Archive for the ‘Inflammation’ Category

This Little-Known Bacterium Could Be the Infectious Cause of Crohn’s Disease – And It Can Be Treated

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/little-known-bacterium-could-infectious-cause-crohns-can-jill-c-/

This Little-Known Bacterium Could Be The Infectious Cause of Crohn’s Disease – And It Can Be Treated

Jill C. Carnahan, MD

If you or a loved one has suffered from Crohn’s disease, you may have been told that the exact cause of your misery is still unknown. They might have told you there are many possible causes for Crohn’s disease – age, ethnicity, family history, immunodeficiency, history of NSAIDs use, etc. Dealing with the symptoms of Crohn’s disease is hard enough. But trying to understand why you are suffering is frustrating when you don’t even know what’s causing it.

For decades, patients were just told to accept the fact that there is no known cause for Crohn’s disease. To rub salt into the wound, there was – and still is – no cure or one treatment that worked consistently for everyone with Crohn’s disease.

But recent research is challenging these long-held beliefs. There is growing evidence that Crohn’s disease could have an infectious cause, which I wrote about in my article, 3 Surprising Microbial Triggers of Crohn’s Disease.

There is one particular microbe that is gaining more and more attention – Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis, better known as MAP. And a MAP infection may be treatable.

What is Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis?

Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP) is a bacterium belonging to a family of bacteria called Mycobacteriaceae. Does “Paratuberculosis” make you think of any diseases you might be familiar with? If you answered tuberculosis, you’d be correct. MAP is in the same family as the bacteria that cause tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).

MAP is also the cause of Johne’s disease, a systemic infection and chronic inflammation in the intestine of animals, but most commonly in domestic livestock. Johne’s disease sounds a bit like Crohn’s disease, doesn’t it? They share more similarities than their names, though. Both Crohn’s disease and Johne’s disease are forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), and as such, they share some clinical and pathological features (although their similarity has been overstated). Some of their similarities include:

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Dull hair
  • Weight loss
  • Cycle of remission and relapse
  • Occasional granulomatous appearance
  • Growth of lesions in:
  • Esophagus and oral cavity
  • Ileum and colon
  • Mesenteric lymph nodes
  • Rectum, anul

In fact, these similarities are how scientists came to suspect MAP as an infectious cause of Crohn’s disease. So, is it just a coincidence that these two diseases share features, or could they share a common cause, too?

To answer this question, let’s look at how humans are exposed to MAP.

How Are Humans Exposed to MAP?

In ruminants like cows, MAP is transmitted primarily via the fecal-oral route. Most calves are infected within their first month of life. The infection is followed by a long symptom-free period of 3 to 5 years, and only 10% to 15% of calves develop fatal clinical disease. The critical point to make here is that animals infected with MAP can shed the bacteria in their stools, even during the latency period.

It has been estimated that between  68% to  91% of U.S. dairy herds are infected with MAP (although most will not show any symptoms of infection).

And this spells serious trouble for humans.

MAP, along with feces, is deposited onto pastures, where rain can wash it into nearby water sources. In fact, MAP DNA was detected in over 80% of domestic water samples in Ohio! And MAP is one tough bug – studies have found that MAP can survive chlorine disinfection treatment used in drinking water systems.

Other animals, including rabbits and wild ruminants like deer, can also be infected secondarily and shed MAP into the environment. Once shed, MAP can live in the environment for between 12 weeks and a year in soil or water, giving you plenty of opportunity to become infected.

But it doesn’t stop there. MAP can also contaminate our food supply, especially dairy and meat products. Pasteurization can significantly reduce the risk of contamination, but does not eliminate it due to the thick lipid cell wall of MAP that allows it to survive the process. In one study, up to 25% of pasteurized cow’s’ milk tested positive for live MAP during peak periods.

Such a widespread environmental prevalence of MAP can only mean one thing: humans are chronically exposed to MAP. But why does it affect some people more than others? Let’s discuss that next.

Why do Only Some People Exposed to MAP Get Crohn’s Disease?

If so many people are exposed to MAP, wouldn’t there be more people with Crohn’s disease? And why isn’t there an epidemic of MAP infection among dairy farmers?

There are a variety of factors that influence whether an individual develops Crohn’s disease or another disease (like ulcerative colitis) caused by MAP. And not everyone infected by MAP develops a disease caused by the bacterium. Let’s look at a few factors that can determine whether an individual develops a disease when infected with MAP:

  • The dose of MAP to which the person is exposed & frequency of exposure: In susceptible individuals, a significant number of MAP can build up over time. High levels of MAP are likely to cause Crohn’s disease.
  • The route of infection: Routes of infection that increase the concentration of MAP increase the risk of Crohn’s disease. Examples of such routes include aerosolized water from contaminated rivers and hyperosmolar milk.
  • Age of individual infected: It takes less MAP to cause Crohn’s disease in a child than it does in an adult.
  • Genetic and acquired susceptibility: Certain genes control how intracellular bacteria are processed in the body, and these seem to have a slight effect on the risk of developing Crohn’s disease. Also, individuals with a history of illness may not be able to handle MAP in the way that health people do. In other words, in a health person, macrophages eat and digest MAP, and T-cells eradicate any cells that contain MAP. When these processes do not occur for whatever reason, a person can develop Crohn’s disease.
  • Sex: Infant males and adult females tend to develop Crohn’s disease more often when infected with MAP.

The Two Forms of MAP

Paradoxically, children who come into contact with farm animals are less likely to develop juvenile Crohn’s disease. Part of the reason is that occupational exposure to the bacterium increases the antibody levels. But there’s more to the answer – MAP exists (and can switch between) in two forms:

  1. ZN-positive phenotype (physical characteristics): Mycobacteria are acid-fast organisms, meaning they have cell walls that enables them to be resistant to acid-based decolorization used in many bacteria staining procedures. These organisms need to be stained by a process called Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining and are thus said to have an “encapsulated” or ZN-positive phenotype. It is this phenotype of MAP that can live outside of other cells and is excreted by infected animals. However, humans are not susceptible to it, and may even acquire natural immunity to disease as a result of the exposure.
  2. ZN-negative phenotype: When MAP is taken up into a host’s white blood cells, MAP sheds its “capsule.” This “naked” from is called a ZN-negative phenotype, which means the gold standard ZN staining cannot be used to detect it. Even without its “capsule,” MAP is extremely tough and can resist many chemical and enzymatic efforts to break it down. It is also much more virulent to humans and is the form found in most people with Crohn’s disease.

How to Test for MAP

This is where already frustrated patients run into more doors – standard methods for detection of MAP, such as ELISA assays, have notoriously low sensitivity and specificity, which makes them unreliable. As discussed above, the ZN-negative phenotype found in most Crohn’s disease patients renders traditional bacteria staining tests useless.

To add to these difficulties, ordinary microscopes can’t see MAP. Fecal cultures can identify the presence of the bacterium, but MAP grows very slowly – it can take 3 months or more just for colonies to appear on a bacterial culture dish.

Some studies have used molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to overcome these challenges. However, the availability of such tests is extremely limited for many patients.

But there is another way. Otakaro Pathways, a New Zealand-based company, has developed a highly reliable test for the detection of MAP, and the kit is available to patients. All you need to do is send a sample of your blood, and the results will be delivered to you by e-mail in 30 days. Essentially, this test acts as a biomarker (a measurable indicator) to support the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease or other autoimmune diseases.

Can MAP Infections Be Treated?

The goal of traditional Crohn’s disease treatment is to reduce the inflammation that triggers the symptoms and to limit complications. A treatment plan for Crohn’s disease can include various agents, such as:

  • Anti-inflammatory drugs (ex: corticosteroids, oral 5-aminosalicylates)
  • Immune system suppressors
  • Antibiotics
  • Pain relievers
  • Iron supplements
  • Anti-diarrheal
  • Vitamin B-12, calcium, and/or vitamin D supplements
  • Nutrition therapy
  • Surgery
Unfortunately, therapy for Crohn’s disease is imperfect, and relapses are common even after surgery.

And there’s another issue with the conventional treatment: It doesn’t treat the cause of Crohn’s disease. For patients with active MAP infections, unless the MAP is treated, doctors are only addressing the mechanism of the disease.

How Do You Treat a MAP Infection?

MAP is a member of the M. avium complex (MAC), a group of atypical bacteria that is notoriously difficult to treat with the traditional antimicrobial drugs. In a 5-year study, treatment of patients with Crohn’s disease using anti-tuberculosis drugs (isoniazid, ethambutol, and rifampicin) failed to demonstrate consistent improvement.

There are, however, some evidence to suggest that MAP-specific treatments can result in at least a partial remission of Crohn’s disease. The current therapy includes a combination of antimicrobials that have demonstrated impressive activity against mycobacterial species:

  • Rifabutin (RIF)
  • Clarithromycin (CLA)
  • Clofazimine (CLO)

This combination therapy has been tested in several clinical trials, which have reported clinical remission rates ranging from 44% to almost 90%.

The Landmark Study

The “landmark study” among anti-MAP clinical trials is considered to be that conducted by Selby et al. in 2007. This was a two-year, phase 3, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial designed to assess the combination therapy of a steroid and CLA, CLO, and RIF in 213 patients with active Crohn’s disease.

Although remission was induced within the first 16 weeks for 66% of patients receiving the antibiotic therapy, there was no evidence for a long-term benefit. This was a huge blow. For many, this failure was considered to be the “final nail in the coffin” for the MAP/Crohn’s hypothesis.

However, there were many weaknesses in the trial’s design and analysis. For example, the investigators did not test patients to confirm a MAP infection before the start of the trial and did not use the optimal therapeutic doses for the three antibiotics used. Had the investigators included only patients with a MAP infection in the study, the benefits would likely have been more substantial.

In fact, when the results were re-analyzed using an “intent-to-treat” analysis, the combination of the 3 antibiotics and steroids performed significantly better than the placebo. In contrast to Selby et al.’s report that benefits peaked at 16 weeks and declined afterwards, the authors of the reanalysis observed that the benefits continued through week 104.

What does all of this mean? It simply means that the largest anti-MAP clinical trial was unreliable and therefore, it holds little significance. It also revealed the desperate need for a well-designed clinical trial for anti-MAP therapy.

And we didn’t get this trial for a long time – until very recently.

RHB-104 – A Groundbreaking Therapy for Crohn’s Disease?

Based on the increasing evidence supporting the MAP/Crohn’s disease hypothesis, RedHill Biopharma developed RHB-104, a novel formulation that combines CLA, CLO, and RIF in a single pill at lower dosages.

The low dose of each antibiotic was an important factor in developing RHB-104. Data from pre-clinical trials showed that at combined low doses, the three antibiotics exerted a synergistic antibacterial activity against MAP, an effect that was not seen when they were tested individually or in pairs. This simply means that when the three antibiotics are combined at low doses, their effect is greater than a higher dose of an individual antibiotic.

The lower concentrations were beneficial in other ways as well, including a more tolerable dose regimen and a decreased risk for bacterial resistance.

Following these encouraging preclinical trial results, RHB-104 was tested in a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel group phase III trial involving about 331 patients with moderate to severe active Crohn’s disease. Patients were divided into two treatment groups as follows:

  • Patients receiving 5 RHB-104 capsules orally twice daily (95 mg CLA, 45 mg RIF, and 10 mg CLO)
  • Patients receiving 5 placebo capsules orally twice daily

Patients took the medication or placebo for 26 weeks and were monitored for an additional 26 weeks for a total of 52 weeks. At weeks 16, 26, and 52, the investigators evaluated patients for clinical remission, defined as a value less than 150 on the Crohn’s Disease Active Index (CDAI). Each time, RHB-104 demonstrated clear superiority over the placebo. At the one-year mark of the study, 25% of the anti-MAP recipients and 12% of the placebo recipients were in clinical remission.

More information about this phase III MAP trial can be found at clinicaltrials.gov.

The Fight Against MAP – A Success Story

I had the privilege of working with a young female patient in her 20s. She had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn’s disease, but was having a hard time finding relief from her chronic, severe pain. On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being excruciating pain), her pain was about at 8 – she was in agony all the time.

From my experience, I’ve learned to consider the possibility of an infection whenever a patient is suffering from significant pain. First, I did the typical Crohn’s disease workup – the stool sample, the blood tests to check for deficiencies and infection, etc. We also sent a blood sample to Otakaro Pathways, and results showed she indeed had a MAP infection.

With this information, we began treatment with two antibiotics. As mentioned previously, a MAP infection is normally treated with a combination therapy of 3 antibiotics. In this case, however, I only used two antibiotics because the patient could not tolerate a third.

Within 30 to 60 days, the patient was pain-free and symptom-free – it was an incredible, dramatic turnaround! I had her continue taking the antibiotics for 9 months. The patient did well for about 6 months after stopping the therapy, but recently experienced a small relapse due to the high stress of wedding planning. We decided to put her back on a short-term antibiotic therapy, and I am happy to report that she is doing very well.

I firmly believe that the patient would have stayed in remission had it not been for the stress of wedding planning.

Now, I know many of you are probably shocked. What in the world could I be thinking putting a patient on a 9-month course of antibiotics? And you’re right. Typically, I am not a fan of antibiotics. When used excessively and irresponsibly, antibiotics can do irreversible damage to your gut microbiome.

However, in cases such as this where a patient is suffering from chronic illnesses that would otherwise have no cure, antibiotics can have a life-changing and curative effect. Of course, I carefully monitor my patients during long courses of antibiotics and do everything I can to protect the gut, including:

  • High-doses of probiotics (100–600 billion CFU/day)
  • Strengthening the gut through natural supplements like Gut Immune
  • Checking for signs of gastritis or pain
  • Advising patients to take antibiotics with food
  • Using antifungals if signs of a fungal or yeast infection are present
I think this was a good lesson in learning to think outside of the box. Had this young lady not been diagnosed with a MAP infection, she would have continued living in chronic pain.

Has the Mystery of Crohn’s Disease Been Solved?

Less than two decades ago, experts were still debating about MAP’s roles in Crohn’s disease. Many argued that there were insufficient data to support the hypothesis that MAP could cause the disease or that it was a significant human pathogen.

But the possibility that MAP causes human disease can no longer be ignored. Crohn’s disease has become a worldwide epidemic, and there is growing evidence that it is not an autoimmune disease as previously thought.

We need reliable methods of detecting, diagnosing, and treating MAP, and the acknowledgement of its role as a cause of Crohn’s disease could be the first step in solving this complex disease.

The possibility of MAP as a cause of Crohn’s disease isn’t new, but do you think it’s the sole cause? What are your thoughts about MAP and its role in Crohn’s disease? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207651/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4046017/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4894645/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22979969/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20817803?dopt=Abstract

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10742264/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19486426

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21799786?dopt=Abstract

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29610508?dopt=Abstract

https://aem.asm.org/content/62/9/3446

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3031217/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17671062

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2718892/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17714674/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21616547?dopt=Abstract

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/crohns-disease/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353309

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9616310/

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14712598.2019.1561852

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4894645/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17570206/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5654877/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S147330990870104X?via%3Dihub

https://www.gastroendonews.com/In-the-News/Article/01-19/Anti-MAP-Treatment-Tops-Placebo-in-Large-Crohn-s-Trial/53847

https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01951326?term=RHB-104&cond=Crohn+Disease&rank=1

 

 

Category:

Activism, Inflammation, research, Treatment

One Family’s Story of Strep, Lyme Disease, and PANS/PANDAS

https://www.lymedisease.org/kravitz-pandas-lyme/

One family’s story of strep, Lyme disease, and PANS/PANDAS

PANDAS Lyme disease

By Jenny Kravitz

On January 3, 2019, my family’s whole world changed LITERALLY OVER NIGHT.

Our once loving little man (now age 6) was filled with rage, aggression and hatred. He went from snuggling with me and loving me, to lashing out at me, telling me he hated me, wanted to kill me and physically coming after me.

Let’s back track. As a baby and toddler, Nathan got strep throat constantly over and over again. He had his first positive strep test at six months old. From then on, it felt like a battle with strep every month.

At 3, Nathan got his tonsils and adenoids removed, in hopes this would cure his recurring strep infections. He had to go back under the knife two days after surgery for hemorrhaging.

Nathan made a full recovery after spending a few days in the PICU and he returned home. Little did we know that strep would come back with a vengeance!

I personally never knew until now that strep could come back with no tonsils and even hide in other places. It was living in his GI system and causing severe inflammation in his brain, liver and spleen, causing Nathan now to be critically anemic.

The “flu”?

Fast forward to January of 2019. Nathan came down with the “flu.” He was lethargic, sleeping 24/7. No matter what we did, he persistently had high fevers of 103-104 for days on end.

Finally after two weeks, the fever broke and slowly started coming around. He was still quiet, still tired but happy to be around friends.

Then, came rage and saying awful things. Then he became sad, overly sensitive, and would cry for hours. Then came the bowel regression. I’m not telling this for pity or embarrassment, but to make others aware, because this is what this nasty illness does. This is OUR REALITY. Nathan was fully potty trained at the age of 3. He has now regressed and is most of the time in pull ups, having three or four accidents a day.

He has “flares” that can be caused by just about anything. I’ve seen it happen when he’s overtired, has a loose tooth (open wounds allow bacteria to move freely), and when he comes into contact with illness. Nathan doesn’t have to have a current strep infection to cause a flare up. If he simply is around someone who has strep, this can cause a huge reaction.

I called an emergency IEP meeting with Nathan’s teachers, to figure out what the hell was going on! THIS WAS NO WAY ADHD OR PEDIATRIC BIPOLAR like the neurologist wanted to label my child. We put a good plan in place and I mentioned my concerns and thoughts.

Finally, some answers

Late January, I called a naturopathic doctor in New Hampshire who is highly knowledgeable and came recommended by many. This was after a friend reached out to me and told me Lyme disease could cause this behavior and then told me about a illness called PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neurological disorder associated with streptococcus).

My head went spinning, I researched and researched, stayed up late researching, googling, joining support groups. OH MY HEAVENS. This is it! This was my son. I only remember ever seeing two ticks on Nathan. But honestly, I didn’t know much about tick-borne illness, so I removed the ticks and shrugged it off.

We went to see this naturopathic doctor. Fast forward again, to when his lab work came back. Nathan’s strep antibodies were four times what they should be! His CRP (which measures inflammation in the body) was also four times what it should be. BAM 💥PANDAS! This mama knew it!

Then we got the Lyme lab work. He tested positive for Lyme AND mycoplasma AND Bartonella. BAM AGAIN! WE FINALLY HAD A DIAGNOSIS! We also found out he has celiac, so we are now a gluten-free family.

A face to the nastiness

Don’t get me wrong. I was sad, I cried. But this mama was and still am so relieved to put a face to this nastiness that was causing Nathan to act so out of character.

He now is in treatment. On two antibiotics and natural tinctures to support his immune system (which by the way is literally nothing) and to help with the inflammation that’s going on in his body/brain.

Nathan still struggles with facial and vocal tics, potty regression, slurred slow speech, mood swings and major GI issues. But slow and steady and ONE DAY AT A TIME!

Love you my sweet, brave boy. Mama always has your back!

Jenny Kravitz lives in New Hampshire. She shared this on her Facebook page and gave us permission to republish it.

___________________

**Comment**

Children with PANS/PANDAS often have an infection(s) triggering their illness.  Treating this infection(s) is imperative. According to a Wisconsin specialist, 80% of his PANS/PANDAS patients have Lyme and other coinfections. This is important to know and tell others about, remembering that tick borne illness testing is abysmal.

Getting to a specialist who understands this complexity is paramount.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/04/09/abstract-bartonella-in-boy-with-pans/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/28/stories-of-pandas/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/06/30/child-with-lymemsidspans-told-by-doctors-she-made-it-all-up/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/10/08/misdiagnosed-how-children-with-treatable-medical-issues-are-mistakenly-labeled-as-mentally-ill/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/04/11/hidden-invaders-infections-can-trigger-immune-attacks-on-kids-brains-provoking-devastating-psychiatric-disorders/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/12/01/guidelines-for-treating-pans-its-real/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/02/pans-pandas-a-survivors-story/

Please spread the word and educate others. Children are losing their childhoods to this.

 

Category:

Activism, Bartonella, Inflammation, Lyme, PANS, Psychological Aspects, Uncategorized

FREE Showing of ‘Secret Ingredients’ May 15-22

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The extraordinary FREE worldwide showing of Secret Ingredients — a powerful film by Jeffrey Smith and Amy Hart — shares remarkable stories of people who regain their health after discovering the “secret ingredients” in their food and making a bold commitment to avoid them.

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Category:

Activism, diet and nutrition, Gut Health, Inflammation, Psychological Aspects

CBD Has Unique Ability to Cross Blood-Brain Barrier

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/04/29/cbd-ability-to-cross-blood-brain-barrier.aspx?

CBD Has Unique Ability to Cross Blood-Brain Barrier

Written by Dr. Joseph MercolaFact Checked
cbd ability to cross blood brain barrier

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Your body has a barrier to keep foreign chemicals from accessing your brain and spinal cord. Researchers have discovered by coating nanocapsules with CBD oil, they could carry particles into the brain of mice
  • CBD is the nonpsychoactive component of cannabis, which has strong anti-anxiety effects. Its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier suggests your brain has cannabinoid receptors used to maintain health
  • Although it’s normal to be concerned, too much stress and anxiety steals your time, energy and health; according to the World Health Organization, by 2030 global costs of anxiety treatment are expected to reach $147 billion annually
  • Low levels of endocannabinoids impact your risk of migraines, fibroids, irritable bowel syndrome and neurological conditions, but using CBD alone is not the answer to support your endocannabinoid system (ECS)
  • Natural ways to boost your ECS include avoiding pesticides, optimizing omega-3 intake, fasting, exercise and reducing stress

The cannabis plant has over 400 chemicals and at least 60 different cannabinoids1 — chemical compounds the human body is uniquely equipped to respond to. Of the two primary chemicals, cannabidiol (CBD) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), only THC has psychoactive properties.

THC is the compound in cannabis triggering a “high,” whereas CBD has no psychoactive effects. Both compounds, and other phytochemicals found in medical marijuana plants, have a long list of beneficial effects on health.

Medical marijuana is a term used for the use of the whole, unprocessed plant or its chemicals to treat a medical condition.2,3 With the exception of four cannabis-containing or cannabis-related products for specific conditions with a prescription, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved any “marketing application for cannabis for the treatment of any disease or condition.”4 On the other hand, some states have gone ahead and approved it themselves for certain medical conditions.5

The number of states that have decriminalized, legalized or allowed medical marijuana sales continues to grow. In some states, cannabis is fully legal or illegal, but in others the laws are mixed, allowing medicinal use but not recreational.6

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,7 notable scientific study results led to the creation of two FDA-approved medications containing cannabinoid chemicals in pill form, but not the use of the whole plant. Recently scientists proved CBD can carry other chemicals across the blood brain barrier, opening up its medicinal potential even further.

The Blood-Brain Barrier Is Designed to Protect Your Brain

More than 100 years ago, scientists discovered not everything injected into the bloodstream would reach the brain or spinal cord.8 Through research, scientists discovered the blood-brain barrier is semi permeable; in other words, it allows some materials to cross into your neurological system, but prevents others.

The importance of the blood-brain barrier to the health of your neurological system cannot be overstated. One portion of the system is formed by endothelial cells lining the microvasculature, which feeds your brain. This protects it from circulating agents and substances capable of disturbing your neurological functioning.9

The endothelial tissue in other capillaries in your body have small spaces allowing substances to move between the inside and outside of the vessel. In the brain, these cells fit together so tightly that many substances cannot leave the bloodstream and enter the brain.10

Additionally, glial cells — astrocytes — form another layer around the blood vessels and are involved in a two-way communication affecting physiology and pathology.11 This barrier mechanism is vital for normal functioning and providing a stable internal environment. One compound known to normally pass the blood-brain barrier is CBD.

Pharmaceutical Industry Finds Way to Use CBD as a Trojan Horse

In Greek mythology, the Trojan War was fought between the Greeks and the city of Troy.12 To gain access, the Greeks used a massive wooden horse constructed to hide a select force of men. It was presented as a gift, thereby allowing the Greek warriors to enter and destroy the city. Researchers believe CBD can act as a Trojan horse, helping move restricted chemicals across the blood-brain barrier.13

Researchers were interested in using CBD as a means to an end. They attached CBD, resembling endocannabinoids made by both mice and humans, to the outside of nanocapsules loaded with fluorescent molecules.

The fluorescence enabled the researchers to track the particles with the hope the experiment would mimic what occurs in the blood-brain barrier of humans. They demonstrated the CBD nanocarriers could transport fluorescent molecules across the blood-brain barrier in mice.14

When added in vitro to human cells mimicking the blood-brain barrier, the nanocarriers with CBD were more successful in passing through the cells than those without the CBD. Researchers also found when CBD nanocapsules were injected into healthy mice, 2.5 times more of them entered the animals’ brains than nanocarriers of equal size lacking the CBD coating.

Cannabidiol — Nonpsychoactive Component Has Anti-Anxiety Effects

The ability of CBD to naturally move across the blood-brain barrier indicates there are endocannabinoid receptors in the brain, which your neurological system uses to maintain optimal health. One of the benefits of CBD on your neurological system is reducing anxiety.

A meta-analysis15 evaluated the potential for CBD as a treatment for anxiety-related disorders. They found preclinical evidence strongly supported it for the treatment for panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A second large retrospective study16 looked at cases in psychiatric clinics involving the application of CBD for anxiety and sleep complaints. It too found the data supported the use of CBD for anxiety-related disorders.

In a small study17 involving 24 patients with generalized social anxiety disorder who, while diagnosed, had never been treated, half received CBD while the other half received a placebo. Another 12 healthy control subjects performed the test without receiving either medication or a placebo.

Each volunteer participated in a double-blind procedure. The researchers compared the effects of a simulation of public speaking on the 36 individuals, finding CBD pretreatment significantly affected cognitive impairment, anxiety and discomfort in speech performance.

The participants in the placebo group experienced higher anxiety, cognitive impairment and alert levels than the control group. No significant differences were observed between those taking CBD and the healthy control subjects who took nothing.18

These results piqued the interest of Dr. Esther Blessing, psychiatrist and researcher at New York University. She obtained funding from the National Institutes of Health, and along with collaborators are beginning a clinical trial to test if CBD helps those with PTSD and moderate or severe alcohol use disorder.19

The researchers plan to use pharmaceutical grade CBD or a placebo daily on 50 participants with the goal of evaluating alcohol intake in those who take CBD.

A second study20 now in Phase II is exploring whether CBD may help prevent relapse in opioid addicts. As explained by Blessing, CBD is different from cannabis. Although it’s extracted from cannabis, it does not lead to altered perception or cognition.21 She commented:22

“Drugs can be non-psychoactive and still have an effect on the brain. CBD does have an effect on the brain, but it seems to affect the brain in possibly medicinal ways.”

Anxiety Steals Time, Energy and Lives

Although it’s normal to be concerned about aspects of your life, too much stress and worry may devastate your health. A rise in stress levels and anxiety may trigger physical, mental or emotion changes, an indicator of anxiety disorders.23 Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental illnesses in the U.S., affecting an estimated 40 million adults.

Those suffering are three to five times more likely to see their physician and six times more likely to be hospitalized. It’s not uncommon for someone with anxiety to also suffer depression.24 Anxiety disorders carry a significant financial burden to individuals, families and communities.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), by 2030, the global annual cost of anxiety will reach $147 billion.25 Researchers in one study concluded:26

“The cost burden of depression, anxiety, and emotional disorders is among the greatest of any disease conditions in the workforce. It is worth considering methods for quantifying direct and indirect costs that use administrative data sources given their utility.”

The cost of anxiety is measured in more than finances, as it takes an enormous emotional and physical toll. Long-term negative health effects may include digestive issues, insomnia, substance abuse disorders and depression,27 each of which come with a laundry list of physical symptoms, emotional disruption and financial burden.

Differences Between Recreational and Medicinal Use

The healing properties of medical cannabis come primarily from high levels of CBD and critical levels of other medicinal terpenes and flavonoids. However, THC, responsible for the psychoactive effects of cannabis, also has medicinal benefits.28,29 Growers are able to use selective breeding techniques to increase CBD and lower levels of THC for medicinal use.

While CBD has gained the most attention, CBD alone cannot fully support your body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoid receptors in the human body were discovered in the 1990s,30 which in turn led to the realization our body makes endogenous cannabinoids that influence these receptors.

It was also discovered the ECS orchestrates communication between other bodily systems, such as your respiratory, digestive, immune and cardiovascular systems. The ECS does this via receptors found in every organ, including your skin. The use of medicinal CBD is aimed at the health benefits derived from providing your ECS with sufficient support.

However, if you choose to use exogenous CBD, it’s important to choose the right product as some do not meet the claims made on the label.31 Since CBD oil became a focus of popular holistic medicine almost overnight, the rapid innovations in the market have been impressive. However, while products quickly enter the market, effective control has not caught up yet.

Despite CBD being sold as a food supplement, it is often used for significant health problems. The WHO analyzed available scientific data and concluded CBD does not require drug scheduling. Nevertheless, CBD manufacturing may benefit from a preparation analysis to reduce contaminants and ensure the product in the bottle is what’s on the label.32

Researchers believe the methodology to achieve this goal already exists and the approach would hold the producer accountable for quality and safety. Until a system is in place, if you live in a state that has legalized CBD, it is important you purchase any products from a trusted source.

Single Magic Bullet Is Not the Answer to Support Your Endocannabinoid System

In this video clip from an interview with Carl Germano, board-certified nutritionist and phytocannabiniods expert, he discusses the need to move away from the single magic bullet idea of separating one nutritional compound from a plant and expecting miraculous results.

It’s important in many cases to consume the whole plant. The cannabis plant contains at least 60 other cannabinoids and 400 other chemicals, and many of these other phytocannabinoids and terpenes are needed to fully support your ECS.

However, the vilification of cannabis continues to negatively impact the ability to use the compounds medicinally.33 CBD oil has demonstrated use in the treatment of pain,34 which represents a significant threat to the sale of opioids responsible for a large piece of the financial growth of Big Pharma in the past decade.35

Purdue Pharma went even further, trying to position the company as an “end-to-end provider” of opioids and the treatment for addiction.36 The cannabis plant also poses economic threats37 to the lumber, energy, food and other industries as the fiber may be used to make paper, biofuel, building materials, food products and oil, clothing, shoes and even jewelry.

Cannabinoids Necessary for Optimal Health

Low levels of endocannabinoids in your system result in ill health. As you age, your body becomes less efficient in creating endocannabinoids needed for optimal health. According to Germano, cannabinoids may be used as biological markers for specific conditions and illnesses.

Endocannabinoid deficiency has been identified in those with migraines, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome and neurological conditions, for example. Research has also discovered an intimate relationship between ECS and your omega-3 status, as omega-3 fat improves your cannabinoid receptors.

Other conditions associated with low levels include stress, anxiety, insomnia and eye health. For a long list of health benefits you’ll receive from supporting your ECS system, see my previous article, “The Many Medicinal Benefits of Cannabis and Cannabidiol (CBD).”

How to Boost Your Natural Endocannabinoid Levels

In my previous article, “The Endocannabinoid System and the Important Role It Plays in Human Health,” I discussed the importance of activating your ECS. There are several natural ways you may activate the system to improve your health without using external cannabinoids:

Avoid pesticides and phthalates — Start by avoiding chemicals blocking the receptivity of your endogenous system by reducing your exposure to neonicotinoid pesticides and phthalates. Find more information about phthalates in my previous article, “Phthalate Exposure Threatens Human Survival.”
Optimize your omega-3 intake — There’s an intimate relationship between your ECS and your omega-3 status. Omega-3 fats make your cannabinoid receptors more active, and are used as backbone structures to produce cannabinoids in your body.
Expose yourself to cold temperatures — In past articles I’ve written about some of the surprising benefits of extreme temperatures. One of those benefits is the regulation of endocannabinoid in white and brown adipose tissue.
Fasting — Intermittent fasting may improve your health using yet another mechanism in your body — by increasing your endocannabinoid levels, and regulating your ECS.
Caffeine — Regular caffeine consumption regulates and enhances the activation of cannabinoid receptors. Remember the added caffeine may also disrupt quality sleep, so it’s important to forgo any caffeinated substances after 2 p.m.
Reduce stress — High levels of emotional stress have been shown to downregulate endocannabinoid levels in your body. High levels of cortisol also reduce binding to your endocannabinoid receptors. I recommend my previous article, “How Stress Affects Your Body, and Simple Techniques to Reduce Stress and Develop Greater Resilience,” to help you find methods that work for you.
Exercise — Although exercise is an excellent stress reducer, research also finds the much talked about “runner’s high” may be a function of the release of endocannabinoids in your brain and not just endorphins. If you are new to exercise, you’ll find suggestions and links in my previous article, “Exercise to Improve Your Body and Your Brain.”

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For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/16/ldn-cbd/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/02/10/the-endocannabinoid-system-and-the-important-role-it-plays-in-human-health/

 

Category:

Hemp Oil, Herbs, Inflammation, Pain Management, research, Sleep, Treatment

Tick in Boy’s Ear Had to Be Surgically Removed

https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMicm1812049?query=TOC

Tick Attached to the Tympanic Membrane

  • David Kasle, M.D.,
  • and Erik Waldman, M.D.

A 9-year-old boy presented to the pediatric otolaryngology clinic with a sensation of the presence of a foreign body in his right ear. He also reported that he had heard buzzing noises in his right ear 3 days earlier. He lived in Connecticut and had been playing outdoors at school. He had no pain, tinnitus, or loss of hearing. On physical examination, a tick was seen on the right tympanic membrane, with surrounding inflammation. Removal of the tick with guidance from an operative microscope was attempted in the office, but the tick could not be removed. The patient was subsequently transferred to the operating room for removal of the tick while he was under general anesthesia. The tick was again seen attached to the tympanic membrane; the tick’s capitulum was buried beneath the epidermal layer of the tympanic membrane. The underlying fibrous layer of the membrane remained intact. The tick was removed with a day hook, with guidance from an operative microscope. Subsequent pathological testing identified the tick as Dermacentor variabilis. After extraction of the tick, the patient had no signs or symptoms suggestive of systemic illness, and he was treated with ciprofloxacin eardrops for an abrasion of the tympanic membrane. One month later, the patient was doing well; he had no fever or rashes, and the tympanic membrane had healed well.

 

**Comment**

The American Dog tick or Wood tick transmits tularemia, RMSF, Anaplasmosis, and tick paralysis (fully engorged female).

I hope they keep following this child.

Ticks can end up in the wildest places:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/03/tick-bite-in-ear-gave-uk-teacher-rickettsial-typhus-infection/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/07/30/ticks-found-on-eyeball-buttocks-and-penis/

Category:

Inflammation, research, Ticks