| A Biomedical Autism Intervention Doctor Explains: | | | | These byproducts can contribute to the |
| A sulfite sensitivity does not constitute an | | | | overproduction of ammonia. Ammonia can lead to |
| automatic allergy to sulfa drugs and vice versa. | | | | irritability, hand-flapping, stimming behavior, |
| Many people with asthma who have obvious | | | | language problems and other chemical imbalances |
| reactions to sulfites can many times have some | | | | in individuals on the autism-spectrum. Other |
| in small amounts and suffer no adverse reactions. | | | | chemical systems in the body become stressed |
| A sensitivity reaction to sulfites is not a true | | | | leading to a further difficulty in eradicating |
| allergy like a sulfa drug allergy, and so allergy | | | | ammonia. Genetic mutations in the CBS and |
| testing for sulfites in unreliable. | | | | MTHFR complexes make this problem worst. |
| Sulfates are chemical compounds with sulfur | | | | Finally, an enzyme called SUOX (sulfite oxidase) in |
| surrounded by oxygen atoms. It is a derivative of | | | | a deficiency state will effect sulfate regulation |
| sulfuric acid and can complex with various minerals | | | | which effects glutathione production, as well as |
| in the body to form stable compounds such as | | | | sulfates for other proteins in the body that |
| magnesium sulfate found in Epsom Salt (which is | | | | support protein structure. Glutathione is our bodies' |
| used as a laxative or a muscle soothing aid in | | | | most potent antioxidant and supports cellular |
| bathwater). Some people can have sulfate | | | | detoxification. There is a genetic disorder that |
| sensitivity, but it is questionable whether this is | | | | leads to severe brain damage and death with the |
| truly an immune reaction to the sulfate or an | | | | SUOX enzyme deficiency, but it is likely possible |
| immune reaction to chemical compounds attached | | | | that sub-clinical stressors in this enzyme could |
| to sulfate. More commonly, a sulfate sensitivity is | | | | adversely affect some children on the |
| a biochemical reaction from other sources, and | | | | autism-spectrum, while not causing a disease |
| have nothing to do with an allergy. This leads us in | | | | process. |
| the next discussion - sulfur supplement sensitivity. | | | | The likely scenario is if children are having difficulty |
| Sulfur sensitivity can occur when too much | | | | with sulfur containing supplements (i.e. taurine, |
| homocysteine is pushed through the | | | | Epsom salt, MSM, methionine) that a genetic |
| trans-sulfuration pathway creating an abundance | | | | mutation pattern has occurred in the CBS and |
| of sulfur compounds. This is particularly a problem | | | | MTHFR genes, and has nothing to do with a sulfur |
| if an enzyme called CBS is up-regulated creating | | | | allergy - which we know is a misnomer. |
| an increased production of sulfur byproducts. | | | | |