Syphilitic Myelopathy

Syphilitic myelopathy is a complication of untreated syphilis that involves muscle weakness and abnormal sensations. Syphilitic myelopathy is a form of neurosyphilis, which is a progressive, life-threatening complication of late or tertiary syphilis infection. The condition called tabes dorsalis includes syphilitic myelopathy and additional symptoms of nerve damage. The infection damages the tissue of the spinal cord and peripheral nervous tissue. This causes decreased muscle function (myelopathy), including progressive weakness of the legs, arms and other areas. Loss of function may eventually result in paralysis. Coordination difficulties contribute to problems of walking. There are often changes in sensation, including painful paresthesia (abnormal sensations), which are also referred to as “lightning pains.” In syphilitic myelopathy, the muscle problems are accompanied by other symptoms characteristic of nervous system damage caused by syphilis. These include vision changes, stroke and psychiatric illness. Syphilitic myelopathy is now very rare because syphilis is usually treated early in the disease or as a result of screening blood tests that identify the disease in its latent (silent) form. Such blood tests are performed, for example, on individuals who donate blood.

Symptoms

Muscle weakness
Loss of coordination
Difficulty in walking
Wide-based gait (the person walks with the legs far apart)
Abnormal sensations, often called “lightning pains”
Loss of reflexes

Role of Noni

Noni contains all the vitamins like vitamin A , vitamin B complex, vitamin C and vitamin E. It contains all the trace minerals. A number of major components are identified in the Noni plant like scopoletin, octoanoic acid, potassium, vitamin C, terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinones (such as nordamnacanthal, morindone, rubiadin, and rubiadin-1-methyl ether, anthraquinone glycoside), sitosterol, carotene, vitamin A, flavone glycosides, linoleic acid, Alizarin, amino acids, acubin, L-asperuloside, caproic acid, caprylic acid, ursolic acid, rutin and a putative proxeronine.

How Noni works ?

The natural integrity of Noni is only part of the reason for its effectiveness. There are two additional reasons contributing to Noni’s effectiveness for a broad range of conditions :

Unique Combinations of Substances

For a fruit, Noni has an impressive combination of ingredients. It has a rich complement of vitamins and minerals; including A, B vitamins (including the rare B-12), C, E, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium, zinc and several trace elements. It also has 17 of 20 amino acids. Terpenes, fungicides, adaptogens, glycosides, polysaccharides and other unique ingredients that even in small amounts can have significant physiological effects can be found in Noni. Studies show that NONI stimulates the immune system, regulates proper cell function, increases ability of cells to absorb and utilize nutrients, inhibits tumor growth and regenerates damaged cells. Probably the most unique ingredient is an alkaloid called xeronine. Xeronine has several important functions including regulating the many proteins in the body, activating inactive enzymes and improving cellular function. Noni also contains a substance called proxeronine, which can be stored in the liver according to Dr. Ralph Heinecke. Proxeronine, in turn, can be used to make xeronine, as needed.

Synergy of its Substances

The many known, and even some of the unknown substances, come together in a way that supports the needs of many of our internal systems, concurrently. As the word synergy implies, these substances work far better in combination than they do separately. Many of the ingredients in Noni are found in varying amounts in other foods or herbs. There seems to be no known food or herb with either the rich list of substances or the amounts of key substances all put together in one super food. Noni aids the body’s natural healing abilities.

Role of Noni in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus is a condition of chronic inflammation caused by an autoimmune disease. Autoimmune diseases are illnesses that occur when the body's tissues are attacked by its own immune system. One of the mechanisms that the immune system uses to fight infections is the production of antibodies. Patients with lupus produce abnormal antibodies in their blood that target tissues within their own body rather than foreign infectious agents. Because the antibodies and accompanying cells of inflammation can involve tissues anywhere in the body, lupus has the potential to affect a variety of areas of body. Sometimes lupus causes disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints and/or nervous system. When only the skin involved, the condition is called discoid lupus. When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Its cause : The precise reason for abnormal autoimmunity that causes lupus is not known. Inherited genes, viruses, ultraviolet light and drugs may all play some role. Genetic factors increase tendency of developing autoimmune diseases. Its cause is unknown. It is likely that a combination of genetic, environmental and possibly hormonal factors work together to cause the disease.

Its Sign and Symptoms : Patients with SLE develop different combinations of symptoms and organ involvement. Common complaints and symptoms include fatigue, low-grade fever, loss of appetite, muscle aches, arthritis, ulcers of mouth and nose, facial rash ("butterfly rash"), unusual sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity) inflammation of the lining that surrounds the lung (pleuritis) and the heart (pericarditis), and poor circulation to the fingers and toes with cold exposure (Raynaud's phenomenon). More serious organ involvement with inflammation occurs in the brain, liver and kidney. White blood cells and blood clotting factors can also be decreased in SLE, thereby increasing risk of infection and bleeding.

Role of Noni in SLE

Noni, a perfect balanced nutrient can affect gene expression in SLE. The genes play an important role in the development of lupus. Researchers suspect that a genetic defect in a cellular process called apoptosis, or "programmed cell death," exists in people with lupus. Apoptosis allows the body to eliminate cells that have fulfilled their function and typically need to be replaced. If there is a problem in the apoptosis process, harmful cells may stay around and do damage to the body's own tissues. For example in a mutant mouse strain that develops a lupus-like illness, one of the genes that controls apoptosis is defective. When it is replaced by a normal gene, the mice no longer develops signs of the disease. Scientists are studying what role genes involved in apoptosis may play in human disease development.

Although the term gene refers to a specific sequence of DNA, the biological effects of that gene are manifest through its expression as a protein or peptide product. Nutrients affect the expression of genes in a variety of ways. Nutrients are required for synthesis and packaging of DNA. Some have specific effects on synthesis of messenger RNA (i.e. either suppress or enhance transcription). Others affect synthesis of pyrimidine and purine base used for DNA and RNA synthesis. Some nutrients have an overall effect on protein synthesis, whereas others influence translation of the m RNA into protein or the post translational modification of newly synthesized protein. Noni contains all the major nutrients and micronutrients in a well balanced form in it. It is rich with 17 amino acids including all essential amino acids. Hence it influences the transcription of the DNA or translation of m RNA to protein or over all influences the synthesis of protein.

The genetic information stored in the DNA is transmitted to an RNA molecule through transcription Protein molecules are obtained from the RNA using translation techniques. Each of the processes forming part of this chain is the object of complex regulation (gene expression regulation). Some nutrients and micronutrients may affect gene expression by taking part in these regulatory mechanisms, like sterols, glucose, vitamins A, D and B12, various fatty acids or some components of dietary fiber. These phenomena may have come about through adaptation of primitive beings to various changes in nourishments available. The successive changes over centuries led to determination of individuals' phenotypes not only by their genotype but also by environmental factors such as diet. Our genes have adapted to the changing sources of nourishment surrounding our ancestors; modern diets are, however, very different from those of the past. Inability of our genetic store to adapt to modern diets may be the reason for appearance of many chronic diseases and SLE is one among them. One well-analyzed case is that of the thrifty genotype which provided evolutionary advantages in the past, but may now be contributing to obesity and diabetes.

The nutrients and micronutrients have the effect on our genes and thus they may help to modify the genetic condition. Noni, the most natural food supplement which contains all the essential important nutrients and micronutrients helps in gene expression and modification in so many genetic linked etiological diseases. The same can be applied in SLE too where it is believed, SLE is a genetically link disease.

Role of Noni in prevention of autoantibody formation in SLE

Studying genes for the compliment, a series of proteins present in the blood play an important part in immune system. Complement acts as a backup for antibodies, helping them destroy foreign substances that invade the body. If there is a decrease in complement, the body is less able to fight or destroy foreign substances. If these substances are not removed from the body, the immune system becomes overactive and begins to make autoantibodies. Noni contains all major nutrients and micronutrients including 17 out of total 20 amino acids. It contains all essential amino acids. Noni helps and enhances the process of protein synthesis. Complements which are a series of proteins if decrease in number in the blood can be raised by influencing the gene expression through a balanced nutrition rich with all major nutrients and essential micronutrients and that can only be obtained from Noni. It contains many phytochemicals including lots of micronutrients, essential for our body. It acts as an immune modulator. Noni helps in all autoimmune diseases by its property of immune modulating and SLE is one among them. Xeronine, the alkaloid of Noni helps to modulate any protein molecules of its improper configuration to normal molecular configuration to carry its normal activity. If the complement proteins are in an inactive form due to improper molecular configuration, xeronine may help to activate those by its unique property.

Noni is rich in glyconutrient and contains all essential fatty acids. Today, the modern diet is totally deficient in glyconutrient. The glyconutrient to the diet significantly improves the lupus symptoms. Noni is in with glyconutrient. Hence it is very helpful to improve the SLE condition.

The principal omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). EPA and DHA are found in fish oil. They can also be derived from alpha-linoleic acid, found in Noni. These fatty acids help build healthy cell membranes and improve membrane stability and exhibit powerful immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. A number of studies examined the role of these fatty acids in people and animals with lupus, with generally positive results.

Antioxidant property of Noni helping in SLE

A low level of antioxidants is associated with SLE. Antioxidants are valuable for their ability to reduce free-radical damage. Dietary intake of antioxidants is decreased in people with SLE. Those with lupus exhibit significantly reduced levels of internally produced antioxidants like glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Noni modifies synthesis of those antioxidant hormones in our body and fulfills antioxidant requirements of our body.

Vitamin E : Vitamin E helps stabilize membranes of lysosomes of immune cells that contain destructive enzymes used to fight intruders. When membranes are unstable, these enzymes cause damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Vitamin E prevents the onset of autoimmune attacks by stabilizing membranes of lysosomes. The symptoms of mice with lupus that were treated with vitamin E greatly improved. The mice lived longer, immune cell activity was normalized, anti-DNA antibodies were reduced, and kidney function improved. Noni contains all anti oxidant vitamins including Vitamin E in abundant quantity.

Selenium : Selenium is a potent antioxidant that enhances cell repair. Fifty patients with lupus who had low glutathione levels were treated with selenium and vitamin E. The addition of these nutrients increased glutathione levels in 8 weeks. Selenium stimulates vitamin E in its role of immune and antioxidant regulation. Noni contains all trace minerals including selenium and thus acts as a potent antioxidant.

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) : One of the most important groups of phytochemicals is the phytosterols. These are plant based sterols that act as precursors to human sterols. Noni contains all the three phytosterols. The phytosterols act to modulate the human endocrine system. One of the most important human sterols is Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). This hormone is produced in our adrenal glands and serves a variety of functions. It has the ability to convert itself into other hormones like oestrogen, testosterone, progesterone and corticosterone on demand. Thus it is a precursor to all other hormones and active metabolites. DHEA blood levels peak between ages 20 to 25 years and then decline with age in both men and women. It has gained recognition as a promising treatment for SLE due to results of three controlled and several uncontrolled clinical trials. DHEA reduces level of corticosteroid drug requirements and improves overall symptomatology. The Noni enhances synthesis of DHEA in our body and thus helps a lot in SLE condition.

The Enzyme, Dnase1 : Recent research provides direct evidence that a key enzyme's failure to dispose of dying cells contributes to SLE. The enzyme, DNase1, normally eliminates what is called "garbage DNA" and other cellular debris by chopping them into tiny fragments for easier disposal. The researchers turned off the DNase1 gene in mice. The mice appeared healthy at birth but after 6-8 months, the majority of mice without DNase1 showed signs of SLE. Thus, a genetic mutation that disrupts the body's cellular waste disposal may be involved in the beginning of SLE. Noni helps to synthesize more DNase1 enzyme by influencing the gene expression as it contains all the essential nutrients and micronutrients. If that enzyme exists in an inactive form due to high oxidative stress thence Noni can also help activating that enzyme to carry out its normal work and thus contribute to SLE as what the study is saying above.

Recommended Dosage

Divine Noni Concentrate

5ml morning and 5ml evening for 3 days. Then

10ml morning and 10ml evening for next 3 days. Then

15ml morning and 15ml evening for next 8 months.