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My Journey Out of a Grim Diagnosis – Intravenous Vitamin C and Chemotherapy Together Produce Extraordinary Results with Stage Four Colon Cancer

by Kenneth F Hack DC

Originally Published on orthomolecular.activehosted.com

https://orthomolecular.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=8c19f571e251e61cb8dd3612f26d5ecf.262&s=c7ae1002d2f579a22c16a1b89c854212

I am a male 65-year-old healthcare professional who was diagnosed with stage four colon cancer in December 2021 and had a tumour removed from my transverse colon on December 30, 2021. The cancer had metastasized to my lymph nodes, my liver and my lung. Approximately eight weeks after surgery, I started traditional chemotherapy and intravenous vitamin C.

On my first visit with the oncologist, she informed me that my prognosis was grim and that I had approximately a two-year survival rate.

After three months of traditional chemotherapy and with IV vitamin C, my lung tumour had disappeared and my liver tumour shrunk more than 50% from its largest recorded size. Needless to say I was very encouraged with these results.

The oncologist was equally amazed by my rapid change and she encouraged me to continue the IV vitamin C with the chemotherapy. On one visit with her, she commented that my blood work was better than hers, and she was not a cancer patient!

My original oncologist left for maternity leave and another oncologist took over for her. She immediately informed me that I was "not curable." I had a different way of looking at her assessment of me, and smiled, letting her know that I had a different outlook for my future.

At the six-month mark another scan showed that my liver tumour had shrunk further, down to less than 20% of its original measured size. My CEA (cancer embryonic antigen) was nondetectable for three straight months. My overall blood work demonstrates the progress that I continue to make and has enabled me to take a 6 to 8-week chemotherapy holiday, with my oncologist's blessing.

I vividly recall my first IV vitamin C, in the beginning of March 2022. I had received my first chemotherapy treatment the week prior, and wasn't really feeling at my best. Within minutes of the nurse connecting the vitamin C IV (20 grams; 20,000 milligrams), I felt an overwhelming sense of well-being and calm. My wife and son, who were with me, said that I looked like a flower that was deprived of water and suddenly received it. I blossomed! They were witnessing exactly what I was feeling, which confirmed that I was doing something extremely good for my body. I had heard that IV vitamin C restores lost appetite. Well, immediately following the IV, I ate like I had not eaten in months. My appetite was back.

I gradually increased the vitamin C up to 70,000 mg, twice a week. My experience was that the IV vitamin C was cancelling out the negative effects of the chemotherapy. This enabled me to continue with intense traditional chemotherapy therapy (50 hours every two weeks). The notion that IV vitamin C interferes with traditional chemotherapy appears to be false. I think that this misconception is the reason why more people – and most oncologists – do not incorporate IV vitamin C into their traditional cancer therapy. If you search, you can find, as I did, research information on IV vitamin C treatment of cancer. Start by reading the Riordan Clinic's 21-page protocol, regarding IV vitamin C and cancer. It is a free download at http://www.doctoryourself.com/RiordanIVC.pdf or en español http://www.doctoryourself.com/RiordanIVCspanish.pdf

After a two-month chemotherapy holiday, authorized by my oncologist, I had another CT scan that continued to show a decrease in the mass in my liver. The scan also revealed some active lymph nodes that were not active on prior scans. While on that chemotherapy holiday, I continued to receive IV vitamin C twice weekly at 70g. My CEA marker was starting to increase from less than 0.5 to 1. After meeting with my oncologist we agreed that it was appropriate to restart the chemotherapy treatment. I felt my best results were when I did both the IV vitamin C and the chemotherapy together. The oncologist agreed. Chemotherapy treatment was reinstated in the beginning of November 2022 (50 hours every 2 weeks). During this time, I continued twice-weekly treatments of IV vitamin C at 70 g.

The tumour in my liver at its largest size measured 6.5 cm in length. Eleven months later, it is now 1.5 cm in length. http://www.doctoryourself.com/omns/v18n26.shtml

On January 10, 2023, I had another CT scan which showed further shrinkage of my liver mass (over 90% in total) and dramatic reduction in all lymph node activity. The change was so dramatic that the radiologist actually called me while I was on my way to receive IV vitamin C therapy. He told me that my scan was not only stable, but improved. He told me that whatever I was doing, I should continue doing it!

On my next meeting with the oncologist on January 11, 2023, she was ecstatic with my excellent scan results. Her attitude about my prognosis was changing and she told me so. She said that with most people in my situation, a two-year survival rate was what was to be expected. However, she now felt that my prognosis was a more positive one. Remember, that prior to this encounter with her, she would reiterate that I was not curable. I told her that, in my mind's eye, I was curable. She was moved by our discussion and got up out of her chair, walked over to me, and gave me a big hug. She said that my attitude and my course of action, was probably going to extend my life more than she anticipated.

By the way, my CEA dropped down to less than 0.5, which means it is undetectable. I know that I am cured. I don't let my mind or my feelings accept anything but being cured. And, to date I have had 92 vitamin C IV treatments, 85 of which were 70g. At my diagnosis back in 2021, my weight had plummeted to 141 pounds. Now it is 159 lbs. Then I looked sick and felt sick. Now I feel great and am back to work in my own practice.

A very important aspect of healing, which I have used quite effectively with my own patients, is to focus on the cure and not on the problem. Think from the ideal solution and not merely of the ideal solution. If I were to offer advice, it would be this: Ask and you shall receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it shall be opened unto you.

About the Author

Dr Kenneth F. Hack has been practising chiropractic in upstate New York for 41 years. He is a diplomate of the American Board of Chiropractic Orthopedists.

Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine

Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org

Find a Doctor

To locate an orthomolecular physician near you: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n09.shtml

The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

Editorial Review Board:

Albert G. B. Amoa, MB.Ch.B, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Seth Ayettey, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. (Ghana)
Ilyès Baghli, M.D. (Algeria)
Ian Brighthope, MBBS, FACNEM (Australia)
Gilbert Henri Crussol, D.M.D. (Spain)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Ian Dettman, Ph.D. (Australia)
Susan R. Downs, M.D., M.P.H. (USA)
Ron Ehrlich, B.D.S. (Australia)
Hugo Galindo, M.D. (Colombia)
Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA)
Michael J. Gonzalez, N.M.D., D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Claus Hancke, MD, FACAM (Denmark)
Tonya S. Heyman, M.D. (USA)
Patrick Holford, BSc (United Kingdom)
Suzanne Humphries, M.D. (USA)
Ron Hunninghake, M.D. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Dwight Kalita, Ph.D. (USA)
Felix I. D. Konotey-Ahulu, MD, FRCP, DTMH (Ghana)
Jeffrey J. Kotulski, D.O. (USA)
Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria)
Alan Lien, Ph.D. (Taiwan)
Homer Lim, M.D. (Philippines)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Pedro Gonzalez Lombana, MD, MsC, PhD (Colombia)
Victor A. Marcial-Vega, M.D. (Puerto Rico)
Juan Manuel Martinez, M.D. (Colombia)
Mignonne Mary, M.D. (USA)
Jun Matsuyama, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan)
Joseph Mercola, D.O. (USA)

Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, Pharm.D. (Puerto Rico)
Karin Munsterhjelm-Ahumada, M.D. (Finland)
Tahar Naili, M.D. (Algeria)
Zhiyong Peng, M.D. (China)
Isabella Akyinbah Quakyi, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Selvam Rengasamy, MBBS, FRCOG (Malaysia)
Jeffrey A. Ruterbusch, D.O. (USA)
Gert E. Schuitemaker, Ph.D. (Netherlands)
Han Ping Shi, M.D., Ph.D. (China)
T.E. Gabriel Stewart, M.B.B.CH. (Ireland)
Thomas L. Taxman, M.D. (USA)
Jagan Nathan Vamanan, M.D. (India)
Garry Vickar, M.D. (USA)
Anne Zauderer, D.C. (USA)

Andrew W. Saul, Ph.D. (USA), Editor-In-Chief
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Stranded Dolphins’ Brains Show Common Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease

The brains of three different species of stranded dolphins show classic markers of human Alzheimer’s disease, according to the most extensive study into dementia in odontocetes (toothed whales).

The new pan-Scotland research, a collaboration between the University of Glasgow, the Universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh and the Moredun Research Institute, studied the brains of 22 odontocetes which had all been stranded in Scottish coastal waters. The study, which is published in the European Journal of Neuroscience,[1] included five different species – Risso’s dolphins, long-finned pilot whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises and bottlenose dolphins – and found that four animals from different dolphin species had some of the brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

The findings may provide a possible answer to unexplained live-stranding events in some odontocete species. Study authors confirm the results could support the ‘sick-leader’ theory, whereby an otherwise healthy pod of animals find themselves in dangerously shallow waters after following a group leader who may have become confused or lost.

Whales, dolphins and porpoises are regularly stranded around the coasts of the UK. They are often found stranded in groups, or pods, in shallow waters and sometimes on beaches. While some animals can be moved to safer, deeper waters by teams of experts, other animals are less lucky and perish as a result. The underlying causes of live stranding events are not always clear, and research is ongoing to gain better insights.

For this study researchers examined stranded animals for the presence of the brain pathology that are part of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, including the formation of amyloid-beta plaques, the accumulation of phospho-tau and gliosis (a change in cell numbers in response to central nervous system damage). The results reveal that the brains of all of the aged animals studied had amyloid-beta plaques.

Three animals in particular – each from a different odontocete species – had amyloid-beta plaques as well as a number of other dementia-related pathologies in their brains, showing that some odontocete species develop Alzheimer’s-like neuropathology. However, the study cannot confirm whether any of the animals would have suffered with the same cognitive deficits associated with clinical Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

Lead researcher, Dr Mark Dagleish from the University of Glasgow, said:

“These are significant findings that show, for the first time, that the brain pathology in stranded odontocetes is similar to the brains of humans affected by clinical Alzheimer’s disease. While it is tempting at this stage to speculate that the presence of these brain lesions in odontocetes indicates that they may also suffer with the cognitive deficits associated with human Alzheimer’s disease, more research must be done to better understand what is happening to these animals.”

Co-author, Professor Frank Gunn-Moore from the University of St Andrews, said:

“I have always been interested in answering the question: do only humans get dementia? Our findings answer this question as it shows potential dementia associated pathology is indeed not just seen in human patients. This study is also a great example of both different research institutes, but also different branches of the Life Sciences working together.”

Professor Tara Spires-Jones, University of Edinburgh, said:

“We were fascinated to see brain changes in aged dolphins similar to those in human ageing and Alzheimer’s disease. Whether these pathological changes contribute to these animals stranding is an interesting and important question for future work.”

All animals in this research were studied after a stranding event. Marine Scotland and Defra fund post-mortem examinations, via the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), of cetaceans (including odontocetes), pinnipeds and marine turtles that strand and die in Scottish coastal waters.

Reference

1. Marissa C. Vacher, Claire S. Durrant, Jamie Rose, Ailsa J. Hall, Tara L. Spires-Jones, Frank Gunn-Moore, Mark P. Dagleish. Alzheimer’s disease-like neuropathology in three species of oceanic dolphin. European Journal of Neuroscience. 13 December 2022. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejn.15900 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ejn.15900

Further Information

For more information contact Elizabeth McMeekin or Ali Howard in the University of Glasgow Communications and Public Affairs Office on Tel: 0141 330 4831 or Tel: 0141 330 6557; Elizabeth.mcmeekin@glasgow.ac.uk  or ali.howard@glasgow.ac.uk  

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Why Are the ‘Experts’ So Silent About Immunity?

Commentary by W Gifford-Jones MD

Originally Published at orthomolecular.activehosted.com

https://orthomolecular.activehosted.com/index.php?action=social&chash=cfa0860e83a4c3a763a7e62d825349f7.258&s=c7ae1002d2f579a22c16a1b89c854212   

It seems like an eternity since COVID-19 struck and changed our lives. During that time, virus experts on television have relentlessly reported on the number of people infected and dying. They say face masks, social distancing and vaccination would save lives. But I've never heard one of these experts, usually medical professors, mention this vital fact: there are simple, safe, inexpensive, and natural remedies, to build up immunity and decrease the risk of developing viral diseases.

A good source for such reliable information is the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine (ISOM). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWVHupIXOog The doses recommended by ISOM are conservative and science-based.

How often do Emergency Departments need to tell us it's the obese, diabetics and cardiac patients that are filling their beds? Just walk through any North American food store and witness the epidemic of obesity. If people would only step on a scale, they would see the reason for their lack of immunity will cause health problems in the future.

So, what should TV experts be telling viewers about immunity? It's not brain surgery. It means adding daily supplements of five essential nutrients to the diet. The first is vitamin C – it isn't just a vitamin. It's also a valuable anti-infective that can save lives. Linus Pauling's research showed most North Americans have insufficient amounts of C. Some authorities claim we need only 90 milligrams daily. But ISOM reports we require at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) three times daily. One reason is, vitamin C is water soluble and some is lost during urination. Also, during stress or illness, vitamin C is depleted (oxidized) and must either be recycled in the body, or acquired fresh in the diet. To prevent a deficiency during illness, sometimes much higher doses of vitamin C must be taken continually throughout the day.

Vitamin C and vitamin D both empower the immune system, [1,2] which is especially important during COVID-19 illness. [3-6] ISOM recommends taking vitamin D3 starting with 125 mcg (5,000 IU) daily for two weeks, and then take 50 mcg (2,000 IU) daily. People living at high latitudes in the northern countries do not get enough sunlight to make adequate vitamin D in their skin during the winter, due to the angle of the sun's rays through the atmosphere. And nowadays, they're also drinking less milk.

You also need magnesium 400 mg daily, zinc 20 mg daily, and selenium 100 mcg daily.

However, those vitamin D doses are conservative, and many experts, e.g. Michael Holick recommend higher doses. [6]  The optimal "preferred" OH(25)D blood level is generally agreed to be 40-60 ng/ml, and the dose to produce that level is in the range of 5,000 - 10,000 IU/day for adults. Higher (bolus) doses are reasonable for the first 10-14 days to raise the blood level quickly. [6]  Thus, my suggestion is for 20,000 IU daily for 2 weeks, and 5,000 IU daily thereafter. Large adults may need 10,000 IU daily to achieve a blood level of 60 ng/ml -- but smaller adults can achieve the same 60 ng/ml level with a daily dose of 5,000 IU. These doses, along with the magnesium supplement and other vitamins and minerals are safe and will empower the immune system to prevent viral infections. To discern what dose you need to achieve a 40-60 ng/ml blood level, you can get a 25(OH)D blood test after taking a daily dose for 3 months. However, since most people are deficient, generally the blood test is unnecessary since it's reasonable to proceed with a continual 5,000 - 10,000 IU daily dose, especially for individuals who have been in the hospital and are recovering. [6]  

Why are these learned medical professor ‘pundits’ so loath to pass this potential life-saving information along to millions of viewers? It's a good question when proven facts show that they are effective in an appropriate dose.

A good example is vitamin C. During my interview with Dr. Linus Pauling years ago, he said, "It's the dosage that's important". Several studies prove that high doses of intravenous vitamin C (IVC) are life-saving. As Dr Frederick Klenner wrote, some doctors opposed to the use of large doses of vitamin C would rather let the patient die than prescribe it!  [7,8] In a previous column I reported that IVC would save 95 percent of seriously ill COVID-19 patients. [9]

This past year a major Canadian national newspaper stated that there is no cure for polio. Yet, 300,000 mg of intravenous C has been shown to eliminate paralysis from polio. [8,10] That false statement is shocking, and has not been challenged by any newspaper or medical journal!

Nor is the frequent assertion challenged that high dose vitamin C is dangerous! But there's not one credible medical source, that shows that high dose vitamin C has caused a single death. Some individuals with unusual conditions should avoid taking very high doses but they are rare.

The medical profession has not been helpful to the public on taking vitamins to prevent illness, nor have pharmaceutical companies, as vitamins being natural products cannot be patented. So, there's no money to be made from a prescription!

I issue a plea to the media: Tell the truth. You enjoy a massive audience day after day. It's therefore inexcusable that medical authorities hardly ever mention, to my knowledge, that these essential nutrients, widely available, can prevent serious illness. [1-14]

So, to the reader, here is a simple protocol of nutritional supplements. They will build up immunity, decrease hospital visits, and save lives. And they are available in any health food store.

Protocol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWVHupIXOog

(These are adult doses similar to those recommended by International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine (ISOM); reduce dose for children proportional to body weight):

• Vitamin C: 3000 mg/d taken in divided doses. Take less if it causes a laxative effect. Take more when ill;
• Vitamin D: 500 mcg/d (20,000 IU/d) for 2 weeks, then 125 mcg/d (5,000 IU/d) thereafter;
• Magnesium: 400 mg/d in divided doses, in citrate, malate, or chloride form. Take less if it causes a laxative effect;
• Zinc: 20 mg/d;
• Selenium: 100 mcg/d, often contained in a multi-vitamin tablet.

References

1. Carr AC, Maggini S (2017) Vitamin C and Immune Function. Nutrients 9:1211. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099763
2. Charoenngam N, Holick MF (2020) Immunologic Effects of Vitamin D on Human Health and Disease. Nutrients 12:2097. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32679784
3. Ghelani D, Alesi S, Mousa A (2021) Vitamin D and COVID-19: An Overview of Recent Evidence. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 22:10559. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/22/19/10559
4. Bui L, Zhu Z, Hawkins S, et al. (2021) Vitamin D regulation of the immune system and its implications for COVID-19: A mini review. SAGE Open Med. 9:20503121211014073. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34046177
5. Grant WB (2021) Update on the beneficial effects of vitamin D for cancer, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and COVID-19. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n21.shtml
6. Gröber U, Holick MF (2022) The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) - A supportive approach with selected micronutrient. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 92:13-34. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33487035
7. Gifford-Jones W (2020) Medical Ignorance and the Mass Murder of Coronavirus Patients. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n51.shtml
8. Gifford-Jones W (2022) No Cure for Polio? Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://www.orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v18n29.shtml
9. Gifford-Jones W (2021) COVID-19 and the Two Types of Disease Experts. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://www.orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n29.shtml
10. Klenner FR. The treatment of poliomyelitis and other virus diseases with vitamin C. Southern Medicine and Surgery, July, 1949, p 209. http://www.whale.to/v/c/klenner3.html
11. Holford P (2021) Twelve intervention trials conclude that vitamin C works for Covid: So why are hospitals being prohibited from using it? Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n27.shtml
12. Passwater M (2021) Vitamin C Levels in Critically Ill Covid-19 Patients. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v17n17.shtml
13. Borsche L, Glauner B, von Mendel J (2021) COVID-19 Mortality Risk Correlates Inversely with Vitamin D3 Status, and a Mortality Rate Close to Zero Could Theoretically Be Achieved at 50 ng/mL 25(OH)D3: Results of a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 13:3596. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34684596
14. Gonzalez MJ (2020) Personalize Your COVID-19 Prevention: An Orthomolecular Protocol. Orthomolecular Medicine News Service. http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v16n31.shtml

Nutritional Medicine is Orthomolecular Medicine

Orthomolecular medicine uses safe, effective nutritional therapy to fight illness. For more information: http://www.orthomolecular.org

Find a Doctor

To locate an orthomolecular physician near you: http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/v06n09.shtml

The peer-reviewed Orthomolecular Medicine News Service is a non-profit and non-commercial informational resource.

Editorial Review Board:

Albert G. B. Amoa, MB.Ch.B, Ph.D. (Ghana)
Seth Ayettey, M.B., Ch.B., Ph.D. (Ghana)
Ilyès Baghli, M.D. (Algeria)
Ian Brighthope, MBBS, FACNEM (Australia)
Gilbert Henri Crussol, D.M.D. (Spain)
Carolyn Dean, M.D., N.D. (USA)
Ian Dettman, Ph.D. (Australia)
Susan R. Downs, M.D., M.P.H. (USA)
Ron Ehrlich, B.D.S. (Australia)
Hugo Galindo, M.D. (Colombia)
Martin P. Gallagher, M.D., D.C. (USA)
Michael J. Gonzalez, N.M.D., D.Sc., Ph.D. (Puerto Rico)
William B. Grant, Ph.D. (USA)
Claus Hancke, MD, FACAM (Denmark)
Tonya S. Heyman, M.D. (USA)
Patrick Holford, BSc (United Kingdom)
Suzanne Humphries, M.D. (USA)
Ron Hunninghake, M.D. (USA)
Bo H. Jonsson, M.D., Ph.D. (Sweden)
Dwight Kalita, Ph.D. (USA)
Felix I. D. Konotey-Ahulu, MD, FRCP, DTMH (Ghana)
Jeffrey J. Kotulski, D.O. (USA)
Peter H. Lauda, M.D. (Austria)
Alan Lien, Ph.D. (Taiwan)
Homer Lim, M.D. (Philippines)
Stuart Lindsey, Pharm.D. (USA)
Pedro Gonzalez Lombana, MD, MsC, PhD (Colombia)
Victor A. Marcial-Vega, M.D. (Puerto Rico)
Juan Manuel Martinez, M.D. (Colombia)
Mignonne Mary, M.D. (USA)
Jun Matsuyama, M.D., Ph.D. (Japan)
Joseph Mercola, D.O. (USA)

Comments and media contact: drsaul@doctoryourself.com OMNS welcomes but is unable to respond to individual reader emails. Reader comments become the property of OMNS and may or may not be used for publication.

Click here to see a web copy of this news release: https://orthomolecular.acemlna.com/p_v.php?l=1&c=259&m=258&s=c7ae1002d2f579a22c16a1b89c854212

This article may be reprinted free of charge provided 1) that there is clear attribution to the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, and 2) that both the OMNS free subscription link http://orthomolecular.org/subscribe.html and also the OMNS archive link http://orthomolecular.org/resources/omns/index.shtml are included.

Six Minutes of High-Intensity Exercise Could Delay the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise could extend the lifespan of a healthy brain and delay the onset of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. New research published in The Journal of Physiology [1] shows that a short but intense bout of cycling increases the production of a specialized protein that is essential for brain formation, learning and memory, and could protect the brain from age-related cognitive decline. This insight on exercise is part of the drive to develop accessible, equitable and affordable non-pharmacological approaches that anyone can adopt to promote healthy ageing.

The specialised protein named brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neuroplasticity (the ability of the brain to form new connections and pathways) and the survival of neurons. Animal studies have shown that increasing the availability of BDNF encourages the formation and storage of memories, enhances learning and overall boosts cognitive performance. These key roles and its apparent neuroprotective qualities have led to the interest in BDNF for ageing research.

Lead author Travis Gibbons from University of Otago, New Zealand said,

“BDNF has shown great promise in animal models, but pharmaceutical interventions have thus far failed to safely harness the protective power of BDNF in humans. We saw the need to explore non-pharmacological approaches that can preserve the brain’s capacity which humans can use to naturally increase BDNF to help with healthy ageing.”

To tease apart the influence of fasting and exercise on BDNF production the researchers from the University of Otago, New Zealand, compared the following factors to study the isolated and interactive effects:

• Fasting for 20 hours;
• Light exercise (90-minute low intensity cycling);
• High-intensity exercise (six-minute bout of vigorous cycling);
• Combined fasting and exercise.

They found that brief but vigorous exercise was the most efficient way to increase BDNF compared to one day of fasting with or without a lengthy session of light exercise. BDNF increased by four to five-fold (396 pg L^-1 to 1170 pg L^-1) more compared to fasting (no change in BDNF concentration) or prolonged activity (slight increase in BDNF concentration, 336 pg L^-1 to 390 pg L^-1).

The cause for these differences is not yet known and more research is needed to understand the mechanisms involved. One hypothesis is related to the cerebral substrate switch and glucose metabolism, the brain’s primary fuel source. The cerebral substrate switch is when the brain switches its favoured fuel source for another to ensure the body’s energy demands are met, for example metabolising lactate rather than glucose during exercise. The brain’s transition from consuming glucose to lactate initiates pathways that result in elevated levels of BDNF in the blood.

The observed increase in BDNF during exercise could be due to the increased number of platelets (the smallest blood cell) which store large amounts of BDNF. The concentration of platelets circulating in the blood is more heavily influenced by exercise than fasting and increases by 20%.

12 physically active participants (six males, six females aged between 18 and 56 years) took part in the study. The balanced ratio of male and female participants was to provide a better representation of the population rather than indicate sex differences.

Further research is underway to delve deeper into the effects of calorie restriction and exercise to distinguish the influence on BDNF and the cognitive benefits.

Travis Gibbons said, 

“We are now studying how fasting for longer durations, for example up to three days, influences BDNF. We are curious whether exercising hard at the start of a fast accelerates the beneficial effects of fasting. Fasting and exercise are rarely studied together. We think fasting and exercise can be used in conjunction to optimise BDNF production in the human brain.”

Reference and Notes

1. Travis D Gibbons, James D Cotter, Philip N. Ainslie, Wickliffe C. Abraham, Bruce G. Mockett, Holly A. Campbell, Emma M. W. Jones, Elliott J. Jenkins, Kate N. Thomas. Fasting for 20 hours does not affect exercise-induced increases in circulating BDNF in humans. Journal of Physiology 11 January 2023.  https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1113/JP283582  https://doi.org/10.1113/JP283582
2. The Journal of Physiology publishes advances in physiology which increase our understanding of how our bodies function in health and disease. http://jp.physoc.org
3. The Physiological Society brings together over 3,000 scientists from over 60 countries. The Society promotes physiology with the public and parliament alike. It supports physiologists by organising world-class conferences and offering grants for research and also publishes the latest developments in the field in its three leading scientific journals, The Journal of Physiology, Experimental Physiology and Physiological Reports. physoc.org.
4. Study images available here (Please credit School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Science, University of Otago and @alexmackphotography in any reuse).

 Source:

"The Physiological Society" <noreply@physoc.org>

Further Information and Contact

The Physiological Society:

Alanna Orpen, Media and Communications Officer <pressoffice@physoc.org>

Lead author: Travis Gibbons <travisdgibbons@gmail.com>