Obesity-Inflammation Related-Common Thread with Diseases-Part 2

 We continue from last week’s Part 1 with Michael Glade and his insights into obesity as it relates to the inflammation process.  A quick overview is two types of fat are present in the body: subcutaneous and visceral. Subcutaneous fat is the type found just underneath the skin, which may cause dimpling and cellulite. Visceral fat, on the other hand, is located in the abdomen and surrounding vital organs. It can infiltrate the liver and other organs, streak through your muscles and even strangle your heart; and turns out you can have it even if you appear to be thin.  It is the latter, visceral, fat that is linked to many other diseases, everything from bad cholesterol and hypertension to diabetes, heart disease and stroke. Dr. Glade believes at the core of the problem is the issue of inflammation.  Please refer to that article as we will continue here where we left off.

Break down of fatty acids in an abnormal fashion causes an inflammatory load which does unhealthy things to body tissue. If you expose cartilage, cancer, arthritic tissue to a specific signal of inflammation called alpha, they will always respond as if they are under attack.  Chronically exposed poor dietary input can cause or predispose a downward spiral in the body upset.  For example, the problem may be a missing array of essential fatty acids.  Over nutrition seems to be a problem and not sufficient oils or anti-inflammatory products.  If the body can stabilize with eating right, exercise, not smoking or drinking, then the body becomes more stable. 

With a wound you would expect a short term inflammation situation which is a good thing.  The brain is just like other tissue.  We need to replace at least at the same pace as old stuff carrying off. The human brain also experiences changes related to inflammatory factors.  The brain wants to heal with growth of new neurons, a normal response of learning that deals with activity where they grow and dispose of old stuff. 

 Conventional approaches to control of body fat includes weight loss and exercise.  MRI can identify the infiltration of visceral fat around and in specific tissue, but Michael Glade suggests the use of a laboratory test called C Reactive Protein (CRP) to get some inkling that inflammation is present.  There may be a balance between CRP and the oil EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid).  Normal  ranges are tested with a group of norms which may be difficult to identify.  What is normal within a group since the control group could represent those in the elevated portion of the population?  We just don’t know. (A test we may use is a genetic test which identifies inflammation from a hereditary factor, particularly when trying to decide if the influence may be environmental rather than hereditary.)

 One of the markers for longevity is control of abdominal fat which is identified as the visceral load.  An inflammation marker is a practical approach of getting the belly fat down.  The dual nature of obesity is that if there is an imbalance in the body, then there is going to be an unintended consequence.  The goal needs to be met to control and modify abdominal fat load. 

A few of the suggestions he gives are as follows:

*Our food supplies have become disconnected from nature.

*Learned failure is when you change lifestyle and then over-exercise. If the patient losses 10 pounds but hurts and is fatigued from over exercising,  they will have an excuse to not stay the course.

*When failure of weight loss occurred due to calorie restriction becoming very aggressive with omega 3 fats using  3-5 tablespoons of flax or fish oil would give good results.  The body wouldn’t change weight but it would reshape.

*Efficiently operating digestive tract is important.

*Activity needs to be increased.  Failures often are because activity isn’t high enough.

*Cause is heightened inflammation- imbalance can be tipped either way and neither may be the most beneficial.

*Anti-inflammatory medications often are mild poisons that push the body back into less inflammation-Dr. Glade questions if this is a good thing.

*Structural fats do very important replacement of fatty acid membranes.

* Use omega oils generally for inflammatory condition.  These are not generally stored or used in the body as caloric intake as the fundamental function of fatty acids in many ways is to restore balance.  They don’t suppress or stimulate inflammation.  Balancing inflammation is what they do and are essentially not drug like, they don’t turn off signals.  

*Suggested Ratio EPA:DHA  EPA 3,000 mg of product  4,000 mg DHA to renormalize triglycerides in the system.  This information is recognized by the drug industry.

Other products:

*Diet: avoid process starches and fatty acid meat and increase fruit and veggies.

* Development of brain is dependent upon DHA and is not found in most any place other than fish. 

* Berries, diversifying your response system is appealing.Recommended are 10 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. Salads are encouraged before meals.

* Starchy vegetables are off the menu. 

*Manganese, selenium, and other trace minerals can only come from our soil.  We are at a point of having to resort to food supplements.  Even if the soil is fortified, the soil is exhausted.  Consequently, trace mineral supplements are absolutely essential.

    - Selenium 100 mcg-anti cancer effective-balance with iodine

     – Chromium 1,000 mcg for sugar regulation of the body

*Boron 2 mg- places a role in digestion -good for inflammation in digestive tract and central nervous system

*Carnatine and acetyl-carnatine- heart and skeletal-less free-radical production

*Co-Q10 increases efficiency of fat burning and make systems more efficient-less free radical production resulting in feeling and moving better. 

Calcium-drop dairy because it causes inflammation-calcium supplement, vitamin D- Take optimum dose over 5-6 times per day for absorption.

Dr. Glade notes slim people fidget 2-3 hours more times per day and are always moving.

www.cemmed.com

www.healthwatchcentral.com

Obesity-Inflammation Related; Common Thread with Diseases Part 1

Obesity is thought to be a disease of inflammation, according to Michael Glade, Ph.D. 

I became acquainted with his work through a DVD given to me by NeuroScience.  We have use NeuroScience protocols with great success; a company that focuses on “Target Amino Acids” as a means to address healing of the adrenal gland and balance neurotransmitters for the treatment of many symptoms including anxiety, sleep maintenance and insomnia, depression, and memory loss.

Dr. Glade is a Certified Nutritional Specialist (CNS) with degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Cornell University and teaching and research experience at Rutgers University, the University of Maryland, Northwestern University and at the Nutrition Institute of the University of Bridgeport. [1] 

Dr. Glade contends that when a patient has obesity for 5 years or more, the cellular mechanism is disrupted and regulation is thrown off through nutritional and other influences.  Cancer, arthritis, allergy, digestive literature look for a common thread which is traditionally separate in peoples minds as separate diseases, but it is looking more and more that they are individual symptoms manifested in an individual similarly condition.  It starts with people who eat improperly and once the  condition of unregulated inflammation develops, then under that umbrella,  one could end up with all the listed above common disease.

Insulin resistance falls under this umbrella where something goes arye in the metabolism of glucose within muscle cells.  People don’t get better, they get worse.  It doesn’t cure or arrest with the use of any existing medications. Control of diabetes II and insulin is not cured or suppressed by any existing treatment medications.  The premise is that people who have insulin resistance will slowly but surely deteriorate.  Dr. Glade believes there is something missing in that model.  We are treating a blood level of insulin but not the disease. He suggests that something, possibly environmental is the missing piece.

Research suggest abdominal fat in the visceral organ (around organs inside) appears to be genetically different from much of the than other fat in the body.  It is the most insulin responsive part of the body. In insulin resistance patients, the insulin is not responsive on the muscle whereas the belly fat stores is over reactive and sucks the insulin up.  The degree of hypersensitive reflects as the more inflamed they become.  The more inflamed they are the more tendencies they have to over-store abdominal fat.

Insulin control in the pancreas is disturbed when the body is carrying a high amount of an inflammatory formed, abnormal cytokine molecules produced by the body so one part of the body can communicate with another part. Overreactions throughout the body because of  lifestyle, environment, diet, result in tissue not normally responsive, but will then activate due to an overexposure of inflammation.  This will force the organ to over-respond.  This condition is not well monitored or regulated in the body.  The blood has an almost unlimited capacity to carry these inflammatory molecules in the body.  This response is what needs to be brought under control and can only be accomplished by improved lifestyle, environmental factors, detoxification, and a healthy diet.

Part 2 will address what can be done about this dynamic problem.

[1]Dr. Michael Glade emphasizes  specific dietary plans and supplement protocols, especially in programs targeted at brain function, weight reduction, smoking cessation, and life extension for the terminally ill.  Dr. Glade lectures extensively across the US and Europe. Dr. Glade is a noted researcher who is deeply appreciated in the nutritional and scientific communities for providing a significant body of peer-reviewed substantiation for multiple health claims that have been approved by the FDA.

Alzheimer’s Prevention

Alzheimer’s, one of the most feared age related diseases of our time, has the attention of scientist who are intensively researching every aspect of the age-related dementia.  Once Alzheimer’s takes hold, there is no known cure. There are new drugs available that seem to provide some preventive measures and several theories as to what causes Alzheimer’s.  The prevailing thoughts include toxins accumulate within cellular structures causing damage, interruptions in blood flow, and that inflammation is a key player in the destruction of functional tissue.  Beta-amyloid, a protein, triggers inflammation in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients causing mild memory impairment or confusion. 

Vascular dementia and Alzhiemer’s may share the disruption of normal cholinergic function or acetylcholine.  In someone at risk for stroke, elevated C-reactive protein can be an indicator.  Unfortunately, there are no test that accurately measures acetylcholine in the brain.  Phosphatidyl-choline is the precursor for acetylcholine.  Some doctors and nutritionist are aware of its importance and suggest the natural agent phosphatidyl-choline to their clients.  The neurotransmitter acetycholine responsible for memory, sleep and cognition, may decline as a result of neurodegenerative process associated with aging. 

Phosphatidylserine also is a key component in brain function and an integral component of every cell membrane.  One of the vital functions of phosphatidylserine is it boosts the levels of acetylcholine, helps release dopamine, and reduces the stress hormone cortisol.

While reduction of cortisol is important if needed, phosphatidylserine should be taken only under the direction of a doctor because cortisol levels need to stay within the normal range.  Too much phosphatidylserine at the wrong time of day can produce undesirable results.   

Other natural agents may include quercitin, Vinpocetine and pregnenalone and acetyl l-carnatine. (See article Antioxidants: The Powerful Trio Part 3).  Information regarding the role of DHEA may be found in “The Metabolic Plan”  by Stephen Cherniski.  He makes a compelling argument on the aging model. 

Summary noted by Life Extention, July 2003 as follows:

Meta-analysis shows NSAIDs help prevent Alzheimer’s disease

A review of nine studies published in the July 19 2003 issue of the British Medical Journal has found that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) offers some protection against developing Alzheimer’s disease. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories are a class of drugs used chronically by individuals with arthritis or other painful conditions, and include aspirin and ibuprofen.

The review analyzed studies published between 1966 and October of 2002 that evaluated the NSAIDs’ ability to prevent Alzheimer’s disease in a total of 14,654 subjects. Studies examining exposure to other pain relievers or in which vascular dementia was the primary outcome were excluded from the analysis.

The researchers separately analyzed studies that determined Alzheimer’s disease risk in users of all NSAIDs, in users of aspirin, and in users of NSAIDs according to duration of use. They found that individuals over the age of 55 who used NSAIDs experienced three-fourths risk of developing the disease than that of subjects not taking the drugs, and that the longer the drugs are used, the greater their benefits appeared to be. When aspirin use alone was evaluated, a small but nonsignificant benefit was found, however, this finding may have been due to the smaller number of studies that specifically evaluated the protective effect of aspirin. The appropriate dose and duration of use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories to prevent Alzheimer’s disease remains to be determined.

If you are interested in being proactive against age related disease, consider the benefits of working with the alternative medical doctor who specializes in nutrition and therapies that address the toxic world we live in.  Exactly the kind of work we do.

See www.cemmed.com

Neurotoxicity Explained

Everybody knows that you need good elimination habits to function optimally but few have only a basic understanding of what that means.  In a society that is becoming more focused on health and nutrition, a closer look at a group of toxins, called neurotoxins, is needed.

While elimination routes include kidney, gastrointestinal, skin and exhaled air, the liver is the most vital of body functions in the process of elimination of neurotoxins.  Common sources of neurotoxins include metals, biotoxins (viral, fungal or parasitical sources), man-made chemicals called xenobiotics that include pesticides, preservatives and excitatoxins such as MSG, aspartame, and food colorings. 

Neurotoxins are absorbed by nerve endings and travel inside the neuron to the cell body in the mammal nervous system.  As a result, they cause disruption in vital functions of the cell such as axonal transport(1) of nutrients, mitochondrial function and proper DNA transcription.

In the liver, elimination of most all products are expelled with the bile into the small intestine.  Unfortunately, because of the lipophilic and neurotropic nature of neurotoxins, most of these toxins are reabsorbed in the small intestinal wall by nerve endings of the enteric nervous system (ENS).  The ENS tissue is the same as the brain in the embryonic stage and then separates, hence sometimes referred to as the brain away from the brain.  Once these toxins are reabsorbed, they can be transported back to the brain, the liver, subclavian vein or uptake by bacteria in the bowel resulting in cause or exacerbation of illness caused by neurotoxins.

Obviously, the issue is complex.  Risk factors that can contribute to the sluggishness of the liver include allergy, poor diet of high carbohydrate and low protein, occupational exposure, prolong illness, surgeries, constipation, metal absorption and genetics to name a few.  

Solutions include evaluation of liver function for Phase I and Phase II detoxification, evaluation of toxic levels, and implementing a detoxification program.  It must include proper protein, a good mineral base and balanced electrolytes which can help displace metals. Other nutrients and food sources, including a mercury-free EPA/DHA fish oil, aide in binding up these toxins so they can be eliminated. Improving the diet, elimination and reduction of metal sources and other risk factors are a start but it needs to be done right. 

1  Axonal or axoplasmic transport is the movement of mitochondria, lipids, neurotransmitter regulation, proteins, and other cell parts to and from a neuron’s cell body through the contents of a cell that are enclosed within the plasma membrane or cytoplasm.  

www.cemmed.com contact for proper testing and guidance

www.healthwatch.com

Food Allergy – Fixed and Aquired Part 1

Food allergy is believed to be the single most contributory factor of chronic disease and therefore warrants consideration when evaluating the patient.  Immune reactions to ingestants are much more complex than inhalants which tend to be a fixed allergy.  To the physician who understands the basic history and complex symptomology of food hypersensitivity, evaluation has a relevant place in determining cause of disease and impaired health in many patients. 

There are two major types of food allergy–fixed and cyclic. Other responses such as IgA and IgM will not be addressed here.  A fixed food allergy is designated as a IgE response that occurs each time the food is consumed regardless of how long it has been avoided and may include anaphylactic reaction.  A cyclic food allergy reaction is designated as IgG response and is related to frequency and quantity of the consumption of the offending food.  The initial consumption of the food gives a stimulus that the patient may enjoy and as this wears off, the undesirable symptoms begin.  Often the patient erroneously believes because they do not notice a symptom immediately, that the food is safe.  Theoretically food sensitivity or IgG response is the only allergic condition that can be perfectly controlled.  This is a bold statement without regard to conditions which can increase the sensitivity of the patient such as leaky gut syndrome. 

If symptoms improve with fasting for several days, then food allergy should be considered.  If symptoms worsen after a meal or symptoms are temporarily relieved after certain foods are consumed, food allergy should be considered.  And if cravings for favorite foods are common, food allergy should be considered.

A personal history should be taken to include home and occupational environment, all organ systems, and detailed history back to childhood.  Medications and supplement list should be compiled and alcohol intake should be evaluated.  The tests and methods to determine food sensitivities all have limitations but a combination of these tests often produces a treatment plan with good outcomes. 

Food Diary Evaluation:  A food diary of at least seven days, to include all fluids as well, is an important component to determine a correct diagnosis.

If a patient fasts for a period of four days, and most of the offending symptoms lessen or disappear, allergy is a contributor.  Additionally patients who tend to eat the same food over and over again, an irritation occurs in the gut resulting in small particles of the same crossing the gut barrier into the blood stream and are recognized as foreign bodies.  The immune system attacks them and sensitivity is developed, hence symptoms occur.  The diagnosis and treatment of food allergy can be accomplished by several different methods. 

Oral Food Challenge – yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/food-challenge-test.html

Food diary evaluation

Rotary diversified diet (Rinkel)  www.food-allergy.org/page2.html

Elimination Diet  (Rowe)  www.blackwell-synergy.com

4-day rotation food families (Randolph) www.frot.co.nz/dietnet/resources/ediet_howto.htm – 74k

Commercial tests include RAST, IgE, IgG, Elisa and usually are not covered by insurance unless certain criteria are met meeting insurance standards such as eczema, psoriasis, autoimmune disease, neuropsychiatric issues, antihistimine failure, prednisone usage or under 4 years of age.

These tests along with diagnostic criteria will be discussed further in future articles as we continue to look at allergy and its impact on health.

Parkinson’s Disease Part 1

About two years ago, a new patient arrived at the office for an appointment.  She had just been released from the hospital where she had a psychiatric workup for extreme anxiety and depression.  Ten days later she emerged with the diagnosis of bipolar disorder and was on at least ten medications.  Her personality seemed flat which was attributed to the large number of mood altering medications.  Get off all the drugs was her goal once whe was healthy.

Medical records were sent for and a workup was initiated to evaluate her nutritionally and for environmental toxicity and heavy metal body burden.  Good initial results followed with treatment, especially when she was started on a supplement rich in Rhodiola Rosea root extract in high concentration of rosavins.   While the patient stated she felt much better, it was noted that her gait was guarded, she shuffled and was afraid of falling.  Her flat affect did not improve.  A visit to the neurologist confirmed the suspicion of Parkinson’s Disease and her medications were changed immediately.  Later she confessed it was a relief to have a correct diagnosis and seemed to relieve some of the anxiety.  This patient chose to not pursue environmental medicine and returned to conventional medicine. 

Another patient was incorrectly diagnosed as not having Parkinson’s, was not on the proper medications, and had hours and days of not being functional.  We sent him for another opinion.  While he is not textbook, the neurologist agreed that he did indeed have Parkinson’s and was more advanced than if he had been treated aggressively by early intervention.  A change in medications helped initially.  This patient decided based on his personal environmental history, that he wanted to continue nutritional therapy which helped in some ways more than the medications, especially the anxiety.  He also wanted to address detoxification because of his exposure to chemicals.  His neurologist agreed.  In his neurotransmitter profile, dopamine levels appeared normal in a urine sample but which does not necessarily correlate with what is in the brain.  His cortisol levels were extremely elevated day and night.  He benefited from the supplement that contained the rosavins but needed something more for anxiety.  We used Phosphatidylserine to reduce the cortisol levels.

Early diagnosis is very important in the Parkinson’s patient.  By the time the first symptom appears, the dopamine level in the brain has been reduced by 80%.  Dopamine functions in feelings of pleasure, integration of thoughts and feelings, attachment, love and the unselfish concern for the welfare of others.  Symptoms of dopamine deficiency are associated with lack of enjoyment, brain fatigue, confusion and lethargy.  That which was once fun loses its flavor.  Certain nutritional supplements are required for healthy function even with a healthy individual including tyrosine and certain B vitamins which are necessary cofactors.  The amino acid theanine can help by improving mental performance, calm nervous agitation, and lower blood pressure. 

In the future, stem cell transplants may be an option.  Tiantan Puhua, Beijing does transplants that reduce shaking, muscle tension disappeared, strength improved and movement became more fluid (1).  Until then, early diagnosis, environmental evaluation, proper nutrition and additional specific nutritional supplements reflect the approach we suggest with our patients.  Therapy may include detoxifiation with chelation.

(1) www.stemcellschina.com

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DDT, DDE, DDD, DDA-Organochlorine Pesticide

DDT, DDE, DDD, DDA-Organochlorine Pesticide                                      Part 1 

DDT is an organochlorine insecticide that was first synthesized in 1874 and was a commonly used pesticide in the United States on crops and in buildings until 1972 when it was banned from use.  It was banned in Mexico in 2000 but is still used in Africa, South America and Asia to control malaria and other pests. DDT is still manufactured in the US but sold only to foreign countries but there is the exception for DDT for public health emergencies involving insect disease and lice. 

DDT is persistent in the environment, accumulates in fatty tissues and some pests can build resistance to it.  While stored in fat, it produces no noticeable symptoms. It affects the nervous system by interfering with normal nerve impulses.  Mammals exposed to DDT develop liver tumors an have increase risk of liver tumors but there is not sufficient study to demonstrate that it is carcinogenic in humans. 

DDT breakdown products in the body include DDE, DDD and DDA.  It is excreted in the urine, feces or breast milk. It tends to accumulate in animals but has declined with discontinued use.  The soil half-life is 2-15 years, and 150 years in the aquatic environment.  

DDT is dichlordiphenyltrichloroethane

Organochlorines are chemical compounds that contain hydrogen, carbon, chlorine, and possibly other atoms.

DDE is dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene-breakdown product of DDT

DDD (DDT) is dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane

DDA is 2,2-bis(4-chlorophernyl)-acetic acid

Center for Environmental Medicine

Pesticides – Effects on Children

Our children seemingly have chronic exposure to pesticides from the womb to the grave.  Over a lifetime, with approximately 4.5 billion pounds of chemicals applied annually to crops, buildings and lawns in the United States, is it any wonder chronic illness in on the rise?  Reports of 50% intake of pesticide exposure occur within the first five years of life.

Additionally, some tests indicate vulnerability to pesticide up to three months before pregnancy and the first month after conception.  As if this isn’t enough, many pesticides detoxify through mother’s milk either as pesticides or their metabolites because the milks fat content causes the solubility of the toxin.  The developing brain and central nervous system have pronounced vulnerability to neurotoxicants such as lead, mercury, alcohol, other than pesticides and causes reason for concern.

While the overall use of pesticides decreased 17.2 % from 1979 to 1997,  that has little affect on children 6 years and younger who are much more susceptible to pesticide toxicity because they eat more, drink more and breathe more per body weight.  Children are physiologically different than adults because they grow rapidly requiring more energy Their activities of ground playing and water activities put them at greater risk for heavier exposure to pesticides in water, soil, and air.

Multiple pesticides may be present at the same time in mother’s milk and consequences may include altered social skills, decreased intelligence, and reproductive difficulties or failures.  Thyroid function in pregnant women is a critical determinate in IQ and some persistent pesticides such as polychlorinated biphenols and dioxins disrupt thyroid function.  In animal models studies have shown a variety of pesticies such as DDT/DDE, mirex, aldrin, dieldrin, atrazine, dieldrin, atrazine, hexachlorocyclobexane, toxaphene, alachlor, chlordane, vincloxolin and chlorphyrifos can interfere with estrogen androgen and thyroid receptors during critical periods of development.  Additionally, pesticides can affect neurotransmitter metabolism and electrophysiological actions. 

It’s important that we learn how to protect our kids and because certain pesticides such as DDT and DDE have a half-life of about 150 years in aquatic environments, seafood may be one of the easiest exposures to avoid.   Getting a child use to a good distilled fish oil high is DHA early in life is probably one of the best things you could do as it mobilizes many pesticide toxins out of the body but is also great for brain development, skin and liver function. 

Today there are sophisticated tests for pesticide residue of all kinds, which require a simple blood draw shipped to the laboratory. 

http://es.epa.gov/ncer/childrenscenters/pesticides.html

Center for Environmental Medicine

 

 

 

 

Plastics-Protecting Your Children Against Allergy

The plastics industries insists that their products used in cooking and storage poses no risk to humans, yet a study by a Swedish and Danish team found a strong correlation between levels of phthalates and allergy symptoms in children.  Phthalates are the chemicals commonly used to soften plastic.

Research funded by the Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning, found higher levels of butyl benzyl phthalate in children suffering from a compared group of healthy ones.  They found a link between concentrations of butyl benzyl phthalate and the tendency to suffer from rhinitis (funny nose and eyes) and eczema.  Another phthalate was linked to asthma.

Source:  The Environmental Physician, Summer 2004

In Center for Environmental Medicine we commonly tests these levels in patients who show persistent symptoms of toxicity.  The test is a simple collection of urine after a diet restricted preparation for two days. Typically this test is not covered by insurance but by paying the fee directly to the laboratory, you can get a reduced price that is affordable. 

It takes 10 days for the test results and are then are reviewed with the doctor.  When levels are high, which is often, the following steps are taken.

1]  Restriction of exposure.  Absolutely no cooking in plastic containers, baggies, etc. 

2]  Nutritional supplements specific to the patient’s needs.

3]  Retesting.

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease is an age related health issue that concerns everyone over the age of fifty.  If it doesn’t, it should. More than half of nursing home beds are occupied by Alzheimer’s Disease patients AND Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is the Number 4 Killer of Americans, causing over 100,000 deaths each year in the USA alone.  

As the science of Anti-Aging evolves, a pro-active approach to this identity thief is on the horizon in contrast to medications available to slow the process of early onset.  These medications, as you will see, are not always effective.

Bill Deagle, MD has a presentation on the web regarding the dementing brain and disease predisposition.  You can locate it easily by typing in his name and Feb 15^th 2006 update. Here and elsewhere are stated possible genetic associations of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).  For example, of the three common ApoE genotypes*, ApoE4 may increase the risk of developing sporadic and late-onset familial Alzheimer Disease (AD).  Other associated risk with gene dose is accumulation of senile plaques in the brain and reduction of the enzyme needed to make acetylcholine. ApoE is critical in the modulation of cholesterol and phospholipid transport between cells of different types and requires the enzyme activity of choline acetyltransferase. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter associated with good memory.  

Some studies strongly support the concept that ApoE4 plays a crucial role in the cholinergic dysfunction associated with AD and therefore may be a prognostic indicator of poor response to therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors sometimes used in early intervention of these patients.

In contrast to allopathic medicine, the field of environmental medicine looks at root causes of disease.  The premise that occupational dangers and chronic exposure to heavy metals and toxin exposure is at the core of beliefs for Alzheimer’s Disease as it is for many others.  One of the chief issues with heavy metals is they inhibit or disrupt enzyme activity.  Aluminum has been the center of study for allopathic and environmental medicine related to AD for many years but rather than treat it with a drug to inhibit symptoms, environmental medicine works at removing the cause.  At Center for Environmental Medicine, we look at the patient’s body burden of heavy metals with chelators designed for the purpose of detoxifying metals. 

Additionally, recent research has suggested organophosphate and chlorinated pesticides play an important role in the inhibition of enzyme activity which can contribute to this disease and others. Testing of these pesticides results in therapies to help reduce levels and symptoms, often using natural agents to bind and emulsify for elimination.

 * apolipoprotein E genotype testing is used in risk factors for heart disease

Center for Environmental Medicine