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Archive for the ‘Infection’ Category

Antiviral and Antibacterial Actions of Monolaurin and Lauric Acid

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Monolaurin - Monolauroylglycerin - Glycerol monolaurate

Lauric acid is a 12-carbon chain fatty acid found naturally in human breast milk (6.2% of total fat) and coconut oil (47.5% by weight). Lauric acid was originally discovered when microbiologists studied human breast milk to determine the protective (anti-viral and anti-bacterial) substances which protected infants from microbial infections. Other fatty acids were also found to have antimicrobial actions but lauric acid was found to be the most active.

The esterification of lauric acid, that naturally occurs in our body, yields an amazing compound known as monolaurin (glycerol monolaurate). Monolaurin is a non-ionic surfactant, which possesses an even greater anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity than its precursor, lauric acid. Monolaurin, when given orally, in therapeutic doses between 2,400 – 3,600 mg/day is generally well tolerated, with loose bowels as the only negative concern. Monolaurin has been studied at medical research centers, including the Center for Disease Control (CDC), because of its high antimicrobial (anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-yeast and anti-protozoal) activity. These studies have provided information about the anti-viral and anti-bacterial mechanisms of monolaurin. Monolaurin was found to be effective against certain Lipid Coated Bacteria (LCBs) and Lipid Coated Viruses (LCVs) – enveloped DNA and RNA viruses.

Lipid Coated Virus

HIV-1, Influenza virus, paramyxoviruses, rubeola virus, bronchitis virus, and the herpes family of viruses (Epstein-Barr, cytomegalo, zoster, vericella-zoster and herpes type I and II). Sadly, monolaurin had no effect on diseases caused by non-enveloped viruses such as polio virus, coxsackie virus, encephalomyocarditis virus, rhinovirus, and rotaviruses.

Lipid Coated Bacteria

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae.

The anti-viral and anti-bacterial action attributed to monolaurin is that of solubilizing the lipids and phospholipids in the protective envelope of these particular infective agents causing the disintegration of the lipid envelope. Recent publications have shown that monolaurin and lauric acid inhibit the replication of viruses by interrupting the communication and binding of virus to host cells and thus preventing the uncoating of viruses necessary for replication and infection. Other studies have shown that monolaurin is able to remove all measurable infectivity by directly disintegrating the protective bacterial and viral lipid envelop. Binding of monolaurin to the viral envelop also makes the virus more susceptible to degradation by host defenses, heat, or ultraviolet light.

Microorganisms Inactivated by Monolaurin

Ecological Formulas Monolaurin (600 mg’s – 90 caps) $34.00 Call to Purchase 714-639-4360

Surfactant: Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, allowing easier spreading, and lowering of the interfacial tension between two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as: detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants.

Posted in Foods that Heal, Gastritis, H. pylori, Infection, Shingles | 2 Comments »

Quorum Sensing and Biofilm

Sunday, December 13th, 2009

What is Quorum Sensing and how do bacteria talk to each other?

The discovery that bacteria are able to communicate with each other changed our general perception of many single, simple organisms inhabiting our world. Instead of language, bacteria use signaling molecules which are released into the environment. As well as releasing the signaling molecules, bacteria are also able to measure the number (concentration) of the molecules within a population. Nowadays we use the term ‘Quorum Sensing’ (QS) to describe the phenomenon whereby the accumulation of signaling molecules enable a single cell to sense the number of bacteria (cell density). In the natural environment, there are many different bacteria living together which use various classes of signaling molecules. As they employ different languages they cannot necessarily talk to all other bacteria. Today, several quorum sensing systems are intensively studied in various organisms such as marine bacteria and several pathogenic bacteria.

Quorum Sensing & Biofilm Formation

Why do bacteria talk to each other?

(QS) enables bacteria to co-ordinate their behavior. As environmental conditions often change rapidly, bacteria need to respond quickly in order to survive. These responses include adaptation to availability of nutrients, defense against other microorganisms (biofilm formation) which may compete for the same nutrients and the avoidance of toxic compounds (biofilm formation) potentially dangerous for the bacteria. It is very important for pathogenic bacteria during infection of a host (e.g. humans, other animals or plants) to co-ordinate their virulence in order to escape the immune response of the host in order to be able to establish a successful infection. The University of Nottingham Quorum Sensing Research Group

From Dr. Ettinger’s Biofilm Protocol for Lyme and Gut Pathogens: Pathogenic bacteria known to reside in biofilms include: Borrelia burgdorferi, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Clostridium difficile, Clostridium perfringens, Helicobacter pylori, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Vibrio cholerae. The number of human diseases shown to be associated with biofilms is expanding and includes chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, cystic fibrosis pneumonia, infective endocarditis, periodontitis, recurrent otitis media, and virtually all device and implant related infections. Strong evidence is also beginning to emerge for an etiologic role of pathogenic mucosal biofilms in gastrointestinal diseases, such as Irritable Bowel Disorders: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

Tags: Biofilm, Quorum Sensing
Posted in Biofilm, Gastritis, H. pylori, Infection, Lyme Disease, Prostate, Quorum Sensing, Ulcerative Colitis | No Comments »

Stress and Our Body – An Integrative Medicine Approach

Friday, December 11th, 2009

Excessive negative stress has become, over the last 25 years, as much a part of our daily lives as eating and sleeping. Excessive negative stress can be physical (chronic illness, lack of exercise, over-exercising, etc.), emotional (losing a job, winning the lottery, etc.), or chemical (bad diet, drugs, medicines, alcohol, pesticides, etc.).

Excessive negative stress is most likely to be the initial predisposing factor in the cause and prolongation of a disease or illness. Again, the greater the exposure and duration to these negative stressors the greater the susceptibility to acute or chronic illness or body dysfunction.

It is also important to note that not all stress is bad or has negative effects on our bodies. Some types of stress are actually beneficial for us and can increase our immune function, overall strength, emotional well being and longevity. The most beneficial form of stress is exercise, especially swimming and weight training. This type of stress can, in moderation, even negate some of the excessive negative stress’ we face.

stress_and_our_body_1 When our bodies are exposed to any form of negative stress our organ systems innately responds with what is known as the “fight-flight response”. During this stress induced response, many different and potentially damaging physiological reactions occur. During the initial phase, which can last for seconds to years, digestion and absorption of nutrients are greatly reduced; body tissues begin to break down; the immune system is suppressed; our heart begins to overload and the aging process is significantly accelerated. These are but a sampling of what does occur.

Individuals who are exposed to excessive negative stress may also develop a condition known as adrenal exhaustion. This condition occurs when the adrenal glands work beyond their normal capacity thus eventually shutting down (no more Cortisol, a hormone, being produced). Adrenal exhaustion presents with symptoms similar to those found in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia and hypoglycemia (see table 1).

Table 1

Tiredness	Weakness
Depression, Anxiety 1	Headache
Muscle or Joint Pain	Heart Palpitations
Hives, Rash, Eczema 1 2 3	Bowel Disorders
Weak Nails	Fatigue
Chronic Illness	Irritability, Moodiness
Water Retention	Weight Gain
Dizziness, Vertigo	Arthritis
Salt Craving	Allergies

An integrative medicine approach for the treatment of adrenal exhaustion or the effects excessive negative stress are identical. First, it’s crucial to reduce or eliminate as many negative stressors (individual stress factors) as possible.

Second, get plenty of rest, at least 8 hours, starting before midnight; engage in regular, but not excessive, exercise; greatly reduce your carbohydrates intake (bread, sweets, pasta, corn and potatoes); increase protein intake; increase fibrous vegetable intake; drink eight glasses of filtered water daily, and perform deep breathing exercises every morning and evening.

Third, nutritional and/or pharmacological support. To determine pharmacological support we must first determine thyroid and adrenal function via blood tests (thyroid panel including both thyroid antibodies and rT3), and (DHEA, cortisol and progesterone) levels. Nutritional support can be in the form of DHEA and/or Pregnenolone (10 – 50 mg daily) and/or glycerrhizin (25 – 100 mg daily – preferably in the morning). These two supplements safely support proper adrenal hormone levels. DMG (vitamin B15) and Siberian Ginseng have both been shown in Russian clinical studies to help regulate the hypothalamus, pituitary, adrenal axis. Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is the initial precursor, along with our LDL cholesterol to our adrenal hormones, whole C complex (Ester-C w/bioflavonoids) is an antioxidant for the adrenal and the highest concentration of vitamin C out side of the spinal chord and brain is found in the adrenal; and potassium are essential for proper adrenal gland function. Adrenal glandular preparations (Whole Desiccated Adrenal (short-term), Drenamin and Drenatrophin PMG) from Standard Process Inc. will also help to support the adrenal glands. These are but a few options that I have used to support the stress response of the body.

Additionally, antioxidants and supportive products like: CoQ10, glutathione, NAC, vitamin E, bioflavonoids, alpha lipoic acid, SAMe, Gabatone (Apex Energetics), L-tryptophan, magnesium and MSM, will also help reduce the overall oxidative burden placed on the body by the excessive negative stress.

With the above knowledge the road to well being and health is now a much shorter one.

Posted in Allergies, Arthritis, Chiropractic, Diet, Energy/Vitality/Creativity, Epstein Barr, Gastritis, Headache, Heartburn, Infection, Insomnia, Magnesium, Minerals, Shingles, Skin, Sleep, Ulcerative Colitis, Vitamins | No Comments »

Swine Flu (H1N1) Preparedness – A Natural Approach

Monday, November 9th, 2009

H1N1 Virus

To make a long story short – My family and I are not going to be vaccinated for the “seasonal flu” or “H1N1 Flu virus”. Instead, we are taking daily, my Proactive, Immune-Boosting Nutritional Protocol. In 21 years as an holistic and integrative medicine practitioner, I have never taken a sick day. I’ve had a runny nose and a scratchy throat but that’s it. In that same time span, I’ve been sneezed on and coughed on by hundreds of patients with the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis, sinusitis and colds. The point is – I know what to do to stay well.

With the flu season moving into high gear, I am not worried or scared about the current Swine Flu pandemic – I am getting prepared, but not scared. My family and I are taking proactive, preventative steps that I know will enable our innate immune system to defend itself against the bacteria’s and viruses we will be exposed to. I am not saying that by taking these preventative steps, my family and I will be immune super-beings, capable of eating Swine Flu tacos for dinner. What I am saying is that, with 100% confidence, we will possess the capability to defend ourselves, since all will be well within our bodies. At a minimum we will possess the capability to minimize the effects/symptoms after exposure to a contagion (bacteria/virus). The key here is to minimize the impact.

My Proactive, Immune Boosting Nutritional Protocol:

Liquid Vitamin D Forte – Biotics Reseach [Adults 6,000 IU's and children above the age of 5 can take 2,000 IU's per day]
Probiotic Defense or GR8 (multi-strain probiotic) – both by Now Foods [2 doses of either per day. I prefer the Probiotic Defense Powder]
Chewable, buffered Vitamin C w/rutin [I like Now Foods brand. 2-4 per day will do.]

(None of the above products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.)

There are many other preventative products out there, but this, as far as I am concerned, is the best and least expensive, Immune Boosting Protocol available.

FYI: Avoid products containing sucrose or high fructose con syrup. Processed sugar in an immunosuppressant – Not a good thing. Also wash your hands, engage in moderate exercise, drink plenty of water and get at least 8 hour of sleep each night.

To purchase any of these products, please give us a call at (714) 639-4360. We can ship anywhere in the US and Canada.

Applicable References:

Arch Intern Med. 2009 Feb 23;169(4):384-90.

Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and upper respiratory tract infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Ginde AA, Mansbach JM, Camargo CA Jr. Emergency Medicine Network, Massachusetts General Hospital, 326 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA.

“Recent studies suggest a role for vitamin D in innate immunity, including the prevention of respiratory tract infections (RTIs).”

Eur J Clin Nutr. 2009 Apr;63(4):473-7. Epub 2007 Nov 21.

Association of subclinical vitamin D deficiency in newborns with acute lower respiratory infection and their mothers.
Karatekin G, Kaya A, Salihoğlu O, Balci H, Nuhoğlu A. Department of Neonatology, Sişli Etfal Teaching and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. gunerkaratekin@yahoo.com

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that newborns with subclinical vitamin D deficiency may have an increased risk of suffering from ALRI. The strong positive correlation between newborns’ and mothers’ 25(OH)D concentrations shows that adequate vitamin D supplementation of mothers should be emphasized during pregnancy especially in winter months.

Tags: Flu, H1N1, Pandemic, Prebiotic, Probiotic, Swine, Vitamin D
Posted in Infection, Vitamin D | No Comments »

Ettinger’s Theory of “Body Remodeling”

Sunday, April 26th, 2009

body

My theory has developed over a 20 year period of time and holds credibility as a corollary to the long-standing law in anatomy/physiology known as – Wollf’s law. Wolff’s law, in short, states, “Bone remodels according to the physical stress placed upon it.” As an example: a pitchers, pitching arm (humerus, radius and ulna) will be denser than his non-pitching arm. The opposite to this is, if we lived in outer-space our bones would dissolve (osteoporosis) because of the lack of gravity; no weight-bearing load on the bones. All of the calcium supplementation, estrogen replacement (for women), and Fosimax (medication) in the world would not prevent this process from happening.

My theory states, “Our body remodels according to the stress placed upon it: invisibly, physically, emotionally and/or chemically.” All three of these stressors or outside influences/forces, will directly affect the remodeling of every cell, tissue and physiological function of the body. This means that our inward and outward appearance and physiological state is in direct correlation to the (way, what and/or how) we sleep, eat, drink, act, exercise, deal with stress, are exposed to stress(s) or outside forces.

Physically we remodel based on the amount and/or variety of minerals, large and trace; amino acids (protein); vitamins and fats that we ingest. If we ingest all of the essential nutrients that our body requires, with all other factors aside, our bodies will remodel properly. The opposite can be said for eating devitalized food, such as fast food, boxed or canned food. Examples: Increase protein and weight bearing exercise and increase muscle mass will result. Increase fats and/or carbohydrates with a lack of physical stress and an increase in body fat and blood sugar/fats will result.

Emotional stresses and chemical stresses placed on the body will have the similar effects. Happiness (good stress) and nutritional supplements (only the ones a body may require and benefit from) will facilitate positive remodeling (ex. neurotransmitter and hormone production). Anger, resentment, blame or shame (negative emotions) or medications (the majority, but not all) are negative stressors and will facilitate the body to remodel in a non-optimum way. The negative remodeling will lead to everything we don’t want to have our body to experience, and the positive remodeling will lead to a long, healthy, vibrant life.

Invisible forces (magnetism, gravity, ionic…) are constantly present and can affect us as much as overt chemical, emotional and physical forces do. These forces, most of the time, actually precede and initiate the physical, emotional or chemical stress or influence that causes the remodeling of our body’s cells or, more specifically, the cell membranes.

It’s easy to see from this, that everything we do and everything that is done to us, sometimes unknowingly, affects how our body remodels. We can at least be cause of over a very large part of this and be responsible for what we do (eat, exercise, rest…) and what we allow around us. Or, we can be the effect and move through life never paying attention to any of these facts. By ignoring this theory, negative remodeling will be the outcome and all the negative consequences that comes with it.

Posted in Allergies, Arthritis, Asthma, Calcium, Cancer, Celiac Sprue, Colds/Flu, Dermatitis, Diet, Eczema, Epstein Barr, Gastritis, Gluten, Headache, Heartburn, Holistic Medicine, Infection, Insomnia, Kidney, Magnesium, Medications, Menopause, Minerals, Omega 3 FA's, Parasites, Prostate, Shingles, Skin, Sleep, Snoring, Stomach Acid, Superfoods, Ulcerative Colitis, Uncategorized, Vitamin D, Vitamins, Worms | No Comments »

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