Alopecia Areata

            Alzheimer’s Disease (strongly speculated)

            Celiac Disease

            Diabetes Mellitus Type 1

            Grave’s Disease

            Guillain-Barre Syndrome

            Inflammatory Joint Diseases    

Lupus Erythematosis

            Male Pattern Baldness

            Multiple Sclerosis

            Myasthenia Gravis

            Polymyalgia Rheumatica

            Rheumatic Fever

            Rheumatoid Arthritis

            Scleroderma

            Thyroiditis

            Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

      Ulcerative Colitis

 

 

Prevalence

 

Autoimmune Diseases are more prevalent in women than in men.

 

These Substances Prevent/Alleviate Autoimmune Diseases

 

Amino Acids

 

Glutathione is able to stop the production of Cytokines when they are being produced in the excessive amounts that cause Autoimmune Diseases - it is recommended that Cysteine and Glutamine be supplemented to stimulate the production of Glutathione within the body as Glutathione is poorly absorbed orally.

 

These Substances Enhance the Function of Glutathione

 

Amino Acids

 

Cysteine is an essential precursor for the endogenous production of Glutathione:

 

-           However, only a very small quantity of supplemental L-Cysteine is utilized in the endogenous manufacture of Glutathione (due to the rapid oxidation of L-Cysteine to Cystine).

-           Alternatively, the majority of exogenous N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) is converted to Glutathione (the NAC form of Cysteine, unlike L-Cysteine, is not oxidized to Cystine).

-           Of the several precursors for Glutathione, Cysteine is believed to be the most important as the other precursors (Glycine and Glutamic Acid) are generally not deficient. This means that Cysteine is generally the rate-limiting factor in Glutathione production.

 

Glutamine is integral to the production of Glutathione within the body (Glutamic Acid is extracted from Glutamine's chemical structure within the Liver for incorporation into the Glutathione molecule).  

            Glycine is an essential component of Glutathione.

            Methionine facilitates the production of Glutathione (and prevents the decline in Glutathione levels that are associated with the progression of the Aging Process).  

 

 

S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) is essential for the endogenous production of Glutathione.

            Taurine supplementation increases platelet Glutathione levels.

 

 

Antioxidants (Synthetic)

 

Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) increases the body’s Glutathione levels.

 

Auxins (Plant Hormones)

 

Indole-3-Carbinol stimulates the endogenous production of Glutathione by Liver Cells (hepatocytes).

 

Enzymes

 

Glutathione Reductase helps to maintain Glutathione in its active state.

Glutathione-S-Transferase enhances the function of Glutathione - it catalyzes the reaction of Glutathione with acceptor molecules of various toxins, thereby functioning as a key enzyme in the detoxification of various substances.

Glutathione Synthetase catalyzes the production of Glutathione, Adenosine Diphosphate (ADP) and Orthophosphate from Gamma Glutamyl Cysteine, Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and Glycine.

 

Hormones

 

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) stimulates the endogenous production of Glutathione by Liver Cells (hepatocytes).

Melatonin increases the endogenous production of Glutathione:

 

-           Melatonin inhibits the depletion of Glutathione in the Liver that is caused by Cadmium accumulation.

 

Minerals

 

Germanium increases the body's Glutathione levels.

Magnesium facilitates the endogenous synthesis of Glutathione and Magnesium deficiency often results in low serum Glutathione levels.

Selenium facilitates the endogenous production of Glutathione:

 

-           Sodium Selenite (form of Selenium) stimulates the endogenous production of Glutathione by Liver Cells (hepatocytes).

 

Sulfur is an essential component of Glutathione.

Zinc facilitates the endogenous production of Glutathione and Zinc deficiency results in lowered plasma Glutathione levels.

 

Phenolic Acids

 

Ellagic Acid stimulates the endogenous manufacture of Glutathione.

 

Polyphenols

 

Curcumin stimulates the endogenous production of Glutathione by Liver Cells (hepatocytes).

Ellagic Acid recycles Glutathione.

Quercetin recycles Glutathione.

Silymarin inhibits the depletion of Glutathione in the Liver and can increase Liver Glutathione levels by up to 35%.

 

Proteins

 

Whey Protein (when correctly processed) causes sustained increases in the body’s Glutathione levels.

 

 

Vitamins

 

Lipoic Acid increases intracellular Glutathione levels by 30% - 70%.

 

-           Lipoic Acid (1% cream/lotion applied topically) increases the Glutathione content of the Skin.

 

Vitamin B2 recycles oxidized, degraded Glutathione into fresh active Glutathione:

 

-           Vitamin B2 increases Glutathione levels in Sickle Cell Anemia patients.

 

Vitamin B6 enhances the function of Glutathione.

Vitamin C increases Glutathione levels.

Vitamin E enhances the function of Glutathione.

 

These Foods Enhance the Function of Glutathione

 

Vegetables

 

Garlic increases the body’s levels of Glutathione and reduces levels of oxidized Glutathione.

Globe Artichoke prevents the destruction of the Liver’s Glutathione content by various oxidative agents.

 

Dietary Sources of Glutathione

(mg of Glutathione per 100 grams)

 

Note that Cooking destroys ALL Glutathione present in these dietary sources.

 

Fruits: Apples, Avocado, Grapefruit, Watermelon         

Herbs: Purslane

Vegetables: Broccoli, Carrots. Tomatoes, Spinach, Asparagus                                 

The Following Substances Interfere with Glutathione

Minerals

 

Cadmium decreases the level of Glutathione present in the Liver.

Excessive consumption of Copper inhibits the production of Glutathione.

Excessive consumption of Iron inhibits the production of Glutathione.

 

Gases

 

Hydrogen Sulfide (produced within the Digestive Tract by Detrimental Bacteria) destroys Glutathione.

 

Free Radicals

 

Hydrogen Peroxide destroys Glutathione.

 

Lipids

 

Excessive consumption of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids inhibits the production of Glutathione.

 

Microorganisms

 

Helicobacter pylori causes the depletion of the body’s Glutathione reserves.

 

Minerals

 

Mercury causes the depletion of Glutathione.

 

Pharmaceutical Drugs

 

Aspirin causes the depletion of Glutathione.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) cause the depletion of Glutathione.

When Paracetamol is metabolized in the Liver by Cytochrome P-450, a toxic by-product is generated that reacts with and destroys Glutathione.

 

These Factors Interfere with Glutathione

 

Electromagnetic Radiation

 

Exposure of the Skin to Ultra-Violet Radiation causes the depletion of Glutathione from the Skin.

 

Exercise

 

Intensive Exercise or Endurance Exercise lowers the body’s endogenous Glutathione levels (due to excessive Exercise generating excessive quantities of Free Radicals which Glutathione then attempts to “mop up” - this quenching of excessive Free Radicals results in depletion of Glutathione):

 

-           A session of intensive Exercise can deplete Muscle Glutathione levels by up to 40% and can deplete Liver Glutathione levels by up to 80%.

 

 

 

Food Processing Techniques

 

The Heat generated during Cooking destroys all Glutathione present in dietary sources.

 

Recreational Drugs

 

Alcohol (ethanol) causes the depletion of Glutathione.

 

Bioavailability

 

Most agree that Glutathione is not bioavailable when supplemented orally as it quickly breaks down into its individual constituent Amino Acids. Injectable Glutathione is presumed to be more bioavailable to the body than orally-administered Glutathione.

The best way to introduce Glutathione into the body is via Cysteine (or N-Acetyl Cysteine) and Glutamine supplementation (as these nutrients contribute to the endogenous production of Glutathione within the Liver).

 

Dosage Recommendations

 

Therapeutic Dosage

 

Many people use 50 - 250 mg of Glutathione per day for the purpose of deriving its Antioxidant properties.

The most commonly recommended dosage of oral supplemental Glutathione for therapeutic purposes is 500 mg per day (notwithstanding the fact that exogenous Glutathione is not very bioavailable to the body when administered orally).

 

Toxic Dosage

 

Glutathione is non-toxic, even in very high doses.

 

Endogenous Glutathione Levels

 

The average plasma Glutathione levels of young persons (average age 24) is 0.54 mmol (micromoles) per liter. The average plasma Glutathione levels of elderly persons (average age 71) is 0.29 mmol (micromoles) per liter.

 

 

Practical Considerations for Glutathione Supplementation

 

Oral Glutathione supplements are relatively expensive and not readily bioavailable when consumed orally. It is probably more practical (and more economical) to supplement with the less expensive Cysteine.

 

Enzymes

 

Enzyme Therapy (i.e. involving multiple Enzymes, especially Proteolytic Enzymes) break up (degrade) the Immune Complexes that are implicated in Autoimmune Diseases. Specific Enzymes that are commonly utilized during Enzyme Therapy to degrade Immune Complexes include:

 

-           Amylase

-           Bromelain

-           Chymotrypsin

-           Lipases

-           Pancreatin

-           Papain

-         Trypsin

 

 

USE LIFE-CHECK ENZYME/PRE/PROBIOTIC FORMULA

 

 

Progesterone (natural Progesterone cream applied topically) alleviates many Autoimmune Diseases in women (the underlying mechanism for this effect is speculated to be the ability of Progesterone to counteract estrogens dominance which has been implicated as a cause of many Autoimmune Diseases in women).

 

 

Lipids

 

Alpha-Linolenic Acid (LNA) suppresses the autoimmune response which may help to prevent Autoimmune Diseases.

            Beta-Sitosterol helps to control Autoimmune Diseases.

            Beta-Sitosterol Glycoside helps to control Autoimmune Diseases.

 

 

Minerals

 

Magnesium Bicarbonate (1.5 liters of Magnesium Bicarbonate-containing Water per day for at least six weeks) can cause the remission of Autoimmune Diseases.

Selenium may be useful for the treatment and prevention of Autoimmune Diseases.  

 

Proteins

 

Gelatin Hydrolysates suppresses some T-Lymphocyte-mediated Autoimmune Diseases.

 

 

Sulfuric Compounds

 

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) helps to prevent Autoimmune Diseases.  

 

 

Vitamins

 

Vitamin D helps to prevent Autoimmune Diseases.  

Supplemental Vitamin E improves the condition of many people afflicted with various Autoimmune Diseases.

 

 

These Foods/Supplements Help to Prevent Autoimmune Diseases

 

 

Oils (dietary Oils)

 

Regular consumption of Omega Oils helps to prevent Autoimmune Diseases.

 

 

These Factors Alleviate Autoimmune Diseases

 

Metabolism

 

Diet Restriction alleviates Autoimmune Diseases by normalizing the body's production of B-Lymphocytes.

 

 

 

Orthodox Medical Treatments for Autoimmune Diseases

 

Pharmaceutical Drugs

 

Immunosuppressive Drugs are utilized in the treatment of some types of Autoimmune Diseases:

 

Pharmaceutical Glucocorticosteroids (e.g. Prednisone) are often prescribed in the treatment of various Autoimmune Diseases in order to suppress the Immune response:

 

Caution: The above possess numerous undesirable side effects.

 

 

These Substances Cause Autoimmune Diseases

 

Immune System Chemicals

 

Immune Complexes (formed by the combination of Antigens with specific Antibodies) are strongly speculated to initiate the autoimmune reactions that are implicated in Autoimmune Diseases.

Excessive production of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) has been implicated in Autoimmune Diseases.  

Persons afflicted with Autoimmune Diseases exhibit higher levels of Senescent Cell Antigen Auto-Antibodies compared to normal, healthy persons.

 

 

Minerals

 

Mercury toxicity can be an underlying cause of Autoimmune Diseases.

 

 

These Ailments Increase the Risk of Developing Autoimmune Diseases

 

Aging Process

 

The risk of developing Autoimmune Diseases increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digestive System

 

Hypochlorhydria can be an underlying cause of Autoimmune Diseases.

Intestinal Permeability increases the formation of Immune Complexes (which are involved in Autoimmune Diseases).

 

 

Musculoskeletal System

 

At least 10% of Vitiligo patients have evidence of another coexisting Autoimmune Disease.

 

 

Other Factors Contributing to Autoimmune Diseases

 

Immune System Cells

 

Excessive production of B-Lymphocytes increases the body's production of Auto-Antibodies.

Persons afflicted with Autoimmune Diseases generally have a HIGH Helper T-

Cells:Suppressor T-Cells ratio (i.e. an excess of Helper T-Cells compared to Suppressor T-Cells):

 

-           Excessive activity of TH1 Helper T-Cells (known as TH1 Helper T-Cells Dominance) is involved in (organ-specific) Autoimmune Diseases.  

-           Excessive activity of TH2 Helper T-Cells (known as TH2 Helper T-Cells Dominance) is implicated in (systemic) Autoimmune Diseases (due to excessive stimulation of B-Lymphocytes by TH2 Helper T-Cells).  

 

 

These Substances Exacerbate Autoimmune Diseases

 

Hormones

 

Persons afflicted with Autoimmune Diseases should not use supplemental Melatonin (due to Melatonin's ability to further stimulate the already over-stimulated Immune System that is a characteristic of Autoimmune Diseases).

 

 

Vaccines

 

Persons afflicted with Autoimmune Diseases should not use Biostim (as Biostim can further stimulate an already over-stimulated Immune System).

 

 

Notes by David Arthur(B.Pharm MPS)

Tel:(011)-463-0036 Fax:(011)-463-9832