Powerful Ways To Reduce Inflammation And Remove Neurotoxins...Naturally!
12:42 PM PDT, June 4, 2008
In a previous post, I mentioned that inflammation is one of the primary reasons for symptoms in the chronically ill. By reducing its effects, you can feel a million times better than when pro-inflammatory cytokines are running rampant through your body.
Inflammation is caused by many things. In the Lyme disease sufferer, neurotoxins as a result of infections, as well as starchy and sugary foods, are two important culprits.
Recently, I read an article by Dr. Richard Loyd, a PhD nutritionist and founder of Health Balances in Seattle, W.A., which provided me with some fantastic new insights into lowering inflammation and in removing two of its causes--neurotoxins and the wrong kinds of food.
Let's start first with the food. Yes, diet in Lyme disease is a big deal if you want to reduce inflammation and heal. Simple sugars, as well as starches, and in particular, the polysaccharide amylose, cause inflammation.
Stay away from grains, root vegetables, dairy products, and high-glycemic foods, including fruits. If you really want to play it safe, don't eat any fruit except for wild berries. Make non-starchy veggies and animal protein the principal components of your diet.
Second, get your hands on a good toxin binder. While cholestyramine, a cholesterol-lowering drug, has been advocated by some LLMD's for treating those with impaired detoxification ability, (because it is a powerful toxin binder), it can also cause undesirable side effects, such as constipation, bloating and other digestive problems.
Dr. Loyd advocates cholestepure as a good alternative to cholestyramine. Cholestepure is a natural product made from plant sterols and can be purchased at Health Balances.
He also uses peach tree extract, which he claims is the best substance he has found for removing mold toxins, which are often just as much a cause of symptoms in a Lyme disease sufferer as other toxins!
Treating mold and removing mold toxins, as both Loyd and Shoemaker would agree, is vital for a full recovery from Lyme disease.
Paradoxically, however, cholestyramine can exacerbate inflammation in Lyme disease sufferers, so if you opt to take this toxin-binder, you may also need to add an anti-inflammatory to the mix.
(And this may be a good idea, anyway, since taking a toxin-binder is likely to only partially remedy the inflammation problem).
Dr. Shoemaker prescribes Actos, another medication, to reduce inflammation, but Dr. Loyd notes that Actos can exacerbate symptoms in those who are underweight or have low leptin levels.
A better choice, writes Loyd, would be one of the following products: UltraInflamX, Kaprex, KaprexAI, BioticsKappArrest. Those products containing the acronym, "Kapp" in their title inhibit NF-kappaB, a messenger that causes the release of inflammatory cytokines, and are safe, natural alternatives to Actos.
In summary, reducing inflammation and healing from Lyme disease (and its accompanying infections, especially mold) can be accelerated by taking three important steps:
1) Binding and removing mold and other toxins with powerful toxin binders such as cholestepure and peach tree extract,
2)taking an anti-inflammatory such as UltraInflamX, Kaprex or BioticsKappArrest, and
3) sticking to a non-amylose, low glycemic and low starch diet. Yes, you can also go with Dr. Shoemaker's protocol and try cholestyramine and Actos, but if you prefer to use only natural substances, which are likely to have fewer side effects, then you may want to try Dr. Loyd's suggestions.
In previous posts, I have written about other natural anti-inflammatories and toxin binders that can be used in the treatment of Lyme disease; those mentioned here are an addition to these and may be of special interest to those with impaired detoxification mechanisms, as well as for those who believe that mold is a significant contributing factor to their illness.
Finally, Loyd notes that the process of detoxification can be significantly accelerated through the use of Japanese foot detox patches and a homemade (yes, you heard right!) foot detox bath, using two separate tubs (one for each foot),a couple of batteries, spoons and some wiring.
Loyd writes that these homemade foot baths, which cost a fraction of commercial ionic foot baths, can be made at home and are actually more effective than their pricey counterparts! For more information on how to make this foot bath, check out:
www.royalrife.com/mold_toxins.pdf. As well, you will find at this site a more in-depth explanation of the effects of inflammation upon the body, as well as how the above-mentioned toxin binders and anti-inflammatory products help to heal the body.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Mold toxins are found in foods such as grains and peanuts. Far more serious are the mold toxins found in buildings and vehicles with water leaks.
Buildings with flat roofs and buildings on a concrete slab are ready-made for mold problems. Mold toxins are the most common of the biotoxins and are responsible for many if not most of the symptoms of many Lyme disease patients.
When a building has a water leak or water damage that is not immediately corrected, molds such as Stachybotrys, Aspergillus, Acremonium, Actiniomycetes, Penicillium and Chaetomium are likely to start colonies. The colonies may be visible or they may be hidden in places such as the tops of ceiling tiles or the bottoms of carpets. The molds send out spores which contain powerful biotoxins that are nerve toxins or neurotoxins.
A study by Harvard University found that fully half of the homes studied had enough mold to cause symptoms. And we have found that many cars are contaminated.
When these spores with their neurotoxins are inhaled, about 76% of the population can make antibodies to the toxins and quickly eliminate them. They may sneeze, have a sore throat or have other minor symptoms, but symptoms are temporary.
If they spend several days in a moldy building, they may begin to feel sick, but when they are away for a few days they recover.
About 24% of the population have a genetic makeup that makes them unable to produce the needed antibodies for mold toxins. The body simply does not adequately tag the toxins as invaders and it does not eliminate them. The liver can send them to the digestive tract via the bile, but they are quickly reabsorbed back into the blood.
The result is that continual or repeated exposures to mold toxins result in an ever increasing amount of these toxins in the body. Those who can actually smell musty odors where they live or work usually have the worst mold toxin problems. It is estimated that 10 million American children are being exposed to mold toxins (many are medicated with Ritalin as a result) and around 25 million Americans have some degree of mold toxin illness.
It is also common to have a genetic makeup that does not detoxify Lyme toxins and many cannot detoxify either mold or Lyme toxins. If they have Lyme disease, Lyme toxins also build up in the body.
These are the people that get very sick and stay sick when they do frequency treatments for Lyme. FOR THOSE WHO GET MAJOR PROLONGED DIEOFF REACTIONS, FREQUENCY TREATMENTS FOR LYME ARE NOT RECOMMENDED UNTIL THE TOXIN ISSUE IS ADDRESSED.
These mold and Lyme toxins attach to fat cells and cause the fat cells to continually release inflammatory cytokines.
The result is chronic inflammation with symptoms such as fatigue, pain, brain fog, out of control weight gain and loss of sex drive. When a person has the flu, symptoms are not caused directly by the viruses.
The symptoms are caused by the resulting cytokines. So mold and Lyme toxins can cause symptoms similar to a permanent case of flu.
An inflammatory reaction is very useful to help deal with an infection. It is devastating when it goes on and on.
This chart from Abbas Qutab, M.D. illustrates what happens. The mold and Lyme toxins cause the fat cells to make a material called NF-kappaB. NF-kappaB causes all kinds of inflammatory chemicals to be released.
And these chemicals have serious adverse effects if they are produced over a long period of time. You can see the listed results such as pain, inflammation, heart disease, blood sugar problems, autoimmune diseases, cancer and nerve damage.
Another thing that happens is that some of these chemicals actually cause another increase in NF-kappaB! It is like when they turn a PA system up too high and the mike and speaker feedback and you get a very loud and unpleasant squeal.
So the body can get stuck in a feedback loop where NF-kappaB increases inflammatory chemicals which increase NF-kappaB which increases inflammatory chemicals....
Cytokines also cause the release of a material called MMP9 that makes people feel terrible.
Cytokines also cause reduced circulation in small blood vessels with greatly reduced oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This acts similarly to advanced heart disease and any exercise can result in a crash that lasts for days.
Excess cytokines are also related to autoimmune problems. And autoimmune reactions are much more common in people with long arms - "wingspan" longer than their height. Mold and Lyme toxin patients may make antibodies to myelin with resulting nerve damage. MS patients should be checked for mold and Lyme toxins.
The body may make antibodies to a material called cardiolipin. This causes blood to sludge. Hands and feet are often cold.
More commonly they make antibodies to gliadin which is a protein found in gluten. The result is an inability to tolerate gluten grains (wheat, rye, barley and possibly even oats).
A diet high in sugar and in the starch amylose (wheat, rye, oats barley, rice, root vegetables, bananas) causes rapid blood sugar and insulin spikes making things worse.
Some materials like dopamine and serotonin cannot cross the blood brain barrier (BBB). But the BBB does not slow down inflammatory cytokines at all, so they enter the brain and block various receptor sites.
When the leptin receptor sites are blocked, leptin levels increase and leptin resistance is produced. The excess leptin packs fat into fat cells where it stays until the toxins are removed. People with high leptin can gain weight on 1000 calories or less.
When leptin receptors are blocked, the production of a chemical called MSH is blocked. If MSH is low, melatonin production will be low, resulting in sleep problems. If MSH is low, endorphins will be low resulting in excess chronic pain.
MSH also controls pituitary hormone production and if MSH is low, there will be a loss of hormonal control. If cortisol is low, treatment should be to remove the neurotoxins.
If cortisol is given, that depresses ACTH production and this can make the person's health much worse. Taking cortisol or steroid drugs while biotoxins levels are high can result in serious permanent injury.
Low MSH can also result in low androgens in both men and women. If androgens are low, symptoms will be much worse. That appears to be why most chronic fatigue patients are women.
Anti-diuretic hormone production by the pituitary is often disrupted resulting in excess urination even to the point of dehydration and excess thirst and excess salt remaining in the blood.
There may also be a layer of salt on the skin. When that happens, the person is a good conductor of electricity and many patients have problems with static electricity shocks. They may damage electronic equipment by touching it.
People who are low in MSH often have leaky gut which lets in gliadin which causes more inflammation and further reduces MSH which causes more leaky gut which lets in more gliadin....
In any case of bowel disease, mold and Lyme toxins should be checked. Eighty percent of low MSH patients have colonization in their sinuses by a variety of bacteria called "multiply antibiotic-resistant coagulase negative staph." (Yes, that is the correct spelling!)
In most people, this organism is fairly benign, but in low MSH patients it must be taken care of before they can feel good. Colloidal silver nose drops are a possibility.
Dr. Ritchie Shoemaker, M.D. puts his patients on a low amylose diet and uses Cholestyramine to remove the toxins. Cholestyramine causes bloating, digestive discomfort and constipation in most patients.
The most effective material that I have found for mold toxin removal is a peach tree extract. Start with 2 drops, four times a day.
After a week, increase to 3 drops four times a day and so on. If possible, muscle test for to see if you can tolerate a higher dose. We have experimented with plant sterols in the form of Cholestepure with very good results and little or no negative effects.
Start with 1 per day for a week, 2 a day for the second week, and so on, working up to 2 X 3 or even more. If 1 per day seems to be too much, start with a fraction of a capsule or start with a smaller beta-sitosterol capsule.
Plan on taking one to two months for toxin removal using supplements. Stay away from moldy places and moldy foods.
We have found two ways to speed up mold and Lyme toxin removal. At least one type of Japanese foot detox patch pulls out mold toxins very quickly with no apparent adverse effects. We are seeing amazing improvements in as little as a week.
Also, an "ionic foot detox" setup where the feet are in separate tubs is very effective and works quickly. This is most effective when the Harmonic Generator is used as the voltage source so pathogens can be removed during detox sessions. It is also possible to use a plain 9 volt battery.
Please note that the feet must be in separate tubs with an electrode each side for best results.
Here is a case where both kinds of foot detox were used. In late March of 2008, KR reported that he had chronic fatigue along with severe joint and muscle pain for which he took Prednisone and Vicodin without much apparent relief.
He also said that his muscles where so weak that he could not open a vitamin bottle. Muscle testing indicated that he had very high levels of mold toxins and even higher levels of Lyme toxins. The source of the mold appeared to be their home and his wife's car.
KR decided not to get a Multi-Zap (zapper that makes 4 frequencies at the same time) and the ionic foot detox tub assembly that it plugs into. This unit has separate tubs for each foot so it could have helped with infections and toxins at the same time. Instead he would try to eliminate the toxins from his body with 10 foot detox pads, just enough for 5 treatments.
He also decided to not get the diffuser and Detox Oil that could have eliminated the mold from his home and the car.
By early April he was feeling much better. One day he mowed the church lawn and fertilized it and then mowed the lawn at home. Quite a change from having a very hard time walking at all.
In the middle of April, his wife called to say that he was in extreme pain and he had been in the emergency room again. For him to stand up at all required great effort. He had run out of the foot pads and he was still living in a mold contaminated house where he inhaled mold spores daily.
This time KR decided to use the diffuser and detox oil to kill mold in his home. For rapid detox he decided on the ionic foot tub. Instead of the Multi-Zap he would use alligator test leads from Radio Shack to attach a 9 volt battery.
The positive went to the side with the left foot and the negative side went to the right foot. Each side would have 1/8 to 1/2 teaspoon of Celtic or Real Salt and 3 inches of warm water.
Treatment time would be 30 minutes a day. It is possible that this setup would kill some pathogens in addition to helping with detox, though not as many as if using the zapper.
I called him a week later so see if he had been able to make any progress. "Sure," he said, "I used the elliptical trainer for an hour yesterday and used it again today." He reported that he was symptom free except for slight dizziness left over from a previous stroke.
So in his case, he was able to get good results in just a week. Twice. We are finding the ionic foot detox with the feet in separate containers works much faster than with both feet in the same tub.
Any fully DC offset frequency source (pulsed DC) can be used for this. Frequency generators like the F-Scan, F165 or any function generator can be used.
The GB-4000, Astropulse, BioSolutions and Global Wellness, BioSolutions and other equipment that produces alternating current require a diode in the circuit for foot detox purposes.
The voltage should be just high enough to be felt. Most any frequency can be used, but most people have used frequencies below 10000 Hz.
Dr. Shoemaker reports that about 1-2% of the population do not get adequate improvement just by reducing mold and Lyme toxins. Reducing Lyme toxins with Cholestyramine can even cause an increase of symptoms.
In these cases he uses Actos to lower inflammatory cytokines, leptin and MMP9. On the other hand, Actos will make patients who are underweight with low leptin worse.
To reduce inflammation we have used a number of products such as Metagenics UltraInflamX, Kaprex, and Kaprex AI, and Biotics KappArrest. The supplements with "kap" in their names inhibit NF-kappaB. If you take another look at the NF-kappaB chart you will see why this is a good idea.
Homeopathics for mold and Lyme also help. When the cytokine TNF-a is reduced, MSH increases (this is good). Precision Herbs makes a product that increases MSH and another product that balances Leptin.
If the molds are actually causing infection, Nano+ or Immune Yeast and Fungus can be used along with a good flora product AFTER toxin levels are reduced. We find that people cannot easily tolerate killing parasites or fungi while mold toxins are high.
For much more detailed information, see the book Mold Warriors by Dr. Shoemaker.
Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :
Hahaha, I thought, "Great, I'll see what Sparkle has to say about this!" LOL. Both of those are great articles.
I'm using Turmeric (the main ingredient in Biotics Kapparrest) right now because the cholestyramine was really causing my Lyme symptoms to flare as Dr. S says it will (www.biotoxin.info). My PA didn't want to prescribe Actos to prevent the flare .... which probably was the right decision since I'm thin and tend to have low blood sugar ... but I can't tolerate the CSM.
The turmeric seems to be helping. If I weren't going to Germany soon, I'd be trying more of the suggestions for alternatives to cholestyramine. Posted by herbalfrog (Member # 12711) on :
Sparkle, Your articles gave the most informative and dead-on explanation to the question why, after eleven years of therapy, I am still frequenting ER's and hospitals today and have felt so disgustingly powerless and sick, especially during the last three months.
During my last hospitalization, just two weeks ago, I started myself on a gluten-free and low-carb diet while in the hospital; and eliminated all foods with preservatives as well.
Upon return home, I changed my bedding and clothing to all cotton; got rid of perfumes in soap, lotions and detergents; removed as much of the synthetic furniture and carpeting as possible and stayed away from toxins in fertilizers, etc.
I had to be that radical as I was reacting to everything I ate, touched or smelled; I was constantly dehydrated, even though I drank 3 liters of water daily and I lost 28 pounds in three weeks of time.
Seeing that my family history is one of asthma and chronic digestive problems, it made sense for me to search for answers in that direction and your articles were a confirmation of what I had discovered just during the last couple of weeks.
I feel weak, but stronger in the sense that I have gained much insight to what is going on with my body and I will see one of my doctors on Wednesday, prepared to show him your articles.
Thank you, thank you; you gave me lots of passion and hope for the challenge ahead!
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Glad it's helpful. Thanks to 6goofykids, too.
Posted by sammy (Member # 13952) on :
Has anyone tried what is suggested in the articles above?
I've been having problems with increasing pain lately so i'm interested in trying this stuff out.
I just ordered KappArest (for inflammation) but i'm not sure if I want to try the ColestePure (toxin binder)yet. Can you use ColestePure without the peach tree extract?
The article also mentioned avoiding molds. Unfortunately I seem to be allergic to something in my workplace and I suspect it to be mold (we've had several major flooding incidents) or a cleaning agent. My nose constantly drips and I have a sore throat whenever i'm there. Antihistamines don't help much. Anyways it is something that I have to deal with since I can't look for a new job right now.
So all that said, would taking a toxin binding supplement be useful if i'm still being exposed to toxins? Or will it make me feel sicker?
Any suggestions or experiences would be appreciated.
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Thanks for bringing this up again. I haven't tried any of the suggestions except taking a supplement with tumeric.
I had to cut back on it since it was causing loose bowel movements.
I was curious about what exactly Peach Tree Extract was & I e-mailed the guy... I didn't get a reply.
I may try some of these things at a later time.
Only so much you can do at a time...
Posted by Healing in Santa Cruz (Member # 7798) on :
This is a great thread. My MD uses Allergy Research Group Nano Tek Chitosan in place of Cholestyramine. The product that has helped me the most is Silphitrin from www.jnutra.com The products are a bit pricey but they seem to last quite a while. I had run out of Silphitrin and had just started rifing with emem and had a herx from hell.When I finally received my bottle it was a miracle how it relieved my toxic symptoms.I also use French green clay internally.
Posted by Healing in Santa Cruz (Member # 7798) on :
Forgot to ask. Has anyone made the homemade foot bath? Also anyone using the Peach tree extract?
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Interesting about the Silphitrin... I was interested in the Jernigan products but some of the explanations about their products are a little "unconventional"...
I'm not completely convinced about them but if you have had a good result Santa Cruz... that's great! If anyone else has used them - please comment about your results.
-----
Silphitrin�
Historical Usage: Silphium laciniatum has been used in all forms of asthma and bronchitis, as well as for bladder complaints including frequent urination and urinary tract infection.
It has been used historically to treat cancer of the throat and mouth as well as being beneficial in the wasting away and the ``empty sensation'' of cancer cachexia. It has been shown to be useful in cases of tuberculosis. It is mucolytic showing a strong ability to breakup mucus accumulations anywhere in the body.
Silphium is especially beneficial in addressing pressure and acrid mucus in the supra-orbital, posterior sinuses. (See References below)
Recent Usage: Silphitrin� (Silphium laciniatum) has been shown through clinical research to be possibly the greatest anti-neurotoxin substance found to date. Silphitrin� is thought to breakdown and/or bind microbial neurotoxins.
It has demonstrated stellar results in the elimination of the primary toxins released by Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative microbe in Lyme disease, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS and over 350 neurotoxic illnesses. In regard to Lyme microbes, Silphitrin� also seems to assist in providing the body's crystalline matrix with the information needed to resolve the pleomorphic phase, L-form of the Lyme spirochete.
Clinical research reveals that Silphitrin� may also bind heavy metals, and breakdown isopropyl alcohol, and benzene accumulations, adding to its phenomenal arsenal of beneficial effects. Silphitrin� is recommended to limit herxheimer reactions during any type of antibiotic, antimicrobial treatments.
Bio-Resonance Scanning has revealed it to be highly beneficial in addressing the accumulation of ammonia in the brain tissue as seen in cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, and the local accumulations in the brain as seen in neurological Lyme disease.
Silphitrin� is also beneficial at clearing nitric oxide (NO), the metabolite of ammonia in the musculoskeletal system. Nitric oxide accumulates in the joints and muscles in reaction to Borrelia burgdorferi and other Borrelia strain spirochetes, which release ammonia which is almost instantly converted into nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide causes a hyper-inflammatory response in the tissues leading to fibrin accumulation, joint and muscle pain and stiffness, as well as potentially increasing the production of the thick fibrin-coating of tumors.
One of the unique properties of Silphium� is its molecular structure causes it to grow facing north and south, hence its name ``Compass Plant.'' This polarity orientation is maintained within its molecular structure and may positively influence the human body's crystalline matrix ability to adapt to the ever-changing internal and external environment. In other words, it makes your body more adaptable.
Silphitrin� is the newest and possibly best nutraceutical for helping restore normal protein metabolism processing of homocystiene.
Silphitrin� has also been shown to normalize blood sugar levels, even in Insulin-dependent individuals, yet it seems to normalize blood sugar without making it too low.
Product Information: Jernigan Nutraceuticals has pioneered all of the present day knowledge of Silphitrin� and is the only company producing this formula in the world.
Our liquid silphium is processed within one hour of harvesting to maximize its polar properties and energetic aspects. References: 1. Foster S, Duke J, Medicinal Plants and Herbs, Eastern/Central, Peterson Field Guides, New York 2000.2. Murphy R, Lotus Matera Medica, 1st ed. Lotus Star Academy 1995.
*These comments have not been approved by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, diagnose, or address disease.
All of the products in the Jernigan Nutraceutical product line, work to enhance and support the restoration of structure and function of the body's crystalline matrix. Always consult with your health care professional before beginning this or any other dietary supplement.
Posted by Lymeorsomething (Member # 16359) on :
Is activated charcoal any good?
Posted by joecheagaray (Member # 51329) on :
quote:Originally posted by Healing in Santa Cruz: This is a great thread. My MD uses Allergy Research Group Nano Tek Chitosan in place of Cholestyramine. The product that has helped me the most is Silphitrin from www.jnutra.com The products are a bit pricey but they seem to last quite a while. I had run out of Silphitrin and had just started rifing with emem and had a herx from hell.When I finally received my bottle it was a miracle how it relieved my toxic symptoms.I also use French green clay internally.
Hello,
I'm dealing against Lyme disease, me and my family. I tried abs, buhner, doug coil... I'm still stuck.
I saw a comment from you about the EMEM machine? Does it worked? Could you give me your opinion of it?
![[Smile]](smile.gif)