Archive for the ‘Treatment’ Category

Sjogren’s Syndrome: Clinical Benefits of Low-dose Naltrexone Therapy

https://ldnresearchtrust.org/sites/default/files/sjogrens%20publication.pdf

Sjogren’s Syndrome: Clinical Benefits of Low-dose Naltrexone Therapy

Scott Zashin 1

1. Rheumatology, University of Texas Southwest Medical Center, Dallas, USA Corresponding author: Scott Zashin, szashin823@aol.com

 

Abstract

Sjogren’s Syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes the inflammation of the lacrimal and salivary glands, resulting in dryness of the eyes and mouth. In addition, fatigue and musculoskeletal pain, often described as aching, is very common. Treatment directed toward alleviating the fatigue and pain associated with Sjogren’s is currently very limited. This report describes a case of a 47-year-old female with suspected Sjogren’s based on long-standing dry eyes, dry mouth, joint pain, fatigue, elevated measures of inflammation, and a positive rheumatoid factor. She failed standard therapy but improved clinically with low-dose naltrexone therapy.

Introduction

Low-dose naltrexone (LDN) is a unique compound that has pain-relieving and anti- inflammatory properties. Limited studies have shown benefit in helping relieve the pain in patients with fibromyalgia and improving disease activity in autoimmune conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis. As a result, it seems reasonable that the medication might be useful in Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune condition that is associated with pain and inflammation.

Case Presentation

A 47-year-old female was diagnosed with Sjogren’s Syndrome six years ago by another rheumatologist, based on her history of eye and mouth dryness. She was found to have a negative rheumatoid factor at that time, but her sedimentation rate by modified Westergren (erythrocyte sedimentation rate, ESR) was recorded as low as 48 and as high as 61 (normal: less than 20 mm/h). Her C-reactive protein (CRP) was 1.74 (normal less than 0.80 mg/dl). Two years ago, she saw a second rheumatologist who agreed with the diagnosis of Sjogren’s Syndrome. At that time, her rheumatoid factor was now elevated at 69 IU/ml (normal: less than 14 IU/m/). Her antinuclear antibody (ANA) and Sjogren antibodies (SS-A and SS-B) were absent. Her anti-CCP antibody and 14.3.3 ETA protein were normal. Her ESR was 48 and her CRP was 1.42. Past medical history included a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. She also had a history of breast cancer that had been in remission for 20 years, a generalized seizure disorder, and elevated liver tests with normal biopsy. Additional medical issues included symptoms of neuropathy, anxiety, and depression. A prior sleep study did not reveal evidence of sleep apnea. She first came to see this author 18 months ago, seeking another opinion, with complaints of fatigue, severe musculoskeletal pain, as well as dryness of her eyes and mouth.

Her daily medications to help with her symptoms of Sjogren’s Syndrome and fibromyalgia included Lexapro, Restasis, meloxicam 15 mg, vitamin D3, magnesium, tramadol 100 mg daily prn, salagen 5 mg tid prn, and hydroxychloroquine 400 mg daily. Her exam demonstrated widespread trigger points affecting both sides of her body, above and below her waist. Her blood work was remarkable for an ESR of 37 and a CRP of 0.77. Her alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was 40 U/L (normal 6-29 U/L).

She elected to try low-dose naltrexone (LDN), which was compounded using a short-acting filler and started at 1.5 mg daily with instructions to increase the medication weekly by 1.5 mg. She came back to see me two weeks after starting the medication and was taking 3 mg daily. She stated that she felt terrific. Her lab was remarkable for a normal ESR of 25 and a CRP of 2.33. Her ALT was normal.

She was seen in follow-up 16 months ago and remained on 3 mg of naltrexone. She felt well but complained of neuropathic pain. Her ESR was now 20. CRP was not ordered. Her ALT was 31 U/L. She was seen in follow-up 14 months ago and remained on 3 mg of naltrexone and continued to feel well without stiffness or pain. She noted that, previously, it would take her all day to feel better. Her ESR remained at 20 and CRP was only minimally increased at 0.87.

She was then seen in follow-up 11 months ago with complaints of increased achiness. She had widespread tender points. She was given a short course of corticosteroids with symptomatic improvement in place of meloxicam. Naltrexone was increased on that visit to 4.5 mg. On the day of that visit, her ESR was 40 and CRP was 25.7 ( current normal value less than 8 mg/L). She was again seen in follow-up nine months ago, doing well on 4.5 mg of naltrexone. Hydroxychloroquine was discontinued a few weeks earlier due to a prolonged QTc interval. Her ESR was back down to 20 and CRP was down to 10.9.

Overall, the patient noted significant clinical benefit with her fatigue and pain within two weeks of starting low-dose naltrexone but no significant change in her dry eyes or mouth. She continues to do well on low-dose naltrexone four months after stopping hydroxychloroquine due to the electrocardiogram (EKG) abnormalities. While her symptoms improved, what is most interesting about this case is that her clinical improvement was associated with an improvement in her inflammatory markers.

Discussion

In the initial pilot study that used low-dose naltrexone in the treatment of fibromyalgia, the baseline sedimentation rate was a significant predictor of clinical response to LDN [1]. It was of interest to note that this patient’s dramatic clinical response to LDN correlated with an improvement in her ESR. It is postulated that low-dose naltrexone has a beneficial effect on the immune system due to the following mechanisms.

Low-dose naltrexone blocks mu-, delta-, and other opioid receptors. These receptors are present in the cells of the immune system. This inhibition may result in an upregulation of endorphins, which in addition to decreasing pain, may have a beneficial effect on the immune abnormalities by suppressing cell growth [2].

Low-dose naltrexone inhibits microglia activity. Microglia are immune cells in the central nervous system that, when stimulated, produce inflammatory products that may be associated with pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction (brain fog) sleep, and mood disorders. Low-dose naltrexone inhibits toll-like receptors that are found in microglia cells. As a result, the production of inflammatory substances declines with resulting symptomatic improvement [3- 4]. The inhibition of these toll-like receptors has been postulated to be responsible for the effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine, a standard therapy in diseases such as Sjogren’s Syndrome and systemic lupus.

Overall, LDN is well-tolerated. The 50 mg standard dose of naltrexone is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved in the treatment of alcohol dependence and for inhibiting the effects of opioids. Low-dose naltrexone is sometimes used to help alleviate the symptoms of patients with chronic conditions, including fibromyalgia [1], Crohn’s disease [5-6], and multiple sclerosis [7]. The use of LDN at this low dose and for these indications is considered “off-label” use. In other words, it has not undergone the rigorous testing needed to get the approval of the FDA. Side effects include but are not limited to vivid dreams (most patients take the medication in the evening, but morning dosing of the medication may help with this issue). Patients may experience a reduction in pain relief from narcotics for at least six to 24 hours after taking low-dose naltrexone. In addition, low-dose naltrexone should not be used in patients who are currently receiving opioid analgesics due to the possibility of acute opioid withdrawal. The medication should be avoided until it is felt that the narcotics are out of the patient’s system. Those patients taking thyroid replacement may require a lower amount of thyroid medication so periodic monitoring is indicated. The elevation of liver enzymes is a potential risk with naltrexone treatment but is not felt to be common with low-dose therapy. Other potential side effects may include but are not limited to gastrointestinal disturbances, such as stomach cramps and diarrhea, agitation, anxiety, flu-like symptoms, and headaches. The drug should be compounded with short-acting fillers, so calcium carbonate should be avoided. The most common starting dose is 0.5 mg daily in the evening and increased weekly up to a target dose of 4.5 mg. The drug can be started at higher doses. The drug should be stopped at a minimum of 24 hours prior to the time narcotics may be needed for pain relief for a scheduled surgical procedure. In my practice, I will ask patients to temporarily discontinue low-dose naltrexone 72 hours in advance of taking narcotics if the patient is new to therapy, to ensure pain relief [8-11].

Conclusions

Based on a Medline review, this is the first peer-reviewed case report of a patient with Sjogren’s Syndrome who was treated with low-dose naltrexone and obtained clinical benefits. As a result of this case, further study is needed to determine if low-dose naltrexone will subsequently prove to be a useful medication for treating Sjogren’s Syndrome.

Additional Information

Disclosures

Human subjects: Consent was obtained by all participants in this study. Conf licts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: I prescribe low dose naltrexone to patients in my medical practice.

References
  1. Younger J, Mackey S: Fibromyalgia symptoms are reduced by low-dose naltrexone: a pilot study. Pain Med. 2009, 10:663-672. 10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00613.x
  2. Wang D, Sun X, Sadee W: Different effects of opioid antagonists on μ-, δ-, and κ-opioid receptors with and without agonist pretreatment. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2007, 321:544-552.10.1124/jpet.106.118810
  3. Younger J, Parkitny L, McLain D: The use of low-dose naltrexone (LDN) as a novel anti-inflammatory treatment for chronic pain. Clin Rheumatol. 2014, 33:451-459. 10.1007/s10067-014-2517-2
  4. Watkins LR, Hutchinson MF, Ledeboer A, Wieseler-Frank J, Milligan ED, Maier SF: Glia as the ‘bad guys”: implications for improving clinical pain control and the clinical utility of opioids. Brain Behav Immun. 2007, 21:131-146. 10.1016/j.bbi.2006.10.011
  5. Smith JP, Stock H, Bigaman S, Mauger D, Rogosnitzky M, Zagon I: Low-dose naltrexone therapy improves active Crohn’s disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007, 102:820-828.
  6. Raknes G, Simonsen P, Smabrekke L: The effect of low-dose naltrexone on medication in inflammatory bowel disease: a quasi experimental before-and-after prescription database study. J Crohns Colitis. 2018, 12:677-686.
  7. Gironi M, Martinelli-Boneschi F, Sacerdote P, et al.: A pilot trial of low-dose naltrexone in primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler. 2008, 14:1076-1083.10.1177/1352458508095828
  8. Low dose naltrexone. (2018). Accessed: 2018: http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/.
  9. LDN Research Trust. (2018). Accessed: 2018: https://www.ldnresearchtrust.org/.
  10. Dickson, Windham, Smith, et al.: The LDN Book . Linda Elsegood (ed): Chelsea Green Publishing, White River Junction, VT; 2016.
  11. Moore E, Wilkinson S: The Promise of Low Dose Naltrexone Therapy. McFarland & Company Inc, Jefferson NC; 2009

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For an overview of Sjogren’s:  https://www.hopkinsrheumatology.org/rheumtv/sjogrens-syndrome-disease-overview/  (3 Min Video)  Please notice symptoms are quite similar to Lyme/MSIDS.  

Sjögren’s Syndrome is an autoimmune disease that is found primarily in women, where inflammation at the salivary and lacrimal glands causes dryness of the eyes and mouth. However, it’s also a systemic disease that affects the entire body, producing joint pain and fatigue, and damaging internal organs. As many as four million Americans suffer from Sjögren’s Syndrome, which often overlaps with other rheumatic diseases making it very common to misdiagnose or overlook. Unfortunately, many patients are not diagnosed on time, which makes it much more difficult to treat. In this video, the Director of the Jerome L. Greene Sjögren’s Syndrome Center, Dr. Alan Baer, discusses the symptoms and problems that many patients with Sjögren’s Syndrome face.

If you search the internet with the words Lyme & Sjogren’s, tons of blogs will pop up with people with both. There isn’t much if any science on the two, however. This is another problem with research in Lyme-land – nobody is studying the effects of Lyme triggering or in conjunction with other syndromes within the body.  A big problem.

Excerpt from The Lyme Book:  http://www.lymebook.com/beg_signs_symptoms.pdf

Lyme disease can trigger autoimmunity, so some people will present with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Sjogren’s, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or any number of autoimmune diseases. It may not be that these diagnoses are incorrect; it may just be that the Lyme infection has unbalanced the immune system sufficiently to trigger the autoimmune mechanism. Where there is autoimmune disease with sufficient evidence of Lyme disease (either through lab work or clinically), treating the Lyme will often improve, if not eliminate, the autoimmunity.

The key concept to grasp here is that of underlying cause. Western medicine has somehow distanced itself from the quest for discovery of the underlying cause of illness. As is the case with bromyalgia or chronicfatigue syndrome, the diagnosis describes a set of symptoms but does not explain why they occur.

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/12/18/ldn/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/30/ldn-an-overview-of-clinical-applications/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/06/12/ldn-reduced-pro-inflammatory-cytokines-in-fm-after-eight-weeks/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/05/18/bullseye-low-dose-naltrexone-lyme-disease-documentary/  Very informative documentary put out by the LDN Research Trust on Lyme/MSIDS.  Dr. Horowitz, Dr. Toups, Dr. Schweig, Dr. Windham, Dr. Holtorf, & Dr. Schwarzback, speak on everything from testing, to diet, to inflammation, and how LDN can help Lyme/MSIDS patients.

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/07/16/low-dose-naltrexone-for-lyme-living-with-lyme-podcast/

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

Activism, Inflammation, Pain Management, research, Treatment

What Does it Mean to Herx?

https://globallymealliance.org/what-does-it-mean-to-herx/?

MyLymeLife_2-4

by Jennifer Crystal

Sometimes when I’m describing tick-borne illness, I feel like I’m speaking a foreign language.

Most people have heard of Lyme disease—though too many mistakenly call it “Lyme’s” when there is actually no possessive form. I often get blank stares when I use words like babesia, ehrlichia, and bartonella. Another term that confuses people, even those who have been diagnosed with Lyme, is Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, more commonly referred to as a “Herx”.

A what? Bear with me.

Discovered by dermatologists Adolf Jarisch and Karl Herxheimer in their studies of syphilis—another illness like Lyme whose bacterium is a spirochete, meaning having a spiral shape—a Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is an adverse response to toxins released by bacteria killed by antibiotics. In the case of Lyme disease, antibiotics sometimes kill spirochetes faster than the body can eliminate them. This means the patient is stuck with a backlog of dead bacteria which takes time to expel. The buildup of this toxic waste can make the patient feel much worse before it makes them feel better; their symptoms increase until their bodies can expel the dead spirochetes.

That’s one explanation of a Herxheimer reaction, but what does it feel like to actually have one?

When I started taking intravenous antibiotics, the first six weeks were awful. I’d expected the medicine to slowly clear up my symptoms the way antibiotics work, for example, on a sinus infection or simple bronchitis. But within a week of beginning treatment, I started feeling worse than I ever had before. My fatigue was as intense as it was when I first took ill. I felt a pulling sensation in my limbs stronger than I’d ever had before. I couldn’t find a comfortable position in bed because of all the the pains in my joints. Usually easy tasks like brushing my hair and washing dishes felt like workouts. My sleep became so heavy that my blood stopped circulating properly, and my limbs felt weighted. I wondered how I could still be alive when my body seemed so lifeless.

“This is great news,” my doctor said, paradoxically. “It means the medicine is working. Stay the course.”

My doctor said I was Herxing, meaning that the antibiotics were doing exactly what they were supposed to do.

“Once your body gets rid of that build up of dead bacteria, you’ll start to feel better.”

You may wonder how the bacteria gets eliminated. Some of it, especially the toxins from the parasitic tick-borne co-infection babesia, is sweated out. I’d wake two or three times a night completely soaked from head to toe, as if I’d just showered. The sweat felt slimy on my body, like a lotion or oil. I often had to change pajamas and sometimes even the sheets of my bed in the middle of the night.

But most dead spirochetes are eliminated as you might imagine: through the stool. I’d sit up in bed and suddenly feel a great urge for the bathroom. Once there, I’d barely get my nightgown raised and underwear down before my bowels exploded. The release came with the rush of diarrhea but the consistency was of foam noodles snaking out of me in long tubes. The toilet filled so quickly that I had to flush before continuing to go. The toilet steamed with hot dung the color of dead, hardened manure. The smell made me gag.

During my most intense Herxes, I ran to the bathroom upwards of ten times a day. I had to make sure to drink lots of electrolyte-enhanced water, to combat the dehydration brought on by night sweats and frequent elimination. I ate bananas to keep up my potassium levels. I spent a lot of time sleeping, or trying to sleep. During these periods my neurological symptoms would also worsen, because dead spirochetes were piling in my central nervous system, which for me meant insomnia or even hallucinatory nightmares.

The span of a Herx differs by patient. It depends on how you respond to treatment. How much bacteria do you have in your body to start with? Moreover,  how quickly can your body detox? For me, a Herx could last anywhere from a couple days to a couple weeks. Then, I’d get a reprieve for a week or two, and then the cycle would start all over. Each time, the Herxheimer reaction was a little less intense, but shorter. You might feel like you’re dying when you’re having one, but in fact it’s actually the bacteria that is dying, and that’s really a good thing.

You can’t control how well your body will respond to antibiotics, but you can help the detox process. There are many theories on how to do so. Some Lyme Literate Medical Doctors (LLMDs) use actual detox protocols. What helped me the most was electrolyte- augmented water, decaffeinated green tea, and lemon juice. Talk to your LLMD about how you can best support your body during a detox, so that your Herxes aren’t so bad. And when you do have a Herx and someone asks, “What’s that?” just show them this article.

jennifer crystal

Opinions expressed by contributors are their own.

Jennifer Crystal is a writer and educator in Boston. She has written a memoir about her journey with chronic tick borne illness, for which she is seeking representation. Contact her at: 

lymewarriorjennifercrystal@gmail.com. 

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**Comment**

One of the hardest things to understand about this complex disease(es) is that you feel a whole lot worse before you feel better and this can take considerable time.  Managing the herx is a challenging job.  Many find sauna’s to be of great help.  I also found drinking lemon water, green tea, MSM, and taking enzymes helpful.  As Dr. Burrascano says, “Now is the time for pristine health habits.”

For more:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/08/15/herxheimer-die-off-reaction-explained/

https://www.lymedisease.org/lymesci-herxing/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/01/26/lyme-herxheimer-reactions-dr-rawls/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2015/12/06/tips-for-newbies/

Enzymes:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2016/04/22/systemic-enzymes/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/05/how-proteolytic-enzymes-may-help-lyme-msids/

https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/10/24/herbs-habits-to-revive-your-gut/

MSM – another detoxifier, gut support, & inflammation & pain reducer:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2018/03/02/dmso-msm-for-lyme-msids/

 

Category:

Detoxing, diet and nutrition, Gut Health, Herbs, Inflammation, Lyme, Treatment

Melatonin: Benefits & Uses

https://articles.mercola.com/vitamins-supplements/melatonin.aspx?

December 30, 2018

By Dr. Mercola

iu-71

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland, which helps regulate your circadian rhythm
  • Taking a melatonin supplement may be helpful for people who are experiencing sleep disorders due to various environmental or social factors
  • Aside from promoting sleep, melatonin supplements may help boost cardiovascular health, manage fibromyalgia, lower the risk of gallstones and decrease the symptoms of tinnitus

Sleeping is an essential human function, and at the heart of it is your circadian rhythm, also known as your body clock. It’s a natural, biological timer that helps your body recognize sleepiness and wakefulness over a period of 24 hours.

By sticking to a regular bedtime schedule, such as sleeping and waking up at the same time each day, you can maintain a steady circadian rhythm that will allow you to maximize your productivity while you’re awake, and get the right amount of sleep when nighttime arrives.1

Your circadian rhythm is largely dictated by your pineal gland. This gland is located near the center of your brain, with a shape that looks similar to a pine cone, hence the name. It’s estimated to be one-third of an inch long, and is made up of unique pineal cells and neuroglial cells that help support the gland.

Despite its small size, it plays a crucial role in your health because it produces a single hormone called melatonin, which is vital for controlling your body clock and, ultimately, your sleeping patterns.2

What Is Melatonin?

Melatonin, or N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is a hormone produced by the pineal gland.3 Your brain usually starts secreting melatonin around 9 p.m., which is the time most people go to bed. By increasing the amount, your body begins to recognize that bedtime is fast approaching, allowing you to sleep at an ideal time.4

To do this properly, you need to be aware of your exposure to light throughout the day and especially at night, because melatonin production depends on how much light your body absorbs.

If you stay awake past dark, light emitted by electrical devices hampers your body’s ability to produce melatonin. Ideally, you want to stop using gadgets an hour before sleeping to help increase melatonin production and maintain a steady circadian rhythm. Nightshift workers usually have it worse and constantly suffer from disrupted body clocks, because of their poor melatonin production.

3 Main Uses of Melatonin in Your Body

What is the role of melatonin anyway? Based on published research, it has been discovered to perform three main functions:

• Controls your circadian rhythm — Melatonin works as a sleeping aid by normalizing your circadian rhythm by convincing your body to prepare itself for bedtime.5 It’s a hormone that only “signals” your body to prepare for sleep, not one that actually makes you fall asleep.

• Functions as an antioxidant — Recent studies have found that melatonin not only affects your body clock, but also functions as an antioxidant that can help support your health. Specifically, it may help different aspects of your brain, cardiovascular and gastrointestinal health.6 It may even lower your risk of cancer, in some cases.7

• Boosts your immune system — Melatonin may benefit your immune system in various ways. In one study, researchers suggest that melatonin may help improve the treatment of bacterial diseases such as tuberculosis.8 In another study, melatonin has been suggested as a potential tool against inflammation, autoimmune diseases and Type 1 diabetes.9

6 Ways to Optimize Your Melatonin Levels Naturally to Improve Sleep Quality

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 50 to 70 million Americans are suffering from a sleeping or wakefulness disorder.10 As a result, many of them turn to various remedies, such as behavioral and environmental changes, to get a good night’s rest.11

One of the first things you can do is to make sure that your body is producing enough melatonin. Optimizing your melatonin levels naturally is important because it helps keep your body functioning normally without relying on outside factors. So, instead of immediately relying on melatonin supplementation, here are a few lifestyle changes I suggest you try first to boost your melatonin production:

• Avoid using electronic devices an hour before sleeping — Gadgets such as cellphones, TVs and computers emit blue light, and exposure to it tricks your body into thinking it’s still daytime. By avoiding gadgets an hour before bed, your body can produce the melatonin needed to help you sleep at your intended time.

• Make sure to get regular sunlight exposure — Getting regular sun exposure in the morning or at noontime helps your body reduce its melatonin production, so that when nighttime arrives, your pineal gland produces the correct amount to induce sleepiness.

• Try to sleep in complete darkness — If possible, try to remove immediate light sources from your room to help improve your sleep quality. The slightest exposure to light can interfere with your body’s melatonin production and keep you up later than you need. Keep gadgets 3 feet away from your bed or use blackout window shades.

• Remove sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) in your bedroom — EMFs emitted by certain devices such as Internet routers can disrupt your pineal gland’s melatonin production. Ideally, you should turn off your wireless router, as well as other wireless devices connected to the Internet before sleeping.

• If you need a nightlight, use a low-wattage yellow, orange or red bulb — Low-wattage bulbs with a yellow, orange or red color do not interfere with melatonin production the same way that white and blue bulbs do.

• Wear blue light-blocking glasses — This special device can help keep your eyes from absorbing blue light that can affect your melatonin levels. It can be a useful tool to have around the house, especially if you’re constantly surrounded by gadgets and artificial light sources.

In addition, the following foods are known to contain small amounts of melatonin. Making them a part of your regular diet while practicing the aforementioned sleeping tips may help improve sleep quality:12

  • Grass fed meat (lamb, beef and pork)
  • Wild-caught salmon
  • Pasture-raised chicken and eggs
  • Raw, grass fed milk
  • Pineapple
  • Banana
  • Apple
  • Pomegranate
  • Mulberry
  • Tart cherries
  • Grapes
  • Onion
  • Garlic
  • Cauliflower
  • Turnip
  • Cucumber
  • Carrot
  • Radish
  • Beetroot
  • Tomatoes
  • Seeds (Flax, sunflower, fennel, mustard, alfalfa, celery and fenugreek)
  • Nuts (pistachio, almonds and walnuts)

If you’ve already tried everything, including incorporating melatonin foods in your diet, and you’re still having difficulty getting quality sleep, you may consider taking a melatonin supplement. In 2016 alone, 3.1 million adults in the United States turned to melatonin supplementation to help them sleep peacefully.13

Studies Regarding the Use of Melatonin Supplements

Since the discovery of melatonin, various studies have been conducted to discover how using it as a supplement can benefit your health. According to the Journal of Pineal Research, the melatonin secreted by your pineal gland enters every cell in your body and can even cross morphophysiologic barriers.

As a result, not only may it help you improve sleep quality,14 it also has certain anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce your risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and hypertension.15

In addition, a study published in Endocrine Journal reports that increasing melatonin intake may help improve your overall health, as this hormone can be an effective antioxidant that can help fight free radicals in your body.16

Another study suggests that melatonin may help obese people manage their weight. The researchers indicate that certain lifestyle factors suppress melatonin production, which results in sleep disruption that can lead to weight gain. By increasing melatonin production, adequate sleep can be reintroduced as part of a healthy lifestyle, along with other positive lifestyle changes, to help curb obesity.17

8 Potential Benefits of Melatonin Supplement

Melatonin may help boost your health in various situations, as shown in the table below. While each benefit is backed up with scientific research, always consult with a doctor before giving melatonin supplements a try:

• Insomnia — Melatonin is primarily used to help treat people who have sleeping disorders by inducing sleepiness quicker.18

• Jet lag — Melatonin may be used to help treat jet lag by adjusting your body to a new time zone. However, it’s generally recommended only for travelers who cross four to five time zones.19

• Heart disease — People who are struggling with heart disease may benefit from melatonin. A study has found that it may help lower your bad cholesterol levels by as much as 38 percent.20

• Menopause — Increasing melatonin consumption in menopausal women 42 to 62 years old may help improve mood and stave off depression.21

• Autism — Children diagnosed with autism who are also plagued with sleeping problems may benefit from melatonin supplementation. Research indicates that taking the hormone can lead to deeper sleep and better daytime behavior.22 However, I advise consulting your health care provider before giving any melatonin supplement to children.

• Fibromyalgia — People affected with fibromyalgia are believed to have lower levels of melatonin. A group of researchers found that increasing the melatonin levels of fibromyalgia sufferers through supplementation helped alleviate their symptoms and improved sleep quality.23

• Gallstones — Melatonin can help lower your risk of gallstones by inhibiting cholesterol absorption across the intestinal epithelium, as well as increasing the conversion of cholesterol into bile.24

• Tinnitus — If you have tinnitus, slightly increasing your melatonin may help improve your symptoms. In one study, participants who took 3 milligrams of melatonin supplements every night experienced a decrease in tinnitus intensity after the testing duration.25

Do Not Take Melatonin if You Have These Conditions

Here’s a crucial question you should ask yourself: Are you fit to take melatonin? While there are valid reasons for taking this supplement, remember that it can exacerbate certain health conditions as well. If you’re taking any of the following medications, you should not take melatonin as the mixture can have adverse effects to your health:26

• Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs

• Anticonvulsants

• Contraceptive drugs

• Diabetes medications

• Immunosuppressants

Taking melatonin while pregnant should be avoided as well, since there’s little knowledge in this field.27 If you’ve recently developed pregnancy-related sleeping problems, I advise you to consider behavioral and dietary changes before considering melatonin or other similar types of supplement.

Refrain from giving melatonin to children, including babies and toddlers, unless approved by your physician. While a 2016 study found that children with sleep difficulties who took melatonin did not develop any concerns or adverse side effects,28 it’s better to be safe.

10 Side Effects of Melatonin You Should Know About

Some of melatonin’s potential side effects include:29,30

  • Daytime sleepiness
  • Short-term depression
  • Irritability
  • Vivid dreams, or possibly nightmares
  • Mild anxiety
  • Headaches
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Confusion
  • Body clock disruption
  • Dizziness

If you are already taking a melatonin supplement and begin to experience any of the mentioned side effects, stop taking it immediately and consult with a doctor for safer alternatives. In addition, melatonin and alcohol should not be taken together, as it can increase your chances of accidents because the sedative effects are amplified.31

Remember: Consider Optimizing Your Melatonin Levels Naturally Before Taking a Supplement

Melatonin is a crucial hormone that performs few but important functions. Low levels of it can lead to sleep disruption, increase your risk of certain diseases and lower your antioxidant capabilities. However, remember to always try and improve your sleeping habits and environment before attempting melatonin supplementation.

While there’s an abundance of scientific evidence that suggest melatonin supplementation can be beneficial to your health, too much of it can actually make you more wakeful. By primarily focusing on natural strategies, you forego this risk, as well as the chances of developing unpleasant side effects that can further disrupt your quality of sleep. If you do decide to take a melatonin supplement, seek guidance from a doctor first.

Frequently Asked Questions About Melatonin

Q: Is melatonin addictive?

A: Currently, there’s very little information regarding melatonin supplement addiction. However, beware that it can still be abused, although the chances of becoming dependent are lower compared to other types of medications or supplements.32

 

Q: How long does it take for melatonin to work?

A: The average time for melatonin supplements to work is generally 20 minutes. If you’re about to take melatonin for the first time, it’s recommended that you take it one to two hours before your bedtime.33

 

Q: Can you take melatonin supplements while pregnant?

A: As of the moment, there is a lack of scientific evidence regarding the use of melatonin supplements on pregnant women, but it’s theorized that it may hamper sex drive, reduce ovarian function and increase the risk of developmental disorders. If you’re pregnant, it is best that you avoid using this supplement and resort to natural remedies to correct sleeping problems.34

 

Q: Is melatonin safe to use for kids?

A: Melatonin supplements are generally safe for children. According to a study published in Canadian Family Physician, children with sleep difficulties who took melatonin had no concerns or adverse side effects, according to their parents.35 However, consult with your child’s pediatrician before giving them any type of melatonin supplement.

 

Q: When is the ideal time to take melatonin?

A: Taking a melatonin supplement two hours before bedtime can help you maximize its effectiveness.36

 

Q: How long does the effects of melatonin last?

A: The half-life of melatonin is very short, around 59 to 65 minutes only.37

 

Q: Can you overdose on melatonin?

A: Yes. While there are no reported deaths related to overdosing from melatonin, consuming more than the recommended amount can cause side effects, such as autoimmune hepatitis, a psychotic episode, seizures, headaches or skin eruption.38

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**Comment**

Besides helping sleep, melatonin is known for protecting the brain. Research has shown starting to supplement in middle age protects against Alzheimer’s, reduces the risk of Parkinson’s, shrinks the size of the infarct area in a stroke, minimizes brain swelling & dysfunction after head injury, and increases the “longevity protein” SIRT1.  https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2013/9/Melatonin-The-Brain-Hormone/Page-01

  • Melatonin has been proposed as a treatment for numerous brain and neurological diseases as it helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation inside the brain and strengthens the blood-brain barrier.  A leaky blood-brain barrier can contribute to issues like brain fog, anxiety, depression, and even Alzheimer’s.
  • It also increases brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – which is a protein that promotes survival of nerve cells & helps regular synaptic plasticity.  Mouse studies have shown melatonin relieves symptoms of ALS by preventing cell death and slowing disease progression.  
  • Melatonin is needed for normal eye development, decreases pressure in the eye and lack of it may be a cause of glaucoma.
  • A rat study showed melatonin prevents against cell death in optic neuritis, a manifestation of MS, Lyme, and Bartonella.
  • Regarding tinnitus, (noise in the ears), melatonin was 150 times more effective than other tinnitus drugs in reducing symptoms.
  • Melatonin may help prevent and treat cancer by improving immune function, increasing tumor suppressor proteins, acting against cancer stem cells, and by suppressing cells that block the activity of immune cells. Supplementation also reduced incidence and size of breast cancer tumors.
  • Melatonin concentration is 400 times higher in the gut than the brain and controls behavior of gut bacteria.  It’s been shown to be protective against lesions caused by H.pylori infection and speeds ulcer healing.  It protects and strengthens the intestinal barrier and can help prohibit inflammation in the stomach which can in turn protect against colitis, irritable bowel, and various cancers.  https://selfhacked.com/blog/melatonin/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Category:

research, Sleep, Supplements, Treatment

Researchers Discover a New Mechanism Used by Bacteria to Evade Antibiotics

https://phys.org/news/2019-03-mechanism-bacteria-evade-antibiotics.html

Researchers discover a new mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics

March 7, 2019, University of California – San Diego
Researchers discover a new mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics
Magnesium ions bind to ribosomes and increase antibiotic resilience. Credit: Leticia Galera-Laporta, Universitat Pompeu Fabra

As bacteria continue to demonstrate powerful resilience to antibiotic treatments—posing a rising public health crisis involving a variety of infections—scientists continue to seek a better understanding of bacterial defenses against antibiotics in an effort to develop new treatments.

Now, researchers at the University of California San Diego who combine experiments and mathematical modeling have discovered an unexpected mechanism that allows to survive .

As described in the March 7 early online release of the journal Cell, Dong-yeon Lee, Maja Bialecka-Fornal and Gürol Süel of UC San Diego’s Division of Biological Sciences, along with Leticia Galera-Laporta of the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain), and colleagues discovered that bacteria defend themselves against antibiotics by controlling the uptake of alkaline metal ions. When under attack by antibiotics, bacteria were found to modulate magnesium ion uptake in order to stabilize their ribosomes—the fundamental molecular machines of life that translate genes into proteins—as a survival technique.

“We have found an unexpected new mechanism that actively growing bacteria utilize to become resilient against antibiotics,” said Süel, a professor of molecular biology. “With this discovery we can now explore new ways to combat infections that we couldn’t have thought of before.”

The researchers investigated the relationship between ribosome activity and the electrochemical flux of ions across cell membranes. This membrane potential and ribosomes are among the most ancient and fundamental processes that operate in all living cells, from bacteria to humans. The scientists identified a distinct connection that “reveals how these ancient and fundamental cellular processes that are essential for life are interacting with each other,” said Süel.

The new findings lay the scientific groundwork for new ways to counteract .

Researchers discover a new mechanism used by bacteria to evade antibiotics
Heterogeneity in membrane potential of Bacillus subtilis cells. Colors indicate membrane potential. Credit: Süel Lab, UC San Diego

“Antibiotic resistance is a major public threat to our health,” said Süel. “The number of drugs coming onto the market is not keeping up with the ability of bacteria to cope with those drugs.”

Süel believes scientists may be able to boost the potency of existing antibiotic drugs by manipulating the ability of bacteria to take up magnesium, rather than having to develop completely new drugs. The potency of certain classes of antibiotics that are used to treat serious infections might be greatly improved by restricting how bacteria take up magnesium, thus interfering with bacteria’s ability to use charged magnesium ions in defenses against antibiotics.
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Category:

Activism, Treatment

Disseminated Bartonella Visualized by PET/CT & MRI

https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/9/1/25

Diagnostics 2019, 9(1), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics9010025

Disseminated Bartonella henselae Infection Visualized by [18F]FDG-PET/CT and MRI

Marie Norredam 1,* , Andreas Knudsen 2, Carsten Thomsen 3and Lothar Wiese 2

Published: 1 March 2019
Abstract
We describe the clinical course of a 24-year old male with Crohn’s disease in immunosuppressive therapy admitted with a 6-week history of fever, weight loss, night sweat, and general malaise. The patient received extensive workup for a fever of unknown origin and received empiric antibiotics. Workup with Fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG) positron-emission tomography (PET/CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with intravenous contrast showed multifocal ostitis of the columna and os sacrum, as well as abscesses in m. iliopsoas and m. iliacus and affection of the retroperitoneum, liver, and spleen. Initially, malignancy was suspected, but a subsequent liver biopsy showed necrotizing granulomatous inflammation and a later polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed Bartonella henselae. The patient had relevant exposure from housecats. He was treated with Doxycycline and Rifampicin for 12 weeks resulting in complete recovery. This case is, to our knowledge, a rare example of disseminated infection with Bartonella henselae visualized on both [18F]FDG-PET/CT and MRI. View Full-Text
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**Comment**
The Cat’s beginning to get out of the bag regarding Bartonella.  Prepare yourself to see a whole lot more of this. I’m thankful that the authors stated that this case was to their knowledge a rare example; however, Bartonella has flown under the radar for so long chances are quite high there is much more of this going on. Similarly to Lyme and other coinfections, testing that relies on serology is abysmal and many remain undiagnosed.
We’ve always been told that folks that contract Bartonella need a history of cat exposure or other animals and have suppressed immune systems.  Please know, many completely healthy individuals with NO cat exposure can have disseminated Bartonella.  For examples of this:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/03/02/skin-inflammation-nodules-letting-the-cat-out-of-the-bag/  After the study I list 6 cases.
Dr. Ericson’s work has shown Bartonella virtually everywhere in the human body:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2019/02/27/advanced-imaging-found-bartonella-around-pic-line/  Slides in link
In my experience Bartonella is as bad if not worse than Lyme which gets all the press. Authorities do not even consider it with Lyme patients but nearly everyone I work with has it along with Lyme and often Babesia as well as Mycoplasma and various viruses.  Until the polymicrobial aspect is acknowledged and treated, we are doomed as patients.
Yes, Martha, Lone Star ticks are in Wisconsin as well:  https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2017/02/10/lone-star-ticks-in-wisconsin/

 

Category:

Bartonella, research, Testing, Treatment