Article on inositol hexaniacinate for the treatment of achlorhydria

[Guest guest]

A case report on the successful use of inositol hexaniacinate for the

treatment of achlorhydria: its possible mechanism of action upon the

central nervous system and parietal cell-adenosine

Triphosphate-dependent [K.sup.+]/[H.sup.+] pump

 

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2003 by

Jonathan E. Prousky, Dugald Seely

 

http://tinyurl.com/brv69

 

Abstract

 

Achiorhydria is a gastrointestinal disorder where the parietal cells

no longer function and acid secretion does not occur. We report on a

case where the therapeutic use of inositol hexaniacinate (IHN) was

effective for the treatment of Achlorhydria. The patient presented to

the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic with complaints of bloating,

intermittent diarrhea, gas, chronic throat irritation, perianal

swelling and back pain related to maldigestion. The patient's initial

fasting gastric pH was 7, indicative of achlorhydria. The patient was

instructed to take 650mg three times daily of IHN, a form of niacin

(nicotinic acid). After approximately three weeks of use, the pH

returned to 1, which is considered normal. A little more than three

weeks later, the gastric pH continued to be within the normal range,

but did increase to a 3. IHN might enhance the production of

hydrochloric acid (HCl) in a manner that cannot be explained by it

simply being an acid. The benefits of IHN might be due, in part, to

its stress-mo derating properties upon the central nervous system. We

further postulate that IHN works by priming the parietal cells for the

production of mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP). This priming

action provides the cellular energy necessary to drive the process of

generating HCl from the parietal cells. These mechanisms of action

might be responsible for the therapeutic change in gastric acidity as

demonstrated by repeated fasting gastric pH measurements, and by the

relief of gastrointestinal symptoms as noted by the patient.

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Introduction

 

Hypochlorhydria is a condition where the parietal cells of the stomach

secrete insufficient amounts of hydrochloric acid (HCl). Achlorhydria

is simply a more severe form of hypochlorhydria where the parietal

cells no longer function and acid secretion does not occur. The

consequences of hypo- and achlorhydria include an increased

susceptibility to gastric bacterial overgrowth, (1) enteric

infections, (2,3) hypergastrinemia that might lead to

enterochromaffin-like cell hyperplasia and neoplasia, (4-7) and

malabsorption of various nutrients (e.g., calcium, iron and zinc) and

amino acids. (8,9) The proper production of HC1 is therefore essential

for optimal health. It renders the stomach sterile against pathogens,

prevents fungal and bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine,

facilitates the flow of bile and pancreatic enzymes, and enables the

proper absorption of protein and a variety of nutrients. When HCl

production is insufficient or absent, the gastric pH will not be

sufficiently acidic, digestion will be impaired, and numerous signs

and symptoms develop. Table 1 lists the most common signs and symptoms

associated with deficient or absent HCl production.

 

We report on a case where the therapeutic use of inositol

hexaniacinate (IHN), a form of niacin (nicotinic acid), wasydrate

diet. Results of this study showed that the Atkins diet was more

effective at improving serum levels of HDL and triglycerides. In this

study, the Atkins Diet increased HDL levels by 11% compared to a 1%

improvement for people on the low-fat, high carbohydrate diet.

Furthermore, triglycerides decreased 49% on the Atkins Diet. There was

no significant change in the LDL marker between the two groups. (14)

Evidence is mounting that a low-fat diet and/or a diet high in only

polyunsaturated fatty acids may be detrimental to one's health.

 

There are numerous articles with many different studies cited on the

benefits of saturated fats which are heart protective. (6,11,13,15,16)

In a study comparing many types of fats, palm kernel oil appeared to

be the most protective against the development of cardiovascular

disease. Furthermore, platelet aggregation was reduced by palm kernel

oil and increased by sunflower oil, which is high in the

polyunsaturated w6 fatty acids. (17) In another study, cardiac

necrosis caused by unsaturated fats was prevented by the addition of

cocoa butter to the subject's diet. (18) Cocoa butter is composed of

35% stearic acid (C18) and 25% palmitic acid (C16), which are both

saturated fatty acids. It also appears that cocoa butter has a neutral

effect on cholesterol, (19,20) which is thought to be due to the high

content of stearic acid. (21)

 

Shorter-chained saturated fats have been used by physicians as

conjunctive treatment in liver disease. Short and medium chain

saturated fatty acids, unlike the longer chain fatty acids, are

directly absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized by the liver.

Their short chain length allows these fats to be directly converted

into energy. This reduced metabolic load allows the liver to optimize

its function of detoxifying, producing bile, and maintaining optimal

blood sugar levels. Studies have shown that the short and medium chain

saturated fatty acids found in coconut oil provide protection against

carcinogenic compounds. (15) In a study comparing the benefits of

fatty acids in protecting against ethanol-induced liver damage, one

group of animals was fed ethanol and tallow (saturated fat from

animals) and a second group was fed ethanol and the unsaturated fatty

acid linoleic acid. Results concluded that the animals fed tallow were

protected from ethanol induced liver damage, whereas, animals fed

linoleic acid d eveloped fatty liver necrosis and inflammation. (15)

 

Fatty acids are particularly important in the developing neonate.

Palmitate is a long chain saturated fatty acid that is present in

large amounts in phospholipids of lung surfactant. One study suggests

that a maternal diet high in unsaturated fatty acids can potentially

cause breathing problems for the newborn. In another study, pregnant

mice were fed saturated fat in the form of coconut oil, as opposed to

another group of mice fed unsaturated fats. Upon comparison, the

pregnant mice fed saturated fats were found to produce offspring with

normal brains and higher intelligence. (15) Furthermore, it is

interesting to note that the composition of fats in coconut oil is

similar to the fats found in human mother's milk. (22)

 

Unsaturated fats have been shown to be immunosuppressive. (16) In the

past, to prevent the deleterious effects of cachexia, cancer patients

were given IV unsaturated fat in efforts to increase their caloric

intake. In actuality, these unsaturated fats made their condition

worse, by causing immunosuppression and increasing the risk for

metastasis. (15) Cancer cells have been found to preferentially use

unsaturated fats for fuel, because of their inhibiting effect on

proteolytic enzymes that would otherwise degrade the cancer cell's

protective connective tissue capsule. (15) The protective connective

tissue capsule is one of the reasons that cancer cells are able to

escape recognition by the body's immune system. Coconut and butter

stimulate the differentiation of cancer cells, allowing recognition by

the immune system and the potential reduction in metastasis. (15) In

other words, unsaturated fatty acids appear to promote tumor growth,

whereas saturated fats do not. Short and medium chain saturated fatty

acids have proven beneficial for those suffering from cachexia of

cancer, since they are a quick, high calorie energy source that

doesn't promote cancer growth.

 

Saturated fats in coconut oil, such as capric acid (C10) and lauric

acid (C12), have been found to actually boost the immune system. In

fact, coconut oil has been shown to be antiviral, antibacterial,

antifungal, and antiprotozoal. (11) Lauric acid and its monoglyceride,

monolaurin, have been shown to reduce viral load in HIV patients. (23)

Monolaurin has also shown antiviral activity against most lipid-coated

viruses. Both capric and lauric acids in coconut oil have been shown

to be active against Candida albicans. (24)

 

Saturated fats also have an important role in maintaining optimal

kidney function. The kidneys have been found to preferentially use

saturated fats for protective cushioning and as a quick energy source.

Commonly occurring saturated fats in the kidney storage depots

include: myristic (C14), palmitic (C16), and stearic (C18) acids.

Kidney function can be enhanced by the high content of myristic acid

found in coconut oil. (25) Myristolation is a process where myristic

acid is added to the end of a signaling protein, such as a G protein.

(26) The addition of myristic acid allows for signaling across the

kidney cell membrane, hence the importance of saturated fats in

cellular communication.

 

Therapeutic Applications

 

As practitioners of medicine, we strive to do the best we can for our

patients. We do this by looking at each patient as an individual

within the context of our current understanding of health and

wellness. This includes removing obstacles to cure, recommending

therapeutic interventions that do not cause harm, stimulating the

body's innate power to heal itself, and to promote prevention through

education.

 

1 - 2 - 3 - Next

[Guest guest]

Naomi

You've not mentioned what you believe to be the effect of the use of Palm and

Coconut oils, on the cardiovascular system. Most of the opposition to the use

of these oils stems from the belief that they promote deadly blockages in the

coronary arteries.

 

At the end of the Townsend piece, after " therapeutic applications, " the reader

sees a continuation of the material presented, as " 1, 2, 3 Next. " But these

links are not click-able.

JP

-

Naomi Giuliano

Wednesday, June 29, 2005 5:19 AM

Article on inositol hexaniacinate for

the treatment of achlorhydria

 

 

A case report on the successful use of inositol hexaniacinate for the

treatment of achlorhydria: its possible mechanism of action upon the

central nervous system and parietal cell-adenosine

Triphosphate-dependent [K.sup.+]/[H.sup.+] pump

 

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2003 by

Jonathan E. Prousky, Dugald Seely

 

http://tinyurl.com/brv69

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

, " John Polifronio "

<counterpnt@e...> wrote:

> Naomi

> You've not mentioned what you believe to be the effect of the use of

> Palm and Coconut oils, on the cardiovascular system.

 

Hi JP,

 

This article interests me on a number of levels, the first being that

I've suffered from stomach and intestinal problems due to stress

throughout my life. Taking HCL before meals has improved my digestion

greatly, especially before taking fish oil and eating salads. I found

it interesting that taking niacin helped patients' stomach

problems, possibly due to its salutary effects on stress. I notice

that I feel much better if I take a B-vitamin complex consistently.

 

As for saturated fats, I admit that I started increasing them in my

diet with much trepidation, despite all the positive things I've read

about them.

 

One of the big changes I made was to use virgin coconut oil in most of

my cooking and baking. I don't know what effect it's had on my

cholesterol, since I've never had it measured, but I have noticed that

it digests very easily. I also use it on my skin, especially for this

flat red rash that I'm prone to get.

 

> Most of the opposition to the use of these oils stems from the

> belief that they promote deadly blockages in the coronary arteries.

 

IIRC, weren't those studies supposedly showing that coconut oils

caused blockages done with hydrogenated oils?

 

>

> At the end of the Townsend piece, after " therapeutic applications, "

> the reader sees a continuation of the material presented, as " 1, 2,

> 3 Next. " But these links are not click-able.

 

Since the article was so long, I didn't include the rest of the study

in the post. Here's the links to the rest of the pages:

 

page 2: http://tinyurl.com/bslbd

 

page 3: http://tinyurl.com/9zypv

 

HTH,

 

Naomi

 

 

> -

> Naomi Giuliano

>

> Wednesday, June 29, 2005 5:19 AM

> Article on inositol

hexaniacinate for the treatment of achlorhydria

>

>

> A case report on the successful use of inositol hexaniacinate for

the

> treatment of achlorhydria: its possible mechanism of action upon

the

> central nervous system and parietal cell-adenosine

> Triphosphate-dependent [K.sup.+]/[H.sup.+] pump

>

> Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2003 by

> Jonathan E. Prousky, Dugald Seely

>

> http://tinyurl.com/brv69

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Naomi

I was very pleased with your Townsend letter. It happens that I've been taking

3 gms in two divided doses, of IHN, for years now.

 

I've been " treating " my angina, with a combination of extensive supplement use,

fairly careful and mostly excellent dieting, an on and off exercise program

(difficult to maintain because of angina), and just passed the 11 year mark,

without surgery and a minimum of medication, which I'm on the verge of

eliminating entirely. I tell you this to reveal my health condition when, after

discharge, eleven years ago, from the coronary care unit at Kaiser, after fierce

and unending efforts from doctors and nurses trying to scare me into angiogram

and surgery, which I declined, I immediately set about reading everything Dr.

Ornish had to say about heart disease, after which I came away with the greatest

fear of just such things as palm or coconut oil, which are strictly,

fanatically, prohibited on the Ornish diet. It never occured to me that the

studies of any of the oils, upon which Ornish bases his prohibitions, might have

been " hydrogenated? "

 

I also suffer from lifelong intestinal problems, and am taking DGL, which, I

suspect, may be helping me. I also occasionally use HCL, though I read that it

should not be taken on the same day that one takes aspirin (I take a baby

aspirin every other day).

 

Forget saturated fats, which to Ornish, are the incarnate devil himself. Ornish

recently relented regarding Om 3 oil, to the extent of permitting about 1/8 tsp

per day, in the diet, presumably of healthy people, though probably not of his

heart patients. I followed his diet for four years, as faithfully as anyone can

be expected to, during which I also took powerful heart drugs (that Ornish

certainly does not prohibit), and which on a few occasions nearly killed me.

 

The predicament many sick people face in this society can be seen from an

incident I experienced with doctors that were invited to examine a group I

joined at UCLA, which had been formed by a cardiologist, to experiment with the

Ornish program, in an effort to verify his finidings (the program failed, though

it's hard to say why). As I was being observed by one of these doctors, at one

point he exclaimed with alarm, " you really need to start taking statins, " which

he said after having just looked over my papers which indicated clearly that my

latest lipids exam had revealed a total cholesterol of 122!

 

Thanks for your post, and for the links.

John Polifronio

-

Naomi Giuliano

Re: Article on inositol hexaniacinate for the treatment of achlorhydria

 

 

, " John Polifronio "

<counterpnt@e...> wrote:

> Naomi

> You've not mentioned what you believe to be the effect of the use of

> Palm and Coconut oils, on the cardiovascular system.

 

Hi JP,

 

This article interests me on a number of levels, the first being that

I've suffered from stomach and intestinal problems due to stress

throughout my life. Taking HCL before meals has improved my digestion

greatly, especially before taking fish oil and eating salads. I found

it interesting that taking niacin helped patients' stomach

problems, possibly due to its salutary effects on stress. I notice

that I feel much better if I take a B-vitamin complex consistently.