Articles by Dr. Erdman are for informational purposes, and are not to be taken as specific medical advice.
In the last article, we introduced Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN)
as an important therapeutic breakthrough for those with diseases whose origins are
rooted in a failed immune response, or autoimmune diseases, and other immune
dysfunctions. LDN boosts the immune system, activating the body’s own natural
defenses. (Go to my website TryChiropracticFirst.com to find the last article
under 2 Cents 4 Health.)
LDN has demonstrated efficacy in thousands of cases and
diseases. In all these cases where “the immune system plays a central role in
the development of the disease, low blood levels of endorphins are generally
present, contributing to disease associated immune deficiencies,” says the
nonprofit website LowDoseNaltrexone.org.
Research at the Penn State University found that opioid
growth factor (OGF) regulates the growth of cancer cells and cancer cells use
the OGF pathway in growth regulation. It is through this pathway that LDN is
thought to inhibit cancer cell growth. LDN also works with your body’s immune system
through its interactions with your body’s endorphins. Endorphins play a role in
your mood, in pain relief and immune system regulation and in growth of cells
and blood vessels to cancerous tumors.
Dr. Bihari has treated thousands of patients with cancer which
did not respond to standard treatments. These are the worst of the worst cases.
In a research group of 450 of these people, 60% of the patients showed disease
stability and 25% of them had a 75% reduction in tumor size.
He believes the mechanism by which LDN works in these cases
is due to an increase in the number and density of opiate receptors on the
tumors, causing early cancer cell death using the body’s already present
endorphins. There is also an increase in the circulating cytotoxic T-cells and
natural killer cells as well as an increase in their activity level, causing
more cancer cell destruction. Cancers in
which LDN has shown effectiveness include, but are not limited to: bladder,
ovarian, breast, colon, rectal, liver, prostate, throat and many more.
Autoimmune diseases such as Crohns, IBS, rheumatoid
arthritis, Hashimotos, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis and neuro degenerative
diseases like ALS, MS, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and PTSD have all shown benefit
with LDN use. Dr. Bihari states that those patients he has diagnosed with an
autoimmune disorder, not a single one has failed to respond to LDN; all have
experienced a halt in progression of their illnesses. In many there was marked
remission of signs and symptoms… Remarkable!
Dr. Bihari has seen over 400 Multiple Sclerosis patients in
his practice. Less than 1% of these patients have ever experienced a fresh
attack of MS while they maintained their LDN therapy.
Dr. Westin Childs says LDN can also help with weight loss by
reducing insulin resistance and increasing human growth hormone production. It
reduces and modulates appetite and improves sleep and sleep patterns. LDN acts
as an anti-inflammatory agent and improves thyroid function and conversion of
T4 to T3 and helps increase total T3.
Go to the website LowDoseNaltrexone.org for a list of
compounding pharmacies they advise as reliable.
There may even be local pharmacies who will do this, I just haven’t
verified that for myself as yet.
There are virtually no side effects to LDN therapy.
Occasionally during the first week of use some patients may complain about
difficulty sleeping. This rarely persists after the first week of use.
There are warnings for folks taking opioid pain meds,
thyroid hormone therapy, full dose naltrexone and those with organ transplants.
These warning are for how and what doses may be taken. Only those with organ
transplants, taking immunosuppressive drugs, are cautioned against taking LDN
altogether, as it may counter those medications.
As you can see, LDN is one of those drugs actually worth
looking into if you have any of the disease it can help. I haven’t read any negative reports on its’
use or side effects, which is rare for a manufactured medication.