Low Dose Naltrexone can benefit Autoimmune Conditions and Cancer
Naltrexone is a prescription drug that was first used in the late 1970s. Now, Low Dose Naltrexone (LDN) is being used effectively as an "off-label" treatment for autoimmune disorders and cancer.
Recently, I attended the 2014 LDN Conference. Medical doctors and pharmacists from America, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany spoke about how LDN helped improve autism, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia, infertility, endometriosis, weight loss, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Crohn's disease & Ulcerative colitis, Celiac disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease, and cancer. The scope was impressive! Sound too good to be true? Maybe not. By no means is any one drug, herb or nutrient a “cure-all”; however, LDN is certainly worth trying in many of these conditions which have no cure or poor treatment outcomes. LDN rarely has side effects and costs $1 or less per day. The most common side effects of LDN, disturbed sleep, dry mouth, and nausea, are typically mild and go away within the first few weeks. LDN has very few drug interactions, however, it does block opioid drugs such as morphine and codeine.
During the LDN Conference, a physician's assistant told the personal story of how it saved his son's life who was faced with debilitating Crohn's disease from early childhood. Traditional therapy was not working and he was getting progressively worse until he began LDN treatments. He saw improvements two weeks after he started LDN.
Dr. Akbar Kahn, MD, from Toronto, presented a case of tongue cancer where the patient was told by his surgeon they were going to cut out his tongue and voice-box. After refusing the surgery, the patient went to see Dr. Kahn. He prescribed LDN and high-dose vitamin D, and the patient has now been cancer-free for 4 years- an amazing response! Current evidence suggests a 60% response rate for most cancers. Given the safety of LDN, it is definitely worth trying.
Now you may be asking yourself: “Why is a Naturopathic Doctor (ND) recommending a prescription drug?” First, NDs with post-graduate pharmaceutical training and certification can safely and effectively prescribe drugs. Second, I believe good medicine is what works and, at the same time, is as safe as possible. LDN satisfies both of these criteria. While it would never be the only health recommendation I make for my patients, LDN can be an integral part of some treatment plans. In my practice, I have seen LDN reverse a severe case of ulcerative colitis and improve the quality of life for several cancer patients. Like the doctors at the LDN Conference, I feel passionate about spreading the word about LDN so more people are aware of it, ask their doctors about it, and get the opportunity to improve their quality of life by taking it.
The history of naltrexone:
http://www.lowdosenaltrexone.org/gazorpa/History.html
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