2013 LDN Aware Networking Conference
October 5, 2013

by Salma Ibrahim
The LDN-AICC 2013 (Low Dose Naltrexone/Auto-immune and Immune-modulated Conditions Conference) organized by Mark Drugs Pharmacy was held on Saturday October 5th 2013 at the Wojcik Conference Center at Harper College in Palatine Illinois. LDN has been demonstrated to be effective for more than 170 different conditions. This revolutionary conference featured an exceptional agenda with nationally and internationally recognized experts from the United Kingdom and the United States to discuss uses and trends in the treatment of chronic and acute conditions that are related to the immune system and LDN. The audience was composed of patients, healthcare professionals, and those interested in LDN therapy from all around the world including Wales, Ireland, England, Scotland, Canada, Hong Kong and the United States.
           
Despite progress in the research and development of LDN therapy and indications, only a small fraction of healthcare professionals practice LDN prescribing and awareness worldwide. For instance, in the United Kingdom patients are limited by cost and accessibility to a handful of prescribing physicians. Many of these patients have been struggling with life-long chronic, and often debilitating, autoimmune disease such as Crohn’s Disease, Fibromyalgia, Multiple Sclerosis, and Lupus and have exhausted many of the traditional treatment options available.
           
LDN, in combination with other treatments, or alone, may provide relief and improvement in exacerbations of multiple auto-immune disease states that can improve the quality of life of the patient and potentially reduce healthcare costs for medical institutions and payors as well as patients.
           
Naltrexone, an opioid antagonist, is used traditionally for alcohol and narcotic dependence treatment. At low doses, however, Naltrexone may provide a brief, partial blockade of opioid receptors allowing for the natural increase of secretion of endogenous endorphins (pain-killers), opioid receptors, and sensitivity of the receptors. Through these potential mechanisms of action, LDN has shown in research and clinical practice to improve countless autoimmune disorders.
           
The attendees of the AICC were composed of certified experts on LDN therapy within their specific area of expertise. Dr. Deanna Windham, who currently practices at the Whitaker Wellness Institute a leading integrative medical center, discussed the role of LDN therapy as part of a multi-disciplinary holistic treatment for the pediatric population plagued by autoimmune disease states.

Dr. Jill Smith, a gastro-intestinal medical authority, discussed, as well as presented, primary literature on LDN therapy in Crohn’s Disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

Dr. Pradeep Chopra, a pain specialist from Brown University Medical Center, evaluated the novelty of using LDN for chronic pain and neuropathic pain management. LDN provides unique mechanisms of action in comparison to traditional opioid treatments that may further exacerbate the pain.

Dr. Tom Gilhooly and Dr. Patrick Crowley, physicians from the United Kingdom, discussed their practices abroad and promoted the use of LDN therapy and awareness in the medical community.

Dr. Burt Berkson, who practices integrative medicine, demonstrated the use of LDN in combination with chemotherapeutic agents in the palliative treatment of carcinomas (Cancers). He also established an indication for LDN therapy for a variety of hepatic cirrhosis and viral disease states.

Expert panels, composed of LDN presenters, and audience members participated in Q&A sessions to further elaborate or answer any questions or discussion points.

The conference ended with a bold applause from the audience. The discussions of LDN therapy had provided the audience and health care professionals with strong evidence and case reports of its use and indications.
Auto-immune and immune-modulating disease states are complicated in nature and require complex course of treatments that may show little or no benefit. When compared to current treatment options such as biologicals, LDN therapy has been especially helpful due to its increase efficacy and safety, minimal side effect profile and a low financial burden.

With the information provided and discussed in the conference, attendees, composed of patients suffering from auto-immune diseases, left with newly acquired information and knowledge not only on their disease state(s) but how LDN therapy may help them significantly improve their quality of life and prognosis of their disease state.

Supporting organizations of the conference include: TNI Biotech, inc., Mark Drugs Pharmacy, and the LDN Research Trust.