Category: Health 101

by: Mike Lovell, N.C.

It seems everyone that comes into our clinic has a common complaint, “I’m tired”. Of course there are quick fixes that can give temporary relief through drug therapy, which carries its own set of concerns. Bio-identical hormone replacement is an extremely effective method in dealing with fatigue. While hormone replacement is a much safer and less toxic approach than drugs, it still does not address the entire problem underlying fatigue.

We should understand that one of the primary functions of the body is to produce energy from the food we eat. When biochemical energy production declines for any reason, the resulting symptom is fatigue. Causes for fatigue are result of imbalanced oxidation rates, incomplete energy pathways, heavy metal toxicity, glandular imbalances, and sugar and carbohydrate intolerance.

Although fatigue is not considered a disease, there are still signs that may indicate a not so obvious fatigue problem such as:

1. Addiction to stimulants
2. Allergies
3. Constipation
4. Cravings for sweets or salt
5. Difficulty concentrating
6. Distaste for animal protein and fat
7. Excessive sensitivity to stress
8. Feelings of apathy and mental depression
9. Inability to cope with stress
10. Impaired thinking and memory loss

Fatigue is the prime symptom of a deficiency of adequate biochemical energy production in the body cells. Reduced energy production can be due to a wide range of factors including lack of rest, infection, chronic diseases, muscular tension, emotional upset and very often nutritional imbalances or deficiencies. Let us consider the causes for this sometimes debilitating condition that so many of us deal with on a daily basis.

1. The oxidation rate is defined as the rate at which food is burned or oxidized. All biochemical oxidation has an optimum rate of reaction. When the rate is too fast or too slow, energy efficiency declines drastically.
2. Glucose Intolerance and Fatigue. A steady supply of glucose at the cellular level is essential for optimum energy production. Many times fatigue is caused by some degree of sugar intolerance, or the inability to properly regulate cellular glucose levels. The result may be either high or low sugar levels in the blood. However, at the cellular level the effect is always a deficiency of available glucose, which can result in fatigue.
3. Insulin Metabolism and Zinc. Insulin is a hormone which is necessary for the utilization of glucose in the body. Insulin allows glucose to pass across the cell membrane into the cells, where the glucose is burned or oxidized for energy. Zinc is required in the production and release of insulin into the blood. It also holds the hormone together allowing it to be active longer in the blood stream. When zinc levels are low, the effectiveness of insulin becomes limited causing a deficiency of glucose at the cellular level, again resulting in fatigue.
4. Emotional Stress such as frustration, hostility, worry and fear deplete vital nutrients wearing down the adrenal glands ability to respond to stress.
5. Minerals in the Energy Pathway. Minerals perform key roles in the energy pathway. They act as catalysts, activators and co-factors that enable the energy system to function. For example, magnesium is a catalyst for several hundred enzymes, including adenosine triphosphate or ATP. ATP is the molecule used as fuel for all cellular activity. Iodine is involved in the production of thyroid hormones. Potassium helps sensitize the tissues to thyroid hormones. Energy production in the Krebs cycle requires iron and copper. Manganese is needed in the mitochondria for energy production within all cells. Insulin production and release require zinc. Chromium is also involved in insulin metabolism. Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying molecule, requires iron and copper for its synthesis (Analytical Research Laboritories, Inc., 1993).
6. Vitamins in the Energy Pathway. Many vitamins are involved directly or indirectly in the energy pathway. B vitamins are involved in many steps in the glycolysis and citric acid cycles. Vitamins A, C and E protect delicate enzymes from destruction by free radicals. Vitamin F, or the essential fatty acids, are needed to maintain cell membranes. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are a common cause of energy loss and fatigue (Analytical Research Laboritories, Inc., 1993).
7. Lifestyle. This is a category that can take on its own report so we’ll settle for touching on a few things. The big question is how much sleep are you getting each night? This is a downward spiral for those suffering from fatigue since it takes energy to sleep and adequate sleep is necessary to combat fatigue. More rest is essential in overcoming fatigue along with a nutritional approach.
8. Developing healthful eating habits is another important lifestyle factor. A balance of protein, fats and cooked vegetables are necessary in promoting and maintaining good health.

Hormone and Nutrition Solutions specializes in providing a healthy approach to fatigue through nutritional balancing and bio-identical hormone replacement therapy. Visit our website at www.hormonenutritionsolutions.net or like us on Facebook.

by: Mike Lovell, N.C.

In today’s society, stress is just a part of life. In our clinic we see people who are burned out, depressed and have absolutely no energy for even the simple day to day challenges, much less extra activities for fun or health. Because we live on a high stress plateau, usually without proper nutritional support, our adrenal glands are becoming less efficient in their response to this stress. In other words, adrenal burnout has become the order of the day. Instead of changing the way we eat and correcting certain lifestyle decisions, we as a nation have decided to follow the path that seemingly allows us to continue on without inconvenient changes.

We take CAFFEINE!

We can get this naturally occurring drug in many different forms, colors and flavors. It is mildly addictive and is probably the reason it is added to soft drinks. That’s right, caffeine has to be added to your favorite soft drink, which is why the FDA limits how much there can be, about 71 mg per 12 oz.

But don’t get me wrong, drinking coffee (best black) is not only good, but can be good for you and what ails you. There are many, and I mean MANY, studies that show benefits for conditions that plague our society.

1. Coffee drinking was associated with a reduced risk of bladder, breast, buccal and pharyngeal, colorectal, endometrial, esophageal, hepatocellular, leukemic, pancreatic, and prostate cancers (Yu, 2011).

2. If you drink coffee you will be less likely to have calcium deposits in your coronary arteries. Calcium is needed to form the plaque that protects against leaking (Choi, 2015).

3. Moderate coffee intake may trigger a 30% increase in blood flow in your small blood vessels, which might take some strain off your heart (Doheny, 2010).

4. A meta-analysis that included data from 11 studies and nearly 480,000 people, found drinking two to six cups of coffee a day was associated with a lower risk of stroke (Thompson, 2013).

5. Drinking four to six cups of coffee a day is associated with a lower risk of multiple sclerosis, as is drinking a high amount of coffee over five to 10 years. According to researchers, “Caffeine has neuroprotective properties and seems to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines” (Mowry, 2015).

6. Among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), those with higher blood levels of caffeine (due to coffee consumption) were less likely to progress to full-blown dementia. “Caffeine/coffee intake is associated with a reduced risk of dementia or delayed onset, particularly for those who already have MCI,” (Cao, 2012).

7. “Americans get more of their antioxidants from coffee than any other dietary source. Nothing else comes close,” says study leader Joe Vinson, Ph.D. (Vinson, 2005).

When looking at these studies the amount of coffee per serving was 5 to 8 oz. averaging about 100mg of caffeine. But understand, all caffeine is not created equal. These benefits all come from drinking coffee not soft drinks, diet pills, NoDoz, or caffeinated candies and food. Studies indicate that these sources don’t have the same benefits. Which leads us to the topic at hand, Energy Drinks.

Anyone taking energy drinks for a pick-me-up can and will vouch for their effectiveness, while the companies that make them continue to say that the amount of caffeine in their drinks are equivalent to a small Starbucks coffee. This may be true for some products, but certainly isn’t for most. For example:

(Center for Science, 2014)

The problem isn’t so much that there is an exorbitant amount of caffeine in one serving of some of these drinks, but that they are being marketed to young people who have metabolisms not suited for this type of stimulation. One study showed that 30% to 50% of adolescents and young adults drink energy drinks (Seifert, 2011).

The amount of caffeine consumed in a day is particularly concerning, due to the misperception by young people that energy drinks are sports drinks (CDC, 2014) or that they are no more than a soft drink. With this consumption there are increasing reports of caffeine intoxication, with caffeine dependence and withdrawal issues soon to follow (Reissig, Eric C. Strain, & Roland R. Griffiths, 2009).

What people don’t understand is that there are some serious side-affects associated with these drinks, especially in children, adolescents, and young adults. Side-effects such as: seizures, diabetes, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavioral disorders or those who take certain medications. There were 5448 reported caffeine overdoses for 2007, 46% occurred in those younger than 19 years of age (Seifert, 2011).

What may be surprising is the frequency of energy drink consumption was positively associated with marijuana use, sexual risk-taking, fighting, seatbelt omission, and taking risks on a dare in one study, and associated with smoking, drinking, alcohol problems, and illicit prescription drug use for white students, but not for black students in another (Miller, 2008). This study suggests that energy drinks can serve as a gateway to other forms of drug dependence (Reissig, Eric C. Strain, & Roland R. Griffiths, 2009).

Now add to this list of concerns a rising number of college students who combine the use of energy drinks and alcohol and we see how the use of energy drinks cloud rational thinking. They assume the sugar and caffeine effectively offsets the fatigue and drop in cognitive performance from the effects of alcohol (Oteri, 2007), which leads to more traffic related injuries and accidents. Five hundred students from the School of Medicine of the University of Messina were interviewed, 450 of them filled out a questionnaire concerning the use of energy drinks and alcohol. A total of 56.9% of these students declared using energy drinks. A large number of the users (48.4%) frequently combine energy drinks and alcohol. In particular, 35.8% of those students used energy drinks with alcohol more than 3 times in the last month (Oteri, 2007).

Caffeine as it’s found in its natural delivery system, coffee, can have very healthy benefits as we have seen. Especially for those who do not have a sensitivity to it. However, when separated out and added to different foods, drinks or pills, caffeine can cause adverse medical reactions as well as social problems. If you find the need for a pick-me-up try a good cup of black, caffeinated coffee. The benefits are amazing.

Mike Lovell
Hormone and Nutritional Solutions, LLC
ofc: 225-928-1791
http://hormonenutritionsolutions.net/

 

Works Cited

Babu, K. M., Church, R. J., & Lewander, W. (2008, March). Energy Drinks: The New Eye-Opener For Adolescents. Retrieved from Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1522840107000997

Cao, C. (2012, February 21). High Blood Caffeine Levels in MCI Linked to Lack of Progression to Dementia. Retrieved from Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease: http://content.iospress.com/articles/journal-of-alzheimers-disease/jad111781?resultNumber=25&totalResults=392&start=20&q=caffeine&resultsPageSize=10&rows=10

CDC. (2014, March 5). CDC Study: Youth Perceptions About Energy Drinks. Retrieved from CDC.

Center for Science. (2014, November). Caffeine Content of Food & Drugs. Retrieved from Center for Science in the Public Interest: http://www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm

Center For Science in the Public Interest. (2014, November). Caffeine Content of Food & Drugs. Retrieved from Center For Science in the Public Interest: http://www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm#table_soft_drinks

Choi, Y. (2015, Janurary 15). Coffee consumption and coronary artery calcium in young and middle-aged asymptomatic adults. Retrieved from Heart: http://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2015/02/06/heartjnl-2014-306663

Doheny, K. (2010, March 2). Coffee May Cut Risk of Heart Rhythm Problems. Retrieved from WebMed: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20100302/coffee-may-cut-risk-heart-rhythm-problems

Jones, S. (2007, May). New-onset seizures in adults: Possible association with consumption of popular energy drinks. Retrieved from Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1525505007000261

Miller, K. E. (2008, November). Energy Drinks, Race, and Problem Behaviors Among College Students. Retrieved from Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1054139X08001651

Mowry, E. (2015, February 26). AAN 67th ANNUAL MEETING ABSTRACT. Retrieved from American Acadamey of Neurology: https://www.aan.com/PressRoom/Home/GetDigitalAsset/11535

Oteri, A. (2007, July 25). Intake of Energy Drinks in Association With Alcoholic Beverages in a Cohort of Students of the School of Medicine of the University of Messina. Retrieved from Wiley Online Library: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1530-0277.2007.00464.x/abstract

Reissig, C. J., Eric C. Strain, & Roland R. Griffiths. (2009, January 1). Caffeinated energy drinks—A growing problem. Retrieved from Science Direct: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0376871608002858

Seifert, S. M. (2011, February 14). Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults. Retrieved from Pediatrics: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2011/02/14/peds.2009-3592.short

Thompson, D. (2013, November 20). Does Caffeine in Coffee Perk Up Heart Health? Retrieved from WebMed: http://www.webmd.com/heart/news/20131120/does-caffeine-in-coffee-perk-up-heart-health

Vinson, J. A. (2005, August 28). Coffee is number one source of antioxidants. Retrieved from American Chemical Society: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/acs-cin081905.php

Yu, X. (2011, March 15). Coffee consumption and risk of cancers: a meta-analysis of cohort studies. Retrieved from BMC Cancer: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/11/96

by: Mike Lovell

“What’s that you’re eating for lunch?”

“Oh, a 12 oz. ribeye wrapped in bacon with a side of scrambled eggs made with heavy whipping cream.”

“I have a salad with olives, broiled chicken, peppers, covered with virgin olive oil and lemon juice.”

“I’m eating a vegetarian lasagna made with whole wheat noodles and beef flavored tofu.”

“I juiced about 3 pounds of vegetables and fruit, then blended it in my 15 horse-powered, titanium bladed, super blender, with a scoop of protein powder and ice.”

“I’m not eating today. I’m on my 2 week liquid fast and cleanse with an anti-parasitic, probiotic, intestine/colon, liver and gallbladder cleanser.”

It’s amazing to think about all the different ways and methods we have tried to lose weight. Many of us have had success to some degree with one approach or another. Just consider the number of pounds you or a family member have lost in the last, oh…10 years. Probably a whole other you. Which begs the question, would any of these approaches be considered successful?

I know, I know, you’re thinking that for the most part they were, since you lost a considerable amount of weight. But, how successful was this approach, really? How many times did you have to re-do because the weight kept coming back? I can hear some of you staunch supporters of whatever diet saying, “It’s not the diet, I just didn’t continue to eat right.” And that is the real meat of the question. What is eating right? This is the question we will spend some time on after we look at what in the world is causing the weight gain and why some of you couldn’t lose 15 pounds if you were given a year to lose it.

First, let’s look at glandular activity. For some of you flat bellies, this sounds like an excuse we use for why us not so flat bellies are overweight. In actuality, this is the very reason weight loss is so painfully slow that it seems non-existent. In order to metabolize stored fats and utilize consumed protein, fats and carbohydrates, we must have balanced and strong thyroid and adrenal gland function. If these are weakened due to toxicity, lack of nutritional support or continual stress, losing stored fat becomes a daunting if not impossible task, while keeping new fat stores from developing is so stressful we need chocolate ice cream to get through the day. I had a lady come into my office a few years back that had continued a very stringent, low calorie diet for more than a year, walked 5 miles a day and did not lose one pound.

When I perform a hair analysis on an individual it gives me vital information concerning the internal workings of the body. Such as thyroid and adrenal gland function, how well your body is utilizing the glucose (blood sugar), oxidation rating, individual mineral levels and important ratios between certain minerals. Many of my clients are what we call slow oxidizers (slow metabolizers). These are folk who have slow thyroid function and exhausted adrenal glands. In general, they have poor energy production at the cellular level and live in a constant state of fatigue. Exercise is a chore that pays little to no dividends when it comes to weight loss and consequently they do not have the stamina to keep up a long term program.

When cellular energy levels are low, a person constantly craves what’s known as simple carbohydrates. These are foods that digest quickly and raise blood sugar levels (glucose); the simpler the carb (higher glycemic rating) the higher the glucose levels (the glucose is used as fuel for the cell much like gasoline for the car engine.) As these levels rise, insulin is released into the blood to carry the glucose to the cells. The problem for the slow oxidizer is that the transport system used to get the glucose into the cells does not function properly, creating an energy deficit.

Several operations come into play at this point. Insulin shuts down the release of stored fats for use as energy creating a non-competing environment for the glucose. As long as glucose remains high, insulin stays in the blood trying to get it cleared and into the cells. However, the body will not allow glucose levels to remain high since it causes inflammation resulting in a myriad of health problems. In fact, this report stated: “The study also found that even small amounts of glucose result in “profound inflammation” in these patients.” (Ajay Chaudhari, 2013). Now if the glucose can’t get into the cells, the body then converts it to fat and stores it, or will dehydrate the body to dilute the blood so the kidneys can filter out the excess resulting in frequent urination.

The scenario above is by far the most common among my weight loss clients; however, there are more causes for weight gain than this. A hair analysis gives us a clear picture of what’s happening in the body and the changes that need to take place to correct the mineral imbalances that plague us.

Now let’s get on to the plate shall we?

We are carnivores. We are not cattle, horses, beasts, birds or fish, nor do we live in the garden before the fall of Adam. I say all this to make a point. We are not equipped to breakdown and metabolize raw vegetables (salads, broccoli, carrots, etc.). The chemical bonds between the fiber and nutrients are just too strong for our digestive track. Just look at the animals that live on grass, twigs, bark, etc., you’ll find that they have multiple stomachs or expanded digestive tracts. Heating the veggies begins an enzyme action that weakens and breaks these bonds allowing us to absorb the nutrients. Also, heating the veggies condenses their volume which allows us to eat a lot more of them. In fact, studies show that cooking our veggies provides a greater amount of energy allowing our brains to reach full development (size and neurological capabilities) (Fonseca-Azevedo, 2012). Your plate should be 65% to 70% cooked veggies. Now stop the whining, it will be ok. You can’t continue to do the same things and expect something to change. I heard a preacher say once, “Change changes things.” Oh, and let me say there is no law that’s states you can’t eat veggies for breakfast (gasp!)

Along with the cooked vegetables, we need to include a good quality meat, the cleaner the better. If you can’t go out and buy organic beef, buffalo, lamb or wild game, then you must take the extra time to pray over your meal and trust the Lord by faith to take care of what you can’t. If you can’t trust and appreciate what the Lord has provided you, you shouldn’t be eating. There should be enough to take up a third of your plate. If you’ve gotten away from eating meat then my recommendation is to add a little at a time, 2 to 3 oz. three times in a week adding another serving every couple of days until you’re eating meat every day. At this point your stomach acids should have gotten stronger allowing for quicker digestion and less heaviness in the stomach and better taste for meats in general.

The last little space left on the plate is for fats and starches. FINALLY!!!! Something I will actually like! Now before you get too excited I’ve included a graph for your plate at the bottom of this article. That last little space can be filled with brown rice, maybe a half of a small sweet potato (include lots of real butter) or some dried beans. This probably sounds too good to be true, and it is when you consider that we’re talking about a quarter to a half cup per serving of these foods.

I know this doesn’t sound exciting or provocative, but how you prepare these foods and combine them will be up to your particular likes and tastes. Simplify your meal plan, include some mild exercise, work at keeping your blood sugar levels low and consistent and practice some patience and you’ll see that weight loss is not a myth. For those that can’t lose even following these simple steps, it may be beneficial to call my office for a hair test and find out what we need to do to get you balanced and losing weight.

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

by: Mike Lovell

It is time to close out this series on cholesterol; hopefully, it has helped you understand what is going on in your body. Some of you may have noticed the age of many of the studies I cited in these articles. This should show you how long we’ve known about diet and its affects on heart disease. In fact, there are no major studies that show a negative correlation between saturated fats and foods containing cholesterol with heart disease. So, why the push to low fat/cholesterol diets and establishing abnormally low cholesterol numbers? A preacher once told me if it doesn’t make sense, follow the buck.

Let’s ask a couple of questions: 1. What makes serum cholesterol numbers rise? 2. What causes plaque in the arteries? In actuality the things that elevate serum cholesterol also create an environment conducive to the buildup of plaque.

So what are some of the causes of elevated serum cholesterol?

1. When the body is under high levels of stress, whether internal or external, the adrenal glands respond by producing stress hormones to combat and lower the stress. The raw material in the production of these hormones is cholesterol, so quite naturally we will see a rise in blood cholesterol levels. Several studies have been conducted that show this (Analytical Research Laboratories, Inc., 1989) (Justice, 1987).
   1. The effects of academic final examinations on serum cholesterol levels were studied on 2 groups of medical students. A significant increase in the mean total serum cholesterol levels were observed during examination periods as compared to control periods of relaxation. These findings support previous reports of the effects of mental tension on serum cholesterol levels. (Grundy & Griffin, 1959)
   2. A significant increase in mean value for serum cholesterol is shown to accompany the mental and emotional stress of examination week in a group of 44 apparently healthy, male, medical students. The mean value for serum cholesterol increased to 238 mg %, which represents an 11% increase over the mean control value of 214 mg % (P < 0.001). (Wertlake, Wilcox, Haley, & Petterson, 1958)
   3. When running a hair test there is a pattern that shows up that indicates chronic stress. This pattern is a high potassium level in relation to sodium. This type of stress pattern usually indicates excessive tissue breakdown, fatigue, diabetes and heavy metal toxicity, all of which may contribute to cardiovascular disease (Lawrence Wilson, 2009).
2. Adelle Davis in Let’s Get Well noted that “animals and human volunteers that are fed sugar instead of unrefined carbohydrates develop high cholesterol levels”. Unrefined carbohydrates include whole grains. (Davis, 1965)

• A deficiency in some nutrients such as Chromium, manganese and B-complex vitamins may raise stress since they are necessary in enhancing carbohydrate metabolism.

1. Copper deficiency also decreases copper in hearts and other organs and cells and increases cholesterol in plasma. Abnormal physiology from deficiency includes abnormal electrocardiograms, glucose intolerance and hypertension. People with ischemic heart disease have decreased cardiac and leucocyte copper and decreased activities of some copper-dependent enzymes. Copper depletion experiments with men and women have revealed abnormalities of lipid metabolism, blood pressure control, and electrocardiograms plus impaired glucose tolerance. The Western diet often is as low in copper as that proved insufficient for these people (Klevay, 2000).
2. Slow oxidation, as revealed in a properly performed hair test, indicates a sluggish or insufficient adrenal response to stress. Cholesterol levels rise due to the increased stress and the adrenal glands impaired response. This means the adrenals don’t breakdown the cholesterol to produce the stress fighting hormones (Lawrence Wilson, 2009).

When it comes to plaque buildup in the arteries there is a root cause, inflammation. Arteries are the high pressure side of the circulatory system in the body. When the possibility of a leak develops, the body begins its preventive maintenance program. To get a detailed account of the process follow the link provided in the cited work (Libby, 2006). To keep it simple, when inflammation shows up in the artery wall, the affected cells produce an adhesion (sticky) molecule that attracts monocytes. These are transformed into macrophages that trap lipids (LDL’s) creating a fatty layer over the inflamed area. The cholesterol in these trapped lipids are used to help repair any damaged cells causing the inflammation. If the inflammation continues the fatty layer is converted to the harder plaque which acts as a band aid. This process will continue until the inflammation is stopped or the artery is blocked. (Facing by-pass surgery is not a pleasant proposition, so feel free to email me for alternatives.)

Inflammation can be caused by oxidant damage from refined vegetable oils, margarines, refined sugars and heavy metal deposits such as cadmium found in cigarettes. Zinc is necessary to maintain flexibility of the arteries, so a deficiency can cause hardening and inflammation of the arterial walls.

A moderately physical lifestyle, an increase in the consumption of cooked vegetables and decrease in the consumption of simple carbohydrates (this includes refined wheat products) will allow the body to stay balanced and healthy. Oh yeah, leave the butter and meat on the menu, it keeps your heart healthy.

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

Works Cited

Analytical Research Laboratories, Inc. (1989). The Great Cholesterol Mystery. Retrieved from Analytical Research Laboratories, Inc.: http://www.arltma.com/Articles/CholMystDoc.htm

Davis, A. (1965). Let’s Get Well. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Grundy, S. M., & Griffin, A. C. (1959). Effects of Periodic Mental Stress on Serum Cholesterol Levels. Retrieved from Circulation: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/19/4/496.short

Justice, B. (1987). Who Gets Sick. Houston, TX: Peak Press.

Klevay, L. (2000, Febuaray). Cardiovascular disease from copper deficiency–a history. Retrieved from PubMed.com: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10721936

Lawrence Wilson, M. (2009, December). CHOLESTEROL AND YOUR HEART. Retrieved from The Center For Development: http://drlwilson.com/Articles/CHOLESTEROL.htm

Libby, P. (2006, February). Inflammation and cardiovascular disease mechanisms. Retrieved from American Society for Clinical Nutrition: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/83/2/456S.full

Wertlake, P. T., Wilcox, A. A., Haley, M. I., & Petterson, J. E. (1958, January). Relationship of Mental and Emotional Stress to Serum Cholesterol Levels. Retrieved from Experimental Biology and Medicine: http://ebm.sagepub.com/content/97/1/163.short

 

by: Mike Lovell

Now that we know a little of cholesterol’s role in the body and how important it is to the health of our cells and production of hormones, we can now ask some intelligent questions concerning the allegations against this essential sterol. We’ve been conditioned to equate cholesterol with clogged arteries and heart attacks, and yet the plaques lining the inside of blood vessels contain other substances such as white blood cells, calcium, platelets, and more. Cholesterol is not even the principle component of arterial plaque. Protein, mostly as scar tissue, is more abundant (Faculty and Disclosures, 2008).

If this be the case, and it is, what is the significance of cholesterol numbers in the blood and what causes these numbers to rise?

The prevailing hypothesis is that eating foods high in cholesterol and fats will raise these levels and cause a higher incidence of cardiac heart disease (CHD), stroke and cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, as we showed in the previous article that cholesterol is poorly absorbed, why do researchers continue to tell us that eating these types of foods are bad, especially since studies abound that prove quite the contrary?

Let us look at a few shall we?

• Adelle Davis states in Let’s Gets Well, “Animals that are fed sugar instead of unrefined carbohydrates develop high blood cholesterol levels. The blood cholesterol of healthy volunteers (Human) fell when they ate unrefined carbohydrates, but substituting sugar caused their blood triglycerides and cholesterol levels to increase markedly.” (Davis, 1965)
• The Framingham Heart Study was established in 1947 and is still going on today. The researchers worked from the premise that elevated blood cholesterol levels were due to the amount of cholesterol consumed. The table below shows that men consuming a wide range of cholesterol showed no relationship between the amount eaten and blood levels, while women who consumed more cholesterol had lower blood levels.
  • Next, these scientists studied intakes of saturated fats, but again they could find no relation. There was still no relation when they studied total calorie intake. They then considered the possibility that something was masking the effects of diet, but no other factor made the slightest difference.
    • After twenty-two years of research, the researchers concluded: “There is, in short, no suggestion of any relation between diet and the subsequent development of CHD in the study group.”
  • Since they could not link the intake of saturated fats and elevated blood cholesterol, they had to revise their hypothesis:
    • “This hypothesis, however, depends on the presence of a strong direct association of fat intake with coronary heart disease. Since we found no such association, competing mortality from coronary heart disease is very unlikely to explain our results.” After forty-nine years of research they still can’t find a relationship between fatty diets and heart disease.
• A study of 61,471 women aged forty to seventy-six, conducted in Sweden, looked into the relation of different fats and breast cancer. The results were published in January 1998. This study found an inverse association with monounsaturated fat and a positive association with polyunsaturated fat. In other words, monounsaturated fats (olive oil [natural oils not chemically processed such as: canola, sunflower and sesame] some nuts, avocados, etc.) protected against breast cancer and polyunsaturated fats (soybean oil, corn oil, canola oil and sunflower oil, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring and trout) increased the risk. Saturated fats were neutral. (Alicja Wolk, et al., 1998)
• In a study published in the British Medical Journal, 1965, patients who had already had a heart attack were divided into three groups: one group got polyunsaturated corn oil, the second got monounsaturated olive oil and the third group was told to eat animal fat. After two years, the corn oil group had 30 percent lower cholesterol, but only 52 percent of them were still alive. The olive oil group fared little better; only 57 percent were alive after two years. But of the group that ate mostly animal fat, 75 percent were still alive after two years (British Medical Journal 1965 1:1531-33).
• The Anti-Coronary Club project, launched in 1957 and published in 1966 in the Journal of the American Medical Association, compared two groups of New York businessmen, aged 40 to 59 years. One group followed the so-called “Prudent Diet” consisting of corn oil and margarine instead of butter, cold breakfast cereals instead of eggs and chicken and fish instead of beef; a control group ate eggs for breakfast and meat three times per day. The final report noted that the Prudent Dieters had average serum cholesterol of 220 mg/l, compared to 250 mg/l in the eggs-and-meat group. But there were eight deaths from heart disease among Prudent Dieter group, and none among those who ate meat three times a day (JAMA 1966 Nov 7; 198 (6):597-604; Bulletin NY Academy of Medicine 1968).
• An 11-year study conducted in New Zealand with 630 people aged 25 to 74 measured cholesterol levels at initial examinations and whether they were alive or dead at the end of the study. The causes of death were divided into three categories: cancer, cardiovascular disease, and “other.” What they found was those with lower cholesterol levels had higher rates of death in all three categories (R Beaglehole, 1980).
• There is a much higher butter consumption in Western France than in Eastern France, yet the rate of mortality from ischemic heart disease in Western France is almost half that among men in Eastern France (MacLennan & Meyer, 1977). We find the same situation in India. The incidence of acute myocardial infarction is seven times higher in southern India than in northern India; however, in southern India, dietary fat provides only 3.5 percent of total calories, 45 percent of which is polyunsaturated. In northern India, dietary fat provides 23 percent of total calories, only 2 percent of which is polyunsaturated (Malhotra, 1967).
• A meta-analysis was conducted on studies that followed 347,747 subjects for a period of 5-23 years. These studies were to determine the increased risk of saturated fat intake on CHD, stroke or CVD. Their conclusion? “That there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CHD or CVD.” (Patty W Siri-Tarino, 2009)

One more point of interest should be included before signing off. The rise of CHD in Britain at the turn of the century was dramatic to say the least. It was during this time that margarine and vegetable shortenings became a substitute for butter due to the rise in cost. Here is a telling comparison of the increase of CHD and increased intake of margarine and vegetable shortenings.

I must conclude this portion of my report, but let us consider the importance of the studies that have been cited. Understand that there are many more just like these that fly in the face of what we are being told through the media and pharmaceutical companies concerning cholesterol and fats. In my next article, we will look at the real causes of high cholesterol and why plaque is formed in the arteries.

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

Works Cited

Alicja Wolk, P., Reinhold Bergström, P., David Hunter, M., Walter Willett, M., Håkan Ljung, M., Lars Holmberg, M., et al. (1998, January 12). A Prospective Study of Association of Monounsaturated Fat and Other Types of Fat With Risk of Breast Cancer. Retrieved from JAMA Internal Medicine: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=190898

Davis, A. (1965). Let’s Get Well. San Diego: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.

Dikkers, A., & Tietge, U. J. (2010, December 21). Biliary cholesterol secretion: More than a simple ABC. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from World J Gastroenterol: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3007110/

Faculty and Disclosures. (2008). In Vivo Coronary Plaque Classification by Intravascular Ultrasonography: Plaque Components. Retrieved from Medscape: http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/570565_4

MacLennan, R., & Meyer, F. (1977). Food and Mortality in France. Lancet, 133.

Malhotra, S. (1967). Graphic aspects of acute myocardial infarction in India with special reference to pattersns of diet and eating. British Heart Journal, 337-344.

Patty W Siri-Tarino, Q. S. (2009, November 25). Meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies evaluating the association of saturated fat with cardiovascular disease. Retrieved from The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2010/01/13/ajcn.2009.27725.abstract

R Beaglehole, M. A. (1980, Feburary 2). Cholesterol and mortality in New Zealand Maoris. Retrieved from The BMJ: http://www.bmj.com/content/280/6210/285.abstract

Ravnskov, U. (1992, August 29). Cholesterol lowering trials in coronary heart disease: frequency of citation and outcome. Retrieved from theBMJ: http://www.bmj.com/content/305/6844/15?variant=abstract

 

by: Mike Lovell

Cholesterol…Where do we begin? Is it the villain we have been pressed to believe? Is it the killer that your doctor and most published research articles try to convince us it is? Can we trust the pharmaceutical companies that make billions of dollars annually from statin drugs to tell us the truth about their cash cow?

Cholesterol has proven to be a very complex and confusing topic due to the unrelenting press and advertising campaigns to promote an idea that cholesterol is bad. Combine this with testing that is confusing at best, is not easily explained by doctors (what are LDL, HDL and Triglycerides anyway???) and we have the perfect opportunity to control people through fear. I know…I know, I sound like one of those conspiracy theorists decrying government mind control and big pharma, but I think that most of you have real concerns about this information and what effects (if any) these can have on your health.

So, let’s just list a few things for which cholesterol is responsible for in the human body and then ask some common sense questions in a follow-up article.

• Cholesterol is converted by the liver to bile acids that are critical for digestion and absorption of fats and fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K) in the small intestine. (Bowen, 2001) (Dikkers & Tietge, 2010)
• Cholesterol is required to build and maintain cell membranes, reducing the permeability of the plasma membrane to neutral solutes, hydrogen ions, and sodium ions.
  • In other words, without cholesterol to hold things together our cells would fall apart.
  • Anything and everything would have open access into the cells.
• Cholesterol is an important precursor molecule for the synthesis of vitamin D and the steroid hormones, including the adrenal gland hormones, cortisol and aldosterone, as well as the sex hormones progesterone, estrogens, and testosterone and their derivatives. (Hanukoglu, 1992)
• Cholesterol is a major component of the myelin sheath that surrounds the nerves providing insulation for a more efficient conduction of impulses. (W & Ross MW, 2006)
  • With this point in mind, there are several studies showing that low cholesterol numbers lead to depression and suicide:
    • University of Minnesota researchers found that people with total cholesterol levels lower than 160 mg/dL were more likely to commit suicide than those with higher cholesterol levels. (JD, 1992)
    • Cholesterol and blood fat levels were found to be lower, on average, among patients with bipolar disorder who had attempted suicide than bipolar patients who had not. (Vuksan-Ćusa, 2009)
    • The results of a 2008 study of hospitalized psychiatric patients suggested that low cholesterol may be associated with suicide attempts.
    • A study of men, aged 40 to 70, found that the men with long-term, low total cholesterol levels “have a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms” compared to those with higher cholesterol levels. (Steegmans, 2000)
    • When Swedish researchers compared cholesterol measurements of nearly 80,000 men and women to subsequent arrests for violent crime, they came to the conclusion that “low cholesterol is associated with increased subsequent criminal violence.” (Golomb, 2000)
• In fact, some research indicates that cholesterol may even act as an anti-oxidant (Smith, 1991)

Cholesterol is so essential to the health of the body that it makes what it needs in the cells themselves or gets what it needs via transport by Triglycerides from the liver (Dikkers & Tietge, 2010). The fact is, most cholesterol that is eaten through diet is in a form that is poorly absorbed. The body compensates for any absorption of additional cholesterol by reducing cholesterol synthesis (JM & de Lorgeril M, 2011). This means that diet does not affect overall cholesterol levels long term.

WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?!

Yep. Eating that steak and egg breakfast might raise your levels a bit for about seven hours, but after that cholesterol will show little, if any, effect on total body cholesterol content or concentrations of cholesterol in the blood (C, 1994).

Given these facts, why has cholesterol become the villain, and why is it accused of killing so many and causing all these heart conditions? We will look at that in next month’s article.

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

Works Cited

Bowen, R. (2001, November 23). Secretion of Bile and the Role of Bile Acids In Digestion. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from Colorado State: http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/liver/bile.html

C, D. (1994). Effects of increasing amounts of dietary cholesterol on postprandial lipemia and lipoproteins in human subjects. Journal of LIPID Research , 1993–2007.

Dikkers, A., & Tietge, U. J. (2010, December 21). Biliary cholesterol secretion: More than a simple ABC. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from World J Gastroenterol: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3007110/

Dr. Laura A. Corr, M. B., & Oliver, M. (1997). The low fat/low cholesterol diet is ineffective. European Heart Journal, 18-22.

Golomb, B. A. (2000, July). Low cholesterol and violent crime. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from Journal of Psychiatric Research: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022395600000248

Hanukoglu, I. (1992, December). Steroidogenic enzymes: Structure, function, and role in regulation of steroid hormone biosynthesis. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0960076092903075

JD, N. (1992, July). Serum cholesterol level and mortality findings for men screened in the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial. Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial Research Group. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from PubMed.com: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1627030

JM, L., & de Lorgeril M. (2011, July). Dietary cholesterol: from physiology to cardiovascular risk. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2016, from PubMed.com: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21385506

Smith, L. (1991). Another cholesterol hypothesis: cholesterol as antioxidant. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from PUBMED.com: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1937129

Steegmans, P. H. (2000, March). Higher Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged Men With Low Serum Cholesterol Levels. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from Psychosomatic Medicine: http://journals.lww.com/psychosomaticmedicine/Abstract/2000/03000/Higher_Prevalence_of_Depressive_Symptoms_in.9.aspx

University of Minnesota. (2012, October 15). The Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial (MRFIT). A national study of primary prevention of coronary heart disease. Retrieved January 2, 2015, from Heart Attack Prevention: http://www.epi.umn.edu/cvdepi/study-synopsis/multiple-risk-factor-intervention-trial-mrfit/

Vuksan-Ćusa, B. (2009, Feburary). Differences in cholesterol and metabolic syndrome between bipolar disorder men with and without suicide attempts. Retrieved Janurary 16, 2015, from Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278584608003217

W, P., & Ross MW. (2006). Histology: a text and atlas: with correlated cell and molecular biology. Philadelphia: Lippincott Wiliams & Wilkins.

by: Mike Lovell

99……98……97……96….. Wait?!?…. What?!?…. What was that?…. Black?!?!?!…. I thought they were all supposed to be white?! Great, now I have to start over…..99….

I know. No one counts sheep to fall asleep, yet so many people struggle not only to fall asleep but also to stay asleep. The drug companies understand this and fight to get their prescription medications in front of people through commercials on television, the internet and radio so they can “ASK their doctors about the possible benefit of using this product,” at the same time promoting their over the counter medications, all with the promise of a full nights’ sleep. Of course, the warnings of possible side effects go unnoticed by most people simply because WE ARE TIRED!!! Effects like: falling asleep while driving, sleep walking, sleep eating, moodiness, depression and suicidal tendencies are all documented through a myriad of studies and yet who cares as long as I get to sleep. If a problem can be solved by taking a pill, our attitude is let’s get it and get on with our life, but for most the problem is our life or how we approach it.

“Sleep disorders are now epidemic and an important cause of accidents, health problems, loss of productivity, learning problems in some cases of children, and even some obesity. The importance of adequate rest is often underestimated. Fatigue and exhaustion set the stage for every imaginable illness, both physical and emotional.” (Dr. Lawrence Wilson, 2008)

Several accident studies have shown that people not getting the required 7-9 hours of sleep a night are prone to accidents on the highways and at work at a rate 21.8% higher than those getting adequate sleep (Sabine Horstmann, 2000). One study showed a 15 times higher rate of accidents for people suffering from sleep apnea as opposed to those getting adequate sleep (Garbarino S, 2001).

I can hear some of you thinking, “7-9 hours of sleep a night? I don’t have time for that, I have work to do.” You may want to give heed to what God says about this attitude. Psalm 127:2 says: “It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.” Depending on your health and how much healing needs to take place, you may need closer to 10 hours a night. It was found that Americans sleep less than every other country in the world due to our drive to accomplish goals and business. This extends to our independent churches as well. We seem to believe that less sleep and more doing is the sign of spirituality or a way to prove you are addicted to the ministry. The answer is not to spend more time, but to be more effective with the hours given to you. Less sleep may give you more time, but it affects you in ways that cut your productivity and make you unhealthy.

There are 5 stages of sleep and each one is important to the health, mental and spiritual development of all individuals. Without the proper time for sleep it has been shown that our life span is shortened, immune function is hindered, obesity becomes more prevalent and mental development and responsiveness is lowered (Office of Communications and Public Liaison, 2014). These stages must cycle through about 5 times in a night in order to get the most out of your sleep. This takes time.

So you want to sleep, but can’t? Why? There are several reasons that hinder or disrupt our sleep ranging from our work and travel schedules (shift work and time changes) to being overweight to toxicity issues. What most don’t understand is that it takes energy to sleep, and when our energy levels are depleted sleep becomes a challenge (this will be another topic for later).

To put it kindly, we as humans refuse to work on the schedule that God set up for us when it comes to working late or shift work. You see, we’re to sleep when it’s dark and work when its light (Job 4:13; Genesis 28:11). When the Lord made us, He set a clock that our body operates by called a circadian rhythm. This rhythm flows on a 24-hour cycle and is triggered by a decrease in light (sunset). As darkness sets and our eyes send less light to the brain, the hypothalamus begins to shut down certain functions in the body and turn on others. With the decrease of light, melatonin levels begin to rise and this hormone brings us into the deep sleep cycle. When we disrupt this cycle by keeping our lights on, sitting in front of the T.V. or computer, we push the ability to sleep further into the night shortening the work the body is scheduled to do and causing us to wake up during the wrong stages of sleep. If this continues, our rhythms are reset and our bodies have trouble sustaining a balance and sleep becomes a challenge.

To rest our internal clocks, we need to turn off the T.V. and computer one to two hours before sleep and dim the lights in the house. This will take about five to eight days to correct, and it is well worth the effort when sleep is no longer just out of reach. For those traveling across time lines or working shift schedules, you can try taking about 1 to 3 mg of melatonin 45 minutes to an hour before bed making sure that all light is gone from the room. Wearing a sleep mask may help with rooms that are impossible to darken in the day and make sure you give yourself enough time to complete your sleep cycle.

Mind racing and the inability to relax are signals that there may be some toxicity issues along with deficiencies in calcium and magnesium. I find that many of my clients are copper toxic. Copper in its unusable form, will deposit in the brain disrupting neurotransmitters creating brain fog, moodiness and mind racing. Calcium and Magnesium are required to relax the muscles and calm nerve impulses (Dr. Lawrence Wilson, REST AND SLEEP – ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTH, 2014). When these conditions are in play it is very hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. This can be corrected with a change in diet and a nutritional balancing program that allows the body to correct these imbalances and work at its best.

Sleep is not a necessary evil as many think, but a part of the reconstruction and building of the body and mind. Without it we are not at our best and we become mistake prone and set ourselves up for failure, accidents and even illness. There are enough challenges and battles in our lives without compounding them by refusing to follow God’s simple sleep schedule.

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

Bibliography

Dr. Lawrence Wilson, M. (2008, December). NARCOLEPSY, SLEEP APNEA AND OTHER CAUSES OF INSOMNIA. Retrieved December 5, 2014, from The Center For Developement: http://drlwilson.com/Articles/NARCOLEPSY,%20SLEEP%20APNEA.htm

Dr. Lawrence Wilson, M. (2014, September). REST AND SLEEP – ESSENTIAL FOR HEALTH. Retrieved December 5, 2014, from The Center For Developement: http://drlwilson.com/Articles/sleep.htm

Garbarino S, N. L. (2001). The contributing role of sleepiness in highway vehicle accidents. Retrieved November 29, 2014, from Erope Pubmed Central: http://europepmc.org/abstract/MED/11247057

Melinda Smith, M., Robinson, L., & Segal, M.A., R. (2014, September). Sleep Disorders and Sleeping Problems. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from HelpGuide.org: http://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/sleep-disorders-and-sleeping-problems.htm

Office of Communications and Public Liaison. (2014, July 25). Brain Basics: Understanding Sleep. Retrieved November 15, 2014, from National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/brain_basics/understanding_sleep.htm

Robert L. Sack, M. R. (2000, October 12). Entrainment of Free-Running Circadian Rhythms by Melatonin in Blind People. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from The New England Journal Of Medicine: http://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM200010123431503

Sabine Horstmann, C. W. (2000). Sleepiness-Related Accidents in Sleep Apnea Patients. Department of Neurology, University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland, * Division of Pneumology, Department of Internal.

by: Mike Lovell

Hi! My name is Mike Lovell and I’m an addict. Yes, I allowed a compulsion to control my decision making, harm my health even cause problems within my family. It affected my mental ability to react rationally in times of stress and even my spiritual outlook on life. I am not alone in this; literally millions of people (saved and lost alike) fight this killer. It is responsible, directly or indirectly, for debilitating diseases and deaths. To make things worse, it is not only legal to have and consume, it is constantly being offered to us in one form or another on a daily basis. This substance is socially acceptable, readily available and freely offered at most parties and family gatherings; in fact, we gladly go out of our way to make sure our children get plenty as treats or as a reward for good behavior.

What in the world could this be you ask? You’re not going to like the answer…it’s… SUGAR.

I can hear the crowds clamoring now, “Away with him?”

I know, there will probably be no real consideration of these statements even after I offer proof, just the same ole response that we see in 1 Peter 3:4; addictions are hard to break (but of course, there is never really an addiction to chocolate, just a rightful appreciation for one of God’s highest levels of creation, I jest…kind of…well…really…?

So, what is addiction? It is a state defined by compulsive engagement in naturally rewarding behavior or compulsive drug use, despite adverse consequences. So it’s doing things, eating or taking something that makes us feel good and we don’t care if it’s bad for us or wrong to do. We hear (or say) statements like: I’ve got to have something sweet before I go to bed, or I like to treat myself, or I can’t drink coffee or tea without it being sweet. These all have the same feel as those that say I have to have a drink after work to unwind or a glass of wine with my meal. You have to? Really?

Let us take a look at some facts and studies and see where all this sugary goodness takes us and really how important that snack or bowl of cereal is in the grand scheme of your health.

The single largest source of calories for Americans comes from sugar—specifically high fructose corn syrup, and according to a 300-year trend researched by Mercola:

• The average person consumed about 4 pounds of sugar per year in 1700.
• The average person consumed about 18 pounds of sugar per year in 1800.
• Individual consumption had risen to 90 pounds of sugar per year in 1900.
• In 2009, more than 50 percent of all Americans consume one-half pound of sugar PER DAY! That’s over 180 pounds of sugar in a year. (Mercola, 2010)

WHAT!?! Over 180 pounds? No way, that’s got to be wrong? Well, before we write this off as impossible, let’s take a look at the many names of sugar: barley malt, corn syrup solids, fruit juice, honey, beet sugar, date sugar, fruit juice concentrate, invert sugar, brown sugar, dextran, glucose, lactose, buttered syrup, dextrose, glucose solids, malt syrup, cane-juice crystals, diatase, golden sugar, maltodextrin, cane sugar, distatic malt, golden syrup, maltose, carmel, ethyl maltol, grape sugar, mannitol, carob syrup, fructose, high fructose corn syrup, molasses, raw sugar, refiners sugar, sorbitol, sorghum syrup, sucrose, sugar, turbinado sugar and yellow sugar. If we take a good honest look at the ingredients in our processed foods, it’s easy to see how this can be true. If we count all the sodas, candy bars, granola bars, energy drinks, etc. it’s not hard to see the truth in that statement.

There is research to suggest that this higher intake of added sugar is associated with CVD (cardiovascular disease) risk factors. This study found 71.4% of adults in the U.S. consume 10% or more of their calorie intake from added sugar. (Quanhe Yang, Zhang, MD, PhD, Gregg, PhD, Flanders, MD, ScD, Merritt, MA, & Hu, MD, PhD, 2014). So, if you are one of those adults eating 2000 calories/day, 200+ of those are just added sugar. The importance of this finding is that adults who consume 10% to 25% of their daily calorie intake in added sugar had a 30% greater chance of dying from a heart attack than those who ate less than 10% (Quanhe Yang, et al., 2014).

Another fact of interest would be that in 1893 there were fewer than 3 cases of diabetes for every 100,000 people in America. Today the numbers are a bit higher at 8000 cases per 100,000 people in the U.S., and in fact studies have shown that diabetes has adverse effects on the brain such as:

• Longer duration of diabetes is associated with brain volume loss, particularly in the gray matter. In other words, loss of gray matter is associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s;
• The brain size of diabetics decreased twice as rapidly as non-diabetics. (R. Nick Bryan, 2014)

I know, some of you will argue that you’re eating the good sugars found in fruits. This sugar is called fructose and it is metabolized primarily by the liver. Once it hits the liver, where does this sugar go? It is converted to fat in the form of VLDLs and triglycerides which sit in the liver and can cause nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or they are carried to different storage sites in the body (thighs, stomach, neck, arms, you know, all the attractive places).

But, the metabolism of fructose is more than just the fats and triglycerides:

• Fructose raises uric acid levels which can cause the contraction of smooth muscle cells in the arteries raising blood pressure.
• This increase in uric acid creates inflammation in the system which has many far reaching health consequences. For example; inflammation of the arteries is a cause of plaque buildup and eventual artery blockage.
• Fructose does not stimulate the release of insulin as does glucose. Insulin is required to stimulate leptin levels which tell the body its full so stop eating. It also raises ghrelin levels which tell the body it’s hungry. So, high fructose meals and snacks can actually cause weight gain due to over eating (Teff, 2013).

For those who drink diet sodas, allow me to add to these warnings. Daily diet soda consumption was associated with significantly greater risks of two metabolic syndrome components (incident high waist circumference and fasting glucose) and type 2 diabetes. Drinking diet drinks by themselves or in conjunction with weight loss diets have been shown to lead to weight gain, impaired glucose control (hindering insulin response) and eventual diabetes (Jennifer A. Nettleton, 2009).

In light of just these few facts and studies showing the dangers sugar poses to our health, it may be time to consider just how necessary or important sugar really is for us and our children. Sin is already destroying our bodies, why speed things along? Is there not a cause and a work to do?

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

Works Cited

Jennifer A. Nettleton, P. (2009, April). Diet Soda Intake and Risk of Incident Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)*. Retrieved from Diabetes Care: http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/32/4/688.short

Mercola. (2010, April 20). Fructose: This Addictive Commonly Used Food Feeds Cancer Cells, Triggers Weight Gain, and Promotes Premature Aging. Retrieved October 18, 2014, from Mercola.com: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/20/sugar-dangers.aspx

Quanhe Yang, P., Zhang, MD, PhD, Z., Gregg, PhD, E., Flanders, MD, ScD, W., Merritt, MA, R., & Hu, MD, PhD, F. (2014, April). Added Sugar Intake and Cardiovascular Diseases Mortality Among US Adults. Retrieved from JAMA Internal Medicine: http://archinte.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleID=1819573&utm_source=Silverchair+Information+Systems&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=ArchivesofInternalMedicine:OnlineFirst02/03/2014

R. Nick Bryan, M. P. (2014, July). Effect of Diabetes on Brain Structure: The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes MR Imaging Baseline Data . Retrieved from Radiology: http://pubs.rsna.org/doi/full/10.1148/radiol.14131494

Teff, K. L. (2013, July 2). Dietary Fructose Reduces Circulating Insulin and Leptin, Attenuates Postprandial Suppression of Ghrelin, and Increases Triglycerides in Women. Retrieved from JCEM: http://press.endocrine.org/doi/abs/10.1210/jc.2003-031855

 

by: Mike Lovell

Unless you have experienced the crushing weight of severe depression, it is very difficult to understand, much less empathize with the individual battling this condition. Each year depression affects 5-8 percent of adults in the United States, which means about 25 million Americans will have an episode of major depression this year alone, with only half of those affected actually receiving any kind of treatment (Ken Duckworth, 2013). This malady is not limited to those outside of the saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, but seems to affect saved and lost alike in equal numbers. Pastors and church counsellors are encountering a growing number of born again believers falling prey to this sometimes debilitating condition rendering them ineffective in the work of God.

In the past our independent Baptist churches haven’t dealt with this condition very effectively, either because it was never considered anything other than a guilty conscience, not being right with God, or just having no clue with how to deal with the growing numbers in our churches being affected. In my practice, the number of clients who are on or have been prescribed antidepressants is high. What is disappointing is the fact that studies show the ineffectiveness of these drugs in all, but severe cases of depression, and even then their effectiveness is almost undetectable (Kirsch, et al., 2008) (Jay C. Fournier, 2010).

Emotionally, depression presents itself as: constant sadness or an empty feeling, irritability, hopelessness, feeling worthless or guilty for no reason, and loss of interest in favorite activities. While physical symptoms are trouble sleeping, low energy or fatigue, significant weight change or appetite change (Lawrence Wilson M., 2014). Many of the people I work with in my clinic come due to depression or it’s a major concern in their symptomology. After conducting a hair analysis, I find there are three major reasons for this condition; lack of energy, toxic metals and/or spiritual warfare.

It is difficult to understate the effects of fatigue and exhaustion when it comes to depression. Everything is more difficult when your energy reserve is exhausted. The world becomes overwhelming and every little wrinkle becomes a mountain and every small problem becomes an unbearable weight. Energy loss, or fatigue, is generally a result of a very slow acting thyroid and adrenal gland. In fact, when you think about it, depression is just the body’s way of telling us that it’s too tired. These people usually drag themselves through the day grabbing anything that will stimulate their adrenals such as coffee, sugar, energy drinks, worry and even anger. But, when energy levels are restored, life and its challenges are not so daunting and the everyday responsibilities are met with resolve. Most people who use stimulants experience a brief reprieve, “brief” being the operative word; however, the main result is the irritation of an already tired adrenal gland and nervous system while depleting the system of necessary nutrients. The focus should be to restore those depleted nutrients by eating a lot of cooked vegetables and avoid those foods that upset digestion such as wheat, fruits, sweets, some nightshade veggies and all refined or overly processed food.

Toxic metals devastate the body’s energy system at many levels. These include the Krebs cycle, electron transport system, energy-producing glands and glucose handling systems of the body. By replacing vital minerals in enzyme binding sites, it makes the normal function of the enzyme incomplete causing eventual breakdowns to the system (Lawrence Wilson M. , Restoring the Bodies Energy System, 2013). I tell my clients that this is equivalent to having a fine-tuned Ferrari, but using Hyundai replacement parts and expecting it to run right. Another way to look at this is like using the wrong key in a lock, it may go in but it can’t turn the mechanism. To fix this problem, we must remove the wrong key or the wrong parts and replace them with the right ones. This is what a nutritional balancing program accomplishes resulting in a more efficient response in energy production.

Spiritual warfare, or sometimes just a misunderstanding of what God is trying to accomplish in your life, is a cause of depression. For some reason, born again believers in the Laodicea age have no concept of a real Devil or his hatred for the body of Christ. For them, Job is just a story in the Old Testament and Paul was a super Christian operating in a realm that we are not qualified to approach. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Regardless of your perceived position in Christ, you are a target of the Devil and he hates you with a passion. His goal for you is either death or destruction of your testimony in the world. This can be accomplished through the tempting of your flesh and will to make wrong life decisions forcing God to correct you as His son. The strength of your pride will determine the length of your fight which in turn forces your defense mechanism to over work and eventually fall to exhaustion, disease and depression. This is why we are told in Ephesians 4:27 not to give place to the Devil, and in Romans 12:2 that we are to renew our minds since this is a real battle ground.

There are times when we misunderstand the trials that the Lord puts in our life. These are designed to keep us from becoming double minded in our ways (James 1:3-8), and we see them as a cruel joke played on us undeservedly by the Lord. This again, becomes a fight between the will of God and the will of our pride, the net result being stress on our energy production and the eventual wearing down of the system. When the Bible tells us that a “merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22), this speaks of a person who is content in the will of God and has found that peace from God that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

For millions, depression is a daily fight that seems to have no end, but as we have seen, there are causes that can be corrected through nutrition and a walk with God.

Mike Lovell
Hormone Age Management
225.928.1791 office

References

Jay C. Fournier, M. (2010, January 6). Antidepressant Drug Effects and Depression Severity. Retrieved from JAMA: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=185157#COMMENT

Ken Duckworth, M. (2013, April). What is depression? Retrieved from National Alliance of Mental Illness: http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=depression

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