It’s no secret that the use of marijuana to treat various ailments and illnesses is controversial. However, as a doctor who has pursued natural remedies for years, I’m fascinated by the potential the cannabis plant has for treating disease. Yes, the active compounds of cannabis, called cannabinoids, can affect our brains. And some of those effects can be dangerous. However, when we’re facing other brain-altering conditions like Alzheimer’s, I think the potential of Cannabis sativa is very exciting.

What’s more, Alzheimer’s is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what cannabinoids can target. But the world of medical marijuana and CBD oil is a bit complicated. So let’s cut through the mess and bring some clarity to this issue.
First, you need to understand that our bodies actually contain cannabinoid receptors. One type of these receptors, called CB1, is in the brain, while CB2 receptors are primarily found in our immune cells. We have these receptors because our brains actually produce molecules called endocannabinoids that play a number of important roles throughout the body, including promoting cell signaling, regulating the immune system, and protecting cells from inflammation. And it seems that the primary active agents in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), can also affect our cannabinoid receptors. This may offer a number of novel treatment options, particularly for conditions driven by inflammation.

Second, there’s an important difference between THC and CBD. THC is the substance that can make people feel “high” or drugged. So it’s important to be careful with it. However, it’s not any more dangerous than many of the drugs that pharmaceutical companies push on us. In fact, I think it might be a lot safer – and more effective. However, it’s illegal in most states and federally, so I can’t recommend using this drug at this time.

CBD, on the other hand, is not marijuana. It’s a component of the marijuana plant. And it’s the major non-psychoactive component of cannabis. So it doesn’t come with any of the mind-altering effects of THC. To use CBD, you don’t smoke it. It comes in an oil you take orally or apply topically to your skin. It’s not something you buy from the drug dealer on the corner. It’s a drug prescribed by a doctor. It’s manufactured by medical-grade facilities that produce standardized and clean oils that are extremely safe to use. And it has a number of amazing benefits.

Cannabinoids like THC and CBD are important to the immune system in particular because of their ability to induce cell death in dangerous cells, keep cells from proliferating (vital to anti-cancer efforts), suppress the production of inflammatory cytokines, and help T-regulatory immune cells get to work. The work of cannabinoids in suppressing cytokines is particularly important. When the immune system gets overworked, it produces inflammatory cytokines, which can in turn contribute to other conditions. Cannabinoids help disrupt this inflammatory cycle, allowing the immune system to regulate its response. Research has found that in certain situations, THC can promote anti-inflammatory effects like those of our natural endocannabinoids.

Chronic inflammation can lead to tissue damages, such as what happens in people with rheumatoid arthritis. Cytokines play a role in this process, as do other immune cells like macrophages and T cells. Research on rheumatoid arthritis and cannabinoids has focused on CBD and found that daily use can inhibit the progression of the disease.

Another disease triggered by immune system dysfunction and inflammation is multiple sclerosis (MS), in which specific immune cells strip away the protective myelin sheaths coating nerves, leading to dysfunction throughout the body. Many MS patients report that cannabinoids decrease their symptoms. One study of 112 men and women with MS found that 90% of the patients saw improvements in spasticity, pain, tremors, and depression when using cannabis. A number of other clinical studies have also linked THC, cannabis, and cannabinoid receptor agonist use to MS improvements.

It seems that cannabinoids helps MS patients both by protecting the nervous system and by suppressing the over-reactive immune system. In MS, a certain type of T cell becomes destructive and begins eliminating the myelin sheaths. These destructive T cells also release inflammatory cytokines, increasing inflammation throughout the body. Cannabinoids help induce apoptosis in these dangerous cells, minimizing their destructive effects. If the disease has already progressed, cannabinoids can also help inhibit cytokine production to decrease inflammation and allow the body to recover.

Let’s move down from the brain to the gut. We all know that inflammation in the digestive system can be incredibly problematic. Even our catch-all term for digestive woes, Inflammatory Bowel Syndrome, highlights inflammation. But inflammation is also a key trigger of specific issues that occur in the bowels, such as colitis, leaky gut (intestinal permeability), and Crohn’s disease.

Earlier we discussed CB1 cannabinoid receptors. These are most commonly found in the brain, but they are also present in the colon. And the number of cells that express CB1 increase in the presence of inflammation to help the body get the situation under control. Mice studies have found that altering CB1 receptors makes mice much more sensitive to inflammatory conditions in the gut and that activating the CB1 receptors and the cannabinoid system can help the body soothe and repair itself. Therefore, researchers believe that activating the cannabinoid system is a promising target for treating inflammatory bowel diseases and reducing intestinal permeability.

In a study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology, researchers simulated permeability and then applied cannabinoids once inflammation had set in. They found that both THC and cannabidiol sped up the recovery process by stimulating CB1 receptors. Encouraging the cells to produce more endocannabinoids also reduced the inflammation-induced permeability, and the cannabinoids helped mitigate the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The area in which cannabinoids seem to be getting the most buzz (pun intended) is in helping cancer patients. Many patients report that cannabis use helps to ameliorate the effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy, but can cannabis affect cancer itself? Early research seems to indicate that it can. After all, inflammation is a major contributor to many types of cancer as well. In fact, the inflammatory response is implicated in up to 20% of all cancer deaths worldwide. Inflammatory mediators like cytokines play a key role in tumor growth and metastasis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are now commonly used to reduce risk of some types of cancer, such as lung, esophagus, and stomach cancer, and have even been found to reduce colon cancer risk by up to 50%, but these drugs can come with their own side effects.

Research into cannabinoids and cancer has focused on their antitumor properties, particularly whether they can prevent tumors from developing in the first place and whether they can induce cell death in existing tumors or at least stop the cell cycle that allows cancer cells to proliferate. Early research has found that THC and other cannabinoids have been able to induce apoptosis in T cells from mice and humans, including primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells. And treating mice that had T-cell leukemia with THC cured approximately 25% of the test subjects. Other studies have found that targeting CB2 receptors can help initiate apoptosis in colorectal tumors.

In a model of thyroid cancer, substances that kept endocannabinoids from degrading reduced the growth of tumors. Researchers are continuing to pursue methods of keeping endocannabinoid concentrations high in areas with tumors, as this seems to trigger CB receptors to fight the cancers. This certainly seems to be a promising area for future studies.

All of these potential therapy options are exciting. But the area I’m most excited about is in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. As I’m sure you know, we can take steps to prevent Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, but there currently is no cure for the disease. However, there is a strong link between Alzheimer’s and inflammation. Recent research published in the journal Nature indicates that the brain’s immune system can create inflammatory processes that drive the progression of dementia. If you think that immune-driven inflammation sounds a lot like what we’ve been discussing above, you’re exactly right.

Researchers at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the University of Bonn have been conducting experiments to help pinpoint these mechanisms and believe their findings may open the door to both prevention and treatment options in the future. As you probably know, amyloid beta plaque accumulation in the brain is a major cause of Alzheimer’s, and it seems that these plaques can also trigger inflammation. The researchers found that the brains of Alzheimer’s patients have higher activation levels of the molecular complex NLRP3, an inflammasome that triggers production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which we discussed above. NLRP3 also combines with adapter proteins called ASC to create “ASC specks.” These in turn bind with the amyloid beta plaques and help them spread, creating a vicious cycle in the brain. Minimizing or stopping this inflammatory reaction could make a tremendous difference in disease progression, and, as we’ve seen above, cannabis products can be key players in the inflammation cycle, particularly when it comes to stopping cytokines in their tracks.

Research into the use of cannabis compounds for treating Alzheimer’s disease has already begun, and early results are promising. In fact, scientists at the Salk Institute labs have actually had success utilizing THC to remove amyloid beta proteins from lab-grown neurons! And, as expected, the compounds reduced inflammation quite a bit as well. These results indicate that it may be possible for cannabinoids to not only stop the inflammatory cycle but actually remove the amyloid beta plaques triggering it in the first place. This also indicates that cannabinoids could be particularly useful in preventative medicine, as amyloid beta plaques often accumulate for years before symptoms begin to show up.

Some believe research needs to be done before doctors can begin recommending cannabinoids for dementia, particularly as a preventative measure. But I am excited about the potential here and don’t see any reason you shouldn’t try CBD if it’s legal in your state. It might do more than anything else you’ve tried. And it’s not going to have any negative side effects.

It’s worth noting that you can increase your own body’s natural production of endocannabinoids by exercising. This will offer you some protection, and it helps explain the link between physical exertion and cognitive health as we age. Don’t wait until you’re older to begin exercising either – regular exercise helps you stay on top of the inflammatory cycle and reduces the chances that you’ll have amyloid beta plaques accumulating in your brain. Plus, these neuroprotective effects extend to other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s.

As you can see, cannabinoids are a very exciting frontier for research. Marijuana use is controversial because of the psychoactive properties of THC. It’s still illegal in most states, so I can’t encourage its use. The legal landscape for CBD is unclear at this point. Some states have actually spelled out they are legal – usually under medical marijuana laws. Others clearly treat them the same as THC products. In fact, Tennessee just raided stores selling CBD products and stressed it is illegal to possess them. The DEA is saying it’s not different from marijuana. If your state has a law allowing its use, then you are safe to use CBD to treat illness.

The good news is that CBD offers many of the same medicinal and anti-inflammatory effects without affecting your mind. In fact, you don’t even need marijuana to get CBD. It’s also found in the hemp plant. If you have an inflammatory condition and would like to give CBD a try, I like a product called Hemp Gel with Turmeric. You can get it from www.fullspectrumhemp.com or by calling 833-355-4325.

Start with a small dose and work your way up from there to find what works best for you. Watch to see how your body responds, and note that the amount you need may vary depending on how much you weigh. If you do have a medical condition, particularly one you’re already taking medication for, you should discuss CBD with your doctor to ensure that it won’t interfere with your medication and for help finding the right dose. If your doctor isn’t willing to discuss this natural product with you but is quick to push potentially dangerous pharmaceutical drugs on you, you may want to consider finding a new doctor. I would much rather treat disease with something close to my body’s natural systems than introduce a foreign substance made in a lab if I can.

I expect you’ll be hearing a lot more about the cannabis plant in the future. I hope it will be able to shed some of the stigma attached to it as we continue to discover its incredible potential for helping us fight inflammation and the diseases associated with this response.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddisalvo/2016/07/05/marijuana-compounds-show-promise-in-protecting-brain-cells-from-alzheimers/#1fdafb6e3ffb
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3423254/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828614/

Two Vitamins Likely to Be Deficient in People Over 60

We know that the effects of a poor diet can manifest themselves in a variety of ways over time. Eating healthful foods provides our bodies with antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients we need to fight diseases associated with aging. But if we fail to eat enough of these healthful foods, over time our bodies begin to accumulate deficits. One study of older adults conducted in Germany found two vitamins in particular that older adults may be deficient in. Here’s what they are – and why this is important.

For a study published in the journal Nutrients, German researchers reviewed data from the KORA-Age study. This is part of a research platform that has been investigating the health of thousands of residents of Southern Germany for more than 30 years. For this particular study, the researchers focused on data from over a thousand adults between the ages of 65 and 93. They tested blood samples to determine their levels of vitamin D, folate, vitamin B 12, and iron.

There was some good news and some bad news. Only 11% and 9% of the adults were deficient in iron and folate, respectively. But over one-fourth (27%) were deficient in vitamin B12. And the news got even worse when it came to vitamin D. A full 52% of the participants had suboptimal vitamin D levels (defined as levels below 50 nmol/L).

Other German studies have indicated that many residents are not consuming sufficient nutrients in their diets, and this study confirms that these deficiencies are starting to show up. Moreover, many of the participants with deficiencies were frail and unable to be physically active.

I’ve written before about the importance of both vitamin B12 and vitamin D to health and vitality. Vitamin B12 is essential to keeping your brain healthy as you age, and vitamin D is connected to everything from cardiovascular health
to strong bones to cancer prevention. However, it can be difficult to get sufficient amounts of these nutrients from food, particularly vitamin D. And while wearing sunscreen is essential to keep your skin safe from UV radiation, it can make it harder for your body to absorb this vitamin naturally.

I recommend a vitamin D supplement to anyone with suboptimal vitamin D levels. Have your doctor run a blood test. You want to be in the 50–80 nmol/L range. Any lower, and you’re taking an unnecessary risk with your health. It’s easy to supplement and bring your levels back to where they should be. I recommend Advanced Bionutritionals Vitamin D3 supplement. Each tablet will give you 5,000 IU of naturally sourced D3 from lanolin. Advanced Bionutritionals also offers a B12 supplement if you find that your levels of that vitamin are suboptimal as well. You can order both by calling 800-791-3395.

None of us consumes a perfect diet. But we do need to be mindful of our vitamin levels. If yours aren’t where they should be, supplementing can be a helpful step. Just don’t use supplements as an excuse to eat poorly. Your body needs all of the healthy vitamins and nutrients whole foods contain.

Romy Conzade, Wolfgang Koenig, Margit Heier, Andrea Schneider, Eva Grill, Annette Peters, Barbara Thorand. Prevalence and Predictors of Subclinical Micronutrient Deficiency in German Older Adults: Results from the Population-Based KORA-Age Study. Nutrients, 2017; 9 (12): 1276 DOI: 10.3390/nu9121276.

Nutrition Detective

Ashwagandha Can Boost Low Thyroid Hormone Levels

As you may know, thyroid imbalances can lead to fatigue, depression, stress, and more. But it can be difficult for doctors to assess whether you truly have a thyroid insufficiency. While they have accepted ranges for "normal" thyroid levels, what's normal for you could be very different from what's normal for your neighbor — and you could both be within the acceptable range.

But let's say you usually hang out on the high end of the spectrum, and your levels dip toward the lower end. If you go in for testing, your doctor might say that you're fine because you're still in the acceptable range - even though you don't feel fine. And you don't feel fine because you've varied from your own personal acceptable range.

If you're at all concerned about your thyroid, find a doctor who will both look at your test results and listen to your symptoms. You'll want to work together to find the right level for you, even if that means taking thyroid hormones despite testing in the "normal" range. But what if you don't need hormones?

It happens. Sometime your levels might get just a little bit off. It's not enough to justify hormone treatment, but enough that you don't quite feel like yourself. If only there was a natural solution that could bump your thyroid up just a bit to get you back on track.

Good news — there is. Natural medicine practitioners have been using an herb called ashwagandha for centuries to reduce stress, improve cognitive function, promote sleep, balance adrenal function, and treat anxiety and depression. Now, research is finally catching up and explaining why it works so well. According to a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, one reason that ashwagandha root extract is so effective
is that it helps boost and balance thyroid hormones.

This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 50 people with hypothyroidism, so it was a quality study. The researchers found that taking 600 mg of ashwagandha a day significantly improved serum TSH, serum T4, and serum T3 levels, moving them closer to normalization by 19%, 45%, and 21%, respectively.

This is great news for people who just need a little help to balance their thyroid out. Of course, if you suspect that your thyroid levels are significantly out of whack, you should definitely see your doctor to help determine both what's normal and appropriate for you. You also need to determine whether you need to be supplementing with thyroid hormones.

Sometimes, prolonged periods of stress can throw many of our hormones, including thyroid, a bit off track. If that describes you, I strongly recommend that you give Advanced Stress Relief (800-791-3395) a try. It contains several herbs and nutrients that can reduce stress and help manage your cortisol. One of these herbs is ashwagandha. I think you'll find it helps reduce your anxiety and gives your hormones a chance to recover.

A.K. Sharma et al. "Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial"? Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine <http://dx.doi.org/10.1089/acm.2017.0183>?? Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1089/acm.2017.0183.

LETTERS

Q: My vitamin D levels are at 96, which was up from 65 a year ago. My doctor thinks that is way too high. She told me to stop taking all supplements and she would recheck in a month. I was getting 1,000 IU in my multivitamin and 400 in your Ultimate Bone Support supplement. I definitely don’t want to stop the bone supplement since I am osteopenia. What are your thoughts? All other blood work was fine. I will be 71 in a week if that helps. – Dottie I., via email

Dear Dottie,

It’s surprising your vitamin D level is at 96 if you’re taking just 1,400 IU daily. Normally, it takes much higher doses to reach a level that high. Most people need an ng/ml of 50-70. But a little higher is not usually a problem. If you’re taking too much vitamin D, the Vitamin D Council says, “It can cause high levels of calcium to develop in your blood. High blood calcium is a condition called hypercalcemia. The symptoms of hypercalcemia include feeling sick or being sick, poor appetite or loss of appetite, feeling very thirsty, passing urine often, constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle weakness or pain, bone pain, feeling confused, or feeling tired.” Levels above 150 ng/ml are considered potentially toxic and could be harmful to your health.”

To get to this level, you typically have to take a lot more than 10,000 IU per day every day for three months or more. It usually takes 40,000 IU per day every day for three months or more to get there. Or you could take 300,000 IU in a 24-hour period to see that happen. Obviously, it takes most people a lot of supplementation to get to dangerous levels. And I typically don’t recommend more than 5,000 IU daily.

Because you’re seeing high levels with such a low dose, it’s possible you’re hypersensitive to vitamin D – or you have a condition that’s causing you to be hypersensitive (granulomatous disease, sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, and lymphoma). These conditions are rare, but they do occur.

If you don’t have any of these illnesses or symptoms of hypercalcemia, talk to your doctor to make sure they haven’t overlooked something. If not, you might just be hypersensitive. In that case, consider trying a different multi, which has no or a lower vitamin D – perhaps 400 IU and continue to use the Ultimate Bone Support for the next three months at half the dose (1 tablet). Ask your doctor to retest after three months and see if, in fact, your D levels have come down.

Q. There was a study that showed improvement by using 15 grams of PectaSol for four days and then 20 grams on the 5th day. The study showed toxins excreted via the urine. However, the dose you sell is only 1 gram a day, a far cry from 15 grams. Is the 1 gram effective? How do we know? – Julie H., via email

Dear Julie,

You are correct, the medical therapeutic dose for PectaSol is 15 grams per day. The dose we sell is the dose considered safe for normal everyday use while not under the care of a physician. Dr. Isaac Eliaz, the man who brought PectaSol to the United States and has done considerable research on the ingredient, believes that taking this small dose consistently (1 gram daily) will very gradually assist in detoxifying the body. And the studies he’s done have shown this to be true.