Naltrexone in a 50 mg dosage has been an FDA approved drug for over 20 years, being indicated for individuals suffering from heroin addiction. It works by blocking so called opioid receptors which leads to the inhibition of beta-endorphin and metenkephalin, which are two natural hormones produced in the body. From this drug, scientists created low dose naltrexone or LDN, in a 3 mg daily dosage which can effectively help manage a variety of medical conditions by boosting the immune system. Thus, a significant amount of research has been done that has found LDN beneficial for autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and MS, cancer or infectious diseases such as HIV infections or herpes.
How It Works
When taken at bedtime, LDN boosts the response of the immune system by stimulating the body’s own natural defenses. Research studies indicate that one’s own endorphin secretions (so called opioids) play a key role in the modulation of the immune system. Opioids help alter the development, differentiation, and function of immune cells, and therefore both innate and adaptive immune systems are positively influenced, explain scientists, in a 2003 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The relatively new findings suggest that opioids are likely to have direct effects on the immune system.
Further studies indicated that LDN taken daily, at bedtime will cause a blockage of opioid receptors during the early morning hours (from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m) and as a result, LDN will induce a prolonged up-regulation of certain components of the immune system by increasing the production of endorphin and enkephalin in the body.
Herpes Outbreaks May Be Significantly Reduced By LDN
Considering the impact of LDN on the immune system, an infectious disease such as herpes can be dramatically influenced by therapy with LDN. Herpes is a family of viruses that are well known organisms that produce infections worldwide and are extremely common in North America. Herpes simplex viruses typically manifest with blisters around the lips (cold sores) and in the genital area, although these skin lesions can affect the abdomen, thighs or buttocks as well, and are associated with fatigue and fever.
Herpes is a chronic condition. After the initial infection, herpes virus will remain in the body for the rest of the infected person’s life and will reactivate when the immune system is weakened –such as during physical or emotional stress. Many people with herpes infection have recurring infections.
Fighting infectious diseases such as herpes infection is the job of the immune system, which activates the moment it recognizes a foreign substance or a virus in the body. Basically, the state of your immune system’s health will be reflected in how frequently you fall sick with chronic infections such as herpes infections or colds and flu. Recurrent herpes outbreaks are an indication of a weak immune system and thus, a supplement like low dose naltrexone can help immensly. By boosting the major components of the immune system, LDN can successfully reduce the herpes outbreaks and help you stay away from other infections and illnesses as well. Talk to your doctor today to find out more about the benefits of LDN.
References:
http://www.sunridgemedical.com/treatments/low-d…
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/151739…
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19041189
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