Healing the Blood-Brain Barrier

https://appwell.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/BBBHealing.pdf

Comment; Suzanne Gazda, MD is an integrative neurologist who has put together a great list of ways to heal the blood brain barrier which protects the brain from a variety of toxic sources of damage. An active member of the International Society of Environmentally Acquired Illness she is well ahead of the curve in terms of understanding the cause of neurodegenerative illnesses such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, ALS and so many others. The best way to resolve a problem is to correct the root cause of that problem. This leads to success!

Healing the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB); Suzanne Gazda MD Integrative Neurologist, ISEAI Member

1. Assume that in most/all neurological problems, there are one and or two things going on;

A)BBB is leaking

B) Neuro-inflammation from immune cell activation

2. We address both with the same techniques:

3. Turn off what is causing the leak–the Cell Danger Response (CDR), assaulting the brain.

4. Improve brain homeostasis while up-regulating mitochondrial function and the body’s way of cleaning out damaged cells, in order to regenerate newer, healthier cells (autophagy).

A)The cells making up the BBB; glial cells & astrocytes are RICH in mitochondria. B) Some things that help boost mitochondrial function are;

01) Intermittent fasting; Ketogenic diet promotes autophagy.

02) In mice studies, 24 hours of fasting was best for the brain since in the brain in takes longer to turn on autophagy.

5. Heal the Gut: the gut brain connection is a BIG deal Metabolic products produced by the microbiome, such as short-chain fatty acids, can cross the BBB to affect brain function. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29392733

6. Exercise

7. Sleep

A)The brain needs BOTH the BBB and the glymphatic for clearing mechanisms Disruption of these mechanisms can lead to protein accumulation and may initiate neurodegenerative disorders https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29608988

8. Sunlight and Vit D:

A) Vit D deficiency affects brain ‘scaffolding’

B) Low Vit D has been linked to neuropsychiatric diseases like schizophrenia

9. Reduce stress

A)There’s strong validity to the argument that it helps the brain relax, increases the blood flow to the brain, and reduces cortisol levels.

B) A regular meditation practice has been shown to increase gray matter

C) Loneliness increases inflammation https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889159119303174?dgcid=raven_sd_a ip_email

10. Photo modulation with Red light therapy promotes mitochondrial function

11. Heat Stress/IR sauna

12. Support NAD:

A) NAD is called the essence of life and has a key role in mitochondrial function

01) Like Nadovim https://nadovim.com/science/#the_formula 2 q am which is a mixture of 2 q am which is a mixture of

(a)a highly bioavailable form of NAD

(b)Cats claw

(c)Coenzyme Q 10

(d)Mg

(e)Thiamine

13. Other Mitochondrial function and autophagy supplements:

A) Resveratrol 150 mg to 250 mg/day

B) D-Ribose (Studies have looked at D-Ribose in neurodegenerative diseases such as early ALS and MS with promising results)

C) High dose antioxidants (Vitamin’s C, D, E & A)

D)Coenzyme Q 10 or Ubiquinone if older

E) ALA (alpha lipoid acid) 200 mg bid

F) N-acetyl cysteine-Human trials done after injury of active duty military NAC showed decreased brain inflammation and oxidative stress markers

G)Metformin may help with autophagy/studies are mixed

H)Isorhynchophylline, a natural alkaloid, promotes the degradation of alpha-synuclein in neuronal cells via inducing autophagy

14. Autophagy, 8:1, 98-108, DOI: 10.4161/auto.8.1.18313 https://doi.org/10.4161/auto.8.1.18313

15. Control glucose and address insulin resistance:

A) High blood sugar which

B) Produces oxidative stress and inflammation and leads to…

C) Insulin resistance in the brain

16. Reduce obesity:

A)Leads to inflammation August 20, 2019; 93 (8) ARTIICLE Neurology July 24, 2019, In this study,

B) Measures of obesity are associated with MRI markers of brain aging

01) Reduced gray matter

02) High-fat diet or

03) Overeating

C) Leads to leptin resistance

17. Look to the Liver:

A)Liver damage releases a signal called MMP9 into the bloodstream that increases BBB permeability 18. Reduce overall toxic load:

A)Chemical

B) Heavy metals

C) Up regulate detox mechanisms

01) Avoid exposure

02) Optimize oral microbiome

19. Hormone balance:

A) Studies have found that brain energy decreases up to 40% on average during peri- and early menopause, and

B) Women in this group have more Alzheimer’s plaques than men of similar age or younger women.

C) Progesterone and estradiol are steroid hormones that has neuroprotective effects on injured brain cells &…

D) Progesterone potentiates the effect of vitamin D.

E) Pregnenolone benefits the brain by helping regulate myelination.

F) Make sure thyroid is optimized

20. Reduce homocysteine

A)Elevated Homocysteine damages the brain

01) At Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University,

(a)they show in mice that diet-induced increases in homocysteine levels directly contribute to the

(b)development of damaging neurofibrillary tangles,

(c)which result from the progressive accumulation of abnormal tau protein in the brain.

(d)Homocysteine should be 6-7 or less.

21. Supplements to increase Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

A)Curcumin 750-1500 mg / day

B) Cats Claw please note that Nadovim has this in it

C) Exercise

D) Sleep

E) Lions Maine mushroom 500 mg once or twice a day

F) Liposomal melatonin (given 2-3hr before bedtime) to reduce brain inflammation.

01) I like to work up to 20 mg / day if tolerated for brain health/some say 100 mg is needed for optimal brain health but it’s tough to tolerate very high doses

G)Cordycepin: Reduced pro inflammatory cytokines and increased BDNF in mice w MS Int Immunopharmacol. 2019 Jul 26;75:105777. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2019.105777.

22. Brain neurotrophics;

A) DHE/DHA has been shown to promote amyloid-ß plaque clearance from the brain

B) DHA has been shown to decrease tau tangles

C) Phosphatidylserine (PS)

D)important role in cell signaling

E) Desensitizes hypothalamic cortisol receptors, and

F) Serine can be converted into glycine, an inhibitory NT given at 100–300 mg/d in divided doses.

G)Bacopa used in ancient medicine practices for 1000’s of years for memory and cognitive 200–600 mg/d in divided doses

H) Green tea/ polyphenols or Whole coffee fruit extract (WCFE), 100 mg once or twice per day for three months, then withdraw slowly over one month. Eat 1 to 2 servings of dark chocolate • Consider 100– 300 mg green tea extract

I) Synapsin

J) Seleginline: Acts as an antioxidant and protects against glutamate toxicity

K) PQQ, or pyrroloquinoline quinone.

01) PQQ is an enzyme cofactor possessing

02) Antioxidative

03) Neuroprotective; protects neurons by preventing the long term over-activation of the NMDA receptor 10 to 20 mg/ day

L) Scutellarin baicalinase’s:

01) Antioxidant

02) Attenuates microglial activation

03) Reduces neuroinflammation

04) 2 or 3 teaspoons or 2 capsules per day, to enhance branching of neurons in the hippocampus.

M) Other mast cell stabilizers like

01) Luteolin

02) Quercetin

03) Mirica

(a) Dr Ackerly uses: Miraca at 2 tid in worst pain patients plus

(b) Neuroprotek 2 qd plus working up to 4.5 mg

(c)LDN N)Taurine

01) Taurine helps with neurogenesis

02) Increases cerebral blood flow, and

03) Activates neuronal stem cells.

04) Also great for liver support

O) Glycine

P) Magnesium threonate blocks the NMDA receptor

Q)L-tyrosine: 500mg/ day improves memory and focus

R) Citicoline; 250 mg twice per day

S) Vit B 6 20 mg tid

T) L theanine Helps with

01) Sleep

02) Depression

03) Anxiety

04) Memory

05) L-Theanine: 100–200 mg/d. up to 800 mg/day in dd/blocks glutamate receptors

U)Rhodiola

01) For mental fatigue & stress (a)200mg once or twice a day or

02) Ashwagandha

03) 500 mg, twice per day with meals

04) Ashwagandha helps in

(a) The reduction of amyloid, as well as in

(b) Handling stress)

V) Ginkgo biloba

01) Neuroprotection

02) Studies have found that it has

(a)-oxidant and

(b)Anti-amyloid properties

W) Huperzine A

01) Inhibits the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine

X) Grape seed extract

01) Potent anti-inflammatory

02) Antioxidant

03) Helps mitochondria

Y) Gotu kola

01) 500 mg twice per day with meals, to

02) Increase focus and

03) Alertness

23. Avoid Calcium supplementation in patients with PANS and PANDAS

A)It can fuel the NMDA receptor

24. Boost immune function

A) IVIG

01) One of the many reasons I love IVIG is because it has

02) Neuroprotective effects and studies have shown it can

03) Improve BBB function

04) Dose must be 2 gm/kg

B) Low Dose Naltrexone

C) Tinospora cordifolia (guduchi) is helpful to

01) Boost immune support.

02) It is taken at a dosage of 300 mg with meals, 2 or 3 times per day

D)CBD has many neurological and immune benefits