Multiple
sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, Lou Gehrig's disease, and lupus are
insidious diseases that have stymied mainstream medicine for over a
century. But growing research into stealth-like microbes may hold the
key to offering patients the hope they've been searching for. These
microbes now appear to be a common link among chronic and autoimmune
disorders.
In the April 1998
Members Alert, we told you about the connection between mycoplasmal
infections and arthritis (mycoplasmas are slow-growing opportunistic
microorganisms). Since then, we've uncovered an enormous amount of
research linking these infections to some of today's most menacing
illnesses.
Although mainstream
researchers and physicians are starting to address mycoplasmal
infections, they're concentrating on pharmaceutical therapies that,
more often than not, do more harm than good. These treatments
frequently take a year or longer, relief is usually temporary, and
relapses are quite common.
What
the mainstream therapies fail to address is that these infections are
devastating to the immune system. The last thing your body needs when
fighting these illnesses is to have to fight off the additional
degenerative effects of antibiotics. This is where a complementary
approach can prevail.
Stealth pathogens may be stealing nutrients from your cells
The
reason mycoplasmas are hard to control and eliminate is that they have
plasma membranes instead of cell walls, which allows them to hide or
conceal their presence. And, even when they are detected,
identification can be difficult, because mycoplasmas can change their
appearance and structure depending on where they are in your body. The
plasma membrane coating around each mycoplasma is sticky, which allows
the cell to adhere to another cell. Once attached to another cell,
mycoplasmas start a parasitic relationship1 and feed on the
nutrients and waste products of normal cells to nurture their own
growth. Scientists believe this type of "feeding" makes it possible for
mycoplasmas to camouflage their existence, which is why it took more
than 65 years for scientists to link their existence to human diseases.
High cholesterol levels and mycoplasmas put you at greater risk
One
of the essential nutrients mycoplasmas require is cholesterol. This is
unique, as there's no other known microorganism that must have this fat
for growth. This adds another level of concern for people who suffer
from mycoplasmal infections and also have elevated serum-cholesterol
levels. Recent research indicates that greater quantities of
cholesterol in the blood may increase plaque formation if mycoplasmas
are present in the bloodstream. Scientists also think the concentration
of cholesterol in arterial plaques may provide a nurturing environment
for mycoplasma cells and could lead to ruptured arterial plaques, which
can be fatal.2
Mycoplasmas put out the "welcome" mat for other disease-causing microbes
As
mycoplasma colonies grow, they can compromise organs and alter their
functions. Because the cells' nutrients are constantly being depleted,
they're more vulnerable to mutation, damage, and invasion by other
microorganisms. When other microbes work in concert with mycoplasmas,
they can have a synergistic effect and make it easy for other diseases
to develop or aggravate whatever disorder has already been established.
Overlapping infections by different mycoplasmas and other bacteria,
fungi, and viruses can cause symptoms that will change from one person
to the next. This makes diagnosis of specific chronic and autoimmune
diseases tricky.
When
mycoplasmas are outside the natural habitat of the gut, such as in
blood vessels and joints, they can grow uninhibited because the natural
flora of the gut isn't controlling their expansion. This gives
mycoplasmas the freedom to colonize organs and eventually destroy
systems. It's believed that growth probably occurs when the immune
system is weak, such as during times of illness or stress or when
you're poorly nourished.
How do you know if you're at risk?
Special
microscopes are used to identify myco-plasmas in blood samples, but
that doesn't guarantee detection. Even if blood tests indicate the
presence of mycoplasma cells, your doctor may not take action if your
disorder doesn't fit a predetermined list of symptoms usually
associated with a certain strain of mycoplasma.Many people suffering
from mycoplasma-associated diseases have several of the following
symptoms,3 which may be present all the time or may come and go:
- chronic fatigue
- depression
- joint pain or reduced mobility, including rheumatoid arthritis
- headaches, vision problems, or light sensitivity
- cognitive problems
- muscle spasms or burning muscles
- dizziness or balance disturbance
- stuttering or difficulty speaking
- breathing problems, cardiac problems, or chest pain or pressure
- flatulence, bloating, or diarrhea
- lack of bladder control or frequent urination
- stomach cramps, nausea, or vomiting
- sinus pain or nasal congestion
- impotence, loss of libido, or menstrual or genital pain
- sore throat, tinnitus, or hearing loss
- skin rashes, frequent sores or infections, or yeast infections
- coughing heavily or frequent thick saliva clearing
- allergies, chemical sensitivities, or dry or itchy eyes night sweats
The
size of a colony increases and decreases depending on a variety of
factors and conditions, such as the strength of your immune system, and
that can affect the varying number of symptoms. Also, some people have
multiple strains of mycoplasmas, since an immune system weakened by one
strain seems to make it easier for other strains to establish
themselves. This could account for symptoms that don't necessarily fit
the established stereotype of a disease.
Pain
seems to play a major role in chronic and autoimmune disorders, as
evidenced by the many pain-related symptoms listed above. This isn't
coincidental, as new research shows that growth of a mycoplasma colony
can cause an abnormal sensitivity to substance P,4 which is the neurotransmitter responsible for sending pain messages to the brain.
Nutritional supplements are the foundation of a full recovery
According
to noted mycoplasma researcher Gary L. Nicolson, Ph.D., of the
Institute for Molecular Medicine in California, "nutritional and
vitamin deficiencies must be corrected" because a "fully functional
immune system may be essential to overcoming these infections, and
supplements and immune enhancers appear to be effective in helping
patients recover."5
Dr.
Nicolson has found that high dosages of the following supplements will
help increase your nutritional profile during recovery:6 vitamins B, C, and E; minerals, especially zinc, magnesium, chromium,
and selenium; amino acids, especially L-cysteine, L-tyrosine, L-
carnitine, and malic acid; coenzyme Q10; bioflavonoids and biotin;
Beta-carotene; folic acid; flaxseed oil; intestinal flora replacer,
including one containing fructoologosaccharides (FOS).
Dr. Nicolson suggests that you take sublingual tablets or oral sprays rather than pills to optimize absorption.
Other
products suggested by Dr. Nicolson are olive leaf extract and milk
proteins. While he mentions whey as an acceptable milk protein,
lactoferrin may be as effective-possibly more so. It's also a milk
protein and a familiar supplement to many HSI members who have used it
to bolster their weak immune systems. Read more about lactoferrin in
the February 1999 Members Alert. See the Member Source Directory on
page 8 for ordering information.
In
addition to Dr. Nicolson's recommendations, you'll need to start a
treatment plan that kills established mycoplasmas and other microbes
while preventing future growths.Mainstream's "cure" may cause
mycoplasmal infectionsMainstream treatment of chronic and autoimmune
disorders usually revolves around multiple cycles of numerous synthetic
antibiotics. Because mycoplasma cells grow very slowly, long-term
treatment of a year or more is the norm. But this type of therapy can
backfire. The longer mycoplasmas are exposed to conventional
antibiotics, the more resistant they become and the greater their
ability to evade detection and destruction by your immune system.
Prescription
antibiotics can suppress your immune system, which slows your recovery
and could make it easier for mycoplasmas to gain a foothold in the
future. Some antibiotics, such as penicillin, may even increase
symptoms of mycoplasma-related diseases. Additionally, these microbes
compromise absorption of nutrients, which can leave you malnourished.
Botanical solutions may reduce recovery time substantially
Another
drawback of most drugs is that they are very limited in the types of
microbe they eradicate, which is one of the reasons you have to switch
from one type to another. Botanical formulations tend to be more apt to
kill many different strains and types of mic-robes. By simultaneously
tackling many of them, you may be able to significantly shorten your
treatment time.
Also, a
botanical-based solution can do the job with fewer side effects than
antibiotics, they're not as harsh on the immune system, and they
normally don't cause antibiotic resistance. Such is the case with Myco+
from Raintree Nutrition, the same company that brought graviola, an
anticancer botanical, to our attention.
(See the January 2001 issue of Members Alert.)
Powerful botanicals "search and destroy" mycoplasmal infections
The
constituents of Myco+ are derived from rain forest plants that have
been traditionally used to control infectious, life-threatening
diseases. The ingredients include extracts of mullaca, Brazilian
peppertree, anamu, clavilla, macela, fedegoso, and uva ursi. Besides
destroying mycoplasmas, Myco+ has been used to kill many other
unrelated bacteria and viruses that may be disease co-factors or
aggravate symptoms in chronic and autoimmune diseases, such as Candida
albicans.
Although Myco+ is a
plant-based antimicrobial agent, it's similar to antibiotics in that it
indiscriminately kills all microorganisms-including friendly intestinal
bacteria, which help limit mycoplasmal growth. Supplementing with a
probiotic while undergoing treatment for mycoplasmal infections is
highly recommended by Dr. Nicolson. Culturelle is a potent probiotic
featured in the September 1998 Members Alert, and it can help establish
a colony of friendly intestinal bacteria. See the Member Source
Directory on page 8 for ordering information.
If
you suspect you have a mycoplasma-induced disease, have your doctor
order a PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction). While expensive, it'll be
covered by insurance so long as it's ordered by your physician.
Because
patients with chronic and autoimmune disorders often have a mixture of
mycoplasmas, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and yeasts, a comprehensive
treatment plan is more likely to have greater success in overcoming all
the microbes. To "cover all the bases," Leslie Taylor, N.D., of
Raintree Nutrition has suggested two other products that are essential
to a speedy and complete recovery.
F-GAL,
a botanical preparation of six herbs, can eliminate a wide range of
pathogenic fungi and yeasts. IMU-1, a combination of five powerful
herbs, will bolster the immune system during recovery from a
mycoplasmal infection. Incorporating these two supplements in your
protocol could help shorten your treatment time and might make a
relapse less likely.
While
this combination of botanical formulations usually doesn't take as long
as pharmaceutical solutions, most people still need at least 60 days
before they've completely overcome an infection. For some sufferers, a
second or third course of treatment for another 60 days each is in
order if they don't feel completely better or they suffer a relapse.
The extent of your infection and the number of mycoplasmas and other
microbes will be factors that'll determine the length of your recovery
period and whether or not you suffer any relapses.
Feeling worse could mean you're getting better
While
feeling better is usually a sign of recovery, not feeling better could
also mean you're improving. If your illness isn't caused by a
mycoplasma infection, then treatment with a mycoplasma-specific therapy
probably won't affect your symptoms, and you'd likely see no
improvement (hence the need to test first to see if mycoplasmas are
your problem).
If you feel a
little light-headed or dizzy after starting treatment, you may be
experiencing a significant die-off of mycoplasma cells. Referred to as
the Herxheimer reaction, this is due to the large numbers of toxins
from dying cells, which your liver must process. If you find the
die-off to be a bit overwhelming, you may want to temporarily reduce
the amount of Myco+ you're taking. After the die-off symptoms subside,
you can go back to the recommended regimen.
Of
course, you should work with your doctor when treating serious illness.
If you suffer from any type of chronic condition or autoimmune
disorder, especially if it's multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis,
Lou Gehrig's disease or lupus, and haven't been tested for mycoplasmas,
talk to your doctor again or seek another opinion from a physician
experienced in this area. (To find a physician experienced in
alternative and complementary therapies, call ACAM at (949)583-7666.
1. J MICROBIOL METHODS, 44(3):217-23, 2001
2. BRAZ J MED BIOL RES, 33(9): 1,023-6, 2000
3. BIOMED THERAPY, 15:266-271, 1998
4. AM J PHYSIOL LUNG CELL MOL PHYSIOL 280(2): 1,286-97, 2001
5. J CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDR, 6(3/4):23-29. 2000
6. CFIDS CHRONICLE, 12(3): 19-21, 1999
Note:
This article made extensive use of the excellent Why Arthritis?
Searching for the Cause and the Cure of Rheumatoid Disease, Harold W.
Clark, Ph.D., Axelrod Publishing of Tampa Bay, 1997. Unfortunately, the
book is now out of print. We'll keep you updated if it should return to
circulation.
The above statements have
not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These
products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any
disease.
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