mitochondrial dysfunction Archives - Amazing Health Advances

The Chronic Effects of Low-Dose Mercury Exposure

The AHA! Team — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:12:24 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Although mercury can enter the body through contaminated seafood, vaccines, and emissions from factories and coal power plants, the main source of exposure is dental amalgams. Natural health experts are sounding the alarm on chronic (low-level) mercury exposure, calling it a “biochemical train wreck” and an “under-recognized epidemic.” Mercury, a known neurotoxin, binds to molecules, tissues, and cells in the body and sets the stage for a host of serious chronic diseases – although both the American Dental Association and the FDA continue to minimize and deny its toxic effects. Yet, there are millions and millions of people suffering from mercury poisoning, and neurodevelopmental disorders have surged by over 30 percent in the last decade. What you need to know about mercury exposure Although mercury can enter the body through contaminated seafood, vaccines, and emissions from factories and coal power plants, the main source of exposure is dental amalgams. The World Health Organization (WHO) notes that the typical absorbed dose from amalgams is 100 micrograms a day. One of the most disturbing facts about mercury exposure is its association with neurological disorders, behavioral problems, autism spectrum disorder, and mental illness. Many experts point to the soaring rates of neurodevelopmental disorders in this country as a testament to the toxic effects of mercury. Mercury, which can destroy the protective myelin sheath that covers the nerves, is highly damaging to the neurological system. In fact, researchers report that autism is often accompanied by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased inflammation – all of which are consistent with mercury poisoning. In addition, mercury exposure can cause deficiencies and imbalances of essential minerals such as zinc and copper, a condition associated with ADHD. Mercury exposure also interferes with the production and function of various neurotransmitters, including the “calming” body chemical GABA – thereby promoting the development of depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Mercury interferes with antioxidant defenses Chronic mercury exposure also depletes nutrients in the body, promoting oxidative stress and interfering with antioxidant defenses. Mercury’s ability to bind to sulfur and selenium severely limits the beneficial oxidation-fighting and cancer-fighting effects of these antioxidant minerals. This interferes with the immune system’s ability to identify cancerous cells and causes it to attack normal, healthy cells, triggering the development of autoimmune disease and cancer. Mercury also binds to glutathione, the body’s premier antioxidant, which is designed to detoxify mercury and other heavy metals. In addition, mercury attacks the disulfide bonds in collagen, triggering arthritis and connective tissue disorders while also damaging the cell mitochondria that synthesize energy. Mercury exposure promotes cardiovascular and digestive diseases Mercury exposure contributes to heart disease by causing the oxidation of blood vessels and creating endothelial dysfunction. In one study of patients with heart failure, mercury levels in the myocardium, or middle layer of the heart wall, were found to be 22,000 times higher than normal. Mercury alters intestinal flora, increasing the presence of undesirable bacteria and pathogens such as candida. Digestion is impaired because of mitochondrial dysfunction. Mercury also increases the risk of food sensitivities, especially gluten and casein, and contributes to a “leaky gut.” As if this weren’t damaging enough, chronic exposure to mercury is linked with insulin resistance, hypoglycemic symptoms, and metabolic syndrome – a constellation of unhealthy conditions that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and excess levels of LDL cholesterol. Susceptibility to mercury varies with the individual Vulnerability to mercury depends on a variety of factors, including exposure, nutrient status, lifestyle, and genetics. Over the last ten years, however, researchers have documented over a dozen common genetic variations that cause increased vulnerability to mercury toxicity – and many more are likely in existence. It can be difficult to diagnose mercury toxicity, as mercury can accumulate throughout the body without showing up in blood, urine, or hair. In addition, symptoms of mercury toxicity are common to many other illnesses and may appear long after exposure. Following a nutrient-dense diet and taking supplements advised by a knowledgeable holistic physician can help modulate the effects of mercury exposure. But, the bottom line is: if you have mercury-based, “silver” fillings in your mouth … get them removed (as soon as possible) by a qualified (holistic) dentist and begin the process of mercury detoxification – slowly and consistently. You can search for a holistic dentist at this web site: IAOMT.org. In addition, in terms of good food, high-quality fats, organ meats such as liver, organic olive oil, and bone broth can help replace depleted minerals and amino acids, while probiotic foods such as sauerkraut and kimchi can help restore the balance of friendly bacteria in the intestine. Foods high in vitamin C can provide antioxidant benefits and rebuild damaged collagen, with Brazil nut, sesame, and pine nuts helping to replace magnesium, zinc, and selenium. Obviously, if you’ve been poisoned with mercury, the process of detoxification will take some time and effort. But, remember, your future health depends on you taking action today. Editor’s note: Discover the best ways to remove toxic mercury from the mouth and correct other dental problems, own the Holistic Oral Health Summit created by NaturalHealth365 Programs. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov Townsendletter.com To read the original article click here.

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Can Exercise Slow Mental Aging? The Answer May Surprise You

AHA Publisher — Wed, 23 Feb 2022 08:00:02 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – For the 6.2 million Americans currently affected by Alzheimer’s disease, the condition can be truly debilitating – interfering with judgment, distorting personality, erasing precious memories, and torpedoing the potential of many seniors to live independently. While pharmaceutical treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia have yielded disappointing results, brand-new research – involving a simple, natural intervention – might provide a ray of hope. In a just-published study from UC San Francisco, researchers examined the potential of regular physical activity to maintain healthy cognition and memory in elderly individuals. Let’s look at the encouraging findings. Physical Activity Alters Brain Chemistry and Protects Function The study, published last month in the journal Alzheimer’s and dementia, involved the postmortem examination of 404 elderly patients from the Memory and Aging Project at Rush University in Chicago. The project had tracked the later-life physical activity of the participants, who had agreed to donate their brains after death. The scientists found that the patients who had stayed physically active had more of a certain type of protein that enhances the connections (or synapses) between neurons – promoting healthy thought processes and memory and allowing participants to maintain cognition late in life. Lead author Kaitlin Casaletto, PhD, a neuropsychologist at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, announced that the research was the first to use human data to show that synaptic protein regulation was linked to physical activity. Even more significantly, the synaptic improvements were responsible for beneficial cognitive outcomes. Not only that – but they could potentially ward off dementia, Dr. Casaletto noted. “Synaptic health can support the brain against Alzheimer’s disease,” she concluded. “Warring Proteins” – Presynaptic Protein Diminishes the Harm From Toxic Brain Chemicals Researchers believe that a pair of proteins – amyloid and tau – are deeply implicated in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. But, the true science behind this theory has yet to prove it. In fact, there are some experts that say these proteins might be trying to protect the brain from toxic substances. Having said that, amyloid proteins can accumulate in the brain, causing cellular dysfunction and cell death, while tau proteins can form harmful neurofibrillary “tangles.” But, the study showed that having higher levels of “presynaptic proteins,” such as synaptophysin, led to good synaptic connections. By the way, it turns out that a synapse is more than just a “connection” between neurons. It is actually the site where the process of cognition occurs, Dr. Casaletto explained. In addition, the presynaptic proteins brought about by exercise help shield the brain from the damaging effects of amyloid and tau. Even when the brains of deceased individuals were laden with pro-inflammatory amyloid, and tau proteins, the protective impact of exercise could still be seen. Physical Activity Awards a “Jackpot” of Health Benefits Clearly, the study makes a case for the merits of exercise in preserving cognitive ability. Of course, scientists already credit regular physical activity with a “laundry list” of benefits. In addition to improving synaptic function, regular exercise can help alleviate oxidative stress, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction, setting the stage for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. And regular exercise can also help reduce both depression and obesity – additional risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Other health bonuses include increased energy metabolism, better circulation, improved glucose metabolism, and the release of “feel-good” brain chemicals, including endorphins. Just about every health expert will suggest 30 to 60 minutes of aerobic exercise – such as power walking, jogging, or biking – several times a week to help maintain reasoning and learning skills, sharpen memory and possibly delay the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and age-related cognitive decline. Before you begin a new workout routine, though, consult your integrative physician or a health coach – who can help you find a program that’s right for you. Slow Mental Aging With Natural Techniques Nutrients and supplements that promote cognitive function and accurate memory include rosemary, ginkgo biloba, lion’s mane mushrooms, acetyl-l-carnitine, Panax ginseng, vitamin C, curcumin, and omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA found in fish oil. In addition, B vitamins – particularly vitamin B12, vitamin B9 (folate), and vitamin B3 (niacin) – can help break down homocysteine, a pro-inflammatory amino acid implicated in poor heart function. As always, though, check with your trusted integrative doctor before supplementing. Generally speaking, the Mediterranean diet – featuring antioxidant spices, healthy monounsaturated fats such as olive oil, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and limited amounts of high-quality protein – has been linked to a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. (It has also been associated with a lower incidence of heart disease as well as longer life – so many healthcare providers suggest this healthy way of eating is a win/win). Of course, getting sufficient sleep, managing stress through natural methods, staying well hydrated with pure, filtered water, and reducing exposure to environmental toxins and metals (such as aluminum) can all help support healthy cognition and memory. “You’re only as old as you feel,” according to the old adage. But, when you consider the effects of aging on the brain, it might be more accurate to say: “You’re only as old as you THINK.” As the latest study suggests, elderly people who continue physical activity may have an “inside track” on staying (cognitively) youthful. And that’s something to think about. Sources for this article include: Wiley.com ScienceDaily.com LifeExtension.com NIH.gov NIH.gov NIH.gov EverydayHealth.com To read the original article click here.

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Fighting Autism Brain Inflammation with Food

AHA Publisher — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 07:00:30 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via NutritionFacts – One food may be able to combat all four purported causal factors of autism: synaptic dysfunction, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. In a keynote address at an autism conference, Harvard neurologist Martha Herbert said, “I think we need to conduct research as if we know this is an emergency.” Already, up to 1.5 percent of American children have autism, and it appears to be on the rise. What about fever’s dramatic effect? “Dramatic relief of autistic behavior by infectious fever continues to tantalize parents and practitioners” and, indeed, from a research standpoint, “what could be more revealing than a common event that virtually ‘normalizes’ autistic behavior for a time?” But, “[t]here’s so much going on during fever.…Where to begin?” Once it became understood that one cause of autism may reside in the synapses—the “soul of the brain,” the nerve-to-nerve junctions where information is transmitted—attention turned to heat shock proteins, which are released by the brain when you have a fever. They can improvesynaptic transmission and, thus, may be capable of improving long-range brain connectivity, which is depressed in autism. A compound, sulforaphane, upregulates those heat shock proteins, so you could potentially get the benefits without the fever. Which drug company makes it? What do I ask for at the pharmacy? You don’t. As I discuss in my video Fighting Autism Brain Inflammation with Food, you just need to check out the produce section at your local market. Sulforaphane is not made in a chemical plant—it’s made by a plant. Sulforaphane is made by broccoli, kale, cabbage, collards, and cauliflower—in other words, cruciferous vegetables. Perhaps if we give broccoli to those with autism, it will make things better by boosting the heat shock proteins. But, as you can see at 1:57 in my video, synaptic dysfunction is not the only contributing cause of autism. There’s also oxidative stress. “The brain is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress” because lots of free radicals are forged in the brain, which has few “antioxidant defense capacities.” And indeed, there is “a long history of studies showing that ASD [autism] is associated with oxidative stress and diminished antioxidant capacity.” Nrf2 levels are cut nearly in half, which is what triggers our body’s antioxidant response. Nrf2? What is that? It’s “considered to be a master regulator” of our body’s response to environmental stressors. If only there were a way to boost Nrf2 with foods. Well, there is. Sulforaphane just so happens to be perhaps “the most potent naturally occurring inducer” of Nrf2 on the planet. Under any kind of stress—oxidative stress, inflammatory stress—Nrf2 triggers our antioxidant response elements, activating all sorts of cell-protective genes that balance out and detoxify the free radicals and facilitate protein and DNA repair. So, maybe if we give some broccoli to those with autism, it will also make things better by triggering Nrf2, which activates those antioxidant response elements. There’s also the mitochondrial dysfunction. Children with autism are more likely to suffer from dysfunctional mitochondria, the little powerplants within our cells where metabolism takes place. If only there were some food that could improve mitochondrial function. And, there is: “A diet rich in cruciferous vegetables effectively retunes our metabolism by…restoring metabolic homeostasis,” or metabolic balance. Power plants for our cellular powerplants. As you can see at 3:58 in my video, not only can sulforaphane boost the gene expression of heat shock proteins as much as sixfold within six hours, but it can also double the mass of mitochondria in human cells growing in a petri dish. So, maybe if we give some broccoli to those with autism, it will also make things better by relieving some of that mitochondrial dysfunction that is creating even more free radicals. Can we just try giving these kids some broccoli already? Before we do, there’s one final factor. Neuroinflammation—brain inflammation—is another causal factor in autism. If, at autopsy, you look at brain tissue of those with autism, you can see inflammation throughout the white matter, and if you do a spinal tap, you’ll find up to 200 times the levels of inflammatory mediators, such as interferon, bathing their brains. What’s causing all that inflammation? Well, the master regulator of the inflammatory cascade is a protein called NF-kappa-beta, which induces inflammation. If overexpressed, as in autism, it can lead to chronic or excessive inflammation. If only there were a food… Really? Broccoli does that, too? Yes! In fact, the major anti-inflammatory mechanism for sulforaphane is inhibiting NF-kappa-beta. That completes the picture. Give broccoli to someone with autism, and heat shock proteins are released to boost synaptic transmission, Nrf2 is activated to wipe out the free radicals, mitochondrial function is restored, and we suppress the inflammation triggered by NF-kappa-beta. One food counters all four purported causal factors of autism. That’s one of the differences between foods and drugs. Drugs tend to have single effects. But, autism spectrum disorder ismultifactorial, so it’s no wonder there are no drugs that work. But “strategies using multi-functional phytochemicals” such as sulforaphane, or even better, the whole plants themselves “are highly attractive”…in theory. But you don’t know until you put it to the test, which I cover in my video Best Foods for Autism. You can also check: Flashback Friday: The Best Foods for Fighting Autism and Brain Inflammation. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here.

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