Correlating chemical sensitivities in rheas and autoimmune disorders in humans  
Infant rheas are incredibly sensitive to toxins, with fatalities as high as 100 per cent mortality in 14 days or incredibly crippled, stunted, and deformed survivors.  Depending on the toxin, they may show symptoms of Crohn’s disease or IBD, advanced osteoporosis, arthritis, muscular dystrophy, cachexia, neurological problems, profound anemia, and lipidemia. 

These little animals are probably the best candidates for autoimmune research: they can succumb in as little as 7 days where a human may take decades.  Using logic I call Darwinian Medicine (a more detailed explanation is enclosed), I looked at the primary symptoms: adipose depletion and muscle degeneration, as the body’s attempt to access what it needed to heal itself.  When I developed the treatment I did not know what the causative agent was; I simply treated the birds with the component that was degenerating fastest.  Recognizing adipose depletion as a fatal condition and replacing the depleted adipose with injected rhea oil was the first patent.

The method was impractical on a commercial scale, so the following year I treated the muscle degeneration by feeding them cooked ground rhea meat.  It worked.  The longer story is part of this packet. This was put together like an engineer designing a machine, using the medical literature to construct a torturous path of toxin overload and the body’s attempt to survive the poison.  

Charting the path of ATP in the body the commonality in autoimmune disorders  

The enclosed ATP pathway charts are the result of extensive literature searches and show what I believe to be the common, but unrecognized, pathway for autoimmune disorders: the rate limiting sulfation step (ATP Pathways: Utilization and Degradation or Path of Work, PAPS box).

This article implicates Sodium Chlorate, an herbicide, as an inhibitor of the sulfation of ATP, potentially causing a problem before the rate-liming step of PAPS, phophoadenosine phosphosulfate.  The authors do not recognize the significance of their work and are only seeing its application in laboratory studies.

The PAPS sulfation step is competitive and rate limiting, making the detoxification process costly one the other body processes.

Chlorate--a potent inhibitor of protein sulfation in intact cells

Baeuerle, P. A., Huttner, W. B. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 1986, 141:1, pp. 870-7  

Chlorate is known to be an in vitro inhibitor of ATP-sulfurylase, the first enzyme in the biosynthesis of PAPS, which is the ubiquitous co- substrate for sulfation. Here, the effect of chlorate on protein sulfation in intact cells was investigated. Treatment of various cell cultures with 1 mM sodium chlorate in a medium low in sulfate and sulfur-containing amino acids resulted in an inhibition of protein sulfation greater than 95%. Tyrosine as well as carbohydrate sulfation was blocked. Chlorate did not inhibit protein synthesis and did not exhibit any other toxic effects, even after prolonged treatment of cell cultures. Thus, chlorate treatment provides a powerful tool for studying the biological significance of protein sulfation.  

Illness from low levels of environmental chemicals:  
 relevance to chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia

Bell, I. R., Baldwin, C. M., Schwartz, G. E. American Journal of Medicine Vol. 105, 3A, 74S-82S, 1998 This article summarizes (1) epidemiologic and clinical data on the symptoms of maladies in association with low-level chemicals in the environment, i.e., environmental chemical intolerance (CI), as it may relate to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia; and (2) the olfactory-limbic neural sensitization model for CI, a neurobehavioral synthesis of basic and clinical research.

Severe CI is a characteristic of 20-47% of individuals with apparent CFS and/or fibromyalgia, all patients with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), and approximately 4- 6% of the general population. In the general population, 15-30% report at least minor problems with CI. The levels of chemicals reported to trigger CI would normally be considered nontoxic or subtoxic.

However, host factors—e.g., individual differences in susceptibility to neurohormonal sensitization (amplification) of endogenous responses—may contribute to generating a disabling intensity to the resultant multisystem dysfunctions in CI. One site for this amplification may be the limbic system of the brain, which receives input from the olfactory pathways and sends efferents to the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic dopaminergic [reward] pathway. Chemical, biologic, and psychological stimuli can initiate and elicit sensitization. In turn, subsequent activation of the sensitized limbic and mesolimbic pathways can then facilitate dysregulation of behavioral, autonomic, endocrine, and immune system functions. Research to date has demonstrated the initiation of neurobehavioral sensitization by volatile organic compounds and pesticides in animals, as well as sensitizability of cardiovascular parameters, beta-endorphin levels, resting EEG alpha- wave activity, and divided-attention task performance in persons with CI. The ability of multiple types of widely divergent stimuli to initiate and elicit sensitization offers a new perspective on the search for mechanisms of illness in CFS and fibromyalgia with chemical intolerance.

Detoxification requires ATP for sulfation

Toxins require ATP (and the other energy molecules) to detoxify, depleting the body of oxygen, initiating acidosis, and starting a whole chain of hormone responses that are inappropriate for long-term survival. Autoimmune disorders are NOT a genetic malady, although we may be predisposed to develop the condition.  It is a stress response.  All autoimmune disorders are variations on a theme: a response to a specific toxin or combination of toxins that exceed the body’s capacity to detoxify.  Toxin sensitivity may be common to all autoimmune disorders, and are all reversible, at least to some degree, by nutrition and detoxification.

In talking to the people with Crohn’s they all have an unusually high exposure to petrochemical fumes.  In the rhea chicks, hexane extracted soy can produce profound intestinal erosion.  Even MS responds, although it is slow and expensive requiring a product in very scarce supply, the rhea heart extract.  It as like an extreme allergy so people can understand it and have enclosed the example I give using a car.  We can usually find a major pesticide exposure in people with MS or Lupus.  Eventually we may be able to identify the type of toxin by its symptomatic expression. 

  All the autoimmune disorders are variations of the same theme and they are NOT the body attacking itself.

The body is choosing the lesser of two evils: die from the poison or live at a suboptimum level.  

Muscle protein and serum calmodulin: Cachexia is an attempt to control toxins

One of the things that is not on the website is the calmodulin-troponin C relationship.  Increased levels of calmodulin, the serum protein that sequesters calcium, are found in every disease state that it has been measured.  However, this process can be compromised by heavy metals.  Calmodulin has a greater affinity to the toxic metals than calcium, so if the metals are present more calmodulin should be required to maintain proper calcium levels.  When I wrote the patent application a year ago, no work had been done to determine if this was a rate-limiting process or an inexhaustible supply in a living creature.  It appears to be assumed it is an inexhaustible supply or that the increased levels are causing the disease state instead of being an effect of the disease state, hence the drive to find calmodulin-inhibitors.

Instead, I think the structural and functional correlate to calmodulin in the body, troponin C in the muscle, functions as a storage depot and is interchangeable with calmodulin although it does have a decreased affinity to sequester calcium.  In other words, the body can substitute troponin C for calmodulin in the serum.  Although there does not appear to be a mechanism yet, it may not be recognized because no one is looking for it.  We do know that different wavelengths of visible light can alter the conformation of the calmodulin family, and I suspect it may be a similar mechanism.  Hence the problems observed in muscular dystrophy, dermatomyositis, and cachexia. Also, the antiphospholipid antibody theory of the body attacking itself is backward and illogical.  Under Darwinian Medicine, the antiphospholipid antibody is the body’s way of maintaining a constant supply of the toxin sequestering proteins at the expense of the muscle.  The body is deliberating attempting to prevent the formation of phospholipids. 
 

How does the extract work?  

Although the mechanism is not yet known, humans appear to be able to use the rhea extract to accomplish the same thing and spare their muscle.  Decreased pain, more energy, and hormone modulation is the result.

Just with the extract alone, I expect to hear of significant improvement within the first week in at least half of the people.  We recommend nutritional supplements and dietary changes to organic fats, oils, and meats since fats of all kinds store toxins.

Very stressful or toxic situations often precede an intensification of symptoms.   It is important to stress to them they are not cured, and must remain alert to changes in their early warning signs.  Unfortunately, all too often with women, the first thing they do with their new found energy is going on a cleaning binge and expose themselves to harsh cleaning chemicals to their detriment.

We caution people to avoid cleaning chemicals, paints, and solvents for a while and then use them conservatively.  

What is the difference between the different extracts?  

Traditional medicines have long advocated the use of boiled bone or meat broths and organ meats for their healing qualities.  These qualities are most pronounced in the rhea and ostrich.  Although there is considerable overlap in the reported effects of the extracts, our experience has shown that the ATP BOOST is not as effective for sever pain as the Heart + or the pure Rhea Heart.  In our own use, the Heart products do not provide the energy boost that the extract but have been of greater help in instances of severe pain.  Heart muscle contains high levels of Co-Q 10 and this may be a factor in the effect seen. 

Individuals with arthritis and connective tissue disorders favor the tendon.   There does exist a considerable overlap in the extracts since the rhea extract is includes the tendon and cartilage proteins of the rhea.  

What about Rhea Oil?
We also hold a patent on rhea oil.  We produce a topical oil that absorbs in the red spectra range, which may be the operating mechanism for reducing soreness and inflammation.

Patent Examples

These are the actual case studies that are in the patent application for Rhea extract as a therapeutic agent.

The Extract used is made from rhea meat and bones and mixed with lecithin (vitamin E) as an antioxidant. Muscle ache and stiffness

Example:  A tool and die maker, suffering from job related stress injuries and headaches, used the rhea extract twice weekly in lieu of his self-prescribed 10-12 NSAID per day and continues this regimen.

  Allergies

Example:  Daily use of rhea extract pills alleviated allergic symptoms of sneezing, itchy eyes, and rhinitis.  The effect was seen within one hour and was sustained for 4-8 hours with no side effects.

  Pain Relief

Example:  A 68-year-old woman with a herniated disk used Torodol for 3 years for pain relief.  The drug was discontinued when renal complications were discovered to be a side effect.  Subsequently Ultram, Feldene, Voltren, and Orudis were tried sequentially.  Each drug was discontinued when they proved to be ineffective or produced intolerable side effects.  Four rhea extract capsule tablets were taken with the Orudis for 4 days, at which time the Orudis was discontinued since the weight gain side effect could no longer be tolerated (2-3 pounds per week for 5 weeks).  The regimen of rhea extract was continued with total pain relief and immediate loss of up to 2 pounds of retained fluid per day.  Presently, her weight has stabilized and she continues to use the rhea extract for pain relief.

  Arthritis

Example:  A 46-year-old woman with arthritis in her hands used one rhea extract capsule per day for a period of 7 days.  Besides pain relief there was a marked improvement in mobility and reduced swelling. 

Psoriasis

Example:  A 28-year-old woman had lived with psoriasis since her teens.  After 1.5 grams of extract she was “itch-free for the first time in years”.

  Colitis, Inflammatory Bowl Disease, Crohn’s, Diarrhea, Gastric Ulcers

Example:   Daily use of rhea extract relieved all symptoms for a 67-year-old male with a chronic (46 year) history of Crohn’s disease and gastric ulcers (6 years).  Zantac was prescribed for the ulcer condition, and Azulthadine (20 years) was prescribed for the colitis. Occasional flare-ups still occurred.  The man used rhea extract once daily for one month while maintaining his regimen of medications.  His symptoms had improved, so he chose to stop the prescriptions for a trial period.  He continued regular use of rhea extract for another month.  Symptom and medication-free, he reduced his use of rhea extract to a sporadic “once or twice a week” for the next four months.   For the first time since the Korean War, he is symptom-free and has discontinued all medications and is continuing use.

 Example:  A woman with a history of 17 bowel and gut resection surgeries due to severe Crohn’s disease took one rhea heart capsule daily for 4 days concurrent with 1/2 tsp. of rhea oil orally and daily massages with rhea fat cream.  She noted that during the rapid transit time of flare-ups pill medication was usually found in the colostomy bag with undigested food.  She suffered severe muscular pain (on her scale of 10, usually a 7).  By day 2 the flare-up was subsiding.  On day 5 her pain had been reduced to a level she had not enjoyed in years:  2, mild discomfort.  She subsequently took rhea muscle extract for 7 days.  Her discomfort level increased so she resumed Rhea heart extract and the discomfort subsided.

  Flu and cold symptoms

Example:  A case of the flu including fever (102 degrees), coughing, lethargy, and muscle ache, was treated with rhea extract.  Symptom relief was seen 30 minutes after administration and was sustained for 2-5 hours depending on the degree of fever at the time of administration.

  Hormone modulation

Example:  A 13-year-old girl with an unexplained weight gain of 13 pounds in 5 weeks, obvious edema in the neck, face, and ankles, and 2+ protein in the urine was suspected of being hypothyroid.  Three days after supplementation with rhea extract, protein urine was negative.  10 days after supplementation began she had lost 9 pounds while vacationing. 

Fibromyalgia

Example:  A 44-year-old female on disability from her job as a surgical technician had suffered from fibromyalgia for 25 years.  Initially taking 12 rhea extract capsules for the first 3 days, spaced hourly, she experienced significant pain relief within 5 days.  The patient voluntarily decreased the dosage steadily.  Six weeks within starting the rhea extract regimen she was discussing returning to work.  She maintains this degree of relief with 2 capsules per day.

  Example:  A 42-year-old female computer technician suffered from fibromyalgia with extreme nausea and photosensitivity.  Her medications included:  She was only able to work about 16 hours a week, suffering from chronic fatigue and pain.  One month later she put in a 72-hour workweek, the first week in years she had maintained a full-time schedule.

  Lupus

Example:  Two patients with lupus whose symptoms were alleviated with the extract had direct exposure to powerful toxins.  One woman was hit by paraquat overspray and “never really recovered”.  The other patient lived in a house that was sprayed with a pesticide approved for outdoor use only.  This persisted for 6 months and she developed symptoms 3 months after the spraying began.

  Epilepsy

Example:  An Amish girl diagnosed with epilepsy and suffering up to 8 seizures per day was given rhea extract for one month.  At the end of the trial period the seizures had been reduced to 3 per day.  The diagnosis of epilepsy is being re-evaluated with consideration of toxin exposure.

ANIMALS

Hip Dysplasia

A dog with disabling hip dysplasia was treated with ostrich extract after the owner was told to destroy the dog.  Within days there was a noticeable increase in energy and vitality.  The dog has been on ostrich extract for 6 months and shows evidence of pain only during rainy weather.  She is active and enjoys exercise.

Diarrhea

Example:  A 2-month-old kitten with watery diarrhea was fed ostrich extract.  The morning stool was normal.