George Ferman Profile picture
Jul 28 17 tweets 11 min read Read on X
If you are interested in improving your health, the “oil of the pharaohs”, aka black seed oil, should be a staple in your arsenal.

There probably isn't any other medicinal food that can do (or greatly assist) ALL of the following:

•Increase glutathione levels
•Improve insulin sensitivity
•Enhance amyloid clearance
•Improve the function of the immune system
•Support endothelial function
•Reduce inflammation
•Suppress mast cell degranulation
•Improve lipid profiles
•Improve a wide range of skin issues
•Lower blood pressure
•Improve male fertility
•Modulate the stress-sleep-immunity axis
•Increase BDNF and support neuroplasticity overall
•Has anticancer potential (potential, it’s not a “cure”)
•Has great antifungal and antibacterial properties

and way more, while also having few side effects (sorry, but everything will have side effects for some people).

So here’s how this oil is able to accomplish all these, who could benefit from its use, who should stay away from it and more.

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*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It’s George.

Derivatives of black seeds, such as black seed oil, have been cultivated and used for almost 3,000 years in various cultures.

Some archaeological evidence suggests that these seeds were used as early as 2,000 BCE in Mesopotamia and these seeds were even discovered in the tomb of Tutankhamun.

For thousands of years, physicians have used it to treat a range of ailments, from digestive issues to skin conditions.Image
Here are some fun facts about black seed oil:

-Cleopatra used black seed oil for her skin and hair.

-The ebers papyrus which is one of the oldest known medical texts (1550 BCE), references black seeds for their therapeutic properties, particularly for digestive and respiratory issues.

-Black seed oil was likely used to embalm mummies.

-Hippocrates reportedly used black seed oil to treat digestive disorders and liver ailments, recognizing its ability to soothe inflammation and support detoxification.

-Dioscorides described black seed as a treatment for headaches, toothaches, and respiratory issues, noting its warming and stimulating properties.Image
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-In the Roman Empire, black seeds were used as a spice and medicine, often mixed with wine or honey to treat colds, infections, and skin conditions.

-Muhammad stated that “The black seed can heal every disease, except death”.

-Ibn Sina praised black seed for its ability to stimulate energy, aid recovery from fatigue, and treat respiratory and digestive disorders.

-In traditional Chinese medicine black seeds were used for their ability to “move qi” and support respiratory health.Image
But how is black seed oil able to benefit so many issues and is there any actual research behind these claims?

First and foremost, the primary active compounds in black seed oil are:
-Thymoquinone (TQ) (main one)
-Thymol
-Carvacrol
-p-Cymene
-Sterols
-Alkaloids
-Nigellone (Thymohydroquinone)Image
So let’s break these down.

First, we have thymoquinone, which is a monoterpene quinone and the primary bioactive compound in black seed oil.

Its quinone structure (a monoterpene with a p-benzoquinone core) allows it to interact with nucleophilic sites in proteins, enzymes and DNA while its lipophilicity enhances cellular uptake, particularly in lipid-rich environments like cell membranes and the brain.

For example, it:
-Neutralizes free radicals such as superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. This simple act leads to the prevention of oxidative damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids.

-Activates the Nrf2 pathway, which induces expression of antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx).

This results in reduced lipid peroxidation for example or enhancing antioxidant defenses in hepatocytes.

-Reduces the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α by inhibiting their gene expression.

-Downregulates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF).

-Blocks cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX), enzymes responsible for producing inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and leukotrienes.

You can read more about prostaglandins here since it’s quite an important topic:
x.com/Helios_Movemen…Image
-Suppresses the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, a key regulator of inflammation, by preventing its activation and translocation to the nucleus, reducing inflammatory gene expression.

-Upregulates pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 while downregulating anti-apoptotic proteins such as Bcl-2, triggering programmed cell death in cancer cells.

-It also inhibits cancer cell proliferation by blocking cell cycle progression by modulating cyclins and cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs).

-Suppresses the PI3K/Akt pathway, which regulates cell survival, and inhibits NF-κB, reducing tumor growth and metastasis.

-Enhances p53 activity, a tumor suppressor gene, promoting DNA repair or apoptosis in damaged cells.

-Prevents biofilm formation by interfering with microbial adhesion and quorum sensing, critical for pathogen survival.

-Inhibits microbial enzymes essential for metabolism or replication, reducing pathogen viability.Image
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-Is effective against a variety of bacteria such as MRSA, E. coli, fungi such as Candida albicans, viruses such as hepatitis C and parasites such as Plasmodium..

-Modulates lipid metabolism pathways/PPAR-α activation.

-inhibits platelet aggregation, reducing the risk of thrombosis.

-Mitigates oxidative stress in neurons, protecting against damage in Alzheimer’s (beta-amyloid plaques) and Parkinson’s (dopaminergic neuron loss).

-Upregulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), supporting neuronal survival and plasticity.

-Stabilizes neuronal excitability with impacts such as reducing seizure severity in epilepsy.Image
-Improves glucose metabolism and activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), enhancing glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity via GLUT4 translocation to cell membranes.

-Reduces hepatic glucose production by inhibiting key enzymes like glucose-6-phosphatase.

-reduces liver inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB and TGF-β, preventing fibrosis.

-Suppresses histamine release, reducing allergic responses in rhinitis and asthma.

-Relaxes bronchial smooth muscles, improving airflow.

-Targets Propionibacterium acnes and other skin pathogens.

-Reduces scalp inflammation and may promote hair follicle activity.

-Boosts T-cell proliferation and natural killer (NK) cell activity.

-TQ reduces excessive cytokine production, preventing overactive immune responses in autoimmune conditions.Image
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Moving on to thymol.

Thymol (2-isopropyl-5-methylphenol) is a monoterpene phenol that:

-Integrates into bacterial and fungal cell membranes(*), increasing permeability, disrupting ion gradients, and causing leakage of cellular contents.

(*) Most effective for staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Candida albicans, and parasites like Leishmania.

-Inhibits microbial enzymes such as ATP synthase and biofilm formation.

-Inhibits quorum sensing.

-Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis, which alleviates pain and inflammation in conditions like arthritis or gingivitis.

-Modulates NF-κB, similar to TQ.

-It may suppress neutrophil activation.

-Prevents oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA.

-It may upregulate enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD) or catalase through Nrf2 activation.

-It targets oral pathogens like Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis, reducing plaque and gingivitis by disrupting their membranes and metabolism.Image
These two are the most active compounds.

When it comes to the rest we have:
-Carvacrol
Carvacrol (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol) is a monoterpene phenol that:

-Integrates into bacterial and fungal cell membranes, increasing permeability (mainly inPseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, and fungi like Candida albicans).

-Disrupts quorum sensing and inhibits biofilm formation, reducing pathogen virulence and resistance, as supported by studies on multidrug-resistant bacteria.

-Inhibits microbial enzymes and metabolic pathways in pathogens, impairing energy production and survival.

-Prevents lipid peroxidation and damage to DNA, proteins, and lipids.

-Suppresses the NF-κB pathway.

-Inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes, reducing prostaglandin synthesis.

-It MAY suppress neutrophil activation.Image
-p-Cymene

This one is a monoterpene hydrocarbon (1-methyl-4-isopropylbenzene) that:

-Increases microbial cell membrane permeability
-It may also inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes and pro-inflammatory cytokines (less potently than TQ or carvacrol).
-It may modulate transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, contributing to pain relief.
-It might also have some minor antioxidant effects as well.

-Nigellone (Thymohydroquinone)

This is a dimer of thymoquinone that:

-Relaxes bronchial smooth muscles by inhibiting calcium channels or enhancing cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling, reducing airway constriction.

-Inhibits histamine release from mast cells.

-Scavenges ROS and upregulate antioxidant enzymes.Image
Now that we outlined some benefits, here's who needs to perhaps stay away from it (yes, nothing is a miracle cure for everyone all the time).

-People with severe damage in their gut lining.

-Pregnant women.
Thymoquinone can stimulate uterine contractions.

-People with low blood pressure.
Even though it relaxes vascular smooth muscles and improves endothelial function it will exacerbate hypotension in susceptible individuals.

-People who use anticoagulants/antiplatelets and/or have bleeding disorders overall.

-MAYBE people who use antidiabetic drugs (contact your M.D).

-MAYBE people on statins, SSRIs and antiepileptics.
Finally here are some examples of how i use it:

-I choose any cold pressed brand in a nice dark bottle
-As a mouth wash with coconut oil 2/week
-1 teaspoon every other day (my diet has other foods and compounds that can have antibacterial and antifungal properties and more than this will backfire, when i cut those out, i might do 2 tsps 4 times a week)
-When i shave daily for extended time periods and get the occasional razor bump it seems to help
-On my hair twice a month (as a topical for just a few minutes and then i rinse it)
-It helps ME with matt burns BUT it irritates a lot of people so be cautious
That's all.

I hope that you found something interesting in this thread.

If you did make sure to leave a like/RT.
For more on a variety of health related topics:
fitandball.gumroad.com/l/georgesystem…
Of course every claim is a quick search away: Image
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More from @Helios_Movement

Jul 28
It's estimated that 57 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer's disease and this will only get worse (83.2 million people by 2030).

So if you want to understand some key things on this topic, whether these are its main causes, neglected but quite important factors that can exacerbate it or the most promising tools when it comes to managing it, tap in.

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*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It's George.

Alzheimer’s disease (named after Alois Alzheimer, who identified amyloid plaques and tau tangles in a patient’s brain) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that destroys neurons (neurons transmit signals through synapses, converting electrical impulses into chemical signals through neurotransmitters).Image
Some of its main causes include:

-Amyloid plaques: These are extracellular aggregates of beta-amyloid (Aβ) peptides such as Aβ40 and Aβ42, formed from the cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by enzymes like beta-secretase (BACE1) and gamma-secretase that interfere with synaptic function (they accumulate in the spaces between neurons, impairing signal transmission by disrupting calcium signaling).

-Tau tangles: Tau is a microtubule-associated protein that stabilizes microtubules, which act as "tracks" for transporting nutrients and organelles within neurons. Tau tangles are formed by hyperphosphorylated tau protein and disrupt nutrient transport within neurons by destabilizing microtubules, which act as tracks for intracellular transport.

-Anything that can lead to neuronal loss (such as TBIs): Loss of connections between neurons leads to brain atrophy.

-Things such as TBIs are usually unfortunately neglected when it comes to AD, but individuals with a history of moderate-to-severe TBIs have a 2-4 times higher risk of developing AD.

-Genetic factors: Gene variants in the APOE4 gene significantly increase AD risk since they impair the clearance of Aβ by binding less effectively to receptors that remove it, leading to plaque buildup, promoting tau hyperphosphorylation and neuroinflammation, reducing blood-brain barrier integrity and cerebral blood flow, starving neurons of nutrients.

-Vascular issues like reduced blood flow or microbleeds, impair nutrient and oxygen delivery to neurons, exacerbating beta-amyloid accumulation and tau pathology.

20-30% of AD cases show vascular pathology.

-Stroke: Stroke-induced ischemia kills neurons in regions like the cortex or hippocampus, critical for memory and post-stroke inflammation, driven by cytokines and immune cell activation, accelerates Aβ and tau pathology.

-CVD is also linked to increased amyloid plaque formation and cognitive decline.

-Type 2 diabetes and obesity increase insulin resistance, which reduces the activity of insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), which clears Aβ, leading to plaque buildup.

It also activate kinases that phosphorylate tau, promoting tangles.Image
Read 19 tweets
Jul 26
Endotoxins can lead to almost any health issue under the sun and are shown to cause:
-Liver damage
-Depression
-Heart disease
-Allergies
-Skin issue
-Hormonal issues
and much more.

You might already know this but most tips and tricks surrounding this topic are incomplete.

So here's a more in depth guide for anyone interested in this topic.

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*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It's George.

Now, endotoxins constitute even up to 20% of the microbiome in healthy individual and are lipopolysaccharides (LPS) that are mainly produced by gram-negative bacteria (they are found in their outer membrane) and released when bacterial cells die or divide.

Dysbiosis, such as in SIBO or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) for example, increases their production by quite a lot.

Structurally, they consist of:
-Lipid A: The toxic anchor responsible for immune activation and inflammation.
-Core Oligosaccharide: A sugar-based structure that stabilizes the molecule.
-O-Antigen: A variable polysaccharide chain that determines bacterial strain specificity.Image
They exert their effects by interacting with the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on immune cells such as the mast cells (also discussed in the mast cell part).

They trigger the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α quite a lot and are some of the primary drivers behind chronic inflammation.Image
Read 16 tweets
Jul 25
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women with 49,000 people passing away from cardiovascular disease EVERY DAY.

Yet it still is a neglected topic and most advice surrounding it still emphasizes on old topics that are proven almost irrelevant.

So in this thread i'd like to share with you some key insights when it comes to having a healthy heart.

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*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

Heart disease, just like all health issues, has been skyrocketing over the last decades due to a variety of factors from dietary ones all the way to lifestyle ones. Let's start with the basics.

The heart, is a muscular organ about the size of a fist (everyone’s heart size is different though) which is located behind and slightly on the left of your breastbone.Image
A healthy heart supplies your body with the right amount of blood at the rate needed to work well.

It is at the center of your circulatory system which is a network of arteries, veins and capillaries, that carries blood to and from all areas of your body. Image
Read 25 tweets
Jul 16
Here’s a guide on the most powerful antioxidant that exists and how to optimize its production for better:

•Energy levels
•Skin health
•Libido
•Gut health
•Cardiovascular health
•Immune system function
and more.

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*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It's George.

The most powerful antioxidant is not vitamin C, E or even glutathione.

Even though all of these are extremely important since each one has unique roles within the human body (for example, glutathione is critical for detoxification) the most powerful antioxidant is free and it's called melatonin.Image
Melatonin, chemically known as N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine, is classified as an indoleamine that is derived from the amino acid tryptophan.

It is evolutionarily ancient and present in organisms from bacteria to humans.

Now technically speaking, since it is synthesized in many non-endocrine organs and doesn't target a specific organ it’s not a hormone (melatonin fits this in the pineal context only).

So melatonin also acts as a paracrine and autocrine signaling molecule, influencing cellular processes across multiple tissues without requiring endocrine-specific pathways.Image
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Read 20 tweets
Jul 13
THE ULTIMATE MICRONUTRIENT GUIDE.

A detailed discussion on the importance of over 25 vitamins, minerals and their bioavailable sources.

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*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

First of all, vitamins are organic substances that are generally classified as either fat soluble or water soluble.

Fat soluble vitamins such as: vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and vitamin K dissolve in fat and tend to accumulate in the body.

Water soluble vitamins such as: vitamin C and the B-complex vitamins must dissolve in water before they can be absorbed by the body, and therefore cannot be stored.

Any water-soluble vitamins unused by the body are primarily lost through urine.

Minerals are inorganic elements present in soil and water, which are absorbed by plants or consumed by animals and include things such as: calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, copper and iodine.Image
Before we get into the functions of each one, why they are so important, where you can get them from and so on, here are some important notes👇

Note 1: Your micronutrient needs partly depend on your macronutrient split.

And it's quite easy to understand since different macronutrients are metabolized through pathways that rely on specific vitamins, minerals and other micronutrients as cofactors or regulators.

High protein diets require a bit extra: B6, B9, B7, B12, magnesium and molybdenum.

High carb diets require a bit extra: B1, B3, magnesium, zinc and potassium.

High fat diets require a bit extra: choline, electrolytes and L carnitine.

Note 2: All nutrients work synergistically.
Examples include:
-Selenium, sulfur, iodine, CoQ10, manganese, vitamin E, B2, iron
-Thiamine, manganese and magnesium.
-B6 and B2.
-Zinc and copper.
-Retinol, DHA, E and B2.
-Vitamin K and retinol.
-Potassium and sodium.
-Choline and B9.
-B5 and K.
-Iron, B2, B12, B9 copper, D, retinol and C.
-Vitamin D, magnesium and retinol.
Etc

Note 3: Be aware of certain things that deplete us of various micronutrients, interfere with their absorption or increase the need for certain micronutrients:

1. Excessive sweating
Nutrients it mainly depletes:
-Electrolytes but especially potassium

2.Alcohol Nutrients it mainly depletes:
-B vitamins
-Electrolytes
-Vitamin K

3. Sodium fluoride, bromine etc
Nutrients they mainly interfere with:
-Minerals and especially trace minerals

4. Smoking
Nutrients it mainly depletes:
-Retinol
-Vitamin C
-Taurine

5. Phytic acid
Nutrients it mainly depletes:
-Minerals

6. Stimulants
Nutrients they mainly deplete:
-Vitamin C
-Electrolytes
-B1
-B2
-B5

7. Statins Nutrients they mainly deplete:
-CoQ10
-Vitamin D
-Vitamin A, K and E depending on the dosage

8. Birth control pills
Nutrients they mainly deplete:
-Everything, just stop using them

9. Antidepressants Nutrients they mainly deplete:
-B vitamins
-Vitamin K
-Vitamin D

10. Blood pressure medication
Nutrients they mainly deplete:
-B vitamins
-Electrolytes

11. Stress Nutrients it mainly depletes:
-Minerals

12. Heavy metals
-MineralsImage
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Read 21 tweets
Jul 10
Do you want to know the real "secret" for getting healthier?
It's called optimizing your circadian rhythm.

Your CR controls the health of:
-Your hormones
-Your hair (not a joke)
-Your tendons (also not a joke)
-Your skin
-Your gut
-Your liver
-Your brain
-Your heart
and in general, everything.

So a dysregulated circadian rhythm leads to every biological process becoming dysregulated.

If you still don't believe that this is crucial to understand, shift work ALONE is a class 2A carcinogen (tap in the pics).

Let me repeat that because it's wild.

You can eat the perfect diet and workout all you want but if you work a night shift, you are exposed to a class 2A carcinogen.

Now let's proceed into discussing what the circadian rhythm is and how to optimize it.Image
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So, circadian rhythms are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock, one example is the sleep-wake cycle, which are influenced and controlled by:

1. The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) / the central master clock (a bilateral structure located in the hypothalamus directly above the optic chiasm)

and

2. Peripheral clocks in organs such as the pancreas, liver, heart and even muscle tissues

Now, a misunderstanding might happen due to the examples that we just used, which is that circadian rhythms are only affected by environmental cues.

This is false.

They play indeed a GREAT part but the body makes and keeps its own circadian rhythms for lack of a better term.

Also: Not all biological clocks are circadian.
Now the main time cue for our central clock is light and for our peripheral clocks, food intake will also be a time cue.

This is why exposure to artificial blue light creates a mess sleep-wise since you are signaling to your master clock that you’re in the middle of the desert which results in it sending signals that generate alertness which will thus keep you awake at night.

This is also why the simple act of eating breakfast, helps people improve their transit time and insulin resistance.Image
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Read 12 tweets

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