Scleroderma and Autoimmunity

 

Scleroderma may seem like a far out topic but it is a good example of an autoimmune condition and many of the principles related to it apply to other autoimmune disorders. Scleroderma is an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue. It is characterized by thickening and hardening of the skin and internal organs if they are involved in the disease. The disease can be confined to the skin or can involved other tissues. It is often accompanies by Raynaud's phenomenon. Environmental Exposures One factor involved in the condition is toxic exposures. The disease can be induced by exposure to organic solvents, plastics, drugs, silicone, and other pollutants. These may attache to collagen and trigger the immune system to attack the tissues themselves rather than the pollutants. Plastics and solvents are everywhere in the environment. Avoidance of problem exposures can slow the progress or reverse the course of the disease. Detoxification can therefore be helpful. Digestion Another contributor to this autoimmune condition can be digestive issues. Those with scleroderma can develop slow transit time and reduced motility of the digestive tract. This can alter the microbiome-- the bacteria living in the digestive tract. Some of these alterations can contribute to autoimmunity. Trials of digestive aids and probiotics are often helpful at addressing digestive issues. Nutrient Deficiencies One of the hallmarks of many autoimmune conditions is deficiency of vitamin D. This vitamin plays a role in the development of the immune system. Deficiencies contribute to the development of autoimmune conditions. Half of those with scleroderma in one study were quite deficient in vitamin D. Another common deficiency in scleroderma is inadequate zinc. Loss of taste, a characteristic of zinc deficiency, often takes place during treatment for scleroderma. Scleroderma is a condition in which the tissues become rigid and unresponsive. This is called fibrotic. Several nutrients tend to help prevent fibrotic conditions including vitamin D, vitamin E, and PABA, a B vitamin. All of these have been used to try to treat scleroderma, often with good results. The active polyphenol in tea, EGCG, also appears to have an anti-fibrotic effect. Oxidative damage is increased in those with scleroderma. Vitamin E helps address oxidative damage along with its ability to prevent hardening of the tissues. Oxidative damage leads to inflammation which moves the disease process along. Unresolved inflammation leads to fibrotic conditions. Resolution of inflammation is regulated by resolvins which are manufactured from omega-3 fatty acids. References: Vitamin D deficiency associated with hypertension and skin involvement. The role of resolvins in systemic sclerosis. Polyphenols and fibrosis. Natural remedies for scleroderma. ASIA ASIS stands for Autoimmune Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants. It is also known as Shoenfeld's syndrome. Adjuvants in vaccines are used to enhance the immune response to a vaccine. These adjuvants can trigger autoimmune conditions. Common adjuvants in many vaccines include mercury, aluminum. and other substances. Article on ASIA. The Bottom Line There are over 80 different types of autoimmune conditions. The nature of the problem is simple. The body's immune system attacks its own tissues. There are doubtless many factors that can trigger this process yet at its root is oxidative damage and inflammation. It is estimated that about one in ten people in the United States have an autoimmune condition. These conditions can be triggered by exposure to toxic compounds in the environment or those introduced into our bodies through diet (aluminum), surgery (silicone breast impants or mercury in the teeth), or vaccines and the adjuvants they contain. Autoimmunity can often be treated, but best results will be achieved by improving health to decrease the abnormal functioning of the body.

Psoriasis

 I was recently asked about psoriasis. This condition is believed to be an autoimmune condition. It is characterized by inflamed scaly lesions covered with a silvery-white scale. Pitted fingernails may also be present.

Heavy alcohol consumption is known to increase the incidence of psoriasis. Food allergies can also play a role. Over 10% of those with psoriasis have a strong intolerance to gluten found in wheat, rye, oats and barley. Dealing with other food intolerances will often result in substantial improvement of the condition. This can be done with an elimination diet or actual testing for food intolerances.

Large amounts of animal protein can make psoriasis worse while a vegan diet often results in improvement. This may be due to the fact that most animal products in the United States are loaded with inflammatory fat (arachidonic acid). Leukotriene B4 appears to be involved in the development of psoriasis and this compound is a byproduct of metabolism of arachidonic acid, the inflammatory compound found in animal products when they are fed corn. Fish oils can remove arachidonic acid from cell membranes and numerous trials for 1-4 months have shown that fish oils or increasing dietary intake of fish will often result in significant improvement of psoriasis.

Vitamin D is known to help prevent autoimmune conditions and analogues of the vitamin have been used medically to treat the condition. Testing of blood levels of the vitamin are worthwhile looking at in those with psoriasis. Very little research has been done in this area.

Injections of vitamin B2 have been shown to improve some cases of psoriasis. This vitamin interacts with light which may be a mechanism of why it helps. Ultraviolet light has been used to treat psoriasis.

Chromium and zinc may be important if blood sugar issues are contributing to the condition. If thyroid function is low treating this can result in improvement of psoriasis.

Some have suggested that an overgrowth of fungus in the digestive tract may contribute to the condition. This would explain why psoriasis is often associated with excessive consumption of sugar or alcohol. An anti-Candida diet may be worth a try.

The most important nutrients to look at with psoriasis would be omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. The most important dietary factors would be to avoid sugars and foods high in inflammatory omega-6 fats.

References:

Link to government study on psoriasis and vitamin D.

Case studies on vitamin D and psoriasis.

Major Newsletter on Fasting and Autophagy

 Below you will find a link to a major paper I have done on fasting. This series of studies are among the most important I have worked on over the years. Fasting is one of the most powerful factors involved in promoting healing and extending life. This is true across the animal kingdom. Understanding ketones is essential for dealing with weight loss and diabetes. If the link does not work go to www.imageawareness.com, click on the newsletter tab, scroll down to 2025 and click on "Fasting and Ketones."

Intermittent Fasting vs. Carb Restriction

 My master's dissertation was on the subject of fasting. Many benefits of the practice were known when I wrote on the topic in 1972 but science has come a long way since. We now know how fasting provides benefits at the molecular level through autophagy--literally "self eating". Fasting is difficult for many people even though they would like the benefits the practice offers.

A recent study suggests that restriction of carbohydrates without restriction of calories may provide many of the benefits of fasting. The researchers conclude: " These findings demonstrate that carbohydrate restriction, without altering energy intake, can elicit effects similar to those observed in short-term fasting. As such we propose a strategy of repeated carbohydrate restriction cycles alone may be an emerging alternative approach for the enhancement of cardiometabolic health, warranting further investigation."

Reference:

Article on the benefits of fasting.

Article on carbohydrate restriction providing benefits of fasting.

Recipe to Prevent Tooth Decay

 Weston Price was a dentist who was more interested in preventing tooth decay than in treating diseased teeth. In one of his studies he supplemented the diet of children with very bad tooth decay with one meal a day six days a week for 3-5 months. The diets of these children contained large quantities of sugar, white flour and fats. The diet resulted in the control of dental caries after six weeks. Price wrote, "Clinically this program completely controlled the dental caries of each member of the group." Two different teachers approached Price to ask what he had done to take one of the poorest learners in the class to make his one of the best learners. This diet is a very simple illustration of a diet that was historically effective in producing healthy teeth and better functioning brains.

Following is the diet Price fed his patients to stop tooth decay:

1. 4 ounces of tomato or orange juice.
2. A mixture of cod liver oil and high vitamin butter at the beginning of the meal.
3. A pint of vegetable and meat stew made from bone marrow and fine cuts of tender meat and large quantities of carrots and finely chopped vegetables.
4. Rolls made from freshly ground whole wheat spread with high vitamin butter.
5. Two glasses of whole milk.
6. Variation of the stew with fish chowder or the organs of animals.

Reference:

Price, Weston, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, pp288-289.

Major Newsletter on Fiber

 Below you will find a link to a major paper I have done on fiber. This series of studies are among the most important I have worked on over the years. Fiber is one of the most important and also one of the most neglected and overlooked subjects in the nutrition field. If the link does not work go to www.imageawareness.com, click on the newsletter tab, scroll down to 2025 and click on "Importance of Fiber."

Anthocyanins Protect Against Microplastics

A very real concern of modern medicine is the damage that microplastics can do to the reproductive systems of men and women. These compounds are everywhere in the environment and in our bodies. One of the most common sources of exposure is consuming water from plastic bottles. Microplastics can impair fertility and harm pregnancy and may put the development of the fetus at risk.

A recent study found that anthocyanins, the coloring pigments in fruits and vegetables have the ability to protect the reproductive organs from damage by microplastics. The benefit of the anthocyanins appears to result from their beneficial interaction with male and female hormone receptors within the body. The anthocyanins discussed in this research paper are those found in berries such as those found in NeoLife Tre. Anthocyanins protect the body from inflammation and oxidative damage which appears to be the pathway by which microplastics do their damage.

Reference:

Article on Microplastics and Reproductive Health.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Stroke

Deficiency of vitamin D is one of the most frequently identified nutrient deficiencies. It is estimated that over a billion people in the world are deficient. Any measurement below 30 ng/ml is considered insufficient or deficient. Low vitamin D levels are associated with a number of disease states including autoimmune conditions, flu or influenza, heart disease, depression, cancer, fractures, type 2 diabetes and even, recently, stroke risk. Stroke is the second most common cause of death in the world.

Vitamin D is important for absorption of calcium and phosphorus which are critical for healthy bones. Lack of adequate intake of vitamin D can decrease phosphorus absorption to 60% and calcium absorption to 10-15 percent of dietary intake.

Low levels of vitamin D appears to increase the risk of stroke, increase the risk of death from stroke in white people, and may impair recovery after a stroke.

Oral bisphosphonates (such as Fosamax and Boniva) are often recommended for bone loss along with calcium. A recent study suggests that the use of calcium with the bisphosphonates may actually increase the risk of one type of stroke. The researchers conclude with the following observation: "The results of the present study suggest that the long-term use of calcium supplements without vitamin D increases the risk of cardioembolic IS (ischemic stroke), which seems particularly great when used in combination with oral bisphosphonates."

Reference:

Link to Review Article on stroke and vitamin D deficiency.

Bisphosphonates, calcium, and stroke risk

Major Newsletter on History of Nutrition

 It has been a while since I have done a major newsletter on a nutrition topic. Below you will find a link to a major paper I have done on the history of modern nutrition and how important concepts emerged. This series of studies are one of the most important I have worked on over the years. If the link does not work go to www.imageawareness.com, click on the newsletter tab, scroll down to 2025 and click on "Early History."

Cell Phone Addiction

 Most people have never thought of addiction to the internet and cell phone yet there is a good deal of evidence that such is possible. Daniel Cummins has referred to cell phones as "the addiction in our pocket." His talk is well worth reading and a link is provided below. Consider the following quote from Puente and Balmori:

"Dopamine seems to be the most active, although it’s not the only one. Although each drug possesses its own mechanism of action, all of them intervene to a greater or lesser measure on a neuronal reward circuit known as the mesolimbic dopaminergic system, that favors, by means of pleasurable sensations, adaptive behaviors. Those systems of reward are located in the primitive part of the brain, where the processes of survival are inaccessible to the conscious or voluntary mind....Dependency or addiction to cell phones could have a physiological base, due to the interruptions that the microwaves provoke in the neurotransmitters in the neural synapses of the reward system of the brain. These effects are still under investigation and it is too soon to understand the neurophysiological basis of cell phone addiction."

Dr. Ramalingam Peraman wrote a letter to the editor of the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine in 2016 in which he concluded:

"It is a right time to initiate preventive measures against mobile phone mania, among students and public health without further delay as well. Everyone has to accept that relationship with mobile phones are risky for anyone, and it can steer us into “mobile phone mania” or “nomophobia,” a psychological disorder which is equally dangerous as similar to narcotic drug addictions."

Links to article on addiction to cell phones. Puente and Balmori, Addiction to cell phones: Are there neurophysiological mechanisms involved?

Letter by Dr. Ramalingam Peraman.

Cummins, Daniel, The Addiction in Our Pocket, February 27, 2024.

PowerPoint Presentation by Dr. Anna Lembke of Stanford University on dopamine addiction.

Review of Lembke's Book.

Link to Amazon site on the book.

Balance Body Chemistry for Happiness: Dopamine and Serotonin

 

Long term happiness is built upon a balance of neurotransmitters in the nervous system and brain. Problems often develop around the balance between dopamine and serotonin. Dopamine is the pleasure molecule which can become addictive. Serotonin is the happiness molecule. Excessive production of dopamine can result in an endless pursuit of pleasure even though it results in misery and depression.

Dopamine is associated with the familiar addiction and withdrawal symptoms experienced by those using heroin and cocaine. Elevated levels of dopamine are also associated with something called addiction transfer. For example, when someone stops smoking they often begin overeating and gain weight. They are now eating for a dopamine hit rather than getting it from smoking. Alcoholics often become addicted to sugar and caffeine when they quit drinking. The two addictive substances that are legal and readily available are sugar and caffeine in sodas and coffee. The two are often combined for a dopamine high. Dopamine acts upon opiate receptors in the emotional part of the brain. Without dopamine there would be little motivation to do anything. The contentment and happiness action of the brain is regulated by serotonin.Too much dopamine can interfere with serotonin formation leading to unhappiness and depression.

A third substance which plays a role in the balance between pleasure and contentment or happiness is cortisol or our stress hormone. Stress lowers serotonin levels contributing to depression.

Our society is heavily weighted in habits that promote high dopamine levels and low serotonin levels. Factors involved include recreational drug use, lack of sleep and excess sugar which drives up cortisol levels, addictions, addictive highly processed foods, and insulin resistance. Dopamine production is encouraged by high levels of of the amino acids phenylalanine and tyrosine.

How does diet affect all this?

Tryptophan is the precursor to serotonin. It must compete with phenylalanine and tyrosine for transport in the body. Eggs, fish, nuts and poultry are relatively high in tryptophan on the right kind of diet. Unfortunately, when they are fed corn things change. Corn has very little tryptophan, but is loaded with phenylalanine and tyrosine. Feeding corn to chickens, beef, and fish has created a relative deficiency of the one amino acids upon which we are most dependent for long term happiness and avoiding depression.

Omega-3 fatty acids play a key role in the dance between balanced levels of dopamine and serotonin. Inflammation inhibits serotonin release and omega-3 fats reduce inflammation. NeoLife Omega-3 Salmon Oil Plus reduced the inflammatory index by 68% in 8 weeks in one study. Omega-3 fats are essential for the resolution of inflammation through the production of resolvins and protectins. Omega-3 fats also have a powerful anti-anxiety effect similar to marijuana and SSRI inhibitors without the risks associated with these substances.

I have tried to simplify a complex issue on the causes of anxiety and depression. Full details are available in the following book:

Lustig, Robert H., The Hacking of the American Mind, New York: Penguin Books, 2017.

Practical Summary: Avoid junk food, drugs, allergens, corn fed animal products, sugar, and lack of sleep. Supplement the diet with omega-3 fats and rich sources of tryptophan to avoid anxiety and depression and live a happy and contented life.

Aloe Vera: Herb with Many Benefits

 Aloe vera is one of the most well researched herbs and most widely used in skin care products. It has been used to heal wounds since the time of Alexander the Great and recognized as one of the few means of successfully treating radiation burns since World War II. Aloe vera has benefits both when applied externally and when consumed internally. Quality varies with how the aloe is processed. The outer part of the leaf can contain a toxic substance, barbaloin or aloin A, which can be particularly problematic if consumed internally. This should be removed from aloe products designed for both internal use and for external application. NeoLife has both an aloe drink and a cosmetic aloe gel.

An article by Sharma and associates says, "The pharmacologically active ingredients of aloe are concentrated in inner parenchymatous tissue, called aloe gel and outer pericyclic tubules, called aloe sap or aloe juice. The bioactive compounds from Aloe vera are very effective in various treatments, such as burns, allergic reactions, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatic fever, acid indigestion, ulcers, diabetes, skin diseases, dysentery, diarrhoea, piles and inflammatory conditions of the digestive system. Most of the health benefits associated with Aloe vera have been attributed to the polysaccharides contained in the gel of the leaf. Cosmetic products made from Aloe gives a healthy and supple look to the skin by reducing wrinkles, curing acne, rejuvenating and giving it a youthful glow." 

Reference:

Link to article on the many benefits of aloe vera. Sharma, Priyanka, et al., A Review on the pharmaceutical properties of aloe vera, Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 29(2), November – December 2014; Article No. 07, Pages: 31-37. If the article does not come up you can do a search for it on Google Scholar.

Polyphenols and Aging

 

The world has come a long way from the 1980's when I remember a famous medical radio talk show hots arguing that the flavonoids and polyphenols in citrus and other foods were not essential nutrients and offered no benefit. A recent article titled The Epigenetic Link between Polyphenols, Aging and Age-Related diseases points out that polyphenols mimic the effects of caloric restriction on the DNA of cells in the body. Fasting or caloric restriction is generally accepted as one of the most successful means of prolonging lifespan and reducing the incidence of degenerative diseases of aging in both humans and animals.

Polyphenols do not change genes, but they change the way genes function through a process called epigenetics (this literally means "on top of the genes)." This highly technical article suggests that polyphenols not only slow the aging process but can also be beneficial in a number of health conditions including cancer, arthritis, heart disease, nerve degeneration, diabetes, lung and kidney problems, and Alzheimer's. After discussing many polyphenols, the article concludes "These polyphenols and many others provide evidence that polyphenol-rich diets may provide benefits to an organism's health and display strong anti-aging properties as well as attenuate the effects of various diseases."NeoLife has long been a leader in polyphenol research and has many products which include flavonoids and polyphenols including Tre, Flavonoid Complex, NeoLife Tea, Aloe Drink, and Super C.

Reference:

Link to article on polyphenols and aging. Arora, I., Sharma, M., Sun, L. Y., & Tollefsbol, T. O. (2020). The Epigenetic Link between Polyphenols, Aging and Age-Related Diseases. Genes, 11(9), 1094. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes11091094

Inspiration and Enjoyment: Darci

 

This newsletter touches on factors involed in pleasure and happiness. The following video links are a couple of my favorites. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have as you watch the amazing performances of Darci Lynne.

Darci Lynne Begins Video Number One

Darci Lynne Puppet Sings Opera

"Superpowers of Polyphenols"

 AARP recently published an article with the above title. The benefits of polyphenols are no secret to anyone who has been involved with NeoLife since the company was instrumental in introducing polyphenol supplements many years ago and has been involved in scientific bodies involved in polyphenol research. NeoLife polyphenol supplements include Tre (#3010), Flavonoid Complex (#3302), and NeoLife Tea(#3860).

The AARP article focuses on the benefit of polyphenols for older persons who often have elevated levels of free radicals in the body that can contribute to aging and disease. The article also emphasizes the role that these substances can play in promoting better memory and slowing cognitive decline.

Link to AARP article The Superpowers of Polyphenols.

The Risk of Daily Aspirin

 The Annenberg Public Policy Center recently reported the following: "For years, healthy older adults were advised by doctors to take a low-dose aspirin daily to reduce the risk of heart attack. But in March 2019, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) announced new guidelines and no longer routinely recommended a daily dose of aspirin for healthy adults over the age of 70 because the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding outweighs the benefits." The article points out that five years later almost half of Americans still believe that the benefits of daily use of aspirin outweigh the risks. Almost one in five Americans with no family history of heart disease take low dose aspirin on a regular basis.

Dr. Jonathan Wright wrote an article long ago suggesting that doctors would probably be better off recommending supplementation with quality omega-3 fatty acids than aspirin for promotion of health and reduction in risk of heart disease. NeoLife Salmon Oil Plus contains all 8 members of the omega-3 family, is a ultra-high potency concentrate, and is tested for over 200 pollutants with a standard of zero.

Link to Annenberg paper on the risks of aspirin.

Aging Vitamin D, Omega-3, and Exercise

 A major study out of Switzerland was recently published reporting that vitamin D, omega-3 fats, and exercise all slow the rate of aging. This three year study found that this combination slowed the aging process by almost four months. The report concluded, "In summary, our trial indicates a small protective effect of omega-3 treatment on slowing biological aging over 3 years across several clocks, with an additive protective effect of omega-3, vitamin D and exercise based on PhenoAge." The effect of omega-3 fats was the key nutrient they looked at, but the observation was made that vitamin D and exercise added benefit in an attempt to slow the aging process.

Over 2,000 individuals were involved in this trial. The researchers had done earlier studies showing the benefits of each of the measures in improving aging. This study looked at each of the factors individually and also all three collectively. The conclusion was that these health measures resulted in epigenetic changes to the genes. In other words, the genes themselves were not altered, but the manner in which they functioned was.

The researchers observed that "omega-3 alone reduced the rate of infections by 13% (ref. 22) and the rate of falls by 10% (ref. 23), and all three interventions combined had a significant additive benefit on reducing prefrailty by 39% (ref. 24) and incident invasive cancer by 61% (ref. 25) over a 3-year follow-up."

Amazing results like these provide a strong motivation to exercise and obtain adequate intake of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids. The vitamin D intake was 2,000 IU per day and the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids was 1,000 mg per day. Exercise was done at home.

Reference:

Link to article of aging and omega-3. Bischoff-Ferrari, Heike A., et al., Individual and additive effects of vitamin D, omega-3 and exercise on DNA methylation clocks of biological aging in older adults from the DO-HEALTH trial, Nature Aging, February 3, 2025.

Juicing Can Be Inflammatory

One of the basic principles of a healthy diet is to eat whole foods. Juicing is often recommended as a health improvement measure. Juicing has the advantage of breaking down the cell walls of plant material and increasing the availability of nutrients. There is, however, an argument to be made against the long term use of juice diets.

In a recent study fourteen participants were placed on experimental diets for three days. One diet was exclusively juice, another juice plus food, and a third with no juice. The researchers found that the diet which was exclusively juice led to changes in the bacteria in the stool, saliva, and cheek. The diet that was exclusively juice resulted in an increase in pro-inflammatory bacteria in the mouth and an increase in bacteria in the digestive tract associated with leaky gut (gut permeability), inflammation, and cognitive decline. The researchers suggested that this was probably due to reduced fiber intake and the higher intake of sugars in the juice diet. (Sugars are much more rapidly absorbed in juices than from whole foods.) The elimination of the high juice diet and replacement with a high fiber diet resulted in increase in beneficial bacteria producing butyrate that supports control of gut inflammation, promotes immune balance and resistance to pathogens or harmful bacteria. The role of fiber in promoting long term health is often overlooked by medical professionals as well as those looking for a healthy diet.

Reference:

Link to article on juicing. Sardaro MLS, Grote V, Baik J, Atallah M, Amato KR, Ring M. Effects of Vegetable and Fruit Juicing on Gut and Oral Microbiome Composition. Nutrients. 2025; 17(3):458.