Michael J. Gonzalez
Universidad de Puerto Rico Rio, Public Health, Faculty Member
- Dr. Michael J Gonzalez BS, MS, MHSN, CNS, DSc, NMD, PhD, FANMA, FACN Professor Dr. Michael J. Gonzalez is Professor ... moreDr. Michael J Gonzalez BS, MS, MHSN, CNS, DSc, NMD, PhD, FANMA, FACN
Professor
Dr. Michael J. Gonzalez is Professor at the Nutrition Program, School of Public Health in the Medical Sciences Campus, University of Puerto Rico and Adjunct faculty at the University of Western States And EDP University. Dr. Gonzalez is a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition, and has authored over 200 scientific publications. He serves as a member on multiple scientific Editorial Boards. He has served as consultant for several companies where he has been responsible for designing formulations of nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical products. He has also been a consultant for The Center for the Improvement of Human Functioning (now Riordan Clinic), in Wichita, Kansas. He has obtained several research awards for his work on Nutrition and Cancer. He is currently Co- Director of RECNAC II project, and Research Director of the InBioMed Project Initiative. Dr. Gonzalez also serves as a nutrition consultant to the Puerto Rican Basketball National Team and is part of the Medical Commission of the Puerto Rican Basketball Federation. He was part of the Medical Staff of the Vaqueros de Bayamon professional basketball team in Purto Rico. He is in a part time clinical practice with Dr. Miguel J Berdiel in Ponce, PR. In December 2013,Dr. Gonzalez was exalted as Distinguished Ponceño in Medicine. In 2015 he was selected as member to the prestigious Puerto Rican Academy of Arts and Sciences and to the Iberoamerican Academy of Culture and Sciences.
Doctor González is one of the founders of InBioMed, leaders in the development of non-toxic chemotherapy treatments for cancer. The findings of their work with Intravenous Vitamin C as an anti-cancer agent, published in 2002, were confirmed by the NIH in 2005. They published the first Phase-I clinical study utilizing Intravenous Vitamin C for treatment of terminal cancer patients in 2005, and also published in 2005 the most comprehensive review on Vitamin C and Cancer, as a follow-up on the work of two times Nobel Laureate, Dr. Linus C. Pauling. They have brought many new concepts into the scientific field, such as the Bioenergetic theory of carcinogenesis, the systemic saturation phenomenon of intravenous vitamin C, the metabolic correction concept for disease treatment and prevention. Dr. Gonzalez was inducted to the International Hall of fame of Orthomolecular Medicine April, 2016. He is one of the first hispanoamerican and Puerto Rican to be inducted to the International Hall of fame of Orthomolecular Medicine.
Books: “I Have Cancer What Should I do: The Orthomolecular Guide to Cancer Management” provides evidence based recommendations for an integrative approach for those dealing with cancer and seeking to improve quality of life and survival. In 2014 ” New Insights Vitamin C and Cancer” a book on the scientific evidence on Vitamin C as an anticancer agent for Springer-Larger. Dr. Gonzalez is actually finishing a book on Metabolic Correction and Diabetes and writing a chapter on metabolic correction and disease for a Functional medicine textbook.edit
Living systems may be thought of as complex, nonlinear, dynamic, self-organizing energetic and field phenomena with negative entropy. At the highest level of organization, each life form may possess an innate biologic field, or biofield.... more
Living systems may be thought of as complex, nonlinear, dynamic, self-organizing energetic and field phenomena with negative entropy. At the highest level of organization, each life form may possess an innate biologic field, or biofield. This energy field maintains the integrity of the whole organism; regulates its physiologic and biochemical responses; and is integral to development, healing, and regeneration. Energy medicine refers to several systems that work with energy fields of the body to help restore health. Many energy-related therapies challenge the current biomedical paradigm because they cannot be explained by conventional biochemical or physiological mechanisms. Quantum physics is a better paradigm with which to understand these therapies.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Descriptive epidemiologic data suggest a relationship between consumption of high fat diets and breast cancer; although these data can be potentially confounded by other causative exposures. Results of published case-control and cohort... more
Descriptive epidemiologic data suggest a relationship between consumption of high fat diets and breast cancer; although these data can be potentially confounded by other causative exposures. Results of published case-control and cohort studies are inconclusive. Nevertheless, dietary fat significantly affects mammary tumorigenesis in mice and rats in laboratory experiments. We will review current epidemiologic and animal studies, explain the possible mechanisms of how dietary fat may affect breast cancer, and provide preliminary dietary recommendations.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Diets high in unsaturated fatty acids, especially those containing high levels of linoleic acid, e.g., corn oil, enhance mammary gland tumorigenesis in experimental animals. In contrast, diets high in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty... more
Diets high in unsaturated fatty acids, especially those containing high levels of linoleic acid, e.g., corn oil, enhance mammary gland tumorigenesis in experimental animals. In contrast, diets high in long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA), e.g. menhaden oil, appear to have a suppressive effect on this tumorigenic process. Many mechanisms have been proposed to explain the tumor inhibitory action exerted by menhaden oil and other fish oils, e.g., differences in prostaglandin metabolism, energy efficiency, alterations of the immune system, changes in lipid peroxidation, etc. Fundamental to a mechanistic understanding of this phenomenon, however, is an understanding as to whether or not the tumor inhibitory activities of dietary fish oil is mediated via an inhibition of tumor cell proliferation or mediated via an enhancement of tumor cell loss. Whether the amount of dietary fat or the type of fat effects mammary tumorigenic proce...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Ethical issues pertaining research and counseling in nutritional sciences will be arising in this new century. This issue will be of great importance especially in the area of nutraceutical supplementation and disease (pharmacological... more
Ethical issues pertaining research and counseling in nutritional sciences will be arising in this new century. This issue will be of great importance especially in the area of nutraceutical supplementation and disease (pharmacological nutrition). Steps to insure bioethical correctness are discussed in this paper.
Research Interests:
The Chikungunya (CHIKV) fever is a viral disease produced by a single-stranded RNA Alphavirus from the Togaviridae genus. Its transmission occurs only through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes aegypti. It requires a human-mosquito-human... more
The Chikungunya (CHIKV) fever is a viral disease produced by a single-stranded RNA Alphavirus from the Togaviridae genus. Its transmission occurs only through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes aegypti. It requires a human-mosquito-human transmission cycle. It is associated with severe arthritis/arthralgias, myalgias, high fever, headache, and maculopapular rash. Joint ache appears to be symmetrical. The virus has an incubation period of 2 to 7 days, where the high fever is typically presented. It is followed by arthralgias and myalgias, and rashes, which last for 3 to 5 days. However, the arthralgias can persist for months after the infection, which can contribute to severe arthritis. As of now, no vaccine exists for the virus and no official treatment has been developed aside from standard procedures of the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is a case report of a 54-year old Hispanic individual that reported left shoulder pain, left knee pain and fever. The symptoms started on a Saturday in September 2014 in middle of the night. The patient was treated with high doses of intravenous vitamin C over two days. The symptoms resolved after the infusions without any side effects. Based on the positive outcome in this case, we propose that intravenous vitamin C should be studied further as a potential treatment for acute viral infections.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Frei et... more
Frei et al's 2012 review entitled "Authors' Perspective: What is the Optimum Intake of Vitamin C in Humans" is both flawed and misleading. RCTs are ill suited to determining the RDA, it is debatable that there is sufficient scientific evidence to determine the optimum intake of vitamin C in humans, observations regarding high-doses of ascorbate have been ignored, and there are inaccuracies of fact with respect to the saturation of blood plasma following low dose intake. Until the limitations of current knowledge are recognised it is unwise to set limits on the dose.
Research Interests:
Folate deficiency is one of today's most common vitamin deficiencies in women. Women who consume a low level of folate during pregnancy are at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes including neural tube defects (NTD). However, other... more
Folate deficiency is one of today's most common vitamin deficiencies in women. Women who consume a low level of folate during pregnancy are at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes including neural tube defects (NTD). However, other factors such as heredity, social class, maternal age, birth order, maternal diet, length of time between pregnancies, maternal zinc deficiency, use of anticonvulsant drugs, abnormal homocysteine metabolism and the use of oral contraceptives, have also been implicated as causes of NTD. Animal studies have shown that fetuses are highly dependent on the folate status of the mother. In addition, several retrospective and prospective human studies have provided evidence that folate lowers the incidence of NTD.
Research Interests:
Origin of the Problem Maximum or optimal health requires metabolic harmony. The multiplicity of criti-cal functions of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients at the cellular level, and especially their role as cofactors in enzyme... more
Origin of the Problem Maximum or optimal health requires metabolic harmony. The multiplicity of criti-cal functions of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients at the cellular level, and especially their role as cofactors in enzyme reactions that protect genes from mutations and re-pair gene damage is probably unrecognized or unappreciated by most health profession-als. It can be argued that the true impor-tance of vitamins in human biochemistry is far from fully elucidated, simply due to the high complexity of cellular processes. What is commonly ignored and not fully appreci-ated is the essential role that various min-erals play in human biochemistry. Critical enzymes require such metals as copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, etc. as an integral part of their molecular structure or mechanism of action. Enzymes play a critical role in regulating and orchestrating the rates of the multitude of biochemical reactions that take place in living organisms. Metabolic nutrition is generally r...
Research Interests:
Antioxidants have been associated with cancer prevention. Since this association was established, a plethora of controversies, contradictions and paradoxes have arisen. In this article we will try to provide an in- sight into the... more
Antioxidants have been associated with cancer prevention. Since this association was established, a plethora of controversies, contradictions and paradoxes have arisen. In this article we will try to provide an in- sight into the complexity involved with anti- oxidants, pro-oxidants and cancer in the free radical biology area.
Research Interests:
The use of alternative/complementary medicine has been increasing considerably. Conventional medicine must begin to address issues related to the use, safety, regulation, research and education of alternative/complementary medicine.... more
The use of alternative/complementary medicine has been increasing considerably. Conventional medicine must begin to address issues related to the use, safety, regulation, research and education of alternative/complementary medicine. Integrative medicine combines conventional medicine and alternative complementary practices. Integrative medicine is an innovative approach to medicine and medical education. It involves the understanding of the interaction of the mind, body and spirit and how to interpret this relationship in the dynamics of health and disease. Integrative medicine shifts the orientation of the medical practice from disease based approach to a healing based approach. It does not reject conventional medicine nor uncritically accepts unconventional practices. Integrative medicine is an effective, more fulfilling human approach to medicine based on the benefit of the patient by following good medicine practices in a scientific manner.
Research Interests:
Ethical issues pertaining research and counseling in nutritional sciences will be arising in this new century. This issue will be of great importance especially in the area of nutraceutical supplementation and disease (pharmacological... more
Ethical issues pertaining research and counseling in nutritional sciences will be arising in this new century. This issue will be of great importance especially in the area of nutraceutical supplementation and disease (pharmacological nutrition). Steps to insure bioethical correctness are discussed in this paper.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The Chikungunya (CHIKV) fever is a viral disease produced by a single-stranded RNA Alphavirus from the Togaviridae genus. Its transmission occurs only through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes aegypti. It requires a human-mosquito-human... more
The Chikungunya (CHIKV) fever is a viral disease produced by a single-stranded RNA Alphavirus from the Togaviridae genus. Its transmission occurs only through mosquito vectors, principally Aedes aegypti. It requires a human-mosquito-human transmission cycle. It is associated with severe arthritis/arthralgias, myalgias, high fever, headache, and maculopapular rash. Joint ache appears to be symmetrical. The virus has an incubation period of 2 to 7 days, where the high fever is typically presented. It is followed by arthralgias and myalgias, and rashes, which last for 3 to 5 days. However, the arthralgias can persist for months after the infection, which can contribute to severe arthritis. As of now, no vaccine exists for the virus and no official treatment has been developed aside from standard procedures of the use of acetaminophen (paracetamol), and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This is a case report of a 54-year old Hispanic individual that reported left shoulder pain, lef...
Research Interests:
Cell loss is a biological phenomenon that occurs in normal and neoplastic tissue and is an important kinetic factor which contributes to the dynamic state of tumor growth. This relevant phenomenon which was introduced by tumor biologists... more
Cell loss is a biological phenomenon that occurs in normal and neoplastic tissue and is an important kinetic factor which contributes to the dynamic state of tumor growth. This relevant phenomenon which was introduced by tumor biologists in the early 1970s while studying tumor growth kinetics has been largely neglected in cancer therapy, although with adequate research it may hold potential for future strategies in cancer treatment. Cell loss occurs through various mechanisms which include exfoliation, metastasis, differentiation and cell death. Methods used for measuring cell loss will be examined and the importance of cell loss in tumor growth will be discussed.
Research Interests:
Reactive oxygen metabolites can pro- mote carcinogenesis by damaging DNA. vi- tamin C is a redox chemical with antioxi- dant and pro-oxidant properties that may produce radical species depending on the presence of various conditions.... more
Reactive oxygen metabolites can pro- mote carcinogenesis by damaging DNA. vi- tamin C is a redox chemical with antioxi- dant and pro-oxidant properties that may produce radical species depending on the presence of various conditions. Nevertheless, evidence presented herein discourages the consideration of any mutagenic or carcino- genic activity of vitamin C. In contrast, it substantiates a protective and anti
Research Interests:
Stress refers to a reaction given a particular stimulus. Stress is a common problem in most modern societies. Stress creates greater physiologic demands. Unhealthy eating patterns will only result in an increased level of stress, followed... more
Stress refers to a reaction given a particular stimulus. Stress is a common problem in most modern societies. Stress creates greater physiologic demands. Unhealthy eating patterns will only result in an increased level of stress, followed by further health problems if in the future if the issues are not resolved. Prolonged stress increases the metabolic needs of the body and causes many other changes. The increased metabolism can also cause an increase in the use and excretion of many nutrients. Although stress alters nutrient needs, if marginally deficient in a nutrient, stress can make that deficiency even worse.
Research Interests:
Purified corn and fish oil diets with different types and concentrations of antioxidants were evaluated for oxidation products. In addition, a determi nation of different organ and carcass oxidation product levels was performed. Peroxide... more
Purified corn and fish oil diets with different types and concentrations of antioxidants were evaluated for oxidation products. In addition, a determi nation of different organ and carcass oxidation product levels was performed. Peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid assays were performed on the diets immediately after mixing (0 h) and 24, 48 and 72 h after being fed to mice. The AIN-recommended level of antioxidant ad dition (butylated hydroxytoluene, 0.02 g/100 g oil) and even the addition of 100 times this level (2 g/100 g oil), although decreasing the level of oxidation products, failed to totally prevent oxidative deterioration in diets high in fish oil. Furthermore, other antioxidants added in excess to the fish oil diets also failed to completely suppress oxidative deterioration of the diets and, in ad dition, when fed daily to mice for a period of 4 wk, caused an accumulation of lipid peroxidation products in certain organs (e.g., heart, skeletal muscle, mammary glands) and ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
RESUMEN Este ensayo aborda la posibilidad de que, mediante modificaciones dietarias simples, se puedan disminuir las conductas antisociales, agresivas o violentas. El factor alimentario requiere ser tomado en consideración con el... more
RESUMEN Este ensayo aborda la posibilidad de que, mediante modificaciones dietarias simples, se puedan disminuir las conductas antisociales, agresivas o violentas. El factor alimentario requiere ser tomado en consideración con el propósito de identificar los factores relevantes al cambio conductual. Si bien no se pueden derivar conclusiones definitivas sobre los efectos de dietas o de determinados nutrientes en conductas antisociales o criminales, los estudios revisados proveen suficientes datos como para explorar su ...
Research Interests:
Despite the significant number of in vitro and in vivo studies to assess vitamin C effects on cancer following the application of large doses and its extensive use by alternative medicine practitioners in the USA; the precise schedule for... more
Despite the significant number of in vitro and in vivo studies to assess vitamin C effects on cancer following the application of large doses and its extensive use by alternative medicine practitioners in the USA; the precise schedule for successful cancer therapy is still unknown. Based on interpretation of the available data, we postulate that the relationship between Vitamin C doses and plasma concentration x time, the capability of tissue stores upon distribution, and the saturable mechanism of urinary excretion are all important determinants to understand the physiology of high intravenous vitamin C dose administration and its effect on cancer. Practitioners should pay more attention to the cumulative vitamin C effect instead of the vitamin C concentrations to account for observed discrepancy in antitumor response. We suggest that multiple, intermittent, short-term intravenous infusions of vitamin C over a longer time period will correlate with greater antitumor effects than do single continuous IV doses of the same total exposure. This approach would be expected to minimize saturation of renal reabsorption, providing a continuous “dynamic flow” of vitamin C in the body for optimal systemic exposure and clinical outcomes. This prevents the “systemic saturation” phenomena, which may recycle vitamin C and render it less effective as an anticancer agent. Nonetheless, more pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies are needed to fully understand this schedule-dependence phenomenon.
Research Interests:
Introducción: la desnutrición es un factor negativo en el manejo del paciente con cáncer. Objetivo: evaluar la influencia del tratamiento oncológico en la evolución del estado nutricional del paciente diagnosticado con cáncer de cabeza y... more
Introducción: la desnutrición es un factor negativo en el manejo del paciente con cáncer. Objetivo: evaluar la influencia del tratamiento oncológico en la evolución del estado nutricional del paciente diagnosticado con cáncer de cabeza y cuello. Métodos: estudio descriptivo, longitudinal, prospectivo y correlacional. Muestra de 36 pacientes, mediante técnica no probabilística a conveniencia. Se utilizó un instrumento con variables demográficas, clínicas, antropométricas, presencia de complicaciones y vía de alimentación; se aplicó estadístico descriptivo con media, desviación estándar, frecuencias y porcentaje. Como estadística inferencial se utilizó la técnica de Fisher, con significancia del valor p < 0,05. Resultados: Se tuvieron 36 pacientes. De los cuales 19(52,7%) fueron del sexo masculino. No hay correlación significativa entre IMC y el tratamiento oncológico, p=0,074; tampoco entre IMC y vía de alimentación, p=0,796. No hay correlación significativa entre la albúmina sérica y las complicaciones durante el tratamiento oncológico, p=0,278; y las complicaciones después del tratamiento oncológico,p=0,877. Discusión: Se obtiene la vía oral como la vía de alimentación predominante, en menor medida la sonda. Existe algún grado de correlación entre la albúmina sérica y la aparición de alguna complicación postoperatoria, estos resultados son en el vólvulo del sigmoide. Conclusiones: No hay una correlación significativa entre IMC y el tratamiento oncológico, tampoco entre el IMC y la vía de alimentación. Entre la albúmina sérica no hay una correlación significativa con las complicaciones durante y después del tratamiento oncológico.
Research Interests:
A healthy physiology depends on a plethora of complex interdependent biochemical reactions. In order for these reactions to occur suitably, the enzymes and cofactors that regulate their flow must be present in the proper balance. The term... more
A healthy physiology depends on a plethora of complex interdependent biochemical reactions. In order for these reactions to occur suitably, the enzymes and cofactors that regulate their flow must be present in the proper balance. The term metabolic correction is used to describe a biochemical–physiological process that improves cellular biochemistry as a means to an individual's achieving metabolic or physiological optimization. Part 2 discusses how metabolic correction, through the increase of cofactors, can supply unmet enzyme needs and compensate for nutritional deficiencies induced by improper nutritional intake or by the increased demand for nutrients caused by genetics, health conditions, medications, or physical or environmental stressors. Nutrient insufficiencies are causing an increase in morbidity and mortality, at great cost to our society. In summary, metabolic correction improves enzymatic function and satisfies the increasing demand for nutrients. Metabolic correction can have a significant impact on the reduction of morbidity and mortality and their financial cost to our society and contribute to improving health and well-being. [P R Health Sci J 2015;34:9-13]
Diabetes is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Diabetes complications produce profound impact on patient's quality of life and represent very significant economic cost to patients, their family, the government and... more
Diabetes is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Diabetes complications produce profound impact on patient's quality of life and represent very significant economic cost to patients, their family, the government and society as a whole. Metabolic correction has been proposed as an efficient method to improve clinical outcomes and reduce costs in diabetes. Metabolic correction is a concept that supports health maintenance and promotes the healing processes by improving the body's biochemical-physiological mechanisms. This is done by helping activate the metabolic enzymes necessary to facilitate key physiological pathways. A group of 50 patients followed a simple metabolic correction strategy based on hydration, diet, and magnesium supplementation during a 6 months period.
Lifestyle factors are responsible for a considerable portion of cancer incidence worldwide, but credible estimates from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) suggest that the fraction of... more
Lifestyle factors are responsible for a considerable portion of cancer incidence worldwide, but credible estimates from the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) suggest that the fraction of cancers attributable to toxic environmental exposures is between 7% and 19%. To explore the hypothesis that low-dose exposures to mixtures of chemicals in the environment may be combining to contribute to environmental carcinogenesis, we reviewed 11 hallmark phenotypes of cancer, multiple priority target sites for disruption in each area and prototypical chemical disruptors for all targets, this included dose-response characterizations, evidence of low-dose effects and cross-hallmark effects for all targets and chemicals. In total, 85 examples of chemicals were reviewed for actions on key pathways/mechanisms related to carcinogenesis. Only 15% (13/85) were found to have evidence of a dose-response threshold, whereas 59% (50/85) exerted low-dose effe...
Research Interests:
In most cases, disease results when the individual elects a lifestyle or diet that alters the expression of the genes in such a way that the weakness or uniqueness of inheritance factors result in a phenotype we call disease. That is why... more
In most cases, disease results when the individual elects a lifestyle or diet that alters the expression of the genes in such a way that the weakness or uniqueness of inheritance factors result in a phenotype we call disease. That is why we can consider chronic degenerative diseases as inborn errors of metabolism. Metabolic Correction seems as a very logical approach toward attaining the healthy state.
Research Interests:
Current Clinical Management Guidelines of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) are based on adequate glucose control and symptomatic pain relief. However, meticulous glycemic control could delay the onset or slow the progression of... more
Current Clinical Management Guidelines of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (DPN) are based on adequate glucose control and symptomatic pain relief. However, meticulous glycemic control could delay the onset or slow the progression of diabetic neuropathy in patients with DM type 2, but it does not completely prevent the progression of the disease. Complications of DPN as it continues its natural course, produce increasing pain and discomfort, loss of sensation, ulcers, infections, amputations and even death. In addition to the increased suffering, disability and loss of productivity, there is a very significant economic impact related to the treatment of DPN and its complications. In USA alone, it has been estimated that there are more than 5,000,000 patients suffering from DPN and the total annual cost of treating the disease and its complications is over $10,000 million dollars. In order to be able to reduce complications of DPN, it is crucial to improve or correct the metabolic conditions that lead to the pathology present in this condition. Pathophysiologic mechanisms implicated in diabetic neuropathy include: increased polyol pathway with accumulation of sorbitol and reduced Na+/K+-ATPase activity, microvascular damage and hypoxia due to nitric oxide deficit and increased oxygen free radical activity. Moreover, there is a decrease in glutathione and increase in homocysteine. Clinical trials in the last two decades have demonstrated that the use of specific nutrients can correct some of these metabolic derangements, improving symptom control and providing further benefits such as improved sensorium, blood flow and nerve regeneration. We will discuss the evidence on lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine and the combination of active B vitamins L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin and piridoxal-6-phosphate. In addition, we discuss the role of metformin, an important drug in the management of diabetes, and the presence of specific polymorphic genes, in the risk of developing DPN and how metabolic correction can reduce these risks.