Tag: nicotine

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Snake venom like toxin is more exposed on free S1 subunit.

There is a cobra toxin-like gene sequence in the chimeric spike protein of either the SARS-C0V-2 virus, or the CoV injection’s spike sequence. (1) It likely can paralyze the function of nAChR clolinergic receptors, (4), . . . and medical world seems to be ignoring or denying that.

The solution is simple, though controversial – just start nicotine – OOOH, BUT THEN -> ADDICT! True, better off -> dead?

The dysfunction may be involved in the excessive menstrual bleeding or severe colitis like diarrhea. The cholinergic receptors also help modulate immune function to not produce too many inflammatory cytokines.

Chimeric – made of many species. The SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, and the sequence used for the CoV injections, also have similar genetic sequences to a wasp toxin, and it has genes from HIV and MERS. Chimeric – like the many headed hydra of mythology – they can all bite, and all may need to be dealt with to achieve health.

Summary:

  • Spike protein or the S1 subunit have a snake venom toxin like sequence which can block nAChRs receptors, and it disrupts the function of the nAChRs. (1, 4)
  • Nicotine is protective of the function of nAChR receptors, it is an agonist, an activator. It is addictive, yes, so is health.
  • The alpha 7 nAChRs are involved in preventing cytokine storm over-immune reactions, (2) ;
  • nAChRs are also involved in: menstruation/endometrial tissue (3); regular bowel movements; sperm motility; and functioning nAChRs are critical for prenatal and child development of the retina and eyes, and throughout life for retinal health, (5); nAChRs are needed to be able to send nerve signals from the ears to the brain – ie – to be able to “hear”. (7)

TRP channels are also needed to be able to hear, they are in the inner ear hair cells. (10) They are also throughout the body, needed for fetal development, (11), and magnesium absorption in the intestines, ().

Reports of harm to vision & hearing of children have been reported to VAERS.

VAERS reports of adverse reactions involving CoV injections include reports of children going blind or deaf. (6) That may involve cholinergic dysfunction of the nAChR receptors. (5, 7)

Spontaneous abortion/miscarriage in the first trimester has also been reported for most women who received CoV injections during the first trimester. (ref to add)

Lack of magnesium due to TRP channel dysfunction in the GI tract may be a factor in risk to a fetus if the TRP channels’ function is loss – which resulted in death, in a genetic animal study.

“Genetic inactivation of Trpm7 in mice results in early embryonic death17, 19. Conditional tissue-specific inactivation of Trpm7 in mice showed that TRPM7 plays a critical role in morphogenesis of various internal organs19,20,21.” (12)

Hearing & TRP channels: Hearing loss likely also involves damage to the inner ear hair cells. The TRP channel’s ankyrin repeat domains can be affected by the spike protein. (10) TRP channels with long stretches of ankyrin repeat domains are abundant in inner ear hair cells as they form a coil like area that can sense mechanical pressure and activate the TRP channel if a strong enough force is exerted on it. (8, 9) The open area of the ion channel is usually formed as an empty space between two very large protein subunits – similar building blocks put together in a circular pattern that can leave an open channel in the middle.

Simple solution – soak in magnesium sulfate and it enters the body through hair follicle pores – larger than TRP channels.

Epsom salt soaks are the simple solution to bypass the poor absorption of magnesium in the digestive tract. Both the magnesium and the sulfate are protective to the inner ear hair cells and the rest of the body. The hydrated form of a bath or foot soak may aid in the absorption. Magnesium sulfate was well absorbed from a bath relative, based on change in blood levels of magnesium. There have been less good results seen in topical magnesium chloride studies.

One to two cups of Epsom salt for a half-full bath, soak for 20-40 minutes. One cup or so in a large bucket or bin so more than the feet can soak, and soak for 20-40 minutes. Depending on the severity of magnesium deficiency a soak 1-3 times per week may be needed to help prevent muscle cramps or anxiety/anger. Low magnesium can affect depression risk or psychosis also.

Blocking nAChRs may add to risk of excess cytokines -sepsis; they help prevent an over-active production.

The retina is the area in the back of the eye where light sensing rod and cone cells are located. Activating the alpha7 nAChR type of receptors lead to improved cell survival in a model of glaucoma, (5) possibly aided by the anti-inflammatory role.

“Retinal ganglion cells treated with the α7 nAChR agonist [such as nicotine] alone demonstrated a 28.0% (± 12.8%) increase in cell survival over untreated control.”

The cholinergic nAChR receptors are involved in modulating an inflammatory cytokine response – so that it isn’t excessive and producing an over-active amount of cytokines as seen in sepsis.

“Due to its role in the downregulation of the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, 33–35, it has been suggested that the α7 nAChR may be involved in the hyper-inflammation response that can be caused by SARS-CoV-2. 9, 36” (2)

So the more obvious colitis or excessive menstrual bleeding symptoms experienced from being around recently CoV injected people, may be an indicator that other excessive inflammatory responses are also happening throughout the body – and the solution is the same: nicotine activates the nAChRs and is protecting them, taking up the open spot in the receptor so S1 or Spike protein can not lodge in the spot instead – blocking its immunomodulatory or other functions.

Snake toxin sequence more exposed on the freed S1 subunit portion of the chimeric spike protein.

The chimeric spike protein can split into parts and both parts of the main spike are able to interact with cell receptors, S1 and S2. The gene sequence that is similar to a snake and snail type of toxin becomes more exposed on the separate S1 subunit – meaning it is likely then more interactive with nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors.

“Notably, the exposure of this motif and its close sequential neighbors is further accentuated in the S1 trimer (Fig. 2C) shed after cleavage by the human proteases (TMPRSS2 or furin) to enable the activation of the fusion trimer of S2 subunits.” (1)

The ability to split into parts, at the Furin Cleavage Site (FCS), is unique to the chimeric spike protein. Other coronavirus spike proteins do not have that capability.

Furin Cleavage Site

Chimeric spike protein is unlike any other CoV spike in that it can break into parts, subunits, at the Furin Cleavage Site (FCS), leaving S2 attached to the base part and freeing S1, both elongated halves of the spike: /\_ -> / and \_ .

The full spike can interact with ACE2 and various receptor types – and the S1 and S2 subunits can also, they are elongated. The base parts are smaller. Receptors are like a keyhole, & the spike, S1, & S2 are like a key that can fit in, but jam it -> no function, or dysfunction.

The S2 and base, \_ , stays attached to the human cell membrane if produced by a CoV injected person, (which would never happen in a real viral infection); or it would stay on the viral membrane in an CoV infection.

The S1, / , is freed, loose, floating in extracellular fluid… and the gene sequence that is cobra toxin like, PRRA, is more exposed on the freed S1, than it is in the full spike. The freed S1 could then travel to other areas of the person & block their nAChR receptors, or it might be excreted in sweat or breathed out.

The fact that un-CoV-injected people are getting symptoms after being around CoV-injected people suggests that it is an aerosolized risk. Standard fabric face masks would not be protective but better quality KN95 masks seem helpful.

People getting menstrual bleeding symptoms after being around recently injected people is likely because S1 exposure in a large enough load to be paralyzing the function of nAChR receptors in endometrial tissue (uterus). That link mentioned smokers are less at risk for endometreosis (excess menstrual blood but internal clotting), & that nAChR agonists might be a therapy to consider. (3)

Health Aids for Special Times – foods, phytonutrients and nutrients, and some lifestyle habits that may help protect against chimeric protein issues.

This document includes a lengthy section titled Excessive Menstrual Bleeding with information about nicotine, and colitis related to spike exposure may also be related to nAChR disruption and benefit from nicotine treatment – that is the problem it helped me with. The document also has information on Sleep and Iodine/Thyroid, in addition to chimeric protein related aids. When many types of receptors can be disrupted – they all need to be protected ideally. My website jenniferdepew.com has page Nutrients and page Cofactors with dosing details about a variety of other nutrients not specified in the document.

Disclaimer: This information is being shared for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. It is not intended to provide individual medical guidance. Please seek a health care provider for that purpose, such as a functional health nutritionist or practitioner.

Reference List

  1. Mary Hongying Cheng, She Zhang, Rebecca A. Porritt, Magali Noval Rivas, Lisa Paschold, Edith Willscher, Mascha Binder, Moshe Arditi, Ivet Bahar. Superantigenic character of an insert unique to SARS-CoV-2 spike supported by skewed TCR repertoire in patients with hyperinflammation. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Sep 2020, 202010722; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2010722117 https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/09/25/2010722117
  2. Oliveira, A., Ibarra, A. A., Bermudez, I., Casalino, L., Gaieb, Z., Shoemark, D. K., Gallagher, T., Sessions, R. B., Amaro, R. E., & Mulholland, A. J. (2020). Simulations support the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology, 2020.07.16.206680. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.16.206680 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC7386492/
  3. Wu Y, Wang LP, Pan JQ. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists may be a novel therapy for endometriosis. Med Hypotheses. 2011 Nov;77(5):745-7. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2011.07.028. Epub 2011 Aug 10. PMID: 21835554. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21835554/
  4. Farsalinos, K.; Eliopoulos, E.; Leonidas, D.D.; Papadopoulos, G.E.; Tzartos, S.; Poulas, K. Nicotinic Cholinergic System and COVID-19: In Silico Identification of an Interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and Nicotinic Receptors with Potential Therapeutic Targeting Implications. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2020, 21, 5807. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21165807 https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/16/5807/htm
  5. Lyons Leah, Neuroprotective Effect of an Α-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Agonist and a Positive Allosteric Modulator in an In Vitro Model of Glaucoma. (2014) Masters Thesis, http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/theses/740 https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8jrb56w1iwzs1u/physician_assistant_studies_thesis.pdf?dl=0
  6. Stew Peters Show, CHILD JAB INJURIES – FIRST NUMBERS REPORTED, SERIOUS DANGER! THEY ARE KILLING THE CHILDREN. https://www.bitchute.com/video/HIEsLK1BO1bQ/ via “VAERS reports include children going blind and deaf after Covid-19 v@ccine.” https://twitter.com/awakenindiamvmt/status/1443547600460738568?s=20
  7. Moglie Marcelo J., Marcovich Irina, Corradi Jeremías, et al., Loss of Choline Agonism in the Inner Ear Hair Cell Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor Linked to the α10 Subunit. Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience. 14 (2021) pp 5, DOI=10.3389/fnmol.2021.639720 https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnmol.2021.639720/full
  8. Gaudet R. A primer on ankyrin repeat function in TRP channels and beyond. Mol Biosyst. 2008;4(5):372-379. doi:10.1039/b801481g https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3006086/
  9. Phelps CB, Huang RJ, Lishko PV, Wang RR, Gaudet R. Structural analyses of the ankyrin repeat domain of TRPV6 and related TRPV ion channels. Biochemistry. 2008;47(8):2476-2484. doi:10.1021/bi702109w https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC3006163/
  10. Halim Maaroufi, Interactions of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and transient receptor potential (TRP) cation channels could explain smell, taste, and/or chemesthesis disorders. 15 Jan 2021, https://arxiv.org/abs/2101.06294
  11. TRPM7 channels are needed in embryo development and also have an ankyrin repeat sequence. Jingjing Duan, Zongli Li, Jian Li,  et al., Structure of the mammalian TRPM7, a magnesium channel required during embryonic development. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Aug 2018, 115 (35) E8201-E8210; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1810719115 https://www.pnas.org/content/115/35/E8201
  12. Ferioli, S., Zierler, S., Zaißerer, J., et al. TRPM6 and TRPM7 differentially contribute to the relief of heteromeric TRPM6/7 channels from inhibition by cytosolic Mg 2+ and Mg ATP. Sci Rep 7, 8806 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-08144-1 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-08144-1

Notes related to specific health aids that may protect against epigenetic changes, or in other ways.
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Vaping, Part 3: Combined risks – oils and TRP channel activators.

The risks of vaping may be additive, inhaling oils may increase risk of exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), and inhaling TRP channel activators may increase risk of oxidative stress of cells or mitochondria. See part 1 Vaping and TRP Channel Activators, and part 2 Vaping Risks: ELP pneumonia and Oils, for the first two parts of the series.

Inhaling something accidentally is called aspirating and may occur while trying to swallow saliva, food or beverages, or during vomiting, especially for someone with weak muscles as may occur during chronic illness or with aging. Inhaling vape mixtures is purposeful and the original goal was to reduce health risks known to be associated with toxins caused by burning tobacco or an herb. Tobacco also has known carcinogens which would be removed from a product made with only the nicotine such as nicotine gums, lozenges or a nicotine patch.

Nicotine and cannabinoids can have health benefits, while toxins found in smoke can increase oxidative stress and may cause symptoms such as digestive problems, eczema, in addition to respiratory problems such as a chronic cough or bronchitis. Finding a safer way to consume nicotine or cannabinoids would be desirable however vaping may not be the solution, or not yet.

Flavorings that add odor are unnecessary for a product that isn’t inhaled through the nose, but an antioxidant preservative such as vitamin E and emulsifiers* such as glycerine are added to preserve and stabilize the mixture. Safer substitutes might not be available as other substances that preserve and emulsify might affect the lungs negatively also. Air is for inhaling, not emulsifiers. Vitamin E is oil based, antioxidants that are water based are available such as vitamin C, but then how would it stay mixed with an oil based cannabinoid or nicotine which dissolves better in oil or alcohol?

Nicotine can dissolve in water better than cannabinoids (2) and original vaping mixtures were made for nicotine rather than the cannabinoids THC or CBD. Vaping devices are available for powdered herb which heat the herb at a lower temperature than burning it, the problem with that method is that some of the beneficial cannabinoids in some strains of medicinal marijuana are only produced at higher temperatures so the vaped medicine may not provide the full symptom relief that smoking the strain would provide to a patient.

Trying to remove the glycerine from a nicotine vape mixture might not be fully protective against health risks either. The risk may involve a combination of the nicotine and the glycerine, as suggested in an murine based study of e-cigarette chemicals. Chronic exposure to a mixture containing nicotine and propylene glycol** (3 weeks for 20 minutes per day) was found to slow mucociliary clearing while exposure to the propylene glycol did not. Acute exposure (one week for 20 minutes per day) to either mixture did not cause slower mucociliary clearing. The size of particles effects clearance with larger particle size being more likely to remain in the lungs and smaller particles more likely to be exhaled. (4)

Nicotine also can act as a TRP channel activator (3) so the combination of some of the flavoring chemicals or the nicotine and cannabinoids may be opening the cell membrane’s TRP channels and allowing the glycerin or glycol to enter and accumulate to a level that inhibits cell function, causing Exogenous Lipoid Pneumonia or other health problems.

Pregnant women are advised to avoid use of vaped products (and to avoid smoke from tobacco or marijuana). An animal based study did find negative effects on lung alveoli development in newborn animals exposed to e-cigarette vape mixtures for the first ten days of their lives. Reduced weight gain was also noted. The negative effects were seen in the group exposed to nicotine and propylene glycol mixtures rather than the group exposed only to propylene glycol. (6)

If there is a take home point it may be that “Smoking is bad, mmmkay,”*** consider trying the nicotine patch, gum or lozenges, — but avoiding nicotine, smoking, or vaping during pregnancy is advised.

Cannabinoids are needed for fertility for females and males in a U shape curve – too little can cause infertility and too much can cause infertility. CBD is non-euphoria causing and is equivalent to the 2-AG form that is found in greater amounts during normal health than the THC equivalent called anandamide. Neither is recommended currently for use during pregnancy however genetic differences may cause a deficiency. Chocolate and some other legal food sources are available. Non-euphoria producing cannabinoids are the most abundant in plants and are also found in human breast milk and are important for stimulating the infant’s appetite and growth rate. We need cannabinoids in every cell of the body for many functions.. See the post Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency, (CED), and Phospholipids, for more information about symptoms or conditions that may be associated with a lack of cannabinoids and a list of legal food sources.

Footnotes:

*Glycerine is a natural emulsifier, helping to keep a water and oil mixture mixed without needing to shake it – picture an oil and vinegar salad dressing that separates into two layers compared to mayonnaise which has egg yolk as the emulsifier to keep the oil and water mixed together. (1)

** Glycerine/glycerin is also known as glycerol and glycols are similar chemically to glycerol. Some forms are more toxic to humans or animals than other forms. They are sweet syrupy liquids and may be consumed by animals if spilled in the form of antifreeze which would be toxic. (5)

*** South Park, paraphrase of a quote by the school guidance counselor Mr. Mackey.

Series:

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. It is not intended to provide individual guidance. Please seek a health care provider for individualized health care guidance.

Reference List

  1. Pat Thomas, Read the Label: Emulsifiers, TheEcologist.org, Dec 14, 2008, https://theecologist.org/2008/dec/14/read-label-emulsifiers
  2. Nicotine, Chemistry Encyclopedia, http://www.chemistryexplained.com/Ne-Nu/Nicotine.html
  3. Feng Z, Li W, Ward A, et al. A C. elegans model of nicotine-dependent behavior: regulation by TRP-family channels. Cell. 2006;127(3):621–633. doi:10.1016/j.cell.2006.09.035 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2859215/
  4. Laube BL, Afshar-Mohajer N, Koehler K, et al. Acute and chronic in vivo effects of exposure to nicotine and propylene glycol from an E-cigarette on mucociliary clearance in a murine model. Inhal Toxicol. 2017;29(5):197–205. doi:10.1080/08958378.2017.1336585 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5553614/
  5. 14.6: Glycols and Glycerol, The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, (Ball DW, et al.) Chemistry LibreTexts, Last Updated, Aug 12, 2019 https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Introductory_Chemistry/Book%3A_The_Basics_of_GOB_Chemistry_(Ball_et_al.)/14%3A_Organic_Compounds_of_Oxygen/14.06_Glycols_and_Glycerol
  6. McGrath-Morrow SA, Hayashi M, Aherrera A, et al. The effects of electronic cigarette emissions on systemic cotinine levels, weight and postnatal lung growth in neonatal mice. PLoS One. 2015;10:e0118344.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4338219/
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I work for the children and the planet

“Don’t work harder than the client,” was something social workers in public health recommended – for sensible reasons. There was always more clients and more need and sad, sad stories in public health that couldn’t be helped with our limited number of staff and budget. It was also about common sense, you can encourage change and provide guidance but you can’t make people change when they aren’t interested or ready. The strategy helped with preventing work burnout too, not getting too emotionally involved in the difficulties instead focus on compassion for their difficulties.

However I did have difficulty with the recommendation because I also saw the children as my clients. In the book Timequake the author, Kurt Vonnegut, wrote as a repeated statement in different ways the theme that children don’t ask to be born – – – so underlying theme- – – we shouldn’t blame them for the circumstances of their birth or parents or whatever the example included in the section pertained to.

Currently in the U.S. also adults are facing grim odds – one in two men are statistically likely to develop cancer in their lifetimes and one in every three women — what odds will the next generation likely have? Currently almost two percent of children in the U.S. have autism and roughly twenty percent of the young adult generation have mental health diagnoses and roughly twenty percent identify as something other than heterosexual/customer gender. What will the numbers be for the next generation?  (for those interested in self care information the Nrf2 promoting foods and recipes (Nrf2 posts) are likely helpful for prevention and/or treatment for cancer – unless it is a form of cancer that has developed ways to use Nrf2  to resist chemotherapy – some types of leukemia  cancer strains may have that capability – mentioned at the end of this post: https://transcendingsquare.com/2018/04/05/age-is-a-state-of-mind-and-health/

If tobacco use is preferred but concern for health is also a preference then having a little extra attention to diet may help provide the nutrients that are depleted and that may include a depletion of Nrf2 (research article with animal based study: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28641491) so the Nrf2 promoting diet tips may help protect the body when use of tobacco products is a choice – the nicotine itself can provide some benefits to some people. )

I personally am being helped by the health information that I’ve learned and if only twenty people read and use it then I will be glad for them or their children- even if only one child or individual is helped then it will have been worth sharing the information. Kurt Vonnegut cared and likely still cares in some form, in my opinion at least – I will work in his memory – because no child asked to be born and therefore they all deserve e our compassion and help

Disclosure: This information is being provided for the purpose of education within the guidelines of Fair Use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individualized health care guidance. Please seek an individual health care professional for the purpose of individualized health care guidance. Thanks

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Neuropathy can be a cause of extreme tiredness

An underlying problem affecting a main nerve or affecting many nerves can be a cause of tingling and numbness in the hands or arms and legs. An increased feeling of heaviness of the arms or legs or feeling tired from just holding the arms up in the air may be due to problems with the nerves rather than weakness of the muscles. Autoimmune disease or some nutrient deficiencies (vitamin B12 deficiency most common) can be causes of neuropathy, or nerve damage. Other common causes are mentioned later.

Autoimmune disease itself can be very tiring and a cause of muscle cramps and diffuse chronic pain and it could make it very hard to cope with a physically demanding job. Some types of nerve damage can become permanent but may be reversible if caught early enough and the underlying causes are corrected. Vitamin B12 may be poorly absorbed by elderly people or for others with digestive problems; a monthly injection of B12, bypassing the digestive system, is a common treatment.  Dissolve in the mouth supplements of B12, cobalamin, are also used successfully by some people. In Parkinson’s Disease neuropathy has been seen and “perhaps we should be measuring MMA levels in these patients and treating with cobalamin supplementation to reduce MMA levels and prevent neuropathy.” [4] *Addition – methyl or hydroxy cobalamin please, if already not well asking the body to methylate even if genetically capable is asking it to do extra work.

Recognizing when tiredness is tiredness and when it is due to underlying nerve damage may be a step that can help prevent the nerve damage from becoming more permanent paralysis or numbness. Neuropathy can also affect gland or organ function as well as affecting motion and sensation. Poor coordination can become a problem with walking or with picking up and not dropping things because they just slipped from your fingers. Symptoms may also include feeling moments of burning or stabbing pain and bowel and bladder problems may include constipation or feeling unable to urinate. [1]

Neuropathy may affect approximately 24 million people in the United States. [1]

Neuropathy is more of a risk for people with diabetes, about 30% of the cases are associated with diabetes. Heavy alcohol use and traumatic injury can also be causes. And autoimmune celiac disease, hypothyroidism and other immune system diseases and viral infections sometimes can be a cause. Some types of antibiotics, radiation and chemotherapy treatments may cause neuropathy. Some cases of neuropathy are present at birth. [1]

Since celiac disease may be a cause of neuropathy trying a gluten free diet may be worth trying, (and hypothyroidism can also be a cause of neuropathy and for some people that may also be due to or made worse by gluten sensitivity problems).

Not overeating sugars and simple starches in general may help prevent neuropathy from developing by promoting more stable blood sugar. Elevated levels of blood sugar may be part of the cause of nerve damage which would be especially important for diabetics who are more at risk for elevated levels: [3].

Hot pepper – and it’s active ingredient capsaicin may be helpful. It is available over the counter as an active ingredient in skin ointments made for pain relief for arthritis patients and others with chronic pain. Warm showers or a bath may also help circulation and muscle relaxation. Taking care with toenail health is important as numbness becomes more extreme and minor injuries may become infected and go unnoticed until they become major infections and are more visibly discolored or swollen. [1]

Of the 16 million Americans with diabetes, approximately, about 25% have foot problems due to peripheral neuropathy.  Peripheral nerves are those extending out from the brain or spinal cord to the muscles and organs and skin. Neuropathy can progress from feeling tingling sensations of ‘pins and needles’ in the fingertips to not being able to feel sensations of hot, cold or pain. [2]

Peripheral neuropathy has been known to occur with Parkinson’s disease, possibly due to treatment with L-dopa [4], or possibly as a side effect with another commonly used treatment, dopamine hydrochloride. [5] Dopamine producing cells become dysfunctional in Parkinson’s Disease. [6] Dopamine is a brain neurostransmitter involved in movement but it is also has roles in immune system function.

Adequate levels of dopamine are involved in preventing both autoimmune disease and cancer. Research that compared the lifestyles of family members with and without Parkinson’s Disease found that siblings without the disease were more likely to have been coffee drinkers (three or more cups per day) and were more likely to have smoked tobacco cigarettes. Smoking tobacco has negative health risks but it may help boost dopamine levels and may have some protective effects on the dopamine producing cells. [7]

Smoking tobacco may have protective effects for some people but not others due to underlying differences in genetics. Coffee intake has also been associated with less risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), [8] but again it may be helping those with a certain type of genetics and be a negative risk for people with other types of genes. Obesity and smoking cigarettes once a patient already has non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with the disease getting progressively worse. [9] Fructose, sugar from fruit or refined in the form of high fructose corn syrup, intake has also been associated with worsening of NAFLD. [10] And non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been associated with neuropathy risk in patients with diabetes. [15] So protecting the liver might be helping protect the nerves at the same time.

Protecting liver function may be important for protecting against cancer. The herb milk thistle has been found to have some protective affects for the liver. [12] Cirrhosis of the liver is also associated with peripheral neuropathy so protecting the liver may also help protect the nervous system and brain and help prevent neuropathy from developing. [11]

Summary of tips for protecting against neuropathy:

  1. Stable blood sugar and not developing diabetes may help protect the nerves.
  2. Regular exercise and stretching and warm baths or showers and massage and other methods for increasing circulation may help protect the nerves.
  3. Not eating excessively of fructose or simple sugars may help prevent damage caused by glycation of proteins; and by helping prevent obesity or diabetes.
  4. Moderate use of coffee may help protect the liver from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and some types of liver disease have been associated with peripheral neuropathy.
  5. Dopamine or L-dopa when used as a medication to treat Parkinson’s Disease may be involved in development of peripheral neuropathy. Parkinson’s Disease involves dysfunctional production of dopamine so some other issue may be involved that causes peripheral neuropathy or it may be important to have adequate but not excessive levels of dopamine for health of the nerves.
  6. A deficiency of vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, can be non-reversible cause of peripheral neuropathy. [13]
  7. Smoking tobacco may have some protective affects against Parkinson’s Disease for some people but it has also been associated with worsening of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients who already have the disease. It is unclear at this time what genes may be involved in why some people seem less at risk from tobacco smoking than others – overall it has been found to be associated with lung cancer. Chemicals within smoke cause blood vessels to constrict and reduces circulation. It has been associated with worsening of diabetic peripheral neuropathy so quitting smoking may be more protective of nerves. While it may help boost dopamine levels there are many other healthy ways to boost dopamine naturally. [14]
  8. Following a gluten free diet may be helpful in preventing peripheral neuropathy for some people. If hypothyroidism is also a problem then trying a strict gluten free diet may be beneficial as it may be a cause of autoimmune sensitivities. Eating less gluten in that case would still be exposing the body to the autoimmune ‘allergen’ so a trial of a gluten free diet may have to be very strict and last several months to six months before significant health benefits occur (in research on autoimmune celiac disease it took six months on a very strict gluten free diet in order for the levels of autoimmune antibodies against gluten to be reduced — and (potentially) the thyroid hormone which the gluten molecule resembles.)

More information about dopamine and cancer and natural ways to raise dopamine levels are included in the group of Tweets mentioned in this Tweet, click to view the information on that site [Addition 10/22/2022 – don’t bother clicking the Tweet link, I was suspended permanently]:

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.

  1. http://thelightmedia.com/posts/28389-neuropathy-12-ways-to-identify-and-manage-this-painful-disease
  2. http://www.foot.com/site/foot-conditions/neuropathy
  3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycation
  4. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/725699
  5. http://www.ehealthme.com/ds/dopamine%20hydrochloride/neuropathy%20peripheral/
  6. http://justneurology.com/
  7. https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn11568-do-coffee-and-cigarettes-protect-against-parkinsons/
  8. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/264995.php
  9. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hep.23516/full
  10. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/04/100427081044.htm
  11. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/460036
  12. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/milk-thistle
  13. http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/supplement-guide-vitamin-b12#1
  14. http://mentalhealthdaily.com/2015/04/17/how-to-increase-dopamine-levels/
  15. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28254449