The U.S. adult obesity rate (BMI greater than 30) and severe obesity (BMI greater than 40) now tops 40% and up to 50% depending on race and socioeconomic status. This give the U.S. the dubious distinction of being the most overweight country in the world. What is more concerning is the obesity rate in children. For children aged 2 to 19 years the prevelance of obesity (depending, again,on race and socioeconomic status) was 18.5% affecting about 13. 7 million children and adolescents. Obesity related conditions include heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer. the estimated annual medical cost of obesity in the U.S. was 147 billion in 2008. there are an overwhelming number of proposed interventions for weight loss including drugs, supplements, diets and exercise programs, etc., all, for the most part, having some benefit assuming compliance/persistence (lack of both is the usual reason for failure). One of the primary reasons for lack of compliance is appetite. there are 2 hormones involved in appetite control, gherlin and leptin. Leptin being the more important in terms of appetite and weight gain. Leptin is a hormone that is made by fat cells and cells in the small intestine. It communicates weith the brain to help regulate energy balance by inhibiting hunger which, in turn lowers fat storage in the fat cells. There is something called leptin resistance (brain does not respond to leptin) and may be a leading driver of fat gain in the body. (I check leptin levels on all my patients). Ifronically, the more fat you have ghe more leptin you make in an attempt to shut down hunger and fat deposition. This should work, however, too much leptin overwhelms the brain (hypothalamus) whereby the brain thinks you are starving and enmcourages eating more with subsequent fat storage and a decrease in energy ependiture. In addition to the myriad of weight loss interventions, I use both CBD and PEA to address appetite. Both of these (PEA is a natural endocannabinoid found int he body) downplay gherlin and balance leptin, aside from the multitude of other benefits including addressing stress related eating.
Cells have 3 membranes: 1. the cell wall that defines cellular structure and maintains integrity 2. the mitochondrial membrane that support the cell's life-energy processes, and 3. the nuclear membrane that protects our genetic code. Free radicals (also known as reactive oxygen species-ROS)are caused by environmental chemicals (150,000 by 1950) showing up in air, water and food and skin contact via household cleaning products, cosmetics,. etc. It is the free radicals/oxidative stress, with its resultant mitochondrial injury, that leads to the pathophysiology of disease.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF OXIDATIVE STRESS: allergies, anxiety, depression, gut issues, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, hypoglycemia, irritability, lowered resistance to infection, muscle and joint pain, muscle weakness and poor mental function.
COMMON CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH OXIDATIVE STRESS: ALS, alzheimer's disease, asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic fatigue, diabetes, fibromyalgia, iron overload, multiple chemical sensitivities, MS, osteoarthritis, parkinson's and RA.
DIETARY SOURCES OF OXIDATIVE STRESS AND MITOCHONDRIAL INJURY: charbroiled foods, excess sugar/glucose, excess alcohol, exposure to heavy metals and petrochemicals, overeating, processed foods, rancid fats, nutritional deficiencies.
So what can we do? Antioxidants, of course, and there are many of them. CBD is excellent for oxidative stress (and a myriad of other amazing benefits) and astaxanthine which is multiple times more potent than vitamin C. I recently ran across a company ("ONEcbd"-Ty/214-415-8495) that has combined both cbd and astaxanthine providing outstanding oxidative stress coverage. One dropper provides approximately 16mg of cbd and 12mg of astaxanthine.
How do you get candida overgrowth? A healthy microbiome (gut bacteria) typically can keep your candida levels in check, however,several factors can cause the candida population to get out of hand:
1. eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar
2. consuming a lot of alcohol
3. taking oral contraceptives
4. Living a high stress lifestyle
5. Taking a round of antibiotics
The top 10 common candida symptoms include:
1. skin and nail fungal infections (athletes foot or toenail fungus)
2. feeling tired and worn down or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia (see heavy metal and mold blogs)
3. digestive issues such as bloating, constipation or diarrhea
4.Autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis, RA, ulcerative colitis, lupus, psoriasis, scleroderma or MS.
5. Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD and brain fog
6. Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives and rashes
7. Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression
8. Vaginal infections, UTIs or rectal itching
9. Severe seasonal allergies
10. Strong sugar and carb cravings
There a number of ways to test and treat candida overgrowth
Recent Post
Mitochondria Explained: Powering Cells, Health, and Disease
