Search Articles in Our Online Health Resource Library

HRT is an important component in any preventative health program for the menopausal years. HRT produces great short term benefit by releiving vasomotor and other symptomatic changes related to menopause. However, the real benefit provided by HRT is the long term prevention of major health issues related to declinig hormone levels.

The membrane surrounds and protects every cell of every organ including the tissues of the heart and the neurons of the brain. It is a remarkable this insulator, the protective outer skin, with a carbon copy duplicated over and over surrounding the tiny organelles inside each cell.

We conclude that dominant apoptosis resistance depends, at least in part, on intracellular GSH levels, which may affect apoptosis signaling at different compartments, for example, the death receptor or mitochondria.

Due to its unique absorption and metabolism characteristics, medium chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, consisting of fatty acids with 8-12 carbons, has been used therapeutically since the 1950s in the treatment of fat malabsorption, cystic fibrosis, epilepsy, weight control, and to increase exercise performance.

It is clear from the results of the present epidemiological study and other recently published data associating mercury exposure with childhood NDs, additional ND research should be undertaken in the context of evaluating mercury-associated exposures, especially from Thimerosal-containing vaccines.

Many of the symptoms of cystic fibrosis are not explained by the current disease mechanisms. Therefore, the authors conducted an extensive literature review and present a new model of cystic fibrosis pathology, which is the culmination of this research. Understanding that the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is responsible for glutathione (GSH) transport, the authors hypothesize that mutations of the CFTR, which create abnormal GSH transport, will lead to aberrations of GSH levels in both the intracellular as well as the extracellular milieu.

This article is the first of a two-part article series discussing hormone replacement therapy.

With good follow-up, good clinical judgement and good laboratory back-up, we have enough information about hormone replacement to offer BHRT as a viable option.

This pilot study indicates the promise of nebulized buffered GSH to ameliorate CF disease, and longer, larger, and improved studies of inhaled GSH are warranted.

Urinary porphyrin testing is clinically available, relatively inexpensive, and noninvasive. Porphyrins need to be routinely measured in ASDs to establish if mercury toxicity is a causative factor and to evaluate the effectiveness of chelation therapy.

This study showed that exposure to mercury from TCVs administered in the US was a consistent signifi cant risk factor for the development of NDs. It is clear from these data and other recent publications linking TCVs with NDs that additional ND research should be undertaken in the context of evaluating mercury-associated exposures and thimerosal-free vaccines should be made available.

This paper is geared toward parents of newly diagnosed autistic children and parents of young autistic children who are not acquainted with many of the basic issues of autism. Our discussion is based on a large body of scientific research.

This is an important study- not only does it link the bacteria and Alzherimer's Diseases, but it shoes that eradication of the bacteria has been successful in treating the associated symptoms of cognitive decline.

While numerous pharmacological activities, including antioxidant and antimicrobial properties, have been attributed to curcumin, this article focuses on curcumin's anti-inflammatory properties and its use for inflammatory conditions. Curcumin's effect on cancer (from an anti-inflammatory perspective) will also be discussed; however, an exhaustive review of its many anticancer mechanisms is outside the scope of this article.

Part 2 of this review will attempt to consolidate progress in integrative management of autism, aimed at improving independence and lifespan for people with the disorder.

Current pharmaceuticals fail to benefit the primary symptoms and can have marked adverse effects. Individualized, indepth clinical and laboratory assessments and integrative parent-physician-scientist cooperation are the keys to successful ASD management.

Autism is growing at epidemic rates. (1) It is reported to be prevelant in 1-150 children, some states 1-80 children. Autism is a complex neurological disorder with seemingly provable and many etiologies such as maternal viruses and bacteria (2), immediate cord clamping and birth drugs (3), metabolic insufficiency during development in utero or infancy (ie, thyroid t3 and t4) (4), purine disorders, adenosine deaminse deficiency (5), mitochondrial disorders (6), iron fragile metabolism (7), metallothionein deficiency (8), oxidative stress, childhood vaccinations which act as triggers to events above through viral persistance in gut and brain (9), and heavy metal poisoning from additives in vaccines (10), and lastly chronic disseminated lyme neuroborreliosis disease.

Suggestions are made for future therapeutic modalities addressing possible underlying causes of oxidative stress.

These findings indicate a possible role of increased oxidative stress and altered enzymatic antioxidants, both of which may be relevant to the pathophysiology of autism.

The response of CFS patients to incremental exercise associates a lengthened and accentuated oxidative stress together with marked alterations of the muscle membrane excitability. These two objective signs of muscle dysfunction are sufficient to explain muscle pain and postexertional malaise reported by our patients.

The etiology of CFS remains unclear; however, a number of recent studies have shown oxidative stress may be involved in its pathogenesis. The role of oxidative stress in CFS is an important area for current and future research as it suggests the use of antioxidants in the management of CFS.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness characterized by persistent and relapsing fatigue, often accompanied by numerous symptoms involving various body systems. The etiology of CFS remains unclear; however, a number of recent studies have shown oxidative stress may be involved in its pathogenesis. The role of oxidative stress in CFS is an important area for current and future research as it suggests the use of antioxidants in the management of CFS.

Topically applied testosterone gels are an effective and convenient means of hormone replacement in hypogonadal men.

Topically applied testosterone gels are an effective and convenient means of hormone replacement in hypogonadal men.

ALA effectively improves the sensitive symptoms of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy patients and is safe for most of the patients.

CF is a disease of greatly varied symptomatology due to the many possible mutations contributing to genotype and phenotype. This creates a disease complex with a wide range of disorders that can ultimately include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, CF-associated liver fibrosis, diabetes mellitus, cholelithiasis, and arthritis.

Vulvovaginal problems and vulvar pain are common patient complaints. Patient complaints may suggest urologic, dermatologic, dysesthetic, vaginal, or colorectal problems. The pelvic floor is a complex structure, composed of integrated local pelvic support muscle groups and nerves as well as the general postural support system. The astute clinician can correctly diagnose and offer appropriate therapies more successfully after systematic assessment of the entire vulvovaginal region. Susan Kellogg-Spadt, PhD,[1] of The Pelvic Floor Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, discussed the differential diagnosis of pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) and vulvar pain.

Meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) is a sulfhydryl-containing, water-soluble, non-toxic, orally-administered metal chelator which has been in use as an antidote to heavy metal toxicity since the 1950s. More recent clinical use and research substantiates this compound's efficacy and safety, and establishes it as the premier metal chelation compound, based on oral dosing, urinary excretion, and its safety characteristics compared to other chelating substances.

This article reviews the pharmacological properties and the uses of two important antidotes for heavy metal poisoning.

Parkinson disease is characterized by a major loss (z8O% or more) of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons and by an increased turnover of neurotransmitter by surviving neurons of the nigrostriatal tract. In theory, increased turnover of dopamine should be associated with an oxidative stress derived from increased production of hydrogen peroxide.

The results indicate that the trends in newly diagnosed NDs correspond directly to the expansion and subsequent contraction of the cumulative mercury dose to which children were exposed from TCVs through the U.S. immunization schedule.

Bioidentical hormone replacement relieved the symptoms of menopause and was well tolerated.

Estrogen therapy is of value in the treatment of menopausal symptoms and for prevention of osteoporosis.

Used in a careful individualized manner that is suited to each patient's needs and history, bio-identical hormones can profoundly improve quality of life.

These data confirm the established role of oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in the pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and show the potential of induced sputum to directly study inflammatory processes and surrogate markers in interstitial lung diseases like idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Oxidative stress appears to play an important role in degeneration of dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The SN of early PD patients have dramatically decreased levels of the thiol tripeptide glutathione (GSH). GSH plays multiple roles in the nervous system both as an antioxidant and a redox modulator.

This study shows that alterations in GSH levels change the neurotrophic effects of NO in midbrain cultures into neurotoxic. Under these conditions, NO triggers a programmed cell death with markers of both apoptosis and necrosis characterized by an early step of free radicals production followed by a late requirement for signalling on the sGC/cGMP/PKG pathway.

Early clinical trials have suggested that glutathione (GSH) offers protection from the toxic effects of cisplatin.

There is significant evidence that the pathogenesis of several neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Friedreich's ataxia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, may involve the generation of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, we review the evidence for a disturbance of glutathione homeostasis that may either lead to or result from oxidative stress in neurodegenerative disorders.

It is hypothesized that HBOT therpay will improve symptoms in autistic individuals. A retrospective case series is presented that supports this hypothesis.

It is expected that amelioration of these underlying pathophysiological problems through the use of HBOT will lead to improvements in autistic symptoms.

Children with autism who received hyperbaric treatment at 1.3 atm and 24% oxygen for 40 hourly sessions had significant improvements in overall functioning, receptive language, social interaction, eye contact, and sensory/cognitive awareness compared to children who received slightly pressurized room air.

Whereas increased -carotene, selenium, and fatty acid concentrations are linked to improved lung function, increased plasma fatty acid concentrations are linked to oxidative stress. If oxidative stress is deemed to be important to the clinical outcome of CF patients, means of reducing oxidative stress while maintaining a high-fat, highenergy diet must be investigated.

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the preferential loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN). One of the earliest detectable biochemical alterations that occurs in the Parkinsonian brain is a marked reduction in SN levels of total glutathione (glutathione plus glutathione disulfide), occurring before losses in mitochondrial complex I (CI) activity, striatal dopamine levels, or midbrain dopaminergic neurodegeneration associated with the disease.

This paper presents a rationale for the therapeutic use of intravenous nutrients, reviews the relevant published clinical research, describes the author's clinical experiences, and discusses potential side effects and precautions.

The purpose of this review is to provide arguments in favor of a more liberal approach to the treatment of late stage Lyme disease, specifically the use of intravenous antibiotics for extended periods of time.

Lyme borreliosis (Lyme disease) is a multisystem illness caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Although dermatologic, articular, cardiac, opthalmologic, and neurologic manifestations are well known, it is less well known that psychiatric disorders may also arise as a result of borrelial infection (1). Depression (2), panic attacks (3), schizophrenia-like psychotic state (4), bipolar disorder (3), and dementia (5) have been atributed to Lyme borreliosis. In this report, we present two patients in whom psychiatric symptoms represented the primary manifestations of their late-stage Lyme borreliosis. Specific dilemmas of diagnosis and treatment will be discussed.

Antioxidants - vitamins B6, C and E, zinc, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, and alpha-lipoic acid, either alone or in conjunction with standard pharmaceutical chelating agents - have been studied in lead-exposed animals. The evidence for their use in lead exposure, alone and in conjunction with chelating agents, is reviewed in this article.

α−Lipoic acid is unique in its ability to act as an antioxidant in fat- and watersoluble tissues in both its oxidized and reduced forms. It is readily absorbed from an oral dose. Because of its myriad biological activities, including an ability to chelate metals and to scavenge a wide array of free radicals, α−lipoic acid is considered by several experts to be an ideal antioxidant.

This overview provides a review of the most pertinent recent research findings in this area. Exogenous augmentation of GSH in the lung epithelial lining fluid is possible, and therapeutic approaches include administration of aerosolized buffered GSH, intravenous GSH, and oral GSH.

This review outlines 1) the regulation of cellular GSH levels and g-GCS expression under oxidative stress and 2) the evidence for lung oxidant stress and the potential role of GSH in the pathogenesis of COPD.

the purpose of the event was to explore the conection between Lyme and autism and discuss the best approaches to identify and treat autistic children infected with the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi.

Millions of people who are diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, chronic fatigue syndrome and other degenerative diseases could have Lyme Disease causing or contributing to their condition.

In the last decade the majority of outcome-oriented physicians observed a major shift: we realized that it was neither the lack of vitamins or growth hormone that made our patients ill. We discovered that toxicity and chronic infections were most often at the core of the client's suffering. We watched the discussion, which infection may be the primary one: mycoplasma, stealth viruses, HHV-6, trichomonas, Chlamydia pneumoniae, leptospirosis, mutated strep, or whatelse?.

Newer approaches to the treatment of Lyme disease should take into account its clinical complexity in coinfected patients and the possible need for prolonged combination therapy in patients with persistent symptoms of this potentially debilitating illness. The optimal antibiotic regimen for chronic Lyme disease remains to be determined.

We interpret the inverse correlation between lymphocyte GSH concentration and lung function as a reflection of upregulation of GSH production by lung epithelial tissue in response to oxidative stress. We interpret the correlation between lymphocyte GSH concentration and nutritional status as a reflection of the role of cysteine in hepatic glutamine metabolism. Peripheral blood lymphocyte GSH concentration may potentially serve as a convenient marker of lung inflammation. Furthermore, the increased demand for GSH production in the face of ongoing inflammation suggests a potential role for supplementation with cysteine donors.

Information on EDTA, DMPS and DMSA.

Medium chain triglycerides are a class of lipids in which three fats are bound to a glycerol backbone. MCT's have been used in malabsorption syndromes, including short bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and hepatic disease as well as HIV/AIDS, cachexia, weight loss program and diabetes.

We propose that an increases vulnerability to oxidative stress may contribute to the development and clinical manifestations of autism.

Metal-induced toxicity and carcinogenicity, with an emphasis on the generation and role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is reviewed.

Dr. Neubrander's protocol can be found at the end of this document.

Our findings support the view that movement disturbances play an intrinsic part in the phenomenon of autism, that they are present at birth, and that they can be used to diagnose the presence of autism in the first few months of life. They indicate the need for the development of methods of therapy to be applied from the first few months of life in autism.

In acute injuries, the ligaments and tendons become torn. Ligaments function to limit the range of motion that bones can move between each other, and function to stabilize joints and hold the joint together.

The role of reactive oxygen species, with the subsequent oxidative deterioration of biological macromolecules in the toxicities associated with transition metal ions, is reviewed.

This review describes the redox control and involvement of nuclear factor-kB and activator protein-1 in the regulation of cellular glutathione and c-glutamylcysteine synthetase under conditions of oxidative stress and inflammation, the role of glutathione in oxidant-mediated susceptibility/tolerance, c-glutamylcysteine synthetase genetic susceptibility and the potential therapeutic role of glutathione and its precursors in protecting against lung oxidant stress, inflammation and injury.

These results are consistent with studies linking oxytocin to social recognition in rodents as well as studies linking oxytocin to prosocial behavior in humans and suggest that oxytocin might facilitate social information processing in those with autism. These findings also provide preliminary support for the use of oxytocin in the treatment of autism.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the most common movement pathology, severely afflicting dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra (SN) along with non-dopaminergic, extra-nigral projection bundles that control circuits for sensory, associative, premotor, and motor pathways.

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other etiologies, results in significant morbidity.

Of the tens of thousands of molecules that make up the life of a cell, phosphatidylcholine stands apart; it is possibly the most important of all.

Proliferative therapy (prolotherapy) is the process whereby dextrose, P25G or sodium morrhuate is injected into ligaments in order to produce a proliferating response of that ligament. The purpose of these injections is to strengthen ligamentous structures and relieve pain. A review of the literature is provided and a retrospective study presented which demonstrates a 66% redction of sacroiliac low back pain in two-thirds of the patients who received this form of treatment.

We already have inflammation that is causing pai, why do we want to inflame it some more with prolotherapy?

Our data indicate that in i=untreated PD patients glutathione has symptomatic efficacy and possibly retards the progression of the disease.

These findings demonstrate a strong association between blood pressure and some oxidative stress-related parameters and suggest a possible role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of essential hypertension.

Multiple studies now demonstrate that autism is medically characterized, in part, by immune system dysregulation, including evidence of neuroglial activation and gastrointestinal inflammation. This neuroglial process has further been characterized as neuroinflammation. In addition, a subset of autistic children exhibit higher than average levels of androgens. Spironolactone is an aldosterone antagonist and potassium-sparing diuretic with a desirable safety profile.

The source of chronic pelvic pain may be reproductive organ, urological, musculoskeletal - neurological, gastrointestinal, or myofascial. A psychological component almost always is a factor whether as an antecedent event or presenting as depression as result of the pain.

There are several treatments methods of safely and effectively normalizing the level of testosterone in men.

Cognitive behavioural therapy and graded exercise therapy are of proven value in randomized controlled trials. Several pharmaceutical measures have been explored and found to have no beneficial effect. Most patients might expect long-term improvement, but full recovery is rare; however, the prognosis is better among adolescents.

The authors describe the long-termsurvival of a patient with pancreatic cancer without any toxic adverse effects. The treatment regimen includes the intravenous alpha lipoic acid and low-dose naltrexone (ALA-N) protocol and a healthy lifestyle program.

The first section of this paper will provide an overview of Lyme borreliosis and a review of the relevant neuropsychiatric literature. The second section will provide clinical descriptions of some common neuropsychiatric symptoms as well as a discussion of the problems typically faced by patients with this illness. Guidelines to assist the clinician in working with these patients will be presented.

In light of the fact that there are a number of other diseases that may have a chronic mercury toxicity component, such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, obesity, ALS, asthma, and other various forms of autoimmune disorders, it is imperative that further research should be conducted to understand mercury-testosterone toxicity.

Multiple risk markers for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease act in a synergistic way through inflammatory pathways. This article discusses some of the key inflammatory biochemical risk markers for cardiovascular disease; in particular, the role of three basic cell types affected by these risk markers (endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells), the crucial role of inflammatory mediators, nitric oxide balance in cardiovascular pathology, and the use of nutrients to circumvent several of these inflammatory pathways.

The potential applications of inhaled GSH are numerous when one considers just how many pulmonary diseases and respiratory-related conditions are affected by deficient antioxidant status or an over production of oxidants, poor oxygenation and/or impaired host defenses.

We present the case of a 95-year-old man with an acute respiratory crisis secondary to emphysema and apparent bronchial infection. Treatment with nebulized glutathione led to a rapid resolution of the crisis, as well as a marked improvement in the chronic course of the disease. This treatment has been used since for a number of patients with emphysema. The safety and bioavailability of this method of delivery have been established in human studies. Preliminary results suggest efficacy for nebulized administration of glutathione in this patient population. We suggest this treatment can be considered an option for acute respiratory crises due to COPD.

The injection of phosphatidylcholine (250 mg/5ml) into the fat pads is a simple office procedure that may postpone or even substitute for lower eyelid blepharaplasty.

Secretin hormone given daily in transdermal cream was associated with marked and sustained developmental progress in an aphasic two-and-a-half year old child diagnosed with autism.

The potential of tendon and ligament triggers as primary nociceptors in fibromyalgia led to treatment of primary fibromyalgia patients with tendon and ligament strengthening injection. Trigger injection of ligament and tendon with proliferant (TILT therapy or prolotherapy) offers the advantage of creating increased strength of the connective tissue in the region of injection as well as affecting the pain cycle. Reduction in pain levels and increased functional abilities were seen in excess of 75 % of patients with severe fibromyalgia in this study. The implications of this for further study are considered.

The potential of tendon and ligament triggers as primary nociceptors in fibromyalgia led to treatment of primary fibromyalgia patients with tendon and ligament strengthening injection. Trigger injection of ligament and tendon with proliferant (TILT therapy or prolotherapy) offers the advantage of creating increased strength of the connective tissue in the region of injection as well as affecting the pain cycle. Reduction in pain levels and increased functional abilities were seen in excess of 75 % of patients with severe fibromyalgia in this study. The implications of this for further study are considered.

This novel treatment strategy of using pregnancy doses of estriol in multiple sclerosis has relevance to other autoimmune diseases that also improve during pregnancy.

Trigger points are discrete, focal, hyper-irritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. They produce pain locally and in a referred pattern and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders.