Category: health care

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Actually we do know quite a bit about ALS

Rest in Peace, and condolences for families and friends of patients who died due to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

This post was a follow up to: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and CBD Receptors. transcendingsquare.com/2014/08/23/.

The Life Extension Foundation is a non-profit organization focused on research into preventative health strategies. The company does sell supplements, books, and a few other products but it also helps fund research in preventative health care. The foundation publishes an academic type journal and an article from the journal is available on their website which provides a review of the current theories and research available regarding Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). [1]

The article ends with a quote or two about the limited effectiveness and negative side effects associated with the medication that is currently prescribed for ALS patients. The sad point is that at least then the doctor can feel like they provided a service by writing a prescription but if it doesn’t really help slow progress of the disease and adds negative side effects then is that prescribing doctor really “Doing no harm.“?

The article doesn’t provide vitamin or supplement recommendations or provide other preventative guidance. It is a review of current research which did provide enough information to suggest to me several strategies that might help me reduce my risk of developing ALS. I’m motivated because I fall into one of the ‘you may be at more risk for ALS if you also have this condition’ categories.

Studies suggest that ALS is more associated with some autoimmune and chronic infectious diseases and with some nutrient deficiencies or imbalances and with exposure to some environmental toxins.

A few points gleaned from the article that might help me reduce my risk of developing ALS:

  1. Avoid mercury, lead, aluminum, manganese and other heavy metal toxins.
  2. Be careful if working with herbicides and pesticides to reduce exposure.
  3. Have adequate intake of calcium and magnesium – in balance. Excess calcium and too little magnesium may increase degenerative calcification of the central nervous system.
  4. Avoid excess intake of free glutamates. There are many sources of free glutamates in the diet as they are used as flavoring agents. MSG is one better known example. *The article doesn’t recommend avoiding glutamates, it mentions that ALS is associated with glutamate toxicity. One study found plasma levels of glutamate to be significantly elevated in ALS patients compared to controls (Plaitakis et al, 1993). One theory suggests that there may be a glutamate transport problem that allows the elevated levels to accumulate. [1] *Having adequate zinc and magnesium levels helps the cells control intracellular glutamate levels. [3], magnesium also helps control transmembrane movement of the other electrolytes: calcium, sodium and potassium. [4]
    ALS is highly linked with glutamate. One proposed mechanism is a defective glutamate transport system that permits neurotoxic levels to build up (Onion 1998). A study showed significant elevations (by about 70%) of plasma levels of glutamate in ALS patients as compared to controls (Plaitakis et al. 1993). – See more at: http://www.lifeextensionvitamins.com/amlatscleral.html#sthash.ErWUopES.d
    ALS is highly linked with glutamate. One proposed mechanism is a defective glutamate transport system that permits neurotoxic levels to build up (Onion 1998). A study showed significant elevations (by about 70%) of plasma levels of glutamate in ALS patients as compared to controls (Plaitakis et al. 1993). – See more at: http://www.lifeextensionvitamins.com/amlatscleral.html#sthash.ErWUopES.dpuf
  5. Have adequate but not excessive intake of selenium as it helps the body remove mercury. Two Brazil nuts per day provide about 200 micrograms of selenium which is the recommended daily goal. Excess selenium can cause toxicity symptoms so be careful not to take supplemental one-a-day or other mixtures that contain selenium in addition to taking selenium as an individual supplement or in addition to eating Brazil nuts regularly. Toxicity wouldn’t occur in a few days but might develop if multiple sources were eaten over a longer time period.
  6. Growth factor deficiency may be involved in development of ALS. Touch is important for stimulating human growth factor. Therapy pets and massage may also help stimulate internal production of human growth factor. *The article doesn’t mention the therapeutic benefits of touch. It only mentions that reduced growth factors are an underlying problem associated with ALS and pharmaceutical sources have been found helpful for slowing progress of the disease in some (but not all) studies. However touch can also help stimulate innate production of growth factors without needing a pharmaceutical company. [2]
  7. Spinal compression may increase risks of a similar nerve degeneration problem that can resemble ALS so /speculative/ regular exercise such as swimming might help or regular use of an inversion board at a gentle 10 degree slope might help relieve spinal pressure. /Disclosure, I do use an inversion board and find it helpful for headache and back problems but they can be dangerous so please seek individual guidance regarding their use./
  8. Some infections with long term chronic phases are associated with ALS type symptoms including Lyme’s disease, poliomyelitis, HIV/AIDs, and tertiary syphilis.
  9. Some endocrine and autoimmune diseases such as the hyperthyroid condition Grave’s disease and  Diabetic Amyotrophy are associated with ALS risk. Maintaining lower thyroid levels and avoiding thyrotoxicosis may help reduce risk of developing ALS.
  10. Some other conditions associated with ALS like problems include the neurological diseases: Pick’s Disease and Kennedy’s Syndrome; and the genetic enzyme disorders: Superoxide Dismutase, Hexosaminidase A, and Alpha-Glucosidase.
  11. If you missed the previous post – adequate cannabinoids/phospholipids are an important factor in protecting against ALS. A list of legal food sources of cannabinoids or phospholipids is included, see: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and CBD Receptors. transcendingsquare.com/2014/08/23/.
  1. Lyme disease and poliomyelitis
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic Lateral Scleros

/Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes and is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see an health professional for individual health care purposes./

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Wardrobe extenders may help health

Wearing undergarments like bras that fit too tightly or for most of the day and night may increase risk of breast cancer and can increase pain from fibrocystic breast disease. Bra extenders are very inexpensive solutions to tight garment bands and are available in different sizes and colors. Band extenders that add one to three inches can be purchased for a few dollars. The search term ‘bra extenders’ will provide many examples of the product.

Research has not been performed regarding their use against breast cancer but a better fitting bra may reduce pain associated with fibrocystic disease. Women who did not wear bras regularly had half the rate of breast cancer compared to other women in a study published in 1991. The focus of that study had been on a different topic than clothing habits [1]. A 1991-1993 Bra and Breast Cancer Study found a similar correlation [2]. Mainstream sources do not list the amount of time that bras are worn as a cause of cancer [3].  Further research to substantiate or disprove the correlation from the 1991 studies is needed.

However too tight garment bands can be painful and they may reduce detoxification of blood by the lymphatic system. Lymphatic fluid helps remove toxins from the body at the lymph nodes. The lymphatic system has a series of vessels that are similar to arteries and veins. The lymph fluid interacts most directly with blood flow at the lymph nodes. Blood is pumped through the arteries and veins by the power of the heart.  Only the activity of the surrounding muscles moves lymphatic fluid. Regular movement during exercise or an active lifestyle may help health by increasing the removal of toxins at the lymph nodes. White blood cells that can fight infection and cancer are also active at lymph nodes.

The tightness or over-tightness of the band is likely to be the main issue, but how far the underwire extends under the arm could also affect fluid movement. Lymphatic flow moves sideways towards the underarm area more than downward. [4]

Excess heat of the constricted tissue may also be a concern. [5 and 6]

A study and television documentary, “Bras – Bare Facts,” (2000) found not wearing a bra to greatly reduce fibrocystic breast pain on average for a group of 100 women. – partial transcript on a site with a few anatomical pictures: [6] Excerpt from the documentary about fibrocystic pain:

“It may be that the bra is producing a heating effect on the breast resulting in the breast secreting more fluid. At the moment we don’t know, but it is possible that a cooler is a healthier breast from the point of view of producing less fluid, producing less cysts and producing less pain.” [6]

Iodine deficiency has also been associated with fibrocystic breast disease so complete elimination of bras is probably not necessary. [7] Adequate iodine and selenium intake early in life and elimination of excess bromide might help though.

Men may need to check the fit of their clothing for a different reason. Wearing tight jeans for many hours may reduce male fertility. Increased body temperature seems to be the issue rather than reduced lymphatic flow. A laptop used directly on the male lap has also been associated with reduced male fertility. [9] Carrying a cell phone in a pants pocket for hours may also be a concern to fertility due to the radiofrequency electromagnetic waves [8]

This article is based on a shorter comment and reply that was previously posted elsewhere.

/Disclaimer: Information presented on this site is not intended as a substitute for medical care and should not be considered as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment by your physician./

  1. Hsieh CC, Trichopoulos D.,  “Breast size, handedness and breast cancer risk.” Eur J Cancer. 1991;27(2):131-5. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]
  2. Singer S.R., Grismaijer S., “Bras Still Cause Breast Cancer: Are Your Patients Dressed To Kill?” ANMA Journal pdf [isisboston.com]
  3. Stephan P., “Bras Cause Breast Cancer: Myth or Fact?” (3/17/2010), about.com [breastcancer.about.com]
  4. Mitchell A., “Tight Bra Syndrome; Or, why you might want to skip the  underwire and take your bra off when you get home.” pdf [ameliamitchell.com]
  5. Kumar A., “Burn the bra! (and men’s tight underpants too): compromised ‘chaotic’ cooling by constrictive clothing in the causation of testicular and breast cancers. Med Hypotheses. 2009 Dec;73(6):1079-80. Epub 2009 Oct 14. [link to a Medical Hypothesis article, no abstract available.]
  6. “The British study on bra wearing and breast pain.” -includes a partial transcript of the “Bras – Bare Facts” documentary (2000) [007b.com]
  7. Jones A., “Fibrocystic Breast Disease.” Women’s Health Institute of Texas [1-thyroid.com]
  8. Mann D., “Cell Phone Use Linked to Male Infertility.” (9/19/2008) webmd.com [webmd.com]
  9. Sinha K., “Tight jeans reduce fertility,” Times of India, (April 12, 2007) [articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com]

Binding of body parts is also likely to cause health problems, reduce lymphatic flow, increase heat and sweat which may promote yeast overgrowth, and possibly restrict motion. If society could just accept people as people instead of focusing so much on appearance and body parts more of us might create wonders with all the energy not being wasted on trying to fit in or on feeling a need to fit gender norms.

https://www.psychology.org.au/getmedia/61cf6bf1-7ac9-419b-bf13-7abb52ecd5b5/Submission-senate-inquiry-domesic-violence-gender-inequality.pdf
“Violence is both a social construct and a (painfully) lived experience –
domestic violence can be viewed as an extension of rigid gender roles that
are socially constructed and involve the sets of traditions, habits and beliefs
which permit some men to assume dominance and control over women, and
thus, to assume the right to use violence as a means of exercising that
control. “

Women and girls are hypersexualized while boys and men tend to be portrayed as people with varied characteristics. Advertising showing girls and women for products may be very sexualized while the same product for men or boys may be presented as normal clothing, a couple examples: https://twitter.com/PepiteSexiste/status/1062805463115407360

Why are girls shown to wear very little clothing in cold weather and risk getting overchilled? It sets a role model for other girls to also ignore health over societal expectations.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6450485/Trans-activists-send-free-breast-binders-13-year-olds.html?ito=amp_twitter_share-bottom
Trans activists send free breast binders to 13 year olds.

Love the body you’re in and the mind – health is something that difficult to recover if harmed.

Self harm can occur with physical and mental problems, therapy and health care both may help.  See this post for more about a physical problem associated with self harm urges, and a link to a book written for counselors from which I adapted the list below:

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Cell Wall Deficient Pathogens – L-Forms

Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases are actually the body’s attempt to find and kill human cells that had been colonized by pathogenic bacteria or fungi. At the microscopic level single celled organisms can exist in forms that are as different as the baby tadpole to the fully grown frog. During times of better health of the host the parasitic pathogen can change forms and hide from the better armed immune system within a few infected cells. During times of sickness, when there may be a flair up of the chronic symptoms, the colonies of cell wall deficient microbes multiply within the infected host cells and the host cells divide. Eventually the number of infected cells increase to another level of the pathogens life cycle and the host cells can split open and release pathogens that have the outer wall again which might increase risk of spreading the infection to other hosts.L-forms are referring to a “Life-form” stage of bacterial growth in which the bacterium can lose its outer wall and start growing within the interior of a human cell or other host cell. The following article by Amy Proal goes into extensive detail about the history of research in the field of autoimmune disease and cell wall deficient pathogens. http://bacteriality.com/2007/08/18/history/

Lida Mattman, a pioneer in the field of L-form microbes, is pictured at her microscope. She died at age 96 in 2008.  Obituary: http://www.lymenet.de/literatur/lida_mattman.htm

Sue Massie is a mother who found that Lyme’s disease was a problem for her husband, herself and their 6 children. She shares her family’s medical journey – they all were sick with low grade chronic symptoms. Dr. Mattman is quoted near the bottom of the article regarding the potential risk of infection from physical contact with a human carrier of Lyme’s disease (Borrellia burgdoferi):

“Dr. Mattman believes that touching can spread Lyme disease. The Lyme spirochete can actually occur in tears, and therefore can be transmitted to hands, which contaminates doorknobs, pens, people shaking hands, etc. This appears to be consistent with the observation that whole families often culture positive for Lyme and present with symptoms.” http://www.springboard4health.com/notebook/health_lyme_disease.html

  • A link to the book by Lida H. Mattman, Ph.D in Immunology from Yale University, “Cell Wall Deficient Forms: Stealth Bacteria“: http://www.lymebook.com/cell-wall-deficient-forms-mattman
  • A book review about Lida Mattman’s book, Cell Wall Deficient Forms: Stealth Bacteria:
    From Book News, Inc.
    Mattman (immunology, Nelson Medical Research Institute, Warren, MI) explores pleomorphic forms of bacteria and fungi, which are inconvenient to deal with but allow a much more precise identification of a pathogen and diagnosis of disease. She provides information to help researchers determine the organisms that should be added to the childhood vaccine, especially for boys; the bacterium found in its pleomorphic state in direct smears of synovial fluid of rheumatoid arthritis cases; the chronic disease for which an acid-fast organism is routinely found in smears of 72-h blood cultures in any routine medium; the bacterium that has a life cycle in the human erythrocyte as complex as that of Plasmodium malaria; the common pathogen of which the L form can permanently damage mammalian myocardium; and other microbes. No dates are noted for previous editions. Book News, Inc.®, Portland, OR http://www.personalconsult.com/articles/lymecellwalldeficiency.html
  • Excerpt from the book “The Top Ten Treatments for Lyme Disease” http://www.lymebook.com/marshall-protocol:  “In the past, sarcoidosis patients have received only minimal benefit from antibiotic therapy. But Dr. Marshall discovered that, upon reduction of 1,25-D levels, sarcoidosis patients can actually be cured with antibiotic therapy.”

Coinfections are a frequent problem within autoimmune disease sufferers. Sarcoidosis patients have had a variety of different species of pathogens cultured from blood samples. A weakness in immune strength may leave some people more susceptible to be a host for the types of pathogens that can survive in the L-form and colonize within human or other host cells. The good news is that the same treatment plan helps the human’s immune system to recognize the infected cells and reduce the infection without chemotherapy or other immune suppressing medications.

Benicar is a medication used in the Marshall Protocol, the treatment plan developed by Trevor Marshall, a biomedical engineer who worked on finding treatment for his own case of sarcoidosis.

Benicar acts to block the Angiotensin Receptor on cell surfaces. It may help the host defense by removing the disguise of “self” that the colonized cells may be using to confuse the healthy uninfected white blood cells. The overactivity of white blood cells is the characteristic response of autoimmunity that adds to long term degeneration. Previous medication strategies have been to suppress the overactive response. The use of Benicar every 6 hours maintains a constant inhibition of the Angiotensin Receptor that may help the healthy WBC identify the sick ones. Another benefit of Benicar therapy would be to reduce wasting of magnesium resources by the kidneys.

Excerpt from “The Stealth Pathogen Theory”  http://www.shoptown.com/Dean/ALS2Lyme.htm:

In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, Dr. Hoekstra has found that virtually all the patients he has studied have had significant amounts of a bacteria called Propioni bacterium acnes. “This is the genus and species of the organism we believe is responsible for propagating and perpetuating this disease,” says Dr. Hoekstra. “It is a very common bacteria in an altered state of being–it’s cell wall deficient.”

 The bacteria was first identified and described in 1981 by G.A. Denys at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. “This bacteria is passed transplacentally, from mother to fetus, and this may be responsible for rheumatoid arthritis showing up in generations in a single family,” says Dr. Hoekstra.

 Why this bacteria is prevalent in seemingly all cases of rheumatoid arthritis is not clear; overuse of antibiotics may be a factor encouraging its growth. “The use of antibiotics is one of the most potent ways of inducing cell wall deficiency; bacteria seem to do this as a survival mechanism.”

 In other words, when a bacteria is transformed into a cell wall deficient form, it assumes different characteristics from the whole or native type of microorganism it used to be, Dr. Hoekstra explains. “The organism remains intact except it loses its cell wall and its antigenic characteristics, enabling it to function as a cellular chameleon.” When it loses its antigenic signature, the bacteria is able to mask itself against destruction by the immune system’s antibodies which can no longer recognize it as an antigen (foreign protein).

 Dr. Hoekstra’s mentor, Lida Holmes Mattman, Ph.D., also of Wayne State (now professor emeritus of biology), confirmed the causal role of P. acnes in a laboratory experiment. Dr. Mattman extracted the bacteria from the synovial fluid (which lubricates joints) of human arthritis patients, and injected it into chicken embryos. The chicks then exhibited symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. When she treated the chicks with antibiotics known to disable P. acnes, the disease disappeared.

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

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Quarks, bosons, and Abbess Zenkai Blanche Hartman

Believing more in the power of self healing and less in lab tests could buy more health. Working harder on defining life expectancy instead of death expectancy could lead to more quality of life or maybe just a little less worry along the way. More time to pick wildflowers could be an inexpensive bonus for anyone – they can be virtual flowers for allergy sufferers.  Any type of nature in symbols or actual plants have been found effective towards reducing stress and improving health.

How could a picture of flower heal? – Maybe it is calming energy – nature recognizing the beauty of organized nature, intimate to the connection of ourselves with our world.

Queen Anne’s Lace, solar art.

Excerpt from ”’A Beginner’s Mind”’ by Abbess Zenkai Blanche Hartman, [http://www.intrex.net/chzg/hartman4.htm]

‘In China, there was a teacher named Dizang (J.: Rakan) who had a student named Fayan (J.: Hogen). Dizang saw Fayan all dressed in his traveling clothes, with his straw sandals and his staff, and a pack on his back, and Dizang said, “Where are you going?” Fayan answered, “Around on pilgrimage.” Dizang said, “What is the purpose of pilgrimage?” Fayan said, “I don’t know.” Dizang said, “Not knowing is nearest.” Sometimes it’s translated as “Not knowing is most intimate.” Not knowing is nearest or most intimate.’

”Not knowing is most intimate” – the most intimate or personally unique level may be the sub-atomic, quark-ian level.

Our protons and neutrons are made up of a balance of energy from three pairs of quarks. Their energy states change and the whole atom ‘s energy field is a result of the average of the three pairs of quarks. Our internal world may be a binary one with an on/off switch within every atom of our bodies – and our health.

A positive attitude versus a negative attitude can change the form that water freezes from a beautiful ornate crystalline lattice (snowflake) into a amorphous blob of ice. The work done on photography of water crystallizing into snowflakes by Dr Masuro Emoto shows us that a blessing or prayer before a meal might help align the fluid in the foods. Crystalline structure that is organized might promote better health. His work in water therapy has not been verified with replication but the idea that water crystals have to align to make an organized snowflake makes sense chemically. That is how a water droplet is formed, from alignment of the positive and negative areas of each individual molecule of water. Snowflake alignment might be showing the effects of organization at the subatomic quark-ian level.

Not knowing is intimate to believing that an outcome can be open-ended.

/speculation/    We may not need to look in a subatomic explosion to find the boson or God particle. The scientist standing behind the safety glass has been found to direct the outcome of particle/energy wave experiments. Thought influenced whether the mass would be energy or particle.

If we think positive then the placebo, healing effect, averages 38% with no other medicine involved. The reverse is also true (no statistic on hand though). The nocebo response refers to negative responses that occur when an inactive substance is given to a control group in research. The negative or positive effects occur at the individual level, one person might experience positive effects from an inactive placebo while another experiences negative effects from the same inactive substance. The placebo and nocebo effects are not well understood at this time, more research is needed.

Meadow flowers, captured by solar energy.
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An excerpt from a lecture about sitting zazen, a type of meditation, titled, “A Natural Action,” by Abbess Zenkai Blanche Hartman,

“We want to attune ourselves carefully to our body and mind so that we can notice when we are out of line with our deepest intention, so that we can feel it when we are out of line with our deepest intention. We want to cultivate that intimate knowing without words and ideas, that intimacy with our self, so that we can tell if we are living our life the way we really want to.”  ____   [http://www.chzc.org/hartman3.htm]

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The intestinal tract has brain cells that send information to the brain but not in a vocalized set of data. Emotions and information about allergens and pathogens and the state of the seasonal food supply may be included in the neuron signals from the GI tract. A gut instinct is very real at a biologic and cerebral level but not at the neocortex style of verbal thought. Learning to recognize and understand the difference between the gut sinking, big mistake feeling from the excited new love, twitterpated feeling can help in life.

When the timing is right it may feel right at a gut level. The moist spring air might remind the subconscious of previous fun bike rides. The fresh smell might lead right to getting the bike tuned up and out on the road without ever verbally saying out loud “I plan to ride my bike today because the air smells of springtime.” Tuning in to hunger and fullness signals isn’t always about eating or drinking. The gut knows more than we realize. There are more neurons in the intestinal tract than in the spine or rest of the body (except the brain). Thinking about a snack yet?

***The article suggests that psychiatrists may need to treat this second brain (the GI tract) as well as the regular brain. Talk therapy would be a challenge and more pharmaceuticals won’t really nourish the miles of intestinal tract like food could. The benefit of sitting meditation is the time of stillness to slow down and consider what the twinges at an emotional level might be trying to say about real world events.

Gut knowledge can be very informative but it can be very wrong/misunderstood. Like blogs and anything – think twice, act with care. Pain and discomfort is the body’s signal that something happening is wrong and should be changed. Blocking pain regularly blocks the wisdom that could help heal the underlying problem.

Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.