by Lawrence Wilson, MD

BUERGER’S DISEASE

This is an interesting and rather uncommon condition characterized by impaired circulation in the small arteries and veins, inflammation and at times, blood clots. It is also called thromboangitis obliterans in medical books. It is more common in young men than in women, usually in those between the ages of 20 and about 50. It is also more common in those who smoke cigarettes. It can lead to amputation of limbs if it is very severe.

This condition is of special interest because it is a prime example of what may be called an inflammatory diathesis. This means that the body is suffering with severe inflammation for some reason. The causes are discussed below, along with suggestions to reduce inflammation and balance body chemistry. When this is done, this condition can respond well.

HAIR ANALYSIS PATTERNS WITH BUERGER’S DISEASE

We have limited experience with this condition, as it is not extremely common. Patterns we have seen, however, include:

Very high sodium/potassium ratio. This is associated with extreme inflammation, reduced zinc levels and often elevated copper. See below for more on these patterns.

Elevated and/or biounavailable copper. Copper is required for all connective tissue, including the arteries and veins. Too much or biologically unavailable forms of copper in the body are associated with destruction of connective tissue. More specifically, copper can adversely affect the disulfide bonds that are essential for the elasticity and strength of connective tissue throughout the body. Also, some forms of copper such as oxides are not biologically useful, and are powerful oxidants. This means they are quite irritating to the tissues.

Low zinc. Zinc is also required for all connective tissue and for protein and tissue synthesis from DNA. Low zinc tends to create inflammation in the body and is common cause of inflammatory conditions. The zinc level on the hair mineral test is often not low, but there is a great need for zinc in these patients.

Generalized inflammation indicators. Other than a high Na/K ratio, other inflammation indicators may be the presence of toxic metals such as a high manganese, high aluminum or other toxic metals.

Sympathetic dominance pattern. This is a pattern on a hair analysis of a potassium level of 4 mg% or less, and often a high Na/K ratio is a secondary indicator. Also, three highs or four highs pattern along with a high Na/K ratio is associated with sympathetic dominance. This pattern often causes impaired circulation and inflammation. It can be a lifestyle-caused pattern or it may be associated with the presence of toxic metals and nutrient deficiencies. For more on this pattern, read Sympathetic Dominance.

OTHER OBSERVATIONS WITH BUERGER’S DISEASE

Other common findings are:

· Dehydration

· Low levels of omega-3 fatty acids

· Low levels of vitamin D3

CORRECTION

The above can help lead one to the solution for this intense inflammatory condition:

1. As always, begin with a complete nutritional balancing approach. The reason for this is that although one may wish to attack the inflammation or other problem, if one unbalances the body chemistry in the process, any symptomatic approach will not work as well, and could make the person worse. Therefore, balancing body chemistry using a hair mineral analysis to assess the oxidation rate, major mineral ratios and other factors, is most important. Balancing the overall chemistry also increases the person’s vitality a lot, enhancing success.

2. Quench inflammation. In nutritional balancing science, this is done with calcium, magnesium, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D3 about 5000 iu. or more daily, and perhaps other anti-inflammatory nutrients such as bioflavinoids. Other anti-inflammatory nutrients are usually not needed, and most isolated minerals, vitamins and herbs are too yin to be that helpful.

3. Rehydration is critical. Most clients need much more water to drink. The water must be spring or distilled water only. Distilled may only be used for a few months, or it will begin to deplete vital minerals. Other types of water tend not to hydrate the body as well. A person may need to experiment with various brands of spring water, for example, to find one that works best, and this may change over time.

3. Reduce sources of inflammation due to the diet. This means avoiding all wheat products, even food items containing sprouted wheat and spelt. It also means eliminating most or all refined sugars and natural sugars including fruit, all fruit juices, all citrus and acidy fruit, and all dried fruit. Sugar in any form is likely to make the condition worse, as it is an excitatory and pro-inflammatory substance in most cases.
Also, avoid all food chemicals as much as possible, especially those known to cause inflammation such as MSG, aspartame and others.
Instead, the diet needs to be rich in high-quality, raw dairy products for omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D, 70%-80% cooked vegetables twice daily instead of raw vegetables, and some animal protein daily. However, limit red meats such as beef and lamb because they are quite high in iron, a very inflammatory mineral and one that most Buerger’s patients may have too much of. Iron specifically can attack the arteries, as seen in cases of hemosiderosis and hemochromatosis.

4. Reduce sources of inflammation in the lifestyle. This includes quitting smoking, getting a lot more rest and sleep, reducing heavy exercise, enhancing respiration and hydration of the body as explained above, and even controlling inflammatory emotions such as anger and rage.

5. Remove all toxic metals including too much iron and excessive manganese, and balance the entire body chemistry. This is usually a slower process that requires a nutritional balancing program. In addition to the basic program, sauna therapy daily with preferably a near infrared light sauna should also be very helpful to remove these oxidant forms of metals.

6. Use anti-inflammatory detoxification procedures. The addition of sauna therapy daily, and daily coffee enemas can be amazingly helpful for many inflammatory conditions.

SUMMARY

While Buerger’s disease is considered quite incurable using standard medical methods, the procedures above can help us to understand the causes of the condition, as well as how to alleviate it.

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