Author: dr.vanta

That Hidden Depression No One Talks About (Hint: It’s In The Gut)

Key concepts covered in this article: Depression in the gut DOES exist- and is very similar with the depression in the brain. Both are more common in MS and other chronic conditions. There are many similarities between “depression” in the gut and the classic depression. 1.The Classic Depression (In The Brain). Medical Theories of Depression 2. Meet Your Second Brain : The Gut  3. Depression In The Gut DOES Exist- And Is Very Similar With The Depression In The Brain 4. Some Drugs/ Therapies Help Manage Both- The Depressed  Brain And The Depressed Gut 1.The Classic Depression (In The Brain). Medical Theories of Depression Everyone knows about the classic depression and its symptoms: sadness, feelings of guilt and worthlessness, slow thinking and decreased ability to concentrate, sleeping problems, changes in appetite and fatigue. What causes depression ? A few theories explaining what causes depression: Depression is caused by an imbalance in brain neurotransmitters- particularly deficiencies in serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine. More recently, several other neurotransmitters had been found out of balance in depression- including a shortage of GABA and excess histamine and glutamate. Standard treatments still rely on this old theory, and therefore therapy involves the well-known antidepressants that that aim to improve the levels of these neurotransmitters, as well as anti-anxiety drugs. A quick note on histamine: mast cell activation/histamine intolerance had been linked with depression. Depression in an inflammatory...

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Chronic Constipation, IBS-C, SIBO-C? What Is The REAL Cause For All Of Them? 

Chronic Constipation, IBS-C, SIBO-C- Could They All Have The Same Cause ? Let’s see.   1.Intro 2.What Is the Real Cause of Chronic Constipation, IBS-C and SIBO-C? And Few Other Questions 3.About Archaea Microbes 4.The Link Between Archaea Methanogens and Chronic Constipation, SIBO-C, IBS-C, and Many Other Conditions 5.More about Archaea, and The Impact of These Microbes on Human Health 6.Do Archaea Methanogens Have Any Health Benefits?     Part II: That Hidden Depression No One Talks About (Hint: It’s In The Gut. As seen in chronic constipation, SIBO-C and IBS-C) Part III: Chronic Constipation, IBS-C and SIBO-C. Symptoms of Archaea Overgrowth. Conventional and Natural Treatments.   1.Intro Do you suffer from chronic constipation, IBS-C (irritable bowel syndrome, constipation predominant) or SIBO-C (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth -constipation predominant)? or do you have a special interest in these conditions? If yes, this article is for you. It may feel like no one understands you. You probably took several trips to the doctor, had many tests done and everything looked normal. Maybe you received the diagnosis of chronic idiopathic constipation (idiopathic means no known cause) and advised to take some laxatives. Perhaps your doctor ruled out other digestive conditions, suggesting you suffer from IBS-C, and prescribed you laxatives, antidepressants or specific meds for IBS-C (ie Lubiprostone). In fewer cases, the test for SIBO may have been recommended- and when it came back...

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MS Gut Connection: The “MS Microbiome”. Why Is Important and How To Improve It

“The MS Microbiome”:  a lot of research on this topic lately, and a lot more research needed. I don’t think MS can be reversed without addressing the gut health. When it comes to the gut health there are few important factors to consider: gut flora, gut permeability and the gut-brain axis. Of course, there are microbes outside the gut too- in the mouth and all along the GI tract, skin, vagina and other sites. Many more in the environment.  Let’s focus on gut flora(microbiome) today. About Gut Microbiome The Many Functions of The Gut Microbiome Factors That Alter Gut Microbiome Conditions Associated with Altered Gut Microbiome The Normal Gut Microbiome The MS Gut Microbiome More Links Between Gut Microbiome and MS How to Improve Gut Microbiome 1.About Gut Microbiome Microbes existed on Earth long before humans, thus we (the humans) had to learn over time to cohabitate with them.  Each of us has around 100 trillion microorganisms in the gut- collectively known as gut flora or gut microbiome. Gut flora weights up to 2 kilograms and 95% of these microbes reside in the large intestine. Your body is made up of more bacterial cells (10 times more) than human cells. There are over 2000 different microbial species, with distinct roles. Besides bacteria, there are other microorganisms that are part of the gut microbiome- including viruses, fungi, archaea, and eukaryotes. The...

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MARCH 2018 MS NEWS- Neurotransmitter Deficiencies, MS Gut Microbiome, Herbs & Supplements Work, Best Anti-Spasticity Treatment

  New study on neurotransmitter deficiencies : Dopamine and norepinephrine deficiencies associated with MS. Both neurotransmitters appear to have an inhibitory effect on T17 cells (which are abnormally high in MS) [1]. I wrote about norepinephrine and dopamine deficiencies in MS, along with ways to boost dopamine and norepinephrine levels. The link between hepatitis B vaccine and MS is not new. This study looked into the database and the cases reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS). According to this study, MS cases were up to five times more likely to be reported after a hepatitis B vaccination than after any other vaccination. Another finding: the development of MS following hepatitis B vaccination were more likely to occur from outside the USA and to be reported before 2000 than those associated with other immunizations [2]. Is it safe to discontinue MS therapy after age 60? It looks that is very safe to discontinue MS therapy as you get older. This study evaluated 600 individuals with MS on DMT (disease-modifying therapy- immunomodulators). Almost 30% (178) of them discontinued MS therapy, and only one MS relapse had been recorded [3]. I do have a question this study didn’t look at- if it’s so safe to discontinue MS therapy after age 60……how about after 50, or a couple of years after the therapy started ? Diet, Supplements & Alternative Therapies Diet has an...

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Beyond Brain Health- Acetyl L Carnitine (ALCAR) Benefits And Side Effects

1.About L Carnitine/ALCAR/PLC 2.Acetyl l Carnitine For Brain Health- Neuroprotective, Helps Repair Myelin, Improves Memory, Fights Inflammation and Depression and Helps Correct Neurotransmitter Deficiencies 3.More Acetyl L Carnitine Benefits- ALCAR Improves Mitochondrial Health 4.More Acetyl L Carnitine Benefits- ALCAR Improves Sleep and Decreases Fatigue 5.More Acetyl L Carnitine Benefits: ALCAR, Sex Hormones & Reproduction 6.More Acetyl L Carnitine Benefits: L Carnitine/ALCAR For Heart Health 7.More Acetyl L Carnitine Benefits: L Carnitine/ALCAR For Weight Loss, Muscle Growth and Fitness 8.More Acetyl L Carnitine Benefits: L Carnitine/ALCAR & Sugar Metabolism 9.Acetyl L Carnitine Side Effects 10.Other Ways To Increase Boost L Carnitine/ALCAR Levels: Diet and Exercise 1.About L Carnitine/ALCAR/PLC L carnitine is a small water-soluble, vitamin-like molecule that plays a huge role in normal physiology and very important for brain health. It is found in abundance in the liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain and testis. N-acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR), propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) and L-carnitine (LC) are three forms of the naturally occurring amino acid carnitine and are also available in supplement form. How do you know which form to choose ? PLC works the best if your goal is to lose body fat as it helps the body convert fat into energy; it is also great for muscle and heart health. Your brain prefers ALCAR form, which is used for the synthesis of acetylcholine. ALCAR crosses easily the blood brain barrier (BBB), supporting brain and nerve...

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