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Posted by: | Posted on: June 17, 2025

How to Keep Mosquitoes Away This Summer


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/06/16/how-to-keep-mosquitoes-away-this-summer.aspx
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     June 16, 2025

how to keep mosquitoes away this summer

Story at-a-glance

  • Despite limited scientific evidence supporting vitamin B1 as a mosquito repellent, many people report fewer bites when taking it. As a water-soluble vitamin with minimal risk, there’s no harm in trying it
  • Essential oils from Russian sage, tangerine peel and wild mint have demonstrated strong mosquito-repelling capabilities in studies, with Russian sage matching DEET’s effectiveness for up to 135 minutes
  • Traditional remedies like oils from Hatkora fruit and Anchiri root provide impressive protection lasting over six hours; this makes them viable natural alternatives to chemical repellents
  • Eliminating standing water around your home is key for mosquito control, as these insects need water to breed and typically don’t travel far from their hatching sites
  • Natural mosquito control strategies include wearing light-colored clothing, installing bat houses and planting repellent herbs like citronella, lavender and marigold near entryways

Every time you step outside in summer, it’s like a silent invitation for mosquitoes to find you. These flying pests aren’t just a seasonal nuisance. They’re responsible for spreading life-threatening diseases to millions each year. And yet, your first line of defense is often whatever’s closest: a chemical-laced spray, a citronella candle or a quick swipe of essential oil.

If you’ve ever felt like mosquitoes target you more than others, you’re not imagining it. Your body’s scent, chemistry and even recent meals influence how attractive you are to mosquitoes. That’s one reason some people look for ways to change how they “smell” to bugs from the inside out.

One natural solution that keeps coming up, especially in wellness circles, is vitamin B1. Also known as thiamine, this nutrient helps your body turn carbs into fuel. It’s found in whole foods like grass fed liver, beans and whole grains. But beyond its metabolic role, some people believe that taking extra B1 alters your body odor enough to deter mosquitoes.

It’s a popular idea but not a new one. Thiamine was first floated as a mosquito repellent more than 70 years ago. Since then, it’s become a recurring tip in natural health advice columns and supplement forums. Still, its effectiveness is debated, and scientific evidence hasn’t always supported the claims. So, does thiamine actually make you mosquito-proof? Or are people chasing a myth?

People Swear by Vitamin B1 for Mosquito Protection — the Science Tells a Different Story

An article published by The Hearty Soul explored the widespread belief that vitamin B1 helps repel mosquitoes by altering body odor.1 Many people claim that taking a daily supplement or wearing a B1 patch makes them “invisible” to mosquitoes. But the article takes a closer look at whether these claims hold up under scientific scrutiny.

• Despite popular belief, research doesn’t support B1 as a repellent — Multiple studies — including a 2022 systematic review2 and a University of Wisconsin trial3 — found no difference in mosquito activity between people who took B1 and those who didn’t. Even though thiamine plays an important role in your energy metabolism and is safe at recommended doses, relying on it for bug protection is not supported by high-quality human studies.

• The science is thin but intriguing — The 2022 scoping review published in the Bulletin of Entomological Research pulled together available research on thiamine as a mosquito repellent. Researchers from Cambridge University examined 16 studies published over more than 80 years, including human clinical trials, animal studies and insect behavior experiments.4

Some older studies showed mild to moderate repellent effects, but not consistently. The review highlighted that a handful of early studies found a reduction in mosquito landings when participants took B1 supplements. However, results varied, and later studies either didn’t replicate the effect or used different methodologies that made comparisons difficult.

• Many users still say it works for them — Personal stories still fuel belief in B1’s mosquito-repelling powers. Some people report getting fewer bites after using it, which could be due to individual differences in body chemistry or simply the placebo effect.

• B1 is harmless at safe doses, so trying it isn’t risky — Thiamine is water-soluble, meaning your body flushes out what it doesn’t use through urine and sweat. Because of this, it’s generally considered safe, even at higher-than-dietary doses. Plus, most people don’t get enough B vitamins anyway. That said, it’s not a free pass. You shouldn’t use it as your only form of mosquito protection, especially if you’re in a high-risk area for insect-borne illness.

• Supplemental B1 is the most practical way to reach mosquito-repelling levels — Because vitamin B1 is water-soluble and not stored in your body, you have to consume it daily. To reach levels that affect your body odor enough to repel mosquitoes, you’d typically need more than food alone provides. That’s why a daily supplement of 50 to 100 milligrams (mg) is generally recommended for this purpose.5

Certain Essential Oils Rival DEET for Mosquito Protection

A study in the journal Molecules looked at how well certain essential oils protected against Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that spreads dengue, Zika and yellow fever.6 Volunteers applied the oils to their hands, and scientists measured how many mosquitoes tried to land. The oils were tested at three different strengths to see how long each one worked.

• Five oils stood out, and Russian sage was the strongest — Out of all 11, oils from Russian sage, tangerine peel, wild mint, tangerine leaves and wormseed were the most effective. Russian sage oil gave full protection for one hour and continued to repel mosquitoes for over two hours at the highest tested dose. Tangerine peel oil also worked well, with up to two hours of protection. Wormseed oil wore off quickly and didn’t fully protect even at the strongest dose.

• Stronger doses gave longer protection — At the lowest dose, Russian sage oil repelled mosquitoes for 75 minutes. At the highest dose, it lasted 135 minutes — matching the performance of DEET. Tangerine peel oil worked for up to 120 minutes at the highest dose but only gave full protection for 30 minutes. The weakest oil, from wormseed, stopped working after an hour.

• These oils work because of natural mosquito-repelling chemicals — Russian sage oil was rich in camphor, a natural compound also found in mosquito-repelling herbs like mugwort. Tangerine peel oil contained over 90% limonene, a citrus chemical known to drive mosquitoes away. Wild mint oil was packed with carvone, another plant compound that helps block mosquitoes from landing. These ingredients seem to work by confusing the mosquito’s ability to detect human scent.

• The oils didn’t irritate skin and smelled pleasant — None of the volunteers reported burning, itching or allergic reactions. This makes them a practical option if you’re looking for a natural way to keep mosquitoes off your skin without harsh side effects.7

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Natural Strategies That Protect You and Reduce Mosquito Populations

If you’re looking for a safer way to repel mosquitoes without slathering your skin in synthetic chemicals, you’re not alone. The good news is, there are multiple ways to defend yourself. Some start in your kitchen cabinet, others in your backyard. Here’s what I recommend you do:

1. Try vitamin B1 if you’re prone to frequent bites — Some people notice they get bitten less when they take 50 to 100 mg of thiamine daily. It’s thought that higher levels of B1 alter your body odor in a way mosquitoes dislike.

While recent scientific reviews haven’t found consistent evidence to prove this works for everyone, B1 is water-soluble and low-risk in modest doses, especially if your intake is low to begin with. If you’re curious to try a natural internal approach, this is a safe first step.

2. Use plant oils that rival DEET in strength — Russian sage, wild mint and tangerine peel oils gave strong protection in lab tests — up to 2.25 hours depending on the dose. At higher concentrations, Russian sage matched the performance of DEET.

These oils didn’t irritate the skin and had no unpleasant odor, making them a safer topical choice for kids and adults alike. Look for them in essential oil form. Mix with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply regularly when outside.

3. Tap into traditional herbal blends for long-lasting results — Two traditional plants — Hatkora (a wild citrus fruit) and Anchiri (a fragrant root used in Ayurvedic traditions) — offered more than six hours of protection when their oils were combined.8 Anchiri oil alone worked for 6.16 hours. These oils contain linalool and limonene, which confuse mosquito scent receptors while also offering anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.

4. Eliminate breeding grounds around your home — Mosquitoes don’t travel far from where they hatch. That means standing water on your property, like birdbaths, clogged gutters and buckets, becomes an open invitation. Dump or refresh these weekly. Cut back dense shrubs and mow your lawn to remove shady hiding spots. Add mosquito-repelling herbs like citronella, lavender and marigold near entryways and seating areas.

5. Support nature’s best mosquito hunters — Bats are your backyard allies with voracious appetites for mosquitoes. Installing a bat house is a low-effort, high-reward way to cut down on bites while helping local wildlife. It’s a natural control method that keeps working long after you’ve gone inside.

FAQs About Mosquito Repellents

Q: Does vitamin B1 actually keep mosquitoes away?

A: Some people swear by it, and taking 50 to 100 mg a day is safe for most adults. But a major review of 104 studies found no clear evidence that thiamine repels mosquitoes consistently.9 Still, if you’re low in B1 — and many people are — supplementing could help reduce your appeal.10,11

Q: Which essential oils offer the strongest protection?

A: Russian sage oil gave complete protection for 60 minutes and remained effective for up to 135 minutes. Tangerine peel oil and wild mint oil also showed strong repellent effects, with durations ranging from 45 to 120 minutes depending on the dose.12

Q: Are there traditional natural remedies that are science-backed?

A: Yes. Oils from Hatkora fruit and Anchiri root — used for generations in Indian folk medicine — were tested in recent research.13 Anchiri oil protected for over six hours, and the blend of both oils lasted even longer. These results rival synthetic repellents like DEET.

Q: What’s the most important thing I can do around my home?

A: Remove standing water. Mosquitoes need it to breed, and just a small puddle is enough. Clean gutters, dump plant saucers and pet bowls, and refresh birdbaths weekly. Pair this with planting natural repellents like citronella grass or lavender for better coverage.

Q: How do I avoid bites when I’m outside?

A: Cover up with loose-fitting, light-colored clothes during dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Use screens on doors and windows. For extra protection, install a bat house. Bats eat hundreds of mosquitoes an hour and help control populations naturally.

Posted in Natural Medicine, Oils, Skin, Toxins | 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: January 3, 2025

How DMSO Safely Eliminates ‘Incurable’ Pain


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/01/03/dmso-chronic-pain.aspx

Analysis by A Midwestern Doctor     January 03, 2025

dmso chronic pain

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen) and opioids are the standard for pain management but pose significant risks, causing tens of thousands of deaths annually
  • Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) provides powerful pain relief, even helping individuals disabled by conditions like failed spine surgeries or severe arthritis regain health
  • It is also effective for hard-to-treat pain cases like complex regional pain syndrome, trigeminal neuralgia, fibromyalgia, migraine headaches and post-surgical pain
  • DMSO works through multiple mechanisms to relieve pain, including blocking nerve conduction, reducing inflammation, relaxing muscles, and improving circulation
  • Unlike opioids where tolerance develops over time, DMSO often becomes more effective with continued use, and many patients require it less frequently or not at all as their conditions resolve
  • This article reviews the science behind DMSO, clinical evidence from thousands of cases, and home treatment protocols for pain, arthritis, and injuries, plus tips on sourcing DMSO

Decades of research have demonstrated DMSO treats a wide range of illnesses, and recently, I’ve provided extensive evidence for how it treats:

Challenging neurological conditions (e.g., strokes, Down syndrome, dementia, brain and spinal cord injuries) Many autoimmune conditions
Eye, ear, nose, and mouth disorders A myriad of skin disorders
Tissue injuries Disorders of the internal organs

However, while DMSO often produces remarkable results for those conditions (e.g., over the last few months, I’ve received more than a thousand testimonials from readers who tried using DMSO with great results), it is best known for its use in treating pain. This is because:

  1. The response it creates is rapid and dramatic, to the point multiple people with chronic untreatable pain have shared with me it “left them laughing because it was so unbelievable.”
  2. It accelerates the healing of acute and chronic injuries linked to chronic pain.
  3. It also helps chronic rheumatic diseases like arthritis.

Why DMSO Stands Out

Drugs like NSAIDs and opioids are linked to severe side effects, including tens of thousands of deaths each year.1 NSAIDs cause heart, kidney, and stomach damage, while opioids carry addiction and overdose risks.2

In contrast, DMSO has demonstrated remarkable safety for over 60 years without a single death reported. Its side effects, most commonly mild skin irritation or a garlic-like odor, are minor and temporary. Even at doses 30 times higher than normal, studies show no toxicity.3

DMSO’s unique combination of safety, efficacy, and versatility makes it a transformative option for pain relief and injury recovery — proving that effective medicine doesn’t have to come with dangerous trade-offs.

This program about DMSO on 60 Minutes, for example, provides a context to how impactful it has been for many Americans in pain:

How DMSO Treats Pain

In addition to rapidly treating injuries4 or autoimmune conditions5 (which are often the root cause of pain) DMSO’s has a few therapeutic properties that make it uniquely suited to safely treat a wide variety of pain conditions.

• Conduction blocking — Many different nerves exist in the body. One group, known as the “small fibers” are responsible for transmitting specific sensations and they (particularly the C fibers) are frequently linked to debilitating chronic pain syndromes (e.g., small fiber neuropathy — characterized by sensations of pins-and-needles, pricks, tingling, and numbness alongside burning pain and electrical shocks).

Note: The five most common symptoms of COVID vaccine injuries, in order, are fatigue, post-exertional malaise, brain fog, small fiber neuropathy, and dysautonomia.

DMSO selectively blocks the conduction of the small fibers, thereby stopping the pain without causing significant damage to the rest of the body or having a tolerance develop to it (rather DMSO typically becomes more effective with time). To illustrate:

A study found 5% to 10% DMSO blocked the after discharges of C-fibers6 (a process associated with painful stimuli).
DMSO has been observed to suppress NMDA and AMPA induced ion fluxes in neurons,7 each of which are receptors linked to chronic pain (e.g., NMDA is linked to central pain sensitization8).

Note: This property has been hypothesized to account for DMSO treating complex regional pain syndrome and cancer pain.9
DMSO has also been observed to block sodium and calcium ions’ entry into cells10 (likewise, many local anesthetics work by blocking sodium ion entry). This effect has also been proposed to explain how DMSO can help cancer pain.11
DMSO has also been reported to significantly enhance the potency of local anesthetics.12,13,14,15
In a human study, 50% DMSO was found to produce partial anesthesia (numbness) to pin pricking sensation.16
Isolated sciatic nerves immersed in 6% DMSO for 30 to 120 minutes developed a temporary 40% decrease in conduction velocity.17 A complete blocking of condition has also been observed with 75% DMSO in radial nerves18 and with 5% DMSO in small peripheral nerve fibers.19

• Choline esterase inhibition — Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors increase acetylcholine (the neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system) by blocking their degradation. Numerous studies show DMSO is an effective acetylcholine esterase inhibitor,20,21,22,23,24,25,26 and that it blocks the inhibitory effects of the sympathetic nervous system.27

Chronic pain has been linked to excessive sympathetic activity, and counterbalancing that with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor has shown promise for treating chronic pain.28 However, unlike those drugs, DMSO does not have a risk of creating excessive acetylcholine levels (possibly because at higher doses it instead blocks cholinergic transmission,29 or because it is a competitive rather than irreversible inhibitor30).

• Anti-inflammatory — Many of my colleagues who used DMSO in practice find it to be one of the most effective anti-inflammatory agents out there. DMSO in turn, has been repeatedly shown to:31,32

◦ Reduce inflammatory cytokines, prostaglandins, and pathologic inflammatory responses to tissue injury.

◦I ncrease anti-inflammatory prostaglandins.

◦ Neutralize (scavenges) free radicals, which are both a cause and result of chronic inflammation and a common cause of tissue injury, degenerative illness, and chronic pain.

Research also shows DMSO prevents experimentally induced edema,33,34,35 (including severe forms36), allergic eczema,37 contact dermatitis,38,39 tissue necrosis,40,41 granuloma formation,42 arthritis,43,44,45 and joint stiffness following injury.46

Since inflammation is a key cause of pain (e.g., “chronic inflammatory pain” is well recognized47), this likely accounts for some of DMSO’s analgesic properties.

• Muscle relaxation — DMSO tends to relax skeletal muscle48 while simultaneously enhancing the contraction of other muscles49 (e.g., 3% to 6% DMSO enhances the contraction of the heart and stomach).

DMSO applied topically to the skin of patients produces electromyographic evidence of muscle relaxation 1 hour after application,50 while another study found 50% DMSO prevented the contraction of frog skeletal muscles.51

A 1966 study found that (as shown by electromyography) muscles in spasm will relax within 60 minutes of topical application. It also found that this relaxation could be used to treat headaches associated with cervical disease and complex regional pain syndrome.52

As muscle tension is a frequent cause of pain and musculoskeletal disorders, this property likely accounts for some of its efficacy for those conditions.

• Circulatory enhancement — DMSO removes blood clots and increases blood circulation53 and has been recognized to eliminate the pain associated with blood clots. This aligns with Chinese medicine’s view that poor blood flow causes sharp, piercing pain.54

Note: One of the most common side effects of vaccinations is them creating tiny blood clots (discussed further here), which then trigger microstrokes throughout the body that can often be detected with an appropriate neurological examination. To this point, many of the injuries reported from the original smallpox vaccine matched the same unusual pains and neurological symptoms associated with blood stasis in Chinese Medicine.

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Treating Pain with DMSO

As opioids are seen as the gold standard for pain control, there is very little awareness research has shown a comparable analgesic exists. To illustrate:

• A 1983 study55 using a common research metric (how mice respond to heat and tail flicks) found that DMSO produced an analgesic effect comparable in strength to morphine.

However, this effect was assessed to be due to a different mechanism as an opioid receptor blocker (naloxone) did not affect DMSO’s ability to eliminate pain, DMSO did not produce any of the side effects seen with opioids, and DMSO’s effect lasted far longer (4 to 6 hours and in some cases over 24 hours — whereas in contrast morphine typically lasted less than 2 hours).

Note: Another mouse study using similar tests also found that DMSO blocks pain.56

However, unlike other analgesics (pain killers), DMSO has a variety of unique properties. These include:

• It treats a very wide range of pain conditions, including ones other analgesics can’t address. For example, case reports exist of DMSO treating phantom pain57 (pain outside the body where an amputated limb had previously existed).

• Rather than the body developing a resistance to it (which is what commonly happens with opioids), DMSO often becomes more effective at eliminating pain with subsequent doses, and in many cases, is needed less and less frequently (or not at all because the condition is resolved).

Because of this, while acute pain rapidly responds to DMSO, chronic pain conditions often take 4 to 7 days of applications for DMSO to begin taking effect and 6 to 8 weeks for lasting relief to occur (e.g., to quote one patient, “after twenty-four DMSO injections, I was completely pain-free”).

• In many cases, as is seen with other applications of DMSO, due to DMSO rapidly spreading throughout the body, the effect is systemic. For example, one study found 65% of patients experienced pain relief if DMSO was applied at the site of pain,58 whereas 61.5% experienced comparable relief when DMSO was applied somewhere further away in the body. Because of this, DMSO has been found to help a wide range of pain conditions.

Headaches

Tension headaches (e.g., those caused by muscular tension of the neck) and sinus headaches tend to respond to DMSO (with relief typically lasting 4 to 6 hours), whereas migraine and cluster headaches are less responsive to DMSO. For example, these results were reported59 by two doctors:

headache neck pain cranial neuralgia

Note: Many headaches are incorrectly categorized as migraine headaches. Additionally, while I have received reports of readers with life-changing improvements in migraine headaches, those headaches typically only respond to DMSO if it’s applied during the early stages of the headache.

• Stanley Jacob MD reported on 59 patients with headaches from a variety of causes, of whom over 75% responded to DMSO.

This included 13 out of 17 patient with years of chronic neck pain from cervical arthritis that triggered headaches, (who then required a gradually decreasing DMSO dose), 4 out of 5 patients with sinus headaches improved from DMSO, 2 out of 2 patients with temporal arteritis (causing severe head pain) who fully recovered after DMSO and 26 out of 35 patients who’d had trigeminal neuralgia for more than a year with numerous failed treatments (13 of whom then had a full recovery).60

• Another study found DMSO both relaxes the cervical musculature and alleviates tension headaches.61

Fibromyalgia

The pioneer of DMSO reported that DMSO helped 70% of Fibromyalgia patients62 (with none experiencing side effects), and there are many published examples of it healing this condition.63

Over the years, I have also heard of quite a few cases of individuals with fibromyalgia having a massive improvement in their quality of life from DMSO but simultaneously, I’ve also seen quite a few cases where it needed to be done slowly for a sensitive patient (as otherwise the initial detoxification response was too much for the individual).

Note: This principle is also important to keep in mind when working with other “sensitive patients.”

Spinal Pain

Many of the most profound benefits from DMSO are found in patients with spinal issues (e.g., spinal stenosis, a failed back surgery, surgical scars, severe arthritis, previous spinal cord injuries, or bulging discs), and numerous testimonies (e.g., many can be found in the 1980 Congressional hearing on DMSO64) exist of individuals who had been in years of crippling pain suddenly getting their lives back because of how effectively DMSO treated their pain and restored their mobility.

However, while I frequently read case reports of this (and I’ve now received dozens from readers), I have only located one that specifically evaluated it. In that 1968 study,65 38 patients with lumbar and cervical disc problems received conventional (nonsurgical) treatments, and half also received DMSO — which was found to halve the required treatment time.

Note: Topically applied DMSO is often extremely helpful for herniated discs (and much safer than systemic steroids). Additionally, a few people found injecting DMSO mixed with lidocaine into the vertebral musculature was quite helpful for spinal pain.

Additionally, there are also many instances of quadriplegics who initially took DMSO to alleviate their chronic pain and then gradually regained motor function as a “side effect” of DMSO. In turn, there are many cases of individuals overcoming lifelong paraplegia, (including cases where their “miraculous” improvement could be traced to DMSO as it stopped once DMSO was withdrawn).

Complex Regional Pain Syndrome

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic pain condition involving autonomic and inflammatory issues, often triggered by trauma like surgery and linked to small fiber neuropathy. Its causes remain unclear, and treatment usually relies on multiple drugs targeting symptoms.

DMSO is one of the few effective alternative therapies for CRPS, as it blocks pain from small fibers. Unfortunately, its potential for treating CRPS remains largely overlooked.

Note: Complex regional pain syndrome was an adverse event associated with the HPV vaccine.

The supporting evidence is as follows:

A 1985 study demonstrated that 50% DMSO reduced the inflammation associated with CRPS and improved symptoms associated with the condition.66
A 1996 study of 32 patients with acute CRPS (e.g., heat, redness, pain, swelling, reduced range of motion) gave them 50% DMSO or placebo for 2 months, and a significant improvement was seen in the DMSO group.67
A 2003 study randomized 64 patients with CRPS to receive topical 50% DMSO and 67 patients to receive N-acetylcysteine (NAC) for 17 weeks to a year. This study found that DMSO was a cost effective therapy that produced good to excellent results for the patients, especially when their CRPS was associated with inflammatory symptoms and when it was done earlier in the illness.68
Another 2003 study of 146 patients also comparing 50% DMSO to NAC (over 24 months) found DMSO was effective, particularly for hot (inflammatory) CRPS.69
A 2012 study gave 29 patients (who had had CRPS for less than a year) 50% topical DMSO and found DMSO significantly reduced their pain (with results approaching a complete absence of pain), brought back the functionality of the affected limb and improved their quality of life.70
A 2012 study used a combination of treatments including 50% DMSO for CRPS and found this combination was effective for treating the condition.71
Finally, a 2005 review of the existing therapies for CRPS concluded 50% DMSO had evidence of efficacy and, compared to the other treatment options, was the least likely to cause harm.72

Cancer Pain

Many cancer patients experience severe pain (which increases as the cancer becomes terminal), and in 10% to 20% of cases, it does not respond to standard opioid management.73 In many cases however, it does to DMSO. For example:

• A study included two older patients with cancer pain DMSO, one of whom had an excellent response to treatment and one who had a good response.74

• Another study found that of 7 patients with metastatic cancer pain, DMSO gave 2 a full remission and 2 a partial remission.75

• One of the most well known examples was Otis Bowen MD (a popular second term Indiana governor) who “illegally” used topical DMSO to treat his wife’s pain from terminal multiple myeloma and then publicly denounced the FDA’s absurd embargo on it at the AMA’s 1981 national meeting.76

Remarkably, a few years later, Bowen became Reagan’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, but even then, with this highly ethical doctor at the helm of the HSS, DMSO was unable to overcome the FDA’s prohibition of it.77

Note: For decades, the FDA has relentlessly stonewalled life-changing natural therapies to protect the medical industry from competition, and one of their most egregious campaigns was directed towards DMSO.

Surgical Pain

Since DMSO both accelerates wound healing and reduces pain,78 it is uniquely suited to post-operative pain. Numerous studies support this. For example:

• A rat study found administering DMSO into a wound before closing it significantly reduced the subsequent pain and guarding the rats had, suggesting this approach could address a common complication of surgery.79

• A 1967 study found that DMSO applied to the incision sites of thoracotomy (open chest surgery) patients in concentrations of 60% to 80% resulted in significant pain relief, and reduction of the opioids needed (which in turn led to fewer gastrointestinal complications).

These patients as a group were able to cough more effectively, move more easily both in and out of bed, resume early motion of the arm and shoulder, and in general enjoy a more rapid and less complicated postoperative course.80

• Another study gave 90% DMSO to 64 postpartum women with episiotomy pain and found that over half had pain relief and a reduction in swelling and that there was a significant improvement in mobility (with some patients who had left the hospital then requesting to resume DMSO to alleviate subsequent pain).81

Conclusion

Since the pharmaceutical industry revolves around indefinitely selling pills that temporarily “treat” an illness, pain is one of its most coveted markets. DMSO’s remarkable ability to safely eliminate pain (and that being well-known to hundreds of thousands of Americans over 60 years) hence provides some of the most substantial proof I know of that effective therapies are being deliberately withheld from us to protect the medical monopoly.

Fortunately, the internet’s rapid dissemination of information which challenges prevailing narratives, and the unprecedented ascendency of the Make America Healthy Again has created a window to break this medical monopoly. As such, the results many are now having from DMSO are providing critical first hand experiences that will open eyes to the dysfunctional medical paradigm we are stuck within, and I am immensely grateful to see that this is happening in my lifetime.

Author’s note: This is an abridged version of a longer article that goes into greater detail on the data discussed here, how DMSO is used for pain, arthritis and musculoskeletal injuries (e.g., sprains), and provides guidance for personal DMSO use (e.g., dosing, therapeutic precautions and where to obtain it). That article and its additional references can be read here.

A Note from Dr. Mercola About the Author

A Midwestern Doctor (AMD) is a board-certified physician from the Midwest and a longtime reader of Mercola.com. I appreciate AMD’s exceptional insight on a wide range of topics and am grateful to share it. I also respect AMD’s desire to remain anonymous since AMD is still on the front lines treating patients. To find more of AMD’s work, be sure to check out The Forgotten Side of Medicine on Substack.

 

– Sources and References

Posted in Age, Anxiety, Cancer, DMSO, Fertility, Fibromyalgia, Glutathione, Hair, Inflammation, Methylation, mRNA, Nails, Natural Medicine, Oxygen, Pain, Skin, Spine, Urine, Vaccinations, WHO | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: December 24, 2024

The Role of Vitamin D Deficiency in Mental Illness


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/12/23/vitamin-d-deficiency-mental-illness.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     December 23, 2024

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Vitamin D receptors exist throughout your brain, affecting mental health by regulating neurotransmitters and reducing inflammation. Deficiency is linked to depression, anxiety and psychosis
  • Mental health patients show higher rates of vitamin D deficiency, caused by reduced sun exposure, obesity and other factors
  • Studies show vitamin D supplementation improves depression symptoms, particularly in elderly and adolescent patients. Optimal blood levels range from 60 to 80 ng/mL
  • Safe sun exposure remains the best source of vitamin D, but those consuming seed oils should wait four to six months after elimination before increasing sun exposure; if regular sun exposure isn’t feasible, vitamin D supplementation may be necessary
  • Protective strategies for safe sun exposure include taking astaxanthin (12 mg daily), using niacinamide cream, pre-exposure baby aspirin and molecular hydrogen supplementation

Vitamin D receptors are not just limited to your skeletal system for bone health — they’re also present in various brain regions like your hippocampus, substantia nigra and cerebellum.

This hints at vitamin D’s key role in neurological development and the functioning of your nervous system. When your body lacks sufficient vitamin D, it disrupts neurotransmitter release, affects neurotrophic factors and impairs neuroprotection.1

These disruptions are linked to mood and behavioral changes, contributing to psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety and even psychosis. Moreover, vitamin D helps modulate inflammation, which is often elevated in mental health disorders. This is why optimizing your vitamin D levels is important for both physical health and maintaining your mental well-being.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Prevalence in Mental Health Conditions

Vitamin D deficiency is common, affecting over half of the global population regardless of age or ethnicity.2 For individuals battling psychiatric disorders, the rates of deficiency are even higher. Studies indicate that psychiatric patients often have lower vitamin D levels compared to the general population.

Factors contributing to this deficiency include reduced sunlight exposure due to time spent indoors, poor dietary intake and obesity, which sequesters vitamin D in fat tissues. Additionally, certain psychiatric medications lead to weight gain, further complicating vitamin D status.3

This widespread deficiency is concerning because low levels of vitamin D have been linked to a higher incidence of various mental health issues, including depression, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders4 — each affected in unique ways.

In depression, low vitamin D levels are associated with increased symptoms and a higher risk of developing the disorder. Vitamin D may protect the hippocampus during stress-related dysregulation and support the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation.5

Schizophrenia, a chronic mental health disorder characterized by distorted thinking and perceptions, is another area of interest concerning vitamin D’s benefits. Research reveals a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among individuals with schizophrenia, particularly those experiencing acute episodes.6

Some studies have also found a strong association between low vitamin D levels and the severity of schizophrenia symptoms, suggesting that vitamin D could play a role in cognitive function and neuroprotection.7 In psychotic spectrum diseases like schizophrenia, deficiency is often linked to poorer outcomes and increased symptom severity, due to reduced neuroprotection and impaired neurotransmission.

The Impact of Vitamin D on Specific Mental Health Conditions

Neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), also show significant correlations with vitamin D levels, where supplementation has been found to improve behavioral and cognitive symptoms.8

Some research also indicates that individuals with bipolar disorder often exhibit lower levels of vitamin D compared to those without the condition. For instance, higher levels of vitamin D binding protein have been observed in bipolar patients, suggesting a link between vitamin D metabolism and mood regulation.9

Additionally, vitamin D plays a role in sleep-wake disorders, where deficiency disrupts circadian rhythms and leads to poor sleep quality.10 Optimizing vitamin D levels is therefore a promising therapeutic strategy for many mental health conditions. Studies have shown that vitamin D supplementation leads to improvements in depressive symptoms, particularly in individuals with existing deficiencies.

For instance, elderly patients with depression, adolescents and those recovering from acute illnesses have all benefited from increased vitamin D intake. In the context of schizophrenia, adding vitamin D to standard antipsychotic treatments has been linked to better cognitive outcomes and reduced symptom severity.11

Neuroinflammation, the inflammation of the nervous tissue, plays a role in many neurological and mental disorders, including traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Vitamin D has emerged as a promising agent in combating neuroinflammation due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.12

Animal studies, such as those conducted on rats with traumatic brain injury, have also demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation shifts microglial cells toward an anti-inflammatory state, reducing brain edema and protecting the blood-brain barrier.

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Vitamin D Helps Relieve Depression and Anxiety

A meta-analysis published in the Journal of Affective Disorders explored the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in managing primary depression.13 The study reviewed 18 randomized controlled trials to assess whether vitamin D alleviates depressive symptoms in adults. The findings revealed a significant overall reduction in depression scores among those who received vitamin D supplements compared to those who received a placebo.

Notably, the benefits were more pronounced in individuals with baseline vitamin D levels exceeding 20 ng/mL, where the reduction in depressive symptoms was substantial. This suggests that higher levels of vitamin D may be necessary to achieve meaningful improvements in depression.

A study published in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry also revealed a compelling association between vitamin D deficiency and increased depressive symptoms in older adults.14 The study analyzed data from 299 participants, with over 60% classified as either vitamin D deficient or insufficient.

These individuals exhibited higher scores on the Geriatric Depression Scale, particularly in the dysphoria and meaninglessness subdomains. This negative correlation suggests that lower vitamin D levels are directly linked to heightened feelings of sadness, hopelessness and a lack of purpose — core elements of depression. Notably, the study found that higher vitamin D sufficiency levels, nearing 95.5 ng/mL, were associated with minimal to no depressive symptoms.

These results underscore the crucial role that adequate vitamin D plays in maintaining mental health, highlighting the potential of VD supplementation as a strategic intervention to alleviate depressive symptoms in older populations. Anxiety disorders, much like depression, significantly impact your daily life and overall well-being.

Separate research highlights that low vitamin D levels are not only associated with increased symptoms of depression but also with heightened anxiety.15 Vitamin D’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties play a role in mitigating the oxidative stress and inflammation that are key players in the pathophysiology of anxiety disorders.

Brain regions such as the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus, which are involved in regulating mood and anxiety, contain vitamin D receptors and the enzyme necessary for activating vitamin D. This suggests that adequate vitamin D levels are essential for maintaining the health and functionality of these brain areas. Supplementing with vitamin D has also been found to help reduce anxiety symptoms.16

Maximizing the Benefits of Sunlight for Vitamin D Production

While vitamin D supplements are widely available, sunlight remains the gold standard for vitamin D synthesis in your body. Beyond just vitamin D production, sun exposure offers additional health advantages. In fact, elevated vitamin D levels often indicate healthy sun exposure, which may explain many of the health benefits traditionally attributed to vitamin D alone, including reduced mental health benefits, cancer risk and enhanced longevity.

One important factor that’s often overlooked in sun exposure discussions, however, is the impact of dietary oils, particularly seed oils. If you regularly consume seed oils, you’ll need to exercise extra caution with sun exposure. These oils contain high amounts of linoleic acid (LA), which becomes problematic when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. The interaction between sunlight and LA-rich skin triggers inflammation and DNA damage.

For this reason, it’s advisable to limit sun exposure to earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon if you’ve been consuming these oils regularly. A safe approach is to wait four to six months after eliminating these oils from your diet before increasing sun exposure. Several personal characteristics also influence how your body tolerates and responds to sunlight:

• Skin pigmentation — Melanin serves as a natural sunscreen. People with darker skin need longer sun exposure to produce the same amount of vitamin D as those with lighter skin.

• Body composition — Fat tissue stores fat-soluble compounds, including oxidized seed oils. Those with higher body fat percentages may need to be more cautious, as stored oils extend the risk period even after dietary changes.

Guidelines for Safe Sun Exposure

The simplest way to gauge appropriate sun exposure is the “sunburn test.” Monitor your skin for any signs of redness. If you don’t notice even slight pinkness, you’re likely within a safe exposure range. Always avoid sunburn, as it indicates damage. As you reduce LA stores in your body, your susceptibility to sunburn and skin cancer decreases significantly.

These recommendations account for both optimal vitamin D production and protection against oxidative stress while your body eliminates stored LA so during the transition period:

• Until you’ve been seed oil-free for six months, avoid direct sun 2 to 3 hours before and after solar noon. While complete tissue clearance of seed oils takes about two years, the six-month mark typically allows enough detoxification for beneficial sun exposure during peak hours.

• Remember that during Daylight Saving Time (summer months), solar noon occurs at 1 PM, not 12 PM. This means peak sunlight hours are roughly 10 AM to 4 PM during these months.

• As your body eliminates stored seed oils over the initial six months, gradually increase sun exposure closer to solar noon. Start with early morning or late afternoon sun, slowly working toward midday exposure as your tissues become cleaner and more resilient to UV light.

If sun exposure is necessary before your body has cleared seed oils, consider these protective measures:

1. Astaxanthin supplementation — Take 12 milligrams daily to enhance skin resistance to sun damage.

2. Topical niacinamide — Apply vitamin B3 cream before sun exposure to protect against UV-induced DNA damage.

3. Pre-exposure aspirin — Taking a baby aspirin 30 to 60 minutes before sun exposure may reduce skin cancer risk by preventing LA conversion to harmful oxidized linoleic acid metabolites (OXLAMs).

4. Molecular hydrogen — This compound helps neutralize free radicals and reduces oxidative stress while maintaining beneficial reactive oxygen species.

Vitamin D Supplementation Tips

If regular sun exposure isn’t feasible, vitamin D supplementation may be necessary. However, the current definition of vitamin D deficiency (less than 20 ng/mL) has been shown to be inadequate for good health and disease prevention. While sufficiency begins around 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L in European measurements), the target range for optimal health is 60 to 80 ng/mL (150 to 200 nmol/L). To optimize your vitamin D levels:

  1. Test your levels twice a year
  2. Adjust sun exposure or supplementation based on the results
  3. Retest after three to four months to confirm you’ve reached target levels
  4. Continue monitoring to maintain optimal levels

Remember that everyone’s relationship with the sun is unique. Listen to your body’s signals and adjust your exposure accordingly. The goal is to harness the benefits of sunlight while avoiding sunburn. Further, keep in mind that the interplay between vitamin D and mental health is intricate and multifaceted. While supplementation shows promise, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

Vitamin D deficiency could be both a consequence of mental illness — due to factors like reduced sunlight exposure and poor diet — and a contributing factor to the severity and resistance to treatment of these conditions. Therefore, addressing vitamin D levels should be part of a holistic approach to mental health care, alongside dietary improvements, physical activity and other psychosocial interventions.

However, ensuring adequate vitamin D levels through safe sun exposure and supplementation when necessary is a valuable component in supporting your mental well-being. By taking proactive steps to manage your vitamin D status, you contribute positively to your overall mental health and resilience against psychiatric disorders.

Posted in Anxiety, Bacteria, Big Pharma, Big Tech, Bones, Brain, Depression, Linoleic Acid, Oils, Omega-3, Protein, Quercetin, RNA, Skin, Sunlight, Tremors, Vitamins | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: November 18, 2024

Apple Cider Vinegar — An Ancient Remedy with Modern Benefits


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/11/18/apple-cider-vinegar-health-benefits.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     November 18, 2024

apple cider vinegar health benefits

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is believed to help with blood sugar control and weight management, offering benefits for those managing diabetes and obesity
  • Containing acetic acid, ACV possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which could aid in preventing infections and reducing oxidative stress
  • Some studies suggest that ACV improves cholesterol levels and support heart health, though more research is needed to confirm these effects
  • ACV is often used as a natural remedy for various ailments, but scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited
  • Side effects of ACV include tooth enamel erosion and digestive issues if consumed improperly, highlighting the importance of proper usage and moderation

Could apple cider vinegar (ACV) be the key to better managing your diabetes and cholesterol levels? According to a recent study, it might be more effective than you think.1

According to a 2023 study,2 participants who consumed ACV regularly experienced significant reductions in HbA1c and fasting blood sugar. Additionally, total cholesterol and triglycerides showed noticeable improvements, suggesting ACV could be a valuable addition to your diabetes management plan.

But the benefits don’t end there. Other scientific investigations are discovering ACV’s advantages for weight management, protecting against harmful bacteria and promoting gut health.

An Overview of Apple Cider Vinegar

Vinegar is a widely used product that’s been revered for thousands of years, dating back to 5,000 BC.3 There are numerous types used today, but one that’s gaining a lot of attention is apple cider vinegar. A type of vinegar produced from fermenting apples,4 ACV is now a staple in many kitchens, and is revered for its tangy flavor and health benefits. According to an article in the South China Morning Post:

“Apple cider vinegar … is mostly water — nearly 94% — and also contains a tiny bit of iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, sugar and potassium.

Apple cider vinegar was considered to have healing powers to disinfect wounds and treat infections or insect bites. More recently, it gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic as a potential immunity booster. It is also sold in powder, tablet, capsule and gummy form.”5

The interest in ACV has surged, especially for its role in controlling blood sugar and improving cholesterol profiles. The acetic acid in ACV, which comprises 5% to 6% of the vinegar,6 is believed to be the key component responsible for these benefits, acting as an antimicrobial agent and weight management aid.

Scientific studies are beginning to shed light on the health benefits of apple cider vinegar. Research indicates that ACV can indeed help control blood sugar levels, particularly in Type 2 diabetics.7,8 Acetic acid enhances the uptake of glucose by your body’s cells, promoting more stable blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Beyond blood sugar regulation, apple cider vinegar is also associated with modest weight loss and improved satiety. Consuming it with meals appears to enhance metabolism and fat oxidation, thereby supporting weight management efforts.

The antimicrobial properties of ACV are another area of interest. It has been shown to kill harmful bacteria and fungi, aiding in infection prevention. Its role in gut health is also noteworthy, as the fermentation process of ACV aids nutrient absorption and digestion, enhancing digestive enzyme activity and gut motility.

While the benefits of apple cider vinegar are promising, it’s important to approach its use with caution. ACV is best incorporated as part of a balanced diet, not as a standalone remedy. Understanding both the advantages and the safe practices of ACV consumption is essential for maximizing its benefits.

Apple Cider Vinegar Lowers Blood Sugar and Cholesterol in Diabetics

A recent study published in the Frontiers in Clinical Diabetes and Healthcare9 also found that incorporating ACV into the daily diet of Type 2 diabetics led to significant reductions in HbA1c, cholesterol and triglycerides. By reducing these lipid levels, ACV contributes to better cardiovascular health, offering a dual benefit for individuals managing diabetes.10 According to the researchers:

“The results of our study showed a significant decrease in FBG, HbA1C, total cholesterol, LDL, LDL/HDL ratio, cholesterol/HDL ratio, and an increase in insulin hormone in ACV group. In addition, we observed an increasing tendency in HDL levels … It seems that consuming ACV as a functional food along with medications can reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in diabetic patients.”

The mechanism behind these effects is again primarily attributed to the acetic acid present in ACV. Acetic acid slows down the process of gastric emptying, which in turn prevents rapid spikes in blood glucose levels after meals. These properties make ACV a valuable addition to diabetes management strategies, helping reduce reliance on conventional medications.11

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ACV Enhances Weight Loss and Reduces Caloric Intake

Studies12,13 have also found that incorporating apple cider vinegar (ACV) into daily meals significantly aids in weight loss and improves feelings of fullness. In a 2019 study published in the Nutrients journal,14 participants who consumed ACV alongside their meals reported a noticeable reduction in hunger, leading them to consume fewer calories overall.

The mechanism behind this effect also lies in the acetic acid present in ACV. Acetic acid is known to boost the metabolic rate, which means your body burns more calories even while at rest. Additionally, it enhances fat oxidation, the process by which your body breaks down fat for energy. This dual action supports weight management and contributes to a healthier body composition over time.15,16

Moreover, ACV helps regulate appetite.17 By promoting a sense of satiety, ACV helps reduce the temptation to snack on unhealthy foods between meals. This regulation of hunger signals helps you to be more mindful of your food intake, making it easier to maintain a balanced and calorie-controlled diet.

Regular consumption of ACV can lead to modest but consistent weight loss and a reduction in body fat percentage. These changes are particularly beneficial for individuals striving to achieve or maintain a healthy weight. By integrating ACV into their daily routine, individuals will support their weight management goals more effectively.18

ACV’s Antimicrobial Benefits Support Skin Health

Other research shows that apple cider vinegar (ACV) has strong antimicrobial properties, effectively killing harmful bacteria and fungi that lead to infections.19 Published in the Scientific Reports journal, the researchers found that ACV helps protect against pathogenic bacteria like E. coli, Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. According to the authors:

“ACV can have multiple antimicrobial effects directly on E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans. ACV addition can also decrease induced inflammatory cytokine release during mononuclear leukocyte infection and increases monocyte phagocytic capacity. Mechanisms include alteration of the microbial protein physiology destroying structural pathogenic proteins and metabolic enzymes.

Collectively our results highlight the potent antimicrobial and therefore beneficial actions of ACV.”20

The acidity in ACV helps maintain the skin’s natural pH balance, creating an environment that discourages the growth of unwanted microbes. This balance is crucial for preventing skin infections and promoting overall skin health.21

ACV Supports Gut Health by Enhancing Probiotics and Digestion

ACV is a fermented product, which means it contains natural probiotics — good bacteria that are essential for a healthy gut microbiome. These probiotics help maintain a balance of gut bacteria, which is crucial for effective digestion and overall immune function.

The acetic acid in ACV also has prebiotic properties, which are essential in increasing the growth of good gut bacteria. By introducing these beneficial microbes into your digestive system, ACV aids in breaking down food more efficiently, allowing your body to absorb essential nutrients better.

Regular consumption of ACV can therefore lead to a healthier gut environment, which is linked to numerous health benefits, including better immune response and improved mental health. A balanced gut microbiome supports the body in fighting off harmful bacteria and reduces inflammation, contributing to overall wellness. According to an article in Good Rx:

“[W]hen you have a healthy mix of these bacteria, it can strengthen your immune system. This means your body can tell the difference between bad germs and helpful ones. And this helps prevent sickness and diseases, like autoimmune disorders.”22

How to Incorporate ACV Into Your Daily Routine

Despite these benefits, it’s important to recognize that ACV must not be considered as a treatment for the aforementioned health conditions, but rather incorporated as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Combining ACV consumption with regular exercise and a nutritious diet provides more comprehensive support for your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, gut health and weight management efforts. In a CNET article, Marisa Moore, MBA, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian nutritionist, advises:

“It’s important to remember that no one food is a silver bullet. If you choose to incorporate apple cider vinegar, do so safely and with a focus on maintaining a balanced whole diet for your overall health and well-being.”23

You must remember that the acetic acid in apple cider vinegar is corrosive, and when ingested in undiluted forms frequently, can damage your teeth, throat and mouth.24 Instead of consuming straight ACV, dilute it in a glass of water or fresh juice before drinking it — this will make it more palatable. Here are a few more tips to help you use ACV safely:25

  • Avoid ingesting more than 4 tablespoons a day. If you’re new to this, start with 1 tablespoon daily to prevent digestive issues.
  • Consider using a straw when drinking diluted ACV to keep it from harming your teeth.
  • Gargle with water after drinking, just to make sure your teeth enamel is safe from its corrosive effects.
  • It’s best to ingest ACV raw, as adding it to your food while cooking will damage most of the beneficial acetic acid.

Posted in Food, Glucose, Gut, Skin, Weight Loss | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: October 22, 2024

Methylene Blue Is Beneficial for Slowing Skeletal Aging and Treating Brain Disorders


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/10/21/methylene-blue-bone-brain-health.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     October 21, 2024

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Methylene blue, first synthesized in 1876, evolved from a textile dye to an essential medical compound. It promotes mitochondrial health by enhancing energy production and reducing oxidative stress
  • Recent research suggests methylene blue is useful in the treatment of traumatic brain injury and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease
  • A March 2024 study indicates methylene blue supports bone health by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, reducing the risk of age-related bone loss when combined with lifestyle modifications
  • Methylene blue offers various other health benefits, including reducing UTI risk, improving skin health, managing osteoarthritis and enhancing the effects of niacinamide on metabolic health
  • When selecting methylene blue, opt for pharmaceutical-grade (USP) varieties with 99% purity; avoid industrial or chemical-grade options, as they contain harmful contaminants. Recommended dosages are included

Methylene blue, first created in 1876, started as a fabric dye. Scientists soon realized it had medical benefits, and in 1891, it became the first synthetic compound used to treat malaria.1

It was also the first synthetic compound to be used as an antiseptic. To this day, methylene blue remains indispensable in hospitals worldwide, as it’s also the only known antidote for metabolic poisons such as cyanide and carbon monoxide.2 In fact, it’s on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) “Model List of Essential Medicines.”3

Indeed, I believe that methylene blue is one of the most important medicines to have at home. Adding to its long list of benefits, emerging research suggests it also benefits your brain and skeletal health.

How Does Methylene Blue Work?

Methylene blue is a versatile compound with numerous applications, but its most significant effect is on cellular energy production. It primarily interacts with the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is crucial for generating energy in cells.

In normal cellular respiration, electrons derived from the food we consume are passed through a series of protein complexes in the mitochondria. This process, known as the electron transport chain, ultimately leads to the production of ATP, the cell’s energy currency. Oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor in this chain.

Methylene blue’s unique property lies in its ability to accept electrons and transfer them directly to oxygen, effectively bypassing parts of the conventional electron transport chain. This alternative electron shuttle enhances energy production, particularly in situations where normal cellular processes are impaired or inefficient.

By facilitating more efficient electron transfer and energy production, methylene blue improves various aspects of cellular function and overall health. This capacity to interact with and optimize cellular energetics is what makes methylene blue a subject of interest in both scientific research and therapeutic applications. In my interview with Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, Ph.D., an expert on methylene blue, he explained:

“Methylene blue donates its electrons directly to the electron transport chain. It obtains electrons from surrounding compounds, and maintains oxygen consumption and energy production. By doing this, it helps oxygen to be fully reduced into water.

It becomes two things that are often not found together. It acts as an antioxidant, because oxygen is neutralized into water by donating electrons to the electron transport, and it produces energy, because when the electron transport pumps are moving along oxidative phosphorylation, you have an increase in ATP formation.

Oftentimes, we have things that improve energy metabolism, but then they lead to oxidative stress. In the case of methylene blue, that’s not the case.

You will increase oxygen consumption rates, increase ATP production for energy metabolism, and at the same time reduce oxidative stress which, of course, will lead to reduction in oxidative damage at the level of mitochondria, then at the level of the other parts of the cells, and eventually membranes of the cells, and reactions that are cascades of this oxidative damage.”

Methylene Blue Protects Against Brain Injury and Neurodegenerative Diseases

A March 2024 review published in Reviews in the Neurosciences4 explores the use of methylene blue as a therapeutic agent for traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is characterized by damage to brain tissue from an external force. TBI damage leads to a cascade of neurodegenerative processes that continue long after the initial injury.

It shares many pathological features with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD), including the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles. This similarity is significant because it suggests that treatments effective for one condition might be beneficial for the other. The authors explained:5

“In the pathogenesis of AD as well as in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and TBI oxidative stress, progressive inflammation, glial activation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction and excessive activation of autophagy are involved, which implies the presence of many targets … affected by neuroprotectors.

That is, multivariate cascades of nerve tissue damage represent many … targets for therapeutic interventions. One of such substances … used in multipurpose therapeutic strategies is methylene blue (MB).

This drug … [has] an antiapoptotic and anti-inflammatory effect, activate autophagy, inhibit the aggregation of proteins with an irregular shape, inhibit NO synthase and bypass impaired electron transfer in the respiratory chain of mitochondria.”

These insights are supported by other studies.6,7 For instance, a study published in Medical Hypotheses8 explored how methylene blue mitigates the neurodegenerative damage caused by excessive iron deposits in the brain, which triggers the production of highly reactive hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction, a process involving iron and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

These radicals cause significant oxidative stress, damaging cellular components, and accelerating neuronal dysfunction and death. This process not only harms neurons but also promotes the aggregation of misfolded proteins, exacerbating the progression of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Methylene blue mitigates these effects by inhibiting the Fenton reaction and reducing hydroxyl radical production.

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Methylene Blue’s Role in Supporting Bone Health

Another study published March 2024 in the journal Aging9 investigated how methylene blue improves skeletal aging when administered over a long-term period. It also examined the effects of mitoquinone (MitoQ), a mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant that reduces the accumulation of reactive oxygen species.

The researchers conducted both in vitro and in vivo experiments on mice. Results from both experiments showed that while methylene blue and MitoQ did not alter the progression of ongoing age-related bone loss, they did show a dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.

This is important because osteoclasts play a role in bone resorption, which is the process of breaking down bones. An excess of osteoclast activity leads to bone loss and diseases like osteoporosis. By inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, methylene blue, as well as MitoQ, reduces your risk for bone loss.

The authors also noted that while methylene blue and MitoQ reduce bone resorption, taking them alone may not be enough to inhibit bone loss. To maximize their benefits, they need to be combined with lifestyle modifications such as regular exercise or anabolic bone loading. This multifaceted approach is a more effective strategy for mitigating age-related decreases in skeletal health.

Other Ways Methylene Blue Benefits Your Health

Methylene blue has also been shown to have several other health benefits, such as:

Reduces the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) — I consider this one of the most significant uses of methylene blue, as it offers a powerful, gut-friendly alternative to antibiotics for treating UTIs. This is especially beneficial for the elderly, who often have compromised gut health.

Since methylene blue isn’t metabolized by your body, it gets excreted by the kidneys into your bladder, where it accumulates and eventually reaches concentrations high enough to act as a strong oxidant, effectively targeting and eliminating pathogens in the bladder.10
Improves skin health — According to a study published in the journal Cells,11 methylene blue promotes skin firmness and elasticity while reducing signs of aging by inhibiting oxidative damage, increasing the lifespan of fibroblasts and promoting cell proliferation.
Manages osteoarthritis — A 2022 animal study published in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica12 found that methylene blue helps manage osteoarthritis by protecting the cartilage from degeneration, reducing synovitis (inflammation of the joint lining) and relieving joint pain. It does these actions by upregulating the enzymes Nrf2 and PRDX1, which are essential for managing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses.
Reduces risk of vasoplegia — This condition is characterized by persistently low systemic vascular resistance even though the heart is pumping normally, leading to severe and uncontrollable blood vessel widening.

Research shows that methylene blue helps manage this condition by reducing the effects of cytokines that cause blood vessels to widen. It does this by inhibiting enzymes like NO synthase and guanylyl cyclase, and by blocking M3 receptors as a cholinesterase inhibitor.13
Promotes mitochondrial health — A study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences14 found that methylene blue increases hydrogen peroxide levels, which activates the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. This, in turn, boosts antioxidant gene activity and reduces mitochondrial DNA damage.
Reduces reperfusion injury — Reperfusion injury occurs when blood supply returns to tissue after a period of ischemia, such as when surviving a heart attack or stroke.

According to a 2021 animal study published in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica,15 methylene blue reduces brain edema following an ischemic stroke by inhibiting the activation of the enzymes AQP4 and ERK1/2, which are involved in regulating fluid balance and inflammation in brain cells.
Enhances the effects of niacinamide — Methylene blue enhances the benefits of niacinamide (vitamin B3) on brain health and metabolism, according to bioenergetic medicine expert Georgi Dinkov.16
Prevents further environmental damage from sunscreens — I don’t recommend using sunscreen as it interferes with your body’s vitamin D production. Instead, it’s far better to cover up your skin with clothing once you’ve reached your ideal sun exposure time.

However, if you want to use sunscreen, such as for extended outdoor activities, choose one with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide that avoids nanosized particles.

In addition to these ingredients, consider a sunscreen that has methylene blue, as it has been shown to be safe for coral reefs. Most sunscreens sold today contain oxybenzone, a chemical that damages aquatic ecosystems.17

General Dosing Recommendations

Methylene blue exhibits hormesis, meaning low doses produce beneficial effects while higher doses cause adverse outcomes, so finding the right dose is important to maximize its benefits. As a general guideline, dosages between 0.5 and 4 milligram per kilogram (mg/kg) of bodyweight are recommended.

For an acute treatment, such as in the case of cyanide poisoning, the upper limit is between 3 and 4 mg/kg, which is typically the range given as an IV antidote. For nonacute, more long-term treatment, a much lower dose of 3 to 5 mg once a day for most adults per day works better. It has a half-life of 12 to 13 hours, so once-a-day dosing is fine. Taking it with ascorbic acid enhances its absorption.

This low dose works particularly well for those who have reductive stress. However, an easier to find and safer to use alternative would be molecular hydrogen. Learn more from my recent interview with Dr. Tyler Lebaron.

Selecting the Right Methylene Blue for Your Medicine Cabinet

With its numerous health benefits, methylene blue is a valuable addition to your medicine cabinet. However, choosing the right type is important. You’ll find three primary grades on the market — industrial-grade, chemical-grade (laboratory-grade) and pharmaceutical grade.

The only one I recommend using is the pharmaceutical-grade variety, available by prescription. Avoid industrial-grade methylene blue that’s often found in pet stores for aquarium maintenance. They contain significant amounts of impurities, with only 10% to 25% being actual methylene blue. Similarly, chemical-grade methylene blue is intended for laboratory staining experiments and contain trace amounts of harmful metals like lead, cadmium and arsenic.

While pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue might not be available at your local pharmacy, many compounding pharmacies stock it. If you’re having difficulty finding a reliable source, ask your physician for a prescription to obtain it from a compounding pharmacy.

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Posted by: | Posted on: October 2, 2024

Niacinamide — The Best Supplement to Prevent Skin Cancer


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/10/01/niacinamide-skin-cancer-prevention.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     October 01, 2024

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Niacinamide (vitamin B3) enhances DNA repair and reduces UV-induced immunosuppression in skin cells, preventing non-melanoma skin cancers
  • A large-scale study found higher niacin intake associated with a 16% lower risk of squamous cell carcinoma. Another study showed niacinamide twice daily for 12 months reduced new nonmelanoma skin cancers by 23%
  • Niacinamide works by preventing ATP depletion, boosting cellular energy and enhancing DNA repair. It’s particularly beneficial for those with multiple past skin cancers, showing 54% reduction in basal cell carcinomas and 52% in squamous cell carcinomas
  • Many studies use 500-mg doses, but caution is advised. Small doses of 50 mg three times daily are better to optimize energy and boost cellular NAD+ levels. Excessive intake may lead to side effects or backfire
  • Topical niacinamide offers benefits for acne treatment, sebum reduction, antiaging effects and rosacea management. Oral niacinamide also supports brain health, chronic pain relief, stress protection, vision health and may ameliorate damage from linoleic acid consumption

In the video above, board-certified dermatologist Dr. Andrea Suarez, known online as Dr. Dray, shares some fascinating insights about niacinamide, a water-soluble form of vitamin B3 (niacin), and its benefits for skin health.1

Niacinamide, also known as nicotinamide, is a precursor for NAD+, which is not only involved in the conversion of food to energy but is also important in the process of repairing damaged DNA. This is crucial because your skin faces constant environmental stressors, including ultraviolet (UV) radiation, which can damage DNA in skin cells and suppress your immune system.

Niacinamide shows promise for skin cancer prevention due to its ability to enhance DNA repair and reduce UV-induced immunosuppression in skin cells. These mechanisms are useful in preventing the development of non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), which include basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

The Promise of Niacinamide for Skin Cancer Prevention

Clinical trials show that taking 500 milligrams (mg) of niacinamide twice daily significantly reduce the incidence of NMSCs in high-risk individuals.2 This news was particularly encouraging for those with a history of skin cancer. However, while many studies for skin cancer prevention use 500-mg doses, caution is warranted.

Niacinamide at a dose of 50 mg three times per day is a better dose and will provide the fuel for the rate limiting enzyme for NAD+, NAMPT. I recommend getting niacinamide in powder form because the lowest available dose in most supplements is 500 mg, and that will decrease NAD+ due to negative feedback on NAMPT, which is the opposite of what you’re looking for.

Other research has shown a beneficial role of niacinamide intake specifically for SCC risk reduction. In one large-scale study involving the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, researchers found that total niacin intake was inversely associated with SCC risk. The pooled hazard ratio was 0.84, suggesting a 16% lower risk of SCC for those with higher niacin intake.3

Niacinamide: Your Skin’s New Best Friend

A study conducted in Australia and published in The New England Journal of Medicine also found that this simple supplement significantly reduces the risk of developing nonmelanoma skin cancers.4 The study, involving 386 high-risk patients, revealed that taking 500 mg of niacinamide twice daily for 12 months led to a 23% lower rate of new nonmelanoma skin cancers compared to those taking a placebo.

This effect was seen in both basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common types of skin cancer. Again, the benefits of niacinamide were most pronounced in patients who had a history of numerous skin cancers, suggesting it might be particularly helpful for those at higher risk. The best part? Niacinamide is inexpensive, easily accessible as an over-the-counter supplement and comes with minimal, if any, side effects.

In addition to reducing skin cancer risk, niacinamide showed impressive results in decreasing actinic keratoses — precancerous skin lesions that can develop into squamous cell carcinomas. Participants taking niacinamide had 11% fewer actinic keratoses at three months and 20% fewer at nine months compared to the placebo group. This translated to three to five fewer actinic keratoses on average.

The mechanism behind niacinamide’s protective effects lies in its ability to prevent adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and boost cellular energy, enhancing DNA repair. Your cells need ATP for life, repair and regeneration. Niacinamide also reduces UV-induced immunosuppression without altering your baseline immunity, providing a two-pronged approach to skin protection.

Many conventional chemopreventive agents, such as oral retinoids, cause significant side effects like dry skin, increased lipid levels and even liver toxicity. However, niacinamide showed no clinically significant adverse effects in the study. While the study used a dose of 500 mg twice daily, the minimum effective dose for skin cancer prevention is unknown.

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Niacinamide Reduces Skin Cancer in High-Risk Individuals

If you’ve had multiple skin cancers in the past, niacinamide is particularly beneficial for you. A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that niacinamide’s effectiveness in preventing skin cancers tends to increase for individuals with a higher number of previous skin cancers.5

Niacinamide was effective in reducing both BCCs and SCCs, with a 54% reduction in BCCs and a 52% reduction in SCCs compared to control groups. To reap the full benefits of niacinamide for skin cancer prevention, consistency is key.

Again, the studies showing significant reductions in skin cancers used a dosage of 500 mg twice daily, taken orally for at least 12 months. This regimen appears to be effective for both healthy individuals and organ transplant recipients, who are at higher risk for skin cancers due to immunosuppression.

Niacinamide: A Secret Weapon for Skin Cancer Prevention

Unlike sunscreen, which blocks UV rays, niacinamide works by repairing DNA damage that has already occurred in your skin cells. This means it helps reverse past sun damage and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, particularly BCC and SCC. As noted in the journal Cureus:6

“By providing the precursor molecules for key components to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), nicotinamide also enhances DNA repair by replenishing cellular energy after UV damage. Current research also suggests that nicotinamide plays a role in blocking inflammatory cell activation and influences cell life span, survival, and cancer progression.”

Niacinamide’s skin-protective effects stem from its ability to boost your body’s natural defense mechanisms. When you take niacinamide supplements, you’re providing your cells with the building blocks they need to produce ATP, the energy currency of your cells. This extra energy empowers your skin cells to repair DNA damage more efficiently after UV exposure.

But that’s not all — niacinamide also helps block inflammatory cell activation and influences cell lifespan and survival. This multipronged approach makes it a powerful ally in your skin cancer prevention strategy. It’s a simple addition to your daily routine that could have significant benefits for your skin health.

It’s especially important if you have a history of skin cancer, as studies have shown that many patients with non-melanoma skin cancers often have vitamin deficiencies.7 By addressing these deficiencies, you’re giving your skin the tools it needs to protect itself.

Interestingly, a 2023 study found that patients who believed more strongly in niacinamide’s ability to reduce skin cancer risk were more likely to use it consistently.8 On average, patients perceived that niacinamide could reduce their risk of basal cell carcinoma by 31.2% and squamous cell carcinoma by 30.2%.

Those who were actually taking niacinamide had an even higher perception of its effectiveness, believing it could reduce their risk by 41.2% for BCC and 38.3% for SCC. The researchers noted, “Our results should encourage providers to educate patients and their families on nicotinamide and its link to skin cancer prevention.”9

Too Much Niacinamide Can Backfire

Keep in mind that the niacinamide dosages used in research studies vary widely and can be on the high side. As a general rule, I only recommend taking small doses of 50 mg of niacinamide three times a day.

This dosage has been shown to optimize energy metabolism and boost NAD+ levels, which are foundational for optimal health. It can be taken four times a day if you space them out. Take a dose as soon as you get up, before going to bed, and twice evenly spaced between those times.

The problem with taking too much vitamin B3, whether in the form of niacin or niacinamide, is that it might backfire and contribute to cardiovascular disease10,11 and other side effects. Dray stresses the importance of proper dosage and warned about potential dangers of excessive intake:12

“You can run into dangerous side effects when taking very high doses. You can get into toxic ranges if you take too much. Three and a half grams per day will definitely get you to toxic levels that can damage your liver.”

Other potential side effects of high doses include nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and fatigue. There’s also a risk of medication interactions, particularly with carbamazepine. I recommend getting niacinamide in powder form so you can control the dose. Niacinamide will only cost you about 25 cents a month if you get it as a powder. Typically, 1/64 of a teaspoon of niacinamide powder is about 50 mg.

Niacinamide: A Versatile Skincare Ingredient and Overall Health Remedy

While the focus of many studies is on oral supplementation, Dray also touched on the benefits of topical niacinamide in skincare products, noting, “It’s actually very beneficial for a variety of skin issues when applied topically because it’s anti-inflammatory, it’s an antioxidant.”13 She explains that niacinamide applied topically is useful for:14

1. Acne treatment — “Four percent niacinamide is as effective for moderate acne as 1% clindamycin.”

2. Sebum reduction — “Two percent niacinamide gel … decreases sebum production, reducing oiliness and shine.”

3. Antiaging effects — “It’s been demonstrated when applied anywhere from 2% to 4% to help improve the look of fine lines, red blotchiness … It also can improve the appearance of sunspots, help them fade.”

4. Rosacea management — “Niacinamide can improve barrier function and make the symptoms of rosacea … better.”

However, Dray notes that some individuals may find topical niacinamide irritating, especially at higher concentrations. In addition to helping your skin, oral niacinamide also benefits other aspects of health, such as:

  • Brain health, including Alzheimer’s disease15
  • Chronic pain16
  • Stress reduction17
  • Vision health, including glaucoma18
  • Ameliorate damage caused by linoleic acid (LA) consumption

The last one is particularly important, as one of the most toxic metabolic byproducts of LA is 4 HNE, a toxic aldehyde that appears to play a causative role in heart failure.19 Fortunately, there is an enzyme system called aldehyde dehydrogenases that deactivates 4 HNE.

The best way to increase the activity of this enzyme system is to make sure you have sufficient NAD+, and the most efficient way to optimize your NAD+ level is to make sure you’re getting 50 mg of niacinamide three times a day.

Further, as niacinamide emerges as a promising and versatile compound for skin health and cancer prevention, its ability to enhance DNA repair, reduce UV-induced immunosuppression and decrease the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers makes it a valuable tool in dermatological care.

While clinical trials have shown significant benefits at higher doses, it’s crucial to approach supplementation cautiously, as excessive intake can lead to adverse effects. The recommended dosage of 50 mg three times daily in powder form strikes a balance between efficacy and safety.

Beyond skin health, niacinamide offers benefits throughout your body, underlining its importance as a multifaceted supplement. As research continues to unfold, niacinamide stands out as a simple, cost-effective and generally safe addition to your health regimen, particularly for those concerned about skin cancer risk and overall skin health.

Posted in Cancer, Linoleic Acid, NAD+, Skin, Vitamins | No Comments »

Posted by: | Posted on: July 31, 2024

How Methylene Blue Can Help Promote Healthier Skin


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/07/31/methylene-blue-skin-health.aspx
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     July 31, 2024

methylene blue skin health

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Methylene blue is a versatile medicine with multiple health benefits, including promoting skin health, boosting brain function and managing conditions like osteoarthritis. It works by enhancing mitochondrial function and acting as an antioxidant
  • Research suggests methylene blue can help promote youthful skin by reducing reactive oxygen species, stimulating cell proliferation and upregulating antioxidant defenses. It may also aid in wound-healing through photodynamic therapy
  • Beyond skin health, methylene blue shows promise in boosting brain health, managing osteoarthritis pain, providing general pain relief, reducing risk of vasoplegia after heart surgery and promoting overall mitochondrial health
  • Methylene blue may help mitigate tissue damage after a heart attack by reducing reperfusion injury. For nonacute treatments, low doses of 0.5 to 1 mg per kilogram of body weight are recommended
  • When using methylene blue, it’s crucial to select pharmaceutical-grade (USP) product, as other grades contain impurities. Proper dosing is typically 0.5 to 1 mg per kilogram of body weight, with an upper limit of 4 mg for acute treatment

Methylene blue may be one of the most important medicines people need to have in their homes. In fact, it’s on the World Health Organization’s “Model List of Essential Medicines.”1

First synthesized in 1876 by German chemist Heinrich Caro,2 methylene blue can help save lives. In fact, it’s found in every hospital in the world, and used in surgeries, treating methemoglobinemia and as a staining tool for experiments. But that’s not all — research suggests that it may help promote healthy skin and even overall wellness.

How Methylene Blue Works to Benefit Your Health

Before diving into how methylene blue can help promote skin health, it’s important to have a basic understanding of how it works. In my interview with Francisco Gonzalez-Lima, Ph.D., an expert on methylene blue, he mentions that this drug has several mechanisms of action, but the most notable one is its effect on the electron transfer chain, which can promote mitochondrial health. He explains:

“Our body uses electrons as part of the electron transport chain that happens inside mitochondria, and these electrons, moved along through the mitochondria, are generated from electron donors that we produce by the foods that we eat.

All the foods that we eat, the only way they contribute to energy is by producing electron donors. They donate these electrons to the electron transport inside the mitochondria. The ultimate electron acceptor in nature is oxygen. That’s why the process of removing electrons from a compound is referred to as oxidation.

In mitochondria, this process is called oxidative phosphorylation. The electron transport is coupled with the phosphorylation of adenosine to eventually produce the adenosine triphosphate molecule (ATP). Methylene blue is an electron cycler. It’s an auto-oxidizing compound.

So, methylene blue donates its electrons directly to the electron transport chain, it obtains electrons from surrounding compounds, and maintains oxygen consumption and energy production. By doing this, it helps oxygen to be fully reduced into water.

So, it becomes two things that are often not found together. It acts as an antioxidant, because oxygen is neutralized into water by donating electrons to the electron transport, and it produces energy, because when the electron transport pumps are moving along oxidative phosphorylation, you have an increase in ATP formation.”

Methylene Blue Can Help Promote Youthful Skin

In a study3 published in Scientific Reports, researchers sought to learn how methylene blue can help promote skin health. What prompted this line of thought was a prior study, wherein they discovered methylene blue “stimulated cell proliferation and delayed senescence in skin fibroblasts from patients with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome,” a rare genetic disorder that causes accelerated aging.

To test the hypothesis, the researchers applied methylene blue on 2D primary dermal fibroblasts, as well as reconstructed 3D human skin models. They also tested other well-known reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers — N-Acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), MitoQ and MitoTEMPO — to serve as a baseline for the effectiveness of methylene blue.4

What they discovered about methylene blue’s potential was nothing short of striking. According to their findings, methylene blue was “the most effective in reducing mitochondrial ROS and promoting skin cell proliferation.”5

In addition, they found that methylene blue may help delay or reverse phenotypes from skin cells from elderly participants. Using a different test, they extracted two dermal fibroblast lines from participants over 80 years old and treated these with methylene blue for four weeks. They discovered that methylene blue helped suppress gene expression related to aging, as well as reduced mitochondrial superoxide (believed to be the original ROS6) levels similar to young cells.7

Aside from these findings, the researchers noted that methylene blue can help upregulate Nrf2 expression, an “essential regulator of antioxidant defense system,” which contributes to reduced overall ROS.

“In summary, MB at nanomolar concentration is potent to scavenge free radicals and stimulate cell proliferation in both young and old dermal fibroblasts.

MB treatment on 3D reconstructed skin models provides strong evidence of its potential for improving skin viability, increasing skin hydration and thickness, promoting skin elastin and collagen synthesis, and protecting the skin matrix through the inhibition of enzymatic degradation by MMP. Altogether, our study suggests that MB can be a promising agent for use in antiaging cosmetics,” they concluded.

Other published research support these findings. In one example, published in The FASEB Journal,8 methylene blue was found to help increase the lifespan of fibroblast samples and cell proliferation, all the while reducing aging markers.9

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Methylene Blue May Also Help Facilitate Wound-Healing

Making you appear youthful is not the only application of methylene blue. In a 2020 study,10 researchers noted that it may be used as a photosensitizer to treat infected wounds via photodynamic therapy (PDT).

For the experiment, five patients of varying ages were selected, and all of them had infected wounds lasting between one and three months. Before PDT was administered, the wounds were cleaned, then methylene blue was applied to the affected area and covered with film before being exposed to light. After repeated sessions, researchers noted reduced wound secretions, suggesting that the process also helped eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria.11

For context, PDT is a two-stage treatment that uses light energy (typically a laser) to activate a photosensitizer, an inert drug that becomes toxic to cancerous tissue once exposed to light. But as noted by the Mayo Clinic, PDT can also be used to eliminate viruses, fungi and bacterial infections.12

Other Beneficial Applications of Methylene Blue

Methylene blue has also been shown to have several other health benefits, including:

Boosting brain health — Research13 suggests that methylene blue’s ability to cross the blood-brain barrier makes it a promising aid for Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and brain injuries.

Methylene blue has been found to bypass the Complex I/III activity in the electron transfer chain and directly reducing the production of free radicals rather than scavenging them. Animal tests also suggest that it can partially restore the membrane in Complex III-inhibited mitochondria.14
Managing osteoarthritis — In a 2021 study,15 researchers recommended methylene blue for treating osteoarthritis. Using animal test models, they discovered that it helped reduce pain and joint deterioration. The test group that received methylene blue also had a lower number of osteophytes (bone spurs), which form when bone is damaged by arthritis.16

In another study,17 osteoarthritic test animals injected with methylene blue experienced better weight distribution between each knee, as well as reduced swelling. Methylene blue also helped suppress biomarkers related to the progression of osteoarthritis, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 6. Pain was also reduced.
Relieving pain — In connection with the benefit mentioned above, research suggests that methylene blue may generally alleviate pain. According to a study18 published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, methylene blue inhibits suppresses nitric oxide (NO) production (since NO is a proinflammatory mediator) that can lead to pain relief.
Reducing risk of vasoplegia — A complication that can occur after heart surgery, vasoplegia is characterized by low blood pressure despite a normal heartbeat,19 and methylene blue seems to help in this regard.

In a 2010 review,20 researchers noted that intravenous administration of methylene blue before cardiac surgery can help lower the risk of vasoplegic syndrome in high-risk patients.

If complications do occur, severity is lessened. Methylene blue was also shown to be used for post-cardiac operations, helping decrease mortality. It’s believed that methylene blue applies these benefits by inhibiting guanylate cyclase, a class of enzymes that control bacteria in humans,21 thus lowering vascular smooth muscle relaxation.
Promoting mitochondrial health — Methylene blue may help boost your body’s antioxidant capabilities, according to a study22 published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences.

Researchers noted that upon administration, methylene blue helped boost hydrogen peroxide production and subsequent activation of the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. This resulted in the activation of antioxidant genes that helped decrease mitochondrial DNA damage in the context of cisplatin administration, a drug used for cancer treatment that can damage kidney function.23
Preventing further environmental damage of sunscreens — I generally don’t recommend using sunscreen, as it will hamper vitamin D production. Instead, it’s far better to cover up your skin with clothing once you’ve reached your ideal sun exposure time.

However, if you absolutely want to use a sunscreen, such as if you’re going to be outdoors for long periods of time, your safest bet is to use a product containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide that doesn’t contain nanosized particles.

In addition to these ingredients, consider a sunscreen that has methylene blue, as it has been shown to be safe for coral reefs. Most sunscreens sold today contain oxybenzone, a chemical that can damage aquatic ecosystems.24

Methylene Blue May Help After a Heart Attack

While heart attack can cause sudden death, survivors face the serious threat of reperfusion injury, where cellular dysfunction and decay may worsen following the restoration of blood flow. Administering methylene blue can help mitigate this tissue damage, but it’s important to avoid overdose.

For nonacute, longer-term treatments, including managing dementia and post-stroke, as well as cognitive enhancement and overall health optimization, low doses of 0.5 milligrams (mg) to 1 mg per kilogram of body weight are recommended.

Additionally, keep 10 mg of sublingual melatonin on hand. Like methylene blue, it can minimize reperfusion injury when taken immediately after a heart attack or stroke. According to a report from The Conversation:25

“Laboratory studies of heart attack … have shown that melatonin does indeed protect the heart from damage after a heart attack. Similar studies have shown that when rats’ hearts are deprived of oxygen, as occurs in a heart attack, providing the heart with melatonin had a protective effect.”

The Correct Methylene Blue Matters

Based on what’s been published about methylene blue, it’s a compound well worth having in your medicine cabinet. But, don’t just go out and get any methylene blue you can find. Selecting the right product is important, and there are three types typically sold — industrial-grade, chemical-grade (laboratory-grade) and pharmaceutical-grade.

The only one you should use is the pharmaceutical-grade variety. Other types of methylene blue, such as the one found in pet stores, are meant for keeping aquariums clean. Industrial-grade methylene blue contains impurities, and only 10% to 25% is real methylene blue.

Chemical-grade methylene blue is used for staining experiments by laboratories. While it has higher purity, it’s still not suitable for health applications, as it can contain lead, cadmium and arsenic. When ingested, these impurities can accumulate in your body over time, causing toxicity.

Pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue is 99% pure, and is the one used for intravenous administration and oral ingestion. They are marked USP, or United States Pharmacopeia. However, you may need a prescription to purchase it. Once you have this type, I recommend buying a stainless-steel spoon that measures 8 to 10 mg for accurate measurements.

Generally, dosing is between 0.5 mg and 1 mg per kilogram of body weight, with an upper limit of 4 mg for acute treatment of things like cyanide poisoning, for which methylene blue is the only antidote. It has a half-life of 12 to 13 hours, so taking it once a day is sufficient.

According to Gonzalez-Lima, USP methylene blue has better purity than the European pharmaceutical-grade one. Moreover, taking it with ascorbic acid can improve absorption. You probably won’t find pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue at your local pharmacy, but many compounding pharmacies carry them. If you have trouble finding a reliable source, simply ask your physician to write you a prescription to a compounding pharmacy.

With regard to cosmetic use, a small number of companies have started manufacturing topical creams and lotions that contain methylene blue.

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Posted by: | Posted on: May 17, 2024

Black Seed Oil — A Natural Ally in Maintaining Disease-Free Living


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/05/15/black-seed-oil-health-benefits.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     May 15, 2024

black seed oil health benefits

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Studies have shown black seed oil’s impressive potential to help protect against cancer, as well as other disorders like diabetes, asthma and even respiratory ailments
  • Thymoquinone (TQ), black seed oil’s main bioactive component, is the primary compound responsible for its many benefits. This monoterpene molecule helps alter certain molecular and signaling pathways related to cancer and other inflammatory and degenerative diseases
  • Thymoquinone helps reduce the risk of cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation, triggering apoptosis (cancer cell death) and preventing cancer cell migration, but without harming healthy cells
  • Black seed oil contains 1.7 grams of linoleic acid per teaspoon, so only take it as a supplement

Herbal oils have a long history of use in traditional medicine, and one particular example that has stood the test of time is black seed oil. Not to be confused with black cumin (Bunium bulbocastanum),1 black seed oil comes from the Nigella sativa (N. sativa) plant, which grows in Southern Europe, Southwest Asia and the Middle East.2 The seeds are shaped like tiny Brazil nuts and coal-black (as their name implies).

Black seed oil is regarded for its potential to help protect against diseases and heal ailments — it has antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, to name a few.3 Studies have also shown its impressive potential to help protect against cancer.

Studies Demonstrate Black Seed Oil’s Anticancer Effects

In his COVID Intel4 Substack article, Canadian physician William Makis posted a summary of five papers that focus on the anticancer potential of black seed oil. According to the studies,5,6,7,8,9 N. sativa may help protect against different types of cancer in humans, including:

  • Breast cancer — A study in Fitoterapia10 found that the combination of phytochemicals thymoquinone (TQ), carvacrol and trans-anethole in black seed oil, even in small doses, was more efficient in preventing breast cancer cells from spreading, as opposed to using individual but higher concentrations of these chemicals.
  • Pancreatic cancer — Published in the Frontiers of Oncology journal, the study11 notes that thymoquinone “regulates the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer at multiple levels and through multiple targets that communicate with each other.”
  • Colorectal cancer — The researchers noted12 that TQ-LNCs (thymoquinone lipid nanocapsules) helped reduce tumor size in mice with colorectal cancer.
  • Prostate and colon cancers — According to the study,13 N. sativa oil helped slow down the growth of prostate and colon cancer cells, especially when higher doses of thymoquinone were administered.
  • Hepatic cancer, cervical cancer, leukemia and more — Using nanotechnology, the researchers14 observed the anticancer efficacy of TQ on its own or when combined with other cancer treatments.

The five studies highlight black seed oil’s main bioactive component, thymoquinone (TQ), as the primary compound responsible for its anticancer benefits.

Thymoquinone’s Mechanism of Action

Chemically known as 2-methyl-5-isopropyl-1, 4-benzoquinone, thymoquinone is a monoterpene molecule that’s been found to alter certain molecular and signaling pathways related to cancer and other inflammatory and degenerative diseases.15

According to the featured research,16 thymoquinone helps reduce the risk of cancer by inhibiting cell proliferation, triggering apoptosis (cancer cell death) and preventing cancer cell migration, but without harming healthy cells. One study notes:17

“TQ [thymoquinone] is the main bioactive constituent in N. sativa that has been intensively investigated in vitro and in vivo and shown to have several therapeutic properties, including anticancer activity. Its effectiveness on cancers is demonstrated in murine model studies in which TQ enhances higher survival rates, reduced tumor volume, reduced pro-cancerous molecules and elevated anti-tumorigenesis biomarkers.

Meanwhile, in in vitro studies, TQ has shown the ability to inhibit cancer staging such as migration, proliferation, and invasion or apoptosis induction by repressing the activation of vital pathways, such as JAK/STAT and PI3K/AKT/mTOR.”

In the featured article,18 Makis summarizes the mechanisms of action of thymoquinone, explaining that this phytochemical’s unique feature is its ability to activate certain proteins that prevent tumors from forming. It also turns off oncogenes, which are genes that promote cancer growth.

Considering that cancer is now the leading cause of death worldwide — with 10 million people dying in 2020 from this illness, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)19 — the rise of natural interventions like black seed oil is certainly an advantage, especially since conventional cancer treatments today are rife with side effects.

“Cancer continues to threat [sic] mortal alongside scientific community with burgeoning grasp. Most efforts directed to tame Cancer such as radiotherapy or chemotherapy, all came at a cost of severe side effects.

The plant derived bioactive compounds on the other hand carries an inevitable advantage of being safer, bioavailable & less toxic compared to contemporary chemotherapeutics,” one of the studies reports.20

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Black Seed Oil May Also Protect Against COVID-19

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, N. sativa was found to be one of the natural remedies that may be potentially beneficial against the viral infection. One study21 published in 2021 reviewed the active ingredients in black seed oil, mainly thymoquinone, α-hederin, and nigellidine, and found that they may help combat COVID-19.22

Aside from having significant antihistamine effects, these black seed oil compounds help downregulate interferon regulatory factor-3 activation, which is essential in innate bacterial and viral immune responses.23

Thymoquinone may also help promote autophagy, which is the body’s mechanism of eliminating damaged cells. A 2018 study24 found that thymoquinone can help promote autophagy in the heart muscle. This is crucial, as COVID-19 was found to suppress autophagy; therefore, thymoquinone’s effects on autophagy are indicative of its antiviral potential.

In addition, the researchers noted that thymoquinone may help inhibit enzymes that can produce leukotriene and prostaglandins,25 which are both inflammatory agents.

“Considering the anti-inflammatory actions of N. sativa seed and its different extracts, these might be potentially used for the prevention as well as cure of SARS‐CoV‐2 viral infection,” the researchers report.26

Black seed oil is listed as one of the Front Line COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance’s (FLCCC) recommended first-line treatments for COVID-19,27 along with ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) and zinc.

What Else Can Black Seed Oil Do for You?

In different cultures, N. sativa has been used for centuries to help ease ailments. The Indians consider it an important element in their Unani and Ayurvedic traditional systems of medicine. Meanwhile, the Muslims value it as one of the “greatest forms of healing medicine.” In fact, the Prophetic Hadith — the compilations of the teachings of Muhammad — refer to black seed as “the remedy for all diseases except death.”28

To give you an idea of just how useful black seed oil is, here’s a list of ways it can benefit your health:

• Helps ease asthma and other respiratory problems — Diffusing the oil may help ease asthma attacks. A 2019 study noted its potential for treating allergies as well as obstructive lung disorders.29

• Promotes normal blood pressure levels — A double-blind, randomized experiment published in the Phytotherapy Research30 found that participants who were given black seed oil daily had decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels compared to those who were only given a placebo.

• May help in diabetes management — A Malaysian study31 looked at N. sativa’s ability to repair pancreatic damage related to Type 1 diabetes in animal subjects. They found that those that were given the oil had increased serum insulin levels and reduced blood glucose levels.

• Helps protect against the toxic effects of aflatoxins — These are substances produced by certain types of mold, particularly Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxin exposure may lead to an increased risk of liver cancer.32

In a study published in the International Journal of Health Sciences, animal subjects that were exposed to aflatoxins and given black seed oil had reduced effects on their kidneys and liver, showing its cytoprotective effects.33

Black Seed Oil May Also Help With Dermatological Conditions

N. sativa oil may also help with skin ailments and promote a healthier complexion. In one review of the literature published in the Journal of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery,34 black seed oil was found to help promote wound healing in farm animals as well as reduced the effects of vitiligo in lizards.

“In a randomized double blind clinical study, patients applied N. sativa oil to lesions of vitiligo twice daily for 6 months had a significant decrease in the vitiligo area scoring index with no significant side effects,” the researchers noted.35

Another clinical study,36 this time on humans, found that a 10% black seed oil lotion reduced acne vulgaris after two months of use, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and antimicrobial properties. The study says 67% of patients were “fully satisfied” and 28% were “partially satisfied” with the treatment.

“The 10% Nigella sativa oil lotion showed no side effects, and can be considered very safe when compared with other topical therapies like tretinoin and benzoyl peroxide that are commonly associated with local and systemic side effect such as local irritation, burning sensation, dryness of skin, peeling and teratogenic effects.

The present study recommends the use of 10% Nigella sativa oil lotion as a topical therapy for acne vulgaris, as it is a natural plant extract,” the researchers conclude.37

However, remember that black seed oil may still have certain side effects on sensitive individuals when applied topically. One study notes that the oil caused contact dermatitis in two persons.38 No adverse effects were reported when the oil was used internally, though. To be safe, dilute pure black seed oil with a safe carrier oil and apply a small amount on your skin to check for any adverse reactions.

Black Seed Oil Contains Linoleic Acid, So Be Mindful of Dosage

Since it is a seed oil, N. sativa contains unsaturated fatty acids, with linoleic acid (LA) as the primary constituent, making up 50% to 60%. Other fatty acids include oleic acid (20%), eicosadienoic acid (3%) and dihomolinoleic acid (10%).39

Although it’s advisable to avoid omega-6 fats, particularly LA, you shouldn’t be too worried if you’re only using black seed oil as a supplement (as opposed to consuming ultraprocessed foods or deep-fry foods in seed oils, which exposes you to excessively high amounts of LA).

Each teaspoon of black seed oil contains about 1.7 grams of LA, so avoid taking higher amounts than that. Ideally, you’ll want to limit your LA intake to 5 grams a day or less, which is closer to what our ancestors used to get. Black seed oil also contains oleic acid, which is nearly as damaging as LA.

Use an online tool like Cronometer.com to help you track your food and LA intake. The key is to use a digital scale to carefully weigh your food, so you can enter the exact amount to the nearest gram.

Once you’ve entered your food for the day, go to the “Lipid” section on the lower left side. You just need to look at how many grams of omega-6 are present to find out how much LA is in your diet for that day. Roughly 90% of the omega-6 you eat is LA. To learn more about the dangers of excessive linoleic acid, I advise you to read my article, “Linoleic Acid — The Most Destructive Ingredient in Your Diet.”

– Sources and References

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Posted by: | Posted on: April 28, 2024

Oxalates — The Hidden Dangers in ‘Healthy’ Foods


Reproduced from original article:
https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2024/04/28/oxalates-in-food.aspx

Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola     April 28, 2024

STORY AT-A-GLANCE

  • Oxalates, or dicarboxylic acids, are natural compounds found in many foods like leafy greens and nuts. Despite their simple carbon dioxide-based structure, they can form harmful crystals in the body and disrupt biological processes
  • Oxalates can bind to calcium to form insoluble crystals that may lead to kidney stones and other health issues
  • Oxalates can also inhibit crucial enzymes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, reducing energy production and increasing oxidative stress
  • If you struggle with chronic health issues related to mineral imbalances or metabolic inflexibility, minimizing your oxalate intake is advisable
  • Foods high in oxalates that should be avoided if sensitive include spinach, almonds, peanut butter and sweet potatoes

In today’s episode, I am thrilled to welcome back Sally Norton, an esteemed authority on oxalates, whose expertise is invaluable for anyone seeking to understand this topic.

Norton has dedicated years to meticulously analyzing data and compiling an authoritative guide on oxalates, “Toxic Superfoods: How Oxalate Overload Is Making You Sick — and How to Get Better.” In it, she reviews how and why foods we’ve been told are healthy can undermine your health.

Her academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science from Cornell University and her master’s degree in public health from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. In this interview, we explore the broader implications of oxalates on health, Norton’s personal journey with oxalate sensitivity, and her innovative solutions for common nutritional misunderstandings.

What Are Oxalates?

Oxalates are natural compounds found in many foods, including leafy greens, nuts, and seeds. Another term for oxalate is dicarboxylic acid, which is made up by two carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules. As I’ve discussed in previous articles, CO2 is essential for health and life itself, so how is it that two CO2 molecules together cause so much harm?

The key problem with oxalates is not their CO2 origin but rather their ability to form crystals that interfere with normal biological processes. Dicarboxylic acids, such as oxalate, are characterized by having two carboxyl groups (COOH), which can lose protons under physiological conditions, leaving them with a negative charge.

This negative charge allows them to bind positively charged ions like calcium. When oxalates bind with calcium, they form calcium oxalate crystals, which are not soluble and can accumulate, leading to the formation of kidney stones or other tissue deposits.

Moreover, the electromagnetic properties of these charged oxalate ions can interfere with cellular functions. For example, the negatively charged oxalate can disrupt enzyme functions that are crucial for cellular energy production.

The enzymes in the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which are vital for ATP (energy) production, can be inhibited by the binding of oxalate ions, resulting in decreased energy production and increased oxidative stress within cells. In this way, oxalates contribute to broader metabolic and physiological dysfunctions.

This paradoxical nature of oxalates — arising from a simple and essential molecule like CO2 but leading to complex health challenges — illustrates the nuanced interactions within human biochemistry. In essence, the “charging” of dicarboxylic acids like oxalate transforms them into reactive molecules that can disrupt normal cellular processes through electromagnetic interactions.

As a result, people with compromised kidney function aren’t the only ones who need to be concerned about oxalates. Just about anyone struggling with chronic health issues related to mineral imbalances and/or metabolic flexibility may be adversely impacted by them and would do well to minimize their intake.

Oxalate Rashes Are a Common Symptom of Oxalate Toxicity

Oxalate toxicity can cause several problems that are very common, such as oxalate rashes — intensely itchy rashes that have no apparent cause. I struggled with that for 15 years before I finally discovered the cause. While using my aloe vera plants helped me, the best solution is to avoid oxalate-rich foods, as they’re what’s causing it.

Topical calcium citrate can also help resolve those itchy rashes. The reason topical calcium citrate works so well is twofold. Calcium binds to and forms precipitates with oxalates. It also addresses the calcium and electrolyte interference caused by oxalates.

“This interference with electrolytes and calcium is a major toxic effect,” Norton says. “And as the immune system is trying to deal with those oxalates in the subdermis, you’re getting additional electrolyte disturbances.

I don’t really know the mechanism of why that calcium topically is so powerful, but it’s amazing [for] any skin injury, People who are doing hair removal or whatever, damaging their skin, putting calcium on top of it, it just heals like overnight …

Interestingly, you can see it in the primary hyperoxaluria literature where high oxalate levels turn fascia and other connective tissues into calcified sheets. You can see it in the X-rays in kids that end up dying of oxalate poisoning that, just because the body is high oxalate, it causes calcification in tissues …

Calcium encourages oxalate clearing depending on how much oxalate is already in the diet, but once you’re low in oxalate, adding more calcium can increase the mobilization of oxalate.”

Citrate, such as fresh-squeezed lemon juice, taken internally, will also help dissolve oxalates.

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Oxalate-Rich Foods to Avoid

In the interview, Norton specifies several foods that are particularly high in oxalate and need to be avoided if you’re sensitive. Top examples include:

• Spinach — Typically, spinach can have oxalate levels as high as 600-800 mg per 100 grams

• Almonds — Almonds generally contain about 122 mg of oxalates per 100 grams. Nuts in general tend to be problematic, not only for oxalates but also for linoleic acid. As noted by Norton:

“These seeds from the trees are designed with all these multiple anti-nutrients to kick you in the gut. All the anti-nutrients are gut toxic. They’re all causing some degree of gut damage. Nuts are just designed to be indigestible. They’re designed to dismantle your ability to digest food. If you want a healthy gut, you don’t want nuts kicking your gut over and over again.”

• Peanut butter — Peanut butter can have around 140 mg per 100 grams

• Sweet potatoes — They contain about 30 mg of oxalates per 100 grams, which is considered high compared to other vegetables but much lower than spinach or nuts

• Figs — Figs have approximately 40 mg per 100 grams

Surprisingly, collagen-rich protein sources, including gelatin, bone broth, animal skins, tendons and ligaments, meat cuts that include a lot of connective tissues such as oxtail, neck and shank, and organ meats like heart and liver, can also be aggravating if you’re sensitive to oxalates or struggle with recurring kidney stones. So, it is wise to avoid oxalates until your gut is healed and you can tolerate them.

Decreased Mitochondrial Energy Production Contributes to Oxalate Toxicity

Metabolic inflexibility refers to your body’s reduced ability to switch between fuel sources, particularly between carbohydrates and fats, efficiently. This inflexibility can impair your energy production capabilities. When energy production is compromised, especially at the cellular level in the gut lining, it impairs your body’s ability to maintain a low oxygen environment in the large intestine, which is required to keep pathogenic bacteria in check.

The large intestine is typically an anaerobic (low oxygen) environment where beneficial bacteria thrive. These bacteria are crucial for various functions, including maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier and modulating immune responses.

A healthy gut with a properly maintained anaerobic environment supports the growth of beneficial obligate anaerobes, such as the keystone species Akkermansia. When the oxygen gradient is disturbed due to insufficient energy production (as seen in metabolically inflexible individuals), it allows facultative anaerobes (bacteria that can utilize oxygen when available) to proliferate.

These bacteria often produce endotoxins, also known as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), which can cause inflammation if they translocate across the compromised gut barrier into the systemic circulation.

Oxalates indirectly contribute to this scenario by exacerbating mitochondrial dysfunction and reducing cellular energy production. This reduction in ATP production can impair the maintenance of the anaerobic conditions necessary in the large intestine, facilitating the overgrowth of facultative anaerobes and the subsequent production of endotoxins.

The Intricate Relationship Between Gut Bacteria and Oxalates

Another important bacterium is Oxalobacter formigenes, a beneficial bacterium in the gut that plays a crucial role in the metabolism and regulation of bodily oxalate levels. It digests oxalate crystals and basically signals the gut wall to excrete oxalate for its own nourishment.

In this way, Oxalobacter helps reduce the concentration of oxalate in your gut, which can consequently lower the risk of oxalate crystallization and the formation of kidney stones and other health problems. However, the relationship between oxalates and Oxalobacter also has a hazardous aspect.

While these bacteria can mitigate some of the risks associated with high oxalate levels, their presence and effectiveness can be compromised if the oxalate levels become too high or if the gut environment becomes inhospitable due to other dietary or metabolic imbalances.

Excessive oxalates can overwhelm the gut system, inhibit other beneficial gut flora, and contribute to a reduction in Oxalobacter populations, thus diminishing their protective role. But the reason oxalates are able to overwhelm your system goes right back to having low or impaired metabolism again.

Your body’s inability to produce cellular energy to maintain the oxygen gradient in your gut causes the Oxalobacter to disappear in the first place, which allows the oxalates to accumulate. It’s basically a self-perpetuating cycle in the wrong direction. As noted by Norton:

“It’s this vicious cycle because one of the major ways that oxalate itself is toxic is by breaking down cellular production of ATP. It blocks the last step of glycolysis. It blocks Complex II.

It causes all this oxidative stress and inflammation that messes up the mitochondria. It’s messing up the membranes of the mitochondria in the cell. So, this is one of its mechanisms of harm. And then you have these redundant ways in which the energy production is being destroyed.

And unfortunately, the body really tries hard to look like everything’s fine. So, this can go on under the hood for decades. Then suddenly in your late 30s or in your 40s, you suddenly feel old and broken.”

How to Minimize the Harmful Effects of Oxalates

We cover a lot of ground in this interview, so here’s a quick summary of the strategies and food choices discussed that can help minimize the harmful effects of oxalates or aid in their elimination:

Limit high-oxalate foods — This is of course a no-brainer. Reducing your intake of foods known to be high in oxalates such as spinach, almonds, and peanut butter will decrease your overall oxalate load.
Increase your calcium intake — Consuming foods high in calcium or using calcium supplements can bind to oxalates in the gut, preventing their absorption and facilitating their excretion through the stool. Foods rich in calcium include dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified foods.
Hydrate adequately — Drinking sufficient water is crucial as it helps to flush out oxalates through the urine and prevents kidney stones from forming.
Balance your collagen intake — While collagen is extremely beneficial, it’s important to moderate its intake if you are sensitive to oxalates, given that collagen breakdown can lead to oxalate production. So, do consume sources of collagen like bone broth, but do so in moderation.
Optimize your gut health — Promoting a healthy gut microbiome by consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir and fermented vegetables can support the growth of beneficial bacteria, including those that can degrade oxalates like Oxalobacter.
Citrate consumption — Citrate, found in citrus fruits like lemons and oranges, can help by binding with calcium and oxalate, thereby reducing the formation of kidney stones. Avoid over-supplementation with ascorbic acid, however, as high doses can convert into oxalate. Ascorbic acid is the most common form of vitamin C used in dietary supplements.
Cook high-oxalate foods well — Cooking methods that involve boiling can help reduce oxalate content in foods as the oxalates will leach into the cooking water.
Topical calcium for oxalate-related skin irritations — If oxalates are causing skin irritations, applying topical calcium can alleviate symptoms by precipitating oxalates at the site.

More Information

To learn more, pick up a copy of “Toxic Superfoods: How Oxalate Overload Is Making You Sick — and How to Get Better.” You can also find more information on her website, SallyKNorton.com, or follow her on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter/X and Instagram.

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