Glossary

Casein: Casein is one of the several proteins found in all mammalian milk. It is known to break down into molecules with opioid properties, called casomorphine. If the enzymes designed to digest milk are not functioning properly, the resulting peptides could still be biologically active-that is, they could function as opioids ( explaining some of the symptoms we see in autism). If this happens, most of the peptides should be dumped harmlessly into the urine, but if some of these peptides escape the gut and enter the blood stream, they could cross the blood-brain barrier and cause serious neurological problems.

Gluten: Glutens are proteins found in the plant kingdom subclass of Monocotyledonae,the grass family of wheat, oats, barley, rye and triticale. Derivatives of these grains include: malt, grain starches, hydrolyzed vegetable and plant proteins, textured vegetable proteins, grain vinegar, soy sauce, grain alcohol, flavorings and the binders and fillers found in vitamins and medications. Like casein, gluten breaks down into molecules with opioid traits, called gluteomorphine. It to can retain biological activity if the enzymes needed to digest them are not functioning properly.

Chelation: The terms chelate comes from the Greek work chele, which means claw. It refers the "claw-like" structure of the organic chemical ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), first synthesized in Germany in the 1930's. With this claw, EDTA binds with metallic ions to form a stable ring structure. EDTA is water-soluble and chelates only metallic ions that are dissolved in water. Once metals are bound to EDTA (or another chelating substance) they can be flushed from the body. Chelation is used to remove heavy metals from the body.

Heavy Metals: Mercury, lead, and cadmium cannot be metabolized by the body and, if accumulated, can cause toxic effects by interfering with various physiological functions. These substances are called "heavy metals," a term applied to metallic elements whose specific gravity is about 5.0 or greater, especially those that are poisonous.

Intestinal Permeability: Also known as "Leaky gut syndrome", intestinal permeability is suspected as a major factor in a wide range of food and chemical sensitivities, arthritis, asthma, headaches, digestive problems of varying seriousness and chronic fatigue. It has been linked to many of the problems experienced in patients with sever Candida albicans overgrowths, since it was known that Candida in its fungal form, can put down 'roots' into the gut wall, allowing comparatively large molecules to pass through into the bloodstream. whether these are food molecules, bacteria or chemical toxins, the result is the same: an immune response by the body, an attack by antibodies and the start of a cycle of immune response, inflammation and antibodies-antigen reactions.

Opioids: The class of drug to which morphine belongs, opioids have powerful analgesic capacity but are highly addictive and have potent effects on the central nervous system. In the early 1980's, in was noted that the behavior of animals under the influence of opioid drugs was very similar to that of some people with autism. Dr. Jaak Panksepp proposed autistics might have elevated levels of naturally occurring opioids in there CNS. There are several such naturally occurring compounds. The best known of these are the beta-endorphins which produce the so called "runner's high". These substances bind to opioid receptors and mimic some of the pharmacological properties of opiate drugs. At about the same time, work by Swedish autism expert Christopher Gillberg showed elevated levels of "endorphin like substances" in the cerebral spinal fluid of some autistics. It is particularly interesting that levels are high in those autistic child who are insensitive to pain and in those who engage in self-injurious behaviors. Reichelt in Norway, and Shattock in England, confirm the presence of compounds with opioid characteristics in the urine of autistic children. These are believed to be the products of incomplete digestion of certain food proteins (esp. gluten and casein ).

Thimerosal: Thimerosal is a mercury-containing preservative that has been used in some vaccines and other products since the 1930's. Thimerosal is the most widely used preservative in vaccines; its introduction allowed drug companies to put multiple doses of vaccines in each vial, since the compound prevented spoilage. The FDA estimates that it is used in more than thirty licensed vaccines and biologics currently marketed in the U.S. Although the FDA and CDC insists that thimerosal is safe, critics of its use have shown that with the currently endorsed vaccination schedule, babies are receiving mercury in amounts far exceeding those accepted as safe. Critics also point out that many symptoms of autistic spectrum disorders closely resemble those of mercury poisoning. Thimerosal will no longer be used in vaccines, but the FDA is not requiring the recall of thimerosal-containing vaccines. Concerned parents should question their pediatricians about the vaccines being used and ensure that they are thimerosal free.

The above definitions are from the DAN! 2002 conference booklet.