My Cancer Update
– Rapidly Declining –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

June 4, 2023 [printfriendly]

This is not the story I wanted to share with you yet. I’ve prepared for this, but the reality of it is another subject. My intentions ever since my diagnosis of incurable multiple myeloma have been to maintain the highest quality of life possible and to be transparent in my journey.

After my diagnosis and dire prognosis in September 2018, I did a lot of research to understand my bone marrow cancer. The answers I was looking for did not come easy. I wanted to understand how I could best support my immune system, which was being destroyed by malignant plasma cells. I also wanted to know how this strange cancer would eventually overtake my body.

I’ve since learned these answers and have been sharing my findings with all my readers. Too many of us face debilitating health issues and there’s not enough conversation around ways to be proactive and take control in the face of illness. I was able to extend my life by almost 5 full years past the initial prognosis. It wasn’t easy. I developed my ever evolving Unconventional Cancer Protocols and continued to adjust my methods regularly. It brings me great joy to be able to share my journey with all of you, and to be able to aide you in your own unique health journeys. 

I don’t know how long I will be able to continue to write blogs. My physical body is declining. My most recent bloodwork on Monday, 5/22/23 was disappointing – rapidly moving in the wrong direction.

Even with a transfusion of packed red blood cells three weeks ago, my hemoglobin and platelets continued to drop significantly. In addition, my exhaustion was lasting all day long. My quality of life has deteriorated rapidly. 

As you know, COVID activated my multiple myeloma. I discussed this in previous blogs. I’ve been trying to find a way to combat the Long Haulers COVID symptoms, but the combination is causing severe complications. That is what has lead me to write this blog.

When I was diagnosed with incurable multiple myeloma in September 2018, I asked my oncologist , “What were the major causes of death in multiple myeloma patients?”

Here are the three major causes …

  1. Anemia – individual malignant plasma cells are growing wildly and they are crowding out healthy red blood cells and platelets.
  2. Infections – the immune system is compromised and cannot adequately kill the infection and the body becomes overwhelmed with the spread of infection.
  3. Kidney failure – malignant plasma cells affect the function of the kidneys and causes untreatable kidney disease.

I am currently battling severe anemia. But I will do whatever I can for as long as I can to secure a quality of life.

My medical team came to the decision on Tuesday, 5/23/23 that the myeloma cells in my bone marrow were pushing out healthy cells and continuing to create severe anemia. I have been admitted to hospice in my home to help me be as comfortable as possible. Hospice care focuses on the care, comfort, and quality of life, which is what I need right now. Sue and I didn’t make this decision lightly. We found the right care team to help support us during this difficult time.

As you might recall, this isn’t my first bout with hospice. Back in 2019, I was admitted to hospice after a broken femur. If there is a way to revoke hospice a second time, you know I’ll do it! But, the most important thing for me has always been to maintain the quality of my life for the time I have left. The constant pain and extreme exhaustion have been taking a toll and that’s no way to live.  While this outcome is not what I wanted, I am ready to accept what comes next.

I will continue writing when I can. I thank you for taking the time to read my blogs and share this journey with me. I wish you good health, and I hope that my blogs have helped you on your path to wellness.

As always, forge on with your greatness! 

 

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My Cancer Update
– My Struggle –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

May 21, 2023 [printfriendly]

In September 2018, I knew the odds were that I only would live another 3-6 months. That wasn’t an intuition. It was my oncologist’s opinion based on his years of medical experience treating patients like me with multiple myeloma. However, I didn’t give in to his dire prognosis. I rejected chemotherapy since my bone marrow cancer was incurable, and I moved into the mode of advocating for myself.

I created my Unconventional Cancer Protocols and vowed to myself that quality of life was my one prevailing goal.

For almost 5 years, I fulfilled my desire. I enjoyed a quality of life for the most part with some setbacks along the way. But now, my body is not cooperating.

 

COVID Has Been the Thorn in My Progress

COVID has activated my multiple myeloma creating anemia, compromised pulmonary and cardiac function, and extreme exhaustion. And the multiple myeloma is spreading rapidly and causing continuous bone pain and pathological bone fractures especially in my ribs. All these manifestations rapidly progressed within the last few weeks.

On Monday, 5/15/23, I had an appointment with my medical doctor and consulted with my oncologist. On Wednesday, 5/17/23, I was examined by a pulmonologist.

My medical team has come up with some suggestions, which I will integrate with my Unconventional Cancer Protocols.

  • Medications for A-Fib, Congestive heart failure, and Compromised pulmonary function
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy

It appears the road to physical recovery will take time. These Long Haulers COVID manifestations are not well understood.

 

Quality of Life

For the second time since my diagnosis of multiple myeloma back in September 2018, I am suffering from a decrease in quality of life. The first major setback was in August 2019 when I broke several major bones and was put in a Hospice Hospital to die. Needless to say, I did not die. I recovered and revoked Hospice in September 2019, and I went on to thrive.

I will keep this positive determination to recover from this current major setback. I’ve surprised many medical professionals with my progress over the last several years, and I just might shock them once again.

However, I am not in denial. I know the multiple myeloma is progressing. And I am prepared to deal with its eventual outcome.

Hospice is my last option to continue a quality of life until I die when the time comes. I am not sure when that time will come.

 

The Future

As you might imagine, this is a stressful time for me and my wife, Sue. However, we are both survivors! One of the greatest joys in my life, besides my wonderful family, is working with patients around the world. It is my privilege to use my background and knowledge to help people regain control of their health. Quality of life is a gift, and I’ve worked incredibly hard over the last five years to find a way to maintain mine through numerous ups and downs.

Through the free resources on my website and my 1:1 coaching sessions to help guide you through specific ailments, I’m honored to still be able to help others. After all, helping others is what led me to enter the medical field over 40 years ago. If you find yourself dealing with health issues, please consider this my invitation to reach out. You never know what the future will hold so get your health in order now. Trust me, you don’t want to wait until you’re really sick.

 

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My Cancer Update
– Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) & Severe Anemia –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

May 7, 2023 [printfriendly]

Since my diagnosis of incurable multiple myeloma in September 2018, I have successfully maintained my quality of life and stabilized the progression of this bone marrow cancer. For those of you who aren’t familiar with my story, I was given 3-6 months to live. After determining that traditional methods such as chemotherapy wouldn’t stop the cancer, and would impact the quality of my life, I created what I call my Unconventional Cancer Protocols. While I have never been in remission, I’ve surprised everyone, including my doctors, with both my progress and perseverance. I share my methods openly as well as my ups and downs, in hopes that I can help you from finding yourself in a similar situation.

When I contracted COVID-19 in 2021, it caused an activation of my multiple myeloma. I’ve been dealing with Long Haulers COVID, which I discuss in this blog, and now I’m seeing further complications. I’ve always been transparent, and I’d like to share my current battle with you.

 

Diagnosis of A-Fib and Anemia

On Monday, 5/1/23 I had to go to my internist. I had been exceptionally weak and out of breath following just simple physical movements. After taking a few steps from my living room sofa to the bathroom, I would feel exhausted and needed to sit down.

Billy, my Internist for over 35 years, examined me and took an EKG. I was in atrial fibrillation. I have never been in A-Fib.

I then saw my on oncologist on Tuesday, 5/2/23. My blood work showed my hemoglobin to be at an extremely low level.

The decisions were made. I had A-Fib and severe anemia. I needed to integrate some conventional meds to address A-Fib, and I needed to have a blood transfusion of packed red blood cells to improve my hemoglobin. Both needed to be done ASAP.

My internist and oncologist both agreed that the COVID-19 virus had a lot to do with these manifestations.

I’ll share some facts about COVID, A-Fib, Anemia, and my integration of conventional medical treatments while still emphasizing my Unconventional Cancer Protocols.

 

COVID and Atrial Fibrillation

This video helps visualize the comparison of a normal heart rhythm to one with A-Fib:

An April 2022 study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation: Arrhythmia and Electrophysiology stated that new-onset atrial fibrillation (A-Fib) occurred in 1 out of 20 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Researchers in this study examined nearly 28,000 patients without a history of A-Fib who were hospitalized for COVID-19.

A-Fib is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that can lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure and other heart-related complications. At least 2.7 million Americans are living with A-Fib.

In this paper, new-onset A-Fib was strongly associated with increased in-hospital mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. Of the patients in the study, those who developed new-onset A-Fib while hospitalized experienced longer hospital stays and greater need for ICU care and intubation and approximately 45% died in the hospital.

 

COVID and Anemia

COVID-19 also affects the blood. In this 2021 paper, the authors discuss the pathogenesis and clinical significance of COVID and anemia. This other paper published in 2023 discusses the connection between COVID and anemia.

Anemia is a disease that occurs when the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells to circulate oxygen throughout the body. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, a protein responsible for transporting and delivering oxygen to organs and tissues.

Having anemia means your hemoglobin levels are low, and your body is not getting enough oxygen. Without oxygen, the body lacks the energy needed to function, which causes symptoms like shortness of breath and fatigue.

Anemia has many causes and can either be a short-term or long-term condition. If left untreated, anemia has severe symptoms that may become life-threatening.

COVID-19 patients develop inflammation that causes a reduction in intestinal iron absorption and changes in iron hemostasis, resulting in reduced production of hemoglobin.

Anemia affects the body’s immunity.

In addition, anemia activates the body’s sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, pulmonary capillary leakage, and high blood pressure, which causes acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). A patient with COVID-19 ARDS develops worse outcomes than typical ARDS, often resulting in respiratory failure, circulatory failure, and myocardial damage.

 

My Treatment for A-Fib and Anemia

My heart rhythm must be restored to normal; my risk of a stroke must be minimized; and my hemoglobin level must be increased.

I started treatment on Monday, 5/2/23.

I began taking two conventional heart meds to stabilize the heart rhythm as well as Eliquis to prevent a stroke. On 5/4/23, I received a pint of packed red blood cells via venal infusion to elevate my hemoglobin levels. I may need additional transfusions before my hemoglobin is restored to a healthy range.

Let me emphasize that I have not changed my Unconventional Cancer Protocols. These protocols have helped my immune system from day One of my diagnosis and are seminal to my overall wellness program.

 

NLR

I also continue to monitor my NLR.

The NLR is the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio. Neutrophils and Lymphocytes are two different white blood cells that can be identified in a Complete Blood Count (CBC) blood test. It is a reliable blood marker for systemic inflammation in many chronic diseases as well as a most robust marker for COVID. In addition, it is an indicator of the survival prognosis for multiple myeloma patients. A rising NLR may suggest a poorer prognosis as multiple myeloma progresses.

A normal NLR is between 1:1 and 3:1. In this published study, the average NLR for hospitalized COVID patients was 6.15. When that ratio rose above 8.17 in the study, the risk of death increased. Strikingly, my NLR on 11/2/21 was 42.0 – a seriously disturbing level when I was diagnosed with COVID in November 2021! However, I was able to significantly reduce the NLR as I healed from COVID using my Protocols after my first bout with COVID.

This time around with Long Haulers COVID, my NLR was 11.6 on March 7, 2023, and then increased to 22.3 on April 4, 2023. But on May 2, 2023, the NLR dropped to 11.7, which is definitely moving in the right direction now.

My goal is to continue to reduce the NLR. I was able to do this before, and I am determined to do it again. It appears that I am being successful!

 

Getting Back to Normal

While my body is struggling right now, my mind is sharp. If you have health concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I believe that the reason I’m still here is to help others. I’ve turned “3 months to live” into 5 well-earned years while maintaining the quality of my life. No gatekeeping here. I want to help you reach your health goals and prevent anyone else from struggling with illness. Here’s the link to set up a complimentary 30 minutes with me.

 

 

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Manmade Meat
– Food of the Future? or Scary as Hell? –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 30, 2023 [printfriendly]

Technology is ever evolving. Just look at the rise in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The functionality is impressive. You can use a chat bot to write emails, blog posts, even books! (Don’t worry, every word you read here is still painstakingly created and typed by me!). With all these advances, why not utilize technology to improve our nutrition?

Advocates say lab grown meat is the “food of the future”! It’s been touted as a solution to food inaccessibility, and scientists are working to craft a customized nutritional profile to maximize the health benefits. Plus, they claim no animals are harmed in the process while reducing costs to the consumer. Sounds a little too good to be true, right? Let’s look at what we know.

Humans have become the dominant animal on this planet mainly because the growth and development of our brain. And our brain has been nourished from the consumption of animal fats, organs, and meats. This has occurred as our species, Homo Sapiens, has evolved during the last 300,000 years. It even can be traced back 2.5 million years.

Yet today, there is an effort to replace this nourishment with manmade foods that are highly processed and created in a lab. Eating these processed foods over years and decades could cause untold damage to our health. Look at what we do know now.

Our foods are increasingly processed, with the addition of sugar and seed oils becoming more and more prevalent. Seed oils are being used in place of healthy animal fats. We already know those items are detrimental to our health and are seeing research emerge about the long-lasting damage.

Specifically, there is a trend today to create meat in a lab for world consumption. This manmade meat is called “cultured meat” or “cultivated meat”. In my opinion, this should scare the hell out of you! There are no long-term studies of the intricate and subtle changes that might occur in the multitude of metabolic pathways in the body to suggest this is the way to feed the world. Knowing what we do know about the quality of processed food, and what is considered “healthy”, this should scare the hell out of you!

 

Cultured Meat

Just because cultured meat is being researched and produced more and more doesn’t mean it is healthy.

The first cultured beef burger patty was created by Mark Post at Maastricht University in 2013.[1] In time, SuperMeat opened a farm-to-fork restaurant called “The Chicken” in Tel Aviv to test consumer reaction to its “Chicken” burger[2], and the “world’s first commercial sale of cell-cultured meat” occurred in December 2020 at a Singapore restaurant called 1880.[3]

Cultured meat[4] is produced by growing animal cells in vitro (i.e., taking place outside of a living organism). Although the science of cultured meat is growing quickly, these products don’t include the natural ratios of animal fats, blood, growth factors, collagen, and many other inherent nutrients that are part of real animal-based foods. The facts are that the science of pastured animal-based foods is clearly healthy and critical for human development and that it is supportive of our environment. Unfortunately, there has been much misinformation that wrongfully states that the consumption of real meat is unhealthy.

 

Human Diet & Evolution

This article published in 2023 summarizes all the facts about eating real meat in the development of our human body. The authors listed five bullet points that were significant to understand:

  • Aspects of human anatomy, digestion, and metabolism diverged from other primates, indicating evolutionary reliance on, and compatibility with, substantial meat intake. Implications of a disconnect from evolutionary dietary patterns may contribute to today’s burden of disease, increasing the risk for both nutrient deficiencies and chronic diseases.
  • Meat supplies high-quality protein and various nutrients, some of which are not always easily obtained with meat-free diets and are often already suboptimal or deficient in global populations. Removal of meat comes with implications for a broad spectrum of nutrients that need to be accounted for, whereas compensatory dietary strategies must factor in physiological and practical constraints.
  • Although meat makes up a small part (<10%) of global food mass and energy, it delivers most of the global vitamin B12 intake and plays a substantial role in the supply of other B vitamins, retinol, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, several minerals in bioavailable forms (e.g., iron and zinc), and a variety of bioactive compounds with health-improving potential (e.g., taurine, creatine, and carnosine).
  • As a food matrix, meat is more than the sum of its individual nutrients. Moreover, within the diet matrix, it can serve as a keystone food in food-based dietary interventions to improve nutritional status, especially in regions that rely heavily on cereal staples.
  • Efforts to lower global meat intake for environmental or other reasons beyond a critical threshold may hinder progress towards reducing undernutrition and the effects this has on both physical and cognitive outcomes, and thereby stifle economic development. This is particularly a concern for populations with increased needs and in regions where current meat intake levels are low, which is not only pertinent for the Global South but also of relevance in high-income countries.

In addition, animal-based foods have many unknown symbiotic elements that enhance their efficacy when consumed in the natural state. New information is always being discovered to show that we do not know what we thought we knew. One fact is that just one change in a single amino acid in a complex protein chain could cause significant changes in the way that protein affects the body. As an example, A1 casein in milk is inflammatory whereas A2 casein in milk is non-inflammatory in the human body.[5] And there is only the difference of one amino acid in this protein.

 

The Case for Pastured Real Meat

It’s important for you to make decisions based on well-controlled research and medical studies. Here are a few for you to consider:

  • The International Center for Medical Nutritional Intervention (previously called the Paleomedicina Clinic) in Budapest, Hungary has been treating serious chronic diseases and cancers since 2011. They have treated over 6,000 sick patients with a strict animal-based diet with compelling results, which they have published in various medical publications. Go to their website and click on “Scientific Work and Articles”:
  • In this 2021 study, there was no correlation with red meat and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, a higher intake of processed meat was associated with a higher risk of mortality and CVD.
  • Red meat has an inverse correlation with cardiovascular disease and cancer in this 2013 study.
  • In this original 15-minute video, Brian Sanders explains the scientific reality of real meat, human health, and the benefits to the environment.
  • Read this seminal paper published in 2021 by Miki Ben-Dor about the evolution of the human species over 2.5 million years which got us where we are today. Humans are the most intellectual and dominant animal on earth, and the authors’ story is both multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary.
  • Read this 2013 controlled study of Kenyan children who excelled in school when they ate animal-based foods and did poorly when they ate predominantly plant-based foods.
  • Read the results of this 2022 study, which showed that total meat intake is positively associated with increased life expectancy. The study included an analysis of 175 contemporary populations.
  • This 2022 study showed that animal-based foods improved the physical growth in 6 to 24-month-old children.
  • For the first time, the 2020-2025 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) includes guidance for feeding infants and toddlers from birth to 24 months old. These evidence-based guidelines emphasize the vital role of foods rich in iron and zinc (including meat). Iron-rich red meat, such as beef and lamb, are ideal first foods to help meet an infant’s nutrient needs starting at approximately 6 months old.
  • And this 2022 article explains the importance of introducing animal meat immediately following breastfeeding.
  • In a 2021 paper, investigators looked at whether LDL-C (low density lipoprotein cholesterol) was related to survival prognosis based on 7 or 10 years of follow-up. The researchers showed there was an inverse relationship between LDL-C levels and the risk of all-cause mortality, and this association was statistically significant.
  • This 2020 paper discusses the importance of meat and mental health.
  • In an observational study published in 2022, women who were vegetarian were at a significantly greater risk of hip fractures than women who ate at least five servings of meat every week.

 

Today

Momentum is pushing cultured meat to be on the main stage to feed the world. Yet, this manmade product is devoid of substances that have been depicted as being unhealthy. But animal fat and red meat are healthy. So, we must make our decisions based on accurate facts and not be persuaded with the economic and false statements being made by corporations and organizations with ulterior motives.

If you have questions, let me help you with the facts. I’m available for a free 30-minute consult if this works for you.

 

[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-23576143

[2] https://www.fastcompany.com/90572093/at-the-first-lab-grown-meat-restaurant-you-can-eat-a-cultured-chicken-sandwich

[3] https://www.nationalreview.com/2021/01/hello-cultured-meat-good-bye-to-the-cruelty-of-industrial-animal-farming/

[4] https://gfi.org/science/the-science-of-cultivated-meat/

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4818854/

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Melatonin
– Not Just a Sleep Aid –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 23, 2023 [printfriendly]

Melatonin has been having a moment. Many people are familiar with this popular sleep aid. In fact, it’s one of the most widely purchased supplements among children and adults in the United States. What if I told you the benefits of melatonin far exceed its reputation as a “sleep aid”? In fact, melatonin may be an important factor in the treatment and prevention of many chronic diseases and cancers.

Read on, and I’ll tell you exactly what you need to know about melatonin and how it can have a positive impact on your own health journey!

 

What is Melatonin?

Melatonin is a central part of the body’s sleep-wake cycle known as circadian rhythm. It is often referred to as the sleep hormone. Its production increases as the sun sets and darkness progresses, promoting healthy sleep.

The body naturally produces melatonin, which is called endogenous melatonin. It is produced by the pineal gland in the brain and then released into the bloodstream. Melatonin is also produced in small quantities in the retina, the gastrointestinal tract, the skin, bone marrow, and lymphocytes.[1]

But there is much interest in the external sources of melatonin, which are called exogenous melatonin. Many people take various liquid and capsule “supplements” of exogenous melatonin. In the United States, melatonin is one of the most widely purchased supplements among adults and children to help with sleep. For exogenous melatonin to work its magic, quality is critical.

But there is more to melatonin than just a sleep aid.

 

Melatonin is More Than a Sleep Aid

Melatonin is one of the most important antioxidant molecules in the body which can neutralize excessive free radicals. It also stimulates the synthesis of glutathione and other important antioxidants like superoxide dismutase and catalase. In addition, the immune system stimulates the synthesis of melatonin, and, in turn, melatonin has immunoregulatory properties.[2] Added to all this, it has potent anti-inflammatory properties.[3]

Endogenous melatonin is not only created in the pineal gland and other sites as I mentioned. It is also created in your mitochondria after regular sun exposure.

The near-infrared spectrum of the sun is invisible. It hits the skin and triggers the generation of melatonin in your mitochondria. Melatonin stimulates antioxidative enzymes in the mitochondria, where the bulk of free radicals are created. Melatonin is very efficient at protecting mitochondria from damage. It is important to note that the melatonin produced by your pineal gland cannot enter the mitochondria, which is why it is so important to get regular sun exposure. But oral supplementation with high quality melatonin can enter your cells and mitochondria.

I discussed the importance of our mitochondria in this Blog. The effects of melatonin in the mitochondria can prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, which is a hallmark of chronic diseases. For this reason, melatonin plays an important role against chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer. And heart disease and cancer are the two leading causes of death in the US today.

Melatonin has been shown to have antiviral activity. The combination of its antioxidant and antiviral features are thought to be why melatonin has been useful against COVID-19.[4]

 

Russell Reiter, Ph.D

Dr. Reiter is a star when it comes to melatonin research. Here is an hour video of an interview of Dr. Russell Reiter from April 2022. There is much to be gleaned from this discussion.

 

 

Dr. Russell Reiter is a Professor of Cell Biology in the department of Cell Systems and Anatomy at UT Health, San Antonio. His research is centered around the impact of melatonin in biological systems. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Melatonin Research and on the Editorial Board of over 35 other journals. He is the recipient of numerous awards including three honorary Doctor of Medicine degrees and the Presidential Distinguished Scholar Award from UT Health San Antonio. He is also on the Clarivate Analytics list of Highly Cited Scientists. At the time of the recording of this video, Professor Reiter’s papers have been cited over 174,000 times.

 

Melatonin for Cancer[5],[6]

My personal interest in melatonin supplementation has to do with its potential for the prevention and treatment of cancer since it helps prevent mitochondrial dysfunction. As I have stated in various writings, cancer is a disease of mitochondrial metabolic dysfunction.

One of the reasons why cancer is so prevalent is likely due to the fact that 93% of Americans are metabolically inflexible and cannot easily transition between burning carbs and burning fats for fuel.

As it turns out, being metabolically flexible promotes specific pathways in the production of energy in the mitochondria. These pathways also help promote the creation of melatonin, which combats the excessive oxidative stress in cancer.

There are many pathways where melatonin may be beneficial for cancer patients. Overall, melatonin exerts its anticancer functions during tumor initiation, promotion, and progression by targeting various signaling pathways. Melatonin’s anti-inflammatory effects and its support of the immune system also play important roles in melatonin-regulated cancer suppression. For patients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy, melatonin may enhance these therapy’s beneficial effects and mitigate their side effects.

Here is a PDF of a slide presentation given by Dr. Frank Shallenberger, MD, HMD about melatonin and cancer. Another individual who is well known for his research on melatonin is Dr. Walter Pierpaoli, MD, PhD.

 

Dosing Melatonin

The half-life of melatonin in the blood is about 40 minutes. Within cells, the half-life varies according to the level of oxidative stress present.

Oxidative stress is an imbalance between excessive free radicals and the level of antioxidants in your body. Excessive amounts of free radicals resulting in oxidative stress can cause damage to organs and tissues and result in various diseases. If oxidative stress is high, the melatonin is destroyed much faster than if oxidative stress is low.

Melatonin has no known toxic threshold. Additionally, the timing of the dose should follow circadian biology. So, you could consider taking oral or sublingual melatonin first thing in the morning, then at 10 AM, again at 4 PM, and finally 30 to 45 minutes before bedtime. You should avoid taking supplemental melatonin a few hours before and after solar noon because during that time the pineal gland might be impaired from secreting melatonin.

 

My Newest Protocol

If you have been following my cancer journey and the updates of my Unconventional Cancer Protocols, you know that I have tried various “out of the box” regimens to see if they work for me. Here is my newest protocol involving high-dose melatonin. I will continue to follow it while checking my monthly blood levels with my oncologist.

I’ll be using the recommendations from Dr. Shallenberger, whose slide presentation I linked to earlier in this Blog. I’ll also be taking the quality melatonin supplement he recommended Melatonin Max 60mg from Scientific Health Solutions. Here is his slide about Dosing:

 

I will begin taking 300 mg of pure melatonin capsules daily. I will take a 60 mg capsule in the morning at 10 AM, 60 mg again at 4 PM, and 180 mg (3 capsules) just before bedtime.

The research is encouraging. It may be possible that my regimen may not only improve my bloodwork but also improve the quality of my life.

Melatonin supplementation may be appropriate for you. Read the scientific papers I have cited in this Blog, do you own research, and make you own decision.

My next available opening for coaching is in mid-May. If you’re interested, you can learn more about my coaching program here, and book a free consultation. I look forward to helping you reach your health goals!

 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8269379/

[2] https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/y03-026

[3] https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/20/5/1223

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32347747/

[5] https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/23/7/3779

[6] https://riordanclinic.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/3-3-Shallenberger-High-Dose-Melatonin-Therapy-An-Ideal-Adjuvant.pdf

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Our Mighty Mitochondria

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 16, 2023 [printfriendly]

Have you seen the TV commercial of the “Energizer Bunny”? The bunny is buzzing all over the place beating its drum because it is full of energy. The reason is its battery is strong and efficient.

Our mitochondria (pleural for mitochondrion) are like the batteries of the “Energizer Bunny”, and they provide energy for our cells. But if the mitochondria in a cell weaken or become damaged, the cell will not have enough energy to continue its job in the body. The analogy would be the “Energizer Bunny” would run out of steam and stop dead in its tracks.

 

The Mitochondria Story

So, what are these mitochondria and where did they come from. The story is like a science fiction tale.

A long, long time ago – about 4 billion years ago – life began on earth as a single-celled organism with no nucleus.[1] Then fast forward 2 billion years.

About 2 billion years ago, bacteria were among the first living organisms. Some of these single-celled bacteria fed on organic compounds to create energy. These bacteria created carbon dioxide and hydrogen as waste products. Other single-celled organisms in existence at the same time fed only on carbon dioxide and hydrogen. Then, an extraordinary and life-changing event occurred.

A few of the bacteria producing energy from organic compounds successfully entered some of these single-celled organisms, which could not create their own energy from organic compounds. Eventually, these bacteria set up shop in their host cells. The invading bacterial cells created energy for their single-celled host organisms. Now the host cells, with a self-contained energy source from the resident bacteria, could evolve into multi-celled and more-complex entities. The gradual development of these structures eventually led to the makeup of our human cells, each with a self-contained energy-production machine. The origin of this energy-production machine was ancient bacteria. These organelles are called mitochondria.

Every cell in our body, except for red blood cells, has mitochondria to create the energy to keep it alive. The mitochondria are embedded within the cytoplasm of our 30 trillion human cells. Some individual cells have only a few mitochondria; our most active cells (like heart muscle) may contain as many as 2,400 mitochondria per cell. If these bacteria-like structures in our body’s cells did not function properly, we would get sick – very sick – and eventually would die.

 

Functions of Mitochondria

As I’ve said, the mitochondria primarily are the batteries of the cell. If the batteries fail, the cell ultimately dies. However, energy production is not the only purpose of our mitochondria.[2]

Mitochondria also produce heat as necessary, assist in calcium signaling within the host cell and throughout the body, and will induce cell death (apoptosis) when its host cell is damaged beyond repair. In addition, mitochondria regulate insulin in the cell, synthesize cholesterol and other steroids, and participate in other functions required by specialized cells. Another critical function of mitochondria is to interact intimately with other organelles of the cell, especially peroxisomes, to create cellular homeostasis.[3]  

As a waste product, mitochondria produce free radicals, which must be neutralized. Excess free radicals could damage the mitochondria beyond repair. For example, a liver cell would not be able to function as a healthy liver cell; a brain cell would not be able to function as a healthy brain cell; a gum tissue cell would not be able to function as a healthy gum tissue cell. In some situations, the cell might begin to replicate out-of-control and become cancerous.

 

Gum Disease & Mitochondria

When everything is working correctly, the mitochondria are healthy and functioning at the top of their game. Problems develop when our mitochondria are compromised. Gum disease is one result of dysfunction in the mitochondria within gum tissue cells.

In this peer-reviewed paper, unhealthy mitochondria were associated with gingivitis and advanced stages of periodontal disease. In contrast, healthy and strong mitochondria might help prevent gingivitis, other forms of periodontal disease, and other chronic diseases.

This is important: It appears that active periodontal disease may be the direct result of specific virulent bacteria causing an overproduction of free radicals in the mitochondria of the gum tissue cells.

This also is critical to understand: When these free radicals are neutralized, the infection tends to be tamed and further destruction from periodontal disease may be reduced even though the bacteria are still present.

So, if something could neutralize the excessive damaging free radical production in the mitochondria of the gum tissues, the progression of periodontal disease might be halted.

 

Chronic Diseases, Cancers, & Mitochondria

There is additional research that suggests that cancer is a mitochondrial metabolic disease and not a genetic disease. Poor diet, lifestyle, and toxic exposure can damage mitochondrial function, which in turn increases metabolic disease.

If chronic diseases and cancers are mitochondrial metabolic diseases, then improving mitochondrial function and therapeutically changing what can damage these mitochondria could be important and effective methods of treatment.

 

Mitochondria & Health

So, it appears that healthy mitochondria are critical for our oral health, for our overall health, and for our existence. Healthy mitochondria are supported by nutrient-dense foods, efficient exercise, restorative sleep, and reduction of stress. If mitochondria are not firing on all cylinders, disease will occur.

Also, the gut microbiome is important for the health of mitochondria. The beneficial bacteria in the gut will produce butyrate and other short chain fatty acids from food. These metabolites from beneficial bacteria feed healthy mitochondria, support the cells that line the colon, and increase the diversity of healthy gut bacteria. Since ancient bacteria were the precursors of our modern-day mitochondria, the needs of the mitochondria in our cells are like the needs of healthy gut bacteria. There is “cross communication” between our gut microbiome and our mitochondria.

Another important nutrient in all of this is vitamin K2. Vitamin K2 is produced by healthy gut bacteria. This vitamin is also available in some fermented foods, organ meats, egg yolks, and grass-fed dairy. Vitamin K2 appears to assist mitochondria by increasing their capacity to create energy.

So, what will cause mitochondria to malfunction? Mitochondria can become damaged and dysfunctional when required nutrients are not available from the gut, when the mitochondria produce excess free radicals that are not neutralized, and when mitochondria are unable to repair themselves or increase their numbers in their host cell. Also, specific environmental elements and medications can be toxic to mitochondria. These include xenoestrogens (estrogen imitators) in the environment, acetaminophen (Tylenol), statins (anti-cholesterol drugs), glyphosate (Roundup), and heavy metals like lead, mercury, and aluminum.

All the individual protocols in my Unconventional Cancer Protocols are designed to assist overall healing and improve mitochondrial function!

 

Keep Your Mitochondria Mighty

These little organelles in your cells are life sustaining sources of energy. Without their generation of efficient energy, your cells will die. If they are weakened, their cells will function at a lower level or not function at all.

Our mighty mitochondria can be improved through the integration of various modalities to change our diet, our environment, and our lifestyle habits. Here are some of those modalities that have been studied to support healthy mitochondrial function:

My discussion should help you appreciate the complexity and importance of your mitochondria as well as summarize some of the important lifestyle and diet changes you could make to improve your mighty mitochondria. Don’t look for a synthetic supplement or “pill” you can take to heal your mitochondria. It’s not possible. Creating healthy mitochondria is an integrative, whole-body effort.

If you have questions about what you need to do, I’m here to guide you along the right path of change.

 

[1] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691617718356

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4075653/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=10.1111%2Fggi.12296

 

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My Cancer Update
– My Mind is Keen; My Body is Compromised –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 9, 2023 [printfriendly]

If you have been following my cancer journey from the onset, you know I was diagnosed with incurable bone marrow cancer in September 2018 and given 3-6 months to live. Spoiler alert, I’m still here! But not without a fight, and I’m currently facing another battle.

Multiple myeloma is a complicated form of cancer where plasma cells in the bone marrow become malignant. Plasma cells are responsible for making antibodies that recognize and attack germs, so this puts my immune system at a severe disadvantage. At the time of that dire initial prognosis, I was given the option of chemotherapy, which would continue to damage my already weakened immune system in an attempt to kill the cancerous cells. I believed that the collateral damage to healthy cells from the chemo outweighed the potential benefits. And my oncologist was candid that the chemotherapy would not cure this malignancy.

So, I rejected the chemo (but not all forms of conventional medicine) and set out to figure out how I could maintain the best quality of life for the time I had left.

This led to the creation of my Unconventional Cancer Protocols. I was coming from a foundation of good health (you can read more about my background HERE), but there were some important adjustments I made in order to create the most robust immune system I possibly could. I’ve written about those at great length in previous blog posts.

However, setbacks occurred.

A major setback took place in August 2019 when I broke my right femur and my right humerus in half as well as several ribs – all at the same time. That put me into a hospice hospital to die. But amazingly, I recovered; I revoked hospice in September 2019; and I continued with my Unconventional Cancer Protocols.

I did quite well while following my protocols until I was exposed to the COVID virus. Then, a series of setbacks ensued. The SARS-CoV-2 virus reactivated my multiple myeloma by stimulating my malignant plasma cells to aggressively create dysfunctional antibodies. And I contracted COVID three time –  in June 2021[1], in January 2022[2], and again in December 2022[3].

COVID played havoc with my overall health and specifically my plasma cells. The virus caused my multiple myeloma to become very active which created an abundance of dysfunctional antibodies in my bone marrow. These dysfunctional antibodies continued to weaken the internal surfaces of my bones. The results were numerous pathological bone fractures. Today, I am dealing with several rib fractures which take their time to heal.

Unfortunately, COVID turned into Long Haulers COVID, which has caused my body to continue to feel exhausted and weak. In addition, the further activation of my multiple myeloma led to anemia. The dysfunctional antibodies were crowding out my healthy red blood cells and platelets. The myeloma also was preventing the normal creation of red cells and platelets. My hemoglobin and platelet counts dropped to low levels. The first lab results to confirm this were on Tuesday, March 7, 2023.

On Tuesday, April 4, 2023, I had my regular 4-week appointment with my oncologist. My doctor ordered the same blood tests that have been monitored since my diagnosis in 2018, (CBC, CMP, and specific antibody blood tests). The results showed slight improvement in my hemoglobin but more deterioration in platelets. In addition, there were increasingly higher levels of dysfunctional antibodies being produced.

 

NLR

I also have been monitoring my NLR.

The NLR is the Neutrophil/Lymphocyte Ratio. Neutrophils and Lymphocytes are two different white blood cells that can be identified in a Complete Blood Count (CBC) blood test. It is a reliable blood marker for systemic inflammation in many chronic diseases and cancers as well as a most robust marker for COVID. In addition, it is an indicator of the survival prognosis for multiple myeloma patients. A rising NLR may suggest a poorer prognosis as multiple myeloma progresses.

A normal NLR is between 1:1 and 3:1. In this published study, the average NLR for hospitalized COVID patients was 6.15. When that ratio rose above 8.17 in the study, the risk of death increased. Strikingly, my NLR on 11/2/21 was 42.0 – a seriously disturbing level when I was diagnosed with COVID in November 2021! However, I was able to significantly reduce the NLR as I healed from COVID using my Protocols after my first bout with COVID.

This time around with Long Haulers COVID, my NLR was 11.6 on March 7, 2023, and then increased to 22.3 on April 4, 2023. My goal is to reduce the NLR from 22.3. I was able to do this before, and I am determined to do it again!

 

Where Do I Go From Here?

As I said, I am diligently working on reducing my NLR and returning to a stable state with this cancer.

In the future, a transfusion of packed red blood cells might be necessary.[4] But for now, my diet and gut health are two of my major efforts to regain the most robust immune system I can. And my oncologist agrees that my animal-based diet with an emphasis on organs and animal fats has a lot to do with the improvement of my hemoglobin.

To that end, I will continue to follow my Unconventional Cancer Protocols. But I will add a new product to the three desiccated organ products which I already consume daily. The new product is Life Blood from Heart & Soil.

 

Life Blood contains whole blood extract from grass-fed and grass-finished pastured cattle in New Zealand. The extract is made up of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and various immune proteins. In addition, Life Blood has spleen and liver in the mixture. These vital nutrients and peptides should help to improve my iron stores, oxygen delivery, and endurance.

My way of eating will stay the same, but I will include more cooked organs more regularly. I have found a good source of liver, heart, and kidney mixed into a pound of pastured grass-fed ground beef that is easy to stir fry and delicious to eat. The farm is The Family Cow in Chambersburg, PA. There are other sources for this mixture, but I have found The Family Farmer to be dependable and to practice ethical husbandry.

 

I don’t have a panacea for curing my malignancy or any other cancer or chronic disease. As I have repeatedly said, creation of a robust immune system is critical for overall wellness and healing. My protocols are based on the case reports and papers published by The International Center for Medical Nutritional Intervention in Budapest, Hungary as well as my independent research of the gut microbiome and other external factors affecting cellular health.

 

Conclusion

I appreciate you being here and supporting me along my cancer journey. If I had a choice, I would have never wanted to be the face of unconventional cancer treatment – I’d choose to be healthy instead! But the information that I’ve found during my fight has been life changing for me, and I’m grateful that I have this platform to share my findings with you.

If you can take away anything from the information I share, I urge you to take control of your own health. My methods may seem extreme, and they need to be! I’m counting on them to provide me more days.

Now is the perfect time to make changes to your own health. Remove toxic elements from your diet. Exercise. Prioritize sleep. Limit stress. And if you need guidance to help with a specific issue or have questions on how to get started, please reach out. I’m here to help. My goals are to have no one suffer through illness as well as to assist everyone regain a robust immune system.

 

[1] https://drdanenberg.com/my-cancer-journey-i-think-i-had-covid/

[2] https://drdanenberg.com/my-roller-coaster-cancer-journey-march-2022-update/

[3] https://drdanenberg.com/my-cancer-journey-a-new-surprise/

[4] https://www.mymyelomateam.com/treatments/blood-transfusion

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Eat Those Organs
– It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

April 2, 2023 [printfriendly]

I work with clients all over the world to provide guidance about their mouth, their gut, their diet, and their overall health. While each client has a unique situation, I’ve found there’s one thing most of my clients have in common. It’s also the first thing we address in our work together.

Almost all these individuals are taking daily supplements and multivitamin/multimineral products to get healthy. And they wonder why they aren’t feeling any better.  This is not the way to get healthy. And that is not the way to get your bioavailable nutrients. “Bioavailability” refers to the portion of a nutrient that is absorbed in the digestive tract and released into the bloodstream for the body’s use.

Sound familiar? I’m going to share the “secret” I share with them. Give it a try for yourself, and I know you’ll be amazed by the results.

 

Organs are the Answer

Organs are the ideal “supplements”. They can be cooked and prepared as a delicacy. Or you can purchase them desiccated into a powder form and consumed in capsules or sprinkled on other foods.

However, I don’t like to label organs as “supplements”.

Organs are called “offal”. Organ meats have been a staple in traditional diets for thousands of years. They are still regularly consumed in many cultures today and were part of our diets in the U.S. and other industrialized countries until recently. Organ meats include heart, liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen, tongue, brain, tripe, thymus, gallbladder, bone marrow, cartilage, and other internal tissues. Our ancestors prized these foods and were strongly favored over the muscle meats that have become common fare today.

As part of our homo sapiens’ evolutionary history, we’re hardwired to eat an animal-based diet. These nutritional habits were perfected during the last 300,000 years.[1] Our primal ancestors all over the world prized organ meats above anything else.

Today, butchers often throw away the organs. Yet in some cultures, natives give the muscle meat of animals they hunt to their dogs and consume the raw organs at the time the animal is killed in the wild. Despite the lack of scientific measurement techniques, these traditional cultures knew from their decades of experience that organ meats were far more nutritious than muscle meats.

Ounce-for-ounce, organ meats are the most nutrient-dense foods on the planet. A paper by Matthieu Maillot and colleagues published in 2007 looked at seven major food groups and 25 subgroups, characterizing the nutrient density of these foods based on the presence of 23 qualifying nutrients.[2] Organ meats scored the highest levels of nutrient density.

In another paper published in the journal of Frontiers of Nutrition in March 2022, the researchers also looked at the nutrient density of foods.[3] They showed how nutrient dense organs compared to other foods. In addition, these authors considered the important role of bioavailability. The paper pointed out that organs were the most nutrient-dense foods as well as they contained the largest percentage of bioavailable nutrients.

 

Nutrients in Offal

One question you may ask is, “What are the nutrients contained in offal?”

Practically every nutrient your body requires is present in organs, and they are in their proper ratios and are bioavailable.

In general, organ meats are rich in essential nutrients that support cellular function, such as vitamins A & E, B complex, and heme iron.

For example:

  • Liver is one of the highest sources of bioavailable retinol (the active form of vitamin A), vitamin B12, iron, zinc, and copper.
  • Spleen is the highest known source of bioavailable iron.
  • Heart is the richest source of bioavailable CoQ10, a critical antioxidant.
  • Kidney is the third-richest source (behind liver and clams) of Vitamin B12.

Also, organ meats are great sources of amino acids like carnosine, which helps maintain normal pH in muscles, and taurine, which reduces muscle damage and improves recovery after exercise. One of the reasons that athletes consume liver and other organ meats is because they help to improve athletic performance.

In addition, organs have many different enzymes and biopeptides that perform important regulatory functions in the body, including improvements in intestinal health, nutrient intake, feed conversion efficiency, mineral bioavailability, and immune function. And it is a fact that organ meats are higher in protein by weight than muscle meats. Also organ meats have more favorable ratios of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids.

Some medical research suggests that diets high in methionine, an amino acid that is abundant in muscle meats and other lean proteins, may increase the risk of cancer and reduce lifespan.[4],[5] But this is only true if high methionine intake is not balanced with adequate intake of complementary nutrients like the amino acid glycine and nutrients like B12, folate, betaine, and choline.[6] These nutrients offset the potential downsides of high methionine intake and are found in other animal tissues, including organs, connective tissues, skin, and bones.

 

Supplements are NOT the Answers

As I mentioned, individual nutrient supplements as well as multivitamin/multimineral products are not the answers to health or a robust immune system.

For the most part, “supplements” are generally synthetic chemicals packaged in capsules, tablets, or liquid forms in high concentrations. They do not offer the ratios that are required by the human body for daily nutrition. As a matter of fact, most of these man-made supplements can be harmful without being combined with other symbiotic nutrients that the body must have to function correctly. In addition, many of these supplements have “other ingredients” that are food dyes, emulsifiers, preservatives, and other chemicals that harm the gut microbiome. And since most people take many of these “supplements” daily, they are taking a massive amount of harmful ingredients which have a cumulative negative effect on the gut and its epithelial barrier.

 

My Organ Protocol

I don’t cook and eat individual organs daily. But occasionally I eat several ground-up organs mixed in with ground beef. However, I consume a combination of desiccated organs daily. The desiccated organs usually come in capsule form and allow me to get all those wonderful bioavailable nutrients into my body in a balanced state.

I swallow capsules, but sometimes I open the capsules and sprinkle the powder on other foods I have cooked and prepared for my wife and me.

Here is my daily protocol for desiccated organs:

The dosing I take is 6 capsules of the Organ Complex daily; 4 capsules of the bone marrow daily; and 4 capsules of the Cartilage/Collagen daily.

The bottom line is that organs are bioavailable and extremely nutritious. My recommendation is to reduce your dependence on “supplements” you buy and replace them with desiccated organs. If you need assistance in determining what organs you need to consume, let me help you design your individual ideal organ protocol.

 

[1] https://www.doctorkiltz.com/keto-diet-and-evolution/

[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17585036/

[3] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.806566/full

[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18252204/

[5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0531556513000612

[6] https://faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1096/fasebj.25.1_supplement.528.2

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It Took a Catastrophe
– To Wake Up the World –

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

March 26, 2023 [printfriendly]

 

If you look up the definition of “catastrophe”, you’ll find a simple explanation: An event causing great and often sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.

Unfortunately, it often takes a catastrophic event to initiate change. For us, it was the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. This disease caused many deaths across the world, bringing to light how unprepared we were to handle such a health crisis. Overnight, we all became aware of how fragile our health can be. It was a devastating wake up call to how dysfunctional our immune system is.

Until recently, the last catastrophe was the “Spanish Flu” of 1918-19. It killed about 50,000,000 people. It was the last great global killer until the SARS-Cov-2 Virus and its variants which have caused the current COVID-19 disaster.

This raises the question, “What can we do now to be better prepared for future health crises?”

I’m not just taking about global pandemics. I’m looking at cancers, chronic illnesses, weight management, mental health and all the complications we face on a regular basis.

You can take control of your own health. You can build a robust immune system to improve your ability to fight and heal. Creating healthy habits are the best health insurance you can have.

I’m not saying this will protect you from every single illness or ailment, but if you could take proactive action to reduce the amount of suffering you face, wouldn’t you do it?

 

The Underlying Poor Health of the US Population

To me, one of the most tragic facts that has allowed this virus to grip humanity in such a devastating way goes back to an alarming statistic identified in this 2019 published peer-reviewed article:

88% of our society is gravely metabolically unhealthy

In the abstract of this paper, the authors clearly state, “Prevalence of metabolic health in American adults is alarmingly low, even in normal weight individuals. The large number of people not achieving optimal levels of risk factors, even in low-risk groups, has serious implications for public health.”

The researchers of this medical article defined a person to be in metabolic health if all these biomarkers were in optimal ranges:

  • Waist circumference less than 40 inches in men and less than 35 inches in women
  • Blood pressure less than 120 mmHg/80 mmHg
  • Plasma glucose less than 100 mg/dL
  • Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) less than 5.7%
  • Triglycerides less than 150 mg/dL
  • High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) greater than 40 mg/dL in men and 50mg/dL in women

I’ll go one step further and say that metabolically compromised people are on track to develop chronic, debilitating diseases that rarely have occurred in other primal societies in the past and rarely do occur in existing primal societies today.

And that goes for defending our body from various viruses.

How can I scream this loudly and clearly enough?

I need to shake people enough so that they will sit up and take notice. I want to impress upon every human that we have an immune system that helps protect us from all internal and external invaders to our body. If we don’t keep this powerful tool in excellent shape and ready to fight, then we have lost the battle right from the beginning – or at best, we have compromised our ability to fight and heal.

Here are other alarming statistics that show our society to be very unhealthy:

 

Chronic Disease:

Chronic disease is a result of chronic systemic inflammation.[1],[2],[3]

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that 60% of Americans live with at least one chronic disease, and chronic diseases are responsible for 70% of deaths each year in the United States. And that 70% of all deaths are a result of a chronic disease. In addition, at least 72% of our society is overweight or obese.[4]

 

Periodontal Disease:

In 2010, a published paper demonstrated that 93.9% of adults in the United States had some form of gingivitis or inflammation in the gum tissues.[5] Wow! This is more than epidemic. Yet it is considered “normal” if “normal” means the far majority are expected to exhibit it.

But the fact is that gum inflammation and bleeding represent underlying disease – especially an unhealthy gut and damage to the gut garden of bacteria. Gum inflammation and bleeding are huge factors that suggest that the US population is an unhealthy society.

In another study in 2012, the CDC published its results in the Journal of Dental Research. The report was recently updated in 2015 in the Journal of Periodontology.[6] It showed the prevalence of periodontitis was estimated to be 47.2% for American adults (approximately 64.7 million people). For adults 65 years old and older, the prevalence jumped to 70.1%. These findings were the result of the most comprehensive periodontal evaluation performed ever in the US.

Periodontitis is a form of severe periodontal disease that has entered the jawbone from the gum tissues and is causing destruction of the bone around the teeth and leaking into the systemic blood circulation. Infection and inflammatory chemicals because of periodontal disease also can progress through the nerve canals and between the layers of various tissues of the body. From there, infection and inflammation can travel to all parts of the body creating havoc months, years, and even decades later.

 

Tooth Decay:

The CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics reported from its most recent data approximately 91% of U.S. adults aged 20–64 had dental caries in permanent teeth.[7] The prevalence increases to 93% for those above 65 years old.[8]

The World Health Organization has stated that dental decay is one of the most infectious, non-communicable diseases globally. [9],[10] This is another example of rampant disease in the US population.

But if you were to examine the skeletal jaw remains from our primal ancestors, you would rarely find signs of tooth decay and periodontal disease. Something has changed the biology in our body, and it has to do with what we put into it and what we avoid putting into it. Diet, lifestyle, and environmental irritants affect our immune system making us more successful or more unsuccessful in fighting diseases of all types.

 

The World Wakes Up

COVID-19 has caused a worldwide catastrophe. But COVID-19 caused many people throughout the world to realize the importance of their immune system.

Some people have sought out remedies to improve their immune system naturally. Some wanted a “pill” to get healthier. Others are looking for gadgets to make them healthier. But pills and gadgets do not produce a robust immune system.

The ultimate solution to recreate a robust immune system is to feed the body with bioavailable nutrients required to function ideally. Also, a person must eliminate or avoid all irritants and toxic elements that could interfere with their body’s ability to be as strong as possible. And all this may require significant lifestyle changes including our sleep patterns, exercise programs, and efforts to deal with chronic emotional stress – none of which is easy but all of which are important.

Ultra-processed foods have been implicated in the development of severe chronic diseases. In this paper published in 2023[11], the authors followed 197,426 participants in the United Kingdom who were screened between 2009-2012 and then were followed up until 2021. The results showed that those who ate increasingly higher levels of overly processed foods increased their risk of developing cancer and increased their risk of dying from cancer. Poor food choices decreased their body’s ability to prevent and fight cancer. Their body’s immune system became less functional and more impaired.

I’ve published a Blog titled Get a Handle on Overall Wellness, in which I touched on personal changes you could consider to get well and improve your immune system.

 

How Do We Begin to Fix the Problem? 

The health stats of the US population show that we are an unhealthy society. And the UK study demonstrates that consuming ultra-processed foods increases the prevalence and mortality levels of cancer.

We haven’t been widely educated about how to create a robust immune system. The focus has always been about treating the problem, not preventing future problems, or reducing the severity. I’m not suggesting that a strong and functional immune system will prevent all disease. People with healthy immune systems do and will continue to get sick at times. The immune system assists our body to avoid or fight a disease and to allow healing. In contrast, a dysfunctional immune system may not be able to fight a disease. Those with compromised immune systems will be prone to develop chronic diseases and even death because of the failure of the immune system to do its inherent job.

Change starts with you. Don’t let this wakeup call go unheeded. I’ve been there. I thought I was doing all the right things, then I got my cancer diagnosis. But that wasn’t the end of the road for me. I figured out where the gaps were in my health, and I’ve spent the last 4 years building the most robust immune system I can, while fighting off disease. I’m here to help you. Browse my website for free resources or set up a complimentary 30-minute consultation for tailored guidance.  I can help you find and treat your own health gaps before you find yourself experiencing a health crisis.

 

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5520251/

[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359961/

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28835673

[4] https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/center/index.htm

[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20437720

[6] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4460825/

[7] http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/DentalCaries/DentalCariesAdults20to64.htm

[8] http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/DataStatistics/FindDataByTopic/DentalCaries/DentalCariesSeniors65older.htm

[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23720570

[10] http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/149782/1/9789241549028_eng.pdf

[11] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(23)00017-2/fulltext

 

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My Biggest Regret When My Dad Passed

Dr. Al Danenberg ● Nutritional Periodontist

March 19, 2023 [printfriendly]

Death is the beautiful end to life.

In New Orleans, death is celebrated with music, parades, and cheer.[1] And that’s the way all of us should view this miracle at the end of life. Certainly, it should not be feared. And family should not be discouraged from discussing death with each other and with the one who is dying.

Sadly, when my dad was close to death, my mom never allowed my sister or me to discuss his imminent death. I wrote about my biggest regret when my dad passed HERE. My mom never allowed my dad to talk about his fears and dreams as he approached his transition. In my mom’s world, death was to be feared and never spoken of.

I knew I could never repeat my mom’s ignorance of the beauty of death.

Since my diagnosis of incurable bone marrow cancer in 2018, I have discussed my eventual death with my wife and adult children. It is not a secret topic. Open discussion reduces the fear and allows our emotions to be expressed. This has been a cathartic experience for me encouraging my spiritual awakening and growth.

So, the big question I grapple with is, “What is death all about?

End of life experiences have been documented for thousands of years. The soul plays a major role in the process of dying. And in most cultures, the soul is revered. At the end of this blog, I share several fascinating documented studies about the end of life. They brought me great comfort in understanding what happens next.

 

Hospice

Today, hospice is a well-equipped, all-embracing, empathetic way of approaching the end of one’s life. The hospice team can provide care in the patient’s home. Staying at home in a loving and familiar place could make all the difference for the patient’s emotional comfort.

Hospice’s directive is to keep a person with a terminal illness comfortable until death. In addition, the hospice staff will support the entire immediate family by helping in many ways – both physically and emotionally.

When the time is right, the doctors and nurses of hospice will provide pain relief using various medications including opioids. Opioids progressively reduce severe pain and suppress respiration.

 

Dealing With a Loved One’s Death

Many family members may feel unprepared for the death of a loved one. This could lead to increased health costs and legal costs. In addition, being unprepared could lead to prolonged grief, emotional disturbances, sleep disorders, and guilt.

You can be better prepared for the death of your loved one if you understand what I have written in this paper. Ask yourself, “If my loved one were to die soon, how prepared would I be for his or her death?”

One of the benefits of hospice care as I mentioned already is that this organization also offers support for you. The hospice team will provide emotional and religious support as you require. They also will direct you to the necessary professionals to make sure financial and legal matters are set in place. The hospice professionals are available to answer all your questions about the preparations you must take. Approach hospice as a vital resource for the needs of your dying loved one as well as a resource for your needs to prepare you for the death of your loved one.

 

Prepare for Death

If you can think about your death, which may be imminent, you can prepare for it. Your goal should be to make your own death as comfortable, peaceful, and meaningful as possible. The following steps may make sense while preparing you and your immediate family for your ultimate moment:

  1. Make your wishes known. What are your goals? Share them with your loved ones. Be sure to complete the legal documents to assist your family.[2] They include a last will and testament, a living will, a durable power of attorney, and a durable healthcare power of attorney. See to it that your financial matters are in order.
  2. If you are concerned about your funeral arrangement, make them yourself. Some will want to be buried; some may want to be cremated. If the decision is important to you, make the arrangements while you are alive.
  3. Welcome your wide range of emotions that you will experience after your diagnosis of a terminal illness. There will be moments of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and finally acceptance.
  4. Review your life. Discuss your regrets, your accomplishments, your hopes, and your dreams. This can be a personal review that you have with yourself. Or it could be a review that you share with your loved ones. You could write down your thoughts, record them on video or audio, or just internalize your deepest thoughts. Your review will serve as your legacy of your life. During your review, consider including these active steps:
    • Acknowledge the important people in your life.
    • Recall the memorable events from your life.
    • Apologize to those you love if you hurt them.
    • Forgive those whom you love but have hurt you.
    • Express your gratitude for all you have received.
    • Say “I love you” and “Goodbye” to all who deserve your love.
  1. Educate yourself of the common end-of-life symptoms. Most people experience physical and psychological changes near their end of life. Most of these events can be addressed at home through the hospice care system. As I said, hospice’s goal is to make you comfortable while going through the death process as well as assisting your loved ones who are coping with your death.

 

Celebrate

Death is the beautiful end to life. To only mourn but never celebrate is an injustice to you and the deceased. As I shared in the opening of this Blog, I regret that I did not share in my dad’s transition from life to death.  I never was allowed to discuss with my dad what was on his mind in his last stage of life. And my mom never allowed my dad to talk openly about his impending death. It saddens me to this day that there was no closure between my dad and me and his most inner thoughts!

But I learned two important lessons.

  1. Communication with one who is dying is powerful. Both the person who is dying and the family must be able to share in this natural endpoint of living.
  2. The soul is immortal and will transition out of the mortal body to return to its home leading to the Almighty.

 

More Than a Mortal Life

Dr. Christopher Kerr

Is there more to mortal life than what we experience here on earth in our physical body? Dr. Christopher Kerr[3] suggests that the dreams of his dying patients may give a glimpse into that ethereal, spiritual world.

Dr. Kerr is the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Executive Officer for Hospice & Palliative Care Buffalo. In 2020 he published his book, Death Is But a Dream: Finding Hope and Meaning at Life’s End. In his book, Dr. Kerr interviewed over 1400 patients who were in hospice. All his patients have two things in common – they are dying, and they know it. These extraordinary people have dreams, but they are not regular dreams. Many of his patients describe their dreams to be “more real than real”.

Are these dreams just the mind over-experiencing its memories, or responding to drugs, or being affected from a biochemical process in the dying mind. Or are these dreams coming from a higher place and a spiritual source? Those who are dying express comfort in their dreams and feel transcendence into a state of calm and acceptance.

Many of those hospice patients who were interviewed by Dr. Kerr see visions of deceased loved ones positioned around their death beds. Visitors in the room cannot see the entities who are real to the hospice patient.

 

Dr. Brian Weiss

In 1988, Brian Weiss, MD, a psychiatrist, published Many Lives, Many Masters.[4] This was a life chronicle of his patient, whom he calls Catherine, and her many reincarnations. Many of the details of Catherine’s experiences during her almost 100 lifetimes over thousands of years have been fact checked by Dr. Weiss.

 

Dr. Michael Newton

Dr. Michael Newton was a hypnotherapist who died in 2016. He authored two excellent books that detail his research regarding the immortal soul – Journey of Souls and Destiny of Souls[5]. He interviewed over 7,000 patients along his extensive career using “past life regression hypnosis”. This is a technique where a patient is guided into a state of deep hypnosis and then can recall “past lives” they have lived. During these hypnotic regressions, his patients also recounted their experiences of spiritual “life between lives”.

Dr. Newton’s patients confirmed that human souls were created by an incomprehensibly superior, all-encompassing power. They described in detail that a soul exists within a physical body here on earth, and a soul’s purpose is to experience important lessons – so many life lessons. After death, our soul returns to its spiritual home with other souls. After a while, the soul may return in various human physical bodies many times at its discretion to complete its learning process. Eventually, all human souls will go to the same place to become One with the Ultimate Creator of the cosmos.

For me, the most amazing discoveries from Dr. Newton’s work were that the people he guided into a hypnotic state had similar experiences once in the hypnotic state. However, his patients had many diverse backgrounds – some were religious, some were agnostic, and a few were atheists. They were from all walks of life and varied educational backgrounds. Yet all had similar descriptions of their “life between lives” once they were in a state of deep hypnosis and entered their superconscious mind.

 

Dr. Ray Moody and Robert Monroe

Other evidence of life after death was documented in the writings of researchers like Dr. Raymond Moody and Robert Monroe. Both Dr. Moody’s book, Life After Life[6], and Robert Monroe’s book, Ultimate Journey[7], explain the beauty and marvel of our soul’s home in the universe.

 

Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross

Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross[8] had a strong believe that we are more than our physical body. She said, “Death is simply a shedding of the physical body like the butterfly shedding its cocoon. It is a transition to a higher state of consciousness where you continue to perceive, to understand, to laugh, and to be able to grow.”

Dr. Kübler-Ross was a Swiss-American psychiatrist, a pioneer in near-death studies, and author of the internationally best-selling book, On Death and Dying (1969). In this book, she elaborated on the Kübler-Ross Model – a method that explains the five stages the terminally ill will go through as they experience dying. As I mentioned, these stages are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. And loved ones around the dying person also will experience these stages.

Dr. Kübler-Ross was a powerful intellectual force who helped create the hospice system in the United States, which I discussed earlier. Dr. Kübler-Ross helped turn the investigation of physical, psychological, and social problems associated with dying into an accepted medical discipline. In 1998, Dr. Percy Wooten (at that time, he was the president of the American Medical Association) said, “Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross was a true pioneer in raising the awareness among the physician community and the general public about the important issues surrounding death, dying and bereavement”.

 

Going Home

As a person enters the last moments of conscious life, the mind continues to function. The mind is the manifestations of thought, perception, emotion, determination, memory, and imagination that take place within the physical structure of the brain.

As a matter of fact, the mind can still hear when other signs of death have occurred.[9]

To this end, the Monroe Institute[10] and Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross have produced a specialized audio series with guided imagery for the caregiver and the dying person to listen to even after “death” has clinically occurred. The series is called, Going Home. They help an individual who is dying to transition in a positive way. They also aid caregivers who are tending to the person who is dying.

Here are three links to the compact discs of Going Home: HERE, HERE, HERE.

If you are in a situation where death is imminent or anticipated, I highly recommend these audio recordings to ease the transition from life to death. Since the mind continues to function after physical death, the guided imagery of this series of CDs will assist the transition of the spirit from the mortal body to its immortal home.

 

Your Comments & Questions

“End of life” discussions are important subjects which demand more attention. They have been swept under the rug for so long. I would love to read your comments and questions. Let’s bring them out into the open for all to read. Just enter them below in the Comments Section. I will do my best to answer all your questions.

 

[1] https://www.joincake.com/blog/new-orleans-funeral/

[2] https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/getting-your-affairs-order

[3] https://www.drchristopherkerr.com/

[4] https://www.brianweiss.com/about-the-books/many-lives-many-masters/many-lives-many-master-chapter-1/

[5] https://www.newtoninstitute.org/books/

[6] https://www.amazon.com/Life-After-Bestselling-Investigation-Experiences/dp/006242890X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TXHNQH7CPBWX&keywords=dr.+raymond+moody&qid=1564147321&s=gateway&sprefix=dr.+raymond+moody%2Cstripbooks%2C140&sr=8-1

[7] https://www.monroeinstitute.org/catalog/61

[8] https://www.biography.com/scientists/elisabeth-kubler-ross

[9] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-67234-9?fbclid=IwAR1wWgWCtFDAV7BUtc8YV0NGUVucjiSpzZ-bkkihE5P3eHjwE8a4kBNAlaQ

[10] https://www.monroeinstitute.org/

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