THE HIDDEN CAUSE OF AGING + CHRONIC DISEASE

THEHIDDEN CAUSEOFAGING+ CHRONICDISEASE

Howtostopshort-circuitingyour body'sabilitytohealitself

Isaac Eliaz, MD

INTEGRATIVE PHYSICIAN | BEST-SELLING AUTHOR

Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, LAc is a pioneer in the field of integrative medicine with more than 30 years of experience as a physician and researcher. He has partnered with some of the nation’s leading research institutes, including Harvard and Columbia Universities. As an internationally recognized expert in the treatment of cancer and other complex diseases, Dr. Eliaz embraces a whole-person approach to healing. He is the author of The Survival Paradox, as well as the owner and formulator of EcoNugenics, a line of science-backed supplements. He is also the founder and medical director of Amitabha Medical Clinic & Healing Center in Santa Rosa, Calif.

“I’ve learned to let go of our current medical system’s dogmatic paradigms, both conventional and alternative. People often say I think ‘outside the box,’ to which I reply, there was never a box to begin with.”

— Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, LAc Thise-bookisChaptersCH1+2+9

PART ONE HOW THE SURVIVAL RESPONSE AFFECTS OUR HEALTH

CHAPTER

ONE

WHAT IS THE SURVIVAL PARADOX?

RebeccafirstcametoseemeatAmitabhaMedicalClinicin2011.Shewas seventy,withstage4lungcancerthathadmetastasizedtoherbones.Shehadno familyandlivedalone;hercompanionthatdaywasastone-facedchauffeur waitinginacaroutsidetheclinic.Withtearsinhereyes,shetoldmeshehad justbeendiagnosed.Handsshaking,sheshowedmethePETscanreport highlightingthemultipletumorsthroughoutherbody.Basedonwhatthe oncologistsaid,sheunderstoodthatherlifecouldcometoanendverysoon.

“Idon’twanttodie,”shesaid.“I’mnotreadytogo.”Everycellinherbody wasreelingwithanxietyandfear.Herrestlessnesswaspalpableintheair.

Asanintegrativephysicianwhotreatscancer,I’dhadthisconversationmany times.Ihandedheratissueandshewipedhertears.“IwilldoanythingIcanto overcomethiscancer,”shesaidfirmly.Iacknowledgedherfiercedetermination, herresolve.Afterall,determinationiswhat’sneededfirstandforemostto overcomeadeadlydisease,right?

Withheranxietysopalpable,Iwonderedhowthisfearmustbeaffectingher. Notjustonthelevelofheremotionsorqualityoflife;Iwonderedhowitwas affectingthecancercells.Willthisfear-baseddeterminationnottodiehelpher overcomeherdisease?Orwillitcausehertobecomesickerandshortenherlife? Heranxietywassoprominentthatitinfusedhersurroundings,affectingher abilitytotakeadeepbreath.Itwasconstantsuffering,anditwasclearshewas in“survivalmode.”

Beinginsurvivalmodemeantthathersympatheticnervoussystem hormones,thedriversofherinnatebiochemicalresponsepatterns,weredialed allthewayup.Heradrenaline,noradrenaline,andcortisolwereelevated,and herinsulinwasspiking.Herimmuneresponsewasbeingsuppressed,andher metabolic function was altered. Ultimately, it meant that many of the compoundssheexcretedinanefforttosurvivewouldverylikelynourishher cancerandallowittogrowandsurviveaswell.

Survivalmodeisoftenastateofstressandpanic.Thebodyfeelsrushedand doesn’tslowdown,andallcells,whethernormalorcancerous,fightharderto survive.Thus,Rebecca’sanxietyandfearofdyingcould“feed”thecancerous cells.Herbestchanceatbeatingthecancerandlivingalongerlifewastoshift awayfromsurvivalmodeandmoveintoastateofgreaterrelaxation,withless reactivityonthecellular,emotional,andpsychologicallevels.

Basedonresearchandmyyearsofworkwithpatients,onethinghasbecome clear: when facing a life-threatening or debilitating illness, the natural biochemicalstressresponse,ourinnatefight-or-flightmechanismsthatare drivenbyourinstincttosurvivearefundamentallyatoddswithourabilityto healandthrive.Thissurvivaldrive,rootedinoursympatheticnervoussystem andexpressedbyourbiochemicalalertsystem,isnotgoingtosaveus.Infact,it canharmus.

Howdoesthisphysiologicalresponsesystemturnagainstussodramatically, fuelingdiseaseprocessesandprematureaging?Andmoreimportantly,whatcan wedoaboutit?

Thegoodnewsis,wecandoalot.Andwecandoitinawaythatisactually simplerthananyonefacingacomplexhealthcondition—patientorprovider— mighthaveimagined.

We’llcontinuetodiscussthedetailsofRebecca’streatmentandoutcomesin thenextchapter.Iwitnessedsomethingincredibleinhercase,aswellasin manyothers.SomethingthatBruceLipton,DeepakChopra,andmanyothers havewrittenabout,andwhattheyogisandmysticshavebeensayingfor millennia: the mind can influence the body to heal spontaneously and completely.Themindcandeliverthebodyfromthebrinkofdeathanddisease tovitalityandlongevity.

THE CATCH-22 OF “POSITIVE THINKING”

Publishedevidenceonthemind-bodyconnectionissignificantandgrowing rapidly,andbasedonmypersonalandclinicalexperience,theresultscanbe exponential.Itspoweriswithinusallthetime,andit’sabsolutelyavailablefor ustouse.

So,

whydoesn’titalwayswork?

Ifmind-bodymedicineistheclinicallystudiedgoldstandard“alternative” deemedthesafestandmostbeneficialtreatmentandincreasinglyadoptedand appliedinclinicalsettingsaroundtheworld,itstandstoreasonthatmanymore peoplewouldbeabletomeditateor“positivelythink”theirdiseaseinto remission.

It’stheultimatecatch-22:whensomeoneisfacingalife-threateningdisease, askingthemtorelax,changetheirthoughtpatterns,andfocusonhappy, healingenergyismucheasiersaidthandone.It’slikeaskingsomeonewhose houseisonfiretostaycalm,thinkpositively,anddeeplyinhalethesmokefrom theirburninghome.

We’rebuiltforsurvival.Wedon’tjustwantbutintrinsicallyneedto overcomediseaseandtoheal.I’vecometofind,basedonextensivepublished researchandyearsofclinicalobservation,thatthissurvivaldriveistheone majorblockagestandinginthewayofwould-besuccesses.

Inanerawhenwetendtolookforquickfixesandsymptomsuppressors, we’rereallyjustsuppressingourhealingcapacity.Wedon’ttakethetimeto stop,slowdown,andlookwithin.Theideathatwedon’thavetime—thatwe must rush, and must compete with everyone, including ourselves—is detrimentaltoourhealthandwell-being.

WhatRebeccaneededaboveallelsewastoslowthissympatheticnervous systemresponse,butshecouldn’t.Herhousewasburningdown,and shecouldn’ttakeadeepbreathinthemidstofwhatappearedtobealifethreateningsituation.

Whenweexperienceasenseofrestlessness,notfeelingsafe,ornottrusting ourenvironmentandcommunity,itcantranslateallthewaydowntothe cellularlevel.Whenwefeelunsafeandbelieveweneedtosurviveonourown, itchangesthemetabolismandfunctionofourcells—theyreceivesignalsfrom theirenvironmentthatthereisalackofoxygen.Theformaltermforlackof oxygenishypoxia,andthehypoxiccellcan’tbreatheornaturallyrelax.(In cancerhowever,thecellsbehavethiswayeveninthepresenceofoxygen, whichwe’lldiscussindetaillaterinthebook.)

Tobeginthehealingprocess,weneedtomoveahypoxiccelltoaplace whereitfeelsitcanbreathe,createanormalmetabolism,andreturntonormal mitochondrialfunction.Todothis,thecellandthepersonmustshiftawayfrom astateofsurvivaltowardastateofrelaxation.Toachievesuchachange,the personasawholemustexperiencesafetyandbalanceallthewaytothecellular level.Thesurvivalalarmhastobeturnedoff!

So,howdidRebeccaandIbeginaddressinghercancer?Howwassheableto takeadeepbreath?Weworkeddirectlyonherbiochemistry.Wedidn’tjust circumventherfearandanxiety—wetransformedit.Weusedcertainnatural compoundstoquietthealarmsystem,normalizethecell,andfightthecancer.

Wecombinedthosecompoundswithmeditation,breathingexercises,regular acupuncture,andhealingsessionswithdifferentmodalities,includinghands-on osteopathic,craniosacral,sound,andvisualizationtherapies.Mostimportantly, we surrounded her with unconditional love and affection, a sense of community,andanenvironmentthatheldherwithoutjudgment—wecreateda worldwhereshefeltsafeandloved.

A DEEPER HEART-BODY CONNECTION

Themind-bodyconnectionisamazing,andit’snotaone-waystreet.Emotions, thoughts, and subconscious responses clearly affect our biochemistry, our physiology,andoursubjectiveandobjectiveexperiencesofhealthanddisease. Atthesametime,ourbiochemistrysharplyaffectsouremotionsandour thoughts.Itaffectswhoweareatthecore.

Meditationandothermind-bodypracticescanundoubtedlygiveusthe quantumedgeinhealing.Theyworknotonlybecausetheycancalmour anxiety,reduceinflammation,andreverseourbiochemicaldiseaseprocesses— theyalsoworkbecausetheymeltourrigidityandrelaxourfixations.They dissolvetheliteralboundariesbetweenthepersonandthedisease,allowingthe person to reach and engage the tumor, the atherosclerotic plaque, the burrowingLymespirochete,oranyotheropportunisticinfection.

However,mind-bodymethodslikemeditationcanonlyunleashourinnate healingpotentialwhenwefigureouthowtotrulyengageourhearts.Inthis regard,amoreaccuratetermforthistypeofhealingis“heart-bodymedicine” ratherthan“mind-bodymedicine.”Itisheartfulnessratherthanmindfulness.I callthis“openheartmedicine.”

Thebasicphysiologyofourheartandthefundamentalmechanicsofthisvital organfunctioninawaythatactuallyallowsandsupports“miracle”healing—an unexpectedpositiveoutcomethatdefiesprobability.

Ultimately,wehavetogetthroughthethinveneerof“positivethinking”and penetratethedeeperlayersofourdefenses.Ourinstinctualfearsandanxieties, whilepartofourinnatesurvivaldrive,obstructourhealingcapacityby triggeringbiochemicalchangesinourbodythatcreateliteralphysicalbarriers. Thesebarriersaremadeofdifferentcomponentsthatneedtobetreated.For example,therecanbehyperviscosity,whichisthicknessofthebloodthat hamperscirculationandtheabilitytodeliveroxygentothetissue;fibrosis, whichisthescarringorhardeningoftissuesandorgans;biofilmstructures, whichformprotectiveshieldsaroundtumorsandpathogens;andmore.Andall ofthiswilltranslateintochangesincommunicationsbetweenthecellandits environment.Thiscauseschangesinsidethecellsandaffectstheirfunction.

So,whatisthekeytoshiftingusfromsurvivaltoharmony?Fromdiseaseto longevity?Whatisthismetabolicsurvivalalarmthatmustbeturnedoff?

Researchershaveidentifiedonemasterproteinproducedbythebody,which isattheheadwatersofourbiochemicalalarmsystem.Thisproteindictatesour biochemicalandphysiologicalresponsetostress,illness,andinjury.

Themorestresswe’reunder,themoreourbodieswillviewlifeasabattle, leadingtoongoingconflictandfrictionwithin.Productionofthissurvival proteinwillrampupinanefforttoresolvetheconflictingdialoguebetweenthe bodyandtheoutsideworldandbetweendifferentsystemsandcellswithinthe body.Hereiswherewecanseetheparadoxofthissurvivalproteininaction.

Themolecularendresultofthisreactivedefensestrategyiscontraction, isolation,andoftendisease.Thesearesurvivalresponses,whicharedrivenby self-preservationbutunfortunatelyleadtoinflammationandfibrosis.These responsesalsoleadtodegenerationatthecellularlevel,organsystemlevel,and atthelevelofourwell-beingandlongevity.Theyhaltthecooperationbetween ourtrillionsofcellsthatwouldotherwiseseamlesslycommunicatewitheach otherinthemiracleoflife.Thebodyhasaninnatecapacitytohealitself—when thesurvivalresponsedoesn’tstandinitsway.

CHAPTER NINE

LIVER AND LUNG DISEASES

AncientChinesemedicineoffersusanopportunitytodevelopadeeperinsight intothefunctionoforgansby,forexample,exploringhowwefunctionin spaceandtime;howdifferentorgansareaffectedbythepast,present,and future;andhowthepaceofmovementandchangeinourlivesaffectsour healthandwell-being.Fromthisperspective,youcanunderstandhowfixed, predeterminedtreatmentprotocolsarelimitingbynature.

Spaceandtimeareinterdependentphenomena.Whenwespeakof“distance,” wearereallyreferringtothemeasurementofspacefromonepointtoanother. Distanceiscalculatedbythespeedtraveledfromthestartingpointtotheend point,multipliedbytheamountoftimeittooktogobetweenthesetwopoints (Distance=Speed×Time).Ourexperienceofspaceordistancerelatestohow fastthingsaremovingwithinaparticulartimeframe.

Speedingupwithinaconfinedspaceinevitablyproducesheat.Thisisoneof themostbasicprinciplesinphysics.Nowthinkaboutwhathappensinthe body,aconfinedspace.Sympatheticresponsessuchasrisingheartrates, increasedbloodpressure,andfasterbreathingareallexamplesofhigh-speed movement.Theyallexpressthemselvesasheat thisresultsininflammation.

This high-speed movement, which inevitably produces heat, impacts us mentally,emotionally,andphysically.Itcanimpairhealthyflow.Thinkabout theoilinacar:ifthecarheatsup,yougetstickyoilsthatdryoutandinhibit motion.Whenthingsdon’tmove,wegetstuck.Becomingstuckcreates stagnation,andstagnationcreatesfibrosis. Thischapterpresentstheliverandthelungs.Bothoftheseorgansareinvolved indetoxificationandtheprocessoflettinggo,whichreducesstagnation.As such,theyalsohaveaninterestingrelationshiptospaceandtime.

THE LIVER

Toapproachcaringfortheliverfromaholisticperspective,let’slookathowthe organfunctions,itstendencytogetstuckandfibrotic,andhowit’saffectedby galectin-3.Asour“pastandfuture”organ,theliverisresponsibleforcountless enzymaticandchemicalprocesses.Ithelpsusprocesstoxinsfromthepastby promotingandregulatingthedetoxificationprocess,andhelpsprepareusfor functioninginthefuturebyproducingdifferentlipids,hormones,andenzymes. Whentheliverproducesnewproteinsandenzymes,itaffectsourfuture physiology.Atthesametime,theliverhelpstoclearourpastbybreakingdown andgettingridofby-productsfrompastreactions.Assuch,theliverisalsoour bigdetoxifier.

Thinkaboutit.Theliverdealswiththebody’spastandfuture,simultaneously takingcareofbothinthepresent.So,iftheliverisnotfunctioningsmoothly,if itgets“stuck,”thenwewillhaveaproblemdealingwiththepastandhaving clarityaboutthefuture bothphysicallyandpsychologically.Wewillbecome toxic. This naturally leads to frustration and anger, which, according to multipleancientmedicalsystems,arethedominantemotionsassociatedwith theliver.Weallhaveexperiencedmomentsofangerandfrustration,andoften whentheseemotionsdissipate,weexperienceabettersenseofclarity.Thisis whytheliverisconsideredtobethegreatstrategistandplannerinChinese medicine.

Themultidimensionalandmultifacetedfunctionoftheliveralsomakesita greatandvitalcommunicator.Itisresponsibleforendlessreactionsand physiologicalactivities,connectingtheminamasterfulway,andfunctioning asacentralhub.Imaginewhatwouldhappeninamajorintersectionifthe lightssuddenlyturnedoffandeverythinggotstuck?Thisiswhathappensin thebodywhenthelivergetsstuck,meaningthattheliverisunableto detoxifyproperlyorproduceessentialenzymesandhormonesnecessaryfor optimalfunction.Generally,theliverhelpstokeepeverythingmoving.As such, it is supported by movement of all kinds: physical movement, emotionalmovement,andcreativeexpression.Suppressingouremotionswill adverselyaffecttheliver.

It’snosurprisethattheisolatinglatticeformationpropertiesofgalectin -3canbehighlydetrimentaltotheliver.Iftheliverbecomesisolatedandcan no longer function effectively as a central hub, this will have grave consequences.Inmanyways,it’saphysiologicalreflectionofthechangein modern times wherein we no longer live in an expanded family and communityenvironment.Wheneachpersonlivesaloneandcommunication happensincreasinglyoverdigitalplatforms,wesharelesswithothers.A healthyliversharesmorecommunication,notless.

Unfortunately,theliverisalsogravelyaffectedbygalectin-3.Multiplestudies havefoundthemasterproteintobeinvolvedintheprogressionofliverfibrosis. Thismakesgalectin-3asensitiveliverbiomarker—whenlevelsincreaseitcan indicateaworseningofthelivercondition.Galectin-3alsocontributesto immunedysregulation,progressionofinflammation,andanimbalanceofthe microbiome(thecommunityofmicrobeslivingsymbioticallyinsidethehuman gut).Anyofthesecanleadtocirrhosis(fibrosisoftheliver),withahighriskof liverfailureandcancer.41

The Risks of Isolation Formations

We’reallwellawarethatexcessive,long-termconsumptionofalcoholcancause liverdamage,inflammation,andfibrosis.However,wearenotasawareof nonalcoholic fibrosis with fatty liver disease (NAFLD),whichcandevelopinto

42 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis disease (NASH).Theseconditionsarequiteprevalent, affectingabout25percentofthepopulation,buttheydon’tgetthesame attentionaswell-knownconditionslikehepatitisC,forinstance,eventhough theoutcomesofNAFLDandNASHaredevastating.

Togiveyouanideaofhowseriousanepidemictheseconditionsare,NAFLD affectsaboutonebillionpeopleworldwideandbetween80to100million individualsintheUnitedStates.Twenty-fivepercentofthemprogressto NASH,andmanypeoplediefromNASH.Blockinggalectin-3,thedriverof theseconditions,isoneofthebesttherapeuticoptionsfortreatingthem.43

NAFLDisdrivenbygenetic,epigenetic,andenvironmentalfactors.It’salso causedbyinsulinresistance,obesity,insulinaccumulationintheliver,increased intestinalpermeability,andsystemicinflammationofthegut.Theliveristhen predisposedtosecondarycausesofNAFLDbecauseofoxidativestress, infection,mitochondrialdysfunction,proinflammatorycytokines,etc.These secondaryfactorsareenvironmentalinnatureandrelatetoourlifestylechoices. Theyleadtoinflammation,necrosis,anddamagetotheliverinNAFLD.

So,canliverdamageandfibrosisbereversed?Theanswerisyes!Nowthatwe understandthemechanismofdamage,wecanstopandreverseit.Whilemany fattyliverdiseases(alcoholicandnonalcoholic)donotrespondtoconventional anti-inflammatorytherapies,theseconditionswillimproveifweblockgalectin3.Infact,studieshavedemonstratedthatMCPcanactuallystoptheprogression ofliverfibrosis.44

THE LUNGS

Nowthatwehaveexploredtheliver,let’stakeamomenttolookatthelungs fromaholisticperspective.Throughourbreath,thelungsestablishour ongoingconnectionwiththeoutsideworldandourenvironment,andina greatersense,withtheuniverse.Thenaturaltendencyofthelungsisto contract,exhale,andletgo.Thehealthofourlungsdetermineshowwell connectedwearetotheoutsideworld,andthisconnectionhasadirect influenceonourhealth.

Chinesemedicinerecognizestheconnectionbetweenourorgansandour emotions.Whiletheliverexpressesanger,resentment,andfrustration,the lungsexpressgriefandsadness.Whenthelungsfunctionwellandareable toletgo,wecanmoreeasilyreleasesadnessandgrief.Whenthelungsare unabletodotheirjob,wecangetconsumedbysadnessandgrief,andshift ourmentalstatetolivinginthepast.Thisoftencausesdeepandlong-term exhaustionthatcanmanifestaschronicfatigueandfibromyalgia.

Treating Pulmonary Issues

Infectionsofdifferentkinds,chemicalinsultsfromcigarettesmoke,pollution, asbestos,certainpharmaceuticalagents,andotherfactorscanaffectthehealth ofthelungs.However,oneofthedeadliestconditionsofthelungsis idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF),with idiopathic meaning“ofunknown cause.”Currently,therearenogoodtreatmentsforIPF,butthereisa growingfocusinthepharmaceuticalindustryontargetinggalectin-3asthe fibrosis-drivingproteininthiscondition.

Thereareseveralinterventionsthatcanhelpwiththehealthofourlungs,and theprotocolswillvaryslightlybasedonthespecificdisease.Wewanttoeatan anti-inflammatory, low glycemic, Mediterranean-style diet that is low in fructoseandglucose,andhighinfiber.Wecanalsoshutdownmetabolically induceddamagebypracticingintermittentfasting.

Caringforthecolonandthemicrobiomeisanimportantcomponentoflung health,asthecoloniscloselyrelatedtothelungsinChinesemedicine.We needtosupportandfacilitatecirculationthroughexerciseanddeepbreathing, andsupportthemicrobiomethroughtheuseofprebiotics(nondigestiblefiber thatfermentsandfeedsgutbacteria)andprobiotics(livebeneficialbacteria). (Onthistopic,MCPisalsoanestablishedprebiotic,withanumberofscientific papershavingbeenpublishedonitsbenefitsinthatrole.45)Anditdoesn’t makemeageniustotellyouthat,naturally,smokersneedtoquitsmoking.

Therearedifferentbotanicalsthatcanhelpwithpulmonaryhealth.Manyare quitesimilartotheonesusedforhearthealth.Alsoimportantareadaptogenic herbs,suchasginseng,aswellasherbsthatmoveandclearphlegm,suchas pinelliaandlicorice.Specificmushroomsforlunghealthare Cordyceps sinensis, Ganoderma lucidum, and Tremella fuciformis.

Honokiol,purifiedfromMagnoliabark,isespeciallyimportantforthelungs. Ithasaspecificaffinitytothelungs,meaningthatwhenitisabsorbedbythe body,thehighestconcentrationwillbefoundinthelungs.

CYTOKINE STORMS, COVID-19, AND GALECTIN-3

With COVID-19, we ’ ve heard a lot about the hyperinflammatory immune response called a cytokine storm. A cytokine storm is the complicating factor in severe COVID-19 cases forcing people into the ICU and onto ventilators. Specifically, it’s the cytokine storm, not the virus itself, that can be so dangerous and deadly.

The cytokine storm begins when infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, triggers the body to produce more galectin3 In turn, galectin-3 stimulates an inflammatory immune response in the form of a cytokine cascade. The release of massive amounts of inflammatory cytokines overwhelms the cardiorespiratory system

Interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), and other inflammatory cytokines surge into affected areas like the lungs. In many people, they then start attacking healthy tissue and organs, creating a cytokine storm a hyperactive immune system response that can lead to organ damage, fibrosis, and in many cases, death

Because galectin-3 is at the headwaters of the cytokine cascade, it’s emerging as an important therapeutic target in the treatment of COVID- 19 Researchers suggest that addressing galectin-3 can help regulate and rein in the deadly cytokine storm.

There’s another important reason galectin-3 blockade is emerging as a possible strategy against COVID-19: the potential to prevent viral infection in healthy cells The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters and infects healthy cells by using a unique spike protein that attaches to healthy cell receptors Researchers discovered that the shape of the SARSCoV-2 spike protein is nearly identical to the galectin-3 binding terminal making the case that galectin-3 blockers could also block the virus from entering and infecting healthy cells.

ELIZABETH’S STORY

Manyyearsago,ItreatedElizabeth,arenownedpsychotherapistwhowas nearlysixtyyearsold.Shehadchronicfatigueandfibromyalgia.Shewas dealingwithunresolvedissuesshehadwithherfather,whohadalreadypassed away.Itwasdrainingherenergyandresultedindeepfatigue,widespreadpains, insomnia,andweakenedlungs. ItreatedElizabeth’stendencytobeoccupiedwiththepastthroughtheuseof acupuncture.Acupuncturehasspecificpointsthatrelatetotheperceptionof timeandcanthereforetreatpatternsandtendenciestoholdtothepast, present,andfuture itaddressesmentalfixationsthataffectourhealthand well-being.Forexample,therearespecificacupuncturepointsthatcantreat griefandstrengthenthelungs,underscoringtheinterdependencebetweenour mental,emotional,andphysicalstate.

WhenElizabethreturnedforhernextvisit,shetoldmethattheissuesshe couldn’tclearthroughyearsoftherapyhadbeenresolved,andshewasnow readytomoveontotheissuesshehadwithhermother.Asyoucan imagine,Iwashappyabouthersuccessfulshift,andwithabigsmileonmy face,Iadvisedhertoskipthisstageandjustletgo.Andonceshedid,she finallywasabletoliveinthepresentandexperiencedmoreenergyand vitality.Shewasabletobreatheeasilyoncemore.

THE INTERDEPENDENCE OF THE HEART, KIDNEYS, LIVER, AND LUNGS

Iwouldliketoconcludethecurrentandpreviouschaptersbyrevisiting theholisticandmultidimensionalrelationshipsbetweenthefourorgans thatwediscussed:theheart,kidneys,liver,andlungs.Eachofthesefour organshavetheirownsurvivalresponsibilities,andtherelationshipand interactionsbetweenthemcaninfluenceusonthephysical,emotional,and psychologicallevels.

Wediscussedhowtheheartisthebeginningofthecirculatorysystem,the placewherenourishmentfromtheoutsideisdistributedthroughoutthe body,whilethekidneysarethelaststopofthearterialbloodflow,beforethe venousbloodmakesitswaybacktotheheart.Thesetwoorganshaveother vitalrelationshipsthatmakethemakeyaxis.Thekidneysholdourgenetic potential,orwhatwecanthinkofasour“inherentcapacity.”

Thehearthasthepotentialtousethecapacityprovidedbythekidneysfor bothphysiologicalandpersonaltransformation.Whilethephysiological processoftransformingdirtyvenousbloodintocleanarterialbloodis automatic,themanifestationofpersonalgrowthandtransformationrequires intentionaleffort.Ourheartallowsustofindmeaninginourlives.When theheartandkidneysareworkinginconsort,ourinherentcapacityallows fortheopeningoftheheart,resultinginspiritualmaturationasweage.This helpsusdevelopanall-inclusivemotivationtoloveandhelpallliving beings,includingourselves.

AccordingtoChinesemedicine,whenapersonhasstrongkidneysbutaweak heart,thekidneys’capacityandpotentialwilllacktheloving,all-inclusive qualityoftheheart.Thislackisexpressedasextremepersonaldriveandegodrivenambition,togetherwithaneedtoalwayswinatanycost.Toadd anotherlayerofholisticunderstanding,askilleddoctorofChinesemedicine willtreatsuchadisharmonywhentheyaddressthewell-beingofapatient.

Thelungs,placedatthetopofourtorso,aretheclosestorgansystemtothe outsideworld theyarethefirsttoexhaleairandthefirsttoreceiveair throughinhalation.Assuch,theyareourgatewayandinitialconnectionto theoutsideworld.Thelungsareourfirstsurvivaltool:althoughwemaynot beabletostopourheartbeat,weareabletoholdourbreath—wecanbreathe ornotbreathe.Breathinghaspower.Itisan active power.Ourlungsare therefore related to our activity and, more specifically, our immediate activity.

Thekidneysareatthedeepestlevelofourcirculation,wheretheoxygen reacheslast.Therefore,theyholdour capacity.Therelationshipbetween the kidneys and the lungs is one of capacity and activity. When the relationshipisbalanced,oneturnscapacityintoaction,andactioninturn feedsone’scapacityinacontinuouscycleofreciprocity.

However,whenthekidneysarestrongerthanthelungs,onecanhavea certaincapacitybutnotreallydoanythingwithit.Weallknowpeople whoseactivitiesdon’texpresstheirfullpotential theydon’texhaletheir fullpotential.Itisofgreaterconcernwhenthesituationisreversed,when onehasstronglungsandweakkidneys.Thiscanleadanindividualto engageinactivitiesbeyondtheirpotentialandcapacity,andattemptto achievethingsofwhichtheyarenotcapable.Itisofspecialconcernwhen suchpeopleareleadersorpoliticians.

Muchofthisconnectionispredeterminedbygenetics,butwecanworkto increase our capacity via deep breathing exercises, lifestyle changes, supplementsandherbs,andbygenerallyworkingtoslowdownandtakein ourworld toliterallydigestit.

Now,Iwanttodiscussmoreofthekeyroleoftheliverasthebigjunction, thecentralhub.Theliverdetoxificationprocessclearsthingsfromthepast andhelpsusreleasethemthroughthelungs.AsIwaswritingthisparagraph, adearpatientreachedouttoshareherhealingexperiencewithme.While receivinganapheresistreatmentwithaspecificfocusondetoxifyingthe liver,shefoundherselfcryingallofasudden.Herfatherhadpassedawaythe previousyear,and

despitetheircloserelationship,shenevercriedandwasunabletoprocess hispassing.“Icouldfeelmyfatherbeingclearedoutofmyblood,”shetold me.Forthefirsttime,shewasabletogenuinelyprocesshispassingandlet go.

Theliveralsoproducesbuildingblocksthathelpthekidneysmanifesttheir potential,andiftheliverisnotfunctioningwell,wewon’tbeabletoexpress ourfullpotential.Theliverconstantlyservesthefunctionoftheorgansthat relatetothepastandthefuture.Ifitiswellharmonizedwiththeheart,itwill helptheheartguideourlifeinatransformativedirection.Andifinstead,itis moreconnectedtothelungsandskipsitsroleinnourishingtheheart,there canbeatendencytowardshort-termsurvivalmodethatlackstransformative qualities.

Thismultifacetedrelationshipbetweentheorganshasaprofoundeffecton ourhealthandwell-being.Thekeyorganthatcanharmonizeitallisthe heart.Itiswhythehearthasaninfinitehealingpotential.Butinorderto heal,theheartneedsthesupportofthethreeotherorgans.Together,they shiftusfromsurvivingtothriving.

INTERESTED IN THE SURVIVAL PARADOX? CLICK

CHAPTER ELEVEN

NEURODEGENERATIVE

DISEASES

Onthisjourneyofexploringtheroleofgalectin-3inhealthanddisease,we havediscoveredthebasicmetabolicandbiochemicalpathwaysthataffectmany conditions.Now,it’stimeforustoexaminethebigregulator—thesystemthat givesuscognition,function,andcontrolofourbody:thenervoussystem.First, Iwillprovideaprimeronthebasicfunctionofthissystemsoyoucanbetter understandlaterwhenweinvestigatepotentialproblemsthatariseinthesystem aswellaseffortstosolvethoseproblems.

Thenervoussystemisdividedintotwoparts:the central nervous system (CNS),whichconsistsofthebrainandspinalcord,andthe peripheral nervous system (PNS),whichconsistsofthenervesoutsidethebrainandspinalcord.We canclassifythePNSnervesintotwodifferentcategories: efferent nerves(which sendsignalsfromthenervoussystemouttothebody,givingusmotor movement)and afferent nerves(whichsendsignalsfromthebodytothenervous system,providingsensoryinput).

Ifyoulookatapictureofthespinalcord,youmightnoticethatitlookslikea butterfly.Locatedatthefrontarethe anterior horns ontheleftandright.

Thesereceivesignalsfromthemotorcortexinthebrainandsendthemoutto thebody,therebyactivatingmotormovement.Forexample,theanteriorhorns signalyoutovoluntarilycontractorstraightenyourarm.

Theotherpartofthespinalcord,knownasthe posterior horn,isresponsible forsensoryexperience.Let’susepressureandheatasexamples.Ifyouapply pressuretoyourhand,theafferentnervesreceivetheinputthroughthe posteriorhornandsenditthroughthespinalcordtothebrain.Thebrainthen producesasensoryresponse,andwewillfeelasensationofpressure.Likewise,a similarprocesswillhappenwithothersensations.

However,whentheposteriorhornreceivesinformationaboutextremeheat, suchastouchingahotpan,italsofacilitatesanimmediatemotorreactionfor youtowithdrawyourhandfromthepan—withoutfirsttravelingtothebrain. Fromthis,wecangatherthatcertainsensationsareprocessedthroughthebrain, andothersdon’thaveenoughtimetotravelallthewaythroughthesystem.

Theonesthatdon’ttakethefulljourneyarecommonlyknownas reflexes thesecomethroughtheposteriorhornandimmediatelystimulatetheanterior horn. Reflexes are actually quite primitive; they reflect our immediate, nonvoluntarysurvivalresponse.

Asisthecasewithreflexes,thesurvivalresponseisbuiltintothenervoussystem. Thenervoussystemisanextremelycomplexsystem.Nowthatyouknowhow someofthebasiccircuitsinthenervoussystemfunction,let’sinvestigatewhat happenswhenthesefunctionsdegenerate.

WHAT EXACTLY IS NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE?

Ourdiscussionofneurodegenerativediseasesinthischapterwillreferto conditionsofthenervoussystemthatdevelopovertimeaswe“degenerate” withage,orduetoothercircumstancesthatcanspeedupthedegenerative process,includingarangeofconditionsthataffecttheneuronsofthehuman brain,suchasParkinson’s,Alzheimer’s,ALS,andothers.

Neurodegenerativeconditionshavesomeunmistakablesimilarities.They usuallyproduceoxidativestresswithahighlevelofreactiveoxygenspecies(an oxygen-containingmoleculethatishighlyreactiveandcancausesignificant damagetocellstructures).Theinflammatoryprocessesthatresultfromthe immuneresponsecandegradethebloodsupplytothebrain,causingdamageto thisorgan.Whenthisoccurs,thebrain,whichconsumesalargeportionofour dailyoxygen,hastofindanalternateenergysource,which,aswe’vediscussed, resultsinoxidativestressandinflammation.Thisprocesscanleadtothe progressivedegenerationandeventualdeathofbrainandnervecells.

Further,thenervoussystemcanbeaffectedbyacutefactors,suchas infections, generalized inflammation, or exposure to toxins, which create chronicresponsessimilartothatofneurodegenerativediseases.

Atemporary,inflammatoryimmuneresponseinthebrainaffectstheCNSand cancauseneurologicaldisorders.Itisofutmostimportancetotreatandheal thesetopreventlong-termdamage.(Onceaninfectiongoestothebrain,itcan causeshort-orlong-termdamage,withexamplesbeingBorreliainLyme disease,Babesiainbabesiosis,andotherparasitic,fungal,orbacterialinfections.) Althoughtheinitialimmuneresponsetoinfectionsisacute,itisnotuncommon toseetheimmuneresponsebecomingchronic,andthechronicresponseinturn producessymptomsthataresimilartothatofaneurodegenerativedisease.

GALECTIN-3’S CONNECTION TO NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

So,what’stheconnectionbetweengalectin-3andneurodegenerativediseases? Let’swalkthroughthealarmandinjury-repairprocessinthenervoussystemto illustratethis.

Thecellsthatareinchargeofcleaningupdamageinthebrainarecalledthe microglia.Theyarethebackboneofinjuryrepairinthenervoussystem. Microgliaassumeresponsibilityas“damagesensors”fortheneurologicalsystem. TheyareusuallyinarestingstateinthenormaladultCNS,butwhenwe experienceinjury,trauma,disease,orinfectionintheCNS,theybecomeactive. Themicrogliaguidetherepairprocessinthebrain,andactivatingthemcanbe beneficialbecausethey“cleanup”themess.However,undergalectin-3’s influence, the microglia can cause neuroinflammation. They become neurotoxic,causingdangerousupregulationofproinflammatorycytokines.

Astrocytes areanotherimportantgroupofcellsinthenervoussystem.They formthe“skeleton”ofthenervoussystemandhelpinsystemrepairandcleanup aswell.

Microgliaandastrocytesworktogether.Theyarebothabletoexpresshigh levelsofgalectin-3inresponsetoinjury,justlikeinflammatorymacrophagesdo intherestofthebodyandthecirculation.Asaresult,galectin-3drivesthe injury response and creates the expected long-term consequences— inflammationandfibrosis,oranervoussystem“scar.”Anervoussystemscaris differentfromascarinthebody.Itiscomposedofreactiveastrocytesthatbreak awayfromtheinflammatorycore.Theformationofthis glial scar isenhanced byinflammatorycytokinesthataredrivenbygalectin-3.

Differentneurodegenerativediseaseswillcreatesuchnonfunctionaltissue inthecentralnervoussystem.Forexample,inAlzheimer’sdisease,stickyclumps called amyloid plaques willform.Galectin-3ispresentindramaticallyhigher concentrationsintheamyloidplaquescomparedtotheconcentrationsin normalCNStissue.Researchersfoundthatgalectin-3washighlyupregulatedin thebrainsofAlzheimer’sdiseasepatients,showingthatgalectin-3drivesthe formationofnonfunctionalbraintissue.

Wemustalsoconsidertheblood-brainbarrier,whichisofutmost importancebecauseitprotectsthebrain,determiningwhatpenetratesintothe brainandwhatiskeptout.Galectin-3canweakentheblood-brainbarrier, allowingpathogensandtoxinstoenterthebrain,whichiswhywemust minimizegalectin-3topreventbraindamage.

Let’slookatblood-brainbarrierpermeability.Undertheinfluenceof galectin-3,microgliasecreteinflammatorycytokines.Theseturntheastrocytes neurotoxic. Theneurotoxicastrocytescancauseabreakdownofthebloodbrainbarrier,meaninginfectionsandbacteriacaneasilypenetrateintothe brain.Butmoreimportantly,theseneurotoxicastrocytestakepartinthe neurodegenerativeprocessandareinvolvedinmultipleneurodegenerative diseases.Inaddition,someoftheligandsthatcanbedeliveredtotheinjurysite bygalectin-3canenhancedamagefromtheneurotoxicastrocytes.

So,attheendoftheday,whydothesemultipledegenerativeprocesses occur?Thebrainisattemptingtorepairitself,butthiscanhavedetrimental results.

Itcanleavebehindscartissueinthebrain,anabnormalfoldingoraccumulation of proteins, and a dysfunction in the CNS tissue. These are yet other manifestationsofthesurvivalparadox.

THE GUT-BRAIN CONNECTION

Tofullyunderstandtheroleofneuroinflammatorydisease,wemustconsider theastonishingconnectionbetweenthebrainandthegut.Amainfunctionof thebrainistoreceiveandprocessinput.Forexample,whenwetrytolearn contentbyreadingit,thatcontentgetsputintothebrain.Thenthebrain decideshowtostoreit.Itdigeststheinformation,filesit,andmakesitavailable throughtheprocessofrecall,whichisamazing.Recallallowsustoclearlyand vividlyrememberaneventfromyearsagoasifitjusthappened.

Howisthispossible?Becausethebrain recreates the memory,anditdoesthis timeandtimeagain.Inthissense,thebrainissimilartothedigestivesystem:it receivesmentalinput,breaksitdown,digestsit,andsendsitasmessagesvia neurotransmitters and neuropeptides throughout the body where the informationisutilizedfordifferentpurposes.

Andhereisanamazingdetail.Thegutcontainsandexcretesmore neurotransmittersthanthebrain,andmodernmedicinehasallowedusto discover the strong, logical gut-brain connection. This connection is an importantonethathasgreatinfluenceonthebodyandthefunctionofthe nervous system. One example of the strength of this connection is the relationshipbetweenthevagusnerve(whichextendsfromthebrainstemtothe digestivetract)andParkinson’sdisease.Someresearchevenindicatesthat Parkinson’sdiseasemaybegininthegastrointestinaltract,travelingtothebrain throughthevagusnerve.

TREATMENTS FOR NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES

Foralongtime,wethoughtthatneuronsneverdividedorrepairedthemselves againafteracertainnumberofyears,butwe’vediscoveredthatthisisnottrue. Thismeansthatpeoplecanrecoverfromnervoussystemissues,andpeoplewith degenerativediseasescantheoreticallyreversethem!

Themostpromisingnewfindingintheareaofbrainregenerationcame aboutfromresearchthatwasconductedatYaleUniversityin2018.Researchers discoveredthatthebrainsofadultmonkeyscontinuedtoproducenewneurons. Therewasalsoevidencethatoldermenandwomeningoodhealthcould generateasmanynewbraincellsaspeoplewhoweremuchyounger!

Tohealneurodegenerativediseases,wewanttostoporpreventtheabnormal inflammatoryprocessandoxidativestress.Wecanturntoananti-inflammatory dietandsupplements,justlikewehaveforotherconditionspreviouslydiscussed inthisbook.Wewanttouseherbsthathelpregulatethenervoussystem’s metabolicprocesses.Oneofthemostimportantnaturalcompoundswecantake ishonokiolfrom Magnolia officinalis.Honokiolpenetratestheblood-brain barrier and can normalize and regulate intracellular, metabolic, and mitochondrialfunction.

Itisalsoimportanttorecognizetheinfluenceofthegutandmicrobiomeon thebrainandnervoussystem. Wecansupportmicrobiomehealthbygiving prebioticsandprobiotics,withprebioticsbeingespeciallyimpactfulbecause theyprovidenecessarynourishmentforhealthyprobioticgrowth.Wealsowant tohaveappropriatefiberintakeandaddressanyinfectionsinthegut.Wecan provideneurotransmittersupportwithdifferentBvitaminssuchasB12,B6,B1, B2,tyrosine,threonine,phosphatidylserine,andcertainmedicinalmushrooms likecordycepsandreishi.Wecanalsouseherbslikeginkgobiloba.

Ifapatienthasneurodegenerativeissuesduetoaweakantioxidantsystemor deficienciesinvitalcomponentsoftheantioxidantsystem,theycanveryoften beproperlycounteractedsimplybytakingantioxidants.Forthesepatients,we can administer specific intravenous treatments, including intravenous glutathione(oursystemicmasterantioxidant),toproducesignificantbenefits. ThisisalsowhereIwillincorporatetherapeuticapheresisasameanstoreduce theuncontrolledoxidativestressandinflammation.

Thebrainisanorgan.However,likeamuscle,itneedsexercise.Physical exercisebenefitsthebrainonnumerousfronts,andIrecommendexercisesthat requirecoordinationsuchasballroomdancing,tango,andTaiChi,aswellas mentalexercises,likedoingpuzzles.Evenmildexerciseforameretenminutes hasbeendemonstratedtoimproveneurocognitivefunction.Supportingthe gut-brainconnectionthroughexercisesthatengagethevagusnerve—especially slow,deepbreathing—canhelpboththegutandthebrain.

Inmyclinicalexperience,patientswithseveredementiaandAlzheimer’s whoimplementthesesolutionsstabilizeorimprovesignificantly.Iwantto makeitclearthatimplementationdoesn’tmeanthateveryneurodegenerative diseasewillbereversed,butanythingispossible.Weknowthatpeoplewith neurodegenerativediseasesdohavethepotentialtohealandlivelonger,witha betterqualityoflife.

ANDY’S STORY

AndyAubinwasadearpatientthatItreatedformanyyears.Hewasseventy yearsoldwhenhecametoseemeforlocalizedprostatecancerthatwas accompaniedbyadvancedParkinson’sdisease.Wewerejustbeginninghis treatmentwhenhewashospitalizedwitharupturedcolonduetoanewly diagnosedstage4metastaticcoloncancerthathadmetastasizedtotheliver.

Heunderwentemergencysurgerythatincludedtheremovalofpartofhis colon,someofthetumorsfromhisliver,andacolostomy.

Afterthesurgery,hewasgiventhefirstdoseofthefollow-upchemotherapy regimen,andhehadaseverereactiontothechemotherapy.HisParkinson’s diseasedeteriorateddramatically,andhewentintoastateofextremephysical rigidity.Hewaspracticallyunabletomove.

Andyknewthatonemoredoseofchemotherapycouldbeadeathsentence forhim,sohedecidedtorelyonthenonconventionalpartofintegrative medicine,ashecouldnolongerundergoconventionalcancertreatments.

Treatingstage4coloncancerandprostatecancerwhileaddressingasevere neurodegenerativediseaseisnexttoimpossible.It’softenthecasethata treatmentthatcankillcancerwillworsentheneurodegenerativedisease.But Andyhadfaithonhisside.Hehadfaithinhispowertoheal,faithinthe treatmentsweofferedhim,andhehadfaithinme.Healsohadunwavering discipline.

Andybegantreatmentbelievingthathecouldovercomeandhealfromhis diseases.HistreatmentsincludedhighdosesofMCP,multiplesupplementsand herbs,differentIVregimens,acupunctureandhealingsessionswithme,and lifestylechanges.Overtime,Andy’scancerdisappeared.Andinthehealing process,hisParkinson’sremarkablyimprovedaswell.

Inavideofilmed twelve years after he first came to the clinic,Andy,whowas eighty-twoatthetimeandstillworkingonhisfarm,isshownbreak-dancing with his wife. He’s also shown moving a computer mouse, a refined coordinationmovementthatistypicallyimpossibleforParkinson’spatientsto perform.

Andyovercameanincurableneurodegenerativedisease while overcoming two cancers at the same time.Thirteenyearsafterhisfirstvisittotheclinic,hediedat theageofeighty-three,forreasonsunrelatedtoParkinson’sorthecancers.He livedafullandhappylifethroughthemiracleofregenerationandhealing.His storywassoamazingthatitwasdocumentedbyaninternationaltelevision healthprogram.ThevideocanbeviewedonSurvivalParadox.com.

IT’S NEVER TOO LATE

It’simportanttorememberthatneurodegenerativediseasesaremultifactorial. They are driven by genetic and epigenetic influences, by environmental influencessuchasheavymetalandneurotoxinspresentintheenvironmentand inourfoods,andbylifestyleanddietaryhabits.Whenweaddressthese multifactorialissues,wecancreatebeneficialchange.Whilesometimesthese changesmaybemild,atothertimes,theycanbedramatic.Apersoncaneven overcomelong-term,brain-relatedsymptomsthataretheresultofdeepgenetic orepigenetictraitsyouwouldnotexpecttochange.

Ihadsuchapatient.Thispatienthadanexceptionalmemoryfordetails,but forsomereason,hecouldn’trememberpeople’snames.Itwasinteresting because his mother and siblings had the same issue. Was it a genetic predisposition? Was it an epigenetic influence stemming from a multigenerationaltrendofnotrememberingthenamesofothers?Orwasit perhapsduetothefactthatthefamilylivedfortyyardsawayfromtallpower linesformanyyears?

Regardlessofthecause,addressingtheoutcomesofincreasedoxidativestress inthebraincanhelp.ThispatientstartedtakingfifteengramsofMCPperday, supportedhiscirculationwithbotanicalformulas,andunderwentaseriesof monthlytherapeuticapheresistreatmentsintheclinic.Andwhilehehasn’t becomeachampioninrememberingthenamesofeverysinglepersonhemeets, he’sclearlyimproved,overcominganissuehe’shadforoverthirtyyears.

IcantellyouthisstorybecauseIknowthispatientverywell. This patient was me!

Thenervoussystemisanincrediblysophisticatedcommunicationhub. Malfunctionsofthissystemareliteralmanifestationsofthedangersassociated withbreakdownsinconnectivity.

SURVIVAL PARADOX APPENDIXES

THERAPEUTIC GUIDELINES

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASE

Toaddressneurodegenerativedisease,thefocusisonreducingthechronic inflammationandoxidativestressthatcanbesodamagingtothenervous system.Wealsowanttosupportthemetabolicfunctionsofthenervoussystem andsupportoptimalneurotransmitterfunction.

Supplements and Formulas

Primary Support

ModifiedCitrusPectin:7.5grams,2times/day

Anti-Inflammatory Support

TibetanHerbalPadmaFormula

Honokiol

Curcumin

Boswellia

Mitochondrial and Metabolic Support

Honokiol

Alpha-lipoicacid

Carnitineandacetyl-L-carnitine

Co-EnzymeQ-10

Medicinalmushrooms:cordycepsandmaitake(Grifolafrondosa)

VitaminD3

Neurotransmitter Support:

Honokiol

NAD+(nicotinamideadeninedinucleotide)

VitaminsB1,B2,B6,andB12

L-theanine

Phosphatidylserine

Gingko

Botanical/POS(pecticoligosaccharide)EnhancedProbioticFormula (ecoProbiotic)

Phosphatidylcholine

Liposomalglutathione

Low Glycemic Anti-Inflammatory Diet Diet

Alzheimer’sissometimescalled“Type3Diabetes”becauseofitslinkto unhealthyglucosemetabolism.Adietthat’slowinglucose(includingnatural formsofglucose)andlowinfoodsthatspikeglucoseandinsuliniscriticalto reduce damaging glucose spikes that impact neurological function. (The GlycemicIndexChartinAppendixCgivesexamplesofnumericvaluesfor foodsbasedonhowmuchtheyraisebloodglucose.Thelowerthenumber,the better.)