I love natto! Mind you I'm the only one in my family who does, so I know it's not universally popular. B subtilis is one of my favourite probiotics too, though I'm out of it right now!
I'm getting what I think may be pathogen displacement, based on what @
Vegas described happening in the lymph. I developed burning in the femoral, inguinal lymph areas....worse on the left side with numbness down the front of that thigh. It's not
too uncomfortable, just like nothing I've experienced before, and unrelenting since the day before yesterday. So I skipped last nights PS and took activated charcoal instead. Woke up bright and early again with lymph symptoms 50% better.
Hmmm so what to do next. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase as Vegas mentioned earlier, looks promising as a endotoxin degrader. I read (somewhere) IAP is stimulated by omega 3 EPA. There are also recent papers suggesting it may be modulated by diet. Any ideas on the specifics of a dietary approach for that Vegas?? (The paper abstracts don't give much away.)
I think the first thing to do, is to suspend or diminish the intensity of the immunostimulation. This is particularly true with someone who is just starting to experience some of the effects of mild endotoxemia because he/she doesn't have the enhanced gene expression acting on those genes that inactivate the endotoxins. I, having been exposed to high-levels of LPS for a long time, can likely tolerate much higher levels than you; enhanced gene expression will ultimately increase phosphatase activity. This does raise the point of not starting and stopping the immune stimulation, I think maintaining tolerable levels probably pays some dividends by perpetuating the gene expression, therefore, a low and slow approach likely pays dividends. I would not recommend increasing the dosage.
The only enzymes that I know of that participate in inactivation of lipid A are intestinal phosphatase and acyloxyacyl hydrolase. In reality, there are most certainly other enzymes that have not been discovered, and these are probably phosphatase enzymes. In this regard, you will likely benefit in the long-run, not the short term, from zinc, magnesium, and manganese supplementation, which are metallo-phosphatase co-factors and all found to be deficient in most with ME/CFS. I suspect you take some of these: 60 mg, 10 mg, zinc and manganese, respectively. I think the more likely beneficial supplementation, though, is ultimately going to come from the commensal gut organisms, as these organisms possess numerous ways in which they can neutralize endotoxins. Of course this makes sense when you think that these organisms have interacted and evolved over millions of years in complex relationships with the gram negative pathogenic organisms. Although now is not the time for more lower bowel immunostimulation, I believe these organisms will eventually maintain the homeostasis and effectively neutralize the gut.
If you are already dealing with lymphatic pain, I think there are a couple of things you can do. Light exercise, like brisk walking, will induce muscle contraction and will help move some of the lymph fluid. I used to find that doing some light weight lifting with my legs would help. Obviously if you do too much this is going to be counterproductive. The mechanical action will be supplemented by the chemical effects of increased bioenergetics. I would also recommend accupressure distal to or at the site of the congestion. It sounds like you have some neural compression, which can hurt quite a bit; the swelling can compress nerves adjacent to the lymph node that is affected. If the pain is in the groin, try applying moderate pressure to ST-36 for about 30 seconds X 5. You can even apply pressure to the site of the pain. This will increase circulation and move the fluid along, as well as stimulate a release of pro-inflammatory substances. If it gets to be intolerable, an NSAID, but only short-term.
With respect to IAP and AOAH, I don't believe there are any enzymatic cofactors; however, ATP will increase the efficiency of these reactions. In someone with ME/CFS, I think Mg will be most effective supplement in enhancing ATP, given the known intracellular magnesium deficiencies. Given the diffusion of LPS in peripheral tissues, I think whole body MgSO4 is superior. So you really should consider an Epsom Salt Bath.
Other things that I think are important, phospholipids, Vit E., and yes Omega 3's, but I suspect you take some of these already. Also, if tolerated, Taurine and Glycine, I prefer dimethylglycine. The compound that Cheney raves about for its redox potential, Artesunate, has a powerful effect on LPS. Of course it also has a powerful effect on pathogens, so this wouldn't be a good time for this, perhaps. Other things like Quercetin, Luteolin,
and Agrimoniae Herba are reported to have an effect, but I can't personally endorse these because I have generally avoided most herbs and some concentrated phytochemicals. Nearly all plant compounds are going to have a combination of properties that participate in the neutralization of these endotoxins, but they also commonly include compounds that many find causes them adverse symptoms.
Dietary recommendations gets to be such a lengthy discussion, but I think avoidance of hydrogenated fats is very important. Anything that is shown to participate in enhancing high density lipoprotein is going to be good for you and can help mitigate the effects of LPS. Actually, virtually anything that improves cholesterol ratios and modifies insulin response will be beneficial, because, what are these things, they are bifidogenic. I think foods high in pectin, like pears, apples are great, as are kiwi, and most berries. The white part of an orange is a great fiber. Also monosaturated fats, like avocado. I can attest to the effects of these in stabilizing blood sugar.
So, I am suggesting you back off the PS and any Bifidus source for awhile, and let things calm down. If your Bifidus counts have been significantly increased this might continue for a bit, but it will return to normal after awhile, and your net pathogen load will have diminished. Should be o.k. to keep some of your other probiotics going as they should help call things down via T-helper cells and other mechanisms. Try the accupressure, MgSO4 baths, this seems to have the most immediate effect. Longer-term, keep the good fats in place--phospholipids/E/Omega 3, taurine/DMG, and Zn/Mn.
