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From: Ron Hoggan
Date: Sun, 17 May 1998 03:01:45 -0600

>What do you think causes "brain fog"?

In a permeable intestine, partly digested proteins, called peptides, can pass through the intestinal wall, and into the circulation. In the case of milk proteins, eight distinct peptides, and in gliadin there are five distinct peptides, all of which have been shown to be both psychoactive and to bind to opioid receptors in the brain.

In a limited sense, those who consume dairy proteins and gluten-containing foods put themselves at risk of brain fog since the blood brain barrier does not seem to bar these peptides from the central nervous system. There are many conditions which are reported to cause intestinal permeability, from yeast overgrowth to NSAIDS, to dietary antigens, to hormonal changes, so the odds are good that we will all, at some time, experience some increase in permeability.

>What about "fatigue"?

Try taking small doses of morphine every few hours. You will find that you become lethargic, feel constantly fatigued, and lapse into sleep almost any time your mind isn't active. The conventional American diet is loaded with the potential for causing fatigue.

The opioid peptides, I believe, function in a manner very similar to morphine, although they are not as potent. I have been writing a thesis on the connections between ADHD and dairy and gluten proteins. Someday soon, I hope I will finish, then I will make it available on the net.