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adjuvant surfactant molecule modifies junctions between cells. transport. Over a short period of time I conducted experiments on By interacting with the junction's protein surface, it becomes less myself and willing family members, using certain drugs such as hydrophilic and the gaps enlarge, with an associated increase in insulin and anti-hypertensives added to the Healfas NMF formula- hydrophilic channels, allowing large molecular weight molecules tion. When both of these products were applied topically, each in to proceed through. their own separate application, the anti-hypertensive combination The penetration enhancers, such as propylene glycol, glycerine, caused a lowering in blood pressure and the insulin combination dimethyl sulphoxide and ethanol (alcohol), also modify the nature dramatically lowered the blood sugar levels. of the stratum corneum membrane, even to a permanent extent. M. Rieger, J. Riviere and J. Faucher have published a number Other biological factors that influence substance penetration of papers on skin penetration and the various factors that influ- and absorption, besides skin hydration, include disease states ence it. Penetration may proceed transcellularly, i.e., through (both dermal and systemic), cutaneous blood flow, skin biochem- cells; intercellularly, i.e., paracellularly or between cells; or istry and cutaneous biotransformations. through so-called shunts, i.e., holes in the membrane, such as By now, the picture of how important food is to us is slowly sweat ducts and hairs. developing, but the magic of it can only be obtained by marrying Hydration of the skin plays a major role in the rate of penetra- the correct foods together for the very best results. This is pre- tion. Penetration of substances is somehow related to the cisely what happened with my experimentation. But what also ethanol/water distribution co-efficient and to their ability to happened was that my conscious awareness of the relationship ‘escape’ from the vehicle into and ultimately through the stratum between food and humans was raised beyond that of simply plac- corneum membrane (the outer membrane of the skin). This type ing food down our gullets, because 'in the gullet’ is not 'in the of passive diffusion is also dependent on the molecular weight or body' and the human skin is not as impervious as I had thought. shape as well as the polarity of the penetrant. Part of the body's ‘inside’ is really ‘outside’, i.e., the alimentary There exists a series of mysterious substances—emulsifiers, canal which leads from mouth to anus (Dixon, 1986). The func- solubilisers and penetration enhancers—that materially increase tion of this long tube, with its various specialised regions, is to transmembrane diffusion. These include dimethyl sulphoxide digest incoming food. Digestion is the (DMSO), ethylene diamine, propylene process of breaking down food into sim- glycol and glycerine. pler substances that can be assimilated as People with dermatologic disorders— sources of energy and building materials ... more information is now such as eczema, which results in thicker for the body's maintenance and growth. . . . skin—have decreased absorption in But what if the food is already broken coming to light with respect their skin. In contrast, absorption is down? And what if it is applied on the H i H increased through skin affected by pso- outside, i.e., topically? What can we to the topical application of riasis or ichthyosis. In diabetes condi- expect to see? fresh foods for the treatment tions, the structure of the epidermal In the case of Healfas NMF, as all of of certain dermal conditions basement membrane is altered so that the anecdotal evidence suggests, we can diffusion out of cutaneous capillaries is expect the complete care of the body's and for beauty purposes. enhanced, which alters the absorption of largest organ, namely the skin and all its compounds. appendages, i.e., hair, nails and associat- Removal of the stratum corneum ed glands, whether intact or damaged. using techniques such as peeling agents, Why? Because in the process of preparing abrasion or blistering, results in the product from fresh produce, the mechanical process of incor- enhanced compound penetration with a return to normal flux porating fresh eggs with the other ingredients ruptures the mem- when the stratum corneum is regenerated. branes surrounding the yolk, leading to activation of enzymes and The blood flowing through the skin is dependent upon ambient breakdown of large molecules into smaller constituents which are temperature. When this exceeds body temperature, cutaneous readily assimilated. blood flow increases and, with it, substance penetration. A three- But can we expect a deeper effect? The answer, again, is 'yes', fold increase in methylsalicylate absorption was seen in humans but it is very complex and may not be limited to that contained in exposed to high temperatures or who underwent strenuous exer- the literature on cholesterol and its influence on skin penetration cise. Increased blood flow was certainly a major factor, but of various substances. increased skin hydration or sweating also contributed, as previ- Because Healfas encouraged fingernail and hair growth, it ously mentioned. would be correct to assume that it was doing this at the deep, ger- Once a substance has penetrated into the skin, it may enter the minal layers of the skin. Also, because it had such a profound circulation unaltered or be metabolised due to epidermal biotrans- effect on rheumatoid arthritis—to the point where the gentleman formation. (Both phase I and II metabolic pathways have been concerned, Mr Marshall, could do away with his medication and identified.) The outcome depends upon the nature of the sub- play the piano again—it hinted that it possessed extraordinary stance, and the inherent activity of epidermal enzymes and their qualities. anatomical location within the epidermis. Besides the influence of complete nutrition and the presence of All the research on skin penetration primarily looks at the effect cholesterol, other answers lay in both the yolk and white of the of synthetic chemicals. Apart from my own work, I have not been egg. Both were used in leather manufacture to facilitate the pene- able to find any work that's been done on skin penetration and tration of lipids into animal hides. It was not only the lipids of the food, though this is only true in the scientific sense and not in the yolk that achieved this, but proteins in the white as well. cultural or anecdotal sense. The action of the product was not limited to supplying nutrition However, more information is now coming to light with respect because of its effect on deeper tissues, so I decided to investigate to the topical application of fresh foods for the treatment of cer- the transdermal carrier mechanism and see what it would tain dermal conditions and for beauty purposes. In books such as 26 - NEXUS APRIL —- MAY 1999 .. More information is now of certain dermal conditions and for beauty purposes.