Copyright © 1996, 1997, 2001 by Galen Daryl Knight and VitaleTherapeutics, Inc.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

IN DISEASE

Since the vitaletheine modulators are phenomenally potent immune stimulants (as little as attograms/ml or femtograms/kg have biological activity), they probably occur naturally at only minute concentrations. This means that they are particularly vulnerable to  nutritional deficiencies, to metabolic imbalance, and to inactivation by environmental toxins.

Because of their potential impact upon our immune systems, chemical compounds that resemble certain nutritional substances may be among the most dangerous of the environmental pollutants; these analogues should be avoided until their safety has been firmly established. (Diesel fuel doesn't work well in gasoline cars, even though the two substances resemble each other somewhat, both physically and chemically.) Another way to think of chemical analogues of important natural compounds is as "keys" that will bind in the "lock" (or biological receptor), but not work in the "lock". It is of no small consequence that a presence in the lock (analogue) prevents the right "key" (or natural substance) from functioning. An example of this is the use of omega-methylpantothenic acid to block the utilization of pantothenic acid in man. This analogue, or a pantothenic acid deficiency (a lost key), prevents the usual antibody response to tetanus antigen, i.e., vaccination. Some analogues even can go one step further and bind chemically with the receptor, just as the wrong key can break off in the lock and prevent the "right key" from working until the "lock" is rebuilt or replaced.

Non-Nutritive Environmental Factors

"Natural" Does Not Always Mean "The Right Stuff"

The previous discussion about the importance of nutrition and hormones and of the problems associated with non-nutritive substances in the control of disease should not be construed as an unqualified endorsement of "natural" therapies. In addition to therapeutic substances, plants used as herbs and tonics often contain very toxic substances. For example, extracts of ginseng (considered by many to be a panacea) can be fatal if taken intravenously where its saponins or sapogenins (detergents) lyse blood cells. Aflatoxins, potent carcinogens produced by "natural" organisms growing on poorly stored grains and peanuts, are thought to be a major cause of liver cancer. If one also considers that the teleocidins and olivoretins (from the Streptomyces or Streptoverticillium Genus), lysergic acid (LSD from ergot), nicotine (from tobacco), phorbol esters (from Croton tiglium) and strychnine (from seeds of the Strychnos or Loganiaceae Genus) are all toxic "natural" substances one begins to understand just how dangerous our "natural" environment can be. Many of these and other natural toxins and mycotoxins are of particular concern for their negative effects upon immune function. Instead of placing blind faith in either camp, it may be wiser to be evenly vigilant in dealing with herbal, chemical, or drug analogues of important biological or nutritional substances; something close to, but not quite the "right stuff", can produce life-threatening side effects, complications, and health problems regardless of its source.

Coming Soon----When "Cl"eanliness Creates an unGodly Mess for Your Body.

Coming Soon----Unifying Theory of Chemical Carcinogenesis and Chemotherapy. "Sounds Presumptuous, Doesn't It?"

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