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Posted by: | Posted on: February 7, 2025

How Microplastics Accumulate in Your Brain and Other Organs


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/02/07/microplastic-in-the-brain.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     February 07, 2025

microplastic in the brain

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Research reveals microplastics are increasingly present in human organs, with brain tissue containing seven to 30 times more microplastic concentration than liver or kidney samples taken from 2016 and 2024 studies
  • Microplastics originate from degrading plastic items and manufactured products, infiltrating oceans, soil and air, making them nearly impossible to avoid in our environment
  • Nanoplastics (under 100 nanometers) cross the blood-brain barrier within two hours, contributing to inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s through beta-amyloid peptide acceleration
  • Laboratory studies indicate microplastics affect multiple body systems, causing digestive inflammation, respiratory issues, endocrine disruption and reproductive disorders, though human research remains challenging
  • Practical ways to reduce exposure include filtering tap water, avoiding plastic packaging, using natural fiber clothing and choosing glass or metal containers over plastic ones

Most people enjoy eating seafood regularly or taking a relaxing, warm bath. While these seem harmless, research shows that they now come with an unseen invader — microplastics. These tiny plastic particles, often smaller than a grain of sand, are increasingly pervasive in our environment. In fact, they’re now in your brain and other organs.

Plastic Is Everywhere, and It’s Also in Your Brain

In a preprint study published in Research Square, researchers sought to find out the amount of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) currently embedded in the human body. For their experiment, they collected a total of 51 post-mortem tissue samples of liver, kidney and brain from 2016 and 2024. From there, the samples were subjected to a chemical test that created solid materials namely, polymer-based solids that can be detected by special equipment.1

The researchers discovered that the brain contains the highest concentration of MNPs — around seven to 30 times more — compared to liver or kidney samples. Moreover, the MNPs found in the brain typically range in the nanometer scale with shard-like properties. According to their findings:2

“A non-parametric analysis of variance (Kruskal-Wallis) confirmed that MNP concentrations in brains were significantly greater than all other tissues (P<0.0001).

Furthermore, from 2016 to 2024, there was a significant increase in MNP concentrations in both livers and brains. The predominant polymer found in all tissues was polyethylene, which independently displayed similarly increasing trends from 2016 to 2024 in the liver and brain.

The proportion of polyethylene in the brain (74%) appeared significantly greater relative to other polymers in comparison to the liver and kidney (44% to 57%), although kidney samples from 2024 also had increased relative PE (71%) …

The concentrations in liver and kidney were not as high (relative to brains) as we would have suspected, as these are ‘front line’ organs for xenobiotic uptake and clearance. That said, the lipophilic nature of plastics may make them easily handled by the liver, which has a major role in uptake and repackaging of dietary triglycerides and cholesterol.”

However, the researchers didn’t dive into the health effects of MNPs on human health, noting that this topic is better suited for a new study.3

Where Do Microplastics Come From?

Microplastics originate from various sources. Some are created when larger plastic items like bottles, bags and food packaging break down due to sunlight exposure, weathering and physical abrasion. Think of a plastic bottle left under the sun — it becomes brittle and eventually fragments into smaller and smaller pieces. These fragments are microplastics.

In other cases, microplastics are manufactured intentionally, such as microbeads used in certain cosmetics and personal care products (although many countries have now banned their use).

These tiny plastic particles have infiltrated nearly every corner of the environment. They’re found in our oceans, rivers and lakes, polluting the water and harming marine life. They’re also present in the soil, affecting plant growth and entering our food supply. Even the air you breathe contains microplastics, which lodge into your lungs when inhaled.4 This widespread contamination makes it nearly impossible to avoid exposure entirely.

When it comes to food, microplastics enter your system through various pathways. Marine animals, both predator and prey, ingest microplastics in the ocean, and these particles then accumulate in their tissues. This means that when you consume seafood, you’re also ingesting these microplastics.5

Similarly, microplastics in the soil are absorbed by plants, contaminating the growth and nutrition of fruits, vegetables and other crops.6 Plastic packaging used for food and beverages also shed microplastics, further contributing to your exposure.

Beyond food and water, you’ll encounter microplastics in many other everyday products, many of which you most likely own. For example, synthetic clothing, like polyester and nylon, sheds tiny plastic fibers during washing. These microfibers are a significant source of microplastic pollution in our waterways. While microbeads have been banned in many countries, some industrial processes still contribute to microplastic pollution.

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Microplastics and the Brain

Again, one of the most concerning aspects of microplastic pollution is their ability to reach the brain. The brain is protected by the blood-brain barrier, which normally prevents many harmful substances from entering the delicate brain tissue. However, nanoplastics (less than 100 nanometers), are able to cross this barrier7 in just two hours after they enter the body.

The concern is that these microscopic particles pile up in the brain over time, a process known as bioaccumulation. While research regarding the health impacts of MNPs is not definite yet, researchers theorizes that they provoke the immune system, thereby causing inflammation.8 Chronic inflammation in the brain has been linked to various neurological problems.

While research is still ongoing, there is concern that long-term exposure to MNPs and their subsequent accumulation in the brain contribute to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

As noted in an animal study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, once nanoplastics cross the blood-brain barrier, they contribute to neurotoxicity by accelerating the spread of beta-amyloid peptides, which is the main pathogenic protein of this condition.9

Unsolved Mystery — Researching the Impact of Microplastics

Studying the health effects of microplastics in humans is a complex challenge. It’s difficult to assess the impact of microplastics on human health because of ethical concerns.

This has caused scientists to resort to in vivo, in vitro and animal test models to monitor and study the impact of microplastics.10 But from this research, we’re now able to infer the likely consequences of microplastics on human health. Here’s what a 2023 study published in Yonsei Medical Journal have compiled:11

  • Digestive system — Microplastics cause physical irritation to the gastrointestinal tract, leading to inflammation and digestive symptoms. This results in an imbalance in your gut microbiota, causing abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits.
  • Respiratory system — The inhalation of microplastics causes oxidative stress in the airways, leading to coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. Fatigue and dizziness will also occur due to low blood oxygen concentration.
  • Endocrine health — Microplastics interfere with hormone health, disrupting your endocrine function. This leads to metabolic disorders, developmental problems and even lower fertility rates. Much of the reason for this is because microplastics typically have bisphenol A, a chemical that greatly affects endocrine health and the reproductive system.

Addressing the issue of microplastic pollution and its potential health impact requires collaborative efforts between scientists, governments and industries. Scientists need to conduct more research to understand the health effects, governments need to implement policies to reduce plastic pollution, and industries need to develop more sustainable alternatives to plastic.

“Considering the ubiquitous nature and long persistence of microplastics, it is necessary to make efforts to mitigate their exposure given their effects on entire generations and multiple generations.

In the future, in-depth research on the pollution status and hazards of marine microplastics, as well as the correlation between exposure to microplastics and diseases in humans, should be conducted; and based on these findings, human health should be protected by preventing and managing microplastics,” the researchers concluded.12

Take Control of Your Health in a Plastic World

While research is still ongoing, it’s clear that having foreign, microscopic objects embedded in your organs is not good for your health, or anyone’s health for that matter. Therefore, it’s important to take proactive steps to minimize your exposure while scientists continue to investigate the long-term effects.

Addressing the problem of microplastic pollution requires a collective effort. By combining individual actions with broader policy changes and industry innovation, we’ll move towards a future with less plastic contamination and a healthier environment for everyone. But in the meantime, implementing practical strategies at a personal level will help reduce microplastic exposure. Here are my top recommendations:

Filter your tap water and avoid water bottled in plastic — If you need to buy bottled water, opt for glass bottles. Also make sure the filter you use to purify your tap water can filter out microplastics.
Boil hard tap water — If you have hard tap water, consider boiling it before using it for cooking or drinking, as hard water traps more microplastics. Recent research shows boiling hard tap water for five minutes removes up to 90% of the microplastics in the water.
Avoid plastic packaging — Opt for products packaged in glass, metal, or paper instead of plastic. This can significantly reduce the amount of plastic waste that breaks down into microplastics. At home, use wax paper, parchment paper or paper bags to store foods rather than plastic wrap.
Use reusable containers — Replace single-use plastic bottles, cups, and containers with reusable alternatives made from safer materials like stainless steel or glass.
Never microwave plastics — Heat can cause plastics to leach chemicals into food. Use glass or ceramic containers for microwaving.
Avoid plastic cutting boards — Use a wooden or glass cutting board instead.
Opt for natural fibers — Whenever possible, choose clothing and other textile products made from natural fibers like cotton, wool and linen, as synthetic fabrics such as polyester shed microfibers and leach xenoestrogens.
Wash synthetic clothes less frequently — When washing synthetic textiles, use a microfiber filter in your washing machine to trap synthetic fibers and prevent them from entering the water system.
Opt for food grade cosmetics and personal care products — Some cosmetics, toothpastes, and personal care products contain microbeads or other plastic particles. Look for products free of these materials. Ideally, opt for all-natural, food grade products.
Choose your children’s toys carefully — Replace plastic toys with those made from safe, nontoxic and sustainable materials.
Opt for natural cleaning products — Chemical cleaning products like soaps, cleansers and surface cleaners, usually contain microplastics and phthalates that affect your endocrine system. Replace them with natural alternatives like white vinegar, baking soda and essential oils.

Posted in Bacteria, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Brain, Omega-3, Opiates, Plastic, Protein, Quercetin, RNA, Tremors | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: January 23, 2025

Unlocking the Power of Methylene Blue


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/01/08/power-of-methylene-blue.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     January 08, 2025

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Methylene blue enhances cellular energy production by integrating into the electron transport chain, cycling between oxidized and reduced forms to improve mitochondrial efficiency and resolve metabolic issues
  • Clinical trials show methylene blue’s role in treating neurological conditions, including slowing progression of Alzheimer’s at doses of 16 mg daily
  • Studies indicate methylene blue’s effectiveness in treating septic shock, reducing mortality rates, shortening hospital stays and improving blood pressure without significant adverse effects
  • Research reveals methylene blue’s anticancer properties, particularly in chemoresistant ovarian tumors, by selectively targeting cancer cell mitochondria while sparing healthy cells from damage
  • Safe dosage ranges from 5 mg to 50 mg daily, but requires medical supervision due to potential interactions with SSRIs and risks for those with kidney issues or G6PD deficiency

Few substances have captured my attention as profoundly as methylene blue. Earlier this year, I engaged in an in-depth discussion with Georgi Dinkov, a respected expert in metabolic health, who shed light on the multifaceted benefits of this remarkable compound.1

Methylene blue, a quinone-like molecule, is not just another supplement; it’s a powerful agent that can play an important role in cellular metabolism. By accepting and donating electrons, methylene blue enhances mitochondrial function, addressing issues like reductive stress that are often overlooked in conventional medicine.

This conversation with Dinkov highlights methylene blue’s role in reaching optimal health and treating a myriad of conditions, ranging from mental health disorders to acute medical emergencies.

Methylene Blue and the Electron Transport Chain

Methylene blue has the ability to integrate seamlessly into the electron transport chain (ETC), which plays a role in cellular energy generation. Unlike traditional antioxidants that either donate or accept electrons and subsequently require excretion, methylene blue possesses the unique capability to cycle between its oxidized and reduced forms indefinitely.

This continuous electron transfer process ensures sustained improvement in mitochondrial efficiency, which is key for energy production and overall cellular health. Dinkov emphasized that methylene blue acts as an emergency oxidant, stepping in to accept electrons even when essential co-actors like NAD+ are deficient.

This makes methylene blue capable of resolving metabolic issues associated with electron buildup and reductive stress. By maintaining the flow of electrons within the ETC, methylene blue prevents the stagnation that leads to cellular dysfunction and various health problems.

Methylene Blue for Enhanced Brain Health

The therapeutic potential of methylene blue is vast and varied, extending across a spectrum of neurological and psychological conditions. Dinkov shared insights into several studies where methylene blue, even at relatively low doses of 15 to 50 milligrams (mg), demonstrated significant benefits in treating treatment-resistant depression and psychosis.2

These findings are groundbreaking, suggesting that methylene blue enhances cognitive function and stabilizes mood by improving mitochondrial performance and reducing oxidative stress in the brain. Methylene blue enhances the benefits of niacinamide (vitamin B3) on brain health and metabolism.3 Furthermore, in terms of neurodegenerative diseases, methylene blue has shown remarkable promise.

A modified version of methylene blue, developed by a UK-based company, has been patented for Alzheimer’s treatment. Clinical trials have reported an astounding 80% reversal of Alzheimer’s symptoms in participants, according to Dinkov, highlighting methylene blue’s ability to not only halt but also reverse cognitive decline.4

These applications underscore the compound’s role in enhancing brain health by ensuring efficient energy production and mitigating the damaging effects of oxidative stress. A stabilized form of methylene blue known as hydromethylthionine (LMTM) also shows promise in treating mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.5

Unlike traditional methylene blue, LMTM is a stabilized dihydromesylate salt, which offers improved pharmacokinetic properties, including better brain uptake and longer half-life in humans. The study involved 1,162 patients across two Phase III trials and revealed a concentration-dependent activity of LMTM on cognitive decline and brain atrophy.

Notably, the optimal therapeutic dose was identified around 16 mg a day, which maximizes cognitive benefits without the diminishing returns observed at higher doses of 150 to 250 mg per day. This plateau effect underscores that beyond a certain concentration, no additional benefits are observed, aligning with the study’s findings that higher doses do not confer extra advantages.

Moreover, LMTM demonstrated significant benefits both alone and as an add-on to existing Alzheimer’s treatments. Patients receiving LMTM showed reduced cognitive decline and slower brain atrophy compared to those with lower plasma levels. This suggests that even at lower, more manageable doses, LMTM effectively slows the progression of Alzheimer’s by enhancing mitochondrial function.

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Methylene Blue’s Life-Saving Benefits in Septic Shock

Expanding methylene blue’s therapeutic applications, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in Critical Care Explorations evaluated the efficacy and safety of methylene blue in patients with septic shock,6 a condition with high mortality rates.

The analysis included six randomized controlled trials encompassing 302 patients and sought to determine whether methylene blue administration could improve outcomes compared to placebo or usual care.

The findings suggest that methylene blue may significantly reduce short-term mortality, shorten the duration of vasopressor use by approximately 31 hours and decrease hospital length of stay by about two days.

Additionally, methylene blue was associated with an increase in mean arterial pressure at six hours post-administration. Importantly, the study did not find an increase in adverse events.

Methylene blue functions by inhibiting endothelial and inducible nitric oxide synthase, thereby counteracting the profound vasodilation characteristic of septic shock. By restoring vascular tone, methylene blue helps maintain adequate organ perfusion and oxygenation, which are necessary for patient survival.

Methylene Blue for Cancer Treatment — Targeting Ovarian Tumors

Research is also exploring methylene blue as a treatment for ovarian cancer, particularly in cases resistant to conventional chemotherapies. A study published in Cancers (Basel) used a carboplatin-resistant ovarian cancer tumor model in mice to assess the impact of methylene blue on tumor growth.7

The findings revealed a significant in vivo reduction in tumor proliferation among mice treated with methylene blue compared to those receiving carboplatin alone or no treatment. Specifically, methylene blue demonstrated superior tumor suppression, highlighting its effectiveness against chemoresistant ovarian tumors.

Further in vitro analyses provided insights into the mechanisms underlying methylene blue’s anticancer effects. The study examined the impact of methylene blue on mitochondrial energetics in both cancerous and normal cell lines. Methylene blue altered the oxygen consumption rate and mitochondrial membrane potential in the ovarian cancer cells, suggesting enhanced mitochondrial respiration and induction of apoptosis.

In contrast, normal cells exhibited a markedly different response, with less pronounced changes in mitochondrial function, indicating a selective targeting of cancer cell mitochondria by methylene blue.

The combination of methylene blue with a mixture of lipoic acid and hydroxycitrate and carboplatin was investigated to evaluate synergistic effects. While the combination therapy showed a modest enhancement in tumor response compared to methylene blue alone, the difference was not statistically significant. Importantly, the metabolic therapies did not induce toxicity or weight loss in the treated mice, underscoring the favorable safety profile of methylene blue-based treatments.

By targeting the altered mitochondrial function and inducing apoptosis in chemoresistant cancer cells, methylene blue offers a novel approach that could improve treatment outcomes for patients facing limited options. The differential response between cancerous and normal cells also suggests that methylene blue selectively targets tumor metabolism, minimizing harm to healthy tissues.

Methylene Blue in Emergency Situations, Including Heart Attack

Beyond its chronic health benefits, methylene blue proves invaluable in acute medical emergencies. Dinkov elaborated on its effectiveness in treating conditions such as cyanide and carbon monoxide poisoning. In these scenarios, methylene blue acts swiftly to restore cellular respiration by accepting electrons and facilitating the utilization of oxygen, thereby reversing the toxic effects of these poisons.

I also recommend having methylene blue readily available at home in case of a heart attack. While sudden death is the most common symptom of heart disease, surviving individuals face the serious threat of reperfusion injury, where cellular dysfunction and death may worsen following the restoration of blood flow.

Methylene blue administration significantly mitigates tissue damage; however, proper dosage is important to avoid overdose. Administer methylene blue within minutes of the cardiac event to meet the critical time threshold.

In cases of stroke or heart attack, even a single dose below 50 mg may be life-saving. This rapid benefit makes methylene blue an essential tool in emergency medicine, offering a quick and efficient means to counteract metabolic crises.

I strongly advocate for the inclusion of methylene blue in emergency kits, as its ability to stabilize metabolic function swiftly provides an additional layer of protection against sudden, life-threatening metabolic disturbances. The potential of methylene blue to act as a universal antidote in various poisoning scenarios underscores its significance in both medical and emergency settings.

Methylene Blue and Antiaging Benefits

The antiaging properties of methylene blue is another exciting frontier that Dinkov passionately discussed.8 Studies have indicated that methylene blue reverses aging in human cells by maintaining optimal mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative damage, which are key factors in the aging process. Daily doses ranging from 5 mg to 50 mg help achieve the necessary concentration for these benefits without causing discoloration in urine or tissues.

Moreover, when combined with red light therapy, methylene blue’s effects are significantly amplified. This synergy promotes cellular rejuvenation and longevity by enhancing mitochondrial efficiency and reducing oxidative stress, thereby combating the visible signs of aging and supporting overall cellular health.

Dinkov mentioned an innovative approach where methylene blue is used in a dilution similar to mouthwash as an oral rinse, offering antiseptic benefits without the harsh side effects of conventional mouthwashes.9 This application not only leverages methylene blue’s metabolic benefits but also integrates it into daily routines for enhanced health and longevity.

Beyond the primary benefits discussed, methylene blue exhibits several other promising properties that could significantly enhance various aspects of health and medicine. Dinkov mentioned that methylene blue acts as a powerful aromatase inhibitor at sub-micromolar concentrations, which could have implications in managing hormone-related conditions.10

Additionally, methylene blue’s ability to enhance the flow of electrons within the electron transport chain makes it a versatile supplement for addressing a wide range of metabolic disturbances. Dinkov also introduced the concept of the “Methylene Blue Test of Health,” where the dosage at which an individual’s urine begins to turn blue serves as an indicator of their metabolic health.11

A lower dosage threshold for this coloration suggests better metabolic function, while higher thresholds may indicate underlying health issues such as cancer or diabetes, which are characterized by extreme reduction states in cells.

This innovative approach provides a simple yet effective method for individuals to monitor their metabolic health and take proactive measures to address any issues. As research continues to unfold, the full spectrum of methylene blue’s benefits will likely expand, positioning it as a cornerstone in both preventative and therapeutic health strategies.

Safety and Dosage Considerations

While the benefits of methylene blue are substantial, Dinkov highlighted the importance of appropriate dosing to avoid severe adverse effects that may occur with high doses, particularly serotonin syndrome — a fatal condition caused by excessive serotonin levels in the brain.

Methylene blue is a potent monoamine oxidase type A (MAO-A) inhibitor, which may dangerously elevate serotonin levels when combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) or other serotonergic drugs. I would advise strong caution for anyone ever to take an SSRI drug, as I don’t believe anyone benefits from them.

Further, at doses exceeding 30 mg to 50 mg, methylene blue may cause temporary blue discoloration of urine and, occasionally, the tongue. Although harmless, this effect is startling if unexpected. High doses may also interfere with pulse oximeter readings, leading to inaccurate assessments of blood oxygen levels.

Individuals with severe renal insufficiency should use methylene blue with caution and under close medical supervision, as impaired kidney function affects drug clearance. Additionally, methylene blue is contraindicated for patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency due to the risk of hemolytic anemia.

Common side effects associated with methylene blue include mild and transient gastrointestinal discomfort, such as nausea and diarrhea. Allergic reactions, ranging from skin rashes to life-threatening anaphylaxis, are also possible. Neurological effects like headaches and confusion may occur.

Cardiovascular effects, though less common, may include increased blood pressure and palpitations. Furthermore, methylene blue interacts with various medications, particularly antidepressants and antimalarials, altering their efficacy or causing adverse reactions.

To mitigate these risks, Dinkov recommends lower daily doses of methylene blue, typically between 5 mg to 15 mg, especially for long-term use. These dosages are sufficient to harness its metabolic benefits without significantly increasing the risk of serotonin syndrome. Additionally, Dinkov pointed out that while higher doses (up to 50 mg) have shown efficacy in certain therapeutic applications, they must be approached with caution and under professional supervision.

If you’re considering methylene blue supplementation, consult with a knowledgeable health care professional to tailor the dosage to your specific needs and avoid harmful interactions with other medications.

My Recommendations for Methylene Blue Use

There are three types of methylene blue typically sold — industrial-grade, chemical-grade (laboratory-grade) and pharmaceutical-grade. The only one you should use is the pharmaceutical-grade variety in solid, capsule or tablet form. Avoid using any solutions of methylene blue as dissolving it in water leads to a significant decrease in its effectiveness after 48 to 72 hours.

Methylene blue is a popular choice in aquarium maintenance due to its antifungal, antiparasitic and oxygen-transporting capabilities. It’s commonly used to alleviate fish stress, combat fungal infections and eliminate external parasites like Ich (white spot disease). However, aquarium-grade methylene blue often contains harmful contaminants, including heavy metals, which pose serious health risks to your aquatic pets.

To ensure the safety and well-being of your pets, I strongly advise against using methylene blue products designed for aquariums in any pet-related applications. Instead, choose pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue, which undergoes rigorous testing to confirm it is free from harmful impurities.

Personally, I have eliminated my regular intake of methylene blue, finding that daily walks by the ocean are an excellent way to manage reductive stress naturally. However, in scenarios where I might not have access to the ocean, I would consider taking 5 mg of methylene blue daily, adjusting to 3 mg if I were 75 pounds lighter in weight, and doing so six days a week.

It’s essential to emphasize that the appropriate and legal way to use methylene blue is through a prescription from a qualified physician. If you’re contemplating the use of methylene blue for your health, I strongly encourage you to consult with your doctor to determine if it’s suitable for your specific needs and circumstances.

Posted in Age, Anxiety, Bacteria, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Brain, Cancer, Fertility, Glutathione, Hair, Heart, Methylation, Methylene Blue, Nails, Omega-3, Opiates, Oxygen, Protein, Quercetin, RNA, Skin, Tremors | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: December 2, 2024

Low Magnesium Linked to Increased DNA Damage in Healthy Adults


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/02/low-magnesium-dna-damage.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     December 02, 2024

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Low magnesium levels, especially when combined with high homocysteine, significantly increase DNA damage in healthy adults, accelerating cellular aging and increasing the risk of chronic degenerative diseases
  • Magnesium plays a crucial role in DNA replication, repair and stability. It acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in these processes and helps maintain the double helix structure
  • Magnesium is essential for brain health, regulating NMDA receptors, modulating immune responses and acting as an antioxidant. It also supports synaptic plasticity, learning and memory functions
  • Adequate magnesium levels are vital for blood sugar control, insulin sensitivity and cellular energy production. Magnesium deficiency leads to insulin resistance and metabolic disorders like Type 2 diabetes
  • To optimize magnesium levels, consider supplements like magnesium threonate, consume magnesium-rich foods and try alternative methods such as Epsom salt baths or topical application for better absorption

There’s a critical link between magnesium levels and the integrity of your DNA, according to research published in the European Journal of Nutrition.1 The study, conducted on healthy middle-aged Australians, revealed that low magnesium levels, especially when combined with high homocysteine, significantly increase DNA damage.

This finding underscores the vital role magnesium plays in maintaining your genetic health and staving off age-related diseases. As the fourth most abundant mineral in your body, magnesium is involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions, including those crucial for DNA replication and repair.

Ensuring adequate magnesium intake could be a key factor in protecting your genetic material and promoting healthy aging. In fact, by examining various biomarkers of DNA damage, researchers have shed light on how magnesium deficiency might accelerate cellular aging and increase your risk of developing chronic degenerative diseases.

The Hidden Dangers of Magnesium Deficiency

While magnesium’s importance for bone health and nerve function is well-known, its role in safeguarding your DNA is less recognized. The study found that participants with lower magnesium levels exhibited higher frequencies of micronuclei (MN) and nucleoplasmic bridges (NPBs) in their cells.2 These are telltale signs of DNA damage and chromosomal instability.

Essentially, when your body lacks sufficient magnesium, it struggles to efficiently replicate and repair DNA, leaving your genetic material vulnerable to damage. This vulnerability manifests as increased oxidative stress and a higher likelihood of DNA strand breaks. Over time, these effects accumulate, leading to premature aging of your tissues and organs.

The research suggests that chronic magnesium deficiency might create a state of persistent oxidative stress in your body, similar to the effects seen with deficiencies in other crucial micronutrients like zinc.3

The Homocysteine Connection: A Double-Edged Sword

The study didn’t just focus on magnesium; it also examined the interplay between magnesium levels and homocysteine, an amino acid linked to various health issues when present in high concentrations. Researchers discovered a significant negative correlation between magnesium and homocysteine levels. In other words, as magnesium levels decreased, homocysteine levels tended to increase.4

This relationship is noteworthy because elevated homocysteine is associated with an increased risk of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular problems and pregnancy complications. Participants with both low magnesium and high homocysteine levels showed the highest frequency of DNA damage markers.

This synergistic effect suggests that the combination of magnesium deficiency and elevated homocysteine could be particularly detrimental to your genetic health, accelerating the aging process and increasing your susceptibility to age-related diseases.5

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Unraveling the Mechanisms of Magnesium’s Protective Effects

To understand why magnesium is so crucial for your DNA’s integrity, it’s important to look at its role in various cellular processes. Magnesium acts as a cofactor for enzymes involved in DNA replication and repair, such as DNA polymerase and DNA ligases. When magnesium levels are low, these enzymes can’t function optimally, leading to errors in DNA replication and inefficient repair of damaged DNA.6

Additionally, magnesium plays a role in maintaining the stability of DNA and RNA structures. It helps neutralize the negative charges on DNA phosphate groups, contributing to the overall stability of the double helix structure.

The study also hints at magnesium’s involvement in epigenetic regulation and protein modification processes that are crucial for maintaining genomic integrity.7 By ensuring adequate magnesium levels, you’re providing your cells with the tools they need to protect and maintain your genetic material effectively.

Magnesium’s Role in Protecting Your Brain’s Delicate Balance

Your brain’s health depends on a delicate balance of various processes, and magnesium plays a key role in maintaining this equilibrium. Recent research reveals how magnesium acts as a gatekeeper for N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, which are vital for learning and memory.8 By regulating these receptors, magnesium helps prevent excessive glutamate activity, which leads to inflammation and neuronal damage.

Additionally, magnesium has been found to influence the production of substance P, a neuropeptide involved in pain perception and inflammatory responses. Low magnesium levels increase substance P, exacerbating neuroinflammation.9 Furthermore, magnesium’s interplay with calcium in your neurons is critical. By limiting calcium influx, magnesium helps prevent a cascade of events that could otherwise result in intensified inflammation and neuronal injury.

This balancing act extends to magnesium’s role in modulating immune responses, particularly through its interaction with nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), a key player in inflammatory processes. By inhibiting NF-κB activation, magnesium helps dampen the expression of proinflammatory genes, reducing overall brain inflammation.10

The Hidden Power of Magnesium as an Antioxidant

While not typically classified as an antioxidant, emerging research suggests that magnesium plays a role in your body’s defense against oxidative stress.11 This is particularly important for your brain health, as oxidative stress is a significant contributor to cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases.

Studies have shown that magnesium deficiency is associated with increased markers of oxidative stress, including modified lipids, proteins and DNA. Importantly, magnesium appears to support your body’s antioxidant defense mechanisms. One key way it does this is by stabilizing superoxide dismutase (SOD), a critical enzyme that converts harmful superoxide radicals into less reactive molecules.12

This stabilization of SOD provides a unique link between magnesium and your antioxidant defense system. Magnesium’s involvement in various cellular processes, including mitochondrial function and fatty acid metabolism, further contributes to its role in managing oxidative stress.

By supporting these fundamental processes, magnesium helps maintain cellular health and resilience against oxidative damage. This antioxidant-like activity of magnesium adds another layer to its neuroprotective properties, helping to slow the progression of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disorders.13

Magnesium’s Impact on Your Brain’s Plasticity and Memory

Recent discoveries have also unveiled magnesium’s role in synaptic plasticity, your brain’s ability to form and reorganize connections between neurons.14 This process is fundamental to learning, memory and cognitive flexibility.

Research has shown that presynaptic intracellular magnesium is instrumental in mediating the transition between two crucial synaptic configurations: one involved in encoding new information and learning, and another responsible for storing and recalling memories.15 This insight highlights magnesium’s importance not just in maintaining neural health but in actively shaping your cognitive processes.

Studies on animal models of Alzheimer’s disease have demonstrated that magnesium supplementation enhances cognitive function and synaptic plasticity. Moreover, in a rat model of Alzheimer’s, magnesium sulfate supplementation improved cognitive function, synaptic plasticity and even the morphology of dendritic spines — the tiny protrusions on neurons that receive input from other neurons.16

These findings suggest that maintaining optimal magnesium levels could be crucial for preserving cognitive function as you age.17

Magnesium for Blood Sugar Control and Cellular Energy Production

Your body’s intricate blood sugar control system also relies on magnesium. This essential nutrient is involved in the function of your pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin to regulate blood glucose levels.18 When you eat, these cells respond by releasing insulin to help your body store glucose as glycogen, primarily in your liver and muscle cells.

Magnesium is vital for this process, acting as a cofactor for enzymes involved in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling. If your magnesium levels are low, your beta cells may struggle to produce and release insulin effectively, leading to blood sugar imbalances. Furthermore, magnesium deficiency impairs the activity of glucokinase, an enzyme that acts as a glucose sensor in beta cells and controls the rate of glucose entry into these cells.19

Without adequate magnesium, your body’s ability to sense and respond to changes in blood glucose levels may be compromised, setting the stage for metabolic disorders like Type 2 diabetes. Low magnesium levels also contribute to insulin resistance by altering the activity of the insulin receptor and its downstream signaling pathways. Conversely, insulin resistance leads to increased urinary magnesium loss, further depleting your body’s magnesium stores.20

This creates a self-perpetuating cycle that’s difficult to break. Studies have shown that individuals with Type 2 diabetes often have lower intracellular magnesium concentrations compared to those without diabetes.21

Beyond its effects on insulin and glucose metabolism, magnesium is essential for your cells’ energy production processes. It acts as a cofactor for numerous enzymes involved in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle, two key pathways in cellular energy generation. In the absence of sufficient magnesium, these enzymes may not function optimally, leading to reduced energy production and metabolic inefficiencies.22

It’s important to remember that magnesium’s benefits are far-reaching. Adequate magnesium intake helps maintain healthy blood pressure, support proper muscle and nerve function and promote strong bones.

There are also positive correlations between magnesium levels and other important nutrients like folate and vitamin B12, suggesting that magnesium status is an indicator of overall nutritional health.23 By prioritizing your magnesium intake, you’re not just protecting your DNA, brain or blood sugar; you’re supporting your body’s overall function and resilience.

How to Optimize Your Magnesium Levels

More than half of Americans don’t get enough magnesium daily,24 and this deficiency is even more widespread in certain groups. Various health conditions and lifestyle choices increase magnesium loss from your body. For example, if you have diabetes or drink alcohol regularly, you’re at higher risk of magnesium deficiency.

Your magnesium levels are also affected by lack of sleep and stress. Even short periods of stress might lower your magnesium. When it comes to supplements, I prefer magnesium threonate because it’s particularly good at entering cells, including those in your brain and mitochondria.

However, if you’re new to magnesium supplements, it’s best to start slowly with magnesium citrate to find the right dose for you. This method, called “bowel tolerance,” helps you determine how much magnesium your body needs. Like vitamin C, excessive oral magnesium results in loose stools, indicating that you’ve surpassed your optimal intake. This natural safeguard makes magnesium toxicity highly unlikely.

Start with 200 milligrams (mg) of magnesium citrate per day and gradually increase until you notice your stools becoming slightly loose. This indicates you’ve found your ideal dose. From there, try other types of magnesium if you want.

Take magnesium threonate with or without food. If you’re also taking calcium supplements, it’s good to take them together. Fitness enthusiasts might benefit from a pre-workout regimen that includes calcium and magnesium in a 1:2 ratio. While a 1:1 ratio of magnesium to calcium is often recommended, most diets are already high in calcium. So, you might need two to three times more magnesium than calcium in your supplements to balance things out.

Remember, blood tests aren’t always reliable for checking your magnesium levels, especially in muscles and bones. Instead, tracking what you eat is a more practical way to make sure you’re getting enough magnesium. Foods that are high in magnesium include:

Raw milk and homemade yogurt Broccoli
White rice Bok choy
Potato Turnip greens
Dried seaweed or agar Brussels sprouts

Aside from food and oral supplements, alternative methods to increase your magnesium levels include:

• Epsom salt baths — Soaking in magnesium sulfate-rich water enables transdermal (skin) absorption, circumventing your digestive system.

• Topical application — Create a concentrated Epsom salt solution using the following steps:

◦Heat 6 ounces of water and dissolve 7 tablespoons of Epsom salt

◦Once cooled, transfer to a dropper bottle

◦Apply directly to your skin

◦For enhanced absorption, follow with fresh aloe vera gel

As we continue to uncover the intricate ways in which nutrients interact with our genes and cellular processes, the importance of maintaining optimal magnesium levels becomes increasingly clear. To ensure healthy aging and disease prevention, prioritize getting an adequate intake of magnesium.

Posted in Bacteria, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Brain, DNA, Minerals, Omega-3, Opiates, Protein, Quercetin, RNA, Sugar, Tremors, Vitamins | One Comment »

Posted by: | Posted on: February 4, 2024

The Good News and Bad if You Suffer From Back Pain


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/02/02/back-pain-good-bad-news.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     February 02, 2024

back pain good bad news

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Back pain is one of the most common health complaints across the globe, with an estimated 80% of people experiencing back pain at some point in their life. It’s also the No. 1 cause of job disability
  • According to a recent systematic review and meta-analysis, a majority of people who experience back pain do recover, even if the pain persists for a couple of months. The bad news is that the longer the pain persists, the lower your chances of a full recovery
  • In practical terms this means that if pain persists after an injury has healed, you need to switch up your treatment strategy. Once the injury has healed, ongoing pain is typically due to pain system hypersensitivity, and that requires an approach that includes retraining your brain to perceive pain appropriately
  • Avoid opioids, as they tend to augment pain sensitivity. Research has also shown opioids (including morphine, Vicodin, oxycodone and fentanyl) fail to control moderate to severe pain any better than over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen
  • Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT) has been shown to successfully reverse chronic back pain by rewiring neural pathways so that your brain can respond to signals more appropriately. The goal is to reduce your fear of movements associated with pain, so that when you move, you can be confident that it’s not going to hurt. Several other treatment strategies are also reviewed

Back pain is one of the most common health complaints across the globe, with an estimated 80% of people experiencing back pain at some point in their life.1 It’s also the No. 1 cause of job disability.2 The University of South Australia now has both good and bad news for back pain sufferers.

The good news is that a majority of people who experience back pain do recover, even if the pain persists for a couple of months. The bad news is that the longer the pain persists, the lower your chances of a full recovery. These are the take-away’s from a systematic review and meta-analysis carried out by the University of South Australia. As noted by the authors:3

“For the acute pain cohort, the estimated mean pain score with inception time uncorrected was 56 at baseline, 26 at 6 weeks, 22 at 26 weeks and 21 at 52 weeks (moderate-certainty evidence).

For the subacute pain cohort, the mean pain score was 63 at baseline, 29 at 6 weeks, 29 at 26 weeks and 31 at 52 weeks (moderate-certainty evidence). For the persistent pain cohort, the mean pain score was 56 at baseline, 48 at 6 weeks, 43 at 26 weeks and 40 at 52 weeks (very low-certainty evidence) …

Participants with acute and subacute low back pain had substantial improvements in levels of pain and disability within the first 6 weeks … however, participants with persistent low back pain had high levels of pain and disability with minimal improvements over time …

Identifying and escalating care in individuals with subacute low back pain who are recovering slowly could be a focus of intervention to reduce the likelihood of transition into persistent low back pain.”

Pain and Emotional Processing Can Get Cross-Wired

In practical terms, what this means is that if pain persists after your back injury has healed, you need to switch treatment strategies. At that point the pain is probably due to pain system hypersensitivity, and that requires an approach that includes retraining your brain to perceive pain appropriately. As explained in the Harvard Health blog:4

“… it’s not just pre-existing attitudes that worsen back pain. The pain itself can rewire your brain. When pain first occurs, it impacts your pain-sensitivity brain circuits. But when pain lasts, the related brain activity switches away from the ‘pain’ circuits to circuits that process emotions. That’s why emotions like anxiety often take center stage in chronic back pain.”

Managing Pain System Hypersensitivity

Australia’s Department of Health addresses the issue of pain system hypersensitivity, also referred to as “central sensitization”:5

“In people with persistent pain, central sensitization means the alarm ‘keeps on ringing’ and that pain ‘memories’ can persist long after the original cause of the pain has healed. People experiencing persistent pain can experience a memory or ‘echo’ of their original pain.

This explains why people can experience pain when an x-ray or scan looks ‘normal’ … persistent pain is best thought of as a glitch in the ‘software program’ that processes danger signals in the body and which the brain interprets as pain.

Sometimes this happens along with memory of the original injury or event that caused pain, and these memories become intertwined. For example, you might experience fear and pain with a certain movement.

The good news is that pain management can use helpful neuroplasticity to help reprogram the way the nervous system responds to danger signals and how the brain interprets this as pain. The aim of pain treatments is to reduce central sensitization, decrease pain, favor normal movement and daily activity and restore well-being.

Examples of using this plasticity in treatments for persistent pain include using ‘mirror therapy’ to treat phantom leg pain … using mindfulness-based stress reduction (meditation or yoga) to help manage fibromyalgia or re-educating movement without the association of fear.

Pain management is all about using helpful neuroplasticity to reprogram and reduce the overactive danger signals in the brain and nervous system. What each individual needs for helpful reprogramming may be different and researchers are currently exploring new treatments using plasticity.”

To address this kind of hypersensitivity to pain, the Australian Health Department recommends:6

  1. Learning ways to manage your stress
  2. Doing things that reduce your focus on pain
  3. Physical movement and exercise done in a sensible and “paced” way
  4. Finding new creative hobbies or practices (like photography or meditation) to help calm your nervous system and make new non-painful nervous system connections
  5. Avoiding opioids, as they tend to augment and worsen pain sensitivity

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Avoid Opioids

The recommendation to avoid opioids is an important one, as back pain is one of the most common reasons for opioid dependence, the side effects of which can be lethal. In fact, opioids are now the leading cause of death among Americans under the age of 50.7

According to a 2018 study,8,9 opioids — which modulate your brain’s reaction to pain — are the most commonly prescribed medications for people with chronic low back pain. These drugs often end up being used long-term in this population, and research suggests about 20% of patients on long-term opioid therapy end up developing an opioid use disorder.10 Up to 25% of opioid users also end up with other substance-abuse disorders,11 which have additional risks.

The use of opioids for back pain flies in the face of guidelines12 from the American College of Physicians, which recommends heat wraps and exercise as a first line of treatment, stressing that prescription drugs should only be used as a last resort, as they completely fail to treat the underlying problem.

Research13 has also shown opioids (including morphine, Vicodin, oxycodone and fentanyl) fail to control moderate to severe pain any better than over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen. In fact, those taking nonopioid pain relievers actually fared “significantly better” in terms of pain intensity.

Considering the immense risks associated with opioid use, you’d be wise to exhaust all other alternatives before jumping on that bandwagon to disaster. The good news is there are a wide variety of non-drug options available.

Pain Reprocessing Therapy

One therapy shown to successfully reverse chronic back pain by retraining your brain is called Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT).14,15 This pain re-education therapy helps rewire neural pathways so that your brain can respond to signals more appropriately.

The goal is to reduce your fear of movements associated with pain, so that when you move, you can be confident that it’s not going to hurt. The short video above explains how PRT works.

In a clinical study cited in the video, 98% of patients reported improvement in their pain and 66% were nearly pain-free after eight weeks, and these improvements were confirmed by brain imaging. You can learn more about this novel therapy by visiting painreprocessingtherapy.com.

Addressing the Emotional Root of Back Pain

The success of PRT helps explain the remarkable benefits of the late Dr. John Sarno’s mind-body techniques. Sarno believed most chronic back pain was rooted in psychological or emotional issues.

His specialty was treating patients who had already had surgery for low back pain and did not get any relief. This is a tough group of patients, yet he claimed to have a greater than 80% success rate using techniques like the Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

When negative emotions are suppressed, your brain redirects the emotional impulses to restrict blood flow to certain parts of your body, such as your back, neck or shoulders, thereby triggering pain. This pain acts as a distraction from the anger, fear or rage you don’t want to feel or think about.

As noted by Sarno in the documentary “All the Rage” — a four-minute trailer of which is included above — “I tell [my patient] what’s going on, and lo and behold, it stops hurting.” The “what” that is going on is not a physical problem at all, it’s emotions: anger, fear, frustration, rage.

When these kinds of emotions are suppressed, your brain redirects the emotional impulses to restrict blood flow to certain parts of your body, such as your back, neck or shoulders, thereby triggering pain. This pain acts as a distraction from the anger, fear or rage you don’t want to feel or think about.

The pain essentially acts as a lid, keeping unwanted emotions from erupting. You may feel anger at the pain, but you won’t have to face the fact that you’re actually angry at your spouse, your children or your best friend, or that you hate your job, or the fact that you feel taken advantage of.

As noted by Sarno, working hard and constantly trying to do everything perfectly to keep everybody around you happy, “is enraging to the unconscious mind.” The term Sarno coined for this psychosomatic pain condition is “tension myoneural syndrome,”16 and he firmly believed most people can overcome their pain by acknowledging its psychological roots.

Another doctor who believes resolving suppressed emotions is key for those with chronic back pain is Dr. David Hanscom, an orthopedic surgeon. He prescribes expressive writing as a primary treatment tool for back pain. You can learn more about this on Hanscom’s website, backincontrol.com.17

The Importance of Staying Active and Minimizing Sitting

Getting back to normal activity levels is an important part of recovery. If it’s true that most pain (barring an acute injury) is “in your head,” then the longer you “baby” yourself and avoid physical activity for fear of it hurting, the more you’re programming your brain to expect pain.

Staying active and minimizing sitting will also lower your risk of developing back pain in the first place by improving muscle strength and coordination, reducing stiffness and improving blood flow.

Oftentimes, back pain originates from tension and muscular imbalances. For example, sitting for long periods of time ends up shortening the iliacus, psoas and quadratus lumborum muscles that connect from your lumbar region to the top of your femur and pelvis.

When these muscles are chronically short, it can cause severe pain when you stand up as they will effectively pull your lower back (lumbar) forward. By bringing these muscles into better balance, you will remedy many of these common pains and discomforts.

This was certainly true for me when I had debilitating back pain about 10 years ago that failed to respond to all interventions. The only thing that worked was to radically reduce sitting. I switched to a standing desk and the problem permanently resolved.

Overuse and misuse of the muscles supporting your spine, poor muscle strength and inappropriate posture while sitting, standing and walking are other common causes of low back pain. For instance, when walking with your toes pointed outward, the muscles in your hips and lower back tighten, increasing your risk for lower back pain.

Sitting with your shoulders hunched over a computer screen stretches muscles in your upper back and places added stress on your lower back, increasing your risk for both lower and upper back pain.

Walking with your head down is yet another posture-related problem that has repercussions on the rest of your back and hips,18 as your head is the single heaviest part of your body and will throw everything out of alignment. If poor posture is a culprit, consider doing some exercises to stretch out your shoulders, open up your hip flexors and lift your chest.

Three Ways to Address Improper Body Mechanics

Techniques that can ease or erase back pain by teaching you proper body mechanics include:

• Foundation Training,19 which helps strengthen your core. This includes anything that directly connects to your pelvis, whether above or below it. Foundation Training teaches all those muscles to work together through integrated chains of movement, which is how your body is structurally designed to move.

• Compression breathing — This breathing technique, which is part of Foundation Training, helps re-educate the muscles surrounding the spine of your rib cage, teaching them to be in a state of expansion rather than contraction. The technique is demonstrated in the video above.

Done properly, it will help lengthen your hip flexors, stabilize your spine and support your core using transverse abdominal muscles. This strengthens your back and keeps your chest high and open, all of which can reduce pain. Over time, your muscles will get stronger and your seated posture will improve.

• Neurostructural integration technique (NST), a gentle, noninvasive technique that stimulates your body’s reflexes. Simple movements are done across muscles, nerves and connective tissue, which helps your neuromuscular system to reset all related tension levels, promoting natural healing.

To learn more, you can download Michael Nixon-Livy’s free ebook,20 “Neurostructural Integration Technique: A Better Way to Good Health” from nsthealth.com. Basic training videos are also available on Vimeo.21 To find an NST therapist near you, see our NST Therapists Page.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Spinal adjustment by a chiropractor can also ease back pain in many cases. In one 2017 meta-analysis22 of 26 studies, spinal manipulation was associated with “statistically significant benefits in both pain and function, of on average modest magnitude, at up to six weeks.”

The average patient reported greater ease and comfort in their day-to-day activities, such as walking, sleeping or turning in bed. However, while these results appear to be modest in nature, it is important to recognize the results are an average, and that the participants only underwent manipulation. In other words, they were not given any additional rehabilitative exercises designed to maintain functional movement of the spine gained after manipulation, or to reduce inflammation.

A study23,24 that did take physical therapy and/or anti-inflammatories into account, published in 2018, found this kind of multidisciplinary approach reduced discomfort and disability to a greater degree than standard medical care.

In all, 750 active duty military service members already being treated for lower back pain were evaluated. All were receiving physical therapy and/or drugs to ease pain and inflammation. The team added chiropractic treatment to half the participants, including spinal manipulation, rehabilitation exercises and treatment with cold or heat.

On average, the chiropractic treatment group received two to five treatments over a six-week period. After six weeks, patients who received chiropractic treatments experienced greater improvements in their lower back pain and less disability than those who did not receive the treatments. Lead study author and chiropractor Christine Goertz, Ph.D., commented on the results:25

“Spinal manipulation (often referred to as Hias chiropractic adjustment) may help heal tissues in your body that form as a result of injury, decreasing pain and improving your body’s ability to move correctly.

It is also possible that manipulation impacts the way your body perceives pain through either the brain or spinal cord and or decreases pain from muscle strain, inflammation and or spasm in the muscles next to your spine.”

Aside from addressing any immediate spinal misalignment that might cause back pain, chiropractic care can also help address, prevent and treat deeper dysfunctions in your body. Chiropractic adjustments can actually affect the chemistry of biological processes on a cellular level, thereby reducing oxidative stress and improving immune function and DNA repair,26 for example.

Acupuncture and Massage

Acupuncture and massage also have their place, and often work well together. As explained by the WellBridge Clinic in Oregon, which is a proponent of acupuncture for back pain:27

“There is extensive, conclusive research behind the use of acupuncture for pain resolution and management, especially for back pain. Modern science has found that targeting specific points in the body with acupuncture pins acts as a nociceptive stimulation that leads to the activation of the nerve-endocrine-immune systems.

This activation helps the body to begin to heal at the sites of injury and pain. Effectively, this means it increases blood flow and circulation to injured areas. It changes the electrical current that is the foundation of our biology. That’s how acupuncture releases endorphins to ease pain, release muscle tension, and change cellular processes so the body can heal.”

Back problems that may respond well to acupuncture include:

  • Pinched nerves
  • Sciatica
  • Herniated discs
  • Spinal stenosis

Massage therapy, meanwhile, releases endorphins that help induce relaxation, relieve pain and reduce levels of stress chemicals such as cortisol and noradrenaline. It also reverses the damaging effects of stress by slowing your heart rate, respiration and metabolism, and lowering high blood pressure.

Simple Stretches to Help Relieve Lower Back Pain

Stretching is also important, as tight and stiff muscles and lack of flexibility will contribute to back pain. There are many options here. Below, I’ve highlighted five simple stretches commonly recommended for lower back pain.28 If these stretches are too painful to perform, stop doing them and consult your doctor, chiropractor or massage therapist before continuing.

• Baby cobra — Lie on your stomach with your legs together, arms bent and palms on the ground at chest level, elbows bent. Inhale and lift your chest, keeping the back of your neck long and your chin relaxed. Exhale and return your forehead to the mat. Repeat a few times, focusing on your breath.

• Bird dog — Begin on all fours, then lift and extend one leg and the opposite arm at the same time. Hold for three to five breaths. Switch sides and raise and hold the opposite arm and leg for three to five breaths.

• Cat/cow — Begin on all fours. Place your hands directly under your shoulders and your knees under your hips. On your inhalation, drop your belly and lift your gaze up to the ceiling. When you exhale, round your spine so your tailbone drops between your thighs and your head lifts between your arms. Repeat multiple times, slowly, to gently increase spinal mobility.

• Psoas lunges — Your psoas muscle extends from your lowest vertebrae to the top of your thigh, putting it in a good position to stress your lower back when it becomes tight. A great way to stretch your psoas is through lunges.

Begin by standing on your knees. Bring your right leg in front of you so that your right foot is on the floor and your knee is bent at a 90-degree angle. Tuck your buttocks slightly and place your hands on your right knee, or your hips. Allow your hips to gently shift forward as you breathe for three to five breaths. Repeat on the other side.

• Twist — Twists help rotate and lengthen your spine and can be performed sitting in a chair or while lying or sitting on the ground. Begin on your back and bring your knees up to your chest. Gently allow your legs to fall to one side and turn your torso in the opposite direction, extending your arm. Breathe in this position for 30 seconds and then repeat on the other side.

You can do this stretch sitting by raising your arms and twisting gently from your torso. If seated in a chair, you can grip the arm of the chair with one hand and put the other hand on the opposite leg. Extend your spine on the inhale and twist a little further on the exhale. Repeat on the other side.

Back Pain Is Common, yet Largely Avoidable

Once you understand that back pain is typically the result of poor posture, improper movement, pain hypersensitivity, emotional repression or a combination of these factors, it becomes clear why narcotics and surgery have such high failure rates. They simply don’t address any of the underlying causes.

So, if you’re among those seeking medical care for persistent back pain, I’d advise you to consider your options — several of which I’ve just reviewed — before filling that prescription or going under the knife.

Posted in Opiates, Pain, Stress | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: April 25, 2022

Another Layer of Corruption in the Opioid Scandal Revealed


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2022/04/25/mckinsey-fda-opioids.aspx
The original Mercola article may not remain on the original site, but I will endeavor to keep it on this site as long as I deem it to be appropriate, and will not be bullied into removing it.

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     Fact Checked     April 25, 2022

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • In 2021, McKinsey & Company, one of the largest consultants to corporations and governments worldwide, settled a lawsuit brought by 47 state attorneys general over its role in the U.S. opioid crisis
  • A U.S. House investigation reveals McKinsey was advising the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on the safety of opioids, while at the same time advising Purdue how to maximize sales
  • Jeff Smith, a senior McKinsey consultant, worked on a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for OxyContin while simultaneously advising the FDA about the drug’s safety
  • McKinsey promoted its FDA connections when pitching services to its pharmaceutical clients. The FDA, meanwhile, claims it had no idea McKinsey was working with Purdue
  • Purdue knew the dangers of its drug, covered it up, and hired FDA insiders to advise its sales strategy and how to influence the FDA. They also hired Publicis to manage its marketing. Publicis, the world’s largest PR company, funds and partners with “fact checking” organizations to suppress and censor the truth

In 2021, McKinsey & Company, one of the largest consultants to corporations and governments worldwide, settled a lawsuit brought by 47 state attorneys general over its role in the U.S. opioid crisis. The firm agreed to pay $573 million in fines1 for driving up sales of Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin painkiller, even as Americans were dying in droves.

Between 1999 and 2019, nearly 500,000 Americans died from overdoses involving opioid drugs,2 and false advertising and bribery were at the heart of this tragedy. As reported by The New York Times:3

“McKinsey’s extensive work with Purdue included advising it to focus on selling lucrative high-dose pills, the records show, even after the drugmaker pleaded guilty in 2007 to federal criminal charges that it had misled doctors and regulators about OxyContin’s risks. The firm also told Purdue that it could ‘band together’ with other opioid makers to head off ‘strict treatment’ by the Food and Drug Administration.”

Worse Than We Thought

We now find out that the situation is even more corrupt than we previously thought. A U.S. House investigation4,5,6 into McKinsey, based on materials obtained through the discovery process of this and other lawsuits, has revealed McKinsey was advising the FDA on the safety of opioids, while at the same time advising Purdue how to maximize sales.

In one instance, McKinsey wrote “scripts” for Purdue to use in its meeting with the FDA to discuss the safety of OxyContin in pediatric populations. In another, Jeff Smith, a senior McKinsey consultant, worked on a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for OxyContin while simultaneously advising the FDA about the drug’s safety.7

As noted by investigative journalist Paul Thacker,8 “Just think about that for a moment — for years McKinsey played both cop and robber.” As reported by The New York Times, April 13, 2022:9

“Since 2010, at least 22 McKinsey consultants have worked for both Purdue and the FDA, some at the same time, according to the committee’s 53-page report …

The firm provided no evidence to the committee that it had disclosed the potential conflicts of interest as required under federal contracting rules — an ‘apparent violation,’ the report said.

McKinsey also allowed employees advising Purdue to help shape materials that were intended for government officials and agencies, including a memo in 2018 prepared for Alex M. Azar II, then the incoming secretary of health and human Services under President Donald J. Trump.

References to the severity of the opioid crisis in a draft version of the memo, the documents show, were cut before it was sent to Mr. Azar.

‘Today’s report shows that at the same time the FDA. was relying on McKinsey’s advice to ensure drug safety and protect American lives, the firm was also being paid by the very companies fueling the deadly opioid epidemic to help them avoid tougher regulation of these dangerous drugs,’ Representative Carolyn Maloney, the New York Democrat who chairs the committee, said in a statement …

A bipartisan group of lawmakers last month introduced legislation10 aimed at preventing conflicts of interest in federal contracting, citing McKinsey’s experience with Purdue and the FDA.”

The FDA, in response, has stated that it “relies on its contractors to assess and report potential conflicts of interest,” The New York Times reports.11 In other words, it’s just pointing fingers and refusing to take responsibility for working with advisers that clearly could, and should, be suspected of having ulterior motives, based on their client base.

Isn’t it obvious that McKinsey, working to improve sales for its opioid-making clients, might give the FDA biased advise on behalf of those clients? Remarkably, in October 2021, the FDA wrote12 to senators claiming they had no idea McKinsey was even working for Purdue, and didn’t find out about it until media reported it in early 2021.

It seems beyond irrationally foolish that the press could find out about it, but not the FDA — somewhat like the head of the CDC, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, going on CNN and quoting Pfizer press releases as factual data.

McKinsey Advised FDA on Opioid Safety

The FDA hired McKinsey as an adviser in 2011. The company worked with the FDA office overseeing drug companies plans to monitor safety of risky products such as opioids, and internal documents show that, on multiple occasions, McKinsey promoted its FDA connections when pitching services to its pharmaceutical clients.13

For example, in a 2009 sales pitch, McKinsey wrote that it provided direct support to regulators, “and as such have developed insights into the perspectives of the regulators themselves.”14

In a 2014 email to Purdue’s chief executive, McKinsey consultant Rob Rosiello wrote, “We serve the broadest range of stakeholders that matter for Purdue. One client we can disclose is the FDA, who we have supported for over five years.”15

Evidence also suggests McKinsey took “steps to limit material that could be subpoenaed” once Purdue was sued, The New York Times reports.16 In one instance, printed hardcopies of slide decks were sent to Purdue instead of being emailed because they knew Purdue staff would be deposed and didn’t want their email correspondence to “get sucked into it.”

Did McKinsey Influence FDA Commissioner?

The Interim Majority Staff report17 by the Committee on Oversight and Reform, titled “The Firm and the FDA: McKinsey & Company’s Conflicts of Interest at the Heart of the Opioid Epidemic,” published April 13, 2022, also includes emails in which McKinsey employees claim to have influenced an opioid safety speech by then-FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb.

Gottlieb denies the accusation, but the fact that McKinsey was working so intimately with the FDA means they certainly would have been capable of such influence. Gottlieb also has financial ties to the opioid industry, having received $45,000 in speaker’s fees from companies that manufacture and distribute opioids.18

In 2012, Gottlieb also wrote a Wall Street Journal essay, attacking the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for pursuing the criminal activity of opioid distributors, saying it would burden patients, “including those with legitimate prescriptions who may be profiled at the pharmacy counter and turned away.”19

Intent to Harm

What we have here is a picture of gross conflicts of interest with an apparent intent to harm. Purdue Pharma was as crooked as they come, conducting sham studies and bribing doctors to prescribe its highly addictive opioid, while its consultant, McKinsey advised the FDA on the drug’s safety.

At the same time, Purdue also worked with the Publicis Groupe — the largest PR company in the world as of November 202120 — which funded the startup of NewsGuard, a “fact checking” group that rates websites on criteria of “credibility” and “transparency.” In April 2021, Publicis partnered with NewsGuard specifically “to fight the ‘infodemic’ of misinformation about COVID-19 and its vaccines.”21

NewsGuard’s health-related service, HealthGuard,22 is also partnered with the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) — a progressive U.K.-based cancel-culture leader23 with extensive ties to government and global think tanks that has labeled people questioning the COVID-19 vaccine as “threats to national security.”

At the beginning of May 2021, the Massachusetts attorney general filed a lawsuit24,25 against Publicis Health, accusing the Publicis subsidiary of helping Purdue create the deceptive marketing materials used to mislead doctors into prescribing OxyContin.26,27,28,29

Purdue knew the dangers of its drug, covered it up, hired FDA insiders to advise its sales strategy and influence the FDA, and a PR company that had the ability to suppress and censor negative news to manage its marketing.

Like Purdue, Publicis also cashed in on the opioid addiction it helped create by pitching its services to organizations working to end addiction. As reported by Forbes,30 the agency “won the account to work on drugfree.org after touting how it’s been ‘immersed in the evolving national opioid medication dialogue going on between pharma companies, the government and FDA, and the public via inside access as a trusted and informed consulting partner.’”

So, to summarize, Purdue knew the dangers of its drug, covered them up, hired FDA insiders to advise its sales strategy and influence the FDA, and is connected with a PR company that had the ability to suppress and censor negative news to manage its marketing. It’s hard to describe this scheme as anything but intentional mass murder.

The Spin Doctors

The reality may even be worse, and much larger, than that, seeing how Publicis is also a partner of the World Economic Forum (WEF),31 which is leading the call for a “reset” of the global economy and a complete overhaul of our way of life.32

As detailed in the featured video, Publicis’ fingerprints can be found throughout the net of censorship and misdirection that is now being cast across the digital landscape. As the No. 1 PR company in the world, Publicis has just the right credentials and influence to pull off a deception of this size.

It’s part of an enormous network that includes international drug companies, fact checkers and credibility raters, Google, Microsoft, public libraries, schools, the banking industry, the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense, the World Health Organization and Disney, just to name a few. As noted by investigative reporter David Marks in “How PR Giant Publicis Promotes Greed, Deception on Behalf of World’s Most Powerful”:33

“The essential skill of these expert spin doctors is their ability to fabricate a favorable interpretation of damaging information or activity or diminish the impact of the truth.

Through tried and true psychological ploys, repetition of false information or casting doubt on factual realities, ad agencies and PR firms target those who need to be influenced on behalf of their clients …

An examination of one of the largest entities neck-deep in managing these mass psychological operations reveals the depth of the dysfunction afflicting the planet. The vast activities of the Publicis Groupe demonstrate how the tentacles of greed, profit and privilege connect the catastrophic agendas of the most powerful enterprises on Earth …

Using sophisticated social psychology and incorporating the cutting edge of artificial intelligence, Publicis PR experts are masters of damage control, the manipulation of words and people, and of selling the unsellable. Publicis is organizing influential activities worldwide, overtly revealing its mission and priorities.

… [Its] website reveals who actually benefits from the company’s services: ‘The entire Publicis Groupe transformation was designed to put clients at the center of all we do. Their needs and objectives drive the solutions we provide in order to help them win and grow’ …

In considering the range of activities Publicis engages in, the dots are so close there is no need to connect them. The PR giant’s methodology is transparent.

Whether promoting opioids or pushing vaccines, rebranding status quo profiteering as a Great Reset, supporting cigarette sales, disguising the true nature of the fossil fuel industry, increasing soft drink consumption or covering for assassinations — Publicis has all the skills and facilities to create whatever fabrications are needed to sell products and influence how their wealthy collaborators are viewed.

The Publicis Groupe and its allies are at the hub of a worldwide insidious, destructive disinformation campaign, relying on the duplicitous ways of advertising and public relations in the loyal service of clients.”

A Plan to Drug the Useless Eaters?

As a WEF partner and global PR machine for some of the most powerful industries on the planet, it seems reasonable to assume Publicis is helping to coordinate the WEF’s Great Reset agenda. Sadly, that includes not only the management and control of the peoples of the earth, but also the elimination of “undesirables.”

In a 2015 interview (video above), Yuval Noah Harari, a history professor and adviser to WEF founder Klaus Schwab, discussed what Schwab refers to as The Fourth Industrial Revolution (i.e., transhumanism), noting that we’re now learning to “produce bodies and minds” (meaning augmented bodies, and cloud and artificial intelligence-connected minds) and that one of the greatest challenges we face will be what to do with all the people that have become obsolete in the process.

How will unaugmented people find meaning in life when they’re basically “useless, meaningless”? How will they spend their time when there’s no work, no opportunity to move up in some kind of profession? His guess is that the answer will be “a combination of drugs and computer games.”

This raises a disturbing question. Was the opioid crisis the result of an intentional plan — a conspiracy in the literal sense of the word — to hook the masses on an addictive drug? This is purely speculative, of course, but it surely fits in with The Great Reset agenda as a whole.

If people are addicted, the drug and medical industries make money (and they’re without doubt part of The Great Reset network), and if people die, well, that’s in accordance with The Great Reset plan too, as they insist there are too many “useless eaters” on the planet, and they either must be managed or eliminated.

Publicis Is Part of the Global Monopoly

In closing, it’s worth noting that Publicis is partially owned by the Vanguard Group,34 one of the two largest asset management firms in the world. Together with BlackRock, Vanguard has a hidden monopoly on global asset holdings and exerts control through their ownership of some 1,600 American companies.35

Combined, BlackRock and Vanguard own nearly 90% of all S&P 500 firms.36 To learn more about how Vanguard and BlackRock own just about everything in the world, and have monopoly control over all industries, check out the 45-minute video above, “Monopoly — Follow the Money.”

In short, the idea that there is competition in the marketplace is a cleverly disguised illusion. In reality, everything is controlled by a small group of asset managers that win no matter what. The end goal is to own and control all the world’s assets, which includes people.

The WEF slogan “You’ll Own Nothing and Be Happy” really summarizes The Great Reset plan for mankind. They will own everything; you will own nothing, not even your own body, and you’ll be too drugged up and lost in a make-believe computer game world to realize you’re a slave. If they can somehow make a profit from your useless existence, they’ll let you live. If they can’t, you’ll be eliminated. That’s really what the plan comes down to.

The plan for global authoritarianism is advancing with each passing day, but all is not lost yet. By informing ourselves and sharing what we know with others, we can reach the critical mass needed to end their plan and take back control.

It’s going to require standing together, unified in favor of freedom and liberty. It’s going to require legal and legislative efforts to weed out the corruption and infiltration that has occurred throughout the corporate world and our governments. It’s going to require honest men and women to step into positions of power that they never wanted. It may take a lot of time and effort, but if we want our descendants to experience freedom, no price can be too great to pay.

Posted in Censorship, Corruption, FDA, Opiates | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: February 24, 2022

Pain pills INCREASE the risk of pain, addiction and premature death

Reproduced from original article:
https://www.naturalhealth365.com/pain-pills-cause-addiction-3555.html

by:  | February 21, 2022

pain-pills-cause-addiction

(NaturalHealth365)  Pain pills are narcotics, which are meant to provide relief from pain, but also provide a feeling of euphoria that some would suggest rivals being on heroin.  Now I know that might sound a bit shocking – but the horrific side effects associated with the long-term use of these drugs are not up for debate.

In reality, pain medication is a legalized form of dope – which is needed in higher, and higher, dosages as the patient’s tolerance builds up.  In addition, these drugs cost taxpayers a small fortune – in insurance premiums – for those that can afford it.  Not to mention the countless lives lost to these highly toxic substances.

The true cost of pain pills revealed

Between 1999 and 2010, sales of opioid analgesics medications such as Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin quadrupled.  By 2010, the United States – with about five percent of the world’s population – consumed 99% of the world’s hydrocodone (the narcotic in Vicodin), along with 80% of the oxycodone in Percocet and Oxycontin.  These numbers are truly staggering.

As narcotics prescriptions surged, so did the number of people losing their lives.  On the other end, those who didn’t succumb were less likely to recover brain function and less likely to go back to meaningful employment.  The negative side effects of prescription narcotics include constipation, sexual dysfunction, cognitive impairment, and addiction.

Is this the best way to ‘manage’ pain?

Patients receiving narcotics, for long periods of time, become more sensitive to pain and have diminished pain relief over time.  There is good scientific evidence to suggest that prescriptions for narcotics – to treat chronic pain – are only effective over a twelve to sixteen week period of time.

Big pharma has a big price to pay for their actions

More than 86,000 children in Kentucky are being raised by someone other than a biological parent, and prescription drug abuse is largely to blame, according to community leaders.  CNN reports that while it is difficult to assess how many children are orphaned – after parent overdoses from prescription drugs – state data shows Kentucky is the fourth most medicated state in the country and has the sixth-highest rate of overdose deaths.

According to United States representative Hal Rogers, ‘someone has to take care of these kids, and we simply do not have the facilities to do that.’  He goes on to say, ‘that’s a huge undertaking because there are literally tens of thousands of these young children.’

Why is Kentucky being destroyed by big pharma?

Could it be that big pharma targets poor people for profit?  Purdue Pharma spending for OxyContin advertisements increased substantially over the years.  Purdue primarily seems to target primary care doctors – specifically in rural and poor areas.  The plot thickens.

Poor people, on Medicaid, are prescribed painkillers at twice the rate of non-Medicaid patients and are at six times the risk of overdosing on prescription painkillers.  A Washington State study found that 45% of the painkiller overdoses were Medicaid enrollees.

Prescription drug abuse, specifically opioids, such as OxyContin – derived from natural or synthetic forms of opium or morphine – is so prevalent in Appalachia that a new word has been created just to describe these addicts: ‘pillbillies’.

The charges against the drug companies were so serious that federal prosecutors formally recommended charging Purdue Pharma and its top three executives with multiple felonies, including conspiracy, mail and wire fraud, money laundering, and misbranding.  It’s almost unimaginable that our society calls this ‘healthcare.’

The deadly danger connected to a new pain pill

Another drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Zohydro, uses pure hydrocodone to treat chronic (severe) pain.  The ones used so far mix hydrocodone with weaker, non-addictive painkillers such as acetaminophen or aspirin. Zohydro contains up to 10 times as much hydrocodone as other combination drugs.

The FDA approved this drug contrary to the recommendation of its own advisory panels.  Hydrocodone is one of the most commonly abused medicines in the United States, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.  The other problem with this pill is one extra pill will kill you!

If a child gets hold of just one pill – it will be deadly.  The companies, which manufacture these narcotics, aggressively market their products for long-term mild to moderate chronic pain.  They are in bed with the American Academy of Pain Management and the American Pain Society.

Drug companies must be addicted to all that money – taking in approximately $280 billion dollars per year.  The running joke in pharmaceutical circles is that the best customer for a drug company is one that spends a lot of money to maintain the condition they have.

Big pharma wants you to ignore the solution

Taking care of your overall health is the only way to avoid premature death from drugs.  Eat an organic, whole foods diet (as much as possible), use acupuncture, massage, biofeedback, chiropractic care, and detoxification programs – when necessary.

Keep in mind, there are many ways that your diet can reduce inflammation (and pain) naturally such as capsaicin, tart cherries, turmeric, ginger, cloves, pineapple, omega 3 fatty acids, and acai juice. Keeping away from inflammatory foods such as conventionally-processed meats and refined sugar can go a long way toward becoming pain-free.

Let’s be honest, opiates never fix pain issues – they make it worst, they attach to the body’s natural endorphin receptors and stimulate them to produce pain relief, energy, and even euphoria.  With these drugs, a person’s brain decreases the production of its own natural painkillers – the endorphins.

Without natural endorphins, people in pain must resort to taking narcotics – just to avoid withdrawal.  Also, if you start taking narcotics, you lose the ability to discriminate which nerve signals are painful and which are not. Once again, the ‘fix’ is never inside toxic drugs.

Sources for this article include:

NIH.gov
ManagingPain.org
NewYorker.com
CNN.com
NewYorkTimes.com

Posted in Opiates, Pain | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: May 17, 2021

Dr. Mercola’s Attackers Sued for Role in ‘Crime of the Century’

Dr. Mercola's New Book | The Truth About COVID-19 | Available Today

Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2021/05/17/publicis-health-sued-for-deceptive-opioid-marketing.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola    Fact Checked    May 17, 2021

deceptive opioid marketing

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Between September 2019 and September 2020 alone, opioid overdoses killed 87,000 Americans — a new record-high
  • Various court cases have demonstrated how Purdue Pharma, maker of OxyContin, systematically misled doctors about the drug’s addictiveness to drive up sales, resulting in an avalanche of opioid addiction and subsequent deaths
  • The Massachusetts attorney general is now suing Purdue’s PR firm, Publicis Health, for its role in creating Purdue’s deceptive marketing
  • Publicis is accused of placing illegal advertisements for OxyContin in the electronic medical records of patients and creating training materials for Purdue sales reps on how to combat doctor’s objections to the drugs
  • Publicis also developed strategies to counter opioid guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and created “patient stories” to “humanize” the OxyContin brand and counter negative press about addiction risks

In previous articles, I’ve discussed the central role false advertising played in the creation of the opioid crisis.1

To recap, a single paragraph in a 1980 letter to the editor2,3 (not a study) in The New England Journal of Medicine — which stated that narcotic addiction in patients with no history of addiction was very rare — became the basis of a drug marketing campaign that has since led to the death of hundreds of thousands of people, or four times the number of Americans killed in Vietnam.

Between September 2019 and September 2020 alone, opioid overdoses killed a staggering 87,000 Americans — a new record-high.4

Purdue Pharma, the maker of OxyContin, used this letter to the editor as the basis for its claim that opioid addiction affects fewer than 1% of patients treated with the drugs. In reality, opioids have a very high rate of addiction, have not been proven effective for long-term use5 and, in fact, fail to control moderate to severe pain any better than over-the-counter pain relievers.6

Various court cases have demonstrated how Purdue systematically misled doctors about OxyContin’s addictiveness to drive up sales, resulting in an avalanche of opioid addiction and subsequent deaths.7

Unethical to the core, Purdue also cashed in on the addiction trend it manufactured by secretly founding Rhodes Pharma to manufacture generic opioids,8 and getting into the business of creating overdose treatments.9,10

Facing an estimated 2,600 lawsuits11,12 relating to its role in the opioid epidemic, Purdue filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2019,13 as a way to avoid litigation losses. Just over a year later they pleaded guilty to three federal criminal charges, including violating a federal anti-kickback law, conspiracy to defraud the U.S. government and violating the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.14,15

The company agreed to pay $8.3 billion in fines, forfeiture of past profits and civil liability payments to settle the charges,16 but short on cash — having transferred more than $10 billion of the company’s funds into family trusts and offshore accounts17 — the company was dissolved and its remaining assets used to erect a “public benefit company” owned and controlled by the U.S. government.18 Future earnings will supposedly be used to combat the opioid crisis.

Purdue’s PR Company Sued for Deceptive Marketing

While Purdue’s owners, the Sackler family, got off scot-free, states struggling with the exorbitant cost of opioid addiction aren’t ready to bury the hatchet just yet. Instead, some are going after the PR firm Purdue hired to run their deceptive marketing campaigns.

As it turns out, that PR firm is none other than Publicis, a partner of the World Economic Forum, which is leading the call for a Great Reset. As detailed in “The Web of Players Trying to Silence Truth,” Publicis appears to be coordinating the global effort to suppress information that runs counter to the technocratic narrative about COVID-19, its origin, prevention and treatment — suppression and censorship that has been repeatedly aimed at this website specifically.

At the beginning of May 2021, the Massachusetts attorney general filed a lawsuit19 against Publicis Health, accusing the Publicis subsidiary of helping Purdue create the deceptive marketing materials used to mislead doctors into prescribing OxyContin.20,21,22,23 As reported by Yahoo! News:24

“The lawsuit alleges that Publicis ‘engaged in myriad unfair and deceptive strategies that influenced OxyContin prescribing across the nation,’ a statement by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey’s office said. Those strategies were carried out through dozens of contracts between 2010 and 2019, worth more than $50 million …

Tactics included combatting doctors’ ‘hesitancy’ to prescribe the medication, and persuading them to prescribe OxyContin over lower-dose, short-acting opioids, thus increasing the risk of addiction. Massachusetts is asking that Publicis Health pay ‘compensatory damages’ of an unspecified amount for having ‘created a public nuisance.’”

Click here to learn more

Publicis Knowingly Promoted Over-Prescription

Publicis Health argues that its work for Purdue was entirely lawful and limited to “implementing Purdue’s advertising plan and buying media space.” Publicis also claims the specific activities listed in the lawsuit fall outside the statute of limitations.

Some of those activities included placing illegal advertisements for OxyContin in the electronic medical records of patients, creating training materials for Purdue sales reps on how to combat doctor’s objections to the drugs, developing strategies to counter opioid guidelines issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and creating “patient stories” to “humanize” the OxyContin brand and counter negative press about addiction risks.25,26

According to the lawsuit, one patient vignette featured a 40-year-old man who had his dose increased from 10 milligrams a day to 20 mg in just three weeks. It also claims Publicis was responsible for creating and sending thousands of deceptive emails to doctors, encouraging them to not only increase patients’ dosages but also to prescribe the drug to patients who were already on less dangerous pain meds.27

Publicis also instructed Purdue to target doctors who were already writing out dangerously high numbers of prescriptions, even in the midst of a raging opioid epidemic,28 all while agency executives gleefully discussed the record fees they’d collect from the Purdue account. A March 2016 email exchange reveals the Publicis subsidiary was expecting to make up to $12.28 million from Purdue that year alone.

Publicis Also Represented Addiction Center

According to the complaint:29

“Publicis helped create a public nuisance of opioid use disorder, overdose, and death. By design, Publicis’s schemes worked to counter public health measures intended to reduce unnecessary opioid use, because more opioid use generated more profits for Publicis’s opioid clients.”

Like Purdue, Publicis also cashed in on the opioid addiction it helped create by pitching its services to organizations working to end addiction. As reported by Forbes,30 the agency “won the account to work on drugfree.org after touting how it’s been ‘immersed in the evolving national opioid medication dialogue going on between pharma companies, the government and FDA, and the public via inside access as a trusted and informed consulting partner.’”

In an interview cited by Courthouse News, Amanda Pustilnik, a senior fellow on law and applied neuroscience at Harvard Law School who also teaches at the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior at Massachusetts General Hospital, noted that:31

“The story of the opioid epidemic is often misrepresented as a story of irresponsible patients and over-prescribing doctors. This prosecution gets at the heart of the matter.

Patients and doctors were not, on average, irresponsible. They acted under the influence of a concerted plan of misinformation and over-promotion orchestrated up and down the supply chain for these medications.”

Publicis Admits Role in Censorship Push

As mentioned earlier, Publicis appears to be playing an important role in the global censorship of information relating to COVID-19, and Publicis Health admitted its involvement in this agenda as recently as April 27, 2021. In a tweet,32 the agency announced its partnership with NewsGuard, “to fight the ‘infodemic’ of misinformation about COVID-19 and its vaccines.”

In short, Publicis Health is dedicated to suppressing any information that hurts its Big Pharma clients, which include Lilly, Abbot, Roche, Amgen, Genentech, Celgene, Gilead, Biogen, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, GlaxoSmithKline and Bayer, just to name a few.

Publicis is more than a partner with NewsGuard, however. NewsGuard actually received a large chunk of its startup capital from Publicis, as detailed in “New Thought Police NewsGuard Is Owned by Big Pharma.” NewsGuard, a self-proclaimed arbiter of truth, rates websites on criteria of “credibility” and “transparency,” ostensibly to guide viewers to the most reliable sources of news and information.

In reality, however, NewsGuard ends up acting as a gate keeper with a mission to barricade unpopular truth and differences of opinion behind closed gates. Its clearly biased ranking system easily dissuades people from perusing information from low-rated sites, mine included.

Extensive Propaganda Network Works Against the Public

As detailed in “The Web of Players Trying to Silence Truth” (hyperlinked above), Publicis is part of an enormous network that includes international drug companies, fact checkers and credibility raters like NewsGuard, Google and other search engines, Microsoft, antivirus software companies like Trend Micro, public libraries, schools, the banking industry, the U.S. State Department and Department of Defense, the World Health Organization and the World Economic Forum.

Mind you, this is not a comprehensive review of links. It’s merely a sampling of entities to give you an idea of the breadth of connections, which when taken together explain how certain views — such as information about COVID-19 and vaccines — can be so effectively erased.

To understand the power that PR companies such as Publicis wield, you also need to realize that PR has, by and large, replaced the free press. In decades past, pro-industry advertising stood in stark contrast to the free press, which would frequently expose problems with products and industries, thereby serving as a counterbalance to industry propaganda.

When a free press with honest reporting based on verifiable facts actually does its job, ineffective or toxic products are driven off the market. All of this changed in the late 20th century, when media outlets started relying on advertisers for the bulk of their revenues.

As intended, journalists quickly came under the control of advertisers, who suddenly had the power to kill stories they didn’t like. Today, news organizations simply won’t run reports that might harm the bottom line of its advertisers and, not surprisingly, the drug industry is among the top-paying advertisers.

By further partnering with the “big guns” of media — such as the Paley Center for Media, which is composed of every major media in the world33 — Publicis and its industry clients have been able to influence and control the press to virtually eliminate your ability to get the truth on many important issues, including COVID-19.

Seeing how Publicis represents most of the major pharmaceutical companies in the world and funded the creation of NewsGuard, it’s not far-fetched to assume Publicis might influence NewsGuard’s ratings of drug industry competitors, such as alternative health sites. Being a Google partner,34,35 Publicis also has unprecedented ability to simply bury undesirable views that might hurt its clientele.

NewsGuard’s health-related service, HealthGuard,36 is also partnered with the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) — a progressive U.K.-based cancel-culture leader37 with extensive ties to government and global think tanks that has labeled people questioning the COVID-19 vaccine as “threats to national security.”

The CCDH has also published a hit-list of 12 groups and individuals it wants Big Tech to bury, deplatform and ban for disseminating COVID-19 information that runs counter to status quo propaganda. Not surprisingly, Mercola.com is on that list, and a ramp-up of personal threats that cannot be defended against in a court of law recently forced me to delete many of the articles discussing alternative treatments for COVID-19 from my website.

The Crime of the Century

If you get the chance, I recommend watching Alex Gibney’s HBO documentary “The Crime of the Century,” which details how the opioid epidemic was manufactured. In a Wall Street Journal television review, John Anderson writes, in part:38

“In Mr. Gibney’s two-part ‘Crime of the Century’ … the cinema is as exhilarating as the journalism is exhaustive. Still, the style remains in service to the story: how big pharma lied and bribed its way into billions of dollars while leaving death and devastation behind, through a seemingly conscience-free crusade to sell stronger and stronger opiates to more and more people.

It’s a success story, from the industry’s point of view. It’s also a story of villainy, with a catalog of villains — not just the Sackler family of Purdue Pharma, but their sales representatives; the U.S. congressmen to whom they made outsize donations … former prosecutors hired as lobbyists … and officials of the Justice Department and the Food and Drug Administration …

‘The business of criminal cartels and pharmaceutical companies are connected,’ Mr. Gibney says in voiceover — the very obvious example being the drift to heroin by addicts thwarted by the increased expense and reduced availability of opioids. The director then goes about establishing how and why that is so.

The default argument of Purdue Pharma and its defenders is that drug users, not drug makers, are responsible for addiction. But as the miniseries points out, the information that was fed to doctors and on which patients based the use of prescriptions — including the claim that delayed-action OxyContin wasn’t addictive — was simply untrue.”

Unethical Behavior Is Par for the Course

While Publicis is trying to downplay its role in what has been described as the crime of the century, the lawsuit against it will hopefully result in a reevaluation of marketing ethics. The agency, knowing full well there was an epidemic of opioid abuse underway, resulting in tens of thousands of premature deaths each year, took on the job of increasing Purdue’s profits by making that lethal trend worse.

Publicis claims they were just doing what advertising agencies do — they created promotional materials that boost client revenue. However, this argument circumvents any notion of ethics and concern about public health. They’re basically admitting that it’s all about making money, regardless of the cost.

So, even if their actions were within legal limits (which the Massachusetts case will eventually establish), their actions were immoral and clearly undermined public health.

They now want you to believe they are protecting public health by supporting COVID-19 censorship, but this too is working against the public good. How can you possibly make an educated decision about whether or not to participate in this gene therapy experiment if you’re not allowed to hear anything about the risks?

What Publicis calls “misinformation” is simply information that contradicts the propaganda being put out by the hands that feed it, i.e., the drug industry. History tells us companies driven by profit interest make poor truth tellers, as negative information will clearly have a detrimental impact on their bottom line. So, they lie and obfuscate. It’s that simple.

Public relations firms like Publicis are mere arms of these notoriously untruthful industries. They do their bidding because that’s what they’re paid to do. To think that Big Pharma and paid propagandists are looking out for anyone but themselves is dangerously naïve.

It is ironic doublespeak that Publicis claims to defend against misinformation that puts the public at risk, while being clearly guilty of crimes against humanity, having played a crucial role in one of the deadliest health care schemes involving lies and deceit.

Posted in Censorship, Opiates, Prescription Medication | No Comments »