Epilepsy can be defined as a collection or spectrum of brain disorders characterized by the recurrence of some form of epileptic seizures. Epileptic seizures result from a disturbance in normal neuronal activity in the brain, which may be due to abnormal brain wiring, neurotransmitter imbalances, direct trauma to brain tissue, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, one or more brain tumors, microbial infection of the central nervous system, porphyria (dysfunctional production of heme), or genetic predispositions (like mutations in genes relating to the excitability of neurons, the transmission of neural impulses across synapses, or the development of neuronal networks) [1] [2].
The manner in which epileptic seizures present themselves depends upon the area of the brain affected, and these seizures can be grossly classified as being either convulsive or non-convulsive (with multiple further classifications). And some seizures are only triggered by certain stimuli, like flashing lights or loud noises [3]. Weakness, fatigue, headache, confusion, nausea, or some form of abnormal behavior are symptoms commonly experienced during the 'postictal state' immediately after a seizure is had [4]. It's worth mentioning that low blood sugar, electrolyte imbalances, and high blood urea are capable of causing acute seizures, but these factors are not typically included in the etiology of epilepsy. MRI, PET, and CT scans are often used in the diagnosis of epilepsy, commonly with the addition of blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid analyses. Both celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity have been identified as possible progenitors for the development of epilepsy, and a gluten-free diet has been shown to be very effective for some epileptics [5] [6]. Furthermore, it has been reported that several autoantibodies are epileptogenic, thus the role of autoimmunity in the pathogenesis of epilepsy should be considered [7] [8]. Because proinflammatory Th17 cells are modulated by symbiotic gut bacteria, the onset of dysbiosis and subsequent intestinal hyperpermeability may underlie the inception of epilepsy [9] [10]. Relatedly, aspartame and monosodium glutamate should be removed from the diet in those with epilepsy as both can induce seizures [11] [12]. Supplementation with vitamin D3 has also been shown to significantly decrease seizure frequency, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may be a predisposing factor in epilepsy [13]. Similar results have been demonstrated with vitamin E supplementation [14]. Deficiencies in vitamin B6, selenium, magnesium, and zinc have also been seen to increase seizure susceptibility [15] [16] [17] [18]. Next, seizures can be generated through exposure to insect repellants and insecticides, various organic solvents (which can be found in paint thinners, nail polish remover, perfumes, colognes, laundry detergents, and dry cleaning fluid), various medications, and metals such as mercury, aluminum, lead, and tungsten [19] [20] [21] [22] [23] [24]. Now looking at potential therapeutics, much evidence suggests that coconut oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and a relatively low-carbohydrate diet can be quite helpful for epileptics [25] [26] [27] [28] [29]. Perhaps the most well-known agent used in the natural treatment of epilepsy is cannabidiol or CBD oil, and an irrefutable mountain of research supports its efficacy [30] [31] [32] [33]. Even though epilepsy's etiology can be complex, its resolution (and yes it can be resolved) often lies in the restoration of the GI microbiota and the healing of an overly permeable gut wall, coupled with the appropriate detoxification and regeneration of brain tissue. References:
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Medical conditions for which Foot Zone Therapy has been empirically demonstrated to be of benefit.12/30/2018 The central nervous system as a whole, but particularly the brain, operates as an interface between the physiological regulation of the body and the 'holofractographic' web that is the universe [1]. You could say that the holographic nature of the universe gives rise to the wave half of wave-particle duality, but particles are actually tightly wound or coalesced waves, rather than sovereign collections of mass like we learn in high school [2].
We know from metaphysics that the brain can access information from each level of the dimensional octave, but even EEG (electroencephalogram) researchers from the University of Sydney have proposed (and they're quite correct) that the brain functions as a "quantum computer" in eight dimensions [3]. The coherence of cerebral or brain waves is provided by underlying quantum fields, so changes in brain waves are not the root cause of alterations in brain and body activity, but are symptoms or reflections of deeper states of resonance [4]. This is why there is a big limitation in simply measuring brain waves to analyze the effects of meditation, breathing techniques, or using some kind of entheogen (like psilocybin mushrooms or ayahuasca). With regard to Foot Zone Therapy, the brain is not simply a stand-alone, information-processing center, but is an integral component of the unified nervous system which constantly exchanges information between all cells of the body and the cosmos [5]. Therefore, the treatment of reflex areas upon the feet or elsewhere involves much more than just the transmitting of neural impulses. It involves realigning the body with its inherent template, and the directing of healing faculties to elements of need. Now let's look at a list of disease states and symptoms of ill-health for which zone therapy has been shown to be helpful in the research literature. Obviously this list is nowhere near exhaustive, it's only meant to help convey the variety of conditions that can be favorably treated with zone therapy:
As a final side note, especially for those who have undergone some kind of training in Foot Zone Therapy, can we please stop trying to learn naturopathic and holistic medicine from folks who think that genes don't mutate, that intelligence is located in the right atrium of the heart, and that bears came from Atlantis? Seriously. Instead, let's stand at the forefront of not only true medicine, but also the New Energy of Aquarius. Have a wonderful weekend. References:
Currently exercise professionals are often faced with a client population enamored of high-intensity exercise. With the epidemic of "bro science" surrounding exercise selection and program design plaguing social media, let's take a step back and evaluate the soundness of high-intensity exercise for the general population as well as athletes.
A very common presentation in athletes and non-athlete exercisers is overtraining syndrome. It's easy for the casual observer to synonymize 'fitness' with 'health,' but a large percentage of those capable of displaying a high level of fitness are far from being truly healthy. The popular combination of grueling exercise with a carbohydrate-stuffed diet can easily drive a massive production of free radicals and inflammation, as well as a strong, biased shift toward carbohydrate oxidation and away from fatty acid oxidation [1]. A few of the potential results from excessive high-intensity training include: hormonal imbalance, depression of the immune system, malnutrition, reduced heart rate variability, and a host of inflammation-associated conditions such as adrenal insufficiency, hypothyroidism, type 2 diabetes, anemia of inflammation, and even celiac disease [2]. What's usually not understood is that increases in physical activity do not parallel increases in energy expenditure [3]. In other words, total energy expenditure largely plateaus as cumulative activity increases, for the human body compensates to keep the total energy expenditure within an acceptable range [4]. The body simply isn't too concerned with how many steps you try and accumulate each day, its primary focus is ensuring your survival in each moment – and its last priority is the enhancing of its fitness (bigger biceps and better abs). The "no pain, no gain" attitude, coupled with the frequent psychological and emotional stressors of everyday life, steal away potential energy that the body would otherwise be able to utilize in properly adapting to any kind of exercise. Thus, repeated "balls to the wall" training can easily force the body to draw from vital reserves to meet the imposed demands [5]. Continued drawing from this well places the body into a physiological debt that promotes ongoing catabolism, thwarting all efforts to build muscle and burn fat. Typical high-intensity interval training doesn't really lead to desirable and lasting improvements in mitochondrial fat oxidation, even though elevations in OXPHOS (mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation) can be seen with such training [6]. And although in general, more total calories will be expended acutely with higher intensity exercise, the proportion of total calories expended coming from fat oxidation will decrease as exercise intensity increases [7]. Accordingly, we can't simply compare the EPOC (excess post-exercise oxygen consumption) values of both low and high intensity exercise [8]. We have to remember that the higher the intensity of the exercise, the greater the stress that will be imposed on the body. Insulin, leptin (the satiety hormone), ghrelin (the hunger hormone), dopamine, and serotonin all play a role in regulating the body's energy homeostasis [9]. When we bombard the body with too much exercise, and/or we restrict calories from the diet, the body's righting or equilibrating actions will prevent the intended accomplishment of an increase in muscle mass plus a decrease in fat mass. So simply exercising more in order to lose more fat can be counterproductive [10]. In conclusion, listen to your body. When it's ready and is genuinely craving some higher intensity work at the gym, it'll let you know. When it's not ready and is giving you the finger at the suggestion of higher intensity work at the gym, back it down and respect your physiology's cycles. References:
Natural medicine understands the fallacy of strict and linear genetic determinism and utilizes the fact that phenotypic expression involves interactions between multiple levels [1]. Genetic essentialists ascribe to a very fatalistic view in which specific genes are unruly blamed as being solely responsible for pathologies, and individuals with shared genetic markers are grouped into excessively homogenous pools [2]. Yet the expression of our genetic blueprint is continually influenced by the foods we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, the thoughts we think, the emotions we experience, and the microbes we harbor.
Protein-coding genes, in and of themselves, simply represent instructions. The instructions that genes provide must be accessed, read, activated, and successfully employed in order for any product to be created from them. Nutrients, toxins, thoughts, emotions, and other electromagnetic radiation serve as stimuli for the turning-on and turning-off of protein-coding genes. For the construction of DNA to even take place, multiple B vitamins are needed (as well as the ribose, phosphate, and nucleobase raw materials) [3]. And vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin B3, vitamin B12, vitamin B9, magnesium, zinc, and selenium all play roles in stabilizing the genome [4]. Accordingly, nutrient deficiencies can strongly deter healthy genetic expression. Because of the part played by methyl donors like choline, betaine, methylated vitamin B9 (methylfolate), and methylated vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin) in the methylation of DNA, sufficient consumption of or supplementation with methyl donors may even allow for the alteration of traits or phenotypes assumed to be genetically fixed (like hair color for instance) [5]. For another example of the importance of nutrition in gene regulation, while free radicals can activate several transcription factors involved in the inflammatory response, various antioxidants can swoop in to neutralize the reactive species and turn off the genes associated with the induction of inflammation [6]. The highly refined, processed, and genetically modified foods that often make up the modern diet can easily confuse or hinder our cells' attempts to build functional proteins and carry out their specific programming. The microRNAs that we take in from consuming plant and animal foods can modulate the expression of our genes and they represent one vehicle through which communication across biological kingdoms takes place [7]. There is great variability within the human species because about 98% of our genome is comprised of non-protein-coding DNA. But the genetic modifying of foods can alter their housed microRNAs and drastically upset the normal regulation of our genes' expression [8] [9]. Note that microRNAs can be involved in many facets of human physiology such as the differentiation of stem cells, the formation of blood cells, the development of cardiac and skeletal muscle, the building of neurons, the secretion of insulin, the metabolism of cholesterol, the replication of viruses, the maintenance of cellular identity (think cancer if this gets messed up), and the responses of the immune system [10]. In closing, the future of gene therapy needn't lie in the often dangerous delivering of particular genes using viral vectors, but (in my opinion) should remain in the hands of Mother Nature who has already designed a perfect system of cross-kingdom genetic management which we can continue to exploit by consuming healthy, organic, non-GMO plant and animal foods. Have a great week! References:
Oil pulling has its roots in the system of Ayurvedic medicine native to the region of India [1]. Oil pulling has enjoyed a long history of folk employment for strengthening the teeth and gums, preventing tooth decay, and treating oral malodor and dry mouth [2]. The practice consists of swilling an edible oil such as sesame, sunflower, olive, or coconut oil for roughly 15 minutes, after which the spent oil is spit out. It is recommended that oil pulling be performed in the morning on an empty stomach, and then followed by gentle brushing of the teeth.
Sesame oil is chosen most commonly in the traditional use, and this oil possesses three antioxidant lignans (sesamin, sesamolin, and sesaminol) which augment the action of vitamin E (also found in sesame oil) [3]. Sesame oil can exert notable antibacterial action against such bacterial species as Salmonella typhi, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans has been labeled as the chief pathogen in dental caries) [4] [5] [6]. Coconut oil similarly possesses both antibacterial and antifungal (including Candida species) capacity [7]. Oil pulling has been demonstrated to reduce plaque-induced gingivitis partly through inhibiting bacterial adhesion and the aggregation of dental plaque, and partly via an emulsification and saponification (soap making) of the used oil's fat [8] [9]. Oil pulling has also been shown to effectively reduce halitosis and the contributing gram-negative bacteria which produce 'volatile sulfur compounds' [10]. Furthermore, a decrease in dental cavity susceptibility can be another benefit of oil pulling [11]. Lastly, there is some evidence that oil pulling with sesame oil can subtly help whiten teeth [12]. It should be noted that oil pulling with sesame oil can also reduce the population of normally friendly bacterial species in the mouth like Lactobacillus acidophilus, and that proper oral health depends upon the maintenance of a somewhat diverse oral microbiota, and not the complete eradication of all mouth bacteria (this is one reason why you don't want to use conventional mouthwashes like Listerine®) [13]. In accordance with the teachings of Ayurvedic texts, the relationship between oral and systemic health is undeniable as numerous reports have elucidated the associations between oral hygiene and cardiovascular, pulmonary, and metabolic (such as type 2 diabetes) disease [14]. From poor oral health, increases in cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, bacterial infiltration of systemic circulation, and/or cross-reactivity between bacterial heat-shock proteins and self heat-shock proteins (fostering autoimmune attacks) may contribute to the increase in disease risk [15]. While still considered to be adjunctive to flossing and brushing, oil pulling remains an evidence-based practice for the home care of dental health and the prevention of periodontal disease [16]. References:
Prozac is a ‘selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor’ or SSRI commonly prescribed to treat depression, bulimia nervosa, obsessive-compulsive disorder, recurring panic attacks, and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Prozac’s primary ingredient is the fluoride-containing compound fluoxetine hydrochloride. At large, the chief concern with Prozac’s administration is its irrefutable tendency to invoke suicidal and other psychotic states, behaviors, and episodes.
The manufacturer of Prozac, Eli Lilly & Company, the same organization who brought us the incredibly poisonous thimerosal and the same organization who monopolized the manufacture of insulin after stealing the method for extracting insulin from animal pancreata put forth in Ernest Lyman Scott’s Master’s thesis (which was submitted to the University of Chicago’s library in 1911), was well aware of Prozac’s hazards when they colluded with the FDA for Prozac’s approval – even internal documents (dating back to 1988) associated with a product liability lawsuit filed against Eli Lilly & Company confirm that they had full knowledge of Prozac’s “side effects,” to put it lightly. Prozac was formulated largely in response to the observed effectiveness of L-tryptophan (the precursor to serotonin) supplementation for the treatment of depression, and four days (!!!) after the criminal Food & Drug Administration officially banned the public sale of L-tryptophan as a dietary supplement in the United States (March 22, 1990), Newsweek magazine featured a cover story on Prozac extolling the drug as a “breakthrough for the treatment of depression.” L-tryptophan is a naturally occurring amino acid that has absolutely no relationship to the condition labeled ‘Eosinophilia–myalgia syndrome’ (EMS). The FDA recalled L-tryptophan supplements in 1989 after stating that this amino acid could cause EMS, which of course is B.S., but the recall gave Eli Lilly & Company the final leverage they needed to begin making billions of dollars through ushering in the era of SSRI prescriptions. Symptoms such as hostility, hallucinations, memory loss, convulsions, tremors, severe depression, and insomnia have all been reported to MedWatch from the use of Prozac, but now let’s look at the adverse effects of this drug as documented in the research literature. Memory loss, convulsions, tremors, agitation, insomnia, and seizures have all been reported in subjects taking Prozac [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]. Prozac has been said to be the least selective of the SSRIs and have unwanted effects on catecholamine function in the brain [8]. The three catecholamines are dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Correspondingly, akathisia (severe restlessness) can be induced by SSRIs, and this condition has been conjured with the use of Prozac [9] [10]. Next, Bolling and Kohlenberg surveyed a collection of 161 SSRI users and identified 29 categories of unwanted psychological effects from the use of these drugs [11]. Some of the side effects of Prozac may be due to the unintended binding of its metabolite (norfluoxetine) to ‘TREK-2’ potassium channels embedded in cell membranes, which could interfere with these channels’ regulation of the membrane potential of different cells (such as neurons in the CNS) [12]. Similarly, the inhibition of ‘GIRK’ channels (a family of potassium channels) in both brain and heart cells by fluoxetine may contribute to Prozac’s potential for neurological toxicity, in particular its ability to induce seizures [13]. Prozac has also been linked with accelerating abnormal cell proliferation and an increased risk of developing cancer [14]. It seems the increased cancer risk is due in part to fluoxetine’s interfering with the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria and thus the normal signaling for apoptosis (programmed cell death) [15]. Lastly, despite attempts to suppress such evidence, the invoking of hallucinations and suicidal ideation by Prozac has been well supported in the research literature [16] [17] [18] [19] [20]. So, I hope this short post has served as another example as to why we don’t want to take medical advice from quack physicians who have no capacity to think for themselves or to conduct any research on the pharmaceuticals they prescribe, but simply regurgitate the crap they learned in medical school with an ever-inflating god complex and an abysmal ignorance of the human body’s true operation and the use of real (i.e., natural) medicine. Also, this write-up was simply intended to inform the consumer, by no means am I stating that the consumer should know better or anything like that as it is the physician’s responsibility to understand the dangers of the pharmaceuticals available to them, not the patient’s. Enjoy the rest of your week! References:
Raw honey is pure, unpasteurized, unheated, golden nectar from our good friends, the honey bees. We know that the nutritional and medical use of honey dates back to the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Greeks, with the early Mayans, Romans, and Babylonians also having employed this medicinal food [1]. As an 80,000,000-year history of association has been suggested between honey bees and the symbiotic bacteria they house, a strong argument could be made for the consumption of honey having played quite a role in the evolution of our immune system and microbiome [2]. While beeswax, royal jelly, bee pollen, and propolis also possess many benefits, here I'm going to focus on traditional honey.
Consuming raw honey may act as a form of natural immunotherapy by introducing small amounts of pollens to the body, improving tolerance to the same [3]. Additional explanations for raw honey's antiallergy potential include the suppressing of IgE-mediated hypersensitivity, the inhibition of mast cell activation by IgE (mast cells produce histamine), and the lowering of inflammation along mucosal surfaces [4] [5] [6]. All of the water-soluble vitamins, all of the major minerals, and some of the trace minerals have been detected in honey, as well as multiple amino acids [7]. And raw honey is a rich source of flavonoids, polyphenols, and other antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase, and is capable of notable antibacterial action [8] [9]. Honey has been shown to be effective in the prevention of dental caries, the reduction of dental plaque, and the treatment of gingivitis [10] [11] [12]. Looking to the gut, honey has been seen to potently inhibit H. pylori bacteria in the stomach, and thus has been used successfully in the treatment of gastric ulcers and gastritis [13] [14]. Furthermore, honey has demonstrated antifungal activity against Candida albicans, and can help heal a damaged gut mucosa [15] [16]. Honey is a decent prebiotic and probiotic food, so ingesting it raw can help support a healthy balance of gut flora [17]. And one probiotic species in particular that can be found abundantly in raw honey, Lactobacillus kunkeei, has been found to enhance secretory IgA production in humans (boosting immune defenses) [18]. Raw honey can also have nootropic effects, being able to reduce neuroinflammation induced by microglia (microglia are the main immune cells of the CNS), as well as improve memory and cognitive function [19] [20]. Applied topically, raw honey has exhibited effectiveness in treating such eye conditions as conjunctivitis (pink eye), keratitis (inflamed cornea), and blepharitis (inflamed eyelid) [21]. Applied to the skin, honey has a rich history of being an impressive wound-healing agent [22]. Lastly, natural honey may aid in decreasing one's risk for cardiovascular disease by preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins and lowering blood pressure [23] [24]. So, if you have any beekeepers near you who can provide you with local, raw honey, supporting them financially by buying their products would benefit the entire planet as bees are obviously becoming more and more integral to the survival of the biosphere. References:
I've already put together a fair amount of material on the true etiology of T1D and the manner in which it can be corrected, so in this short post I would just like to quickly explain the role that some lectins can play in T1D's pathogenesis.
The lectin phytohaemagglutinin, found abundantly in red kidney beans and less so in other legumes and some grains, has been shown to strip away the mucus lining of the small intestine and induce an overgrowth of bacteria (including E. coli) [1] [2]. The same lectin can also provoke a release of histamine from mast cells in the stomach, stimulating the release of HCl acid [3]. Over time however, the consumption of various lectins which bind to gastric parietal cells may lead to persistent hypochlorhydria or low stomach acid - allowing the survival of ingested microbes and inviting the migration of housed bacteria and fungi into the stomach [4]. Low stomach acid can also increase the number of lectins absorbed through the gut wall, and lectins that breach the GI tract can enter systemic circulation and ultimately link to cells of the pancreas (as well as a host of other tissues) [5]. More on that in a moment. Certain individuals may be more susceptible to lectin toxicity due to unfavorable variations in glycoconjugate expression or a less protective barrier of sialic acid [6]. Sialic acid molecules can "hide" some cell surface antigens and prevent lectins from binding to them, so a lack of sialic acid from overexposure to the enzyme neuraminidase (housed by some microbes like influenza viruses and Streptococcal bacteria) may drive lectin-mediated damage, and ultimately promote autoimmunity [7]. Evidently, some lectins are capable of eliciting the expression of HLA class II antigens on the surface of thyroid and pancreatic beta cells [8] [9]. HLA class II antigens are normally only present on the surface of antigen-presenting cells, like phagocytes, dendritic cells, and B cells [10]. HLA or MHC class II proteins present antigens to T cells causing the production of antibodies by B cells against the presented antigens. The lectin-induced expression of HLA class II antigens on the surface of pancreatic beta cells (which produce insulin) may engender an autoimmune attacking of islet cells, especially when the epitope or antigenic determinant to which autoantibodies can attach themselves in type 1 diabetes, a form of N-acetyllactosamine, is exposed due to a wearing away of sialic acid [11]. Now, immune complexes (an antibody combined with an antigen) and lectin complexes (a lectin combined with some carbohydrate) can be broken apart with proteolytic enzymes [12]. The effectiveness of systemic enzyme therapy for autoimmune and immune complex diseases has been well documented [13] [14]. Indeed, some type 1 diabetics have been able to remove their need for exogenous insulin with the help of systemic enzyme therapy (using proteolytic enzymes). But no, you won't read about that on the American Diabetes Association's website. The common misconception that proteolytic enzymes cannot be absorbed through the gut wall and delivered to pathologically affected areas of the body is not only false but quite silly [15]. Once the irritants driving the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells have been dissolved and excreted from the body, the beta cells of course must be regenerated in order for insulin production to be restored. Despite ceaseless fundraising efforts by organizations who have no interest in curing either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, no toxic pharmaceutical will ever be the answer to T1D's resolution. However, multiple foods and plant substances have been experimentally shown to stimulate regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. These agents include the following (this list is not exhaustive):
So, can type 1 diabetes be healed without the use of islet cell transplants or artificial pancreata? Yes it can. Has it been done? Yes it has. Is there more to the story of T1D's etiology? Absolutely, but the point I wanted to make with this post is that those who proclaim that T1D cannot be resolved are either lying or uninformed. Please do not strip hope away from type 1 diabetics simply because you refuse to conduct the necessary research. Thank you and have a very merry Christmas. References:
Our mouths normally house a significantly diverse microbiota composed of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and protozoa [1]. The different regions of the oral cavity (such as the tongue, cheeks, lips, gums, palates, and teeth) serve as habitats for different microbial communities [2]. While there is a degree of uniqueness to the microbial population of different folks’ mouths, a normal and healthy “core microbiome” has been identified [3]. Accordingly, the transition from oral health to oral disease is more an issue of disrupted balance among the microbes in the mouth, rather than the simple presence of individual pathogens [4]. And factors such as nutrition, pH, toxins, shear forces, and competency of the immune system all shape the composition and activity of the mouth’s microbiota [5].
So, the main problem with conventional mouthwashes is their indiscriminate killing of microorganisms and their disruption of the mouth’s acid-alkaline balance. But let’s quickly look at a few other problems with conventional mouthwashes so that we can more fully understand why we’d want to avoid their use. Some mouthwashes like Peridex, Periogard, Corsodyl, and Oradex contain the antiseptic compound chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine use can lead to an increase in blood pressure by preventing the normal conversion of nitrate to nitrite by oral bacteria (nitrite can serve as a precursor to the vasodilator nitric oxide) [6]. Though mouthwashes that do not contain chlorhexidine can have the same negative effect on blood pressure. Mouthwashes containing either stannous fluoride (tin difluoride) or chlorhexidine have been shown to stain the teeth [7]. Other side effects that have been seen with the use of chlorhexidine include loss of taste, xerostomia or dry mouth syndrome, increased tartar formation (tartar is basically calcified dental plaque), and discoloration of the tongue [8] [9] [10]. Chlorohexidine can also damage the DNA of leukocytes (white blood cells) and cells of the oral mucosa [11]. Moving on, mouthwashes containing hexetidine or acidified sodium chlorite have been shown to erode tooth enamel, but the same effect can also be applied to mouthwashes that do not contain either of the above, but do present an acidic pH to the mouth, such as Listerine, Crest, and Scope [12]. Next, alcohol-containing mouthwashes like Listerine and Scope can damage gingival fibroblasts via acetaldehyde’s direct toxicity (oral bacteria can convert ethanol from alcohol-containing mouthwashes to acetaldehyde) [13]. Gingival fibroblasts help repair and resolve inflammation in periodontal tissues [14]. Evidence also exists for an increased risk of oral cancer with the use of alcohol-containing mouthwashes (largely due to acetaldehyde production, but the low pH score of such products may also play a role) [15] [16] [17]. Looking at other common ingredients in conventional mouthwashes, polysorbate 80 (or Tween 80) is capable of opening up the blood-brain barrier, and as a side note, its presence in vaccines helps to deliver toxic aluminum directly to brain tissue [18] [19]. Polysorbate 80 has been seen to confer a negative impact on fertility in rats and lower the number of protective T cells in human infants [20] [21] [22]. Polysorbate 80 has also been described as a hidden “inducer of anaphylactoid reactions,” for anaphylaxis has been reported after its administration via an IV (granted, this level of a response would likely be infrequent but it’s worth mentioning) [23]. Sodium saccharin is another common ingredient in conventional mouthwashes, and this artificial sweetener has been reported to damage DNA in bone marrow and promote the development of urinary bladder cancer [24] [25] [26]. So, instead of using a conventional mouthwash you may want to consider making your own or using a natural mouthwash. A homemade mouthwash can be crafted very simply with water, baking soda, and sea salt, but a drop of clove, cinnamon, or peppermint essential oil could also be added for some gentle antimicrobial action. Alternatively, a good, natural mouthwash can be found here: https://oralessentials.com/products/oral-essentials-bad-breath-mouthwash Have a lovely rest of your week, and as always, you stay classy San Diego. References:
Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is a type of dysautonomia (dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system) where a rapid increase in heart rate is seen upon standing. Orthostatic intolerance (an excessively low blood volume returning to the heart upon standing) is the main pillar of POTS, but symptoms such as chest pain, headache, severe fatigue, insomnia, brain fog, constipation, early satiety, palpitations, shortness of breath, cold extremities, and joint or muscle pain can all be part of the patient’s symptom constellation [1].
In hyperadrenergic POTS, norepinephrine is elevated upon standing (which contributes to tachycardia), whereas in neuropathic POTS, pooling of blood in the legs is associated with a kind of nerve damage or neuropathy that causes blood vessel constriction in the lower limbs [2]. Thirdly, many POTS patients exhibit abnormal profiles of renin, angiotensin, and aldosterone, which may account for the common disturbances in blood pressure regulation [3]. Renin is an enzyme produced in the kidneys which converts angiotensinogen (made by the liver) into angiotensin I. Angiotensin I is largely inert and is converted into angiotensin II by angiotensin-converting enzyme, which is located mostly in the lungs (many antihypertensive drugs block this enzyme). Angiotensin II chiefly constricts blood vessels, but it also stimulates the adrenal glands’ release of aldosterone, which increases sodium and water reabsorption (as well as potassium excretion), and this raises blood volume and thus blood pressure. POTS is often diagnosed via a tilt table test, but heart rate and blood pressure measurements in the supine and standing positions can also be taken and compared at 2-, 5-, and 10-minute intervals. Other assessments like the quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) or the thermoregulatory sweat test may also be employed. It’s important that about 50% of POTS patients have reported an acute or subacute onset of the condition, often following a viral infection [4]. Accordingly, ganglionic autoantibodies have been looked at as possible drivers (meaning POTS may have an autoimmune component) [5]. Some patients develop POTS after contracting mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus usually being the contagion) or after suffering a concussion or some form of brain trauma. Curiously, an association has been found between POTS and joint hypermobility (often in the form of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) [6]. Other associations have been identified between POTS and mitochondrial disorders, mast cell activation syndrome (hyperresponsive production of leukotrienes and histamine by mast cells), heavy metal toxification, Lyme disease, anemia (too few red blood cells or too little hemoglobin), low iron or vitamin D, vitamin B1 or B12 deficiency, prediabetes, and the Gardasil (HPV) vaccine, among others [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13]. I’d like to place special emphasis on the Gardasil vaccine, for thousands of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) have been reported after its administration (thousands in England alone) – some of these reactions include paralysis and death [14] [15] [16] [17]. Many have reported the onset of POTS almost immediately after having received the Gardasil vaccine, and let’s note that POTS is far more common in women than men [18]. POTS is similar to long QT syndrome (LQTS), a condition involving abnormal repolarization of the heart where the interval between the Q and T waves as measured by an ECG is abnormally lengthy, which can trigger arrhythmias, especially during exercise or stress [19]. LQTS can be responsible for inducing fainting or syncope, but some folks with LQTS exhibit no obvious signs or symptoms. Inherited mutations in one of several genes can give rise to LQTS, but the condition can also be acquired as a result of kidney or liver impairment, electrolyte imbalance, or the use of certain pharmaceuticals (more than 50 drugs have demonstrated the capacity to induce LQTS, some of which are of the antibiotic, antihistamine, diuretic, antidepressant, and anticholesterolemia classes) [20]. Unexplained syncope can also be seen with short QT syndrome, a related condition also said to be inherited in which a mutation in one of three genes associated with potassium ion channels may be seen [21]. So how do we treat POTS naturally? Because POTS can present itself in a variety of forms, certainly the treatment plan would need to be customized for the needs of the patient. But there are definitely some general recommendations that we can cover, and despite the conventional stance that there is no cure for POTS, POTS can and has been corrected [22]. Firstly, I support the prescribing of a balanced intake of calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, and vitamin K2 for the treatment of POTS. Increasing the patient’s consumption of water, vitamin B1, vitamin B12, and Himalayan pink salt or Celtic sea salt may also be appropriate. Next, proper exercise has been shown to be quite effective in the treatment of POTS (especially when deconditioning is one of the major contributors), and therefore should be considered [23]. Because antibodies against adrenergic receptors have been found in POTS patients, correction of some degree of autoimmunity may be necessary (healing a leaky gut would likely be the primary goal here) [24]. The reactivation or proliferation of microbes and/or viruses should also be considered, especially in those who have received the Gardasil vaccine. Accordingly, an antiviral and/or antibacterial regimen may need to be administered (Mycoplasma pneumoniae and one or more of the herpesviruses are likely to be the main targets). Improving the health of the body’s mitochondria and the microbiota of the gut are probably going to be indicated. Lastly, a heavy metal detoxification program of some degree could be required as well. Hopefully this was of some use. References:
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AuthorDenton Coleman is an Exercise Physiologist and Medical Researcher. Archives
October 2023
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