Episode Highlights with Dr. Isaac Eliaz, MD, MS, LAc

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• Dr. Eliaz is an integrative medical doctor, licensed acupuncturist, researcher, author, healer, and yoga teacher. He specializes in treating cancer and curing disease and is the author of the book, The Survival Paradox.

• The book is titled The Survival Paradox because it offers a new paradigm in our understanding of health and of life. The paradox is that we are all wired to survive. Innately, every cell in our body, every organ in our body, as a person, as part of a community, is built to survive. Our survival drive is the same drive that actually causes us suffering. The same drive that causes illnesses, rapid aging and affects almost every single disease. And that's the paradox.

• Our sympathetic nervous system is a network of nerves that helps our body activate its “fight-or-flight” response. When the sympathetic autonomic nervous system kicks in in order for us to survive, it can respond within a fraction of a second with a “fight” reaction which can cause a variety of damaging effects.

• Within minutes of the sympathetic nervous system reacting, the biochemical system kicks in and releases galectin-3, which is similar to an alarm system rushing to the injury site. This then causes a cascade of other components (ligands, or molecules which bind to other components) to be activated (downstream components).By blocking galectin-3 the cascade of events is stopped. Modified citrus pectin can stop galectin-3 and prevent the damage caused by the response mechanism. 

• There are many things that can disrupt our cellular pathways such as physical injuries, emotional traumas, heavy metals, pesticides etc.

•  Blocking galectin-3 will stop the inflammatory and fibrotic process, which causes organ dysfunction.

• Citrus pectin is a long chain of carbohydrates, of sugars, not glucose (but another kind of sugar - galacturonic acid), that is present in the inner peel of the citrus food. When it is modified specifically to a small size and a specific structure (Dr. Eliaz’s formula), it gets absorbed into the bloodstream and blocks galectin-3.

•  The initial interest in modified citrus pectin was in cancer. It has been researched since 1995 with published results in the Journal of National Cancer Institute - one of the top scientific journals in the world.

• There are about 10,000 published papers on galectin-3, and over 80 papers on Pectosol (Dr. Eliaz’s formulated modified citrus pectin).

• Modified citrus pectin can treat many different conditions including cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, liver disease, lung conditions, neuroinflammation, cancer, autoimmunity, and detoxification of heavy metals.

• It can be combined with other supplements and treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery because of its supportive and naturally safe qualities.

• Dr. Eliaz sees parallels to the way galectin-3 works in the body and to how people communicate with each other in communities. 

• People who have a lower level of galectin-3 will live longer. Low galectin-3 levels in people who are in their 70s and 80s usually indicates a higher likelihood of becoming centenarians because they can overcome their issues without producing inflammation and fibrosis.

• We are exposed to pesticides and to glyphosate all the time which changes our health.

• Galectin-3 levels can be measured by most major labs and this test is usually covered by insurance. It's a good idea to have a baseline level. An optimal level of galectin-3 will be under 11, even under 10. Anything which is over 11 is already an issue, definitely over 12.

•  If levels of galectin-3 begin to rise, there's an inflammatory process going on. Either an inappropriate immune response, a scar, or some kind of inflammation in the body. As you improve your health, your galectin-3 level will decrease.

• A lot of people with COVID-long haul will see galectin-3 rising.

• Modified citrus pectin is probably the most important supplement for Lyme patients since it binds toxins, dissolves inflammation and the biofilm.

• Modified citrus pectin is also used for detoxing from glyphosate(a pervasive pesticide) which disrupts the microbiome and the normal microbes in the gut lining. This disruption interferes with nutrient absorption,causes leaky gut, and allows larger molecules to come into our bloodstream. 

• In addition to affecting the gut, glyphosate can also affect the brain. Since glyphosate is almost identical to glycine, the smallest amino acid, it can penetrate into the brain (disrupting the blood brain barrier)  and activate glial cells, where it will become an excitatory neurotoxin. So while glycine is an inhibitory protective neurotransmitter, it can exchange with glyphosate, which becomes now an excitatory neurotoxin.

• Glyphosate is directly linked to chronic kidney disease.

• A very important study published in 2022 showed that when brain tissue is damaged by a perfusion injury, such as a stroke, the brain responds with the spike in galectin-3. Since galectin-3 causes inflammation that's what damages the tissue. It’s not the lack of oxygen. When you give the tissue modified citrus pectin, you reverse the damage.

• Dr. Eliaz has researched and formulated supplements to help detoxification from glyphosates such as PectaSol (Dr. Eliaz’s modified citrus pectin) and GlyphoDetox (another one of his products which contains alginates, seaweeds, kelp, and fulvic acid). He urges patients to give the treatment time to work. 

• No one is exempt from elevated glyphosate levels, although glyphosate is banned in Europe, Mexico, and other countries. Many of the cases of gluten sensitivity in this country are due to glyphosate.  Patients who go to Europe will often have no gluten sensitivity, until they come back to the United States.

• Exposure to glyphosate can also lead to increased obesity.   

• Dr. Eliaz’s therapeutic apheresis clinic offers a procedure by which blood is removed from the body via an IV, plasma is separated and filtered, and cleaned blood is returned to the body. Typically this treatment is used for people with very high levels of cholesterol, people with a genetic issue who don't respond to drugs, and people who experience heart attacks at a young age. However, Dr. Eliaz uses apheresis for many more conditions. He uses it for his cancer patients before chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and he has reported dramatic results for Lyme disease, autoimmunity, and chronic kidney disease. It’s also especially effective for removal of mycotoxins.

• Meditation is a big part of Dr. Eliaz’s life. It allows him to be more enlightened, open, and connected. He encourages everyone to connect with their heart.

• Dr. Eliaz plans to spend more of his time in the future meditating and teaching meditation.