Tree Of Life Health

08/29/2025

If you or someone you know is the parent of a child with Autism, I encourage you to watch this video with Len Acuri of Autism Parenting Secrets.
Len has developed an outstanding coaching program for parents that may be the additional help you need to navigate this challenge.
This video will help you find out if this is for you.
https://elevatehowyounavigate.com/bobmiller

08/17/2025

Here is one of our newest research charts, and we believe its rather significant, especially for those struggling from mycotoxins. Here' a little background.
NAD+ is a very important molecule as it helps make NADH that provides electrons to the Electron Transport Chain which makes ATP (your energy) , helps make NADPH that is needed to recharge the antioxidants Glutathione and Thioredoxin (reduces inflammation) and also helps you make Nitric Oxide, and supports Fatty Acid and Cholesterol Synthesis.
NAD+ is also the molecule that helps what is called the Sirtuins work their magic in so many ways. (look for future posts on the Sirtuins)
In addition it is needed for an enzyme called PARP to repair any damaged cells.
And finally, it is also used by CD38 to make intracellular calcium that turns on an enzyme called NLRP3 which increases histamine, glutamate and damages your cells by a process called Pyroptosis. This process is critical when facing a virus , bacteria or other invader. For some reason CD38 increases as we age. 🙁
However, here is where mycotoxins come in. As you will see in the chart, by stimulating NF-kB they turn on CD38 which uses 100 molecules of NAD+ to make one molecule of cADPR that stimulates the chronic inflamation from NLRP3. This may deplete your NAD+, potentially reducing your energy, and increasing inflammation.
Now in addition, if someone has a genetic predisposition for NF-kB to be overactive and genetic predispositions to not make enough NAD+, this creates the potential to over react to mycotoxins. The proverbial perfect storm.
This is why two people may live in the same house and one is affected and the other is not.
At Tree of Life Health (www.tolhealth.com) we are now measuring the NAD+ levels as well as looking at the functional genomics to see exactly where the weakness may be. If appropriate, there are natural herbs that slow NF-kB, slow CD38 and NLRP3 and support NAD+ production.
Disclaimer: We are non-medical, traditional naturopaths who do not diagnose or prescribe, but support function thru nutritional interventions to bring the body back into balance.

07/23/2025

As we age, a process called Inflammaging occurs, where our cells become inflamed. In this video with Dr Jill Carnahan, we discuss our latest research on how environmental factors that we were not exposed to in the past, impact those with genetic predispositions more strongly than others.
This video is dedicated to Beth O'Hara, co-founder of Mast Cell 360, and we have named this genetic predisposition after her, calling it "The O'Hara Reaction"
If you ae curious if you have this predisposition, Tree of Life Health is accepting new clients . We can evaluate your non medical "functional genomics" to see if you may have a predisposition to overreact to environmental factors and have potentially less than optimal detox and inflammation reduction.
Our website link is in the comments

In this episode, Dr. Jill was joined again by the popular Bob Miller, as we delved into the intricate world of cellular health, focusing on the role of sirtu...

09/29/2024

One of life's bucket list items was to have a published paper in a scientific journal. Thanks to my son Matthew, Dr Harold Landis and Dr Tizibi from Howard University School o Medicine, it finally happened. Full disclosure, my contribution was rather small, and Matt did the bulk of this. But most importantly, I trust this article may lead to eventually offer help those those suffering with this horrible debilitating disease..

Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1/CD54), a transmembrane glycoprotein, has been considered as one of the most important adhesion molecules during leukocyte recruitment. It is encoded by the ICAM1 gene and plays a central role in inflammation. Its crucial role in many inflammatory diseases su...

08/17/2024

I was pleasantly surprised the positive reaction to the Inflammasome chart I posted a few days ago. (see posting right after this one) I am now beginning to believe this may be the "800 pound gorilla" in the room.
So now, I am posting the larger version, where it illustrates how if Nitric oxide (which by the way inhibits Inflammasomes) gets excessive it can do what is called nitrosylation of cysteine which of course can create havoc as cysteine is needed for glutathione and providing sulfur to help the electron transport chain make ATP.

This stimulation of NMDA can be initiated by glyphosate, EMF, microplastics and HFCS stimulating the NMDA receptor to bring in excess calcium into the cell to stimulate the NOS enzymes to make excess nitric oxide.

As Nitric oxide turns into Peroxynitrite by combining with superoxide and glutathione is reduced, damaged cells will stimulate Inflammasomes by becoming what you see on the chart as a DAMP. (Damage Associated Molecular Pattern)

If you look closely at the chart you will see that Acetylation not only stimulates the NLRP3 enzyme to make inflammasomes, but it is needed to start the process.

Here's what we are researching and I hope some of the genomic experts on here can contribute to this conversation. Dr Walsh talks about how there is an inverse relationship between methylation and acetylation. He claims low methylation will allow acetylation to be stronger. If that's the case, this would further stimulate acetylation, and consequently enhance inflammasomes. But we are not finding much on this. If anyone knows this relationship, I'd like to hear about it, as it sees rather substantial in efforts to reduce inflammation from inflammasomes. As a side note we need to reduce the acetylation of Lysine in SOD2 to help it reduce superoxide.
My gut tells me this is all very significant in cracking the code of what is now called "Inflammaging", which is inflammation contributing to premature aging.

07/25/2024

I'd like to encourage you to watch my recent video with Dr Jill Carnahan on the free radical Superoxide and the Antioxidant Superoxide Dismutase (SOD2). This may help you understand underlying pathways of inflammation.

In this captivating interview, Dr. Jill Carnahan dives deep with Bob Miller as he takes us into the topic of inflammation and its potential root cause: Super...

03/31/2024

Neil Nathan MD has been a pioneer in assisting those who are struggling the most with health challenges from Environmental Toxins, Lyme Disease and EMFs. These heath challenges are now getting quiet serious. His newest book, "The Sensitive Patients Healing Guide" is now on pre-sale and will be shipping the end of April. It is now rated as #1 of New Releases Toxicology.

He pulled together what he considers the experts in the fields of study that are most relevant to the sensitive patients. I was quite honored to be asked to contribute a chapter on how functional genomics may be a factor for those who are exposed to environmental toxins.

So in Chapter 19, we take a DEEP dive into what we have been finding to be the genetic over expression or weakness in those most impacted by environmental toxins.

We cover functional genomics basics then take a deep dive into topics such as TNF-a, NF-kB, IL-6, the NADPH Steal, Heme Oxygenase, IL-10, Histamine, Nitric Oxide, Platelet Activation and RANTES.

Look for a video interview soon with Dr Nathan where he will tell you more.

Bottom line, I trust those who are struggling will find some answers and can live a normal life from this incredible book.

01/18/2024

Here is an article I am having published in an Anababtist healh magazine. Of course, this is just for educaitonal and informational purposes only and not giving any medical advice.
Iron, Helpful and Potentially Harmful
By: Robert Miller, BTCN
As we all know, iron is an essential mineral found in the body. It plays a central role in many important processes in the body. These include oxygen transport and storage, assisting with immunity and contributing to enzyme systems.
The most important function of iron is to help oxygen be taken to the body by hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying pigment of your red blood cells. It is also involved in oxygen storage by myoglobin, an iron-containing protein that transports and stores oxygen within your muscles and releases it to meet increased metabolic demands during muscle contraction.
Your body needs iron to convert blood sugar to energy. As it boosts hemoglobin production it will increase the transport of oxygen to help reduce fatigue and tiredness. Also, the creation of enzymes that helps you make new cells, amino acids, hormones and neurotransmitters also depends on iron. No matter what your level of physical activity, your body needs iron to perform at its best.
It’s not well known, but iron is vital for the creation of all cells including those of the immune system. Having enough iron in your system will help your immune system to function, helping you to be healthy. Interestingly, iron deficiency can contribute to not thinking very clearly.
And finally, iron supports the making of collagen, helps the hair to become vibrant and shiny and it also helps prevent the nails from becoming brittle and dry by keeping them strong and supple.
Our body does not produce iron; therefore, it must be absorbed by what you eat. Iron can be excreted in several ways including menstruation, urination, defecation, sweat and the exfoliation of dead skin cells. Iron deficiency is quite common and can cause a myriad of health concerns, but interestingly, too much iron – or when iron combines with hydrogen peroxide in what is called the Fenton Reaction, a very damaging molecule called a hydroxyl radical can be formed, thus resulting in significant inflammation and damage in the body.
But first, let’s look at the genomics and genetic mutations that may result in higher iron. As you will see in Figure 1, there is an enzyme called Ferroportin that is responsible for the absorption and cellular release of iron from the inside of a cell to the outside of the cell and is the only known iron exporter. Interestingly, there are genetic mutations on some of the Ferroportin genes that will cause excess absorption and transport, but there are others where the iron gets “stuck”, so to speak, in the cells, and creates significant inflammation. A functional genetic test may help determine if you have these mutations, and whether it’s causing excessive absorption and transport, or potentially getting stuck inside the cells.
What a miracle the body is, and we have ways to regulate iron. We also make an enzyme called Hepcidin, (see Figure 1) which will slow the Ferroportin if the iron is getting too high. Hepcidin decreases the level of iron by reducing dietary absorption and inhibiting iron release from cellular storage when it’s too high. Hepcidin production increases when iron levels rise above the normal range.
However, there is another gene called HFE that makes the hepcidin that regulates the ferroportin. Genetic mutations in this HFE gene are most often the cause of what is called hereditary hemochromatosis where you absorb too much iron. You inherit one HFE gene from each of your parents. There are two HFE genes that are most common with over absorption of iron and are known as HFE H63D and HFE C282Y.
Genetic testing can reveal whether you have these mutations in your HFE gene. It is generally considered hemochromatosis when you inherit the mutation from both parents, but even one copy may moderately increase your iron levels.
In our health coaching clinic, we have been observing that when someone even has one HFE mutation, but also has the ferroportin mutations, they appear to be inflamed as a result of the iron. It appears that those with Northeastern European decent are more prone to having these mutations. What’s quite fascinating is that in times of famine, thee mutations may have been helpful, and its speculated that in times of famine, the women with this mutation were more likely to conceive children. However, with food readily available, and many processed foods being “fortified” with iron, it is possible to get too much iron. So we can have too little or too much iron.
Some of the common symptoms of too much Iron is:
• Feeling very tired all the time (fatigue)
• Brain fog, mood swings, depression and anxiety.
• Weight loss.
• Weakness.
• Joint pain, especially in the fingers.
• An inability to get or maintain an er****on (erectile dysfunction)
• Irregular periods or stopped or missed periods.
However, it’s important to note there are many other conditions that can cause these symptoms, and it may not mean you have too much iron if someone experiences these symptoms.
An organization called Haemochromatosis UK (England) was founded as The Haemochromatosis Society in 1990, by people affected by genetic hemochromatosis. Their research has shown that men who have these HFE mutations are more likely to develop dementia, compared to those without the genetic mutations. Another one of their studies showed that patients with genetic haemochromatosis are at greatest risk of mental health issues, after experiencing Covid-19
The Fenton Reaction
So here is where iron can cause problems for you. As you look at Figure 2, you will observe that an enzyme called NOX, that is part of our immune response, makes a free radical called Superoxide. It simply takes oxygen and something called NADPH to make the superoxide radical. This can be used by our immune system for protection, but in excess can cause an issue. In future article, we will discuss the many ways we can make excess superoxide. As you look at the chart, you will note an antioxidant called SOD or Superoxide Dismutase, turns the superoxide into Hydrogen Peroxide. Here again, hydrogen peroxide can help kill pathogens, but in excess there is a problem. Again, looking at the chart you will note there are enzymes called Catalase, Thioredoxin and Glutathione that help turn this hydrogen peroxide in water and oxygen. Unfortunately, you can also inherit genetic mutations in these antioxidant enzymes, and as a result, they may not do their job as well as they should.
Then as a final result, hydrogen peroxide, in a process called the Fenton Reaction (Discovered by Dr. Fenton in 1895) combines with iron and creates what is called a hydroxyl radical, a very damaging free radical. However, in small concentrations, hydroxyl radicals can be employed to carry out hygienic functions against viruses, bacteria, allergens and mold in the body. However, in excess, these hydroxyl radicals attack the cell membrane, causing membrane damage and destroy sugar groups and DNA base sequences, possibly even causing cell death and mutations.
To reduce the chances of creating these damaging hydroxyl radicals we need adequate antioxidant enzymes, such as thioredoxin, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. These enzymes work together to neutralize and eliminate the hydroxyl radical and other harmful free radicals from the body. Unfortunately, we can inherit genetic mutations where we may not make enough of these.
After you know if you have genetic mutations on the iron absorbing genes, or weakness in catalase, glutathione or thioredoxin, there are specific nutrients that can slow the iron absorption, support the production of the antioxidants, or they can be supplemented.
If someone has excess iron, under a physician’s guidance, blood donation may be helpful to reduce any excess iron. Other suggestions may be to not cook in iron cookware, and don’t drink orange juice or take Vitamin C with foods, and they both may support excess iron absorption.
Although the Fenton Reaction and Hydroxyl Radicals may be damaging, in the next issue, we will discuss a process called Ferroptosis, where iron damages what is called lipids, and may create another set of health challenges.
A simple to do genetic test from saliva can help you determine if you have the genetic mutations in iron, or weakness in catalase, glutathione or thioredoxin.
About the Author
Bob Miller is a traditional naturopath, earning his degree from Trinity School of Natural Health, and is board certified through the American Association of Wellness Practitioners. He owns and operates Tree of Life Health in Ephrata, PA, 717-733-2003. www.tolhealth.com