We are conducting 4 months study on Dementia using Thermotherapy with the Amethyst Bio Mat & Sound/Vibration therapy with the Acoustic Mat.

Participants require to do a blood test & Biofeedback Test before and after 4 months.

CBC 12 hours fasting Blood Test + hsCRP, Homocysteine, HBA1c, Vit. D 25 hydroxy.

Please email: drgrantwellness@gmail.com Call 416 562 3140.

Acta Scientific Neurology (ISSN: 2582-1121)
Volume 3 Issue 8 August 2020
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly
Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
George Grant1* and Jay P Vanden Heuvel2
1
Professor, Founder of www.academyofwellness.com, Toronto, ON, Canada
2
Professor, www.naturalselections.net, Green Bay Wisconsin, USA
*Corresponding Author: George Grant, Professor, Founder of
www.academyofwellness.com, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Literature Review
Received: June 10, 2020
Published: July 30, 2020
© All rights are reserved by George Grant
and Jay P Vanden Heuvel.
Abstract
Keywords: Thermotherapy; Vibroacoustic Therapy; Alzheimer’s Diseases
The Objective of this Literature Review is to find any published scientific evidence to correlate the use of both Thermotherapy
[Hyperthermia][Heat Therapy] and Vibroacoustic therapy [Vibration + Sound] to prevent and possibly reverse chronic neurological
conditions like Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Introduction
Neurodegenerative diseases involve the progressive deterioration of structures within the central nervous system responsible
for motor control, cognition, and autonomic function. Dementia,
Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease are among the most
common neurodegenerative disease and have an increasing prevalence over the age of 50. Central in the pathophysiology of these
neurodegenerative diseases is the loss of protein homeostasis,
resulting in misfolding and aggregation of damaged proteins. An
element of the protein homeostasis network that prevents the dysregulation associated with neurodegeneration is the role of molecular chaperones. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are chaperones
that regulate the aggregation and disaggregation of proteins in
intracellular and extracellular spaces, and evidence supports their
protective effect against protein aggregation common to neurodegenerative diseases. Consequently, upregulation of HSPs, such as
HSP70, may be a target for therapeutic intervention for protection against neurodegeneration. A novel therapeutic intervention
to increase the expression of HSP may be found in heat therapy
and/or heat acclimation. In healthy populations, these interventions have been shown to increase HSP expression. Elevated HSP
may have central therapeutic effects, preventing or reducing the
toxicity of protein aggregation, and/or peripherally by enhancing neuromuscular function. Broader physiological responses to
heat therapy have also been identified and include improvements
in muscle function, cerebral blood flow, and markers of metabolic health. These outcomes may also have a significant benefit for
people with neurodegenerative disease. While there is limited research into body warming in patient populations, regular passive
heating (sauna bathing) has been associated with a reduced risk
of developing neurodegenerative disease. Therefore, the emerging
evidence is compelling and warrants further investigation of the
potential benefits of heat acclimation and passive heat therapy for
sufferers of neurodegenerative diseases.
Richway International [Fuji Bioscience] introduced recently
The BioAcoustic Mat™ which is a revolutionary vibroacoustic
therapy device made by Richway and Fuji Bio, makers of the worldrenowned Biomat. We will be conducting a clinical trial using this
new device on 12 subjects suffering from Dementia from our clinics
in Canada and US.
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
Years of scientific research has shown that specific low frequency sound pulsations and beautiful brainwave entraining music have
powerful therapeutic effects on our health and well-being. The
practical applications of sound being used in treatments have been
present in cultures throughout our history. Early cultures such as
the Aborigines, a tribal group from Australia, have used sound to
heal the ill. They would use a yidaki, a musical instrument in which
blown air would create very low vibrations.
The BioAcoustic Mat™ employs a powerful low frequency sound
generator that delivers a deep acoustic massage for joints and tissues. The music pieces on the BioAcoustic Mat™ apply the low frequencies of 30-68 Hz to massage large muscles and the higher 52-
88 Hz level for smaller muscles.
Figure a
Dr. Lee Bartel, the world’s foremost authority on vibroacoustic therapy’s research has shown scientifically developed sounds
will relax and renew your body naturally. The high-fidelity upper
speakers add another dimension of sound therapy to the BioAcoustic Mat™. The beautiful music on these upper speakers have been
designed to provide a calming sense of well-being.
Drawing on years of experience, Dr. Bartel has created tracks
that get you ready for sleep by stimulating deep sleep delta brainwaves, helps you relax by stimulating alpha brainwaves, or helps
you get energized and solve problems by stimulating your theta
brainwaves.
25
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
Feel the pulses of the BioAcoustic Mat’s™ healing energy.
Vibroacoustic relaxation is not just for the brain. It also provides
deep physical cellular stimulation to the skin, muscles, and joints.
Research has shown that relaxing music helps reduce stress.
However, with the BioAcoustic Mat™, you not only hear the music but feel it as well. Like a massage, the vibrations from the BioAcoustic Mat™ relaxes you in two ways.
First, powerful low frequency speakers and transducers are
used to help deliver a deep acoustic cellular massage. The lower
frequencies are used to massage large muscles, and the higher frequencies for smaller muscles. Secondly, these sounds affect brain
activity to help contribute to a state of mental well-being. Professors and researchers have collaborated to create beautiful soothing
music which is designed to help you reach a calming sense of tranquility. The music is composed and designed in a way to complement the frequencies emitted by the speakers. The vibrations stimulate the nerves in the spine, brain stem, and limbic system that
drives emotional response, and activates the auditory nerves that
connect to your muscle tissue, and the low frequency bass causes
the muscle tissue to be at ease.
Central in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases is
the loss of protein homeostasis and the progressive loss of selective
neurons. Protein homeostasis involves a complex system of protein
synthesis, folding, disaggregation, and degradation that ensures
the correct function of the human body and particularly the central
nervous system [24]. Loss of protein homeostasis, due to protein
mis-folding and aggregation of damaged proteins, is a hallmark of
neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
diseases [25]. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s are the two most common degenerative neurological conditions and are more prevalent
with advancing age. Both of these neurodegenerative diseases are
progressive with pathological features demonstrating topographic
distribution. The progressive loss of selective neurons includes
amyloidosis, tauopathies, alpha-synucleinopathies, and proteinopathies, all of which have their own characteristic histopathological
imaging features, as well as clinical symptomology. The diseases
are incurable and result in long-term cognitive, psychological, motor, and non-motor impairments that have a profound impact on
functional mobility, psychological well-being, independent living,
and quality of life.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most prevalent neurodegenerative
disease and is the most common form of dementia [30], which affects 40-50 million people worldwide [41]. Early stages of Alzheimer’s presents with mild cognitive impairment involving memory
loss and progresses with deficits in attention, language, and visuospatial abilities [41]. Social withdrawal accompanies disease
progression, as symptoms include a reduced capacity to perform
activates of daily living, impaired executive function and judgment,
along with disorientation [5]. These outcomes have a significant
impact on independence, quality of life, and years of life with a disability [7]. Furthermore, the economic cost of dementia is $968 billion globally (Garman., et al). These costs are born by individuals
and their caregivers, social health services, as well as public and
private health care providers [25]. Due to the aging population, the
prevalence and impact of Alzheimer’s disease are anticipated to increase in the future [21].
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s are marked
by a loss of cellular protein homeostasis [26]. The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s is evidenced by intracellular and extracellular
amyloid-β plaques as well as neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau [26]. Neurodegeneration occurs as a result of the
accumulation of tau proteins and atrophy of cerebral cortices. Amyloid deposits occur in the neocortex and hippocampus (Phases 1
and 2), the striatum (Phase 3), the brainstem (Phase 4), and the
cerebellum (Phase 5) [16]. In concert with abnormal protein accumulation, the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease may also involve
vascular impairments leading to chronic cerebral hypoperfusion
[5,30] combat these pathophysiological progressions, therapeutic
interventions to improve protein quality control and regulation
or improve vascular health and function have been recommended
[5,26].
Heat shock proteins as a therapeutic target
Recent reviews have clearly identified the upregulation of HSPs
as thermally activated therapeutic targets for the treatment of
neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s [24,26]. HSPs are a collective family of proteins, suffixed by
their molecular weight (in kilodaltons; kDa), which are present
in both constitutively expressed, and inducible isoforms across
several intracellular tissue sites and in extracellular fluid following stress [27]. Relative to increased intracellular HSP content (a
necessary component for protective cellular adaptation), the pres26
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
ence of extracellular changes in HSP concentration reflects a less
pertinent (in the context of adaptation) transient stress response
which acts as an acute signaling response. The 70 kDa (HSPA) and
90 kDa (HSPC) family of HSPs, hereafter referred to as HSP70 and
HSP90, are generally the most widely studied responders to thermal stressors and are likely of most relevance within the field of
heat therapy and heat adaptation for neurodegenerative disease
[28]. HSP70 and HSP90 function as chaperones to ensure appropriate cell function and have distinct roles in the unfolded protein
response, e.g., recognizing misfolded or mis-localized proteins that
may be subsequently degraded by the proteasome, and are a key
component of chaperone-mediated autophagy [6]. It is outside of
the focus of this review to describe each of these roles, with the
reader directed elsewhere to contextualize these actions [6]. As
therapeutic targets, HSP70 and HSP90 may be considered to have a
direct and indirect role in neurodegenerative diseases. Direct roles
for HSPs on the nervous system arise from the aforementioned
notion that aggregation of misfolded proteins is characteristic of
neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s,
and Huntington’s [7]. In Parkinson’s, HSP70 is reported as being
of decreased gene expression [8]. While during proteomic profiling, reduced phosphorylation of HSP90 is also reported [6]. Pharmacological and animal models utilizing HSP expression (elevated
HSP70 and reduced HSP90) have reduced the aggregation and toxicity of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson’s disease [8]. In Alzheimer’s,
HSP70 may suppress the proteolysis of amyloid precursor protein
(Danzer., et al.) and in addition to HSP70, HSP90, and small HSPs
reduce the formation of A-beta fibrils and A-beta toxicity which
subsequently form amyloid plaques. Tauopathy occurrence in Alzheimer’s may also be positively impacted by HSP changes with
HSP70 and HSP90. Further, HSPs have been found to regulate
huntingtin via reduced cell aggregation in Huntington’s disease
(Brunt., et al.), and slows the muscle denervation of amyotrophic
lateral sclerosis (Motor Neuron Disease) [21].
Much of the literature describing these responses involve complex and isolated tissue/cell models to understand how HSP manipulation impacts upon neurodegenerative disease factors, thus
direct application for humans remains unknown. However, with
mechanistic support for the role of HSP augmentation to improve
disease states, the application of heat therapy and/or heat adaptation in this context warrants further investigation.
Responses to active (Exercise Heat Acclimation) and passive
heat therapy in healthy adults
Physical activity and exercise have long been identified as mechanisms of inducing physiological stressors and subsequent positive adaptations in healthy and chronic disease [15] populations.
Unfortunately, those with increasing disease severity or diseases
that challenge their motor control capabilities may be physically
incapable of performing such beneficial exercise. Heat therapy has
recently been targeted as a potential vehicle to evoke these positive
thermal-induced adaptations in those precluded from undertaking
exercise. Experimental investigations, large cohort surveys and reviews have expressed the potential for passive heating to improve
physical and mental health in patients with cardiovascular disease
[17], diabetes [34], peripheral arterial disease [4], and depression
[40].
While there is a myriad of beneficial physiological and molecular
effects of active and passive heating, this review will primarily focus specifically on the outcome of HSP expression, for its potential
to influence proteostasis in neurodegenerative disease. For active
and passive heating to be effective in increasing HSP expression,
the minimum exposure requirements to elicit a desirable response
in HSPs, from both acute and chronic (repeated) exposure, needs
to be identified.
Acute effects of body warming on heat shock proteins
Transcription of HSP mRNA, an essential step before protein
translation, is primarily regulated by Heat shock factor protein 1
(HSF-1) as part of the Heat Shock Response [28]. HSF-1 activation
involves a complex series of regulatory events, including nuclear
localization, oligomerization and acquisition of HSE-DNA binding,
ultimately resulting in the transcription of HSP mRNA in response
to the thermal and physiological challenge [14]. Sufficient mRNA
transcription then leads to increased protein within the stressed
cell.
Precise parameters for intracellular increases, and thus cellular
adaptation, have been less clearly defined. For example, mean core
body temperature may not be the sole marker of an increase, rather the rate of change in core body temperature may be of greater
importance to signal HSF-1 to HSP70 pathways. In the more common exercise-heat stress model, a recent analysis concluded that
when transcription of the related HSP70 and HSP90α mRNA is important, protocols should rapidly induce large, prolonged changes
27
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
in core body temperature [43]. This notion was supported by evidence that, when analyzed collectively, significant predictors of the
post-exercise change in HSP70 and HSP90α mRNA were the change
in mean and peak core body temperature, and the duration core
body temperature was ≥38.5°C [44]. It should be acknowledged
that these data describe responses to exercise-heat stress, an intervention that is likely to be challenging to implement in clinical
populations. Accordingly, passive heating via body warming may
prove to be a more efficacious intervention.
The HSP response to localized or whole body warming has also
been investigated. In passive heating models, increases in HSP70
and HSP90 mRNA have been evidenced as peaking 30 min following 90 min of local heating to either the thigh or the whole leg of
healthy human volunteers (Gao., et al.) Regrettably, no intramuscular temperature data is available from this experiment to assist
with identifying minimum exposure requirement. This increase
following resting, local heat stress which does not alter core body
temperature offers mechanistic insight as elevations in blood flow
and shear stress provide a non-core body temperature dependent
HSP response that parallels transcription of angiogenic markers
(Gao., et al.) Not all experimental work has observed changes in
HSP following passive heating. Leg immersion in hot water at 45°C
for 60 min, eliciting an increased intramuscular temperature of

39°C, did not affect muscle HSPs (HSP70, HSC70, HSP60, HSP27,
alphaB-crystallin) in healthy young humans [39]. It should be
noted that this null-observation came 48 h following, rather than
immediately after heating, which may provide a rationale for the
response. These data share commonality with responses observed
elsewhere in relation to HSP70 and HSP27 stasis 24 h following
∼80 min of heating at ∼49°C [37] to increase intramuscular temperature also to >39°C, suggesting that the dose of heat therapy
may be an important driver of HSP response or that the inconsistent timing of differential tissue sampling are experimental artifacts impacting current understanding.
Examination of extracellular changes in HSP70 during acute
exercise-heat stress in humans has identified that the endogenous
requirement for extracellular HSP70 release (at the cessation of exercise) may be a core body temperature mean of >38.5°C (peak of
39.2°C) for 56 min, alongside moderate exercising intensities [44].
Although changes may occur more rapidly (within 27 min) if exercise intensities are higher). Both the change in and final core body
temperature attained are relevant to extracellular HSP70 release)
and indicate achieving substantial elevations in thermal parameters is important when administering exercise-heat exposures to
increase thermotolerance in whole-body models.
Chronic effects of body warming on heat shock proteins
The HSP responses to exercise-heat acclimation have been reviewed previously, with an acknowledgment that the intervention
is an effective means to augment cellular thermotolerance, which
may subsequently protect vital organs from deleterious effects of
heat stress in humans [6]. An internal temperature threshold for
intracellular HSP70 induction may exist, though it is also possible that this response occurs once a certain variation of internal,
whole-body temperature is reached alongside additional stressors. For example, during a 10-day heat acclimation period, demonstrated the largest changes in post-exercise intracellular HSP70
when a core body temperature >39.0°C was achieved. In contrast
[28] reported no change in HSP70 in response to a lower core
body temperature (mean maximum of ∼38.5°C) following 10 days
of heat acclimation. HSP70 and HSP90 mRNA transcription occur
at a series of core body temperature thresholds during 90 min of
exercise-heat stress (mean 37.6-38.2°C; peak 38.1-39.1°C) [44]
therefore the dose of heat stress to elicit translation may be greater
than that required to elicit transcription.
In human whole-body passive heating models, such as hot
water immersion of > 60 min whereby core body temperature is
increased, higher extracellular HSP70 concentration [37], and intracellular HSP70 changes, have been reported. The beneficial response once again is not unanimous, with others reporting chronic
change (following 2 weeks of repeated therapy) in intracellular
HSP70 after 45 – 60 minutes of passive heat therapy). In a similar
manner to that described for local heating, the dose of stress may
be important given the lack of change in studies using 60 minutes
heating, in comparison to those who do report an acute increase in
intracellular HSP70 following 120 min heating in 39°C water [42].
Intracellular HSP70 and HSP90 levels in peripheral blood
mononuclear cells (PBMC) are increased after 6-10 days of long
term exercise-heat acclimation [15]. The two larger HSPs appear
to be related with regards to exercise-heat stress changes, as an
HSP70 increase of ∼21% was correlated with HSP90 increases of
∼18%). In vitro analysis of PBMC obtained from 10-day exerciseheat acclimated individuals exhibit greater blunting of the HSP
response to heat shock of 43°C for 60 min (compared to unaccli28
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
mated). This blunted pre-post response is indicative of increased
thermotolerance and/or cellular protection from stress, likely due
to increased basal intracellular HSP content and appears directly
related to the degree of physiological heat acclimation (lower core
temperature), thus the adapted individual/cell experiences lesser
relative stress at the same absolute temperature [9].
The notion of individual differences in the responses to local
heat therapy has been highlighted in a study observing that 24 h
following 40 min of heat treatment (diathermy followed by heat
packs), female subjects significantly increased HSP70 (+58%)
and phosphorylation of HSP27 (+100%) content compared to the
untreated leg). In comparison, male subjects had non-significant
increases in HSP70 (+35%) and HSP27 phosphorylation (+32%)
within skeletal muscle. These sex-specific responses are intriguing and warrant future investigation given no differences in Hsp70
mRNA have been reported during isothermic heat acclimation and
were not reported in the mixed-sex cohort undertaking passive
heating described above [37].
Central and peripheral effects of body warming
The administration of heat therapy and heat acclimation may
provide additional benefits in the context of neurodegenerative
diseases in relation to skeletal muscle function, cerebral blood
flow, and metabolic health. Adverse reductions in strength and lean
body mass are symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases, including
Alzheimer’s disease [21,22], Parkinson’s disease [11] and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. While various mechanisms are at play,
muscle atrophy and decreased strength likely owe to symptom-influenced reductions in physical activity, along with central and peripheral nervous system changes that limit muscle activation. Furthermore, reduced cerebral blood flow and poor metabolic health
profiles may also be related to disease progression [13,30,35]. As
there is a potential benefit to be gained, the below reviews the current developing understanding of the acute and chronic effects of
elevated temperature on skeletal muscle function, cerebral blood
flow, and markers of metabolic health.
Skeletal muscle function
Increases in skeletal muscle temperature have long been accepted to improve acute muscle force, power and contractility
[12,29]. Contrastingly, the inverse relationship between high core
body temperature and muscle torque, muscle recruitment patterns, and voluntary activation is also documented. Importantly,
however, these outcomes are most often viewed with a short-term
lens, with limited understanding of the effects of time or repeated
heat exposures on skeletal muscle in humans [15].
Passive heating has been reported in experimental designs examining effects on exercise-induced muscle damage ecovery from
muscle injury and immobilization and muscle hypertrophy in animal models. The rationale for passive heat application relates to the
altered cascade of inflammation and HSP expression that interact
with mitochondrial biogenesis and muscle growth increases in wet
muscle mass and protein content in rat soleus muscle have been
described 7 days after a 60 min exposure to a 41-42°C heat chamber. Further observed higher muscle mass/body weight ratios in
rats following 30 days of acclimation to 34°C environmental heat
compared to a 24°C control. Similarly, in healthy men, saw an increased cross-sectional area of fibers in the vastus lateralis (8.3%)
using a steam-generating sheet applied to the quadriceps muscle
for 8 h⋅day-1 and 4 days week across a 10-week intervention.
Collectively, it might be concluded that passive heating could
support cell proliferation and facilitate muscle hypertrophy). Such
outcomes would be particularly beneficial to those experiencing
neurodegenerative disease, particularly as passive heating appears
also to attenuate human skeletal muscle atrophy [29].
Most pertinent from a translational perspective, improved
strength has been demonstrated to couple the increased skeletal
muscle growth after passive heating. Higher isometric knee extensor torque (5.8%) was achieved after 10 weeks of heat stress,
which the authors explained as potentially relating to the increase
of myonuclear number also found a 4% increase in knee extensor
strength in the non-heated leg. While the contralateral effects of
unilateral resistance training are acknowledged [40], this phenomenon may imply that there are central nervous system effects of
chronic passive heating. A potential role of circulating factors has
also been proposed). The site(s) of possible neural adaptation explaining cross-education remain unclear. However, it is conceivable
that adaptations could occur at the spinal and/or cortical level considering the noted decline in descending motor drive during acute
episodes of hyperthermia. It seems that higher body temperature
acutely impairs somatosensory processing, though how adaptation to passive heating might affect neural activity in healthy or
diseased states in thermoneutral conditions remains to be elucidated. Regardless, adaptation to passive heat therapy is promising,
particularly in a rehabilitation setting and for those with neuro29
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
degenerative diseases, as acute stress may increase motor cortex
excitability and augment motor skill acquisition [42].
Cerebral blood flow
Another avenue by which passive heating may have a therapeutic effect is through improved cerebral blood flow. Reduced cerebral blood flow and dysfunction in the blood-brain barrier have
been identified in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s [5,30]. Both motor and cognitive impairments
have been associated with poor perfusion in several brain regions
in Parkinson’s disease). Similarly, overall and regional cerebral
blood flow reductions have been associated with cognitive decline
in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. For these
reasons, the vasculature supplying blood to and across the brain
are also relevant targets to examine the beneficial adaptations of
passive heat therapy for neurodegenerative diseases.
Several vascular adaptations attributable to heat therapy have
been reported. These have included improved flow-mediated dilation [18], increased pulse wave velocity (an index of arterial stiffness) [18], reduced carotid intima thickness [18] improved capillarization and subsequently enhanced systemic blood pressure
profiles [4,18]. Mechanistically, HSP27 has been shown to reduce
intimal hyperplasia [27], with greater carotid intima thickness associated with reduced cerebral blood flow. Undesirable vascular
hypertrophy can also be mitigated against via HSP70 associated inhibition of Angiotension II), with HSP90 conferring a more general
adaptation aligned to the stabilization of the vascular endothelial
growth factor (VEGF) upstream target hypoxia-inducible factor-1
(HIF-1α)), and elevated endothelial nitric oxide production and improved the stabilization and bioavailability of endothelial nitric oxide synthase [9]. Collectively these vascular adaptations observed
in passive heating interventions have the potential to maintain
cerebral blood flow and blood-brain barrier function, outcomes
which may have beneficial effects for cognitive function in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Metabolic health
Markers of metabolic health may also play a role in the pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. The neurodegeneration seen in Alzheimer’s disease has been linked with
impaired cerebral insulin signaling and glucose metabolism [13].
The loss of protein homeostasis (Aβ accumulation and tau hyperphosphorylation), synaptic degeneration, and neural dysfunction
have been associated with these impairments to normal metabolic
processes [13]. Recent research has therefore proposed therapeutic interventions to improve insulin signaling and reduce insulin resistance. Interestingly, heat therapy has been proposed for
people with type II diabetes, and early studies have highlighted a
reduction in fasting plasma glucose following repeated hot water
bath immersions over 3 weeks. Furthermore, chronic heat therapy
interventions have improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome who experience
obesity and metabolic dysfunction [34]. Therefore, the effects of
heat therapy on metabolic health are another potential avenue of
therapeutic benefit for people with neurodegenerative disease.
Summary
For individuals who do not experience these important physiological stressors through habitual activity and exercise, heat
therapy may provide a vehicle to achieve a range of health and
physiological benefits (Figure 1). Much remains to be understood
with regards to the mechanisms and stimuli required to elicit the
desired increases in relevant HSPs following heat therapy, in addition to further quantifying the magnitude of importance of these
responses. Additionally, the potential to improve muscular function, cerebral blood flow, and markers of metabolic health offer
significant benefit for people with a neurodegenerative disease by
improving their quality of life and reducing disease severity. Part
of the present ambiguity results from the utilization of different
methods, e.g., heating technique, heating duration and magnitude,
tissue sample site and time points, across experimental studies.
Despite the need for further clarity regarding the mechanistic underpinnings and best practice implementation, the opportunities
to investigate a tolerable heat therapy model in a relevant target
population exists and should be encouraged.
Figure 1: Potential benefits arising from heat therapy for people
with neurodegenerative disease (↑ symbolizes an increasing effect; ↓ symbolizes a decreasing effect).
30
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
Body warming in people with neurodegenerative diseases
Evidence for a potential benefit
At present, the authors are not aware of any studies that have
directly assessed the effects of active or passive body warming on
HSP release, and disease severity or progression, in people with
neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, this review will draw on
findings from epidemiological studies, and indirect studies of other
interventions such as exercise, that have shown benefits among
people with neurodegenerative diseases.
Habitual body warming, through sauna bathing or exercise,
has been shown to reduce the risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. Regular passive heating has been associated with a
reduced risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases, including
Alzheimer’s). Men participating in sauna bathing 2-3 or 4-7 times
per week had a 0.80 and 0.35 hazard ratio for developing Alzheimer’s disease compared to men who sauna once per week or less).
Regular exercise also has a protective effect on the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases). Consistent and frequent
participation in moderate to vigorous physical activity was found
to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease by up to 40%). Similarly,
exercising three or more times per week is associated with a lower
incidence rate of dementia and Alzheimer’s. While these studies do
not elucidate the potential mechanisms by which a protective effect
is elicited, it does lend anecdotal evidence toward the expression of
HSP through regular body warming as a distinct possibility.
Further to a preventative effect, exercise has been described
as having a restorative effect on the neurodegeneration observed
in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases). Clinical and epidemiological studies have provided evidence supporting the conclusion
that exercise has therapeutic value by reducing the symptoms and
slowing disease progression). Moderate to high-intensity aerobic
exercises, such as treadmill walking or assisted cycling, are recommended for improved motor and cognitive function in Parkinson’s disease [3,35]. High-intensity treadmill exercise of 30 min
at a target heart rate prevented Parkinson’s disease progression,
compared to moderate intensity and control. Furthermore, interval exercises (alternating periods of low and high intensity assisted
cycling) have shown positive improvements in functional ability in
Parkinson’s patients. Immersion in warm water (33°C) for 50 min
while performing dual-task exercises (combining physical movements with cognitive tasks) was found to improve functional mobility (timed up and go, and five-time sit-to-stand) among people
with Parkinson’s disease following 3 months of twice-weekly exposures [25].
Exercise interventions have also had significant effects on slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Over 1 year, people with
Alzheimer’s disease who participated in twice-weekly 1-h exercise
sessions showed reduced rates of decline in measures of functional independence and physical performance, compared to control
participants. In a similar intervention, the ability to perform activities of daily living declined significantly slower in people with Alzheimer’s disease performing twice-weekly exercise programs. A
6-month walking program has also shown people with Alzheimer’s
disease to be able to maintain cognitive function on the Mini Mental
State Exam (MMSE), compared to significant declines in those not
exercising). Overall, there is compelling evidence that exercise improves motor and cognitive function in neurodegenerative disease
and it is therefore recommended by clinicians. However, exercise
and body warming interventions should consider the difficulties
in performing such activities for these populations (section “Considerations for Heat Therapy for People With Neurodegenerative
Disease”).
The studies of moderate to high-intensity exercise among
neurodegenerative disease populations provide circumstantial
evidence that the assumed body warming experienced may be
contributing to the beneficial effects observed. While there may
be many avenues by which exercise and body warming promote
improved health and function, the role of body temperature elevation, thermoregulatory responses, and HSP expression have been
overlooked in these experiments. Given the growing body of evidence that supports the expression of HSPs as therapeutic targets
for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases (section “Heat Shock
Proteins As a Therapeutic Target”), there is a clear need for future
investigations of passive heating to monitor thermoregulation and
HSP responses in people with these neurodegenerative diseases.
Considerations for heat therapy for people with neurodegenerative disease
An important consideration in conducting heat acclimation and
heat therapy for older adults and clinical populations will be how
their impairments or any co-morbidities may affect their ability
to perform and tolerate these interventions. Firstly, their disease
severity may impair their physical ability to perform movements
effectively and safely [21]. Secondly, neurodegeneration may cause
31
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
deficits in thermoregulatory processes. In Parkinson’s disease,
neural degeneration in higher-order brain centers including the
hypothalamus is associated with impaired sudomotor function
which in turn may influence their tolerance to body warming.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Motor
Neuron Disease primarily affect motor control. As the diseases
progress, motor function deteriorates resulting in impaired gait
and balance and an increased risk of falls. While Alzheimer’s is usually associated with cognitive impairments, significant motor impairments are also associated with this disease [21]. Therefore, exercise and heat acclimation interventions should consider the level
of impairment of their target population and how the risk of falls
and injury may be managed. As such, in these populations where
movement is limited, passive heat therapy may be an achievable
alternative to exercise interventions.
The autonomic nervous system, responsible for thermoregulation, can exhibit deficits in neurodegenerative diseases, specifically
in the thermoeffector responses of sweating and skin blood flow.
Abnormalities in the sweating response, hyperhidrosis and/or
hypohidrosis, are commonly reported in Parkinson’s disease and
may be more prominent with increasing age and disease severity
of patients. Hyperhidrosis, an absence of the sweating or reduced
sweat output, may reduce effective body cooling during exercise
and body warming. However, the sweating response is highly individualized, and compromised sweating in one body region may be
compensated by increased sweating in other body regions. Careful
attention should, therefore, be given to the rate of body warming
people with Parkinson’s disease may experience, and ensuring appropriate cooling strategies are available.
Cardiovascular regulation of blood pressure is also influenced
by neurodegenerative disease. The expected elevation in heart rate
and blood pressure may be blunted in people with Parkinson’s
disease, and they may also experience post-exercise hypotension
[7]. Orthostatic intolerance is also reported in 10-60% of people
with Parkinson’s disease. These cardiovascular impairments may
influence their ability to tolerate exercise and body warming and
should be considered in determining individual suitability for heat
therapy and heat acclimation. The modality of passive heating may
therefore also be an important factor in determining appropriate
therapeutic techniques. Infrared sauna bathing has been reported
to promote lower cardiovascular strain than traditional sauna techniques) and may be one avenue that could be investigated for suitability in these at-risk populations.
Overall, there are three key points from the scientific literature
that support a proposal for a therapeutic effect of heat therapy or
heat acclimation to promote HSP expression in people with neurodegenerative disease. These include, (1) Exercise, sufficient to
raise core body temperature, is currently recommended for people
with neurodegenerative disease (e.g., Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s
diseases) as it has been shown to improve their symptoms; (2) Elevated HSP levels have been identified as a therapeutic target to
reduce protein aggregation and toxicity; and (3) Exercise and body
warming have been shown to elevate HSP expression in healthy
adults. Furthermore, heat therapy may have additional benefits for
muscle function, vasculature health and cerebral blood flow, and
indicators of metabolic health, which have also been implicated
in the pathophysiological presentation of neurodegenerative diseases. These findings from the current scientific literature support
the proposal for further investigation into the potentially beneficial
adaptations for people with neurodegenerative diseases to heat
therapy and heat acclimation.
Initial research is required to establish the acute effects of heat
therapy and/or heat acclimation in people with neurodegenerative
diseases. As these diseases may involve impairment of autonomic
pathways involved in thermoregulation, research is required to
elucidate the thermoeffector responses, sweating and skin blood
flow, to acute heat stress and how these may affect tolerance to
body warming. Alongside these outcomes HSP expression, muscular adaptations, and vasculature function responses to body warming should be measured in neurodegenerative disease populations,
to determine the presence of a similar response to body warming as seen in healthy adults, and the magnitude of the response
in relation to the tolerable limits of body warming. Consequent
to acute observations that tolerable heat exposures promote the
desirable HSP response and vascular adaptations, further investigation should then pursue the effects of chronic or repeated heat
therapy and/or heat acclimation on these responses and indicators
of disease severity and progression. Finally, an understanding of
the dose-response relationship between frequency and intensity
of body warming and improved symptomology should be determined. In concert with these research efforts, investigations of the
underlying mechanisms by which HSP expression and body warming may improve neuromuscular function are warranted [29].
32
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
Figure b
If you ever found yourself tapping your feet to the beat of a song,
you have the basic idea of entrainment.
It is a physics principle, where one rhythmic system falls in line
with another. It is our body’s way of going with the flow.
From a physics standpoint, less energy is required when one
system falls in line with another. The human brain is a complex system and is made up of an immense neural network which sends
and receives signals. It shapes our entire reality. The pulses are
rhythmic in nature and can be temporarily subject to entrainment.
The BioAcoustic Mat’s™ music is embedded with specific frequencies that coax our mind into different therapeutic states. The
carefully constructed tracks stimulate healthy neural activity in the
brain by controlling the number of sounds the ear hears per second
and by playing a slightly different pitch in each ear. This results in
our mind syncing with the rhythm of our body becoming more relaxed or energized.
Figure c
33
Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Citation: George Grant and Jay P Vanden Heuvel. “Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and
Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.
Dr. Bartel is a Professor Emeritus of Music and former Associate
Dean for research at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, as
well as Director of Music and Health Research Collaboratory.
Dr. Bartel has special interest in applications of music in health
conditions of aging and rehabilitation. He is well known for his research and design of music for health. His primary research interest is currently in Rhythmic Sensory Stimulation (RSS) with applications for several types of pain.
Within the Canadian Music Education Research Centre, Dr. Bartel is the Coordinator of the Music Therapy and Health Special Research Interest Group.
He has also served on the Accreditation Review Board for the
Canadian Association of Music Therapy, has been involved in noteworthy studies with the Centre for Health Promotion, University of
Toronto, and has supervised doctoral and post-doctoral research at
Bloorview Kid’s Rehab, Lyndhurst Hospital, and Baycrest Hospital.
Drawing upon his many years of experience, Dr. Bartel designed
the internationally best-selling Music for Your Health series from
the Solitude’s label, as well as Somerset Entertainment’s SonicAid
series. His Gold and Platinum album work has been nominated for
several Juno Awards.
Today, Dr. Bartel’s contributions include 16 books, multiple academic papers and publications.
The BioAcoustic Mat™ is useful for…
• Stress Reduction
• Entraining
• Physical and auditory stimulation
• Music Therapy
Use the BioAcoustic Mat™ in conjunction with the Biomat® for
optimal performance.
Rhythmic oscillatory coherence and connectivity: The origin
and function of neural rhythmic oscillatory activity in the brain
remains a central research question in neuroscience. Although several explanations have been proposed [1], recent work has raised
important issues related to clinical application of oscillatory brain
activity in neurodegenerative diseases and neurorehabilitation [2].
Can oscillatory brain activity be used as diagnostic biomarker for
conditions like Parkinson’s disease (PD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD),
and depression? And can oscillatory brain activity be modulated
in support of therapeutic interventions? The healthy human brain
has intrinsic and constant rhythmic oscillation. Popular psychology explained the oscillatory rhythms of “brain waves” as neural
indices of specific mental states, e.g. delta with sleep (0.1-4Hz),
theta with deep relaxation and creative insight (4-8Hz), alpha with
relaxation (8-12Hz), and beta with problem solving (12- 20Hz).
Although generally true, scientific interest is moving toward understanding the role that oscillatory rhythms may play in coordinating neural activity supporting perceptual, cognitive, and motor
functions [3]. Oscillatory activity may index local neural networks
from modality-specific brain areas as well as long-range neural
systems that engage sensory and supra-modal brain regions (e.g.,
prefrontal and parietal cortices) [4]. Ward [5] proposed that consciousness is related to synchronous neural rhythms in general,
but that memory processes are related to gamma (30-50Hz) and
theta oscillatory rhythms, whereas attention is dependent on alpha
and gamma activity. His review of the literature points toward an
increased connectivity between frontal and parietal cortex during
memory recall from larger spectral power in gamma and theta frequency bands, with the magnitude of gamma activity modulated by
the theta rhythm. This intra-brain communication through neuronal oscillatory coherence is thought to index healthy functioning of
specific circuits – like memory, or movement. Although it is well accepted that brain activity related to perceptual, cognitive, and motor functions depends on widely distributed neural networks, the
functional connectivity between the nodes of the networks is less
well understood. Fries [6] proposed that the mechanism of neuronal communication depends on similar neuronal oscillatory activity and that communication within a local network (e.g., sensory
cortex) happens mainly with coherent oscillation in the gamma
frequency range (30-100 Hz). For communication between distant
brain areas, the amount of local gamma oscillations is controlled by
slower rhythm in the theta frequency range (4-8 Hz) [7].
Figure d
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    Thermotherapy and Vibroacoustic Therapy in Preventing and Possibly Reversing Dementia and Alzheimer’s
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    Alzheimer’s”. Acta Scientific Neurology 3.8 (2020): 24-36.

Key annual blood tests that everyone should know about

†The chemistry panel, also known as a basic metabolic panel, checks blood sugar (glucose) levels, as well as levels and balances of minerals and electrolytes. A knowledgeable doctor can use a chemistry panel to detect diabetes, kidney disease, liver problems, thyroid disorders and even cancer.

The complete blood count, or CBC, is a closer look at the makeup of the blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This test can show the presence of infection, anemia, cancer and blood and bone marrow conditions.

The lipid panel assesses the level of both healthy and unhealthy fats, such as LDL and HDL cholesterol. These substances, and the balance between them, can affect your risk of heart attack and stroke.

Understanding the fasting insulin test

This test can help diagnose or monitor insulin resistance, which is a classic characteristic of type 2 diabetes.

Even if high insulin hasn’t yet led to diabetes or metabolic syndrome, it is not doing your health any favors. Elevated insulin levels can contribute to an array of undesirable conditions, including high blood pressure, migraine, cognitive decline, atherosclerosis, obesity and cancer.

Insulin resistance can sometimes be addressed with lifestyle changes, such as getting proper exercise and nutrition. If these don’t do the trick, your doctor may prescribe the medication metformin. Natural nutrients – particularly hesperidin, a flavonoid found in citrus fruits – may also be helpful.

What is Hemoglobin A1C?

This test measures glucose levels over the past two to three months, and can reveal a long-term problem with glucose control.  Remember, high levels of hemoglobin A1c can point to increased risk for heart disease, even when diabetes or metabolic syndrome aren’t present.

This test is also useful if you are currently being treated for diabetes, as it can measure how well the therapy is working.

Do you know all about DHEA?

Sometimes referred to as the “anti-aging hormone,” DHEA is used by the body to make other hormones, including testosterone and estrogen.  This natural steroid – with the formidable chemical name of dehydroepiandrosterone – is also important for proper immune function, bone density, stable mood, normal libido and healthy body composition.

As DHEA levels decline with age, it is important to have annual blood tests to look for shortfalls. Lower DHEA levels are associated with depression, as well as with increased odds of experiencing a fatal cardiovascular event.

Fortunately, low DHEA can be treated with oral supplementation.

Attention men: Have you tested for prostate-specific androgen (PSA)?

Prostate cancer is common in men, particularly men over 65 years old. Higher levels of a protein known as prostate-specific androgen can be an indication of prostate cancer – but can also offer clues to the presence of infection, inflammation and prostate enlargement.

PSA tests are quite controversial, with some physicians believing that the risk of misdiagnosis could outweigh the benefits of the test. Men between 55 and 69 years old should discuss the need for PSA screenings with their doctor.

Why your homocysteine levels matter

Elevated levels of this amino acid can truly be “bad news,” with studies showing that it can increase the risk of heart attack, bone fractures, macular degeneration, gallstones and declining cognitive function.

In fact, in one study, people with the highest homocysteine levels had three times the risk of heart attack over a five-year period than those with lower levels – and this was even true for those with no history of heart disease.

Fortunately, you may be able to lower high homocysteine levels with B-complex vitamins, such as B2, B6, B12 and 5-MTFH, the biologically active form of folic acid.

The important of C-reactive protein

C-reactive protein (CRP), another troublemaker, is produced in the liver when tissues in the body are inflamed.

Elevated levels of C-reactive protein are one of the most reliable testaments to inflammation throughout the body, and can serve as a red flag that could indicate heart disease, type 2 diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, IBD and cognitive decline.

If you have elevated C-reactive protein, your doctors may advise cholesterol-lowering medications.  But, on the other hand – to reduce inflammation, natural health experts advise nutrients such as fish oil, curcumin from turmeric, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D.

Naturally, it’s best to check with your integrative doctor before supplementing†What’s the deal with thyroid stimulating hormone?

By identifying irregularities in levels of thyroid stimulating hormone, the TSH test can help uncover disturbances in levels of thyroid function. Common thyroid disorders include hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid – and hypothyroidism, or underactive thyroid.

Your doctor may treat thyroid conditions with synthetic thyroid hormones.  But, there are nutrients that can support healthy thyroid function include the minerals selenium and magnesium, vitamins A and B12, the amino acid L-tyrosine and adaptogenic herbs such as ashwagandha and Korean ginseng root.

As always, ask your doctor about these suggestions.

The Free and Total Testosterone Test

Testosterone is produced by men and women alike, although women create smaller amounts. Levels in both sexes can drop with age, causing a variety of troublesome symptoms.

In men, low testosterone can cause diminished libido, erectile dysfunction, decreased muscle mass, lower bone density, depression, trouble concentrating and difficulty sleeping. It also raises the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

In women, low testosterone can cause loss of libido, depression and loss of muscle.

Generally speaking, your doctor should test for both free (testosterone unattached to other proteins) and total (all testosterone in the body) testosterone as part of your annual blood test.

If your annual blood test turns up “low T,” your integrative doctor could provide some suggestions.

What is Apolipoprotein B100?

“Apob100” is a constituent of LDL (low density lipoprotein) and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein), two types of cholesterol believed to contribute to artery-clogging atherosclerosis, which raises risk of heart attack and stroke.

While Apob100 is yet another troublemaker in the body, it does provide one useful service: some doctors consider this unhealthy protein to be an even more reliable predictor of heart disease than LDL levels. The good news: you can lower your levels with lifestyle changes such as a better diet and exercise routine.

Have you ever tested your Estradiol and progesterone levels?

These sex hormones are produced by women and men alike, but in much smaller quantities in men. While their main function is reproductive, they play an important role in supporting healthy bone density – especially in postmenopausal women and older men.

Unusually high levels can signal ovarian cysts and ovarian cancer, and can also point to problems with bone health.  In addition, tests measuring estradiol and progesterone can also be used in menopausal women to identify the ideal dose of bioidentical progesterone to treat problems that can accompany diminishing hormones, such as sleep disturbances, depression, anxiety and hot flashes.

Test your vitamin D levels

Vitamin D deficiencies (defined as levels under 30 ng/dL) are widespread in the United States. This is unfortunate, as low levels of vitamin D are associated with an array of conditions, including heart disease, autoimmune disease, diabetes and depression.

In fact, recent research has demonstrated that the “sunshine vitamin” can protect against breast cancer and upper respiratory infections. To obtain maximum benefits, natural health experts recommend maintaining optimal levels of 50 to 80 ng/mL. You can raise your levels by supplementing with vitamin D3 – but check first with your integrative doctor.

Why magnesium is a must

Close to two thirds of all adults in the United States have inadequate dietary intake of magnesium.  In fact, with people over 71, the incidence rises to a shocking 80 percent!

Magnesium deficiency is linked to high blood pressure, arterial stiffening and atherosclerosis – common triggers for heart disease.  As if that weren’t bad enough, low magnesium also contributes to type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline, dementia, and osteoporosis.

In a recent review, the authors noted that the conventionally accepted lab reference range for serum magnesium is “not adequate” for maintaining health – and reported that a person should be in the upper half of this range – in order to avoid magnesium being pulled from bones and tissues.

Magnesium is available in supplementary form. However, consult your integrative doctor before adding magnesium to your health routine.

Simply put, annual blood tests – done properly – can help to “sound the alarm” for risk factors that might trigger disease down the road.  But, they can also offer clues to help solve existing quality-of-life issues.

ACTA SCIENTIFIC NEUROLOGY

Literature Review

Literature Review on the Benefits of Thermotherapy to Boost Immune System and Reduce Viral Replication

George Grant* and Jay P Vanden Heuvel

academyofwellness.com, Canada

*Corresponding Author: George Grant, academyofwellness.com, Canada.

Received: April 28, 2020; Published:

Abstract

Thermotherapy can profoundly support the immune system to reduce viral replication. The objective of this literature review is to find supportive evidence in scientific literature to validate our previously published work on Thermotherapy using Infrared and negative ions Amethyst Bio mat on Diabetes, Cancer, Sleep Problems and Pain Management [100].

Keywords: Thermotherapy; Immune System; Viral Replication

Introduction

Heat, crystals, gems, flower essences, homeopathy, are just some examples of integrated therapies in the pursuit of optimum health. Gemstones as example, influence specific organs in the physical body. They are of a crystalline structure which can focus on biomolecular level pathways [7]. This can help integrate the life force into the body. Noted to even amplify consciousness (it is also interesting to note that all cells have consciousness). These gems can exert powerful effects upon the meridians, chakras, and subtle bodies of our multi-dimensional body. Another example is color which is not new to the twenty first century. Applied in ancient times was the healing temples of light and color at Heliopolis in Egypt. Afterall, we all need and feel healed from the Sun through resonant infrared energy [100].

Crystals are a growing knowledge that help transmute and transform electromagnetic energy. We have crystals in our cell phones, right? A Ruby crystal was a key component in the very first laser developed by Bell laboratory scientists in the ‘60’s. Liquid crystals (think cell phones/computers) is another example. Biologists have now discovered that even cellular membranes and some structures within the human body are liquid crystals as well. Electromagnetism has potential healing properties. All starting with crystals and gems originating naturally within the Earth. Could this thermotherapy be the next big medical advance? [100].

Amethyst is an example, which is a form of quartz, which has a variety of the color violet. Due to traces of manganese and others. Considered directly connected to the lifeforce of all living things. A part of the ultraviolet spectrum. It has a lot of history anecdotal evidence associated with it such as improved blood flow. Crystals have been compared to magnets and associated fields.

Thermotherapy is the application of heat. Thermotherapy consists of application of heat for the purpose of changing the cutaneous, intra-articular and core temperature of soft tissue with the intention of improving the symptoms of certain conditions. Another healing agent long known. Uses of thermotherapy is to increase local temperatures of various body parts. Which in turn can turn up the entire body’s temperature itself. Or you may know it as a hot bath, far infrared ray (6 – 12 microns), or even in ages past where doctors used drug-induced fever treatments [100].

By increasing the temperature of the skin/soft tissue, the blood flow increases by vasodilation. Any improvement in blood flow helps everything including a healthy microbiome. Even some undesirable viruses are even known to succumb to heat.

The metabolic rate and the tissue extensibility will also increase. Heat increases oxygen uptake and accelerates tissue healing, it also increases the activity of destructive enzymes, such as collagenase, and increases the catabolic rate [99].

The effect of heat on pain is mediated by heat sensitive calcium channels. These channels respond to heat by increasing intracellular calcium. This generates action potentials that increases stimulation of sensory nerves and causes the feeling of heat in the brain. These channels are part of a family of receptors called TRPV receptors (think endocannabinoid system) [98].

TRPV1 and TRPV2 channels are sensitive to noxious heat, while TRPV4 channels are sensitive to normal physiological heat. Their receptors allow a number of factors to activate these channels. Once activated, they can also inhibit the activity of purine pain receptors. These receptors, called P2X2 and P2Y2 receptors, are mediated pain receptors and are a part of the peripheral small nerve endings. In peripheral pain, heat can directly inhibit pain. However, when pain is originating from deep tissue, heat stimulates peripheral pain receptors which can alter what has been named “gating” in the spinal cord and reduce deep pain [9].

Previous studies have suggested that temperature can affect the exchange between Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ in neural cells [9].

Currently, medical devices such as a Bio Mat (certified by the FDA) combine this thermal therapy with negative ions, and gems/crystals such as Amethyst and Tourmaline [8]. Which works with the body’s own natural immunity. Safe and effective.

Our immune system and all functions operate best when our temperature is 36 degrees centigrade. It has been noted a one-degree drop can lower immune function by up to 40% [8]. This type of therapy has been known to induce heat shock proteins (HSP). HSP is known to protect cells from temperature stress and activate lymphocytes (and other immune cells), this is why mild fevers are beneficial. Far infrared rays (8 – 12 um) is also used here which the body favors, by inhibiting outside electromagnetic waves. Even known to help rid the body of toxins [86].

What’s this all got to do with the microbiome and virus?

Modern medicine has always been focused on biochemistry with good results. But it needs integration. Biophysics or Quantum Biology. Which has excellent merit [86].

Through the use of thermo therapy and crystals it is about helping the body achieve optimum regulation.

In the case of the intestinal lining (the home of the microbiome), it is interwoven with epithelial cells creating the intestinal mucosa. The gut microbiota is dependent upon healthy epithelial cells creating this lining. If the mucosa is damaged from any factor such as diet, toxins, radiation, etc. alterations will exist to the composition of the gut microbes. In other words, their home is being destroyed. Their metabolic waste products they produce may end up leaking into the blood stream versus being eliminated out the intestinal canal [94].

So, thermotherapy can help target cells to regenerate in a healthy way. This in turn can help create a healthier intestinal environment for the community to flourish in optimum balance in a safer environment. Unhealthy tissues contribute to more dysbiosis resulting in disease [10].

In the case of virus, and it depends on which one, it can become inactive or destroyed by heat. In a virus it can contain DNA and RNA which can be denatured. This in turn can make it impossible for the virus particle to bind to a host site. Making it impossible for the virus to penetrate the host’s cell membranes or attach to receptor sites. The whole purpose of prevention is to help the virus not bind to a host cell in the first place [88].

(Table 1)

The microbiome immune

It has been estimated that the total bacteria on planet Earth are around 5 Nonillion. That is the number 5 followed by 30 zeros. Of those less than 1% are pathogenic. We live in a bacterial world.

Did you know there are more bacteria just in your gut, than stars in the milky way? 100 trillion bacteria versus 400 million stars. Yet a million bacteria could dance on the head of a pin. Viruses are even smaller.

Yes, we live in, and are helped kept alive by this bacterial world. We are now more educated than ever on the microbiome (bacteria community inside and on us) of those bacteria. They out number our body’s total cell count by 10^-1. And how about viruses? According to the Journal of Virology on September 6, 2013 [1], there are 100,939,140 viruses if we include 1,740,330 known species of vertebrates, plants, lichens, etc. Hence, we as humans, have inside of us not only a microbiome but a “Virome”. And according to Live Science “Everyday more than 800 million viruses are deposited per square meter above the planetary layer. This also does not take into account any new zoonotic viruses”[2].

We also know, the vast majority of viruses will go on to infect all bacteria fore mentioned. In the Journal of Inside Science, January 14, 2020 [3], it was estimated that just swimming in the ocean and ingesting a mouthful of sea water, you would take in 200 million viruses and 20 million bacteria. So how do our bodies continually deal with this onslaught? By way of our immune system.

The microbiome, and even now the virome, acts as a signaling hub. Giving us information in congruency with our individual immunity, genetics, and epigenetics, Factors such as lifestyle, hygiene, and nutrition. If this system is disrupted, these signals lead to Dysbiosis. Dysbiosis is known to develop into diseases. When it comes to optimal health, bacteria (probiotics) and viruses’ matter. According to Dr. Vanessa Sperandio, professor of microbiology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, she presented findings that “signaling systems can be decoded to better understand the three-way conversation between pathogens, microbiota and the host” [4].That’s good news as science catches up to what nature is already doing for us, in us, every day as humans by way of our immune system.

You can compare the microbiome of a person with an anomaly, like irritable bowel syndrome, with that of a dying coral reef as an example. Care of this system is critical to optimum health.

One part of our immune system is known as ‘innate’. The innate immune system uses cells called macrophages. They can encode (epi-genetic) memory of past pathogens. They will pass that onto daughter cells. Very helpful in long term immunity. If a new attack surfaces, that has by passed our first line of defense called Adaptive, the innate cells produce extra cytokines that trigger inflammation. Sometimes it can result in a cytokine storm [16,91].

As mentioned, many factors influence our proper immune function including therapies being discussed such as Thermo-therapy and morphogenetic fields. Time for understanding of vibrational medicine, color therapy, and more importantly – the findings of Thermotherapy [99,100].

Before getting into thermotherapy and its benefits, a few things to consider. It has been estimated that there are more than 5 billion cell phones in the world and 4 million microwave towers [5]. This is a concentration of non-ionizing radiation which continues to grow. Now we have the new 5G. Our immune systems are in desperate need of therapies that can help counteract all the man-made radiation, not to mention, pesticides, herbicides, chemicals, toxic metals, medical isotopes, etc. No one knows what the synergy of all this in combination, is even doing to our immune systems day to day. It is not out of context to say, our immune health IS health [16].

In the Journal of Science 1/21/2011 it was stated “practical concept to fixing peoples metabolism is an impaired microbiome. Food, supplements, fiber, probiotics, faith, family, fitness, fun and improving frequency is the key” [49].

According to the CDC June 13, 2016, traumatic brain injuries have increased over past decade. A leading cause of disability worldwide. This is important to know because the gut and the brain are intricately linked by way of the gut-brain axis. Communication between the microbiome and the brain. One affects the other. So even invisible enemies are coming at us through this discourse, and even not just physical trauma, but frequencies are as well [16,68,91].

Recent research suggests something called senescent cells, which are cells that have stopped dividing but are not actually dead. They secrete small proteins (cytokines) that can damage cells around them even further. It was once believed that senecents help stave off malignancy. Still known they help with wound healing because the cytokines they secrete help activate the immune system. But if too many and out of balance, it is believed they contribute to low level inflammation, aging, and can increase cancer. The older we get the more senescent cells we have. Radiation is known to increase these types of cells mixed amongst our healthy cells. Medicine is trying to find a way to rid us of too many [6]. But how do you kill that which isn’t really alive? What if we could prevent this from even happening in the first place or help the body help itself by correcting the imbalance? [16,68,91].

Improving frequency has not gotten the attention it deserves. Especially when you consider it is frequencies that can disrupt our immunity (innate) too as mentioned [71].

An increase in serotonin and heat shock protein production results from thermotherapy treatment on a Bio Mat along with the addition of the Bio Belt being applied to the abdominal area [10,22,40,46,100].

Research shows that serotonin, a neurotransmitter that exists in the brain also exists in the intestines; it is also well known that 90% of the serotonin exists in the small intestine. As such, our intestine uses the neurotransmitter serotonin to balance the active immune functions of our body [83].

There are over 500 different types and 100 trillion bacilli living inside our intestines. Among these, there exist beneficial bacteria such as Bifidus and Lactobacillus and also harmful bacteria such as clostridium perfringens, bacillus and staphylococcus. Our level of immunity increases, while the increase of harmful bacteria leads to the decrease of immunity level [89].

By warming the abdominal region with smooth far-infrared radiation, the beneficial bacteria will become more active, producing heat shock protein and increasing our level of immunity.

The Bio Mat is a natural heating pad which lies on top of a massage table or your home mattress. It converts electricity through a computerized control panel, produced by Texas Instruments, into Far Infrared Rays (FIR), nature’s invisible light. FIR was discovered by NASA to be the safest, most beneficial light wave. This reduces pain, swelling, increases blood flow and reduce stress by increasing the secretion on serotonin [100].

The Bio Mat also produces Negative Ions, nature’s energizer, which deliver a molecular level massage. This accelerates and deepens all healing and cleansing processes. It balances pH by decreasing acidity and is considered the “Master Power Switch” which activates the body’s entire cellular communication system, making everybody function work better! Negative Ions alleviate allergies, migraines and sinus problems [100].

These two components are transferred through Amethyst Quartz channels which cover the entire Bio Mat’s surface. Amethyst Quartz is natures Super Conductor, scientifically found to offer the steadiest, most powerful delivery of healthy far infrared light waves and the highest vibrational frequencies into the body [100].

The core of Bio Mat technology is a combination of far infrared rays [6-12 microns], negative ion effects and the conductive properties of amethyst channels. These three powerful health stimulators are combined in a single, easy-to-use product with remarkable healing properties. The Bio Mat manufactured and distributed by Richway International Inc. delivers soothing, deep-penetrating heat while stimulating the regeneration of damaged cells in the body. This highly effective therapy is now available to medical professionals and home consumers who want to improve health and well-being with products based on Nobel prize-winning scientific research pioneered by NASA and developed using pure, natural materials. 

The Bio-Mat Professional is registered an FDA Medical Device #2954299 [Grant, George, Evaluating Thermotherapy using the Amethyst Bio Mat] [100].

The effect of thermotherapy on preventing viral replication:

The basic process of viral infection and virus replication occurs in these ways:

• Adsorption – virus (capsid) binds to the host cell.
• Penetration – virus injects its genetic material (genome – DNA/RNA) into a host cell.
• Viral Genome Replication – virus genetic material replicates using the host’s cellular machinery.
• Assembly – viral components and enzymes are produced and begin to assemble.
• Maturation – viral components assemble and new copies (10,000) of viruses fully develop.
• Release – newly produced viruses are expelled from the host cell.
• Viruses may infect any type of cell including animal cells, plant cells, and bacterial cells.

It’s about frequency

Royal Raymond Rife used an invention of his own to help identify spectroscopic signatures of microbes and viruses. He used a slit spectroscope attached to a standard microscope. Then he slowly rotated a quartz prism focusing light of a single wavelength onto a virus he was looking at.

It is a known fact that every molecule oscillates at its own distinct frequency. He selected a wavelength that resonated with the signature frequency of a virus. We know atoms come together to form a molecule and are held together in a configuration with a covalent energy bond. This bond emits and absorbs its own specific electromagnetic frequency. No two molecules have the same signature or frequency. By using this technology, Rife helped make the invisible (virus) visible.

He could now observe a virus actively invade a healthy cell. This is called “heterodyning”. Illuminating a virus with two different wavelengths of the same ultraviolet frequency. This resonated with the signature of the virus. The two wavelengths produced interference when they merged like waves on an ocean. This interference produced a third visible wave in the electromagnetic spectrum. Again, making the virus visible. This is not done with today’s electron microscopes.

Rife used the same principles he discovered to denature viruses by resonance. Increasing the resonance, or intensity, the virus basically exploded. Also, he found it did not damage the healthy cell. Because the healthy cell resonated at a different frequency. This is quantum physics using quantum energy. Rife died in 1971 and in his life was deemed a “quack”. Too bad because modern medicine is full of frequency today.

This helps us understand why gems, crystals, and thermotherapy show huge promise. Interference by using this same concept of resonance and frequency. By use of magnetic and electrical frequencies. Resulting in disruption of the pathogen. Another analogy is death of a pathogen by nano-electrocution.

In the case of negative ions. Molecules carry either positive or negative electrons. When there is an extra negative electron, we call this a negative ion. Positively charged ions (extra positive charge) do not really have a positive effect. Especially on our physical and mental health. Negatively charged ions DO have a positive effect. They elevate our mood by increasing serotonin levels, they help stabilize blood pressure, increase the body’s alkalinity, strengthen bones, heighten immunity, accelerate physical recovery, they purify and clean the air and more.

Negatively charged ions are abundant in nature with the highest concentrations forming near moving water and old growth forests. Have you ever noticed how you feel when you sit near a waterfall or walk along the beach? You breathe in that fresh, clean air and you feel energized yet calm, alive, vibrant, refreshed.

Positive ions come mostly from electromagnetic fields, plastics, pollution, etc. They also can contribute to poor cell performance, low immunity, a poor microbiome and make us more susceptible to pathogens.

Exposure to many positive ions (like indoors too long) along with prolonged and undealt stress (physical, emotional, mental) increases a cells vulnerability (natural immunity). Even a cell phone (EMF) or microwaves can alter a cells cytoplasm and alter its frequency. Constantly wearing down the cells defense. Every negative emotion, pathogen or disease state has its own frequency and can alter cellular defense. The value of thermotherapy using heat, negative ions and crystals is making more sense now.

A virus pathogen can introduce an associated harmonic frequency of its own which becomes disharmonic to the once healthy cell. Rife went on to find viruses could be destroyed by the use of electromagnetic frequency (11). All biophysics today (MRI) uses magnetism and energy.

Scientifically we know the majority of most pathogens resonate at a frequency of about 890-910 terahertz. Similar to germicidal ultraviolet lights used in hospitals. Helping the body with harmonious frequency is basically a supplement. An integrated therapy to anything you are doing to help with your own optimum health.

Thermotherapy, negative ions, and crystals incorporate the best of this research.

The role of the immune system in eradicating malignant cells is not yet clarified, however spontaneous regression of some cancers has been demonstrated to be associated to the induction of fever and activation of immunity [1-3]. The crucial importance of fever in these regressions justifies the attempt to induce artificial thermal elevation of body temperature (hyperthermia) or Thermotherapy for mimicking natural fever effects on cancer and boost immune system [100].

Heat shock proteins (HSPs), their role in antigen presentation and in cancer immunity

When cells are submitted to a variety of stressful events (e.g., heat, hypoxia, glucose deprivation), there is a rapid and coordinated increase in the expression of a group of proteins, the so-called heat shock proteins (HSPs) [1].

HSPs are one of the most conserved groups of proteins throughout evolution and are classified into several families according to their molecular weight in kilodaltons (e.g., HSPs 100, 90, 70, s60, s40) and their compartmentalization inside the cell (cytosol or endoplasmatic reticulum, mitochondria) [22,38-40]. HSPs fulfil different important intracellular processes, such as protein synthesis, folding and they are activated by a specific set of genes induced by different physical stress such as elevated temperature, hypoxia, glucose deprivation and oxidative reagents [39]. Linearly at molecular level, heat stress increases the synthesis of HSP 70 until a certain threshold temperature that varies according to cell type. Beyond this threshold temperature their synthesis is inhibited and an exponential cell death follows [41,42].

Initially, the role of HSPs, peculiarly of HSP70, appeared to be implicated in the thermotolerance [41]. Recently, they have been recognized to activate the immune system becoming a specialized carriers of antigenic peptides in vivo as well [43,44]. In fact, Srivastava., et al. [44] have established that HSPs are not immunogenic per se, but when they are complexed with antigenic peptides, become powerful immunogens. In fact it has been found that cancer derived HSPs are highly specific and this specificity is associated with the agglomerate HSP/ peptide. Once HSP-complexes (MCH1/MCH2+HSPs) are exposed at the outer surface of cancer cells, they interact with macrophages and dendritic cells through specific surface receptors [40,45]. HSP70 binds to the surface of monocytes through the Cluster of Differentiation (CD)14 (CD14) receptor, whereas gp96 binds with the α-2 macroglobulin/LDL receptor related protein or CD91. Furthermore, HSP60 has been demonstrated to be a ligand for the Toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4 and TLR2) complex on macrophages [40,46]. These data support the data that APCs (macrophages, dendritic cells) have evolved receptors for detecting danger signals (HSPs complexes) released during neoplasia.

The exposure of the HSP chaperoned peptides by the MCH1 and MCH2 molecules to macrophages or dendritic cells triggers a secretion of inflammatory cytokines and costimulatory molecules, such as: IL-6,IL-12; TNF-α, B7 that induce the maturation of DCs towards the T_H 1 phenotype [47,48]. Their association, with a broad array of peptides generated within cells, make HSPs a good candidate for cancer vaccines [49]. In fact HSP-peptide complexes, isolated from a patient’s tumor, can be utilized as tailored patient specific antigens, which would avoid the search for specific epitopes. HSPs, isolated from cancer cells but not those derived from normal cells, can generate an immune response, as observed by Tamura and Srivastava [50,51]. The potentiality of HSPs in tumor eradication has been validated in more than ten types of tumor models of different histologies and in different animal species, demonstrating that: (a) microgram quantities of HSPs are sufficient to generate substantial immune response [40,45]; (b) the immunogenicity of antigens expressed by dying cells occurs via necrosis or apoptosis. Among the two dying mechanisms only necrotic cells or heat stressed cells have been demonstrated to be able to elicit a tumor-specific immunity [52,53]. Several non-randomised clinical trials with heat shock protein-peptide complexes on human cancers are actually in progress [22,86].

Active and passive nonspecific immunotherapy (Cytokines, IL-2, INF-; α, GM-CSF)

IL-2 has been the first cytokine used alone or in combination with LAK cells for the treatment of different types of metastatic cancers. Patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma receiving IL-2+LAK had a higher rate of complete response. IL-2 has been administered with different regimes and doses demonstrating an elevated toxicity [12-14].

Numerous other cytokines have been identified and tried clinically, however only Interferon-α (INF-α) and Granulocyte Macrophage Colony Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) are currently used given the high toxicity of Interferon- γ and IL-12 [8,12,14].

Active specific immunotherapy (Vaccine, gene therapy, heat shock proteins)

Serological identification of antigens by recombinant expression cloning technique (SEREX) has recently permitted to detect more than 1500 TAAs holding a specific antitumor activity [52,56].

Tumour vaccination (TV) is a therapeutic form of therapy involving patients with detectable disease and it is used for triggering a robust, appropriate and specific immune response towards a well characterized TAAs, avoiding immune-tolerance and providing a long lasting immune response [52,57]. The first tumor vaccines were obtained by irradiating tumor cells. The obtained results were not enthusiastic, inducing several authors to combine tumor vaccines with nonspecific immune modulators, such as BCG, New Castle Disease virus (NDV) and Detox; however, the survival rate was comparable to the group treated with chemotherapy. To ameliorate the results, newer vaccines, including allogenic or autologous tumor cells, were genetically manipulated in order to produce a stronger immune response. Tumor cells, were encoded with different cytokines, however only those engineered to produce GM-CSF proved to induce tumor rejection [58].

Conclusion

A large number of clinical trials, involving different strategies, are actually being conducted and have been reviewed elsewhere. Some of them will however be discussed for a positive interaction with Thermotherapy [hyperthermia treatment] and Immune System as well as viral replication [6,87,92,100].