You can’t keep a good element down

Over the years, I am becoming more impressed by the power of elements in maintaining our health.  They are many drugs that have a particular action limited to a disease however, in elements there are a vast array of actions.  This can be said of Lithium which has been ignored other than its use for manic depression.

One of the increasing problems with an aging population is that of slow degeneration of renal function.  This can raise a whole series of medical problems including dialysis.

Recent work by Fang (Journal of Clinical Investigation 2022; 132(4):e141848) suggests that age-related GSK3-beta overexpression drives glomerular aging.  The original work was done on mice, but the enzyme is expressed in all animal life.  If this is confirmed in humans, it will save lives and improve our health by a simple micro-dose of lithium.

It is interesting to see how this will be accepted and promoted.  Again, no patent, no interest.

A useful site – Just ME in T’s Health Stuff

This blog, Just ME in T’s Health Sfuff stimulated me to become involved in Boron. Claire who started it was a good friend and a very bright self-taught amateur scientist, who carried out very interesting work on the effects of soil boron on vegetables.
Although the site in no longer update with the passing of Claire, it contains very useful information.

https://justmeint1health.wordpress.com/

Topical agents such as Ketamine, Phenytoin, Methadone, and Morphine are here to stay

For the past 2 years, I have been amazed and puzzled grasping the concept that topicals penetrate to the dermis and switch off the “pain switch”.  Since the absorption of most of these agents is limited to the dermis, the side effects systemically are minimal.  It still seems like a revolutionary thought although our results with topical Phenytoin, Ketamine, etc. have been impressive clinically with no proof of absorption into the blood stream.  Simplistically, agents penetrating to the dermis can switch off pain?

I still feel somewhat uneasy in this simplistic thought regarding pain that costs billions of dollars per year especially considering its use in terminal malignant cases where without significant side effects it has worked in cases where opioid treatment has failed.  It is the hope that these agents will become more widely used, compounded, and provide the second wing of an attack on cancer pain.  This highlights the importance of the dermis as the magnifier that has to be turned off.

Reference you might like to read: Jennifer A. Winegarden, Daniel B. Carr, and Ylisabyth S. Bradshaw.Journal of Palliative Medicine.Sep 2020.1167-1171.http://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2019.0618

Have we forgotten vitamins & minerals to help the body fight Covid-19?

With the virus being “stable” in strength, it is interesting how the spectrum of illness varies from no symptoms to a fatal illness.  A great deal of interest has been shown in Vitamin D and there are numerous articles that show that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with Covid-19 infections.  It has been recommended in the U.K. to take Vitamin D.  As early as 1930’s mill owners in Lancastershire discovered that Vitamin D kept their hands working.  Vitamin D is quite unique with 2 sources – sunlight and certain foods.  What is forgotten are a number of other vitamins and minerals have shown similar possibilities such as Zinc, Selenium.  Little work of significance has been produced over the past few years on the effect of these vitamins on deficiencies.  Why?  Conventional medicine seems to have neglected vitamins and minerals in our health.  It has been established that Covid-19 is very serious in older patients particularly those living in below-par nursing homes where the diet could be improved, and vitamins & minerals are not regularly dispensed.  Does this explain the higher incidence of Covid-19 in nursing homes rather than poor isolation facilities?  As we throw million of dollars to Covid-19 to deal with this pandemic, surely research should be focused on deficiencies in patients who are very ill with Covid-19.  Simple things are often overlooked in research.

This is the 4th anniversary of the Boron Miracle Ignored & Other Orphan Agents

We think this is a unique blog.  There is always one question you should always ask when you are reading anything – even writers have an angle.  Are they promoting a product? Writing for a company?

We are happy to say that we are not influenced by any outside support and this is a voluntary effort.  We feel it covers a very important place in its advice as we do not have any financial benefit in producing this blog.  We also look carefully to see that we are not promoting an unusual angle of medical knowledge or literature results.  Everything we write on has been well-researched and supported by many references.  These are orphan agents with no patent and no profit and usually no penetration in medical circles.

It must be 30 years or more since I became interested in glucosamine for arthritis.  Now it has more actions than any drug I have ever heard of with very few side-effects.  The history of how this natural agent penetrated medicine is long and will be written one day.  Boron continues to grow in use along with Niacinamide.

This is a time of the year when one should think how bountiful nature is and why that is so.  In some cases, it is the formulation fitting into a cycle of the body like a missing cog, in others it may be a gift to the planet. 

One useful thing to readers might be that if they support charities to ask them what natural agents have they supported.  This comes to mind when we look at Niacinamide which may be the answer to some causes of blindness – we are waiting for the results from 2 trials in Cardiff, Wales, and Australia.  This in itself would be a great miracle as blindness especially with old age is devastating. The retina is part of the nervous system which is afflicted by so many diseases that we do not have the treatment for from Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s disease and various forms of neuralgia.  Perhaps pressure on the charities to explore natural agents might spearhead more studies.

Again, always look for the promotional angle.  We are proud that we have none other than education and the desire to help. 

Wishing you health, clarity of thought, and long life!

Nicotinamide – A possible array of benefits

I read with amazement and some disbelief the article published in International Journal of Tryptophan Research by Fricker on the vast actions of Niacinamide, none of them 100% proven but most likely effective in the above journal.  The spectrum covers a great deal of neurological illnesses especially the untreatable forms.

I remember my first lecture on anatomy, chalk on slate boards by the late Professor Cade, who hammered home the idea that the optic nerve is the only area of the CNS that could be observed.  If the optic nerve improves with niacinamide perhaps other CNS illnesses might do the same.

I was delighted to note that the clinical trial NCT03808961 on Niacin and Niacinamide for Parkinson’s Disease has now started recruiting patients in the USA.  It’s estimated completion date is April 2024.

Niacinamide might be the key to the ever-increasing disorders of the nervous system ranging from Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Alzheimer’s, peripheral neuropathies, and stroke.

Pellagra as a cause of optic neuritis

As my readers will know I am fascinated by the association of niacinamide (b vitamin) deficiency and glaucoma or retinal “atrophy”. A number of studies are now in progress on the effect of niacinamide preventing retinal pathology associated with glaucoma.  This is one of the most common causes of blindness. 

It is very easy to become addicted to the flavor of the month so with this in mind, I have traced back the effect of B vitamin deficiencies causing pellagra and changes in the optic nerve and retina.  I found this article  by Dr. Joseph Levine (Arch Ophthalmol. 1934;12(6):902-909. doi:10.1001/archopht.1934.00830190116012) most helpful in describing a case of a woman with significant retinal problems and vision due to poor dietary intake and excessive alcohol.  After changing her diet with the addition of B vitamins her symptoms including that of her eyes improved. 

The article is a joy to read as it is not full of statistics trying to magnify a positive effect.  The historical review of eye symptoms and retinal pathology related to pellagra is extremely interesting.  Approximately 1000 cases of pellagra were reviewed with their various symptoms from glaucoma and retinal pathology.  This article provides a sound footing for the recent work relating to niacinamide, glaucoma, and retinal pathology.  The article stresses that ocular examination should be done for pellagra as a routine to determine the frequency of ocular complications. I think this article supports the idea that a B vitamin deficiency (niacinamide) amongst other agents is a major contribution to retinal pathology.  The raised intra-ocular pressure is thought to be a major cause of blindness but part of this from recent research suggests that niacinamide may have an important role to play.  Since niacinamide is so inexpensive this might be a miracle cure for blindness.

Glaucoma is the commonest cause of blindness – the raised intra-ocular pressure’s effect on the retina

I was taught that the pressure of glaucoma was the cause of blindness and thus treatment was focused on reducing the intra-ocular pressure.  Treatment ranged from ophthalmic drops to reduce IOP to iridotomy to increase absorption of ocular fluid or trabecular perforation.  In spite of all aggressive treatments, blindness is some cases was inevitable. The raised intra-ocular pressure’s effect on the retina may not be the true cause – it may be a retinopathy due to niacinamide deficiency.

The recent work on niacinamide reversing retinal pathology and preventing blindness is at the cusp of medical advancement.  There is an array of scientific studies ranging from reduced niacinamide content in the retina of those suffering from glaucoma to the amelioration of the condition with niacinamide.  In these days where it is very difficult to raise research money for non-patented agents, the idea of evaluating niacinamide in the management of glaucoma and retinal pathology demonstrates the support for this idea.  One small study in Australia (Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 2020:1-12 https://doi.org/10.1111.ceo.13818 ) has shown its effectiveness and was funded by charities.  One study at the University of Cardiff in Wales and another in Australia are being undertaken through randomized double-blind trials. 

It is interesting to note that pellagra in the early part of the 19^th century was recognized as being associated with retinal pathology including changes that one sees today with glaucoma. 

Blindness is one of the worst, non-fatal illnesses and particularly related to glaucoma occurs later in age, crippling the patient.

How long have we ignored Niacinamide as a potential treatment for glaucoma retinopathy?

Initially I was impressed with numerous articles on the effect of niacinamide on the retinopathy associated with glaucoma.  The literature is extensive and 2 double blind studies are now underway funded by eye societies.

it is interesting to note that the historical literature in the days when pellagra was not unusual has retinal pathology was very similar to that seen in glaucoma retinopathy.  The ophthalmic literature in the early part of the last century describes the retinal changes associated with pellagra and its response to B3 vitamins.

How long can we ignore this literature recommending niacinamide in normal doses to prevent blindness?

It seems that the original concept of intra-ocular pressure (IOP) most likely is not the direct stimulus for retinal changes and blindness, but it is the deficiency of niacinamide that occurs with an aging population.

There is a distinct possibility that B3 vitamins may overcome a very common cause that is associated with glaucoma.

Glucosamine – how complex can writers make the subject

Part 1: the lucky break that helped launch Glucosamine Hydrochloride

Regular readers must be tired of my comment “no patent, no profit, no promotion” but this was very true with  Glucosamine Hydrochloride which for the past 30 years I have been using and promoting in a number of conditions.

In 1996 I had an article entitled “Feeling Groovy regarding a little-known orphan drug Glucosamine Hydrochloride” which was published in Family Practice June 17 1996.  It expanded on my experience with 200 cases of osteoarthritis including a few horses.   The full-page article, I thought would stir interest as Family Practice was widely circulated.  After 3 weeks of nothing, I was somewhat depressed about the penetration of such articles.

About 3 weeks later, I had a request from a young woman asking to interview me from a minor TV station.  Her first question was that I must be tired from dealing with the press!  I’ll admit I fudged my answer.  We did a 5-minute interview on Glucosamine’s safety, effectiveness, why there was no patent, and we reviewed a few patient cases.  The next evening the interview was broadcast on the TV station.  I was amazed at the number of calls we received!  The reporter also did a survey in Toronto looking for where to purchase Glucosamine but couldn’t find any! Large TV stations including “Market Place” did an in-depth interview, looking at x-rays, patient notes, etc. and this was the launch of Glucosamine Hydrochloride.

In another article we will discuss the difference between Glucosamine Hydrochloride and sulfate.  Glucosamine Hydrochloride was not patentable while the sulfate version was patentable and widely promoted although it contained less glucosamine and used salt to stabilize the molecule.  That’s another story. 

In a series of lectures in Australia to promote the sale of Glucosamine Hydrochloride, I was amazed at the interest and surprised at the number of cases of arthritis.  In the course of one program, I had a woman complain that her arthritis was stopping her from looking after her farm.  A week later the local hospital called to ask about the antidote as she had taken 100 capsules of Glucosamine Hydrochloride.  I explained that there wasn’t a toxic dose, and I was not aware of any serious side effects.  A month later, the woman contacted me and was feeling much better.  A year later, she contacted me to say she was much better and was enjoying being able to look after her farm – all 250,000 acres!

In the early days, one just promoted Glucosamine for its effect on arthritis although at that time I was aware on the articles describing its effect on certain cancers, gastrointestinal inflammation.

Over the years, Glucosamine has developed an expanded profile of use according to the article from Life Sciences 2016; 152:21-29 “Molecular mechanisms & biomedical applications of glucosamine as a potential multifunctional therapeutic agent” .  Such uses as anti-inflammatory action, anti-cancer, renal fibrosis relief, skin care, dementia, and cardiovascular improvement – up to 28 therapeutic uses it is truly amazing.  The biochemistry has been widely researched to explain its actions.  I still am amazed at its effect on longevity.  Over 30 years of use I have never seen a side-effect!  The N.I.H. study with 77,000 participants (European Journal of Epidemiology 2012 – Use of Glucosamine and Chondroitin in Relation to Mortality) opened the scientific basis for what must be one of the safest and most widespread therapeutic agents. 

Glucosamine is now the second most common nutraceutical and has established itself without significant promotion.  It still lacks the glossy adverts with the sales representatives, the meetings to promote it but it must be a great product to have survived and expanded its uses.