Dr. Houston's Corner » Uncategorized

The Problem with “Studies”.

drhouston — Thu, 20 May 2010 16:26:52 +0000

Today I came across a study indicating that diet plays no role in autism. You can see the article here. Of course we don’t see the actual data. All we see is a sensational headline that sounds like a definitive conclusion. Even so, it is easy enough to pick this study apart.

One, it was a small study with only 14 children, which does not yield much power when doing statistical analysis. Two, there is no indication that these children had any prior dietary problems. I’ve said repeatedly that not all autism is affected by diet. A better study would have used children who were thought to be diet-responders versus those who are not. Third, the time period of the study (18 weeks) was much too short. Most who are familiar with the diet know that at least six months is needed as a fair trial. Also, no thought was given to observe the effects of dietary infraction at longer time points. Many parents report a delayed behavioral response to an infraction of 48 hours or longer.

I would have the same criticisms of this study had the conclusion been reversed.

This study is an example of the disconnect between traditional medical research and the reality of a developmental disorder. If researchers were to listen to families who deal with autism 24/7 perhaps more realistic and helpful outcomes would occur.

-Devin

Enzymes: Not Just for Kids!

drhouston — Tue, 18 May 2010 19:54:19 +0000

The great majority of our customers are families living with autism. They find that enzyme use helps support their children’s digestive system: firmer stools, more regular movements, less gas and bloating, etc. Because these parents are so focused on their children’s health, they often forget about their own health needs. We want to remind everyone that enzymes can help anyone who eats food, and that includes, well, everyone!

Many of us suffer from age-related decrease in production of some enzymes such as lactase. As most doctors can tell you, most of us put out plenty of pancreatic enzymes. But the need for an enzyme supplement is not about replacing an enzyme, it’s about transferring the digestive load from the small intestine to the stomach. Using a good plant-based enzyme product provides acid-stable enzymes that can start breaking down carbs, proteins and fats while the food is still in the stomach.

Why is this such a big deal? One, it provides a pre-digestive phase that allows the food mass to be much more homogenous when it enters the gut. This allows the pancreatic enzyme waiting in the duodenum to complete the breakdown process much more efficiently and quickly. Two, a more completely digested meal is less likely to cause upset down the road by reducing the amount of undigested food lying around in the gut. Fermentation of undigested food provides a ready source of food for “bad” bacteria as well as producing compounds that can irritate the gut, causing cramping, gas, and pain. Lastly, enzymes can help adults with their food intolerances. Polyphenolic intolerances can appear in anyone and may be the cause of the lethargy, headaches, and gastric upsets we feel after eating some foods and “adult” beverages. Love wine but hate that “flush” and nagging little headache you can get? That feeling can often disappear with the right enzyme product. The same applies to chocolates, certain vegetables, and even spices.

So the next time you are doling out the enzymes for your child, don’t forget to take some for your self. After all, parents deserve good digestion, too!

Hope to see many of you at Autism One, May 26-30 in Chicago.

Devin

Enzymes and Weight Loss

drhouston — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:40:20 +0000

A recent article appeared in a magazine distributed at a chain of health food stores. In the article were quotes made by me and several others on the benefits of enzymes. One of the questions asked was whether enzymes would help with gas and bloating, and the reply was that, yes, enzymes could reduce the gassiness caused by certain foods. Often, people get so gassy that their stomachs and/or abdomens become distended. The article was carefully worded so that, while no claim on weight loss was made, some readers inferred that enzymes were some kind of weight loss product. While you may get a flatter belly by using enzymes to reduce bloating, enzymes per se are not really a means of losing weight. However, using enzymes may allow more nutrition from less food, and if one were conscious of what and how much they were eating, along with a sensible exercise plan, perhaps one could lose weight.
Enzymes break foods down more thoroughly. So if you are overweight, there is no way enzymes will help you lose weight if you don’t eat less; in fact, you could gain weight!
So, use common sense, read these articles carefully and remember that there is no free lunch…even if enzymes do help digest it better!

Across The Pond…

drhouston — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:06:51 +0000

Tomorrow we leave for the UK. I will be speaking at the Ascot Conference this Saturday. Always take the chance to see the UK, it is a beautiful place. I hope to be sending Tweets while away so check your Twitter messages!
-Devin

Webinar: Wednesday evening, Sept. 23, 9:00 pm EDT

drhouston — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:56:08 +0000

Please join me for our next Webinar, “How Enzymes Affect Digestive Disorders in Adults”, tomorrow, Wednesday Sept. 23 at 9:00 pm EDT, 6 pm PDT. Sign up information is on our website, www.houston-enzymes.com. There is no charge to attend, does require a computer, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.

See you then!

Devin

Survey Update: Do enzymes work for special diet needs?

Cindy K — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 16:06:34 +0000

Many of our customers have children with special needs who are using enzymes with or in place of the GFCF Diet (gluten-free, casein-free diet). Our survey for those customers is on-going and can be taken by clicking here.

Survey results so far:

Do you currently use Peptizyde, AFP-Peptizyde or TriEnza?
Peptizyde 12%
AFP-Peptizyde 36 %
TriEnza 49%
No Response(s) 3 %

Was the GFCF (gluten-free, casein-free) diet ever used in your family?
Yes 87%
No 13%

If you challenged the GFCF diet, how effective were enzymes?
Very effective, no longer strictly GFCF 61 %
Somewhat effective for some infractions 29 %
Not effective, had to stay totally on diet 10 %

How likely are you to do business with us again?
Very likely 96 %
Somewhat likely 3.0 %
Neutral <1 %
Somewhat unlikely 0 %
Very unlikely <1 %

A sample of comments from participants:
“For us the AFP was Great so that our Grandson could eat normal food like everyone else.
Making our lives and our Grandchild’s life so much easier.“

“Best thing that has EVER happend in regards to food.“

“Still limit his amount of gluten and casein products but nothing like before. We love these!“

“We are now able to eat out without taking food with us to the restaurant!“

“My son actually improved more on enzymes and off the diet than he did on the diet.“

“Trienza is even more effective than the gfcf diet was for my son!! We are so grateful for this product!!!“

Take the survey: click here.

Webinar: How Enzymes Affect Common Digestive Complaints in Adults

drhouston — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 16:35:33 +0000

Join us for our latest webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 8:00 pm to 9:00 pm EDT. To sign up, go to:

https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/182012466

The presentation requires a computer and Internet access. Listeners will have an opportunity to type questions to Dr. Houston during the presentation.

Summer Updates

drhouston — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 17:56:17 +0000

"Lazy days of summer"; whoever thought that up?

I have neglected updating the blog (sorry!) but writing is hard when life is hectic. I’ll try to give a brief update of happenings around here…

1. Now have a Twitter account set up at twitter.com/houstonenzymes. Please consider following as I may offer specials and surprises to those who keep up. If you have an account, let me know, I like to keep up with what’s happening in your life!

2. Check out The Enzyme Digest which should be emailed out soon.

3. TriEnza Chewables are in production!! Look for them by end of August, will announce on Twitter when they arrive.

4. Check out this link: http://bit.ly/ttBSS It’s a research article on how enzymes help in gluten digestion, very interesting reading. Lends credibility to what we’ve been saying for years.

5. Look for us at the Fall Defeat Autism Now! conference in Dallas October 8-11.

Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Great Feedback for March 31st Webinar!

drhouston — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 15:28:32 +0000

Wow! The webinar we held on March 31, 2009 produced a huge response! Thanks to all those who attended. I have a ton of questions submitted that will take some time for me to answer. I may just submit an article on the website with the answers so all can be informed. We also are hoping to have the recorded webinar posted on the site, if possible.

Due to the high interest, we will be more involved in the phenols, polyphenols, lectins and oxalates issues. Hope to have more definitive information in the near future.

Devin

Next Webinar – Mar. 31, 12 pm EDT

drhouston — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 20:42:30 +0000

Check out our next webinar on Tuesday, March 31st at noon EDT, 11:00 am CDT. I will be discussing an interesting hypothesis I’ve been mulling over for some time.

As many can attest, certain enzyme supplements seem to support digestion of highly phenolic foods. We have never really quite understood what mechanisms are in play here, but I now believe it involves gut flora and the enzymes they produce, as well as metabolic pathways for sulfation and methylation. Oral enzyme supplementation may be providing a bridge of support when some of these factors are missing or damaged.

Still working on the presentation, so please attend next Tuesday for more information