Thymosin alpha-1 (TA1) is a peptide originally isolated from thymus gland and identified as the compound responsible for restoring immune function. TA1 can help prevent healthy cells from being infected by viruses as well as make viral infections more visible to the body’s immune system so infected cells can be destroyed. The main mechanism of action of TA1 is to augment T-cell function.  T-cells come in two forms: natural killer cells and helper cells.   TA1 helps regulate the immune response by enhancing the Natural Killer (NK) cell system.  The NK cell system i ..read more

Over the past week, patients, friends & staff have asked me to explain the serum (blood) antibody tests that have been advertised recently to detect evidence of COVID-19 infection. As a medical provider, the immune system has always been a challenging subject to understand, much less communicate to a non-medical person. I will do my best to explain in layman terms what I know about the immune system.   Mounting an antibody response is crucial for everyone to overcome an infectious pathogen. The immunity that can result is crucial not only for that individual but also for entire commun ..read more

For additional information: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen The post COVID-19 UPDATE appeared first on TREE OF LIFE MEDICAL ..read more

Delta-sleep-inducing peptide, abbreviated DSIP, is a neuropeptide that is believed to be involved in sleep regulation due to its ability to induce slow-wave sleep.  DSIP enhances REM sleep. REM sleep is characterized by a rapid eye movement.  A number of essential physiologic functions are attributed to REM sleep. Functions include but are not limited to synchronization of biological functions, information processing, memory storage, and a variety of functions that are thought to have a role in equilibrium.Studies show that whenDSIP was given to patients with insomnia, it offered these patient ..read more

Low Dose Naltrexone’s capacity to modulate the immune system has wide potential applicability.   I have been aware of Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) for some time, and I have prescribed it to a handful of patients in past years.  I knew that it has been said to improve mood, help with weight loss and decrease chronic pain.  But I had never considered prescribing it to my patients with autoimmune disorders until about a year ago.  For the past year, I have been using this medication routinely in my patients that have autoimmune and other inflammatory disorders including but not limited to: multiple ..read more

Persistent genital arousal disorder, or PGAD, is a condition in which a person feels repeatedly sexually aroused without provocation. The person’s arousal is NOT linked to sexual desire. Additionally, most people with PGAD experience spontaneous orgasms that do not resolve arousal. PGAD can lead to ongoing physical pain, stress, and psychological difficulties due to an inability to carry out everyday tasks. The condition can affect people of all ages. Women are more commonly affected than men. PGAD is an extremely rare and embarrassing condition. The medical community has not clinically confir ..read more

Any good medical provider will tell you to stay in tune with your body.  If you notice something unusual, don’t ignore it.  Some medical conditions that can be quite serious can manifest initially in subtle ways. The sooner you address whatever is going on, the more easily the problem can be remedied.  Sometimes problems can be corrected through simple changes to diet or a dietary supplement. Here are few common things to look out for.   Do Your Joints Feel Stiff?  Everyone know that with age we see an increase in aches & pains.  But did you know that a possible cause of joint stiffness ..read more

Positive sexual anticipation a powerful aphrodisiac. Negative sexual anticipation is also powerful and can be debilitating.  Sexual desire can make or break good sex – and a good relationship. The number one reason couples in the United States stop having sex is a lack of sexual desire.   Sexual desire is, simply, the thoughts you have toward your sexual experience — good, bad or otherwise.    In large part, the biggest speed bump many women face, especially in midlife, is the myth that if you are not walking around turned on and wanting sex, then you have “low sexual libido” and you are in so ..read more

“Did it ever get physical?”   This is often the first question we ask someone we know or suspect is in an unhealthy relationship. While starting a conversation about physical abuse is essential, an issue arises when it is the ONLY question we ask. Stopping short of inquiring about other forms of abuse implies that physical violence is the defining factor of an unhealthy relationship. Even worse, it conveys the message that whatever else might be going on is not that bad. This is a huge issue, because emotional abuse is as bad – and can often be worse.  Why don’t we hear more about emotional ab ..read more

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FACTS   Did you know . . . .   Domestic violence is the #1 cause of injury ages 14 – 55 — more than car accidents, muggings & rapes combined     Domestic violence is a pattern of controlling behaviors that one partner uses to get power over the other.  It includes: physical violence or threat of physical violence to get control, emotional or mental abuse and sexual abuse   Domestic violence occurs in all races, socio-economic classes, religious affiliations, occupations & educational backgrounds     Domestic violence is rarely an isolated event — tends to increase ..read more