By: Annesse Brockley & Kristin Urdiales

Patient Example: “I used to be able to easily tackle my to-do lists, but now I struggle with strange anxiety and a lack of motivation, even when it comes to simple tasks like making a phone call.”

One of the most pervasive and persistent symptoms of autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is low motivation. For example, the number one symptom reported by those suffering with thyroid dysfunction in a recent poll was low motivation to start and complete tasks.

Why do Patients with Autoimmune Disease, Fibromyalgia and CFS Often Feel Unmotivated?

Patients with autoimmune disease, fibromyalgia, and CFS lack dopamine, which is the neurotransmitter associated with motivation and task completion…read more at: http://www.sciencedaily.com/rele…/2013/01/130110094415.htm

Additional Symptoms of Low Dopamine

• Stiff, rigid, achy muscles

• Cognitive impairment

• Impaired motor skills

• Tremors

• Inability to focus attention

• Poor balance and coordination

Why Do Patients with Autoimmune Disease, Fibromyalgia, and CFS Lack Dopamine?

Patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia lack the enzymes required for dietary protein digestion – protease and DNase 1. A lack of these enzymes leads to a lack of essential amino acids (essential amino acids are found in high protein foods).

The essential amino acid phenylalanine and the amino acid tyrosine, which is derived from phenylalanine, are needed to produce dopamine (phenylalanine>tyrosine>dopamine).

Lack of Phenylalanine, Tyrosine, and Dopamine in Patients With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Autoimmune Disease

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)

In the following study the researchers found significant decreases in the essential amino acid phenylalanine (from which tyrosine and dopamine are derived) along with other essential amino acids and concluded their findings indicated a significant disturbance to amino acid metabolism in patients with CFS:

These are not isolated findings. The researchers stated that the majority of studies, including their investigation, have noted reductions in urine and plasma amino acid levels in patients with CFS compared with healthy controls.

Hematologic and urinary excretion anomalies in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Niblett, S.H., et. al. 2007. Exp Biol Med 232(8):1041-9.

Significant decreases in phenylalanine… the branch chain amino acids…These findings indicated significant disturbance to amino acid and nitrogen metabolism and homeostasis…”

In the following study the researchers concluded that tyrosine (derived from phenylalanine and the precursor to dopamine) was significantly lower in patents with CFS:

Chronic fatigue syndrome: new evidence for a central fatigue disorder.

Georgiades E, et. al. 2003 Aug;105(2):213-8.

“…levels of tyrosine, the rate-limiting dopaminergic precursor, were significantly lower at all time points in the CFS patients…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12708966

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Patients with RA also lack the amino acids needed to produce dopamine. For example, in the following study the researchers found low levels of tyrosine in patients with RA:

Amino-acid content of serum in rheumatoid arthritis.

Nettelbladt, E., B.M. Sandell. 1963. Ann. Rheum. Dis. 22, 269.

“…Low concentrations of arginine, glutamine, tyrosine, and histidine were found in rheumatoid arthritis…”

Thyroid Disease

In addition to being the precursor to dopamine, phenylalanine and tyrosine are also needed to produce the thyroid hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine (Phenylalanine>Tyrosine>Thyroid Hormones). Just as we would expect, researchers in the following study found low levels of tyrosine in patients with hypothyroidism.

The serum tyrosine level as an index of thyroid function.

Malamos, B., et. al. 1966. J Endocrinol. July 1, 35 223-228

“Serum tyrosine was measured in 22 normal subjects…10 patients with hypothyroidism… Low values were obtained in hypothyroidism…”

Lupus

Patients with lupus also lack phenylalanine and tyrosine. For example, in the following study the researchers found that all glucogenic amino acids were significantly dampened in lupus. A glucogenic amino acid is an amino acid that can be converted into glucose. These would include phenylalanine and tyrosine.

Metabolic disturbances associated with systemic lupus erythematosus.

Wu, T., et al. 2012. PLoS ONE 7(6): e37210.

“all ketogenic and glucogenic amino acids (with the exception of arginine) were also significantly dampened in SLE…”

Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

In the following study the researchers discovered that patients with multiple sclerosis lacked phenylalanine:

Quantitation of free amino acids in biological samples by high-performance liquid chromatography. Application of the method in evaluating amino acid levels in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients with multiple sclerosis.

Qureshi GA, Baig MS. 1988. J Chromatogr. 459:237-44.

“lower levels of Met, Val, Phe and Lys in plasma of MS patients.”

The lack of phenylalanine in patients with MS will then lead to a lack of dopamine (phenylalanine>tyrosine>dopamine). In the following study the researchers found reduced levels of dopamine in patients with MS and concluded their results suggest the involvement of dopamine in the pathogenesis of depression in MS.

The role of dopamine in the regulation of the interaction between nervous and immune systems in multiple sclerosis.

Orlova EV, Pashchenkov MV, et al. 2012. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 112(2 Pt 2):34-40.

“…The results suggest the involvement of dopamine in the pathogenesis of depression in MS as assessed by dopamine and its metabolites levels.”

Fibromyalgia

Studies confirm that fibromyalgia patients lack phenylalanine and tyrosine. For example, in the following study entitled “Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia” researchers found that fibromyalgia patients had significantly lower levels of phenylalanine and tyrosine.

Altered amino acid homeostasis in subjects affected by fibromyalgia.

Bazzichi, L., L. et. al. 2009. Clin Bioche. 42(10-11):1064-70.

“Significant lower plasma tyrosine (Tyr), valine, methionine, phenylalanine and threonine concentrations, and the sum of essential AAs were observed in FM patients vs. healthy controls…”

The lack of phenylalanine and tyrosine will then lead to a lack of dopamine. The following information discusses the central role that the lack of dopamine plays in fibromyalgia. http://www.practicalpainmanagement.com/…/central-role…

The Take Home Message

It’s crucial to understand that if our bodies cannot effectively break down the nutritious foods we consume, we may experience a deficiency in key neurotransmitters like dopamine, leading to symptoms of disease. Disease is not merely a result of lacking nutrients but also involves getting these nutrients where they need to go in the body. In patients with autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia, reduced motivation can be linked to a dopamine deficiency. These individuals lack dopamine due to insufficient levels of the essential enzymes for digesting dietary proteins (protease and DNase 1). By making changes to diet and lifestyle, we can replace these missing enzymes and restore our bodies ability to properly breakdown the foods we are eating. The final section of our books “Autoimmune: The Cause and The Cure” and “Fibromyalgia: The Cause and The Cure” focuses exclusively on this approach.

The post Low Motivation & Autoimmune Disease appeared first on Nature Had It First.

By: Annesse Brockley & Kristin Urdiales

Zinc is an essential trace element for humans. It is vital for many biological functions and plays a crucial role in more than 300 enzymes in the human body. Research shows that patients with autoimmune disease, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and fibromyalgia lack zinc. In each of the studies below, researchers found a lack of this essential element.

Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma and Zinc

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/4008000

Multiple Sclerosis and Zinc

In the following study the researchers concluded that patients with multiple sclerosis also have low levels of zinc: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1083158/

Lupus, Scleroderma, Psoriasis, Diabetes, and Zinc

In the following study the researcher stated that zinc deficiency has been found in patients with lupus, scleroderma, psoriasis, and diabetes:

http://www.traceelements.com/…/The%20Nutritional…

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Zinc

The following study confirms that patients with CFS have significantly lower levels of zinc:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16338007

Fibromyalgia and Zinc

In the following study the researchers found that patients with fibromyalgia (FM) also have significantly lower levels of zinc:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18496697

Why Do Patients with Autoimmune Disease, CFS, and Fibromyalgia Lack Zinc?

Patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia lack the essential amino acid histidine, which is needed to transport zinc. Essential amino acids such as histidine are found in high protein foods and patients with CFS, fibromyalgia, and autoimmune disease lack the enzymes required to digest proteins – protease and DNase 1.

Histidine and Zinc

As the following study states, zinc utilizes an amino acid carrier system and is transported as a zinc-histidine complex:

Effects of amino acids on zinc transport in rat erythrocytes.

Aiken SP, et. al. 1992. J Physiol. 445: 69–80.

“zinc is being transported as a zinc-histidine complex, utilizing an amino acid carrier system…”

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Histidine

The following study confirms that patients with rheumatoid arthritis have significantly decreased levels of histidine:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC301869/

Fibromyalgia and Histidine

In the following study the researchers found that histidine was also significantly lower in patients with fibromyalgia:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1556707

Lupus and Histidine

In the following study the researchers concluded that histidine and all of the other essential amino acids were significantly lacking in patients with lupus:

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0037210

Psoriasis, Zinc, and Histidine

In the following study the researchers found that patients with psoriasis had disturbed zinc distribution, which they stated may be due to disturbances of histidine:

Zinc distribution disorder in psoriasis.

Tsambaos D, Orfanos CE.Arch Dermatol Res. 1977 Jul 21;259(1):97-100

“…The disturbed distribution of zinc in psoriasis may be due to disturbances if histidine…”

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/900997

Multiple Sclerosis and Histidine

In the following study the researchers found subnormal levels of histidine in patients with MS. Notice the study authors also make the connection to the lack of histidine and a deficiency in pancreatic enzyme secretion. Protease and DNase 1, the enzymes that digest proteins, originate in the pancreas:

Transdermal histamine in multiple sclerosis, part two: A proposed theoretical basis for its use.

Gillson G, et. al. 2000. Altern Med Rev. 5(3):224-248.

“…an association was found between impaired gastric acid production, impaired protein hydrolysis, and subnormal plasma histidine levels in patients with MS. Impaired digestion might, therefore, impair the ability of MS patients to synthesize histamine…Various mechanisms of action are suggested, including pancreatic enzyme secretion…”

Histidine Protects Against Zinc Toxicity

Although zinc is essential for a healthy body, zinc, like iron, is a heavy metal ion and must be carefully controlled. Heavy metal ions are toxic to cells. Our bodies take great care to make sure metals go only where they need to and in exactly the right amount.

Scientists have discovered that metals, such as zinc, have special “chaperone” proteins that safely escort the metal through the interior of the cell and deliver it to the specific site where it is needed. Zinc also has binding proteins (ZntR and Zur)) to prevent it from accumulating within the cell and poisoning the cell. The essential amino acid histidine, which is lacking in patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia is an essential component of zinc binding proteins.

According to Thomas O’Halloran, professor of chemistry at Northwestern University: “The zinc regulatory system is so sensitive and finely tuned-at the femtomolar level-that the metal ions have no chance to float freely in the cell’s cytoplasm before they are bound up in ZntR or Zur. Free floating zinc just doesn’t exist” (Northwestern University, 2001).

In the following study the researchers stated that although zinc is an essential trace element, excess zinc can cause neuronal death. In addition, the researchers concluded that histidine was protective against zinc-induced neurotoxicity:

D-Histidine and L-histidine attenuate zinc-induced neuronal death in GT1-7 cells.

Kawahara M, et. al.2013. Metallomics. 5, 453-460

“Although zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element, excess Zn causes neuronal death and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of vascular-type dementia…histidine protects against Zn-induced neurotoxicity…”

The Take Home Message

Autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia are not solely attributed to deficiencies; they also involve metabolic dysfunction. This means that the body has challenges in effectively breaking down nutrients and delivering them where they are needed. As a result, addressing the root causes of these conditions goes beyond simply supplementing with zinc and histidine to correct deficiencies. We know that patients with autoimmune disease, CFS, and fibromyalgia already lack one of the essential components necessary to prevent zinc toxicity (histidine), but science doesn’t fully understand the complexities involved in how the body protects itself from zinc, while at the same time benefitting from it, so taking isolated zinc in supplement form could actually prove harmful.

To ensure that zinc levels are replenished safely, it’s important to work with the body’s natural processes. We start by healing our digestive system and restoring the enzymes needed for digesting dietary proteins, such as protease and DNase 1. These enzymes can be found in foods like organic raw fermented sauerkraut. The final section of our books “Autoimmune: The Cause and The Cure” and “Fibromyalgia: The Cause and The Cure” focuses entirely on this approach.

The post Zinc and Autoimmune Disease appeared first on Nature Had It First.