By Simon Yu MD
Here is my summary of the excellent and well-attended Inflammaging conference of the International College of Integrative Medicine (ICIM) in New Orleans, on Inflammation and Aging. It is refreshing to listen to live speakers and interact with attendees in person after so many zoom meetings! The most interesting speakers for me were Campbell and Reiter, who spoke on mycotoxins and melatonin.
Andrew Campbell, MD, spoke on Molds, Mycotoxins, the Gut, the Brain, and Misconceptions. The brain and nervous tissues are highly susceptible to mycotoxins which trigger demyelination. Mycotoxins are associated with autism, memory problems, polyneuropathy, optic neuritis, ALS, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, loss of balance and movement disorders. The effects of mycotoxins are often mislabeled as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, chronic Lyme disease, depression not responding to antidepressants, anxiety disorder, autoimmune diseases, POTS and dysautonomia. Gliotoxins cause demyelination leading to MS. Psoriasis, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Inflammatory Disease, Rheumatoid Arthritis are also associated with fungal infection and mycotoxins.
Russell Reiter, PhD, spoke on Melatonin Modulates Tumor Metabolism and Mitigate Metastasis. Highlights include: all cells of all organisms produce melatonin, including plants and insects. Pineal melatonin is released at night for circadian regulation and the rest of the cells synthesize melatonin for local use for internal metabolic regulation. Melatonin converts M1 macrophages (pro-inflammatory) to M2 macrophages (anti-inflammatory) and has a protective role for cytokine storms from COVID and other viral infections.
Melatonin enters mitochondria, functions as a radical scavenger, and is neuroprotective. It also inhibits many cancer types by reducing inflammation and changing cancer cell metabolism to mitigate metastasis. Cancer cells have half the level of melatonin compared to healthy normal cells. Cancer cells benefit when melatonin levels are low during daytime. The best time to take melatonin is mid-morning and mid-afternoon (10 mg each), and then 40 to 80 mg at bedtime for cancer patients. Dr. Reiter is almost 90 years old, his mind is sharp, and he takes 70 mg of melatonin at night. Taking melatonin is not just for sleep but for reducing inflammation, resetting metabolism, and supporting the immune system.
For summaries of the other speakers, see the full article on my website, www.preventionandhealing.com. ICIM is a leading alternative/integrative medical conference for all medical professionals. Check out our ICIM Fall conference on Cellular Detoxification with keynote speaker Bruce H. Lipton, PhD, on New Biology, New Medicine in Indianapolis on September 5-8, 2024, and spread the word.
Dr. Simon Yu, MD is a Board-Certified Internist. He practices Internal Medicine with an emphasis on Integrative Medicine to use the best each has to offer. For more articles and information about integrative medicine, patient success stories, and Dr. Yu’s latest book, AcciDental Blow Up in Medicine: Battle Plan for Your Life, visit his website at www.preventionandhealing.com or call Prevention and Healing, Inc., 314-432-7802. You can also attend a free monthly presentation and discussion on Integrative Medicine at his office on the second Tuesday each month at 6:30 pm. Call to verify the date. Seating is limited, arrive early.