Paul Cox, renegade thinker, finds link between neurodegeneration and an algae toxin that can be mitigated or at least reduced with L-Serine.
L-Serine, safe & shows promise in reducin... - Cure Parkinson's
L-Serine, safe & shows promise in reducing PD, ALS, ALZ. PD trial. Will be culminating research below.
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Very interesting piece. 🌺
Thanks for sharing !
They have a web site: Brain Chemistry Labs brainchemistrylabs.org/home and a blog.
"Our strategy in developing new therapies for ALS, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s is to find drugs that stop protein misfolding. We discovered that the amino acid L-serine helps to prevent protein misfolds."
There is a L-Serine trial for ALS: clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show...
L-Serine 15 grams orally twice a day as tolerated for 6 months.
Drug: L-Serine
L-Serine is a naturally occurring dietary amino acid. It is abundant in soy products, some edible seaweeds, sweet potatoes, eggs and meat.
Amino Acid L-Serine in Preventing Neurodegenerative Diseases Associated with BMAA pharmacytimes.com/view/amin...
"Possible Effects of BMAA outside of ALS
When reacting with bicarbonate ions, BMAA forms β-carbonate, which is a structural analogue of glutamate. In this structure, the molecule can now bind to glutamate receptors, including Alzheimer’s treatment target N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), leading to excitotoxicity, a process that leads to increased intracellular sodium and calcium levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and ultimately, cell death.2
BMAA in-vitro and Treatment with L-serine
In an in-vitro study, tests were run to identify cell viability and ER stress of BMAA with incorporating L-serine as a treatment. No significant change in viability was seen in control versus BMAA versus BMAA+L-serine. However, there were morphological changes to the BAMA-exposed SH-SY5Y cells. ER stress in this cell observation is due to accumulation of misfolded or unfolded proteins in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) lumen. CHOP is a transcription factor (C/EBP homologous protein) that activates under ER stress and incorporates a deletion mechanism to protect the body. In this study, no change was seen in the initial 24 hours; however, a statistical difference (increase in CHOP) with BMAA exposed cells was seen at 48 hours (p≤0.001). In L-serine-treated BMAA-exposed cells at 48 hours, the increase was prevented (CHOP expression did not increase), keeping L-serine treated cell activity similar to the control (p≤0.0001).
Caspase-3 is an irreversible apoptosis initiator. Prolonged ER stress has been linked to the upregulation of this enzyme and ultimately leading to cell death. At 72-hour incubation, Caspase-3 activity was significantly increased when treated with BMAA (p≤0.05). This increase was prevented when L-serine was added to BMAA treated cells (p≤0.05).1
Human Testing
Astrocytes in the human body produce L-serine, and the average American diet consists of about 3.5 grams of L-serine a day. The FDA states L-serine is generally regarded as safe, as long as it consists of no more than 8.4% of total protein in the diet (CFR Title 21 Section 17.320.18). A 6-month phase I randomized double blind (pharmacist unblinded) trial was conducted to assess safety of doses 0.5, 2.5, 7.5, and 15g twice a day.
To be eligible, patients must have an FVC >60%. Three people died, in each case due to disease progression and starting the trial with the lowest baseline FVC (unrelated to the dose given). Considering there was no control group, the patients were compared to placebo patients in 5 other ALS clinical trials. The primary outcome had shown safety at all doses. The secondary results were developed by comparing the altered decline of functionality, measured by ALSFRS-R (ALS Functional Rating Scale — Revised) scores and FVC, with the matched placebo group. The slope of ALSFRS-R score with 15g dosing had shown an 85% reduction (p=0.014), while FVC and symptom duration had shown a decline in slope in regards to events per month (p=0.044). It is important to note that as dose increased per gram, the reduction in slope for ALSFRS-R decreased. This trial has many limitations, such as sample size and using other trials to match patients in this trial to develop the comparative slope; however, it gives enough promise to warrant further investigation. A phase II, 9 month trial is planned.
What Does This Mean?
Could L-serine supplementation aid in preventing misfolding for neurological diseases other than ALS, such as Parkinsonism or dementia? Results from brain tissue samples of ALS and AD patients has shown BMAA in the tissue.4 Those who are at an environmental (or possibly genetic) risk of neurodegenerative disease, may benefit from supplementation of L-serine with 15 g twice daily dosing. If beneficial, new genetic susceptibility testing through sources such as 23&me may be a tool in allowing preventative measures to be taken through diet in those susceptible of developing neurodegenerative diseases.
L-serine may or may not be a treatment or prevention for some neurological conditions, but it invites the question: Could specific amino acid supplementation be used to prevent neurological conditions such as ALS, Alzheimer’s, or other conditions for those at risk? Finally, it should be noted that BMAA is specifically found to affect proteins in humans, not in bacteria or BMAA-treated monkeys. Knowing this, genomic analysis could be used as a possibility for treatment findings through bioinformatics processing."
L-serine is already being researched and used for PD. When I discovered this last night I was surprised. Is anyone using L-Serine?
frontiersin.org/articles/10...
Bolt_Upright in reply to
Expanding on CC's post:
L-Serine, an Endogenous Amino Acid, Is a Potential Neuroprotective Agent for Neurological Disease and Injury 2021 frontiersin.org/articles/10...
Summary and Prospects
Many experiments have demonstrated that long-term treatment with L-serine increases the levels of neurotrophic factors in the tissue of the injured side of the brain, promoting the proliferation of endogenous NSCs and the repair of neurological function. L-serine regulates microglial polarization, promoting the repair of white matter damage and reducing inflammation. L-serine also reduces neurotoxicity and inhibits the release of inflammatory factors by activating the glycine receptor. In an ischemic brain injury model, L-serine has been found to activate potassium and calcium channels on endothelial cells to increase cerebral blood flow in the ischemic area. As an endogenous amino acid, the safety of L-serine has also been experimentally tested in a phase I human clinical trial, demonstrating that L-Serine repairs neurological function after secondary injury. The neuroprotective effects of L-serine described herein are so compelling it is tempting to consider how they might translate to humans and obtain satisfactory effects for the clinical use of L-serine. Further studies are also necessary to determine whether, where, and when the levels of L-serine change during disease progression.
So... $114 for a kilogram: L-Serine Powder - Amino Acid - Pure Bulk Supplements Bags / 1 Kilogram google.com/shopping/product...
If you did the 15 grams twice a day from the ALS study that kilo would get you 33 days of treatment. That would not be that bad if it was your only supplement and it worked.
Very interesting, Matcha. Thanks for your researching and sharing!
I copied/pasted:
David Long
Lewy bodies, formed from misfolded α-synuclein protein, are the neuropathological feature of Parkinson’s disease. While levodopa can help control symptoms, no current Parkinson’s medication slows disease progression.
We attempted to produce Lewy bodies in vivo but did not have enough funds to continue the experiments. Enter Ty and Sue Measom of Logan, Utah, and Fred and Candy Berthrong of Providence, Utah who provided a generous gift to complete the study in which we found that BMAA triggers Lewy bodies in marmosets.
We were unable to begin a second study until the philanthropic torch was picked up by Robert and Robin Paulson and Stan and Mary Seidler of Jackson Hole. They provided the lead gifts to determine if L-serine or L-tyrosine can slow Lewy body formation.
A generous pledge from David and Lisa Long of Lake Forest, Illinois allowed us to accelerate the project. Our colleagues at NeuroScience Associates in Tennessee assisted us by giving a significant discount on the regular fees for state-of-the-art sectioning and staining of the tissues. We still have $100,000 to raise to finish the project but are proceeding at full speed.
Because of the generous donors who helped us, including Bobbie Sweet, John Madigan, and James and Ellen Walton, we will have the final results in February 2022. If successful, this new drug will remain a lasting legacy for David Long who passed away on September 19, 2021.
Hopefully we will see the results soon!
I believe L-serine was discussed on another post. Actually I had my husband start it, finished the bottle and no more. He complained about the amount of supplements he was/is on and he didn't even start on a second bottle.
"we will have the final results in February 2022"
What new drug are they developing?
We already produce L-serine naturally in our bodies anyways. There is also phosphatidylserine : differencebetween.com/diffe...
in reply to Discogs_discogs
Thank you for the link. “Our body produces all the phosphatidylserine it needs” is a dangerous assumption. In the case of homeostasis it does but the whole point is we are lacking homeostasis.
Trial showing 30mg a day of supplementing with L-Serine slowed ALS by 20%
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...
SilentEchoes in reply to
THANK YOU!! 💛
Discogs_discogs in reply to
Interesting --- so, L-Serine, but not Phosphatidylerine? Personally, I prefer Phosphatidylserine over L-Serine, but I don't know whether it can really act as a substitute to L-Serine.
in reply to Discogs_discogs
Why the preference? I want to learn this. Thank you!
You can watch the "Toxic Puzzle" documentary about Dr. Cox discovering a link between ALS and cyanobacteria - such a riveting story.
The operative part of the word is "cyano." It represents cyanide. There are many naturally occurring sources cyanide and many more ways to synthesize it.
Cyanide is an important neurotoxin in combustion from structure fires - firefighters have high rates of ALS.
BMAA is the toxin in Cyad trees, implicated in the neurological complex on Guam. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/160...
When we understand causation we can cause recovery. 💛
SE
Cyano is the root of the word Cyanide
Yes, cyanobacteria produces BMAA which is known neurotoxin.
in reply to faridaro
May be a silly question as I have not researched this aspect of it but Spirulina comes to mind. Blue green algae , Spirulina? I have just been reading about L-Serine which I’m very interested in.
faridaro in reply to
I would avoid spirulina. According to the following study - " Out of the 18 products analyzed, 8 contained some cyanotoxins at levels exceeding the tolerable daily intake values. The presence of cyanotoxins in these algal dietary supplements reinforces the need for a better quality control as well as consumer’s awareness on the potential risks associated with the consumption of these supplements."
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/a...
Also, all algae can accumulate heavy metals and Consumer Labs identified lead contamination in 2 spirulina products.
in reply to faridaro
Yipes. This has me concerned about Japanese seaweed which is sold as snacks.
faridaro in reply to
Not sure about seaweed but there are some seafood products which could be containing BMAA :sciencedaily.com/releases/2...
in reply to faridaro
Thank you!
Hadn't thought to look at heavy metals - hard to find clean supplements.
Sadly, that's true.
in reply to SilentEchoes
Thorne is suppose to be third party tested so that should mean it’s better quality than others. My doctor and others I’ve listened to recommend it. Very expensive though. And Do Not Age is said to be 3rd party tested as well. I’m having a very positive experience with a few other their products
Spirulina?
Here's a very unscientific video. Just a normal woman who's seen a huge improvement in her father-in-law with just 2 grams/day. Of course, it's just anecdotal and they say that "every PWP is different" but I'm very moved by her sincerity (as unscientific as that is).
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