The Biochemistry of Treatment (pg 6)
I: Nitric Oxide
Hydroxocobalamine (B12) is a nitric oxide scavenger: it reduces excess, harmful levels of nitric oxide. B12 (cobalamine) is deficient in the majority of chemically ill patients.42 The cyano form (too often sold) is not recommended (patients don’t need cyanide) and only hydroxocobalamine reduces excess nitric oxide. Methylcobalamine can help brain and nerve repair but doesn’t act on these vicious cycles.
Nasal hydroxocobalamine is rapidly absorbed, well tolerated,43,44 and increases body levels.44 Nasal hydroxocobalamine is also effective in reducing frequency and severity of migraines, acting to reduce excess nitric oxide.45 Because of lack of a barrier between the nose and brain, nasal use can improve brain levels.
Since the nitric oxide excess is a major starting step in the vicious cycles, hydroxocobalamine use is essential. Nebulizer use builds body levels, nasal use gives rapid relief of symptoms. Sublingual may help but is usually less effective.
Bioactive folate can help reduce abnormal levels of nitric oxide.46 Folate can be converted to its bioactive form but needs adequate bioactive vitamins B3, B6, serine (protein substance) and B2 to do this. Using folinic (eg, by nebulizer) only B2 is needed. Genetic differences can still impair this step, so bioactive folate (called MTHF) can be given.
II: Glutathione
Glutathione is the most important antioxidant in the body.47 Improving levels in the upper and lower respiratory tract (nose, throat, bronchial tubes, lungs, etc.) can help reduce respiratory responses to irritants and help to reduce the severity and duration of the patient's reactions. This means less congestion, burning and mucous in the nose, throat, bronchial tubes, lungs, etc.
Glutathione can be absorbed through the lungs (delivered to the lungs by nebulizer as an aerosol) and seems able to cross the blood-brain barrier.48 It enters bronchial tubes and lungs well by nebulizer, avoiding need of IV/injection use. AeronebGo brand nebulizer makes smaller particles of mist that enter the body easier from the lungs. Use of buffered nebulized glutathione improves symptoms and lung function in chronic inflammatory lung disease49 compared to double blind placebo of persons not on the treatment.
A nasal spray form of glutathione may be used for reactions that would otherwise harm brain function. Glutathione nasal spray reduces symptoms of chronic rhinitis.50 There is no blood-brain barrier between the nose and the brain.51 Scientific studies document that substances being breathed into the nose directly enter the brain.51 This is harmful for chemicals and even many drugs, but helpful for healing glutathione.
Glutathione is the most abundant protein-like substance in the brain.52 It scavenges free radicals, such as peroxynitrite,52 protecting brain cells from free radical damage.52 It also reduces excess brain cell “excitotoxicity” (also called neural sensitization), helping prevent impaired function and death of brain and nerve cells.52
Glutathione also reduces excess NMDA.52 (Excess NMDA activity starts and perpetuates the biochemical cycles discussed). NMDA is a tiny substance that is very damaging in excess.
If any irritation is experienced with glutathione, the concentration is too high for the level of inflammation at that time. Stop immediately and promptly dilute with safe (clean, nontoxic) water to below irritation level. As healing improves, the concentration can gradually be increased. NEVER ignore irritation symptoms: the body will let you know the amount it can handle well. For severe inflammation VERY dilute amounts are needed.
III: Substances that Improve Glutathione Function
Vitamin C (ascorbate) reactivates glutathione in water-based body fluids. It also helps protect from effects of chemical injury.53 Vitamin C reduces free radicals in water-based body fluids like the blood stream and inside cells (but not membranes).54 If irritation occurs, use smaller amounts below irritation level and build up gradually, keeping below irritation level.
Selenium is essential for function of the enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which reduces tissue damaging “free radicals”.54
Alpha lipoic acid is a potent and lipophilic antioxidant that keeps glutathione in active form in all body areas. It protects lipid membranes55 of cells and membranes of cell structures (including the energy-generating mitochondria), protein/enzyme-making structures (ribosomes), genetic DNA and all other cell structures.55 It also protects the lipid myelin coating essential for electric conduction in nerve and brain cells. It has been used in Germany for decades to treat neuropathy.56 Alpha lipoic acid (the effective form is called dihydrolipoic acid) keeps many other antioxidants active in all body areas, including glutathione, vitamin C, flavinoids and tocopherols (natural vitamin E).57,58,59.60 If irritation, use smaller amounts below irritation level and build up gradually keeping below irritation level.
Riboflavin (B2) is essential in reactivating glutathione. It does this by acting (in its bioactive form of FAD) as an essential cofactor of the enzyme, glutathione reductase. This enzyme keeps glutathione in its active form. With even minor reduction of riboflavin there is reduced function of this enzyme.61,62 Riboflavin has also been shown to be effective in preventing migraines.63 Migraines are a blood vessel form of neural sensitization. Riboflavin is typically low in people with chemical illness.41 The neural protocol contains riboflavin in the form the body can promptly use: riboflavin-5-phosphate.
Bibliography: Neural Sensitization: The Key to Medical Treatment
Next page: Pg 7 - The Biochemistry of Treatment (continued)
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