CELL DANGER RESPONSE: NEW INSIGHT INTO THE CAUSE OF CHRONIC DISEASE
Ronald Peters, MD, MPH – reviewing Metabolic features of the cell danger response, Robert K. Naviaux, Mitochondrion 16 (2014) 7–17 The Mitochondrial and Metabolic Disease Center, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine
CELL DANGER RESPONSE – AN ANCIENT SURVIVAL SYSTEM
Dr Robert Naviaux at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine has reviewed the choreography of micro-events that occur as the cells and organs of the body prepare to survive threats, such as invading viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, or, toxic chemicals and heavy metals like mercury, lead and aluminum, as well as excessive heat or radiation. Mitochondria are the powerhouses within our cells as they use oxygen to convert chemical energy from the foods we eat into an energy form that the cell can use, which is called ATP. There are thousands of mitochondria in our cells and they orchestrate the cell danger response, which includes the following:In response to viral attack, mitochondria sound the alarm and reduce voltage and energy production to prevent the virus from hijacking DNA to make more viruses.
- Intracellular attack releases mitochondrial proteins and ATP which sound the alarm to attract other immune cells to attack the invader.
- Mitochondria reduce oxygen utilization (less ATP) and reactive oxygen species along with increased hydrogen peroxide are toxic to viruses and support the cell defense.
- Bacterial endotoxins activate an enzyme within the mitochondria which decreases vitamin D, thus increasing inflammation, but raising the risk for autoantibodies, especially to the thyroid gland (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis).
- Under the oxidizing conditions of the CDR, methionine metabolism is shifted to assist with the production of antimicrobial reactive oxygen species as well as other antiviral and antimicrobial compounds.
- De-methylation of histones is stimulated by oxidizing conditions of the CDR to increase pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF alpha.
- Sulfur metabolism within cells is shifted to create more glutathione for macrophages and to increase glutathione transport into the brain.
- CDR stimulates an enzyme which produces histamine, a potent vasodilator which facilitates the delivery of increased oxygen and immune cells to sites of inflammation.
- Arginine metabolism is shifted within mitochondria to create nitric oxide (NO) gas which inhibits mitochondrial energy production.
- Damaged cells release hemoglobin and heme into the tissues which stimulates the production of carbon monoxide, a potent inhibitor mitochondrial ATP production.
- Cell danger increases lipoxygenase which leads to cell wall peroxidation and stiffening of cells walls in the vicinity of the threat.
- Tryptophan metabolism is shifted to increase kynurenic acid which induces IL-6 and inflammatory cytokine, as well as increasing many aspects of immune function.
- Toxic metals like mercury, as well as some chemicals will try to steal electrons and the mitochondria respond by reducing cellular energy production to shield the cell from further injury.
- Intracellular conditions produced by the CDR lead to sequestration, or accumulation of toxic metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, aluminum, arsenic and others, as well as reduced elimination,
- When functional vitamin D is decreased by a chronically active CDR, magnesium is lost from the cells.
GUT MICROBIOME IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTHY CDR

RESOLUTION OF THE CDR
Once the danger or threat is eliminated, the CDR is turned off by a series of anti-inflammatory messages, normal mitochondrial energy is re-established, and normal cell life begins again. However, based on genetic predisposition and the intensity and magnitude of the dangerous exposure a dysfunctional and persistent CDR can occur which is the precursor of many chronic diseases. According to Dr. Naviaux, the following diseases result from a pathological persistence of the CDR:- autism spectrum disorders (ASD),
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
- food allergies,
- asthma,
- atopy,
- emphysema,
- Tourette’s syndrome,
- bipolar disorder,
- schizophrenia,
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),
- traumatic brain injury (TBI),
- chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),
- suicidal ideation,
- ischemic brain injury,
- spinal cord injury,
- diabetes,
- kidney, liver, and heart disease,
- cancer,
- Alzheimer and
- Parkinson disease,
- autoimmune disorders like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis,
- primary sclerosing cholangitis.
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Lyme’s disease
- Mold related illness
- Multiple chemical sensitivity
- Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome
- “Brain fog”
SUMMARY – CELL DANGER RESPONSE
Naviaux and other researchers have found the cell danger response is triggered by various types of environmental stressors:- Biological stressors such as viruses, bacteria, fungi such as mold, parasites and more
- Chemical stressors such as toxic chemicals and heavy metals (e.g. mercury and lead)
- Physical trauma such as an accident, burn, surgery, or physical abuse
- Psychological trauma that creates overwhelm and persistent despair, such as the loss of a loved one, divorce, financial struggle, childhood emotional neglect
TURNING OFF THE CELL DANGER RESPONSE – CONSCIOUSNESS AS THE SOURCE AND CURE FOR DISEASE
Illness gives patients temporary permission to act in more open ways emotionally. But if they cannot learn to give themselves that same permission when they are healthy, then the moment they get well, the old rules again apply, and they find themselves in the psychologically and physically destructive situation that first contributed to their illness.Carl Simonton, MD

- The natural intelligence of your body is governed by consciousness.
- The function of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which is activated by fear, worry, anger and frustration.
- How to enhance your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which governs your immune system, proper digestion, and hormone production.
- The nature of the stressful life experiences which precede illness and how they can be tracked back to childhood experiences.
- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) and how they compare to Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- What is the “limbic lock” associated with chronic disease?
- How to create a healthy gut microbiome, which is required to quiet the CDR and enhance vagal activity.
- How to find the personal meaning of disease.
- How reduce stress and live from your heart, the seat of emotion, love, intuition, and “seeing the big picture”.
- All dis-ease is a personal invitation for healing, growing and gaining self-knowledge, by making the unconscious mind conscious.
- The “blessing” of the dis-ease in any area of your life as well as your body offers you a window into the stored pain in the unconscious mind and how it can be discharged thereby leading to greater levels of peace and happiness.
- How to activate the powerful vagus nerve which turns off the SNS and CDR.