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Back Clinic Natural Health Functional Medicine Team. This is a natural approach to health care. It is a natural healing practice or a branch of alternative medicine that looks at nature for answers and explanations. There are a few Western forms of alternative medicine that NCCAM has classified as Biologically Based Therapies, as well as, Mind and Body Interventions used in stress management.

There is nothing magical about it. It is about natural healing therapies for prevention and healthy lifestyles. This means eating natural whole foods, nutritional supplements, physical exercise. This is nothing new, but it has evolved over the years within certain prevention parameters, and healthy lifestyles have proven to work repeatedly. There is nothing anti-intellectual or anti-scientific about it. All health, wellness, illness, and healing can be positively affected by simple and inexpensive natural therapies.


Nerve Injury Can Develop Before Diabetes

Nerve Injury Can Develop Before Diabetes

Peripheral neuropathy most commonly develops in patients who’ve been previously diagnosed with pre-diabetes. According to researchers from the University of Utah, early interventions can allow people to maintain their overall health and wellness. Further research studies have revealed that peripheral nerve damage begins with pre-diabetes and obesity.

Approximately more than one in three adults in the United States, about 86 million people, have pre-diabetes. Without the proper body weight and moderate physical activity, 15 to 30 percent of these individuals could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years.

“We now know a lot more than we did 3 to 5 years ago about neuropathic pain in patients with pre-diabetes. Neuropathy affects patients with pre-diabetes in a continuum,” stated Dr. Rob Singleton, MD, and professor of neurology at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. “We think obesity and the dysfunction of lips or fats are what’s actually causing the issues.”

During another research study conducted and published by researchers from the University of Michigan in JAMA Neurology, peripheral blog picture of red button with the words receive care today click hereneuropathy was also commonly diagnosed in patients with obesity, regardless if they had normal blood sugar levels when compared with lean, control patient participants. This same study additionally confirmed that the rate of neuropathy increased in individuals with pre-diabetes and diabetes, leading the researchers to conclude that pre-diabetes, diabetes and obesity are possible metabolic drivers of peripheral neuropathy.

Dr. Singleton and his team of researchers have been studying peripheral neuropathy associated with pre-diabetes and metabolic syndrome as well as which forms of treatment may work best for the condition. Metabolic syndrome is characterized as the group of risk factors which increases the chance of experiencing heart disease, diabetes and stroke. Risk factors include: high blood pressure; elevated blood glucose, high cholesterol and abdominal fat. Throughout their research, they discovered that many patients with metabolic syndrome had pre-diabetes and peripheral neuropathy.

�We have demonstrated that in pre-diabetics with neuropathic pain, exercise can reduce neuropathic pain and can increase the intradermal nerve fibers in the thigh and ankle. We are in the process now of replicating that study,� Dr. Rob Singleton explained in an interview with an endocrinology advisor. �You need to improve lipid, or cholesterol, function and glucose levels. Lifestyle issues have to be addressed.�

The Relation Between Pre-Diabetes & Peripheral Neuropathy

New research studies have evaluated the relationship between pre-diabetes and peripheral neuropathy. In a study published in Diabetes Care, Dr. Christine Lee, PhD, of the University of Toronto, determined that pre-diabetes created similar risks towards nerve damage and dysfunction, which often lead to the development of peripheral neuropathy, as those caused by diabetes.

Evidence suggests that peripheral neuropathy begins in the early stages of the diabetes pathogenesis. Dr. Lee and other researchers evaluated 467 individuals. The researchers found that peripheral neuropathy was common in 29 percent of adults with normal glucose levels as compared to 49 percent in adults diagnosed with pre-diabetes and 50 percent in adults diagnosed with diabetes. The researchers also established that pre-diabetes, or a progression of elevated glucose levels in the course of 3 years concluded an increased risk of developing peripheral neuropathy and nerve damage or dysfunction.

“Early interventions such as lifestyle changes involving proper diet and exercise, could be ultimately essential towards preventing severe nerve complications,” stated Dr. Christine Lee. Another study published in Diabetes Care by Dr. Rob Singleton in 2006, supported this statement. Dr. Singleton and other researchers concluded that dietary changes and physical activity can result in cutaneous reinnervation as well as improved symptoms in patients with pre-diabetes.

Peripheral Nerve Damage Before Diabetes

Its fundamental to acknowledge that the nerve injury which occurs with peripheral neuropathy can occur before diabetes develops. As a matter of fact, current research studies have shown that obesity, even with normal blood sugar levels, has been associated with causing peripheral neuropathy as well as pre-diabetes.

Fortunately, more and more research studies and evidence on the issue has been published to help enlighten doctors and the public. Although it is essential to maintain fasting glucose levels between 70 to 80 mg/dL, it is equally important to manage a healthy weight, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. All of this can be achieved without the use of medication or bariatric procedures. Natural treatments and holistic care options are also available to help control the symptoms of the disease.

Nerve dysfunction, characterized by symptoms of pain, tingling sensations and numbness are common among individuals with diabetes. However, new research studies have found that nerve injuries can also occur as a result of obesity, where patients are diagnosed with pre-diabetes.

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�Top provider

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.dralexjimenez.com

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Additional Topics: Neck Pain and Auto Injury

Neck pain is characterized as the most prevalent symptom after being involved in an automobile accident. During an auto collision, the body is exposed to a sheer amount of force due to the high speed impact, causing the head and neck to jolt abruptly back-and-forth as the rest of the body remains in place. This often results in the damage or injury of the cervical spine and its surrounding tissues, leading to neck pain and other common symptoms associated with whiplash-related disorders.

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Slim Adults Can Also be at Risk of Developing Diabetes

Slim Adults Can Also be at Risk of Developing Diabetes

Being overweight or obese is assumed to be the primary factor for people to develop type 2 diabetes. Excess weight is generally associated with insulin resistance and diabetes, however, it’s this insulin resistance, not the excess weight, which can cause the disease to develop.

Because of this, many individual’s who maintain a healthy weight may not necessarily be metabolically healthy, which can in turn increase the risk of diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, regardless if they’re overweight or obese. According to researchers from the University of Florida, one of the greatest risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes is actually inactivity, which can increase the risk or pre-diabetes even if you have a healthy weight.

Inactivity and Pre-diabetes

If you were looking for motivation to get moving, this study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is as good as it gets.1

In a research study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, a survey of more than 1,100 healthy-weight individuals, those who were inactive, or physically active for less than 30 minutes per week, were more likely to score an A1C test level of 5.7 or higher, which is considered to be pre-diabetic.

The researchers suggested that people who live a sedentary lifestyle yet have a healthy weight may have �what is referred to as normal-weight obesity or skinny fat, which they described as a high proportion of fat to lean muscle.

�Don�t focus solely on the scale and think you�re OK. If you have a sedentary lifestyle, make sure you get up and move,� lead author Arch Mainous III, chair of health services research, management and policy in the University of Florida�s College of Public Health and Health Professions, stated in a news release of the subject matter.

Weight May Not Reveal a Person�s Metabolic Health

Dr. Robert Lustig, professor of pediatric endocrinology at the University of California, San Francisco, USCF, explains that weight isn’t necessarily an accurate tool to determine a person’s metabolic health. Dr. Lustig is best known for speaking out about the health risks of sugar. In a 2015 interview, he declared the issue of “judging a book by its cover” in terms of weight and health.

Approximately more than two-thirds of the American population is overweight or obese. About 50 percent have pre-diabetes or diabete and 1 out of every 3 have high blood pressure. Many of these individuals additionally have high serum triglycerides, which can be a huge factor when it comes to heart disease and stroke. Insulin resistance is a component of all of these health issues. According to Dr. Robert Lustig, at least 50 percent of the American population has some form of insulin resistance, regardless if they have an excess of weight or not.

Exercise is Essential to Prevent Diabetes

A variety of research studies and other evidence have concluded that regular participation and engagement in exercise and physical activity, which includes reducing time being spent sitting, can be crucial to help lower an individual’s risk of developing diabetes. Exercise can even help treat the disease once you’ve been diagnosed.

Sitting for more than eight hours a day has been shown to increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by up to 90 percent, while people with diabetes who participated in a six-month moderate-intensity exercise program experienced considerable health improvements, including decreased fat in the abdomen, liver and around the heart.

How to Determine if You�re Pre-Diabetic

If you’re uncertain on what your fasting insulin and glucose levels are to determine if you’re pre-diabetic, there are various blood tests which are recommended to receive annually. The fasting insulin level reflects how healthy a person’s blood glucose levels are over time.

A normal fasting blood insulin level is below 5, but ideally, you will want it to read below 3. A fasting glucose level below 100 mg/dl suggests you�re not insulin resistant while a level between 100 and 125 confirms you may have pre-diabetes. If these results, or your A1C level, confirms you either have or are at risk of pre-diabetes or diabetes, its fundamental for you to take action. Furthermore, a hip-to-waist size index chart can also be helpful to help determine the proper diagnosis for pre-diabetes or diabetes.

When it comes to evaluating whether the individual is overweight or obese, the previous tests may be better than utilizing the body mass index method, or BMI, as this test fails to factor in both how much muscle and intra-abdominal fat mass, or the visceral fat that accumulates around the inner organs, an individual may have. These can be indicators of insulin/leptin sensitivity and other associated health problems.

Insulin Sensitivity Improvements in Two Weeks

Fortunately, with proper exercise and a carefully balanced diet, people can reverse the course of type 2 diabetes. These benefits have been documented in as little as two weeks, in some instances, occurring just after one exercise session. During a research study for example, inactive but healthy middle-aged adults improved their insulin sensitivity and regulated their blood sugar over two weeks of interval training, about three sessions per week. A follow-up study also found that interval training positively impacted insulin sensitivity.

The research study was conducted involving people with type 2 diabetes and after only one interval training session, the individuals experienced an improvement in the regulation of their blood sugar for the following 24 hours. By exercising in short, high-intensity bursts, known as intervals, you can exercise for longer periods of time at a slower, steady pace and still experience the benefits.�A recommended high-intensity interval training, or HIIT, approach is the Peak Fitness method, which consists of 30 secons of maximum effort followed by 90 seconds of recuperation, for a total of eight repetitions. Very slow weight lifting for your resistance training is also recommended.

Standing Up From Sitting is Also Essential

Moreover, it’s important to understand that exercising for 20 or 30 minutes a day but sitting for the rest is not enough physical activity to begin categorizing yourself as an active individual. In fact, sitting for an extended period of time has been linked to the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, primarily because it can increase aging at a cellular level.

In a research study involving women ranging from 64 to 95 years of age, those who were sedentary and sat for more than 10 hours a day who engaged in only 40 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise experienced shorter telomeres. In addition, the sedentary women were biologically about 8 years older than the active women in the research study.

The telomeres are utilized to measure biological aging because every time a cell divides, these become shorter. Shorter telomeres have also been associated with other chronic diseases, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.

Furthermore, the body’s ability to properly respond to insulin can be tremendously affected by only a single day of excessive inactivity. Sitting for extended periods of time can cause the pancreas to produce increased amounts of insulin. A research study published in Diabetologia, found that individuals who sat for long periods of time were twice as likely to develop diabetes of heart disease compared to individuals who sat for short periods of time. It’s recommended to replace the majority of your sitting with exercise or physical activity, keeping sedentary habits to three hours a day or less.

What to Do if You Have Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes

Being thin doesn’t necesarily mean you have more lean muscle than fat in your body. Having a higher percentage of fat than lean muscle can set the stage for insulin resistance. It’s not as simple to assume you’re metabolically healthy just because you’re not overweight or obese, especially if you live a sedentary lifestyle. Thin people who are also sedentary have as much risk of developing type 2 diabetes as someone who has excess weight.

The good news is, there�s plenty you can do to not only reduce your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes but also to improve your metabolic health at the same time.

During the three-year Diabetes Prevention Program study, lifestyle interventions were found to be more effective than the diabetes drug Metformin at preventing or delaying the development of the disease in people at higher risk. A follow-up research study monitored the group for 15 years and lifestyle interventions were still more effective than Metformin at preventing diabetes.

One of the most important dietary recommendations is to limit net carbs, or total carbohydrates minus fiber, and protein, replacing them with higher amounts of high-quality healthy fats, such as seeds, nuts, raw grass-fed butter, olives, avocado, coconut oil, organic pastured eggs and animal fats, including animal-based omega-3s.

If you�re insulin resistant or diabetic, its also suggested that you limit your total fructose intake to 15 grams per day until your insulin/leptin resistance has improved, increasing to 25 grams, and then begin intermittent fasting as soon as possible.

In conclusion, exercise and physical activity while reducing the amount of time spent sitting, together with a balanced diet, including optimized levels of vitamin D and gut health, as well as proper sleep, are crucial towards preventing or improving type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Taken together, this plan will �also substantially lower your risk of diabetes and related chronic diseases, helping you to avoid becoming victim to a health condition you might not even realize you have.Top provider

Type 2 diabetes is commonly described to develop in overweight or obese individuals, however, recent research studies have demonstrated that slim, healthy people are also at risk of developing the disease. In fact, a sedentary lifestyle has been linked to be the major factor behind the development of type 2 diabetes in American adults.

For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .

By Dr. Alex Jimenez

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.dralexjimenez.com

Additional Topics: Neck Pain and Auto Injury

Neck pain is characterized as the most prevalent symptom after being involved in an automobile accident. During an auto collision, the body is exposed to a sheer amount of force due to the high speed impact, causing the head and neck to jolt abruptly back-and-forth as the rest of the body remains in place. This often results in the damage or injury of the cervical spine and its surrounding tissues, leading to neck pain and other common symptoms associated with whiplash-related disorders.

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TRENDING TOPIC: EXTRA EXTRA: New PUSH 24/7�? Fitness Center

 

 

 

Mitochondrial Disease: The Energy-Sapping Condition You May Not Know You Have | El Paso Chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez

Mitochondrial Disease: The Energy-Sapping Condition You May Not Know You Have | El Paso Chiropractor Dr. Alex Jimenez

There�s a disease that�s often mistaken for another illness or disorder at first since it can cause flu-like symptoms, fatigue, loss of appetite and other problems associated with different health concerns. But it�s much more serious than the flu. In fact, it�s a progressive, debilitating disease that affects about one in every 4,000 people. I�m talking about mitochondrial disease.

Mitochondrial disease is a disorder that�s caused by failure of the mitochondria, which results from�DNA mutations that affect�how someone�s genes are expressed. What do mitochondria do, and how does their failure impact someone�s health? Mitochondria are specialized �compartments� found within almost every single cell of the human body (all except red blood cells). They�re often nicknamed �the powerhouse� of cells because they help with the process of creating usable energy (ATP) within cells, but mitochondria also have numerous other roles too.

According to the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, mitochondria are responsible for creating more than 90 percent of the energy needed to sustain the human body (plus the bodies of most other animals too), but what might surprise you is that about 75 percent of their job is dedicated to other important cellular processes besides energy production. (1,�2) Without proper mitochondrial functioning, we wouldn�t be able to grow and development from the time of infancy or have enough energy to carry out bodily functions as adults like digestion, cognitive processes and maintaining cardiovascular/heartbeat rhythms.

There�s still a lot to learn about how mitochondrial disease develops, what risk factors might make people susceptible, how it should be properly diagnosed and what the best treatment options are. Researchers believe that the�aging process itself is at least partially caused by deteriorating mitochondrial functions, and today we know of many different disorders that are tied to abnormal mitochondria processes (cancer, some forms of heart disease and Alzheimer�s, for example).

That being said, because there isn�t a cure for mitochondrial disease at this time, the goal is to help control symptoms and stop progression as much as possible through a healthy lifestyle and in some cases medications.

Natural Treatment for Mitochondrial Disease

1. See a Doctor for Early Treatment and Management

Early diagnoses and treatment of mitochondrial disease might be able to help stop cellular damage from worsening and causing permanent disabilities. Early interventions for young children can also help improve functions like talking, walking, eating and socializing.

It helps many patients manage their symptoms when they become educated on mitochondrial diseases and know what to expect.�Mitochondrial disease is unpredictable and can change shape day to day, so the more a patient understands his or her�own disease, the better that person�can prepare for symptoms. Symptoms can worsen and progress if they�re ignored so ongoing support and early recognition are key.

2. Get Plenty of Rest

People with mitochondrial disease often experience chronic fatigue, which makes it hard to go about life normally. Things like digestion, bathing, walking and working can be hard to keep up with, so getting plenty of sleep and not overexerting yourself is important.

Many people aren�t�be able to exercise, at least not vigorously, due to trouble breathing and low energy, and require more sleep than a healthy person would to manage symptoms and stay healthy. It�s also helpful to prevent fatigue by eating regularly and avoiding fasting, plus trying to stick to a normal sleep/wake cycle as much as possible.

3. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Digesting the foods we eat is one of the hardest processes the body goes through, using a high percentage of our daily energy to metabolize nutrients, send them to our cells and discard of waste afterward. A lot of people with mitochondrial disease experience gut trouble, problems with appetite and eating regularly, and uncomfortable symptoms caused during digestion of foods, which is why a nutrient-dense diet that�s low-processed is most beneficial.

The more processed someone�s diet is (high in things like sugar, artificial ingredients, refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats), the harder the�organs have to work to extract nutrients and get rid of toxic waste that�s left over. It�s also important to consume plenty of nutrients to help prevent even more fatigue from developing, such as B vitamins, iron, electrolytes and trace minerals.

For some people with mild forms of mitochondrial disease, getting enough rest and eating a healing diet filled with anti-inflammatory foods is enough to help manage their symptoms and improve quality of life. Some helpful tips for improving mitochondrial disease symptoms with a healthy diet include:

Avoid fasting/going too long without eating, and avoid trying to lose too much weight (both can worsen fatigue). Eat small, frequent meals to help with digestion.
Have a healthy snack before bedtime (especially one with a form of complex carbohydrates) and upon waking up.
Healthy fats seem to be helpful for some people with mitochondrial diseases, so in some cases extra fat can be taken in the form of MCT oil. (3) Each person should test his or her�reaction to fats since some do better with a lower fat diet, while others must be careful about low-fat diet risks. Some people�need to reduce almost all fats and consume more carbohydrates to avoid excess free fatty acids and low-energy ADP production.
Iron-rich foods should be limited and levels monitored since iron�can be�harmful if it�s overaccumulated. Avoid taking supplements with iron unless you�re being monitored by a doctor, and try to limit�vitamin C foods around a meal rich in iron, since this boosts iron absorption even more. (4)
4. Avoid High Amounts of Stress

Stress worsens inflammation and fatigue while also hindering immune function. Stressful situations should be avoided, and many patients find they feel better when purposefully reduce stress by incorporating stress relievers like meditation, journaling, relaxing outdoors, etc. Thermal regulation is also critical for people with mitochondrial disease, which means avoiding stressing situations like very cold or very hot temperatures.

5. Build Immunity to Prevent Infections

People with mitochondrial disease are more susceptible to infections and other illnesses, so it�s crucial to keep immunity up with a healthy lifestyle. Many different natural antiviral herbs might be able to help prevent frequent infections. Tips for�helping to improve immunity include:

conserving energy and pacing out�activities to avoid fatigue
getting outdoors and maintaining a comfortable environment/temperature as much as possible
Avoiding exposure to lots of germs, bacteria and viruses that trigger an illness (such as in childcare settings, schools or certain work environments)
staying hydrated and eating a nutrient-dense diet
taking high-quality supplements, including: omega-3 fatty acids, a multivitamin/B vitamin complex, and antioxidants like vitamin C or vitamin E. There�s also evidence that CoQ10,�a fat-soluble antioxidant used for energy production, can be helpful and is safe for most people with mitochondrial dysfunction. (5)
Facts About Mitochondrial Disease

Mitochondria disease is actually a term used to group together hundreds of different disorders that all stem from dysfunctions of mitochondria, each one with its�own exact cause and symptoms.
It�s estimated that about one in 4,000 people has a type of mitochondrial�disease, which is considered progressive in nature and currently without a cure. (6)
When mitochondria stop working properly, the result is that less energy in the form of ATP is generated within cells, and therefore the whole body usually suffers. Cells can become damaged or die all together, sometimes leading to a complete failure of different organs and entire bodily systems.
Damaged mitochondria can affect how the�brain, heart, liver, bones, muscles, lungs, kidneys and endocrine systems (hormones) work. (7)
Children are more likely to have mitochondrial disease than adults are, although more cases of adult-onset mitochondrial disease are now being diagnosed. Infants and children might show signs of slow or abnormal development, trouble speaking or hearing, fatigue, and lack of coordination at a young age.
Mitochondrial disease can develop at any age (although it shows up in children most often) and is often mistaken for another illness or disorder at first since it can cause flu-like symptoms, fatigue, loss of appetite and other problems associated with different health concerns.
Some people experience debilitating symptoms from mitochondrial disease, like not being able to talk or walk normally, but others live a mostly normal life as long as they take care of themselves carefully.
Most patients� symptoms fluctuate over the course of their disease, from severe to being barely noticeable. However, some people develop mitochondrial disease at a young age that causes disabilities that last their whole lifetimes. Older people can develop diseases related to mitochondrial dysfunction, including dementia and Alzheimer�s disease. (8)
Mitochondrial disease runs in families to some extent, but it�s also caused by other factors. Family members with the same disorder can experience vastly different symptoms even if they have the same genetic mutations.
How Mitochondria Work

It takes about 3,000 genes to make one mitochondria, and only about 3 percent of those genes (100 of the 3,000) are allocated for making ATP (energy) within cells. The remaining 95 percent of genes found within mitochondria are tied to cell formation and differentiation, functions of the metabolism, and various other�specialized roles.

Mitochondria are needed to:

build, break down and recycle the molecular �building blocks� of cells
make new RNA/DNA within cells (from purines and pyrimidines)
produce enzymes required to make hemoglobin
help cleanse the liver and detoxify the body by boosting removal of substances like ammonia
for cholesterol metabolism
creating and balancing hormones (including estrogen and testosterone)
carrying out various neurotransmitter functions
protection against oxidative damage/free radical production
breaking down fats, proteins and carbs from our diets to be turned into ATP (energy)
As you can see, mitochondria are extremely important for development and overall health, since they help us grow from an embryo to an adult and form new tissues throughout our lives. All of the roles mitochondria have help slow down the effects of aging and defend us from disease development.

Symptoms of Mitochondrial Disease

Symptoms of mitochondrial disease can manifest in many different ways and vary in terms of intensity depending on the specific person and�which organs are affected. When a large enough number of cells in one organ are damaged, symptoms become noticeable. Some common mitochondrial disease symptoms�and signs include: (9)

fatigue
loss of motor control, balance and coordination
trouble walking or talking
muscle aches, weakness and pains
digestive problems and gastrointestinal disorders
trouble eating and swallowing
stalled growth and development
cardiovascular problems and heart disease
liver disease or dysfunction
diabetes and other hormonal disorders
respiratory issues like trouble breathing normally
higher risk for strokes and seizures
vision loss and other visual problems
trouble hearing
hormonal disorders including a lack of testosterone or estrogen
higher susceptibility to infections
It�s possible for mitochondrial disease to affect only one organ or group of tissues in some people, or to affect entire systems in others. Many people with a mutation of mtDNA display a cluster of symptoms that are then classified as a specific syndrome. Examples of these types of mitochondrial diseases include: (10)

Kearns-Sayre syndrome
chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia
mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes
myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers
neurogenic weakness with ataxia and retinitis pigmentosa
many people also experience symptoms that cannot be easily classified, so they don�t fit into one particular category
Whether they�re grouped together under a specific condition/syndrome or not, research suggests that people with mitochondrial dysfunctions experience higher rates of these symptoms and illnesses than people with mitochondrial diseases:

drooping of the eyelids (ptosis)
autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto�s disease�and fluctuating encephalopathy
disorders that affect the eyes, including external ophthalmoplegia,�optic atrophy, pigmentary retinopathy�and diabetes mellitus
exercise intolerance
irregular heartbeat rhythms and functions (cardiomyopathy)
seizures
dementia
migraines
stroke-like episodes
autism � a�child with autism may or may not have a mitochondrial disease (11)
mid- and late-pregnancy loss (miscarriages)
The Causes of Mitochondrial Disease

Mitochondrial disease is the result of spontaneous mutations in mtDNA or nDNA. This leads to altered functions of either proteins or RNA molecules that live within mitochondria compartments of cells.�In some cases, mitochondrial disease only affects certain tissues during the time of development and growth, which are referred to as �tissue-specific isoforms� of mitochondrial dysfunction. Researchers don�t fully understand yet why people are affected so�differently by mitochondrial problems and what leads to experiencing symptoms within various organs/systems.

Because mitochondria perform hundreds of different functions in different tissues throughout the entire body, mitochondrial diseases produce a wide spectrum of problems, making proper diagnoses and treatment hard for doctors and patients. (12)

Even when researchers are able to identify that an identical mtDNA mutation occurred in two different people using genetic testing, both people still might not have identical symptoms (the term for diseases like this that are caused by the same mutation but cause different symptoms is �genocopy� diseases). Mutations in different mtDNA and nDNA can also cause the same symptoms (known as �phenocopy� diseases).

Risk Factors for Mitochondrial Diseases

The exact causes of mitochondrial disease aren�t entirely known at this time. Risk factors for mitochondrial disease and related illnesses, however, include: (13)

Having nuclear gene defects that are inherited in an autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant manner (they�re transmitted by maternal inheritance more often but can be passed on from a parent). (14)�Mitochondrial disease has an approximate recurrence risk of one in 24 within the same family.�Parents can be genetic carriers of a mitochondrial disease and not show symptoms of their own but still pass the defective gene onto their children.
High levels of inflammation. Inflammation has been linked to multiple degenerative diseases as well as the aging process itself, and mitochondrial alterations play a central role in these processes. (15)
Other compounding medical conditions. For example, in adults many �diseases of aging� have been found to have defects of mitochondrial function, including type 2 diabetes, Parkinson�s disease, atherosclerotic heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer�s disease and cancer.
In some cases, patients receiving immunizations show abnormal mitochondrial symptoms for the first time, or symptoms become worse. But it still isn�t totally clear if the immunizations can be blamed and how they�re involved. Some evidence suggests children should not receive vaccinations if they have underlying mitochondrial disorders that make them exponentially more vulnerable to vaccine damage. (16,�17)
Some evidence shows that inflammation and �medical stress� � caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or conditions like fevers, infections, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and other illnesses � can activate the immune system, which worsens metabolic disorders and mitochondrial functions.

Mitochondrial Disease Takeaways

Mitochondria disease is actually a term used to group together hundreds of different disorders that all stem from dysfunctions of mitochondria, each one with its own exact cause and symptoms.
Mitochondrial disease is often mistaken for another illness or disorder at first since it can cause flu-like symptoms, fatigue, loss of appetite and other problems associated with different health concerns. It�s a progressive, debilitating disease that affects about one in every 4,000 people.
Some people experience debilitating symptoms from mitochondrial disease, like not being able to talk or walk normally, but others live a mostly normal life as long as they take care of themselves carefully.
To treat mitochondrial disease, see a doctor for early treatment and management, get plenty of rest, eat an anti-inflammatory diet, avoid high amounts of stress, and build immunity to prevent infections.
Symptoms include fatigue; loss of motor control, balance and coordination; trouble walking or talking; muscle aches, weakness and pains; digestive problems and gastrointestinal disorders; trouble eating and swallowing; stalled growth and development; cardiovascular problems and heart disease; liver disease or dysfunction; diabetes and other hormonal disorders; respiratory issues like trouble breathing normally; higher risk for strokes and seizures; vision loss and other visual problems; trouble hearing; hormonal disorders including a lack of testosterone or estrogen; and higher susceptibility to infections.
Risk factors include nuclear gene defects that are inherited in an autosomal recessive or autosomal dominant manner, high levels of inflammation, and other compounding medical conditions. Some evidence shows that inflammation and �medical stress� � caused by an unhealthy lifestyle or conditions like fevers, infections, dehydration, electrolyte imbalances and other illnesses � can activate the immune system, which worsens metabolic disorders and mitochondrial functions.

Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C.,C.C.S.T’s insight:

The mitochondria is an amazing wonder. �It is an organelle of untold mystery. �Known as the power plant of the cell it is quickly getting to be know as the savior of the human state. �It amazing wonder and magical abilities continue to amaze all that look to it for answers. �Much science is now bearing weight on the search into its wonder. �

Guide to Naturally Defeat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Guide to Naturally Defeat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease in which the body�s own immune system attacks itself. RA is characterized by chronic inflammation that destroys joints, tissues and organs over a period of time. You can beat rheumatoid arthritis by de-inflaming the body through natural lifestyle principles.

Auto-immune conditions, like RA, are associated with hyper-responsive immunity. This means that whenever the body feels even slightly threatened it creates a wild and reckless inflammatory reaction. Often times this inflammatory reaction is systemic in that it affects the entire body. Other times it affects only specific regions such as the hands and fingers.

Overcoming auto-immune conditions like RA are primarily dependent upon rebuilding the intestinal wall, de-inflaming the body, and optimizing vitamin D3 levels.

The Connection Between Leaky Gut Syndrome and Auto-Immunity

Individuals with auto-immune conditions very commonly have leaky gut syndrome and an overpopulation of parasitic organisms in the gut. These organisms have damaged the intestinal wall and food particles are now able to pass into the bloodstream before they are digested. The immune system recognizes these particles as foreign invaders and unleashes an assault of inflammation in the body.

The most common food allergens that must be avoided for these individuals to get well include gluten containing grains and pasteurized dairy. Soy products, different nuts, eggs and heavy proteins are often not tolerated well while the gut is damaged. Other common inflammatory triggers include those of the nightshade family such as eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes.

How to Rebuild the Intestinal Wall

The best way to rebuild the intestinal wall is to incorporate a daily lifestyle of intermittent fasting. This should be a 16-20 hour liquid diet each day in which only cleansing beverages such as fermented drinks and lemon water are consumed. No more than one solid food meal a day should be consumed for at least a 3 month period of time to ensure proper healing. One could also incorporate a six week liquid diet to speed this process up.

Vegetable juices can and should be consumed throughout the fasting period. Some of the best vegetable juices include wheatgrass and cabbage juice among others. Wheatgrass is known for its incredible chlorophyll content and ability to purify the bloodstream. Cabbage is loaded with the amino acid L-glutamine � which is the primary amino acid in the gut wall.

Digestive enzymes and fermented foods should be used before or during the solid food meal to enhance digestion. Heavy duty probiotic supplementation should be used after the solid food meal to reduce inflammation that would be caused by the solid food of the meal.

Why Live an Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Lifestyle?

An anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle are essential for full recovery from RA. Anti-inflammatory foods help to reduce stress on the immune system and allow it to have better coordination. The diet should focus on healthy fats, anti-oxidants and clean protein sources.

Great anti-inflammatory foods include healthy fats such as coconut products, avocados and extra-virgin olive oil. Healthy protein sources such as organic poultry, wild-caught fish, grass-fed beef and grass-fed raw, fermented dairy products.

These proteins and fats are rich in medium chain saturated fats and omega-3 fatty acids which are necessary for healthy cell membranes and good hormone and immune function. These healthy meat should be consumed in small amounts only once per day to minimize digestion stress while the body is able to extract the key fatty acids and amino acids that the meat provides.

Eat Lots of Antioxidants and Fermented Foods

Antioxidant rich foods like organic berries, green leafy veggies, onions, garlic and bell peppers should be used throughout the day. Nutrient rich herbs such as turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, rosemary, oregano, thyme, basil and many others should be used as much as possible.

Fermented foods and beverages benefit the RA sufferer immensely and must be the cornerstone of the anti-inflammatory plan. This includes homemade sauerkraut, kombucha, coconut water kefir. Red cabbage sauerkraut is preferable due to its abundance of anthocyanin anti-oxidants compared to green cabbage. Fermented raw dairy from 100% grass-fed cows and goats provides some of the best superfoods with kefir, amasai and various cheeses.

Don�t Forget About the Importance of Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a critical role in a balanced immune response. Vitamin D3, among many other functions, helps the body recognize between foreign and self-proteins. This process reduces auto-immune reactions and quiets chronic inflammation. Optimal vitamin D3 levels also allows for normalized stimulation of natural killer cells and macrophages that destroy antagnostic microbes and other pathogens in the body.

Over 90 percent of our modern society is deficient in Vitamin D. An ideal range for vitamin D3 (25-hydroxy cholcalciferol) is between 60-100 ng/ml � which is significantly higher than the medically acceptable 32 ng/ml. Be sure to know your levels and get them up around 80-90 ng/ml for optimal immune responses. Either get regular sun exposure on about 50 percent of your body, at peak periods between 10am-2pm, or supplement with 10,000 IU of high quality emulsified vitamin D3 to get to and stay at the desired levels.

It is advisable to monitor these levels with your healthcare provider.

The Dangers of Subluxation and Neurological Distortion

Chronic inflammatory disease processes are influenced by the nervous system which controls the coordination of the immune system. Nerve stimulation is essential for the growth, function and control of inflammatory cells. Researchers have found that abnormal neurological control results in the development of auto-immune based inflammatory conditions such as RA.

Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations are an example of physical nerve stress that affects neuronal control. According to researchers, such stressful conditions lead to altered measures of immune function and increased susceptibility to a variety of diseases.

The upper cervical spine is the most important region for immune coordination. Various wellness chiropractors specialize in stabilizing the upper cervical spine which allows the nervous system to control and coordinate the body with greater efficiency.

Many individuals with auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis have ligament laxity at the upper cervical spine. It is essential to see a well-trained wellness based chiropractor that specializes in upper cervical care and corrective care and has much experience working with individuals with advanced conditions such as RA. These chiropractors will use a regiment of specific adjustments and corrective exercises to minimize subluxation, restore proper neurological tone and maximize the bodies healing potential.

Sourced through Scoop.it from: www.naturalhealth365.com

Rheumatoid arthritis can lead to major complications, mainly due to the inflammation it causes on the structures of the body. While there’s several beliefs behind the result of such disorder, gut health has been recognized as a probable reason why people may develop autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut syndrome, among other disorders, should often be addressed beforehand to avoid further complications.

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Vaccines are highly recommended to be utilized by the public, however, increasing sources and numerous accounts have revealed that vaccines can cause dangerous even deadly side effects. The measles vaccine is one of the most used vaccines in the United States and it’s effects, including causing the disease itself, have been recorded all across the nation.

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