You have probably already heard or read about the gut microbiome and its effect on our health. Perhaps you have learned that microbiome is the term we use to describe the population of bacteria that live in and on us, bacteria that evolved with us and we live in symbiosis. This collection of microbes has vast effects on our health, affecting many things including nutrient absorption, mood, metabolism, and immunity. A healthy and balanced microbiome is therefore essential for our physical and also mental health.

There is even a direct line between the gut microbiome and our hormones. This is important information especially for us women.

Oestrogen and its types

Oestrogen plays many life-important roles in the human body, for example in cardiovascular health, regulation of body fat and bone health, it affects reproductive functions in women and a lot more. Many people believe, however, that oestrogen is only important for women and testosterone only for men. This is not the case. Just as testosterone is important to female health, oestrogen is important to male health, particularly in relation to sperm maturation and libido level (1).

Did you know that the female body produces three major types of oestrogen? It is true. These three forms affect different functions in our smart female body.

Estrone (E1)

Estrone is produced mainly in the ovaries, adipose tissue, and adrenal glands before menopause and can be converted into estradiol in the body, which also works the other way around. Even though the overall oestrogen levels decrease after menopause, estorne then becomes the main of all three forms of oestrogen. Too much estrone is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer and endometriosis. However, the research of this hormone is still in its infancy (2).

Estradiol (E2)

Estradiol is produced in the ovaries in women before menopause, with the adrenal glands and placenta also contributing to its production. Although this hormone is important for both men and women, women produce it in much larger quantities. Estradiol is the primary form of oestrogen during reproductive years, as per its absolute values in blood serum. This hormone greatly affects development in women, for example breast development and distribution of body fat. Scientists suppose that this form of oestrogen plays a role in various diseases, such as endometriosis or uterine, ovarian, and breast cancer (2).

Estriol (E3)

Estriol is mainly produced by the placenta. That is why it is the predominant form of oestrogen during pregnancy. The level of estriol grows gradually higher during pregnancy, reaching the highest point shortly before birth. 

These different forms of oestrogen affect and interact with each other in our female body, so their mutual balance plays a key role in the risk of women’s health issues (2).

A group of bacteria called estrobolome

In the gut lives a group of bacteria known as the estrobolome. This community of bacteria metabolises and eliminates the female oestrogen hormone from the body. The microbes that make up the estrobolome produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase which converts oestrogen into its active form. It has been shown that the more of the enzyme this collection of microbes produces, the less oestrogen our body eliminates. Simply put, this means that the oestrogen stays in the body and needs to be recirculated. Then it binds to the receptors more and affects a whole series of physiological processes.

If there is dysbiosis, an imbalance, among our gut microbes, then the activity of this enzyme can influence the levels of oestrogen circulating in our body, and this can be linked to a number of chronic diseases. These include acne, low libido, headaches, hot flashes, weight gain, mood swings, polycystic ovaries syndrome (PCOS), breast, ovarian, or prostate cancer, and so on (3)

How to keep your estrobolome balanced

The composition of our estrobolome is affected by many factors, including our diet, genetics, the environment where we live, air that we breathe, stress levels, medicine that we take (now or in the past) and others (4).

Cleansing and a healthy diet are a great way to start supporting your body. Then you can add some supplements, designed specifically for the needs of your individual body. Generally speaking, we biohackers support the idea of experimenting, but it is important to do it gently, consciously, and slowly. It may be a good idea to find a guide or your own biohacker for the start of your journey. A modern woman’s estrobolome may be in dysbiosis because of the factors we mentioned earlier, and this leads to a slow detoxification system which does not sufficiently eliminate oestrogen from the body.

The gut microbiome and the group of bacteria called estrobolome in a balance help us reduce inflammation in the body, which - as we know - is essential for longevity and both physical and mental health. Unfortunately, the ways in which inflammation works and affects our body is still huge news for many people, and we are not just talking about the layman population here.

If you suffer from acne, PMS, irregular or very painful period, PCOS, ovarian cysts, mood swings, or low libido, it might be a great strategy to have a closer look at your gut microbiome and balance it. A healthy gut is related to healthy hormones.

How you can balance your gut microbiome and specifically estrobolome in practice is described here on our blog. You can also look forward to a series of articles on the vaginal microbiome which will reveal a lot about us women.

Bibliography:

1. https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(17)30650-3/pdf
2. https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/hormones-and-endocrine-function/reproductive-hormones
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5017946/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5017933/

What are the benefits of fulvic acid and what to watch out for?

What molecular beast are we speaking about?

Fulvic acid is an organic component of humus formed in the soil in the process of slow decomposition of plant biomass and minerals. It is a short-chain molecule with low molecular weight which makes it biologically very active, and is soluble in both acid and alkali of the soil and digestive tract. In order to really describe its function, I reveal some chemical depths in the opening paragraphs, which don’t need to frighten you, though. Thanks to this information, scientists were able to put two and two together and now we understand the effects of fulvic acid a bit better - don’t you fear the lion.

Fulvic acid contains many chemically active functional groups, including carboxyles, hydroxyles, carbonyls, phenols, chinons, and semichinons, and thanks to this chemically diverse composition, it participates in the chelation of metal ions - the bond of an organic compound (fulvic acid) to a (metal) cation, giving rise to a chelate. You probably know various dietary supplements in the form of chelates, don’t you? The resulting complex of acid with minerals is protected from damage by digestion, its charge is neutral so it doesn’t harm or irritate the intestine epithelium and passes safely through the intestine wall and the organism to its target cells of different organs, regardless of pH. This means that its bioavailability (the ability of a compound to reach its destination and be used) is a lot higher than in other forms of mineral complexes. Enough about soil and chemical processes that are difficult to comprehend, though. What good is this acid to us?

Through its action in the digestive tract, it helps to protect us against infections and toxins, it has a therapeutic potential in the treatment and prevention of chronic inflammatory diseases (such as gastric ulcers), diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, supports bone health and hormone regulation, and improves nutrient absorption and systemic immunity. During WWI, an extract with humic acids was even used to prevent infection in wounds. And what kind of inquisitive scientist would I be if I didn’t delve into the molecular ocean of its protective mechanisms?

With this lion guard and helper you will never look sour 

Where does its strength lie?

It helps with electrolyte, nutrient, and trace element absorption

Due to its ability to bind electrolytes, nutrients, and trace minerals, fulvic acid helps with the absorption of these compounds in the body. It binds to the following elements: Cr, Co, Ca, Fe, I, Mg, Zn, Se, Cu, Mn, Mo, and As [1]. Along with a more effective absorption, its ability to protect against lead or copper toxicity is also being pondered [2] This lion can then become your personal “food taster” willing to fight inner adversaries for you. 

It stimulates the activity of the immune and cardiovascular system

Thanks to the efficient transport of minerals and elements, fulvic acid enhances the capacity of the organism to fight against chronically increased inflammation and disease and thus supports the immune system. Fulvic acid decreases the levels of inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) which are associated with many chronic and cardiovascular diseases [3, 4]. That is why fulvic acid has been described as cardioprotective and pro-angiogenic which supports the formation of blood capillaries and its potential in therapeutic use for treating respiratory infections is being considered. User experience also indicates its positive effect in the treatment of oral cavity infections. The right dosage, product quality, and individual health condition are all very important factors to take into account.

Besides cardioprotection, humic substances including fulvic acid support the immune system by suppressing hypersensitivity, swelling, and “demonstration” of a transplanted graft against the patient. There is simply no place for a transplanted graft among the physiological “protesters”. 

Humic substances also reduce the C-reactive protein levels in patients with osteoporosis or hay fever. Research has shown that a week-long fulvic acid supplementation lowers allergic reaction to pollen, whereas applying fulvic acid on the skin twice a day for a period of four weeks may alleviate the symptoms of atopical eczema [5, 6]. 

Drugs containing fulvic acid also have the potential to become effective antivirals because in doses which are safe for the cells, they suppress the reproduction of such viruses as SARS-CoV-2 or herpesviruses [7, 8].

It can support brain health and healthier ageing.

Dietary supplements containing fulvic acid are being studied intensively, for example in relation to Alzheimer’s disease. This supplementation in combination with group B vitamins leads to a decrease in tau protein aggregation and the stabilisation of the worsening symptoms of this disease [9, 10]. The multiple actions of fulvic acid support brain health and contribute to slowing down the process of ageing. Let’s put up an ad for the position of a wise and vital queen of the jungle!

It balances gut microbiome and fights against yeast infections.

Fulvic acid binds to an enormous amount of minerals, nutrients, and trace elements, helping to supply necessary building blocks and cofactors to the body and its symbiotic friends. In doing so, it has a positive effect on the gut microbiota composition, absorption, and chronic digestive disorders or diabetes [11]. At this point, it is vital to concentrate on our diet and lifestyle because both these factors significantly affect the microbiota composition, which fulvic acid subsequently supports. We certainly don’t want to support the wrong strains of microorganisms by eating the wrong food, and then feed them to boot! I’m sure you’ll agree it is better to have a well-fed protective lion in the territory, rather than to nourish a viper in your bosom.

Very useful information was brought by a study proving the antifungal activity of fulvic acid against Candida albicans which causes infections of intestinal and vaginal microbiome as well as systemic infections of the whole body. Fulvic acid disrupts its cell membrane, while the yeast does not show resistance to fulvic acid [12]. For clinical use of fulvic acid to treat yeast infections, more scientific studies are needed. Personally, I find this niche in the area of female health and yeast infection very promising and look forward to additional research.

It supports cell activity, has antioxidative properties and reduces fatigue.

Preparations with high content of fulvic acid support mitochondrial activity, thus helping the body to produce more energy and defend itself from the chronic fatigue syndrome, for example [13]. Supplementing fulvic acid also helps by binding to heavy metals and toxins in the intestines, reducing their bioavailability, which increases our energy level, stabilises our mood and improves the quality of our sleep Thanks to its ability to scavenge for free radicals, reducing the levels of inflammation and damage caused by oxidative stress, fulvic acid is a great antioxidative supplement during challenging, stressful periods [14]. In nothing else, I believe that many of us women will appreciate this since we are infamous for multitasking and overworking. In order to be strong and able to protect its territory, the lion sleeps up to 20 hours per day. Let’s nurture our inner lioness and allow her rest for regeneration, purification, and restoration of energy.

It fights against excess weight.

The existing animal studies show that fulvic acid intake increases lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue. This is caused by an increase of serum concentrations of triiodothyronine (T3, a thyroid hormone) and leptin (the “satiety hormone” produced by white adipose tissue). Leptin inhibits storing fat in adipose tissues, supports brown adipose tissue and muscle activity, and activates lipid oxidation in mitochondrias (β-oxidation of fatty acids). Leptin signals to our body: “I am completely sate and full; you can stop eating and start burning energy.” Thyroid hormone T3 increases the number of mitochondrias as well as their lipid oxidation and muscle metabolism. Fulvic acid supports lipolysis without affecting the use and synthesis of fatty acids, reduces the storage of serum triglycerides in the white adipose tissue, and promotes weight-loss [15]. The lioness can therefore stay lean and always ready for action.

It can help to slow down cancerous growth and increase NO production.

Fulvic acid shows high capability of binding to transferrin which forms part of a certain type of anticancer drugs. Next pharmacological studies could then help formulate medication with an analogue of fulvic acid that will ensure greater precision and efficacy in reaching the target cancerous tissue [16]. The antioxidative properties of preparates with high fulvic acid content was shown through activation of apoptosis (programmed death of unwell or dangerous cells) and suppression of growth of cancer cells in the liver [17]. Apoptosis and the production of anticancer mediators are activated by - among other things - NO production. This is the nitric oxide many of us know for its ability to improve the circulatory system function, thus oxygenating the brain and all other organs [18]. Take a deep breath through the nose and action!

Every lion has sharp teeth and claws

Let’s keep in mind the words of Paracelsus: “The difference between medicine and poison is in the dose.” Here is a list of several potential contraindications. When dosing any product, always adhere to the recommendation of the manufacturer and consult your doctor in case of any health problems. 

In toxicity studies, fulvic acid showed no significant risk. It is safe up to a daily dosage of 1.8 g per adult [19, 20]. Both oral consumption and skin application were found to be safe. The only side effects in oral administration were diarrhoea, headaches, and sore throat which subsided without treatment and are probably caused by a change of pH. Subsequent food intake can help regulate this change [21]. Let’s not forget the fact that no supplement is a magic pill, and by itself cannot cure nor prevent an illness. The cornerstone is always diet, exercise, sleep, mental health, and lifestyle as a whole.

Unfortunately, there are no relevant data regarding health safety in pregnant and breastfeeding women. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the demands of your body on the composition and ratio of nutrients and trace elements change, and these are aspects that fulvic acid affects. Consult all your queries with your doctor.

People suffering from autoimmune diseases (multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or certain thyroid diseases) may observe changes in their body when supplementing fulvic acid, as it activates the immune system. This can be overly stimulating in the case of some autoimmune diseases and lead to a worsening of symptoms. On the other hand, some studies proved the antiinflammatory properties of fulvic acid which, along with its antioxidative and nutritive properties, can help restore balance even in case of these diseases [11]. More studies on this topic are needed, however. Autoimmune diseases are a very complex aggregate of causes and symptoms, differing in each individual. That is why there can never be a single recommendation or a list of risks applicable to everyone. Again, it is strongly recommended to consult taking this supplement with your doctor, focus on careful dosage and observation of effects and changes.

How does fulvic acid interact with medication? Due to the activation of the immune system, people taking immunosuppressants (medication that suppresses the immune system) should be cautious. Among these drugs belong glucocorticoids, cyclosporine, or prednisone. Another risk group are anticoagulative drugs, including aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, heparin, or warfarin. Even though the existing studies do not provide sufficient evidence for clear conclusions, they suggest fulvic acid may affect the levels of thyroid hormones. These studies indicate that the effect on thyroid hormones is always dependent on dosage, structure and ratio of the various humic acids, while it is also affected by diet, animal species, and each individual. Humic acids can act as so-called strumigens - substances that disrupt the production of thyroid hormones. The question is whether humic acids do not reduce the bioavailability of iodine by binding to it, but the effect is not very significant, and the results often do not match. Patients taking medicine for thyroid dysfunctions should always proceed with great caution [22]. If you combine these drugs with humic acid supplements, keep the doses as far apart from one another as possible and always consult your doctor.

My last warning concerns fulvic acid supplementation together with an existing severe selenium deficiency because together these factors may contribute to the development of Kashin-Beck disease - a disease of bones and joints [23]. This disease is very rare and limited to just a few regions in the world. Nevertheless, we should be aware of all these contraindications and never let ourselves believe that we are the only ones who managed to really tame the wild beast. 

Meow ????.

Products mentioned in the article:

It’s all about Black Stuff.

Bibliography:

[1] Grant TD, Wuilloud RG, Wuilloud JC, Caruso JA. Investigation of the elemental composition and chemical association of several elements in fulvic acids dietary supplements by size-exclusion chromatography UV inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric. J Chromatogr A. 2004 Oct 29;1054(1-2):313-9. PMID: 15553158.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15553158/ 

[2] Sanmanee N, Areekijseree M. The effects of fulvic acid on copper bioavailability to porcine oviductal epithelial cells. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2010 Jun;135(1-3):162-73. doi: 10.1007/s12011-009-8508-5. Epub 2009 Sep 2. PMID: 19727569.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19727569/

[3] Junek R, Morrow R, Schoenherr JI, Schubert R, Kallmeyer R, Phull S, Klöcking R. Bimodal effect of humic acids on the LPS-induced TNF-alpha release from differentiated U937 cells. Phytomedicine. 2009 May;16(5):470-6. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2008.10.003.
Epub 2009 Jan 7. PMID: 19131228 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19131228/ 

[4] Chien SJ, Chen TC, Kuo HC, Chen CN, Chang SF. Fulvic acid attenuates homocysteine-induced cyclooxygenase-2 expression in human monocytes. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015;15:61. Published 2015 Mar 13. doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0583-x https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369892/ 

[5] Gandy JJ, Snyman JR, van Rensburg CE. Randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid in topical treatment of eczema. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2011;4:145-148. doi:10.2147/CCID.S23110 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3173016/ 

[6] van Rensburg CE. The Antiinflammatory Properties of Humic Substances: A Mini Review. Phytother Res. 2015 Jun;29(6):791-5. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5319. Epub 2015 Mar 3. PMID: 25732236 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25732236/ 

[7] Uspenskaya, E.V.V.; Pleteneva, T.V.; Grebennikova, T.V.; Kazimova, I.V.; Fedyakina, I.T.; Lebedeva, V.V.; Latyshev, O.E.; Eliseeva, O.V.; Larichev, V.F.; Garaev, T.M.; Maximova, T.V.; Morozova, M.A.; Hang, P.M.; Syroeshkin, A.V. A Comprehensive Biological and Physico-Chemical Characterization of Humic and Fulvic Acids Nanoparticles as a Perspective Drug. Preprints 2021, 2021060245 (doi: 10.20944/preprints202106.0245.v1 https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202106.0245/v1 

[8] Cagno V, Donalisio M, Civra A, Cagliero C, Rubiolo P, Lembo D. In vitro evaluation of the antiviral properties of Shilajit and investigation of its mechanisms of action. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015 May 26;166:129-34. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2015.03.019. Epub 2015 Mar 16. PMID: 25792012
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874115001634?via%3Dihub

[9] Dominguez-Meijide, A., Vasili, E., König, A. et al. Effects of pharmacological modulators of α-synuclein and tau aggregation and internalization. Sci Rep 10, 12827 (2020).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-69744-y https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-69744-y

[10] Carrasco-Gallardo C, Farías GA, Fuentes P, Crespo F, Maccioni RB. Can nutraceuticals prevent Alzheimer's disease? Potential therapeutic role of a formulation containing shilajit and complex B vitamins. Arch Med Res. 2012 Nov;43(8):699-704. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2012.10.010. Epub 2012 Nov 3. PMID: 23131823
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23131823/ 

[11] Winkler J, Ghosh S. Therapeutic Potential of Fulvic Acid in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Diabetes. J Diabetes Res. 2018;2018:5391014. Published 2018 Sep 10.
doi:10.1155/2018/5391014 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6151376/ 

[12] Sherry L, Jose A, Murray C, et al. Carbohydrate Derived Fulvic Acid: An in vitro Investigation of a Novel Membrane Active Antiseptic Agent Against Candida albicans Biofilms. Front Microbiol. 2012;3:116. Published 2012 Mar 29. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2012.00116 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3314872/

[13] Surapaneni DK, Adapa SR, Preeti K, Teja GR, Veeraragavan M, Krishnamurthy S. Shilajit attenuates behavioral symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome by modulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and mitochondrial bioenergetics in rats. J Ethnopharmacol. 2012 Aug 30;143(1):91-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2012.06.002. Epub 2012 Jul 6. PMID: 22771318 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378874112003893 

[14] Swat M, Rybicka I, Gliszczyńska-Świgło A. Characterization of Fulvic Acid Beverages by Mineral Profile and Antioxidant Capacity. Foods. 2019 Nov 22;8(12):605. doi: 10.3390/foods8120605. PMID: 31766604; PMCID: PMC6963745
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31766604/

[15] Q. Chang, Z. Lu, M. He, R. Gao, H. Bai, B. Shi, A. Shan, Effects of dietary supplementation of fulvic acid on lipid metabolism of finishing pigs, Journal of Animal Science, Volume 92, Issue 11, November 2014, Pages 4921–4926
https://academic.oup.com/jas/article-abstract/92/11/4921/4703616?redirectedFrom=fulltext

[16] Zhang XF, Yang G, Dong Y, Zhao YQ, Sun XR, Chen L, Chen HB. Studies on the binding of fulvic acid with transferrin by spectroscopic analysis. Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2015 Feb 25;137:1280-5. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2014.09.010. Epub 2014 Sep 28. PMID: 25305622
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1386142514013407?via%3Dihub 

[17] Pant K, Gupta P, Damania P, et al. Mineral pitch induces apoptosis and inhibits proliferation via modulating reactive oxygen species in hepatic cancer cells. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2016;16:148. Published 2016 May 27. doi:10.1186/s12906-016-1131-z https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4882837/#CR9 

[18] Jayasooriya RGPT, Dilshara MG, Kang CH, Lee S, Choi YH, Jeong YK, Kim GY. Fulvic acid promotes extracellular anti-cancer mediators from RAW 264.7 cells, causing to cancer cell death in vitro. Int Immunopharmacol. 2016 Jul;36:241-248. doi: 10.1016/j.intimp.2016.04.029. Epub 2016 May 11. PMID: 27177083
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1567576916301734?via%3Dihub 

[19] van Rensburg CE. The Antiinflammatory Properties of Humic Substances: A Mini Review. Phytother Res. 2015 Jun;29(6):791-5. doi: 10.1002/ptr.5319. Epub 2015 Mar 3. PMID: 25732236 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.5319 

[20] Dai C, Xiao X, Yuan Y, Sharma G, Tang S. A Comprehensive Toxicological Assessment of Fulvic Acid. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020 Dec 16;2020:8899244. doi: 10.1155/2020/8899244. PMID: 33381216; PMCID: PMC7758121
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33381216/ 

[21] Gandy JJ, Meeding JP, Snyman JR, van Rensburg CE. Phase 1 clinical study of the acute and subacute safety and proof-of-concept efficacy of carbohydrate-derived fulvic acid. Clin Pharmacol. 2012;4:7-11. doi:10.2147/CPAA.S25784
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3304339/  

[22] Vucskits AV, Hullár I, Bersényi A, Andrásofszky E, Kulcsár M, Szabó J. Effect of fulvic and humic acids on performance, immune response and thyroid function in rats. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl). 2010 Dec;94(6):721-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01023.x. PMID: 21073632 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2010.01023.x 

[23] Yang C, Niu C, Bodo M, et al. Fulvic acid supplementation and selenium deficiency disturb the structural integrity of mouse skeletal tissue. An animal model to study the molecular defects of Kashin-Beck disease. Biochem J. 1993;289 (Pt 3)(Pt 3):829-835. doi:10.1042/bj2890829 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1132251/

Constantly swaying and coming back to the centre

Everything in the body (and among human beings) is about communication - between individual cells and entire organs. The result is your functioning body which knows how to laugh beautifully, dance merrily, or perhaps program a computer game involving singing unicorns in spacesuits (please, someone make this!). A fascinating example of communication on cellular and organ level is the cooperation of the vagus nerve with our microbiome, brain, as well as the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system of many internal organs (more about this some other time perhaps). If the communication does not work - it is too weak, unclear, or on the contrary intense and chaotic - many health problems appear.

Besides symbiotic bacteria, there are many symbiotic viruses and fungi in our body. They too have to get along with us, usually by bartering - I will give you a certain compound if you rent me a cosy place to live in your small intestine. Alas, not every tenant is exemplary. And what about burglars and squatters? They form part of our everyday reality and thank god for that. If everything worked without a glitch and we were all happy all the time, the world would collapse, falling into stereotype and tedium, becoming unable to further perceive its happiness, and everybody would start attacking everyone else. People would wage wars out of boredom, and their immune cells would resemble a bored army equipped with all the weapons and power imaginable, while looting and destroying its surroundings because it lacks an equal opponent. This is how autoimmune diseases are born.

Psoriasis, for instance, an autoimmune inflammatory skin disease, can serve as an example of overactive skin cell production caused by chaotic and imprecise inflammatory signals. There is no message that reads “there are too many of us now, we are dying, stop making new ones” coming back from the skin cells. And if there is, it goes unheard because the messenger fell asleep along the way or simply does not feel like working. Even cancer is often not a problem of itself, but rather a signal our body sends in response to an existing imbalance - an autoimmune response to an excess of stimuli.

This brings us back to the chaga mushroom and Black Stuff. This is exactly the kind of nag that ensures our cellular army does not become bored. It is our helper, but - like everything else in the world - does not work wonders by itself, it is not a magic pill. You cannot find a magic pill at the pharmacy either, and even if it seems you have, it will probably not work for long. The thing is that if our body is not forced to help itself, if we supply it with everything necessary from the outside - enzymes, hormones, and other signal and performing molecules - it stops paying attention, stops producing them itself, becomes lazy and fully dependent on an external source of everything it needs. Not taking the pill, even for a single day, might lead to death. By giving up the responsibility for our illnesses and problems, we also renounce our right to support our own health. And it would be a tremendous pity if we were to become powerless puppets. Every little effort we make to promote our health brings us closer to a better version of ourselves, on all levels imaginable. Black Stuff activates the body itself, rendering it self-reliant and strong. Do you now feel the same hunger for life and desire to improve as me?

How do the omnipresent electrons and electric charges fit into the equation? The human body, like every other kind of matter in space, is a densified form of energy. This energy comes from electrons and they must be in equilibrium - in mutual interaction and communication. If the interaction becomes too aggressive, the body is torn under the strain of oxidative stress. If it is too passive, the body becomes apathetic and withers.

Every extreme is harmful and as a graduated molecular biologist I must quote Paracelsus, just like Veronika always does: “The difference between medicine and poison is in the dose.” In and of itself, nothing is poison or medicine - and now I am not just speaking about such substances, but about everything we come into contact with.

Black Stuff is not a solution to everything and perhaps it is not even for everybody. But it can be another missing piece of the puzzle on our way to enhancing our health. With optimised vitamin, mineral, water, and nutrient absorption, we can support the functioning of our body which has been languishing on certain levels for a long time, and thus improve the quality of our hair, nails, and skin, boost our immunity, and reduce acid reflux, bloating, joint pain and inflammation, digestive disorders, headaches, and even hangover. It also works in animals with similar ailments (with the kind exception of hangover), which is not surprising since their biology does not differ greatly from our own. But be careful! Black Stuff works with individual differences for each one of us, in harmony with our genetics, epigenetics, and context. It does not promise specific effects because it supports our individual health and functioning of the body, and this is why the improvement will manifest itself on a level on which your body in particular has been suffering. Black Stuff is a tool to be tested, not medicine, food, or a miracle. It is a way to support your body just enough so that it can regenerate by itself, the way it needs.

Uffff. That was more than enough information and context!

Let us summarise in a very simple way the manner in which Black Stuff works:

1. It eliminates heavy metals, toxins, parasites, and free radicals from the body - it has antioxidant properties.
2. It maintains balance in the processes in our cells and our microbiome - it promotes homeostasis.
3. It assists in nutrient, vitamin, and mineral absorption - it works as an effective transporter.

Every capsule is a small helper with a big impact. Will you try yours?

Kristýna Zezulová

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Toxins and fat

Fat: A source of energy, fatty acids, physical insulation against cold and mechanical protection against injury. Equally important, though less well-known, is its function as a safe reservoir of toxins which it coats and inactivates. The more toxins flow through our body, the more fat we have to store in order to stay safe. Do not get me wrong - not all stored fat is caused by toxins! We must always first look at the base of the pyramid of a healthy lifestyle - sleep, diet, physical exercise, and stress management. Protection against toxins is yet another piece in the complex but meaningful puzzle that is a holistic approach to our health.

If we take care of the base of the pyramid responsibly and also eliminate toxins effectively at the same time, we do not need to store so much fat. We can even eat less than usual and still feel satiated because we are able to absorb the required amount of nutrients from significantly smaller amounts of food. We need to be careful, however, in case we lose a lot of weight quickly without eliminating toxins effectively. From the stored reservoirs, they enter our bloodstream and can cause numerous health complications, fatigue, or other symptoms of intoxication.

This commonly happens to us, women who try to lose weight. The more we slim down and burn fat, the more toxins circulate in our body and the more tired and ill we feel. Unless we provide our body with nutrients along with a suitable mediator when we change our eating habits, we experience craving - the desire to eat more high-calorie foods and stronger flavours - be it savoury, spicy, or sweet. Although the body consumes food, it does not absorb the required amount of nutrients. Craving forces us to struggle with more restraint which leads to frustration. This is certainly not wholesome, as it transforms eating from a joyful experience into something stressful.

Antioxidants

And since we are speaking about stress, what are these antioxidants? An antioxidant is a compound capable of cleansing the body of free radicals. And free radicals? These are atoms with an unpaired valence electron which allows them to be very active in the body, damaging membranes and biochemical processes with their negative charge. This causes oxidative stress. When your husband comes home with a negative charge, the atmosphere is not particularly loving, but rather stressful too, isn’t it? 

The antioxidant properties of Black Stuff were analysed in an independent study performed by a biochemical laboratory at Riga Stradiņš University. An important indicator of antioxidant activity is the level of our friends, the polyphenols, of which Black Stuff is such a rich source. In addition, the activity is compared to vitamin E, the ability to lower the concentration of free radicals (Black Stuff does, by half) and reduce iron in the form of Fe3+ to Fe2+. This study confirms the high antioxidant activity of Black Stuff and therefore its protective effect on cellular membranes and receptors against free radicals and oxidative stress. It also mentions that long-term supplementation of Black Stuff might improve the overall antioxidant properties of the body and in doing so, boost our immune system.

And now let us put all of the pieces of the puzzle together and create a nice picture.

Works cited:

1. Research of the antioxidant potential and ability of Black Stuff to scavenge free radicals in vitro, Alise Silova, Dr.med. Lead Researcher, RSU Laboratory of Biochemistry: https://blackstuff.fi/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Black-Stuff-study-RSU-lab_EN.pdf

I am not a marketer, I am not writing this series of articles to ensure higher sales of the product (I do not have any personal gain from it). It was my personal enthusiasm for science and different approaches to optimising the functioning of our bodies that inspired me to write this, and it is based on my own research of how the product works on a biological level and how it can contribute to balancing some of our disbalances. And to be honest, I find it truly fascinating! Black Stuff is unique among dietary supplements. Perhaps this is partly because in and of itself, it is not a supplement ïn the usual sense of the word.

Black Stuff is not a revolutionary, newly synthesised compound from a lab. It is the result of discovering a way to copy the natural processes that occur in the soil, which means it was invented by nature itself. There are many years of scientific research behind this magical black powder (and also luck), and thanks to that, we now have one of the strongest antioxidants in the world at our disposal.

What can we find in these black capsules, if not nutrients? The secret of success is a natural birch tree and chaga mushroom extract. This way we supply our body with a generous helping of fulvic (75 %) and humic (25 %) acids, polyphenols (lignophenols), and, thanks to the adaptogenic chaga mushroom, Black Stuff is also loaded with trace elements and minerals. We will soon discover what these individual ingredients are good for.

How did a bit of nature come to be in a capsule? In the production process of Black Stuff, birch lignin is fermented with a lot of oxygen, oxidising it at elevated pressure and temperature - just like in the soil in nature. The fulvic and humic acids are obtained by cold extraction from organic or wild plants in concentration that can never be found in food. Both acids are formed naturally in the decomposition of plant biomass during plant humification, so they contain a huge amount of minerals and other micronutrients.

So why is Black Stuff not just a common supplement? Black Stuff helps nutrients, fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to enter the body and be used as efficiently as possible - absorbed and used as cell nutrition. It is a super-chelate. 

Let us now have a closer look at the individual components and their effects.

Black Stuff under a microscope

Fulvic acid is a short chain molecule with a low molecular weight, soluble in both acid and alkali. In the soil it is responsible for chelating minerals (working as the organic part of transport through our intestinal cells) and transferring them into living organisms. The resulting complex of acid and mineral is coated with fulvic acid and thus protected from digestion. The electrical charge of the complex is neutral due to their joint bond, which means that it does not bind to anything else in the digestive tract and does not irritate the intestinal epithelium. We can picture this as providing a goal, motivation, and focus to an employee at work - the complex is not distracted by anything and proceeds to fulfil its task. At the same time, the complex is very small and therefore more easily and effectively absorbed in the small intestine, in large quantities. Blood then transports it directly to the target cells. The bioavailability (usability of the compounds by the body) is twenty times higher than in other forms of mineral complexes. Our cells decompose the complex completely and use it as a rich source of nutrients and minerals - everything that is absorbed is also used.

Through its function of an electric charge donor, fulvic acid supports both the absorption of minerals and the elimination of toxic metals. By binding them, it can expose the undesirable toxins as “waste” and eliminate them safely. In these ways, fulvic acid helps restore balance in the body and its microbiome and supports the production of ATP energy in mitochondrias - thus we feel more energised and rested. 

Its therapeutic potential lies in treating chronic inflammatory diseases (for example treatment and prevention of gastric ulcers), diabetes, supporting patients with Alzheimer’s disease, helping with hormonal regulation, the immune system, and bone health.

The advantages of organic chelates of fulvic acid with minerals:

• Physiologically active complex
• High bioavailability
• High safety and tolerance
• No interactions with other nutrients
• Therapeutic effects

To have a better idea, let us have a look at a comparison of the absorption of organic fulvic acid chelate versus the absorption of inorganic iron salts:

Organic fulvic acid chelate:

• Does not require ionisation
• Absorption in the small intestine
• Absorption independent of pH
• None or minimal participation in other reactions in the intestine
• Majority absorption and transfer to cells

Inorganic mineral salts:

• Must be ionised in the intestine
• Absorption mainly in the duodenum
• Absorption dependent on pH
• Enters other reactions in the intestine
• Incomplete absorption and use
  

Humic acid acts very similarly to fulvic acid. It helps to transport important micronutrients into the body and supports their maximum use. It is bigger than fulvic acid and soluble in alkali. That is why the combination of these two acids ensures that binding and transporting of nutrients will happen, no matter the pH in the intestine. Humic acid supports our immune system and the natural detoxifying processes in the liver, kidneys, gut, skin, and lungs, and helps our body eliminate toxins, parasites, fungi, and heavy metals. Rather than trying every purifying detox from the outside, it is always better to support our intelligent body, which has a stunning capacity to deal with all unwanted saboteurs on its own. (Have you ever heard of the cytochrome P450, for instance?)

Lignophenols belong to the group of polyphenols - chemical compounds found in plants. They serve numerous biological functions. In some plants, they provide taste and colour, in some they play a role in the structure, and in others they help protect the plants from infections, UV radiation, pathogens, and physical damage. Even in the human body polyphenols act as skilled bodyguards. They are characterised by high antioxidant activity, thus protecting our cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. Polyphenols are important for our immune system and they have a therapeutic potential in diabetes and obesity treatment.

Chaga is an adaptogenic mushroom that grows on birch and other deciduous trees. From them the mushroom draws great amounts of nutrients, trace elements, and minerals, and this makes it a rich source of these compounds. However, its greatest benefit lies in its ability to goad our body into action, force it to adapt. Chaga acts as a trained guard or a jester whose incessant jokes and activity cause a stir in the body and do not let the immune system attack itself in boredom or doze off into inattention. It produces the right amount of positive stress which is short-term and beneficial.

Our body cannot use dried chaga powder as a source of nutrients. It is not soluble in water, so we do not absorb it well (which brings us back to the expensive poo, doesn’t it?). Combined with humic acid, however, it can work as a source of nutrients while also retaining its adaptogenic function in managing stressful situations.

How about we look at this big portion of stress of ours now?

Bibliography:

1. John Winkler, Sanjoy Ghosh, "Therapeutic Potential of Fulvic Acid in Chronic Inflammatory Diseases and Diabetes", Journal of Diabetes Research, vol. 2018, Article ID 5391014, 7 pages, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/539101

How Black Stuff affects our health on more levels than we might think at first glance.

What am I missing?

We live in a time our ancestors could not even dream about in many respects. Science and technology bring many new discoveries all the time, everything is becoming more interconnected, diseases are being treated with more success, mental health receives more attention, and there is recorded advice for almost everything. So why do I feel so confused, distracted, and not happy and myself, body and soul?

To find order in chaos

One of the reasons can be information overload. We find information everywhere, but its relevance differs wildly. Each of us lives in a bubble of ‘truths’ and self-confirming illusions. What is the objective truth, the Holy Grail of all people, and where can we find it, anyways? It likely does not exist, not now, not later. We are all different. Our genes vary, as do our epigenetic marks and the context in which we grew up and live. So, even though our bodies and minds require similar material and immaterial necessities in general, the manner and execution will be different for everyone. As a species, we share the same biology, but as individuals, we differ. We cannot be sure which way to choose because there are simply too many ways, and there is not one right choice. Certain physical and mental health issues are on the increase, such as diseases of civilisation or chronic illnesses, stress, sleep and digestive disorders, sudden mood swings, skin conditions, and irregular bowel movement… These issues are so common nowadays, that we have come to consider them a natural part of everyday life. We do not see them as problems anymore, just accept them. We have forgotten (or perhaps we never knew it) that this does not have to be our status quo, a stable point in our life which accompanies us day and night.

We find ourselves far below the optimum level of functioning of our bodies. This is partly caused by an excess of stress and stimuli, partly by lack of wholesome food fed by quality feed or grown on quality substrate which does not consist only of inorganics, but also of live microorganisms and organic compounds. We eat food produced by intensive farming, the soil is overexploited, fruits and vegetables lack aroma and taste, even though that is what our senses are for. Some people might object - “But I buy healthy food, a lot of legumes, fruits and vegetables from local farmers, most of them organic.” However, if you feel fluctuations in your energy level and suffer from chronic problems in spite of that, keep reading. The core of the problem may lie on a different level than we tackle.

Anyone with an interest in a healthy lifestyle realises how important it is to eat foods rich in minerals. Although these have no nutritional value in themselves, they serve as essential cofactors of important enzymes in our body, and they transport water, for example. That is why they control most processes in the body - regeneration, growth, nervous impulses, metabolic regulation and digestion. They are absolutely essential.

All minerals are irreplaceable in our organism:

• Magnesium, phosphorus and manganese are necessary for the production of ATP - a source of energy in the body;
• the immune system requires copper, zinc, iron and selenium;
• we need iron, manganese, zinc, copper, magnesium, potassium or iodine for hormonal regulation;
• calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, manganese, and boron are important for healthy bones;
• cobalt, zinc, copper, potassium, manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, and molybdenum are necessary for vitamin and enzymatic metabolism;
• our blood circulatory system needs iron and copper;
• for the nervous system, in turn, potassium, sodium, calcium, zinc, selenium, magnesium, iron, chromium, copper, iodine, and lithium are indispensable.

Do supplements actually work?

If we find out that we are deficient in some mineral, we start taking dietary supplements. Often to no avail, unfortunately. The amount consumed orally does not matter so much; what matters is the bioavailability - the amount that gets to the organs and cells to be absorbed and used. The same is true for medication - not always is the entire dose absorbed by the body and that is something to take into account when planning the dosage. Bioavailability is affected by many factors - our health, our microbiome, epigenetic setting, level of stress, the ability to transport the compound through the gut epithelium… Thus the expensive dietary supplements often become an “expensive poo” without the desired effect.

Let’s now have a closer look at the transportation of these compounds in the organism. Most minerals need help to be absorbed. Such help may come in the form of chelation. Chelation is the process of bonding of an organic compound to a cation, most often metal, resulting in a complex chelate. In other words it is a process of decomposition, binding, and transporting of mineral compounds in the digestive tract. This way the minerals pass through the intestinal epithelium into the bloodstream and can be transported to their destination - to a certain organ and its cells. It is important that the resulting chelated complex not be too large because its bioavailability then decreases significantly. It has also been found that unlike vitamin absorption, chelation and mineral absorption is highly inefficient in our body and a lot of minerals just pass through us, unused (remember the expensive poo?). As I am sure you know, any sort of nutrient, vitamin, or mineral deficiency causes a multitude of health complications and can lead to illness, in extreme cases even to death.

So how can we enhance mineral absorption? You will find out in my next article.

Bibliography:

1. Bielik, V.; Kolisek, M. Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Minerals in Relation to a Healthy Gut Microbiome. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22, 6803. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22136803
2. Judith R. Turnlund (1991) Bioavailability of dietary minerals to humans: The stable isotope approach, Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 30:4, 387-396, DOI: 10.1080/10408399109527549 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408399109527549