Research on LDN (Low Dose Naltrexone) and Colostrum for Autoimmune Disorders
I’ve been asked many times to provide information regarding Low Dose Naltrexone for treating autoimmune disorders like Graves’ Disease and Hashimoto’s and specifically for lowering the thyroid antibodies which cause these disorders. So far, I didn’t know any reliable method for decreasing these antibodies. I knew only about Aloe Vera that it modifies the immune system response through an active substance called acemannan and acts as an immune system modulator. (Click on the link to find out more).
Now, there are 2 other methods I want to share with you. Please, have in mind that the information below should be considered for educational purposes only.
Low Dose Naltrexone
I personally never had experience with Low dose Naltrexone and to the best, I know it is used for the treatment of substance abuse disorders like alcoholism and opiate dependence. However, I decided to research this question in details and this is what I came up with:
Naltrexone is an opiate antagonist developed in the 1970s and approved by FDA back in 1985 for the treatment of alcohol and opiate dependence. “Antagonist” means that it is blocking the effect of a specific substance. In general, it helps people to stay off drugs and alcohol by reducing the body craving for alcohol; it helps people to maintain abstinence once they have quit the alcohol or opiates. The other brand names that it could be found under are Revia and Vivitrol. Usually, for the above purposes, 50 mg or higher of Naltrexone are prescribed by physicians to treat these conditions. This is not the “low dosage” recommended for autoimmune disorders. Of course, the drug itself will not cure the addiction but accompanied with psychotherapy and counseling it brings very satisfactory results.
However, recently there were some pilot studies suggesting that low dose Naltrexone (by low dose I mean between 1 mg and 4.5 mg, taken before bed) can be used for treating different autoimmune and other disorders, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Hashimoto’s disease, Crohn’s disease, fibromyalgia, arthritis, autism, Parkinson disease, Lupus, Hepatitis and many more. I will not go into details about these pilot studies; a pretty long list of all of them is presented on the following website: www.lowdosenaltrexone.org.
It looks to me that “one drug can cure all”. Have in mind, that most of the listed studies are placebo-controlled and clinical trials, and to the best I know this drug is not officially approved by FDA to treat the above-mentioned conditions. But, as I advised by some clients, their doctors prescribed them LDN for the treatment of their autoimmune disorder, specifically Graves’ disease.
I believe that more research is needed to make such high claims, especially as we know that any drug, regardless of the dose, has certain side effects. The typical side effects for Naltrexone are troubles sleeping (which may increase for Graves’ disease patients who suffer anyway from insomnia); it may affect the liver function, it may cause chest pain, confusion, blurred vision (for those who have Thyroid eye disease as well), itching and shortness of breath, to name a few. I don’t know if the low doses cause such side effects.
How does this medication work? Practically, it increases the endorphins, which are responsible for the “feeling of happiness” and are natural pain reducers. Endorphins, to my humble opinion, can be increased by few other means, they just don’t come in pills: meditation, sex, spicy foods, exercise, good music, laughing, and let’s not forget the chocolate and glass of good wine, and not in that particular order.
While I know how difficult could be to battle with an autoimmune disease, not just Graves’ disease or Hashimoto’s disease, and how many people are desperate to find that cure, I would suggest considering other options as well (see below). But by all means, if you consult your doctor and he agrees to put you on a Low Dose Naltrexone, why not consider it? I have to be honest that some of my subscribers and Facebook members report some good results. But as a “naturalist”, I just can’t dismiss that feeling that this is another campaign of the Big Pharma to promote more and more drugs. So, proceed with caution…
Colostrum: The Natural Healing Medicine
While writing about the benefits of one medication, I just cannot avoid giving you some equally important information about a natural product, about which I was advised by one of my subscribers, and accordingly conducted my very diligent research. It’s called Colostrum (well known as beestings or first milk), or Bovine Colostrum (which is the same, but from cows and totally acceptable to be used by humans). Recent research shows that some substances, found in the Colostrum may benefit people suffering from different autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, Addison’s disease and diabetes Type 1. While Graves’ disease is not specifically mentioned, it falls in the same group of autoimmune diseases. Since this is the “first milk”, it contains immune components that strengthen the immune system of the newborns, reduces the inflammation responses and has anti-inflammatory properties. The main components immunoglobulin and lactoferrin are found to help viruses and bacteria in the body and restore the human immune system (disoriented or insufficient with many autoimmune disorders).
Colostrum is also found by researchers to naturally help the growth and repair of intestinal tissue, as with leaky gut syndrome and celiac disease. Colostrum seems to be the “Nature’s Healing Miracle”, according to medical doctor Donald Henderson. This is one reason that you may consider it if you have this type of problems.
http://www.dravard.com/colostrum.htm
While I am not advocating for either one of the above methods, use your own judgment when trying different products, pharmaceutical or natural.
I’ll also appreciate if any has any experience with any of the above-mentioned products to leave a comment either on my blog or on my Facebook page so other people can read it as well.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Graves-Disease-Cure/108552104493
Or my Blog:
http://gravesdiseasecure.wordpress.com/