Zinc Ionophore Activity of Quercitin and EGCG

As ways to boost immunity and protect against infection continue to be front and center issues in our world, research focused on nutritional support for the immune system continues to progress.

Zinc has become a major topic of interest of late, since this tried-and-true mineral has been in the news for its ability to prevent viral replication and its role in regulating the inflammasome response that leads to cytokine storms.  

Zinc alone is effective depending on the form.  Not all zincs are created equal, however, and forms such as glycinate and arginate appear to be the most bioavailable.  That said, there may be ways to enhance the bioavailability of zinc, thus providing an even greater impact on immunity and viral load.

Getting zinc into the cell is obviously dependent on having adequate levels of zinc outside the cell. With most of us, this is usually not a problem. However, zinc absorption does vary by individual. Physiological stressors, such as infection and inflammation, tend to deplete zinc pretty fast.

Zinc is a decidedly anti-viral mineral. High intracellular concentrations inhibit the replication of RNA type viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Zinc does this by blocking RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), the core enzyme of the multiprotein replication and transcription complex critical for the copying of viral RNA. 

That’s the conundrum. In high concentrations, zinc can block coronavirus reproduction, but the cell typically does not tolerate high levels of zinc due to its other actions.

Enter the zinc ionophores.

An ionophore is any substance which is able to transport particular ions across a lipid membrane in a cell. In the case of zinc, there are molecules that can act as facilitators and enhance the entry of zinc into the cell. These are known as zinc ionophores. 

Quercetin and EGCG from green tea are zinc ionophores.  These plant polyphenols  act as antioxidants and as signaling molecules.1

Quercetin plus zinc is being tested as an antiviral in human clinical trials for the treatment of Covid-19. The combination had already made it through animal trials for use against Ebola and SARS-CoV1, and was approved by the FDA for human clinical trials. Plans are underway for a large scale trial in China for patients with Covid-19.

Using these compounds in combination can be a very powerful option against viral infections.  

1. Zinc inophore Activity of Quercetin and Epigallocatechin gallate: From Hepa 1-6 Cells to Liposome Model, July 2014, Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, 62(32), PubMed)

What are Spore-Based Organisms and are they Better than Human-Derived Probiotics?

Spore-based organisms are not new, as some believe.  They have been around since the 1930's, and were debunked in 1939.  Yet they have made a resurgence as of late, probably because in the nutritional industry companies are aggressively trying to carve out a niche for themselves, attempting to promote things that are "new" and "unique," but really are anything but. 

“Spore-based” organisms are being misclassified by some manufacturers as probiotics, although this designation is a deviation from the International Scientific Association of Prebiotics and Probiotics (ISAPP).  According to the ISAPP, to be classified as a probiotic, bacterial strains must be human in origin. Therefore, spores would not fit that definition, as spores are soil-based.

"...Bacillus coagulans is a ubiquitous soil bacterium that grows at 50-55 °C [122-133 °F]..." Stand Genomic Sci. 2011 Dec 31;5(3):331-40. Rhee et al.

Therefore, soil-based organisms are not typically considered “normal” GI residents. The suggestion of use is often to the hygiene-theory of disease, as it is now being suggested that humans are now “too clean,” and exposure to these various soil organisms may prime the immune system. This is a theory that may not be commonly accepted in conventional medicine or even in holistic medicine circles, however, because it lacks scientific validation. 

The strains used in high quality probiotics are generally human-microflora – those genus, species, and strains found natively in the human gut.  Some probiotics may also offer other strains that are found in dairy and/or fermented plants foods (sauerkraut, as example). 

Strains are given their designation once the genome is mapped. Spore organisms have not been subjected to DNA mapping.  We also know there is a massive body of research on the various specific human strains. In theory, spores as probiotics might have some benefit, and there are research articles available, but thus far the research looks very scant compared to the mammoth amount of data regarding human-based organisms.  But an important point to consider is that none of the few studies that exist on spores show anything new or better than what standard human-based probiotics have been shown to provide.  Thus, the marketing on spore probiotics does not appear to match the research.  As has been said, "what glitters isn't always gold."  

The only unique characteristic of spore-based organisms is their purported (not proven) improved survivability, which is less unique in terms of clinical properties.  It is suggested that there is greater survival through the GI tract, as they are in their “inactive” spore state when swallowed and supposedly activated during digestion. However, if this survivability proves valid, some have concerns along these lines as to the safety and potential growth of pathogens as a result of lack of transit.  

Regarding survivability in the digestive process, survivability of the more hardy strains of probiotic organisms is not the primary concern anyway.  Think about it.  When a person eats kefir or any other cultured food, do the organisms survive digestion and colonize?  Most of the time, yes, and they are not even encapsulated!  This is just another example of companies trying to create a "need" that doesn't really exist and has never been demonstrated in the literature. 

Recall the definition of probiotics: “Proven clinical efficacy when taken orally.” Human-based probiotics have this track record of clinical efficacy, safety, and reems of research.  

When in doubt, therefore, it would be advisable to go with the proven track record and research.

In summary, there are two very important considerations.

First, what is the true definition of a probiotic according to the ISAPP?  For one, genus, species, and strain must be listed on the bottle.  

Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, they have to have proven clinical efficacy in humans when taken orally. 

So then, other than supposed unique survivability, what does the literature show regarding these spore-species – in humans – that may not be found with more ‘traditional’ human-microflora?  Well, nothing.

In keeping with the standards of scientific research and strains that are accepted as safe and effective, do spore-based strains like lactobacillus sporogenes enjoy this kind of data?  No. According to the article, Lactobacillus sporogenes is Not a Lactobacillus Probiotic, "No independent panel of experts has evaluated the safety of B. Coagulans for human consumption."¹  

Furthermore, Lactobacillus Sporogenes is not even a legitimately recognized strain and is actually a misclassification, as stated above.

 

 Let’s close the discussion by quoting again from the same article:

 

"Unlike [true] probiotic species of lactobacilli, members of the genus Bacillus are not considered normal members of the intestinal flora... Published literature supporting the role of Bacillus coagulans in enhancing human health is sparse, especially as compared to literature published on Lactobacillus use as probiotics. To continue to persist using this taxonomically incorrect name leads to speculation about the advantages of willingly mislabeling a product. It is likely that companies hope to benefit from association with the large aggregate of published literature and history of use on the safety and health benefits of the genus Lactobacillus... The perpetuation of intentional mislabeling in the long run will serve to erode consumer confidence and undermine the credibility of the probiotic industry." 

 

Reference:

“Lactobacillus sporogenes” Is Not a Lactobacillus Probiotic, – Mary Ellen Sanders Dairy and Food Culture Technologies Littleton, Colo; Lorenzo Morelli Instituto di Microbiologia UCSC Piacenza, Italy; Scott Bush Rhodia Inc. Madison, Wis.

 

 

NAD Precursors in Anti-Aging & Mitochondrial Support: Filtering out Truth from Marketing

The interest in NAD precursors/boosters is gaining momentum in not only the holistic health care world, but now also in the lay public, particularly those interested in performance and anti-aging.  A couple of very well-funded start-up OTC companies have been heavily promoting their products on social media.  Hopefully we can get a clearer distinction here between hype and hope.

WHAT IS NAD AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

Without going into a lengthy biochemical diatribe, let's scale this back to a short and simple working definition.  

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is a cofactor central to metabolism. A critical coenzyme found in every cell in the body, it’s involved in hundreds of metabolic processes like cellular energy and mitochondrial health.  But like everything else, there is not an endless supply of it in the body and declines with age.  That's why  it is being examined in anti-aging applications, energy, and sports performance.

  

VITAMIN B3 AS A NATURAL NAD-BOOSTING COMPOUND

The compound being heavily promoted in NAD-boosting supplements is nicotinamide riboside chloride, which is another oral form of vitamin B3 (niacin/niacinamide).  Nicotinamide riboside chloride is a very novel-sounding compound not widely known to the masses, and it sounds much more exotic and "new" compared to simply listing the compound as vitamin B3 with the specific form in parentheses, which is common on supplement labels.   The chloride portion, by the way, is not part of the therapeutic benefit.  It turns out that nearly any form of B3 will help boost NAD, but especially niacinamide.  

Humans metabolize vitamin B3 in its vitamin function specifically to synthesize NAD for energy. NAD is maintained in the body both by recycling of NAD as well as synthesis from vitamin B3. It does not take much oral B3 to maintain NAD due to significant recycling by the body. 

Vitamin B3 in the form of niacinamide is a precursor to NAD.  Therefore, one might consider higher doses oral niacinamide, which is a heck of a lot less expensive compared to some of the "novel" NAD precursor products that contain the nicotinamide riboside chloride form.  

While oral nicotinamide riboside is 'new,' the function of niacin (niacinamide/nicotinamide) has long been well understood associated to energy (NAD) and DNA protection. The riboside is an attachment to the simple sugar ribose, and it should be noted that there is not a suggested ribose deficiency in the diet and is endogenously produced. 

"...In the body, nicotinic acid [niacin] is converted to nicotinamide in hepatocytes and erythrocytes, and nicotinamide can then be transported in plasma to be used by all cells for the synthesis of nicotinamide nucleotides (i.e., nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide [NAD] and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate)..." Clin Infect Dis. 2003 Feb 15;36(4):453-60. Nicotinamide: an oral antimicrobial agent with activity against both Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus. Murray MF.

Here's another quote from a study that I particularly like the title of:  

"Niacin: an old lipid drug in a new NAD+ dress"

"Niacin can be processed by eukaryotic cells to synthesize a crucial cofactor, NAD+...  [Niacin] acts as a control switch of NAD⁺/sirtuin-mediated control of metabolism."  J Lipid Res. 2019 Apr;60(4):741-746.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

One might also consider  glutathione support with compounds such as N-acetlcysteine and glucoraphanin from broccoli extract. Additionally, CoQ10, magnesium, taurine and creatine to name just a few can be considered for mitochondrial energy support.  

"SHOULD I BUY NICOTINAMIDE RIBOSIDE CHLORIDE SUPPLEMENTS?"

What to buy is up to the consumer's best judgement, of course.  But the cost/benefits ratio declines sharply with this form of B3 compared to standard niacinamide, since the latter is much less expensive.  Furthermore, there is only a small amount of human data available on the riboside chloride form at this time.  It is the opinion of this writer that nicotinamide riboside chloride products are incorrectly hyped as a "new" powerful way to boost NAD differently and better than other nutritional compounds.  But the research doesn't bear this out.  To my knowledge there have not been any studies comparing the two head-to-head, so any claim that riboside chloride products are somehow more effective doesn't appear to hold up.

There is also a very interesting patent battle going on right now between the two companies that are heavily marketing the riboside chloride form, which tells you a lot about how the nutritional industry works.   

Therefore, let the buyer beware.  

Niacin and niacinamide as stand alone supplements or in combination with one another and/or with other B-vitamins are common, and as little as 200 mg per day can make a difference.  But one could take significantly more without a problem.  Just be careful of the "niacin flush" of a burning prickly sensation on the skin that is common with standard high dose niacin.  Niacinamide, however, normally does not produce a flushing effect.  Likewise, adding N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and broccoli extract to the mix for the glutathione support benefits can be a powerful combination.  One such combination provides 750 mg of niacinamide per two tablets, along with 750 mg of  NAC, 38 mg of broccoli extract, and additional selenium and vitamin C for a big glutathione and NAD support formula. 

It should also be noted that being in a state of ketosis also appears to boost NAD according to some research.  So intermittent fasting and/or a ketogenic diet for a few weeks to months and re-visited occasionally is an important consideration here as well.  

Pain Management Benefits of Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)

Palmitoylethanolamide, or PEA, is a natural substance found in the body that may support pain management. It was discovered in 1957 by scientists extracting it from soybean lecithin, which they referred to at the time as N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-palmitamide. Let’s take a closer look at this breakthrough natural molecule.

What is Palmitoylethanolamide?

PEA is an endogenous fatty acid amide, and a member of the N-acetyl-ethanolamine family. Fatty acid amides, as the name suggests, are formed by a combination of a fatty acid and an amine. They are widely distributed throughout the body and play an important role in cell signaling. PEA itself is commonly found in various foods, including eggs and milk. In addition, being an endogenous compound, PEA is found throughout the human body, including the brain and spinal cord. Interestingly, pain hypersensitivity is associated with a significant decrease in the level of endogenous PEA in spinal cord and in brain areas directly or indirectly involved in nociception. This indicates that PEA is may be vital to the body’s pain response.

In studies, PEA has been shown to bind to the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR-α) in the nucleus of cells. This receptor is responsible for regulating the gene networks connected to the control of pain. Palmitoylethanolamide also has affinity for the cannabinoid-like receptors GPR55 and GPR119. However, PEA does not have affinity for the classic cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2. As such, it does not possess the psychoactivity seen in classic cannabinoids. 

PEA also has the ability to reduce the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Elevated levels of COX-2 are found during periods of pain. PEA may prevent IkB-alpha degradation and p65 NF-kappaB nuclear translocation, due to its PPAR-alpha agonism. Clinical trials have found that the compound’s action performs numerous biological functions related to chronic pain.

Palmitoylethanolamide and Endocannabinoids

While PEA is not technically an endocannabinoid, it often gets grouped into the family, particularly with anandamide, because PEA operates via similar metabolic and synthetic pathways. Endocannabinoids are chemical compounds that activate many of the same receptors as THC, which is the active component in marijuana. Both humans and animals naturally synthesize endocannabinoids, which play a crucial role in bioregulation. They are mainly involved in cell signaling; producing same cell (autocrine) and cell-to-cell (paracrine) actions rather than full systemic effects. 

The two novel cannabinoid receptors that palmitoylethanolamide binds to, GPR55 and GPR119, are G protein-coupled receptors found in the human body and brain. GPR55 is activated by both the marijuana cannabinoids Δ 9-THC and cannabidiol, along with anandamide. The GPR55 receptor was only discovered in 1999, and many have started referring to it as the CB3 receptor. Since both PEA and anandamide bind to the GPR55 receptor, supplementing PEA not only leads to the effects modulated by direct binding to the GPR55 receptor, but it also leads to increased binding of anandamide to the CB1 and CB2 receptors. This is because it competes for the GPR55 receptor, leaving more anandamide available for binding to the other cannabinoid receptors.

The GPR119 receptor is another G protein-coupled receptor expressed mostly in the pancreas and gastrointestinal tract. Activation of the GPR119 receptor have been shown to cause a reduction in food intake and reduction in body weight in rats.

PEA is an endogenous modulator and, as mentioned, it’s already present in many of the foods you already consume. In addition, its novel binding sites make it a unique possible solution for those with chronic pain.

Overall Health Effects of PEA

PEA may offer various potential benefits for overall health. However, it is most well known for its ability to support  pain management.

PEA may also support heart health. Studies with mice using PEA found less injury to heart tissue, decreased cell death, and lower levels of cytokines.

PEA can also potentially support brain health.

Palmitoyalethanolamide is truly an amazing natural compound, with a variety of potential benefits and positive mechanisms in the body and brain. Research about this compound continues to expand on its new benefits and effects.

Source: Nootropicsdepot.com

Specialized Pro-Resolving Meditators (SMPs): A New Approach to Inflammation

“INFLAMMAGING”

PAIN AND INFLAMMATION ASSOCIATED WITH AGING

  

Inflammation is a natural process in response to injury and infection.  The body’s immune system launches a response when presented with various challenges to help bring healing.  Inflammation, while unpleasant, is actually a necessary part of this response.  But when the inflammation becomes chronic, it can lead to tissue destruction and degenerative changes in the body that can lead to disease.  Many of today’s most feared chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, etc, are now known to be linked, at least in part, to an underlying inflammatory process.

The Role of Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs)

The body’s natural inflammatory process is just that – a process.  The immune system will respond to various challenges with an initial inflammatory stage, but then it works to resolve the inflammation through natural chemicals such as macrophages that clean up dead cells and Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators, or SPMs, that then work to resolve the inflammation and shut down the inflammatory response.

However, as we age our bodies don’t make SPMs as readily as before.  Other factors also affect the body’s production of SPMs, such as stress, poor diet, and lack of exercise.  When SPMs are deficient, the body cannot resolve inflammation as efficiently as before, and chronic inflammation can set in, leading to conditions such as joint stiffness and pain, and other degenerative changes leading to disease and dysfunction.

Thankfully, emerging research from Harvard and other prestigious scientific sources has discovered that SPMs are available nutritionally and can be provided as supplemental to the diet, thereby aiding the body in resolving inflammation. 

Dietary Sources of SPMs

Two natural fatty acids from fish oil, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), when metabolized properly, break down into natural chemicals known as 18- hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (18-HEPE) and 17-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (17-HDHA).  These chemicals are known as resolvins, as they play a major role in the resolving phase of inflammation.  

However, various health challenges prevent proper conversion of these chemicals, and even when converted properly the small amounts of 18-HEPE and 17-HDHA are inconsequential in the face of significant inflammation.   Eating fish or even taking fish oil supplements would not provide measurable amounts of these resolvins to have any impact on inflammation.  In fact, a person would have to take 7 or more high-potency fish oil supplements every day for 6 weeks to even to begin to show any measurable resolvins.  

However, through collaborative efforts in the scientific community, a revolutionary new  fractionation process has allowed scientists to isolate 18-HEPE and 17-HDHA and provide them in amounts in supplemental form in high enough amounts to have a significant impact on the resolution phase of inflammation.  

Applications for SPM Supplementation

SPM supplementation can and should be considered for any health condition with an inflammatory component.  Research on SPMs have been successfully conducted on the following conditions:

• Aspiration pneumonia
• Asthma
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Colitis 
• Periodontitis
• Dry Eyes
• Cornea Inflammation
• Vascular Disease
• Obesity
• Type II Diabetes
• Stroke
• Alzheimer's Disease
• All forms of Arthritis
• Fibromyalgia
• Acute Injuries
• Acute Infections
• Muscle Soreness

References:  

1. Recchuiti, A.  J Gerontol Geriat Res 2014; 3:151 

2. Bento et al. J Immunol 2011;187:1957-1969

      

High Dose Folate vs. Broad-Spectrum Nutrition for Methylation Support

The issue of high-dose folate has come up a lot lately, as a number of supplement companies offer folate in excess of 2,000 mcg and sometimes a lot more in products targeted for methylation and homocysteine metabolism. While some references are made to support this, the truth is that the literature is sparse on support of such high doses of folate for any application. Older data has not been validated at all on high-dose folate in certain women's reproductive health concerns, for example.  And, in fact, there appears to be diminishing returns on high-dose folate, as research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that doses of folate of 800 mcg and 2,000 mcg had precisely the same effect on reductions of homocysteine (see my previous post).  

"There are few intervention studies of folic acid or 5-MTHF as a stand-alone treatment." (Altern Med Rev. 2008 Sep;13(3):216-26) And there are no studies at all to my knowledge that show superior results in high dose folate vs. multiple nutrients.  (​If you know of any, please send them my way.)​
   

While the risk of toxicity of high dose folate is low, keep in mind that supplementation with folate can mask a B12 deficiency. 

In the supplement industry, a "more must be better" approach is often promoted among supplement companies and some practitioners, and this, of course, is the mindset of more ​conventional practitioners, as this is more consistent with the traditional medical model.  Providing mega-doses of any one substance is closer to a pharmacological approach rather than a holistic or complementary one.  ​But again, what does the preponderance of literature say?  As far as I can tell, there are no studies showing benefit of high dose folate vs. combining moderate ​folate amounts ​with other supportive nutrients.  

Truly holistic practitioners must resist the temptation to always believe that more is better.  An older study on vitamin E, for example, showed that mega-doses given to smokers actually seemed to increase the risk of lung cancer.  Why?  Because certain compounds given in mega doses in isolation of other supportive nutrients may turn out to be pro-oxidants rather than antioxidants.  

Thus, the most effective approach may be the one that addresses the potential folate deficiency, along with other deficiencies (B12, for example) while offering a comprehensive plan that takes into account a variety of supportive measures.​

Thus, methylation as a whole (and hence effective homocysteine metabolism)​ is less a situation of a singular nutrient and more a breadth of supportive accessory nutrients, such as zinc, B6, B12, betaine, molybdenum, N-acetylcysteine, and others. In other words, the more "natural" and effective approach is likely not high-dose folate but rational folate intake coupled with other methylation support nutrients. 

Folate and Homocysteine: Is There Diminishing Returns?

By now it is common knowledge that B-vitamins, particularly folate, B6, and B12, are extremely important to metabolize the amino acid, homocysteine, which is an intermediate in the metabolism of methionine and cysteine, and has been implicated in vascular disease.

Recently I had the opportunity to review a nutritional product that was touted as a supreme homocysteine support product.  It looked good, actually, but something stood out to me that is apparently not common knowledge among practitioners and supplement manufacturers.

The more-is-better idea is a common mindset among holistic pill poppers and those recommending them.  However, the idea that more is better does not apply to many things, and folate's role in homocysteine metabolism is one of them.

The supplement I reviewed has over 2,000 mcg of folate, which impresses many casual observers.  However, it must be noted that according to a study on homocysteine and folate published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, even very low dose folate supplementation of 200 mcg lowers homocysteine significantly, and most notably, there was no difference in high dose folate supplementation and moderate dose supplementation in lowering homocysteine levels. (See chart below.)  Moderate dosing of 800 mcg lowers homocysteine by 23%, but pushing the dose up to 2,000 mcg did not show any additional benefit.  Even very high dosing at 5,000 mcg showed only minimal additional benefit of a mere two percentage points.  

What might make more sense in achieving the perfect formula for homocysteine metabolism is to keep the folate levels moderate in order to keep the cost down and make room for other important nutrients that aid in the methylation cycle and renal clearance of homocysteine -- nutrients such as molybdenum, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), manganese, betaine, etc.

NAC, in particular, is an important antioxidant that serves many roles in the body.  For example, it is an amazingly powerful antioxidant that supports liver detoxification and glutathione levels in the body, but it is also important for renal clearance of homocysteine.  Therefore, significant amounts of NAC (500 mg or more) should be considered to support those with elevated homocysteine or who have had a history of issues along these lines.

Consider supplementation that supports all four levels of homocysteine clearance (see below).