Author Archives: lassesen

Unknown's avatar lassesen 12:39 am on January 11, 2014  

Review: Rhodiola Rosea Root (Rosavin)

This is the third adaptogen that I am reviewing — I’m starting to suspect that adaptogen may indicate a herb that alters gut bacteria by reducing those that produce stress chemicals. There is no effective medical definition of adaptogen so inclusion is largely by popular allegation.  Tinospora cordifolia [Guduchi], Asparagus racemosus [ a species of asparagus], Emblica officinalis[ Indian gooseberry], Withania somnifera[Ashwagandha], Piper longum[Indian long pepper] and Terminalia chebula were deemed to be adaptogens in Adaptogenic properties of six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine[1999]

Rhodiola rosea L. modulates inflammatory processes in a CRH-activated BV2 cell model. [2019] – “counteract the neuroinflammatory effect ” Implies reduction of brain fog and cognitive issues.

Rhodiola Rosea has a short monogram available with several reviews finding contradictory results.

Dosage: ” indicating that the intake of 2 capsules after breakfast is more effective than the intake of 1 capsule after breakfast and 1 after lunch.”  Efficacy and tolerability of a Rhodiola rosea extract in adults with physical and cognitive deficiencies [2007] which also stated “statistically highly significant improvement  in physical and cognitive deficiencies” (in other words some improvement).  “Rhodiola extract at a dose of 200 mg twice daily for 4 weeks is safe and effective in improving life-stress symptoms to a clinically relevant degree” Therapeutic effects and safety of Rhodiola rosea extract WS® 1375 in subjects with life-stress symptoms–results of an open-label study.[2012]

Comment: While I have often used this, both Ashwagandha and Magnolia Bark seem to have significiant greater impact on me.

Unknown's avatar lassesen 12:46 am on January 10, 2014  

Review: Jujube Fruit

As well as Magnolia Bark that I reviewed in my last post, I also found Jujube Fruit listed as an adaptogen. The short version of its benefit is nicely summed up by:

“Recent phytochemical studies of jujube fruits have shed some light on their biological effects, such as the anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiobesity, immunostimulating, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and gastrointestinal protective activities and inhibition of foam cell formation in macrophages. ” The jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) fruit: a review of current knowledge of fruit composition and health benefits.[2013]

In terms of “folk knowledge”, it is ascribed to “offer excellent support for the adrenal glands” in Islamic literature.

This supplement appears to another good candidate supplement for CFS, especially because it is know to have gastrointestinal impact.

Unknown's avatar lassesen 3:35 am on January 9, 2014  

Review: Magnolia Bark

I stumbled across magnolia bark while looking for adaptogens.

Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) is a medicinal plants commonly used as traditional remedies for reducing stress and anxiety. Effect of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora®) on cortisol and psychological mood state in moderately stressed subjects[ ] found that it significantly lower salivary cortisol . It is also a relatively strong anti-inflammatory Identification of Magnolia officinalis L. bark extract as the most potent anti-inflammatory of four plant extracts[2013].  Magnolol treatment reversed the glial pathology in an unpredictable chronic mild stress-induced rat model of depression.[2013] confirmed its antidepressant-like effect.

Part of it’s mechanism is described in Magnolia polyphenols attenuate oxidative and inflammatory responses in neurons and microglial cells[2013] and helps with cognitive damage Honokiol protects brain against ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats through disrupting PSD95-nNOS interaction [2012] as well as helping memory  Ethanol extract of Magnolia officinalis prevents lipopolysaccharide-induced memory deficiency via its antineuroinflammatory and antiamyloidogenic effects.[2013]. Of special interest is its positive impact on memory Alzheimer’ (because some CFS SPECT scans appear similar to early Alzheimer) A Comparison between Extract Products of Magnolia officinalis on Memory Impairment and Amyloidogenesis in a Transgenic Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease[2012]

For those with sleep disturbance, Magnolol, a major bioactive constituent of the bark of Magnolia officinalis, induces sleep via the benzodiazepine site of GABA(A) receptor in mice[2012].

It’s impact on gut bacteria is less well known, however it does appear to have impact on oral bacteria according to Effect of a sugar-free chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract on different variables related to caries and gingivitis: a randomized controlled intervention trial.[2011] and Compressed mints and chewing gum containing magnolia bark extract are effective against bacteria responsible for oral malodor[2007], Antimicrobial activity of magnolol and honokiol against periodontopathic microorganisms[1998-..  As well as some bacteria, Antimicrobial effect of Magnolia officinalis extract against Staphylococcus aureus.[2011] as well  Antifungal activity of magnolol and honokiol[2000]

Bottom line: This is definitely an excellent candidate supplement for CFS, especially when taken immediately after dinner as a potential assistance to sleep disturbances.

Unknown's avatar lassesen 6:37 am on January 4, 2014  

Review: The poop on Fecal Transplants

This is a periodic review of what is known reliability about fecal transplants in general, as well as for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  Fecal transplants is one way to rapidly correct the gut bacteria. I have corresponded with an Australian with CFS who went into remission twice for 6 months after a fecal transplant and then relapse —  so it is not a guarantee persisting remission by itself. It is definitely an approach that warrants review.

First, the FDA, true to tradition, has attempted to restrict this treatment but was forced to back down [article]. The rational was the same for preventing the over the counter use of Mutaflor(E.Coli Nissle 1917) in the US — it’s a biologic product (in fact, yogurt and keifer would also qualify technically) and thus needs regulation and testing before use. Yogurt and Keifer were probably exempted because they were grandfathered in, Mutaflor, not being a usual AMERICAN probiotics was not grandfathered…. this is a topic in itself.

Let us get back to the poop. There are 60+ articles on PubMed. A recent survey is available in full here. First, the polite name is “fecal bacteriotherapy” or FMT and appear to have been known for some 1600 years. For one condition:

  • 81% remission after one
  • 93% remission after two (89.6% reported in this 2013 study, 92% in 2012 study)

Neurodegenerative and neuro-immunologic disorders improves after FMT.  The summary also states that “studies with germ-free animals or animals given specific gut infections iatrogenically have implicated the fecal microbiome in certain mood disorders, cognition, and pain syndromes ” which suggests that FM may be connected with a dysfunction gut flora.

For CFS and FM, there is one published statistics on the use of FMT. The GI microbiome and its role in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A summary of bacteriotherapy, Dec 2012, reported 70% initially responded and 58% had a sustained response (no relapse after 3+ years).

Who is the best donor? According to this Medscape article  ” 75% of donors are first-degree relatives or spouses, and the donor is screened as vigorously as you would screen a blood donor.” I recall reading that the success rate for blood-relatives as donors was 50+% better than strangers. This same article states “A word of caution from Brandt and colleagues is that 2 of their patients had improvement in preexisting diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and sinusitis. Four patients had subsequent complaints of development of rheumatoid arthritis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, or neuropathy. Whether these effects are related to fecal transplant remains to be seen.”

A further word of caution: The variety of bacteria decreases with age, so a younger donor would be preferred over an old donor. A very healthy donor is ideal.

 

 

Unknown's avatar lassesen 4:26 pm on January 3, 2014  

Microbiome: Two more members of the CFS Cartel of bacteria?

Another CFS reader forwarded their lab results for bacteria and asked me to comment.

Range: (NG to 4+)

Under Beneficial Bacteria

  • Lactobacillus Species- NG – No growth LOW SHOULD BE 2+
  • Escherichia Coli 4+ HIGH SHOULD BE 2+
  • Bifodobacterium 1+ LOW SHOULD BE 4+

Under Additional Bacteria

  • alpha haemolytic Streptococcus NP 2+ BELOW AVG
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa NP 3+ LISTED AS POSSIBLE PATHOGEN AT THIS LEVEL

Beneficial Bacteria

Two of the three beneficial results matched the study from Australia in 1998. The last one (the high E.Coli) could be a problem with the test classifying Klebsiella/Enterobacter as E.Coli (since that was not listed), or a variation of the cartel of CFS bacteria.

I would suggest Mutaflor still because it is very effective for Crohn’s Disease — which studies has found to be very high E.Coli. Mutaflor is an aggressive good E.Coli that will reduce the E.Coli in this cartel of bacteria we wish to eliminate.

Troublesome Bacteria

The question is what to do about the two trouble some ones. First pass is always PubMed.

Treatment Suggestions

For Streptococcus, the suggestion would be to take some Oral Probiotics Mints containing streptococcus in the hope that the new species will out-compete  (for example Now Foods Oralbiotic Blis[Streptococcus salivarius], Evora Plus Probiotic Mints [streptococcus uberius, streptococcus oralis, streptococcus rattus ]), I would avoid Udo’s Choice Probiotic Blends: Super5 Lozenge which has only 5% being Streptococcus thermophilus. When I have taken a couple of Evora mints in a day, I did notice digestive changes. Again, the more varieties of streptococcus to compete against it, the better.

The other route is kill and then replace. These article are of interest: Antimicrobial activity of Chinese medicine herbs against common bacteria in oral biofilm. A pilot study. [2010], Prophylactic effect of Andrographis paniculata extracts against Streptococcus agalactiae infection in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). [2009]

Antibacterial screening of traditional herbal plants and standard antibiotics against some human bacterial pathogens[2013] found that our old friend turmeric (Curcuma longa Linn) was effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and Clove (S. aromaticum).

In addition to the above, using NAC and/or EDTA in a solution to gargle with (and swallow), should assist in breaking up some of the biofilms that both species use to defend themselves.

As always, consult with your knowledgable medical professional before starting any regime of probiotics or herbs.