Aluminum and the Brain

 I recently read a book by Christopher Exley called Imagine You are an Aluminum Atom. Exley is considered one of the leading researchers in the world on aluminum toxicity despite repeated attacks on his research. Exley found accumulations of aluminum in tissue samples of the brains of adults with Alzheimer's and in children with autism which were far higher than the amounts of aluminum in normal brains.

Exley also strongly opposes the presence of Aluminum in vaccines. He has earned the hatred of both the Aluminum and Pharmaceutical industries, but he continues to warn of the dangers of aluminum in spite of the persecution he has endured for years at the hands of these industries. His book discusses not only his research on aluminum, but also the industrial corruption which seeks to hide the amazing toxicity of aluminum to brain and nerve tissue.

Exley's message: Do away with those aluminum pots, antacids and deodorants with aluminum, and don't use vaccines which contain aluminum as an adjuvant. The functioning of your brain may be at stake.

 Microbiome and Autoimmunity

     It has been long argued in some corners of the scientific world that imbalance of bacteria in the gut is a major contributor to autoimmune disease. The studies summarized below lend support to this contention. Some disease causing bacteria subvert the immune system by turning it against one's own tissues. Thus preoccupied, the immune system gives disease causing bacteria breathing space.

     Autoimmunity can be triggered by what scientist call molecular mimicry. Bacteria can present molecules like one's own joints, muscle, or skin to the immune system triggering activity of the immune system against one's own tissues. Autoimmunity has begun. Elimination or reduction in the numbers of the bacteria creating the problem will often result in improvement. The most effective means of accomplishing this is with prebiotics (food for beneficial bacteria like fiber and aloe) and probiotics (actual beneficial bacteria).

     Following are studies which suggest that bacteria in the gut can impact autoimmune disease:

     Patients with multiple sclerosis were found to have a significantly different collection of microbes in the gut compared to a control group without the disease. Those with active disease had a reduced number of species of microbes in the gut compared to those who were in remission.

     In another study patients with rheumatoid arthritis were supplemented with a probiotic for eight weeks. Disease activity in the joints decreased. Insulin levels and high-sensitivity C reactive protein also dropped. These are markers for inflammatory activity. Cholesterol levels also improved with the probiotic supplementation.

     In another double blind placebo controlled study of rheumatoid arthritis a probiotic reduced pain, the CRP inflammatory marker, and improved the ability to walk two miles.

     A study of lupus-like disease in mice showed that use of the only antibiotic which knocks out clostridia bacteria resulted in alleviation of the disease. Clostridia have been shown to contribute to autism and reduction in the activity of the bacteria shown to improve the condition.

     Finally, administration of the antibiotic streptomycin early in the life of scleroderma prone mice was shown to induce dysbiosis potentially aggravating the disease.

References:

Chen, Chia et al. Multiple sclerosis patients have a distinct gut microbiota compared to healthy controls. Sci Rep 2016;6:2848.

Tajabadi-Ebrahimi, Jafari et al. Clinical and metabolic response to probiotic supplementation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases 2016;19:869-879.

Mandel, Eichas & Holmes. Bacillus coagulans: a viable adjunct therapy for relieving symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis according to a randomized, controlled trial. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2010;10:1-7.

Mu, Tavella et al. Antibiotics ameliorate lupus-like symptoms in mice. Scientific Reports. 2017;7:13675.

Mehta, Goulet et al. Early-life antibiotic exposure causes intestinal dysbiosis and exacerbates skin and lung pathology in experimental systemic sclerosis. J Invest Dermatol 2017;137:2316-25.

Aluminum and Autoimmunity

     

     The microbiome is not the only factor that is associated with autoimmunity. Early life exposure to adjuvants in vaccines can alter functioning of the brain and nervous system.  One researcher writes, "Experimental evidence also shows that simultaneous administration of as little as two to three immune adjuvants can overcome genetic resistance to autoimmunity."  For more information on this topic visit the link below.

Reference:

Article on aluminum and autoimmunity.

 ASIA Syndrome

     Autoimmune/autoinflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA syndrome) is a hotly debated entity when it comes to vaccinations in humans. ASIA has been recognized in commercial sheep production with less controversy. It was tied to repeated immunizations that contained aluminum adjuvants. The syndrome shows an acute phase that affects less than 0.5 % of animals in a given herd appearing 2-6 days after an adjuvant-containing inoculation and it is characterized by inflammation of the brain. Most animals apparently recovered afterward.

     The chronic phase of the syndrome followed. The chronic phase begins with an excitatory phase, followed by weakness, extreme wasting away, partial or total paralysis of the feet, and death. Brain damage and accumulation of aluminum in the brain and nerve tissue was evident.  

The authors conclude, "The ovine (sheep) ASIA syndrome can be used as a model of other similar diseases affecting both human and animals. A major research effort is needed in order to understand its complex pathogenesis."

     Only limited studies have been conducted on the safety of adjuvants like aluminum in spite of the fact that it is a known neurotoxin. Feeding infants with IV solutions containing aluminum has been shown to cause developmental damage. Don't be surprised, however, if aluminum is considered safe by vaccine manufacturers and regulatory authorities.

   

Article on sheep ASIA

Discussion of ASIA in Sheep

Aluminum Toxic to Infants with IV Feeding

Protection Against Aluminum Toxicity

  

     Silicon rich mineral water has been used experimentally to promote excretion of aluminum in Alzheimer patients. Waters rich in silicon include Spritzer, Volvic, and Fiji. Fiji water has the highest silicon content and is generally the cheapest in the United States.

     Vitamin E has been shown to protect from Aluminum toxicity in rat studies. The authors of the study write, "In conclusion, this study demonstrates that vitamin E ameliorates glial activation and reduces release of proinflammatory cytokines induced by aluminum."

    The vitamin E research reminds me of the story of my dear friend Don Lawson. He was stricken with what was believed to be polio and spent many years in an iron lung. When he began to supplement with generous quantities of vitamin E, he recovered and was able to live and function without the use of the iron lung.

  

 References:  

 Vitamin E and Aluminum Toxicity

Silicone Rich Water Used to Promote Excretion of Aluminum 

 Aluminum

        Vaccines contain many substances including preservatives like mercury containing thimerisol and adjuvants to increase effectiveness like aluminum. Many researchers are concerned about the safety of these substances.

     The issue of toxicity of aluminum when it is used as an adjuvant in vaccines was raised by Professor Christopher Shaw. Examination of mice injected with the aluminum adjuvant were found to suffer death of 35% of the brain and nerve cells that control movement. Shaw later said, "No one in my lab wants to get vaccinated. This totally creeped us out. We weren't out there to poke holes in vaccines. But all of a sudden, oh my God-we've got neuron death."  

     An evaluation of the aluminum adjuvant issue  found that low doses of aluminum were more toxic than larger doses and concluded the following: "This study provides powerful evidence that Al adjuvant causes brain injury and brain inflammation. The Al adjuvant greatly increased brain aluminum content, caused pathological behavioral changes, and caused microglial activation. These adverse effects occurred at dosages lower than dosages given to human infants according to the CDC vaccination schedule." [See link below.]

     I am frequently asked if I have taken the flu shot. I usually respond that I prefer to risk the flu. Hopefully my immune system has enough competence to deal with most infections. That is why I use a lot of supplements. So far this has worked quite well for me. I do not try to tell others what to do in this matter because many people have poorly functioning immune systems.

     The risk of vaccines may be small but it is often understated. If there were not some risk of damage there would not be a vaccine court that has paid out billions of dollars in damages. It there were no risk to vaccines it would not be necessary to pass a law which prohibits suing pharmaceutical firms for vaccine damage. It would be nice if safety testing of vaccines went on for more than a week so potential long term damage could be assessed.

  

 References:  

     The original paper by Shaw.

      Roberts, Janine, The Vaccine Papers, United Kingdom:Impact Media Publishing Ltd, 2010, 67. Shaw quote.

     Review of the aluminum issue: http://vaccinepapers.org/category/aluminum/

Aluminum and Alzheimer's

    A number of lines of evidence suggest that aluminum may contribute to dementia. Aluminum has been shown t impair the functioning of the brains of animals. The disease progression has also been slowed by the administration of agents which remove aluminum from the body. Aluminum displaces magnesium at a key DNA binding site. Aluminum holds onto the binding site a million times longer than magnesium shutting down the site. (Magnesium can counteract the effects of aluminum toxicity.)The authors of this article suggest consuming no more than 3 milligrams of aluminum a day.
     Sources of aluminum exposure include aluminum cookware, aluminum foil, aluminum cans, antacids containing aluminum and pain relievers buffered with aluminum. Deodorants often contain aluminum. Some baking powders contain aluminum. Aluminum was used as an anticaking agent in salt until recently.
References:
Crapper McLachlan, Donald R., M.D., et al, Would Decreased Aluminum Ingestion Reduce the Incidence of Alzheimer's Disease, Canadian Medical Association Journal, 1991;145(7):793-803.