Category Archives: MS

Functional Medicine: What it is and Why do you want it?

Functional Medicine: What it is and Why do you want it?

Functional Medicine: Just exactly what is it? How is it different from conventional medicine? Why Functional Medicinemight you want to work with a functional medicine practitioner like Jay Sordean? This video explains it in full detail as Dr. Jay narrates and describes some of the distinguishing characteristics of this and how it differs from conventional medicine.

Dr. Jay has been studying and practicing functional medicine for the past 30 years. Learn about this medicine, focused on functional capacity in the body, in ways you may never have thought about it.

Additional resources can be heard at http://www.NaturalSolutionsWithDrJay.com

Learn about how the functioning of the body degenerates and how that leads to malfunction, disease, and THEN symptoms.

 

 

Water is an important part of your body’s functioning.  What happens to your function when your water is toxic?  Click on this link to learn more: http://www.theredwoodclinic.com/toxins-in-water/

Stress, trauma and toxicity are 3 of the most important causes of degenerating health.  These each lead to decreased vitality and organ function, increasing inflammation and causing the body to have to work harder to repair damaged tissues.  Call the office at 510-849-1176 to find out what we can do to help you regain your health.

 

Mitochondrial Disease

Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction

What is so crucial about mitochondrial disease and dysfunction? Well, you may remember that the mitochondria are organelles in your cells. They make the energy packets that store and release electrical power so you can make proteins, hormones, move, talk, breathe, circulate blood, and think. Mitochondria have a counterpart in the plant world. The chloroplast. The organelle in plant cells that take carbon dioxide and water, capture energy from the sun, and pack that energy in sugar molecules. Those sugar molecules are one of the three types of food that the mitochondria then burn to create heat and energy packets.

Of course, this reminds us of how important the plant world is for our survival. The picture below by Cody Serfass shchloroplast and mitochondriaows this interrelationship beautifully.

 

posted Dec 22, 2014, 8:30 AM by Cody Serfass

But, as much as we need the mitochondria to work right, it can either start to not work right or be so damaged as to not work at all. It is kind of like an internal combustion engine. There has to be fuel, the burning of the fuel has to be controlled, and the energy has to be converted into a useful form. So, just like taking your car to the mechanic to figure out why the horsepower dropped, you need an expert on mitochondrial function to figure out what might be going on if you are starting to lack power. Call The Redwood Clinic for help with this.

Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction Diagnosis

3-10-08-uae-fog-medium-2Definitive diagnosis of mitochondrial disease and dysfunction requires a knowledge of many steps in the process. Figuring out where in the process things aren’t working may require doing organic chemical analysis.  It tells us if the steps in the process of energy production are happening as they are supposed to. Sort of like seeing if the engine is burning cleanly or producing extra pollution.

Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction and Aging

Aging is related to inflammation. Inflammation damages tissues, nerves, blood sugar balance, brain tissues, and other tissues and organs. Inflammation can damage mitochondria and degeneration of mitochondria effects all parts of the body.

The prolongation of mitochondrial health seems also associated with life span. Why is that? Caloric reduction is a major factor related to longevity. When you reduce calories and fast on occassion, your damaged mitochondria will be broken down so only healthy ones remain behind. Having only well functioning mitochondria is like having a race event with only the best running cars working. The broken down cars then don’t create wrecks and roadblocks on the race course.

Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction and Your Heart

The failing heart is a muscle running out of fuel, and the fuel of the heart comes from mitochondrial activity. Without adequate intake of nutrients you will have mitochondrial deterioration, according the Bruce Ames. With the high prevalence of death from heart attacks in this country it is wise to have your mitochondria checked at The Redwood Clinic to see if they might be a source of potential early mortality.

Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction and Bipolar Depression

Build up of acids from the energy cycle, when it is not working right, leads to higher acidity, and that is related to bipolar depression.

Mitochondrial Disease and Dysfunction and Obesity

Stomach, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine

Stomach, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine

African Americans may have an especially susceptible mitochondria that have less ability to produce heat and thus have higher levels of diabetes and prostate cancer.

Also having too much “white fat” (devoid of mitochondria) puts you more at risk for obesity and cardiovascular disease than having enough brown fat which contains lots of mitochondria that can convert the fat into energy.

Mitochondrial Disease, Dysfunction, and what to do about it

In addition to getting your mitochondrial function checked out, there are many things you can do to help support your mitochondria. Periodic exposure to cold helps your metabolism and the functioning of your energy production system — the mitochondria. While it is not for me, you could really shock your system (and stimulate your mitochondria) by joining a “polar bear club.” Taking a cold shower in the morning can also help.

Exercise helps optimize thyroid function, and thyroid hormones enhance metabolism and speed mitochondrial activity to create more energy and resultant heat.

Mitochondrial Disease and Atrazine

Atrazine is a widely used weed killer predominantly for corn. Atrazine is a mitochondrial damager — avoiding foods with atrazine is a great idea. That may mean that you have to avoid packaged manufactured “foodstuffs” if made from non-organic corn. Other studies show that Atrazine use tends to correlate with the incidence of obesity.  And again, most manufactured foods are made with some kind of corn.

Herbicides work on chloroplasts and chloroplasts are like mitochondria.  When you poison the mitochondria you can’t burn fat anymore.  And fats, carbohydrates and proteins are what we burn for fuel.

Chronic use of alcohol can damage mitochondrial DNA through oxidative stress.  Then if the liver isn’t working, you can’t clear toxins and then you age quickly.

Certain combination and single drugs can damage your mitochondria. Go to www.mitoaction.org to see which drugs are not good for your mitochondria. Drugs that damage your mitochondria include statins, antibiotics, and beta-blockers. The bacteriocidal antibiotics, quinolones, aminoglycosieds and beta lactams, are the most damaging to mitochondria. Certain things might help to support your body when taking those drugs, such as the right probiotics and NAC. Also, if possible, use the bacteriostatic antibiotics versus the bacteriocidal antibiotics.

Methyl mercury has a damaging effects on mitochondria in the brain especially. An underlying mitochondrial disorder may be a reason why vaccine-induced autism is real, as mentioned in US Federal Court.

A damage to your body due to your doctors prescriptions is called inatrogenica imperfecta by Dr. LePine. Medicine-induced disease due to bad drug combinations is quite prevalent.

Panic attacks can come from a high pH in the brain. Eg. you panic when your CO2 level increases from, for example, holding your breath a long time underwater. Due to pH drop. (Meaning that you are becoming more acidic — remember the pH scale is small numbers acid, 8 is neutral, and larger numbers are basic). Aerobic exercise may help you deal with it build up of lactic acid which is the product of the energy production without oxygen.

Mitochondrial Disease and Charles Darwin

Darwin’s illness throughout life may have been due to mitochondrial problem and a mitochondrial DNA -related problem.

In this case, arginine and citrulline may have positive benefits.

Mitochondrial Disease and Autism

Autism or other types of delayed developmental conditions may be helped by understanding the mitochondrial gene sequence as well.

Understaning the need to get oxygen into the brain and then into the mitochondria is discussed in Dr. Jay’s bestselling book, Super Brain: Maximize Your Brain Health for a Better Life. Order online at this link.

Medical research increasingly recognizes mitochondrial dysfunction as a major factor in the pathology of numerous human diseases, including diabetes, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and ischemia reperfusion injury. So consider getting you “powerhouse” checked out at The Redwood Clinic before you “check out” for good. 510-849-1176

 

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis

Fibromyalgia. A label for a myriad of symptoms, syndromes and conditions that have to be teased out to really find the underlying causes. I have been working with patients with Fibromyalgia Diagnosisdiagnoses of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, etc. etc. for more than 25 years. So how about fibromyalgia diagnosis done properly?

I am at my third seminar touching upon this in the last 6 months. To find out if there is anything else new on the subject, to keep me on the cutting edge of understanding fibromyalgia. Because very few doctors have even close to enough training in it. And the diagnoses are really wrong so often, even by the experts (one study showed 60% incorrect diagnosis).

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis and Mitochondria

One continuous thread in the fabric is the role of mitochondria and mitochrondrial dysregulation or sub-functioning. The mitochondria are the energy power-houses of our cells and body. Without enough energy you will feel achy and having pain in all parts of the body. I have numerous lectures on this subject on my youtube channel you can watch. None of these yet discuss mitochondria. Stay tuned for that aspect.

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis and Meningeal Compression

meningeal compressionOn the other hand, the role of meningeal compression and torqueing is something I have spoken on extensively. This also is a key factor and understanding underlying causes in each individual presenting with fibromyalgia.

Fibromyalgia Diagnosis and What else?

The list of involved “diagnoses” includes: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Organic depression/anxiety, Multiple bursitis/tendonitis sites, Connective tissue disorders, Stealth infections (Lyme and co-infections, viral), Endocrine (hormone) myopathies, dysglycemia (blood sugar problems), Anemia, Multiple sclerosis, occult malignancy, GI (gastrointestinal dysbiosis and Toxicity.

You can get more individualized assessment by calling The Redwood Clinic at 510-849-1176

Fibromyalgia diagnosis

 

Lead in Water — Still a danger

Lead in water? Still a danger in the U.S.

You might think that your water is safe. Well, as we have been saying for the past 30 years, you have to filter your lead in waterwater at the tap, preferably with a Multipure filter (order one at www.multipureusa.com/redwoodclinic). That is because there is lots of stuff in your water that is not good for your health. That includes heavy metals such as lead. It can come from solder. It can come from medications. It can come from industrial sources. It can come from airborne lead that falls into the water treatment plants.

The reality of lead in water came home to roost in Flint, Michigan. According to an alert from MOVE-ON, this is the story.

“In April 2014, state officials switched the source of Flint’s drinking water to the Flint River to save money.

Almost immediately after the switch, residents noticed changes in the smell, color, and taste of the water coming out of their taps. Tests showed high levels of bacteria that forced the city to issue advisories calling for residents to boil their tap water.2

Michigan Gov. Snyder and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality were aware of the high levels of lead in Flint’s drinking water for months, but they kept telling residents that the water was safe to drink.3  Lead poisoning is incredibly serious, especially to children, causing lower IQs, long-term learning disabilities, and behavioral problems.4

Last October, Flint’s drinking water source was finally switched back to the same source as Detroit. But Flint’s pipes are now permanently damaged and continue to leach lead into Flint’s drinking water.

Only when the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation into how Michigan has handled the crisis in Flint did Gov. Snyder finally issue a state of emergency.”

If it can happen in Flint, it can happen anywhere. Even in your town. And the only control you have is at your tap.
And lead is just the tip of the iceberg.

If you know of someone in Flint please have them read this post and have, or help them, buy a Multipure water filtration system.

Lead in Water Treatment

Susan B. Koemen Donation Version of System

1. “Michigan Knew Last Year That Flint’s Water Might Be Poisoned But Decided Not to Tell Anyone,” Slate, January 11, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/694?t=6&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

2. “Michigan’s Failure to Protect Flint,” The New York Times, January 15, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/693?t=8&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

3. “Michigan Knew Last Year That Flint’s Water Might Be Poisoned But Decided Not to Tell Anyone,” Slate, January 11, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/694?t=10&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

4. “Generation of Flint kids with lead in blood may not see effects for years,” MLive, January 14, 2016
http://act.moveon.org/go/695?t=12&akid=161078.26972093.6_KV9U

Heavy Metal Toxicity | Heavy Metal Test | Heavy Metal Detoxification Capacity

Removing Toxicity – Heavy Metal Toxicity and Chemicals in General

Heavy metals in your body can damage the nervous system and other tissues and cellular components. This is called heavy metal toxicity.   Lead, mercury, and aluminum are 3 examples of commonly found heavy metals in the body.  Even in the bodies of infants.

You know that lead is not good for human development.  It causes heavy metal toxicity.  It

Sculpture called Liquid Mercury

Sculpture called Liquid Mercury

was removed from paints and gasoline as a result. Mercury is not to be played with in a bare hand or other parts of the skin.  Mercury thermometers are rarely found anymore and were replaced by alcohol and digital thermometers because of the toxic potential of mercury.

How well does your body clear out the heavy metals that got into your body?  There are several methods to test not only the presence of heavy metals but how well your body is clearing them out.  This video explains one of the several methods we use because of their efficacy, accuracy, simplicity, and cost.  https://youtu.be/WrDpB0t4Eno

MERCURY as an Example of Heavy Metal Toxicity

Mercury is the only metal that is liquid at room temperature. In its pure form (often called metallic or elemental), mercury is a shiny, silver-white, odorless liquid.

mercury

Liquid Mercury

According to Medscape, Mercury in any form is poisonous, with mercury toxicity most commonly affecting the neurologic, gastrointestinal (GI) and renal organ systems. Poisoning can result from mercury vapor inhalation, mercury ingestion, mercury injection, and absorption of mercury through the skin.

Pouring Mercury

Pouring Mercury

Mercury has 3 forms: (1) elemental mercury, (2) inorganic salts, and (3) organic compounds. Perhaps the most deadly form of mercury is methylmercury. Only 2-10% of the ingested mercury is absorbed from the gut, and ingested elemental mercury is not absorbed at all; however, 90% of any methylmercury ingested is absorbed into the bloodstream from the GI tract. (http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1175560-overview)

Water Purification

Avoiding the ingestion of damaging chemicals and heavy metals is as important as removing them from inside the body.  Using a water purification for water that you drink, cook with, and even shower with is an important part of a healthy life-style nowadays.  Given that there are 100,000 new chemicals in the environment that your body was never exposed to before, keeping them out of the body (unless you specifically want to ingest them) avoids having to clean them out later.  Cleaning them out later takes energy and resources that could be used for more important things, like enjoying time with family, chatting, and relaxing in your favorite hobby. I suggest the Multipure filter as a good choice to at least start out with.  Don’t use something that only claims to make the water taste better.  It will taste better but not remove the toxins that will damage you and your family’s and children’s health.

To learn more about how to protect your brain from chemicals, please sign up for my video series as well.  And read “Super Brain: Maximize Your Brain Health for a Better Life.”

 

 

 

 

Memory, Alzheimer’s and Pesticides?

Are Pesticides Causing Memory Issues and Alzheimer’s?

Scientific America is weighing in on this question based on research reported by the Journal of the American Medical Association Neurology.

At Scientific American suggests that “saying that any pesticide causes Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is going too far. But evidence from a small study reported in JAMA Neurology suggests there could be a connection.” But the question still remains, “Are pesticides causing memory issues and Alzheimer’s?”

The JAMA Neurology study looked at pesticide levels in the blood of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and those who didn’t have it.  They looked for blood levels of DDE (a major byproduct of the pesticide DDT).  The levels of DDE in the AD subjects were almost FOUR TIMES HIGHER than in the controls. FOUR TIMES HIGHER.

This comes as no great surprise to those of us who have been looking at this chemical toxicity issue already for decades.  And, I go into detail about this connection, as ONLY 1 of MANY, in my books.  Learn more by going to http://www.OutsmartingDementia.com and http://www.SuperBrain-TheBook.com.

#Alzheimer #SuperBrain #obesity #pesticides

Scientific American states that there are still minute levels of DDE, a pesticide, in the US environment in spite of DDT having been banned in this country after Rachel Carson’s wide-spread alerting of the public in her seminal book, Silent Spring. 

There are still countries that permit the use of DDT pesticide in agriculture, and thus residues are most likely to be found fruits and vegetables imported from there. The pesticide has also been found in seafood, particularly farmed fatty fish, such as salmon, and shellfish imported from other countries.  DDE and DDT do not break down quickly, so that is one reason why they are so persistent even after being banned.

Scientific American advises that to reduce your exposure, wash produce thoroughly, throw away the outer leaves of leafy vegetables such as cabbage and trim the fat from meat and fat and skin from poultry and fish. If you eat sport-caught fish, check your state’s advisories for which types to avoid. If you don’t avoid it you may be susceptible to its ill effects and memory loss and Alzheimer’s.

Because trace amounts of pesticides (and other bad chemicals) can be in the water you drink from the tap, it is essential that you filter your drinking and cooking water with an effective water filtration system like the ones we recommend at http://www.multipureusa.com/redwoodclinic.  Buy one and use it to save the lives of yourself and your children.

The Scientific American article can be found at Memory on May 25, 2015

Digestion, Immunity, and Probiotics – Your Natural Choices

Boost Digestion, Immunity with Probiotics: Finding digestive comfort and Regularity

Many digestive complaints may be due to an imbalance of intestinal microflora. Digestive discomforts such as bloating, indigestion, and mild or occasional constipation or diarrhea could be bad bacteria and parasites on gutwarning signs of an imbalance of intestinal bacteria referred to as
microflora. Certain inflammatory disorders (e.g., inflammatory bowel diseases) are also associated with microflora imbalance. Stress and other lifestyle factors including diets high in sugars and low in fiber can foster harmful bacteria growth. Frequent or prolonged use of certain medications can also disrupt microflora balance.

Good bacteria are good for your health. Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is home to hundreds of bacterial strains, including both good and bad bacteria. One of your GI system’s main immunological functions is to rid the body of harmful bacteria and maintain a favorable ratio of health-promoting microflora. “Friendly” bacteria aid in digestion, intestinal motility to promote probiotics on gutregular bowel movements, and immune function to defend against infection by food-borne or other disease-causing germs. A “probiotic” may help restore balance. Daily supplementation with beneficial probiotic bacteria complements healthy eating, regular exercise, and managing stress to support digestive, immune, and overall health. Probiotics can also be used strategically to help respond to brief flare-ups of digestive distress, such as travel-associated diarrhea or discomforts associated with irritable bowel syndrome. Get the right probiotic to meet your needs. Different probiotic strains have unique benefits. So it’s important to select a beneficial combination of probiotic strains to get the health support you need.

Stomach, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine

Stomach, Small Intestine, and Large Intestine

Make an appointment to discuss how a targeted probiotic can help you in the context of overall health and better functioning. Call us today  510-849-1176 * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Look at Your Options for Treating Multiple Sclerosis

MSMultiple Sclerosis, also known as MS, is a complex condition that currently affects hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. This chronic disease causes uncomfortable, sometimes debilitating symptoms that can make it difficult to perform even simple everyday tasks.

What is Known of this Unstable Disease Process

The exact cause or causes of MS are not yet understood, and currently there is no specific cure, although many advances have been made in the treatment in recent years. Western medicine defines MS as an autoimmune condition, which is a condition that occurs when the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues. With MS, the immune system appears to attack and break down a substance called myelin, the sheath that surrounds the nerve fibers of the central nervous system. Myelin is an insulation layer between nerve cells that helps to maintain the speed of transmission through the nerves as well as preventing cross communication between nerve cells. As the myelin sheath is eroded away so does the speed and quality of communication between the brain and the body.  In the early stages of the myelin eroding there are very few if any symptoms.

However, when myelin insulation layer is “broken” and the nerve cells of the spinal cord and brain are exposed, nerve impulses are slowed down and cross communicated, leading to a progression of neurological related problems. So of the more common neurological symptoms include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Loss of balance
  • Poor coordination
  • Slurred speech
  • Fatigue
  • Memory problems
  • Numbness or weakness of the limbs

The symptoms of MS vary from person to person, can range from minor to severe and can even disappear for periods of time only to flare up unexpectedly.

Options for the Treatment of Multiple Sclerosis

Depending upon your symptoms and the progression of the disease, your doctor may suggest medications designed to slow the disease and/or medications for the symptoms.

It is important to take an active role in your treatment. More and more, people living with MS are choosing to complement their Western treatment with acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Acupuncture and TCM can provide a safe, natural way for those living with MS to stay as healthy as possible. Including acupuncture and TCM in your treatment plan can help boost your overall health and relieve symptoms. Practitioners of TCM view MS differently than Western medicine practitioners, taking into account each individual’s overall health, lifestyle and emotional well-being—not just their symptoms.

TCM is based on the concept that Qi (pronounced “chee”), or vital energy, flows through the body in channels called meridians. If Qi becomes stagnant, unbalanced or deficient, symptoms such as those linked to MS can result. This can occur for any number of reasons, from an inherited constitutional imbalance or illness to stress or an external invader such as wind or dampness.

Your practitioner will work to determine the condition at the root of your symptoms in order to create a treatment plan. For example, the muscular stiffness and numbness associated with MS are often related to excessive dampness within the meridians, or a deficiency in the liver and kidney organ systems.

Based on their diagnosis, your acupuncture practitioner will work to balance the Qi in the body’s organ systems by manipulating corresponding points on the body with hair-thin acupuncture needles. While acupuncture alone can’t cure MS, it has been found to be particularly useful in managing symptoms such as pain, muscle spasms and bladder problems.

Helpful Tips For Living with MS

MS can have an impact on every part of your life. To help support both your physical and emotional well-being, your practitioner may suggest some of these lifestyle changes and self-care techniques.

  • Herbal remedies – Your practitioner may provide herbs or nutritional supplements designed to help relieve symptoms and boost your overall health. Be sure to let your other health care providers know if you take supplements in order to avoid any potential drug interactions.
  • Staying cool – Heat can make symptoms of MS worse. Tepid baths, cool drinks and air conditioning may help make you more comfortable.
  • Exercise – Yoga and Qi Gong can help improve strength, balance and depression. Consider adding gentle aerobic exercise as well to improve your overall health and reduce stress.
  • Stress relief – Stress can exacerbate symptoms and cause other health problems, so it’s important to keep your stress levels in check. Meditation or deep-breathing techniques can help you stay calm and relaxed. Massage is another great way to help relieve stress and loosen tense muscles. If your anxiety becomes overwhelming, consider talking to a professional.

MS is a serious condition, but many people with MS live long, happy, fulfilled lives. Acupuncture and TCM can provide the support you need to cope with MS and its effects. If you or someone you love is facing MS, contact an acupuncturist today.

Dr. Jay Sordean and The Redwood Clinic in Berkeley, California can help you live with MS. Call us at today (510) 849-1176 to set up a consultation.