Marfan syndrome

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Supporting the Body's Connective Tissue through Nutrition and Supplements

 

Connective tissue disorders, also known as collagen diseases, can affect

joints, spine, hips, skin or any part of the body. The reason they can

affect any part of the body is because connective tissue is found in every

part of the body. Think of connective tissue as the body's masking

tape/string or glue. It is the tissue that connects the cells and tissues

of the body together (Gazella, p.26).

 

These conditions may be extremely painful and debilitating. This article is

not intended to diagnose or treat these conditions. It is merely to educate

and make the connection between nutrition and the different connective

tissue disorders.

 

Two basic features of connective tissue disorders are:

1) There is a malfunction of the immune system.

2) The connective tissue is affected.

 

Malfuntion of the immune system:

 

Connective tissue disorders are a family of autoimmune diseases. An

autoimmune disease is when the immune system attacks the cells of its own

body. Len Saputo, M.D., in his article, " Harmful Flora " , believes that our

entire immune system can malfunction in three ways. First, it can be

weakened and the result called an immune suppression disease; this occurs in

cancer and AIDS. Second, it can overreact and become hyper-responsive to

normal stimuli; this occurs in asthma, migraine, eczema and food allergies.

Third, a malfunctioning immune system can cause autoimmune reactions, where

antibodies target our own tissues, as in rheumatoid arthritis or lupus

(Trent, p.60).

 

As with almost all major health challenges, the immune system plays an

important role. In its attempt to protect us, our immune system has

different types of white blood cells to ward off invading disease cells.

B-lymphocyte white blood cells make antibodies, while the T-cell white blood

cells supervise the activity. Once the T-cells are told a foreign substance

has entered the body, they direct the attack on those cells. But what if

the T-cells themselves are unable to do their job? Medical researcher

Graham R. V. Hughes, M.D., speculates that the immunological abnormalities

portrayed in the connective tissue disorders " reflect a more basic defect of

the immune system such as a loss of T-cell suppressor activity " (Gazella,

p.26).

 

In addition to a malfunction in the immune system, some researchers believe

that there could be a direct relationship between viral infection and

disease onset (Gazella, p. 26).

 

The Use of Nutrition as Means of balancing the Immune System:

 

Jerry Stine, M.D., in his article, " How Digestion Works " , explains that the

gastrointestinal tract is the largest immune organ in our body. Eighty

percent of all our protective immune globulins are produced in the digestive

tract (Trent, p.16). When this large, strategically placed immune system

member (the GI tract) isn't working well, our defenses are lowered and once

our barriers are down, it becomes more difficult to defend against invaders.

 

One of the most impressive researchers on Connective Tissue Disorders is J.

O. Hunter, M.D. He refers to Connective Tissue Disorders as an

" enterometabolic disorder " . This means that the problem can be caused by

toxicity transmitted from the intestinal tract. For example, a parasitic

bacteria such as a toxic form of E. coli, can affect the immune system in

such a way as to aggravate symptoms of inflammation (Bland, p.128).

 

The theory is that inflammatory conditions in general develop when the

intestinal lumen becomes damaged, either due to malnutrition or infection

and bacteria are transferred across it into the bloodstream. The barrier of

defense in the intestinal tract becomes so compromised that it can't even

prevent bacteria from attacking the liver. The bacterial attack is thought

to occur when the intestinal tract is severely compromised, and it indicates

how important a defensive barrier the intestinal lining represents in

defending against serious illness.

 

A recent study of hundreds of patients found gut inflammation and its

associated condition, the leaky gut syndrome in more than 80 percent of

those with forms of connective tissue disorders. This association was

particularly true of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (Mielants H, et.

al., " Ilecolonoscopic Findings in Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies, "

British Journal of Rheumatology, Vol. 27, pp. 95-105, 1988).

Rheumatologists at the Health Sciences Center at McMaster University Medical

School in Hamilton, Ontario confirmed that individuals with increased

intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome have an increased risk of

arthritis-like symptoms. (Rooney PJ, et al., " A Short Review of the

Relationship between Intestinal Permeability and Inflammatory Joint

Disease. " Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology. Vol.8, pp. 75-83, 1990).

 

Dr. Jeffrey Bland in his book Genetic Nutritioneering believes that

inflammatory conditions, from intestinal inflammation, MS to rheumatoid

arthritis, is a result of a combination of genetic, lifestyle and nutrition

factors (Bland, p.124).

 

Here are some nutritional and supplement strategies for helping with

inflammatory and autoimmune connective tissue disorders:

 

I. Remove Offending " Trigger " Foods:

 

... Remove strong acid producing foods. Examples are beef, chicken and

pork. If you must eat any of these meats, at least reduce the amounts

significantly.

 

.. Remove all dairy products (cheese and milk). These are also acid

producing foods. " A vegan diet may be ideal...When a woman with systemic

lupus erythematosus; and typical skin lesions started a diet...consisting

entirely of fruits and vegetables...95% of her facial lesions disappeared "

(Werbach, p. 176). If you can not avoid dairy products, then buy goat-based

cheese (the soft kind) or raw goat milk.

 

.. Avoid grains that are considered high-glycemic foods. Examples are

corn chips, instant processed grain mixes (i.e., puffed wheat), cakes, pies,

pastry, processed breakfast cereals, instant grain cereals, white rice,

white flour and white flour pastas.

 

.. Avoid breads containing yeast. It may be prudent to consume types of

bread made from sprouted grains or whole rye and leavened with lactobacillus

(sourdough).

 

.. Remove hydrogenated oils and margarine from your diet. Use coconut

oil (not processed/heated) or ghee (clarified butter) for cooking. Use

extra virgin olive oil or raw butter for any cold spreads.

 

.. Avoid non-foods (i.e., salt, alcohol, artificial sweeteners, coffee,

tea, soft drinks,....etc.).

 

.. Avoid soy products, except for fermented soy products (miso, tamari

sauce, and tempeh).

 

II. Your Daily Anti-inflammatory Diet: For the first 14 days:

 

Michael Klapper, M.D., recommends this strict diet for the first 14 days.

Eat only: (In unlimited amounts)

A) Brown rice and sweet potatoes (for energy and protein).

B) Green and yellow vegetables (for vitamins and minerals).

C) Non-citrus fruits (for vitamins, minerals and fiber).

D) Vegetable soups, broth, and fresh vegetable juices.

E) Ample pure water, at least a 6 oz. cup or glass every 1-2 hours.

 

Reconstruct your diet after 14 days with " safe " foods. You can add oily

fish, such as salmon, halibut or cod, soft raw goat cheeses, citrus fruits,

all types of vegetables, nuts, seeds...etc.

 

When you add such foods back to your diet, it is a good idea to add one food

at a time, every two days. You need to observe carefully any effects on

your joints and other tissues while keeping a food diary to record your

body's reaction (if any) to each single reintroduced food. Note any food

that incites swelling, stiffness, pain in joints, or other adverse bodily

reactions within 2 days. As your list of " safe foods " grows, base your

daily meal choices on foods that cause no problems and that make you feel

your best.

 

III. Improving the Function of the Digestive System:

 

A) Friendly Bacteria supplementation:

 

Lynne McFarland, Ph.D......., from the Department of Medicinal Chemistry at

the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle, WA, reported

that oral supplementation of friendly bacteria such as acidophilus and

bifidus can help recolonize the intestinal tract with good bacteria (Bland,

Genetic....p. 133). This research helps expand the definition of nutrition

to include consumption of friendly bacteria because of their beneficial role

in assisting the function of " gut-associated lymphoid tissue and the liver "

(p. 134).

 

One of the best friendly bacteria products in the market today is a

wide-spectrum friendly bacteria supplement micro-blended with

fructo-oligosaccharides. Following are its ingredients: Lactobacillus

acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus,

Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius,

Streptococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Acerola and Rose Hips

blend, wild blue green algae, Jerusalem Artichoke, Lipase, Amylase,

Protease, and Cellulase (http://tinyurl.com/6gzqa).

 

B) Enzymes:

 

Digestive enzymes are used to improve the breakdown and assimilation of food

nutrients, reduce stress on the gastrointestinal mucous, help maintain

normal body pH levels, promote the growth of healthy intestinal flora, and

strengthen the body as a whole.

 

Enzymes taken on empty stomach are used to modulate the immune system, to

support circulation, and help remove waste products.

 

One of the best enzyme products in the market today is a wide-spectrum blend

of 12 active enzymes with digestive-enhancing ingredients such as blue green

algae (high mineral food), fennel, ginger and cayenne pepper

(http://tinyurl.com/ey8l).

 

C) High quality dietary fiber:

 

To maintain intestinal hygiene, you need about 35 to 40 grams of different

fiber sources everyday (i.e., bran, cellulose, lignin, pectin, etc.), all

found in different organically grown, ripe seasonal fruits, seeds, whole

grains, and vegetables. Dietary fiber helps improve the production of

short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Dietary fiber is fermented into SCFAs by

friendly bacteria like acidophilus and bifidus. One of the best fiber

sources is from brown rice and it has no adverse reactions in the intestinal

tract. Rice has both the insoluble and soluble fiber, which friendly

bacteria ferment to SCFAs. SCFAs nourish the critical intestinal lining.

 

Another source of good fiber is flax seed. Besides being a well-rounded

source of both the insoluble and soluble fibers, flax contains another

component called lignans. (Grind flax seed immediately before you eat it).

 

IV. Balance the Immune System through Whole Food Supplements:

 

A) Wild-crafted Blue Green Algae:

 

A specific amino acid, L-glutamine, is found to support the immune system.

According to Douglas Wilmore, M.D., a trauma care surgeon at Harvard Medical

School, the amino acid L-glutamine improves intestinal function and can help

preserve the gut function (Bland, p. 135).

 

One of the most amazing foods high in L-glutamine is wild-crafted blue green

algae from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon (http://tinyurl.com/g1iz and

http://tinyurl.com/iw4k). Supplementing with 4 capsules a day gives the body

78 mg. of L. Glutamine. Also, wild-crafted blue green algae is nearly

two-thirds protein, an unusually high proportion, particularly for a " plant "

food. This protein consists of 49.1% dietarily essential amino acids and

50.9% of non dietarily essential amino acids.

 

In addition, wild-crafted blue green algae provides a wide spectrum of

vitamins and minerals. For example, blue green algae is a good source of

vitamin B-complex, including vitamin B12. B12, normally only found in meat

and other animal foods, is sometimes called the " rejuvenator and energizer "

vitamin. It is used by the body to synthesize hemoglobin. It can increase

energy and is a necessary ingredient for the nervous system (Abrams, pp.

50-51).

 

B) Virgin coconut oil:

 

Coconut oil can reduce inflammation. In a study reported by Dr. S. Sadeghi,

coconut oil decreased pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body. The

researcher suggested that coconut oil might be useful in therapies involving

a number of acute and chronic inflammatory diseases (Sadeghi, S. et al,

1999, Dietary lipids modify the cytokine response to bacterial

lipopolysaccharide in mice. Immunology 96(3):404).

 

Coconut oil has strong antimicrobial effects and can eliminate harmful and

toxic organisms and therefore can prevent/relieve the inflammation and pain

they cause.

 

To get a therapeutic benefit from consuming coconut oil, 3 1/2 tablespoons

is the recommended daily intake. You can also incorporate more coconut meat

and milk into your diet. For example, seven ounces of dried coconut

provides 3 1/2 tablespoons of oil.

 

C) Wheat Sprouts:

 

Wheat sprouts as a whole food supplement provides one of the most potent

antioxidant enzymes; superoxide dismutase (SOD). Since SOD requires copper

and zinc as cofactors to initiate maximum effectiveness, a whole food

supplement that combines other foods high in minerals would be the best type

of supplement. We recommend a whole food antioxidant made of organic wheat

sprouts, blue green algae and red beta algae (dunaliella salina)

(http://tinyurl.com/6vxtu).

 

Dr. Matthias Rath, M.D., believes through his extensive research, that

antioxidants are some of the most important supplements to help

nutritionally with connective tissue disorders (Gazella, p.29).

 

D) Turmeric and Ginger:

 

Take turmeric powder internally as an anti-inflammatory food. Taken

internally, turmeric can inhibit TNF which is a chemical mediator of

inflammation. Take one teaspoon three times daily with or without meals.

Best taken at bed time.

 

Ginger is considered an important anti-pain and anti-inflammation food in

the very old Ayurvedic and Tibb system of medicine in India. Buy organic

ginger powder and start by taking a heaping teaspoon per day. Mix the

ginger with your favorite beverage. Or if you don't mind the taste, mix it

in water (ideal way of taking it).

 

Nutrition and Connective Tissue Disorders:

 

There is no magic bullet available for connective tissue disorders. However,

nutritional changes and supplementation, may offer considerable improvement

and reduce the inflammation associated with autoimmune disorders. It should

be no surprise that good nutrition and lifestyle play critical roles in

maximizing our defense capabilities and it might be just what Mother Nature

ordered!

 

References:

 

Abrams, Karl. (1996). Algae to the Rescue! Studio City, CA: logan House.

Bland, Jeffrey. (1999). Genetic Nutritioneering. Los Angeles, CA: Keats

Publishing.

Gazella, Karolyn. " Exploring Connective Tissue Disorders " . Health

Counselor. Vol. 5, No. 5, pp. 25-29.

Nichols, Trent W., and Faass, Nancy. (1999). Optimal Digestion, New York:

Avon Books, Inc.

Werback, Melvyn, M.D. (1999). " Nutritional Influences on Lupus. " Townsend

Letter for Doctors and Patients. August/Sept. 1999. p. 176.