Really insightful post — I appreciate how deeply it explores iodine’s role in overall body function. It’s refreshing to see discussions that connect science, history, and practical wellness without the usual pharmaceutical bias. I’ve been reading a lot about optimization and balance lately, even outside health topics like in gaming communities (for example, the Nulls Brawl APK game at the trusted site https://getnullsbrawl.org/
), and I see the same idea — the right balance and source make all the difference. Thanks for sharing such a detailed breakdown!

@teamfortress too many 5-ar inhibitors bro...

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11380153/

Abstract

Hamster flank organ growth, as measured by an increase in the area of the pigmented macule, is androgen-dependent. When flank organs of a castrated hamster are treated topically with testosterone, the flank organ becomes larger and darker. Since this growth is known to be dependent on the intracellular active androgen, 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), inhibitors of 5alpha-reductase which converts testosterone to DHT can inhibit the growth of the flank organ. Certain unsaturated aliphatic fatty acids, such as gamma-linolenic acid and myristoleic acid, as well as other natural compounds, including alizarin and curcumin, are 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and inhibited flank organ growth. Green tea catechins, including (-)-epicatechin-3-gallate, and (-)-epigallo-catechin-3-gallate (EGCG) are also 5alpha-reductase inhibitors and inhibited flank organ growth. However, (-)-epicatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin, which are not 5alpha-reductase inhibitors, also inhibited flank organ growth. EGCG also inhibited DHT-dependent growth of flank organs. These catechins, therefore, may act by a mechanism other than inhibition of 5alpha-reductase. The effect of EGCG and other compounds was localized at the site of application; they did not affect the growth of the contralateral flank organ in the same animal. Since these compounds do not appear to exhibit systemic effects, they may be potentially useful for treatment of androgen-dependent skin disorders.

I believe it may be an estrogen problem for most of these people. All the papers by Mawson I've read seem to point towards an increase in retinoic acid at the particular diseased site, or a dis-regulation of retinoid signalling like in glioblastoma.

From this Ray article it seems estrogen is responsible for triggering certain inflammatory immune response like the chitinase enzymes etc. I wouldn't be surprised if it did the same with retinoic acid needlessly at the site of inflammation.

I think a lot of their benefits are as you say blunting the immune response but also I'd add a reduced endotoxin load. They all seem to do bad ("detox reactions") without any binders.

@Samyo said in white sugar honey and maple syrup:

@random https://x.com/CowsEatGrassBlg/status/1906882828216021187

?

Who Cares what people Say on X, everyone is an "expert" on X, aint saying sugar is absolutly Bad, just that it Can cause inflammation, simple. I Can give you an exemple, i was drinking milk and eating honey, i had symptoms, i stopped eating honey fully and part of the symptoms went away

HEIGHTMAXXING - LOG 1

Read the Milk Manifesto

Regenerative milk is more environmentally friendly than vegetable harvests.

@Androsclerozat I think it's the screen itself - can't be good to look INTO light for hours.

@ilovethesea
And Garrett said on X that he had talked to Grant about essentially censoring Grant's forum because of this. Not even ashamed of his support of censorship (but hypocritically condemns censorship when it's done by the other side).

@questforhealth Masculine men have to do good to feel good. Their role in life is to protect, provide for, and cherish women, children and animals. For feminine women it’s the opposite. They have to feel good to do good.

But we have too many “peter pan” men who never grew up and fail to recognize that only insecure, previously abused and damaged women will tolerate an ungiving, uncherishing man.

Of course it’s not just men who are mixed up, most women were never taught to value themselves and set boundaries. So they overgive to men and then get resentful.

@DavidPS agreed. My buddy was also disgusted with it but smoked some for his family and then ate some which got him sick. Interestingly a few months after he told me about alpha gal I had found something that could possibly cure him and he didn't want to try it - seems to be still disgusted with the thought of meat. Fascinating that we've eaten meat for millennia and all the sudden some are becoming allergic after a tick bite. Nothing to see here - move along!

@Peatly

Yes, I read that conversation. I think it was the salesman in him. He obviously is profit-driven and was likely looking to develop a 'better' product.

Edit: I'm not a Mercola stan, but I think he is just a flawed perhaps egotistical individual with a profit-driven model of 'success'.

Calcium and riboflavin are two chemicals known to reduce blood pressure, given salt intake is sufficient.

@Kruton I don’t agree at all. Getting a girl pregnant is a huge issue. Not having sex is a huge issue. The alternative birth control methods are far worse. Condoms are a minor problem in the scheme of things.

Thought I should post a brief update since this thread has gotten some more attention lately: The symptoms I was dealing with have greatly improved with some diet and lifestyle changes. I've reduced my zinc supplementation to a more standard 15mg a day, but I still feel 120mg/day was beneficial as a short-term loading dose. I do get plenty of copper and manganese in my diet from regular shellfish consumption, and I've started using molasses as well. If anyone is interested, the current stack I'm running is a standard B-complex, 300mg thiamine HCL, 8000IU vitamin D, Thorne's vitamin K formula, 15mg zinc citrate, and T3/T4, progesterone, pregnenolone, and DHEA rarely as needed

@AstralPMP it’s a brand new built home so there’s no mold.

@wester130 I'm looking forward to getting a solid source of T and doing this some day

Penis size is associated to body-fat percentage during your childhood.
If you have a small pp, chances are you were overweight as a child.

@CO3 : ok thanks. I tend to have eggs most of days for my breakfast with orange juice. I always removed the whites as Ray said they are not that great and I try to limit my methionine intake.

I wanted to try these for lunch, but I can try during the weekend. Once a week should be fine.

@Sippy

They were full of excipients if I recall correctly.

So many things are these days.

Do you know of any resources for interpreting the results and deciding how to correct imbalances?

Regarding interpretation, I am no expert myself so I've relied on others knowledgeable to help me. I cannot vouch for everything this guy says but his videos on HTMA have been useful for me. If you want a real expert with a focus on mineral balancing, fertility, etc. then Andra is someone who you should consider speaking with. Her Twitter is a good resource for free knowledge. Andra is no stranger to Peat and the Bioenergetic community.

Two more months have passed. Healing from the thing in September was very slow, until I realized cutting down on nicotine was a good idea. Now limiting nicotine to after eating.

Still not doing great, my body just doesn't seem to function very well. Trying to reintroduce things (like ketchup) made some symptoms come back, and then it's back to slow healing from that. At least now it's obvious that gastritis has been a problem all along.

Definitely not doing as great now in fall and winter, although B vitamins seem to keep me going somewhat. No appetite, losing weight, no libido, barely enough energy to keep up with I need to get done, let alone having any energy to enjoy my free time. Is chronic gastritis enough to explain most of this, I don't know. Feels a little bleak.

Considering trying an H2 blocker, just accepting being exposed to the excipients.

A good thing is eating soft bland food has practically gotten rid of the constipation problem. I had been eating carrot salads for a long time out of pure inertia but they were actually constipating.

Endoscopy coming up in a month.