Alternatives To Traditional Medicine

The brain is composed of one hundred billion neurons. These neurons are supported by approximately one trillion supporting cells called glial cells. The brain comprises approximately 2% of total body weight, while burning approximately 20-30% of all the calories used by the body. The brain is a soft structure, like custard, protected by a hard skull.

At the core of almost all neurologic damage and disease is a mitochondrial energy failure caused by free radical damage. It is amazing to me that a single root cause leads to so many different manifestations of neurologic dysfunction.

Let’s talk about the causes or specific triggers of neurologic disease:
1. Physical trauma, as in a fall, automobile accident, sports injury, or assault.
2. Emotional trauma, as in abuse or post traumatic stress disorder.
3. Drugs
4. Alcohol
5. Chronic unrelenting stress, which may be emotional, physical, or infectious.
6. Environmental toxins, including insecticides, organochlorines, organophosphates, or solvents.
7. Toxic metals, especially mercury, lead, and aluminum
a. Mercury is the root cause of the majority of neurologic diseases, including autism, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis. An interesting film clip from the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology shows the mercury release from set dental amalgam fillings. Especially fascinating is the increase in vapor volume demonstrated with contact to the teeth, as in chewing food or gum, dental work and drilling. The site address is http://www.iaomt.org/videos/
b. Lead exposure in children has been shown to affect their IQ and cause learning disabilities.
c. Aluminum is strongly associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
8. Oxygen deprivation, as in stroke, or cerebral palsy at birth
9. Genetic predisposition may make certain individuals more likely to be affected, but they do require an environmental trigger in order to manifest the susceptibility.
10. Nutrient deficiencies

There are some general treatments that apply to all neurologic disease. The body needs basic nutrients in the form of real food and supplements, and filtered water. If repair is going to take place, we must rid ourselves of nutrient deficient, processed foods, and fast foods. We need to avoid toxins, including nicotine and caffeine, both of which decrease blood flow to the brain. The supplements that I emphasize, that support nerve and brain tissue, are the B vitamins, especially B1 (thiamine), B6, folic acid, and B12. Essential fatty acids, both omega 3 and omega 6, are components of the nerve cell membrane and the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerve. Phospholipids, specifically phosphatdylcholine and phosphatidylserine, are also important parts of the cell membrane and the myelin sheath. There is a greater volume of fat in the brain tissue than there is actual nerve tissue (so if someone calls you a fathead, don’t take offense—they’re correct!).

Other nutrients that are very important to reverse the ongoing damage to the brain include many antioxidants, specifically glutathione, alpha-lipoic acid, selenium, and melatonin. Unfortunately, glutathione, perhaps the most important antioxidant in the brain, cannot be absorbed intact when taken orally. It can be administered intravenously or transdermally (through the skin), or the three basic components can be taken orally. The B vitamins, co-enzyme Q 10, L carnitine or acetyl-carnitine, ribose and magnesium are all known nutrients that can support the brain bioenergetics or mitochondrial system, from which all the energy of the cells is made.

There are many nutrients that are supposed to improve memory. I have not seen any of these options help dramatically with my patients, but the following nutrients support brain function:

• Phosphatidylserine
• Gingko biloba
• DHA
• Huperzine
• Vinpocetine
• Alpha-lipoic acid
• Co-enzyme Q10
• Vitamins C & E
• Pregnenolone

Additional nutrients, called nerve growth factors, because of their influence on nerve growth, include phosphatidylserine, glycerophosphocholine (GPC), and acetyl-carnitine.

Stem cells are cells that can become any cell, including nerve cells. Although there are ethical dilemmas with stem cell research, the potential for healing damaged tissue is exciting, and there are other ways to obtain stem cells besides the controversial sources which are in the news today.

In addition to these nutrients and the ones mentioned above, there are substances that support the neurotransmitters in the brain. The amino acid tryptophan and 5HTP, a breakdown product of tryptophan, are precursors of serotonin. L-Dopa, which is found in several herbs, and tyrosine, another amino acid, are precursors of dopamine. Both of these neurotransmitters are implicated in causing anxiety, depression, and attention difficulties. If there is too much excitation in the brain from excitatory neurotransmitters, theanine, taurine, and lactium may suppress nervousness, irritability, and anxiety. SAMe, cysteine and activated B5 provide excitatory support and may help with depression, fatigue, apathy, and lack of motivation.

Decreasing stress is a critical element in repairing the brain. This may include lifestyle changes, meditation, and relaxing music. You will also find that expressing gratitude about life’s blessings and earth’s beauty may be a very important component in repair of the brain. Exercise, humor and appropriate amounts of sleep are also very helpful.

Hyperbaric oxygen is a generic drug for brain rehabilitation. It is classified as a drug in a hyperbaric chamber because the oxygen content of the body is well above the physiologic range for oxygen when one is treated in a chamber. If we want to know if hyperbaric oxygen will improve a neurologic condition, we can obtain a SPECT scan before and after one hyperbaric oxygen treatment. If improvement is seen on the second scan, we know that the hyperbaric oxygen is an effective treatment for this individual. Hyperbaric oxygen mobilizes stem cells from the bone marrow. It also acts as a DNA signaling agent to stimulate production of growth and repair hormones, and upregulate their respective receptors in the brain.

Low dose dilantin is a modulator of biochemical activity in the brain and nerves. At low doses of 100-300 mg /day, it can stabilize the nerve membrane to reduce a hyperexcitability state and is extremely safe.

I'll be addressing specific neurologic diseases in upcoming articles. Stay tuned for more information in this very important field!