Membrane Health

Inflammation can damage cells which then can lead to more damage, if there isn't enough white blood cell function to clear away the damaged cells safely. Membranes and other cell tissue can be harmed from the inflammatory chemicals. Daily activity from our own muscle activity or metabolism of glucose for energy production creates inflammatory chemicals, and emotional stress can add even more - peace and love to you.

Inflammation within the body can result from internal events due to health or emotions or strenuous exercise or illness, or due to external pollutants or exposure to an infectious pathogen. 

• Our membranes are particularly at risk to inflammation because inflammatory signals cause the phospholipid bilayer to lose some of its building blocks - a jenga block game in the round - pull out too many blocks and the structure collapses.

Cannabinoids do so much more than opioids within our body - every function of the body is affected by cannabinoids - they are a little like the candy coating on the chocolate drop that won't melt in your hand, it melts in your mouth (M &M's, TM), except the opposite - the fatty acids are the interior of the membrane - to be impermeable to water, and the exterior is water soluble - our body is almost seventy percent water - thanks microtubules for giving us some structure in addition to the support of our skeleton. Our cells need their outer layer to be flexible, yet semi-solid, and water resistant on the exterior surfaces.

Modern medical approach focuses on the germ, the pathogen, or the symptom, without focusing on strengthening the defenses - the walls of the house or growing more foot soldier white blood cells.

• Germ Theory is the medical focus, a pathogen causes a disease; Terrain Theory is the functional health approach - an imbalanced system will promote harmful excessive growth of microbes that are present safely during normal health. 

Inflammation can affect immune function acutely - failing to respond to an infection; and then it becomes a chronic immune problem with ongoing inflammation, increased membrane breakdown, more exposure to pathogens, and then possibly a low level, latent infection is 'caught'. Many pathogens more likely may be present simply in a dormant state, or few in number, and then their growth may flair up during increased stress levels, more inflammation, more membrane breakdown inside and out. Skin rashes visibly, and digestive symptoms and more headaches or brain fog, confusion, disorientation. Our membranes protect us inside and out. 

Breathe, think calm thoughts, exhale. 

Worrying doesn't change things - trying to change things might change things for the better though. Work towards positive . . . hope for the best . . .and that mental mindset may help prevent increased inflammation levels too.

• Vagus nerve Breathing techniques, first in a series, psychologytoday)

Membranes include our skin on the outside, (epithelial tissue), and all the interior digestive linings, and  the membranes around cells, and the membranes which make up blood vessels, (epithelial tissue). 

 Endothelial - inner layer of blood vessels; Epithelial - outer epidermis layer of our skin. 

Endothelial & epithelial - our skin inside and out: 

Blood vessel membranes, endothelial tissue, get discussed a lot - dramatic blood clots and bleeding risks, however the intestinal lining, epithelial tissue, also may be damaged and reduced nutrient absorption then occurs, adding to nutrient deficiencies. Skin rashes are more obvious and images of severe skin rashes and edema, swelling, have been shared. The malabsorption or other digestive problems can lead to poor B vitamin absorption, increasing membrane damage further. We need water soluble vitamins like the Bs and C every day because they are lost in urine daily. Magnesium is also likely to be poorly absorbed, or lost in excess during inflammation.

• "Intestinal inflammatory response has been shown to cause intestinal epithelium dysfunction, and reduce the absorption of nutrients in animals, through altering the permeability of the natural barrier [35]. 
• The reduction of intestinal inflammatory response may contribute to improved growth performance [36]." (23) 

The solution is twofold - supply nutrients and antioxidants to help cope with the inflammatory damage - and stop the fire, put out the inflammation by figuring out what the inflammatory triggers are for each individual person and finding different foods to eat or changing lifestyle factors that add to inflammation (EMF, bright light at night instead of blackout curtain darkness or eye mask, lack of exercise or extremely strenuous exercise or work demands, emotional stress or a chronic negative focus and worrying).

Many nutrients are needed for healthy membranes.

Many nutrients are needed for support of health throughout the body and for membrane growth and support - it needs blood flow to bring oxygen and remove toxins, and especially during times of infection or inflammation when needs for some nutrients can be greatly increased above normal need, with a few unlikely to be available from food alone (thiamine, niacin, vitamin C).

• "SCCM & ASPEN...rec... COVID19 patients requiring ICU care (2, 3). Multiple micronutrients (e.g., vitamins C and E, copper, zinc, thiamin, carnitine and others), protein & fluid balance are likely all involved in mitigating & treating the inflammatory response induced by COVID19" (101)

For membrane symptoms - think B vitamins, . . . magnesium, omega 3 fatty acids, & others. 

Deficiency of many B vitamins can cause skin rashes and lower leg edema is also common for B3, niacin deficiency. Mood changes may also be symptoms. With edema, chronic pain, itch or muscle cramps or spasms, headaches, poor sleep, depression or anxiety, and high blood pressure, arrythmia, or clotting risk, think magnesium. Omega 3 fatty acids in the diet or fish or krill oil supplements can help with skin and membrane health and may help depression. 

Topically, aloe vera gel may help, followed by grapeseed oil with a few drops of essential oils such as frankincense, rosemary, tea tree oil, pine oil added for their healing powers - potent, 2-6 drops of a total combination per ounce of massage oil. Ideally rub on moist skin after a bath or after using aloe vera gel first. The oil seals in moisture in the skin, but doesn't add any extra moisture to dry skin, so the aloe vera provides it. A little water first would be a substitute, a spoonful or so in the palm of your hand and rub on like it was the aloe vera gel/liquid. 

Deficiency of thiamin, vitamin B1, can cause psychosis when severe (Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome) and a variety of symptoms including tachycardia (rapid heart rate) before the psychosis symptom stage. The need for thiamin is greatly increased during infection, but typically is rarely a deficiency in normal health. 

Malnutrition in anorexia nervosa or severe alcoholism are the most common reasons for a severe thiamin deficiency. It can cause brain stem damage if left untreated with thiamine supplements. The amount needed during a severe infection would not be available from food alone. (99) 

Providing high dose supplements of thiamin during chronic inflammation or infection might also improve oxygen levels (reduce hypoxia). (100) Three hundred milligrams might be taken as a supplement, it is also given intravenously during severe sepsis type inflammation. Thiamin is part of the Marik Protocol for Intravenous Vitamin C therapy for sepsis shock/cytokine storm, along with hydrocortisone, a steroid medication. (102) 

The high dose vitamin C and thiamin is also helpful for cytokine storm, without the hydrocortisone. Cytokine storm refers to an excessive inflammatory response leading to white blood cells or other cells producing too many inflammatory cytokine, which are signalling chemicals that can lead to more inflammatory damage.

I experienced thiamine deficiency symptoms of racing heart and disoriented feeling, while I was having an anorexic appetite due to very low zinc levels. Low zinc causes a lack of appetite and may even cause swallowing to be physically difficult - dry throat, hard to swallow the food. So ... I happened to be taking a 300 mg supplement anyway when I got sick with (untested) Covid-19, and I still take it, most days, just part of my "I'm an autoimmune patient" lifestyle.

Niacin may also be critically important to have in higher doses for inflammation. That would be in a section on mitochondria and endolysosomes though - our energy and detoxification systems require plenty of niacin, magnesium, vitamin C, and the rest of the B vitamin team. 

Thiamine, B1, was just the first discovered of our B vitamin team, so it gets to be called number one.

Cannabinoids are an important structural part of cell membranes and skin health. The specialized phospholipid chemicals are a combination of a fatty acid and a phospholipid. Which means they can dissolve in both oil or water - which is helpful for membranes. Membranes are formed from a double layer, with the fatty acid on the interior and the phospholipid on the exterior. See image. (61) 

Cannabinoids themselves are active signaling chemicals as the free cannabinoid; or they also may be transformed into eicosanoids which also can be defensive chemicals during an infection. (58) The primary cannabinoid that is released during inflammation is 2-AG, the CBD equivalent that we would make for ourselves if healthy, nourished, and genetically capable. 

During inflammation the 2-AG endocannabinoid is broken down further, releasing the fatty acid end - a type called arachidonic acid. Excessive amounts of free arachidonic acid adds to inflammatory risks. Having a diet that is also rich in arachidonic acid would then add to the inflammatory problem (chicken fat and chicken broth for example, are rich in arachidonic acid).

Our body can also make eicosanoids (58) and anti-inflammatory cannabinoids from the beneficial omega 3 an 6 fatty acids. (60, 61)  

Inflammation itself adds to endothelial and epithelial tissue breakdown in part because inflammatory release of stored cannabinoids leaves empty spots in the membrane and surrounding phospholipids have to cling together tighter. 

So give the body more cannabinoids - 

They are needed to build membranes, and/or more phospholipids, (1CED), and omega 3 and specific omega 6 fatty acids. (60, 61) 

Patients experiencing LongCovid symptoms may have an endocannabinoid imbalance or deficiency due to the inflammation process. Symptoms and conditions associated with endocannabinoid deficiency are listed in this post: (1CED), along with food sources of cannabinoids and phospholipids or other phosphate nutrients. Supplementing only with CBD might make inflammatory membrane breakdown and hypoxia worse - it is the THC, anandamide equivalent that is needed to help restore balance.

• THC also helps with T-cell mediated chronic autoimmune myocarditis. (31)
• Cannabidiol (CBD) did help diabetic cardiopathy. (32) More on CBD and cardiovascular health research. (33) CBD may be converted into other cannabinoids, caution is all - the 2-AG version is part of the inflammatory problem in membrane breakdown and hypoxia in the tissue. (2CED) 

 Read more on Cannabinoids & BHMT gene allele:

• 1CED. Clinical Endocannabinoid Deficiency, (CED), and phospholipids. - list of symptoms and conditions likely related to deficiency of cannabinoids or imbalance, food sources of cannabinoids and phospholipids, a precursor nutrient.
• 2CED. Cannabinoids & blood vessels – and LongCovid. - THC protects against damage during hypoxia - move more, gently, it hurts, and don't use CBD or not without THC also. The imbalance may be too much of the 2-AG free, released from the broken down membranes (CBD equivalent), and too little of the protective anandamide (THC equivalent)
• 3CED. Cannabinoids are made with the BHMT gene (and others). - there may be an ethnic difference in risk for BHMT gene alleles and that can cause inability to make some cannabinoids and to breakdown others, leaving an deficiency overall and possibly dysfunction due to imbalance. Someone with this gene allele (like me) would have some of the LongCovid numb fingers and membrane breakdown throughout life - daily norm.
• 4CED. Starvation or Addiction?. This is a webpage written a few years ago, with more of my story and some of the genetics. The 3CED article is more recent and has more detail about the dysfunction potentially caused by a BHMT double gene allele. 
• Autoimmune antibodies against phospholipids may be causing excess cannabinoid breakdown or lack of production in some people with LongCovid symptoms.

Addiction or Starvation? - Gene differences can occur that disrupt the ability to make endocannabinoids, for health then, and external source would be needed. In modern society that is seen as an addiction to marijuana, but also binge overeating, alcohol, nicotine, or opiate addictions can occur. We are addicted to oxygen, we need it within every few minutes or we will die. We are addicted to water, food, all the essential nutrients. 

Other nutrients may be called conditionally essential - needed by certain people or conditions where the normal function is impaired. Providing the external source repairs function back to normal - as long as an excess beyond that need is not regularly used. Tolerance occurs, the amount a regular user needs is far different than someone on their first few uses.

Or give the body more omega-3 fatty acids and the beneficial omega-6's (GLA, CLA); while not overdoing polyunsaturated vegetable oils and an excess of omega-6, which is common in modern diets. Excess omega 6 in ratio to omega 3 fatty acids is inflammatory. (59) Corn oil, canola, or soy oil, for example, have more omega 6; olive oil, or coconut oil in moderation, have less omega 6 and more monounsaturated fats. Coconut oil also has saturated fat content so moderation is sensible.  

This generally means we need to add more omega 3 foods or a supplemental oil, and pay attention to the types of vegetable oils we choose. Olive oil is likely the least inflammatory choice, along with coconut oil in moderation. 

Single capsules of omega 3 are really not enough of the EPA and DHA omega 3's. I use a spoonful of a flavored fish oil as my main source. Salmon, sardines, krill oil, tuna fish, omega 3 rich eggs, are some of the main dietary sources. Some of the more bioactive EPA or DHA can be converted by the body from ALA, a precursor in vegetarian sources like walnuts or flax meal. However a significant percentage of people can't convert much of the ALA, leaving the person deficient in DHA and EPA even though they bought a special food or supplement, (18) so the animal sources are more likely to benefit someone with ill health. 

Supplementing with DHA/EPA omega 3 fatty acids may help the old and young with cognitive health, (12, 13, 14), and also a better night’s sleep. (15) 

Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, and krill oil are good sources of EPA and DHA. Whether a person has male or female hormones may affect absorbability or bioavailability of omega 3 fatty acids. (20) A glyceride mixture of omega-3 fatty acids is being studied in hopes of good absorption in a supplemental product. (19)

Roughly 300 mg EPA/DHA are recommended several times per week - several servings of fatty fish. More may be beneficial for someone trying to treat depression or a different chronic concern, more like a spoonful of fish oil, rather than a single capsule. One to two grams, 100-2000 mg, per day may be a more typical dose recommended for a mood disorder such as depression. (22)

Membranes help protect us by blocking entry to most things and carefully allowing in only certain minerals. Magnesium is essential for membrane ion channels to be able to stop excessive entry of minerals such as calcium. (101) An excessive amount of calcium within cells can cause overactivity and lead to cell death.

The extracellular fluid and surface glycoproteins are also critically important for protecting us by filling the gaps between cells. Insufficient protection and a 'leaky gut' or 'leaky blood brain barrier' might occur, leading to more food sensitivities, autoimmune risks, and migraines possibly. 

Gluten and corn can make the gaps, the tight junctions between cells, more open. 

Other starches and fiber can help add to the protective coating - whole grains other than the gluten containing ones include: rice, amaranth, sorghum, buckwheat, quinoa, and resistant starches include tapioca and arrowroot starch. Mushrooms provide beneficial starches and a surprising for the adventurous diner is insects, a source on N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG, which is not NAC, N-acetylcysteine, an amino acid found in protein food - so insects may have that too).

Pathogens or toxic chemicals may be able to enter the brain when membrane breakdown is present. In general Ivermectin is a very safe medication because it is a large molecule and generally does not enter the brain unless in an overdose situation, but it may be a risk for anyone with a leaky blood brain barrier due to infection or inflammation. (96) 

The Spike protein and inflammation both may be increasing the risk of a leaky blood brain barrier being present in severe COVID-19 or LongCovid, making other anti-parasitics a safer choice, there are many phytonutrients with iron chelating and anti-microbial benefits which also act as immuno-modulators - balancing the immune response to the active enough, but not too active..

Phytonutrients can help protect membranes in many ways - binding excess free iron is an important feature in inflammatory oxidative stress. The excess iron can occur due to an infection or ongoing inflammation that is due to emotional or physical stressors, EMF, or lack of sleep or an imbalance in the circadian cycle. 

If the excess iron remains chronically it can cause worse inflammation, cell damage, and membrane breakdown. Blood clots and stroke or heart attack risk is also increased. Vitamin C in appropriate amounts for need is very helpful in addition to extra magnesium and B vitamins.

Vitamin C protects membrane tissue and reduces risk of clotting - see notes/links post: Anemia of Inflammation, IL-6, Hepcidin, Iron and Vitamin C. - limiting iron in the diet may be helpful and use of iron chelators is the typical treatment for anemia of chronic infection or inflammation. Very excessive amounts of vitamin C can act as a pro-oxidant too - oxidize things if there isn't enough other chemical like free iron that needs the anti-oxidant power. 

Health needs a balance of just enough - sometimes that is a wide range and sometimes a narrow range for ideal function.

Iron chelators / Anti-parasitics include: Artemisinin, Berberine, Black Seed Oil (Nigella sativa), Black Walnut extract, EGCG, Olive Leaf Extract, Oregano Essential Oil, Resveratrol, Quercetin, Resveratrol, Turmeric, other phytonutrients, and Lactoferrin (143) is a milk based iron chelator that has not been found to be an allergy risk for people with a milk protein allergy.

Iron chelators are also anti-parasitic because parasites, and virus and bacteria, need iron too. Cancer cells also want iron.

Phytonutrients that bind iron, chelate it, also can carry zinc. So the group is frequently also called zinc ionophores. Chemicals that are attracted to iron rich cells and can carry zinc to them. They deposit the zinc in the iron rich cell and the zinc disrupts protein replication in the cell leading to a pathogen or an cancer cell not being able to replicate.

So iron chelating phytonutrients can help many types of microbial infections, and help with cancer and the inflammation of autoimmune disease - or an underlying unidentified infection if that is the main reason for the inflammatory symptoms.

Hydrolyzable tannins were included in the previous section. EGCG, gallic acid, catechins, ellagitannins - there are many within a group. Goji berries and red raspberries are a source of some similar to pomegranate peel. Edible sumac (used in zaatar spice mix) also has some similar phytonutrients.

Tannins are potent anti-microbials and iron-chelators. Plants don't want to be eaten, so they make irritants in their outer layers a a protective layer. Gnaw a little and then it gets to be too much rapidly - activates the TRP channels possibly, or bitter taste receptors, and then is so potent, that we don't need much before wanting to stop eating either, because the phytonutrients are an irritant to us too if we eat much. Tiny amounts though are protective for the plant, or for us. The phytonutrients act as antioxidants within their cells or iron chelators to cope with the plant's oxidative stress chemical build-up - out there all day in the hot sun... that sounds wilting hot. Or maybe against parasites or other microbial invaders.

Adding tannins to their feed helps pasture animals to have fewer negative digestive symptoms, including a reduction in intestinal parasites and pathogenic bacterial load and less bloating: 

• "Incorporations of tannin-containing forage in ruminant diets to control animal pasture bloat, intestinal parasite and pathogenic bacteria load are another 3 important applications of tannins in ruminant animals."  (140)

Pomegranate peel prep & hydrolyzable tannins:

A larger quantity of tannins can also be obtained from pomegranate peel. The white inner part of the peel has slightly less than outer peel which makes it less bitter in flavor and less of a diuretic. Tannins have a diuretic effect and a larger serving of pomegranate peel products can have too much of a diuretic effect. I use a vegetable peeler to remove the outer reddish-purplish rind and then I separate the white membrane from the seeds and trim away any bad spots from the white membrane and remove any discolored or spoiled seeds. 

The white membrane of the pomegranate peel can be minced and added raw to a salad or added to a soup. In foods that are acidic the color of the membrane and the dish you are preparing will become more reddish in color or might turn brownish if the tannins are hydrolyzing with other ingredients and the water content. In foods that are alkaline the color will turn brown. This is least noticeable in black bean soup, white beans will have a brown broth and greenish split pea soup looks odd (warning - foods are chemistry and this is kind of fun).

The red part of the peel can be used in tea or to make a liquid concentrate that is used in small amounts but it is too bitter to eat and the diuretic properties can be potent. 

• When using a diuretic tea or extract, have it early in the day and drink plenty of water throughout the day to help it pass through the renal system before you hope to sleep through a night. 

Why would you bother then? 

Pomegranate peel has a long list of medicinal benefits, potentially including cancer treatment or prevention, and protection against neurocognitive conditions such as Alzheimer's dementia. It is antimicrobial, anti-worm, etc, a long list of potential benefits. 

• See this webpage for health benefits, preparation and menu ideas: G13: Pomegranate. 
• A bean soup recipe using dry beans and pomegranate peel, is the last recipe on page, G8: Cookies and Bean Soup.

Quercetin, an Nrf2 promoting phytonutrient, has been found helpful against LPS toxicity in an animal based study. (85) 

Spike protein enhances bacterial LPS toxicity, 

"This study shows that it binds and aggregates bacterial lipopolysaccharide, exacerbating (innate, TLR4) inflammatory signaling." @gerdosi, (27)

There are many negatives that LPS endotoxins can cause: 

• "Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are the major elements of the cell walls of gram-negative bacteria; they are endotoxins, which cause a strong response in normal animal immune systems and have been used in inducing immune stress in animal models [1]. 
• LPS activates monocytes/macrophages to secrete various inflammatory cytokines [2],
• stimulates microglia, 
• and decreases glutamatergic transmission that leads to memory deficits [3]. 
• LPS also damages the intestinal barrier function [4], 
• restricts the expression of innate immune receptors in intestinal epithelial cells [5], 
• and enhances neutrophilic lung inflammation and pulmonary edema [6]." (23)

Potential aids for our body's defense system:

• Copper loaded chitosan is also discussed as a possible therapeutic rather than using antibiotics (a standard used for bacterial endotoxin LPS problems which is now limited for use in chickens; agriculture industry article). (23) Adequate copper and other trace minerals would likely be helpful.
• Immunomodulators that promote Nrf2 help reduce risk from LPS - and spike may be suppressing Nrf2 levels. (141) 

Nrf2 is a gene and protein it encodes. Immunomodulators may increase the transciption of the gene or its production of the protein. It helps mitochondria function in part by promoting more production of the antioxidant glutathione. (142) Nrf2 also is involved in immune function, and growth and repair.

Quercetin and many other phytonutrients help promote Nrf2 activity.

• Nrf2 Promoting Foods/nutrients. (5, 6)