02/15/2023
The immunologists describe recent studies in which patients with autoimmune rheumatic disease given the influenza vaccine (without aluminum) suffered more joint pain and fever than controls and whose levels of autoantibodies (the drones that attack self) increased after receiving the flu vaccine.
The above statement refers to receiving vaccines when an individual is already suffering from an auto-immune disorder such as RA- Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is important to recognize that many auto-immune disorders may appear specific for certain tissues and organs, however, these auto-antibodies can attack other organs. In the case of Rheumatoid arthritis for example they can attack heart tissue and cause a myocarditis and thus low heart function due to fibrosis of the connective tissue in the heart muscle.
Swollen and painful joints aren’t the only things you need to worry about when you have rheumatoid arthritis (RA). People with RA are almost twice as likely to develop heart disease as those without the condition. Having RA makes you more likely to experience a serious cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke.
But just because your joints are inflamed, that doesn’t mean you’re destined to have heart troubles. With the right screening and preventive measures, you can keep your heart and blood vessels healthy.
RA and Heart Disease: What’s Behind the Connection?
Two factors come together to increase your risk: chronic inflammation and shared risk factors.
Inflammatory substances called cytokines fuel joint destruction in RA and blood vessel damage in cardivascular disease (CVD). Inflammation causes plaque build-up in the arteries, which slowly narrows blood vessels and blocks blood flow, and is the main cause of heart attack and stroke.
The other reason people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) are more likely to develop heart disease is shared risk factors like these:
High blood pressure — A number of factors increase blood pressure in people with RA, including a lack of exercise and drugs used to treat the disease (such as NSAIDs and steroids). People with RA also have less-elastic arteries that can narrow, which lets less blood through and increases blood pressure.
Metabolic syndrome — Nearly 40% of people with RA have metabolic syndrome, compared to less than 20% of people overall. This collection of symptoms, which includes obesity, high triglycerides and cholesterol, high blood pressure, and elevated blood sugar doubles the risk for CVD.
Obesity — Sore joints make it hard to exercise, and a lack of physical activity can lead to weight gain. Obesity is linked to CVD risk itself, as well as to cardiovascular risk factors like high blood pressure and high blood sugar. Fat cells release inflammatory substances that contribute to body-wide inflammation and CVD risk.
Smoking — People with RA are more likely to smoke than those without the disease. Not only has this habit been linked to more aggressive joint destruction, but smoking also accelerates blood vessel damage and contributes to artery narrowing. Smokers with RA have a 50% higher risk for cardiovascular events than do nonsmokers with RA.
Abnormal lipids — RA has an unusual effect on lipids or fats in the blood. Experts call it the “lipid paradox.” People with RA have high levels of triglycerides, low levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or “bad” cholesterol), and low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL or “good” cholesterol). Although low LDL is good for the heart, low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides contribute to cardiovascular disease.
10/16/2022
Many Finnish pharmacies ran out of iodine tablets last week — the day after the Nordic country’s health ministry recommended that households buy a single dose in a case of a radiation emergency amid increasing fears of a nuclear event due to the conflict in Ukraine. And many Ukrainian cities are handing out potassium iodine pills to evacuation centers in preparation for a possible Russian nuclear strike.
“Why iodine?”
Iodine can help block the absorption of harmful radiation by the thyroid gland if taken just before or immediately after exposure to nuclear radiation. And the truth is that iodine deficiency has reached epidemic proportions worldwide over the last 10 to 20 years.
How did this happen? More importantly, how does a deficiency in iodine affect your health and the health of your family?
The most common consequence of low iodine levels is hypothyroidism. However, low levels of this essential mineral can set the stage for a host of other health conditions.
The CDC’s Stance on Iodine Is Confusing
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately two billion people worldwide are deficient in iodine. In the U.S., however, the “official” stance regarding iodine can be confusing.
The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that “iodine deficiency disorders (IDD) such as goiter, cretinism, stillbirth, spontaneous abortion, and retarded physical and intellectual development have been virtually eliminated through the iodization of salt.”
A consumer reading the above may think that iodine deficiency in America is a thing of the past. In fact, similar statements may have caused you to dismiss iodine deficiency as a factor for what may be going on with your health. It also doesn’t help that most conventional doctors don’t give iodine deficiency a second thought.
The Reality: Iodine Deficiency Is a Major Health Issue
Being healthy in a world of confusion requires you to look beyond the rhetoric. When you do, you will see an entirely different picture about the state of iodine deficiency in America and how it may be affecting you.
First, let’s consider the “Recommended Daily Allowance” (RDA) for iodine established by the U.S. National Institutes of Medicine. Like current recommendations for vitamins C and D, the iodine “allowance” was established in the 1940s to avoid the most serious consequences of deficiency. The RDA for vitamin C, for example, was created for the prevention of scurvy.
In the same vein, the standard adult RDA for iodine today is 150 μg/day (micrograms per day), 220 μg/day for pregnant women, and 290 μg/day for lactating women. This was established over 75 years ago for the prevention of goiters and severe complications during pregnancy.
For the most part, studies based on the RDA conclude that iodine deficiency in the U.S. is a “problem solved.” An increasing number of voices outside the box of conventional medicine, however, say that “subclinical” iodine deficiency has reached epidemic proportions.
The biggest clue as to the reality of iodine deficiency in U.S. can be seen in a series of surveys conducted by the CDC itself since the 1960s. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys are designed to track the overall health of American children and adults.
A quick comparison between NHAHES I (1971-1974) and NHANES III (1988-1994) shows that Americans’ average urine iodine concentration decreased by a whopping 50%.
At the same time, iodine levels of below 5 μg/dL (micrograms per deciliter) increased more than 4-fold. The World Health Organization (WHO) has established a mean urine iodine concentration which should exceed 10 μg/dL) for overall health.
There was no change in iodine levels between NHANES III and NHANES IV (2001-2002). The problem continues and the consequences for health are staggering.
Table Salt: Not a Viable Option for Iodine
There are specific reasons why iodine levels in the United States and other parts of the world have declined so much since the 1970s. An increasing toxic load, as well as damaging policies from government and manufacturers, are largely to blame.
Let’s take a look at salt. In the 1920s, the U.S. government responded to a high number of goiters (swelling in the neck from an enlarged thyroid) in the American upper Midwest by issuing a health mandate.
Since 1924, iodine has been included in the commercial salt supply. To this day, table salt is the main source of iodine for most Americans and the majority of the non-Asian world.
Two things happened beginning in the 1970s that led to a decline in commercial salt uptake, however.
First of all, consumers began responding to allopathic health warnings about sodium’s connection to high blood pressure by significantly cutting their salt intake.
Secondly, health-conscious individuals began avoiding commercial sources of salt because of the toxins used to produce it.
Indeed, unlike in the 1920s, today’s table salt is actually bleached sodium chloride that has other harmful halides such as fluoride sodium bicarbonate added to it. Most holistic health experts recommend skipping commercial salt altogether and reaching for sea salt or Himalayan pink salt instead.
Toxins Cause Problems with Iodine Absorption
The 1970s also saw an increase in toxic chemicals, which block iodine uptake. This unfortunately has dealt a “one-two punch” to iodine levels overall.
Fluoride, chlorine, and bromide are health-damaging chemicals that happen to share the halide chemical category with iodine. As such, they are able to mimic iodine in the body, even replacing it within iodine receptor sites. During the 1970s, American bread manufacturers also replaced iodine with bromide as a dough softener for their products.
Bromide is particularly dangerous since it has the ability to replace iodine in the thyroid. Studies have shown that when iodine levels are low, bromide can induce hypothyroidism. This includes impaired ability to synthesize thyroid hormones.
Other studies indicate that excessive amounts of bromide can lead directly to goiters, as well as decreased iodine in the mammary glands and increased iodine excretion through the kidneys. In addition to commercial bread products, bromide can also be found in paint, new car interiors, and pool-cleaning products.
Fluoride found in tap water and dental products is another chemical that blocks iodine in the body. In addition, a chlorine-containing chemical called perchlorate, an ingredient in jet fuel, can also lead to dangerously low iodine levels.
A 2005 study done at Texas Tech University found that the average breast-feeding infant consumes twice the recommended maximum daily level of perchlorate, as established by the National Academy of Sciences.
Common Iodine Deficiency Symptoms
How can you tell if your iodine levels are too low?
Look at this list of common iodine deficiency symptoms and see if any apply to you:
- Persistent swelling or soreness in the neck and throat
- Unexplained weight gain
- Fatigue
- Muscle soreness
- “Brain fog”
- Memory loss
- Mood disorders, such as anxiety or depression
- Cyst formations in the ovaries
- Uterine fibroids
- Complications in the prostate
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Fluctuations in heart rate
- Feeling colder than usual
- Fibrocystic breast disease
- Gastric issues, such as colitis
- Autoimmune conditions
- Thyroid, breast, prostate, and other reproductive system-related cancers
Some of these symptoms may seem familiar to you, since they are also indicative of low thyroid function, otherwise known as hypothyroidism. This is because iodine is literally the “food” for the thyroid. Key hormones created in the thyroid, such as thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), cannot be created without it.
Other symptoms may come as a surprise. For example, did you know that in addition to being utilized in the thyroid, iodine is also housed and used in the salivary glands, breast tissue, gastric mucosa, ovaries, and the choroid plexus, the grouping of cells in the brain responsible for creating cerebrospinal fluid?
Iodine plays a part in every function in the body, and when you are deficient it affects every organ. According to National Cancer Institute statistics, thyroid cancer rates have risen 3.8% every year for the last 10 years. Rates of breast, uterine, prostate, and digestive system-related cancers have also been on the rise.
Finally, other ailments possibly related to iodine deficiency, such as autoimmune diseases and gastric system conditions, continue to affect almost everyone. Their rise began around the same time as iodine levels began to decrease in the United States as a whole.
Coincidence? Probably not.
How to Increase Your Iodine Levels: 4 Ways
Knowledge is power. Now that you know the facts about iodine deficiency and what causes it, you should also know that there are many things you can do to make sure you have adequate amounts in your body.
Here are 4 quick tips you can start today to ensure you’re not iodine deficient:
#1. Test Your Iodine Levels
You can do this on your own through a skin test or through an iodine loading test. While you are at it, get your levels of fluoride and bromide tested as well!
#2. Flush Out Toxins
This involves boosting your liver and kidney function as well as taking measures to get rid of bromide, fluoride, and chlorine in the body. Milk Thistle is a gentle yet powerful detoxifying herb that strengthens both the liver and the immune system.
#3. Reduce Exposure to Harmful Halides
Choose filtered water free from fluoride. Opt out of the use of fluoride toothpastes and dental products. Limit your exposure to chlorine and bromide in swimming pools. Choose organic sources for bread the next time you shop. There are dozens of actions you can take to limit your exposure to harmful halides. Choose one each week and stick with it!
#4. Increase Intake of Quality Iodine
You can start with your plate. Some foods high in iodine include quality fish and seafood, seaweed and kelp, cranberries, strawberries, and green, leafy vegetables.
Iodine deficiency has reached epidemic proportions worldwide… and can lead to unexplained weight gain, fatigue, “brain fog”, and much more. If any of the symptoms listed above apply to you, be sure to talk to a healthcare professional to see if iodine supplementation may be right for you.
09/08/22
Newer Antidepressants for Post-Partum Depression
Antidepressants are medications that can help relieve depression symptoms, like fatigue and emotional numbness. Several different kinds of antidepressants exist, but the most commonly prescribed are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Fluoxetine (Prozac) entered the market as the first SSRI, and for the next 30 years, many experts considered SSRIs the “modern” antidepressant, along with SNRIs.
In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new antidepressants, brexanolone and esketamine
Brexanolone
In 2019, the FDA approved brexanolone (Zulresso) as the first drug specifically designed to treat moderate to severe postpartum depression (PPD). Experts consider some SSRIs safe to take while pregnant or nursing, but these medications may not lead to much improvement for several weeks. When you have PPD, symptoms don’t just affect your own well-being — they can also have long-term effects on your bond with your baby.
Brexanolone, however, begins to take effect immediately. According to two randomized clinical trials published in 2018, this medication can significantly reduce PPD symptoms — benefits that held when researchers followed up with participants 30 days after treatment.
Esketamine
Esketamine (Spravato) is a chemical cousin of the anesthetic ketamine. The FDA approved esketamine in 2019 to treat treatment-resistant depression, or depression that persists after you try at least two different antidepressant treatments.
During clinical trials, doctors gave participants a nasal esketamine spray or a placebo spray. All participants also took an oral antidepressant they hadn’t tried before. Compared to people who took an oral antidepressant and used a placebo spray, those who used the esketamine spray reported greater symptom relief and longer symptom-free periods.
How it works
Esketamine sets off a chain reaction of chemicals that ultimately raises your levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF helps your neurons make new connections, which in turn enables you to form memories, learn new information, and develop different habits.
Depression typically involves low BDNF levels, and your brain may have difficulty adapting to changes. Esketamine helps restore BDNF levels, along with overall brain plasticity.
As with brexanolone, you have to take esketamine in the presence of a healthcare professional. Your doctor or clinician will give you a dose between 56–84 milligrams (mg), which you spray into your nostrils. You then relax in a chair for 2 hours. Your care team will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate during this time.
This medication works quickly, with many people noticing relief right away. Treatment requires multiple sessions, typically twice a week for the first 28 days and then spaced out over time. The effects usually last until your next dose.
Safety and side effects
In clinical trials, participants tended to report mild to moderate side effects. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, or a bit “out of it” during your treatment session. These side effects often go away within 90 minutes after you take your dose.
On rare occasions, people have reported more severe side effects like:
- vomiting
- anxiety and confusion
- worsening depression or suicidal thoughts
Esketamine can also lead to significant increases in blood pressure during the treatment session, which is why you’ll need monitoring for 2 hours. If you have hypertension or another vascular condition, make sure to tell your doctor before receiving treatment.
Consult with your physician, as using other anti-depressants as maintenance, in tandem with these newer treatments, are often necessary and effective.
7/11/2022
Paxlovid is an anti-viral agent targeting COVID-19– Oral medication preventing viral replication. Very similar to Tamiflu for Influenza & Valtrex for Herpes 2. Key is to start within 5 days of symptoms onset. High dose Curcumin / Turmeric has also been proven to help. Taking Paxlovid with our Curcu-Meric 975mg Capsule is extremely effective. We recommend 2 capsule 2 times a day, or 3 capsules 2 times a day, or 3 capsules 3 times per day depending on your BMI – Small (24-26)- Medium (27-29) – Big (29 or higher).
Pharmacists can now prescribe Paxlovid, Pfizer’s COVID-19 antiviral pill, directly to patients.
The FDA revised the drug’s emergency use authorization on Wednesday, letting state-licensed pharmacists screen patients and determine if they are eligible for Paxlovid.
Previously, only doctors could prescribe the antiviral drug, the AP reported. With some limits, pharmacists can now prescribe the medication for patients who face high risks for severe COVID-19.
6/24/2022
Asthma involves reactive airways constriction from a reaction to a stimulant. Individuals with high levels of eosinophils in theior blood stream have a more severe form of the disease most of the time. Eosinophils are specialized White Blood Cells which curb infection and boost inflammation. They are part of the Immune Cascade triggered when the Immune system is defending or protecting the body. An over-reaction, or continued reaction creates excess inflammation in the airway mucosal and submucosal tissue. If an individual starts using their bronchodilator (Albuterol) its a signal inflammation in the airways needs to be better controlled. Therefore, constant daily intake of anti-inflammatory compounds, preferably plant-based, is very helpful for those with asthma. Low-dose steroid inhalers as a maintenance daily treatment is part of traditional medicines approach to control inflammation in the airways, in individuals with asthma.
6/19/2022
Coffee has anti-oxidants, and other compounds which have been research and clinically proven to be beneficial to your health
6/13/22
05/25/22
How Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Affects your Brain & Immune System
ROOT Cause Supplements, LLC – Curcu-Meric 975 mg CapsuleTM
Dr. J. Miller
www.rootcausesupplements.us
The damage that MS can cause to the brain may include memory problems, fatigue, lack of concentration, decrease in processing speed, and mood changes. This is not only a disease affecting mobility, however, other aspects of an individual’s health which frequently go unrecognized. These issues are just as important to address as one’s mobility, pain, and spasticity problems.
Essentially one aspect has an impact on the other. An individual with a depressed mood is less likely to exercise, and exercise, stretching and mobility is important for the well-being of an individual impacted by MS. As with any disorder, it’s important to recognize the impact it has on all body systems and organs, and address all of them.
Demyelination of the nerves, depending on the location in the Brain or Spinal Cord, will create such a diversity of symptoms and presentations. The ROOT Cause to this demyelination is most probably, based upon research, a result of oxidative stress (free radical damage) to these myelin sheaths, because of an Auto-Immune Process triggering such a process leading to the damaging effects of chronic inflammation (Oxidative Stress).
The Auto-Immune Trigger can be a result of many factors placing excess burden upon an individual’s immune system. Our immune system responds to any external agent it encounters, whether it’s a virus, bacteria, pollen, environmental toxin, food toxin, Gut dysbiosis etc… Chronic Emotional stress can also offset the immune system, especially when combined with the above factors.
When our immune system is constantly responding to these excessive external stimuli, the immune system, as it is designed to do, will attack the inflammation resulting from these stimuli. As this inflammation turns from acute to chronic, we have excessive free radical damage (oxidative stress). The immune system remains in a vicious cycle against this chronic inflammation, and fails to recognize good tissue from bad tissue, which is where the auto-immune aspect originates.
Stopping the initial insult such as a virus, or simply recognizing environmental stimuli, and lessening the daily exposure; will eliminate much of the “nonsense inflammation” encountered by our tissues, so the immune system can do its proper job in attacking “real” inflammation it was meant to attack, and abnormal cells it was meant to destroy, and thus not overwhelm the proper functioning of the immune system.
Primary prevention in preventing such a trigger of this disorder (or any auto-immune disorder) in the form of ingesting healthy Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Oxidant compounds on a daily basis, to suppress this vicious cycle of “nonsense” inflammation, and not overwhelm the immune system to a point of triggering aberrant immune function is crucial. As the inflammation bombards our tissues and cells on a daily basis, the only way to effectively and efficiently slow this process is to ingest enough healthy Anti-Inflammatory & Anti-Oxidant compounds on a daily basis. Plant-Based diets have proven to positively impact our overall health, and Plant-Based compounds such as Turmeric, and it’s Bioactive ingredient Curcumin, have received much attention in lowering such inflammation.
Vitamin C, Vitamin D3 and several other Anti-Oxidants, have some benefits in lowering chronic inflammation, however, they do not have the Anti-Inflammatory effects of many plant based compounds such as Turmeric / Curcumin. Synthetic agents such as Alpha Lipoic Acid & MSM may also have an impact on chronic inflammation, however, cannot be taken at sufficient doses, and do not match to the mechanism of action compounds such as Turmeric / Curcumin exert on a cellular level, in lowering acute and chronic inflammation (oxidative stress).
Much research is taking place currently on the process of Neuro-Inflammation, and medications are being developed to block inflammatory pathways on a cellular level, which are the same pathways blocked by Turmeric / Curcumin; nfkb pathway is one of those focal pathways, however, many others exist. Curcumin impacts many pathways.
Curcu-Meric 975 mg CapsuleTM – Curcumin, Turmeric, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Bromelain, Ginger, Piperine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Zinc
The above capsule has extreme purity, without any fillers / preservatives / impurities, and contains a synergistic formula which maximizes the absorption and bioavailability of the anti-inflammatory compounds for maximal delivery to the tissues. 4-8 capsules per day with a meal or snack, in divided doses of 2 pills with each dose, would be recommended for individuals with Auto-Immune disorders such as MS.
Secondary Prevention, once a disorder has been triggered in an individual’s body, focuses on maximal reduction of oxidative stress (chronic inflammation from free radical damage to cells). Taking Curcu-Meric 975mgTM along with additional Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, alpha-lipoic acid, and other plant based anti-inflammatory compounds such as Moringa etc. can have a significant impact on suppressing disease progression and improving quality of life.
05/13/22
Prevention of preeclampsia is a health care priority, given that only delivery of the placenta has been proved to initiate the resolution of preeclampsia once it has developed. Preventive therapies have been based on the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and focused on redressing angiogenic imbalance, endothelial activation, oxidative stress, inflammation, vasoconstriction, or a combination of these factors. Evidence supports the use of exercise, aspirin, calcium, and labor induction as effective preventive strategies. Aspirin prophylaxis against preeclampsia is associated with a very small increase in antepartum and postpartum bleeding, as well as neonatal bleeding in rare cases. The risks argue against universal aspirin prophylaxis as an alternative to risk screening. Taking 1 Curcu-Meric 975mg daily in those diagnosed with pre-eclampsia is clinically safer and more beneficial than aspirin.
4/28/22
BioCardia, Inc. BCDA announced that the FDA has approved its investigational new drug (“IND”) application to initiate a clinical study on its pre-clinical pipeline candidate, BCDA-04. The company is planning to initiate a phase I/II study that will evaluate the candidate in patients recovering from acute respiratory distress syndrome (“ARDS”) due to COVID-19.
The company is planning to start the study in the third quarter of 2022.
The phase I portion of the study will evaluate increasing dosage of BCDA-04 to find an optimal dose of the candidate. The phase II portion of the study will evaluate the optimal dose of the candidate in adult patients recovering from ARDS due to COVID-19.
BioCardia’s BCDA-04 is an allogenic stem cell therapy that will be administered intravenously. Similar cell therapies investigated by the National Institute of Health as well as other per companies provide a significant body of compelling clinical results.
The company stated that after the administration of BCDA-04, the cells in the therapy migrate to the lungs for local therapeutic benefit. It believes that the Anti-Inflammatory nature of these mesenchymal stem cells may have a positive impact on ARDS patients.
All New research in biotech whether it be for Auto-Immune Dosorders, Infections, Carcinoma, Chronic Disease etc., the common denominator revolves around reducing inflammation. Immunotherapy has impacted every area off medicine. Unfortunately many types of Immunotherapy weaken our Immune Systems. Plant-Based Compounds such as Curcumin / Turmeric, and many others, when taken consistently on a daily basis, lower our Inflammation / Oxidative Stress, while simultaneously Optimizing our Immune Systems.
4/21/22
New Cancer Diagnosis Linked to Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Death
A new cancer diagnosis is independently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular death, according to a large study published in JACC: CardioOncology.
The study also showed an increased risk of stroke, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism among patients with a new cancer diagnosis.
During the study period, there were 224,016 patients with a new cancer diagnosis. The most common types were gynecologic (20%), genitourinary (19%), gastrointestinal (17%), breast (13%), thoracic (10%), and hematologic (9%) cancers.
Researchers compared cardiovascular events in patients with and without a new cancer diagnosis over a median follow-up of 11.8 years. During that time, there were 248,541 deaths, including 73,360 from cardiovascular causes.
In an analysis adjusted for baseline covariates, patients with a cancer diagnosis had an increased risk of:
- Cardiovascular death (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.29-1.37)
- Stroke (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.41-1.47)
- Heart failure (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.59-1.65)
- Pulmonary embolism (HR, 3.43; 95% CI, 3.37-3.50).
The excess cardiovascular risk was greatest during the first year after cancer diagnosis but declined over time. However, the risk remained significantly elevated after 10 years of follow-up for cardiovascular mortality, heart failure, and pulmonary embolism.
The highest risk was observed in patients with genitourinary, gastrointestinal, thoracic, nervous system, and hematologic malignancies.
“Our study shows that patients with prior cancer are susceptible to a variety of CV [cardiovascular] events over a long time frame,” the researchers wrote. “Unfortunately, this risk is unlikely to diminish in the short term, given that many newer cancer therapies are also associated with increased risk for myocardial injury and heart failure.”
The properties of Curcumin / Turmeric make it valuable for people with carcinoma to take on a daily basis, reducing the risk of thrombosis and blood clots which are at increased prevelance in individuals with carcinoma. Also, reducing the inflammatory cascade in our system helps with the immune systems role in fighting cancer.
4-13-22 —– Neuro-Inflammation is likely to be The ROOT Cause of – Alzheimer’s disease and MS (Multiple Sclerosis), and other disorders of the nervous system. With Alzheimer’s, the plaques develop in certain areas of the central nervous system such as the hippocampus and amygdala regions, as well as between neurons, inhibiting proper communication between structures in the brain. The Beta-amyloid plaques begin accumulating years prior to clinical disease onset in many cases. With MS the plaques and scarring occur on the myelin sheath, which protects the nerves. Once the myelin sheath becomes damaged from chronic inflammation, electrical conduction becomes aberrant. Ingestion of foods classified as anti-inflammatory, along with quality Curcumin / Turmeric & Omega-3 Supplements to lower the predisposition of the Inciting inflammatory event via optimizing the immune system, along with decreasing the inflammation in these areas once the inciting event has occurred, is crucial for prevention and inhibition of progression once the diease has been triggered. Inflammtion to trigger the disease can be from a virus, auto-immune dysfunction, high levels of chronic inflammation (Oxidative Stress) over time. The key to prevention and treatment, is to lower inflammation on a daily basis consistently with healthy compounds, along with a healthy Anti-Inflammatory Diet. These compounds consist of 1- Turmeric / Curcumin therapeutic capsule with ginger and black pepper, 2- Omega-3 quality fish oil supplements, 3- Daily Vitamin D3 (5000-10,000 IU) , 4- Alpha Lipoic Acid with Biotin, 5-Boswelia Serrata, 6- MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane), 7- B-Complex (B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B7,B12)
4/04/22 —Body Fat and Inflammation Affect Colon Cancer Outcomes
Results from a multicenter study
Study Objective
To evaluate the association between body composition and related inflammatory biomarkers with 5-year survival in patients with nonmetastatic colon cancer
Design
A prospective, multicenter, translational cohort study using a retrospective placebo comparison group
Participants
All participants included in the study were diagnosed with nonmetastatic colon cancer without underlying chronic inflammatory conditions. These patients were not treated with anti-inflammatory medications.
All participants underwent elective resection for colon cancer with curative intent.
Study Parameters Assessed
After initial diagnosis, all patients were staged, and metastasis was ruled out using standard imaging guidelines. Patients were followed with active surveillance for 5 years, which included measurement of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), colonoscopy, and imaging studies.
Blood samples were collected from patients preoperatively.
White blood cell count and albumin levels were analyzed. Acute phase protein and cytokine levels were measured and included interleukin 1b (IL-1b), IL-2, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).
CT studies measured total fat area and subcutaneous fat area. Calculations for visceral-to-total fat ratio and subcutaneous-to-total fat ratio were made.
CT studies were also used to measure skeletal muscle area (SMA).
The association of body composition profiles with 5-year cancer recurrence and disease-specific mortality were analyzed using Mantel Cox log-rank test, and Kaplan-Meier curves were produced.
When specific composition profiles were significantly associated with poor clinical and cancer outcomes, comparison of mean inflammatory mediator expression levels was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Primary Outcome Measures
Associations of body composition profiles with 5-year cancer recurrence and disease-specific mortality
Key Findings
Overall low skeletal muscle area (SMA) and high visceral-to-total fat ratio were significantly associated with less favorable clinical and cancer outcomes.
Low SMA was associated with a more than 2-fold increase in recurrence of colon cancer in the 5-year postsurgical period (low SMA: hazard ratio [HR], 2.30 [95% CI, 1.41–2.89]; P=0.04).
High visceral-to-total fat ratio was significantly associated with developing a cancer recurrence within the first 5 years after surgery (high visceral-to-total fat ratio: HR, 5.78 [95% CI, 3.66–7.95]; P=0.02).
Low SMA (OR, 2.13 [95% CI, 1.85–5.36]; P=0.004) and high visceral-to-total fat ratio (OR, 3.20 [95% CI, 1.85–10.84]; P=0.01) were significantly associated with developing a 30-day infective complication.
High visceral-to-total fat ratio was the only body composition profile significantly associated with cancer-related mortality within the first 5 years after surgery (HR, 5.92 [95% CI, 4.04–8.00]; P=0.02). There was no significant association between low SMA and 5-year disease-specific mortality.
Patients with low SMA who developed cancer recurrence, compared with those who did not, had significantly higher levels of CRP, VEGF, and CD14 expression.
Patients with high visceral-to-total fat ratio who developed recurrence, compared with those who did not, had higher levels of IL-6 (mean [SD], 5.26 [7.05] ng/mL vs 2.76 [3.11] ng/mL; P=0.03) and TNFα (mean [SD], 5.74 [4.53] ng/mL vs 4.50 [1.99] ng/mL; P=0.03).
Practice Implications
This study showed an association between visceral fat and poorer outcomes, which is not surprising. There is an accumulation of literature showing that visceral fat is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, and other chronic conditions.1 This study also demonstrated the relationship between visceral fat and measurable inflammatory mediators in the blood. In other studies, increased visceral fat has been associated with the increased release of free fatty acids into portal circulation, which results in insulin resistance and other metabolic syndromes.2 Conversely, subcutaneous fat correlated with increased levels of IL-2 and IL-10, cytokines thought to possess predominantly anti-inflammatory effects.
The World Cancer Research Fund International lists 10 established obesity-related cancers, including postmenopausal breast, endometrial, ovarian, advanced prostate, colorectal, renal, pancreatic, liver, and gallbladder cancers and esophageal adenocarcinoma.3 Clearly, obesity needs to be addressed as 1 of the strategies in approaching these obesity-related cancers. However, we must be mindful of how body fat is being assessed in our evaluation and assessment of individuals.
Body mass index (BMI), though recommended as an index of obesity and disease risk, has its limitations. It is nonspecific, with only the weight and height used to calculate BMI. There is no differentiation of muscle mass or any delineation of visceral versus subcutaneous fat.4 Therefore, BMI cannot predict the risks associated specifically with elevated levels of visceral fat.
This phenomenon is referred to as the ‘obesity paradox’ and is well-recognized in the cardiometabolic literature but less so in oncology.
The common perception is that excess adiposity, approximated by BMI, is associated with reduced cancer survival. However, several studies have demonstrated that overweight and early obese states are associated with improved survival. This phenomenon is referred to as the “obesity paradox” and is well-recognized in the cardiometabolic literature but less so in oncology.3 This suggests that BMI is not a reliable form of measurement or prognostic tool due to its inability to evaluate fat deposition, particularly subcutaneous vs visceral fat.3
Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) may be a better tool to consider when evaluating patients who may be at increased risk for colon cancer recurrence or morbidity related to colon cancer. WHR was found to be a better anthropometric measurement compared to measuring waist circumference alone or BMI, for assessing excess levels of visceral fat.5
Increased levels of subcutaneous fat and low skeletal muscle area (SMA) were associated with increased levels of inflammatory mediators (ie, IL-6, CRP, VEGF), which are known to promote cancer cell survival and metastatic transformation.
Researchers have questioned whether targeted anti-inflammatory therapies that work to inhibit IL-6 and other inflammatory mediators have a role in modulating the inflammatory association of body composition with cancer outcomes. Perioperative use of taurolidine, a taurine derivative, significantly diminished circulating IL-6 levels for the first 7 days following surgical resection in nonmetastatic colon cancer.6 Taurolidine has been shown to inhibit pro-inflammatory cytokines, specifically TNF-alpha and IL-6.7 Whether taurolidine affects outcomes was not part of that study’s design.
Given the apparent role that high systemic inflammation plays in poorer outcomes for cancers, an anti-inflammatory dietary approach should be considered. A 2006 study observed an inverse association between fruit and vegetable intake and CRP.8 Diets high in dietary fiber and rich in fruits and vegetables are associated with lower CRP levels, while consumption of a Western diet, high in fat, sugar, sodium, and refined grains, has been correlated with elevated CRP levels.9 A 2004 study found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet (rich in olive oil, fish, nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables) lowered CRP levels by an average of 20 percent.10
Sleep hygiene and exercise can also be included as part of a strategy to address concerns of higher systemic inflammation. CRP, IL-6, and fibrinogen have been linked to sleep, with higher levels of these markers associated with poorer sleep.11 More active individuals involved in regular exercise have lower concentrations of IL‑6 and CRP.12
The study reviewed here found unfavorable outcomes in nonmetastatic colon cancer associated with body composition and increased expression of proinflammatory pathways. These are important points that should be acknowledged and addressed in the clinical setting. However, it is important to note that this was a small cohort study involving only 28 patients. In addition, men comprised 78.6% of the study participants, compared to women at 21.4%.
3/11/2022 – Whats behind the Iodine / Iodide Interest ?
BLOG- Dr. Joseph Miller – March 8th, 2022
ROOT Cause Supplements, LLC
Iodine (I) is a trace element that is naturally present in some foods, its added to some types of salt, and is available as a dietary supplement. Iodine is an essential component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Thyroid hormones regulate many important biochemical reactions, including protein synthesis and enzymatic activity, and are critical determinants of metabolic activity. They are also required for proper skeletal and central nervous system development in fetuses and infants.
Trace Minerals- Iron, Zinc, Copper, Selenium, Manganese, Iodine, Chromium, Molybdenum, Cobalt, Nickel, Vanadium. Some act as antioxidants, others are responsible for a healthy blood system (red cells, white cells, platelets), and others for healthy growth of certain hormones. They also act as building blocks for hundreds of enzymes.
Most recently Iodine has received lots of attention due to the risk of a large or small nuclear fallout and exposure. Even low levels of radioactive iodide can destroy tissue in your thyroid gland. Actually, clinically this is used at times in persons diagnosed with an over-active Thyroid Gland (i.e. Graves’ Disease), Thyroid Cancer or enlarged thyroid (goiter) in the form of radioisotope Iodine-131.
Potassium Iodide (KI) is a salt of stable (not radioactive) iodine, that can help block radioactive iodine from being absorbed by the thyroid gland, and saturate the receptors, not allowing the gland to uptake radioactive iodine, inhibiting its tissue destruction and shut down; and continue to utilize the proper iodide to produce T3 & T4, thyroid hormones for proper function.
Our Curcu-Meric 975mg®– Root Cause Supplements, and Iodoral® 12.5mg (KI) – Optimox, provide crucial compounds for Thyroid Protection and Function.
Potassium Iodide (KI) pills made from Elemental Iodine (I) would help people protect their thyroid gland, which is prone to absorbing radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide (KI) contains a good amount of stable iodine, and when taken orally, saturates the thyroid with non-radioactive iodine, causing the gland to become full. This means neither stable nor radioactive iodine can enter.
However, taking Potassium iodide (KI) capsules doesn’t mean you can’t be harmed from other radioactive materials, which can damage other organs in your body.
Those with allergies to iodine or shellfish should not take Potassium Iodide (KI). Also, higher doses may have side effects such as abnormal heart rhythms, nausea, vomiting, electrolyte abnormalities and bleeding. There are higher dose capsules over 30mg daily, which need to be taken with caution.
potassium iodide from elemental iodine (I) and potassium hydroxide (KOH).
Chemical formula: 3I2 + 6KOH == 5KI + KIO3 + 3H2O
Histamine Intolerance Supplements
02/21/2022
PRODUCTS LISTED IN BELOW PARAGRAPH WILL BE OFFERED SOON
Histamine intolerance is a global issue that remains largely unrecognized. Common symptoms of histamine intolerance are irritability, profuse sweating or becoming red in the face when exercising, exercise-induced asthma, psoriasis, eczema, insomnia, nosebleeds, anxiety, and sweaty hands and feet. Stress worsens histamine intolerance as do histamine-containing foods and drinks such as citrus their juices, fermented foods, red wine, champagne, fish, tomatoes, and leftovers. An enzyme called DAO is produced by our digestive system to help break down histamine. Some people do not produce enough of this important enzyme and taking a DAO supplement like Histamine Block can be quite helpful. Our ProBiota HistaminX intentionally excludes certain strains of probiotics that are known to produce histamine in the gut. Stress and anxiety also increase histamine-release from cells, which is why it’s important to manage stress levels by focusing on good sleep, breathing and diet. Optimal Adrenal may also help to bring balance to stress responses. Optimal Liposomal Vitamin C Plus may help to support healthy cell membranes which are needed to keep naturally-produced histamine inside of the cells where it belongs. Once you start learning about histamine intolerance and providing your body the right supplements and nutrients, large strides in your health can be realized quite quickly. Our top-rated histamine intolerance supplements are Histamine Block, ProBiota HistaminX, Optimal Liposomal Vitamin C Plus and HistaminX.*
1/18/2022
Anti-Inflammatory Foods: 1. Berries -strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries 2. Fatty Fish- salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel, anchovies 3. Broccoli 4. Avocado 5. Green Tea 6. Peppers 7. Mushrooms 8. Grapes 9. Turmeric 10. Extra Virgin Olive Oil 11. Dark Chocolate 12. Tomatoes 13. Cherries
11/22/2021
Many studies continue to confirm the health benefits of the Mediterranean diet, which cuts the risk of heart disease and stroke. The diet’s nutritional benefits probably come from various sources, but the generous use of olive oil appears to be a key contributor.
Regardless of the type, olive oil is high in monounsaturated fatty acids, containing about 75% by volume. When substituted for saturated fat, monounsaturated fats help lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol. The health benefits of olive oil have been attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, observational studies have shown a link between lower risks of cardiovascular disease, some cancers, and even dementia in people who consume higher amounts of olive oil than those who use little or none.
Still, extra-virgin olive oil does offer something extra that regular olive oil does not. Extra-virgin olive oil is pressed mechanically from ripe olives and processed without high heat or chemical solvents. This protects chemicals in the oil called phenols. In contrast, regular, highly processed olive oils lose these chemicals. Small laboratory-based experiments suggest that higher concentrations of phenols may provide extra antioxidant effects. Even so, there are no definitive studies that show extra-virgin olive oil has a greater ability than refined oil to prevent heart problems, cancer or other diseases.
Keep in mind that olive oil is not the sole healthy ingredient in a Mediterranean diet. Think of it as just one aspect of the Mediterranean style of eating, which includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; whole grains; and limited amounts of red meat.
Understanding Your Body’s Gut Barrier
What is the gut barrier, how does it impact your health, and what can you do to protect it?
Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract contains many connected organs across a long, twisting tube that starts at your mouth and ends at your rectum. The hollow organs that make up the GI tract are your mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and anus. The GI tract is part of the digestive system that also includes solid organs such as your liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
The primary role of the GI tract is to enable the passage of the food you eat to your stomach, to control the breakdown of that food, to facilitate the digestion and absorption of the nutrients in the food, and then to excrete all things considered waste.
The gut barrier: why is it so important?
Although your gut is designed to facilitate food processing and the separation of important nutrients from wasteful products, its role extends much further than that. Your gut barrier, or gut lining, arguably may be the most important organ in your body.
Your gut lining protects you from pathogens entering your system, helps maintain a healthy relationship between your body and the microorganisms that reside in your intestines, and coordinates your immune response.1,2
These functions are performed across your gut barrier, a multi-layer functional unit of your gut that has two main components: a physical barrier and a deep, functional barrier. The physical barrier is mainly composed of a large community of microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) otherwise known as the microbiota. The functional barrier consists of the innate and adaptive immune cells that form the gut-associated lymphoid tissue, which is responsible for immune response.
The gut barrier: how does it impact your health?
Both the physical barrier and the functional barrier are maintained and modulated by intestinal microorganisms and host immune cells. These cells are responsible for protecting your gut barrier, controlling inflammation, and preserving gut homeostasis.3
For example, short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are gut microbial metabolites that are typically produced during the digestion of dietary fibers. SCFAs are used to produce energy and balance your gut-brain axis.4 SCFAs also contribute to immune regulation by enhancing mucus production and promoting the development of regulatory T cells (your body’s fundamental immune response cells).
Your gut barrier can become compromised with acute stress – such as heat, intense exercise, psychological stress, and antibiotic use – or chronic stress such as occurs with chronic autoimmune conditions and GI, neurological, and metabolic diseases. A compromised gut barrier can manifest as an alteration in the gut microbiota (dysbiosis) and damage to the gut epithelial layer. In turn, subsequent damage to the gut barrier can result in the leakage of harmful microorganisms from the GI tract into the bloodstream, which can further compromise immune response or complicate metabolic disorders such as obesity or diabetes.5
Protecting the physical barrier and deep functional barrier is fundamental to your health, not only for increased energy and nutrient utilization but also to ensure foreign substances and inflammation do not compromise your health or your immune responses.6
The gut barrier: what can you do to protect it?
There are several ways you can protect the integrity of your gut barrier. Specific diet7 and nutritional supplements (probiotics/prebiotics/synbiotics)8 can help, but so can consistent moderate exercise,9 stress management,10 avoiding excessive or unnecessary antibiotic use,11 and regular gut testing.12
If these interventions seem very general, it’s because they are. Every individual should have an individualized plan of care for achieving and maintaining good gut health.
Thorne’s at-home Gut Health Test provides a comprehensive gut health assessment so you can understand your gut health status today. Although it doesn’t measure direct gut barrier cell health, the insights from this in-depth report identifies and measures the microorganisms associated with risks of having inflammation, constipation, and diarrhea. Each Gut Health Test provides personalized and actionable diet, supplementation, and lifestyle recommendations based on your bacteria counts and ratios that will help you optimize your gut community and maintain gut health, nutrient absorption and utilization, and immune health.
In a study published in November 2020 in JAMA Network Open, researchers found that women who ate a Mediterranean (MED)-style diet, rich in healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables, had a 30 percent lower rate of type 2 diabetes incidence compared with women who did not.
The new research included an examination of several mechanisms at work in the body to try to identify differences between the MED-like diet group and the normal diet group that could lead to the reduced risk in developing the disease.
In addition to finding the diabetes risk reduction, investigators were able to better understand the potential reasons for those benefits. The largest contribution came from biomarkers of insulin resistance, followed by biomarkers of adiposity or body mass index (BMI), HDL (high-density lipoprotein) measures, and inflammation.
People who follow a Mediterranean diet tend to cook with olive oil, which is a heart-healthy fat, and eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, moderate amounts of fish and dairy products, limited amounts of red and processed meats like bacon and hot dogs, and limited foods with added sugar. They also drink some red wine.
Several previous studies have reported positive health benefits in people who eat a Mediterranean or MED-like diet. For example, a meta-analysis that included 50 studies and 534,096 people published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk for metabolic syndrome. Researchers also found that a MED diet could have a protective effect against developing this group of diseases, which include abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and insulin resistance. People with metabolic syndrome are at increased risk of coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Circulation in both the arterial and venous systems plays a role in our wellness, and the consequences of many disorders and diseases. As can be seen in the LINK below, venous circulation in the neck can create problems in MS patients. Therefore, once again Curcumin remains an important supplement to take for MS patients not only for the benefit of reducing the auto-immune inflammatory reaction which occurs in the myelin sheath surrounding our nerves, however, curcumin also has a favorable profile, better than low-dose aspirin, to mildly thin the blood, improving circulation for preventative wellness, and in illnesses which cause circulatory problems.
Crohn’s disease & Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s disease is a chronic, lifelong disorder that causes irritation and swelling in the lining of the digestive tract. If you have Crohn’s disease, you’ll likely go through periods of remission where the disease is inactive and you experience little or no symptoms. You’ll also likely experience flare-ups, or periods where disease symptoms are very active and can be severe. It is important to actively keep inflammation to a minimum within the intestinal tract on a daily basis. Eating a healthy plant-based diet, and adding our 2 Therapeutic Anti-Inflammatory capsules- Curcu-Meric 900 mg & Gluco-Mmune 900 mg, to your daily routine taking, 1 Capsule each with 2-3 meals per day has clinically proven to lower flares, disease activity and long term complication of Crohn’s disease, and the related disorder of Ulcerative Colitis.
Side Effects of Commonly Prescribed Drugs – Click Link Below – This is informational only, as certain medications are absolutely necessary and the benefits outweigh the risks
Psoriasis can affect the heart as well, from inflammation – Click Link Below
New Study (May 2020), Confirms Foods that help keep a healthy cardiovascular system, and decrease plaque build up in our arteries, and even reverse existing damage; are high in Anti-oxidant properties, Flavonoids, Polyphenols, Phytonutrients, Omega-3 & Other Plant-Based Compounds.
Superfoods Turmeric ROOT, Moringa Leaf, Beet ROOT, Oranges, Kale, Garlic, Ginger ROOT, Chocolate, Sardines, Lentils (Legumes) Peas, Soybeans, Almonds, Pomegranates, Blueberries, Grapefruit, Salmon, Chia Seeds, Flax Seeds, Apples, Pears, Avocados, Eggplant, Broccoli, Carrots, Asparagus, Lean Chicken, Chick Peas, Coffee, Cranberries, Figs, Sweet Red Peppers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Green Tea, Kidney Beans, Kiwi, Tuna, Mackerel, Cashews, Oatmeal, Quinoa, Spinach
We are all well acquainted with the recommendation that Aspirin (low-dose)(1-2 Baby aspirin per day) is Cardio-Protective; However, ingesting the above Foods on a daily basis is more beneficial and healthier for your Organs & Body Systems than aspirin; especially when coupled with healthy nutritional Plant-Based supplements.