Calcium/Virus Connection
In the world of science and medicine, researchers are constantly searching for clues to help us better understand the human body and its interactions with various substances. One area of interest has been the connection between tissue calcium concentrations and viral infections.
Did you know that approximately 75% of infections are caused by viruses? What's more, many types of viruses can remain latent or dormant in host cells for months or even years. One of the most well-known viruses for its latency is the Herpes simplex virus, which can remain dormant in the skin and only manifest itself when an individual becomes stressed, run down, or exposed to excessive ultraviolet radiation.
Despite the prevalence of viral latency, the exact mechanism behind it is not yet fully understood. However, in 1986, a group of researchers explored this phenomenon in relation to the Epstein Barr virus, and their findings were reported in SCIENCE.
The researchers infected lymphoid cells with the Epstein Barr genome and found that the virus would either replicate slowly or remain dormant. Dormancy of the virus could be overcome in several ways, such as super-imposing a super virus or introducing tumour-promoting agents.
Interestingly, the tumour-promoting agents that activated the Epstein Barr virus also activated a cellular enzyme protein kinase C that is calcium-dependent. Therefore, the researchers studied the effect of increased cellular calcium concentration on the lymphatic cells and found that calcium modulation was of primary importance in activating the Epstein Barr genome.
Other studies have also reported that calcium plays a role in regulating the infection of human B-lymphocytes by Epstein Barr virus. When calcium entry into the cells was blocked, the Epstein Barr virus transformation was inhibited. These findings suggest that calcium modulation may be a key factor in the activation of viruses that have remained dormant in host cells.
Calcium and cellular calcium-binding proteins are exploited by viruses to facilitate their entry into cells, enhance viral replication, and activate gene expression. Calcium, being a universal cellular messenger, is utilized by viruses for their extensive replication within the body.
The interaction between viruses and calcium can be broadly categorized into three types:
1. Viral proteins that alter membrane permeability or affect calcium signalling directly impact calcium homeostasis;
2. Viral proteins bind to calcium for their structural stability and proper functioning;
3. Virus-host activities that rely on calcium-regulated protein pathways are impacted by the virus.
Viral Manifestation and Metabolic Types
Viruses have a tendency to produce or induce para-sympathetic activity. According to the classification of nutrients in Mineral Balancing, calcium is also considered a parasympathetic substance. This means that individuals with slow oxidation rate (Ca/K ratio above 4/1 and Na/Mg below 4.17), who have elevated tissue calcium concentrations, may be more susceptible or predisposed to viral manifestation.
It's interesting to note that there have been many confirmations of Epstein Barr and cytomegalovirus in slow metabolic types. This suggests that there may be a link between elevated tissue calcium levels and viral infections.
Understanding the relationship between viruses and our body's metabolic processes is important in developing effective prevention and treatment strategies. By understanding the ways in which viruses interact with our bodies, we can better protect ourselves from infection and manage the symptoms of viral illnesses.
Viral Inducing Agents
Several nutrients have been identified as playing a significant role in regulating tissue calcium levels. For example, vitamin D, copper, estrogen, insulin, and parathyroid hormone have all been linked to increased calcium retention, which may increase the risk of viral infections. Interestingly, Slow oxidisers are generally low in vitamin D. This may be due to the fact that calcium and vitamin D have a synergistic relationship, and low vitamin D levels could be an adaptation by the host to prevent further tissue calcium build-up, which in turn could limit viral replication and proliferation and indicate low blood calcium levels.
Viruses are also known to induce auto-immune responses, including cellular autoimmunity. Parasympathetic dominance in HTMA mineral patterns has been linked to increased cellular autoimmunity, which may contribute to the severity of viral infections. Blocking the cellular immune response could potentially reduce the severity of such infections.
Conversely, certain nutrients have been shown to reduce tissue calcium concentrations and may help to protect against viruses. These nutrients include vitamin C, vitamin A, pantothenic acid, niacin, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus.
Endocrine Inhibiting Viruses
In general, viral infections are often accompanied by symptoms such as depression and extreme fatigue. One possible explanation for this is that the increased viral activity could indirectly suppress the endocrine system. This suppression may occur as a result of a high tissue calcium's ability to suppress thyroid activity and subsequently, adrenal activity.
As a result of chronic viral conditions, individuals may experience thyroid and adrenal insufficiency. This may be the underlying cause of "chronic fatigue syndrome", a condition often associated with Epstein Barr and cytomegalovirus infections.
Viruses and Diabetes
Given the close relationship between calcium and viruses, it is highly probable that both play a role in various health issues. For instance, calcium is necessary for insulin release, and an increase in tissue calcium retention leads to increased insulin release, a common occurrence in adult-onset diabetes. Adult-onset diabetes is characterized by insulin resistance, which means the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, causing glucose to build up in the blood. As a result, the pancreas may produce more insulin to try to compensate for the increased blood glucose levels. However, over time, the pancreas may not be able to keep up with the demand for insulin, and insulin production may decline. This is quite common in both an elevated and severely diminished Ca/Mg ratio on a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis. Epstein Barr virus, therefore could also significantly contribute to the development of certain forms of diabetes.
In light of this, it's important to tailor diets and nutritional supplements to individual needs rather than making blanket statements like "vegetarian diets are best for everyone." While a vegetarian diet may be healthy for some people, it may not suit others. Similarly, a diet rich in animal protein may be beneficial for some but not for everyone.
For individuals with a Slow metabolic rate, consuming excessive amounts of high-calcium (>2,000mg a day) foods like dairy products and high-copper foods such as soy protein may increase susceptibility to viral complications. Conversely, incorporating high-protein foods like beef, fish, and poultry, which have a calcium-lowering and metabolic-boosting effect, can help reduce the likelihood of viral complications.