Brunde Broady - The Calcium Connection: The Little-Known Enzyme at the Root of Your Cellular Health

Copyright 2021 by Brunde Broady

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Book and cover design by Charles McStravick

Cover photo by Gonzaga Gmez-Cortzar Romero

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-6391-3

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-6392-0

Printed in the United States of America

To Robert and Knute

CONTENTS

SECTION ONE
WHAT IS CALCIUM ATPASE?

SECTION TWO
DISEASES ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCED CALCIUM ATPASE

SECTION THREE
THE ENEMIES OF CALCIUM ATPASE

SECTION FOUR
THE CALCIUM ATPASE MAX PROTOCOL (CAMP)

FOREWORD

by Russell Dahl, PhD

A s scientists, we spend a considerable amount of energy in the search for singular theories or hypotheses that can explain multiple observed phenomena. What we desire are logical concepts that have the ability to tie together many seemingly disparate observations in a tidy package. We can think of this as a unified theory. The universal governing rules that are uncovered in these discoveries have led to some of the most significant milestones in our scientific understanding.

Consider for a moment the huge leaps in scientific understanding that we have gained from some of these unifying theories. For instance, the theory of evolution gave us answers for such fundamental questions as causes of species extinction, origins of biodiversity, and how organisms adapt, all while providing a framework for the origin of life and how our Earth came to be populated. Likewise, gene theory gave us a toolbox with which to explain heredity, traits, and a means for rationalizing the origins of many diseases. Quantum mechanics gave us rules-based methods for understanding the nature of light, colors, shadows, and, ultimately, the composition of matter itself. The medical research community is on a constant search for unifying theories that can be applied to the causes of disease. In this book, Brunde Broady lays the groundwork for a compelling theory about the causes of disease, while providing ample evidence from the primary scientific literature that Calcium ATPase is a major determinant of human health and wellness.

I first met Brunde in the context of my work studying relationships between intracellular calcium disturbances and disease. Early on in our discussions, I recognized a mutual appreciation for the potential of calcium handling in human health and disease pathogenesis. We both share a common familiarity with the seminal studies in the field that have provided compelling evidence for the importance of Calcium ATPase. I was immediately impressed by her voluminous and almost encyclopedic knowledge of Calcium ATPase, specifically in its relationship with health matters. She has the unique ability to have high-level scientific discussions in one instance, and then easily shift to convey these complex concepts to the lay public. This contributes to the importance that this book will have in raising the visibility of this important area.

I have spent the majority of my career studying the various proteins responsible for calcium ion handling in our cells, with a focus on figuring out how to modulate them with small molecules. The ultimate goal is to develop therapies for various diseases. I have focused on a specific calcium pump, called the Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Calcium ATPase, SERCA for short. I worked on this protein first as the leader of small molecule research at Celladon, where our major clinical program focused on a gene therapy product that actually delivered SERCA to failing human hearts. I subsequently founded a company, Neurodon, to continue our important work on developing therapeutics that modulate this important enzyme fundamental to intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Over the last decade, we have established a pipeline of molecules that target the activation of SERCA. Using these compounds, we have been able to establish critical links between compromised or insufficient Calcium ATPase activity and diseases as diverse as Alzheimers disease, diabetes, Parkinsons disease, muscular dystrophy, and others. We have demonstrated that the activation of Calcium ATPase in animal models of these diseases can reverse or halt disease progression, and we have long realized that Calcium ATPase is a special biological target with immense potential for therapeutic intervention.

Needless to say, I was elated to read this book by a fellow Calcium ATPase evangelist, and I am confident that Brundes book will be integral in helping to publicize the importance of this enzyme and how it can help patients and the public at large. Our discussions and the insight contained in this work have led to many productive initiatives that have served to push forward my labs research in this area.

A key takeaway of this book is that Calcium ATPase is an exquisite barometer of human health. This represents an example of the grand unifying concepts that I alluded to earlier and, as such, has the potential to greatly advance our understanding of human health and disease. What is also significant is that Brunde has been able to convincingly present Calcium ATPase function in a manner that highlights its potential to maintain or restore health. This extensively researched volume provides readers a detailed compendium of information. Our findings in the lab completely back up the notion that Calcium ATPase is a linchpin of cellular health.

The fact that the basis for this work is the primary, peer-reviewed literature from prominent scientists in the field makes this book stand out from many of the health and wellness books available today.

As a scientist with over two decades of independent research experience, I have found The Calcium Connection to be valuable in advancing my own knowledge of Calcium ATPase outside of my particular area of expertise. I look forward to this book inspiring a revolution in terms of our thinking about the origins of disease, and I am excited with the prospect that this important work will help the public at large be aware of this important biological target.

Russell Dahl, PhD

CEO and scientific founder of Neurodon

Crown Point, Indiana

PREFACE

Brundes Story

T he birth of my understanding of Calcium ATPase began with another birth, one packed with the depth of love only a mother can know. Hours after my son, Knute, was born, I was in my hospital room breastfeeding when the nurse came in. Knute had fallen asleep, as peaceful as an angel. But as the nurse adjusted the blankets, a look of concern crossed her face.