immune function

A Story of Hope: “Huge Change from a Year Ago”

A Story of Hope: “Huge Change from a Year Ago”

We occasionally get letters or comments from parents that have seen improvements in health with diet. To help provide hope to so many still in the trenches, I’ve decided to make more of an effort to share some of these comments (with their permission, of course). Many of us don’t have it all figured out, but we cling to the hope and words of progress. Everyone’s journey is different, diet changes may not reap huge changes for all, but it is absolutely helping some. Like this family, glutamate and diet have been a huge piece to our [...]

A Story of Hope: “Huge Change from a Year Ago”andistowe2020-10-01T15:50:04-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Cistus

Lowering Glutamate | Cistus

Cistus Tea Our family LOVES to hike and can often be found wandering in the woods during most of the summer. After a bullseye rash and Lyme scare a few years ago after hiking in the Swiss Alps, I started incorporating the herb Cistus before hiking as it is known to repel ticks as they do not like the smell of Cistus. This mild and sweet-tasting herb was an easy addition to our herbal teas but it wasn’t until a few years ago, that I discovered the true benefits of this incredible herb. Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt has wildly [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Cistusandistowe2023-05-30T18:52:55-04:00

Looking at Glutamate in Underlying Infections & Immune Dysfunction (PANS, PANDAS, AE, Lyme, etc)

Looking at Glutamate in Underlying Infections & Immune Dysfunction (PANS, PANDAS, AE, Lyme, etc)

PANS & PANDAS Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS), Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS) diagnosis has jumped to 1 in 200 hundred and is becoming more and more common. These disorders are distinguishing by an often striking onset of neuropsychiatric symptoms in response to immune activation and possibly misdirected immune response. While PANS can be triggered by numerous infections, PANDAS is just associated with the strep infection. Symptoms of PANS & PANDAS Tics Obsessions/Compulsions/OCD Anxiety Headaches/Migraines ADHD Food Restrictions Personality Changes Emotional Lability Sleep Disturbances Mood Disorders Regression of Skills/Grades Urinary Frequency What [...]

Looking at Glutamate in Underlying Infections & Immune Dysfunction (PANS, PANDAS, AE, Lyme, etc)andistowe2019-10-08T10:13:07-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Resveratrol

Lowering Glutamate | Resveratrol

Resveratrol– found in red grapes, red wine, blueberries, peanuts and dark chocolate, calms microglial activation. “Resveratrol reduced glutamate-induced damages” “Resveratrol interacts with the complex III of the respiratory chain, is a radical scavenger and also suppressor of radical formation in the mitochondria. It reduces the intracellular calcium levels in pre- and postsynaptic neurons and also may inhibit the pro-apoptotic factors in glutamate overflow that occurs, e.g. in excitotoxicity. In cell cultures, glutamate overflow leads to formation of free radicals and results in apoptosis.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23459926 “Our findings reinforce the protective role of this compound in some brain disorders, [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Resveratrolandistowe2021-09-16T13:03:16-04:00

Lowering Glutamate | Andrographis

Lowering Glutamate | Andrographis

Andrographis (andrographolide)–Most commonly known as popular herb to treat Lyme, but it is also has antiviral, antibacterial, and antiparasitic properties. Most importantly, andrographis inhibits microglial activation (see below). We have sourced ours from Sage Woman Consulting & Apothecary : Tincture & Leaf/Flower “Neuroprotective effects of andrographolide in a rat model of permanent cerebral ischaemia” “Andrographolide exhibited neuroprotective effects, with accompanying suppression of NF-κB and microglial activation, and reduction in the production of cytokines including TNF-α and IL-1β, and pro-inflammatory factors such as PGE2. Our findings suggest that andrographolide may have therapeutic value in the treatment of [...]

Lowering Glutamate | Andrographisandistowe2021-09-22T11:45:16-04:00

A Story of Hope with REID: Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)

A Story of Hope with REID: Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)

We occasionally get letters or comments from parents that have seen improvements in health with REID. To help provide hope to so many still in the trenches, I’ve decided to make more of an effort to share some these comments (with their permission, of course). Many of us don’t have it all figured out, but we cling to the hope and words of progress. Everyone’s journey is different, diet changes may not reap huge changes for all, but it is absolutely helping some. Like this family, glutamate and the REID diet have been a huge piece to [...]

A Story of Hope with REID: Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)andistowe2019-09-29T17:03:53-04:00