Karl Reichelt, Ph.D., presented a summary of many years of work by himself and others on the role of opioid peptides in autism. Protein is made of peptides, which are made of amino acids. Basically, his lab and several others have published many articles in the scientific literature on their findings of unusual proteins and peptides in the urine of people with autism. Those proteins and peptides come from casein (dairy) and gluten (wheat and related grains), and they have an opioid-like effect on the brain, with a potency several times that of morphine. The peptides enter the blood due to 2 major biological flaws: 1) a failure of the digestive track to fully digest/break-down the casein and gluten molecules into amino acids, and 2) a “leaky gut” which allows the undigested proteins/peptides to pass into the blood stream. The failure of the gut to properly digest the proteins is apparently due to a lack of peptidases (digestive enzymes), which he hypothesizes could be due to genetic defects (other speakers also discussed environmental and nutritional causes). Recent work by Dr. Cade (1999) found antibodies (IgA) to gluten and casein in the mucous membranes of 12 of 44 people with autism. These opioid peptides can have many behavioral and physical effects, and could cause many of the symptoms of autism.

A single-blind, 2-year study found that children with autism improved on a gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet, but regressed if the diet was stopped. A recent 2001 study by Cade found that digestive enzymes helped, but were only half as effective as a GFCF diet. Currently, the best labs have about a 5-10% false negatives and positives, so he recommends everyone with autism try a GFCF diet.

Summary: Gluten and casein, from dairy and wheat, appear to have an opioid-effect in autism, so a trial of total avoidance is strongly recommended.







Summary: Almost all people with autism have very low levels of sulfur in their blood, which could cause many of the problems associated with autism. Sulfur could be replaced by Epsom salt baths, sulfate creams (now available from Kirkman labs), or possibly with cysteine or n-acetyl cysteine (but Pangborn has concerns about the use of cysteine or n-acetyl cysteine). Since sulfate leaves the blood in 4-8 hours, it should be used at least 1x/day, and possibly more often.



To help with detoxification, give B6, B12, folate, Mg, zinc, selenium, lipoic acid, and methionine.

Possible treatments include: diets (GFCF, low sugar, organic (esp. meat), purified water, no nutrasweet), digestive enzymes, probiotics, vitamin/mineral supplements (esp. zinc and C), cod liver oil (for vitamin A and D), fish oil and evening primrose oil (for omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids), anti-viral meds, secretin, DMSA/alpha lipoic acid (to remove heavy metals), and bethanecol (helps intestinal mucosa, stimulates digestive enzymes).

Recommends full nutritional assay. This includes checking stool pH (easy at home), IgE or IgG food testing, and urinary pyroles (25% of autistics have bad toxin; Vitamin Diagnostics is one possible lab).


1) In terms of nutritional abornormalities:

a. Zn deficiency exists in 90% of autistic children

b. Cu excess exists in 90%

c. Calcium and magnesium deficiencies are common

d. Omega 3 deficiency exists in nearly 100%

e. Fiber deficiency exists in nearly 100%

f. Antioxidant deficiency exists in nearly 100%

2) The damaged GI tract causes poor protein digestion. This results in:

a. Deficiency of essential amino acids

b. Extra food for bad bacteria, causing high levels of ammonia (a toxin) – substances that reduce ammonia may reduce brain fog (alpha keto glutaric acid is one option)

c. Gluten and casein peptides, which act as opioids

d. Undigested proteins causing allergic reactions in gut and blood



He also listed treatment options for various disorders. These include:

Treatment for Viral Infections:

Monolaurin: ¼ tsp, 3x/day: active vs measles, HHV-6, pathogenic bacteria; seemed to have helped 2 kids



Treatment for Weakened Immune System

Zinc: 20-200 mg

Selenium: 100-200 mcg

Beta-glucan (activates macrophages, the part of the blood that eats foreign matter)

Caution: easily becomes rancid, so make sure you get a good brand

IP-6 (from Enzymatic Therapy): activates Natural Killer cells; 1-2/day on empty stomach

Transfer Factor: from Chisolm

Oral immune globulin – prescription only

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