(Part I)

By John A. Allocca, Ph.D.

Nutrition normally deals with two mechanisms of transport. The first involves the absorption of nutrients into the bloodstream from the intestinal tract, and the second, which is critically essential, is the transport of nutrients into the cells.

Without activating membrane transport systems and biochemical pathways, a person will just be making expensive urine.

My orthomolecular reprogramming system helps to facilitate optimal nutrition by dealing with these mechanisms. To accomplish this, a user-friendly software program evaluates the status of the biochemical pathways through various blood and urine test results, and then it uses thousands of algorithms to analyze these pathways and make step-by-step recommendations to reprogram them.

The reproduction of damaged cells and DNA is the reason that the body ages, organs degrade and diseases begin. Accumulated toxins damage cells and DNA when detoxification systems do not adequately function. By measuring the body’s toxins and other biochemical parameters, the clinician can address the functioning of detoxification systems.

The Effects Of Toxicity

Toxins occur in the surrounding environment and are produced internally, and the body is designed to detoxify them, provided it has an appropriate supply of chemicals (nutrients). The detoxification process converts fat-soluble toxins to water-soluble toxins, which are excreted. If they are not converted and excreted, toxins accumulate in the body and eventually cause cellular DNA damage, aging and disease.

Non-toxic food can also affect body chemistry and produce toxins. High glycemic-index foods, such as sugar and starch, will stimulate the body to produce too much insulin and cholesterol, which leads to inflammation, constricted blood vessels, pain, acidosis and disease.

Acidosis is a condition whereby there is too much lactic acid in the cells, which eventually causes cellular and DNA damage. If the cell’s DNA is damaged and the programmed cellular self-destruction mechanism (apoptosis) is not functioning properly, and the immune system does not remove the cell, it will reproduce. The continued reproduction of these DNA-damaged cells becomes a cancerous tumor.

Actually, thousands of factors, including emotional stress, affect our body chemistry, and these are incorporated into the orthomolecular reprogramming software system, which contains more than 22,000 lines of algorithm coding. The program will produce a step-by-step plan to help the patient in making appropriate changes.

Antioxidants neutralize oxygen free radicals by giving up or sharing an electron. However, too many electrons can also cause problems. To address problems, you may need to answer questions, such as: What quantity of antioxidants should an individual take? How well does an individual’s detoxification systems function? How toxic is an individual’s liver and bowels? Is an individual’s p53 gene and apoptosis system active or suppressed? How is an individual’s immune system functioning? Does an individual have intestinal Candida albicans overgrowth, and what effects does it have? What is the status of an individual’s vitamin and mineral levels? What is an individual’s level of oxidative stress? How is an individual’s membrane transport system functioning?

These are some of the parameters that are analyzed by the orthomolecular model.

Sources Of Toxins And Energy Losses

Chemicals In Food: A great number of health problems can be attributed to a higher exposure to toxins than the body can detoxify. Toxicity from foreign chemicals (exotoxins) can cause damage to almost all organs of the body. Symptoms include fatigue, headaches, neurological disorders, chemical sensitivities, immune dysfunction and liver disorders. Food is often the main source of toxins. The food industry uses approximately 3,000 chemicals during processing and approximately 12,000 chemicals in food packaging materials. Pesticides are found in 90 percent of foods.

Endotoxins: In addition to external sources of toxins, the body also produces endotoxins, which result from digestion, immune system functions, emotional stress, food allergies and sensitivities, etc.

Candida Albicans Overgrowth: Candida albicans is a yeast-like fungi that is present in the stools, genitourinary tract, throat and skin of humans. An overgrowth of Candida albicans can produce lesions in the mouth, esophagus, genitourinary tract, skin, nails, bronchi, lungs, blood and other organs in individuals whose normal defense mechanisms may have been weakened by underlying diseases, antibiotic therapy, immunosuppressive agents or other factors.

Candida albicans normally resides in the intestinal tract, along with E. coli, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidus, Enterococci, Coliforms, etc., to aid in the digestion of food and the production of vitamins without causing harm, provided the bacteria and fungi are present in proper balance. The use of antibiotics and other bacteriostatic agents can destroy the bacterial flora of the intestinal tract without harming the yeast, Candida albicans. Without the presence of significant bacterial flora, Candida albicans can grow without control.

Once overgrowth of Candida albicans has occurred in the intestinal tract, it forms myceles, which are spike-like structures that allow it to penetrate the intestinal walls and enter the bloodstream. The intestinal wall becomes damaged from the myceles and holes in the wall remain. After entering the blood, Candida albicans causes an inflammatory immune system response (allergic reaction). Additionally, whole proteins and other large molecules can pass through the holes in the damaged intestinal walls, referred to as increased intestinal permeability or leaky gut syndrome, causing further allergic reactions to occur. It may take many years to repair the damage to the intestinal walls.

In the bloodstream, Candida albicans can mutate to a cell wall deficient form and "hide" from the normal immune system. In the cell wall deficient form, there are no or very few cell wall antigens to provoke an immune reaction with fever. It is possible to have systemic candidiasis for a lifetime if not properly managed. Candida albicans will eventually invade the tissues and organs of the body, creating disease and malfunctions of the various bodily systems. Candida albicans also produces toxic aldehyde compounds.

In addition to Candida albicans overgrowth, damage to the intestinal wall can occur from using non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.; HIV infection; Lyme disease; intestinal infection; intestinal dysboisis; maldigestion; malabsorption; alcoholism; aging; deficient IgA, giardiasis; ingestion of allergic foods; ingestion of offending chemicals; trauma; and endotoxima.

Anti-fungal drugs will only temporarily destroy the yeast in the bloodstream. After chronic use, anti-fungal drugs become ineffective.

Clinical symptoms include: abdominal bloating, intestinal gas, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, chemical sensitivities, food allergies, hypoglycemia, premenstrual tension, endometriosis, prostatitis, vaginitis, chronic dermatological infections or rashes, acne, inability to concentrate, frequent mood shifts, loss of memory, fatigue/lethargy, depression and a desire for refined carbohydrates or yeast-containing foods.

Allergic Reactions

The antigen-antibody system is like a lock and key. An appropriately coded key must be made to fit in and turn the lock cylinder. Upon entry of a foreign antigen, the lymphoid tissue macrophages phagocytize the antigen and then present it to adjacent lymphocytes. Those lymphocytes specific for that antigen enlarge and become lymphoblasts, and some differentiate to form plasmablasts, which are precursors to plasma cells.

The mature plasma cell then produces gamma globulin antibodies, which are secreted into the lymph and carried into the circulating blood. Some of the lymphoblasts form moderate numbers of new B lymphocytes similar to the original clone. They remain dormant in the lymphoid tissue and are called memory cells. Exposed to the same antigen, they will elicit a much more rapid response.

Antibodies are gamma globulins called immunoglobulins and composed of light and heavy polypeptide chains. Antibodies can inactivate an invader in several ways:

• Agglutination, in which multiple antigenic agents are bound together in a clump;

• Precipitation, in which the complex of soluble antigen and antibody becomes insoluble and precipitates;

• Neutralization, in which the antibodies cover the toxic sites of the antigenic agent; and

• Lysis, in which very potent antibodies directly attack membranes of cellular agents and cause them to rupture.

Allergic tendency is a phenomenon that is passed on genetically and characterized by large quantities of antibodies called reagins, or sensitizing antibodies. When the allergen enters the body, an allergen-reagin reaction takes place and subsequent allergic reaction. During the allergic reaction, mast cells and basophils burst, releasing histamine and other inflammatory chemicals.

Hay fever is the allergen-reagin reaction that occurs in the nose. Histamine is released in response and causes local vasodilation and capillary permeability.

Asthma is the allergen-reagin reaction that occurs in the bronchioles of the lungs, which causes spasm of the bronchiolar smooth muscles.

• IgA reactions occur on body surfaces and the gut.

• IgD reactions are minor.

• IgE (type I) reactions are immediate allergic reactions such as itching, hay fever and food allergies. There is an immediate release of histamine from the basophils.

• IgM, IgG (type II, III, IV) reactions activate primary antibodies to tag or neutralize invaders. Type II reactions consist of food immune reactions. Type III reactions are more subtle than Type II. Type IV reactions are often referred to as a delayed hypersensitivity reaction, which may take 3 to 4 days to appear and 3 to 4 days to disappear. In some cases, the reaction can last as long as 14 days. Only one molecule is required to start an immune reaction.

Allergic reactions may produce symptoms such as fatigue, depression, chronic dermatological infections or rashes, acne, abdominal bloating, intestinal gas, indigestion, constipation or diarrhea, chemical sensitivities, food allergies, hypoglycemia, premenstrual tension, endometriosis, prostatitis, vaginitis, inability to concentrate, frequent mood shifts, rheumatoid arthritis and loss of memory.

When a particular food stimulates an allergic reaction (inflammatory response), a certain amount of pain is produced. The brain detects this pain and produces endorphins, which are similar to narcotics, to eliminate the pain. If the food is consumed regularly, the body will crave that food because it leads to the production endorphins. Candida albicans overgrowth will cause cravings for breads, wheat, sugars, starches, and yeast-containing foods. These foods cause the Candida albicans to grow and stimulate allergic reactions.

If sleepiness occurs after a meal, it is usually from an allergic reaction to the food or because the food was improperly combined. A great deal of discipline is required to avoid these foods.

Congestive Bowel Toxicity

Congestive bowel toxicity can greatly increase the amount of endotoxins produced.

Often the bowel is ignored as being associated with health disorders. Constipation is such a widespread problem that laxatives are one of the highest selling classes of drugs in this country. Imagine having food sit on a table decaying for weeks, months and even years. What will happen if this food is eaten? This is analogous to food that remains in the large intestines for the same length of time. Many of the decayed materials and toxins get into the bloodstream and have an adverse effect on health.

Basically, the alimentary system is where digestion of food takes place. Food is broken down into smaller molecular particles that can be transmitted by the blood system to the various tissues and organs for the production of energy and cells. The large intestines and the colon eliminate undigested material.

The colon is about 5 feet long by 2-1/2 inches in diameter and consists of several sections: the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum. At the cecum is found the ileo-cecal valve, a sphincter which controls the flow from the small intestines. The colon has a smooth mucous lining with circular internal muscles and longitudinal external muscles. Chyme (undigested food, secretions from the liver, pancreas, small intestine and water) is passed through the ileo-cecal valve into the large intestines. Water is removed, reducing the chyme to a semi-solid consistency called feces. Peristalsis pushes the feces (70 percent water) through the large intestines to be eliminated from the body. Dehydration will slow the elimination process.

Bacterial action plays a major role in nutrition and digestion. Friendly bacteria synthesize valuable nutrients by digesting portions of the fecal mass. Vitamin K, portions of the B-complex, and other vitamins are produced. Any remaining proteins are broken down by the bacterial and fungal flora. Other bacterial by products include: indole, skatole, hydrogen sulfide, fatty acids, methane gas and carbon dioxide. The normal bacterial flora can easily be destroyed by antibiotics. They can be replenished with supplementation of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidus. Destruction of the bacterial flora in the intestinal tract can lead to Candida albicans overgrowth.

The time it takes for feces to be produced depends upon the amount of fiber and water content in the food. Bulkier feces travel faster because the bowel muscles can work on the material to move it. Soft, fiberless feces becomes very difficult for the colon to move. The longer it takes to move, the more water is absorbed, making the feces compacted, hard and difficult to eliminate. Laxatives increase the amount of liquid retained in the feces and act as a lubricant. Laxatives are often combined with substances that stimulate peristalsis. The body can easily become dependent on laxatives, destroying normal bowel function. Diarrhea (liquid feces) may be produced by excessive use of laxatives, nervous stress, infection or the presence of toxic substances.

There are many diseases of the colon including: adhesion (caused by inflammations and irritations to the bowel wall); ballooning (caused by backed-up feces); colitis and spastic bowel (irritable/overworked bowel which is highly associated with stress); diverticulosis (colon hernia caused by a diet lacking bulk or fiber); mucosal dysfunction (when the mucous lining becomes stagnant), stricture (narrowing of a passageway usually after colitis); and ulceration (due to irritation, abrasions, infections and toxic concentrations). The American Cancer Society stresses the importance of high-fiber diets to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Raw vegetables and fruits are best and fresh vegetable juice is excellent. White bread is very congestive and clogging.

Frequency of bowel movement does not accurately predict congestive bowel toxicity. An individual may move their bowels regularly, but may have material covering the lining of the colon (like a partially clogged water pipe).

Liver Toxicity

Detoxification takes place within the liver and within the cells. Most of the detoxification takes place within the liver. If the amount of nutrients that enter the liver and cells is less than the amount required to detoxify the toxin load, toxins will begin to accumulate leading to aging, organ degradation and disease.

If the liver does not detoxify toxins, they will accumulate in the liver. Excess toxins in the liver may enter the bloodstream and be transported throughout the body.

The liver is the major organ responsible for detoxifying toxins produced in the body and environmental toxins. To do this, it must have an adequate supply of nutrients. The liver excretes detoxified toxins into the bile system. The gallbladder is a sac that collects bile from the liver and discharges it into the intestinal tract through the bile duct. If a gallstone or an inflammation impairs the flow of bile through the bile duct, toxins will accumulate in the liver and re-enter the bloodstream.

In a 1978 study, Breneman found that the bile duct became inflamed from specific food allergies. This study revealed that subjects also had these food allergies, in the following percentages: Eggs (93), Pork (64), Onions (52), Fowl (34.8), Milk (24.7), Coffee (21.7), Oranges (19), Beans (14.5), Corn (14.5), Nuts (14.5), Apples (8.7), Tomatoes (0.7), Cabbages (5.8), Peanuts (4.3), Spices (4.3), Fish (2.9), Rye (1.5), Medications (20.3) and Other Substances (42).

The main symptoms of gallbladder problems include: right upper quadrant pain (just under the rib cage), which may radiate from front to back; headaches; light colored stool; headaches; and nausea.

[Note: This is an excerpt of an article on Dr. Allocca’s system, which is explained in detail on the Web site www.allocca.com.]

About the author: John A. Allocca, Ph.D., is a noted scientific researcher who specializes in biophysics, physiology and clinical nutrition. He has developed a biochemical/biophysical model of the human body and a computer program which analyzes conditions. Inquiries should be addressed to him at 19 Lorraine Court, Northport, NY 11768; call (631) 757-3919; fax (631) 757-3918; E-mail john@allocca.com.

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