Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice. I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens)
When a person has urinary problems saw palmetto has been shown to improve urinary tract health. It also improves prostate health. It reduces inflammation in the urinary tract.
Saw Palmetto inhibits 5a-reductase. This reduces dihydrotestosterone which would reduce inflammation in the prostate in men and would also help with male pattern baldness. In women it prevents hirsutism, and alopecia. It also increases estrogen in women. This would also help those who have PCOS. Oddly when you read the research saw palmetto more seems to modulate estrogen rather then increase it because in men the estrogen levels seem to normalize when they take saw palmetto.
Side effects of excessive amounts of saw palmetto are headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice this is fro educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioners.
Boswellia Serrata
Boswellia is also known as frankinsense. It has anti-inflammatory properties as potent as NSAIDs. Because of this it can improve overall health including brain health. It has been found to be effective against many types of cancer.
Boswellia also inhibits cyclin which would help those who have a herpes virus.
It helps to prevent renal and intestinal fibrosis. Renal fibrosis leads to liver and kidney disease and intestinal fibrosis causes many health problems and inhibits nutrient absorption.
Boswellia’s anti-inflammatory effects helps with autoimmune diseases. It helps reduce the symptoms of autoimmune diseases like arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s , asthma and many others. It has been found to be very effective against colitis. It helps to balance the immune system.
I would not take Boswellia in excess. It inhibits Alpha glucosidase. This can cause glycogen storage disease which can damage the liver. Those who may benefits are those who have hyperglycemia.
Alpha glucosidase inhibitors inhibit viruses like HIV and hepatitis.
In the studies they seem to use pretty high doses. I doesn’t seem cost effective.
Clove oil is great for nausea. But be cautious a little bit goes a long ways.
Clove oil is effective against fungal infection and Candida. Clove can penetrate biofilms, this is why it is good at preventing cavities. Most bacteria that causes cavities create biofilms.
Clove has pain killing properties that is as potent as benzocain. I have used it for toothaches, it works but wow does it burn at first.
I can testify from personal experience if you consume too much it can irritate the gut.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Saffron (crocus sativus)
Saffron is high in natural ketones which can help the body heal and provide the brain with an alternative source of energy if the body is having metabolic issues. It contains very potent phytochemicals that are some of the most readily absorbed from any plant so the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of saffron are very rapid. Saffron should never be taken in high dosages. It has very strong anticoagulant properties so can cause excessive bleeding. Consuming it in excess can also cause nausea, vomiting , dizziness and diarrhea .Saffron is very high in B vitamins. If you buy saffron try to get it unprocessed because when processed and ground often times fillers are added in order to increase profits.
So along with the many health benefits of potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatories saffron also helps improve mood. Saffron has been found to have anticonvulsant, antidepressant properties, it helps reduce withdrawal symptoms from substance abuse. Saffron enhances memory and memory recall. Saffron should be taken at night because it has sedative properties and induces a deeper sleep state. During chronic illness and states of stress glutamate and aspartate levels can get very high causing neurological and brain damage, saffron prevents this from occurring. If saffron is used in high dosages it will actually have the opposite effects then what I mention in this article.
As for skin saffron is one of the most effective sun screens, and works at very low concentrations.
Saffron helps to prevent mucus build up in the lungs and makes it easier to expel it. Saffron also inhibits H1 histamine receptor which could reduce asthma and allergic reactions.
Because saffron has potent anticoagulant properties it helps protect the body and organs from ischemia.
They do not fully know how saffron reduces pain because it is not through receptors like the opoiod receptors. I can tell you from experience it has reduced pain in my body when nothing else would. They believe it may be through it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. I do not believe that because the relief I usually feel is so rapid that it has to be more then that.
Saffron is effective against E coli and Staph infections. Because it can rapidly reduce inflammation and oxidative stress saffron may be able to protect the body from the damage caused by Sars-Covid. Saffron also stimulates the immune system which may help it to fight Covid. It does so in a way that it does not throw immune balance off because it increases both TH1 and TH2 immune response. Because saffron can inhibit RNA viruses replication and entry into cell it most likely could inhibit Covid. Saffron is also an ACE inhibitor which can inhibit Covids ability to infect the body. Since saffron is a potent anticoagulant it could prevent the excess blood clotting induce by Covid if one is infected.
Saffron may help with autoimmunity and allergies because it inhibits the degranulation of mast cells which would prevent excess histamine release into the body.
Saffron has been found to improve the feeling of well being and prevent depression. It has been found to improve once resistance to the negative effects of emotional stress.
Saffron reduces appetite so be careful taking it before meals.
Saffron helps with PMDD which is a much more severe form of premenstrual syndrome. This is most likely do to the effects of saffron on stress. Excess adrenal upregulation can throw hormone levels off. Saffron has been shown to balance hormone levels out. This is most likely from it’s ability to increase the bodies ability to endure emotional stress.
Saffron improves insulin sensitivity helping to balance insulin and glucose levels.
I would not use saffron daily , I would use it in times it is needed the most or if used daily I would stop using it and only use it once in a while once the issue a person has taken it for has gotten better or has been corrected. It is so potent please never take high dose unless under the supervision of a functional medicine practitioner.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a functional medicine practitioner.
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae spp)
There is more then one species but they are very similar phytochemical wise.
It is very high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. It also contains selenium which is a potent antioxidant and antiviral. The berries are very high in minerals. Sea buckthorn oil contains almost every type of Omega oil know which makes it very beneficial in aiding with correcting metabolic issues.
Just like anything that is high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory it Sea buckthorn improves heart health. It also prevents excess blood clotting.
Sea buckthorn helps those who have type 2 diabetes but it may not be good for those who have a combination of hyperinsulineima and hypoglycemia which is usually caused by sulfonimide drugs or sulfonylurea herbicdes which are spray on many of our foods.
Because it is so nutrient dense it does speed up wound healing, and improve immune system health. It improves liver and kidney health and helps to prevent some types of cancer.
Sea buckthorn helps to prevent damage in the body from hypoxia.
Inflammation can cause obesity because sea buckthorn reduces inflammation it can reduce the risk of obesity.
Sea buckthorn improves skin miniaturization.
Sea buckthorn can improve liver health.
Sea buckthorn balances the immune system preventing TH1 or TH2 dominance which can help prevent autoimmunity. This also protects the liver from injury.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
I have written this for educational purposes this is not medical advice. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Methylene blue
This is one substance I would only use under the guidance of someone very knowledgeable and experienced at it’s use. Methylene blue is so potent that just a tiny spec of a drop is all that is needed. Any more then that can have some negative effects on the body. Methylene blue is used as an antidote for cyanide poisoning. Methylene blue is also used in metformin poisoning.
Methylene blue can help reverse Alzheimers if used in the correct amount but would most likely cause it if taken in excess. Methlyne blue reduces oxidative stress and can break down the fibrous tissue found in the brains of those with Alzheimers. If taken in excess methylene blue can actually cause excess oxidative stress. In low dose methylene blue enhances memory retention and memory retrieval.
If used correctly methylene blue inhibits many of the inflammatory proteins that cause sepsis, inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease. This is part of the reason methylene blue reduces pain. Methylene silences neurons that are over firing, this is something that occurs in interstitial cystitis.
I do not think a person should take methylene blue daily because it is an MAO inhibitor so can cause serotonin levels to get too high and eventually lead to serotonin syndrome. This also means it could also inhibit the degradation of histamines. Also high dose of methylene blue can inhibit nerve firing.
Low dose methylene blue can improve mitochondrial function. It improves cellular respiration which helps prevent obesity and diabetes.
Methylene blue can help prevent viral infection with RNA viruses such as Covid.
Vassopressin levels get low during sepsis and inflammatory diseases. Methylene blue helps to preserve vassopressin which would speed up recovery time.
Taking high dose amounts of methylene blue alters microbiome to a type that is inflammatory and destructive to the brain but low dose has not effects on the microbiome. Methylene blue in low dose also reduces gut inflammation but because in high dose it alters the microbes to inflammatory ones it will actually increase inflammation in high dose.
Methylene blue helps protect the body from ischemia (oxygen deprivation) induced damage.
When the citric acid cycle (electron transport chain) is not working methylene blue can help bypass it. So those with a sluggish citric acid cycle may be able to reap the benefits of lysine if they supplement with methylene blue. If the citric acid cycle is sluggish a person my react when taking lysine. But lysine has many many health benefits so supplementing when ill is very beneficial.
If taken in low dose methylene blue is cardioprotective. If taken in high does it can cause heart arythmias, coronary vasoconstriction which will increase blood pressure. It can turn urine blue or greenish blue. It can cause hemolytic anemia, hyperbilirubinemia, pulmonary edema, and serotonin toxicity. These are all very serious and life threatening things. This show the importance of having someone very experienced in it’s proper use , so a person should not take this on their own without proper guidance.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a functional medicine practitioner.
L-lysine
When you see a letter in front of a supplement it means whether it is bioavailable to the body or not, in other worlds if it has a D infront of it the body has to convert it to use it. If it has an L in front of the letter it means the body can readily use it.
Lysine helps to regulate the pineal gland, mammary glans and ovaries. Lysine is needed for hormone production in the body.
The body cannot properly metabolize fats if we are deficient in lysine. If a person reacts when taking lysine they may have issues with their citric acid cycle. If this is the case they may need to supplement with carnitine because our bodies produce carnitine from lysine.
L-lysine inhibits herpes virus replication. Also supplementing with zinc makes it even more effective.
Lysine improve liver function which can prevent body weight gain.
It helps to protect the adrenals by preventing excess adrenal hormone levels in times of stress. When L-arginine and Lysine were taken together it increase the effectiveness. L-lysine also enhances tolerance to pain. Lysine has also been found to improve mood and behavior.
Lysine improves the bodies ability to absorb and use calcium. It prevents calcium from building up in the body while improving the bodies ability to use calcium. Lysine and arginine speed up the healing of bone.
Lysine speeds up wound healing and improves the healing of soft tissues in the body. Lysine is needed for proper protein formation and function in the body.
Lysine helps to prevent high blood pressure.
Some symptoms of Lysine deficiency are apathy, blood shot eyes, depression , fluid build up or retention in the body, fever blisters, hair loss, loss of energy, fatigue, muscle loss, stomach ulcers, reduced immunity and dizziness. Lysine deficiency can damage the liver.
Taking excess lysine can cause gall stones, abdominal pain and diarrhea. If you react when taking Lysine it can indicate your citric acid cycle is sluggish. It would be a good idea to correct that before taking lysine.
Lysine and arginine compete with each other so taking high doses of one or the other can cause an imbalance in one or the others levels. Lysine helps with herpes because herpes is dependent on arginine. By increasing lysine it makes it more difficult for herpes to use arginine.
Written by Lee Stevenson , sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Pumpkin seed oil (cucurbita spp)
Most know that pumpkin itself has amazing health benefits. I am going to cover pumpkin seed oil itself and the benefits of it.
When you look at the composition of the variety of types of fats in pumpkin seed it is amazing. It has some of the most healing fats. It actually contains such a variety of oils that it would take consuming oils from at least six other seed oils to get all the types of beneficial fats found in pumpkin seed oil. The fats found in pumpkin seed oil have been found to help prevent inflammatory and autoimmunity because of their ability to balance the immune system and reduce inflammation. It also contains two very potent antioxidants lutein and beta carotene. It also has many other phytochemicals that have been found to be very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidants. Just a note most squashes have very similar chemical composition in their seeds. Pumpkins seed oil has the perfect combination of nutrients needed to heal the bladder and the gut. Because pumpkins seed oil is so high in antioxidants it is often times used as a preservative to prevent excess oxidation. It has a very long shelf life.
Pumpkin seed oil has very good healing properties. It helps to protect and heal the renal system including the bladder. It helps to reduce prostate inflammation. It help improve the capacity of the bladder which would prevent frequent urinating.
Because pumpkin seed has such potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities it helps to protect the heart and prevent cardiovascular disease. Pumpkin seed oil also increases nitric oxide which would help to prevent high blood pressure.
Pumpkin seed contains gamma tocopherol which is a unique form of vitamin E found to reduce inflammation as effectively as NSAIDs. Another things unique to y-tocopherol is that it actually increases levels of the other forms of vitamin E where as other forms of vitamin E compete with each other and will reduce the levels of the other. This is one of the reasons pumpkin seed oil is so effective at reducing cardiovascular disease, prostate inflammation and inflammatory disease.
Pumpkin seed and seed oil reduces the risk of getting many types of cancer.
Because of over farming and the use of toxic farm chemicals most foods are low in minerals causing many to be deficient in many nutrients. Magnesium deficiency has been found to be very common and cause many health problems. Pumpkin seed oil is very high in minerals especially magnesium. Low magnesium causes insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. It is also high in zinc. Zinc is needed to regulate hormones and the immune system. Zinc and magnesium improves the quality of sleep.
Because of the nutrient content in pumpkin seed oil it dramatically improves hair growth and hair health.
Pumpkins seed oil is also high in phytochemicals that have been found to improve eye health and brain health. It has also been found to help reverse rheumatoid arthritis.
Pumpkin seed oil seems to have very few side effects though I have seen some get nauseated from it. I believe they were consuming excess amounts of it. Anything in excess can have negative effects on the body.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/seed-cyclingEach type of seed has it’s own benefits, this is why I believe it is better to alternate between the types of seed oils used. For example alternate between taking flax seed oil, sesame seed oil, pumpkins seed oil, and sunflower oil or even consuming the seeds has been found to help normalize hormone levels more quickly then just taking one of the oils or consuming one type of seed.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor
This is not medical advice I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Chinese foxglove (Rehmannia glutinosa)
Rehmania helps to prevent insulin resistance which causes type 2 diabetes.
Rehmannia is neuroprotective so prevents nerve damage and improves brain function. Rehmannia also protects the brain from glutamate toxicity. Because rehmannia prevents glutamate toxicity it would also help to reduce convulsions because it would improve the function of the GABA receptors.
Rehmannia protects the body from the negative effects of endotoxins. It has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Rehmannia is best taken at night because it has sedative effects.
Rehmannia my help prevent osteoporosis.
Rehmannia improves mitochondrial function which increases ATP levels. This is also why rehmannia increases exercise endurance. Rehmannia also prevents muscle atrophy. This would also prevent obesity and diabetes but when first taken it can cause hypoglycemia. I would never take this excessively or in high doses.
Rehmannia my prevent fibrosis in the lungs.
Rehmannia does help to prevent type 2 diabetes but can cause hypoglycemia. Rehmannia also improves the health of the pancreas.
Rehmannia helps to prevent some of the effects of aging by turning on the antiaging genes. It also stimulate autophagy which helps to clear infection, clean junk out of the cells and improve mitochondria function which would help prevent obesity and diabetes.
Ok this study has to be read separately. The reason I say this is because it helps to prevent Parkinson’s. It does it by inhibiting the very things that herpes viruses use to infect cells. Is Parkinson’s actually an infection with a herpes virus? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7448250/
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Pau Darco (Tabebuia impitiginosa or Tabeuia avellanedae)
It is very high in querciten which is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory and most potent antioxidants. It contains napthoquinones which are very potent against many types of infection. It has been found to be very effective against fungal and yeast infections. Pau Darco prevents H pylori overgrowth without effecting the good microbes in the gut. Another great thing about Pau Darco is it protects from the inflammation caused by endotoxins which are produced when an infectious agent dies off. Pau Darcos anti-inflammatory properties are almost as potent as NSAIDs. Pau Darco is also high in selenium which has antiviral properties.
Pau Darco’s antioxidant properties come from the fact it is an Nrf2 activator which is the master regulator of the antioxidant system.
Pau Darco balances the immune system helping to prevent autoimmunity.
Pau Darco inhbits cancers that are caused by estrogen.
Has been shown to reduce inflammation in the prostate.
Pau Darco helps to prevent depression and anxiety by preventing over activation of the NMDA receptor.
Pau Darco helps prevent and reduce the symptoms of arthritis.
If consumed excessively a person can get diarrhea, nausea, dizziness, and it can cause vomiting.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Nicatinomide
Nicatinomide increase NAD+ which is needed by every cell in the body. As we age or get chronically ill we lose the ability to produce NAD+ in adequate amounts. Nicatinomide is a form of niacin (B3). Nicatinomide has been shown to reverse many of the effects of chronic illness and aging. It is needed for glycolysis which is involved in burning fats stored in the liver to produce glucose for the body. NAD+ is also involved in fatty acid oxidation which is the bodies way of burning fats to produce glucose for the body. If glycolysis is inhibited a person will develop fatty liver disease, if beta oxidation is inhibited a person will develop diabetes and hypoglycemia. NAD+ is involved in the proper function of all the antiaging genes. NAD+ is also involved in many of the function that protect us from infections including viral infection. So nicotinamide helps to prevent diabetes, obesity and many age related diseases.
Nicatinomide helps to prevent neurological damage and damage to the brain and improves brain function. It improves learning and memory. It has been found to help prevent depression. It also prevents damage to the brain by improve the function of many pathways in the body preventing toxic metabolites from being produced.
Nicatinomide improves function of the antioxidant system which would protect DNA. Nicatinomide also improve DNA repair. Nicatinomide also improve RNA processing and protects it from premature degradation.
Nicatinomide improves indurance and stamina by improving the bodies ability to burn fats for energy. Fat is the bodies main source of energy. When it cannot burn fat for energy and has to rely on glucose a person will develop frequent episodes of hypoglycemia. With hypoglycemia a person may experience headaches, lightheadedness, dizziness, heart palpitation, feeling flush or hot and may even sweat severely. The reason for the frequent boughts of hypoglycemia is that glucose is rapidly consumed for food and the glucose from fats is released slowly which keeps the glucose levels stable in the body.
Nicatinomide helps to prevent autoimmunity by keeping the immune system balanced. It also improves the ability of the immune system to respond to infection. It helps to prevent many types of viral infection including herpes, corona, the flu and many others.
Nicatinomide also improve the function of the circadian rhythm our bodies natural clock.
Nicatinomide also improves function of the citric acid cycle.
Because NAD+ reduces oxidative stress and inflammation it also helps to prevent cardiovascular disease.
Nicatinomide also improves muscle endurance and strength. It also prevents muscle degeneration.
NAD+ also helps prevent the build of of fibrotic tissue in the body which can cause organ failure so it helps to protect the organs.
It should be taken with food because if taken on an empty stomach a person will experience nausea, fatigue, headaches, diarrhea, stomach discomfort and indigestion. It should not cause flushing like niacin does. From what I could tell a person can take up to 1000 to 2000 mg daily but I would research which is the best amount to take. Excess nicotinamide consumption can inhibit growth of new cartilage and it also inhibits the genes that protect the body from cancer. So once the health issue is addressed that required the consumption of nicotinamide I would recommend pulsing it or discontinuing it’s use if it is no longer needed. I would not take super high doses of nicatinomide.
Nicotinamide has been shown to reduce the occurrence of acne.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I a writing the for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil contains monolaurin which has very potent antimicrobial properties against just about every type of microbe. It even helps to fight candida. It even has antiviral properties. I got very ill when I first took coconut oil because candida die of, or even die off from and infection causes endotoxins to be released so if you have an infection you may want to ease into taking it.
Coconut oil is very high in electrolytes so could help replenish many minerals in the body.
Coconut increases ketones in the body which can protect from metabolic diseases like diabetes. Ketones also help to fuel the brain during times of glucose deprivation.
Because ketones help to prevent seizures coconut oil helps to reduce the occurrence of seizures in those suffering from epilepsy.
Coconut oil helps to reduce triglycerides and improve cardiovascular health.
Coconut oil improves the health of the skin and reduces episodes of eczema and other skin diseases. It also protects from the negative effects of UV rays.
The ability to use glucose for energy is inhibited in Alzheimers. Coconut improves brain function in Alzheimers by giving the brain an alternative source of energy. This should help those struggling with hyperinsulinemia which causes hypoglycemia.
Since coconut oil increases ketones it would also increase life span because ketones have been shown to slow down aging.
Ketones improve mitochondrial respiration and improve function of the citric acid cycle which would improve the bodies ability to burn fat for energy which would help to stabilize insulin and glucose levels in the body. This is why coconut oil can prevent obesity.
C-reactive protein levels get high during Covid, Lyme and many other infections and can cause sepsis and even death. Coconut oil helps to reduce C-reactive protein levels which could help prevent the damage caused during infection.
Monolaurin in coconut oil helps to prevent over activation of the immune system which can help prevent autoimmunity. This could also help with asthma and inflammatory diseases.
Coconut oil can cause hypoglycemia if taken in excessive amounts and can actually cause weight gain if taken in excess. A tablespoon a day at most, should be enough.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10)
CoQ10 is used by the heart as a source of energy. When you are chronically ill or as you age levels decline. This can damage the heart. CoQ10 is also a very potent anti-inflammatory so reduces inflammation in the heart. You can increase levels by eating organ meats, oily fish, chicken and cruciferous vegetables. Ubiquinol is the most active form and probably the most beneficial for those who are chronically ill.
CoQ10 also improves immune system function. CoQ10 also improves the function of other antioxidants such as vitamin E, D, C and selenium.
CoQ10 reduces the symptoms of chronic fatigue and Alzheimers. CoQ10 has been found to help protect the brain from neurological damage preventing many types of mental diseases.
CoQ10 improves mitochondrial function. This can result in the cells and mitochondrial having an improved ability to remove toxins. This can make a person feel sick at first until all the toxins have been removed from their mitochondria and cells.
CoQ10 helps reduce blood pressure in those who have hypertension. It can also help improve heart tissue regeneration and heart function.
Increasing CoQ10 levels in the kidneys prevents high levels of hydrogen sulfide from being produced. High levels of H2S can cause issues with sulfation and cause a person to feel sleepy. This can also cause high ammonia levels in the body. CoQ10 also improves sulfation by reducing oxidized sulfides. In doing so it improves function of the citric acid cycle and mitochondrial respiration. CoQ10 salvages sulfide: quinone reductase. SQR enhances energy conservation and synthesis of ATP. SQR also protects the body from hypoxia. CoQ10 increases oxidatative phosphorylation. Which means it increases the mitochondrias ability to burn fat for energy thus reducing the amount of fat the body stores.
CoQ10 antioxidant properties are not direct. They are through it’s ability to enhance and salvage antioxidants and the antioxidant system. Also by enhancing oxidative phophorylation it prevents excess production of reactive oxygen species.
CoQ10 helps prevent inflammation in the lungs.
CoQ10 helps prevent obesity and fat build up in the liver.
CoQ10 improves muscle function and reduces muscle fatigue.
CoQ10 improve health of all organs including the brain and eyes.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Betaine (trimethylglycine) (TMG)
If you have health issues preventing the production of stomach acid you can become bloated. Your food will sit in your digestive tract and ferment instead of digesting. This also causes and overgrowth of bad microbes. Betaine (TMG) prevents that from occurring. Betaine helps to improve nutrient absorption. It is best to get plant based betaine. To reap the benefits of betaine we have to make sure we are not deficienct in vitamin B6 and vitamin B12. If the body is not producing enough betaine it most likely is not producing enough pepsin. So a supplement with betaine should also contain pepsin. If the meal you are eating lacks protein then it would be best not to take betaine. Betaine should be taken with meals that contain protein. Betaine and betaine hcl are not the same thing. TMG HCL is hydrochloric acid made from betaine.
Some may have problems taking choline which I will not get into in this article. Betaine is a choline derivative and often times those who react to choline can take betaine and the body will use it as a source of choline. Choline deficiency can cause liver failure. Another way choline helps the liver, it is a methyl donor. Those who react to methyl donors my be able to take TMG without reacting as severely.
TMG also prevents low BH4 levels. BH4 is need for proper hormone levels and for maintaining adrenal health. By reducing homocysteine by consuming TMG this prevents BH4 from being depleted. TMG also aids in recycling BH2 back to BH4. BH4 deficiency also causes cardiovascular disease and excess blood clotting. BH4 is critical for the regulation of Nitric oxide levels in the body. Natural ACE inhibitors also increases BH4 levels.
Betaine helps to prevent high homocysteine levels which can cause high histamines because TMG support the conversion of homocysteine to methionine. High homocysteine levels causes blood vessel damage, cardiovascular disease and hardening of the arteries. Methionine is used by the body to remove free radicals and toxins so TMG can help to reduce toxins in the body. Methionine is also a potent antioxidant so it helps to prevent damage from oxidative stress. TMG also improves cardiovascular health by preventing excess blood clotting.
Betaine has potent anti-inflammatory properties.
Betaine , sorbitol and taurine help maintain water balance in cells, this also helps to stabilize the proteins in cells.
Betaine increases PEMT enzymes which can help to prevent fatty liver disease. It also helps improve sulfation which can improve hormones and digestion.
Betaine inhibits many of the inflammatory cytokines caused by endotoxins so it can help reduce the effects of endotoxins. It also inhibits NLRP3 inflammasome which is high in interstitial cystitis and inflammatory bowel diseases. TMG increases heme oxygenase. Betaine also activates digestive enzymes which helps to increase the beneficial microbes in the gut while reducing the inflammatory microbes.
Betaine helps to increase AMPK and oxidative phosphorylation which increases fat burning which prevents hypoglycemia and obesity. This will also help to prevent fatty liver disease. When OXPHOS is inhibited glycogen can build up in the liver and a person can develop fatty liver disease, insulin resistance and hypoglycemia. TMG helps to prevent that from occurring. It helps to prevent type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Betaine prevents endoplasmic reticulum stress, this would prevent mitochondria damage and DNA damage.
Betaine helps to prevent high ammonia levels which improve brain function, muscle function and function of many organs and is cardioprotective. Betaine also reduces muscle pain and fatigue.
When a person is chronically ill , have sepsis or inflammatory disease they experience what is called psuedohypoxia, this causes tissue ischemia. Betaine has been shown to prevent this from occuring by reducing hypoxia inducible factor. Betaine would prevent oxygen deprivation of organs.
Betaine has been shown to increase tolerance to stress and prevent stress induced schizophrenia. Those with schizophrenia have been found to have low levels of TMG in their bodies. Betaine has effects on the opoiod and GABA receptors having a relaxant type effect. TMG improves brain function in those with Alzheimer disease.
Betaine helps to prevent candida overgrowth and other fungal infection. Betaine also improves tight junction barrier function which improves nutrient absorption and prevents food particles from entering the blood stream where they do not belong. Food particles entering the blood stream which occurs in leaky gut causes one to become allergic or sensitive to certain foods.
If a person has CBS issues they will develop high sulfite levels and many sulfation pathways will become inhibited and homocysteine levels will become high. Folate, B6, B12 and betaine help to prevent this. If a person does not address this they will develop a sensitivity to high sulfur foods and meat. If not addressed the gut inflammation it causes will make them sensitive to other foods.
Though studies show it may be safe to take during pregnancy it is a protease enzyme which can cause the placenta to degrade so I am skeptical of those studies because most protease enzymes are not safe to take during pregnancy because of their effects on the placenta. TMG does normalize fetal growth in mothers who have diabetes but if taken during pregnancy I would make certain you was under the guidance and care of a functional medicine practitioner.
If betaine is taken with steroids, hormones , or over the counter pain killers it can cause severe stomach irritation. If a person is taking phosphotidylcholine they should take it with the betaine because it could cause an overgrowth of certain microbes and taking it with betaine would help to prevent this form occurring.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a functional medicine practitioner.
Black seed (Nigella sativa)
Also known as black caraway, or black cumin. It is more potent against many super bugs then antibiotics. Black seed also has potent antifungal properites. Black seed also has some antiviral properties. This effect is most likely because black seed increases white blood cells. This is also why black seed has been found to fight many types of cancer.
Black seed should be used at night because it can cause drowsiness. Black seed increases serotonin and GABA levels which are our feel good hormones and they help improve sleep quality.
Black seed has very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is most likely why black seed has been shown to improve liver function.
It activates AMPK which helps prevent metabolic disease, diabetes and obesity. Black seed has been shown to normalize insulin and glucose levels.
Back seed is cardio protective. It increases Nitric oxide levels, reduces almost all inflammatory cytokines that are found in autoimmunity, sepsis and inflammatory diseases. It decreases triglyceride levels in the body which is an indication the body is healing. Black seed oil also things the blood.
Black seed is neuroprotective and improves memory and learning. Blood seed reduces the occurrence of seizures.
Black seed improves thyroid function.
Black seed reduces histamines which would help with asthma and allergies.
Black seed helps with osteoarthritis it reduces joint inflammation and injury. Black seed also reduces sensitivity to pain.
Black seed prevents inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. It also can help to prevent necrosis in the digestive tract, but if taken in high amounts it can irritate the gut.
In super high doses black seed can damage the liver and kidneys but that is true about most things including vitamins. It can also cause rashes in some people, most likely those with high white blood cell levels. Black seed slows down uterine contractions so should not be taken by women who are pregnant when they are ready to conceive. Taking high dose black seed can cause drowsiness and fatigue. If taken in excess black seed can cause nasal dryness and diarrhea.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
Moringa improves kidney and liver function because it has potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also protects the liver from ischemia. It is high in sulfur so sulfation or sulfite issues should be addressed before using it. Moringa is high in antiaging compounds.
Moringa is high in phytosterols that increases estrogen.
Moringa helps heal stomach ulcers and reduce gut inflammation.
It is effective at fighting staph infection and candida.
It activates Nrf2 which is the master regulator of the antioxidant system so it has very potent antioxidant properties.
It reduces inflammation often times found in sepsis, chronic illness or in severe infection.
It helps to reduce insulin resistance and reduce liver gluconeogenesis. Moringa helps balance blood glucose levels.
Moringa helps to prevent damage in the liver and kidneys and has been found to reverse some damage.
It has been found to be effective at preventing many types of cancer.
Moringa improves thyroid health, improves energy preventing fatigue. It helps prevent moods swings and improves sleep quality.
Side effects of moringa can be uterine contractions, lower blood pressure, slow heart beat, consumption of high amounts of moringa seed can cause cell mutations.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Alpha keto glutaric acid
A-keto glutarate is needed to metabolize protein. It prevents the toxic build of glutamate and ammonia in the brain. It is also involved in the transfer of cellular energy into the citric acid cycle. It prevents excess ammonia from building up and damaging organs. It helps to balance nitric oxide levels. AKG is needed for wound healing throughout the body. Excess insulin secretion can cause the body to excrete AKG. AKG is also involved in the production of muscle cells.
AKG can restore immune system homeostasis and extend lifespan. Most likely because of it’s anti-inflammatory and potent antioxidant effects.
AKG helps to prevent colitis. It does this by increasing the butyrate producing and anti-inflammatory microbes in the gut.
AKG levels are high in fatty liver disease and obesity. A deficiency in vitamin B3, magnesium, zinc or manganese cause cause high levels. When the PH of the blood determines if AKG is reabsorbed or not. If the blood is acidic it gets reabsorbed , If it is base it gets excreted. High ammonia levels will cause blood to become more of a base. So the excretion of AKG is prbably part of the process of removing ammonia and most likely and indication the person has health issues that need addressed like sulfation issue or high uric acid levels. Also high levels of HIF-1a can cause high AKG levels. This is a sign of tissue ischemia from inhibited blood flow, anemia or something causing low oxygen levels. Another thing that can cause this to occur is sulfonimide medications and sulfonylurea herbicides. To correct this a person needs to increase their glucagon levels, increase glutathione, increase manganese, molybdenum and zinc. Also those will cause low nitric oxide levels so they would need to increase nitric oxide. AKG accumulation indicates the citric acid cycle has slowed down. This happens when HIF-1a levels are high. This also indicates oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria is not functioning correctly. In those injured by Sulfonylurea based drugs or herbicides leucine and diets high in animal proteins will increase ammonia levels and cause hypoglycemia. Opening the K+ATP channel can help to correct this. Ketones and inhibiting glycolysis opens the K+ATP channel.
AKG is involved in maintaining aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
AKG increases fat browning which prevents obesity.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Lactoferrin has potent antibacterial and antiviral properties. So much so they are now looking at it to see if it will prevent Covid infection. It is an ACE inhibitor which would prevent Covid from attaching to cells. NETs are over activated during Covid infection causing a lot of damage. Lactoferrin helps to reduce the expression of NETs which may prevent the damage if someone is infected with Covid. Lactoferrin has been found to inhibit viruses like herpes, papillomavirus and many others from attaching to cells.
Lactoferrin reduces inflammation in the gut and increases the good gut microbes. Lactoferrin helps reduce the risk of intestinal cancer. Lactoferrin helps to prevent necrotizing enterocolitis.
Excess iron or excess FE3 iron can cause damage to the body and brain. Lactoferrin helps reduce oxidized iron and helps to restore iron homeostasis. IL-6 is upregulated during infection which causes iron homeostasis to be disrupted. This can cause a person to show symptoms of anemia even though they may show high iron levels. The iron is in a form the body cannot use. Lactoferrin inhibits IL-6 while reducing oxidized iron which restores iron homeostasis.
Lactoferrin also helps prevent sepsis during infection. It helps to balance the immune system and prevents excess upregulation of TH1. Lactoferrin is also a very potent anti-inflammatory and inflammation causes autoimmunity.
Lactoferrin has been found to reduce lung inflammation and improve the health of the lungs.
Lactoferrin was found to inhibit certain types of cancer.
Lactoferrin has been found to be effective at preventing urinary tract infection.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice , I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Hawthorne (crataegus spp.)
There are many species but their phytochemical makeup is very similar. If you cannot get the fruits then the leaves and bark will provide many of the same benefits but the fruits are higher in nutrients.
Hawthorne has been found to improve respiratory and cardiovascular health. It has very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It improves blood flow and is an ACE inhibitor so may help protect from Covid infection. Patients who have had heart failure and were treated with haw throne had dramatic improvements in cardiovascular health, reduced heart palpitations and increased stamina. Hawthorne was found to be very effective for reducing high blood pressure.
Hawthorne can prevent obesity by correcting issues involved in lipid metabolism. Because it improves lipid metabolism it can also prevent memory loss because the brain is mostly fats. But it can reduce glucose levels so I would recommend taking with food if you tend to be hypoglycemic.
Hawthorne is gasoprotective because of it’s potent antioxidant effects and it has antimicrobial properties against bad gut microbes.
It has been found to prevent and reverse many types of cancers.
It is high in procyanidins which are the most potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances. They can help to reverse inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
The fruit of hawthorne does have relaxant type properties so it has been found to calm a persons behavior.
Many studies show it can take up to three months to start feeling the benefits.
Written by Lee Stevenson , sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice , I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Horny Goat Weed (Epimedium)
It boost testosterone at very high doses. In low doses it improves bone health. It can increase estrogen in women. It is high in berberine so will have the same anti-inflammatory , antioxidant and antimicrobial effects as others plants that contain berberine. It increases male sexual stamina and increases male fertility. It seems to normalize a womens hormones if they are estrogen dominant. It improves blood flow by increasing nitric oxide. It may help to stimulate repair of damaged heart tissue.
Horny goat weed can actually help nerves to grow back after being damaged. It may protect the brain from damage and help to prevent alzheimer. Because horny goat weed stimulates the growth of neurological tissue it can also stimulate healing in the brain.
It can reinvigorate hair follicles and help with baldness by increasing insulin like growth factor 1 which is usually low in autoimmune disease and inflammatory diseases.
Honey goat weed helps to heal the adrenals and help restore immune system balance. This results in reduced pain.
In high doses horny goat weed can irritate the stomach.
Horny goat weed correct issues in many metabolic pathways including those involved in burning fat.
Written by Lee Stevenon, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is written for educational purposes it is not medical advice. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Megatribulus (Tribulus Terrestris)
Tribulus is an adaptogenic herb which means it increase tolerance to stress. In some studies it has been found to increase libido. It helps to prevent hyper tension. Tribulus reduces hbA1C levels because it improves insulin signaling. Tribulus increases IGF-1 which improves glucose uptake into muscle which would increase endurance and prevent muscle injury.
Tribulus increases luteinsing hormone. This increases fertility in men in women who have irregular periods it could help to normalize their cycles especially if taking tribulus was timed correctly. For women if they took it when the egg is getting ready to drop then it should reduce the pain and cramps that are experienced during menstruation.
Tribulus is very effective against many bacteria that infect the gut. It increases aldose reductase which is inhibited by endotoxins and can cause type 1 diabetes.
Tribulus stimulates insulin secretion.
To be honest with you the studies on tribulus are contradiciting and confusing but when you consider all the studies and compare the data tribulus seems to normalize glucose and hormone levels but the research is not done very well and leave so many questions that I do not trust any of the research as being valid but I do know it increases endurance and feeling of well being.
Tribulus is very good at reducing pain and inflammation. It is also very good at preventing kidney stones. It protect neurons from damage during oxygen or blood deprivation.
For women if taken at the wrong time it could increase menstrual bleeding, if timed correctly it could help with menstruation. If researching this herb more deeply women would have to time it so perfectly that I believe this herb would be better for men but should be used with caution by women.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes.
If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Rhodiola Rosea
There are a variety of Rhodiola spp but Rhodiola Rosea is the species used for healing. Rhodiola has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Rhodiola been shown to reverse some effects of aging. It enhances physical, and mental performance and decreases the effects of emotional, chemical, and physical stress on the body. It activates Nrf2 the master regulator of the antioxidant system. It has been found to reverse fibrosis in the lungs so would help with COPD.
Rholdiola activates mTOR to stimulate tissue repair in the body but in cancer cells it inhibits mTOR which would inhibit cancer growth.
It activates PARP-1 which stimulates DNA repair. Those who have a herpes virus usually have inhibited PARP-1 so this should help reduce the symptoms the herpes viruses cause.
Rhodiola increases TH1 but down regulates inflammatory cytokines. It also increases Sirt1 expression known to increase life span.
Rhodiola increases MAO enzymes. MAO inactivates neurotransmitters preventing levels from getting too high. This would increase progesterone and prevent aggressive like behavior. MAO deficiency causes muscle twitching, those with MAO deficiency often times have nightmares and cognitive impairment. Those with MAO deficiency also have difficulty with impulse control and will act on impulse. MAO deficiency also causes skin flushing, diarrhea and headaches. Rhodiola can help prevent MAO deficiency. Those with MAO deficiency tend to crave junk food. Those with MAO deficiency will have high tyramine levels so should avoid high tyramine foods. If a person is deficient in MAO they will react to the tyramine in aged or fermented foods. Ischemia can cause decreased MAO levels.
Rhodiola improves the function of dopamine receptors which would prevent depression. It prevents physical and mental fatigue. Rhodiola improves the felling of well being, improves attention , improves the ability to be subjective, improves cognition, and improves the ability pay attention. Rhodiola helps balance serrotonin and dopamine without causing fatigue. Rhodiola increases Beta endorphins which reduces pain and gives the feeling of well being.
Rhodiola prevents the buildup of lactic acid in the body which would increase muscle endurance and prevent muscle damage. Rhodiola also improves the ability of the body to use oxygen. It also improves adrenal health.
Rhodiola increases tolerance to pain.
Side effects of rhodiola seem to be mild but can cause dry mouth.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
I am writing this for educational purposes this is not medical advice. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Gingko (Gingko biloba)
Gingko is good at improving blood flow and preventing high blood pressure. The leaves contain high levels of some of the most potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Because of it’s ability to improve blood flow, reduce oxidative stress and reduce inflammation it prevents brains swelling and improves cognitive function. One side effect when someone first starts taking it if they have damage from sepsis or chronic illness the improved blood flow to those areas of the brain could cause pain temporarily. This happened to me and and the headache and eye pain it caused after about three days cleared up and and my cognitive function started to improve. I would not take high dose because it has very potent anticoagulant properties.
Gingko has been shown to improves hearing and prevent hearing loss. It improves motor health and emotional health. Gingko reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety. Gingko also improves sleep quality.
Gingko prevents glutamate toxicity which would improve NMDA receptor health. High glutamate levels is noticeable by the headaches that occur. It causes headache so severe it seems as if the skull is going to split open.
Gingko prevents prancreatitis and prevents pancreatic infection.
Gingko reduces symptoms of PMS. Gingko improves sexual function especially in women.
Gingko improves eye health and has been found to prevent pink eye.
Gingko helps prevent cardiovascular disease by improving blood circulation, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress and increasing nitric oxide levels. Because gingko improve blood flow it promote healing throughout the body.
Gingko improves skin health.
Gingko is effective against many bacteria that causes gut infections. Gingko has been found to inhibit the herpes simplex virus and many other RNA viruses.
If you take excessive amounts you can experience nausea, diarrhea, dizziness and headaches. High doses of gingko can damage the liver. Also if it is taken for more then three months it can start to damage the liver. I have known people who have taken it long term without liver damage but I see no reason to take it continually once a person has healed. In studies showing it causes liver damage excessive amounts were given for extended periods of time. I do doubt the studies showing it causes liver and kidney damage because gingko is an Nrf2 activator which is the master regulator of the antioxidant enzymes. Humans are exposed to excessive amounts of light now days which damages the photoreceptors in the body. Gingko helps prevent this from happening. So the studies showing the harm it does are suspicious to me.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Velvet bean (Mucana pruriens)
Velvet bean has been found to be neuroprotective. It has been shown to prevent or reverse the effects of Parkinson’s disease. It is a good source of protein for those who have sulfation issues because the proteins in velvet bean are low sulfur proteins. It does contain anti-nutrient substances so should not be taken near meals. It contains a trypsin inhibitor which could help those with COPD but it inhibits the breakdown of proteins in the body. The levels of antinutrients in Velvet bean are very low so it would take very excessive amounts to cause negative health effects. It can cause damage to the pancreas. This is why I believe Velvet bean should be pulsed. Velvet bean contains L-dopa which can help increases dopamine levels the feel good hormone. This can help to reduce the effects of stress helping to protect the adrenals. When the adrenals are upregulated and get depleted or damaged the body will shunt progesterone to produce adrenal hormones the can have dramatic effects on the hormones in the body and can make menstruation very painful for women. By protecting the adrenals you can reduce the risk of this happening. Most beans contain trypsin inhibitors . It is when we consume high amounts that it can be a problem. Velvet bean is high in tryptamine. If tryptamine levels get too high it can cause a reaction similar to that of histamines. Velvet bean has an insulin mimetic so can decrease glucose levels in the blood which would help with certain types of diabetes. Velvet bean enhances memory and improves kidney function.
Velvet bean can help to improve sleep quality and increase tolerance to stress.
Velvet bean has been shown to reduce some of the effects of aging, arthritis and inflammatory disease. It has been shown to help prevent high blood pressure. Velvet bean also has potent antioxidant properties. Velvet bean increases antioxidant enzymes.
It can decrease body temperature but increases tolerance to pain. It also neutralizes Cobra venom. It increases sexual stamina and fertility. Because velvet bean improves the health of the HPA axis it would help to restore normal hormone levels. It also could help restore hormone levels because it restores the membrane potential in mitochondria which means nutrients could be taken into the mitochondria and waste could be removed more easily which would also improve the mitochondrias ability to burn fat.
Velvet bean stimulates the release of growth hormone which is usually inhibited during chronic illness. It would prevent muscle atrophy and increase muscle growth.
Most recommend starting with 5 grams a day. Side effects if taken in excess are headache, pounding heartbeat, psychosis-being easily agitated, confusion, delusions or hallucinations. Velvet bean consumed in excess can cause stomach ulcers. Do not take velvet bean during the day or when driving it reduce motor function in the body. If used in moderation velvet bean is actually gasoprotective.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Angelica (Angelica Sylvestris)
Angelica Sylvestris is the most research. Most are chemically very similar. The newer highbrid forms of angelica I have not seen studies on so most of the studies I post will be on the old world strains of angelica. It most likely would help with corona infection because it prevents leukopenia which is what causes most death in covid illness.
Angelica has a variety of health benefits from protecting bone marrow to helping to heal the gut. Angelica helps to prevent upset stomaches and nausea. It helps reduce the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease. Angelica is high in coumarins so it does prevent blood clotting. There is not a lot of research surrounding it but it is related to celery and has a mild celery taste. Celery can balance hormones so I suspect Angelica can. If you look at the phytonutrients many of the nutrients it contains are known to help balance hormones. I am partly inclined to believe this because Angelica does decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Nocturia is a conditon where someone has to wake up to frequently urinate. Angelica helps to reduce the symptoms of nocturia.
Angelica root has potent antibacterial properties. It inhibits IL-6 which is what causes most of the damage during Covid infection.
From personal experience many have used it to relax and prevent muscle spasms. Angelica has been shown to reduce anxiety. It has potent anti-inflammatory effects.
Angelica has been found to inhibit the formation of oxalates in the body. It does this by reducing oxidative stress, reducing inflammation and increasing citrate levels. Citrate prevents the formation of oxalate crystals. It also reduces expression of KIM-1 which prevents renal tube damage. It is high in vanillic acid which prevents liver fibrosis or fatty liver disease. Vanillic acid also helps to prevent obesity.
The leaves and stems of angelica contains phytosterols that are known to reduce and prevent arthritis.
Angelica activates Sirt1 which is an antiaging gene. It also prevents the negative effects of endotoxins on the body. Angelica also improves bone marrow health.
Angelica increases T regulatory cells which help restore immune balance in autoimmune diseases. Angelica also inhibits mTor which promotes longevity and prevents muscle atrophy. Many of the nutrients found in Angelica are known to prevent memory impairment. Angelic improves brain function and promotes healing of neurological tissue.
Side effects , it could cause uterine contractions which could cause miscarriage. Consuming excess amounts of angelic can cause photosensitivity.
Written by Lee Stevenson,. Sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the assistance of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Teasel (dipsacus spp)
Dipsacus fullonum is the species most are used to seeing but there are other species and because the phytochemicals are very similar I am going to speak about depsacus spp as a whole. Teasel contains a chemical that has been found to prevent soft tissue degeneration and reduce soft tissue inflammation. Most of the experiments with Dipsacus species have been on animals but my experience I have seen first hand many of those experiments to translate over to humans which is rare in animal experiments.
Teasel contains a chemical that helps prevent neurological and brain damage. Many species of teasel were shown to be effective against a variety of borellia species which causes Lyme disease.
Teasel is effective against many types of gut bacteria that causes inflammation and may be why it improves joint health and prevents joint inflammation. It also is effective against many types of fungus infections. Lyme can cause bone deteriation. Teasel has been shown to reduce bone deterioration.
Teasel has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
You have to be careful buying astaxanthin there is synthetic astaxanthin and it can cause many health problems. Get it from food sources like eating salmon or krill oil or only use supplements that contain astaxanthin acquired from natural sources. Astaxanthin has a pretty good safety record. Astaxanthin is better absorbed when taken with an oil.
Astaxanthin is one of the most powerful antioxidants. Because of it’s potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties at can reverse some of the effects of aging and has been found to improve eyesight. It has more potent anti-inflammatory properties then steroids. Astaxanthin prevents the negative effects of blue light from cell phone and computer screens.
Astaxanthin reduces wrinkling and improves the health of the skin. It prevents the harmful effects of UV light to the skin.
Astaxanthin reduces cognitive decline, improves BDNF which increases brain plasticity which means it will improve cognition, brain function, and the ability to retain memories. It improves brain blood flow and prevent damage from oxygen deprivation in the brain.
Astaxanthin improves blood flow. Prevent cardiovascular disease, protects the heart from damage and improves blood pressure.
Astaxanthin improves mitochondrial function which would improve the health of the whole body. This would also improve the ability of mitochondria to break down fat to use for energy and improve the mitochondrias ability to produce ATP.
Astaxanthin improves muscle endurance and recovery during exercise. This may be because astaxanthin helps improve insulin and glucose balance.
Astaxanthin has been found to prevent and even reverse many types of cancer. Astaxanthin can also prevent the negative effects physical trauma has on the body.
Astaxanthin can prevent fibrosis in the body which can cause fatty liver and dementia type diseases like Alzheimer. It also prevents liver damage by improving bile duct function. It prevents fatty liver disease from improving the bodies ability to break down and burn fat for energy.
Infection and toxins can cause excess inflammation which can cause loss of smell and hearing. Astaxanthin help prevent loss of hearing and smell from excess oxidative stress and inflammation.
During infections, vaccine injury, toxins like glyphosate in our foods and environment can cause excess inflammation and oxidative stress. This causes tissue ischemia, astaxanthin prevents the damage when that occurs. Those prevention is the best medicine we cannot control everything in our environment. It also help to prevent neurological disease. Astaxanthin actually improves the function of stem cells.
Astaxanthin turns on many of the antiaging genes which are inhibited by Covid and herpes.
Endotoxins and inflammation can cause tryptophan metabolism to shunt and produce toxic metabolites that cause dementia and depression. Astaxanthin prevents this from occurring. It also increases the microbes in the gut that could cause bad tryptophan metabolites to be formed and increases the microbes that reduces inflammation. Astaxanthin helps restore gut immune homeostasis.
There is a reason flamingos are pink if you do not want your skin or eyes to be pink do not consume excessive amounts of astaxanthin. It is what causes flamingos to be pink. Excess astaxanthin consumption can cause low blood pressure. It can also cause excess hair growth. Excess astaxanthin consumption can cause low calcium levels. Astaxantin increases progesterone in cows so may have this effect in humans though I have found no research to support that idea.
I can tell you from personal experience of people who have taken it. It dramatically decreases joint pain. If taken in high dose it caused headaches. Those who took high doses also experienced acid reflux. I do not recommend high dose astaxanthin. Many complain it messed with their hormones. Many other said it got rid of their acne so I suspect it increase their progesterone levels. It does seem to restore hormone balance and until the body gets used to the new hormone levels a person may feel bad.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
You can get it powdered or in liquid form. I have found the liquid form worked best for me. I got much quicker and more positive results. Chlorophyll has a very good safety record and is non toxic. Chlorophyll blocks the uptake mold toxins into cells. It has very potent antioxidant properties so prevents DNA damage. We have enzymes in the body that can activate procarcinogenic toxins. Chlorophyll blocks those enzymes from activating those toxins so preventing the possibility of them inducing cancer. It has been found to block ribonuclioside reductase activity which has been found to prevent certain types of intestinal cancer and to actually cause cell death of the cancer. Chlorophyll speeds up wound healing. It prevents the growth of bacteria that causes bad breath. Chlorophyll speeds up metabolism which could help with weight loss. Those who are obese experience frequent episodes of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose levels), liquid chlorophyll has been shown to prevent this from happening. It helps to turn off inflammation in the body.
Chlorophyll has been found to be effective against many types of cancer cells. Chlorophyll reduces inflammatory microbes in the gut and increase ones that reduce inflammation which would farther help to reduce the risk of cancer. Chlorophyll also prevents cancer by speeding up the degradation of carcinogenic substances in the body. Because chlorophyll prevents free radicals from being produced it would also prevent types of cancer caused by excess oxidative stress.
Because clorophyll reduces inflammatory cytokines including IL-6 which contributes to the lymphopenia that has caused some to die when contracting Covid it would prevent the detrimental effects of Covid if someone contracted it. Studies have shown at least 95% of the people who contract Covid show no symptoms it is better to be safe then sorry.
High TMAU levels have been linked to cardiovascular disease. It can cause a persons body and urine to smell like fish. Liquid chlorophyll and activated charcoal reduces TMAU levels. TMAU has been linked to diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease. It also reduces ammonia levels in the body. High ammonia causes glutamate toxicity in the brain which can cause autism and seizures.
One of the most interesting things about chlorophyll is the body can capture photoelectric energy from chlorophyll to produce ATP so it helps improve ATP levels. Because of this chlorophyll along with light therapy can help to prevent diabetes.
One of the side effects of chlorophyll it can make the poop greener. Also to make sure copper and zinc is balanced a person should take zinc when taking chlorophyll.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the advice of a qualified and experienced medical practitioner.
Nattokinase prevents excess blood clotting and the build of of excess fibroid tissue in the body found in many diseases that deteriorate the brain and organs. It has very few side effects other then excess bleeding when injured. It has been found to prevent the damage that Covid infection causes. Serrapeptase can break down scar tissue and prevent blood clotting but does not have as many benefits as nattokinase. Nattokinase is better at preventing blood clotting but serrapeptase is much better at breaking down and preventing scar tissue build up in the body. Nattokinase can help prevent high blood pressure. Nattokinase is a potent NRF2 activator meaning it has potent antioxidant properties. Nattokinase prevents the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by endotoxins.
Nattokinase prevents the build up of amyloid plaque and prevents neuro inflammation which can cause organ damage and brain damage. Nattokinase reduces many cytokines that cause sepsis and inflammatory disease.
Many types of inflammatory bowel diseases, interstitial cystitis and organ failure can be linked to inhibited blood flow. Nattokinase can help to prevent this.
Some side effects of nattokinase if taken in too high of dosage it can cause low blood pressure. If you have issues with blood not being able to clot you should never take nattokinase.
Because serrapeptase and nattokinase break down and prevent fibrin build up they can help prevent Alzheimer disease. The benefits of serrapeptase is a bit different though because it can prevent fluid and inflammation accumulation in damaged areas of the body and speed up healing. Serrapeptase also reduces cyst caused by fibrin build up in the body. Often times fibrin cyst are mistaken for breast cancer. Studies have shown that the largest percentage of the time when someone has been diagnosed with breast cancer the diagnoses was incorrect and they actually had fibrin cyst.
Serrapeptase reduces the thickness of mucus produce when ill making it much easier to expel. Serrapeptase has very potent anti-inflammatory properties. Serrapeptase is more potent at reducing inflammation then most NSAIDs. It has been shown to dramatically reduce the damage caused by Covid. Serrapeptase has been shown to reduce symptoms of many things like acne, osteoarthritis and many other things. Serrapeptase helps to inhibit the formation of biofilms by pathogens.
Serrapeptase was found to dramatically reduce pain and symptoms of allergies. It has been found to be effective against thyroid cancer. It prevents the build up of amyloid plaque which causes organ damage and Alzheimer.
Serrapeptase also prevents excess blood clotting and fibrin build up in the body but is much better then nattokinase at breaking down scar tissue. Nattokinase and serrapeptase can inactivate many viruses including herpes. Do not take high dose serrapetase it can cause the break down of healthy tissue in the body and can actually damage the lungs instead of healing them . High dose serrapeptase also causes nausea, muscle and joint pain, weight loss and skin rashes or itching. There is no reason to take high dose serrapeptase if you cannot find low dose then pulse taking it.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Posphatidylcholine (CDP-choline)
Phospholipids (PC) are involved in how our genes are expressed. It is not genetics that determines how genes are expressed but epigenetics. Phosphatidylcholine is needed for the formation of those phospholipids. Pollution, toxins, many medication, aging, stress, bad diets, consuming non organic foods can all and chronic illness cause phosphatidyl choline deficiency. A deficiency in phosphotidylcholine causes sphingomyelin to build up and LDL levels to increase which causes liver, kidney , neurological and brain damage. PC is needed to transport waste out of cells and nutrients into cells. So it is needed for cellular health. Phosphotidylcholine is not the same as choline. Though phosphatidylcholine can increase choline and acetycholine levels. The body uses choline to produce many other things.
Posphatidylcholine improves brain function and prevents neurological damage. It improves memory and helps prevent dementia. Phosphatidylcholine may increase life span. Phosphatidylcholine helps prevent diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and many metabolic disorders. Cholesterol is needed by almost every cell in the body and is needed for proper function of the brain. If phosphatidylcholine is low then many processes in the body becomes inhibited and brain damage and reduces function of the brain occurs. PEMT overexpression combined with phosphatidylcholine deficiency can cause obesity. CDP-choline deficiency can cause muscular dystrophy, fatty liver disease, neurological and brain damage, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, reduces fertility, and causes miscarriages.
CDP-choline is needed for liver regeneration. CDP-choline deficiency makes the lungs prone to infection and injury.
Low levels of CDP-choline causes ulcerative colitis and inhibits nutrient absorption. Low CDP-choline levels can cause muscle fatigue and muscle loss. Because vaccines and glyphosate found in high levels in our foods can damage the metabolic pathways involved in the production of CDP-choline I would not doubt those getting infected by Covid and other contagious illnesses that damage the lungs are deficient in CDP-choline and have most likely been vaccine injured or injured from eating processed foods and GMOs. One thing that has me convinced of this is the fact that CDP-choline is also needed for good gut health and those prone to lung infection and injury usually have inflamed guts.
Foods high in CDP-choline are meat, sun flower seeds, eggs, fish, and oysters. If you supplement with it, liposomal CDP-choline would be the best to use. CDP-choline and alpha GPC seem to be the best options for supplementing phosphatidylcholine.
CDP-choline protect from cardiovascular disease and artherosclerosis. Low CDP-choline levels can cause high homocysteine levels which can damage organs, damage the brain and cause high histamine levels. CDP-choline prevents high homocysteine levels.
I believe CDP-choline would protect from herpes infections and Covid because they inhibit beta oxidation and CDP-choline prevents that from happening. Systemic inflammation inhibits beta oxidation. Vaccine manufacturers claim they need vaccines to stimulate inflammation in order for them to work. Most processed foods especially GMOs cause systemic inflammation. Drugs especially fluoroquinolones inhibit beta oxidation. Those prone to herpes virus infection and Corona have been found to have systemic inflammation.
Because proper PEMT function is important for the proper metabolism of phospholipids if you have PEMT issues I would recommend supporting sulfation and research the benefits of betaine. If you have sulfation issues or PEMT issues you may react to CDP-choline. Those should be addressed before taking it. Some side effects if a person takes too much is nausea, excess sweating, and diarrhea. It would be best if someone took it with food.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Cleavers (galium aparine)
Cleavers is also known as bed straw or goose grass. Cleavers is very effective at cleaning out and improving the function of the lymphatic and thyroid system. Cleavers is a super food , it is very high in a variety of nutrients. Cleavers has very potent antifungal and antibacterial properties. Cleavers is a very potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Cleavers increases white blood cells called T and B lymphocytes which are involved in fighting infection and developing immunity. Usually immune system stimulation would cause inflammation but because cleavers has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties it stimulates the immune system without causing excess inflammation. This immune stimulating effect can help to prevent certain types of cancer. It is high in chlorogenic acid which helps prevent autoimmune diseases. Cleavers has been found to kill a certain type of breast cancer cells. The speed that cleavers cleans out and reduces lymphatic swelling is very surprising.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Calcium-D-gluturate
Calcium D-gluturate gets converted to glucaric acid in the body. CDG is sometime called D-saccharic acid. Calcium-D-gluturate helps to prevent the body from producing ammonia when you consume a high protein diet. If you have sulfation issues and have not addressed them you may react to CDG, it requires sulfation for the body to properly use it. If you are going to use it I would suggest supporting sulfation with things such as Pyridoxal-5-phosphate, vitamin B12, betaine, molybdenum and vitamin C. Calcium-D-gluturate helps to prevent high estrogen levels. A disruption in our gut microbes can cause high beta-glucuronide levels. High beta-glucuronide levels can cause toxins the body is trying to remove to be reabsorbed this includes carcinogenic hormones and xenobiotics. Calcium-D-gluturate prevents beta-glucuronide from disrupting the removal of toxins from the body. Calcium-D-gluturate prevents estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance can cause breast cancer.
Calcium-D-gluturate helps to balance the immune system by activating the anti-inflammatory parts of the immune system. A deficiency in iron, magnesium, calcium or phosphorous can increase beta-glucuronidase activity. Calcium D-gluturate may reduce testosterone because it is removed with glucuronidation and CDG increases glucuronidation. Green tea inhibits glucuronidation this is why in men green tea increases testosterone. Beta glucuronidase activity has been found to be high in those with cystic fibroids and cancer in the breast. Calcium D-gluturate may help prevent that from occurring. Calcium D-gluturate has been found to help with many types of cancer including skin cancer. Resveratrol found in grape skins and grape seed extract amplifies the effects of CDG.
Cholesterol is needed by almost every cell in the body especially the brain. When LDL levels are high it indicates the body is dealing with excess inflammation and oxidative stress. Calcium-D-gluturate reduces LDL levels by reducing the oxidative stress and inflammation freeing up cholesterol to be used in other areas of the body to maintain health.
Our bodies produce a little CDG and we get some in our diets from the white parts of citrus fruits, tomatoes, bean sprouts, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli or cabbage, grapes and cherries. But if under a lot of stress, chronically ill, come in contact with a lot of toxins, eat a lot of processed or inflammatory foods, or if we have adrenal fatigue levels can become low. Most recommend 200 to 500 mg twice a day. They also recommend starting with the lowest dose first because detoxing for the first time can be very unpleasant. CDG helps prevent certain types of cancer in men and women. Reading message boards most take DIM and CDG and they stated after about a week of taking them they started to react to them, but the started pulsing them which means taking them in a spaced out manor like every other day they continued to reap the benefits without reacting to them. Because CDG detoxes adrenal hormones I suspect it may reduce the levels of adrenal hormones if taken daily. Something to take note of DIM is an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatse inhibitors can cause endometrial problems, blood clotting, heart palpitation, osteoporosis, and joint pain. So just as with any nutrient if used in excess it can start having a negative impact on the body. Though I cannot find studies to show that CDG causes magnesium deficiency many on message boards said they became deficient in magnesium when taking it so one may want to increase their magnesium intake when taking CDG. Another thing to take note of is CDG will open up detox pathways so a person may feel worse at first when taking CDG until the toxin levels come down. If the CBS pathway is upregulated and sulfation is not addressed a person may react to CDG. A person low in iron, magnesium or vitamin B12 may react when taking CDG. If a person has high mercury levels CDG can free the mercury, it would be wise to take alpha lipoic acid so they can fully detox the mercury.
People who react to plant phenols have high histamines, low copper, or high sulfite levels in the body. Increasing intake of methyl groups, and taking choline may help along with taking CDG. People who have senstivity to plant phenols will react to foods high in phenylalanine and tyramine. Consuming cheese, chocolate or green tea will cause these ones to react. Biotin can help to reduce certain hormone excess but will cause a vitamin B2 deficiency. So if you are taking biotin you will need to increase your intake of vitamin B2 deficiency will also inhibit sulfation so I would only take biotin when hormone levels are at their worse or get it from food sources.
A person with lysosomal storage issues should not take CDG. It can make the symptoms worse. It can increase mucopolysaccharoidosis. Mucopolysaccharides will build up in the liver. I suspect consuming excessive amounts of CDG could also contribute to this condition. It is why a person should work on achieving balance and learn to listen to the body.
Klotho is known to extend ones life span it is a beta glucuronidase. In science literature they list all beta glucuronidase as bad. This is not true, so we have to look past the flawed science and use common sense. If CDG inhibits beta glucuronidase it most likely is inhibiting klotho. Klotho prevents inflammation in the body and helps prevent aging.
Though there are many benefits to taking CDG I would recommend correcting the health issues causing a person to have to take certain nutrients and as they get things corrected rely on food sources of the nutrient and stop supplementing it. This would prevent them from causing other health issues from taking too much of something.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practictioner.
Carnitine
There are two forms sold by supplement manufacturers. L-carnitine and acetyl-L-carnitine. The L in front means it is bioavailable to the body, in other words the body can readily use it. Acetyl-L-carnitine and L-carnitine do act differently in the body. Many get them mixed up and I will see websites describing the effects of carnitine when it is actual acetyl-L-carnitine effects they are describing. The body has to convert carnitine to acetyl-L-carnitine first so the effects are different. I am going to only discuss the effects of carnitine. I may describe the effects of acetyl-L-carnitine later in this article.
Carnitine increases far burning, and endurance. Carnitine also enhances muscle performance and brain function. Supplementing with D-carintine is not good because it can block the effects of the other canitines L-carnitine and Acetyl-L-carnitine. Carnitine also prevents muscle damage. Carnitine improves insulin sensitivity and improves glucose metabolism. Carnitine prevents aciduria which often times occurs in chronic illness. Carnitine prevents neurological and brain injury and improves their function. Canritine helps to prevent systemic inflammation.
Carnitine prevents the production of trimethylamine N-oxide, it has been linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes. It is what causes fish smell disease where the urine and body odor has a fish like smell. Carnitine is also cardioprotective because it reduces oxidative stress and inflammation. Up to 80% of heart failure has been linked to carnitine deficiency.
If carnitine levels are low from liver inflammation , chronic illness, or nutrient deficiency the body will switch from using fats for energy and use glucose for energy. This can cause high lactic acid levels and chronic fatigue. This can cause fat build up throughout the body causing damage to the organs and obesity.
Carnitine prevents excess oxidative stress and prevents DNA damage. Carnitine helps protect the liver and kidney from damage. Carnitine down regulates the markers that cause sepsis and chronic illness. Carnitine increase fertility in males and females. Carnitine deficiency causes fatty liver disease.
Carnitine improves mitochondrial function and improves the mitochondrias ability to remove toxins. Carnitine has been shown to reverse the damage caused by PCOS.
Carnitine improves the bodies ability to use vitamin C and improves the bodies ability to metabolize sulfur which almost every cell in the body needs.
Carnitine prevents joint deterioration and joint pain. Carnitine improves function of liver , heart and muscle even in those who have severe liver and heart damage. Canitine improves pancreatic function even in those with pancreatic cancer.
Carnitine has been shown to increase lifespan. As you can see carnitine deficiency cause many types of chronic illness and leads to early mortality.
Asparagus, cheddar cheese and whole milk are good sources. Many are deficient now days. The body can produce carnitine from lysine and methione. Oily fish are also good sources of carnitine. Up to 2000 mg a day could be taken without side effects.
Carnitine deficiency is very common now days. The most common causes of carnitine deficiency is nutrient deficiencies, antibiotic injury or consuming foods that damage the gut causing malabsorption of nutrients and vaccine injury causing inhibited blood flow to the gut. Our food is so toxic and just about everyone is vaccine injured so I would say in order to correct carnitine deficiency a person would have to work on healing the gut.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I have written this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
DIM (Diidolylmethane)
DIM is created in our guts from consuming cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. DIM helps balance estrogen levels in the body. Often times it is seen as a supplement for women but it is beneficial for mean and women. It helps the body to produce less toxic and more beneficial type of estrogen in the body. DIM also reduces the effects of the bad estrogen in the body. DIM prevents types of cancer caused by excess estrogen. In men DIM prevents testosterone being converted to estrogen. This would help prevent prostate cancer and improve prostate health. DIM helps prevent acne caused by hormonal imbalance. DIM helps reduce pain associated with PMS. It helps prevent man boobs in men by reducing estrogen levels. Because it increases good estrogen in women it would reduce oxidative stress because the good estrogen are anti-inflammatory have antioxidant properties. DIM helps to prevent estrogen dominance in women. DIM helps prevent the types of cancer caused by excess estrogen and xenobiotics. DIM also helps to prevent intestinal cancer. DIM also helps prevent liver and kidney injury. DIM helps prevent both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. DIMs positive effects on estrogen also helps improve thyroid function. DIM is an aromatase inhibitor. Many say they reacted to taking it at first but after a few days started feeling better. Also DIM requires sulfation so a person who is using DIM should support sulfation when the take DIM. Something to take note of DIM is an aromatase inhibitor. Aromatse inhibitors can cause endometrial problems, blood clotting, heart palpitation, osteoporosis, and joint pain. So just as with any nutrient if used in excess it can start having a negative impact on the body.
Low carbohydrate diets can put the body into a state of believing it is being starved. This turns off the fat burning genes because the body believes it is starving. DIM can help to turn the fat burning genes back on. DIM also enhances the positive effects of butyrate.
DIM protects the body from damage caused by hypoxia (oxygen deprivation) and ischemia. Ischemia is caused by inhibited blood flow. DIM also protects the body from excess cell death during infection. DIM also protects the brain from injury from overexpression of cyclin. Herpes viruses cause and over expression of cyclin. DIM down regulates cyclin.
Something to take note of is if you have sulfation issues and you have not addressed them you may react to DIM and have an allergic type reaction . Make sure you support sulfation if you are going to take DIM.
DIM helps to prevent endometriosis. When dealing with any type of chronic illness you still need to address the cause or DIM will be of very little use.
Side effects can be gas, darkening of urine, vomiting, skin rash, nausea and diarrhea. It should not be taken in high doses because it can reduce sodium levels in the body. DIM should be taken with food.
Xenobiotics are estrogen mimetic. They disrupt hormone levels in the body and can cause cancer. DIM reduces the effects of xenobiotics on the body. If taken in excessive amounts it can cause skin swelling, rashes and hair loss. Taking excessive amounts of DIM can also cause joint pain in hips and knees. If you experience any of these while taking DIM then you may want to stop taking it for a while.
DIM upregulates CYP1B1 enzymes. I do not know the effects of this if DIM is taken long term.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill place seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Red Sage (Salvia miltiorrhiza)
In chinese medicine it is referred to as Danshen. Red sage improve cardiovascular health and has been shown to prevent strokes. Red sage has potent antioxidant properties. It also has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Because of red sage antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties it helps to prevent fibrotic diseases like cirrhosis of the liver and Alzheimers disease. Though I have found no studies to support this statement I believe it would help with interstitial cystitis and inflammatory bowel diseases because it inhibits NLRP3 which is over expressed in those diseases. Red sage prevents diabetes induced eye injury and vision loss.
Red Sage improves brain function and cognition. It does thin the blood and prevents blood clotting. Most message boards that I have read on people who used it recommended only taking it for a month and then taking a one week break. Red Sage prevents high blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is also one of the most potent antivirals used by the body. Because red sage improves blood flow and increases nitric oxide it prevents ischemia (tissue damage from inhibited blood flow).
Red Sage inhibits NADPH oxidase which is upregulate in inflammatory , and autoimmune diseases it inhibits beta oxidation and increases oxidative stress. Inhibiting NADPH oxidase would increase fat burning in the body and decrease oxidative stress. In order for that to occur mitochondrial respiration would have to increase so it would be safe to assume it improves mitochondrial respiration.
Nrf2 is the master regulator of the antioxidant system. Red sage is a potent Nrf2 activator which would increase antioxidant enzymes in the body.
Red sage increases mitophagy which is inhibited by RNA viruses like the herpes viruses. It also prevents autoimmunity by decreasing IgE levels which would prevent excess mast cell degranulation which would decrease histamines preventing and allergic response. It would also prevent over expreassion of TH2 immune response.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice this is written for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis)
Rooibos has very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It prevents high blood pressure and is cardioprotective. Rooibos helps protect the body from the negative effects of toxins. Rooibos helps protect the lungs from infections such as Sars-Covid because it is a potent ACE inhibitor. Rooibos helps prevent the damaging cytokine storms and oxidative stress caused by toxins and infection. Rooibos protects the liver and kidney from damage and improves their function. Rooibos reduce uric acid levels which can damage the renal system and bladder. High uric acid levels also causes joint pain and joint inflammation. RNA viruses like herpes and Covid damage the insulin producing cells. Rooibos prevents this from happening. It also prevents insulin resistance by by increasing glucose uptake into muscles cells and by increasing the secretion of insulin in pancreatic B-cells. Rooibos inhibits RNA virus replication and prevents them from entering the cells. Rooibos increases short chain fatty acid production by the microbiome which has many health benefits. Rooibos also increases Beta oxidation which would increase the bodies fat burning and increase cellular ATP levels which would help prevent obesity.
Another very interesting property of rooibos is it restores proper function of TH1 immune response. Sometimes when TH1 cannot respond properly it will be upregulated but because of excess inflammation it cannot respond properly. Rooibos inhibits IL-4 and increases IL-2 which would help restore TH1 homeostasis. The would improve the bodies ability to identify and remove offending pathogens.
Rooibos improves mitochondrial function in many ways which would prevent many types of chronic illness. Rooibos improves mitorchondrial respiration which increases fat browning this prevent s obesity. The phytochemicals and nutrients in rooibos prevents osteoporosis and improves bone health. Most herbs that prevent obesity would not be safe for those with type 1 diabetes but the many ways rooibos prevents obesity is through it correcting the issues that cause obesity. Another way rooibos helps with obesity it corrects leptin levels. Many who are obese develop leptin resistance and their bodies not longer respond properly to leptin. Rooibos seems to correct this.
Rooibos helps with gut inflammation and leaky gut because it blocks the effects of endotoxins which prevents them from damaging the gut. Rooibos health benefits are so obvious that they started researching it’s effects on health clear back in the 1700s.
High LDL and low HDL levels indicates the body is under a lot of inflammation and oxidative stress. Rooibos reduces LDL and increases HDL.
There are studies showing rooibos can damage the liver. Those studies used incredibly high and unreasonable amounts of rooibos. Water can kill you if you drink too much because it will flush the electrolytes from your body causing the heart to fail. Rooibos actually stimulates liver regeneration. Because of the many beneficial effects of rooibos it would be safe to assume it can help correct many autoimmune issues and inflammatory diseases.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Bitter Mellon (Momordica charantia)
Bitter melon is also known as bitter gourde, and some call it winter mellon. It should not be used during pregnancy it can induce bleeding, contractions and cause miscarriage. Bitter melon restores phagocytosis. Phagocytosis is involved in digesting and removing microorganisms from the body. Phagocytosis is also involved in removing dead cells from the body. It can be induced by microbes, cytokines and inflammation. If it is suppressed the immune system becomes inhibited and wound healing in the body becomes inhibited. Herpes, HIV and other RNA viruses inhibit phagocytosis. Bitter melon has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties. Bitter melon has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It activates AMPK which inhibits many viruses, increases mitochondrial beta oxidation which would help prevent weight gain and diabetes. Endotoxins and inflammation increases glycolysis and upregulates the tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA). This causes increased blood glucose levels and decreased insulin levels. This is a result of insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. Bitter melon decreases glycolysis and TCA activity. When glycolysis is upregulated it causes high lactic acid levels. The body usually burns fat as it’s main source of energy but switches to burning glucose when endotoxin, oxidative stress or inflammation levels are high. Bitter melon inhibits glycolysis preventing the body from using glucose for energy instead of fats. When the body switches to using glucose for energy instead of fats it creates an inflammatory state in the body. Bitter melons inhibition of glycolysis would also help reduce inflammation.
Those who are G6PD deficient should avoid bitter melon it can induce favism. Excess use of bitter melon can also damage the liver. Bitter melon consumed on an empty stomach can cause low glucose levels which can result in coma. In my opinion I would not use it unless it was for treatment of cancer where excess glycolysis is the cause and I would make certain a person is aware of their glucose levels to prevent comas occurring from the low glucose levels. Bitter melon does reduce fibrosis and the build up of fibrotic tissues so may help with diseases like liver fibrosis. Those with type 1 diabetes should definitely avoid bitter melon.
Bitter melon has also been shown to dramatically reduce fertility in male and females. It decreases estrogen and progesterone.
There are some benefits but with all the negative things that can occur I just could not see this one being a reliable herb to use for treating anything. It would act more like a pharmaceutical drug with all it’s side effects. It is an ACE inhibitor and prevents excess blood clotting and can even help with cardiovascular fibrosis but this one would have to be used with extreme caution.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am using this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Ashwangha
Ashwangha is sometimes called Withania which is good to be aware of. Ashwangha is good when the adrenals are stuff in fight or flight mode but if you continue to take it after the adrenals have calmed down you will reduce your cortisol levels too low. This results in reduced stamina because the body needs adrenal hormones to respond to increases psychological or physical stress. This can also result in excess blood clotting. It is best to pulse ashwangha if your adrenals are upregulated so you do not crash your cortisol levels. Ashwangha also upregulates thyroid function and can cause hyperthyroidism if taken for too long. I often times speak of balancing things ashwangha is one of those things that a person really needs to be diligent with when using. It is great when the adrenals are excessively upregulated but once things have calmed down if you continue taking it you may develop autoimmunity which results in skin rashes, joint pain, and many other health problems because cortisol is needed to tame the immune system and keep inflammation in check. Ashwangha can cause cortisol to become depleted. Cortisol is also needed by the body when increased blood pressure is needed. If cortisol is low blood pressure will become too low so use ashwangha cautiously. Now if used properly and in moderation ashwangha can increase stamina and tolerance to stress. Ashwangha does contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps with hypothyroidism so should be avoided by those with hyperthyroidism. It helps prevent insulin resistance and glucose intolerance. If used properly ashwangha can increase muscle mass and strength. It can improve sexual function and increase lubrication in a woman. It can increase male fertility. Ashwangha is in the nightshade family. It is related to things like the tomatilla and ground cherry. But it is not the fruit that is being used in supplements it is the root which means things are much much more concentrated. So in my opinion ashwangha consumption is almost like taking a medication. So be very very careful when taking it. Ashwangha does improve physical endurance and stamina if used correctly and in moderation. If used correctly Ashwangha can improve quality of sleep and mental alertness. Ashwangha increases testosterone in men and decreases testosterone in women. If used correctly it can help correct adrenal fatigue induce from excess stress or chronic illness causing the HPA axis to be upregulated excessively. Ashwangha is such a potent herb and can change hormone levels , so in my opinion it should only be used under the guidance of someone experienced in it’s use and who is aware of the hormone changes such as changes in cortisol levels and testosterone levels. Ashwangha can help a person lose weight if used correctly because excess stress can cause weight gain and ashwangha improves stress tolerance. Because of ashwanghas effects on hormones it can be effective against breast cancer if used correctly. Another danger of using ashwangha excessively is that it can cause low blood glucose levels.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Evening primrose oil. (Oenothera biennis)
It has been found to be very effective for reducing breast pain, premenstrual and menstrual pain in women. It is very high in flavonoids know to be potent at reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. It helps to prevent atopic dermatitis which usually results from autoimmunity. It suppresses the cytokines that cause sepsis and autoimmunity. Evening primrose oil improves the health of the skin by improving water balance. It prevent eye problems caused by autoimmunity and inflammation. It has been shown to reduce pain. It increases cognitive function and vitality. It is safe for breast feeding mothers. Evening primrose oil does reduce lithium levels in those taking lithium. The whole plant can be used. The leaves and roots are good for healing the gut.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I wrote this for education purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Pine bark extract (pinus pinaster)
French maritime pine bark is usually used but most pines have a very similar chemistry. But pinus pinaster seems to have the most proanthocyanidins (OPC). OPCs are some of the most potent phytochemicals for healing. They are also found in sweet peppers and grape seed extract. There are many types of OPCs but the ones found in pine bark extract, grape seed extract and green peppers are the most potent. OPCs improve red blood cell function. OPCs have potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Because of that it is neuroprotective and helps to prevent brain injury. Pine bark is effective against many types of bacteria especially those that cause meningitis. Pine bark extract also prevents allergies by inhibiting the release of histamines by mast cells.. If taken with other antioxidants it amplifies their effects. It reduces swelling in varicose veins and improves circulation. It is cardioprotective and increases nitric oxide levels. Pine bark extract prevents excess blood clotting. It reduces joint pain. It prevents muscle spasms and has been shown to reduce menstrual pain. It reduces the symptoms of ADHD. It has been found to inhibit HIV. Pine bark extract improves lung health even in smokers. It along with other supplements increases endurance.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Cat’s claw (unicaria tormentosa)
I rarely recommend this because there are some supplement companies that sell other plant products they have the name Cat’s claw but they are from a different species of plant. If you decide to use Cat’s claw make certain it is unicaria tormentosa. Samento is the name used by herbalist for Cat’s claw. If you get one of the other Cat’s claw herbs they stimulate the immune system. Unicaria balances the immune system. Endotoxins and gut inflammation causes high TNF-a which causes systemic inflammation. Cat’s claw blocks the production of TNF-a. This is most likely why it has been shown to reduce the symptoms of arthritis. It has very potent antioxidant properties. It has antimicrobial properties against fungus, bacteria and even viruses. It inhibits Sars-Covid infection. Anything that inhibits Sar-Covid will usually inhibit herpes infection also. Cat’s claw is very good at repairing DNA damage. Those who have tick born illness and herpes viruses suffer from severe DNA damage. Cat’s claw increase white blood cell count. Cat’s claw prevents herpes viruses from attaching to and entering cells. Cat’s claw improves the health of red blood cells protecting them from premature death. Cat’s claw has been shown to be effective at reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
If taken in excess it can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Balance is key to healing.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
I wrote this for educational purposes this is not medical advice. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Panax Gensing
When you are chronically ill lactic acid and urea can build up in the body this causes muscle fatigue and cramps, joint swelling and joint pain. Panax gensing reduces lactic acid and urea levels. Panax gensing increases the feel good hormones. It increases almost all the antioxidant enzymes in the body protecting the body from oxidative stress. Panax gensing improves oxygen uptake into cells which would increase fat burning, and improve energy levels. Panax gensing improves memory and brain cognitive function. Panax gensing helps with erectile dysfunction. Panax gensing is cardioprotective because it increases nitric oxide levels. It improves the function of the brain and improves adrenal function. Panax gensing increases lung capacity in those with COPD. The weight loss effects of panax gensing only occurs in those who have increased butyrate producing bacteria. Those who have low levels of butyrate bacteria do not experience weight loss when using panax gensing. Oddly panax gensing increases the lifespan of men but not women, it also increases the life span of those who have HIV. Panax gensing improves blood flow. Tissue ischemia is common in sepsis, inflammatory bowel diseases and interstitial cycstitis so it may help with tissue healing in those illnesses. Panax gensing dramatically reduces the risk of pancreatic cancer.
It should not be taken at night it can cause insomnia. Taking high doses can cause rapid heart beats, sore breast, headache, and loss of appetite. Also panax gensing can lower blood glucose levels so if a person takes it, it would probably be best to take it with food. Panax gensing is an immune stimulant so may not be good for those with an over responsive immune system. Because it is an immune stimulant it does help the body eradicate many types of infectious diseases. It stimulates many of the cytokines found to be over expressed in sepsis and inflammatory diseases so I would use panax gensing with caution. Because of it’s immune stimulating effects it has been found to be effective against a variety of infections including candida overgrowth.
One thing that is unique about panax gensing is it stimulates cytokines that are normally inflammatory but inhibits their ability to cause inflammation. So taking it when the immune system is already over activated may not be harmful but I have not found any studies involving it’s use in certain types of autoimmunity so I would be cautious using it if the immune system is over responsive. The way gensing including american gensing increases the cytokines that fight infection but prevent them from being inflammatory is the way they bind to lectin receptors. Lectin receptors can be inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. Ginseng polysaccharides bind to the lectin receptors in a way they stimulate the immune system but inhibit the ability to cause inflammation. Now for me panax gensing seemed to reduce my over responsiveness to things. I suspect it is because it increases IgA which is usually low in those who have leaky gut and it restores the guts ability to protect itself so it could heal. Leaky gut causes an over responsive immune system. Those who have Crohn’s and interstitial cystitis usually have low IgA levels. Panax gensing also increases white blood cells which is usually low in those with tick born illness especially Lyme disease.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice, I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Betaine (trimethylglycine)
Betaine is needed by the body to recycle certain proteins. If we are deficient in betaine we may develop high ammonia levels and toxic levels of glutamine in the brain. Betaine is also involved in sulfation. If betaine levels are low it can effect our BH4 and CBS pathways which can result in many health issues. The adrenals will not be able to function properly and our hormone levels will be off. Often times in women this can result in low progesterone. Taking betaine along with Pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P5P) , B12, molybdenum and manganese can help correct these issues. If they are not corrected a person will develop sensitivity to high sulfur foods and meat. Just a not betaine is sometimes called TMG by supplement producers. Do not get TMG HCL it is man made. Betaine aids in digestion and increases the absorption of certain nutrients like vitamin B12. Betaine helps to prevent homocysteine levels from getting too high. Beatine helps break down fatty acids in the liver and is involved in helping the body to detox. Betaine hastens the speed of increased muscle mass and improves muscle recovery time. Betaine improves cardiovascular health. Betaine reduces the risk of diabetes, obesity and Alzheimers. It helps reduce muscle aches and pains. Betaine is needed for proper skin hydration. If betaine levels are low a person can develop high homocysteine levels. Elevated homocysteine levels can cause excess blood clotting. Low levels of B vitamines especially folate can also cause high homosysteine levels.
Symptoms of high homocysteine levels are dizziness, fatigue, pale complexion, tingling in your hands or arms, tongue or mouth soreness. When levels get too high skin and eyes can start to turn yellow. It can lead to osteoporosis, heart failure or stroke. It can also cause dementia, ADHD, headaches, depression, mood swings, and eventually lead to Alzheimers.
Betaine helps fight viral infection. Type 1 interferon is inhibited by herpes viruses and by hepatitis viruses and many others. Betaine restores proper interferon function. This restores the ability to fight viral infections. Betaine also helps reduce the effects of endotoxins on the body.
It should not be used by pregnant women it can cause the placenta to break down.
Threonine is needed for collagen repair. Threonine support digestive health by improving the health of mucus in the gut. It is needed for muscle and joint health. Threonine is needed to break down fats in the body. A deficiency can cause fatty liver disease. Threonine speeds up wound healing in the body. Threonine maintains proper protein balance in the body. Threonine is needed for quality sleep. Threonine helps prevent sepsis a deficiency make a person prone to gut infections.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Magnolia bark
Reduces stress and anxiety. Promotes better sleep. Prevent Alzheimers. It normalizes the HPA axis. It reduces inflammatory cytokines caused by endotoxins. It reduces brain inflammation and prevents seizures. It stimulates the bodies natural steroids witch would reduce pain and inflammation and inflammatory diseases like asthma. Magnolia bark helps to prevent glucose intolerance. Magnolia bark is cardioprotective and prevents excess blood clotting. It is effective against a large variety of gut pathogens. It has been found to be effective against the herpes simplex virus and polio virus. Magnolia may prevent gastric ulcers. Magnolia bark enhances the insulin signaling pathway which can help prevent type 2 diabetes. It activates AMPK which increases mitochondrial beta oxidation which would prevent obesity and fatty liver disease. It can inhibit RNA viruses like Covid.
Written by Lee Stevenson , sorry I am a lousy editor.
I have written this for educational purposes , this is not medical advice. If you are ill seek the aid of a qualified and experienced functional medicine practitioner.
Burdock root (Arctium spp)
Burdock root has very potent antioxidant properties. Burdock root increases mitochondrial respiration which would prevent diabetes, glucose intolerance and obesity. It contains B-sitosterol which prevents diabetes. B-sitosterol has sedative effects so burdock root should be used at night. Burdock root prevents lung fibrosis. Burdock root improves memory in those with Alzheimer’s . Burdock root has potent antioxidant properties. Burdock root inhibits the inflammatory cytokines that cause autoimmunity and sepsis. It inhibits the effects of endotoxins on the body. Burdock root reverses aging in the skin. Burdock root inhibits blood clotting.. Burdock root is neuroprotective. It reverses some of the effects of Alzheimers. It helps prevent lung fibrosis from it’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Burdock root increases fat burning in the body. Burdock protects the body and detoxes it of cadmium and mercury. Burdock root has potent antifunfal and antiviral properties. It inhibits RNA viruses including herpes viruses . Burdock inhibits mast cell degranulation which would reduce histamines. Burdock root helps to prevent anaphylaxis. Burdock root help to prevent leptin resistance which can cause obesity. Burdock increases exercise performance and endurance. Burdock root increases biogenesis which increases fat burning and increase ATP levels which would reduce fatigue. Burdock root helps to reduce ammonia levels in the body. Burdock root also prevents urinary tract infections. I could go on about the benefits but I think I painted a clear picture of the health benefits.
As for side effects I could not find studies that tested for that but the root is eaten for food in many cultures so I would say it’s safety has been tested.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This has been written for educational purposes, it should not be taken as medical advice. If you are ill please find an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
Berberine
There are many plants that contain berberine. It is best to research which may be the best fit for the individual. Barberry, bayberry, coptis, oregon grape root and many other plants. Berberine can protect against metabolic disease and diabetes. Berberine reduces joint inflammation. Berberine improves cardiovascular health. Berberine prevents depression and cognitive decline. Berberine can promote weight loss. Berberine prevents lung inflammation. It has a short half life so needs to be taken more then once a day. Berberine helps to reduce bacteria overgrowth in the gut. Berberine helps to protect the liver. Berberine has potent anti-inflammatory properties. Berberine has a broad range of antimicrobial properties and even kills parasites. The antioxidant properties of berberine are comparable to that of vitamin C. Berberine’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects contribute to it ability to protect the renal system. Berberine prevents insulin resistance and improves glucose intolerance. Berberine improves kidney and liver function. Berberine increases the bodies natural steroids which reduces inflammation. Berberine prevents candida overgrowth. Endotoxins cause leaky gut. Berberine heals the gut and prevents the negative effects of the endotoxins. Berberine prevents fatty liver disease by balancing the microbiome. Berberine improves mitochondrial respiration which increases cellular ATP levels which would prevent obesity. Berberine also increase the microbes in the gut that prevent obesity. Berberine reduces B-catenin levels which would inhibit herpes and corona viruses from entering the cells.
Bererine has been found to inhibit many types of infection from amoeba to viral. It has been shown to be effective against Covid and herpes.
Excess consumption of berberine can cause stomach pain or cramping, distention, flatulence, nausea , diarrhea or constipation. Very high doses can cause low blood pressure and flu like symptoms. It can cause uterine contractions so should not be used by pregnant women.
This is not medical advice , I am writing this for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of an experienced and knowledgeable functional medicine practitioner.
Melatonin
Melatonin has so many benefits I may not be able to describe them all. One thing to take note of with melatonin if your vitamin D levels are low it will actually disrupt your sleep and possibly cause nighmare. When vitamin D levels are adequate it promotes deep restful sleep and does not cause nightmares. If taken it should be taken about and hour before bed time. Melatonin can help restore the bodies circadian rhythm . Melatonin improves mood and prevents depression. Low melatonin increases the risk of breast cancer. Melatonin improves cardiovascular health. Melatonin is a very potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It has been found to help reduce symptoms of autoimmunity and sepsis. Melatonin improves the function of the immune system. Melatonin helps to prevent over active bladder and muscle spasms. Melatonin increases the bladders capacity. Melatonin removes free radicals from the body. Melatonin prevents mitochondrial leakage which prevents the production of free radicals. Meltonin stimulates the release of antioxidant enzymes. Meltonin increases G6PD which is often times low in those with Lyme disease or who have consumed foods high in glyphosate. Melatonin inhibits the negative effects of endotoxins. Melatonin improves the health of the liver and kidney. Meltonin protects the brain and nerves from injury. Melatonin improves lung health and prevents allergies. Melatonin reduces NLRP3 expression which is overexpressed in autoimmunity, Crohn’s disease and interstitial cystitis. Melatonin alleviates the symptoms of Alzheimers disease and protects the brain from injury. The improvement of mitochondrial function by melatonin helps protect from viral infection and has been shown to protect from Covid. Melatonin also prevents viruses from entering the cells. Melatonin speeds up recovery from sepsis.
Before taking melatonin a person has to make sure they are not deficient in vitamin D which studies show most are. Vitamin D deficiency makes a person extremely susceptible to infection. A person should not take more then 5000 IU of vitamin D a day. If a person is deficient in vitamin D then they will react negatively to melatonin and it will cause disrupted sleep patterns instead of enhancing sleep. Melatonin is an extremely potent antioxidant and it protects the mitochondria from oxidative stress. Melatonin is antiaging. This increases cellular ATP levels and enhances mitochondrial membraine potential meaning it is easier for the mitochondria to clean the bad out while transporting into the mitochondria the things needed. Melatonin is so important for mitochondria health that the mitochondria produces it’s own melatonin. If oxidative phosphorylation becomes inhibited or damaged many free radicals are formed causing the mitochondria to function even more poorly. Melatonin prevents this from happening. When oxidative phosphorylation is inhibited diabetes and obesity can occur. If melatonin is not the most potent antioxidant it is sure up there at the top in it’s power to reduce free radicals. Melatonin has been found to protect from the harm infection like corona can cause. Melatonin reduces the outbreak of herpes and helps prevent the damage that occurs from herpes virus infections.
Taking extremely high doses can cause nausea, dizziness, headache, lethargy, sleepiness, disorientation and decreased motor skills. It should not be taken during waking hours. It can delay puberty in children because it inhibits prolactin production. It also inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons which could also delay puberty.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice I am writing this for educational purposes . If you are ill please seek the aid of an experienced and qualified functional medicine practitioner.
NAC (N-acetylcysteine)
The FDA is trying to ban NAC so it may not be available soon. It seems it must be hurting their corporate sponsors wallet.
NAC boost glutathione levels which is one of the most potent antioxidants in the body. NAC helps to reduce the symptoms of PCOS. It improves male and female fertility. NAC prevents mitochondria and DNA damage. It reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. It improves the health of the mucus layers throughout the body including the gut and bladder. NAC promotes glutamate and dopamine homeostasis. VEGF is overexpressed during infections especially by Covid and herpes viruses. It causes damage throughout the body. NAG inhibits VEGF. NAC increases ATP levels in the cells. Most are deficient in Nitric oxide. NAC increases nitric oxide levels. NAC has been found to improve the health of the lungs. NAC reduces allergic symptoms. NAC blocks and prevents the formation of biofilms by pathogens. NAC has been found very effective at reducing the symptoms of Crohn’s disease. It helps to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance preventing diabetes and obesity. If taken in moderation it reduces excess homocysteine but if taken in excessively high amounts it can increase homocysteine levels. NAC has been found to reduce the symptoms of sleep Apnea. NAC inhibits the replication of many viruses and bacteria. NAC has been found to be effective against Covid and at reducing the replication of the herpes viruses. NAC helps prevent fatigue. NAC helps to prevent many types of eye disease and autoimmune diseases. NAC helps prevent many types of mental disorders. Xenobiotics disrupt mitochondrial function and oxidative balance. NAC restores mitochondrial function and oxidative balance.
If taken in excess it can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It thins the blood so taking very high amounts is not recommended. Most studies I read that were effective the patient had taken NAC for at least three months. The shorter term studies seem to show very little benefits so it seems it takes a while to start feeling the health benefits of NAC.
Written by Lee Stevenson, sorry I am a lousy editor.
This is not medical advice this is for educational purposes. If you are ill please seek the aid of a knowledgeable and qualified medical practitioner.
NAG (N-acetylglutamate)
A deficiency in NAG can cause high levels of ammonia in the blood. It is used in the first step of the urea cycle to remove ammonia from the body. It also helps to protect the lining of the digestive tract from injury. It reduces intestinal inflammation. It may promote neurological and brain healing. It helps to repair soft tissue throughout the body including in the joints. Infection and inflammation or certain toxins can result in the production of NAG being inhibited. This will cause severe headaches, nausea and vomiting from the high ammonia levels. NAG can help reduce the ammonia levels in the body. If a person is experiencing these symptoms they should reduce their intake of proteins until this is corrected. A deficiency in glucagon found in diabetes and obesity can also cause the urea cycle to become inhibited. NAG increases protein synthesis in the muscles. ATP is needed to use NAG so things like nicatinomide and CoQ10 might improve it’s effectiveness because they help increase ATP levels.
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