Tag: cinnamaldehyde

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Vaping and TRP channel activators.

Vaping is a slang term used to describe a method for inhaling tobacco or other herbs without literally burning them with a flame. Electric heating devices turn volatile chemicals within the tobacco or herb into a vapor (gaseous form of the chemical) that can be inhaled. Typically smokers of tobacco don’t draw the smoke of cigarettes or a pipe deeply into the lungs while smokers of marijuana do tend to inhale and hold the smoke. Either type of smoking does create toxins from the act of burning the herb/tobacco leaf.

Electric vaping cartridges heat a liquid mixture that may contain nicotine from tobacco or THC/CBD from marijuana possibly along with other chemicals to help keep the mixture mixed (emulsifying oils such as glycerine) or chemicals that add a flavor and/or odor. The goal of vaping was to reduce the health risks that are linked to carcinogens in tobacco or to the chemicals that are created during burning a substance (too many decorative candles in a poorly ventilated home can also be a health hazard). Unfortunately there have been health problems and even some deaths linked to vaping nicotine or cannabinoid containing vape products.

Health risks have been linked to the glycerine (exogenous lipoid pneumonia (ELP), a type of pneumonia caused by excess fats/lipids in lung cells) (2), however other health problems have also occurred. No one chemical has been found that can be linked to all of the health problems or deaths that have occurred. (1) In addition to the type of pneumonia attributed to the glycerine content, several of the chemicals used to add flavor to vape products have been linked to various negative health symptoms.

Cinnamon contains cinnamaldehyde which has been found to be a health risk in vape products. (7) Risks have also been linked to o-vanillin, found naturally in vanilla, and pentanedione (found in honey). Other potentially harmful chemicals were also a frequent problem when fifty flavored vape products were tested 92% were positive for diacetyl, acetylpropionyl, or acetoin. (9) Glycerine may be harmful as a fatty substance that doesn’t belong in the lungs but may also be acting as modulators or activators of TRPV channels. (glycerine/glycerol) (12) Butter flavorings use 2-3-Pentanedione which has already been associated with lung problems associated with microwave popcorn. (13)

More complex flavors include several flavoring chemicals in combination, and risk may also increase from combinations or increased total quantity of the chemicals used as flavorings. Products available for sale may not be subject to regulation or labeling requirements so what a vape liquid contains may not be available to a consumer or a medical professional.

Natural phytonutrients found in vanilla and cinnamon add fragrance and health benefits, however when inhaled deeply into the lungs they may be overactivating cells due to their ability to open channels through cell membrane walls which allows excess calcium to enter the cell, or through the membranes of mitochondria found within cells. Cinnamaldehyde and vanillin are both TRP channel activators. TRP channels are portals through the cell membrane wall or in the membrane of organelles within the cell such as mitochondria, the main energy producing part of every cell. The TRPA1 channel is a type associated with coughing and mucous production. (8) Ethyl vanillin activates TRPA1 channels (10) and more typically vanillin is known to activate TRPV channels (the V stands for vanilloid). (11)

Vitamin E content in vape mixtures has also been linked with health risks associated with vaping. (4) Vitamin E can act as a preservative against oxidation, or spoilage of the oil content in a mixture, and it may also act as a TRP channel modulator – affecting the ability of other chemicals to open TRP channels. Vitamin E might help keep them closed in some tested conditions. (5) Cannabinoids can also act as TRP channel activators. (6) The non-euphoria producing cannabinoid known as CBD activates TRPV1 channels and the euphoria producing cannabinoid in marijuana known as THC activates the TRPA1 channels. (11)

Normally the fragrance of foods is sensed within the nose. The tongue and the lungs have no scent receptors. The cinnamon smells fragrant in small amounts but sniff a large amount and you may sneeze and your nose will likely start dripping with extra mucous production. Extra mucous production is a protective mechanism to keep potentially harmful or irritating chemicals from being inhaled into the lungs.

Horseradish has a very pungent smell and hot pepper simply burns when eaten or when it gets on delicate mucous membranes and eating either will also cause increased mucous production and release – in other words – a runny nose. Horseradish and hot pepper also contain potent TRP channel activators – they are causing mucous to be released. Extra mucous production is normal for your nose, it can just drip or be blown out, but deep within your lungs too much mucous production can cause the lungs to overfill and it may lead to pneumonia or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) also involves lungs that are too full of liquid. COPD patients are recommended to avoid use of e-cigarettes as they may increase the inflammatory response of COPD lung cells (3)

The simplest take home point might be to avoid flavors in vape products altogether – the lungs can’t smell them, neither can your tongue, only your nose can. Unless you are inhaling through your nose, where mucous membranes are designed to prevent entry of toxic chemicals and TRP channel activators, then it would likely be safest to avoid sweetened or flavored vape products and avoiding unregulated products helps reduce the risk of unknown ingredients present in unknown amounts. An article on Healthline includes a long list of specific chemicals found in vape products that may have health risks. The article reviews other known health risks and includes links to the research articles. See: Is Vaping Bad for You? And 12 Other FAQs. (9)

*Vaping is not recommended during pregnancy due to the health hazards that are known, and the many unknowns about the health risks to a developing baby.

Continued:

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. It is not intended to provide individual guidance. Please seek a health care provider for individualized health care guidance.

Things that may overstimulate TRP channels.

For more information and reference list about TRP channels see G3: Relaxation & Stress, and G5: Preeclampsia & TRP Channels.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of Fair Use. It is not intended to provide individual guidance. Please seek a health care provider for individualized health care guidance.

Reference List

  1. Health Canada, Information Update – Health Canada warns of potential risk of pulmonary illness associated with vaping products, Oct. 11, 2019, hc.media.sc@canada.ca; https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/information-update-health-canada-warns-of-potential-risk-of-pulmonary-illness-associated-with-vaping-products-867534807.html
  2. Viswam D, Trotter S, Burge PS, Walters GI, Respiratory failure caused by lipoid pneumonia from vaping e-cigarettes. BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2018 http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2018-224350 , https://casereports.bmj.com/content/2018/bcr-2018-224350
  3. Heightened response to e-cigarettes in COPD, European Respiratory Society, https://openres.ersjournals.com/content/5/1/00192-2018
  4. Brueck H, Vaping is leading to a spate of lung injuries, comas, and death. Lung experts say oils like vitamin E may be partially to blame. Insider, Sep 19, 2019, https://www.insider.com/why-is-vaping-dangerous-for-your-lun
  5. Nazıroğlu M, Özgül C, Vitamin E modulates oxidative stress and protein kinase C activator (PMA)-induced TRPM2 channel gate in dorsal root ganglion of rats. C. J Bioenerg Biomembr (2013) 45: 541. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10863-013-9524-x https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10863-013-9524-x
  6. Muller C, Morales P, Reggio PH. Cannabinoid Ligands Targeting TRP Channels. Front Mol Neurosci. 2019;11:487. Published 2019 Jan 15. doi:10.3389/fnmol.2018.00487 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6340993/
  7. Clapp PW, Lavrich KS, van Heusden CA, et al., Cinnamaldehyde in flavored e-cigarette liquids temporarily suppresses bronchial epithelial cell ciliary motility by dysregulation of mitochondrial function. American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular PhysiologyVol. 316, No. 3, https://www.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/ajplung.00304.2018?journalCode=ajplung
  8. Geppetti P, Patacchini R, Nassini R, Materazzi S, Cough: The Emerging Role of the TRPA1 Channel. Lung (2010) 188(Suppl 1): 63. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00408-009-9201-3 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00408-009-9201-3
  9. Is Vaping Bad for You? And 12 Other FAQs, Healthline https://www.healthline.com/health/is-vaping-bad-for-you
  10. Wu SW, Fowler DK, Shaffer FJ, Lindberg JEM, Peters JH. Ethyl Vanillin Activates TRPA1. J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2017;362(3):368–377. doi:10.1124/jpet.116.239384 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5539581/
  11. Premkumar LS. Transient receptor potential channels as targets for phytochemicals. ACS Chem Neurosci. 2014;5(11):1117–1130. doi:10.1021/cn500094a https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4240255/
  12. Kahn-Kirby AH, Dantzker JLM, Apicella AJ, et al., Specific Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Drive TRPV-Dependent Sensory Signaling In Vivo. Cell, Vol 119, Issue 6, 17 Dec. 2004, pp 889-900 https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0092867404010475#!
  13. CDC – Flavorings-Related Lung Disease: Exposures to Flavoring Chemicals, NIOSH Workplace Safety and Health Topic, https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/flavorings/exposure.html

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G3.6.1: “Calcium sparklets” and Oxidative Stress

G3.6.1.1: “Calcium sparklet” – a burst of energy from a TRP channel; can be measured but not seen.

Calcium and magnesium are both electrically active ions – ions are atoms of an individual element rather than being a more complex molecule that is made of a combination of several different elements. Water is made of one atom of oxygen and two atoms of hydrogen for example. Calcium and magnesium are both individual elements rather than being molecules. They are both considered to be essential trace minerals that we need in our diet on a regular basis or we would get sick and eventually die without enough of either one. They each have an ionic charge of +2 and can exchange one or two electrons.

Ions can typically donate or receive electricity by sharing or receiving one or two electrons. Sodium and potassium are essential trace minerals with a charge of +1, they can exchange one electron. the energy is in the form of electromagnetic radiation, which is also what make “light., (G3.105), so while our human eyes may be too big to detect the “light” of a microscopic burst of energy from the flow of calcium across a TRP channel – maybe a tiny spark might be visible to that microscopic world.

Magnesium sparklers – a spark of life.

Many people may be more familiar with holiday “magnesium sparklers” than with “calcium sparklets” as the mineral magnesium is flammable and can be used to make Fourth of July sparklers, which are a festive sight during celebrations of the U.S. Independence Day.

 

G3.6.1.2: Calcium sparklets can be caused by high blood sugar – hyperglycemia. (G3.108)

  • Calcium and diabetic vascular dysfunction, Focus on “Elevated Ca2+sparklet activity during acute hyperglycemia and diabetes in cerebral arterial smooth muscle cells: “This report is also the first to describe a molecular mechanism by which hyperglycemia produces increased [Ca2+]i in VSM and suggests that this mechanism of Ca2+ sparklet activation may be uniquely initiated by hyperglycemia.” (G3.108)

Calcium sparklets are not a good thing, not in excess at least, they represent an open gate into the interior of the cell, allowing a crowd to enter instead of invited guests only. (G3.106, G3.107, G3.108) Too much energy or other types of chemicals suddenly being available on the interior of a cell can over activate it and even lead to the death of the cell.

“Excitotoxins” refers to chemicals that can cause a cell to become overactive if the chemical is allowed to enter the interior of the cell. TRP channels are the gateway that selectively lets in some things and keeps out everything else. If TRP channels aren’t able to do their job properly, then too much of “everything else” is able to rush into the cell and that may be what happens for some people more than others. If the everything else includes MSG from a recent meal or the alternative sweetener aspartame then overactivity of the cell may result.

Calcium itself acts as a messenger chemical that can trigger action when it is on the interior of the cell and can act as an “excitotoxin” and lead to the death of cells. During normal health magnesium is in greater abundance inside of the cell and calcium is found in larger amounts than magnesium in the fluid surrounding the cells and within blood plasma.

The alternative sweetener aspartame, brand name Nutrasweet, or the more concentrated version Neotame may both act as excitotoxins. The food flavoring ingredient monosodium glutamate also may over excite cells. What they have in common is a free amino acid that can act as a signal to the brain cell to tell it to get busy doing whatever it usually does, “just get busy, go, keep going, there’s no “off” here, move it . . .” an excitotoxin is the worse drill sergeant ever, and eventually the cell runs out of nutrients and/or builds up waste products of metabolism, and may even die. That’s a dramatization, but roughly that is the story – “oxidative stress” equals “waste products of metabolism.”

G3.6.1.3: Oxidative Stress > metabolic waste products > “TRPA1 sparklets.”

To return to the excerpt and list from the previous section, the first list of chemicals known to activate TRPA1 channels included waste products of metabolism. Metabolism is the chemical deconstruction of a larger molecule into smaller parts. Enzymes are necessary that are specific to the exact type of chemical transformation. Toxins can collect without enough of the right type of enzyme to metabolize them into smaller chemicals that are safe or can be excreted more easily by the kidneys.

  • The summary and excerpt: The TRPA1 receptor is directly activated by calcium levels inside of the cell, and a variety of toxins or “noxious” (irritating) substances that are produced as a normal part of “oxidative stress” otherwise known as “inflammation” including, “4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, hydrogen peroxide, hypochloride, hydrogen sulphide, 15-delta prostaglandin J2 [25–28].” and irritants from the environment or diet can also activate the TRPA1 receptor, *1.“mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate: AITC) [29], *2. cinnamaldehyde [30, 31], *3. allicin [32, 33] and *4. formalin [34]…”. (G3.25) Serotonin and other “Inflammatory mediators, such as bradykinin…[19, 35]” (G3.25) can make the receptors more sensitive which can lead to increased responsiveness of nerve endings – more pain (G3.25) or itch. (G3.24)
  • And a new excerpt about oxidative stress and metabolites that are produced within the body, some would activate TRPA1 channels: “Reactive oxygen species (ROS)”(G3.93) formed from oxidative stress were found to activate the TRPA1 channels in the cerebral arteries but not in other areas of the vascular system, “NOX-induced activation of TRPA1 sparklets and vasodilation required generation of hydrogen peroxide and lipid-peroxidizing hydroxyl radicals as intermediates. 4-Hydroxy-nonenal, a metabolite of lipid peroxidation, also increased TRPA1 sparklet frequency and dilated cerebral arteries.” (G3.93).

“Increased TRPA1 sparklet frequency” (G3.93) can be caused by chemicals that are produced during oxidative stress – which can be caused by emotional or physical reasons. The significance is that it means more calcium or other chemicals could be rushing through the open channel in the membrane wall. Calcium can also be an activating substance as was mentioned in the first summary and excerpt. This is complex chemistry and is just meant to be an introduction to the topic of oxidative stress in relation to conditions of chronic pain and itch. That second excerpt is from an additional list and is about chronic migraine – who are the people who might be more likely to have overactive TRPA1 channels? – quite a few besides those with sensitive skin or pain problems. A more complete list is in the next section but it is likely an incomplete list.

G3.6.1.4: “People with overactive TRPA1 channels” may include people with symptoms of:

  • “chronic itch” (G3.24);
  • “chronic arthritis” (G3.25);
  • “inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)” (G3.76);
  • people with an Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may also have had a history of child trauma, domestic violence or sexual abuse:  “As Leserman and Drossman (2007) note, patients with a history of physical or sexual abuse in childhood, or intimate partner violence, have 1.5 to 2 times the risk of reporting gastrointestinal symptoms or having a functional gastrointestinal disorder.,” (G3.94); and trauma survivors may also have comorbid chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia: “Van Houdenhove et al. (in press) found that 64% of patients in a group for FMS or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome had at least one type of either child or adult trauma. More concerning was that 39% of the group reported abuse during childhood and as adults, indicating a lifelong pattern of abuse. Although these findings are somewhat mixed,” (G3.94);
  • a medical hypothesis suggests TRPA1 channels may be involved in many chronic pain and airway conditions and also diabetes: “Furthermore, TRPA1 is also involved in persistent to chronic painful states such as inflammation, neuropathic pain, diabetes, fibromyalgia, bronchitis and emphysema.,” (G3.95);
  • symptoms of “diabetic hypersensitivity” (G3.96)  might feel or sound like: “Don’t touch me it hurts.” Symptoms of mechanical hypersensitivity may feel like being physically over sensitive to any sensation. Any touch may be experienced as “pain” or “itch” instead of being pleasant. Symptoms of hypersensitivity associated with diabetes have been found to respond to TRPA1 channel antagonists – chemical inhibitors – a medicine in other words. (G3.96) Reducing the over activity of the TRPA1 channels would help resolve the underlying problem but overmedicating would be a risk. Too much inhibition, too much of the medication could be dangerous to long-term health as the TRPA1 channels play important functions throughout the body.;
  • “chronic migraine,” “cluster headache,” (G3.77); “Reactive oxygen species (ROS)”(G3.93) formed from oxidative stress were found to activate the TRPA1 channels in the cerebral arteries but not in other areas of the vascular system, “NOX-induced activation of TRPA1 sparklets and vasodilation required generation of hydrogen peroxide and lipid-peroxidizing hydroxyl radicals as intermediates. 4-Hydroxy-nonenal, a metabolite of lipid peroxidation, also increased TRPA1 sparklet frequency and dilated cerebral arteries.” (G3.93);
  • preeclampsia may involve overactivity of the TRPA1 channel, it also has mechanico-sensitive properties or other TRP channels  – more research is needed: (G3.78, G3.79, G3.80, G3.81, G3.82, G3.83);
  • chronic respiratory conditions involving “airway inflammation” such as “asthma” or “COPD,” overly dry airways may be a problem causing difficulty with completely emptying the lungs (G3.84);
  • cardiac issues such as Congestive Heart Failure may involve TRPC channels, (G3.85), which are not activated by the food type items on the list below but which are likely to be activated by cannabinoids which are #8 on the list below, (G3.89, G3.90);
  • male infertility due to motility issues in the sperm, (G3.87, G3.88). TRPC channels (G3.89) can be activated by Phospholipase C (G3.90) which suggests they can be activated by other phospholipids as well. So a deficiency or gene difference affecting their production endogenously may be involved in male infertility involving motility. More research is needed. In the meantime formaldehyde is definitely not beneficial for fertility in women or men. There is more research available regarding exposure risks for female reproductive health (G3.91) than for males.(G3.92)

G3.6.1.5: People with overactive TRPA1 channels may be sensitive to:

And now we return to the list from the section on the last page. It is greatly expanded now with more food items and other possible substances that can activate TRPA1 channels and TRPC channels, gathered from the research about the list of conditions that might be at increased risk for overactive TRP channels. The TRP channels are all membrane channels but there are many individual types and several categories. The basic form and function is similar however and is described and illustrated in an article about the TRPC channel and cardiohypertrophy associated with Congestive Heart Failure, which was included in the previous list.  (G3.85)

  1. Mustard:  “mustard oil”, (G3.25); “Isothiocyante derivatives constitute the main pungent ingredients in wasabi (allyl isothiocyanate), yellow mustard (benzyl isothiocyanate), Brussels sprouts (phenylethyl isothiocyanate), nasturtium seeds (isopropyl isothiocyanate) and capers (methyl isothiocyanate). Allyl isothiocyanate is the major active ingredient in mustard oil.” (G3.67); Yellow mustard is the condiment used in many ways in cooking. It is a spice made from a small seed that is dried and powdered. It has medicinal value for a variety of conditions. Mustard oil applied topically as a massage oil is reported to provide relief for pain due to arthritis. (G3.68) Wasabi is a type of horseradish like seasoning used in Japanese cooking.It is a root vegetable that also has many medicinal benefits. (G3.72) Brussel sprouts are a vegetable that look like tiny cabbages and are botanically related to cabbage. They are very healthy in many ways and might be worth trying in smaller quantities, steamed more thoroughly rather than raw or lightly steamed or sauteed.(G3.71) Nasturtium seeds can be pickled and used in cooking similarly to capers. (G3.69) Capers are a pickled product with a peppery taste which resemble peppercorns, however they are made of the springtime buds of the caper plant which are picked when they are the size of peppercorns, and are preserved in a pickling brine. Capers are used in salads or savory dishes. (G3.70)
  2. Cinnamon:  “cinnamaldehyde”, (G3.25); Cinnamon is a spice used in cooking which is made from the inner layer of bark from a plant. It is dried and powdered and used in baking or savory dishes. Medicinally a ½ teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been found helpful for improving blood sugar control. A half teaspoon is a large amount for a single serving but some people enjoy it at breakfast stirred into a bowl of hot cereal. (G3.43, G3.67))
  3. Onion or Garlic: “allicin”, (G3.25); (G3.41) To be more precise – the raw garlic contains allicin; baked or roasted garlic would be less likely to still have allicin present. It would likely be similar for onion, raw or lightly sauteed might be a problem while caramelized, baked, or roasted might be tolerable. (G3.67)
  4. Formaldehyde: “formalin“, (G3.25); chemically the two are very similar: (G3.42); and formaldehyde is found in the environment and as a metabolite of some alternative sweeteners and other dietary sources. (G3.56) See the next section (which was posted first on this site) for more information on sources and ways to avoid Formaldehyde.
  5. “(Winter-green),” (G3.67); Wintergreen is a natural flavoring herb in the mint family. It is typically used as an essential oil as a flavoring in many foods and other types of products. It has medicinal benefits related to it containing the chemical that acts as the pain killing ingredient of aspirin.(G3.73)
  6. “eugenol (Cloves)” (G3.67); Cloves are used in a traditional holiday decoration to make an aromatic dried ornament from an orange. The tack like cloves are poked into the rind of a fresh orange and then the fruit is allowed to dry and it shrinks and smells good for a long time without spoiling if it was allowed to dry thoroughly. Cloves for use in cooking or baking are ground into a powder and used in baking and also in savory dishes and chutneys. The spice and essential oil also have medicinal benefits. The essential oil has numbing properties and in traditional medicine is applied topically to the gums for relieving the pain of a toothache.(G3.74)
  7. “and gingerol (Ginger).” (G3.67); – a root with medicinal properties and commonly used in cooking as a minced or chopped vegetable and is used in dried and powdered form as a spice in savory and baked dishes and may be served dried and candied and used as a candy or chopped and used in baked goods or chutneys.Ginger has many medicinal benefits and has been found helpful for the relief of arthritis pain when used in a quantity that would be equal to about a half teaspoon of the dried powder. Pregnant women should avoid large quantities of the herb or vegetable or candy as miscarriage may be a risk. (G3.75)
  8. “Δ9-tetrahydro-cannabinol (THC) and cannabinol (an oxidation product of THC).” (G3.67); The herb cannabis also known as marijuana has many medicinal benefits and  is the most significant source of THC but some foods also have some cannabinoid content. The topic of food sources of cannabinoids and risks and safe use warnings are discussed in the section I. Addiction or Starvation?. Medicinal benefits are discussed in detail in the textbook Endocannabinoids: The Brain and Body’s Marijuana and Beyond, editor and Chapter Three by Emmanuel S. Onaivi, et al., (CRC Press, 2006, Boca Raton, FL), which is available online as a pdf:  (I.Endocannabinoids: Full Text pdf)

See a healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

  • Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.
  • The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a service for locating a nutrition counselor near you at the website eatright.org: (eatright.org/find-an-expert)

References: 

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G3.6: Antihistamines may help if there is a genetic tendency to overproduce histamine.

Genetic differences in more than 70 genes have been associated with increased itchiness, see summary at the end of this section. (G3.24) Calcium and serotonin levels may be involved in increased itch or arthritis pain signals being sent or perceived. (G3.25) Scratching an itch is considered rude and a chronic itch is often considered funny however it isn’t fun.

Some background information:

Too much or too little calcium and magnesium can affect pain, itching, and mood. The minerals are both electrically active, and provide energy for ion channels which control the transport of messenger chemicals like serotonin across cell membranes – such as nerve cell membranes which might feel like a sensation of itchiness or pain.     

Excess serotonin may be involved, (G3.26, G3.27), and scratching an itch can make the urge to scratch more intense, even worse afterwards, even though there may be a temporary feeling of relief while scratching. (G3.28) Adequate magnesium is essential for reducing pain in arthritis or at least may help reduce pain levels. (G3.27) An antihistamine may help for some types of itching related to genetic conditions. (G3.29)

Excess dopamine levels can also be a cause of an overwhelming urge to scratch – see “grooming behavior” in section 7. When to Report?. The solution there is to figure out why dopamine levels are that elevated. Elevated dopamine can be a symptom of hyperthyroidism but it can also be associated with other conditions.

  • An Itch You Just Can’t Scratch; NIH-funded study identifies proteins that may cause chronic itch. Summary points: The HTR7 gene was found most closely associated with chronic itch in an animal based study, however over 70 genes were found to be more expressed, more active in lab animals with chronic itch. The gene expression of the HTR7 gene was most active in the mice with the worst symptoms of scratching compared to the mice with the least sensitivity. The activity of the TRP1 receptor was also increased in animals with more symptoms. (G.24)
  • Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) receptor is involved in chronic arthritis: in vivo study using TRPA1-deficient mice. Summary points: The TRPA1 receptor is directly activated by calcium levels inside of the cell, and a variety of toxins or “noxious” (irritating) substances that are produced as a normal part of “oxidative stress” otherwise known as “inflammation” including, “4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, hydrogen peroxide, hypochloride, hydrogen sulphide, 15-delta prostaglandin J2 [25–28].” and irritants from the environment or diet can also activate the TRPA1 receptor, *1.“mustard oil (allyl isothiocyanate: AITC) [29], *2. cinnamaldehyde [30, 31], *3. allicin [32, 33] and *4. formalin [34]…”. (G3.25) Serotonin and other “Inflammatory mediators, such as bradykinin…[19, 35]” (G3.25) can make the receptors more sensitive which can lead to increased responsiveness of nerve endings – more pain (G3.25) or itch. (G3.24) *See the next section for more information about the chemicals in bold font and where they may be found in the diet or environment.

*People with overactive TRPA1 channels may be sensitive to:

  1. Mustard:  “mustard oil”
  2. Cinnamon:  “cinnamaldehyde'” (G3.43) );
  3. Onion or Garlic: “allicin,” (G3.41)
  4. Formaldehyde: “formalin,” chemically the two are very similar: (G3.42) and formaldehyde is found in the environmental and as a metabolite of some alternative sweeteners and other dietary sources. (G3.56) Environmental sources include which would include first and second hand smoke, poorly ventilated air or smog, especially when there is brand new flooring or other new plastic or vinyl  material in the living area, it  can release volatile chemicals including formaldehyde at levels that can make a sensitive person feel ill. Metabolites of the breakdown of the alternative sweetener aspartame and Neotame include menthol and formaldehyde. (G3.44) Older packages of fruit juice also may contain increasing amounts of formaldehyde as the product ages, more of the chemical is produced from other chemicals.

Magnesium, Opioids, and Neuropathic Pain.

This list and this section got much longer actually, and eventually led me back to a topic I’ve written about in 2011, and which is one of the underlying causes of overactive TRP channels. Fortunately it also has a simple solution, (G3.101), but – unfortunately – it is so simple a solution that it isn’t profitable – unfortunately for individual patient’s health and quality of life and unfortunately for the economic health of individuals and nations and businesses who are being overcharged by the medical industry for healthcare that isn’t always effective and sometimes causes harm.

It is so effective a solution for improving mood and pain and muscle cramp type symptoms that I’ve been sharing the information online since at least 2011 and the article I shared was research from 2009, (G3.101), – so the clock is ticking on how soon the evidence based medical research will reach the individual patient who is in pain. The racers at the starting line are the physicians and nurse practitioners and other health professionals who make recommendations for opioid medications in an attempt to block pain instead of trying to find and resolve the cause of the pain.

What is a nerve signal? “Pain” or “no pain”? or “on” and “off”?
Pain, however, should not just be blocked without trying to understand the cause. It is a message from the body desperately asking for help but it is not always a clear message. Pain in one area of the body may have to do with an issue in another area of the body. Instead of blocking the pain signals we need to listen to them more carefully and try to figure out what the pain signals mean and how to resolve the underlying cause of the pain. Something might be missing and need to be added back into the diet or something might be happening in excess either in the diet or lifestyle habits and need to be stopped or moderated.

Nerve signals are not specific to send the brain a message of “pain” that exclusively means “pain;” a nerve signal is more of an “on” or “off” and might indicate a variety of extremes: too hot or too cold, or too rough or too light (ticklish), or too hot peppery, (capsaicin, (G3.100), more on that later), or too mustard oily. The nerve signal is simply telling the brain that “something” happened – figure it out captain of the ship – and fix it – such as remembering to wear gardening gloves before handling wild mustard weeds, especially if you have diabetic hypersensitivity.

The TRP channels are the bridge between the world and the nerve signal. There are many types and they can respond to specific temperatures, so some might activate when it is very cold and some might activate when it is very hot. Some might react to the hot pepper and some might react to the mustard oil. They would all tell the same nerve – “something” extreme happened.

Mustard oil can cause an extremely itchy reaction. It is used to induce “hypersensitivity” in lab animals to study the condition in relation to diabetic hypersensitivity. This will be discussed in the next section in more detail. (G3.96) Wearing gloves may be advisable when pulling a patch of wild mustard if you tend to have sensitive skin or allergic reactions.  (p124, G3.97)

Antihistamines taken daily can be helpful if excess histidine is a problem.

Antihistamines taken as a daily precaution may be helpful for people with overly sensitive skin if the sensitivity is related to a tendency to overproduce histidine. (G3.29) If that is an issue, then taking an antihistamine medication daily may also help for some types of chronic pain as well, more will be included in the next section. Acupuncture is a traditional therapy that may help reduce the overactivity of TRPV channels and reduce the production of the inflammatory peptide Substance P and other cytokines. Acupuncture can affect both the opioid and the cannabinoid receptors – but without needing the prescription or having to experience the side effects! (G3.104)

See a healthcare provider for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

  • Disclaimer: Opinions are my own and the information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has a service for locating a nutrition counselor near you at the website eatright.org: (eatright.org/find-an-expert)

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