(I think this author is a student who suffers from IBS and is an independent researcher. Several of the SNPs identified are reported on 23andme. madelyn)

https://sites.google.com/site/annerw...ase-inhibitors


Cholinesterase inhibitors (CIs) are neurotoxins which inhibit the action of cholinesterase enzymes. The body uses cholinesterase to break down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Inhibition of cholinesterase interferes with the propogation of signals from the brain and central nervous system (CNS) to command various systems in the body controlled by use of acetycholine.

CIs are naturally produced by certain plants... People also produce them for use as pesticides and nerve gasses. The dangers of acute cholinesterase inhibitor poisoning are well documented (see refs [1], [11], and [14]). However, the effects of chronic low level exposure to CIs are less well documented or understood.

We are constantly exposed to low levels of CIs through the food we eat -- ... In susceptible individuals, normal levels of exposure in the diet can cause health and quality of life problems, though others eating the same diet notice no untoward effects.

I will use the term "Cholinesterase Inhibitor Sensitivity", or CIS for short, to designate those who suffer negative effects when exposed to CIs at levels found in their normal diet, but who would experience a relief of such symptoms if they were to follow a diet which sufficiently reduces their exposure. ... This term is inclusive of Nightshade Sensitivity since nightshade foods (potato, tomato, eggplant, peppers, and a few others) are the primary source of dietary CI exposure for most people...

The effects of CIS which can directly be linked to the effects of cholinesterase inhibition include intermittent and recurrent dysfunctions of muscles (spasms, cramps, twitches, muscle pain, etc.), gastrointestinal system (diarrhea, abdominal pain, etc.), poor sleep, exaggerated stress response, and anxiety (see below for more details)...

Unfortunately, the general public is unaware of this issue, and doctors are not trained to recognize or diagnose it. The effects are widespread across multiple systems, each of which is handled by a different medical specialty. A sufferer is not likely to see or investigate the overall pattern, but rather focus on whatever one issue is most disruptive at a given point in time and discuss only that issue with an appropriate medical practitioner. Tests come up negative, since neither the commands from the CNS nor the systems being controlled are at fault, and doctors don't know to suspect that the messaging between the two may be interfered with. The likely result is that it will either be treated as a psychiatric problem (such as somatoform disorder), or one of a set of chronic functional syndromes which are consistent with the reported symptoms but which have no known cause (such as IBS or dysautonomia).


There are no tests to detect CIS, though that's a dream I'm working on. The only way to know if it's CIS or not is to try the diet modification and see what happens. Note that it may take a few weeks to notice the effects, and months before all the effects go away. This is because at least some of the cholinesterase inhibiting substances, particularly the solanaceous glycoalkaloids (SGA) present in nightshade foods, build up in your tissues and are re-released slowly over time (see ref [9]).

People can't discover whether or not this would help them if they don't know about it. That is why I'm trying to collect together here what I've learned so far so that others may benefit. I hope it helps.


How do cholinesterase and cholinesterase inhibitors work?

...The most notable uses of cholinergic synapses (that is, ones using acetylcholine for transmission) are in controlling muscle contraction and the autonomic nervous system.

When an action potential arrives at the presynaptic side of a cholinergic synapse, acetylcholine is released into the synaptic cleft, and drifts over to bind to receptors on the postsynaptic side causing the desired action, such as muscle contraction. Cholinesterase breaks down the acetylcholine, clearing the receptors, allowing the postsynaptic side to relax, and resetting the synapse in preparation for the next signal.

At least, that's the way it's supposed to work. If the cholinesterase is inhibited then the release step may not work right, causing the receptors to be occupied for longer than they should be, and the postsynaptic side to get stuck in the activated state. This can cause problems...



Cholinesterase inhibitor effects


A major repercussion of this is that it increases the effective acetylcholine/dopamine (ACh/DA) ratio. When this ratio is too high, either by increased acetylcholine (ACh) tone, or decreased dopamine (DA) tone, it can cause problems. Factors which increase acetylcholine tone, such as CI levels and stress, make these problems worse. Factors which increase dopamine tone, such as exercise and positive/empowering life events make these problems better. See the "Improving Ach/DA ratio" section below for more details...

https://sites.google.com/site/annerwright/snps

SNPs potentially related to cholinesterase inhibitor sensitivity