If you will never fix your brain unless you fix your mitochondria.

Just a single cortical neuron utilizes approximately 4.7 billion ATPs per second in a resting human brain.

Here are some basic steps you can take to support the function of your mitochondria.

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

Now first and foremost, mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a host of health conditions ranging from chronic fatigue, low testosterone, depression, bipolar disorders, low testosterone and neurodegenerative diseases all the way to cardiovascular issues, diabetes and even sleep apnea.

Now, what are mitochondria?

Mitochondria are subcellular organelles that likely originated from ancient α-proteobacteria engulfed by eukaryotic cells.

These organelles produce the vast majority of cellular energy through adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is needed to power every cell's biochemical reactions.

They also modulate processes like cell signaling, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis.

So it’s really no wonder that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a host of health conditions.

When it comes to the structure of these double-membrane organelles, it’s a good idea to be aware of the following.

We have the:

-Outer membrane that is highly permeable due to porins such as voltage-dependent anion channels that allow small molecules and ions to pass freely.

-Inner membrane that is less permeable, with selective transporters, that houses the electron transport chain (ETC) and ATP synthase.

-Intermembrane space that is the region between the membranes.

This one is enriched with protons during ATP synthesis, creating a gradient essential for energy production through chemiosmosis.

-Mitochondrial matrix that is the innermost compartment, containing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 70S ribosomes and enzymes for metabolic pathways like the Krebs cycle.

Here's the list of nutrients most people don't get enough of and experience:
-Fatigue
-High blood pressure
-Skin issues
-Low libido
-Brain fog
-High blood sugar
-Hair loss
-A compromised immune system
and more, as a result.

Thread🧵


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

Before we even get into the nutrients, you must be aware of two things.

Number 1: Each macronutrient (protein, carbs, fats) relies on specific metabolic pathways that require distinct vitamins, minerals and cofactors for optimal function.

So basically, our micronutrient needs are influenced by our macronutrient intake.

Now, here are some micronutrient adjustments you can make for certain macronutrient splits.

-High-protein diets
B6: Cofactor for transaminases and decarboxylases in amino acid metabolism.
B9: Aids in methionine metabolism.
B7: Supports amino acid catabolism and energy production from branched-chain amino acids.
B12: Essential for methionine synthesis.
Magnesium: Facilitates protein synthesis.
Molybdenum: Cofactor in the urea cycle (via xanthine oxidase), helping detoxify nitrogen waste from protein breakdown.

-High-carb diets
B1: Essential for pyruvate dehydrogenase.
B3: Needed for NAD+ synthesis in glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation.
Magnesium: Cofactor for enzymes in glucose metabolism.
Zinc: Supports insulin signaling and glucose uptake.
Potassium: Supports insulin signaling and glucose uptake.
B5 : Precursor to coenzyme A, vital for metabolizing carbs into energy via the Krebs cycle.
Chromium: Enhances insulin sensitivity, improving glucose uptake in high-carb diets.

-High-fat diets
Choline: Critical for fat transport (via lipoproteins).
Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium): Low-carb intake = can't hold onto enough electrolytes in the long run.
L-Carnitine: Transports fatty acids into mitochondria for energy.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10): Supports mitochondrial energy production from fats, reducing fatigue in depression.
Glycine and taurine (for bile)

Proper sauna use is one of the best things you can do for your health during this winter.

Overall, it is shown to:
-Protect against neurodegenerative diseases
-Rapidly alleviate depression (faster than antidepressants)
-Be one of the best tools for detoxing from industrial toxins
-Support the immune system
-Enhance physical performance
-Promote myelination
-Improve cardiovascular health
-Alleviate chronic pain
-Reduce fatigue in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome
-Be quite effective for resolving insomnia
and more.

Here's a short guide on the benefits of the sauna.
Thread🧵
*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

For the few of you who might be unaware, sauna therapy involves controlled exposure to heat, typically in a traditional (hot rock/steam) sauna (160-200°F, 70-100°C) or an infrared sauna (120-140°F, 49-60°C), inducing hyperthermia and sweating.

This triggers a cascade of physiological responses, including activation of the HPA axis, sympathetic nervous system and heat shock protein (HSP) pathways.

These responses drive adaptations in neuroendocrine, cardiovascular, immune and integumentary systems, contributing to the following benefits.

But besides these, saunas have been a cornerstone of wellness practices for centuries, from the sweat lodges of indigenous cultures to the Finnish saunas embedded in modern spa culture.

🧵The ultimate candida thread🧵

Most people don't really understand how problematic and dangerous having candida overgrowth actually is.

First, some potential signs and symptoms of Candida overgrowth include:
-Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, white coating on the tongue or gas (especially after eating carbs).
-Brain fog that, even though it might sound weird, it’s very similar to a low-grade hangover (since it releases acetaldehyde) which is experienced once again, especially after eating carbs.
-Blood sugar regulation issues.
-Intense sugar cravings.
-Athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, jock itch, oral thrush, bad breath, acne and eczema.
-Chronic fatigue.
-Frequent infections.
-Leaky gut.
-Developing more and more food intolerances.

Now, how can a candida overgrowth lead to these symptoms?

Here are some basic explanations.

First, it disrupts the balance of gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria.

This leads to fermentation of undigested carbohydrates, producing gas and bloating by 2–3-fold as most studies suggest.

It also secretes aspartyl proteases and phospholipases, damaging the mucosal bilayer which can lead to bloating and general discomfort.

When it comes to the oral cavity, it forms biofilms creating a white coating on the tongue.

Then, it metabolizes sugars via fermentation, producing acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that crosses the blood-brain barrier and impairs neuronal function, causing brain fog, confusion, and a “hangover-like” feeling.

In animal models for example, candida-induced inflammation reduced cognitive clarity by 30%. Candida also consumes glucose for growth and biofilm formation, causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels, especially after high-carb meals.

In diabetic patients for example, an ovegrowth led to a 2-fold increase in insulin resistance.

Regarding sugar cravings, candida albicans thrives on glucose and its overgrowth may signal the host to consume more sugars throygh gut-brain axis modulation of hormones that control our appetite such as ghrelin.

Many studies show that a Candida overgrowth increased sugar cravingsand ghrelin levels in 20–30% of patients.

Fatigue-wise, candida overgrowth triggers cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, causing systemic inflammation that disrupts energy metabolism, the acetaldehyde impairs mitochondrial function, reducing ATP production, biofilms and mucosal damage impair nutrient absorption (especially when it comes to B vitamins and iron), which are critical for energy production.

Then, candida overgrowth overwhelms mucosal immunity, reducing IgA and phagocytic activity, increasing susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections.

And finally when it comes to effects such as developing a leaky gut and food intolerances, the overgrowth degrades tight junction proteins such as occludin and ZO-1 (it’s shown to reduce ZO-1 expression by 40%), increasing intestinal permeability allowing toxins and antigens to leak into the bloodstream triggering immune responses and food intolerances (Candida-induced leaky gut has shown to lead to a 30% increase in food intolerances).


But the problems don't end here.

An overgrowth will also:
1. Increase D-Arabinitol.

Unlike L-arabinitol (produced by humans), D-arabinitol is specific to fungal metabolism. D-arabinitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol (polyol) produced by certain fungi, including Candida albicans and other Candida species, during carbohydrate metabolism (candida metabolizes glucose into D-arabinitol via the pentose phosphate pathway).

2. Pyruvate accumulation and thiamine (B1) deficiency.

Pyruvate is an intermediate in glucose metabolism, formed after glycolysis and is converted into acetyl-CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) for entry into the citric acid cycle.

The problem now is that acetaldehyde inhibits PDH by binding to its coenzyme A or thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) (*) sites and excess pyruvate is shunted to lactate production through lactate dehydrogenase.

(*)Acetaldehyde inactivates thiamine by binding to its active sites.

*Partly why a lot of people who have a candida overgrowth and start using thiamine as a pre-workout, anecdotally improve their endurance at the gym by 20-30-40%.

3. Urea cycle dysfunction (why a lot of people who have a candida overgrowth get severe headaches after supplementing glutamine without any magnesium or P5P (ammonia crosses the BBB)).

Candida can produce ammonia as a byproduct of amino acid metabolism and thus overwhelm the urea cycle, leading to accumulation of intermediates such as ornithine, citrulline or ammonia itself (the urea cycle detoxifies ammonia into urea via enzymes like carbamoyl phosphate synthetase and ornithine transcarbamylase).

4. Increased BBB (blood-brain-barrier) permeability. Acetaldehyde disrupts tight junction proteins such as occludin and claudin-5 in BBB endothelial cells, yet chronic BBB dysfunction is linked to neurodegenerative diseases and even multiple sclerosis.

5. Increased oxalic acid production (and absorption).

Oxalic acid is produced by Candida via the glyoxylate cycle, which converts carbohydrates into oxalates

Why is this a problem? Because oxalates overall can cause joint pain, insomnia, prostate issues, kidney issues, skin issues, brain fog, fatigue, hair loss, issues with eyesight and even affect autism and your blood vessels believe it or not.

How are they able to affect all these? Well, the easiest rabbit hole to go down to is how they can deplete glutathione.

There are simple papers you can read as well in general such as this: sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

We can go on and on when it comes to the problems that a Candida overgrowth can create.

Candida for example can release so much acetaldehyde and thus salsolinol all the way to making someone experience symptoms of anhedonia.

Now when it comes to diagnostic tools for the things we just talked about (1->5) we have:
-Urine D-arabinitol/L-arabinitol ratio
-Serum D-arabinitol
-Blood lactate
-Urine organic acid test
-Erythrocyte transketolase activity
-Urine oxalate
-Plasma ammonia
-GSH/GSSG ratio

Oxidative stress is a very important but far more complicated topic than the average person is made to believe.

Here's what you need to know.
Thread🧵


*Standard disclaimer that this does not constitute medical advice*

Oxidative stress is characterized by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can induce mitochondrial DNA mutations, damage the mitochondrial respiratory chain, alter membrane permeability, and influence Ca2+ homeostasis and mitochondrial defense systems.

Calcium homeostasis refers to the maintenance of a constant concentration of calcium ions in the extracellular fluid.

It includes all of the processes that contribute to maintaining calcium at its “set point.”

Because plasma [Ca2+] rapidly equilibrates with the extracellular fluid, ECF [Ca2+] is kept constant by keeping the plasma [Ca2+] constant.

Miracle supplement for high cholesterol and blood pressure revealed.

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

It's George.

Plenty of people, once they hit 40-50 get on statins and since they have plenty of side effects, some of them start searching for other solutions (usually OTC supplements).

But the problem is that even though certain supplements can in fact help, high LDL overall is not caused by "one thing" so there's no one-size-fits-all magic supplement.

When it comes to LDL, it all begins with the synthesis of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the liver.

In hepatocytes, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) loads apoB-100 with triglycerides, cholesterol esters, and phospholipids in the endoplasmic reticulum, forming nascent VLDL.

Each VLDL particle contains:

-One molecule of apolipoprotein B-100

-Triglycerides (50–60%)

-Cholesterol esters (20–25%)

-Chospholipids

-Smaller apolipoproteins like apoC and apoE

So the liver uses VLDL particles to transport triglycerides and cholesterol to peripheral tissues for example.

Most people still don't truly understand the impact of thyroid dysfunction.

The thyroid gland directly communicates with the brain, the pituitary, the parathyroid, the pancreas, the liver, the adrenal glands, the intestinal system and much more.

You already know this to be true if you are suffering from any type of thyroid dysfunction but here's an example i always try to mention.

Let's suppose that you want to lose weight, well in order to put in perspective how much the thyroid gland affects our metabolism, resistance training which is promoted as one of the best tools to increase BMR, can only lead to a 10% increase (which is still great).

Now here's what's fascinating, untreated hypothyroidism can lead to a BMR that's even 40% below normal and an even 50mcg of T3 day can increase BMR by even 30% in some cases.

You can also look into for example how T3 influences the tight junctions, how it upregulates the LDL-receptor, how it helps with the release of bile or even how it facilitates the production of lactase in the intestinal tract so thyroid dysfunction could even make you react badly to dairy.

In some studies, up to 90.5% of depressed people have subnormal T3 levels.

So thyroid dysfunction could lead to things such as:
-A variety of gut issues
-Severe fatigue
-Hair loss
-Depression
-High LDL
-Insulin resistance/metabolic dysfunctions
-Low libido
-Low testosterone
and more.

Here's how you can support its function.
Thread🧵
*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It's George.
Let's start with the basics.

The thyroid gland is a 2-inch-long gland that weighs less than 1 ounce and is located in the front of the neck below the larynx.

It has two lobes, one on each side of the windpipe which leads to its “butterfly” shape.

The thyroid is one of the glands that make up the endocrine system.

The glands of the endocrine system produce and store hormones and release them into the bloodstream.

The hormones then travel through the body and direct the activity of the body’s cells.

The thyroid gland makes two thyroid hormones:

-Triiodothyronine (T3)
and
-Thyroxine (T4)

Every video and blog post about hair loss says the same things.

So, here's a summary of the MOST effective strategies you can use to manage premature hair loss and gray hair that don't have dangerous side effects.

Master thread🧵

Disclaimer: The sooner you start implementing these once you notice these issues, the better your results will be.
*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should not be used as a substitute for medical advice*

Now let's start by stating the following: there's no "one thing" that causes all types of hair loss all the time.

Sorry.

It's a myth capitalized to sell whatever magic solution is trending at the time.

Hair loss is driven by a complex interplay of genetics, hormones, certain lipid compounds, environmental factors and a few more things that we discuss in this thread.

So let's check them out.

***Gut health masterclass***
If you are struggling with gut issues such as:
-Bloating
-Constipation
-IBS
-Leaky gut
-SIBO
-SIFO
-Candida

Here's the ultimate plan for improving them and repairing your gut once and for all.

Thread🧵
*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice and that plenty of people will not have to apply all of these in order to experience improvements*

When it comes to our health, everything starts from and depends on the gut.

From low testosterone, histamine intolerance, depression, chronic fatigue, ED and skin problems, all the way to hair loss, optimizing ones gut health is a non-negotiable step in improving any health issue that he might want to.

Our gut is connected to every single one of the organs in the human body, so it's fair to say that everything is affected by a great part from it.

You know this to be true if you've ever struggled with a gut issue but in case you haven't and are skeptical about this claim, you can check out these 3 basic studies (one for the skin, one for the immune system and one for testosterone):

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC79…
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC49…
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC76…

Melatonin is what expensive anti-ageing supplements want (and pretend) to be.

This 3.5 billion-year-old molecule is the ultimate insurance policy of the human body.

It:
-Prevents and helps treat hair loss.
-Controls mitochondrial oxidative stress (broad-spectrum antioxidant that's 10 times stronger than vitamin C).
-Prevents migraines and protects the brain.
-Has anti-cancer properties via Warburg reversal.
-Regulates gut motility, protects the mucosal barrier and modulates the gut microbiota.
-Inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokines like TNF-a and interleukins.
-Protects the immune system and enhances immune surveillance (it even prevents thymic atrophy).
-Regulates key inflammatory signaling pathways.
-Controls CRs.
-Reduces hypertension and improves endothelial function.
and does so much more.

Here's what you need to know.
Thread🧵
*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It's George.

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.

Understanding the topic of mitochondria is probably the best thing you can do if you want to improve your health.

After all, mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a host of health conditions ranging from chronic fatigue, low testosterone, depression, bipolar disorders, low testosterone and neurodegenerative diseases all the way to cardiovascular issues, diabetes and even sleep apnea.

Now, what are mitochondria?

Mitochondria are subcellular organelles that likely originated from ancient α-proteobacteria engulfed by eukaryotic cells.

These organelles produce the vast majority of cellular energy through adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is needed to power every cell's biochemical reactions.

They also modulate processes like cell signaling, calcium homeostasis and apoptosis.

So it’s really no wonder that mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in a host of health conditions.

When it comes to the structure of these double-membrane organelles, it’s a good idea to be aware of the following.

We have the:

-Outer membrane that is highly permeable due to porins such as voltage-dependent anion channels that allow small molecules and ions to pass freely.

-Inner membrane that is less permeable, with selective transporters, that houses the electron transport chain (ETC) and ATP synthase.

-Intermembrane space that is the region between the membranes.

This one is enriched with protons during ATP synthesis, creating a gradient essential for energy production through chemiosmosis.

-Mitochondrial matrix that is the innermost compartment, containing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), 70S ribosomes and enzymes for metabolic pathways like the Krebs cycle.

Now let’s dive a bit deeper into their main functions.

Let's start with ATP production.

Our cells require, well, energy in order to run properly.
Mitochondria produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation in the ETC.

How?

In a nutshell, electrons from NADH (complex I) and FADH₂ (complex II) pass through complexes III and IV, pumping protons into the intermembrane space. The resulting proton gradient drives ATP synthase to convert ADP and inorganic phosphate (Pi) into ATP.

If you have no idea what these are, ATP production happens primarily through three stages:

-Glycolysis (happens in the cytoplasm)
-The citric acid cycle (or the Krebs cycle (happens in the mitochondrial matrix))
-Oxidative phosphorylation (happens across the mitochondrial inner membrane)

Glycolysis is anaerobic (no oxygen needed) and takes one glucose molecule breaks it into two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules through a 10-step enzymatic process (glucose gets two phosphates added whcich uses 2 ATP and gives us fructose-1,6-bisphosphate which splits into dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, then the former also converts to G3P, so we get two G3Ps and each one is then oxidized (loses electrons to NAD⁺ and forms 2 NADH (these basically “carry” energy)).

Finally phosphates are transferred to ADP making 4 ATP total (only 2 were used). After some shuffling, you’re left with 2 pyruvate.

Now, we take these 2 pyruvate molecules and each one is converted to acetyl-CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase. This process releases CO₂ and generates 2 NADH.

For each acetyl-CoA, the following happens: Acetyl-CoA and oxaloacetate get together to form citrate which reshuffles into isocitrate, then isocitrate loses CO₂ and electrons, forming α-ketoglutarate and 1 NADH.

Now that the first oxidation is done, we move to the second one were α-Ketoglutarate drops another CO₂, yielding succinyl-CoA and 1 NADH. Now in this critical step, succinyl-CoA transfers a phosphate to GDP (making GTP, which converts to 1 ATP).

The oxidations don’t stop here and succinate becomes fumarate (1 FADH₂), then malate, then oxaloacetate (1 NADH), completing the loop.

And we can finally talk about oxidative phosphorylation and its two parts, the electron transport chain (ETC) and chemiosmosis. The first one is a series of protein complexes (I-IV) and carriers (ubiquinone, cytochrome c) embedded in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

NADH is used in Complex I and FADH₂ in Complex II.

Ubiquionone also plays a critical role (Complex I → Ubiquinone (Q) → Complex III → Cytochrome c → Complex IV and at Complex IV, electrons combine with O₂ and H⁺ to form deueterium depleted H₂O (oxygen is the final electron acceptor).

In some texts, you will find that metabolic reactions such as converting pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, the citric acid cycle and pyruvic oxidation are mentioned on top of ATP production so here's some further analysis in these for the ones interested.

Pyruvic acid is the simplest of the alpha-keto acids, with a carboxylic acid and a ketone functional group.

The conjugate base, CH3COCOO−, is an intermediate in several metabolic pathways throughout the cell.

Pyruvic acid can be made from glucose through glycolysis, converted back to carbohydrates (such as glucose) via gluconeogenesis, or to fatty acids through a reaction with acetyl-CoA.

It can also be used to construct the amino acid alanine and can be converted into ethanol or lactic acid via fermentation.

It supplies energy to cells through the citric acid cycle (the Krebs cycle) when oxygen is present (aerobic respiration) and alternatively ferments to produce lactate when oxygen is lacking.

In pyruvic oxidation, we are starting with a molecule of pyruvate which has 3 carbons.

Then, we’ll make a molecule of acetyl by dropping a carbon and the carbon that is lost will be lost as a molecule of CO2.

All of these carbon atoms have high energy electrons in their orbitals.

NAD will take the electron that became available through the above process for us to utilize and since it now has an electron on it, it becomes NADH.

So NADH is the product and NAD the reactant.

Now acetyl’s destination is the mitochondria. In order for this to happen, CoA will bind to acetyl and is going to produce acetyl-CoA which can now be accepted by the membrane of the mitochondria and now we can start the next step which is the citric acid cycle.

So, pyruvic acid supplies energy to cells through the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) when oxygen is present (aerobic respiration), and alternatively ferments to produce lactate when oxygen is lacking.

A pyruvate carboxylase deficiency, will cause lactic acid to accumulate in the blood, it can damage the body's organs and particularly the nervous system.

In aerobic conditions, the process converts one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate (pyruvic acid), generating energy in the form of two net molecules of ATP.

Four molecules of ATP per glucose are actually produced, but two are consumed as part of the preparatory phase.

The initial phosphorylation of glucose is required to increase the reactivity (decrease its stability) in order for the molecule to be cleaved into two pyruvate molecules by the enzyme aldolase.

During the pay-off phase of glycolysis, four phosphate groups are transferred to ADP by substrate-level phosphorylation to make four ATP, and two NADH are produced when the pyruvate is oxidized.

The overall reaction can be expressed this way:
Glucose + 2 NAD+ + 2 Pi + 2 ADP → 2 pyruvate + 2 H+ + 2 NADH + 2 ATP + 2 H+ + 2 H2O + energy

Starting with glucose, 1 ATP is used to donate a phosphate to glucose to produce glucose 6-phosphate.

Glycogen can be converted into glucose 6-phosphate as well with the help of glycogen phosphorylase.

During energy metabolism, glucose 6-phosphate becomes fructose 6-phosphate. An additional ATP is used to phosphorylate fructose 6-phosphate into fructose 1,6-bisphosphate by the help of phosphofructokinase.

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate then splits into two phosphorylated molecules with three carbon chains which later degrades into pyruvate.

Modern life is quietly sabotaging your immune system.

From spike protein pathology, redox collapse and thymic involution that shrink and starve your naive T-cell factory, all the way to heavy metal exposure, nutrient deficiencies, gut dysbiosis and much more, the list of things that harm our immune system is endless.

So here's how you can build a resilient immune system in a toxic world.

Thread🧵

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

It's George.
First and foremost, when we read the words “immune system”, it should be somewhat obvious that we are talking about a network of organs, tissues, special cells and so on that all work together instead of just “one thing”.

The main parts of the immune system are the:
● Bone marrow
● White blood cells
● Thymus
● Antibodies
● Complement system
● Lymphatic system
● Spleen
● Skin

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.

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

Not only that but most people ignore the warning signs of harmed cardiovascular function like fatigue, an out-of-range lipid profile, high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and even hair loss.

So in this thread i'd like to share with you some key insights when it comes to having a healthy heart🧵 *Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*.

Now for the ones wondering how the symptoms menitoned in the top post can be related to poor cardiovascular health, here are some basic explanations.

Unexplained tiredness during physical activity for example, may signal impaired oxygen delivery caused by endothelial dysfunction or early heart failure, which reduces blood flow to muscles.

Then ED often reflects impaired nitric oxide production, which restricts blood flow to your johnson and other organs.

In fact ED is a predictor of coronary artery disease, often preceding symptoms by 2–5 years.

The same people who get:
-Full-blown depression
-Intense fatigue
-Gut issues
-Brain fog
-Skin issues
and more during the winter, will somehow tell you that the sun is bad for you.

Make it make sense.

Here's the deal, proper sunlight exposure is one of the most proven ways to:
-Improve your mental health
-Improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
-Support the immune system
-Improve thyroid function and metabolic health
-Prevent autoimmune diseases
-Prevent muscle waste
-Lower mortality risk
-Improve hair loss
-Improve low libido
-Treat chronic fatigue
-Improve low testosterone
-Improve calcium absorption
-Improve skin conditions such as acne and eczema
-Improve gut issues, whether that's called general "bloating", IBS or a pathogen overgrowth
and much more.

The sun by itself won't kill you.
Many ancient civilizations, if not all of them, worshiped the sun.

Ancient Egyptians had Ra, the sun God and was associated with primal life-giving energy.

Ra, embodied the power of the sun but was also thought to be the sun itself, envisioned as the great God riding in his barge across the heavens throughout the day and descending into the underworld at sunset.

As he made his way through the darkness beneath the earth, he was attacked nightly by the giant serpent Apophis (also known as Apep) who tried to prevent the sun from rising and so destroy all life on earth.

In Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun, embodying its radiant energy.

The Romans worshipped Sol, their sun god, who shared many traits with Helios.

"Weird stories George" you might think, but pause and think some basic facts for a moment.

Sunlight drives the foundation of Earth’s food chain, producing oxygen and energy for nearly all life forms.

It shapes climates, seasons and ecosystems, dictating everything from plant growth to animal behavior.

Without the sun, everything will die.
Period. The end.

Every plant, every animal and every human being will stop existing in a matter of weeks.

Sun is what allows growth to happen on this planet.

Despite these, what are people told these days?
"The sun is bad". "The sun will give you cancer".

But let's examine this topic from the ground up for one time.

First of all, what is light?
Light is a type of electromagnetic wave and thus, it comes in a spectrum (X-rays, radio waves and microwaves are other kinds of electromagnetic radiation).

Of course, not all wavelengths are visible and we can only see the ones between 400nm and 700nm (red light has the longest wavelength and violet light the shortest).

Some characteristics of light include:
-Wavelength (some of it is visible and the some invisible as we said)
Notes:
1. Wavelength= distance from one crest to the next.
2. Short wavelength = lots of carried energy.
3. Long wavelength = not so much.
-Frequency
-Color temperature
-Flux
-Lumen (lm)
-Lux (lx)
You can also partly (oversimplification) view this as photon density (a subatomic particle that some people here call stuff such as a quantum unit).

We will start, by breaking down the spectrum and we will classify it based on wavelength.

Number 1: Ultraviolet (100-400 nm (so it's not visible))
There are three main types of UVR.
1. UVC (100-280nm) (Absorbed by the ozone layer)
2. UVB (280 - 315 nm). (Epidermis)
3. UVA (315-400 nm). (Dermis)

Ultraviolet radiation has been blamed for a lot of trouble but is this true?

Well, first of all, UV radiation was one of the main drivers of evolution.

A good starting book on this topic is the origins of order.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25803468/

Then, without UVB the synthesis of sulfated vitamin D can not be stimulated and this is a big deal since we can only cover maybe ½ of our vitamin D needs from food (at the very very very very best).

This is not a small deal since as i like to say, it is impossible for a health issue to be resolved or decently improved if a person has suboptimal vitamin D levels.

It is impossible for us to have a healthy immune system, healthy bones, a healthy hormonal profile (testosterone and androgens in general, thyroid hormones, insulin, progesterone, leptin (to be fair though, since this (leptin) is related to adiponectin, this only happens when a person reaches >50ng/dl from what most research indicates) etc), a healthy liver, great levels of energy, great muscle recovery, great libido, healthy skin, healthy kidneys, a healthy gut, a healthy heart and in general be healthy without the help of vitamin D since it controls over 1000 genes through its receptor.

It is also impossible for example to solve any gut or skin issue if a person has low levels of vitamin D.

The easiest way to explain both (gut and skin related) is through the vitamin D–cathelicidin pathway which is very fascinating.

You can obviously dial the research down more by looking into the caludin-2 and 12 relationship since regarding gut issues, IBD is an issue that a lot of people suffer with.
TLDR: Changes regarding claudin 2 are associated with many gut issues such as IBD for example.

But that’s a direct target of the vitamin D receptor (claudin 5 , 12 and 15 are as well).

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26212084/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35406694/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35338345/

Another neglected fact in my opinion is that the VDR (vitamin D receptor) is crucial for helping various steps during the detoxification of xenobiotics (and we are bombarded with enormous amounts).

We also need vitamin D in order for the other fat soluble vitamins to be able to do their jobs properly.

The most fascinating example of this, probably is how when vitamin D is paired with vitamin E it can help out with sodium fluoride induced toxicity in the reproductive system of male rabbits.

Got high blood pressure? Well, you will need vitamin D.

Want to have a healthy brain and increase NGF plus BDF? Well you need vitamin D paired with exercise.

Not only that but vitamin D is crucial for dopaminergic neurogenesis and differentiation.

Do you want to enhance insulin sensitivity by stimulating the expression of insulin receptors? Well you need vitamin D.

Do you want to be fertile? Well then remember that the CYP2R1, CYP27B1 and CYP24A1 enzymes are affected by vitamin D.

Do you want a good night of sleep? Then remember that the production of melatonin is affected by vitamin D.

Got histamine issues? Then remember that without enough vitamin D, mast cells and basophils will get activated quite a lot.

You the idea and the fact that the list is truly endless.

So, ultraviolet radiation, IS, important and since it might not always be present, making sure that we expose ourselves to it (there’s a safe tan guide later) makes it even more crucial.

But that’s not all, UVB stimulates the synthesis of melanin which will be discuss in detail later and even the synthesis of beta endorphins.

It’s also crucial for neurotransmitter health through the impact that it has on aromatic amino acids among other things with a benzene ring.

If we want to have a healthy intracutaneous and cHPA axis we NEED UVR.

Also keep in mind that UVB can also upregulate the expression of MC1R and is also crucial for glucosteroidogenesis.

Again, these and many other effects are INDEPENDENT of vitamin D production.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20308557/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22854622/

In fact it is UVR is so crucial that when the eyes of mice (just the eyes) were exposed to UVB ithe serum levels of α-MSH, b-endorphin, ACTH, CRH, and urocortin 2 increased a few hours later.

But how about UVA? It is very true that for the things mentioned (b-endorphins for example), UVB has a bigger impact, BUT, a “medium dose” of UVA1 (340-400 nm) has been shown to improvie atopic dermatitis and scleroderma.

In general, UVA supports the release of nitric oxide which is partly why sunlight has cardiovascular benefits that are independent from vitamin D.

And vasodilation is not a small thing either. Excessive vasoconstriction can lead to headaches, migraines, fatigue, eyesight issues and even exacerbate the healing of scars and even hair loss.


"Half of these are irrelevant because i can just use a vitamin D supplement".

That's false.
No pill will ever be able to replace the effects that sunlight has on our bodies.

The idea that increasing vitamin D levels through supplements is the same as increasing them through sunlight is still quite common but profoundly false.

Here are two studies as an example:

1. Increasing vitamin D levels through sunlight led to a decrease in LDL-C, HDL-C, TC but supplements did NOT lower LDL-C. 2.

2. 48.8% of acne patients had vitamin D deficiency (control had 22.5%), and supplementing vitamin D didn’t do almost anything.

Also, our body tightly regulates vitamin D synthesis from UVB exposure.

This is not the case with pills.

There’s a limit to how much vitamin D we can produce.

Once we make 10-20KIUs from sunlight, extra UVB breaks down the excess previtamin D3 into inactive stuff like lumisterol and tachysterol.

*There's also one for melanoma.

But let's move on.
Number 2: Violet light (400 nm - 450 nm)

This is one is pretty interesting regarding myopia, NO homeostasasis and stimulating TLR, it also affects antimicrobial peptides.

Number 3: Green light (490 nm - 560 nm)

What's really cool with green light is that it can help people with migraines and stimulate angiogenesis.

Number 4: Blue light (450 nm - 490 nm).
This in isolation (nnEMF) is evil, especially during the night/past sunset as we will soon see.

But when it's present in the sunlight (EMF) is needed in order to regulate our CR since it is the primary environmental cue (zeitgeber) for the SCN.

Now artificial blue light after the sunset harms our health through several mechanisms:

1. Suppression of melatonin production

Blue light, especially at ~480 nm, activates melanopsin, a photopigment in intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs) in the retina.

Melanopsin signals to the SCN, which inhibits melatonin production by the pineal gland.

Melatonin, often called the “hormone of darkness,” is critical for signaling nighttime and promoting sleep.

Even dim light (1.5 lux) can suppress melatonin, but artificial blue light from screens and LEDs (often 100–1000 lux) has a far stronger effect and evening exposure to blue light can reduce melatonin levels by 50–80% within hours.

This delays the onset of sleep, shortens sleep duration, and disrupts the circadian phase, leading to misalignment of biological processes.

Why is this a problem?
Because reduced melatonin impairs sleep quality, increases oxidative stress, disrupts glucose metabolism, harms our immune system, cardiovascular health and more.

2. Blue light stimulates the SCN to promote alertness by increasing cortisol, vasopressin, vasoactive intestinal peptide and so on.

This mimics the effect of morning sunlight, signaling to the body that it’s daytime, even at night a nd disrupts the natural diurnal rhythm of cortisol, which should peak in the morning and decline by evening.

This misalignment also affects peripheral clocks, causing issues like irregular appetite and digestive problems such as low gastric motility.

3. Unlike sunlight, which contains a balanced spectrum of wavelengths (UV, blue, green, red, near-infrared), artificial blue light sources emit a narrow, high-intensity band of blue light without the protective effects of red or near-infrared light.

So it lacks these counterbalancing wavelengths, leading to cellular stress.

For example, blue light increases ROS in retinal cells, contributing to photoreceptor damage.

But once again, getting natural blue light first thing in the morning is crucial for our CR.

*If you are not aware of what CR is, it stands for circadian rhythms.

These are 24-hour cycles that are part of the body’s internal clock (one example is the sleep-wake cycle).

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

Number 5: Yellow/orange light (560 nm - 630 nm)

This is the perfect example regarding why we need to get full spectrum sunlight since it greatly mitigates the ROS produced by UVR, can lower triglycerides and it even helps us with the expression of type 1 collagen.

Number 6: Red light (630 nm - 700 nm) + NIR (700nm-3000nm).

These two quite literally are the jack of all trades regarding light.

They help with almost everything:
-Recovery
-EZ water expansion
-Skin health
-Blood sugar regulation
-Mitigating UVR damage
-ATP upregulation

And of course, we didn't even mention the benefits of POMC and melanin.

We have 3 main types of melanin:
-Eumelanin
-Pheomelanin
-Neuromelanin

All 3 are vary important for varies reasons.

From protecting our skin from UV, binding metal ions, dopamine regulation, protecting our neurons, eyes and more.

Now when it comes to the key cleavage products of POMC we have:

1. Alpha-MSH (Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone)

This one is expressed mainly in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brainstem and stimulates melanocytes to produce eumelanin, inhibits pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, TNF-alpha, improves our libido (melanotan I and II Synthetic analogs of α-MSH), regulates our appetite, and supports our immune system and brain.

A quick note in order to understand how important these are, is that low alpha-MSH levels are observed in 85% of autoimmune patients and 90% of mold-exposed patients.

2. ACTH (Adrenocorticotropic Hormone).
This one is produced and secreted by the anterior pituitary gland and stimulates the adrenal cortex through MC2R to produce and release cortisol (just like all hormones, cortisol follows a circadian pattern and should peak in the morning).

3. Beta-Endorphin
This is mainly produced in the pituitary gland and as an endogenous opioid, it plays a key role in pain relief and reward systems.

4. Gamma-MSH (gamma-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone).

This is produced in the pituitary gland that primarily acts on melanocortin receptors (especially MC3R) in the brain and peripheral tissues, regulates cardiovascular function, aldosterone production in the adrenal glands and inflammation.

5. CLIP (Corticotropin-Like Intermediate Peptide) This is also produced by the pituitary gland and modulates insulin secretion by affecting beta cells and it might have have neuromodulatory effects.

I've studied, personally used and sold almost any supplement you can think of over the years.

One thing is for sure: Most people don't know how to use supplements effectively.

Here's how you can change this.
(Long) thread🧵
*Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

Note: This is about supplements indeed but if you do not get sunlight, exercise, eat whole foods, try to avoid vices such as excessive alcohol consumption and so on, then supplements will not save you.

Plenty of foods have more benefits than not only compared to the supplements at a low/medium price point but a very high as well.

If a supplement, had the history and benefits of kefir for example, it would sell a lot.

It’s just that you can only make so much profit from foods.

I can’t sell you for example a $30 bottle of kefir yet i can very easily sell someone a $30 bottle of probiotics.

The right supplements CAN be useful and maybe even life saving.

I am not dismissing them.
At all.

This is why we will talk about them.

This is just about having the right priorities.

Also, every single one of these supplements that are mentioned here will backfire for some people.

It's mathematically impossible not to.

If only 1.000 people read this and out of them 100 choose to use one, it's impossible for one of them to not react badly to it.

Does this fact make the supplement bad? No.
It makes it bad within a certain context.

Just as it's not ideal for people with histamine intolerance to eat aged cheeses, it kind of the same here.

Aged cheeses aren't that bad, but they are harmful within a certain context.

So, read the studies that are linked.

Point being, get educated on the topic of supplements in general and then just pick the ones that work for you.

Also, more contextual advice has been given in previous posts and threads so use the search function after reading this thread.

Now let's talk about how you can use supplements properly.

Here are some practical insights that will help you combat depression.

After all, even to this day, most of the things the average person knows about depression are incomplete and sometimes flat-out wrong.

For example:

-The best treatment for depression is SSRIs.
-Depression is something that you have no control over because of your "genetics".
-You should only focus on your psyche because your body is irrelevant.
-Your diet is irrelevant.
-There aren't any safe and effective lifestyle interventions and supplements that HAVE gone through clinical trials for depression and have not only been shown to work, but proven to be more effective than antidepressants.

and overall, there are still many misconceptions surrounding this topic that prevent people who experience it from recovering.

So let's clarify a few things.
Thread🧵 *Standard disclaimer that nothing in this thread should be used as a substitute for medical advice*

It's George.
First things first. Just because you are sad and dissatisfied with certain areas in your life, it does not mean that you are depressed.

In order for someone to meet the diagnostic criteria for unipolar depression (major depressive disorder (MDD)), he must have at least 5 of the following symptoms that also cause him significant distress (impairment in social, occupational and other areas of his life)

The symptoms include:

- Anhedonia: a diminished ability to experience pleasure, interest or motivation in previously enjoyable activities for an extended time period.

-Significant weight loss or gain (more than 5% of body weight in a month).

-Insomnia or hypersomnia.

-Psychomotor changes such as agitation.

-Severe fatigue.

-Excessive or inappropriate guilt or feelings of inadequacy.

-Serious trouble focusing, making decisions or remembering.

-Recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.

So if you don't have at least 5 of these symptoms, you might be mislabeling what you are feeling as depression.

If you've been told that there's nothing you can do about your migraines and that it's simply "genetic", you've been lied to.

Here are some things you need to know (underlying causes, safe tools that can help you etc).

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

Let's start with the potential causes.

Number 1: Low melatonin levels.

People who suffer from chronic migraines often have low melatonin levels.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19817880/
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18594760/

Now common things (common, not everything) that can cause one's melatonin levels to drop include:

1. Exposure to artificial blue light (especially after sunset) from sources such as LED lights, your laptop, PC, TV etc
2. Shift work
3. Sodium fluoride
4. Chronic stress
5. Medications such as NSAIDs, beta-blockers, some SSRIs 6. Stimulants (caffeine, nicotine etc)
7. Deficiencies in magnesium, zinc, B6, B12, B9, potassium, calcium that directly or indirectly (through methylation or pineal health for example) affect the production of melatonin (magnesium and B6 for example help with the conversion of tryptophan to melatonin)

So for starters, avoid these (get a pair of blue light blockers, get enough of the mentioned nutrients, take a break from stimulants etc).

🧵The story of sunlight revealed: Understanding myths and realities.🧵

Most people today are still being greatly misinformed and flat-out lied to about the so-called dangers of sunlight.

The reality is that proper sunlight exposure is one of the most proven ways to:
-Improve your mental health
-Improve insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
-Support the immune system
-Improve thyroid function and metabolic health
-Prevent autoimmune diseases
-Prevent muscle waste
-Lower mortality risk
-Improve hair loss
-Improve low libido
-Treat chronic fatigue
-Improve low testosterone
-Improve calcium absorption
-Improve skin conditions such as acne and eczema
-Improve gut issues, whether that's called general "bloating", IBS or a pathogen overgrowth
and much more.

Here's what you need to know to get rid of the misconceptions surrounding this topic once and for all.

Thread🧵


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

It's George.

Let's talk about the importance of sunlight today.

Many ancient civilizations, if not all of them, worshiped the sun.

Ancient Egyptians had Ra, the sun God and was associated with primal life-giving energy.

Ra, embodied the power of the sun but was also thought to be the sun itself, envisioned as the great God riding in his barge across the heavens throughout the day and descending into the underworld at sunset.

As he made his way through the darkness beneath the earth, he was attacked nightly by the giant serpent Apophis (also known as Apep) who tried to prevent the sun from rising and so destroy all life on earth.

In Greek mythology, Helios was the god of the sun, embodying its radiant energy.

The Romans worshipped Sol, their sun god, who shared many traits with Helios.

I've studied, used and sold almost any supplement you can think of over the years.

From using harmful supplements and choosing the wrong forms all the way to falling for smart marketing claims, most people do not know how to use supplements effectively.

Here's how you can change that to stop wasting your money and harming your health.

Thread 🧵


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

Note: This is about supplements indeed but if you do not get sunlight, exercise, eat whole foods, try to avoid vices such as excessive alcohol consumption and so on, then supplements will not save you.

Plenty of foods have more benefits than not only compared to the supplements at a low/medium price point but a very high as well.

If a supplement, had the history and benefits of kefir for example, it would sell a lot.

It’s just that you can only make so much profit from foods.

I can’t sell you for example a $30 bottle of kefir yet i can very easily sell someone a $30 bottle of probiotics.

The right supplements CAN be useful and maybe even life saving. I am not dismissing them. At all. This is why we will talk about them.

This is just about having the right priorities.

Also, every single one of these supplements that are mentioned here will backfire for some people.

It's mathematically impossible not to.

If only 1.000 people read this and out of them 100 choose to use one, it's impossible for one of them to not react badly to it.

Does this fact make the supplement bad? No.
It makes it bad within a certain context.

Just as it's not ideal for people with histamine intolerance to eat aged cheeses, it kind of the same here.

Aged cheeses aren't that bad, but they are harmful within a certain context.

So, read the studies that are linked.

Point being, get educated on the topic of supplements in general and then just pick the ones that work for you.

Also, more contextual advice has been given in previous posts and threads so use the search function after reading this thread.

Now let's talk about how you can use supplements properly.

It does not matter if you want to optimize testosterone, DHT, progesterone, insulin, DHEA or whatever.

Optimizing your hormones starts with implementing certain key lifestyle changes and not fancy supplements or anything similar.

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

Obviously you are probably already that our hormones control everything from how we think, feel and our energy levels all the way to our libido, immune system and mental clarity.

The only thing i'd like to mention before diving in this thread is that these lifestyle changes have way more data behind them than most fancy supplements.

So they are not only MORE effective than most supplements but also MORE backed up.

Having candida overgrowth is more problematic than most people think.

First and foremost, for the people who might be unaware of what candida even is, candida is a genus of yeast that includes close to 200 species not all of which are pathogenic.

These organisms are naturally found in and on the human body, particularly in the skin, nasal passages, digestive tract (mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine etc) and female reproductive system.

In small amounts, Candida species are typically harmless and may even play beneficial roles in the gut microbiome.

However, an overgrowth of certain pathogenic species, particularly Candida albicans, can lead to infections known as candidiasis, ranging from superficial issues like oral thrush to life-threatening systemic infections.

Overall, some potential signs and symptoms of Candida overgrowth include:

-Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, white coating on the tongue or gas (especially after eating carbs).

-Brain fog that, even though it might sound weird, it’s very similar to a low-grade hangover (since it releases acetaldehyde) which is experienced once again, especially after eating carbs.

-Blood sugar regulation issues.

-Intense sugar cravings.

-Athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, jock itch, oral thrush, bad breath, acne and eczema.

-Chronic fatigue.

-Frequent infections.

-Leaky gut.

-Developing more and more food intolerances.

Now, how can a candida overgrowth lead to these symptoms?

Here are some basic explanations.

First, it disrupts the balance of gut microbiota, reducing beneficial bacteria.

This leads to fermentation of undigested carbohydrates, producing gas and bloating by 2–3-fold as most studies suggest.

It also secretes aspartyl proteases and phospholipases, damaging the mucosal bilayer which can lead to bloating and general discomfort.

When it comes to the oral cavity, it forms biofilms creating a white coating on the tongue.

Then, it metabolizes sugars via fermentation, producing acetaldehyde, a toxic byproduct that crosses the blood-brain barrier and impairs neuronal function, causing brain fog, confusion, and a “hangover-like” feeling.

In animal models for example, candida-induced inflammation reduced cognitive clarity by 30%.

Candida also consumes glucose for growth and biofilm formation, causing fluctuations in blood sugar levels, especially after high-carb meals.

In diabetic patients for example, an ovegrowth led to a 2-fold increase in insulin resistance.

Regarding sugar cravings, candida albicans thrives on glucose and its overgrowth may signal the host to consume more sugars throygh gut-brain axis modulation of hormones that control our appetite such as ghrelin.

Many studies show that a Candida overgrowth increased sugar cravingsand ghrelin levels in 20–30% of patients.

Fatigue-wise, candida overgrowth triggers cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α, causing systemic inflammation that disrupts energy metabolism, the acetaldehyde impairs mitochondrial function, reducing ATP production, biofilms and mucosal damage impair nutrient absorption (especially when it comes to B vitamins and iron), which are critical for energy production.

Then, candida overgrowth overwhelms mucosal immunity, reducing IgA and phagocytic activity, increasing susceptibility to bacterial and fungal infections.

And finally when it comes to effects such as developing a leaky gut and food intolerances, the overgrowth degrades tight junction proteins such as occludin and ZO-1 (it’s shown to reduce ZO-1 expression by 40%), increasing intestinal permeability allowing toxins and antigens to leak into the bloodstream triggering immune responses and food intolerances (Candida-induced leaky gut has shown to lead to a 30% increase in food intolerances).


But the problems don't end here.

An overgrowth will also:

1. Increase D-Arabinitol.

Unlike L-arabinitol (produced by humans), D-arabinitol is specific to fungal metabolism.

D-arabinitol is a five-carbon sugar alcohol (polyol) produced by certain fungi, including Candida albicans and other Candida species, during carbohydrate metabolism (candida metabolizes glucose into D-arabinitol via the pentose phosphate pathway).

2. Pyruvate accumulation and thiamine (B1) deficiency.

Pyruvate is an intermediate in glucose metabolism, formed after glycolysis and is converted into acetyl-CoA by pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) for entry into the citric acid cycle.

The problem now is that acetaldehyde inhibits PDH by binding to its coenzyme A or thiamine pyrophosphate (TPP) (*) sites and excess pyruvate is shunted to lactate production through lactate dehydrogenase.

(*)Acetaldehyde inactivates thiamine by binding to its active sites.

*Partly why a lot of people who have a candida overgrowth and start using thiamine as a pre-workout, anecdotally improve their endurance at the gym by 20-30-40%.

3. Urea cycle dysfunction (why a lot of people who have a candida overgrowth get severe headaches after supplementing glutamine without any magnesium or P5P (ammonia crosses the BBB)).

Candida can produce ammonia as a byproduct of amino acid metabolism and thus overwhelm the urea cycle, leading to accumulation of intermediates such as ornithine, citrulline or ammonia itself (the urea cycle detoxifies ammonia into urea via enzymes like carbamoyl phosphate synthetase and ornithine transcarbamylase).

4. Increased BBB (blood-brain-barrier) permeability.

Acetaldehyde disrupts tight junction proteins such as occludin and claudin-5 in BBB endothelial cells, yet chronic BBB dysfunction is linked to neurodegenerative diseases and even multiple sclerosis.

5. Increased oxalic acid production (and absorption).

Oxalic acid is produced by Candida via the glyoxylate cycle, which converts carbohydrates into oxalates

Why is this a problem?

Because oxalates overall can cause joint pain, insomnia, prostate issues, kidney issues, skin issues, brain fog, fatigue, hair loss, issues with eyesight and even affect autism and your blood vessels believe it or not.

How are they able to affect all these?

Well, the easiest rabbit hole to go down to is how they can deplete glutathione.

There are simple papers you can read as well in general such as this:

sciencedirect.com/science/articl…

We can go on and on when it comes to the problems that a Candida overgrowth can create.

Candida for example can release so much acetaldehyde and thus salsolinol all the way to making someone experience symptoms of anhedonia.

Now when it comes to diagnostic tools for the things we just talked about (1->5) we have:

-Urine D-arabinitol/L-arabinitol ratio

-Serum D-arabinitol

-Blood lactate

-Urine organic acid test

-Erythrocyte transketolase activity

-Urine oxalate

-Plasma ammonia

-GSH/GSSG ratio