The DCA Immune Response
Modulate our primary immune defenses
DCA – Deoxycholic Acid
The active ingredient is known – but its functions are not known to everyone
Three natural functions of deoxycholic acid
DCA is the common abbreviation for “DeoxyCholic Acid” in biochemistry and medicine – in German deoxycholic acid. For the chemists among us: 3,12′-dihydroxycholanic acid. It is known as bile acid, a substance (in all higher mammals) that is subject to internal control cycles. The raw material deoxycholic acid is mostly of animal origin, but the author is also aware of the possible possibility of cost-effective plant production. Synthesis of DCA is possible, but still expensive. By the way, the abbreviation DCA was also used at times for dichloroacetic acid, which has NOTHING to do with the deoxycholic acid described here, but was partly illegally a use of our protected brand name! Deoxycholic acid has three different known functions. The first function is as a (secondary) bile acid, which makes its contribution in digestion. The second function of DCA is that of an immunomodulator of our immune response – which is described in detail on this website. The third function is one in the hormonal structure of our body.
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Due to its steroidal molecular structure, deoxycholic acid is involved in our hormonal balance, especially as an antagonist of some stress hormones. The functions as an immunomodulator and fellow player in the hormonal process were discovered by Dr. Bohuslav Vlcek as well as scientifically published – and are only known to some experts in medicine. In natural medicine, bile acids have been used for centuries to combat inflammatory processes and strengthen the immune response. In Central Europe, an envelope with cow dung was used for wound healing. In traditional Chinese medicine, Niu Huang is a TCM medicament composed of thickened and pressed bile. Deoxycholic acid as an active ingredient was isolated more than 100 years ago as a component of our own bile acid pool. DCA has also long been used as an emulsifier in food. In medicine, deoxycholic acid is still used today as a choleretic, or more recently in cosmetic medicine for the control of adipose tissue. However, their application for modulating the immune response is not yet widely established – not yet …
DCA Immune Response in Action
Deoxycholic acid modulates the non-specific immune system
The great discovery of Dr. Bohuslav Vlcek is the identification of the role of deoxycholic acid as a stimulator of the non-specific immune system, according to the latest publications directly of macrophages. From the principle of action, DCA travels in an inactive form (single molecule) constantly through our entire body – and becomes active only directly to inflammatory causes or in case of virus infestation (tetramer formation). Here, as an immunomodulator, DCA intervenes roughly in the inflammatory process. This knowledge gives us a practical tool for immunomodulation in virus diseases and inflammations. Practically we can use deoxycholic acid in a time window of 1-3 days at the beginning of a disease. In this way, we support our first immune response. The treatment of an incipient disease with DCA …
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… is therefore a classic substitution therapy. The immune response is modulated by raising the currently too low natural DCA level in the body. Over time, the DCA fan base has coined the term “immune vitamin”. Chemically, of course, this term is nonsense. Deoxycholic acid is not a vitamin, but a bile acid with an additional hormonal and immunological function. But as a catchy label, this term still appears on the Internet, which is why it should be clarified in this context.
DCA Indications
Infections with viruses and bacteria
- Viral diseases√such as herpes, mumps or chickenpox
- Bacterial inflammations√such as angina, middle ear or urinary tract inflammation
- Wound healing√support in the event of injuries or after operations
The first effects on modulating the immune response with DCA were discovered and described in the 70s by Dr. B. Vlcek on the basis of viral diseases. There are several publications and clinical studies here, especially on the treatment of herpes zoster. Over the years, deoxycholic acid has been tested for a wide variety of viral diseases, such as chickenpox, shingles and various forms of herpes. In addition to viral diseases, inflammation is a homecoming of the non-specific immune system. This applies unrestrictedly to viral inflammatory processes. For bacterial inflammation in the pre-pus formation phase as well as in anaerobic pathogens. Here, too, the stimulation of macrophages by deoxycholic acid again plays a role. This also benefits wound healing.
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Several researchers are investigating the effect of DCA in the treatment of cancer. But more research is needed here to understand the complex correlations. The possibilities of intervention of our non-specific defenses vary greatly depending on the pathogen. This fact clearly limits the indication for immunomodulation with deoxycholic acid. For most diseases on this planet, the use of the active substance DCA is not indicated – a change in the immune response is not possible. The use of DCA lies in diseases that are based on the immunodeficiency of the non-specific immune system in the occident. People on many other continents, such as the Orient or Asia, sometimes have a completely different spectrum of ailments with many diseases, where the use of DCA does not offer a starting point. In addition, the use of DCA in atopic or autoimmune diseases is contraindicated. This is logical, because there the immune response itself is the problem.
© cover – Ion-Chiosea@RF123
