Cellular Foundation For Multiple Sclerosis Support

Cellular Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis Support*

• Multiple Sclerosis

• Terry Wahls Cell Membrane Power Smoothie

• Getting Healthier at the Cellular Level

Multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord.

This damage to the myelin sheath disrupts the communication between nerve cells, leading to a wide range of symptoms, such as muscle weakness, difficulty with coordination and balance, and cognitive impairment

The myelin sheath is made up of lipids, including plasmalogens and phosphatidylcholine, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity and function of the myelin membrane* In individuals with MS, the immune system attacks and damages these lipids, leading to a decrease in their levels in the myelin sheath This results in an increased susceptibility to damage and inflammation, leading to further breakdown of the myelin sheath and worsening of symptoms

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and damages the myelin sheath that surrounds and protects nerve fibers in the brain and spinal cord This damage to the myelin sheath disrupts the communication between nerve cells, leading to a wide range of symptoms, such as muscle weakness, difficulty with coordination and balance, and cognitive impairment

The myelin sheath is made up of lipids, including phosphatidylcholine, which are crucial for maintaining the integrity and function of the myelin membrane In individuals with MS, the immune system attacks and damages these lipids, leading to a decrease in their levels in the myelin sheath This results in an increased susceptibility to damage and inflammation, leading to further breakdown of the myelin sheath and worsening of symptoms

h o s p h o l i p i d s & O u r b r a i n s

Myelin repair*:

Phospholipids are critical components of myelin, the protective covering around nerve fibers that is damaged in MS* Supplementing with phospholipids can support the repair and maintenance of myelin*

Anti-inflammatory effects*:

Phospholipids can modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, which is a key feature of MS pathology*

Neuroprotection*:

Phospholipids have been shown to protect nerve cells from damage and improve their function, which can help alleviate MS symptoms.*

Gut-brain axis*:

There is growing evidence that the gut microbiome plays a role in MS. Phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylcholine, can support gut health and the gut-brain axis, which may be beneficial for MS*

u r b r a i n s

h o s p h o l i p i d s &

Foundational Cellular Health

MS is associated with a deficiency of plasmalogens, a type of phospholipid The main phospholipid in myelin is phosphatidyl- choline Myelin is primarily composed of lipids, with approximately 70% of its dry weight being lipids. Phosphatidylcholine makes up a significant portion of the lipids in myelin, along with other phospholipids such as sphingomyelin and phosphatidylethanolamine

Microglia are located in the central nervous system (CNS), including the brain, spinal cord, and retina They are the resident immune cells of the CNS and play an important role in maintaining the health and function of the nervous system and maintaining CNS homeostasis. In MS, microglia cells become activated in response to the inflammation caused by the immune system attacking myelin This activation results in the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further exacerbate the damage to myelin and axons. Activated microglia cells also contribute to the breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, which is a critical component of CNS homeostasis This breakdown allows immune cells and inflammatory molecules to enter the CNS, leading to increased inflammation and tissue damage.

Furthermore, activated microglia cells can phagocytose myelin debris, which is important for clearing damaged myelin and promoting tissue repair However, if the activation of microglia cells is sustained, it can lead to the chronic release of pro-inflammatory mediators, resulting in ongoing damage to myelin and axons

Overall, the activation of microglia cells is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of MS, and targeting microglia activation is a potential therapeutic approach for treating the disease

B u t y r a t e & M S

Butyrate is a short-chain fatty acid that is produced by the gut microbiome through the fermentation of dietary fiber It has been shown to have a range of neurological benefits, including:

Studies have shown that butyrate can stimulate the differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells into mature oligodendrocytes and promote the production of new myelin. For example, one study found that treating oligodendrocyte progenitor cells with butyrate increased the expression of genes involved in myelin production and led to an increase in the number of mature oligodendroe human studies are needed.

as been found to support a healthy inflammation response in the brain cord by reducing the activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines*

as been shown to protect neurons from damage and death caused by ative stress, and inflammation*

as been shown to improve cognitive function and memory in both ividuals and those with neurological disorders.*

as been shown to strengthen the blood-brain barrier, which helps to ins and pathogens from entering the brain*

B u t y r a t e & M S

Modulates neurotransmitter activity*

Butyrate has been found to modulate the activity of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, and GABA, which can have a positive effect on mood and behavior.*

S ports mitochondrial function*

as been shown to support mitochondrial function, which is important production in neurons*

ulates gene expression*

as been found to regulate gene expression in neurons, which can have a sitive effects on neurological function.*

depressant and anxiolytic effects*

as been found to have anti-depressant and anxiolytic effects in both human studies*

as been found to regulate gene expression in neurons, which can have positive effects on neurological function*

T u d c a & M S

Tudca (tauroursodeoxycholic acid) has several potential mechanisms of action that may be beneficial in the context of MS (multiple sclerosis) Here are some ways in which tudca may support MS.

Healthy Inflammation Response

Tudca has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and promoting the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines* This may be beneficial in reducing the inflammation that contributes to MS*

Antioxidant Effects

Tudca has potent antioxidant effects, which may be beneficial in protecting against oxidative stress that is known to contribute to MS*

Protection of Oligodendrocytes*

Tudca has been shown to protect oligodendrocytes, which are the cells that pro- duce myelin in the central nervous system.* This is important because the loss of myelin is a hallmark of MS

Regulation of Autophagy *

Tudca has been shown to regulate autophagy, which is a process by which cells can remove damaged or dysfunctional components* Dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in the development of MS

Neuroprotective effects

Tudca has been shown to have neuroprotective effects by reducing neuronal cell death and promoting neuronal survival This may be beneficial in protecting against the neurodegeneration that occurs in MS.

M i n e r a l s & M S

Magnesium

Zinc

Selenium

Magnesium is involved in nerve function and can help alleviate muscle spasms and cramps that are common in MS* It also plays a role in energy production and can help reduce fatigue

Zinc is important for immune function and can help boost the body’s natural defenses against infections* It may also have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce inflammation in the brain and spinal cord

Selenium is an antioxidant that can help protect the body against damage from free radicals* It also plays a role in immune function and may help reduce inflamma- tion

Calcium

Calcium is important for bone health and can help prevent osteoporosis, which is a common complication of MS* It also plays a role in muscle and nerve function

Potassium

Potassium is involved in nerve function and can help reduce muscle spasms and cramps It also plays a role in blood pressure regulation and can help reduce the risk of developing hypertension, which is a common complication of MS.*

3. Terry Wahls Cell Membrane Power Smoothie

I often get asked how I take BodyBio PC and Balance Oil.

Here is the recipe for my PC Smoothie Bowl which I have as dessert most evenings

This is a staple in my routine to add in the healthy fats, essential fatty acids and phospholipids to promote cellular health I use BodyBio PC and Balance Oil to support and repair cell membranes and to help with mitochondrial function. It’s an easy way to get these critical nutrients and you can customize the flavors to your liking

As you can see in the video I eyeball the amounts of each so there is no specific amount I put in Blend together to your desired consistency:

Once that is blended, I add chia seeds and lightly pulse a few times Refrigerate and the chia seeds will help to create a lovely pudding that makes a great dessert treat that lasts a few days (keep it refrigerated)

INGREDIANTS

PC (dosage is ½ tsp but some people are on more, speak to your doctor about this)

Balance Oil (1 tablespoon)

Olive Oil (1 tablespoon)

Bone Broth 8 oz

Aronia Berries

Ginger, Calendula

Any other herbs & spices you may want to add such as cacao, wile blueberries, etc.

Chia Seeds

3. Getting Healthier at the Cellular Level

WHAT IS PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE AND HOW CAN IT BENEFIT YOUR HEALTH?

For over half a century we’ve held onto the illusion that our health and fate were pre-programmed in our genes, this idea is referred to as genetic determinacy Our genes not only contain the ability to produce the 100,000 proteins from DNA, they’re also the brains of the cell, guiding what proteins are required at every moment. However, recent advances in science are moving away from this premise and viewing epigenetics as the primary guide in genetic production Epigenetics refers to something beyond genetics, or as outside the cell, on the perimeter the membrane of the cell

Bruce Lipton, a renowned cell biologist has studied how cells process information for 40 years, leading him to the conclusion that genes are not in control of what proteins they should produce next Instead, our genes are guided by a thin sliver of lipid phospholipids so tiny a microscope can not see it. These include our thoughts and beliefs, which Lipton argues can shape our DNA, a theory he presents in “The Biology of Belief” (Elite Books, 2005) Lipton, a former professor at the University of Wisconsin Medical School and the Stanford School of Medicine, makes the case that, “Through the action of the cell membrane we can actually control our genes, our biology, and our life and we have been doing it all along although we have been laboring under the belief that we are victims (sic) of our genes (1)”

Lipton says genes are the blueprints for 25,000 instructions our cell membrane needs to run our body. Architects use blueprints to build things but there is no action taken by a blueprint A healthy cell membrane takes the blueprints and sets them into motion All of this suggests that caring for our health on the cellular level is important because our cell membranes communicate for our DNA, when the cell membrane is compromised the entire system is

The Connection Between Cell Health and Phospholipids

The best way to keep our cells healthy is with phospholipids, especially Phosphatidylcholine aka PC PC is not a vitamin, but a phospholipid (PL), one element that makes up our cell membranes PC supplies the body with the raw materials it needs to keep cells intact and running on all cylinders, much like adding bricks to the walls of our 70+ trillion cells. In this article we’ll go deeper into what phosphatidylcholine is, what studies have shown it does for the body, the difference between PC and Choline, and the best sources of PC.

What is a Phospholipid?

Since Phosphatidylcholine is a phospholipid, understanding the basics of these molecules is important in understanding the bigger picture of cellular health “A phospholipid is a lipid that contains a phosphate group and is a major component of cell membranes A phospholipid consists of a hydrophilic (water-loving) head and hydrophobic (water-fearing) tail (2)” The lipid bilayer acts as a barrier to the passage of molecules and ions into and out of the cell. “However, an important function of the cell membrane is to allow selective passage of certain substances into and out of cells This is accomplished by the embedding of various protein molecules in and through the lipid bilayer (2)”

Phospholipids found in the cell membrane

include:

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)- Vital to mitochondrial function* and accounts for about one-fourth of all phospholipids and is also an important part of the membrane However, it is found in the inner part of the membrane where it oversees membrane structure and acts as a basis for several biological pathways, making it integral to our cellular health.

Phosphatidylinositol (PI)- Supportive to the brain and neurotransmission A minor element of the inner side of the membrane but still considered one of the more interesting phospholipids metabolically because its actions are stimulated by the cell membrane itself through a complex interaction of proteins and enzymes that directs the cell’s metabolic changes, including the ability to change our sense of smell, sight, taste, touch, and hearing

Phosphatidylserine (PS) - Important to cognitive function* Like PE, PS is found in the inner part of the membrane PS is formed from PE by swapping the ethanolamine head for L-serine, which then enhances acetylcholine release and improves cell signaling to rectify faulty cognitive activity

Phosphatidylcholine (PC)- Essential for memory and cognitive support* the major component of the cell membrane in the outer leaflet of the membrane helping it to maintain structural integrity and to repair cells that are jeopardized by internal and external threats to our health.

How Phosphatidylcholine Works in the Body

PC is a membrane therapeutic molecule that has several modes of action, most importantly, its contribution to cellular membrane structure and function Because it’s architecture parallels that of the cell membrane, it is accepted by the membrane as a building block, incorporating itself into the cell’s structure.

Functionally, PC enhances the free passage of food and energy into the cell while escorting wastes and detritus out. By doing so, it works to enhance the process of metabolism within a cell Because BodyBio PC is a liposome, it has the wherewithal to deliver a payload to a targeted cell, whether that payload delivers its own personality or that of medication or another healing entity

As a lung surfactant, PC is a rescue molecule to acute respiratory distress syndrome in adults and children. In GI diseases, it restores the mucus lining that occupies the intestinal lumen

Are Phosphatidylcholine and Choline The Same?

Choline and PC are often confused as one in the same, but there is a distinction between the two Choline is an essential nutrient related to the water-soluble B-complex vitamins It’s the precursor for acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that mediates neuromuscular and peripheral nervous system activity, including GI peristalsis, vasodilation, mood, sleep, thought and cognitions, among others PC is the stuff of our cell membrane architecture, which also enhances cell function Being a liposome, it passes into the bloodstream intact, bypassing digestive degradation to deliver healing to every cell of every organ and organ system of the body

Benefits of Phosphatidylcholine

Because PC is essential to so many systems in the body and works to give your cells the boost they need to work better Benefits of PC supplementation may include healthy liver and lung function, optimized mental focus and brain health, and supported mitochondria PC may also decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower cholesterol (3)

Phosphatidylcholine

Side Effects

As with any supplement, it’s important to know what side effects may be in order to make the best decision for your body PC is well-tolerated when used orally and topically Doses that exceed recommendations may evoke mild and transient gastric distress, such as bloating and diarrhea, especially if taken in the absence of food Rarely, sweating and itching have been reported in doses approaching 30 grams Not all Phosphatidylcholine is Created Equal: A History of Lecithin + PC in the Market

Pregnant Women + Infant Development- PC can facilitate healthy development of lungs/lung surfactants in a growing baby, and healthy fetal growth There is an increased demand for PC by the fetus, especially during the third trimester so getting optimal levels is important As always, check with your doctor before supplementing with PC

Mental health + cognition- initial studies have found that PC may help with mild memory loss associated with aging and support healthy brain function (4)

Patients looking for liver support, respiratory distress, gastric issues, CNS involvements (including aberrant cognitions) and detox matters may benefit from a PC regimen*

In the 20th Century, lecithin was a problem for big grain companies because of its tendency to stick to oil-producing machinery and cause a mess Lecithin makes up approximately 2% of oil production, which doesn’t sound like much unless you think about oil production in the US generating approximately 120,000,000 pounds yearly Two percent of that equals around two million pounds that’s a lot of lecithin!

Around this same time PC, the largest of the PLs, was discovered However, fatty acid technology was still in its infancy. Understanding lecithin and the phospholipids that are part of lecithin took many years to evolve The knowledge that lecithin contained PC, and that PC was beneficial was used to establish a rule concerning PC and lecithin; if there was 30% PC in the lecithin in a supplement it could be called Phosphatidylcholine And so, lecithin was packed in drums with 35% soybean oil, encapsulated, and then encapsulated in bulk and sold to vitamin companies who repackaged them under their own label as “Phosphatidylcholine”

This watered down version of PC creates a much less effective product and may even cause harm because of additives and un-tested ingredient interactions At BodyBio we never dilute our products or substitute quantity for quality.

How to Increase Phosphatidylcholine in the Body

There are two ways to increase PC in the body through food sources and supplementation. The top PC containing foods include meat (especially red meats) eggs, and soybeans but getting the levels you need through food alone can be difficult, if not impossible Since PC in food is broken down into phospholipids + choline, it’s not possible to reach optimal levels of PC through diet alone PC gets taken apart by phospholipase enzymes to send choline to make acetylcholine, and then some choline reunites with phospholipids to make PC in the liver This process wanes as we age In fact, an adult is lucky to have 10% of the PC they had at birth. This is why supplementation of PC is necessary and recommended

Phosphatidylcholine Supplements

As mentioned above, getting an optimal level of PC is difficult through diet alone, but finding a high-quality supplement can be challenging as well When PC is extracted in the correct way it becomes liposomal. Using a liposomal PC, such as BodyBio PC Complex, sends phospholipids through the body and brain, rebuilding whichever cells need repair

PC supplements are recommended for women hoping to conceive, and those who are already pregnant After all, a growing fetus needs a lot of membranes! The same holds true for aging populations. As we mature, the PC content of our cells decreases The rejuvenating effect of PC supplementation, especially on brain cells, is astounding

Phosphatidylcholine Dosage

According to the very few published studies on PC, doses of 15 to 50 grams taken orally daily is the recommended dosage However, there are no studies that indicate optimal doses in any specific situation. Conditions that must be considered include age, gender, size, activity levels, current pathologies, and duration of disease

In 2000, after years of biohacking his own health and dedicating his life to studying fatty acids and lipidomics, BodyBio Founder Ed Kane developed our own PC formula As an entrepreneur battling his own health issues, he knew the importance of PC and was determined to maximize its potency In the lab at BodyBio, he discovered how to isolate and concentrate not just PC but PE, and PI the three phospholipids that support the membrane of the cell and organelles, like mitochondria It’s this proprietary extraction process that makes BodyBio PC so unique

BodyBio PC is derived from soy for a very particular reason: PC from soy is a plant duplicate of the egg PC discovered by Professor Barenholtz, head of the Department of Membrane Biochemistry and Neurochemistry, Hebrew U, Jerusalem Israel and his assistant, Yechiel, in their groundbreaking study (5)

BodyBio PC’s unique formulation has been used by over 3000 doctors for 20 years. There are very few liposomal PC’s in the global marketplace You see other brands of PC for $20-$30 per bottle, but real, liposomal PC is far more expensive because extracting liposomal PC is a time-consuming and delicate process If heat is generated beyond that which the PC can withstand, the complex is ruined Each batch of BodyBio PC is tested several times before being bottled and then tested by an independent lab to confirm results Our PC is tested for potency, consistency, purity, and viscosity

Getting Healthier at the Cellular Level

BodyBio Phosphatidylcholine