Hormones
There are a number of safe natural hormones available over the counter.
7-Keto
DHEA
Melatonin
Pregnenolone
Progesterone
Vitamin D
Adrenal Gland & Corticosteroids
Epinephrine is a natural neuro-hormone, released by the adrenal glands. Adrenal glandulars, including adrenal cortex and other nutritional supports for rebuilding the adrenal function should be used whenever the adrenals are run down. Vitamin C and the B complex are particularly important for supporting the adrenals. Among the natural over the counter (OTC) hormones used to restore adrenal function are Pregnenolone, Progesterone, DHEA and 7-Keto DHEA. 7-Keto has the advantage of not affecting sex hormone production.
Cortisol is a stress related adrenal hormone. High cortisol contributes to glaucoma and can cause elevation of blood sugar, blood pressure, and intraocular pressure (IOP). The preferred remedy for elevated cortisol is frequent laughter. Botanical adaptagens and compounds to support reduction in stress responses and cortisol levels include Cortisol Manager (Integrative Therapeutics), Relora (a proprietary combination of Magnolia officinalis and Phelodendron amurense available in various labels), Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian ginseng), schisandra (Magnolia vine) and Rhodiola rosea.
Pineal Gland & Melatonin
Melatonin is the hormone of darkness, secreted by the pineal gland. Melatonin is significantly associated with longevity, cancer prevention and restful sleep. Its production can be blocked by turning a light turned on or left on during sleep or when waking during the night, as well as by electromagnetic and geopathic field exposure. Using a red filter over a flashlight or nightlight preserves the pineals ability to sustain melatonin production. Melatonin may be taken as a supplement before bedtime, or alternatively, its production seems to be enhanced by stimulating the retina with violet light for up to 20 minutes before sleep. Melatonin reduces the rate of aqueous production from the daytime level of 3.1 microliters/minute to 1.5 microliters/minute during sleep. Taken during the daytime, however, Melatonin has detrimental effects, promoting cancer in animal studies.
Thyroid Gland & Thyroxin
Thyroid glandulars or thyroid hormone replacement therapy can be helpful. Thyroid activity, along with zinc, is needed to metabolize beta-carotene into vitamin A. Both thyroid and adrenal regulation is needed to support the high-energy metabolism of the brain, liver and digestive system. When thyroxine is prescribed medically, the natural source (Armour thyroid) is preferable to synthetic (Synthroid), as electrodermal measures show better tolerance by the liver.
Neurotransmitters
Acetylcholine and seratonin relax the smooth muscle in blood vessels, improving perfusion. This is essential for oxygenation and nutrition, and works in tandem with the movement-activated lymphatic system and the direct current activated meridian systems for tissue detoxification.
Phosphatidyl Choline (PC) is available as a high purity nutritional supplement in capsule form as PhosChol (from Nutracell). PC is used even in intravenous form to dissolve fatty deposits in the blood vessels to improve circulatory perfusion. It also functions as a precursor for the body to make acetylcholine.
The amino acids L-Tryptophan and 5-Hydroxy Tryptophan (5-HTP) are available as nutritional supplements to supply precursors for the body to make seratonin.
For nutritional support for making the catecholamine neurotransmitters, see the section on amino acids.
Prostaglandins
Melatonin is the only molecular communicator that directly enters every cell in the body, synchronizing the diurnal and seasonal rhythms of all systems to work together coherently. Prostaglandins carry the messages of all other hormones within the cells, and also play an important role in regulating IOP, circulation and inflammation responses.
The botanical medicine Coleus forskohlii regulates intra-cellular communication via c-AMP, which mediates most of the effects of prostaglandin PGE 2.
Endogenous physiologic signaling receptors, prostaglandins, actions and pathways:
DP1-2 receptors bind to PGD 2 and increase Ca++ via
PLC stimulation.
EP1 receptors bind to prostaglandin PGE 2 and increase Ca++ via PLC
stimulation.
EP2 receptors bind to prostaglandin PGE 2 and increase cAMP via AC
stimulation.
EP3 receptors bind to prostaglandin PGE 2 and decrease cAMP via AC
inhibition.
EP4 receptors bind to prostaglandin PGE 2 and increase cAMP via AC
stimulation.
FP receptors bind to prostaglandin PGF 2 and increase Ca++ via PLC
stimulation.
IP1-2 receptors bind to prostaglandin PGI 2 and increase Ca++ via
PLC stimulation.
TP receptors bind to prostaglandin TxA 2 and increase Ca++ via PLC
stimulation.
Don't worry... you won't be tested on this. You don't have to memorize it! As Einstein said, when asked by a reporter why he couldn't remember Maxwell's equations, "I know where to look it up!"
The point here is that your cells have intricate mechanisms of intracellular communication based on essential fatty acids that regulate functions like inflammation and smooth muscle relaxation which in turn regulates local circulation. So let's take a closer look at a few of these pathways.
Eicosanoids, precursors, related analogs, and local physiologic actions:
Prostaglandin PGD 3 is made from Omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA & DHA, which can be made by the body in limited amounts from plant precursors. This is a very beneficial pathway to support with high quality fish oil supplements that are assayed to assure they are free of toxins including heavy metals that accumulate in larger fish, especially today's in polluted waters.
Prostaglandin PGE 3 is made from Omega-3 essential fatty acids EPA and DHA and indirectly in limited quantities from plant precursors. Like PGD 3, this pathway is supported by high quality fish oil supplements of documented purity.
The prostaglandin PGF 2 is made from PGE 2. PGF 2 inhibits inflammation by raising levels of cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP).
Forskolin, in the botanical medicine Coleus forskohlii, works on the PGE 2 pathway by raising cAMP levels as well, reducing risk of associated tissue damage from processes like free radical pathology, collagen cross-linking and reduction of circulatory perfusion of optic nerve tissues. In fact, where many prescription eye drops risk side effects in those with heart and lung issues, Forskolin, like the Omega 3 EFAs, has side benefits, and can even be used to treat these problems.
Most anti-inflammatory drug therapies try to block pro-inflammatory physiological pathways. Prednisone, which can cause glaucoma and cataracts even in eye drop or skin cream forms, is used in high doses to block the liberation of arachidonic acid, the precursor of the pro-inflammatory prostaglandins. This can usually be more safely achieved with supplementation of the safer (OTC) steroids DHEA, its active metabolite 7-Keto, or its precursor pregnenolone, as well as immune-modulating plant-analog phytosterols.
Drugs that inhibit prostaglandin synthesis by blocking enzymes that convert arachidonic acid to prostaglandins include aspirin, NSAIDs and acetaminophen. They are responsible for tens of thousands of deaths each year in the states alone. When a respected colleague first discovered this at a major research hospital in the 1960's, he was fired because he wanted to publish the connection he found between NSAIDs and kidney failure, potentially saving more lives than are lost on the highways. The hospital was dependent upon funding from the corporations that manufacture the drugs, so the link was kept under wraps... and still is. In addition to massive over the counter sales of acetylated salicylates (Aspirin, Bayer, Bufferin, and generic), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and generic), and naproxen (Aleve and generic), there are 70 million prescriptions for NSAIDs written for Americans each year. NSAIDs over-alkalize inflamed connective tissues, stopping the body's purposeful detoxification processes by forming a toxic malformed gel out of the toxic sol state that contains whatever toxins the body was trying to eliminate, plus the introduced drug. This turns an acute inflammatory healing response into a chronic, and potentially degenerative disease state, which means a headache suppressed with aspirin is more likely to return again and again as chronic headaches. This is good for the economy.
In contrast, EPA provides a substrate for the anti-aggregatory, anti-inflammatory and vasodilating prostaglandin -3 series. Other effective alternatives for relief of pain and inflammation include a highly absorbable water-soluble quercetin (e.g. Pain Guard Forte’ from PerQue).
Plant sources such as flax seed, hemp seed, chia seed, and walnut provide the precursor Omega-3 fatty acid: Alpha-linolenic acid that the human body converts, though inefficiently, to the longer chain EPA and DHA fatty acids needed for anti-inflammatory prostaglandin formation, neuro-visual development and performance (e.g. DHA for visual acuity) and other cellular needs. Soy and rapeseed (Canola from Canadian Oil Company) also contain ALA but are not recommended as sources by Remission Foundation.
DHA is the #1 fatty acid in the central nervous system. Fish oils contain the Omega-3 fatty acids in their physiologically active EPA and DHA forms for health benefits as immediate PG3 prostaglandin precursors, saving the time and energy of the inefficient enzymatic steps necessary to process Alpha-linolenic acid into the biologically active forms. In many health situations, these enzyme pathways limit the amount of eicosanoids the body can produce to much less than the levels requisite for optimal health and performance.
Nutrients required for the anti-inflammatory EFA pathways to function include:
Essential Fatty Acids (omega-3 and omega-6, in
balance)
Zinc
Magnesium
Pyroxidine (vitamin B6) in its active form P5P
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
Enzymes delta-6-desaturase, delta-5-desaturase, elongase,
cyclo-oxygenase and oxygenase convert alpha-linolenic acid into the
beneficial, anti-inflammatory PGE3 series prostaglandins.
Omega-3 Pathway (Substrate + Enzyme + Cofactors = Product)
Omega-3 EFA substrate + delta-6 desaturase enzyme + B6, Mg, and Zn cofactors = Stearidonic Acid product.
Alpha-linolenic Acid (LNA) substrate + Stearidonic Acid elongase enzyme = Eicosatetraenoic Acid product.
Eicosatetraenoic Acid substrate + delta-5-desaturase enzyme + Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Zn cofactors = Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) product.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) substrate + cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme = PGE-3. This metabolic pathway is blocked by COX inhibiting drugs.
Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) substrate + Lipoxygenase enzyme = Leukotrienes (less inflammatory). This pathway is promoted by COX inhibiting drugs.
Omega-6 Pathway (Substrate + Enzyme + Cofactors = Product)
Linoleic Acid (LA) substrate + delta-6-desaturase enzyme + B6, Mg, and Zn cofactors = Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) product
Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) + Gamma Linolenic Acid elongase enzyme = Dihomogamma Linolenic Acid (DGLA)
Dihomogamma Linolenic Acid (DGLA) substrate + delta-5-desaturase enzyme + Vitamin B3, Vitamin C, and Zn cofactors = PGE 1. This is the preferred pathway to anti-inflammatory Series 1 Prostaglandins.
With Omega-3 deficiency
Arachidonic Acid (AA) substrate (prefers Omega-3 oils) + cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme = inflammatory Series 2 Prostaglandins. COX inhibiting drugs block this metabolic pathway involved in the regulation of tissue detoxification.
PGF 2 promotes inflammation while PGE 2 has anti-inflammatory effects.
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