If you are experiencing any of these situations, then your mind-body connection might be unbalanced.
Throughout history, there have been studies and theories that the mind and body are separate. This theory has been accepted by many; however, there is so much evidence showing the mind, and the body having a bidirectional relationship in the body like the gut system that sends signals to the brain and vise versa. Since each organ sends its signals to the brain, the endocrine system sends out signals to the brain in the form of hormones, which can alter the person’s perception of the world through their eyes.
With that in mind, neuroplasticity has shown people that when they are in their environment, it can be altered the physical make up of the environment. Many modern scientists have acquired very sophisticated tools that can monitor the body’s brainwaves, the microbes, and many other factors that can change the body’s mind. Since stress is a full-body response, it can be both a good thing and a bad thing for the body. Good stress in the body gives the “fight or flight” response while the bad stress can become chronic and can lead the body to be dysfunctional. So the idea of having the mind and the body being a separate function seems to be a bit outdated but also informational.
By exploring the science and psychology of the mind-body disconnect, researchers can see how a person�s hormones can affect their perception of the world. By diving into the body, researchers can also see how stress can produce any visible changes in the brain as well.
How Experiences Alters the Mind
Many experiences can alter the mind. Whether it be good experiences that can be used in the work atmosphere or it can be bad experiences like being traumatized from horrible events. Studies show that trauma can alter the mind and depend on the situation. Even though the damage that is caused by trauma can be healed if it is minor. In some cases, it can scar a person even though the physical damage is healed. The mental damage is affected as a person can relive the traumatic experience that they encountered.
With good experience, they can be useful to a person if the damage has minored. If a person accidentally hurt themselves from any activities, they know not to do that again. Although if a person practices on specific activities and get better at it with time, it becomes a skill they can use. Sometimes a person can have a set of specific skills that are beneficial when they are working in the job they are in. So depending on the experiences that a person is dealing with, it can be either good or bad, but their brains will remember it.
The Difference Between Dualism and Monism
There has always been a philosophical debate on the mind and body. There are different ways to look at the mind-body connection, as many researchers have debated whether the mind is part of the body or that the body is part of the mind. Thus the difference between Dualism and Monism has different views on the mind-body connection.
Dualism is defined as being born out of the body as a physical object, and the mind or the consciousness is being constructed. The origins of dualism started with the Cartesian ways of thinking, where people started to argue that there was a two-way relationship between the mental and physical substances in the body. Surprisingly, the belief of the physical and mental systems are compartmentalized and not inter-related like what some people think.
French philosopher Ren� Descartes stated that the mind interacts with the body through the pineal glands and that the mind controls the body. He also summed his thoughts with one of his famous statements: �I think therefore I am.� With this statement, it tells researchers that the mind is a nonphysical and non-spatial substance that is being identified with consciousness and self-awareness in the body.
With monism, it is defined as a material point of view and that all humans are just merely complex physiological organisms. There is another type of monism known as phenomenalism. It also goes by subject idealism, and the concept of this monism is that the mind and the body are two separate entities. With each type of monism, the concepts always seem to be the same, which shows that each type of monism seems to ignore either the mind or the body. It is always one or the other, never together at the same time.
How Stress Hormones Influences the Brain
When it comes to stress and hormones, there has been a lot of scientific advancements on how the stress hormone affects the brain in the body. Since hormones have been found to alter the hippocampal neurons with stress hormones, they can give the body the burst of energy that it needs. Although, if there is a long-term activation of the stress hormone can wear the brain down and kill the brain’s cells. If someone has any psychological disorders that cause prolonged stress, it can impair cognitive function, and the results can be enhanced emotionally.
Conclusion
With the mind-body connection, they can send signals to each other and make sure that the human body is functioning correctly. When there is prolonged stress in the body, it can disrupt the signals and cause the body to dysfunction. The next article will be discussing how stress can rewire the brain in the body. Some products can help the body by supporting the endocrine system as well as helping the body to relieve temporary stress.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Perry, Bruce D., et al. �Childhood Trauma, the Neurobiology of Adaptation, and �Use?Dependent� Development of the Brain: How �States� Become �Traits.�� Semantic Scholar, 1 Jan. 1995, www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Childhood-trauma%2C-the-neurobiology-of-adaptation%2C-Perry-Pollard/1d6ef0f4601a9f437910deaabc09fd2ce2e2d31e.
Team, Biotics Education. �Stress – The Mind-Body Connection Part 1.� Biotics Research Blog, 9 Dec. 2019, blog.bioticsresearch.com/stress-the-mind-body-connection-part-1.
Woolley, C S, and P A Schwartzkroin. �Hormonal Effects on the Brain.� Epilepsia, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1998, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9915614.
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then your hippocampus might be lowered than usual.
The Hippocampus
In the brain, there is an S-shaped structured located in the inner folds in the temporal lobe called the hippocampus. The hippocampus is a complex brain structure that has a layer of densely packed neurons, and its primary function involves how humans learn and how their memory works. The hippocampus is part of the limbic system as well since it works the feeling and reacting function in the body. The limbic system is situated at the edge of the cortex and includes the hypothalamus and the amygdala.
These structures help controls the body�s different functions like the endocrine system and the �fight or flight� reaction response. With the hippocampus helping humans process what information they are learning, this structure can retrieve two kinds of memories that are important; they are declarative memories and spatial relationship memories.
Declarative memories: These are memories that are related to facts and events a person experience. It includes examples like how to memorize speeches or line in a play that a person is doing.
Spatial relationship memories: These memories involve pathways or routes that a person must learn. An example of this is transportation drivers like cab drivers, bus drivers, and truckers who have to learn the routes in the places they are going to. So they use spatial memory and practice their routes many times until they have it in their memories. The spatial relationship memories are stored on the right side of the hippocampus.
Sadly though, the hippocampus can be damaged by neurological diseases like Alzheimer�s disease and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). When it is damaged, a variety of conditions can affect the hippocampus�s ability to do its job for the brain, thus making the individual suffer from retaining information.
Hippocampus Conditions
Several conditions can cause problems to the body when the hippocampus is damaged. This is known as hippocampus atrophy, where the neurons and neuronal volume in the hippocampal that is a loss.
Alzheimer�s Disease
Alzheimer�s disease is when an individual begins to lose their memory. When the hippocampus is damaged, it can cause a dissociation between the cortexes and leads to information registration failure. Studies show that when Alzheimer�s disease is progressing, the hippocampus will lose its volume, and it will become harder for an individual to function in their daily lives.
Epilepsy
When a person has epilepsy, it might be due to a damaged hippocampus. Research shows that around 50 to 75% of patients with this disease may have hippocampal sclerosis, and in case they have died, they have medial temporal lobe epilepsy. More research states that the mechanics of hippocampal sclerosis in epilepsy can be related to the development of inflammation on the uncontrolled local hippocampus and blood-brain barrier damage.
Hypertension
When the hippocampus is damaged, hypertension can happen to a person. Hypertension is another name for high blood pressure, and it can lead to severe health complications to the body. Even though the causes of hypertension are still unknown, the risk factors from hypertension can include:
Environmental factors like stress or a lack of exercise
Hormone activity
Blood plasma
Studies show that hypertension and other risk factors are being increasingly viewed as a putative factor that is leading to hippocampal atrophy.
Cushing�s Disease
Cushing�s disease or Cushing syndrome is when the body is exposed to high levels of cortisol for a long time. Studies show that when there is a loss of cellular volume to the corticosteroid�s levels in the body and it could be responsible. When there is too much cortisol being produced in the body, it is one of the signs of Cushing syndrome. Some of the other signs include:
Weight gain
Fatty tissue deposits around the midsection, face, upper back and between the shoulders
Pink or purple stretch marks
Thinning, fragile skin that bruises easily
Slow healing cuts, insect bites and infections
Acne
Muscle weakness
Cognitive difficulties
Loss of emotional control
Since stress does play a role in the endocrine system and the neurological system, there are nearly 80 years of research on how much focus has been on the various levels of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis and the hormones it produces. It shows that glucocorticoids as the mediators for the stress effects on the hippocampus and being the contributing factor for stress-associated psychopathologies.
Conclusion
The hippocampus is located in the temporal lobe of the brain. This S-shaped structure can be easily damaged due to stress and other neurological factors that can affect the entire body and its systems. When harmful factors affect the hippocampus, it can lead the hormones that are producing to become imbalanced and cause dysfunction. Some products are here to make sure that the endocrine system is functioning properly and supporting the metabolic system, the gastrointestinal system, as well as making sure the hormones are balanced.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Anand, Kuljeet Singh, and Vikas Dhikav. �Hippocampus in Health and Disease: An Overview.� Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, Oct. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3548359/.
Dresden, Danielle. �Hippocampus: Function, Size, and Problems.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 7 Dec. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/313295.php.
Felman, Adam. �Hypertension: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.� Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 22 July 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/150109.php.
Kim, Eun Joo, et al. �Stress Effects on the Hippocampus: a Critical Review.� Learning & Memory (Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y.), Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 18 Aug. 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4561403/.
Team, Mayo Clinic. �Cushing Syndrome.� Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 30 May 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cushing-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20351310.
Stomach pain, burning, or aching 1-4 hours after eating?
If you are experiencing any of these situations, then you might be experiencing low glycine levels in your body.
Glycine
Glycine is a vital amino acid that is beneficial to the body. It helps support the gastrointestinal system, the neurological system, the musculoskeletal system, and the body�s metabolism from harmful factors that can cause the human body to malfunction. Glycine is even a neurotransmitter and can help increase glutathione in the brain by providing anti-inflammatory effects. Glycine provides a sweet taste when it is consumed in the body. Even though glycine has a crucial role in the human body, the amino acid has received little to no attention until recently.
The fantastic thing about glycine is that it is a “non-essential” amino acid. What this means is that the body can make glycine by itself and distribute it to the necessary systems that need glycine. This is different from the “essential” amino acids since some nutrients and vitamins must come from the food diet themselves. When there is a mild deficiency of glycine, it is not harmful to the body; however, when there is a severe shortage of glycine, it can lead to immune response failure, slow body growth, and abnormal nutrient metabolism.
Glycine for The Brain
Since glycine is a neurotransmitter for the brain, it composes both excitatory and inhibitory capacities. For the excitatory capacity function, glycine serves as the antagonist for NMDA receptors for the brain. For inhibitory capacities, glycine helps increase the neurotransmitter serotonin. Studies show that serotonin is the ancestor of melatonin. When the levels are increased due to glycine supplements, the beneficial factors it causes can help reduce insomnia and provide better sleep quality.
Glycine on Sleep
Despite being a massive impact on serotonin, glycine has been known to be used as a therapeutic option for individuals to improve their sleep quality as a novel and safe approach.� Studies show that glycine can increase the blood flow to extremities by reducing the body�s core temperature, which is an important signal to initiate sleep. When this happens, glycine can increase a person�s time when they are in REM sleep, providing the person to have a good night’s sleep. Further research shows that glycine can inhibit the stimulatory orexin neurons that are responsible for arousal and energy homeostasis, which is critical and can induce non-REM sleep or even night waking.
Glycine�s Cognitive Effects
There are many beneficial cognitive effects that glycine has to offer. Research shows that the beneficial effect of glycine can help improve episodic memory in young and middle-aged adults. This can be beneficial for patients who have schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Additional research also shows that patients who have Alzheimer’s disease use glycine as energy production for their brains.
Glycine Osteoprotective Effects
There is even more information on glycine supplementation, providing estrogen-like osteoprotective effects for menopausal women. The research shows that glycine helps decreased weight gain and providing an increase in vaginal weight gain caused by ovariectomy. Many healthcare providers recommend their female patients that have menopause to use glycine in their diet.
More Glycine Effects
Since glycine is a non-essential amino acid and a neurotransmitter for the central nervous system, this supplement can help supple muscle, bone, and connective tissue with collagen. Glycine has a small R group, which forms a triple helix structure that makes up of tropocollagen. In the body, 33% of all collagen is composed of glycine. Collagen levels in the body can decrease naturally due to anyone getting old. When this happens, inflammatory symptoms like arthritis occur. Researchers hypothesize that supplemental doses of glycine can strengthen joints and prevent reactive arthritis by blunting cytokine release by increasing chloride influx in the body.
Glycine is one of the three amino acids that can help aid the production of glutathione for the human body. Since this amino acid is a scavenger antioxidant, it will oppose proinflammatory signals from hydrogen peroxide. Studies show that glycine supplementation plays a vital role in balancing the redox reactions caused by metabolic syndrome in the human body and protecting patients from oxidative damage. There is even more research as a study stated that glycine has a vital role in the metabolism and nutrition of mammals and humans. Since glycine protects from inflammation and has fantastic health benefits for the body, when there are decreased levels of glycine in the body, it can be linked to metabolism-related disorders like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
Glycine provides cytoprotective effects on the liver and gastrointestinal tract by conjugating bile acids. This is crucial because glycine plays a role in helping lipids to be digested and lipid-soluble vitamins to be absorbed in the body. In alcohol-induced hyperlipidemia, studies have shown that glycine can reduce alcohol levels in the bloodstream while also retaining the membrane integrity by reducing lipid levels. Glycine can even protect the stomach and intestines from damages caused by gastrointestinal disorders. Since glycine can maintain enterocyte integrity and prevent apoptosis, its anti-inflammatory effects can fight oxidative stress. They can provide the requirements to the intestines and the gut in the body.
Conclusion
Glycine is a vital amino acid that provides anti-inflammatory properties for not only the body’s metabolism but also helps the gastrointestinal system. With more and upcoming research about glycine, it is essential for this amino acid to continue to provide outstanding effects to the human body and to make sure that it functions properly. When harmful factors start entering the body, or there is a glycine deficiency, it can cause the body to malfunction. So incorporating glycine-rich foods in the daily diet can help alleviate the symptoms gradually. Some products are beneficial for the body since they help support the immune system and make sure the body is functioning.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, and nervous health issues or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
References:
Bannai, Makoto, et al. �Oral Administration of Glycine Increases Extracellular Serotonin but Not Dopamine in the Prefrontal Cortex of Rats.� Wiley Online Library, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd (10.1111), 17 Mar. 2011, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2010.02181.x.
D�az-Flores, Margarita, et al. �Oral Supplementation with Glycine Reduces Oxidative Stress in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome, Improving Their Systolic Blood Pressure.� Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24144057.
File, S E, et al. �Beneficial Effects of Glycine (Bioglycin) on Memory and Attention in Young and Middle-Aged Adults.� Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Dec. 1999, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10587285.
Griffin, Jeddidiah WD, and Patrick C Bradshaw. “Amino Acid Catabolism in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain: Friend or Foe?” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5316456/.
Kawai, Nobuhiro, et al. �The Sleep-Promoting and Hypothermic Effects of Glycine Are Mediated by NMDA Receptors in the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.� Neuropsychopharmacology: Official Publication of the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, Nature Publishing Group, May 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4397399/.
Kim, Min-Ho, et al. “Estrogen-like Osteoprotective Effects of Glycine in Vitro and in Vivo Models of Menopause.” Amino Acids, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Mar. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26563333.
Li, X et al. “Dietary Glycine Prevents Peptidoglycan Polysaccharide-Induced Reactive Arthritis in the Rat: Role for Glycine-Gated Chloride Channel.” Infection and Immunity, American Society for Microbiology, Sept. 2001, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC98707/.
McCarty, Mark F, et al. �Dietary Glycine Is Rate-Limiting for Glutathione Synthesis and May Have Broad Potential for Health Protection.� The Ochsner Journal, The Academic Division of Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855430/.
Razak, Meerza Abdul, et al. �Multifarious Beneficial Effect of Nonessential Amino Acid, Glycine: A Review.� Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, Hindawi, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5350494/.
Ross, Krista Anderson. �Glycine: Another Tool for the Hormone and Sleep Balancing Kit.� Doctor’s Data Specialty Testing Clinical Laboratory, 3 Dec. 2019, www.doctorsdata.com/resources/uploads/newsletters/Glycine’s-Role-in-Sleep-and-Hormone-Balancing.html.
Microbes have multicellular hosts and can have many effects on the host�s health and well-being. Researchers have stated that microbes influence metabolism, immunity, and behavior on the human body. One of the most important but understudied mechanisms that microbes have is that they can involve hormones. In the presence of gut microbiota, specific changes in hormone levels can correlate in the gut. The gut microbiota can produce and secrete hormones, respond to the host hormones, and regulate their expression levels. There is also a link between the endocrine system and the gut microbiota as more information is still being researched.
The Gut to Hormone Connection
Since the human microbiome contains a vast array of microbes and genes that shows a higher complexity. Unlike other organs in the body, the gut microbiota’s function is not fully understood yet but can be disrupted easily by antibiotics, diet, or surgery. The best-characterized function is how the gut microbiota interacts with the endocrine system in the body.
Emerging research has indicated that the gut microbiome plays a central role in regulating estrogen levels within the body. When the estrogen hormone levels are too high or too low, it can lead to the risk of developing estrogen-related diseases like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome, breast cancer, and prostate cancer to males and females.
The gut to hormone connection is essential since the gut is one of the producers to create hormones that travel through the entire body system. With the endocrine system is being involved, it is the first network to produce and transport hormones to the organs that need the hormones to function. When there is an imbalance of hormones in the human body, it can disrupt all the other hormones.
The gut microbiota influences nearly every hormone that the endocrine system creates, including:
The thyroid hormones
Estrogen hormones
Stress hormones
Thyroid Hormones
If the gut has inflammation, then the hormones in the body will create an excessive or low quantity in the body. If the endocrine glands like thyroid, are producing a low quantity of hormones and the gut can be imbalanced and lead to hypothyroidism. When there is low microbial diversity in the gut, studies have shown that the low microbial diversity is linked to high TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) levels. The excessive quantity of thyroid hormones can lead to hyperthyroidism. Both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism can cause symptoms like irritability, anxiety, poor memory, and many symptoms that can affect the body.
“If you are experiencing excessive belching, burping, bloating, difficult bowel movements difficulty digesting proteins and meats; undigested food found in stools, digestive problems subside with rest and relaxation or any symptoms. Then this article will give you a better understand what is happening with the gut and how hormones can affect the gut system.”
Estrogen Hormones
The gut and an individual’s hormones are meant to be in communication with each other. They not only support each other, but they also work together to make sure the body is running smoothly. Studies have found out that the gut’s intestinal cells have special receptors for hormones that allow them to detect any hormonal shifts that affect the body.
Since estrogen is typically associated with women, it is common that men need the right amount of estrogen levels to function. The gut microbiota is the key regulator of leveling and circulating estrogen in the body. The microbes produce an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase, which then converts the estrogen hormone to its active form.
The gut microbiome can regulate estrogen levels by functioning a specific bacteria in the microbiome called estrobolome. Estrobolome is the aggregates of enteric bacterial genes that are capable of metabolizing estrogen. It might affect women’s risk of developing postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. The estrobolome is highly essential to keep estrogen levels in the body at a stable state.
In the gut microbiota, both the estrogen and progesterone hormones can impact the guts’ motility and peristalsis ( The rhythmic movement of the intestines that move food through the stomach and out of the body) by playing opposing roles in the guts� motility. Progesterone helps slow down the gut�s motility by relaxing the smooth and slowing transit the time the food is moving out of the body. Estrogen helps increase the contraction of the smooth muscles in the intestines. When the estrogen hormones are leveled right, it can help keep the gut moving smoothly and help increase the diversity of the body�s microbiomes, which is a good thing for the immune system.
Stress Hormones
Stress hormones or cortisol plays a massive part in the gut microbiota. Since cortisol hormones connect to the brain, it sends the signals to the gut and vice versa. If it is a short stressor like getting ready for a presentation or a job interview, the person will feel “butterflies” in their gut. The longer stressors, for example, like having a highly stressful job or feeling anxious consistently, can lead to chronic illnesses in the gut like inflammation or leaky gut. Since the hormone and gut connection is in sync with the gut and brain connection, it is crucial to lowering the cortisol levels to a stable state for a healthy functional body.
Conclusion
The gut and hormone connections are profoundly meaningful since they are linked closely together. When there is a disruption on the gut, it can cause hormones to be imbalanced, causing many disruptions like inflammation and leaky gut. When there is a disruption in the hormones, it can disrupt the gut as well by negatively shifting the gut’s microbiome. So to ensure that the gut is functioning correctly, it is crucial to eat food that contains probiotics and is fermented to keep the gut flora healthy. Some products can help counter the metabolic effects of temporary stress and supporting estrogen metabolism by incorporating other essential nutrients and cofactors to support the endocrine system.
October is Chiropractic Health Month. To learn more about it, check out Governor Abbott�s declaration on our website to get full details on this historic moment.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
References:
Author, Guest. �How Your Gut Microbiome Influences Your Hormones.� Bulletproof, 21 Aug. 2019, www.bulletproof.com/gut-health/gut-microbiome-hormones/.
Evans, James M, et al. �The Gut Microbiome: the Role of a Virtual Organ in the Endocrinology of the Host.� The Journal of Endocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 28 Aug. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23833275.
Kresser, Chris. �The Gut�Hormone Connection: How Gut Microbes Influence Estrogen Levels.� Kresser Institute, Kresserinstitute.com, 10 Oct. 2019, kresserinstitute.com/gut-hormone-connection-gut-microbes-influence-estrogen-levels/.
Kwa, Maryann, et al. �The Intestinal Microbiome and Estrogen Receptor-Positive Female Breast Cancer.� Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Oxford University Press, 22 Apr. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5017946/.
Neuman, Hadar, et al. �Microbial Endocrinology: the Interplay between the Microbiota and the Endocrine System.� OUP Academic, Oxford University Press, 20 Feb. 2015, academic.oup.com/femsre/article/39/4/509/2467625.
Szkudlinski, Mariusz W, et al. �Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Receptor Structure-Function Relationships.� Physiological Reviews, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2002, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11917095.
Wieselman, Brie. �Why Your Gut Health and Microbiome Make-or-Break Your Hormone Balance.� Brie Wieselman, 28 Sept. 2018, briewieselman.com/why-your-gut-health-and-microbiome-make-or-break-your-hormone-balance/.
Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that may interfere with the body’s endocrine system and produce adverse developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune effects in humans. It can be pesticides, plasticizers, antimicrobials, and flame retardants that can be EDCs. EDCs (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) can disrupt the hormonal balance and can result in developmental and reproductive abnormalities in the body.
There are four points about endocrine disruption:
Low dose matters
Wide range of health benefits
Persistence of biological effects
Ubiquitous exposure
EDC can cause significant risks to humans by targeting different organs and systems in the body. The interactions and the mechanisms of toxicity created by EDC and environmental factors can be concerning a person’s general health problems. Including endocrine disturbances in the body since many factors can cause endocrine disruptors, one of the disruptors in the food contaminated with PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl esters) in fish meat and dairy.
Researchers also pointed out that once the contaminated foods eliminated from a person’s diet, then the endocrine disruptors decline, and the body began to heal properly. When a person eliminates the food that is causing discomfort to their bodies, they are more aware of reading the food labels to prevent discomfort anymore to the body systems.
Obesogen
Obesogen is a subclass of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) that might predispose individuals to the development of obesity. Their structure is mainly lipophilic, and they can increase fat deposition. Since the fat cell’s primary role is to store and release energy, researchers have found that different obesogenic compounds may have different mechanisms of action.
Some of these actions can affect the number of fat cells that are producing, while others affect the size of the fat cells, and some obesogenic compounds can affect the hormones. These compounds will affect the appetite, satiety, food preferences, and energy metabolism when the endocrine system plays a fundamental role in the body to regulate the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates, and proteins. Any alternations in the body can result in an imbalance in the metabolism and causing endocrine disorders.
Studies even stated that exposure to obesogens could be found either before birth on utero or in the neonatal period. Obesogens can even cause a decrease in male fertility. When this disruption happens to the male body, environmental compounds can cause a predispose to weight gain, and obesogens can appoint as one of the contributors because of their actions as endocrine disruptors. Obesogens can even change the functioning of the male reproductive axis and testicular physiology. The metabolism in the male human body can be pivotal for spermatogenesis due to these changes.
Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity
Some endocrine disruptors that can affect the body can be through pharmaceutical drugs that can cause weight gain. A variety of prescription drugs can have an adverse effect that can result in weight gain since the chemicals found in prescription drugs have similar structures, and modes of action might have a role in obesity. Prescription medicine can stimulate the gut to consume more food, thus involving the body to gain weight.
Another endocrine disruptor is PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons). These are a family of environmental chemicals that occur in oil, coal, and tar deposits. They produce as by-products of fuel-burning like fossil fuel, biomass, cigarette smoke, and diesel exhaust. PAHs can either be manufactured to be used as medicines and pesticides or be released naturally from forest fires and volcanoes.
There are standard ways a person can be exposed to PAHs. One is through eating grilled, charred, or charcoal-broiled meats that a person eats. The other is through inhalation of smoke from cigarettes, vehicle exhaust, or emissions from fossil fuels that can irritate the eyes and breathing passageways in the body.
Coping with EDC Exposure
Even though obesity can adversely affect the body in a variety of health outcomes, there are ways to cope and minimize the exposure of EDC. Research shows that a person can minimize EDC exposure by consuming organic fruits, vegetables, and grain products insofar as possible. This includes an increasing number of fungicides routinely applied to fruits and vegetables that are being identified as obesogens and metabolic disruptors in the body.
Xenoestrogen vs. Phytoestrogen
When a person has an endocrine disorder, it might be due to the food they are consuming. Phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that are in a wide variety of food, mostly in soy. They are presented in numerous dietary supplements and widely marketed as a natural alternative to estrogen replacement therapy.
There is a health impact on phytoestrogen, and the plant-derived compound can either mimic, modulate, or disrupt the actions of endogenous estrogen. Xenoestrogen�are synthetically derived chemical agents from certain drugs, pesticides, and industrial by-products that mimic endogenous hormones or can interfere with endocrine disruptors. These chemical compounds can cause an effect on several developmental anomalies to humans. It can also interfere with the production and metabolism of ovarian estrogen in females.
Conclusion
Endocrine disruptors can interfere with the body’s endocrine system causing a health risk to an individual. EDC (endocrine-disrupting chemicals) can target many different organs and systems of the body by various factors that the human body is being exposed to. One of the EDC factors is obesogen, and it can cause a person to gain weight and be obese. Another factor is the exposure of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) through environmental factors like smoke inhalation or consuming charcoal-broiled meats. There are ways to cope with EDC exposure, and one is eating organic foods, especially fresh fruits and vegetables. Another is products that target the endocrine system and helps support the liver, intestines, body metabolism, and estrogen metabolism to ensure not only a healthy endocrine system but also a healthy body to function correctly.
October is Chiropractic Health Month. To learn more about it, check out Governor Abbott’s proclamation on our website to get full details on this historic event.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
References:
Cardoso, A M, et al. �Obesogens and Male Fertility.� Obesity Reviews : an Official Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27776203.
Darbre, Philippa D. �Endocrine Disruptors and Obesity.� Current Obesity Reports, Springer US, Mar. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5359373/.
Holtcamp, Wendee. �Obesogens: an Environmental Link to Obesity.� Environmental Health Perspectives, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Feb. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3279464/.
Janesick, Amanda S, and Bruce Blumberg. �Obesogens: an Emerging Threat to Public Health.� American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4851574/.
Janesick, Amanda S, and Bruce Blumberg. �Obesogens: an Emerging Threat to Public Health.� American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26829510.
L�r�nd, T, et al. �Hormonal Action of Plant Derived and Anthropogenic Non-Steroidal Estrogenic Compounds: Phytoestrogens and Xenoestrogens.� Current Medicinal Chemistry, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20738246.
Patisaul, Heather B, and Wendy Jefferson. �The Pros and Cons of Phytoestrogens.� Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3074428/.
Singleton, David W, and Sohaib A Khan. �Xenoestrogen Exposure and Mechanisms of Endocrine Disruption.� Frontiers in Bioscience : a Journal and Virtual Library, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 1 Jan. 2003, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12456297.
Unknown, Unknown. �Endocrine Disruptors.� National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015, www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/endocrine/index.cfm.
Unknown, Unknown. �Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Your Environment, Your Health | National Library of Medicine.� U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 31 Apr. 2017, toxtown.nlm.nih.gov/chemicals-and-contaminants/polycyclic-aromatic-hydrocarbons-pahs.
Yang, Oneyeol, et al. �Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Review of Toxicological Mechanisms Using Molecular Pathway Analysis.� Journal of Cancer Prevention, Korean Society of Cancer Prevention, 30 Mar. 2015, www.jcpjournal.org/journal/view.html?doi=10.15430%2FJCP.2015.20.1.12.
Biotransformation is the process of a substance changes from one chemical to another being transformed by a chemical reaction within the body. In the human body though, biotransformation is the process of rendering nonpolar (fat-soluble) compounds to polar (water-soluble) substances so they can be excreted in urine, feces, and sweat. It also serves as an important defense mechanism in the body to eliminate toxic xenobiotics out of the body through the liver. The liver is the one that takes these toxins and transformed them into suitable compounds to excrete out of the body as biotransformation.
Detoxification is also known as �detoxication� in literature. It is also a type of alternative medicine treatment that aims the body to get rid of unspecified �toxins.� It is highly important for a person to detox their body and with biotransformation, it can be classified into two categories, under normal sequences, which tends to react with a xenobiotic. They are called Phase 1 and Phase 2 reactions that help the body with detoxification.
Phase 1 Reactions
Phase 1 reaction is consisting of oxidation-reduction and hydrolysis. Research shows that Phase 1 is generally the first defense employed by the body to biotransform xenobiotics, steroid hormones, and pharmaceuticals. They create CYP450 (cytochrome P450) enzymes and are described as functionalization microsomal membrane-bound that are located in the liver but can also be in enterocytes, kidney, lungs and the brain in the body. The CYP450 enzymes can be beneficial or have consequences for an individual�s response to the effect of a toxin they are exposed to.
Studies have been shown that phase 1 reactions have been affecting the elderly population. It states that hepatic phase 1 reaction involving oxidation, hydrolysis, and reduction appears to be more altered by age since the elderly population comprises the fastest-growing segment of the world�s population. It also states that there is a predictable, age-related decline in cytochrome P-540 function and combined with the polypharmacy that much of the elderly population experiences, this may lead to a toxic reaction of medication.
Phase 2 Reaction
Phase 2 reaction is part of the cellular biotransformation machinery and is a conjugation reaction in the body. They can involve the transfer of a number of hydrophilic compounds to enhanced the metabolites, and the excretion in the bile or urine in the body. The enzymes in Phase 2 reaction can also comprise multiple proteins and subfamilies to play an essential role in eliminating the biotransformed toxins and metabolizing steroid hormones and bilirubin in the body.
Phase 2 enzymes can function not only in the liver but also in other tissues like the small intestines. When it combined with Phase 1, they can help the body naturally detox the toxins that the body may encounter. Hormones, toxins, and drugs undergo a hepatic transformation by Phase 1 and Phase 2 pathways in the liver, then are eliminated by phase 3 pathways.
Xenobiotics
Xenobiotics has been defined as chemicals that undergo metabolism and detoxication to produce numerous metabolites, some of which have the potential to cause unintended effects such as toxicity. They can also block the action of enzymes or receptors used for endogenous metabolism and produce liver damage to a person. Xenobiotics like drugs, chemotherapy, food additives, and environmental pollutants can generate serval free radicals that lead to an increase of oxidative stress in the cells. Accumulation of oxidative stress in the body can lead to an increase in potential cellular reduction in the body.
Research shows that the body has a major challenge when it is detoxifying xenobiotics out of the body system and the body must be able to remove the almost-limitless number of the xenobiotic compounds from the complex mixture of chemicals that are involved in normal metabolism.
Studies even show that if the body doesn�t have a normal metabolism, many xenobiotics would reach toxic concentrations. It can even reach the respiratory tract either through airborne toxins or the bloodstream. It is important to make sure that the body and especially the liver to be healthy. Since the liver is the largest internal organ, it is responsible for detoxifying the toxins out of the body as urine, bile, and sweat.
Conclusion
Biotransformation is the process of substance changes from one chemical to another. In the body, it is a process of rendering fat-soluble compounds to water-soluble compounds, so it can be excreted out of the body as either urine, feces, or sweat. The liver is the one that causes toxic xenobiotics to transform into biotransformation and going through phase 1 and 2 to excrete the toxins out of the body for a healthy function.
Phase 1 reactions in the body are the first line of defense of the body detoxifying itself. Phase 2 creates CYP450 (cytochrome P450) that helps the body take the xenobiotic toxins and oxidates to reduce and hydrolysis the toxins to metabolites. Those metabolites then transform into Phase 2 reactions, which conjugates the metabolites in the body to be excreted out of the body. There are many factors that can make the body have xenobiotics, but the liver is the main organ to detoxify the xenobiotics out of the system. If there is an abundance of xenobiotics in the body, it can cause toxicity reaction causing the body to develop chronic illnesses. These products are known to help support the intestines and liver detoxication as well as, to help support hepatic detoxication for optimal healthy body function.
October is Chiropractic Health Month. To learn more about it, check out Governor Abbott�s bill on our website to get full details.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
References:
Chang, Jyh-Lurn, et al. �UGT1A1 Polymorphism Is Associated with Serum Bilirubin Concentrations in a Randomized, Controlled, Fruit and Vegetable Feeding Trial.� The Journal of Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Apr. 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17374650/.
Croom, Edward. �Metabolism of Xenobiotics of Human Environments.� Progress in Molecular Biology and Translational Science, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22974737.
Hindawi, Unknown. �Xenobiotics, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants.� Xenobiotics, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidants, 17 Nov. 2017, www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/si/346976/cfp/.
Hodges, Romilly E, and Deanna M Minich. �Modulation of Metabolic Detoxification Pathways Using Foods and Food-Derived Components: A Scientific Review with Clinical Application.� Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism, Hindawi Publishing Corporation, 2015, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4488002/.
Kaye, Alan D, et al. �Pain Management in the Elderly Population: a Review.� The Ochsner Journal, The Academic Division of Ochsner Clinic Foundation, 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3096211/.
panelEdwardCroom, Author links open overlay, et al. �Metabolism of Xenobiotics of Human Environments.� ScienceDirect, Academic Press, 11 Sept. 2012, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780124158139000039.
Sodano, Wayne, and Ron Grisanti. �The Physiology and Biochemistry of Biotransformation/Detoxification.� Functional Medicine University, 2010.
Unknown, Unknown. �ToxTutor – Introduction to Biotransformation.� U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, 2017, toxtutor.nlm.nih.gov/12-001.html.
Prostaglandins are different than hormones. They are not secreted from a gland that can be carried through the bloodstream and work on specific areas around the body. Prostaglandins are made by a chemical reaction in the body that can be made in all the organs and are part of the body�s way of dealing with injuries and illnesses.
When any part of the body has been damaged, prostaglandins are made at the site of tissue damage or infection where they cause inflammation, pain and fever as part of the body�s healing process. When there is a high level of prostaglandins in the body due to the natural healing process from injuries and inflammation, it can contribute to several diseases from the unwanted inflammation.
Prostaglandins in the Omega fatty acids
In omega-6 fatty acids, DGLA (dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid) creates Prostaglandin E1(PG-1) as anti-inflammatory receptors in the body. In omega-3 fatty acids, they can create Prostaglandin E3 (PG-3) that are also anti-inflammatory receptors as well. PG-1 and PG-3 help prevent blood clotting in the body system.
When it comes to pro-inflammatory receptors, omega-6 fatty acids have these receptors as well. Pro-inflammatory receptors are created by arachidonic acid. Arachidonic acid creates Prostaglandin E2 (PG-2), which is responsible for inflammation, swelling and clotting as well.
There has to be a balance between PG-2 and PG-1,3 to provide a healthy function in the body and an ideal hormone signaling response. When one of the PGs are being disrupted by trans-fatty acids from food, it can cause health problems to a person.
Deficiencies in Prostaglandins
Trans fatty acids are a form of unsaturated fats that can be either natural or artificial. They are produced either by hydrogenation of unsaturated oils or by biohydrogenation in the stomach of ruminant animals. Numerous studies have been shown that consuming trans fatty acids continuously can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. This can also increase the ratio of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol in the body. Trans fatty acids can block the activity of D6D (delta-6-desaturase), which is the first step in prostaglandin synthesis from essential fats in the diet.
The excess sugar consumption, insulin surges, inflammation, protein deficiencies hypothyroidism, and alcohol consumption will impair the activity of D6D and be a marker of accelerating aging to the human body. When a person has an increased consumption from fried foods and vegetable oils in an Western diet will shift the omega-6 pathway from PG-1 and into PG-2 production in the body. With the current American diet, people consume a high quantity of omega-6 fatty acids and low quantity of omega-3 fatty acids. This will cause a strong reaction of an inflammatory prostaglandin shift.
Since prostaglandins are caused by injuries and inflammation to heal the body, when an individual consumes a high omega-6 diet, it can cause an excessive amount of inflammation to the body and it can lead to chronic illnesses.
More Deficiencies in Prostaglandins
A deficiency in nutrients like nicotinic acid, pyridoxal 5� -phosphate, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and molybdenum is required for the desaturase and elongase enzymes in omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. Their deficiency can lead to improper production of prostaglandins. So EFAs from diets cause overconsumption of omega-6 and a lack of essential fatty acids in the body.
After that happens, then the EFAs can be synthesized into prostaglandins with desaturase and elongase enzymes. This will then cause nutrient deficiencies and metabolic factors can impair and downregulate those enzymes and causing the body to be prone to pro-inflammatory.
When that happens, prostaglandin formation will suddenly turn into abnormal ratios in the body causing problems, excessive inflammation in the endocrine glands and the body organs, and soon later on if it is not fixed, chronic illnesses will cause proper hormones to alter their components and either stop producing or create an abundance in the body.
Conclusion
Prostaglandins are a chemical reaction to the body that are different than hormones. They are caused when the body is injured and it causes inflammation so it can naturally heal itself. When there is an excessive amount of prostaglandins in the body it can lead to chronic inflammation and cause an abnormal shift in the body�s functional state. A factor that can affect the prostaglandins as well is the excessive consumption of omega-6 fatty acids. This consumption can cause inflammation and can make the body feel sluggish and not feeling great. There are products that can help the body, especially balancing the production of essential fatty acids and metabolizing the body for optimal health.
October is Chiropractic Health Month. To learn more about it, check out Governor Abbott�s bill on our website to get full details.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health protocols to treat injuries or chronic disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
References:
F.Horrobin, David. �Loss of Delta-6-Desaturase Activity as a Key Factor in Aging.� Medical Hypotheses, Churchill Livingstone, 22 Mar. 2004, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0306987781900645.
Horrobin, D F. �Fatty Acid Metabolism in Health and Disease: the Role of Delta-6-Desaturase.� The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 1993, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8386433.
Innes, Jacqueline K, and Philip C Calder. �Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Inflammation.� Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29610056.
Iqbal, Mohammad Perwaiz. �Trans Fatty Acids – A Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease.� Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, Professional Medical Publicaitons, Jan. 2014, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3955571/.
Leech, Joe. �What Are Trans Fats, and Are They Bad for You?� Healthline, 30 July 2019, www.healthline.com/nutrition/why-trans-fats-are-bad.
Ricciotti, Emanuela, and Garret A FitzGerald. �Prostaglandins and Inflammation.� Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2011, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3081099/.
Tallima, Hatem, and Rashika El Ridi. �Arachidonic Acid: Physiological Roles and Potential Health Benefits – A Review.� Journal of Advanced Research, Elsevier, 24 Nov. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6052655/.
Unknown, Unknown. �Prostaglandins.� You and Your Hormones, Dec. 2016, www.yourhormones.info/hormones/prostaglandins/.
Wang, Xiaoping, et al. �Multiple Roles of Dihomo-?-Linolenic Acid against Proliferation Diseases.� Lipids in Health and Disease, BioMed Central, 14 Feb. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3295719/.
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