Oxytocin is a nine-amino-acid peptide that is synthesised in the hypothalamus and released into the bloodstream via the pituitary gland where it plays an important role in facilitating uterine contractions during childbirth and in milk let-down. In addition, oxytocin (along with the structurally similar peptide vasopressin) is released within the brain where it plays a key role in regulating associated behaviours, such as mother–infant and adult–adult bond formation, sexual behaviour and social memory/recognition. Recent studies have also begun to investigate oxytocin’s role in various other behaviours including social recognition, orgasm, maternal behaviors, anxiety, trust, love, stress reactivity and repetitive behaviours.

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This week I am going to discuss Bethanechol – a prescription only, choline-like substance which stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Bethanechol is derived from Betel nuts, and is an old drug which was originally used to treat urinary retention, stuttering and to stimulate GI motility.

Bethanechol is classified as a parasympathomimetic choline ester. Parasympatho-mimetic drugs act by stimulating (or mimicking) the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS). Bethanochol selectively stimulates muscarinic receptors (with further selectivity for M3 receptors*) without any effect on nicotinic receptors. Unlike acetylcholine, bethanechol is not broken down by cholinesterase and will therefore have a long duration of action.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Welcome to the last newsletter for 2009! To close off the year I am going to discuss Low Dose Lithium. Studies done over the years have repeatedly shown that very low amounts of lithium can significantly influence brain function for the better (as reflected in behaviour).

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Naltrexone itself is a TGA approved medication (brand name Revia), which has been used since the 1970’s as an opiate antagonist for treating opiate drug and alcohol addiction. At regular dosing, to treat addiction, usually 50-150mg a day, it has shown to block the euphoric response to opiate drugs such as heroin, morphine and alcohol. Dr Jaquelyn McCandless (author of Children with Starving Brains), along with many other DAN! Doctors have tried Naltrexone as an opioid blocker in the hope it would offset the opioid effects of the large peptides in wheat and milk that are thought to affect most ASD patient adversely. However, unfortunately they did not find it to be useful for that purpose.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: This week I am going to discuss Candida Overgrowth. In the past 20 years, overgrowth in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of the usually benign Candida albicans has become increasingly recognized as a complex medical syndrome known as Candidiasis, or yeast syndrome.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: GABA helps to “balance” the brain by preventing over-firing of the nerve cells. It contributes to motor control, vision, and many other cortical functions. Anxiety has also shown to be regulated by GABA.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Many of our patients use inositol for its calming / relaxing effect. This effect is thought to be due (in part) to its ability to increase GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid) levels. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter which I will be discussing in more detail in our next newsletter. Inositol has also shown to exert lipotropic activity (fat metabolism in the liver) within the body, and has not

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY:Retention and Constipation. I am going to look at two products which many of our patients are using in their treatment protocol; in both the clean out phase and maintenance phase (please see last week’s newsletter for more information).

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY:: Melatonin is a naturally-occurring hormone manufactured from serotonin, by methylation, and secreted from the pineal gland (a pea-sized gland at the base of the brain). The exact function of melatonin is still poorly understood, however we do know that it is critically involved in the synchronization of hormone secretion. The natural biorhythm of hormone secretion is referred to as the circadian rhythm. The circadian rhythm is an internal 24-hour time-keeping system that plays a critical role in determining when we fall asleep and when we wake up. This “internal clock” signals the secretion of various hormones at different times to regulate body functions.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: EFA’s function as homeostatic constituents of cell membranes, helping to relay signal information from outside the cell to the cell interior and are precursors to eicosanoids that influence other cells, similar to hormones. EFA’s are critical nutrients for humans and are labeled “essential” because our bodies are not able to make them. They enter our body through the food we eat (i.e. our diet) or via supplementation

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: AFP Peptizyde™ contains digestive enzymes and has been designed to help the body in breaking down proteins. It is a combination of three different proteolytic enzymes isolated from plant sources. These enzymes work only on food proteins (including casein, gluten, meat and soy), not carbohydrates, fats, or other compounds, and do not interfere with medications or other supplements (unless they are also proteins, which is extremely unlikely).

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY:The huge increase in processed carbohydrates, sugars and trans-fatty acids as substitutes for simple fruits, vegetables, proteins and healthy fats in our children’s diets is impacted in an epidemic of behavioural and learning disorders in the Western World

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: The Promoter provides the building blocks of the metallothionein (MT) protein*. The idea of this supplement is to boost MT function in a natural way, thus allowing the body to then detoxify (or chelate) itself naturally. This may also self-correct some of the other dysfunctions that are present based on MT abnormalities. Many ASD children use this supplement with anecdotal evidence of positive effects.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: As with our Primer supplement, the main use of the Primer Plus formulation is in the biochemical treatment of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). * However, I would also like to point out that these formulations are also commonly used by those suffering from other conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, pyrroluria and ADD/ADHD.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Overmethylating formulation is in the biochemical treatment of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). * However, the Primer Overmethylating formulation is not solely used in the ASD domain. This supplement has also shown very positive results in children and adults with general symptoms of overmethylation.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: As with our Primer supplement, the main use of the Primer Undermethylating formulation is in the biochemical treatment of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). * However, the Primer Undermethylating formulation is not solely used in the ASD domain. This supplement has also shown very positive results in children and adults with general symptoms of undermethylation.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Pyrrole Disorder (also known as Pyrroluria, and formally as Malvaria) is a genetically-based condition which results in the abnormal synthesis/metabolism of hemoglobin. Pyrroluria patients have shown to produce excessive amounts of a hemoglobin metabolite named hydroxyhemoppyrolin-2-one (HPL) or Mauve factor. Mauve factor is excreted via the urine and possesses a pyrrole structure.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Manganese plays a crucial role in a number of physiological processes in the body; acting as a constituent of some enzymes and an activator of others. It is primarily concentrated in those tissues requiring high energy, such as the brain, pancreas, kidney, liver and bones.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY:Vitamins C and E are potent antioxidants that work together to fight against the destructive effects of free radicals within the body. Free radicals are “unstable oxygen molecule outlaws” that have the ability to literally pierce through the cell walls and oxidize (or destroy) brain cells. Antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E, have the ability to neutralize free radicals without becoming a free radical themselves, since they are stable in either form. They act as scavengers within the body, helping to prevent a state of oxidative stress, which could then lead to cellular, and tissue damage and the progression of various disease states.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), once in its active form of pyridoxal-5-phosphate is an essential cofactor for a majority of metabolic pathways of neurotransmitters, including serotonin, gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA), dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Vitamin B6 can also help accelerate a sluggish methionine metabolism (which I will be looking at in more detail in a future newsletter).

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: Zinc is an essential micronutrient that the human immune system needs to function at peak performance, it is critical in detoxification; it decreases intestinal permeability and induces many digestive enzymes. Low zinc can potentiate oxidative stress.

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PRACTITIONER VIEW ONLY: This week I am going to give an overview of the Primer. I will then be discussing, over the course of the month, the key nutrients within this formulation and why they are used. This is to ensure that all of you who use this product have a clear understanding of why your practitioner is prescribing this supplement and its specific role in the biomedical treatment process.

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