No-Fenol was developed by Dr. Devin Houston in response to parents' request for a product that would allow their children to eat fruits and vegetables without the problems thought to be associated with polyphenolic compounds. Initial response from many parents indicate that for many, No-Fenol does allow the addition of these foods to the diet without complications.

All plants contain some degree of phenolic compounds. The phenol structure itself is ubiquitous in nature, and is actually essential to many of life's processes. Current thinking by many is that some subset of children on the PDD spectrum have difficulty in the processing of phenolic compounds, which may present as behavioral problems and physical symptoms such as red ears and cheeks, and dark circles under the eyes. While the basic mechanism behind this phenomenon is not well defined, it is thought that perhaps the phenolic compounds become "trapped" in some part of a metabolic cycle, presumbably involved with various detoxification pathways.

The research literature indicates that some phenolic compounds are modified by the addition of carbohydrate groups to their structures, which may inhibit their crossing into cells and being metabolized. The current hypothesis for why No-Fenol may help is through the ability of the enzymes in this product to remove the carbohydrate groups from the phenols, thus allowing normal processing by the detoxification pathways. There is no evidence that No-Fenol directly modifies phenolic structures. Indeed, the success of No-Fenol in allowing the addition of phenolic foods back into the diet of children with PDD may result in a re-evaluation of the basis of the phenol "problem".

Xylanase is the major component of No-Fenol, and is an enzyme used to breakdown the structural components of plant cell walls, which are primarily very complex carbohydrates. Xylanase is used in the juice industry to extract more juice from fruit pulp fibers. At least one reference indicates that polyphenolic compounds are actually increased by treatment with xylanase. Based on this reference and the fact that No-Fenol has allowed "phenol-sensitive" individuals to ingest phenolic foods, HNI now believes that the phenol issue is much more complex than previously thought, and may not be due so much to the presence of phenols as to the specific structure of these phenols.

Fillers

No-Fenol capsules can be purchased with cellulose/medium-chain triglyceride oil (MCT oil) as filler. The amount of filler used is about 35 mg.  MCT oil is derived from coconut, and the cellulose is derived from European Spruce trees. The capsule is also cellulose. No-Fenol powder contains cellulose and medium chain triglycerides. There is more filler per serving in the bulk powdered formulation to enable accurate measurement of the powder.

Dosage

No upper limit has been established for oral enzyme supplementation. Animal studies indicate that extremely large doses of enzymes may be ingested without toxicity or ill effect. No upper limit has been established for enzyme dosing, and animal studies found no toxicity at dosing as high as 80,000 FXU per kilogram of body weight per day for 13 weeks. No-Fenol is recommended primarily for those with known sensitivities to phenolic compounds.

to 1 capsule usually suffices for most meals, but not necessarily with every meal. Some have found satisfactory results with once or twice per day dosing, indicating that optimal dosing may be dependent upon many factors. High doses can decrease firmness of stools. Decrease dose if stools become too soft - or add Zyme Prime.

Feel free to vary the dosage of No-Fenol based on content and size of meal. Those meals higher in phenols may call for higher doses of No-Fenol. For reasons of practicality, no more than 3 capsules need be taken at one time.