Brain Issues

[Heloise]

Dr. Kharrazian sent out a newsletter today and thought this might help.

"However, the brain has no pain receptors, so brain inflammation doesn't hurt. Instead, it shows up as as brain fog, neurological issues, depression, anxiety, gut problems, dementia, and many other symptoms.

In the case of traumatic brain injury (TBI), post-injury brain inflammation can continue to progress long after the doctor releases you. This is because the brain's immune system does not have an off-switch such as in the body. Symptoms gradually worsen, disorders develop, and people often do not realize it's connected to their TBI.

Dampening brain inflammation requires a comprehensive functional medicine approach that addresses blood sugar, diet, toxins, hormones, lifestyle, and stress. As an adjunct, certain botanical compounds have been shown to dampen brain inflammation in conjunction with an anti-inflammatory lifestyle:

Apigenin

Luteolin

Baicalein

Resveratrol

Rutin

Catechin

Curcumin

These flavonoids cross the blood-brain barrier, the protective layer surrounding the brain that allows desireable substances in and keeps bad ones out. They have powerful anti-inflammatory effects in the brain, and are suggested as nutritional support for neurodegenerative conditions such as brain trauma, stroke, peripheral neuropathy, and for overall brain antioxidant protection.

Even if you don’t suffer from a head injury or obvious symptoms of inflammation, these flavonoids can still be used preventively, considering the many stressors we endure these days. Glutathione support is also a great ally.

I personally take a combination of all these flavonoids daily because I know, like anyone else with a stressful lifestyle, that I have some degree of brain-based inflammation that I want to dampen. If you don’t have a major inflammatory process happening, you may not notice their effects, but they can still be protective."

[Serendipitious]

Heloise,

That is excellent information. Is this something that can be read online or will I need to subscribe? I had no idea Datiz Kharrazian had a newsletter. I have read his book and although it was enlightening I did feel that his recommendations weren’t something I can do by myself. Thanks.

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

Yes, subscribe, he only sends one out per month it seems to me. I first saw him in The Thyroid Secret so was eager to learn of his newsletter. You know he's doing research at Harvard and has 1500 people on a patient waiting list, lol, so I'm afraid you are stil on your own. Inflammation is something we have all over our bodies so we can assume we need to do something for our brain as well. Not sure if this is the right address for the newsletter....drknews.com/

[Serendipitious in reply to Heloise]

Heloise,

Just managed to find the link to the newsletter. It popped up on my screen thankfully. He has this 6 week brain rescue plan for those who cannot see him. To be honest I'm getting quite frustrated with seeing these online programmes from mainly US doctors. I'm sure they do help but it seems like for most people its trying one thing after the other in the hope that something may help.

Which supplements are you taking for brain fog? I've heard a lot about curcumin and resveratrol.

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

Serendipitious, I do take rutin and curcumin for some time now. But I have to say that after watching all these summits I truly think that you have to normalize your microbiome and it's ALL about bacteria. This seems to be the message that goes back and forth from the gut to the brain. They pointed out the gut sends seven messages to the brain but the brain only send two to the gut. Diversity seems to be lacking in our guts but probiotics are not the answer. I have been concentrating on good nutrition and healing the gut hoping that may be enough. I'm also trying a supplement the Garry Gorden promotes but not really promoting it yet as it hasn't been long enough.

[Serendipitious in reply to Heloise]

Heloise,

I know for sure that I have issues with my gut. I've had the test to prove it. Question is how does one address the overgrowth of bad bacteria and encourage the good guys to increase?

I have high Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Proteus Mirablis, Bacteroides Fragilis and Candida. I also have low Lactobacillus spp. and Secretory IgA. Beta-Glucuronidase and Anti-gliadin IgA are high. I'm GF.

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

I'm juicing vegetables to get more nutrients than I could possibly eat and avoiding processed foods. High fat, low carb, etc. Some try the autoimmune protocol diet.

In SIBO, they do breath testing, is that what you have? You could look into that because they have methods to deal with certain imbalances.

Interesting in the Betrayal series they pointed out that babies do not have a microbiome until they come down the birth canal so you inherit your mothers. The supplement I'm trying is attempting to revive the original, diverse one you had. There are some good points in this interview if you have time.

youtube.com/watch?v=MB1KfhE...(Not working as expected?)

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

Have you tried taking vinegar with meals? It has to be the unfiltered one and blocks starch which certain bacteria feed on. Take a teaspoon or two before meals.

[Serendipitious in reply to Heloise]

Heloise,

I did try taking Apple cider vinegar for a few months before breakfast. I don’t know if it helped.

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

I think it works but you have to do it at least two times and three would be best. During the SIBO summit they recommended Schisandra and/or berberine and goldenseal. The objectives are to kill bacteria or starve it.

[Serendipitious in reply to Heloise]

Heloise,

I should have listened to the summit. Would be better to know in detail.

Do you know if they have any recordings?

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

I will post any news about repeats but right now you could go to their Facebook pages. I think SIBO is part of our hypo problem. Or you could go to the individual participant's website. I may have mentioned their names in my summaries.

I learned about the PEMF mat and really believe that biomedical engineering is going to be the next big thing for healing. (Not just because my son is one of them, ha)

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

I imagine some will be on you tube.

[Serendipitious in reply to Heloise]

Thank you Heloise. You're always very helpful.

[lb003]

That's really interesting Heliose. Do you know if there are supplements that have a mix of these? I'd rather take one more pill. than many given the number I'm already taking.

[Heloise in reply to lb003]

Hi ib, I take three of them separately but have never heard of the others and I really haven't looked into them as yet. In his newsletter he states he takes different combinations himself so I think it's wise to try one at a time in case one doesn't suit you. I know, I know, if we could only get samples! This link may get you to this newsletter which would be good for you to see the whole thing. drknews.com/

[Heloise in reply to lb003]

Do you take curcumin right now? Maybe you could start with that because you need a high dose. I like to read reviews at Amazon or iHerb and see what may seem right for me so you can select one that way. Try one at a time.

[lb003 in reply to Heloise]

I don't at the moment Heliose. I do try and do the same as you and try one thing at a time, that way I get a chance of seeing if I react ok to it and if it helps.

I too had a very inflexible spine and several prolapse. I don't think it's any better since I've been on NDT but it isn't any worse and that's a good thing.

[Heloise in reply to lb003]

Now I'm recalling that a decade ago the doctor thought I had scoliosis. I've been mentioning bacteria which seems to determine how the body is going to work. The extent to which nutrients get into deep tissue is a problem. Naturally you might expect that with low metabolism. Your capillaries represent 75% of smooth muscle and smooth muscle is very affected with low thyroid. I've decided that this was my main symptom so somehow we have to have good nutrition (processed by bacteria) and having enough energy to supply even tiny capillaries. This is my own guesswork of course. The video I posted above is very fascinating if you want to delve into new "stuff".

[Hidden]

I love Dr Datis Kharrazian. His brain book was fabulous. Great post!

[Heloise in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Analyzer. Have you tried any of these? I hadn't heard of Apigenin

Luteolin

or Baicalein.

[Hidden in reply to Heloise]

Hi there! I have tried curcumin (did help a bit) and i still take glutathione liposomal. I've not tried the ones you have mentioned. I'm not familiar with them either. Sorry!

I really liked his tips for raising gaba etc for sleep. I like Valerian root and l theanine etc.

I actually just read your description. Can I ask did your sciatica go on thyroid hormones? I've got that and just started the hormones.

[Heloise in reply to Hidden]

To tell you the truth I think being on Synthroid T4 and possibly under medicated allowed this to happen. My spine has been inflexible for a long time. Even on Armour my TSH was too high for years. I was very ignorant back then. I think there are more chances for you if you keep your levels optimal. Make sure they keep increasing you every six weeks until your FT3 is in the upper level of the range.

I saw an interesting video when I actually thought I had anklosing spondylitis. Starchy foods caused the growth of a certain bacteria so he used vinegar to mitigate starchy foods and his pain went away. I do think having the right bacteria has a lot to do with so try to eat whole foods, low sugar and starch, and lots of vegetables.

[Hidden in reply to Heloise]

Thanks so much Heloise

[Hidden]

Sorry the site is playing up and didn't let me finish my reply. Yes I will definitely aim to get my t3 to the top of the range. Hopefully , that will help along with a good diet. I'm very strict. I do a ketogenic diet at the moment. Thank you! I hope that you continue to keep well.

[Heloise in reply to Hidden]

Keep in mind that your adrenal gland may dictate how much T3 will be allowed if your body is not able to use it. The adrenals can turn T4 in REVERSE R4 and force the T3 down. I'm not sure of all the reasons for that but it may cause some hyper symptoms if it happens to you.

But you are doing things right early enough....unlike myself.

[Hidden in reply to Heloise]

Thank you so much. Unfortunately I'm not doing things early at all. I've been ill for over 25 years, since a child. I've had a severe deficiency in B12, and many others. Doctors think I've had pernicious anaemia that has been untreated for a long time. Therefore, my thyroid will have been sluggish for years as well. I've been taking iodine in higher doses over the last few months and that has been helping. Now I've started thyroid hormones. Actually slept terrible last night I don't know if it's because I've got a bad throat infection just now. I'm getting a lot of infections and I've also got neuropathy. Fingers crossed things will settle and I won't get as many infections once I get the right dosage.

Endocrinology checked my adrenals. Apparently they are ok. Hard to believe lol

[Heloise in reply to Hidden]

Oh, sorry, Analyzer. You are unfortunately right about having it for years before diagnosis. Are you taking iodine with levo or did you quit the iodine? There is some controversy since they say your thyroid hormone contains four atoms of iodine and taking iodine will interfere with how it works. I really don't know.

It's amazing that your adrenals are ok if you have struggled with thyroid. But that may help you achieve your optimal levels.

I looked up "catechins" on Dr. K's list and it is green tea. iherb.com/pr/Irwin-Naturals... This came up when I searched baicalein. It's pricey but contains many ingredients. Odd that it comes with 84 per jar.

[Hidden in reply to Heloise]

Thanks again. I'm actually taking NDT as Levo didn't agree with me. I am wondering if that is because I had a selenium deficiency at the time I took it? Apparently, You need enough selenium to convert t4 to t3.

Sorry I better go for now. My hands are burning . Ahh. 😔🙁😢

[Hidden]

Lions mane is good for passing the blood brain barrier and reducing inflammation. I use it everyday.

[Serendipitious]

Heloise,

Perhaps you’re already aware of this? Datis Kharrazian is also a part of this series. Also for anybody else interested:

feedabrain.com/interviewseries

[Heloise in reply to Serendipitious]

No, I wasn't aware, thank you, Serendipitious. I'm still curious as to why autoimmune attacks choose different organs or glands. Maybe they'll tell us.

[wellness1]

I'm not sure what to think of reservatrol. There are grand claims for disease prevention and I'm all for encouraging moderate red wine consumption :), but there are some cautions as well. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the Linus Pauling Institute advise caution in those with hormone-dependent cancers, as resveratrol has "both estrogen agonist and estrogen antagonist effects in cell culture studies."

livestrong.com/article/3469...

"Patients with hormone-sensitive cancers should use caution, as resveratrol exhibits estrogen-like properties and activates transcription by both estrogen and androgen receptors that lead to the stimulation of cancer cell proliferation" mskcc.org/cancer-care/integ...

So I'm giving resveratrol supplementation a pass, at least until more is known about its effects. I'll look into some of the others, though. Thanks, Heloise .