#mitochondrial malabsorption

[torontofunctionalmedicinecentre]

Addressing Mental Health Concerns Using NAD IV Therapy From Toronto

Low NAD levels can contribute to depressive and anxious feelings. But NAD IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre offers an integrative approach to mental health support.

Depression and anxiety can take a toll on daily energy levels, cognitive function, and weight gain/weight loss, and can exacerbate chronic stress. There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to treating mental health concerns due to differences in biology, traumatic experiences, lifestyles and even genetics. But some patients opt for adjunct functional medicine treatments to: 

Tackle what exactly is going on in their bodies that may be potentially causing mood issues.

Obtain a treatment plan that uniquely targets inadequacies, such as hormone imbalances and nutritional deficiencies. 

NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is an essential coenzyme that the human body needs for optimal function. Unfortunately, NAD levels gradually decline as people age, or when DNA damage, alcohol overindulgence, toxin exposures, obesity, and excessive insulin and blood sugar levels occur in the body. This decline leaves you susceptible to forming chronic, age-related diseases, and could potentially be a source for depression or anxiety. 

This article from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) discusses the link between NAD and mental health, and how we address these concerns with complementary NAD+ IV therapy treatments alongside traditional approaches. Our previous post on the top 6 NAD boosting foods is a good place to start if you want to know more about NAD IV therapy in Toronto.

NAD’s role in depression and anxiety

So, what’s the relationship between NAD and your mood? NAD plays a role in cellular metabolism, converting nutrients into energy to help regulate chemical reactions. These beneficial effects are necessary for managing cell vitality and resilience, as cells are provided with the ability to acclimate your body to stressful situations. 

If enough NAD is present in the body and you’re stressed, your cells can adapt to nerve-wracking changes that may trigger depression and anxiety. But with depleted NAD levels, you can experience negative effects on metabolic functions, which can downgrade both physical and mental health. 

Low amounts of serotonin are thought to be linked to depression and anxiety. However, NAD can help produce additional serotonin by regulating cellular health and mitochondrial function. Known as the ‘feel-good’ hormone, serotonin is celebrated for controlling hunger and social conduct. Optimal amounts of it can lead to improved sleep conditions, a reduction in memory loss, and may support mood. 

NAD supplementation can help boost serotonin levels to help uplift mood. It’s also worth mentioning that if you have goals related to athletic performance, you may notice other health advantages while upping NAD, such as an improvement in energy levels and muscle function. Meanwhile, if you’re attempting to improve aging skin, NAD can increase collagen production for promoting a plumping effect. 

Is NAD IV therapy safe? How it works in our IV Lounge

NAD can be supplemented with oral supplements (regular tablets/capsules, sublingual treatments) or intravenous therapy. As a safe treatment modality that is supervised by our health team, IV NAD+ drips may be suitable for patients who need assurance of receiving a full absorption of nutrients. IV therapy drips don’t require the digestive tract for filtration; rather, an NAD formulation is directly inserted into your vein and bloodstream for immediate use without the digestive process. 

The intravenous route may be suitable for patients who suffer from malabsorption, which is when there are difficulties absorbing nutrients due to a chronic issue, such as lactose intolerance, Crohn’s or celiac disease. 

Our integrative care practitioners take a collaborative approach to health care. We believe that patients should be given ample time to learn about their health treatments, which can inspire them to make and commit to health changes. In our clinic, NAD+ IV can be administered in our IV Lounge as a stand-alone drip treatment or combined in a series of IV therapy treatments. We may suggest functional medicine lab testing for concerns regarding other nutrient levels. We prescribe other intravenous drips aside from NAD, too, such as amino acids (i.e. glutamic acid), high-dose vitamin C, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin A, glutathione, and other key ingredients.

NAD IV therapy benefits may range for patients. When a regular NAD IV drip is taken with lifestyle modifications and other functional medicine treatments (i.e. traditional medications, “talk therapy”/psychotherapy), it can help manage brain health concerns, including brain fog, depression and anxiety. Request your session now to meet our health team. 

Book your initial consultation at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

Our integrative care practitioners are accepting new patients. Getting a tailored treatment plan with us is simple:

Attend your initial consultation with our health team. (This is mandatory to understand how we can customize your IV NAD+ therapies.) 

One of our health practitioners will take a detailed report of your symptoms, medical history, environmental/lifestyle factors, and health goals. If necessary, functional medicine testing will be recommended to rule out underlying concerns. 

We take these key components (including lab results) to customize your functional medicine treatments.

We recognize that each patient is unlike one another, which is why we’re adept at altering therapies for various health issues, including cardiovascular health concerns, cellular damage, metabolic disease, poor hair and nail growth, degenerative diseases, alcohol overindulgence, neuropathic conditions, infertility, and more. 

When NAD IV therapy is administered with a healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise) and other wellness interventions (naturopathic and/or medical advice), it can support optimal health. Our IV therapy drips are freshly compounded on-site and never pre-mixed! IV drip dosages are also customized using functional medicine principles. 

Optimizing nutrition for mental health could become a game-changer in your health journey. Get your treatment plan customized now – request your initial consultation for NAD IV therapy at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Blum K, Han D, Baron D, Kazmi S, Elman I, Gomez LL, Gondre-Lewis MC, Thanos PK, Braverman ER, Badgaiyan RD. Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) and Enkephalinase Inhibition (IV1114589NAD) Infusions Significantly Attenuate Psychiatric Burden Sequalae in Substance Use Disorder (SUD) in Fifty Cases. Curr Psychiatry Res Rev. 2022 Jul;18(2):125-143. doi: 10.2174/2666082218666220527114427. Epub 2022 Jun 21. PMID: 36118157; PMCID: PMC9474872.

Braidy, N., Villalva, M. D., & Eeden, S. V. (2020). Sobriety and Satiety: Is NAD+ the Answer? Antioxidants, 9(5), 425. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9050425

Goetzl EJ, Wolkowitz OM, Srihari VH, Reus VI, Goetzl L, Kapogiannis D, Heninger GR, Mellon SH. Abnormal levels of mitochondrial proteins in plasma neuronal extracellular vesicles in major depressive disorder. Mol Psychiatry. 2021 Dec;26(12):7355-7362. doi: 10.1038/s41380-021-01268-x. Epub 2021 Sep 1. PMID: 34471251; PMCID: PMC8872999.

Schultz MB, Sinclair DA. Why NAD(+) Declines during Aging: It’s Destroyed. Cell Metab. 2016 Jun 14;23(6):965-966. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2016.05.022. PMID: 27304496; PMCID: PMC5088772.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.

[iamokaynowdeb]

CDC-GuideLines-Vaccines-Me-You-Us-We!

CDC-GuideLines -Vaccines-Me-You-Us-We! The new guidance from the CDC- The center for disease control and prevention based in Atlanta, Georgia. This is a 1st step by the CDC as you read through the guidance you may see some still unanswered guidance still fully explained. I believe all of this will be forthcoming as we learn more. While I do not know anymore than you or anyone else? I am basing…

[randylavalley]

5+ Reasons Why B Vitamins Are Part of IV Therapy in Toronto

This post is part of our blog series, “5 Reasons Why”, which helps readers understand why IV therapy in Toronto is an option for optimal, natural health. Stay tuned for more posts in this series!

Did you know that there are eight different types of B vitamins?

Each B vitamin is necessary for building energy, reducing fatigue, and supporting brain health. Every B vitamin is involved in at least one or several steps of building energy.

B vitamins and their energy production roles are crucial because they help promote the maintenance and function of the body and brain cells. This is why we need an adequate amount of each B vitamin in the body! If we lack any of these vitamins, our energy production and brain function may face limits; some individuals may even undergo further health consequences.

Your IV therapist or naturopathic doctor may suggest B vitamins in your intravenous (IV) therapy treatments. Here are the B vitamins that might be included in your IV therapy sessions and how each may produce health benefits and assist with improving wellness:

1. B1 (Thiamine)

Known as thiamine, B1 is a cofactor for enzymes that break down glucose and produce energy.

Thiamine is commonly found in fish, nuts, seeds, wheat, cooked asparagus, navy beans and edamame. Our diet may already contain ample amounts of B1, so a deficiency shouldn’t occur. “However, conditions that lead to altered gastrointestinal function are common and can decrease absorption, including conditions that interfere with thiamine absorption from the intestine,” explains the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. For instance, people with gluten sensitivity may not absorb B1, especially since foods with small amounts of gluten tend to remove vitamin B1.

A B1 vitamin deficiency may lead to memory loss, disorientation, amnesia and a decline in working memory. In fact, “[m]ultiple similarities exist between classical thiamine deficiency and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in that both are associated with cognitive deficits and reductions in brain glucose metabolism,” confirms the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences.

Your IV therapist or naturopathic doctor may suggest IV vitamin infusions of B1 to help lessen thiamine deficiencies or endorse cognitive function. If you excessively drink alcohol, your B1 levels may diminish; this is because drinking alcohol encourages B1 to flush out via urine. So if you have been diagnosed with a B1 deficiency due to alcoholism, this is also why intravenous treatments of B1 may be recommended.

2. B2 (Riboflavin)

Interestingly, riboflavin (vitamin B2) is linked to cognition. In a study of elderly patients with mild cognitive impairment, a high vitamin B2 intake resulted in improved cognitive performance on various tests.

For the human body to healthily thrive, riboflavin is needed for developing blood cells, skin health, the digestive tract (lining), and brain function. B2 is an essential component of flavoproteins, coenzymes that metabolize carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. Riboflavin also aids in the production of energy or ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Side effects of B2 vitamin deficiency may include signs of weakness, inflammation, sores around the mouth, scaly skin, personality change, sore throat, itchy eyes and a sensitivity to light.

If you don’t eat enough dairy, meat or fortified cereals, you may be prone to a B2 deficiency. Malabsorption, chronic alcoholism and other chronic disorders may put you at risk of a B2 deficiency, too. Vegetarian athletes may also be at risk as some vegetarian diets dismiss all animal products (i.e. eggs, milk), and these foods tend to be sources of vitamin B2. Thus, intravenous vitamin drips of B2 may be suggested for helping support cognition, promote cellular energy, and recover from a riboflavin deficiency.

3. B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B3 (niacin) is part of a coenzyme called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+). NAD+ is converted into NADP+, a coenzyme involved in the breakdown of complex substances in the body. The energy released by this breakdown of substances then creates carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins.

Patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s have been shown to carry low levels of B3. Niacin has been shown to participate in both brain and nervous system function, so your IV therapist may recommend intravenous vitamin drips of B3 to help promote optimal brain function.

Furthermore, “[i]t is now recognized that a deficit of mitochondrial energy metabolism (i.e. impaired mitochondrial phosphorylation potential) plays a role in the pathogenesis of chronic migraine headaches,” confirms Nutrition Journal. Niacin may not only improve cellular energy, but also increase your blood flow (vasodilating the blood intracranial vessels), which may help alleviate migraines. So if you’re prone to migraines, it may be plausible for IV niacinimide (a different biochemical version of B3) and other nutrients (i.e. intravenous B2, IV magnesium and oral CoQ10) to promote the relief of painful headaches, especially since IV vitamin infusion therapy directly enters the bloodstream.

A B3 deficiency may progress to vertigo, memory loss, paranoia, diarrhea, dermatitis, dementia, and more. Neurological symptoms are known to occur with a niacin deficiency. So if you’re concerned about your vitamin B3 levels, please speak to your IV therapist or naturopathic doctor on the possible benefits of vitamin IV drips for your health needs.

4. B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B5 helps build a coenzyme that synthesizes fatty acids, lipids, cholesterol and acetylcholine. A deficiency in pantothenic acid (B5) is rare in healthy patients because the vitamin is found in plant- and animal-rich foods, or it may be already added to prepared foods (i.e. cereals). But a deficiency may occur due to malabsorption.

Signs and symptoms of a B5 deficiency are fatigue or weakness, irritability, gastrointestinal distress, numbness, muscle pain, cramps, brain damage, behavioural change and demyelination. In some cases, this deficiency may cause neurological dysfunction (i.e. confusion). Pantothenic acid may be recommended for your IV vitamin drips to help encourage cellular energy, which may aid in relieving a B5 deficiency.

Although pantethine (an active form of vitamin B5) is not intravenously offered, it is still worth discussing because your naturopathic doctor may recommend this form of vitamin B5 as an oral supplement. In fact, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, pantethine has been studied for potentially lowering cholesterol in patients with dyslipidemia, a condition in people in which the amount of lipids are either too high or too low in the body.

5. B6 (Pyroxidine)

The human body doesn’t have the ability to store this vitamin. Therefore, we need to find vitamin B6 sources on a daily basis to stimulate optimal health.

Pyroxidine (B6) helps synthesize and break down amino acids. It helps release glucose from glycogen, a pathway required by enzymes for synthesizing neurotransmitters and hemoglobin. Vitamin B6 is also required for producing hemoglobin and it even contributes to numerous cellular functions.

In Western diets, a B6 deficiency is infrequent. If there is a B6 deficiency, it’s usually related to a deficiency in other B vitamins (i.e. B12). However, the following patients are at risk of developing a B6 deficiency: those who are geriatric; those with compromised renal function; those who drink excessive alcohol and/or have malabsorption issues.

A pyroxidine deficiency may cause anemia along with low hemoglobin content. The size of the red blood cells are either normal or small, though their capacity for carrying oxygen becomes diminished. This may result in muscle weakness, fatigue, dermatitis, mouth sores, fatigue, confusion, shortness of breath, irritability, impaired alertness, depression, cognitive decline and dementia.

Your IV therapist or naturopathic doctor may recommend IV pyroxidine to help support the treatment of anemia or encourage mental health improvements. “A low level of vitamin B6 has [been linked to depression] as vitamin B6 is a cofactor in the tryptophan-serotonin pathway,” explains Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics. Keep in mind that IV therapy may promote swift results in mood because it enters the bloodstream directly, detouring the digestive system.

6. B7 (Biotin)

You’ve likely seen biotin oral supplements in stores for promoting healthy hair and nails. But did you know that biotin (B7) is also required in the body for several chemical reactions?

Biotin is involved in a series of chemical reactions to release stored energy and metabolize lipids. It’s also required for synthesizing glucose, fatty acids, and some non-essential amino acids. Biotin may possibly help normalize the functioning of the nervous system, as B7 already plays a role in metabolizing cellular energy.

Biotin deficiency is linked to neurological concerns, such as depression, lethargy, hallucinations, and paraesthesia (tingling/burning sensation) of the extremities. A B7 deficiency may also cause weakness, hair loss, and a rash around the eyes, nose and mouth.

This deficiency may be uncommon for most people, but individuals with excessive alcohol issues or who use certain medications (i.e. antibiotics) may have trouble properly absorbing vitamin B7. So an IV therapist might recommend intravenous biotin to help “top up” biotin levels into the bloodstream, bypassing absorption concerns.

7. B9 (in the form of folic acid or methyltetrahydrofolate)

A fraction of our population has a defect in a gene called MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase). This gene directs the construction of the MTHFR protein, which aids the body in processing folate. The body requires folate to create DNA and adjust proteins. The MTHFR gene that codes for this enzyme has the potential to mutate, which can either restrict the enzyme’s ability to function routinely or completely inactivate it.

A defect in this gene may be concerning because the MTHFR protein is compulsory for processing B9 in the body. The MTHFR gene is responsible for breaking down homocysteine, an amino acid that the body requires to construct proteins. Generally speaking, some B vitamins (including folic acid) help break down homocysteine, converting it into further substances that the body may need. But if the MTHFR gene is mutated, homocysteine may accumulate within the blood. This may cause: blood clots, a stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure, or homocystinuria, which is a disorder related to methionine metabolism.

Consequently, your IV therapist or naturopathic doctor may recommend different forms of intravenous folic acid/vitamin B9 to possibly help support mood, detoxification, energy and fertility.

Keep in mind that folate is an essential vitamin for cell growth in the central nervous system. It’s also a required coenzyme for synthesizing methionine (an amino acid) and for constructing RNA (ribonucleic acid). A folate deficiency may cause the body to experience peripheral neuropathy, spinal cord lesions, psychosis, cognitive decline and dementia. Not to mention, this nutritional deficiency may cause megaloblastic anemia, a condition in which the body cannot properly produce red blood cells. Hence, your IV therapist or naturopath may suggest intravenous folate to aid in improving cellular health and/or to help with correcting MTHFR deficits.

8. B12 (in the form of methylcobalamin, cobalamin, or hydroxocobalamin)

For the body to effectively absorb vitamin B12, the stomach, pancreas and small intestine must be functional. Hence, a B12 IV therapy may be recommended for nutrition and/or malabsorption issues, and also to help support the MTHFR pathways.

Patients diagnosed with poor nutrition and/or Crohn’s disease and vegans or vegetarians may be at risk of a B12 deficiency. Also, B12 malabsorption is frequent among the elderly, who may undergo impaired digestive functioning.

A vitamin B12 deficiency is concerning because the body does not produce vitamin B12, even though the body needs this vitamin. The function of folate, the breakdown of fats, and proteins and the synthesis of hemoglobin all require B12. Cobalamin is also vital for making red blood cells and DNA. A B12 deficiency can cause numerous side effects, such as anemia. This deficiency may trigger further neurological dysfunctions, including myelopathy, neuropathy and neuropsychiatric abnormalities.

Vitamin B12 deficiencies limit the methionine synthase, a key enzyme that helps process amino acids. This limitation may further promote the progression of neurodegenerative disorders (i.e. Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), which is another reason why B12 may arise in a discussion about your IV therapy.

Learn More About B Vitamins and IV Therapy in Toronto

As you’ve read, B vitamins contribute to our mental health and cellular energy. Some of us may be lacking these important vitamins, but treatments with intravenous B vitamins may possibly (and swiftly) produce positive effects and encourage optimal health.

Do you think you’re at risk of a vitamin B deficiency? Here at our intravenous vitamin centre, The IV Lounge, we understand that the meaning of good health is an individual goal. We’re here to listen to your health concerns and help you seek natural therapies; our clinic is currently accepting new patients. Book your appointment with our naturopathic doctor by emailing us at info@theivlounge.ca or by calling (647) 549-3484.

The post “ 5+ Reasons Why B Vitamins Are Part of IV Therapy in Toronto “ was first seen on The IV Lounge.

Know more about the benefits of iv vitamin therapy and how it may help you achieve optimum health. The IV Lounge is an IV drip clinic in Toronto. Go check them out at www.theivlounge.ca

[you-cancer-vive]

Metabolic integration

We are down to our last topic, which is integrating everything that we have learned in the past months. This is a summary of all the pathways involved in an individual with Cancer Cachexia:

Cachexia affects the majority of patients with advanced cancer and is associated with reduced muscle strength, fatigue, appetite loss (anorexia), tissue wasting, low fat-free mass index, high levels of inflammation identified by blood tests, anemia, and low levels of the protein albumin (National Cancer Institute, 2019). Cancer patient with Cachexia are also less able to tolerate chemotherapy and other therapies they need to survive. Thus, they have a lower quality of life and worse outlook. 

In cachexia, anaerobic glycolysis proceeds at a high rate, which forms large amounts of pyruvate and is then reduced to lactate and is exported. The lactate is then used for gluconeogenesis in the liver, an energy-requiring process, which is responsible for the hypermetabolism seen in cachexic patients. Also, in these patients, there is an increased rate of protein catabolism. The secretion of cytokines in response to cancer increase tissue protein catabolism by the ATP-dependent ubiquitin-proteasome pathway, thus, increasing energy expenditure. There is also increased stimulation of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins by cytokines, leading to thermogenesis and increased oxidation of metabolic fuels. HSL is activated by tumors, resulting in lipolysis and oxidation of fatty acids from adipose tissue (Rodwell, 2015). Moreover, cancer cells require a sufficient supply of nucleotides and other macromolecules to grow and proliferate. To meet the metabolic requirements for cell growth, cancer cells must stimulate de novo nucleotide synthesis to obtain adequate nucleotide pools to support nucleic acid and protein synthesis along with energy preservation, signaling activity, glycosylation mechanisms, and cytoskeletal function (Villa, 2019).

In relation to nutrition and exercise, muscle contraction through exercise activates and improves nutrient-induced stimulation of protein synthesis in a healthy skeletal muscle. However, disrupted mTORC1 signaling results to impaired anabolic response to contraction. Thus, cancer cachexia disrupts the metabolic and anabolic signaling response to stimulated muscle contractions and anabolic resistance to exercise is present. Given that cachexia cannot be fully reversed by conventional nutritional support. Consumption of essential amino acids such as leucine can stimulate protein synthesis in individuals. The protein synthesis induction by intaking essential amino acids may activate of mTORC1 signaling. Thus, high protein and leucine could overcome anabolic resistance in cancer cachectic individuals (Hardee, Montalvo, & Carson, 2017). 

The major effect of cancer cachexia in the body is weight loss largely from muscles and adipose tissue. However, even though the main tissue affected by cachexia is the skeletal muscle, cachexia cannot be reduced to a muscle-wasting syndrome. Indeed, several other organs such as liver, heart, fat tissue and brain are affected, making cachexia a true multi-organ syndrome (Devlin, 2011). The effect of cancer cachexia in the different organs are the following: 

Brain: altered pattern of hypothalamic mediators, loss of appetite, hyposmia, hypogeusia, anorexia 

Brown adipose tissue: thermogenesis 

Heart: atrophy, decreased innervation, increased energy consumption, cardiac dysfunction 

Gut: gut-barrier disfunction, altered ghrelin production, release of inflammatory mediators, malabsorption 

Liver: release of acute-phase proteins, reduced albumin synthesis, acute-phase response 

White adipose tissue: increased lipolysis, fatty acid oxidation, wasting 

Skeletal muscle: wasting 

Endocrine: insulin resistance, higher cortisol levels, higher BMR

References:

Devlin, T. 2011. Textbook of Biochemistry with Clinical Correlations. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Hardee, J. P., Montalvo, R. N., & Carson, J. A. (2017). Linking Cancer Cachexia-Induced Anabolic Resistance to Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Metabolism. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, 2017, 1–14. doi: 10.1155/2017/8018197

Rodwell, V., et.al. 2015. Harper’s Illustrated Biochemistry 30th Edition. Copyright © 2015 by The McGraw-Hill Education.

Tackling the Conundrum of Cachexia in Cancer. 2019. National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/research/cachexia

Villa, E., Ali, E., Sahu, U. & Ben-Sahra, I. 2019. Cancer Cells Tune the Signaling Pathways to Empower de Novo Synthesis of Nucleotides. National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine. doi: 10.3390/cancers11050688

[jerrytackettca]

Eight Signs You Might Be B12 Deficient

When you experience symptoms like fatigue, numbness, faint nausea, foggy vision or an increased tendency toward forgetfulness, you might entertain many different scenarios. Some of them might be scary, but a possibility you may not consider is that of a vitamin B12 (aka cobalamin) deficiency.

Nearly half of the American population has less-than-stellar blood levels of vitamin B12, but the symptomology is so varied that it’s hard to pin down just how many people suffer from it, according to Harvard Health, which describes the “sneaky” symptomology behind a 62-year-old man’s seemingly unrelated symptoms, developed over two months. According to his case report, published in The New England Journal of Medicine,1 he had:

“Numbness and a ‘pins and needles’ sensation in his hands, had trouble walking, experienced severe joint pain, began turning yellow, and became progressively short of breath … It could have been worse — a severe vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to deep depression, paranoia and delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste and smell, and more.”2

It’s problematic that symptoms like the above may cause people to focus on treating them instead of investigating the source of the problem. Sooner or later, though, unless it’s met head-on, a shortage of vitamin B12 in your system can be so devastating that serious disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn's disease and irreversible brain damage could take their toll.

Low Vitamin B12 Symptoms Not so Unrelated After All

The list of symptoms that could be placed on a B12 deficiency’s proverbial doorstep is a long one, but many symptoms are associated with your central nervous system. Too little B12 in your system might also resonate if you’ve experienced poor vision, weakness, tingling in your hands or feet and incidences of “clumsiness.” Eight common signs that indicate low B12 levels are:

Fatigue

Anemia

Nausea

Digestive issues

Weakness

Skin infections

Mental confusion

Nerve problems

But it’s also important to understand that several areas of the body can be adversely affected with a vitamin B12 deficiency, and that while many of the symptoms may seem unrelated, as the saying goes, one thing often leads to another.

Low B12 Can Cause Anemia, Which Has Its Own Set of Symptoms

As is true for every human, vitamin B12 is necessary to keep your nervous system healthy, as well as to make DNA, which is the genetic material in all cells.3 B12 is also needed to produce red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout your body.

But with a shortage of B12, many of your red blood cells are abnormally formed and/or too large, so they can’t carry oxygen; the process is disrupted. Too few red blood cells or an abnormally low amount of hemoglobin in individual red blood cells causes anemia, one of the most common and noticeable signs that a shortage is becoming a problem.4

Anemia can cause some of the previously listed symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, cold hands and feet, pale skin and chest pain, which occur because your heart has to work harder to move oxygen-rich blood through your body, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reports.5 In turn, this can lead to irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia, enlarged heart and even heart failure.6

Recognizing B12 deficiency sooner rather than later is crucial, as left unchecked it can lead to permanent damage in your body.7 According to the Linus Pauling Institute,8 a B12 deficiency may also be culpable in several other serious diseases and conditions, including:

Breast cancer9

Chronic stomach inflammation10

Depression11

Neural tube defects12

Osteoporosis13

Gastric cancer14

Thyroid dysfunction15

DNA damage16

How Does Low B12 Cause ‘Pins and Needles,’ Jaundiced Skin and Dementia?

Because B12 — and a lack thereof — is closely associated with your nervous system, the sign known as “pins and needles” is one that indicates a nerve issue that should be addressed as soon as possible, and shows how interconnected your body’s functions are.

Because vitamin B12 is important for the maintenance of your central nervous system, including the conduction of nerve impulses and producing the myelin sheath, it protects and "insulates" your nerves. Without this protective insulation, your nerves can be damaged, leading to symptoms like “pins and needles” in your hands and feet, as well as central and peripheral nervous system damage.17

If you’ve noticed that your skin has a pale or jaundiced cast, it’s a warning sign that your body is unable to produce an adequate number of red blood cells. You may not have thought about it, but it’s the red blood cells circulating under your skin that give it its healthy color.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia, which can weaken your blood cells, after which other symptoms begin appearing. When your liver breaks down red blood cells, it releases bilirubin, a brownish substance that lends your skin a jaundiced appearance, often seen in infants.18

As if these problems weren’t enough, people with low levels of B12 may also suffer problems with clear thinking, which later turns into the condition doctors call cognitive impairment or dementia.19

The symptoms often become evident when someone has reasoning difficulties and memory loss, but often, that is what is treated rather than exploring the possibility of a B12 deficiency, which could alleviate the symptoms if addressed.

An all-encompassing review in Australia in 2012 revealed associations between low vitamin B12 levels and neurodegenerative disease. A total of 43 studies revealed that “subclinical low-normal ranges are associated with Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia and Parkinson's disease.”20 Another study notes:

“Vitamin B12 deficiency should always be looked for when a patient presents with memory loss, since it is generally reversible with treatment. Many neuropsychiatric symptoms have been observed, and many in patients who do not have a megaloblastic anemia.

These include memory loss, psychosis including hallucinations and delusions, fatigue, irritability, depression and personality changes.”21

A B12 Deficiency Often Shows Up in Your Mouth

One symptom of anemia that often shows up are mouth ulcers, sometimes known as canker sores or aphthous ulcers, small yellow or white ulcers that can appear on your gums or just inside your lip. While they usually clear up in a week or two, they’re often quite painful.

But a B12 deficiency can cause other symptoms in your mouth as well, including on your tongue. One study relates the experience of a middle-aged female patient — a common demographic for her symptoms — with a persistent burning sensation on her tongue for several months.

Diagnosed with glossitis, which causes a noticeably swollen, smooth, red tongue, she was given a single injection of vitamin B12, which “resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms and the normal clinical appearance of her tongue after three days.”22

Low B12 Carries Increased Risk for Infection by Two Potentially Deadly Pathogens

People with deficiency in vitamin B12 are at a higher risk of infections caused by two potentially deadly pathogens. Findings of a study published in the journal PLOS Genetics23 involved 1 millimeter-long (pencil tip-sized) nematodes or worms called Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), one of the world’s most basic organisms.

Vital to the study was that nematodes share an interesting characteristic with humans: They can’t produce their own vitamin B12, either. As reported by MedIndia, the study involved two worm populations: one with and one without a diet sufficient in B12, showing that a B12-deficient diet harms the worm’s health at a cellular level by reducing its ability to metabolize branched-chain amino acids (BCAA):

“The research showed that the reduced ability to break down BCAAs led to a toxic buildup of partially metabolized BCAA byproducts that damaged mitochondrial health … ‘We used C. elegans to study the effect of diet on a host and found that one kind of food was able to dramatically increase resistance to multiple stressors — like heat and free radicals — as well as to pathogens,’ said [researcher Natasha Kirienko].”24

Many labs around the world use C. elegans to study the effects of disease. By feeding the worms E. coli, a common and sometimes harmful gut bacteria, and switching between E. coli strain OP50 and strain HT115, the worms’ stress tolerance was “dramatically altered,” Kirienko said. “We found that switching between E. coli strain OP50 and strain HT115 dramatically altered the worm's stress tolerance.” Co-author Alexey Revtovich noted:

“The key difference between the two diets is the ability of HT115 and OP50 to acquire B12 from the environment … We showed that HT115 is far more efficient at this, making about eight times as much of the protein that it needs to harvest B12 as compared to OP50.”25

Significantly, the team also found that C. elegans on an HT115 diet had the ability to resist infection by another deadly human pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and recognized by the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a superbug.26

Kirienko noted that the B12 finding surprised the research team. They noticed the effect when they studied “the mechanisms of pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a potentially deadly disease in both worms and humans that infects some 51,000 U.S. hospital patients each year,”27 according to the CDC.28

Higher Risks and How to Optimize Your Vitamin B12 Levels

Some people have a greater risk than others for vitamin or mineral deficiencies, but in this case vegans and vegetarians are at particular risk because B12 is derived from animal products. Additionally, older adults and people with gastrointestinal and malabsorption issues are also at risk.

Studies have also shown that those on metformin (for diabetes) and prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (for stomach acid) are also at an increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, leading researchers to suggest “it seems prudent to monitor vitamin B12 levels periodically in patients taking metformin.”29

Because it’s not manufactured by your body, vitamin B12 must come from another source — namely food and supplements. That said, good sources for cobalamin or vitamin B12 include:

Grass fed organic beef and beef liver

Lamb

Venison

Scallops

Organic, pastured chicken and eggs

Raw organic, grass fed milk

Nutritional yeast

As for supplementation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),30 the average person age 14 and older should get 2.4 micrograms (mcg — one-millionth of a gram31) of vitamin B12 per day; pregnant women should get 2.6 mcg; and breastfeeding women should get 2.8 mcg. Newborns and children up to age 13 require between 0.4 and 1.8 mcg.

The type of a vitamin B12 supplement you should take is also something to consider. Between cyanocobalamin, the synthetic form,32 and methylcobalamin, which is the naturally occurring form found in food, methylcobalamin is the better choice, one reason being that your body retains it in greater amounts.33

from http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/25/signs-of-vitamin-b12-deficiency.aspx

source http://niapurenaturecom.weebly.com/blog/eight-signs-you-might-be-b12-deficient

[paullassiterca]

Eight Signs You Might Be B12 Deficient

When you experience symptoms like fatigue, numbness, faint nausea, foggy vision or an increased tendency toward forgetfulness, you might entertain many different scenarios. Some of them might be scary, but a possibility you may not consider is that of a vitamin B12 (aka cobalamin) deficiency.

Nearly half of the American population has less-than-stellar blood levels of vitamin B12, but the symptomology is so varied that it’s hard to pin down just how many people suffer from it, according to Harvard Health, which describes the “sneaky” symptomology behind a 62-year-old man’s seemingly unrelated symptoms, developed over two months. According to his case report, published in The New England Journal of Medicine,1 he had:

“Numbness and a ‘pins and needles’ sensation in his hands, had trouble walking, experienced severe joint pain, began turning yellow, and became progressively short of breath … It could have been worse — a severe vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to deep depression, paranoia and delusions, memory loss, incontinence, loss of taste and smell, and more.”2

It’s problematic that symptoms like the above may cause people to focus on treating them instead of investigating the source of the problem. Sooner or later, though, unless it’s met head-on, a shortage of vitamin B12 in your system can be so devastating that serious disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease and irreversible brain damage could take their toll.

Low Vitamin B12 Symptoms Not so Unrelated After All

The list of symptoms that could be placed on a B12 deficiency’s proverbial doorstep is a long one, but many symptoms are associated with your central nervous system. Too little B12 in your system might also resonate if you’ve experienced poor vision, weakness, tingling in your hands or feet and incidences of “clumsiness.” Eight common signs that indicate low B12 levels are:

Fatigue

Anemia

Nausea

Digestive issues

Weakness

Skin infections

Mental confusion

Nerve problems

But it’s also important to understand that several areas of the body can be adversely affected with a vitamin B12 deficiency, and that while many of the symptoms may seem unrelated, as the saying goes, one thing often leads to another.

Low B12 Can Cause Anemia, Which Has Its Own Set of Symptoms

As is true for every human, vitamin B12 is necessary to keep your nervous system healthy, as well as to make DNA, which is the genetic material in all cells.3 B12 is also needed to produce red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout your body.

But with a shortage of B12, many of your red blood cells are abnormally formed and/or too large, so they can’t carry oxygen; the process is disrupted. Too few red blood cells or an abnormally low amount of hemoglobin in individual red blood cells causes anemia, one of the most common and noticeable signs that a shortage is becoming a problem.4

Anemia can cause some of the previously listed symptoms, such as weakness, fatigue, dizziness, cold hands and feet, pale skin and chest pain, which occur because your heart has to work harder to move oxygen-rich blood through your body, The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) reports.5 In turn, this can lead to irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia, enlarged heart and even heart failure.6

Recognizing B12 deficiency sooner rather than later is crucial, as left unchecked it can lead to permanent damage in your body.7 According to the Linus Pauling Institute,8 a B12 deficiency may also be culpable in several other serious diseases and conditions, including:

Breast cancer9

Chronic stomach inflammation10

Depression11

Neural tube defects12

Osteoporosis13

Gastric cancer14

Thyroid dysfunction15

DNA damage16

How Does Low B12 Cause ‘Pins and Needles,’ Jaundiced Skin and Dementia?

Because B12 — and a lack thereof — is closely associated with your nervous system, the sign known as “pins and needles” is one that indicates a nerve issue that should be addressed as soon as possible, and shows how interconnected your body’s functions are.

Because vitamin B12 is important for the maintenance of your central nervous system, including the conduction of nerve impulses and producing the myelin sheath, it protects and “insulates” your nerves. Without this protective insulation, your nerves can be damaged, leading to symptoms like “pins and needles” in your hands and feet, as well as central and peripheral nervous system damage.17

If you’ve noticed that your skin has a pale or jaundiced cast, it’s a warning sign that your body is unable to produce an adequate number of red blood cells. You may not have thought about it, but it’s the red blood cells circulating under your skin that give it its healthy color.

Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause megaloblastic anemia, which can weaken your blood cells, after which other symptoms begin appearing. When your liver breaks down red blood cells, it releases bilirubin, a brownish substance that lends your skin a jaundiced appearance, often seen in infants.18

As if these problems weren’t enough, people with low levels of B12 may also suffer problems with clear thinking, which later turns into the condition doctors call cognitive impairment or dementia.19

The symptoms often become evident when someone has reasoning difficulties and memory loss, but often, that is what is treated rather than exploring the possibility of a B12 deficiency, which could alleviate the symptoms if addressed.

An all-encompassing review in Australia in 2012 revealed associations between low vitamin B12 levels and neurodegenerative disease. A total of 43 studies revealed that “subclinical low-normal ranges are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and Parkinson’s disease.”20 Another study notes:

“Vitamin B12 deficiency should always be looked for when a patient presents with memory loss, since it is generally reversible with treatment. Many neuropsychiatric symptoms have been observed, and many in patients who do not have a megaloblastic anemia.

These include memory loss, psychosis including hallucinations and delusions, fatigue, irritability, depression and personality changes.”21

A B12 Deficiency Often Shows Up in Your Mouth

One symptom of anemia that often shows up are mouth ulcers, sometimes known as canker sores or aphthous ulcers, small yellow or white ulcers that can appear on your gums or just inside your lip. While they usually clear up in a week or two, they’re often quite painful.

But a B12 deficiency can cause other symptoms in your mouth as well, including on your tongue. One study relates the experience of a middle-aged female patient — a common demographic for her symptoms — with a persistent burning sensation on her tongue for several months.

Diagnosed with glossitis, which causes a noticeably swollen, smooth, red tongue, she was given a single injection of vitamin B12, which “resulted in complete resolution of her symptoms and the normal clinical appearance of her tongue after three days.”22

Low B12 Carries Increased Risk for Infection by Two Potentially Deadly Pathogens

People with deficiency in vitamin B12 are at a higher risk of infections caused by two potentially deadly pathogens. Findings of a study published in the journal PLOS Genetics23 involved 1 millimeter-long (pencil tip-sized) nematodes or worms called Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), one of the world’s most basic organisms.

Vital to the study was that nematodes share an interesting characteristic with humans: They can’t produce their own vitamin B12, either. As reported by MedIndia, the study involved two worm populations: one with and one without a diet sufficient in B12, showing that a B12-deficient diet harms the worm’s health at a cellular level by reducing its ability to metabolize branched-chain amino acids (BCAA):

“The research showed that the reduced ability to break down BCAAs led to a toxic buildup of partially metabolized BCAA byproducts that damaged mitochondrial health … ‘We used C. elegans to study the effect of diet on a host and found that one kind of food was able to dramatically increase resistance to multiple stressors — like heat and free radicals — as well as to pathogens,’ said [researcher Natasha Kirienko].”24

Many labs around the world use C. elegans to study the effects of disease. By feeding the worms E. coli, a common and sometimes harmful gut bacteria, and switching between E. coli strain OP50 and strain HT115, the worms’ stress tolerance was “dramatically altered,” Kirienko said. “We found that switching between E. coli strain OP50 and strain HT115 dramatically altered the worm’s stress tolerance.” Co-author Alexey Revtovich noted:

“The key difference between the two diets is the ability of HT115 and OP50 to acquire B12 from the environment … We showed that HT115 is far more efficient at this, making about eight times as much of the protein that it needs to harvest B12 as compared to OP50.”25

Significantly, the team also found that C. elegans on an HT115 diet had the ability to resist infection by another deadly human pathogen, Enterococcus faecalis, a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections and recognized by the World Health Organization and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a superbug.26

Kirienko noted that the B12 finding surprised the research team. They noticed the effect when they studied “the mechanisms of pathogenesis of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a potentially deadly disease in both worms and humans that infects some 51,000 U.S. hospital patients each year,”27 according to the CDC.28

Higher Risks and How to Optimize Your Vitamin B12 Levels

Some people have a greater risk than others for vitamin or mineral deficiencies, but in this case vegans and vegetarians are at particular risk because B12 is derived from animal products. Additionally, older adults and people with gastrointestinal and malabsorption issues are also at risk.

Studies have also shown that those on metformin (for diabetes) and prolonged use of proton pump inhibitors (for stomach acid) are also at an increased risk for vitamin B12 deficiency, leading researchers to suggest “it seems prudent to monitor vitamin B12 levels periodically in patients taking metformin.”29

Because it’s not manufactured by your body, vitamin B12 must come from another source — namely food and supplements. That said, good sources for cobalamin or vitamin B12 include:

Grass fed organic beef and beef liver

Lamb

Venison

Scallops

Organic, pastured chicken and eggs

Raw organic, grass fed milk

Nutritional yeast

As for supplementation, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH),30 the average person age 14 and older should get 2.4 micrograms (mcg — one-millionth of a gram31) of vitamin B12 per day; pregnant women should get 2.6 mcg; and breastfeeding women should get 2.8 mcg. Newborns and children up to age 13 require between 0.4 and 1.8 mcg.

The type of a vitamin B12 supplement you should take is also something to consider. Between cyanocobalamin, the synthetic form,32 and methylcobalamin, which is the naturally occurring form found in food, methylcobalamin is the better choice, one reason being that your body retains it in greater amounts.33

from Articles http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2019/03/25/signs-of-vitamin-b12-deficiency.aspx source https://niapurenaturecom.tumblr.com/post/183691115831

[snakecolumn95]

The Dark Side of Metformin (Plus Natural, Safe & Healthy Methods I Use To Regulate My Blood Sugar).

In the recent Wired magazine article “Forget The Blood Of Teens. This Pill Promises To Extend Life For A Nickel A Pop,” it is reported how Tim Ferriss, in his recent book Tools of Titans, estimates that at least a dozen of the billionaires, icons, and world-class performers in the book take metformin.

Robert Hariri, a member of the anti-aging panel at the Vatican and co-founder and president of genetic sequencing pioneer Craig Venter’s Human Longevity Cellular Therapeutics and Ray Kurzweil, of Singularity fame, along with Ned David, co-founder of Silicon Valley startup Unity Biotechnology (which is developing its own anti-aging drugs) all also take metformin.

In fact, metformin (along with rapamycin, which I will write an article on in the near future) is now considered to be one of the new darlings of the anti-aging industry and is widely used among CEOs, Silicon Valley, many of my friends in the anti-aging industry and beyond.

So what’s my beef with this supposed wonder-drug?

It turns out that there are all kinds of potential problems with metformin. In recent years, evidence has accumulated that metformin may not be all its cracked up to be. Or at least, even if it does what it claims to do, it has a number of adverse side effects. But up until now, pharmaceutical companies have somewhat sugar-coated the drug’s effects.

In this article, I’ll briefly highlight why I don’t personally take metformin. I’ll also introduce you to natural compounds that I personally use to regulate my blood sugar. 

Is Metformin Healthy?

Metformin falls into a category of a biguanide molecule. Biguanides are derivatives of guanidine, a naturally occurring substance found in vegetables such as turnips and cereals. They exert a blood glucose-lowering effect in type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetes mellitus, and since they do not increase plasma insulin concentrations and do not cause hypoglycemia (unless, as noted below, combined with exercise), they are generally regarded as antihyperglycemic (rather than hypoglycemic) agents.

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But one of the problems with these type of molecules is that they can increase the generation of lactate, which then enters the circulation and produces lactic acidosis.

The study “Fatty acids revert the inhibition of respiration caused by the antidiabetic drug metformin to facilitate their mitochondrial β-oxidation” describes quite clearly this metformin effect on lactate production. But before getting into that, a quick note on phenformin. Phenformin is another member of the biguanide family and was a popular medication for diabetes starting in the 1950s. It was withdrawn from clinical use in the 1970s once it was discovered that it caused severe lactic acidosis. Although phenformin is associated with a 10- to 20-fold greater incidence of lactic acidosis than its relative metformin, metformin’s effects on acidosis are still significant enough in my opinion not to be ignored (especially if you’re an athlete who is already flirting regularly with acidosis – although admittedly I’ve seen little performance data on metformin’s effect on lactic acid formation during exercise).

Furthermore, despite being the most commonly prescribed drug for the treatment of type II diabetes for more than five decades, the bioenergetic mechanisms underlying metformin activity remain largely unknown. This ignorance of the inner workings of the drug has triggered many endeavors to uncover how exactly it works – but the results are often contradictory. The study “Cardiovascular and metabolic effects of metformin in patients with type 1 diabetes: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial” found that while metformin may play a very wide role in managing cardiovascular risks, it doesn’t necessarily improve glycemia, and it had no average effect on insulin requirement. In fact, while there were two deaths in the placebo group, there were five among the patients allocated to metformin.

But cardiovascular risk management also falls under scrutiny under certain conditions. True, metformin may be beneficial when used on its own. But, according to the study “Reappraisal of Metformin Efficacy in the Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes,” when combined with sulphonylurea (another common antidiabetic medication), metformin can actually result in an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and all-cause mortality. Studies are inconclusive at the time being, but the drug has been shown to have no proven efficacy against microvascular complications. Indeed, the possibility that metformin is not effective at all shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand. After all, the first molecule of this type, phenformin, did induce cardiovascular risk, and, pharmacologically speaking, there’s little difference between phenformin and metformin.

All that to say, the specific efficacy of metformin to prevent death or cardiovascular disease has not been proven beyond reasonable doubt by current studies. So metformin may not be the best comparator for evaluating hypoglycemic drugs – and that’s not even the end of the story.

Metformin can also cause a deficiency of vitamin B12 levels. The study “Long term treatment with metformin in patients with type 2 diabetes and risk of vitamin B-12 deficiency” observed this effect. While the drug did cause reported improvements in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (but, as you’ve seen, that’s already been called into question), it stimulated vitamin B12 malabsorption.

Decreased B-12 concentrations can cause increased homocysteine concentrations, which is, surprise, an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, particularly among individuals with type 2 diabetes. During the 52 months of the study, the placebo group experienced an increase in vitamin B-12 concentrations, while the metformin group experienced an average 19% decrease in B12 concentrations, a decrease which continues to grow over time. While the lower B12 concentrations were not a novel idea, the progressive nature was – they can result in macrocytic anemia, neuropathy, and mental changes, potentially making metformin a dangerous treatment to use.

Another study, “Metformin and Exercise in Type 2 Diabetes,” determined the effects of metformin on the metabolic response to submaximal exercise, the effect of exercise (relevant to activity patterns of type 2 diabetics) on plasma metformin concentrations, and the interaction between metformin and exercise on the response to a standardized meal. There is evidence that suggests that the benefits of exercise and metformin aren’t cumulative. In a study whose results were noted in this one, the reductions in diabetic risk were similar in a lifestyle that combined metformin and lifestyle modifications to the metformin or lifestyle alone groups.

In fact, the two adjustments may have contradictory effects on diabetes. First, metformin reduces blood glucose levels. But exercise tends to increase levels of glucagon, the hormone that deals with low blood sugar. When the two are combined, glucagon concentrations become significantly higher as the body tries to compensate for the effect of metformin. Second, by increasing the heart rate, metformin has the potential to lower some patients’ selected exercise intensity, which means it could lead to the prescription of lower exercise workloads than are commonly recommended.

So, the combination of exercise and metformin, both common prescriptions for diabetics, is likely less effective at lowering the glycemic response to a meal than metformin alone. There have also been studies out of Taiwan showing that metformin taken by diabetics for long periods of time (12 years or longer) can nearly double the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

There have even been a handful of reports of metformin-induced hepatotoxicity (toxicity in the liver). In a case of nonalcoholic liver disease, metformin was pegged as the cause of jaundice, nausea, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss, two weeks after initiating treatment, due to abnormalities in liver enzymes caused by the drug. Another case involved a 73-year old Japanese woman who experienced fatigue, jaundice, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, and abdominal pain due to severe hepatotoxicity that resulted from metformin.

I recently asked Dr. Dallas Clouatre, a well-established author and consultant in the alternative and complementary medicine and nutrition field and my guest on the podcast episode How Low-Fat Diets Make You Fat, about his thoughts on metformin, and here’s what he had to say:

“My thoughts on metformin are that it is interesting but over-hyped. Keep in mind that it works primarily on the liver (30% of glucose clearance from meals) and not on the peripheral tissues (70% of glucose clearance). It likely does promote a longer ‘health span’ given that lowering insulin and IGF-1 along with mTOR, typical of caloric restriction and of those who naturally live to extreme old age, is usually a good thing. Of course, any item that keeps insulin levels low along with keeping blood glucose in the low-normal range will lower mTOR. Downsides of metformin include reduced efficacy with advancing age, reduced efficacy with prolonged use, and GI-tract issues in some individuals. Given that rehabilitation of the mitochondrial electron transport Complex I is a normal function of a good night’s sleep, for me, it is difficult to suggest the chronic intake of a drug that works by gumming up a natural process of the body.”

So Where Does This All Leave Metformin?

Despite the 20 years of positive clinical observations on metformin, these recent studies and the information above, in my opinion, have called its efficacy and overall health benefits into question.

Perhaps it’s time to broaden the horizons and look to natural alternatives that can have very similar antidiabetic, blood sugar stabilizing and longevity-enhancing effects, including many of the natural strategies and compounds I discuss in my articles “How To Biohack Your Blood Sugar Levels” and  “5 Simple Steps You Can Take To Live Longer, Banish Blood Sugar Swings & Massively Enhance Energy Levels.“, including:

So that you can equip your cupboard with compounds that can safely and naturally support your blood sugar levels, I’d like to expound on that last category of plants, herbs and spices.

Let’s begin with Ceylon cinnamon. Cinnamon has a long history both as a spice and as a medicine, and it’s unique healing abilities come from the essential oils found in its bark, which contain three active components called cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol. The cinnamaldehyde in cinnamon helps prevent unwanted clumping of blood platelets, which makes cinnamon anti-inflammatory.

In one study, the antioxidant effects of a cinnamon extract in people with prediabetes decreased a marker of oxidative stress by fourteen percent. Participants took 250 mg of cinnamon extract, twice per day, for twelve weeks. This is significant considering that chronic inflammation and oxidative stress plays a role in nearly every chronic disease, including diabetes.

Cinnamon also mimics the effects of insulin, which increases insulin sensitivity, making insulin more efficient at shuttling glucose into cells.  Five grams of cinnamon is all you need to do this while also reducing total plasma glucose response. Effects last twelve hours. Cinnamon also reduces fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides, and it increases HDL cholesterol. And the best type of cinnamon to use? Approximately the equivalent of 2 teaspoons of organic Ceylon cinnamon per day will suffice (it is important that the cinnamon is indeed of the Ceylon variety). I like to buy it in bulk.

Gymnema Sylvestre is another potent herbal tactic for controlling glycemic variability. It has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years and has promising research around its ability to control blood sugar levels. Its blood sugar lowering effects are possibly due to it causing an increase in insulin secretion, which partially explains its ability to increase glucose utilization, with this also being due to it increasing the activities of enzymes responsible for utilization of glucose by insulin-dependant pathways. The increase in insulin secretion may be explained by Gymnema supplementation regenerating pancreatic islet beta cells, the cells responsible for sensing sugar in the blood and telling the pancreas to release the proper amount of insulin to maintain normal blood sugar levels. Gymnema also inhibits glucose absorption from the intestines and has been shown to lower serum cholesterol and triglycerides.

Gymnema Sylvestre extract administered to non-insulin-dependant type 2 diabetics at 400 mg per day for 18 months significantly reduced blood sugar, hemoglobin A1c and glycosylated plasma protein levels, with many participants lowering their diabetes medication and five participants ending with controlling blood sugar using Gymnema Sylvestre extract alone. The same reductions have occurred in people with type 1 diabetes, with Gymnema also allowing for a decrease in insulin requirements. The easiest way to use Gymnema Sylvestre is by taking one 400-600 mg capsule, standardized to contain 25 percent gymnemic acid, ten minutes before a carbohydrate containing meal.

Berberine, a compound derived from a variety of herbs including goldenseal and Oregon grape root, shows a variety of distinct benefits. It increases glucose uptake by the cells and improves insulin utilization by increasing glucose uptake pathways GLUT-4 and GLUT-1. Berberine also activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), with increased activation allowing for a reduction in fat storage, increased insulin sensitivity, reduction in cholesterol/triglyceride production, and suppression of chronic inflammation.

Berberine has also been shown to significantly reduce free fatty acids, high levels of which damage the pancreas and insulin production In one study, berberine significantly lowered fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A(1c), triglyceride, and insulin levels in type 2 diabetics by increasing insulin receptor expression. It also improved liver function. Another study found that 500 mg of berberine taken twice per day by patients with type 2 diabetes lowered blood glucose, fasting insulin, and blood lipid levels and it was as effective at lowering blood glucose as metformin.

There’s a ton more research you can read here on berberine on everything from metabolic syndrome, PCOS, osteoporosis and much more. The standard dose of berberine HCL is 900-2,000mg a day, divided into three to four doses, taken with a meal.

The Two Compounds I Personally Use Daily To Regulate Blood Sugar

Since beginning to test my blood glucose continuously using a Dexcom G6 implanted in my abdomen (as I describe in detail in my last post on how to track ketones and glucose), I’ve experimented with taking THREE servings of Kion Lean each day. I’m taking two capsules before every meal, three times per day.

I realize six capsules a day is a lot, but I may actually continue this as a staple in my life extension and weight management protocol, and I’d highly recommend you try it, especially if you want to support your blood sugar levels. 

You can get it here and read up on the ingredients, but I’m going to elucidate below.

It begins with the story of the people who inhabit the western region of China on the slopes of the Himalayas – Bama County. This place is famous for the longevity of its inhabitants. In the year 2000, there were at least 79 men and women over one hundred years old, and still in good health, among a population of fewer than 230,000 people. That’s 3.52 centenarians per ten thousand people, the highest concentration anywhere in the world.

The residents and some medical researchers attribute their long lives to a plant known locally as “shilianhua”, and known in English as the “rock lotus” or the “stone lotus”. For hundreds of years, it’s been used both as food and as a medicinal herb in the Bama region to treat a variety of conditions. And it has massive longevity benefits.

Only two mechanisms have been shown to be successful in promoting longevity, like that of the Bama region people, in higher organisms. The first lowers the levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1. The second restricts calories, which usually has, as one result, a reduction of circulating insulin levels. The rock lotus influences both of these mechanisms. It’s been found that rock lotus can reduce blood sugar levels by up to 30%, helping people in China and elsewhere to take their health into their own hands.

So rock lotus is the first herb I use daily, in the form of Kion Lean. Another similar wild plant is bitter melon, also known as “goya” in Japan, and also found in Kion Lean, which I’ve been using it to manage my postprandial blood glucose levels with potent efficacy for the past four years.

Bitter melon has only positives, as far as I am concerned. It’s fresh on my mind, because like I mentioned, when I was in New York City, I had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time with Chef David Bouley, a world-famous Japanese cuisine expert who frequently travels to Asia to study specific food consumption and dietary habits that allow locales such as Okinawa, Japan to be such longevity hotspots. And one of the large bags of tea he brought back with him and gave to me was comprised of the same compound they ate in copious quantities before nearly every meal – you guessed it – bitter melon extract.

Although the precise mechanism by which it works (whether it’s through regulation of insulin release or altered glucose metabolism and its insulin-like effect) is not known, bitter melon naturally contains compounds like charantin, vicine, and polypeptide-p, plus some other health-boosting components like antioxidants.

Bitter melon is a popular blood sugar supporting supplement among the indigenous people of Asia, South America, India, and East Africa. As noted earlier, it’s known particularly well in Okinawa, Japan. Okinawa, like the Bama County, is one of the world’s “blue zones”, an area where the average lifespan is unusually long, and it’s also where some of the longest-lived people on the planet live.

In places like Okinawa, almost every part of the bitter melon has been used in traditional medicine, including the fruit, leaves, vines, seeds, and roots. It’s been used in traditional Okinawan medicine to treat everything from microbial infections to digestive issues, stimulate menstruation, heal wounds, reduce inflammation and fevers, deal with hypertension, and it’s even been used as a laxative and emetic. It also activates cellular machinery to regulate energy production (particularly AMP-activated protein kinase) and the way fats are processed by the liver.

Centuries of oral consumption have demonstrated that bitter melon is both safe and effective. And on top of all those other conditions, according to a number of animal studies, it can even reduce insulin resistance and protect against diet-induced hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.

It should be noted, though, that commercially-sold varietals are not nearly as effective as wild bitter melon. One study observed the effects of bitter melon on rats. Specifically, they used an aqueous extract powder of fresh, unripe melons, and found that a dose of 20 mg per kilogram of body weight reduced fasting blood glucose levels by 48%. That rivals the effects of another popular synthetic medication, glibenclamide. And, compared to synthetic drugs like glibenclamide and metformin, the melon doesn’t show any kind of hepatotoxicity or nephrotoxicity (toxicity in the kidneys).

Part of the reason bitter melon is so darn effective is likely its effect on GLP-1 secretion. GLP-1 is glucagon-like peptide-1, a peptide released from what are called L-cells, which increase in density along the length of the intestines. It helps to raise insulin levels as a part of the incretin effect, a hormonal response that effects insulin secretion following oral glucose ingestion. A study was done to examine the role of bitter melon extract in this process and found that through bitter taste receptors and/or a PLC β 2-signaling pathway, the melon stimulated GLP-1 release.

Now, before you think that by supplementing your diet with bitter melon, your insulin levels will get too high, it’s important to note that insulin levels that are regulated by GLP-1 are either reduced or, in some cases, completely absent in people suffering from diabetes. Considering that, and the fact that GLP-1 has an extremely short half-life due to rapid inactivation, it’s not likely that your insulin levels will become abnormally high by using the melon. In all likeliness, your insulin count will rise and settle at a relatively normal level. However, further studies will need to be performed to confirm this.

And there’s more.

Bitter melon, specifically a wild species called Momordica charantia Linn var. abbreviata ser., can also regulate lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses. Wild bitter melon and bitter melon extracts were used in a study to inhibit macrophage activity, which is a part of your natural immunological response to stress, disease, and tears in body tissues. The LPS-stimulated macrophages that were targeted responded to both extracts, but especially to the wild variety of the melon, resulting in much-reduced LPS-induced inflammation.

As you may already know, insulin resistance is closely related to chronic inflammation induced by things like tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), a compound that seeks out and destroys cancerous cells. But before jumping into the importance of TNF- α, you should memorize this chemical: triterpene 5β, 19-epoxy-25-methoxy-cucurbita-6.23-diene-3β, 19-diol – or, for short, EMCD. It’s purified from a wild species of bitter melon that was thought to activate AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which itself is thought to repress TNF- α-induced inflammation.

When it was tested alongside a compound extracted from green tea that’s also reported to be anti-inflammatory, EMCD showed more obvious anti-inflammatory activity, but not by activating AMPK. It actually inhibited the activation of the IkB kinase, an important aspect of pro-inflammatory signaling. Since inflammation is connected to shorter lifespans and greater risk of conditions like cardiovascular diseases, it would be wise to look into taking necessary precautions to minimize inflammation.

Want more interesting reading on bitter melon extract? Check out these links:

So what do the rock lotus and wild bitter melon have in common that promote fat burning, liver health (and of course, anti-aging)? The answer involves caloric restriction and insulin.

As you’ve just learned, two basic mechanisms have been shown to be successful in promoting longevity in higher organisms. The first mechanism lowers the levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). The second mechanism restricts calories, which usually has, as one result, a lowering of circulating insulin levels. Rock lotus influences both of these mechanisms. According to a Jutendo Medical University of Japan clinical trial, rock lotus improves liver function and fatty liver. This action resembles that of compounds known to reduce insulin levels as an aspect of improved blood glucose control.

Wild bitter melon is similarly health promoting. For example, it has been found that extracts of the wild bitter melon activate cellular machinery to regulate energy production (technically AMPK-activated protein kinase) and the way that fats are handled by the liver. Activation of this metabolic pathway is important to aging. It is sometimes referred to as “exercise in a bottle” because activation of AMPK is an aspect of the benefits derived from exercise. The effect of an extract from the wild genotype of bitter melon called Glycostat® has proved to be more powerful than others on the market and much more consistent in producing positive results.

In short, rock lotus and bitter melon extract work better in combination than their isolated components. Both promote better blood sugar support with less insulin. Both promote healthy blood pressure. Both support healthy liver function. And both mimic changes in cellular energy metabolism typical of caloric restriction.

Summary

So in summary, I’m not a huge fan of metformin, but I am a huge fan of strength training and physical activity to manage blood sugar levels for both health and longevity. For regulating my blood sugar levels, I personally consider bitter melon extract, especially when combined with rock lotus, to be at the top of my list.

In tandem, for me personally and based on my own continuous blood glucose testing levels I discuss in my article “The Best Way To Test For Ketosis & Track Your Blood Glucose”, the combination of bitter melon with rock lotus works like gang-busters to regulate blood sugar levels after my evening carbohydrate-laden meal – and with more frequent dosing at three times per day is keeping my daily average blood sugar levels in the 70-89 range consistently. All my clients already pop two capsules of Kion Lean – a concentrated source of bitter melon and rock lotus – prior to any carbohydrate-rich meal, and I do too, for the past four years. It just works.

Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for me about metformin or managing blood sugar? Leave your comments below and I will reply!

Ask Ben a Podcast Question

Source: https://bengreenfieldfitness.com/article/supplements-articles/dark-side-metformin/

[jakehglover]

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Gluten?

The word “gluten” has become such a buzzword in recent years, most likely because of the sudden popularity of the gluten-free diet that’s been endorsed by famous personalities. Before you consider trying this diet, read this page first to learn about gluten, and how it can negatively impact your body and health in the long run.

What Is Gluten?

A type of protein, gluten is composed of glutenin and gliadin molecules that form an elastic bond when mixed with water. Gluten is highly noted for its adhesive abilities that can maintain a compact structure for holding bread and cakes together, and providing a spongier texture. This ability isn’t surprising, considering that the word “gluten” is derived from the Latin word for “glue.”

While it does wonders for these foods, the same cannot be said for your body. Research has shown that gluten can be quite harmful for you because of the vast range of complications it might cause (more on this to come in a while).

What Does Gluten Do to Your Body?

A major caveat linked to gluten is its tendency to impede proper nutrient breakdown and absorption from foods, regardless if they have gluten or not. This may prevent proper digestion because excess gluten leads to the formation of a glued-together constipating lump in the gut. Afterward, the undigested gluten prompts the immune system to attack the villi, or the fingerlike projections lining your small intestine.1 This may lead to side effects such as  diarrhea or constipation, nausea and abdominal pain.

Excessive gluten consumption and further small intestine damage and inflammation may predispose a person to nutrient malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, anemia, osteoporosis, other neurological or psychological diseases, and complications linked to the skin, liver, joints, nervous system and more.

What Are the Types of Food That Contain Gluten?

Gluten is predominantly found in whole grains like rye, barley, triticale and oats; in wheat varieties like spelt, kamut, farro, durum; and in other products like bulgar and semolina.2 Wheat-based flours and byproducts that also contain high quantities of this protein include:3,4,5,6

Wheat-Based Flours Wheat Byproducts

• White flour

• Whole wheat flour

• Graham flour

• Triticale

• Wheat germ

• Wheat bran

• Pasta

• Couscous

• Bread, bread crumbs and croutons

• Flour tortillas

• Cookies, cakes, muffins and pastries

• Cereal

• Crackers

• Beer

• Gravy, dressings and sauces

• Conventional oats (these have a high chance of being contaminated during the growing, harvesting or processing stages

If there’s another compelling reason why you shouldn’t eat processed foods, it’s because these items often contain gluten. Here are examples of foods with gluten, even though they’re not made from grains:7,8

Processed broth and bouillon cubes9

 Fried foods

 Candies

 Lunch meats and hot dogs

Cold cuts

Dumplings

Self-basting poultry

Crab cakes

Imitation fish

Seasoned rice10

Matzo

Modified food starch11

Salad dressings

Seasoned chips and other seasoned snack foods

Processed yogurt12

Ice cream cones

Even worse, manufacturers deceive customers by “hiding” gluten products like wheat under other names in food labels, such as:13,14

• Malts

• Starches and other derivatives

• Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)

• Hydrolyzed wheat protein15

• Textured vegetable protein (TVP)

Common Signs of a ‘Gluten Allergy’ You Should Watch Out For

Consuming too much gluten can prompt various complications, such as a gluten allergy, wherein the immune system produces “weapons” to combat gluten in your system. However, a gluten allergy is not to be confused with gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity16 or celiac disease.17 It is quite similar to other food allergies, since these are all responses to a particular allergen. Some of the most common gluten allergy symptoms are:

Coughing

Nasal congestion

Sneezing

Tightness of throat

Asthma

Tingling

Itching

Tongue and/or throat swelling

A metallic taste in your mouth

Abdominal pain

Muscle spasms

Vomiting

Diarrhea

As the book “Gluten-Free Cooking for Dummies” further highlights, a gluten allergy may lead to adverse effects such as anaphylaxis or an anaphylactic shock that may affect different organs. People may experience agitation, hives, breathing problems, reduced blood pressure levels, fainting or even death, if the reaction is very severe.18

Warning Signs of Gluten Intolerance

Should the immune system have an unusual response to gluten in your system, then it might be a sign that you have gluten intolerance.19 Sometimes it can be mistaken for celiac disease (another gluten-related disorder) or a wheat allergy.20 The root cause of a gluten intolerance is not fully understood, although it has been linked to the digestive system, compared to celiac disease where a genetic link has been found.21

Typical gluten intolerance symptoms include bloating, belly pain, diarrhea, tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell. Someone with a gluten intolerance might also experience these indicators, although these are less frequent and already affect areas beyond the gut:

Joint or muscle pain

Anxiety

Headache

Nausea

Confusion

Numbness

If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. This will help you determine whether you have gluten intolerance or if the symptoms occur because of other health reasons. This greatly applies if you or someone you know has severe belly pain. An extreme stomachache is not a sign of gluten intolerance, so it might be due to another potentially devastating disease that may require immediate treatment.

Having gut-related symptoms checked immediately may be helpful too, as numerous conditions that target the gut can overlap with other diseases. Fortunately, these can be examined during a checkup and your doctor may rule out other causes. Take note that symptoms of gluten intolerance are generally similar to those of celiac disease, although the reactions that people with these conditions experience aren’t identical.

To diagnose a gluten intolerance, it’s important that you continue eating your usual meals, especially if it’s abundant in foods with gluten. This could help the doctor determine the main cause of the symptoms. An inaccurate diagnosis might occur if the patient decides to stop eating gluten-loaded foods prior to, or during, a consultation.22

Common Indicators of Gluten Sensitivity

In various studies, gluten sensitivity is also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) as celiac disease patients are sensitive to gluten too. The difference between a gluten sensitivity and celiac disease is that the former may be triggered not just by wheat, but by other grains like rye and barley, too, as these grains are known to have the glutenin and gliadin proteins (or protein fragments) also found in wheat.23

Typical symptoms of gluten sensitivity include nausea, skin irritation, bloating and gas, brain fog and fatigue. However, these indicators can widely vary and may also occur alongside gynecologic conditions, lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.24

Because there is no specific laboratory test for gluten sensitivity, your physician will have to rule out other possible causes. In some cases, patients may need to be checked for wheat allergy or celiac disease. Should test results be negative, a gluten-free diet may be advised.25 However, if any of the aforementioned tests deliver positive results, then you may want to continue eating gluten-rich foods for a more accurate diagnosis.26

Why a Gluten-Free Diet Works

A gluten-free diet is an important course of action for combating gluten-related disorders, and picking gluten-free foods is the first step in doing so. Because there are foods that are incorrectly labeled “gluten-free,” it may be quite tricky at first to select the correct items. A set of guidelines on proper gluten-free labeling standards released in 2013 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may help. The organization states that for a food product to bear the gluten-free label and be considered such, it must be:

• Naturally gluten-free: Rice, non-GMO corn, quinoa, sorghum, flax and amaranth seed are naturally gluten-free grains.

• Refined to remove gluten: Gluten must be removed from any gluten-containing grain. As such, the final product should not contain more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten.

Extreme vigilance is only likely if you have celiac disease, since exposure to gluten can cause sickness and threaten your health in the long run. What’s great about a gluten-free diet is that nearly everyone can benefit from it, whether you have a gluten intolerance or not. Grains, even whole sprouted varieties, tend to cause many problems because of the following factors:

Wheat hybridization

Gluten

Other wheat proteins

Fructans

Milling or baking process

Glyphosate contamination

Grains have high net carbs, so removing them from your diet can help improve mitochondrial function. Taking care of your mitochondrial health is important if you want to reduce your risk for problems linked to insulin resistance, such as being overweight and having high blood pressure levels, as well as diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Prior to beginning a gluten-free diet, consult a dietitian or health expert who can give advice on how to effectively avoid foods with gluten while eating a healthy and balanced diet.27

Best Foods to Eat if Following a Gluten-Free Diet

Once you’re given the go-signal to try a gluten-free diet, stock up on these natural and unprocessed foods:28,29

Beans (provided that you try to sprout and/or ferment your beans to reduce its lectin content, which may negatively impact your health in the long run)

Seeds (chia, pumpkin or sunflower)

Nuts (pecans, macadamias or walnuts)

Organic and pasture-raised eggs

Organic and grass fed meats that aren’t breaded, batter-coated or marinated

Fish (wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, anchovies and herring) that aren’t breaded, batter-coated or marinated

Organically grown, GMO-free fruits and vegetables

Raw, grass fed milk or yogurt

Healthy fat sources (raw  grass fed butter, coconuts and coconut oil, olives and olive oil and avocados)

If you think going on a gluten-free diet limits eating choices and preparations, you’d be surprised to know that it won’t. Type “gluten-free recipes” on a search engine and you’ll see a wide variety of gluten-free recipes, ranging from savory to sweet. A good and delicious example is this Coconut Flour Almond Meal Pancakes Recipe from MindBodyGreen:30

Coconut Flour Almond Meal Pancakes Recipe

1/2 cup Dr. Mercola's coconut flour

1/3 cup almond meal

1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

4 organic, pastured eggs

1 tablespoon Dr. Mercola's coconut oil, melted

1/3 cup raw cow's milk or coconut milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

A pinch of Dr. Mercola's Himalayan salt

1 to 2 tablespoons organic, raw grass fed butter, plus more for serving

Pure maple syrup to drizzle (optional)

Cooking Directions

In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients: the coconut flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt.

Slowly whisk in the wet ingredients: the eggs, coconut oil, milk and vanilla. Mix until the batter is smooth. (If it feels a little dry, add more milk until it reaches the consistency you're after).

Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt, then add scoops of batter (about a 1/4 cup each) for silver dollar pancakes. Cook for about a minute on each side until golden brown. Slather with butter and drizzle maple syrup as desired.

This recipe makes about 16 small pancakes.

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Additional Reminders When Following a Gluten-Free Diet

Gluten Free & More magazine highlights these important tips for people who are following a gluten-free diet:31

• Read labels carefully: Knowing how to read labels properly will greatly help if you’re following a gluten-free diet. Ideally, never assume something is gluten-free even if the word “gluten” isn’t anywhere in the list.32 As mentioned earlier, some manufacturers purposely use other names to hide gluten in their products.

• If you’re in doubt, don’t buy the product: If you cannot verify that the product is free of grains, don’t buy or eat it at all. The same principle applies if you cannot find an ingredients list on the product.

• Remember that being wheat-free doesn’t automatically make a food gluten-free: This is because spelt, rye or barley-based ingredients, all of which contain gluten, may be used in products with a wheat-free label on them.

• Introduce new foods slowly: Ensure that you incorporate only one new food at a time, and take note of symptoms before adding another item.

• Be a “food detective”: Call, email or write a letter to a food manufacturer to verify a product’s ingredients. Take note of the ingredient and the lot number of the food. Once you are in touch with a representative, clearly state your concerns and be persistent, polite and patient.

from HealthyLife via Jake Glover on Inoreader https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2018/05/19/what-is-gluten.aspx

[sherristockman]

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Gluten? Dr. Mercola The word “gluten” has become such a buzzword in recent years, most likely because of the sudden popularity of the gluten-free diet that’s been endorsed by famous personalities. Before you consider trying this diet, read this page first to learn about gluten, and how it can negatively impact your body and health in the long run. What Is Gluten? A type of protein, gluten is composed of glutenin and gliadin molecules that form an elastic bond when mixed with water. Gluten is highly noted for its adhesive abilities that can maintain a compact structure for holding bread and cakes together, and providing a spongier texture. This ability isn’t surprising, considering that the word “gluten” is derived from the Latin word for “glue.” While it does wonders for these foods, the same cannot be said for your body. Research has shown that gluten can be quite harmful for you because of the vast range of complications it might cause (more on this to come in a while). What Does Gluten Do to Your Body? A major caveat linked to gluten is its tendency to impede proper nutrient breakdown and absorption from foods, regardless if they have gluten or not. This may prevent proper digestion because excess gluten leads to the formation of a glued-together constipating lump in the gut. Afterward, the undigested gluten prompts the immune system to attack the villi, or the fingerlike projections lining your small intestine.1 This may lead to side effects such as diarrhea or constipation, nausea and abdominal pain. Excessive gluten consumption and further small intestine damage and inflammation may predispose a person to nutrient malabsorption, nutrient deficiencies, anemia, osteoporosis, other neurological or psychological diseases, and complications linked to the skin, liver, joints, nervous system and more. What Are the Types of Food That Contain Gluten? Gluten is predominantly found in whole grains like rye, barley, triticale and oats; in wheat varieties like spelt, kamut, farro, durum; and in other products like bulgar and semolina.2 Wheat-based flours and byproducts that also contain high quantities of this protein include:3,4,5,6 Wheat-Based Flours Wheat Byproducts • White flour • Whole wheat flour • Graham flour • Triticale • Wheat germ • Wheat bran • Pasta • Couscous • Bread, bread crumbs and croutons • Flour tortillas • Cookies, cakes, muffins and pastries • Cereal • Crackers • Beer • Gravy, dressings and sauces • Conventional oats (these have a high chance of being contaminated during the growing, harvesting or processing stages If there’s another compelling reason why you shouldn’t eat processed foods, it’s because these items often contain gluten. Here are examples of foods with gluten, even though they’re not made from grains:7,8 Processed broth and bouillon cubes9 Fried foods Candies Lunch meats and hot dogs Cold cuts Dumplings Self-basting poultry Crab cakes Imitation fish Seasoned rice10 Matzo Modified food starch11 Salad dressings Seasoned chips and other seasoned snack foods Processed yogurt12 Ice cream cones Even worse, manufacturers deceive customers by “hiding” gluten products like wheat under other names in food labels, such as:13,14 • Malts • Starches and other derivatives • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP) • Hydrolyzed wheat protein15 • Textured vegetable protein (TVP) Common Signs of a ‘Gluten Allergy’ You Should Watch Out For Consuming too much gluten can prompt various complications, such as a gluten allergy, wherein the immune system produces “weapons” to combat gluten in your system. However, a gluten allergy is not to be confused with gluten intolerance, gluten sensitivity16 or celiac disease.17 It is quite similar to other food allergies, since these are all responses to a particular allergen. Some of the most common gluten allergy symptoms are: Coughing Nasal congestion Sneezing Tightness of throat Asthma Tingling Itching Tongue and/or throat swelling A metallic taste in your mouth Abdominal pain Muscle spasms Vomiting Diarrhea As the book “Gluten-Free Cooking for Dummies” further highlights, a gluten allergy may lead to adverse effects such as anaphylaxis or an anaphylactic shock that may affect different organs. People may experience agitation, hives, breathing problems, reduced blood pressure levels, fainting or even death, if the reaction is very severe.18 Warning Signs of Gluten Intolerance Should the immune system have an unusual response to gluten in your system, then it might be a sign that you have gluten intolerance.19 Sometimes it can be mistaken for celiac disease (another gluten-related disorder) or a wheat allergy.20 The root cause of a gluten intolerance is not fully understood, although it has been linked to the digestive system, compared to celiac disease where a genetic link has been found.21 Typical gluten intolerance symptoms include bloating, belly pain, diarrhea, tiredness and a general feeling of being unwell. Someone with a gluten intolerance might also experience these indicators, although these are less frequent and already affect areas beyond the gut: Joint or muscle pain Anxiety Headache Nausea Confusion Numbness If you or someone you know experiences any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately. This will help you determine whether you have gluten intolerance or if the symptoms occur because of other health reasons. This greatly applies if you or someone you know has severe belly pain. An extreme stomachache is not a sign of gluten intolerance, so it might be due to another potentially devastating disease that may require immediate treatment. Having gut-related symptoms checked immediately may be helpful too, as numerous conditions that target the gut can overlap with other diseases. Fortunately, these can be examined during a checkup and your doctor may rule out other causes. Take note that symptoms of gluten intolerance are generally similar to those of celiac disease, although the reactions that people with these conditions experience aren’t identical. To diagnose a gluten intolerance, it’s important that you continue eating your usual meals, especially if it’s abundant in foods with gluten. This could help the doctor determine the main cause of the symptoms. An inaccurate diagnosis might occur if the patient decides to stop eating gluten-loaded foods prior to, or during, a consultation.22 Common Indicators of Gluten Sensitivity In various studies, gluten sensitivity is also called non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS) as celiac disease patients are sensitive to gluten too. The difference between a gluten sensitivity and celiac disease is that the former may be triggered not just by wheat, but by other grains like rye and barley, too, as these grains are known to have the glutenin and gliadin proteins (or protein fragments) also found in wheat.23 Typical symptoms of gluten sensitivity include nausea, skin irritation, bloating and gas, brain fog and fatigue. However, these indicators can widely vary and may also occur alongside gynecologic conditions, lactose intolerance and irritable bowel syndrome.24 Because there is no specific laboratory test for gluten sensitivity, your physician will have to rule out other possible causes. In some cases, patients may need to be checked for wheat allergy or celiac disease. Should test results be negative, a gluten-free diet may be advised.25 However, if any of the aforementioned tests deliver positive results, then you may want to continue eating gluten-rich foods for a more accurate diagnosis.26 Why a Gluten-Free Diet Works A gluten-free diet is an important course of action for combating gluten-related disorders, and picking gluten-free foods is the first step in doing so. Because there are foods that are incorrectly labeled “gluten-free,” it may be quite tricky at first to select the correct items. A set of guidelines on proper gluten-free labeling standards released in 2013 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may help. The organization states that for a food product to bear the gluten-free label and be considered such, it must be: • Naturally gluten-free: Rice, non-GMO corn, quinoa, sorghum, flax and amaranth seed are naturally gluten-free grains. • Refined to remove gluten: Gluten must be removed from any gluten-containing grain. As such, the final product should not contain more than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Extreme vigilance is only likely if you have celiac disease, since exposure to gluten can cause sickness and threaten your health in the long run. What’s great about a gluten-free diet is that nearly everyone can benefit from it, whether you have a gluten intolerance or not. Grains, even whole sprouted varieties, tend to cause many problems because of the following factors: Wheat hybridization Gluten Other wheat proteins Fructans Milling or baking process Glyphosate contamination Grains have high net carbs, so removing them from your diet can help improve mitochondrial function. Taking care of your mitochondrial health is important if you want to reduce your risk for problems linked to insulin resistance, such as being overweight and having high blood pressure levels, as well as diseases like Type 2 diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Prior to beginning a gluten-free diet, consult a dietitian or health expert who can give advice on how to effectively avoid foods with gluten while eating a healthy and balanced diet.27 Best Foods to Eat if Following a Gluten-Free Diet Once you’re given the go-signal to try a gluten-free diet, stock up on these natural and unprocessed foods:28,29 Beans (provided that you try to sprout and/or ferment your beans to reduce its lectin content, which may negatively impact your health in the long run) Seeds (chia, pumpkin or sunflower) Nuts (pecans, macadamias or walnuts) Organic and pasture-raised eggs Organic and grass fed meats that aren’t breaded, batter-coated or marinated Fish (wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, anchovies and herring) that aren’t breaded, batter-coated or marinated Organically grown, GMO-free fruits and vegetables Raw, grass fed milk or yogurt Healthy fat sources (raw grass fed butter, coconuts and coconut oil, olives and olive oil and avocados) If you think going on a gluten-free diet limits eating choices and preparations, you’d be surprised to know that it won’t. Type “gluten-free recipes” on a search engine and you’ll see a wide variety of gluten-free recipes, ranging from savory to sweet. A good and delicious example is this Coconut Flour Almond Meal Pancakes Recipe from MindBodyGreen:30 Coconut Flour Almond Meal Pancakes Recipe 1/2 cup Dr. Mercola's coconut flour 1/3 cup almond meal 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder 4 organic, pastured eggs 1 tablespoon Dr. Mercola's coconut oil, melted 1/3 cup raw cow's milk or coconut milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract A pinch of Dr. Mercola's Himalayan salt 1 to 2 tablespoons organic, raw grass fed butter, plus more for serving Pure maple syrup to drizzle (optional) Cooking Directions In a large bowl, mix all the dry ingredients: the coconut flour, almond meal, baking powder and salt. Slowly whisk in the wet ingredients: the eggs, coconut oil, milk and vanilla. Mix until the batter is smooth. (If it feels a little dry, add more milk until it reaches the consistency you're after). Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the butter and allow it to melt, then add scoops of batter (about a 1/4 cup each) for silver dollar pancakes. Cook for about a minute on each side until golden brown. Slather with butter and drizzle maple syrup as desired. This recipe makes about 16 small pancakes. Preparation time: 10 minutes Cooking time: 10 minutes Additional Reminders When Following a Gluten-Free Diet Gluten Free & More magazine highlights these important tips for people who are following a gluten-free diet:31 • Read labels carefully: Knowing how to read labels properly will greatly help if you’re following a gluten-free diet. Ideally, never assume something is gluten-free even if the word “gluten” isn’t anywhere in the list.32 As mentioned earlier, some manufacturers purposely use other names to hide gluten in their products. • If you’re in doubt, don’t buy the product: If you cannot verify that the product is free of grains, don’t buy or eat it at all. The same principle applies if you cannot find an ingredients list on the product. • Remember that being wheat-free doesn’t automatically make a food gluten-free: This is because spelt, rye or barley-based ingredients, all of which contain gluten, may be used in products with a wheat-free label on them. • Introduce new foods slowly: Ensure that you incorporate only one new food at a time, and take note of symptoms before adding another item. • Be a “food detective”: Call, email or write a letter to a food manufacturer to verify a product’s ingredients. Take note of the ingredient and the lot number of the food. Once you are in touch with a representative, clearly state your concerns and be persistent, polite and patient.

[torontofunctionalmedicinecentre]

Understanding Cellular Health And Optimizing It With Toronto IV Therapy

Improving cellular function with key nutrients can support your health goals – and IV therapy from our Toronto Lounge may offer help for this.  

Cellular health impacts all aspects of wellness, from basic daily functioning, immune health, and mental clarity to skin health, physical exertion and muscle recovery. 

But what exactly does “cellular health” mean? And why should this be considered for any process of recovery? Below, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) discusses the role of cells in the human body and how intravenous therapy can foster this. 

What is cellular health?

In our IV Lounge, we discuss how essential nutrients can affect cellular health. Think of this as strengthening the groundwork for optimal health. Cell nourishment must be considered for not only sustaining current functioning, but also to ensure that cell division is operating at its peak performance. Plus, as we grow old, our cells age, too, so keeping them strong should be considered for long-term health. 

Your cells are in charge of everything that happens to you! These units encourage the human body to operate. Think of your body as a town called YOU, in which cells symbolize building bricks to help YOU move, think, and function! These cells need to operate with optimal nutrients for instilling beneficial effects, such as cellular mitochondrial regeneration.

But in order for these “buildings” to be structured, they need suitable conditions. We need to focus not only on concentrations of nutrients, but also improve conditions; we may do so by helping slash oxidative damage, reduce stress, and get a complete rehydration of fluids. Improvements to your cells can promote health benefits, such as these examples: 

Could prevent or delay chronic illness symptoms (i.e. chronic inflammation).

May promote an anti-aging effect for improving cognitive/brain function and skin elasticity. 

Could potentially offer an immune boost. 

Might help recover from a lack of energy.

May offer a metabolism boost.

Could elevate muscle function and promote recovery from injuries from physical performances. 

Addressing cellular health can help maximize detoxification processes and lower free radical damage. Health enhancements start at a cellular level, which can support the appearance of skin, cognitive function, energy levels, functioning of nerves, liver repair, red and white blood cell formation, and more. 

How IV therapy drips can help improve cellular function and quality of life

At the TFMC, complementary therapy is added to tailored treatment plans. This may include functional medicine therapies that focus on cellular health goals, such as intravenous drips. 

Oral supplementation may be taken, but remember this: tablets, capsules, and powders need to be digested. The digestive tract filters constituents, which means you may lose some amounts of nutrients through digestion. In turn, this may elongate your process of recovery, possibly hindering cellular functioning from speedily improving. 

However, intravenous infusion drips could be practical for cell health. This is because you get a complete absorption of nutrients. An IV vitamin drip heightens your absorption rate because an IV tube is directed into the veins, allowing for a nutritional drip formula to enter the bloodstream immediately. This may result in swift responses for your cells, as the digestive process is not needed. Plus, if you have malabsorption or an aversion to pills, vitamin IV therapy can reduce your chances of getting unwanted side effects (i.e. nausea), which can be a side effect of ingesting oral supplements. 

Therapeutic doses of key ingredients are tailored in our IV Lounge to help tackle your personal health conditions. If cell vitality is one of your health concerns, we may suggest intravenous doses of nutrients, such as these:

About our lab testing services

Functional medicine lab tests have a special function in customizing a vitamin drip treatment. Our clinic has stool testing. DUTCH hormone testing for hormonal imbalances, and metabolic testing available. we can also conduct a personalized nutritional assessment to pinpoint nutrient deficiencies.

If you have questions about blood testing, call us at (416) 968-6961 to book a complete diagnostic session with a functional medicine healthcare provider.

Amino acids: According to a Nutrients article, “Amino acids are the building blocks of our cellular machinery in the form of proteins and protein complexes.” Along with helping recuperate cell health, a post-exercise amino acid drip could help target your athletic health goals.

Major antioxidants: Antioxidant-rich nutrients, such as glutathione, vitamin C, and vitamin E, have the ability to scavenge free radicals. These safe ingredients can assist with promoting healthy conditions for cell structures. 

NAC (N-acetylcysteine): This antioxidant can help replenish glutathione levels while encouraging the removal of free radicals. It may also act as a supportive stress management tool, as stress can cause damaging conditions for your cells. If you’re getting treated for alcohol overindulgence, ongoing oral NAC intake combined with IV drip therapy may potentially contribute to reducing alcohol consumption, too.

IV nutrient therapy may promote healthy longevity and offer a boost in energy levels. Get ready to meet with one of our functional medicine/IV therapy providers for an initial consultation!

Getting tailored-made, scientifically-formulated IV therapies in our IV Lounge

Our integrative functional medicine approach may be combined with adjunct IV therapy to address personal health issues, such as hormone imbalances, much-needed energy, or rheumatoid arthritis, which can take twists and turns. But at the TFMC, we inspire you to adhere to custom-made treatment plans through our individualized approach to wellness. 

Biology matters in your process of recovery – which is why our personalized service adheres to the integrative functional medicine model. We scrutinize your uniqueness, such as genes, your current health status, environmental exposures, lifestyle, and lab results. Then, we apply these core components to your therapies; this may include compounding personal ingredients for a custom-made IV drip. Treatment plans may be adapted for different purposes, too, such as improving liver detoxification, managing autoimmune conditions and blood pressure regulation, alleviating a nutritional deficiency, and helping to lift brain fog or whole-body inflammation. 

Our IV Lounge administers functional medicine-based IV therapy as adjuvant treatment. When supplemented with a healthy lifestyle and other therapies, intravenous therapy can help support daily functioning. We have a plethora of natural ingredients available, including folic acid, a medley of amino acids, intravenous high-dose vitamin C, IV glutathione therapy, and other essential nutrients for promoting post-exercise recovery, effective rehydration, and anti-aging effects. 

Our multidisciplinary approach can tackle your chief health concerns with various modalities. We offer several types, including acupuncture, naturopathic medicine, detoxification strategies, allopathic medicine, bio-identical hormone treatments, and other therapies. So, what are you waiting for? Jump-start on improvements to your metabolism, brain health, athletic performance, energy production, and more in our private downtown clinic.

Optimal functioning can begin on a cellular level! Let’s help recover your zest for life with IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. Leave us a note today to request your appointment.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References

Nicolson GL. Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Disease: Treatment With Natural Supplements. Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Aug;13(4):35-43. PMID: 26770107; PMCID: PMC4566449.

Pham-Huy LA, He H, Pham-Huy C. Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. Int J Biomed Sci. 2008 Jun;4(2):89-96. PMID: 23675073; PMCID: PMC3614697.

Rahal A, Kumar A, Singh V, Yadav B, Tiwari R, Chakraborty S, Dhama K. Oxidative stress, prooxidants, and antioxidants: the interplay. Biomed Res Int. 2014;2014:761264. doi: 10.1155/2014/761264. Epub 2014 Jan 23. PMID: 24587990; PMCID: PMC3920909.

Rose AJ. Amino Acid Nutrition and Metabolism in Health and Disease. Nutrients. 2019 Nov 1;11(11):2623. doi: 10.3390/nu11112623. PMID: 31683948; PMCID: PMC6893825.

Squeglia LM, Tomko RL, Baker NL, McClure EA, Book GA, Gray KM. The effect of N-acetylcysteine on alcohol use during a cannabis cessation trial. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2018 Apr 1;185:17-22. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.12.005. Epub 2018 Feb 1. PMID: 29413434; PMCID: PMC5889716.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.

[iamokaynowdeb]

Advocacy in Action

Sometimes just creating a different kind of energy for an uplifting moment helps us/me past a chronic experience. Even if it isn’t ever seen or used on a platform.it served its higher purpose from within me. The energy aka spoons it took for me to focus and then create this title page….seems pointless right? Not if it serves its higher path. Thank you

[torontofunctionalmedicinecentre]

Skin Health Benefits with Glutathione IV Therapy from Toronto

Turning back the clock isn’t possible – but if you want to address fine lines and wrinkles, you could try glutathione IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC). 

As a potent antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) is a type of peptide (a tripeptide) made up of three amino acids: glycine, cystine, and glutamic acid. It carries a wide range of roles in the human body, such as these: 

Fosters immune health

Helps replenish vitamin C and vitamin E levels

Pushes for the detoxification of free radicals and toxins

Promotes the optimal functioning of enzymes

Helps create healthy sperm cells for fertility purposes

Studies have suggested that a lack of glutathione may have a critical role in the aging process, especially with longevity. “Various chronic, age-related diseases such as those related to neurodegeneration, mitochondrial dysfunction, and even cancer, have been related to suboptimal or deficient glutathione levels,” confirms a Nutrients review. 

So how could this powerful antioxidant work as an anti-aging tool for your skin? Here, the TFMC’s vitamin IV Lounge discusses GSH’s role in skin care, getting it as an intravenous drip, and how we cater to your health goals and optimal function. 

Glutathione and its impact on skin care

Glutathione may be depleted in the body from chronic conditions (especially chronic stress), autoimmune conditions, viral illness/infections, pollution, and consuming an unhealthy diet. 

Additionally, age-related conditions can cause a GSH decline; this can trigger various effects, including poor cellular health, lack of energy, low immune function, and brain fog. A lack of glutathione can affect your overall skin health, too. With low levels, you have a risk of building additional oxidative damage, which can contribute to wrinkles and poor skin elasticity. 

So how could glutathione potentially offer beneficial effects on skin health? Here are some ways: 

Encourages toxin removal: According to an article from Integrative Medicine: A Clinician’s Journal, GSH “… deals directly with the causes of oxidative stress such as mercury and POPs [persistent organic pollutants].” Oxidative stress plays a role in the skin aging process, sometimes triggering an uneven complexion/skin tone. But GSH has the moniker “master antioxidant” because it can prevent cellular damage by detoxifying free radicals. Free radicals, which are harmful atoms from the environment, can cause oxidative stress. 

Helps with replenishing skin hydration: Free radicals can also impede collagen production, which can weaken your skin’s setup of enzymatic antioxidants. It’s been insinuated that this weakening can prevent hyaluronic acid from holding moisture in, which can cause wrinkles in the dermis. Glutathione’s detoxifying role can support the rehydration of fluids by making up for antioxidant shortcomings.  

May promote skin brightening: If you have dark spots from sun damage, GSH could help lighten the skin tone. In one study, it was shown that taking oral supplementation with glutathione for four weeks resulted in reduced skin pigmentation. An article from the Clinical Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology further notes, “Also of importance are the findings that … glutathione showed trends in increased skin elasticity at various sites, both sun-exposed and sun-protected skin.”

How it works as IV nutrient therapy

In our IV Lounge, intravenous therapy is given as adjunct support. IV vitamin therapy drips are designed to provide a patient with a complete absorption of nutrients. This is because an intravenous tube is inserted into your vein, which allows for a formula with therapeutic doses of nutrients to be immediately used. IV formulations may work swiftly because the digestive tract isn’t required for filtration; IV therapy does not involve any oral administration, as it enters your bloodstream only. IV therapy may be a good option for people with malabsorption issues.

In our clinic, glutathione may be given as an IV drip. But prior to your first IV vitamin drip therapy, a complete diagnostic session with our functional medicine healthcare provider is mandatory. This is to: a) rule out underlying issues; b) determine if you have allergies related to the IV solutions; and c) understand the core components of your health, which may include conducting lab tests. Once we have a thorough comprehension of your wellness, we tailor your treatments with adjunct glutathione IV for your skin health goals. 

Oral supplementation is available as liposomal glutathione, though IV therapy treatments assure you get a complete absorption of nutrients. Oral glutathione is inefficiently absorbed, and therapeutic approaches that only use oral supplements tend to struggle with achieving results. The oral route could also hinder digestive health with unwanted side effects (i.e. nausea, diarrhea). 

Overall, know this: you have the potential to upgrade your health – it’s a matter of identifying strategies that may fit your needs. If you want to promote healthy hair, skin, and nails, please book a consultation with us. Learn about our clinic below. 

Visiting our IV Lounge in Toronto

At the TFMC, our functional medicine and IV therapy providers tailor treatments for various health conditions, especially those linked to immune and cognitive function, sports performance, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle recovery, cellular damage, hormonal imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, stress management, chronic inflammation, support for blood pressure regulation, liver detoxification, and other health concerns.  

Customizing a treatment plan takes careful deliberation. With a touch of compassion and inspiration, our practitioners implement the integrative functional medicine model onto the chief health concerns of patients. What we do is understand your individuality to diagnose and plan treatments; we analyze your past health issues, toxin exposures, lifestyle factors, health goals, and functional medicine lab test results. Once we’ve scrutinized these factors, we customize your health plan to include various modalities, such as naturopathic medicine, conventional/Western medicine, acupuncture, NAD+ IV therapy, hormonal replacement therapy and other therapies. 

Our IV Lounge is available for both new and pre-existing patients. We freshly compound IV drips according to the principles of functional medicine, and sessions are closely monitored by our medical doctor, naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioner, or registered nurses. Feel free to ask about our drip menu! Currently, we have glutathione, folic acid, vitamin C, a medley of amino acids, major antioxidants, folic acid, and other safe ingredients in our Lounge. Vitamin D injections are also available. 

Unlock new ways to promote an anti-aging effect! IV therapy from Toronto could help rally optimal health when merged with lifestyle modifications and a personalized service of health care. Request your initial consultation by clicking here.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References

Bains VK, Bains R. The antioxidant master glutathione and periodontal health. Dent Res J (Isfahan). 2015 Sep-Oct;12(5):389-405. doi: 10.4103/1735-3327.166169. PMID: 26604952; PMCID: PMC4630702.

Chen, J., Liu, Y., Zhao, Z., & Qiu, J. (2021). Oxidative stress in the skin: Impact and related protection. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 43(5), 495-509. https://doi.org/10.1111/ics.12728

Minich DM, Brown BI. A Review of Dietary (Phyto)Nutrients for Glutathione Support. Nutrients. 2019 Sep 3;11(9):2073. doi: 10.3390/nu11092073. PMID: 31484368; PMCID: PMC6770193.

Pizzorno J. Glutathione! Integr Med (Encinitas). 2014 Feb;13(1):8-12. PMID: 26770075; PMCID: PMC4684116.

Poljšak B, Dahmane R. Free radicals and extrinsic skin aging. Dermatol Res Pract. 2012;2012:135206. doi: 10.1155/2012/135206. Epub 2012 Feb 29. PMID: 22505880; PMCID: PMC3299230.

Richie JP Jr, Leutzinger Y, Parthasarathy S, Malloy V, Orentreich N, Zimmerman JA. Methionine restriction increases blood glutathione and longevity in F344 rats. FASEB J. 1994 Dec;8(15):1302-7. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.8.15.8001743. PMID: 8001743.

Rinnerthaler M, Bischof J, Streubel MK, Trost A, Richter K. Oxidative stress in aging human skin. Biomolecules. 2015 Apr 21;5(2):545-89. doi: 10.3390/biom5020545. PMID: 25906193; PMCID: PMC4496685.

Weschawalit S, Thongthip S, Phutrakool P, Asawanonda P. Glutathione and its antiaging and antimelanogenic effects. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2017 Apr 27;10:147-153. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S128339. PMID: 28490897; PMCID: PMC5413479.

Original article "Toronto Functional Medicine Centre" first appeared in the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website.

[iamokaynowdeb]

A Minuet

A Minuet Within our grasp we hold a tiny bit of breath In each of our lives there are choices we take and choices we make We dance a slow minuet of grace of these breathes we take. A demitasse of a sip we inhale our moment in strength. A ballet began before we were born then we began our minuet. The dance of breathes toward our strength. Is your two step serving, you, us, all? In this,…

[sherristockman]

Bananas and Avocados Can Prevent Heart Attacks Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola If you're fairly familiar with the vitamins and minerals in the most common fruits and vegetables, you may be aware that in bananas and avocados, potassium and magnesium are notable ingredients in both of them. Like all foods, these two powerhouse fruits (because both are fruits rather than avocados being a vegetable) have many other things to offer, but scientists have recently announced that both foods have the potential to prevent heart attacks. The research was conducted at the University of Alabama and was published in the journal JCI Insight.1 In fact, scientists have revealed that if you eat a banana and an avocado every day, you could eat yourself right into protection from heart disease, or more specifically, the atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries that often leads to a series of disorders, NDTV2 reported. Additionally, it may also lower your risk of arterial blockages, which often necessitate surgery. It's the potassium in these foods that can alleviate a large part of the burden, the study indicates. The animal study found it reduces vascular calcification, one of the complications of kidney disease and cardiovascular disease. Mice were fed alternate diets containing low, normal or high levels of potassium, and those with the highest levels had substantially more pliable arteries, while those given lower amounts had much harder arteries. It works the same way in humans. When you include foods in your diet that contain good amounts of these minerals, these symptoms are alleviated, particularly the stiffness in arteries seen as a precursor to cardiovascular problems. Problems occur because the stiffness in arteries can cause your heart to work harder to pump blood through your body. Artery calcification is just one of the problems that having a consistent amount of adequate potassium in your diet can help prevent, and all of them are serious and related conditions: Heart disease Stroke Metabolic syndrome Chronic kidney disease (CKD) Hypertension Calcification and What It Means for Your Arteries Calcification is a buildup of calcium in your tissues, organs or blood vessels. As it's in the process of forming, it can call a halt to the necessary process that keeps your body working as it should. According to Difference Between: "Arteriosclerosis is a defect occurring in the artery (blood vessels carrying oxygenated blood) walls. It refers to hardening of the normally flexible walls due to loss of elasticity of the arterial musculature. When young, the arteries are flexible due to the presence of a protein called elastin. As age advances, there is loss of this elastin causing thickening of the arterial walls. Atherosclerosis is another condition that refers to the deposition of fat plaques and cholesterol globules within the arteries causing narrowing of the lumen of the arteries."3 The scientists noted that vascular smooth muscle cells, or VSMCs, contribute to vascular calcification in atherosclerosis and that "Arterial stiffness has become an independent predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, representing an important health problem for the nation as a whole."4 According to their research, vascular calcification may be more culpable in aortic stiffening than scientists originally thought. In fact, a 2009 study is even titled "Vascular calcification: the killer of patients with chronic kidney disease."5 The study noted: "Previously considered a passive, unregulated, and degenerative process occurring in the arterial media, vascular calcification has now been demonstrated to be a highly regulated process of osteochondrogenic differentiation of vascular cells."6 Further, VSMCs were found to produce "extracellular matrix proteins" that actually caused the arterial calcification process to happen faster. People With Less Potassium Have Higher Risks It's no secret to the scientists that potassium plays a crucial role in staving off arterial calcification and related diseases. In fact, previous studies have made it clear that the association between low blood potassium levels and death from either chronic kidney disease7 or metabolic syndrome,8 while clear, hasn't been investigated thoroughly. The study made something else clear: that "appropriate dietary potassium intake improves those pathological conditions."9 The researchers also noted that, whereas the direct influence of dietary potassium on the development of vascular calcification in atherosclerosis hadn't yet been "established and characterized," for the first time they'd been able to produce evidence that potassium was the key. While consuming too much of it can cause problems, too, such as a stomachache, nausea and/or diarrhea, according to International Business (IB) Times,10 it's clear that what you eat directly influences your risk of these serious diseases. That's why, for these diseases, especially, bananas and avocados are two of the foods containing the potassium that can lower your risk. In response to the study's findings, Dr. Mike Knapton from the British Heart Foundation observed that "With more research, we might be able to see if the disease forms in humans in a similar way and develop treatments."11 Magnesium and Potassium: Interrelationships in Regard to Health When it comes to maintaining a healthy heart, as well as properly functioning kidneys, nerves and muscles and blood pressure regulation, having an adequate intake of magnesium on a regular basis is key. Because it's the fourth most abundant mineral in your body, on which more than 600 functions hinge, getting the right amount to avoid a deficiency is critical.12 But there's more to it than that. The National Academy of Sciences assessed the role of several nutrients, including magnesium, and observed: "Magnesium has been called 'nature's physiological calcium channel blocker.' During magnesium depletion, intracellular calcium rises. Since calcium plays an important role in skeletal and smooth muscle contraction, a state of magnesium depletion may result in muscle cramps, hypertension, and coronary and cerebral vasospasms. Magnesium depletion is found in a number of diseases of cardiovascular and neuromuscular function, in malabsorption syndromes, in diabetes mellitus, in renal wasting syndromes, and in alcoholism."13 "Classic" symptoms of low magnesium include muscle spasms, unexplained fatigue, irregular heart rhythms, eye twitches and even anxiety, but those that can be difficult to spot until after it's established that low magnesium levels are what's causing the problems. Studies show that problems such as asthma and osteoporosis may also be involved, along with symptoms that indicate possible related deficiencies, including potassium. In response, experts recommend that individuals with these symptoms assume that low levels are likely the problem and begin remedying it immediately by concentrating on higher magnesium intake, either through supplementation or food, and maybe both. One of many reasons is that the body begins stripping magnesium and calcium from your bones during what is called "functioning" low magnesium. Ancient Minerals explains: "This effect can cause a doubly difficult scenario: seemingly adequate magnesium levels that mask a true deficiency coupled by ongoing damage to bone structures. Thus experts advise the suspicion of magnesium deficiency whenever risk factors for related conditions are present, rather than relying upon tests or overt symptoms alone."14 One study shows that intracellular concentrations of magnesium and potassium are closely correlated, and the ratios in your cells are what's important, not the concentrations, and hypokalemia, aka low potassium, "can be induced by the same mechanisms and are often clinically related to one another,"15 especially as they relate to cardiac arrhythmias and, arguably, other heart-related disorders and diseases. The upside is that when you begin ingesting adequate potassium and magnesium — bananas and avocados would be a great start — the above symptoms can be reversed, i.e., regulation of blood sugar, better sleep, less stress, improved mitochondrial function and increased energy. Bananas: An Example of the Adage 'You Are What You Eat' Bananas are a very popular tropical food, known for being an easy-to-carry snack that doesn't require refrigeration and can remain clean while you eat it thanks to its convenient peel. Besides high amounts of potassium, one fairly small banana (about 101 grams) provides a good amount of fiber, Nutrition Data16 reports. Vitamin B6 and vitamin C are also plentiful, as are proteins, copper and manganese. You'll want to watch your sugar intake, however, as bananas are an example of a fruit with high amounts of natural fructose; one 7-inch-long banana has 12.4 grams. However, just as the potassium content is good for you, IB Times lists a number of advantages to adding a small banana as a snack choice (or dozens of dishes that incorporate them): Bananas help balance your blood sugar level because they don't raise your glycemic index. Unripe bananas have proven beneficial for people with insulin sensitivity as they contain 15 to 30 grams of digestive-resistant starch. Eating bananas can help maintain a healthy blood pressure level. High-potassium foods can help lower your risk of developing kidney stones.17 Bananas are a wonderful addition to smoothies, making them creamy and delivering a tropical vibe, but they're also great sliced with organic raw nut butter, aside from just enjoying one for a healthy snack. Avocados: Impressive Nutritional Profile A single avocado provides very impressive nutrients that positively impact nearly every part of your body, but especially your heart and arteries. Fiber is a big one, as well as vitamin C, vitamin K and folate. To start the litany of how well avocados reach your dietary reference intakes (DRI), or how much you need to provide you with the optimal amounts, Nutrition Data18 provides data on the major nutrients one avocado contains and the percentage of daily values: Fiber — 54 percent Folate — 41 percent Vitamin C — 33 percent Vitamin B6 —26 percent Vitamin K — 53 percent Pantothenic acid — 28 percent Magnesium — 15 percent Potassium — 28 percent Avocado slices are excellent on sandwiches and salads, topped with mozzarella, basil and black pepper, mixed with salsa and chopped papaya or with poached eggs. Other foods containing magnesium include greens such as spinach, romaine lettuce and Swiss chard, crucifers like broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, seeds and nuts, fatty fish, such as mackerel and wild-caught Alaskan salmon, specific spices such as fennel, basil, cloves, chives and cilantro, fruits including papaya, watermelon, raspberries and strawberries, and grass fed yogurt. Good potassium sources include beet greens, carrots, cantaloupe, oranges and most of the foods listed above. If you've experienced any of the symptoms listed, upping your intake of these foods can likely improve them and may serve to relieve other problems as well.