BPA-free plastics may be as harmful as their BPA containing cousins

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By now most people would be familiar with the safety concerns in regards to a chemical called BPA (bisphenol A). This chemical was used extensively in the manufacture of plastics until recently, when research showed that it can readily leech into the liquids and foods the BPA plastic container holds. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, BPA causes a powerful disruption of cellular processes which can have far reaching effects on health, including:

  • Thyroid dysfunction
  • Obesity
  • Neurological disorders
  • Cancers of the breast, brain and prostate
  • Heart disease
  • Reproductive disorders
  • Asthma

Of most concern is that BPA has shown the ability to reprogram cellular DNA, removing gene expressions such as tumor growth suppression. These genetic changes can then be passed down to subsequent generations, meaning that the plastic bottle of water you drink today may predispose your future child to cancer.

BPA out, BPS in

The use of BPA containing plastics is gradually being phased out (most Western countries have mandated it be removed from baby bottles), and the solution of the multi-billion dollar plastics industry has been to use a BPA alternative called bisphenol S (BPS). It was thought that BPS would be a safer option due to some early research indicating it leeches less readily than BPA, and also is unlikely to have the oestrogenic and cell disrupting activity of BPA. However some recent studies have shown this not to be the case. BPS is readily detectable in the bloodstream of the majority of any western population group tested, thus proving that it does indeed readily leech from the plastic. An early study showing clear oestrogenic activity on human cell lines from BPS was aggressively shut down by the legal representatives of the Eastman Chemical Company (a major plastics manufacturer) on the basis that the testing was performed ‘in vitro’ (meaning outside the body). Further studies performed ‘in vivo’ (inside the body) in a variety of animals also have shown clearly adverse activity on cellular function, and are also being legally pursued by chemical manufacturers to have them silenced.

The regulation of chemicals used in food storage is practically non-existant

The truth of the matter is that when it comes to the containers that carry our food and drinks, there is very little government regulation around the materials that are used. Despite the clear evidence against BPA (and now BPS), the chemical manufacturing industry is fighting tooth and nail to keep these plastics in circulation. We will likely see the eventual removal of BPS from many plastics in the future (from public pressure once this information is disseminated, rather than from any industry regulation), only to be replaced with the next toxic plastic derivative (BPG? BPR? I’m sure they will come up with another name that doesn’t contain the ‘BP’ prefix by then!). Please do not assume that these chemical manufacturers have your best interests at heart – they are driven exclusively by profitability.

The solution

Really the solution to this issue is simple – stop buying foods and beverages stored in plastic. Follow these tips to minimise your exposure to chemicals leeched from plastic containers:

  • Eat whole, real food rather than packaged and processed food.
  • If you are purchasing processed foods, buy them in glass containers, paper, cardboard or tin (but be aware that most tinned liquid goods are lined with BPA plastic).
  • Never heat food in a plastic container – this greatly accelerates the leeching of chemicals.
  • Do not wash plastic containers in the dishwasher, as this accelerates the degradation of the plastic and its ability to leech toxins.
  • Use glass containers for food storage. If you must store food in plastic tupperware, wait until it has cooled until you place it in the container.
  • Water bottles should be either stainless steel or glass (and they should be reused – the environmental impact of discarded plastic water bottles is horrific).

Please share this post with your friends and loved ones so the truth of the health impacts of all plastics are made known.

For your health, the health of your family, and the health of the environment, say no to plastic.

In wellness,

James

How your gut microbiome can affect your mood

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By now most people are familiar with the concept of colonies of bacteria being present in your digestive system, and how they can affect your health. To date, most research on the specific combinations and quantities of these bacteria (termed your ‘microbiome’) has been focused on their ability to alter immune function. Recently, however, there have been a number of studies published on the ability of your microbiome to affect your mood. One recent study demonstrated a clear difference in the microbiota of patients with major depressive disorder as compared with healthy controls.

How bacteria can affect mood

We have long known that the brain transmits signals to the gut via the vagus nerve pathway, leading to clear digestive disturbance in people experiencing heightened emotions or stress. What has now become clear is that these nerve transmissions can also travel in the opposite direction – there is a strong indication that signals travelling from the gut to the brain are actually far more intense and frequent than those travelling the other way. A healthy microbiome will produce signalling chemicals that help to up-regulate neurotransmitters such as GABA which calm the nervous system, however an unhealthy microbiome will suppress this effect as well as produce inflammatory signals which can lead to raised cortisol production and heightened feelings of stress and anxiety.

Your gut is your second brain

Your brain contains vast quantities of neurons which transmit information for the function of every cell in your body. What may surprise many is that your gut also contains vast quantities of these neurons, and that these neurons also transmit information that can effect the function of every organ system. These neurons are stimulated by neurotransmitters such as serotonin, which regulates mood control, aggression and depression. Amazingly your gut contains far greater quantities of serotonin that your brain, however in the presence of an unhealthy microbiome this serotonin production is greatly diminished. The result of diminished serotonin can be increased rates of depression as well as behavioral disorders and anxiety.

How to ensure a healthy microbiome

  • Avoid processed foods
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs
  • Eat fermented foods such as fermented vegetables, sauerkraut, keffir, kombucha and quality yoghurt
  • Take a quality multi-strain probiotic supplement

Take good care of your gut, and your gut will in turn take good care of you!

In wellness,

James

Why bone broth may be the best food for health

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In Naturopathy we have a saying: “It all comes back to the gut”. The theory is that pretty much all chronic disease can be traced back to gut dysfunction, for the following reasons:

  • Your digestive system is responsible for the breakdown and absorption of nutrients from the food you eat. If you are not absorbing nutrients effectively because of an issue with this digestive system, the subsequent nutrient deficiencies can and will result in disease.
  • Your digestive system is actually your first line of defense against  most environmental pathogens. If there is a breakdown in the structural or functional aspects of this system, you are much more prone to infection.
  • Your brain is intimately linked to your gut through both neural and hormonal feedback loops. A dysfunctional gut has been linked to a range of psychiatric disorders including depression.

So it becomes clear that if we are to properly restore and maintain health, it is crucial to pay close attention to the wellbeing of our gut. This involves ensuring a healthy population of ‘good’ gut bacteria (termed the microbiome), an effective digestive function, and most importantly a sound structure.

Bone broth – the ultimate gut healing agent

In order for your digestive system to function effectively it must have an appropriate degree of permeability. Too little, and not enough nutrients can pass into your bloodstream and supply your body with the fuel it needs. Too much (the more common scenario), and food molecules enter the bloodstream before they are appropriately broken down. These larger molecules can then trigger an immune reaction, resulting in inflammation, food sensitivities or intolerances, and possibly auto-immunity in an organ system. More permeability also allows pathogens to more easily enter the body and cause infection.

Too much gut permeability – popularly termed ‘leaky gut’ – is caused by many factors, all of which feature commonly in the modern Western lifestyle: processed foods, gluten, dairy (for some), pharmaceutical and illicit drugs, alcohol, and stress. Obviously the best way to avoid developing a leaky gut is to avoid all of these causative agents, however for many this is either impractical or undesirable. The answer then is to provide the nutrients that your gut needs to maintain an effective barrier – enter bone broth.

Properly prepared bone broth contains gut healing agents such a chondroiton sulfate, glucosamine, and collagen. It also contains a raft of bioavailable minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, silicon, and sulfur. These will not only help in maintaining a healthy gut, but also in rebuilding connective tissue in joints and other crucial membranes (such as the blood-brain barrier).

Easy bone broth recipe

Bone broth is incredibly simple to make. You can use the bones from any animal, just make sure you use the ones containing either knuckle joints or marrow (such as shin bones) to get the most connective tissue possible. You should also use organic bones wherever possible to avoid leeching toxins as well as beneficial nutrients into your broth. I love to use the chicken drumstick bones leftover from previous recipes and frozen until I have enough to fill the pot. Throw in a few bay leaves, some peppercorns, and a hefty splash of apple cider vinegar (this helps leech the minerals from the bones into the broth). Then simply cover the bones with boiled water and simmer at the lowest heat possible for at least 12 hours – 24 hours is best. A slow cooker is definitely the ultimate bone broth making tool, however you could also make this on a stovetop in a large pot. Once the broth is ready, remove and discard the bones and strain off the liquid. You know you’ve got a good broth when it turns to jelly upon cooling as this indicates a high amount of gelatin.

The broth then becomes a great base for soup (just add your favorite veggies and herbs), a stock for making meals such as risotto, or a therapeutic tool for anyone suspecting they have leaky gut. I highly recommend sneaking some bone broth into the food of any child that is displaying signs of food allergy or intolerance. You can even safely add the broth in small amounts to baby food to add crucial minerals to their diet and improve their immune function through better gut integrity. The broth can be safely stored in the freezer for up to 3 months (use an ice cube tray to freeze small portions for kids).

I urge you to get some bone broth into your diet and improve the integrity and function of your gut. In doing so, you will greatly improve the health of both you and your loved ones.

In wellness,

James

The 5 foods you should never eat

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Here are the 5 foods you should never purchase for consumption, and the healthy alternatives to them. Use these suggestions to make wiser purchasing decisions next time you’re at the supermarket.
In wellness,
James

The top 4 medicinal herbs to grow at home

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For many people, Naturopathy and herbal medicine are mysterious arts shrouded in complicated plant chemistry and medical terminology. However once upon a time, most people had a pretty decent understanding of at least a dozen key herbs that could alleviate disease states, including where to find them and how to prepare them for ingestion. Unfortunately most of us have lost this connection with the land that can both nourish and heal us. However it’s never too late to get your hands dirty and grow your own herbs to stem many of the chronic diseases of our modern age. In this article I’ll outline the four key herbs I recommend everybody to grow in their garden or in pots on their balconies, as well as how to prepare the herbs to get the maximum benefit from their healing powers. I’m focusing on two primary medicinal actions in these plants – anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative – as inflammation and oxidation are the processes that drive most chronic diseases.

turmeric

1. Turmeric

Most will be familiar with turmeric as a spice used abundantly in Indian cuisine, but in addition to it’s earthy aroma this plant has health benefits that are amazing. It is both a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant (two for the price of one!). It also displays anti-microbial activity, as well as being toxic to tumor cells. Turmeric likes moist warm weather, and is best planted in well drained soil in September or October. It produces beautiful pale flowers, and harvesting the rhizome (the source of the spice) is done when the lower leaves of the plant begin to die off (usually around 9 to 10 months after planting). The active constituents that provide the medical benefit (curcuminoids) are notoriously difficult to absorb, and many manufacturers of herbal medicines containing this plant use various means to increase its ability to cross the intestinal wall into circulation. You can increase turmeric absorption by cooking it into foods containing healthy fats such a coconut oil and butter, or even better you can blend the freshly grated spice with some raw egg yolk and coconut oil. For preventative uses I recommend a heaped teaspoon of freshly grated root per day, or a heaped tablespoon a few times a week. For active treatment, two heaped tablespoons per day blended in the egg yolk/coconut oil method is what I recommend. Note that turmeric is a choleretic, meaning it stimulates the gall bladder to release bile. This is normally a good thing, however if you have bile duct obstruction such as gallstones you should avoid using it.

2. Gingerginger-plant-93991_1280

The ginger plant looks remarkably similar to turmeric, and also has a powerful anti-inflammatory action in the body. Ginger also has the ability to reduce nausea, and relive intestinal cramping associated with menstruation. Unlike turmeric, however, the active constituents of ginger are fairly easy to absorb. They also work at much lower doses, with only 1 gram (about 1/4 teaspoon) of dried root per day showing clinical anti-inflammatory effect (this would equate to about 1 teaspoon of freshly grated root). Growing and harvesting conditions are also similar to turmeric. Ginger can be effectively extracted by steeping grated root in boiling water for 10 minutes to make a tea. A cup a day is a great preventative dose, and I recommend several cups a day if treating a specific condition. Caution should be used in those taking anti-coagulant drugs such as warfarin as ginger can increase bleeding time through its blood thinning effects.

3. Garlicbears-garlic-54307_1280

The use of garlic as a medical herb is mentioned as far back as Ancient Egypt, used for the pyramid building slaves to ward off disease and increase strength. Garlic was also a staple of Roman soldiers, forming a central part of their daily rations when marching to war. Garlic is predominantly a cardiovascular herb, with an ability to lower blood lipids and strengthen the blood vessels. Garlic is also a wonderful antimicrobial against both bacteria and viruses, with a profound ability to reduce symptoms of the common cold. It can decrease inflammation in lung tissue, whilst aiding the release of congestive mucous. There are many different varieties of garlic, and each are better suited to certain climates. Garlic likes full sun and well composted soil. Garlic is best planted at the end of summer, and you simply break up a bulb into its cloves and plant them flat end down just below the soil surface. The bulbs are ready for harvest after around 8 months. To get the maximum medical benefits from garlic, you should chop the cloves roughly into eighths and let it sit for 10 minutes before either swallowing raw or using it for cooking. This is because the active constituent of garlic – allicin – must be converted by the enzyme alliinase from its precursor alliin, and this will only happen once the clove is chopped or crushed and needs a period of time to complete conversion. Blood thinning cautions are the same as ginger above.

4. Rosemaryrosemary-581943_1280

Rosemary is a powerful anti-oxidant, as well as an anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial agent. Rosemary is a fantastic herb to include in your cooking, especially in the preparation of meats that are due to undergo searing, roasting, or frying. This is due to the fact that when high heat is applied to meat, compounds called advanced glycated end products (or AGEs for short) are formed. These compounds are highly oxidative and damaging to the body, however the presence of rosemary and its anti-oxidant oils can negate this damage. Rosemary is also highly effective at combating most infectious agents, especially in combination with garlic. Rosemary is incredibly simple to grow. You can grow from seed, however it will also grow from a cutting from a healthy plant placed in soil. Rosemary is tough too – it can survive without water for extended periods of time (great for forgetful gardeners such as myself). In addition to cooking, you can prepare a tea from the fresh herb for cold and flu (combine it with ginger and honey for the ultimate disease combating beverage).

I hope this article inspires you to grow your own disease combating herbs, and reconnect with the healing power of nature.

In wellness,

James

The Everyday Detox

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Detoxification is big business in the natural therapies industry. There are thousands of products manufactured by hundreds of companies worldwide that are sold based on a basic premise – that by completing a 1 or 2 week detoxification program you can reverse the damage caused by the weeks, months and years of unhealthy living that preceded it. The truth is that significant cellular damage caused by an unhealthy lifestyle can trigger a cascade of events ending in any number of chronic diseases, and a short term cleansing program will not be enough to reverse this process once it has begun. To truly detox your body is to ensure that you are supporting your basic inbuilt detox mechanisms on a daily basis, which as you will see is not so difficult to do.

Your body is an incredible detoxification machine

Every second of every day, your body is performing some mind blowingly complex chemical processes to rid you of the many toxins to which you are constantly exposed. Your digestive tract, liver, kidneys, lymphatic system, and pretty much every one of the billions of cells in your body has the ability to absorb nutrients and discard toxins. These processes are generally fairly robust, which is just as well in light of the incredibly toxic environment in which we live. For every person, however, there is a breaking point at which detoxification cannot keep up with toxic burden. It is at this point that serious illness is likely to develop. The good news is that by following the simple tips laid out here, you can support your in built detoxification pathways and keep the breaking point at arms length.

Keep those bowels moving

Imagine your liver is a water purification machine. Dirty water comes in at one end and the liver separates the contaminants from the clean water. The clean water is sent back to the body for essential processes, and the waste is flushed into an outlet pipe for removal from the body. That outlet pipe is your gastro intestinal tract. Now imagine that all the way along that outlet pipe are tiny little holes that normally function to absorb any nutrients from the waste – the body is nothing if not efficient. If everything works correctly, the waste moves through at a good pace and exits the body, taking the contaminants with it. If, however, the waste moves slowly (ie constipation) then the little holes lining the pipes also reabsorb the toxins from the waste, which recirculate in the body and end up either back at the liver (best case scenario) or elsewhere in the body where they begin to cause damage. If this happens over a long period of time, the end result is an over burdened liver and most likely some significant cellular damage in an organ system. Note that if the waste moves too quickly (ie diarrhea) this is also an issue, as it reduces the nutrients that body can absorb.

Let’s get basic – it is incredibly important to have a poo every day (even 2 or 3 so long as they are well formed and not loose). If this is not the case, I strongly suggest addressing this issue first before looking at anything else. The following tips will help achieve a regular bowel motion, as well as contribute to other detoxification processes.

Drink more water

I know, you’ve heard it a million times before. But the truth is that there are still many people that simply do not drink enough water throughout the day. You should aim for 2-3 liters a day, depending on the environmental temperature and the level of activity. Get a metal or glass 1 liter drink bottle and aim to finish at least 2 full bottles before 5pm. If you notice that you drink copious amounts of water but do not feel hydrated, or that is flushes straight through you, you can add a pinch of sea salt to each liter as this will help you absorb the water. It’s basic but important – dehydration equals constipation.

Eat more fiber

Fiber is incredibly important in maintaining an adequate transit time for your stool. It adds bulk, which helps stimulate the nerves in the bowel to perform the muscular contractions (called peristaltic waves) that keep the stool moving. It also absorbs water into the stool (particularly true for soluble fiber) which softens it and also helps transit time. What’s more, fiber can bind the toxins present and prevent them from being reabsorbed into your body. Fiber can also act as a supportive food for your probiotic colonies (discussed below). In truth, the best way to increase your fiber intake is to eat more fruits and vegetables. If however you need an extra hit, you can supplement with psyllium husk or flax meal.

Move your body

Your lymphatic system is a network of tubules that specialise in carrying nutrients (especially the fat soluble variety) to the body’s cells, and carrying toxins back to the liver for processing. It is highly dependent on the natural contractions of skeletal muscle tissue for maintaining flow, as it is not linked to a powerful pumping mechanism (the heart) like the blood vessels are. If you are sedentary and perform little physical activity, your lymphatic system will be far less efficient at removing toxins from the body’s organ systems, and tissue damage will likely ensue. Exercising is not just for weight loss and the maintenance of muscle mass (as important as they both are) – it is also crucial for detoxification. 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day is a great way to support lymphatic movement, especially if you also spend the majority of your day sitting at a desk.

Maintain a healthy bowel flora

Probiotics are all the rage these days, and are suggested as a treatment option for any number of health conditions. They are definitely an essential component of your detoxification processes, as they can increase gastrointestinal transit time, metabolise toxic compounds, and inhibit any number of pathogens (amongst many other things). In supplemental form they are fantastic at providing short term modulation of the immune system. However your natural bowel flora consists of thousands (possibly hundreds of thousands as research seems to identify more every day) of different species of bacteria. The truth is that a few specific strains present in a supplement will not ultimately restore a healthy probiotic colony in your gut. The advise here is simple – avoid those things that destroy your probiotic colonies as much as possible (alcohol, drugs, chemical food additives and stress are the main culprits), and feed them what they need (fiber as mentioned above, but also fermented foods such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and yoghurt).

These tips are the foundation for an effective detoxification system, and it is crucial to understand that there is no point in pursuing an intensive detoxification program involving multiple supplements and treatment options until the steps above are being followed on a daily basis. I hope this advice serves you well.

In wellness,

James

Arsenic in rice – should you be concerned?

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Rice is one of the primary carbohydrate staples consumed around the world. It is also often touted in its whole ‘brown’ form to be a health food with higher nutritional value than its polished ‘white’ counterpart.

Research released in 2009 by the European Food Safety Authority however cast a rather dark shadow over consumption of rice based products, largely due to the finding that rice grown throughout the European Union contains high levels of the toxic metalloid arsenic. The concentration of arsenic was furthermore found to be in much higher concentrations in brown rice than white rice, due to the fact that arsenic tends to accumulate in the outer husk of the rice grain.

Why rice?

Rice is a food crop particularly susceptible to contamination with arsenic because of the way it is grown. The form of flooded paddy agriculture used for rice crops means that inorganic arsenic is released from soils and taken up by the plant far more readily than in other crops. Inorganic arsenic typically is deposited in soils from the use of pesticides and herbicides, and has an extraordinary long half life. Although inorganic arsenic-containing insecticides have been largely banned from use (but only recently), their residues are still found in high concentrations in previously treated soils. Due to this, organic certification will not necessarily guarantee that the rice product is free of inorganic arsenic as land only has to be free of the use of synthetic chemicals for 3 years before organic certification is given.

Those most at risk

These findings are concerning to say the least. Of most concern is the fact that rice based products are a common food source of babies and young children, either as rice porridge, crackers, or rice milk. As arsenic can cross the blood brain barrier, it demonstrates the ability to have profound effects on the neurological development of children. It can also cross the placenta, so pregnant women would be well advised to avoid the consumption of rice based products. Certainly I would suggest these groups avoid the consumption of brown rice (most rice based ‘health’ products such as crackers and rice milk are made from brown rice). Indeed, one of the primary recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority report was that children under 4 1/2 years avoid the consumption of rice milk altogether.

What are the alternatives?

On balance, organic white rice is probably your safest choice if you need to eat it. There are, however, many alternatives to rice that are more nutritious and far less likely to contain these types of toxicity. Both quinoa and amaranth are excellent substitutes for rice, and in my opinion taste much better as well. If you or your loved ones are intolerant to dairy, then consider almond or oat milk as a rice milk alternative (soy milk should be avoided due to many toxicity concerns as well as potential hormonal disruption).

How to safely remove arsenic from your body

Although chelation therapy is usually offered as the most comprehensive method of removing any heavy metal from your body, there may be a much cheaper and simpler option where arsenic is concerned. This study demonstrated the use of daily spirulina and zinc supplementation (500mg and 4mg respectively) showing a rapid increase in the elimination of arsenic in the treatment group as compared with placebo. I would caution anyone using this as a treatment option to use only high grade spirulina (I personally like the Hawaiian Pacifica brand), as spirulina itself can be prone to contamination with many toxins present in the ocean, including arsenic.

Finally, simply demonising rice as a sole contributor of carcinogenic arsenic would be misleading – in many areas tap water also contains significant levels of inorganic arsenic, and most vegetables will also contain some level of it (although in much lower quantities that typically found in rice).

Making informed choices in the foods you and your family eat is the best way to protect against inadvertent consumption of dangerous compounds and chemicals in this increasingly toxic world. I hope this contributes in some small way to helping you achieve that goal.

In wellness,

James

Post Workout Power Shake Recipe

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Regular exercise is one of the aspects of my health I try to be consistent with. A beer may pass my lips on a hot summer afternoon. A crispy slice of pizza will very occasionally mysteriously find its way into my mouth. I probably get stressed over small unimportant things far more often than I should. However all these things leave very little impression on my overall health if done only from time to time. If I miss a few days of exercise though, I start to feel my batteries de-charge  and my health suffer. Exercise is possibly one of the best prescriptions for health there is:

  • It improves insulin sensitivity
  • It increases lean muscle mass and reduces fat stores
  • It modulates and balances hormones
  • It elevates mood
  • It increases endogenous antioxidant production
  • It up regulates the immune system
  • The list goes on and on….

I also feel that the right nutrition is very important after an intense workout (see my post on Tabata for a good example of one of these). My favourite (and fastest) option is usually a shake, and I thought I’d share my recipe with you here:

  • 1 banana
  • 600ml of almond or rice milk
  • 20g of quality whey protein powder (preferably WPC – I like the Australian Protein Supplies brand)
  • 1 tablespoon of Great Lakes Hydrolised Collagen (to balance the amino acid profile of whey)
  • 1 tablespoon of coconut or MCT oil
  • 1 heaped teaspoon of raw cacao powder
  • 1 handful of oats (if you tolerate them)

I blend this all up for about 30 seconds, and it’s usually drunk in the same amount of time. It really hits the spot, and I’ve noticed my recovery to be much better when I drink this post-workout on a consistent basis. It also tastes really good!

In wellness,

James

Natural strategies to treat Parkinson’s Disease

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The other day I was told that a close family friend has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. This made me think about the many people I have known who have been afflicted with this illness, and just how debilitating it can be. I was spurred to write this post to share the great benefit complementary medicine can provide to suffers of Parkinson’s, in the hope that more people may sooner start a course of therapy to slow the disease progression. Even better, for those who have a family history or other predisposing factor this post should provide some strategies to reduce your risk of ever developing this illness.

Mitochondria in crisis

Parkinson’s is a process of progressive degeneration of a region of the brain called the Substantia nigra, and specifically its ability to produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. This has far reaching and serious ramifications, including disturbances of muscular control, memory, mood and basic cognitive function. This damage seems to stem from an impairment of the ‘energy factories’ of the cell, namely the mitochondria, to properly function. This inevitably results in cell death, and the loss of dopamine producing capacity. Thus a treatment strategy aimed at protecting these mitochondria is a good place to start in preventing or slowing the disease progression. Complementary therapies that can be used to do just this include:

  • Coenzyme Q10 (preferably in the reduced ubiquinol form)
  • Magnesium
  • Vitamin C (preferably liposomal)
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine
  • Acetyl-L Carnitine
  • Ginkgo biloba
  • Green tea (when used for active disease processes, preferably as a standardised extract for ECGC)

Underlying causes for disease development

As always in complementary medicine, it is crucially important to understand the underlying factors that have led to this cellular dysfunction. Unless these are addressed, any of the supplements mentioned above will only slow progression, rather than halt its progress. Some of the possible underlying factors that should be considered and investigated are:

  • Iron overload: An excess of iron in the blood can lead to deposition of this highly oxidative mineral in the tissues of the brain. Parkinson’s patients on balance show a statistically higher than average iron load, and this should be investigated in anybody with a diagnosis or who suspects they may be at risk. Iron status is readily tested with a full iron blood panel. Regularly donating blood is an obvious way to lower serum iron, and taking the herb Milk Thistle before an iron rich meal can decrease absorption.
  • Exposure to pesticides or heavy metals: Those in agriculture, or industrial occupations where exposure to solvents and other chemicals is consistent, show a much higher incidence of development of Parkinson’s. Although the links to disease progression are clear in these cases, the driving factors should give anyone pause given the widespread exposure to chemicals and pollutants most of us contend with on a daily basis. It would be prudent to be mindful of supporting your ability to detoxify and remove unwanted chemicals from your body. Curcumin and Milk Thistle are both excellent herbs to support liver detoxification pathways.
  • High homocysteine: Homocysteine is a blood marker that, when elevated, can indicate an impaired ability to produce the crucial antioxidant glutathione (amongst many other health related issues). Homocysteine levels are simple to measure on a standard blood test, and should be checked in anybody with Parkinson’s. Should homocysteine be elevated, there are measures that can be taken to lower it including supplemental B6, B12 and folic acid (preferably all in their activated forms), betaine, and choline. This should be undertaken with the supervision of a practitioner as various factors may determine the precise combinations of nutrients required.
  • Intestinal dysbiosis and leaky gut: Having too many of the wrong type of gut bacteria, combined with a loss of integrity of the cells lining the intestinal tract, can result in the leakage of toxic lipopolysaccharide complexes from the gut into the circulation. These complexes can cross the blood brain barrier and cause an immune reaction when in contact with the tissues of the brain. This in turn can trigger the destruction of the cells located in the region of these complexes. Because constipation and a slow peristaltic wave are hallmark symptoms associated with Parkinson’s (and constipation seems to be a consistent predisposing factor to disease development), it is important to maintain healthy gut function through a fibre rich diet (preferably containing an adequate amount of resistant starch from sources such as cooked then cooled potatoes or under ripe bananas) as well as avoiding dietary and lifestyle factors that can cause dysbiosis such as consumption of alcohol, caffeine, drugs and processed food, as well as stress and inadequate sleep. Protocols for healing a leaky gut such as supplemental glutamine, zinc, and aloe vera may be required.
  • Food allergy: Linked to the point above, a food allergy has the ability to trigger an autoimmune reaction in the tissues of the body into which the food protein infiltrates. This seems to be particularly true for those with gluten intolerance (not necessarily coeliac disease) in Parkinson’s disease. Screening for potential allergens via blood panels, or through elimination diets under the care of a practitioner, may be helpful. See my previous post on gluten sensitivity for more information.

Please remember that if you are treating Parkinson’s disease, this post should be a starting point for you to explore the underlying factors driving your disease progression (under the care of an appropriate practitioner of course). I hope this helps you to discover the possibilities of therapy beyond simply symptom control.

In wellness,

James

Gratitude and acceptance

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I was sitting in my office earlier, trying to decide on a health topic for a post, when I realised just how content I felt in that moment. It got me thinking about what exactly caused this feeling, and it came to me that the underlying sensation was that I had enough and was fully complete. I felt satisfied, no niggling undercurrent of desire for more. And then I thought about all the other times I have felt this, and that often this moment of peace only exists in the space of time between obtaining what was desired, and finding the next object to fixate on. I think that we’re often driven by desire for more, and this has been an important part of our ability to survive and thrive as a species. However it feels like we’ve swung the pendulum way to far in the one direction and have forgotten true contentment that lasts. Our desire for wealth, looks, fame or otherwise has become a millstone around our necks.

All of these pursuits and obsessions are based on the feeling that you are not complete, you need more in order to be truly happy. There are those that have run this gauntlet and achieved all they thought was required to be happy and content, only to realise it was all a lie. Good looks, great wealth, celebrity status, and still this overwhelming feeling of discontent. Some turn to drugs or ever stranger pursuits and behavior to fill the void (just look up the latest celebrity meltdown to see a case in point). But some will experience a kind of awakening or enlightenment – if I have achieved everything I thought I needed to be happy but am more unhappy than ever, maybe it was all a lie. Jim Carey is a great example, this quote perfectly summing up his experience “…I wished people could realize all their dreams of wealth and fame so they could see that it’s not where they’ll find their sense of completion.”

The good news is that you don’t have to follow an exhaustive and soul destroying obsessive pursuit of looks/money/fame to achieve peace. It’s in the palm of your hand right now, and it is encapsulated by two simple words: gratitude and acceptance. For me, to be grateful for what you have rather than to obsess over what you don’t is to be at peace. There is so much to be thankful for, and I find that the simpler the object of gratitude is the more powerful its ability to bring peace. To be grateful for a deep breath of fresh air is the ultimate, such a simple act but you would not exist without it. Acceptance is to see the hurdles and challenges in your life, but not fight them. This does not mean you do not try to mend that which is broken, but rather you do not mentally curse and grapple with the ‘injustice’ of every difficult turn in the road. I certainly do not intend to minimise anybody’s struggles, but there are those who have found the most beautiful sense of serenity and peace in the throes of the most horrific ordeals imaginable by finding this place of acceptance in the midst of crisis.

To touch and hold a sense of gratitude and acceptance in our society is a constant challenge. This is due to the fact that our consumerist culture is driven by discontent. Advertising that bombards your senses every waking hour is principally designed to make you feel unhappy with what you have and to desire that which you don’t – this is how things get sold. Don’t buy into the hype. Be thankful for the simplest things – the sun on your face, the touch of a loved one, the smell of a flower, the joy on the face of a stranger when you perform a random act of kindness. All of these will truly make you feel happy, and they don’t cost a thing.

In wellness,

James