Methylene blue was initially created in 1876 as a cloth dye. Scientists quickly realized it had medical advantages, and in 1891 it turned the primary artificial compound used to deal with malaria.1
It was additionally the primary artificial compound used as a preservative. To at the present time, methylene blue stays indispensable in hospitals world wide as additionally it is the one recognized antidote for metabolic poisons comparable to cyanide and carbon monoxide.2 Actually, it’s included within the World Well being Group’s (WHO) Mannequin Checklist of Important Medicines.3
Actually, I imagine methylene blue is likely one of the most essential treatments within the residence. Along with its lengthy record of advantages, rising analysis suggests it could additionally profit your mind and bone well being.
How does methylene blue work?
Methylene blue is a flexible compound, however its most vital impact is on mobile vitality. It interacts primarily with the mitochondrial electron transport chain, which is important for cells to generate vitality.
In regular mobile respiration, electrons from the meals we devour cross via a sequence of protein complexes within the mitochondria. This course of is named the electron transport chain and in the end results in the manufacturing of ATP, the mobile vitality forex. Oxygen serves as the ultimate electron acceptor within the chain.
The distinctive property of methylene blue is its skill to simply accept electrons and switch them on to oxygen, successfully bypassing a part of the standard electron transport chain. This different electron shuttling enhances vitality manufacturing, particularly when regular mobile processes are impaired or inefficient.
By selling extra environment friendly electron switch and vitality manufacturing, methylene blue improves all points of cell perform and general well being. This skill to work together with and optimize mobile vitality makes methylene blue a topic of curiosity in scientific analysis and therapeutic functions. In my interview with Dr. Francisco Gonzalez Lima, an skilled on methylene blue, he defined:
“Methylene blue contributes its electrons on to the electron transport chain. It takes electrons from surrounding compounds and sustains oxygen consumption and vitality manufacturing. By doing so, it helps oxygen totally scale back to water.
It turns into two issues that do not often go collectively. It acts as an antioxidant as a result of oxygen is neutralized into water by donating electrons to electron transport, and it generates vitality as a result of ATP formation will increase because the electron transport pump strikes alongside oxidative phosphorylation.
Typically, we have now issues that enhance vitality metabolism, however they trigger oxidative stress. Within the case of methylene blue, this isn’t the case.
You are going to improve your oxygen consumption fee, you are going to improve your ATP manufacturing for vitality metabolism, and you are going to lower oxidative stress, which after all results in much less oxidative harm on the degree of the mitochondria, after which much less oxidative harm on the degree of different components of the mitochondria. and this cascade of oxidative harm.
Methylene blue might forestall mind harm and neurodegenerative illnesses
Remark printed in Neuroscience Critiques in March 20244 Discover using methylene blue as a therapeutic agent for traumatic mind damage (TBI), which is characterised by harm to mind tissue brought on by exterior forces. TBI damage leads to a cascade of neurodegenerative processes that proceed lengthy after the preliminary damage.
It shares many pathological options with neurodegenerative illnesses comparable to Alzheimer’s illness (AD), together with the buildup of β-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. This similarity is essential as a result of it suggests {that a} remedy that’s efficient for one situation could also be useful for one more. The writer explains:5
“Within the pathogenesis of AD, in addition to the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and oxidative stress in TBI, progressive irritation, glial activation, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, and overactivation of autophagy are concerned, which implies that there are lots of targets… Affected by neuroprotective brokers.
That’s, the multivariate cascade of neural tissue harm represents a goal for a lot of… therapeutic interventions. One such substance utilized in multipurpose remedy methods is methylene blue (MB).
This medication… [has] It has anti-apoptotic and anti inflammatory results, prompts autophagy, inhibits the aggregation of irregularly formed proteins, inhibits nitric oxide synthase and bypasses impaired electron transport within the mitochondrial respiratory chain.
These insights are supported by different analysis.6,7 For instance, a examine printed in Medical Hypotheses8 Researchers discover how methylene blue mitigates neurodegenerative harm brought on by extra iron deposits within the mind, which set off the manufacturing of extremely reactive hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton response, a course of involving iron and hydrogen peroxide. Course of (H2oxygen2).
These free radicals trigger important oxidative stress, harm mobile parts, and speed up neuronal dysfunction and loss of life. This course of not solely damages neurons but in addition promotes the aggregation of misfolded proteins, exacerbating the development of neurodegenerative illnesses comparable to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Methylene blue mitigates these results by inhibiting the Fenton response and decreasing the manufacturing of hydroxyl radicals.
The position of methylene blue in supporting bone well being
One other examine was printed in March 2024 within the journal Getting older9 studied how long-term administration of methylene blue improves bone ageing. It additionally examined the position of mitochondrial quinone (MitoQ), a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant that reduces the buildup of reactive oxygen species.
The researchers carried out in vitro and in vivo experiments on mice. Outcomes from each experiments confirmed that whereas methylene blue and MitoQ didn’t alter the development of age-related bone loss, they did present a dose-dependent inhibition of osteoclast differentiation.
That is essential as a result of osteoclasts play a task in bone resorption, the method of breaking down bone. Extreme osteoclast exercise can result in bone loss and circumstances comparable to osteoporosis. By inhibiting osteoclast differentiation, methylene blue and MitoQ might scale back the chance of bone loss.
The authors additionally observe that though methylene blue and MitoQ scale back bone resorption, taking them alone might not be sufficient to inhibit bone loss. To maximise their advantages, they have to be mixed with life-style adjustments, comparable to common train or anabolic bone loading. This multifaceted strategy is a more practical technique for mitigating age-related decline in bone well being.
Different methods methylene blue advantages your well being
Methylene blue has additionally been proven to have a number of different well being advantages, comparable to:
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Scale back the chance of urinary tract an infection (UTI)— I believe this is likely one of the most essential makes use of of methylene blue, because it offers a robust, gut-friendly different to antibiotics for treating urinary tract infections. That is particularly useful for older adults whose intestine well being is commonly compromised. Since methylene blue is just not metabolized by your physique, it’s excreted via the kidneys into the bladder, the place it accumulates and ultimately reaches excessive sufficient concentrations to behave as a robust oxidant, successfully focusing on and eliminating pathogens within the bladder.10 |
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Enhance pores and skin well being— In accordance with a examine printed within the journal Cell,11 Methylene blue promotes pores and skin firmness and elasticity whereas decreasing indicators of ageing by inhibiting oxidative harm, extending the lifetime of fibroblasts and selling cell proliferation. |
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Treating Osteoarthritis— 2022 Animal Research Printed in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica12 Methylene blue has been discovered to assist deal with osteoarthritis by defending cartilage from degeneration, decreasing synovitis (irritation of the liner of the joints) and relieving joint ache. It exerts these results by upregulating the enzymes Nrf2 and PRDX1, that are crucial for controlling oxidative stress and irritation. |
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Scale back the chance of vasoplegia— This situation is characterised by persistently low systemic vascular resistance, resulting in extreme and uncontrollable vasodilation, even when the center pumps blood usually. Analysis reveals that methylene blue might help management this situation by decreasing the consequences of cytokines that trigger blood vessels to dilate. It does this by inhibiting enzymes comparable to NO synthase and guanylate cyclase, and appearing as a cholinesterase inhibitor by blocking M3 receptors.13 |
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Promote mitochondrial well being— A examine printed within the Worldwide Journal of Molecular Sciences14 Methylene blue was discovered to extend hydrogen peroxide ranges, thereby activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway. This in flip enhances antioxidant gene exercise and reduces mitochondrial DNA harm. |
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Scale back reperfusion harm— Reperfusion damage happens when blood provide is restored to tissue after a interval of ischemia, comparable to after surviving a coronary heart assault or stroke. In accordance with an animal examine printed in Acta Pharmacologica Sinica in 2021,15 Methylene blue reduces mind edema after ischemic stroke by inhibiting the activation of AQP4 and ERK1/2 enzymes, that are concerned in regulating fluid steadiness and irritation in mind cells. |
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Enhances the consequences of nicotinic acid— Georgi Dinkov, an skilled in bioenergetic medication, says methylene blue enhances the advantages of niacinamide (vitamin B3) on mind well being and metabolism.16 |
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Stop sunscreen from inflicting additional harm to the setting – I do not suggest utilizing sunscreen because it interferes with the physique’s manufacturing of vitamin D. As an alternative, as soon as the perfect solar publicity time is reached, it is best to cowl your pores and skin with clothes. Nevertheless, if you wish to use sunscreen, comparable to for extended outside actions, select a sunscreen that comprises zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide and keep away from nanoparticles. Along with these components, think about using a sunscreen that comprises methylene blue, because it has been proven to be protected for coral reefs. Most sunscreens bought at present include oxybenzone, a chemical that damages aquatic ecosystems.No. 17 |
Basic dosage suggestions
Methylene blue is hormetic, that means that low doses produce useful results and excessive doses trigger opposed penalties, so discovering the appropriate dose is essential to maximise its advantages. As a common guideline, the beneficial dose is 0.5 to 4 milligrams per kilogram of physique weight (mg/kg).
For acute remedy, comparable to within the case of cyanide poisoning, the higher restrict is 3 to 4 mg/kg, which is the vary often given as intravenous antidotes. For non-acute, longer-term remedy, a decrease dose of three to five mg as soon as day by day works higher for many adults. Its half-life is 12 to 13 hours, so taking it as soon as a day is sufficient. Taking it with ascorbic acid enhances its absorption.
This low dose is especially efficient for these experiencing stress aid. Nevertheless, another that’s simpler to seek out and safer to make use of is molecular hydrogen. Be taught extra from my latest interview with Dr. Tyler Lebaron.
Choosing the proper methylene blue on your medication cupboard
Methylene blue has quite a few well being advantages and is a worthwhile addition to your medication cupboard. Nevertheless, you will need to select the appropriate kind. You will see three important grades available on the market – industrial grade, chemical grade (laboratory grade), and pharmaceutical grade.
The one one I like to recommend is the pharmaceutical grade selection, which is offered by prescription. Keep away from the industrial-grade methylene blue generally present in pet shops for aquarium upkeep. They include lots of impurities, solely 10% to 25% of which is true methylene blue. Likewise, chemical-grade methylene blue, appropriate for laboratory dyeing experiments, comprises hint quantities of dangerous metals comparable to lead, cadmium and arsenic.
Whereas pharmaceutical-grade methylene blue might not be obtainable at your native pharmacy, many compounding pharmacies inventory it. When you’ve got hassle discovering a dependable supply, ask your physician for a prescription from a compounding pharmacy.
