Re: SCD and ammonia- explanation from my naturopath/molecular biologist

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I am working with a few specialists right now. Two in particular

weighed in on the effect of the SCD foods for Billy and Colby.

We consult with Dr. Amy Yasko on supplements and testing. In

particular, she is looking at my sons' metabolic analyses and urine

amino acid tests. This is a complicated issue for me to write about,

so I'll just do a cut and paste from some of her work (better

explained by her than me) Both of my sons have the CBS mutation - and

Billy has two mutations in that pathway. I did not know this prior to

starting SCD. Here's how that applies to my sons:

" Loose stools are an issue for a number of individuals, and I do

understand that the SPecific Carbohydrate Diet has made a big

diffference in these cases. However, if you are supplementing protein

it is important to monitor ammonia levels to be certain that the body

is able to dispose of the ammonia properly that is generated from the

intake of high protein foods. The body uses two molecules of

Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) to detoxify one molecule of ammonia to urea.

this is an expensive way to use your BH4. BH4 is also needed for

dopamine and serotonin as well as language related function. Since

language is a primary problem for many children, using up limited BH4

to detoxify ammonia may not be the best use of it for the body. In

addition, ammonia is reported to inhibit the metabolism of butyrate,

along with other short chain fatty acids. Butyrate is a nutrient used

by cells that line the gut(Billy's butyrate levels dropped below

normal)...

Excess stomach acid in the system can cause loose stools and severe

stomach pain. Ammonia that is generated from excessive protein is

alkaline. This may help to neutralize the stomach acid and would make

the stools and gut pain better. However, using a high protein diet to

address loose stools is not dealing with the root of the problem if it

is caused by excess stomach acid. Creating high ammonia levels via

diet to neutralize acids treats the symptom but not the underlying

imbalance in the body. Stomach acid is triggered by histamine

reacting with H2 receptors in the stomach. So a high protein diet may

be increasing ammonia which is neutralizing the stomach acid and

improving the gut issue. However, it is not addressing why you have

excesss acid in the first place nor is it considering why there may be

high histamine in the system. In addition it is important to evaluate

ammonia levels and to consider the consequences of high ammonia. I am

not suggesting that individuals abandon SCD, especially as it has made

a positive difference for many people. However, I would suggest a

test for Helicobacter pylori as that is often a causative agaent for

excess stomach acid...I would suggest that you consider running a DDI

urine amino acid test so that you can look at ammonia levels and amino

acids while on the SCD diet. " -Dr. Amy Yasko

I was not GREAT at implementing SCD, but I thought it was helping my

kids (great stools, incresed appetite, some veggies getting in, theory

/book seemed perfect) and I tried really hard to get it right. The

explanation above only explains why a high protein diet (which is what

it amounted to for my kids) wouldn't work for MY kids, but the above

doesn't apply if you DON'T have the CBS mutation(s).

Janice

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> I assume you are working with a metabolic specialist if your child

has hyperammonemia. What does the specialist say about SCD and that

condition?

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