Jennifer Depew, R. D.

Jennifer Depew, R. D.Jennifer Depew, R. D.Jennifer Depew, R. D.

Jennifer Depew, R. D.

Jennifer Depew, R. D.Jennifer Depew, R. D.Jennifer Depew, R. D.
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Membranes - Glyphosate

Tubulin in the extracellular areas between brain cells.
https://www.tebu-bio.com

Love the skin you are in!

Our skin protects us, inside and out. We are somewhat donut shaped - a hollow center that is our digestive system. It is filled with fluid and lined with a jelly like glycocalyx layer. Our white blood cells patrol this surface layer that coats our internal skin - our digestive membranes and smooth muscle fibers of our stomach and intestinal walls. 


Our microbiome also lives within our digestive tract and other areas of our body. They are our symbionts, and can also be pathogens if given an opportunity. The different types of species help keep each other's growth in check - which is why yeast infections tend to occur after being on antibiotics for a while. 


Our white blood cells and the glycocalyx lining also help defend against excessive growth of microbiome species or entry farther into the body. There are likely some species within the blood stream, unless there is a blood infection, sepsis, when there would be measurable amounts - and risk worse harm and possibly death. 


Intracellularly there may also be some microbiome species and again in times of health, our defenses would keep them in check  - or they would be replicating at a low level that might not cause obvious symptoms of a more severe infection.


Image: Tubulin in the extracellular areas between brain cells.

 
Fig. 6: 3D-SIM microscopy image of microtubules in primary rat cortex neuron body labeled with SiR-tubulin.  Ali El Baya, PhD, 

https://www.tebu-bio.com/blog/5-ways-to-stain-actin-and-tubulin-from-wb-to-live-cell-imaging/

Our skin is made of fats, proteins, and other chemicals.

We are what we eat, and what we drink, breathe, and apply on our skin. We make new cells everyday and the skin layer is an actively growing layer. Cells are replaced frequently compared to many other parts of the body. Part one included more information about the structure of membranes and foods that can help promote healthy skin and a healthy glycocalyx. 


Fiber foods are critical for our jelly lining, our glycocalyx layer. Pectin is the fiber used to make jellies and jams. Tapioca, arrowroot, or corn starch also are fibers that thicken liquids when heated. The fiber absorbs water and forms a net like structure of the long straight or branching chains of sugar molecules.


As we age our ability to make all the complex chemicals needed for growing or maintaining cells slows down. Using aloe vera gel and essential oils in a base oil like grapeseed or almond oil can help protect and nourish our skin. Feeding our body from the outside can help the nutrients reach that exterior quickly without having to travel through the digestive system and bloodstream first.

Membranes & Inflammation

Toxins may also be part of our skin or body.

Glyphosate and other toxins can become incorporated into our cell structure or be part of the intra or extra cellular fluid or the glycocalyx layer. If our interior becomes too acidic then the jelly like structure of the glycocalyx is more likely to break down - become watery and too thin to be protective or allow white blood cells to remain within it. 


Think of the intestinal tract as a rapidly flowing river and the glycocalyx is the mossy river bank with ferns and maybe a few little critters sheltering from the rapid flow of the river.


Straight rod-like proteins are also part of the glycocalyx and the intra or extracellular fluid. They provide structure, guidance of of other chemical activity, and may act as miniature antennae for our energy fields. 


When we feel alive, energetic, and in tune with the world - eager to get going - we may be in a good vibration within ourselves as a whole and possibly with the surrounding environment or community too.


Glyphosate as a toxin in our environment and food supply is a concern because it is an amino acid that can be incorporated into a protein in the place of glycine. Glycine is a small amino acid with calming effects in the brain and important folding effects in protein structure. Where a glycine is present in a long protein chain of many amino acids, hundreds even, the protein can form a fold, like making a wire into a paperclip - the straight wire is suddenly different - and now with a different function.


The rod like proteins that give structural support are made up of many subunits of similarly shaped proteins that join together into a sturdy coil, which may be tube like with a hollow center, and may even be spring like - flexible under pressure like a metal spring, able to shorten or lengthen slightly without breaking. These coiled but rod like proteins include many glycine to form the many bends needed to make necklace strings of amino acids into a folded shape of the subunits that group together into the coil like long tubular protein. If a molecule of glyphosate is included in the protein chain instead of glycine it may not fold correctly or a receptor site might be blocked by the extra side group of the glyphosate chemical. Glycine is smaller without the extra atoms attached.


PS. Love the skin you are in - it is amazing!

Cell division - Meiosis - a ballet of microtubules

Microtubules help guide the division and replication of DNA for one cell nucleus to become two.

Microtubules helped you at conception - and every day ever since!


Mitosis is the division and replication of the nuclear DNA before cell division occurs. If our microtubules are dysfunctional - then nothing else is going to work well either, certainly not growing a new baby, which is my specialty - prenatal, lactation, and early childhood nutrition counselor and educator.


  • The rest of the construction crew: "Microtubules are involved in mechanical support, cytoplasmic organization, and several cellular processes by interacting with diverse microtubule-associated proteins such as plus-end tracking proteins, motor proteins, and tubulin-folding cofactors. A number of the cytoskeleton-associated proteins (CAPs) contain the CAP-glycine-rich (CAP-Gly) domain, which is evolutionarily conserved and generally considered to bind to α-tubulin to regulate the function of microtubules."


If a major regulatory protein needed for cell division is dysfunctional, then new cells are not going to be able to be grown - for wound healing, immune support, or conception of a new life (a baby).


Image:  "Meiosis. Computer artwork of the first meiotic division." (https://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/4128R-25424) The yellow curved lines are microtubules directing the movement of the dividing genes within a cell's nucleus. 

Glyphosate and Covid-19 - testing urine residue levels may be an indicator for level of risk.

Glyphosate residue in health is a topic that has had minimal research. 


Not looking for answers - means that answers that industry or you may not want to hear, or be heard, are not found. Well-funded independent research is needed - 'trusted peer-reviewed journals' are compromised by ghost-written industry funded articles.


Self pay, self order lab testing is available to measure urinary levels of glyphosate residue. Urinary levels of glyphosate has been associated with more severe Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.


  • Urinary levels of glyphosate residue can be checked, and increased levels were associated with worse Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. (Gly.19*, 20*).

 

Consider testing the urine output for presences of glyphosate residue whether ill, or planning to conceive a baby. Test kits can be ordered by clinicians or through a health company, example (greatplains.mymedlab.com/great-plains-tests/glyphosate–2);

Nutrients that may help clear glyphosate, or may be deficient due to glyphosate.

 Reducintg intake of glyphosate residue is not easy as it is is in most commercial foods as many different ingredients. Animals raised with glyphosate crops as feed will likely have glyphosate residue in the meat or dairy products - if it is taken up in protein structure. Lab tests using digestive enzymes and a before and after test for glyphosate residue could quickly show whether there is an increase in free glyphosate, after it may have been released from the digested protein chains.


Wheat, corn, oats, sugar, and soy are all crops grown with glyphosate as herbicides or before harvest to increase crop yield.


Nutrients that may be depleted by glyphosate include minerals such as iron, manganese and magnesium, CoQ10, and vitamin D. Taking extra methyl B vitamin B12, folate and choline might be helpful and di-methylglycine.


Possible aids if excessive glyphosate is a concern: 

  • CoQ10 - 200 mg
  • Curcumin, a Vitamin D Receptor agonist/activator. 
  • Garlic (source of sulfur containing phytonutrients), 
  • Magnesium Sulfate, Epsom salt baths, - topical soaks provide a well absorbed form of magnesium & sulfate.
  • Vitamin C, 
  • Probiotics (fermented foods, yogurt, live active culture pickles), 
  • Methyl tetrahydrofolate – (this is the bioactive form of folic acid), 
  • Cobalamin – hydroxy or methyl B12, 
  • Liposomal Glutathione (GSH) (an antioxidant that we make for ourselves when healthy)
  • or NAC, N-acetyl-cysteine is a precursor of glutathione. Whey protein is a very good source, or other protein foods. It is not scarce in the diet. Aged Garlic Extract can also provide S-allylcysteine. Liposomal glutathione can be better absorbed as glutathione is typically broken down in the intestines during digestion. Liposomal forms encase a nutrient in fats, like a membrane and is absorbed as a fat.
  • Alpha lipoic acid and Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are additional antioxidant support for the body. (26)), 
  • Taurine (another amino acid),
  • Manganese containing foods, Pure Maple Syrup contains almost a day's supply in 1/4 cup. 
  • Eat organically grown foods when possible. (9)


See: Resistant Starch/Butyrate and Microbiome for more about probiotics and helping our microbiome be healthier species = so they help us defend against pathogenic species and make butyrate for us. Butyrate and niacin activate the GP10 receptor / Niacin Receptor, which helps reduce inflammation by increasing mitochondrial activity and release of excess energy as heat. It also helps increase endolysosomal removal of cellular debris - like a cellular garbage service that also recycles useful nutrients.

Methylation gene differences may leave more at risk for epigenetic changes - may be reversible!

Methylation gene differences may leave some people more at risk for epigenetic conditions - changs in the methyl groups attached to DNA, can make them be in an active or an inactive mode. Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, POTS, may be due to epigenetic changes, and therefore may also be reversible! 


Excess formaldehyde from environmental or internal stress chemical production, may be a risk factor. See: Formaldehyde: Health Risks and Dietary and Environmental Sources.


Lack of methyl donor B vitamins may also be a factor, either from deficiency in the diet, increased need due to inflammation, or long term deficiency due to genetic differences in some stage of the methylation cycle. 


Glyphosate may be involved in epigenetic risks.

Epigenetic changes may also be involved in Covid19 or LongCovid - POTS is a focus of the post, and actin is described, another type of regulatory protein. 


  • "Glyphosate decreased expression of P16 and TP53 [protective] as well as an increase in the expression of BCl2, CCND1 and P21. Summing up, our results have shown a potential disturbance in methylation processes and gene expression in human PBMCs exposed to glyphosate," (Wozniak et al, 2020)


Glyphosate may be a factor in epigenetic problems - the good news though, is that epigenetic changes can change back to normal - with adequate methyl donor nutrients. 


Methylation gene differences may be a factor in who is more at risk for POTS or other epigenetic related issues. Adequate methyl groups to attach to a DNA strand can put it in an 'off' mode so whatever protein it transcribes would not be made. If it is for inflammatory protein, we might want that to be in the off position during health.


Methyl B12 and folate would be needed instead of standard non-methylated supplements. Choline and betaine are also methyl donors and avoid BPS. It is a problem chemical from environmental and food sources that takes methyl groups. 

Misfolded proteins -> ubiquitination -> apoptosis and cell death

When our body has a good detox function misfolded proteins are identified and removed, or cells with misfolded proteins are removed by apoptosis. Defective or infected cells are killed and engulfed by a white blood cell for safe removal. 


Damaged cells from trauma that release intracellular fluid and its contents into the exterior can lead to worse inflammation as it sends out 'damage' signals calling for more white blood cells to come and help clean up or fight an infection. This is a necessary part of health - remove aged cells and make room for new ones without  toxins being released or a malfunctioning cell remaining alive and using nutrients and possibly causing harm in some other way.


  • "Ubiquitination is an essential player in maintaining the balance of proteins in eukaryotic organisms, serving to rapidly remove misfolded proteins.[5][6]" (Roberts, et al, 2021)

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a [*functional] health professional for individual health care purposes.  

Glycine, low in Metabolic Syndrome

Supplementation & lifestyle changes can help increase glycine

 

"Available evidence shows that the amount of glycine synthesized in vivo is insufficient to meet metabolic demands in these species. 


Plasma glycine levels are lower in subjects with metabolic syndrome than in healthy individuals. 


Interventions such as lifestyle modification, exercise, weight loss, or drugs that improve manifestations of metabolic syndrome remarkably increase circulating glycine concentrations.


Conclusion

Glycine supplementation improves various components of metabolic syndrome including diabetes, obesity, hyperlipidemia and hypertension. In the future, the use of glycine may have a significant clinical impact on the treatment of patients with metabolic syndrome."


  • Imenshahidi, M., Hossenzadeh, H. Effects of glycine on metabolic syndrome components: a review. J Endocrinol Invest (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40618-021-01720-3  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40618-021-01720-3



Supplementation of glycine - Trimethyl (TMG) or Dimethylglycine (DMG).


Supplementation of glycine is available in tablet forms or bulk powder which is a better price and likely more effective dosing. More information about TMG and DMG - both beneficial in different ways. TMG is made into DMG if functioning BHMT enzyme is present. 


  • Two and half to ten grams of dimethylglycine (DMG) powder per day might be beneficial. Tablets might be 500 mg, a half a gram.
  • Dimethylglycine is acidic. I take a half spoonful, rough measurement, in a glass of water with a little baking soda, dash, to buffer the acidity, and may add juice, stevia sweetener, cardamom powder (phospholipid source) and fennel seed powder (digestive aid) for flavor and nutrients. I need the DMG form because I do have a lack of BHMT enzyme due to a double gene allele.
  • DMG may be helpful before bed to help slow the body and brain activity down towards sleep mode - cooler temperature, less activity. 


More information about both TMG and DMG is on the Nutrients page, 'Other Nutrients' second section after the B vitamins.


Image:  Fig. 7: 3D-SIM microscopy image of Actin stress fibers in human primary dermal fibroblasts labeled with SiR-actin.   Ali El Baya, PhD.  https://www.tebu-bio.com/blog/5-ways-to-stain-actin-and-tubulin-from-wb-to-live-cell-imaging/


3D-SIM microscopy image: Actin stress fibers in human primary dermal fibroblasts labeled:SiR-actin  

Glyphosate & our structural proteins.

Actin made visible with fluorescent dye. Image: A. El Baya, PhD https://www.tebu-bio.com

Glyphosate may disrupt function of the actin, tubulin, and other structural proteins.

The image shows actin around a fibroblast cell, made visible with a fluorescent dye. The membrane is more like a water balloon and the flexible rod like proteins provide support for the cell which helps it maintain form. The actin may provide directional guidance for other activity including immune functions. 


  • "A fibroblast is the most common type of cell found in connective tissue. Fibroblasts secrete collagen proteins that are used to maintain a structural framework for many tissues. They also play an important role in healing wounds. " (https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Fibroblast)


Collagen is a structural protein that contains a large percent of glycine molecules. It is necessary in tissue of joints and ligaments for cushioning, connecting, and providing structure to our skeleton. 


Glyphosate within a protein chain may cause misfolding and that may lead to misfolding of other proteins leading to tangles instead of the typical supportive organized framework or guiding crane like functions of actin. Kinesin motors are specialized proteins that can move up and down the exterior of some tubules. Other tubules may be wide enough to allow transport within the center of the spiraling group of smaller protein subunits. Visualize Lego building blocks that form a circular spiral staircase instead of straight wall.


Image: Actin made visible with fluorescent dye.  Fig. 5: Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts stained with ActiStain 488 (green), Dapi (blue) and Anti Vinuclin (orange).  Image: A. El Baya, PhD, (https://www.tebu-bio.com/blog/5-ways-to-stain-actin-and-tubulin-from-wb-to-live-cell-imaging/)


More images: https://www.tebu-bio.com/blog/sir-stain-users-experiences-to-stain-actin-tubulin/  


Spike protein seems to disrupt microtubules in the extracellular fluid

Spike Protein seems to disrupt microtubules in the extracellular fluid, by depolymerization possibly,

Twitter Thread theory by Claudia-Gertrud Krings, @cgkrings, [account suspended, noted 1/12/2022] (45), or due to glyphosate residue. The microtubule problem is not seen in everyone, suggesting to me that there may be a difference in the people - which may be glyphosate incorporated in microtubules instead of glycine. 


Glyphosate and glycine are both similarly shaped amino acids which can be used to make proteins, however the synthetic glyphosate has a side group that disrupts function of a receptor opening/protein fold. Molecules of glycine are small and are often found at the point where a protein chain folds to make a receptor opening - add a glyphosate instead and the receptor opening is permanently blocked - dysfunctional.


Why is this bad? Because the end of microtubules typically contain a glycine based area that helps control pathogen risks, (47), and glyphosate disrupts that function. (46) 


So the spike protein may be disruptive to microtubules - or it may be that some people have microtubules made with glyphosate that are more prone to malfunction when they are needed for the immune functions, or it may be a combination of both - spike protein disrupts microtubules, particularly those that contain glyphosate.


Microtubules are the scaffolding and cranes of our extracellular and intracellular matrix - which is gelatin like - watery and fluid but with some solidity too. Microtubules direct activity by connecting things where they need to be. If the hook end of the crane is dysfunctional - then nothing can be moved around, such as a pathogen needing to be sent to a white blood cell for removal perhaps. - overview, not my specialty except they are essential for cellular division and growth of all cells.

Glyphosate may also add to histamine excess.

Histamine excess and mast cell over-activity can add to membrane breakdown and cause other odd symptoms unrelated to skin health.


Histamine excess and mast cell over-activity would be caused by an allergy like response to the spike protein. 


Histamine excess can also be due to an increase in activation of vitamin A and carotenoids to retinoic acid which can occur as a response to a viral infection or immune challenge (a vaccine). Liver enzymes activate any vitamin A or carotenoids into the active retinoic acid form, with no modulation for need. Retinoic acid activates allergy response mast cells, a type of immune cell that tends to line membrane areas of the body - skin reactions or GI upset. 


Histamine output occurs from the activated mast cell. Excess histamine causes allergy symptoms that are common to seasonal allergies, runny nose, itchy eyes. When more severe it can also cause mood or behavior changes that would be mistaken as psychiatric problems rather than an allergy response in overdrive. The solution is avoid vitamin A and carotenoid rich food sources - for life. Over time the excess histamine may lead to kidney or liver damage and schizophrenia or Alzheimer's possibly. 


Retinoid toxicity may be a long term problem following the change in the liver to enzymes that activate vitamin A. The problem has been seen after EBV viral infections with Chronic Fatigue type symptoms. Skin rashes can also occur and many odd symptoms. 


Histamine is a modulator during normal health, helping to balance an overactive or underactive brain response. Excess histamine leads to an overactive escalation of thoughts and can cause loss of rational control. Timeout to quiet the brain is needed. Pomegranate products can help as the phytonutrients inhibit mast cells. Apple, fennel, celery, quercetin, luteolin, are other foods and nutrients that may have a calming effect during histamine excess.


  • See: Glyphosate increases histamine, both may be a factor in COVID19
  • For an overview and links to further information about Mast Cell overactivity and histamine excess see: MCAS/Histamine. 
  • Histamine Food List & other diet related inflammatory issues - Alkaline/acid producing foods, oxalates, lectins.
  • Retinoid Toxicity.

MCAS/Histamine

Glyphosate within a protein may change function of the folded protein.

Glyphosate as a risk factor for more severe COVID-19 has been theorized by Stephanie Seneff to involve the enzyme heme-oxygenase-1. In normal function it is anti-inflammatory and production of it is stimulated by anti-inflammatory Nrf2 (a protein & its gene). If the protein chain for heme-oxygenase-1 is made with glyphosate instead of glycine then potentially the new folded protein it forms might be defective - or it may function in a different way. 


Stephanie Seneff suggests that the enzyme, when made with glyphosate, may be acting as an inflammatory peroxidase instead of functioning as a beneficial anti-inflammatory enzyme. And there would be a positive feedback loop - more inflammation -> more call to make more heme-oxygenase-1, normally an anti-inflammatory, except the malfunctioning (glyphosate containing) peroxidase may be made instead, increasing inflammation more -> Nrf2 call for more production of heme-oxygenase-1 -> more glyphosate peroxidase is made -> more inflammation, etc.


The garlic, and sulforaphane containing produce can act as Nrf2 promoters which might also lead to increased heme-oxygenase-1, since it is part of the anti-inflammatory pathways, and which in normal function acts as an anti-inflammatory enzyme. The citrus and pomegranate polyphenols might also increase Nrf2 and heme-oxygenase-1 production. >>> test urine for glyphosate seems like an essential first step before proceeding with other standard anti-inflammatory treatments other than vitamin C and quercetin – both of which can help reduce an overexpression of Nrf2 (which occurs in a few types of cancer). (30) 


  • See the post: Glyphosate and COVID-19.

Disclaimer

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a [*functional] health professional for individual health care purposes. 

  • Home
  • COVID19
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  • Phytonutrients
  • Citrus peel
  • Microbiome
  • Resistant Starch/Butyrate
  • RS/Butyrate-How much?
  • MCAS/Histamine
  • Eat Mussels; save shells!
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Jennifer Depew, R.D.

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