NAD+ – Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide is a co-enzyme present in every cell in the body and it is vital for cellular function.
Like hormones and other endogenous compounds in the body, NAD+ levels decrease as we age however they decrease precipitously with NAD+: down 50% at the age of 50 and down 90 – 96% at the age of 80.
One of the key functions of NAD+ is to activate the Sirtuin longevity genes which as the name implies are important for healthy aging. Without adequate levels of NAD+ to activate the Sirtuin genes, vascular aging accelerates.
We can help to optimize our NAD levels as we age by engaging in exercise and as well by fasting.
Another way to optimize NAD+ levels is to take a precursor formulation.
Taking NAD+ itself is not effective because it gets broken down in the digestive system.
Optimizing NAD+ levels as we age has been shown to provide many health benefits including:
For more information on NAD+, the Sirtuin longevity genes and NAD+ precursor formulations such as our top selling practitioner quality Pricera formulation reach out to me – or review some of the info on our website:
Some individuals develop significant but difficult to diagnose and treat health issues and bounce around the health care system trying to get help for health issues which seem almost impossible to correctly diagnose – let alone develop effective treatment protocols.
MCS can be difficult to diagnose because it can mimic a spectrum of other conditions.
A 25 year old woman named Jan begins her new career as a 2nd grade school teacher. After many of years of preparation, Jan is ready to serve the public and help her young students learn how to read and write. Beginning in a newly renovated school is an extra bonus which makes our new teacher proud that she became part of the educational system. Everything is moving along fine.. she couldn’t be happier!
Three months pass by and Jan has noticed that her concentration is just not right. She has been getting a little “edgy.” Definitely not like her. Her husband is concerned that maybe she is pushing herself a little too much and encourages her to simply slow down and pace herself. As the weeks go by, she begins experiencing headaches over her eyes and the back of her head. The headaches are now occurring more frequently; a minimum of 3-4 times a week.
Six months into the school season and her symptoms are getting worse. In addition to her headaches, lack of concentration and irritability, Jan is now having insomnia, cries over nothing and has noticed an unusual tingling in her face, hands and feet. Concerned, our once “excited” trainer of children decides to see her family physician. After a brief consultation and a basic physical evaluation, her physician is confident she is again just overdoing it and recommends she lighten her work load. In the mean time, she is prescribed Xanax, a mild tranquilizer to settle her nerves. Feeling reassured that nothing is seriously wrong, our teacher returns to her young students and pushes on.
Another three months pass and this time our once highly motivated teacher is only a “shadow” of herself. It takes every ounce of energy to get started in the morning. She is having greater difficulty preparing her school assignments and simply is just exhausted! In a state of desperation she is referred to a psychiatrist. He diagnoses her with depression and prescribes an anti-depressant and also recommends counseling.
After two emotional years of trying an assortment of anti-depressants and hours of counseling, Jan is stuck in a nightmare.. a web of medical labels… depression, chronic fatigue syndrome, stress … just name a few!
Is It Possible Something Has Been Missed?
Every year thousands of teachers are afflicted with a condition that simply “zaps” the life right out of them. Most physicians are at a total loss to understand what is behind this mysterious illness. Unfortunately, many people are looked at as hypochondriacs and continue to suffer year after year.
The Diagnosis
By a stroke of luck and a lot of prayer, Jan stumbled on a medical article that “painted” an exact picture of her health challenges. She was amazed to find that she was not alone and that thousands of other teachers were experiencing the same problem.
She was able to find a physician who was trained in making this difficult diagnosis and learned that she was suffering with something called “Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS).” Some physicians have coined the term “The Toxic Teacher Syndrome” due to the numbers of teachers suffering with the same symptoms.
What is MCS?
Chemical Sensitivity is not a new term. It has been around for many years. The diagnosis MCS was researched by allergist Theron G. Randolph, M.D. (1906-1995). Dr. Randolph discovered that many of his patients became ill from chemical substances that were normally considered safe at the recommended dosage. In the 1950s, Dr. Randolph concluded that people were failing to adapt to modern-day synthetic chemicals. As more research was done on the effects of MCS, doctors suggested that the immune system is like a barrel that continually fills with chemicals until it overflows and symptoms appear. Potential chemical toxins include:
Formaldehyde which can be found in foam insulation, plywood, particleboard and press cabinets, fabric finishes, new carpet, polyurethane foam rubber (used in pillows, cushions, mattresses and rug padding), mobile homes, adhesives, synthetic clothes that crease resistant, wrinkle resistant
Oil vapors: from oil furnaces, motor-oil air-conditioning filters, electric kitchen appliances such as food processors, blenders, can openers.
Household chemicals such as dry cleaning chemicals in clothes, mothballs, rug-cleaning products, paints, solvents, stain removers, air fresheners, window washing compounds
Polyesters in clothing, upholstery, drapery, furniture and stuffing for pillows and quilts.
Pesticide residue on cottons and woolens; residues from exterminators.
Epoxy adhesives on plastics, electronic equipment (TVs, microwaves,) which release gases when heated up.
Common school paraphernalia such as carbon paper, ink, mimeographic and duplicating chemicals, glue
How Do These Chemicals Cause Health Problems?
For most people the constant exposure to the above chemicals may not pose any health challenge. However, an individual may come in contact with a freshly painted room and begin to experience dizziness, nausea, headaches etc.. Usually, however, it requires the constant everyday exposure to various toxins that simply become cumulative and eventually overwhelm the body’s ability to eliminate them. When your detoxification system is in good working order, it protects you from low level chemical build-up. It is interesting that most of the sixty thousands chemicals in current use today have been developed in the last forty years. In other words, it seems quite clear that these chemicals are being made at a faster rate than our bodies are able to get rid of them.
Chemicals are known to injure the part of the cell that produces energy causing swelling of the cell membrane and a decreased ability to pump out chemical toxins. When this occurs you can experience fatigue, weakness, poor memory, migraine headaches, insomnia, anxiety, etc..
So What Happened to our Teacher?
When Jan first arrived in her new school, she was greeted with fresh paint, new carpet, new furniture etc.. which was all piled in her small room. This was further complicated by inadequate ventilation. When the chemical load to her system was too high, some of the chemicals were simply unable to be detoxified. This resulted in the slow accumulation of chemicals backing up in the blood causing her health to slowly spiral downward.
How Was She Helped?
Our school teacher was thoroughly evaluated receiving a physical examination, blood tests for liver function, comprehensive detoxification blood test and chemical toxicity assessment.
Detoxification Profile: This test is used to determine how well her body is getting rid of toxins.
As you can see above ( please review PDF copy to allow for improved readibility), Jan had a normal phase I detoxification function but her phase II revealed a high plasma cysteine with low plasma sulfate and an impaired glucuronidation detoxification.
** Detoxification is much more complicated than most doctors (not trained in the diagnosis of detoxification) make it out to be and commonly will cause more harm than good.
HERE IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
A healthy liver uses two mechanisms, called Phase I and Phase II detoxification to remove toxins.
In Phase I, your body’s enzymes activate toxic substances to make them more accessible to Phase II.
In Phase II, other enzymes convert toxins to more water-soluble forms, which your body eliminates through urine or stool. Major Phase II pathways include glutathione, sulfate, glycine, and glucuronide conjugations. Individual xenobiotics and metabolites usually follow one or two distinct pathways.
Chemical Testing
A chemical blood exposure test was also performed. This test is extremely valuable in determining the levels of chemical toxins in the blood.
A checklist of suspected chemical toxins was done as well as an assessment of the schools ventilation system.
The Results
After suffering for a little over two years, her tests revealed the following:
The Liver Profile was normal
The Detoxification Profile revealed a compromised phase II detoxification with high plasma cysteine with low plasma sulfate and an impaired glucuronidation detoxification resulting in an inability to process the load of chemicals.
The Chemical Testing revealed high levels of: Formaldehyde,Toluene and Xylene
The checklist accurately correlated with her high levels of chemicals in her blood.
As suspected, although the school received a face-lift with new furniture and a fresh coat of paint, the ventilation system was functioning at approximately 40% efficiency and needed a major overhaul!!
The Treatment
The first step was too begin treatment on improving Jan’s ability to detoxify by improving her impaired glucuronidation detoxification and decrease the total load of toxic elements.
Ruled out hypothyroidism (delays maturation of conjugating enzyme)
Correct nutrient deficiencies
Increase intake of nutrient cofactors for glucuronidation
L-glutamine, aspartic acid, niacin, vitamin B6
Support other Phase II pathways, especially sulfation and glycination, to reduce burden
Increase intake of cruciferous vegetables (induces conjugating enzyme)
Had teacher purchase a Four Stage Air Filtration System for her classroom to improve ventilation
Our teacher had a comprehensive safe environmental check of her classroom. Chemical toxins were replaced with non-toxic products. This was carried over to her home as well.
The Outcome
Within 2 weeks, Jan began to notice an improvement in her health. Her energy gradually increased, headaches were reduced to 1 every 2 weeks, the depression lifted, insomnia was replaced by sound restful sleep. By the end of 2 and half months, Jan felt like her old self again and has continued to do well ever since.
Our Comments:
This article presents a real case and demonstrates the sad fact that thousands of people are suffering needlessly. Unless a physician has studied and been trained in the diagnosis and treatment of environmental illness, many more people especially teachers and other professionals working in similar environmental surroundings will continue to develop MCS and unfortunately be “branded” undiagnosable and sadly a hypochondriac. The truth of the matter is.. there is an answer and this answer can pull many people out of this nightmare.
Over the past 15 years, an accumulation of published research has continued to support the hypothesis that Zonulin, a protein compound is a key modulator of the tight junctions between enterocytes in the intestine.
Zonulin is a protein that modulates the permeability of tight junctions between cells of the wall of the digestive tract. Initially discovered in 2000 as the target of zonula occludens toxin, secreted by cholera pathogen Vibrio cholerae,[1] it has been implicated in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease[2] and diabetes mellitus type 1.[3] It is being studied as a target for vaccine adjuvants.[4] ALBA Therapeutics is developing a zonulin receptor antagonist, AT-1001, that is currently in phase 2 clinical trials.
Gliadin (glycoprotein present in wheat) activates zonulin signaling irrespective of the genetic expression of autoimmunity, leading to increased intestinal permeability to macromolecules. [5]
An amazing discovery a few years ago revolutionized our ability to understand the gut and permeability and how this impacts a wide range of health conditions from cancer to autoimmune disease to inflammation and food sensitivities.
Zonulin is the “doorway” to leaky gut
Zonulin opens up tight junctions in the intestinal wall: that normally occurs, in order for nutrient and other molecules to get in and out of the intestine.
However, when leaky gut is present, the tight junctions between the cells open up too much allowing macromolecules to get into the bloodstream where an immunologic reaction can take place. Once that happens, the body is primed to react to those proteins each and every time they appear.
It can also cause leakage of intestinal contents, like bacteria into the immune system creating inflammation and overloading the liver’s ability to filter out this garbage. Triggers that open the zonulin doorway
Based on Dr. Fasano’s research, we know that the two most powerful triggers to open the zonulin door are gluten and gut bacteria in the small intestine.
Gliadin causes zonulin levels to increase both in those people who have celiac disease and those who do not. As the zonulin level rises, the seal between the intestinal cells (tight junctions) diminishes, opening up spaces between the enterocytes that allow all sorts of things to pass right through.
The immune system may be primed to think that these are foreign invaders and will mount an immune response leading to food sensitivities. In addition this immune activation leads to more damage to the enterocytes and the gut becomes more inflamed and more permeable or “leaky”. As the damage continues, the microvilli that line the intestines and absorb nutrients become damaged, leading to other nutrient deficiencies.
Top causes of increased zonulin and development of leaky gut:
1. Overgrowth of harmful organisms, like bacteria or yeast in the intestine 1. SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) 2. Fungal dysbiosis or candida overgrowth 3. Parasite infections 2. Gliadin in the diet (from gluten containing foods)
However, a study published in the Scandiavian Journal of Gastroenterology in 2006 clearly showed that gliadin can affect zonulin even in people without the gene for celiac.
The researchers concluded that:
Based on our results, we concluded that gliadin activates zonulin signaling irrespective of the genetic expression of autoimmunity, leading to increased intestinal permeability to macromolecules.
The significance of this is that gluten affects intestinal permeability in all persons to different extents. It also means that 100% of patients with autoimmune disease or leaky gut could potentially benefit from a gluten-free diet.
Elevated zonulin levels and leaky gut are also associated with the following:
Genetic predisposition, miscommunication between innate and adaptive immunity, exposure to environmental triggers, and loss of intestinal barrier function secondary to the activation of the zonulin pathway by food-derived environmental triggers or changes in gut microbiota all seem to be key ingredients involved in the pathogenesis of inflammation, autoimmunity, and cancer.
This new theory implies that [once this path is activated] it can be… reversed by preventing the continuous interplay between genes and the environment.
Upregulated zonulin levels can be present even after individuals have adopted a gluten-free diet. This is true not only for celiac patients, but also for other people with different kinds of autoimmune diseases:
Dr. Alessio Fasano:
We have seen this in celiac disease and type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. When we discovered what zonulin is all about in terms of genes, now we know that zonulin is the precursor of a molecule, a protein called haptoglobin 2, so we know what kind of molecule it is.
And using that as a biomarker, we see that there are three major categories of conditions that see zonulin upregulated or present in a mutated fashion.
These are autoimmune diseases, and besides the three that I just mentioned, it has been proven in Crohn’s disease, for example, and in another category there are tumors ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer, glioma, these kinds of cancers, and then in diseases of the nervous system, including schizophrenia and autism.
The significance of Zonulin and its impact on not only Leaky Gut but a variety of other potentially significant health issues cannot be underestimated and it reinforces the importance of reviewing the impact that grains in our modern diet have on our overall health.
In addition to its use as an antidepressant … New research brings additional clarity to the mechanisms of 5-HTP
The amino acid tryptophan is essential for humans, meaning the body cannot synthesize it and must obtain it from the diet. A tryptophan deficiency can lead to serious emotional imbalances as well as diminished neural health.
In part, this is because tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin and melatonin. To synthesize these, tryptophan drives two major metabolic pathways: the serotonin pathwayand kynurenine pathway.
The Pathway to Well-Being and Happiness
In the serotonin pathway, tryptophan is catalyzed into 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) by tryptophan hydroxylase-1 and then converted into serotonin. Biochemically derived from tryptophan or 5-HTP, serotonin is principally found in the gastrointestinal tract, blood platelets, and the central nervous system of humans and animals. Serotonin is generally thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Does Kynurenine Provide a Pathway to Inflammation?
A tryptophan deficiency can lead to serious emotional imbalances as well as diminished neural health.
In the kynurenine pathway, tryptophan is catalyzed into N-formylkynurenine by indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) and then converts into L-kynurenine. L-kynurenine is a metabolite of the amino acid L-tryptophan used in the production of niacin. However, the Kynurenine pathway is a mixed bag. Rheumatoid arthritis patients have increased kynurenine levels in their blood1,2 and its levels are positively correlated with C- Reactive Protein (CRP), a measure of inflammation.3
Serotonin is generally thought to be a contributor to feelings of well-being and happiness.
5-HTP Suppresses Inflammatory Responses
In a new Taiwan study,4 researchers note that 5-HTP suppresses inflammatory responses in mouse models of asthma and sepsis. In prior studies, 5-HTP inhibited the production of pro-inflammatory mediators in different cell lines. These associations stimulated the researchers interest in whether 5-HTP could suppress inflammation and disease activity in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in mice. CIA is an animal form of human rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
The Value of Rheumatoid Arthritis’s Therapeutic Window
Evidence is accumulating that a preclinical phase is present before the onset of clinical signs and symptoms of RA. This phase represents an important therapeutic windowwithin which interventions can dramatically modulate outcomes.
RA is a chronic inflammatory disorder that, unlike the wear-and-tear damage of osteoarthritis, typically affects the small joints in the hands and feet. RA also affects the lining of joints, causing a painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. RA can occur at any age, although it usually begins after age 40 and is much more common in women.
Preventative Desired
An agent that could prevent RA in the preclinical phase would be a novel approach. In this study, the Taiwan researchers investigated whether the tryptophan metabolite, 5-HTP, could act as such an agent for the primary prevention of CIA. The CIA mouse model is the most commonly studied autoimmune model of rheumatoid arthritis. It is widely used to address questions of disease pathogenesis and to validate therapeutic targets.
5-HTP suppresses inflammatory responses in mouse models of asthma and sepsis.
5-HTP Suppressed Cell Proliferation
The Taiwan researchers found that 5-HTP given at 10, 20 and 50 μg/ml suppressed cell proliferation and decreased the production of Interleukin (IL)-22 type cells, which regulate the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
5-HTP also suppressed the expression of IL-17, TNFα, IFNγ and T-bet in activated splenocytes (spleen cells). These findings did not result from cell death, because 5-HTP did not increase cell death at these levels.
It’s a Matter of Timing
In their animal studies, a supplement of 5-HTP from day 20 did not affect the disease course. However, 5-HTP given from day 7 before induction significantly decreased the arthritis scores and joint inflammation. Earlier was better than later.
5-HTP May Prevent RA
According to the Taiwan study, patients with allergy/asthma commonly have associated symptoms of anxiety/depression. These results suggest that 5-HTP supplements can be an approach to prevent arthritis.
5-HTP taken orally suppressed allergic lung inflammation, even though cytokine levels were not decreased on broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL).5 BAL is a medical procedure in which a bronchoscope is passed through the mouth or nose into the lungs and fluid is squirted into a small part of the lung and then collected for examination. It is typically performed to diagnose lung disease. (See “Galantamine Protects Against Lung Injury,” the sidebar in the lead article “Stop Smoking with Galantamine” in this issue.)
5-HTP given from day 7 before induction significantly decreased the arthritis scores and joint inflammation.
Serotonin and Major Depressive Disorders
Decreased levels of serotonin in the central nervous system are associated with major depressive disorders. Treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or supplementation with serotonin precursors (tryptophan and 5-HTP) is an important strategy in depression therapy. SSRIs can block serotonin re-uptake and thus increase serotonin levels in the brain and improve depression. Tryptophan and 5-HTP can make serotonin in the body and also improve depression.
SSRIs and Supplements
Of interest, certain SSRIs can decrease the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suppress airway inflammation in asthma patients, and reduce disease activity in RA patients. SSRIs have also been found to decrease the arthritis scores in CIA mice and suppress cytokine production in macrophages and synovial membrane cells. But SSRIs are not without adverse effects.
Patients with allergy/asthma commonly have associated symptoms of anxiety/depression.
The Taiwan researchers found that the SSRI fluoxetine (aka Prozac) effectively decreased the production of IFNγ and TNFα in activated splenocytes. In the animal study, it was found that 5-HTP given orally increased the serum levels of serotonin, whereas parenteral 5-HTP did not affect the serum levels of serotonin in CIA mice. Thus, regulation of serotonin levels is not likely to be the major mechanism behind the suppression of arthritis by 5-HTP in the CIA mice.
RA patients have increased kynurenine levels in the blood, and the levels are positively correlated with C-reactive protein. In addition, RA patients have increased indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase (IDO) activity in the synovial fluid.
5-HTP Regulates Immune Responses
The Taiwan study provides both in vitro and in vivo evidence that 5- HTP, a tryptophan metabolite, can regulate immune responses. Taking a 5-HTP supplement before CIA induction can decrease disease activity, suppress joint inflammation and cause minimal side effects in CIA mice. Nevertheless (you’ve undoubtedly heard this before), further studies are required to elucidate whether the common dietary supplement 5-HTP can act as an agent for primary prevention of RA.
5-HTP taken orally suppressed allergic lung inflammation, even though cytokine levels were not decreased on broncho-alveolar lavage.
Also in the Taiwan study, it was found that 5-HTP did not affect the cytokine levels in the serum or the percentages of IFNγ+CD4+ T cells in the spleen. However, 5-HTP suppressed the expression of TNFα and IL-6 in the inflamed ankle joints and decreased the percentages of IFNγ+CD4+ T cells in the draining lymph nodes. These results suggest that 5-HTP decreased arthritis activity without affecting systemic immunity.
Serotonin Up; Kynurenine Down
Of great interest, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα, IL-1 and IFNγ can increase IDO expression and promote serotonin re-uptake, resulting in increased levels of kynurenine and decreased levels of serotonin. Indeed, IDO is the first and rate-limiting enzyme of tryptophan catabolism through the kynurenine pathway, thus causing depletion of tryptophan, which can cause halted growth of microbes as well as T cells.
The study showed that mice with a higher arthritis score were more likely to have high serum levels of kynurenine and low levels of serotonin.
5-HTP for Asthma, Depression, Obesity, Headaches, Fibromyalgia, Insomnia, and Arthritis
As reported by the Taiwan scientists, in mouse models of asthma, the amount of 5-HTP given to the mice was equivalent to consumption of 200 mg per day by a 100 lb person. In their study, the daily consumption of 5-HTP was equivalent to between 384 mg and 1,920 mg per day by a 132 lb person.
5-HTP given orally increased the serum levels of serotonin.
5-HTP is indicated for depression, obesity, headaches, fibromyalgia and insomnia. A 5-HTP supplement is well-tolerated and causes minimal side effects. In clinical studies, the doses of 5- HTP in the treatment of depression have been from 20 to 3,250 mg per day.
Treatment with 5- HTP at 600 mg per day was also found to decrease the frequency of migraine and improve insomnia. In a mouse model of asthma, the amount of 5-HTP given to the mice was equivalent to consumption of 200 mg per day by a 100 lb person.
In the Taiwan animal study, 5-HTP given orally did not affect body weight or cause diarrhea. However, the daily consumption of 5-HTP was equivalent to 384 mg and 1,920 mg per day by a 132 lb person. Furthermore, 5-HTP given by i.p. injection at 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg decreased the production of TNFa in a sepsis model.
These results suggest that 5-HTP decreased arthritis activity without affecting systemic immunity.
The mice receiving the i.p. amounts at 30, 100 and 300 mg/kg (human equivalents of 160 mg, 527 mg, 1,580 for a 132 lb person) had improved arthritis scores and decreased joint inflammation.
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Many members of the general public – as well as members of the practitioner community consider a plant based diet to be the healthiest option to choose.
I would suggest – those of you who are health practitioners have seen this in your patient population if diet selection is a focus in your practice that first of all no one specific diet is the perfect diet for everyone.
Another key consideration is the fact that many plants produce anti-nutrients to protect themselves and these compounds can cause GI as well as systemic issues for individuals – especially those who have preexisting GI issues such as Chrohn’s, IBS etc.
Also those with autoimmune conditions may have problems with anti-nutrients.
The following article from Ronald Grisanti from Functional Medicine University discusses this issue with plant anti-nutrients.
Another source that has a similar opinion regarding the negative effects of plant anti-nutrients is Paul Saladino MD.
Paul is a big proponent of the carnivore diet which excludes plants from the diet but it does include fruit.
When I first learned about the carnivore diet several years ago I though it was crazy. But then I did a presentation to a local Meet Up group: the Low Carb/High Fat, Keto, Carivore Diet group.
When I interacted with them and heard the stories of near miraculous health improvements that resulted from adopting the carnivore diet I had to reassess my belief system.
Today I think the carnivore diet is a potentially valuable intervention for GI issues, autoimmune conditions etc. to give the gut a rest from the influence of the anti-nutrients in plants.
Whether it makes sense to follow it on an ongoing basis – well the jury is still out for me.
I eat a lot of plants in my diet and I consider myself to be in excellent health so I am not making any radical changes to my diet in the forseeable future – however at some point in the future I may try the carnivore diet to see how it impacts on how I feel…
Anti-Nutrients-Is There a Downside to Plant Based Eating?
Ronald Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O., DACBN, MS, CFMP
In my quest to identify the most effective way of eating, I came across something that has caused a paradigm shift in my thinking on many “healthy” plant foods.
I first need to preface my article on the fact that I have been a “huge” advocate of eating a plant based diet with minimal meat consumption for as long as I can remember.
My diet typically consisted of drinking a morning smoothie with every type of plant food (spinach, beets, almonds, chard, seeds, etc.) with plant based protein powder. My lunch was big salad with more spinach, assorted greens, nuts and some protein. Dinner was a plate rich in plant foods and some protein. I commonly would eat broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts,beets, etc..
My long standing question was why in the world was I feeling so bad? Irritable bowel syndrome, joint pain, diarrhea, brain fog, anxiety, difficulty losing weight (fat).
Of course for most people this does not fit what we have been informed about this way of eating. Of course it was healthy!
So I just pushed forward and continued to eat this way believing that it was the price I had to pay to be healthy.
But I wasn’t!
My dear wife, Debbie frequently went to bed with an ice pack on her right hip and right knee. Chronic constipation was the norm. Stuck at an unacceptable weight level was simply frustrating.
Again we faithfully continued to eat this way accepting and “preaching” the ultimate benefits of eating an abundance of plant based foods.
I really never challenged my “strong” belief on eating mainly plants and some protein. One look at my extended library of books would convince anyone that I was on board with plant based diets, hook, line and sinker!
By pure coincidence, I came across a book on some of the downsides to eating a heavy plant based diet.
At first I was appalled at the thought that plant based foods may not be the best for “ULTIMATE” health and well-being.
Like I love to do I dug into the literature and read everything I could on some of the negative effects of eating a lot of plant based foods.
Wow what I learned was an eye-opener!
Since tweaking my diet and reducing some of the more toxic plant foods (will discuss shortly), all of the above symptoms vanished. I effortlessly lost weight. My wife, Debbie, was totally free of right hip and knee pain. No more ice bags! And to top it off she hit a goal weight she tried to accomplish for at least five years!
My thinking and beliefs in a heavy plant base diet changed.
My goal today is to share what I learned and hope you give me the time of day to at least listen with an open mind to what I am about to share with you. It could in fact be the tipping point to reversing a number chronic long standing health issues for many of you reading my article.
Ready?
Plants have something called ANTI-NUTRIENTS.
Anti-nutrients are natural compounds found in plants. Anti-nutrients protect plants from bacterial infections and protect plants from being eaten by predators. Since plants unlike animals can’t fight off predators, anti-nutrients are a plant’s self-defense mechanism.
Anti-nutrients are found in all parts of plant based foods, including vegetables, seeds and fruits.
Too many anti-nutrients have been found through my research to cause inflammation, gut dysbiosis, arthritis, joint pain,skin issues and brain fog, too name a few ailments.
A big concern of anti-nutrients is how they interfere with nutrient and mineral absorption.
Here are the top 10 anti-nutrients:
1: Oxalates– Oxalates are found in green leafy vegetables (spinach), sesame seeds, teas, and soybeans. Oxalates can bind to calcium and iron and prevent it from being absorbed. Oxalates are enzyme inhibitors that can prevent proper digestion, cause gut problems and protein deficiencies. Enzymes create chemical reactions in the body that help support our bodies to function properly. Enzymes are especially important in the digestive process. Without the enzymes to properly metabolize food, GI issues can occur, such as bloating and constipation.
2: Polyphenols –Polyphenols known as phytochemicals are anti-nutrients that are touted for their health benefits. Dark chocolate, flaxseed meal, cocoa powder and many fruits and vegetables contain polyphenol compounds. Polyphenols may have some health benefits, such as possible body weight regulation and decreasing blood pressure, but there are studies on high doses of polyphenols causing kidney damage, tumor development and altered thyroid hormone production.
3: Gluten– Gluten is a protein that is almost impossible for stomach acid to breakdown and digest. Dr. Fasano of Harvard, a leading expert on gluten, says that, in the most susceptible people, eating gluten can do small amounts of damage to the intestinal lining creating leaky gut and inflammation.
4: Phytic Acid (Phytate)–Phytic acid is primarily found in whole grains, legumes, seeds and some nuts. Phytic acid can decrease the absorption of iron, zinc, magnesium, copper, phosphorous and calcium. Studies show that 80% of zinc-rich foods (cashews, chickpeas), 80% of phosphorous-rich foods (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) and 40% of magnesium-rich foods (spinach, almonds, avocado) can be blocked by phytates.
5: Lectins–Lectins are found in legumes (beans, peanuts, soybeans) and whole grains (wheat). They can interfere with nutrient digestion and absorption of calcium, iron, phosphorous and zinc. Lectins are notorious for surviving GI tract digestion. They can then penetrate cell lining in the digestive tract and cause damage to gut epithelial cells and membrane lining, change bacterial flora and trigger autoimmune reactions.
6: Tannins–Tannins are similar to oxalates as they are also enzyme inhibitors. Tannins are found in teas, coffees, wines and legumes. They can interfere with iron absorption. Tannins have also been shown to impede the digestion of nutrients.
7: Glucosinolates–Glucosinolates are found in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts) and can interfere with the absorption of iodine, which can then interfere with thyroid function. Another study found, with over 100,000 participants, that those who ate the most glucosinolates had a 19 percent greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
8: Saponins–Saponins are found in legumes (green lentils) and whole grains. They can interfere with normal nutrient absorption (iron, zinc) and similar to lectins, can affect the GI lining, causing leaky gut and autoimmune responses.
9: Solanines–Solanine is found in nightshades (potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers). For some, these can cause inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune conditions. Others may feel a slight feeling of poisoning. (nausea, throat burning, headaches, etc.)
10: Salicylates–Salicylates are compounds found in foods, medications and other products that can cause adverse reactions in those who are intolerant. There is much (renewed) interest about the effects of salicylates on food intolerance, attention-deficit disorders, and cardiovascular disease.
The following is a good chart to reference with foods associated with specific anti-nutrients.
Chart Obtained from page 127 of Carnivore Cure–Judy Cho
My conclusions and continued special journey.
Although I have taken a deep dive into some of the pitfalls of eating an abundance of plant based foods I sincerely believe there is a middle ground for most people including myself. I can not deny that many of these plant foods do indeed have many health benefits and should not be entirely denied for consumption. On the other hand I was totally ignorant of this well researched downside.
At this point in my 64 years of living on this earth, I am still researching for optimal health through many facets including science based nutrition.
Today I have presented another side that should not be ignored but at least considered in the event you, like myself, has strived to achieve optimal health through a plant based diet.
Just maybe some of these anti-nutrients may indeed may be playing havoc on your ability to be free of chronic disease entities.
As I dug deeper in my review of the literature I have discovered the least toxic vegetables and fruits.
Here they are:
Vegetables: Avocados, Zucchini, Olives, Cucumber, Pumpkin and Squash
Fruits: Apples, Oranges, Berries, Pineapple, Pears, Melons, Bananas, and Mango
As I continue to use myself as a testing platform and work with many patients I will report back to you on my findings.
I want to share with you today an article written by Ronald Peters, MD, MPH which gives an overview of a mechanism in the body which is activated when there is a perceived threat which could be viral, bacterial, toxic chemicals and metals etc. called: “The Cell Danger Response”.
Practitioners are familiar with the typical protective reactions that get activated in these situations, however where problems can arise is when this activation is not turned off after the threat has disappeared. It is suggested that this can contribute to the development of chronic, degenerative disease processes.
This concept was originally hypothesized by Robert K. Naviaux in the published paper:
Metabolic features of the cell danger response, Robert K. Naviaux, Mitochondrion 16 (2014) 7–17 The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
It has started to gain a lot of traction within the Functional Medicine community and I would suggest it certainly warrants some consideration with respect to how we approach working with patients.
You and I are wired to escape danger by automatically firing the sympathetic nervous system so we can run away or fight to survive. However, for the trillions of cells within our bodies, it is not so simple. They cannot run away. They are programmed to survive dangerous invaders such as viruses and bacteria, toxic chemicals and metals such as mercury by activating the Cell Danger Response, or CDR. Two key features of the CDR are reduced energy production (ATP) in the mitochondria and the release of inflammatory cytokines. Once the threat is eliminated the CDR is witched off and energy production starts again, and we resume our normal lives. However, sometimes the CDR does not stop and we stay fatigued and inflamed. This pathological persistence of the CDR is believed to be a primary cause for many chronic diseases including autism, PTSD, chronic fatigue syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and many more. In this article I will review the cell danger response, what turns it on, and, importantly, how you can turn it off once the danger has passed.
CELL DANGER RESPONSE – AN ANCIENT SURVIVAL SYSTEM
Dr Robert Naviaux at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has reviewed the choreography of micro-events that occur as the cells and organs of the body prepare to survive threats, such as invading viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, or, toxic chemicals and heavy metals like mercury, lead and aluminum, as well as excessive heat or radiation. Mitochondria are the powerhouses within our cells as they use oxygen to convert chemical energy from the foods we eat into an energy form that the cell can use, which is called ATP. There are thousands of mitochondria in our cells and they orchestrate the cell danger response, which includes the following:
In response to viral attack, mitochondria sound the alarm and reduce voltage and energy production to prevent the virus from hijacking DNA to make more viruses.
Intracellular attack releases mitochondrial proteins and ATP which sound the alarm to attract other immune cells to attack the invader.
Mitochondria reduce oxygen utilization (less ATP) and reactive oxygen species along with increased hydrogen peroxide are toxic to viruses and support the cell defense.
Bacterial endotoxins activate an enzyme within the mitochondria which decreases vitamin D, thus increasing inflammation, but raising the risk for autoantibodies, especially to the thyroid gland (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis).
Under the oxidizing conditions of the CDR, methionine metabolism is shifted to assist with the production of antimicrobial reactive oxygen species as well as other antiviral and antimicrobial compounds.
De-methylation of histones is stimulated by oxidizing conditions of the CDR to increase pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF alpha.
Sulfur metabolism within cells is shifted to create more glutathione for macrophages and to increase glutathione transport into the brain.
CDR stimulates an enzyme which produces histamine, a potent vasodilator which facilitates the delivery of increased oxygen and immune cells to sites of inflammation.
Arginine metabolism is shifted within mitochondria to create nitric oxide (NO) gas which inhibits mitochondrial energy production.
Damaged cells release hemoglobin and heme into the tissues which stimulates the production of carbon monoxide, a potent inhibitor mitochondrial ATP production.
Cell danger increases lipoxygenase which leads to cell wall peroxidation and stiffening of cells walls in the vicinity of the threat.
Tryptophan metabolism is shifted to increase kynurenic acid which induces IL-6 and inflammatory cytokine, as well as increasing many aspects of immune function.
Toxic metals like mercury, as well as some chemicals will try to steal electrons and the mitochondria respond by reducing cellular energy production to shield the cell from further injury.
Intracellular conditions produced by the CDR lead to sequestration, or accumulation of toxic metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic and others, as well as reduced elimination,
When functional vitamin D is decreased by a chronically active CDR, magnesium is lost from the cells.
GUT MICROBIOME IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTHY CDR
According to Dr. Naviaux, “healthy metabolism acts as a survival engine that computes the optimum chemical solution for fitness based on the developmental history, current environmental conditions, and the genetic resources available to the individual.”
Metabolism is all of the chemical reactions that occur in the cells of the body. Billions are occurring every second to respond to the surrounding environment in order to sustain life and they are intricately dependent on the health of the microbes that live in your body, or, microbiome. Since there are more bacterial in your body than cells, they have evolved to act as a “living shield to protect us from opportunistic pathogens and keep us healthy”.
About 99% of the bacteria in your body reside in your gut, consisting of 3,000 to 30,000 species which provide a metabolic and genetic diversity which far exceeds that of the human host.
Again, according to Dr. Naviaux, “the composition and function of the microbiome are best considered as an ecosystem that is continuously shaped by the developmental history, diet, health and activity of the host.” Basically, when the host is sick, the microbiome is also sick. The chronic activation of the CDR changes the ecosystem in the bowel and perpetuates disease in some people
RESOLUTION OF THE CDR
Once the danger or threat is eliminated, the CDR is turned off by a series of anti-inflammatory messages, normal mitochondrial energy is re-established, and normal cell life begins again.
However, based on genetic predisposition and the intensity and magnitude of the dangerous exposure a dysfunctional and persistent CDR can occur which is the precursor of many chronic diseases.
According to Dr. Naviaux, the following diseases result from a pathological persistence of the CDR:
autism spectrum disorders (ASD),
attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
food allergies,
asthma,
atopy,
emphysema,
Tourette’s syndrome,
bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia,
post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
traumatic brain injury (TBI),
chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),
suicidal ideation,
ischemic brain injury,
spinal cord injury,
diabetes,
kidney, liver, and heart disease,
cancer,
Alzheimer and
Parkinson disease,
autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
primary sclerosing cholangitis.
According to Dr. Naviaux, each of the metabolic features of the CDR listed above “can be addressed individually with specific treatments, or more globally with a combination of supplements, dietary and activity changes, or with adaptogen therapies.”
I would add the following to the list:
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome
Fibromyalgia
Lyme’s disease
Mold related illness
Multiple chemical sensitivity
Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
“Brain fog”
SUMMARY – CELL DANGER RESPONSE
Naviaux and other researchers have found the cell danger response is triggered by various types of environmental stressors:
Biological stressors such as viruses, bacteria, fungi such as mold, parasites and more
Chemical stressors such as toxic chemicals and heavy metals (e.g. mercury and lead)
Physical trauma such as an accident, burn, surgery, or physical abuse
Psychological trauma that creates overwhelm and persistent despair, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, financial struggle, childhood emotional neglect
As Naviaux explains, these are triggers of illness, but they are not the cause of disease. As he presented to the Open Medicine Foundation on 9/28/2017, they all “ring the same bell – the cell danger response. “ In this new paradigm of disease, symptoms arise because a cell danger response gets stuck in the “on” position and can’t complete its healing cycle to turn itself back off as it is designed to do.
“In most cases of persistent chronic illness lasting for > 3–6 months, mitochondria are not dysfunctional. They are just stuck in a developmental stage that was intended to be temporary, unable to complete the healing cycle”
Robert Naviaux, Mitochondrion 46, 2019
TURNING OFF THE CELL DANGER RESPONSE – CONSCIOUSNESS AS THE SOURCE AND CURE FOR DISEASE
Illness gives patients temporary permission to act in more open ways emotionally. But if they cannot learn to give themselves that same permission when they are healthy, then the moment they get well, the old rules again apply, and they find themselves in the psychologically and physically destructive situation that first contributed to their illness.
Carl Simonton, MD
The cell danger response is turned on by dangers perceived at the cellular level, or, by dangers perceived by the individual in their life experience. Dr. Naviaux has described the cellular events that initiate the CDR. And we all have experienced threatening or frightening life events. The horrors of war can be overwhelming and a soldier will often suppress the intense emotions and later develop PTSD. For the abused or abandoned child, strong emotions are automatically suppressed, only to be stored in the unconscious mind as an emotional wound. These wounds will surface later in life and contribute to dis-ease of one kind or another. In both cases the CDR is ignited by the powerful “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system as it births anger, fear and panic.
In order to turn off the CDR, once the danger has passed, we need to understand ourselves and how we create stress and handle emotions. Extensive medical research also shows that digestion, blood circulation, immune activity, hormone levels are but a few of the systems controlled by the mind. Dr. Candace Pert, the NIH researcher who discovered neurotransmitters, said it simply: “The more I look, (at the immune system) the more I’m convinced that emotions are running the show.”
Basically, we need to heed the “message of illness” and consider the dysfunctional beliefs and suppressed emotional pain that are expressed within the fabric of your body as dis-ease. Mindbody medicine is the science of healing at the level of consciousness and represents the next step in healthcare. It is based on the disturbing and eternal truth that the body is governed by consciousness (both conscious and unconscious).
Mindbody medicine will help you learn the following:
The natural intelligence of your body is governed by consciousness.
The function of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which is activated by fear, worry, anger and frustration.
How to enhance your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which governs your immune system, proper digestion, and hormone production.
The nature of the stressful life experiences which precede illness and how they can be tracked back to childhood experiences.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how they compare to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What is the “limbic lock” associated with chronic disease?
How to create a healthy gut microbiome, which is required to quiet the CDR and enhance vagal activity.
How to find the personal meaning of disease.
How reduce stress and live from your heart, the seat of emotion, love, intuition, and “seeing the big picture”.
All dis-ease is a personal invitation for healing, growing and gaining self-knowledge, by making the unconscious mind conscious.
The “blessing” of the dis-ease in any area of your life as well as your body offers you a window into the stored pain in the unconscious mind and how it can be discharged thereby leading to greater levels of peace and happiness.
How to activate the powerful vagus nerve which turns off the SNS and CDR.
