Hi, this is Doctor Farley. It’s a new year, and I’m back with more videos. I’ve been reviewing stacks of papers, and today I want to talk about myeloperoxidase (MPO), an enzyme I test for in blood. While it’s often labeled as an inflammatory marker, I explore why the body elevates it. The body doesn’t make mistakes, so understanding MPO’s purpose helps us see beyond simply calling it “bad.”
MPO is released by the endothelium, which forms 99% of the cardiovascular system, and by immune cells like neutrophils and monocytes. It’s antimicrobial, releasing oxidants to kill harmful organisms. However, sustained inflammation from this process can cause oxidative damage, leading to aging and diseases like heart disease, neurodegeneration, and cancer. To counteract this, we need enough antioxidants to balance oxidative stress.
Immune health is key—85% of the immune system is in the gut. Damage to the gut barrier impacts other barriers (lung, skin, brain, cardiovascular), leading to immune imbalance and disease. Factors like vitamin A, essential fatty acids, and avoiding gluten help maintain these barriers. Gluten damages the gut in most people, disrupting the immune system and driving inflammation, so eliminating it is wise.
In summary, MPO highlights how stress, immune dysregulation, and barrier damage drive disease. Addressing these root causes is crucial to improving health. Thanks, and have a great day!
