Karen Pendergrass, Standards Team

Retrograde menstruation theory holds that during menstruation, some endometrial tissue reverses through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity. It implants on pelvic organs, thickens, breaks down, and bleeds cyclically, causing inflammation, pain, and scar tissue, characteristic of endometriosis.

An endometrioma is a type of ovarian cyst filled with old blood, arising from endometrial tissue outside the uterus, typically causing pain and potentially impacting fertility.

Transition metals like iron, zinc, copper, and manganese are crucial for the enzymatic machinery of organisms, but their imbalance can foster pathogenic environments within the gastrointestinal tract.

The Chronic Inflammation Hypothesis suggests that persistent inflammation contributes to the development and progression of various chronic diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disorders.

Bacteria regulate transition metal levels through complex mechanisms to ensure survival and adaptability, influencing both their physiology and the development of antimicrobial strategies.

Definition Molecular mimicry is a biological phenomenon where the molecules (usually proteins or peptides) of one organism mimic the molecular structures of another organism. This mimicry can occur between molecules of different viruses, between viruses and the host, or between different cellular components within an organism.Fundamental Molecules: At the most basic level, molecular mimicry involves […]

Virulence factors are molecules produced by pathogens that contribute to their ability to infect, colonize, and cause disease in host organisms by evading the immune system or damaging host tissues.

Dimethylglyoxime (MG) is a chemical compound known for its ability to selectively chelate Nickel ions (Ni^2+), forming a bright red precipitate. This property has made MG a useful reagent in analytical chemistry for detecting and quantifying nickel. In fighting pathogens with nickel-dependent enzymes, such as those possessing urease or hydrogenase essential for their survival and […]

Drug repurposing involves identifying new therapeutic uses for existing drugs, offering a cost-effective and time-efficient pathway to enhance treatment options and address unmet medical needs.

A low-nickel diet (NiD) is a therapeutic dietary intervention that eliminates high-nickel foods, primarily plant-based sources such as legumes, nuts, whole grains, and cocoa, to reduce systemic nickel exposure. It is clinically validated for managing systemic nickel allergy syndrome (NAS) and nickel-induced eczema. Its relevance is well-established in microbiome modulation, with studies demonstrating clinical benefits in conditions such as endometriosis, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, and ERD.