reached by clicking the link below. Offices of practitioners trained by him are located in NY, CO, MT, VA, FL, Saskatchewan, Canada, and Roseville, Australia. For more details please call Dr. Soliman's office directly.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Dr. Nader Soliman
Feedback From a Parent Regarding Article on Curing Lyme, etc.:
Our article about curing Lyme Disease, etc., with complex homeopathy that doesn't negate Respen-A™, while recovering your child from autism, brought action from a mother, Robbie Aldridge, who followed through with the recommendation to see Dr. Nader Soliman of Rockville, MD in search of results for her son, who has been using Respen-A™ since June of 2018. Following is her testimony:
My son’s journey across the autism spectrum has been a long road. We began treating him biomedically when he was 4, and he just turned 16 this past May. He has a litany of medical diagnoses obtained through blood and urine specimens as well as clinical observations. Like so many others, we would treat for an issue, and he would make improvement. However, these gains were not sustainable. It seems as though I’ve seen every section of this road multiple times. This circular pattern has by far been the most frustrating part of this entire process.
Like every other parent of a kid on the spectrum, I’ve never stopped searching for answers, and most of those answers have come completely by surprise. In June of 2018, I came across a blog of a parent who had used Respen-A™ for their child. I talked to our doctor, and while he had never heard about Respen-A™, he thought it was worth a try. We immediately began treatment and have seen great gains this last year. However, Respen-A™ was only taking my son so far, and old symptoms became problems once again. We tried everything to get the neurotransmitters in balance, and it just wasn’t making a difference. I knew that we needed to address his ongoing medical issues as this is a big part, not all, of his problems.
I first heard about Dr. Soliman and his practice in February of 2019 from Kerri McCormick. I thought about making an appointment, but life was not at a point where I thought we could make the trip from Atlanta to Maryland. It wasn’t until I read the article in the June newsletter about Dr. Soliman that I really felt compelled that it was time to make the trip. I actually called their office the next day and scheduled an appointment for my son and myself. They were able to schedule the appointment only 3 weeks away- they are very accommodating out of town patients.
Dr. Soliman was very nice, and extremely knowledgeable. He listened intently and asked pointed questions. His testing revealed that, even though we have been treating our son for 12+ years, the same old problems were still there. He has extreme heavy metal toxicity (though we’ve done many rounds of chelation). His Lyme disease is severe (those were Dr. Soliman’s words). Parasites are still a problem despite having been treated by one of the top parasite doctors in the nation, and his brain is inundated with a host of other bacteria and viruses.
These revelations were not new to us, nor did they take us by surprise, as we'd already had conventional testing tell us the same thing. But the long term solution does not rest in simply going after the toxins or pathogens. My son’s own immune system is his worst enemy right now. We knew that he had very high levels of Strep antibodies giving him a PANDAs diagnosis, but Dr. Soliman found that he has a myriad of other antibodies as well. Our son could be diagnosed with several autoimmune conditions!
Every treatment we have tried in the past helped in the short term because the supplements/drugs were able to “catch” what was in my son's bloodstream. However, nothing could enter on the cellular level, because his immune system was not functioning properly. This leaves him susceptible to everything he encounters, while allowing those things already in his body to proliferate. The homeopathics we’ve used in the past could not have full benefit because they work by talking to the immune system, and his immune system has not been able to listen because of its hyperactive state. Due to this, as a homeopathic, even the Respen-A™ cannot function fully in our son’s body because of his immune system overload.
The first step for our son’s treatment is to give him a good foundation, and correct his immune imbalances. Hopefully this will have happened by our next visit. Only then can we begin to treat all of the pathogens. By addressing the immune dysfunction first, Dr. Soliman assures us that this will actually minimize the Herx, or healing crisis. This is good news because we’ve been through many healing crises in the past without ever getting to full healing. Incidentally, Dr. Soliman told us that there is nothing in the pharmacopeia, and no supplements/other homeopathics, that can heal the immune system- except what he has developed. He is a genius, literally.
Dr. Soliman is a recognized authority on "Auricular Medicine" a unique, complex, and highly advanced form of ear acupuncture, which is practiced by just a few in the USA. In addition to using complex homeopathy, he is also treating my son for gluten and dairy allergies through a process called auricular acupuncture. I am being treated as well for mold, gluten, and an allergy to my contacts. Who knew a person could develop such a thing? After only 1 week on the homeopathic sprays, I am already seeing good things in my son as well as myself. I had developed a severe mold allergy and fungal infection last fall which caused severe asthma attacks- I was using a rescue inhaler round the clock. My symptoms have all vastly improved, and I am now only needing my rescue inhaler minimally. I am confident that both my son and I will fully recover from our allergies.
While Dr. Soliman is very optimistic, he is also realistic, which I appreciate. Too many times we have been promised that this -you fill in the blank- is the magic bullet. However, for those individuals with complex medical histories, that is usually not the case. Dr. Soliman iterated that even if we remove every toxin and pathogen that has been assaulting our son’s brain today, it takes time for his body and brain to heal. It will happen, we just don’t know the exact time frame.
For every parent who is still searching for healing for their child or themselves, DON’T GIVE UP! DON’T GET DISCOURAGED! Find a qualified, competent professional such as Dr. Soliman who can pinpoint the problem and help the body heal itself. After all, that's how we were designed to function.
I fully recommend Dr. Nader Soliman without hesitation. I am happy to speak with anyone who would like more details about the process. You may also view the links below that explain more about his testing method and auricular medicine.
Robbie Aldridge
Atlanta, GA
http://alternativemedicinecenter.info/
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Why have we seen such a drastic spike in Autism since 1996?
Why the rapid increase in ASD? I hypothesize that it is multifactorial, but what sets up the “perfect storm” for the development of autism is the use of epidurals during childbirth coupled with inheriting the low activity MAO-A allele. Let me explain the basis of my hypothesis.
MAO-A metabolizes serotonin into its active aldehyde, 5-HIAL. If MAO-A activity is decreased, the serotonin in the nerve synapses will build up, and increased serotonin concentrations in the nerve synapses inhibit oxytocin neuron growth.
Note that studies have shown an increased risk of autism in the offspring of mothers who used antidepressants during their pregnancy.
In utero, as the neurohypophyseal system grows it produces vasopressin which is converted to oxytocin as it travels down the neurohypophyseal plexus. The longer the neurohypophyseal system grows, the more oxytocin is produced. When the oxytocin reaches a specific concentration, it tells the neurohypophyseal plexus to stop growing. This is not supposed to happen until about 7-10 days postpartum.
Note that research has shown that ASD patients have an immature neurohypophyseal plexus.
When a mother receives an epidural during childbirth, almost always they are administered Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) and this is usually continued through the delivery stage. The anesthetics used in the epidurals, Bupivacaine and more recently Ropivacaine, compete with Pitocin for breakdown by the Cytochrome p450 3A4 enzyme in the liver.
Note that boys genetically have less of the Cyp450 3A4 enzyme than girls.
This competition for the Cyp450 enzyme results in Pitocin remaining at higher levels longer, which could become high enough to trigger the neurohypophyseal system to stop growing, resulting in decreased oxytocin neuron growth and production.
The use of epidurals and rate of autism mirrored each other until 1996 when autism spiked drastically. Interestingly, 1996 is when Ropivacaine came on the market and became the most used anesthetic in epidurals. Ropivacaine requires twice as much Cyp450 3A4 enzyme activity to metabolize it as does Bupivacaine.
Research shows that MAO-A is integral in the neurochemical architecture of the neurohypophyseal system. The hypothalamus-neurohypophyseal system is involved with releasing oxytocin during stress and to maintain homeostasis.
(Article submitted by Elaine DeLack)
Mitochondria and MAO-A
I would like to share what we have learned from our research, as it supports the research done by Dr. Naviaux. We, too, have found that the root of autism lies at the mitochondria, specifically deficient monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) activity. MAO-A is genetically expressed as a high or low activity allele on the X-chromosome. The low activity MAO-A allele has been shown to be associated with ASD. Those with a low activity allele are more susceptible to inhibition of the MAO-A activity by environmental factors. MAO-A activity is inhibited by stress, lipid peroxidation, high estrogen, heavy metals such as aluminum, mercury, cadmium and chronic high copper levels.
There are two isoforms of MAO; MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A metabolizes histamine, serotonin and norepinephrine, and MAO-B metabolizes dopamine. Interestingly, research in 1986 by Palmer et al has shown that these monoamine aldehyde metabolites are physiologically active. Thus, instead of the catecholamines and indoleamines being the active neurotransmitter, it is more likely that the aldehyde metabolites are the active agonists on the postsynaptic receptors. MAO-A metabolizes; histamine into the active H2 agonist, tele methyl imidazole acetaldehyde; serotonin into its active aldehyde, 5-HIAL; and norepinephrine into its active aldehyde, DOPEGAL. Medicine has assumed that, for instance, low levels of the serotonin excreted metabolite 5-HIAA in the urine indicates low serotonin levels, but research actually shows that 5-HIAA levels do not indicate serotonin concentrations but rather reflect MAO-A activity.
When the ratio of MAO-A:MAO-B is decreased, it results in mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase enzyme and the NADH dehydrogenase enzyme. Inhibition of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase results in impaired Acetyl CoA production. This results in increased conversion of pyruvate to alanine. Increased alanine levels inhibit MAO-A activity. Inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase results in impaired transfer of electrons to the electron transport chain. Inhibited NADH dehydrogenase activity also results in decreased oxidation of NADH to NAD resulting in decreased superoxide ion production which is needed to pull the electrons down the electron transport chain. Inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase results in lactic acid production. Increased levels of lactic acid and the decreased oxygen consumption by the mitochondria can trigger the cell danger response. The increase in lactic acid results in increased calcium influx resulting in mast cell hypersensitivity, inflammation and cell destruction. This increase in calcium influx also explains the increased risk of seizures in the ASD population.
This scientific rationale is the basis for our development of the treatment, Respen-A™. Respen-A™ is a homeopathic dilution of reserpine which has been shown to double the activity of MAO-A. Respen-A™ has been prescribed as a compounded treatment to over 900+ ASD patients and has no adverse side effects. A small study of ASD patients (N=9), average age 13.5 years, showed significant improvement in ATEC scores (p<0.001) using the Respen-A™ for 3 months.
So the next question to ask is why the rapid increase in ASD? I hypothesize that it is multifactorial, but what sets up the “perfect storm” for the development of autism is the use of epidurals during childbirth coupled with inheriting the low activity MAO-A allele. Let me explain the basis of my hypothesis. As mentioned above, MAO-A metabolizes serotonin into its active aldehyde, 5-HIAL. If MAO-A activity is decreased, the serotonin in the nerve synapses will build up, and increased serotonin concentrations in the nerve synapses inhibit oxytocin neuron growth. Note that studies have shown an increased risk of autism in the offspring of mothers who used antidepressants during their pregnancy. In utero, as the neurohypophyseal system grows, it produces vasopressin, which is converted to oxytocin as it travels down the neurohypophyseal plexus. The longer the neurohypophyseal system grows, the more oxytocin is produced. When the oxytocin reaches a specific concentration, it tells the neurohypophyseal plexus to stop growing. This is not supposed to happen until about 7-10 days postpartum. Note that research has shown that ASD patients have an immature neurohypophyseal plexus. When a mother receives an epidural during childbirth, almost always they are administered Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin), and this is usually continued through the delivery stage. The anesthetics used in the epidurals, Bupivacaine and more recently Ropivacaine, compete with Pitocin for breakdown by the Cytochrome p450 3A4 enzyme in the liver. Note that boys genetically have less of the Cyp450 3A4 enzyme than girls. This competition for the Cyp450 enzyme results in Pitocin remaining at higher levels longer which could become high enough to trigger the neurohypophyseal system to stop growing resulting in decreased oxytocin neuron growth and production. The use of epidurals and rate of autism mirrored each other until 1996 when autism spiked drastically. Interestingly, 1996 is when Ropivacaine came on the market and became the most used anesthetic in epidurals. Ropivacaine requires twice as much Cyp450 3A4 enzyme activity to metabolize it as does Bupivacaine. Research shows that MAO-A is integral in the neurochemical architecture of the neurohypophyseal system. The hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system is involved with releasing oxytocin during stress and to maintain homeostasis.
Besides the environmental factors mentioned above that inhibit MAO-A activity, I have also identified some parasites that inhibit the gene expression of MAO-A.
(Article submitted by Elaine DeLack)
I'm here to help...
Elaine likes to refer parents to me for advice as my son was one of the first two children to use Respen-A™. Together, my son, Tyler (now 18), and I have had years of experience. Having spoken with well over one hundred parents, I believe that the most common topic covered is that parents of autistic kids have no hope after trying SO many things that they'd hoped would work.
While I was lucky enough to free my son from the trap of autism with the very first- and only- treatment we tried, Respen-A™, it had taken me over a year to take him in to be diagnosed to begin with, a year AFTER I'd been advised by a preschool teacher and two friends to do so. I was just so exhausted as a mom with two toddlers to even consider adding something else to my plate.
Having had my own experience of a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, that was actually 100% Lyme Disease, and decades of people telling me what I could do to cure it, easily having spent over $75,000 towards that endeavor without any results, I know how parents feel. I had lost hope by the middle of 2018 and was ready to resign myself to in-home care and being bedridden. Then I learned of someone new in our valley who had gotten rid of Lyme disease in himself and others. Still in despair, I waited four months before booking an appointment, but optimism won out. Seeing this practitioner was the first day of my new life. Western Medicine labels dissolved, and my Lyme disease was GONE nine months later.
I'm here to tell you that, with Respen-A™, it is o.k. to hope again. You might not see instant results like I did with my son, but then again you may. Some parents see one gain a day, others one a week. Even for us, things continued to get better and better. Sometimes we had stumbling blocks, too. I've always felt that, if I'd only seen one gain, it would be totally worth it to continue using Respen-A™.
I recommend writing down every positive change you see. Call Elaine, or me, always (we are your lifelines!), with any question or concerns. We'll know what is missing or needed based on your results. The journey is worth it! Just look at the two videos of my son, Tyler, link below, for proof. The video is a combination of him on the couch having a conversation with me, and him after not using the Respen-A™ for 2 days. The stark differences show full life vs. being stuck in the trap of autism.
Please let me know how your journey goes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HqdodVQ-zk&t=5s
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Did you Know that Respen-A™ resolves ADHD...and many more labels?
My friend has ADHD. I met her a year and a half ago while shopping in one of my favorite stores. She was always working the cash register until one day I saw her handing out travel brochures in a different area of the store. While I wasn't a candidate for a trip to Tahiti, I was concerned that she wasn't at her regular post. The conversation that followed revealed her demotion due to having made a couple of mistakes, and her fear of losing her job of twenty years as her ADHD was causing concentration problems. She'd been on prescription medication for decades, which she never really liked, but it just wasn't working well for her anymore. Truth be told, based on results, it probably never did help her much to begin with.
If you know me, I never miss an opportunity to share how Respen-A™ can help. And so, I did. I told her about our experience of it, for autism, with my oldest son. Since she knew Tyler because he always shopped with me on our way home from swim practice, it was an easy reveal for how well it worked- she'd NEVER have guessed he had 'autism'. I then told her that Respen-A™ also works for ADD/ADHD, bipolar, anxiety, depression, and more. She was "willing to try anything" since she didn't want to lose her job.
Long story short, it took her four months to get her order in. Once she started using the Respen-A™, I began to receive phone calls with feedback every few days. She shared how she could have normal conversations now instead of talking non-stop till the other person would remove themselves from her presence, how family members commented on how enjoyable she was to be around vs. living in dread of having her over, how she could easily end a phone conversation- when the other person had to leave- and not feel the least bit offended. She got promoted to a new position at work- one she excels at and is noted for excellence in. She was even able to enjoy and feel completely relaxed at a highly stressful family event.
Now, my friend never misses an opportunity to tell others about the Respen-A™. And I'm happy because she got her life back! All you have to do is share.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
My Theory on the Rise in Autism
My hypothesis (which can be viewed in slide show format at www.Respen-A.com under Webinars, connects children with autism to the mother’s use of epidurals during childbirth. Epidurals were introduced into this country in the 1960’s. By the mid-80’s, 22 percent of women received an epidural during delivery. In the mid-90’s, the number grew to 67%. Today, nearly 90% of women receive an epidural during pregnancy.
I believe that the development of autism is not due to the actual epidural procedure, but rather the effect of a “cocktail” of drugs used throughout the procedure, including one drug commonly used in conjunction with the epidural to induce labor: Pitocin. In combination, the drugs have the potential of skewing the brain if the infant is unable genetically to process the drugs quickly through their system.
Pitocin crosses the placenta to the infant’s system during childbirth. The drug requires adequate production of an enzyme found in the liver (CYP 3A4) in order to rid it from the body. If the infant has a genetic inadequacy of the CYP 3A4 enzyme (found more often to be lacking statistically in boys than girls), the drug’s intensity elevates in the infant’s system, and builds with another naturally occurring neurotransmitter that plays a key role in very early brain development: the hormone Oxytocin.
Oxytocin builds naturally in the brain during the first 7 – 10 days of life, ensuring that nerve patterning develops as it should in the brain. Once Oxytocin levels reach a naturally predetermined level, the development of the brain’s nerve system (HNS system) ceases.
I theorize that the addition of Pitocin and epidural-related drugs into the bloodstream of infants without adequate CYP 3A4 genetic enzymes, causes brain development to “shut off” early, stunting crucial neurodevelopment.
A second enzyme may explain why autism shows up in many children around the age of three or so. The enzyme MAO-A is essential in regulating serotonin levels in the brain. Unaffected by the drugs used in childbirth, MAO-A levels remain high in the first years of life, assisting brain function. The impact of MAO-A may, in fact, mask symptoms of brain impairment in infants and toddlers.
MAO-A levels diminish as the child ages – allowing serotonin levels to rise, impacting the areas of the brain associated with communication, speech, emotion and bonding. Many parents of autistic children don’t realize their child has been affected until their child shows issues with speech, communication, and bonding.
Respen-A™ curbs the level of serotonin in the autistic brain, allowing for more normalized function. Respen-A™ is being prescribed by physicians – and many parents are seeing dramatic improvement. If further study upholds the theory, birthing procedures could change. I see promise in all of this. Further study will determine if simple modification during childbirth could be all that is needed to stem the surging tide of autism. And for those who have autism, Respen-A™ could give them a quality of life that they – and their parents – deserve.
(Article submitted by Elaine DeLack)
Pyroluria...do you, or does your child have it?
Pyroluria is a genetic metabolic condition long recognized by the field of orthomolecular medicine and orthomolecular psychiatry. As many as 50% of those with autism, 40% of alcoholics, 70% of schizophrenics, 70% of persons with depression and 30% of persons struggling with ADD may have pyroluria underlying these conditions and make them very difficult to reach with traditional and even holistic therapies. But pyroluria isn’t limited to these populations. As much as 10% of the population may have this metabolic condition and not know it…but may have lifelong symptoms associated with it that tend to worsen with age…and stress.
The symptoms of Pyroluria are very similar to many of the symptoms associated with autism. In general, these symptoms have a mysteriously intractable quality to them, and may lead to lifelong issues with severe inner tension, ongoing anxiety, poor stress tolerance (with added stress of any kind making the symptoms worse), digestive issues and difficulty digesting protein, frequent colds and infections, joint pain or stiffness, acne, eczema or psoriasis, mood swings and reactivity, poor short term memory, and a tendency in many to lean towards being a loner…among many other potential symptoms.
Pyroluria is the result of a buildup of the waste products, called kryptopyrroles, from the production of hemoglobin. Kryptopyroles don’t really serve any useful biological purpose, and are normally excreted by most of us uneventfully. In someone with Pyroluria, however, these kryptopyrroles don’t get excreted and will tend to build up–even more so under stress of any kind. Kryptopyrroles have a tendency to bind very strongly with things like Zinc and vitamin B6, making these largely unavailable to the body…which is a very big problem. Zinc and B6 are nutrients critical for the functioning of the entire body and mind–including digestion, immune system, cognitive functioning and emotions. Over time, deficiencies can really take their toll on the way one feels and functions, and have serious consequences. Often, people will go for years suffering the effects of Pyroluria regardless of what therapies they try or how well they eat.
The following includes the most common symptoms associated with the condition Pyroluria. If you answer “yes” to 15 or more of these then further testing may be worthwhile:
PYROLURIA QUESTIONNAIRE
- Little or no dream recall
- White spots on fingernails
- Poor morning appetite +/- tendency to skip breakfast
- Morning nausea
- Pale skin +/- poor tanning +/- burn easy in sun
- Sensitivity to bright light
- Hypersensitive to loud noises
- Reading difficulties (e.g. dyslexia)
- Poor ability to cope with stress
- Mood swings or temper outbursts
- Histrionic (dramatic) tendency
- Argumentative/enjoy argument
- New situations or changes in routine (i.e., traveling) particularly stressful
- Much higher capability and alertness in the evening, compared to mornings
- Poor short term memory
- Abnormal body fat distribution
- Belong to an all-girl family with look-alike sisters
- Dry skin
- Anxiousness
- Reaching puberty later than normal
- Difficulty digesting, a dislike of protein or a history of vegetarianism
- Tendency toward being a loner and/or avoiding larger groups of people
- Stretch marks on skin
- Poor sense of smell or taste
- Feel very uncomfortable with strangers
- Frequently experience fatigue
- A tendency to overreact to tranquilizers, barbiturates, alcohol or other drugs (in other words, a little produces a powerful response)
- A tendency toward anemia
- History of mental illness or alcoholism in family
- Easily upset by criticism
- Sweet smell (fruity odor) to breath or sweat when ill or stressed
- Prone to acne, eczema or psoriasis
- A tendency toward feeling anxious, fearful and carrying lifelong inner tension
- Difficulty recalling past events or people
- Bouts of depression or nervous exhaustion
- Prone to frequent colds or infections
Again, if you have answered yes to 15 or more of these then consider testing further using a urinary screening test for the presence of elevated kryptopyrroles via Riordan Clinic in Wichita, Kansas (Phone: 316-682-3100 or 1-800-447-7276). Here is their lab FAQ on their website for more information.
If you feel that your child’s improvements have reached a plateau, or that there seems to be some hurdle they just can’t get over, it may be this common, co-existing condition called Pyroluria. You can pay for the urine screening to determine if your child has Pyroluria, OR you can save time and money by testing on your own. The treatment for Pyroluria is daily supplementation of less than 50 mg Zinc, 30 mg vitamin B6- in the form of pyridoxal 5-phosphate (p-5-p), AND eating foods high in arachidonic acid, which are eggs, butter, red meat and liver. If your child won’t eat these foods, you can buy a supplement of arachidonic acid from Molecular Nutrition called X Factor. It is available in 250 mg soft gel caps at:
https://www.molecularnutrition.com/search?type=product&q=x+factor
Put the Zinc and p-5-p to the test. Give them in the morning, and wait at least 30 minutes for results. If you notice improvement in your child's behavior, they have Pyroluria. If you notice no changes, your child probably doesn't have Pyroluria.
Based on results, if my son forgets to take his Zinc and p-5-p, he is argumentative beyond belief, and everything that goes wrong is everyone else's fault- he will not claim personal responsibility for ANYTHING. His attitude is sour and mean, and he will not stop talking back if his life depended on it. Within 30 minutes of Zinc, he is compliant, helpful, sweet, focused and polite. For us, Zinc and p-5-p bring peace and harmony. I encourage you to find out if your child can be helped with them, too!
A website to learn more about Pyroluria is www.primalbody-primalmind.com/?p=398
Disregard the website advice on other supplements, as Respen-A™ is negated by the oils.
(Researched and submitted by Kerri McCormick)
I Don't Always Get it Right...!
March 2021
My son, Tyler, diagnosed with autism at age 5, has been using Respen-A™ successfully for eleven years. We've never supplemented with anything except the required calcium/magnesium, and zinc/P-5-P because we saw benefit, which indicates that he has Pyroluria. The ONLY time we added something was when his naturopath advised DHA. Two weeks later, when I'd just about had enough of full symptom return, I called Elaine for advice. That's when I learned that DHA negates Respen-A™ because it inhibits MAO-A, which is what the Respen-A™ makes active in the body. Since then I've learned that far more supplements than we realize inhibit MAO-A. I've also learned to say no when well-intentioned practitioners advise supplements, and to always ask Elaine for advice.
HOWEVER...that doesn't mean that I always get it right!
Tyler and his brother are on a year-round swim team, and both rank in the top 3 - 6 swimmers in the state in their favorite events. Tyler would like to compete in the Olympics. With such an ambition, I found it easy this past season to support his desire for better nutrition and expensive sports supplements. These came in the form of gels, powders, tablets that are added to water to create a fizzy drink, and capsules. With buzz words like Peak Performance, Daily Essentials, Well-Being, Fuel Kits and Endurance, Energy and Quick Recovery, how could I go wrong? Did we see results? It just dawned on me, after all the expense, that the answer is no...AND yes, but I'd already figured out the 'yes', which is why I am sharing.
Both of my boys had minimal to no improvement in their times, whereas the previous season they were setting new team records and placing higher. In fact, they both added time in many of their events. However, more eye opening was the fact that Tyler became more and more irritable and aggressive over the months till his behavior reached a crescendo, which I chalked up to his being a teenager trying to establish his independence. It wasn't till the season ended that I had a light bulb moment when it dawned on me to review the ingredients in his sports supplements. It was then that I realized his MAO-A had been inhibited by ingredients in the supplements, starting slowly then escalating to the point of out-of-control.
In all honesty, I initially had asked Elaine whether or not I should be concerned back when we first investigated the high energy electrolyte powder/drink. The known culprit was L-carnosine, and the amount was 52 mg per 28 ounces of water consumed at intervals during a two-hour practice. Theoretically, due to the intensity of the practice, Tyler would be burning it off as quickly as he was drinking it. All seemed golden for a comfortable while. Then we added more sports nutrition items from the same company, none of which I checked the ingredients of. By then I'd begun to trust the well-known name and didn't give it a second thought except for the cost.
It wasn't till Tyler uncharacteristically began dropping out of events he'd excelled in, both in advance of and at the meets, that I found I had a much bigger problem than the cost of the supplements on my hands. Two weeks before the state meet I researched the ingredients of everything he was taking in the form of sports nutrition and discovered that many of the items are known to inhibit MAO-A, which then makes the Respen-A™ nonviable. Perhaps a little bit here or there may not have caused a problem, but combined, over time, they were detrimental to the peace and harmony within our home, and to my relationship with my son. I took him off of everything immediately and it took more than two full weeks for him to recover.
As a parent, having spoken with many, many parents over the years, I can share that the ones who see dramatic results with the recovery of their children are the ones that don't supplement. The ones that do, struggle. Yes, they are happy that their child is calmer...some of the time..., has fewer tics, is more verbal and has better eye contact, etc. Eventually they want more and better, and each supplement they give up brings another gain.
I wanted the most for Tyler well in advance of day one on Respen-A™, and all we'd known to do was to have him be GF/CF because we definitely were not interested in putting him on the mind-numbing, stupor-inducing drugs that the doctor had recommended. We'd found benefit with him being GF/CF only in that we'd had no more meltdowns, but it did nothing for him socially, with focus or anything else. I am grateful that we never had to jump through hoops trying to recover our son through the use of supplements and other interventions because, from my experience in talking with other parents, it always seems like the gains are small and short-lived...and now I know why.
Because it activates MAO-A, Respen-A™ is a game changer. From day one, within the first ten minutes of using it, I saw dramatic changes in Tyler. That first day was a miracle with gain upon gain that did not end until we turned out the lights at bedtime, and even then it continued because Tyler had his first full night's sleep in years! Prior to that I used to check on him throughout the night and had always found him sitting up in bed, eyes wide open, which was heartbreaking. It did this mom's heart good to see her child finally SLEEPING peacefully and deeply because his body finally had access to MAO-A!
We also had no more social or focus issues, no toe-walking or thumb-clenching, and he was finally speaking! Quickly following, he had friends instead of isolation, and joy instead of frustration and anger. AND, since Elaine's second reformulation of Respen-A™ (there have been four reformulations as Elaine is persistent about developing the best of the best), he has had no problems with gluten or casein. In fact, gluten brings more gains because it releases the serotonin so the body can utilize it.
Tyler has been in a mainstream classroom with no IEP since Kindergarten. We switched to homeschooling four years ago. He is currently a Life Scout on his way to his Eagle Scout rank, and has just passed his driver's written test to get his driver's license. I share this as an encouragement to keep reading ingredients lists, if you choose to supplement, to be certain the item is 'clean', that there is nothing that will inhibit MAO-A, which is the root to the tree of life in the body.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Does Your Child Have Seizures? This Info Might Help...
People with autism have an increased risk of seizures, most likely because of the high amount of calcium influx into the cells causing them to be very hyper reactive. Reserpine, which is what Respen-A™ is made from, almost completely abolishes the ability of calcium to go into the cells. So in this regard, IF the seizures are due to too much calcium going into the cells, Respen-A™ has the potential of preventing this. In fact, this is why we have to supplement calcium with the Respen-A™ because we have to maintain a balance of calcium able to go into the cells as calcium is a necessary neurotransmitter in itself.
Of course, seizures can be caused by other things, some we don’t even know. One thing that can cause seizures is lipid peroxidation, such as from too many polyunsaturated oils. If an oil stays liquid in the refrigerator, it is polyunsaturated and can cause lipid peroxides if out of balance with saturated fats. This is yet another reason to eat the whole food and not take the EFA supplements like fish oil.
The following is a message we received from Angie, a pharmacist/mom with a son who is on the spectrum and has/had seizures:
‘I want to pass on the Vitamin E info. The study out of the University of Toronto, many years ago (I found a pubmed article in one of my thousand random Google searches), was done on kids with intractable seizures in spite of meds, surgery and implants. It was a small patient pool - only 24 kids. There was great success though. They specified that you need to use NATURAL (not synthetic) d-alpha tocopheryl acetate 400 IU/day. You can't use mixed tocopherols or gamma or beta ones....must be d-alpha and must be acetate.
Also, natural has a full 400 IU of the Vitamin E while synthetic has about 200 IU of natural and 200 IU of synthetic - the body preferentially uses the natural and gets rid of the synthetic, so you would only actually be giving 1/2 of the dose needed. The natural is more expensive than the synthetic, but both are SO much less expensive than any meds and most of the other supplements I give him.
Having said that, I started out with the synthetic, and Michael did fine - once I learned about the difference (again, Google searching) I switched to the natural kind. I could not find any at Whole Foods or GNC. Oddly enough, I DID find it at CVS - they have their own CVS brand of Natural d-alpha tocopheryl acetate 400 IU. They are small gel caps. I give him one in the morning and it is magic. I have not skipped any doses so I don't know what would happen if I did.
Additionally, I have given him 500 mg Taurine twice a day (1000 mg total) since he was diagnosed with seizures....it is an amino acid antioxidant. I found that it helped decrease the frequency and intensity of his seizures, but never stopped them. I have not stopped giving that to him since the likelihood that the antioxidant properties are helpful is high.
The review of the U of T study surmised that the effect the Vitamin E had on the seizures was not anti-epileptic per se, but instead was antioxidant. Vitamin E inhibits lipid peroxidation, which is what they think is causing some of these kids' seizures. I know when I put Michael on Cod Liver Oil, his seizures went through the roof. I didn't realize that until I started him on the Respen-A™ - Rachel (Elaine’s daughter who is a nurse) told me to stop the CLO as it causes lipid peroxidation, which in turn decreases MAO-A, which is the opposite of what they are trying to do with the Respen-A™. When I took him off of it, his seizures stopped for about 12 days. Sadly, they came back, but these kids are under a lot of oxidative stress, so clearly he needed some antioxidant help - Vitamin E is one of the most potent antioxidants and works specifically on lipid peroxidation’.
Genetic testing and MAO-A
by Elaine DeLack
On genetic testing, your genetic predisposition, which is passed down by the mother, will show that you have either high or low activity allele. If you have high activity that means you’re not as vulnerable to things in the environment that will inhibit MAOA. You are more vulnerable to these environmental factors if you have low activity allele. The body can actually have adequate production of MAO-A, but its activity can be inhibited, kind of like having its hands tied- it's there, but it can't do anything.
Stress is probably the biggest inhibitor of MAO-A. Everything we put into the body, the body is required to do something with, and this just puts more stress on the body. Your genotype accounts for 30% of what you outwardly manifest. The other 70% of what you manifest is considered phenotype, which is the environment’s effect on our genes. Our genes are very plastic/malleable, so the body adjusts accordingly. The environment has obviously changed over the centuries, and our genes have had to adjust to those changes or we wouldn’t survive. If you are not manifesting any symptoms then leave it alone as your body has already taken care of it.
If you have a low activity allele then you are more vulnerable to inhibitors bombarding your MAO-A activity, and if the MAO-A gets below a certain threshold it cannot right itself, which causes you to get into a downward spiral. If you have a high activity allele you are still vulnerable to everything that inhibits MAO-A, but these factors would have to be present in a greater degree, like stress, which is a huge factor. A person with a high activity allele might be able to handle six months of stress versus a person with a low activity allele only being able to handle three months of stress before their MAO-A is depleted. It’s multifactorial. If your thyroid isn’t up to par then it taxes your adrenals, and so on. Everyone experiences stress in their lives due to changes that happen. There’s no way to get rid of it. Stress Is what makes us take a breath because we don’t have enough oxygen.
There is a solution and it’s called Respen-A™, which is a homeopathic disc that activates MAO-A so that it can do what it is supposed to do in the body – in a nutshell, to get rid of chaos. Respen-A™ increases the activity of MAO-A, or unties its hands, which allows the entire body to function and be healthy again. The newest research shows that MAO-A is one of the greatest detoxifiers in the liver (toxins, drugs, metals, chemicals).
A Mom's Journey With Respen-A™
March 2021
I've been asked by parents, many times, if we have seen a lot of improvement with our son due to the Respen-A™. You may have seen Tyler on the campaign video, or the video of how easy it is to apply the disc- both on the homepage of the Respen-A™ website. He looks normal, though some have commented on his fidgetiness in the campaign video- he was sitting on a stool with a swivel seat, which took effort to keep still.
I knew things were not 'normal' by the time Tyler was two years old. He was far behind in language, only speaking 13 words, and he had a very short attention span. He had aversions to foods, and daily 'meltdowns' that made me feel like I was going to go crazy, but his pediatrician was not concerned. While I was lucky enough to free him from the trap of autism with the very first- and only- treatment we tried, Respen-A™, it had taken me over a year to schedule him for an evaluation to begin with, a year AFTER I'd been advised by a preschool teacher and two friends to do so. I was just too exhausted as a mom with two toddlers to even consider adding something else to my plate. Looking back, my biggest regret is all the time we lost with our son while he was trapped inside autism. The day we used Respen-A™ was the day we witnessed a metamorphosis.
From day one things continued to improve. Sometimes we had stumbling blocks, but we always persevered, while working with Elaine and her suggestions, to give Tyler every opportunity at having life be better. It wasn't always easy. He was one of the very first children to try Respen-A™ and there were problems; how to give a 5-year old 2000 mg of powdered calcium and 500 mg of magnesium when he couldn't swallow pills, which calcium would he absorb best, how long should we wait before applying the disc. Nonetheless he was doing so well that we entered him into mainstream kindergarten without telling the teacher that he had autism, just 4 months after he started the Respen-A™, and she never knew there was a 'problem' till his IEP arrived at the school almost a year later (the school retested him and found nothing wrong).
Within the first six months Elaine had improved the Respen-A™ so that it would take care of gluten and casein issues, and it took a lot of courage to test both of those with Tyler as a spec of either would create a 10 1/2 hour meltdown. Elaine improved the Respen-A™ three times by the time Tyler was 9 years old, always making it better, and because Tyler was so sensitive he became the 'tester' to find the best formula. We tested dozens of discs, literally pioneering the path to more and better. Was it difficult? Absolutely. But I wanted the best for Tyler, and the payoff was exponential- it felt good to be helping others as well as reclaiming my son.
I home-schooled our boys for 5 years and am now having them take college classes. Tyler is one week away from completing his Eagle Project in his scout troop to qualify for earning his Eagle rank. He still swims on a year-round swim team and continues to rank in the top three swimmers, state-wide, in most of his events. Best of all, he has many close friends- he is currently staying with one of the friends at his home in North Dakota for ten days and none of the family knows of his label of autism...nor do his scout leaders, coaches, or other friends.
Good news; I finally had the courage to test Tyler strictly on the PST disc, which he has been using for three weeks without incident. Prior to this I would switch him between PST and the Respen-A™ every few days. If this good streak continues, it makes contemplating sending him away for college a little bit easier. None of this would've been possible without Respen-A™, and Elaine, to begin with.
To parents who are unnerved about trying something new, Respen-A™ or PST, have courage and give it a chance:
- The sooner you use it, the quicker you'll see results.
- What have you got to lose? For us, we had everything to gain.
- Write down every positive change you see.
- Stay in touch with us (I volunteer my time to help Elaine), always! Elaine is your lifeline if you have any question or concerns- she'll know what is missing or needed as she has an amazing mind full of research.
- The journey is worth it! Just look at this video of Tyler for proof: him on the couch , him 2 days off Respen-A™...life vs. stuck in a trap.
Please let me know how your journey goes!
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Why have we seen such a drastic spike in Autism since 1996?
Why the rapid increase in ASD? I hypothesize that it is multifactorial, but what sets up the “perfect storm” for the development of autism is the use of epidurals during childbirth coupled with inheriting the low activity MAO-A allele. Let me explain the basis of my hypothesis.
MAO-A metabolizes serotonin into its active aldehyde, 5-HIAL. If MAO-A activity is decreased, the serotonin in the nerve synapses will build up, and increased serotonin concentrations in the nerve synapses inhibit oxytocin neuron growth.
Note that studies have shown an increased risk of autism in the offspring of mothers who used antidepressants during their pregnancy.
In utero, as the neurohypophyseal system grows it produces vasopressin which is converted to oxytocin as it travels down the neurohypophyseal plexus. The longer the neurohypophyseal system grows, the more oxytocin is produced. When the oxytocin reaches a specific concentration, it tells the neurohypophyseal plexus to stop growing. This is not supposed to happen until about 7-10 days postpartum.
Note that research has shown that ASD patients have an immature neurohypophyseal plexus.
When a mother receives an epidural during childbirth, almost always they are administered Pitocin (synthetic oxytocin) and this is usually continued through the delivery stage. The anesthetics used in the epidurals, Bupivacaine and more recently Ropivacaine, compete with Pitocin for breakdown by the Cytochrome p450 3A4 enzyme in the liver.
Note that boys genetically have less of the Cyp450 3A4 enzyme than girls.
This competition for the Cyp450 enzyme results in Pitocin remaining at higher levels longer, which could become high enough to trigger the neurohypophyseal system to stop growing, resulting in decreased oxytocin neuron growth and production.
The use of epidurals and rate of autism mirrored each other until 1996 when autism spiked drastically. Interestingly, 1996 is when Ropivacaine came on the market and became the most used anesthetic in epidurals. Ropivacaine requires twice as much Cyp450 3A4 enzyme activity to metabolize it as does Bupivacaine.
Research shows that MAO-A is integral in the neurochemical architecture of the neurohypophyseal system. The hypothalamus-neurohypophyseal system is involved with releasing oxytocin during stress and to maintain homeostasis.
(Article submitted by Elaine DeLack)
What's it Like to Work With Elaine?
I've often told people that speaking with Elaine is like talking to a medical encyclopedia, if that were even possible! I volunteer my time to help her- as a conduit between patient and the answers sought- to give her the time and ability to do further research. After all, we have ALL benefited from her brilliance! I listen, fully optimistic that I will be able to retain a sliver of what she says "as it travels in one ear and out the other". Sometimes I am able to glean enough to be able to share it with others. The following is from a letter that Elaine shared with me in 2017, and it is a perfect example of what speaking with her is like. Enjoy!
‘My company has been researching autism for the past twelve years, and we have had to self-fund this research. From this research, we developed the treatment, Respen-A™, to treat the core symptoms of autism. I would also like to share what we have learned from our research.
We have found that the root of autism lies at the mitochondria, specifically deficient monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) activity. MAO-A is genetically expressed as a high or low activity allele on the X-chromosome. The low activity MAO-A allele has been shown to be associated with ASD.
Those with a low activity allele are more susceptible to inhibition of the MAO-A activity by environmental factors. MAO-A activity is inhibited by stress, lipid peroxidation, high estrogen, heavy metals such as aluminum, mercury, cadmium and chronic high copper levels.
There are two isoforms of MAO; MAO-A and MAO-B. MAO-A metabolizes histamine, serotonin and norepinephrine and MAO-B metabolizes dopamine. Interestingly, research in 1986 by Palmer et al has shown that these monoamine aldehyde metabolites are physiologically active. Thus, instead of the catecholamines and indoleamines being the active neurotransmitter, it is more likely that the aldehyde metabolites are the active agonists on the postsynaptic receptors.
MAO-A metabolizes; histamine into the active H2 agonist, tele methyl imidazole acetaldehyde; serotonin into its active aldehyde, 5-HIAL; and norepinephrine into its active aldehyde, DOPEGAL. Medicine has assumed that, for instance, low levels of the serotonin excreted metabolite, 5-HIAA in the urine indicates low serotonin levels, but research actually shows that 5-HIAA levels do not indicate serotonin concentrations but rather reflect MAO-A activity.
When the ratio of MAO-A:MAO-B is decreased it results in mitochondrial dysfunction by inhibiting the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase enzyme and the NADH dehydrogenase enzyme. Inhibition of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase results in impaired Acetyl CoA production. This results in increased conversion of pyruvate to alanine. Increased alanine levels inhibit MAO-A activity.
Inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase results in impaired transfer of electrons to the electron transport chain. Inhibited NADH dehydrogenase activity also results in decreased oxidation of NADH to NAD resulting in decreased superoxide ion production which is needed to pull the electrons down the electron transport chain. Inhibition of NADH dehydrogenase results in lactic acid production. Increased levels of lactic acid and the decreased oxygen consumption by the mitochondria can trigger the cell danger response. The increase in lactic acid results in increased calcium influx resulting in mast cell hypersensitivity, inflammation and cell destruction. This increase in calcium influx also explains the increased risk of seizures in the ASD population.
This scientific rationale is the basis for our development of the treatment, Respen-A™. Respen-A™ is a homeopathic dilution of reserpine which has been shown to double the activity of MAO-A. Respen-A™ has been prescribed as a compounded treatment to over 900+ ASD patients with no adverse side effects. A small study of ASD patients (N=9), average age 13.5 years, showed significant improvement in ATEC scores (p<0.001) using the Respen-A™ for 3 months.
(Article submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Major Depression and MAO-A
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, in the year 2022 about 18 million Americans were afflicted with major depression annually and 280 million people worldwide. It has been estimated to be the second leading cause of disability, surpassed only by heart disease. The World Health Organization predicted depression would become the leading cause of disability by the year 2020. Currently, the antidepressant market is $17.41 billion in global sales in 2023. The US antidepressant market accounted for 71% of the global market in 2004.
Common symptoms of depression include, persistent feelings of hopelessness or pessimism, feelings of guilt, worthlessness, decreased energy, memory deficits, difficulty concentrating, insomnia, early morning wakening or oversleeping, appetite loss and/or weight loss or overeating and weight gain, suicide ideations, thoughts of death, physical ailments such as headaches, chronic pain or digestive problems. Note that many of these symptoms are also associated with aging and neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis.
The causes of depression have not been conclusively identified, but it has generally been believed that depression is a result of inadequate levels of the neurotransmitters, serotonin and norepinephrine with most emphasis on the former. Thus, efforts at treatment of depression have concentrated on increasing the levels of serotonin and/or norepinephrine. Past and current antidepressant treatments consisted of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. All of these treatments are believed to be of benefit in treating depression by increasing the amount of serotonin in the nerve synapses. Despite these efforts to increase the level of serotonin, there continue to be unmet clinical needs that need to be addressed. These include improvements in efficacy, speed of onset, safety/tolerability of treatments, and a reduction in relapse rates.
All of these unmet clinical needs are addressed with an exogenous MAO-A agonist as described in the following treatment for depression, for which MedDEV Inc has a patent. MAO-A is required for the metabolism of serotonin, histamine, and norepinephrine. Contrary to the current belief of the medical community, these amines are not active, but must be metabolized into their active metabolites. This is evidenced by the effectiveness in alleviating the symptoms of depression by administering reserpine, which stimulates the activity of MAO-A.
The first antidepressant therapies were monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAO inhibitors) such as iproniazid. Monoamine oxidase has two subtypes, A and B. Monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A) metabolizes both norepinephrine and serotonin. Thus, it is believed that the antidepressant effect of MAO inhibitors is the result of the increased levels of neurotransmitters – serotonin and norepinephrine due to the MAO inhibitors, blocking the breakdown of these neurotransmitters. Despite the efficacy of the MAO inhibitors as antidepressants, their use today has become very limited due to the serious side effects associated with MAO inhibitors. One of the side effects is hepatotoxicity. MAO is a very important amine-oxidizing enzyme in the liver and the brain and the inactivation of MAO interferes in the breakdown of tyramine. Tyramine is a common amine in food and some beverages. MAO inhibitors can cause excessive amounts of tyramine to accumulate in the brain, which can result in a hypertensive crisis and death. Most of the older MAO inhibitors were irreversible non-selective inhibitors meaning that they inhibited both MAO-A and MAO-B and predominantly inhibited the MAO-B. Today there are several reversible selectively specific MAO-A inhibitors being studied or in use outside of the USA. Because of their reversibility they have a short duration of action and thus they are less apt to result in the inactivation of liver metabolism and the accumulation of tyramine.
Another class of antidepressants is tricyclic antidepressants such as imipramine. Tricyclic antidepressants inhibit the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin by blocking the reuptake transporters resulting in increased levels of these neurotransmitters in the nerve synapses (synaptic clefts). Because of the increased levels of the norepinephrine in the nerve synapses, excessive cardiac stimulation can result. These cardiac arrhythmias can be difficult to treat and be potentially life threatening. These side effects prompted the development of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are the most commonly used antidepressants today. Although the SSRIs do not result in increased concentrations of norepinephrine, so they don’t cause cardiac arrhythmias, the elevation in the serotonin in the nerve synapses can cause agitation, restlessness, gastrointestinal distress and sexual side effects, all of which are common symptoms of depression.
The clinical efficacy of the SSRIs in treating depression has supported the hypothesis that a serotonin deficiency is the etiology of depression. However it is not clear as to how the SSRIs, tricyclic antidepressants, or MAO inhibitors relieve depression since there is a lag of several weeks before any mood-elevating effects are noticed, after these treatments are started, despite the rapid increase in the levels of serotonin in the nerve synapses. Furthermore, the elevated concentrations of the serotonin in the nerve synapses have been shown to cause symptoms common in depression. The effect of the administration of serotonin or its precursors was markedly less, or not effective at all, when compared to the MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, or the SSRIs in depressed persons. So the question arises, if depression is due to the deficiency of serotonin, then why isn’t the administration of serotonin or its precursors L-tryptophan or 5-Hydroxytryptophan more or as equally effective as these antidepressant treatments? And if depression is due to the deficiency of serotonin, then why does it take several weeks before any benefit may be seen from these antidepressant therapies that increase the concentration of serotonin in the nerve synapses immediately upon administration?
MedDEV Hypothesis: Depression is due to deficient MAO-A activity resulting in
deficient production of the active metabolite of serotonin,
5-Hydroxyindole acetaldehyde (5-HIAL).
The MAO-A agonist used in MedDEV’s treatment for depression is Reserpine. This agent has been stabilized in a proprietary solution that is delivered transdermally, 0.01 mg daily. Reserpine activates mitochondrial MAO-A and to a greater extent microsomal MAO-A, and inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase. Medical literature states that reserpine is contraindicated in depression and this is due to the higher doses that are administered for its approved indication, hypertension. The usual oral and parenteral dosage range for hypertension is 0.1 to 0.25 mg daily. Administration of higher doses of reserpine can result in depletion of MAO-A and/or 5-HT* by stimulating the activity of MAO-A beyond the rate of synthesis of MAO-A and/or 5-HT. MAO-A is destroyed during its oxidized deamination of its monoamine substrates so, if the activity of MAO-A is stimulated beyond the rate of MAO-A synthesis, MAO-A levels can become depleted. Likewise, if MAO-A activity is stimulated beyond the rate of 5-HT synthesis, 5-HT levels can become depleted. Depleted levels of 5-HT and/or MAO-A result in deficient production of the active metabolite 5-HIAL (5-Hydroxyindole acetaldehyde) and symptoms of depression occur.
Results of a 40-patient double blind crossover placebo controlled study using the proprietary transdermal solution of reserpine showed very significant effect in alleviating the symptoms of depression in patients with major depression, and also in those with bipolar depressive disorder. The effect is profoundly more immediate and significant than the current antidepressant therapies of MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The increased metabolism of serotonin is contrary to the belief as to how the current antidepressants are working, yet there is proven benefit from the use of MAO inhibitors, tricyclic antidepressants, and serotonin reuptake inhibitors in the treatment of depression. So how can this be?
Research has shown that the MAO inhibitors, the tricyclic antidepressants (imipramine, clomipramine, amitriptyline, zimeldine, viloxazine, nortriptyline, maprotiline, nomifensine, and doxepine), and some of the serotonin reuptake inhibitors (fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, citalopram) showed inhibitory activity towards MAO-A and MAO-B with clear, more potent, selectivity for MAO-B. Long-term administration (4 weeks or more) of these antidepressants resulted in a significant increase in the inhibition of MAO-B during treatment. Furthermore, these antidepressants were competitive inhibitors of MAO-A and noncompetitive inhibitors of MAO-B. Competitive inhibitors can have more of a reversible effect in that saturating concentrations of the substrate (such as increased levels of the substrate serotonin or norepinephrine) can remove the inhibition, thus negating the MAO inhibitory effect. Noncompetitive inhibitors are irreversible and do not compete with the natural substrate, thus an increased concentration of the substrate does not negate the inhibitory effects of the MAO inhibitor. Thus, the antidepressants have a short acting MAO-A inhibitory effect because, after a couple weeks of treatment, the concentration of the substrates, serotonin or norepinephrine, increase to the level capable of negating the MAO-A inhibitory effect, but the MAO-B inhibitory effect of the antidepressants persists. This results in an increased ratio of MAO-A:MAO-B activity, which may account for the antidepressant effect of these treatments. This may also explain why there is a lag of several weeks before any benefit is seen with these antidepressant treatments.
Based on the current prevalent theory and antidepressant treatments, it would be contraindicated to administer any agent that would enhance the metabolism of serotonin. All of the current antidepressant medications are aimed at increasing the levels of serotonin, i.e. the MAO inhibitors are aimed at preventing the metabolism of serotonin, and the tricyclic antidepressants and SSRIs are aimed at maintaining higher levels of serotonin in the nerve synapses. The use of a MAO-A agonist such as reserpine as described in MedDEV Inc’s patent is directly contrary to the prior and current use of MAO inhibitors and even more so to the recent focus exploring the use of specific reversible MAO-A inhibitors as a treatment for depression. In fact, reserpine-treated rats is an animal model of depression. Therefore, MedDEV’s use of MAO-A agonists for depression and depressive disorders is a very unique and novel treatment for these conditions. What is this MAO-A agonist? Respen-A™!
Based on results, we have seen extraordinary success with using Respen-A™ for Anxiety, Depression, Bipolar Disorder, ADD/ADHD, Autism and more. To quote one mother and wife, "It's like the monster in my brain is gone". To quote another, "My family members tell me I've really changed and that, whereas they used to dread visiting me, they actually enjoy spending time with me now".
Please don't keep this a secret from any friends or family that might be suffering from one of these diagnoses...they will be VERY HAPPY to get their lives back, and will thank you when they do.
*The hypothalamus has serotonin accumulating neurons, capacity to uptake 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, a precursor of serotonin) with the ability to decarboxylate 5-HTP into serotonin (5-HT) and marked activity of MAO-A to metabolize serotonin into its metabolites 5-HIAL (5-Hydroxyindole acetaldehyde) and 5-HIAA (5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid). The hypothalamus is involved in: cognitive functions; thyroid function; adrenal cortex function that regulates blood pressure, water balance, cortisol production, steroid hormone production; essential in maintaining the waking state; appetite regulation; sense of well being; body temperature regulation. Many of the symptoms associated with depression can perhaps be correlated to a hypothalamic dysregulation.
(Written by Elaine DeLack)
Phenol Sensitivity
July 2020
Elaine has devoted a large portion of her biomedical research time during this past year to phenol sensitivity. Phenols are chemicals found in basically all foods. The "phenol" category contains quite a few subgroups that are both food and non-food. For example, salicylate is a subgroup of phenol. There are other chemicals found in foods that can cause similar symptoms as phenols, including amines, even though they are not technically "phenol".
Potentially over 80% of ASD children have a deficiency in a key detoxification pathway. The pathway involves using sulphur in the form of sulphate (known as sulphation). The enzyme involved is phenol sulphur-transferase (PST), and helps eliminate phenols from the body.
This detoxification pathway processes other phenolic compounds including salicylates, artificial food colourings, artificial flavourings, and some preservatives. Besides requiring PST, research has found that salicylates further suppress the activity of any PST enzyme present, making matters worse. Food dyes also have been shown to inhibit the PST enzyme.
Feeding large amounts of sulphur and phenolic-based foods to PST deficient children will cause a build up of phenols, amines, salicylates, and other toxic substances normally cleared by the PST enzyme.
Elaine has developed a Phenol-Sulfur-Transferase (PST) disc, which testing has proven to help clear phenols. Early reports from parents using it for their child are that they are seeing even better results with this disc than with the Respen-A™. In fact, one parent has reported that her son has been doing just fine off the PST disc for up to two weeks!
The process of switching from Respen-A™ to the PST disc is fairly straightforward and requires guidance from Elaine...IF your child is indeed sensitive to phenols. If you are interested in finding out if your child is having trouble processing phenols then order the PST disc from Elaine via the email elaine.delack@gmail.com.
The simplest way we can explain how the Phenol-Sulfur-Transferase disc works in comparison with the Respen-A™ is this: imagine that you are driving a Tesla to work, which by the way can go from 0 to 60 MPH in 5.6 seconds. Only, the freeway you need to travel on is 6 lanes wide and has bumper to bumper traffic that is moving slower than you could walk. The MAO-A, which the Respen-A™ wants to activate in your body, is the Tesla. The bumper to bumper traffic is the phenols blocking the way. The PST disc clears the 'traffic (phenols) off the freeway' (clears the pathway) so that the MAO-A can 'get to work' (do its job of being the roots to the Tree of Life in your body).
Here's the difference between the discs: the Respen-A™ activates the MAO-A, which wants to do its job but can't be very effective when phenols are blocking the way... IF your child has phenol sensitivity. The PST disc clears the pathway of phenols. Even if you think your child has phenol sensitivity you must start him on the Respen-A™ first as it might be something else, other than phenols, that might diminish the effect of the Respen-A™, which is why you'll want to be in contact with Elaine to help walk you through it.
Symptoms Of Phenol Sulphur-Transferase (PST) Defect
If the sulfation pathway is not functioning well, a person may not be able to process phenolic compounds as fast as they consume them. There is a cumulative effect. When the phenols start backing up in the system, it can cause a myriad of negative reactions and symptoms.
• night waking for several hours, night sweats, difficulty sleeping
• dark circles under eyes
• irritability, hyperactivity, aggression
• self-injurious behaviour, head banging
• eczema, and other skin conditions.
• red cheeks/ face/ ears
• lethargy
• inappropriate laughter
• diarrhea
Only a few of these symptoms need to be present
It appears that this sub optimal activity of PST activity is a function of low plasma sulphate levels rather than of deficits in the actual enzyme. Thus, any food or chemical that requires or uses up sulphate during its breakdown will make the situation worse. Common foods that can cause this problem include apple juice, citrus fruit juices, chocolate, and paracetamol (Tylenol™). This detoxification pathway processes other phenolic compounds including salicylates, artificial food colourings, artificial flavourings, and some preservatives.
Many colouring materials, whether of natural or synthetic origin, possess phenolic groupings. Acetaminophen (paracetamol - Panadol, Tylenol) is also detoxified by this pathway, which is why we see either hyperactivity or lethargy in children with a severe PST problem, when given acetaminophen. Therefore Tylenol/Panadol should be avoided for kids with a PST problem.
PST/sulphate deficiency also impairs the metabolism of classical neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, impairs breakdown and metabolism of the bile pigments bilirubin and biliverdin, and decreases secretion of pancreatic enzymes and bile from the gallbladder and biliary tract into the intestines. This would result in low uptake of certain vitamins and other nutrients from the intestines; reduced activity of gastrin (and subsequently reduced secretion of stomach acid,mucus, and pepsin in the stomach), and, probably, reduced production of secretin further downstream.
Excess boron interferes with the metabolism (breakdown and excretion) of phenols. Boron is found in apples, pears, grapes, nuts, leafy green vegetables, and legumes. Supplying these substances, especially apples, pears, and grapes, or their juices in large amounts to PST deficient children, will cause a build up of phenols, amines, salicylates, and other toxic substances normally cleared by PST.
The bottleneck can be cleared in one of three ways. One is reducing the amount of phenols and toxins entering the body. This is the basis of the Failsafe diet and the Feingold diet. These diets remove the hard-to-process artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives. The second method of enhancing the detoxification process is to supply more sulphate. This increases the ability to process toxins out of the body. Sulphate may not be absorbed well from the gut, so simply giving more sulphur directly by swallowing supplements may not produce satisfactory results. Therefore a way to get sulphate into the body is through Epsom salt baths. Many parents report that giving Epsom salt baths is beneficial to help their child’s body process phenols. Sulphate is thought to circulate in the body for up to about nine hours. The third and simplest method is to use Elaine's PST disc.
Vitamin B6 and/or p-5-p can aggravate the PST problem of some children, by making it difficult for the child to process phenols. B6 in the form of p-5-p (pyridoxal-5-phosphate) inhibits PST (phenol sulphur-transferase) activity. This could be why some children show adverse effects when supplements high in p-5-p are started. Elaine says that we CAN use p-5-p when using PST because PST is a frequency, not the enzyme itself.
The main source of free sulphate in the body is the amino acid cysteine, which is obtained from the breakdown of protein. One of the sulphur containing amino-acids used for this purpose is taurine, which is reported to have an anti-opioid effect.
Cranberry juice has been anecdotally reported to reduce or even eliminate these effects. Whether this due to the sulphur content of the juice or some other mechanism including placebo remains to be determined.
(A majority of the information shared here is borrowed from an article from
All Natural Advantage, found on the internet)
(Researched and submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Is Your Child Deficient in the Enzyme Phenol-Sulfur-Transferase?
Everyone has been told that we should have 6-8 servings of fruit and vegetables a day, but this may very likely be detrimental to a person who has ASD. Most people on the spectrum have deficient activity in the enzyme called phenol-sulfur transferase. This enzyme is needed to break down phenols, and to produce sulfate ions, which are needed for detoxification of environmental chemicals, salicylates, phenols, food additives and some medications.
Phenols are in most plant based food, and we need some in our diet, but if they start to build up in the body they can result in negative reactions, such as night waking, night sweats, irritability, eczema and other skin conditions, emotional extreme highs followed by very low mood, head banging and other self injurious behavior, aggression, headache, dark circles under the eyes, red face/ears and diarrhea. Hyperactivity is more common in children’s reactions, whereas adults often experience chronic fatigue. High amounts of phenols (polyphenols) inhibit MAO-A, which in turn negates the Respen-A™.
If the sulfation pathway is not functioning well, a person may not be able to process out the phenolic compounds as fast as they consume them. There is a cumulative effect. When the phenols start backing up in the system, it can cause a myriad of negative reactions. The symptoms of phenol intolerance and yeast may be very similar because they both involve the body trying to deal with toxins.
How do you know that you may have a problem with phenols?
Being more sensitive to foods containing salicylates, colorful fruits and vegetables, spices, herbs (even medicinal herbs) can be an indication. This is problematic because it includes many of the healthy foods that we need for fiber, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
Parents will often note that rashes or behaviors get worse when their child has consumed anything with a lot of artificial color. This can sometimes be mistaken for sugar-reactions when it is more due to the high phenol content.
Other things that may indicate a problem with processing phenolic compounds include being more sensitive to chemicals, suffering with infections or gut dysbiosis, and getting worse every time you try to treat them.
Typical symptoms of phenol or salicylate sensitivity include:
Emotional extremes
Inappropriate laughter
Dark circles under the eyes
Red face/ears
Allergy-type symptoms such as hives, asthma
Chronic infections such as ear infections, sinus problems
Diarrhea
Headaches
Sensitivity to noise, light, touch
Trouble falling asleep at night, waking up during the night, insomnia
Fatigue
Irritability
Night sweats
Bed wetting and day wetting
Aggression esp. when exposed to petroleum-based phenols
Self-injury such as head banging, hitting
Hyperactivity in children?,
Learning difficulties such as dyslexia, speech difficulties
Chronic fatigue in adults
Note that the symptoms of phenols building up are the same as those symptoms associated with deficient MAO-A activity. High polyphenols inhibit MAO-A.
It is impossible to completely eliminate phenols and salicylates from the diet as they are in most foods we eat. However, three immediate things one can do to minimize the problem are:
- avoid foods high in phenols
- eat only small portions of foods containing phenols
- try to space the 'consumption of phenols' further apart.
In addition, supplement sulfate ions, such as with using a magnesium sulfate cream and applying it several times a day as sulfate ions only last in the body 1-5 hours. If you've ever noticed that your child seems to respond well to Epsom salts baths, but the effect doesn’t last long after the bath, most likely they are deficient in sulfate ions due to deficient activity of the phenol-sulfur transferase enzyme.
The following is from a parent who has had success reducing phenols in her son's diet:
‘Elaine brought to my attention the phenols issue. She mentioned that if I see dark circles around my son's eyes, then he is probably low in the enzyme that breaks down phenols. Initially I wasn't sure, so I used the magnesium sulfate cream, and gave my son the No-Fenol enzyme (available on Amazon) when having meals containing high phenol foods, to help break down phenols. Within a few days I saw dramatic improvement in his mood and behaviors, and he had even become more responsive to humor. He has become more compliant and happy again'.
Links with more info and solutions:
https://elizmalambert.com/phenols-and-food-sensitivities/
http://www.allnaturaladvantage.com.au/home/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/Phenol-Sensitivity.pdf
((Researched and submitted by Kerri McCormick)
Could Our Latest Discovery Be the Answer to Pyroluria
and Phenol Sensitivity?
Let's cut to the chase and tell you that you'll want to listen to the March 2020 webinar to find out! This is what you'll want to know prior to listening: MAO-A is a vulnerable enzyme to many things that will inhibit its activity: stress, high estrogen, lipid peroxidation, high phenols, heavy metals, high amounts of fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, K. All of these inhibitors of MAO-A activity are cleared from the body by the phenol-sulfur transferase detoxifying pathway. The majority of people with ASD have decreased activity of this detoxifying pathway. This results in a build-up of the things that will inhibit MAO-A activity.
The enzyme needed for phenol-sulfur detoxification is phenol-sulfur transferase. Elaine has recently learned how to mimic this enzyme using homeopathy. The results have been significant in that children that couldn’t tolerate foods high in phenols can now tolerate them, and the effects of the Respen-A™ have increased. Parents are finding that since using the homeopathic disc to increase this detoxifying pathway, their children are needing less and less of the Respen-A™.
So why is this? Remember that Respen-A™ is a homeopathic dilution of reserpine, which has been shown to double the activity of MAO-A. So as the PST detoxifying pathway starts clearing the build-up of things that can inhibit MAO-A activity, more MAO-A is freed up. As the MAO-A activity increases, less of the Respen-A™ is needed.
If you are interested in trying the phenol-sulfur transferase disc, it can be ordered by sending an email to elaine.delack@gmail.com.
Further information regarding this enzyme and how Elaine is using it homeopathically can be found by listening to the March 2020 Webinar:
Could Our Latest Discovery Be the Answer to Pyroluria and Phenol Sensitivity?
(1 hr 1 min) Recording password: SaYjFn6Z
https://respen-a.my.webex.com/recordingservice/sites/respen-a.my/recording/playback/ce81b81d869347e2831e29aa320816a3
Electronic Devices, Dopamine And MAO-A
December 2022
When you look at the general beliefs of what causes autism, the list includes vaccines, foods, chemicals like pesticides and MSG, even toxins in beauty supplies. A major component that is overlooked is the use of electronics and the effect that has on MAO-A. We know that MAO-A is low in kids with autism, and it is known that electronic devices are the predominant go-to for kids these days.
MAOA, known as the warrior gene, is an enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. The rapid degradation of these neurotransmitters is essential for their proper functioning during synaptic transmission in the central nervous system and in the periphery. When MAO-A is low, the result is higher levels of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine and lower levels of their respective metabolites.
The name ‘warrior gene’ is rather incongruous. ‘Warrior ' conjures a strong, stoic man who can protect and provide for his people. However, ‘warrior gene’ is commonly associated with violent behavior, and kids with autism can be aggressive in their behaviors. EVERYWHERE you look, people are using digital technology. Parents use devices as babysitters for their kids. Research shows that electronic devices increase dopamine, which increases MAO-B, which decreases MAO-A, so the two are not in balance anymore.
The MA0-A gene provides instructions for making an enzyme called monoamine oxidase-A. This enzyme is part of a family of enzymes that break down molecules called monoamines through a chemical reaction known as oxidation. Among the monoamines broken down by monoamine oxidase-A are certain chemicals that act as neurotransmitters, which transmit signals between nerve cells in the brain. Neurotransmitters are broken down when signaling is no longer needed.
Specifically, monoamine oxidase-A is involved in the breakdown of the neurotransmitters serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine. Signals transmitted by serotonin regulate mood, emotion, sleep, and appetite. Epinephrine and norepinephrine control the body's response to stress. Dopamine transmits signals within the brain to produce smooth physical movements. Monoamine oxidase-A also helps break down monoamines found in the diet. It seems to be particularly important in the breakdown of excess tyramine, which is found in cheese and other foods.
Monoamine oxidase-A appears to be involved in normal brain development before birth. The enzyme plays a role in the controlled self-destruction of cells (apoptosis), which is an important process in the development of many tissues and organs, including the brain.
When MAO-B is high it makes you run on dopamine. Dopamine is responsible for allowing you to feel pleasure, satisfaction and motivation. When you feel good that you have achieved something, it's because you have a surge of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is most notably involved in helping us feel pleasure as part of the brain's reward system. Shopping, and smelling cookies baking in the oven — also can trigger dopamine release, or a "dopamine rush." This feel-good neurotransmitter is also involved in reinforcement.
There are dopamine targets on electronic devices to trigger the dopamine. Why should this concern you? Dopamine is addictive. Cell phones and texting trigger dopamine, but making a phone call doesn't.
"I feel tremendous guilt,” admitted Chamath Palihapitiya, former Vice President of User Growth at Facebook, to an audience of Stanford students. He was responding to a question about his involvement in exploiting consumer behavior. “The short-term, dopamine-driven feedback loops that we have created are destroying how society works,” he explained. In his talk, he highlighted something most of us know but few really appreciate: smartphones and the social media platforms they support are turning us into bona fide addicts. While it’s easy to dismiss this claim as hyperbole, platforms like Facebook, Snapchat, and Instagram leverage the very same neural circuitry used by slot machines and cocaine to keep us using their products as much as possible. Taking a closer look at the underlying science may give you pause the next time you feel your pocket buzz, or think of letting your child play with a device.
The Levers in Our Brains – Dopamine and social reward:
Dopamine is a chemical produced by our brains that plays a starring role in motivating behavior. It gets released when we take a bite of delicious food, after we exercise, and, importantly, when we have successful social interactions. In an evolutionary context, it rewards us for beneficial behaviors and motivates us to repeat them.
The human brain contains four major dopamine “pathways,” or connections between different parts of the brain that act as highways for chemical messages called neurotransmitters. Each pathway has its own associated cognitive and motor (movement) processes. Three of these pathways—the mesocortical, mesolimbic, and nigrostriatal pathways—are considered our “reward pathways” and have been shown to be dysfunctional in most cases of addiction. They are responsible for the release of dopamine in various parts of the brain, which shapes the activity of those areas.
Most of your dopamine is generated deep in the midbrain, and it is released in many different areas across the brain. These areas are largely responsible for behaviors associated with learning, habit formation, and addiction.
While the reward pathways are distinct in their anatomical organization, all three dopamine pathways become active when anticipating or experiencing rewarding events. In particular, they reinforce the association between a particular stimulus or sequence of behaviors and the feel-good reward that follows. Every time a response to a stimulus results in a reward, these associations become stronger through a process called long-term potentiation. This process strengthens frequently used connections between brain cells called neurons by increasing the intensity at which they respond to particular stimuli.
Positive social stimuli will similarly result in a release of dopamine, reinforcing whatever behavior preceded it. Cognitive neuroscientists have shown that rewarding social stimuli—laughing faces, positive recognition by our peers, messages from loved ones—activate the same dopaminergic reward pathways. Smartphones have provided us with a virtually unlimited supply of social stimuli, both positive and negative. Every notification, whether it’s a text message, a “like” on Instagram, or a Facebook notification, has the potential to be a positive social stimulus and dopamine influx.
Unexpected rewards increase the activity of dopamine neurons, acting as positive feedback signals for the brain regions associated with the preceding behavior. As learning takes place, the timing of activity will shift until it occurs upon the cue alone, with the expected reward having no additional effect. And should the expected reward not be received, dopamine activity drops, sending a negative feedback signal to the relevant parts of the brain, weakening the positive association.
Smartphones and social media apps aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, so it is up to us as the users to decide how much of our kid's time we want to dedicate to them. Unless the advertisement-based profit model changes, companies like Facebook will continue to do everything they can to keep your eyes glued to the screen as often as possible. And by using algorithms to leverage our dopamine-driven reward circuitry, they stack the cards—and our brains—against us. If you keep using things that raise MAO-B, then using Respen-A™ isn’t going to help you. Above all, mindful use of technology is the best tool you have. So the next time you choose to let your child use electronic devices, you might ask yourself, “Is this really worth lowering his MAO-A for?”
(Article info researched and submitted by Kerri McCormick)
