Cerebral Palsy and Regenerative Medicine ©

By David Steenblock, M.S., D.O.

"The obstacle is the path." Zen Proverb

Oxygen is a natural element that is absolutely necessary for life and healing. Purified oxygen is defined as a drug but is the most natural of drugs. Oxygen under pressure is still the same element but is better able to penetrate into parts of the body where the arterial flow is hindered. Such hindrance produces ischemia (loss of blood flow) and hypoxia (lack of oxygen). When oxygen under pressure is inhaled by a patient in a sealed chamber, it is termed a hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT).

The first suggestion that raised air pressures might be used in the treatment of human illness was made in 1664 by Henshaw in England. The first hyperbaric chamber to investigate the therapeutic action of compression of the air on the human body was described and built by Junod in 1834. Using 1 2 atmospheres of pressure, Junod was reported to have treated patients with paralysis with beneficial results. This pioneering work was not continued until 1965 when Ingevar and Lassen demonstrated positive results in 4 patients suffering from focal cerebral ischemia. Since then, numerous articles have been published demonstrating that hyperbaric oxygen is useful for the treatment of brain injury.

Injured brains are thought to have damaged blood vessels which curtail oxygen from getting to the injured areas. The lack of adequate oxygen prevents those parts of the brain from functioning normally and can cause the loss of functions seen in cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries and strokes. It has been demonstrated that daily treatment with hyperbaric oxygen contributes to the formation of new blood vessels in those parts of the body that are not receiving enough oxygen. As new blood vessels slowly form, the injured tissues are able to repair themselves and to begin functioning more normally. This translates into better mental and physical performance.

All patients showed significant improvement on before and after SPECT brain scans.

D. Neuroprotective Diet and Therapies

What are some of the nutrients that can protect new neurons and promote brain repair?

a. Full Spectrum Lighting

We need 20 minutes of sunlight (indirect in the summer) each day. Because of air pollution, clouds, and working indoors all day, many of us have full spectrum light deficiencies. The light sends electromagnetic pulses from the eyes to our circadian clock (SCN - suprachiasmatic nuclei) to help regulate the rhythm for all of our organs, tissues, and cells so that all the various parts work in synchrony together in harmony with the natural environment (sunlight and earth’s magnetic field). Dysregulation of our circadian rhythms invites sleep disorders, illness and aging, possibly because sleep is an orchestration for repair and regeneration through stem cell production.

There are Vitamin D receptors in neurons and glial cells in the brain. Genes that are required to produce the enzymes needed for vitamin D metabolism are found in brain cells.(Garcion, 2002) These findings raise the possibility that light from the eyes may be directly converted to vitamin D in the brain.

Vitamin D plays a role in the biosynthesis of neurotrophic factors such as brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor. These growth factors can stimulate the growth of new brain cells (Nakagawa, 2002).

Vitamin D3 can protect neurons against oxidative stress by inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase (that increases excitatory neurotransmitters and oxidative stress. Vitamin D3 also increases glutathione levels, important to neuronal protection from oxyradical damage (Garcion, 2002).

Vitamin D3 can protect cell proteins and membranes against oxidative stress by inhibiting the peroxidative attack on membrane lipids, stabilizing the chromosomal structure and preventing DNA double-strand breaks caused by either biological or environmental toxins. (Chatterjee, 2001).

There are safeguards against getting too much vitamin D from sunlight, such as skin pigmentation (tanning). There are no safeguards against vitamin D excess from the diet. It is stored in the liver and excessive accumulation is toxic. We need about 400 IU of natural vitamin D3 daily, of which fish liver oil is an excellent source.

Vitamin A is required for Vitamin D function (and BDNF), zinc is required for vitamin A function. Vitamin D is required for magnesium, calcium and phosphorus function and magnesium is a cofactor for B complex, vitamin C and E.

b. Magnesium (with sufficient vitamin D, A, and zinc)

Magnesium is involved in over 300 enzyme systems, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) metabolism and therefore the survival of the cell. Magnesium deficiency results in increased insulin resistance, inflammation and blood clots. Magnesium deficiency is associated with chronic cardiovascular diseases.(Chakraborti, 2002). Magnesium is a cofactor in ATP production and can protect the cell against calcium entry, oxyradical damage, pro-inflammatory immune responses, and changes in cell membrane permeability (Kilurchi, 1997). Magnesium assists in the absorption and metabolism of calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and potassium and is a cofactor for B complex, vitamin C and E.

Magnesium is refined out of many foods through cooking and processing. Magnesium is also depleted by excess consumption of carbohydrates, proteins, and by diuretics and stress.

c. The Neuroprotective Diet

May your medicine be your food and drink and may your food and drink be your medicine.

1. Pure Water: 6-8 glasses a day will help promote intracellular communication. Avoid carbonated water, coffee and soft drinks.

2. General Diet

The Brain Power diet should be rich in fresh alkaline vegetables, moderate in lowfat dairy foods, whole grains, poultry, fish and almonds and low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. The diet does not include red meat, fruit, sweets, sugar-containing beverages, processed foods, or foods with additives, hormones, colors, preservatives, monosodium glutamate/vegetable hydrolyzed protein (MSG/VHP) or pesticides.

3. Eat Organic as much as possible. Since environmental toxins can be harmful to neurons and mitochondrial activity, a maintenance and regenerative diet needs to be as non-toxic as possible. While organic foods may still have some pesticide residues, certified organic foods are usually preferable to conventionally grown foods. Fish farm sources of salmon, halibut, bass and trout may have less heavy metal contamination than fish from lakes and ocean sources. Fish (especially anchovies and salmon) is an important source of n-3 fatty acids that protect brain cells from toxins and oxyradicals. However, if fish and poultry are eaten, they need to be as free of heavy metals as possible.

Organic Food Delivery: The following are taken from the internet and provided for your convenience. If you find their services unsatisfactory, please let us know and we will not include them in future handouts. If you find other companies that provide good service, we will be glad to add them to our list.

Organic Foods and Untreated Seeds

• http://www.localharvest.org (where to find fresh local food)
• www.saltspringseeds.com
• http://www.small-potatoes.com
• http://www.seabreezed.com
• http://www.all-organic-food.com
• http://www.greenearthorganics.com
• http://www.shopnatural.com
• http://www.simplyorganic.net
• http://www.organicexpress.com

4. Eat fresh, whole foods as much as possible. If chewing is a problem, the blender can be used. Fresh foods provide the needed enzymes for more efficient digestion. Processed foods are made to last on the shelf for long periods of time and may therefore have preservatives, additives, colors, salts, and sugars.

a. Green foods such as home-grown wheat grass (2 tablespoons daily) has lecithin for brain phospholipids and can help remove heavy metal toxicity.

Home grown sprouts can be a non-toxic source of vitamins and minerals (use pure water).

5. The Alkaline Diet: Improves immune function and protects against infection, inflammation and disease.

1 serving of prunes every night before bedtime. (one of the highest sources of antioxidants)

80% of diet as raw vegetables: Asparagus, beets, carob, carrots, cauliflower, celery, green beans, ripe olives, onions, parsnips, radishes, spinach, sprouts, string beans, sweet potatoes, watercress, chard, mustard greens, kale, carrots, leafy lettuce (no cabbage or iceberg lettuce) and fresh vegetables juices (no tomato juice). Watercress, prunes and beet tops assist with elimination.

20% of the diet as: Black bread (pumpernickel, rye), avocado, raw nuts, especially almonds and filberts (not roasted or salted) and fish, chicken or wild game.

6. B vitamins and Homocysteine: Foods that contain natural folate, pyridoxine(B6) and methylcobalamin (B12) help reduce homocysteine accumulation that is toxic to neurons and blood vessels. Homocysteine is a major cause of blood vessel wall injury and subsequent cardiovascular disease. Methylcobalamin is also important in circadian rhythms and the synthesis of serotonin to melatonin. Cyanocobalamin, the B12 form used in vitamins has a longer shelf life, but is not as effective in improving brain function. Vitamin B12 can also directly block glutamate neurotoxicity and protect neurons against oxidative stress-induced damage.(Marlett, 2002) In addition, Vitamin B6 and B1 combined are effective in reducing protein glycosylation.

Folic acid is in green leafy vegetables, lentils, whole grains, chickpeas, asparagus, spinach and most beans.

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) is in Poultry, fish, fish oil, vegetables, eggs, brown rice whole grains, dried beans, tuna, and sunflower seeds.

Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) is in Poultry, fish, fish oil, and dairy products.

7. The Glycemic Index. Choose foods that promote a low rise in blood glucose, thus minimizing the highs and lows of blood glucose. Brain injury can result from a lack of glucose as much as from a lack of oxygen. The following are examples of the glycemic index of foods (the lower the better):

Glucose - 100
Honey - 75
Sucrose - 60
Fructose - 20
Apples - 39
Raisins - 69
Beets - 64
Baked Potato - 98
White Bread - 69
Bran Cereal - 50
Cornflakes - 80
Rice, puffed - 95
Beans - 31
Lentils - 29
Nuts - 13

8. Sources of Magnesium include: fresh green vegetables (chlorophyll), raw wheat germ, soybeans, low fat milk, whole grains, fish, figs, corn, apples, almonds.

9. Foods that contain antioxidants can assist mitochondrial function and protect neurons from oxyradicals and toxic insult. This program therefore increases the daily consumption of natural sources of antioxidants and reduces as much as possible those factors that increase oxyradical generation such as alcohol, infection, allergies, pesticides, pollution, cigarettes, stress, etc.

Vegetables high in antioxidants include kale, spinach, Brussel Sprouts, Alfalfa Sprouts, Broccoli, Beets, and onions. Organic blueberries and red grapes may be eaten with plain yogurt to slow the digestion of the sugars. Vitamin C is a major antioxidant that helps prevent advanced glycosylated proteins and reduces capillary permeability and fragility.

10. Green Tea is an antioxidant that can protect against neuronal death.(Andreassen, 2001) Grape Juice contains the antioxidant resveratrol and though it is sweet, it does not seem to increase the glycemic index. Wine also has resveratrol but because of the alcohol content, it can increase homocysteine which is toxic to blood vessels and neurons.

11. Garlic, selenium and chlorophyll can chelate heavy metals. Cilantro and garlic are effective mercury chelators.

12. Antioxidant Seasonings: Curcumin (curry), ginger, natural vanilla flavoring, garlic, Fenugreek, parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, etc. can also be used as antioxidant flavorings to increase the healing benefits of the meal. However clove and cinnamon have been found to inhibit Complex I function in ATP production and are not recommended.

13. Glutathione protects cells and neurons against oxyradical damage and is associated with improvement in stroke and brain injury. Factors that increase and/or have a sparing effect on glutathione include moderate sunlight (vitamin D3), Fenugreek, riboflavin, aloe vera, ginger, garlic, vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba, pycnogenol, green tea, succinate, citrate, and vitamin C. The B vitamin riboflavin plays an essential role as a precursor to flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), a co-factor for glutathione reductase activity.(Chen, 2002) Various drugs, including Tylenol can deplete glutathione and therefore their use is discouraged.

14. Glutamine intake increases glutathione and antioxidant protection. Glutamine has anti-inflammatory effects and reduces cravings for sweets. Glutamine is in fish, beans, parsley, spinach, and dairy products.

15. Foods with calcium can help strengthen nerve and heart function, immune defense and prevent bone loss. Calcium foods include dairy products (unless there are allergies), fish, tofu, broccoli, chard, and legumes.

16. Acidophilus and bifidobacteria are helpful for promoting healthy bacteria in the bowels and for preventing constipation. These friendly bacteria are in plain yogurt (no sugar).

17. Selenium assists with antioxidant activity and is in seafood, poultry and whole grains.

18. Fresh olives provide monosaturated fats that favorably influence gene expression in the liver and skeletal muscles and promote mitochondrial ATP production. Clarke (Clarke, 2002) advocates a healthy lipid as 4 parts olive oil, 1 part fish oil, and 1 part vegetable oil to reduce triglycerides and cell death.

19. Prostacyclin enhancement: – Prostacyclin is synthesized by the endothelial cells in the blood vessel wall to help dilate the blood vessels and allow more oxygen-carrying red blood cells to flow through. Nutrients and herbs that help increase prostacyclin synthesis include Gamma linolenic acid (GLA), fish oil (EPA and DHA), Gingko biloba, Vanadium, and ginger.

20. Reduce inflammation and blood coagulation. Elevated levels of fibrinogen stimulate blood cells to clump together, increasing the risk of blood clots and subsequent oxygen deficiency. 6-8 glasses of pure water through the day, vitamin C, Vitamin E, fish oil, flaxseed, green tea, garlic, onion, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, ginger, yucca, aloe vera, wheat germ, capsaicin, sea cucumber, and brown algae are helpful in reducing fibrinogen levels.

21. Acetyl-L-carnitine, Lipoic acid, vitamin E, Coenzyme Q10, nicotinamide and magnesium help maintain energy production in the mitochondria in Complex I. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is a neuroprotector by transporting long chain fatty acids into the mitochondria for increased energy production. Acetyl-L-Carnitine is found in white fish, chicken and milk (use low fatAcetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid work synergistically to protect neurons from glutamate toxicity. Nicotinamide and creatine also work synergistically for neuroprotection. Octacosanol also promotes energy production in the cells and is in wheat germ. Statin drugs can deplete Coenzyme Q10.

22. Phosphatidyl glycerol is a precursor of cardiolipin, the fuel for the mitochondria in Complex III and IV. Oats and soy contain precursors for phosphatidyl glycerol. Magnesium incorporation into the phosphatidyl glycerol membrane helps create a structure and geometry that stabilizes the lipid bilayer and protects it against opposing forces (Fragata, 1997).

23. Nutrients and supplements that provide protection against hypoxia-ischemia (by antioxidant factors and/or increasing ATP in the mitochondria) include ginkgo biloba, vitamin C (natural sources), garlic, vitamin E, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), nicotinamide, magnesium sulfate, and cucumin/curry.

24. Foods containing creatine help prevent ATP depletion in the neurons, stimulate protein synthesis, reduce protein degradation and stabilize cell membranes. (Persky, 2001)

For Stem Cell Research References Click Here!