Inflammation News Letter, August 2020
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to harmful stimuli, pathogens, tissue injury or irritants. It is the body’s protective attempt to remove the irritant as well as initiate the healing process for the tissue.
In the absence of inflammation, wounds and infections would not heal which would lead to progressive destruction of the tissue. However, inflammation which runs unchecked can also lead to a host of diseases, such as hay fever, atherosclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis. In the case of atherosclerosis, the inflammation process in blood vessels and the kidney can lead to a build-up of cells and damage to tissues that can constrict the passage of blood through vessels. This blockage can lead to heart attacks and affect the kidney, leading to end-stage renal (kidney) disease. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, it affects the joints and can diffuse to some organs.
Cholesterol may go high during periods of inflammation or infection. While it’s true that LDL can build on artery walls when too many bad fats are consumed but it also has been shown to bind and inactivate dangerous bacterial toxins and be a vigilant crusader against infections. For example, the bacterium Staphylococci produces a very toxic substance called Staphylococcus aureus a-toxin which can quickly destroy a wide variety of human cells. If you add even minute amounts of this toxin to a test tube of red blood cells, the cells hemolyze (meaning the red blood cells burst). However, if you add LDL to the mix, their destruction practically ceases. So…don’t be so quick to try to lower your cholesterol. Find out “why” you’re cholesterol is running high. That high cholesterol may be a protective factor! To read more about the protective roles of cholesterol, read our November 2009 issue.
There are bloods tests that help you monitor inflammation in the body.
C-Reactive Protein (CRP):
- Clinical Range: 0.00-4.90 mg/L Healthy Range: 0.00 – 1.50 mg/L
- High levels indicate nonspecific tissue injury & inflammation, begins in 4-6 hours, more intense increase rise than ESR.
Erythrocyte Sed Rate (ESR):
- Clinical Range: 0.00-20.00 mm/HR Healthy Range: 0.00-6.00 mm/HR
- Measures inflammatory process. Lower levels are desired.
High Platelets:
- In inflammatory states, platelets run high. These are blood cells that form clots. Vitamin E is very useful in reducing platelet counts.
In addition, keep an eye on your serum protein levels. Protein is very important for healing and repairing damaged tissue. If your protein levels are low, this will allow for continued inflammation due to impairment in the body’s ability to heal. Other blood tests that may reveal the beginnings of protein malnutrition are low blood urea nitrogen, low white blood cells, low creatine kinase, low albumin, and low globulin.
Nutrition Response Testing is the Fastest Way to check Function related to Inflammation
Nutrition Response Testing’s unique system of using body reflexes related to resonance of specific substances works. This kinesiological system or “muscle testing” system that taps into a person’s subconscious mind lets the person’s body do the “figuring” and will point the doctor to your specific weaknesses based on lifestyle and current symptoms. Using this technique Dr. Kydonieus can determine a body strengthening program that is specific to you! It may seem a little different than what you were looking for in a nutritionist but with over 40 years of being used in practice and seeing high response rates we know it works. Most people see results if the follow the exact instructions of the doctor in about 3-4 weeks. Getting “tested” is a good way to find out your unique issues and how best to handle them.
Foods That Cause Inflammation
Processed meats with MSG or Nitrates (hot dogs, sausage, etc)
Sugar (found in desserts, baked goods, fruit juice, pop, etc.)
- Too many carbohydrates
- High sodium foods
- Dairy products
- Red meat (for some people)
- Deep fried foods
- Coffee
True, most people think they need a Nutritionist when weight loss is a problem but most of us actually need one more regularly than that! Most of Dr. Kydonieus’s nutrition patients do lose weight but come in for more serious issues like skin rashes, digestive diseases, Diabetes, heart disease, autoimmune and even cancer support! A few are of his patients are actually “healthy” people looking to fine tune their life style and want a “coach” to really point them in the right direction. Imagine that going to a doctor when you feel good.
Holistic doctors like, Dr. Kydonieus teach use why this is a good idea and he can do this for you too. Call if you have questions or think an evaluation would be good for you or a family member, 434-481-2012.
According to the National Institutes of Health, chronic high glucose levels increase your inflammatory response leading to chronic inflammation and the tissue damage that comes with it. In COVID-19 this pre-existing state of chronic inflammation is what sets a person up for more severe symptoms when or if they contract the virus. This is because the virus triggers its own new inflammatory response that builds on top of this pre-existing one and pushes a person into critical status and respiratory or arterial failure! Before Corona this level of inflammation has been related to most commonly Diabetes which runs with high cholesterol. As explained earlier, cholesterol may be a protective factor against this inflammation caused by the high glucose levels. Get your glucose under control and many times the cholesterol levels come down too! Chronic inflammation due to poor diet and lack of exercises is the number 1 reason for poor health as we age making us more susceptible to infections like COVID-19 and the Flu and diseases of body “breakdown” like Diabetes.
Anti-inflammatory foods
- Whole fruits and vegetables!! The more color the better. Always eat more vegetables than fruits.
- Food high in Omega 3’s such as cold water oily fish, walnuts, flax seeds, and pumpkin seeds.
- If you’re protein deficient, good protein sources are poultry, eggs, fish, beans, seeds, nuts, and sprouts.
- Stay hydrated! 64 oz. of water per day for the average adult. 1 oz of water per 3 lbs. of body weight. If you are exercising regularly which you should be doing. double that! 1 oz of water per 1 1/2 lbs. of body weight.
Natural anti-inflammatory supplements
Occasionally, you need a little extra help in reducing your inflammation. Try these products for acute and chronic inflammation. Dosages should depend on weight and severity of the condition. Spread dosage throughout the day and take with food.
The following recommendations are for 150lb adult.
Turmeric 1800-5400mg daily*
Ginger 1:2 ratio
*We highly recommend a liquid Ginger extract from MediHerb and Standard Process. Take 1/2 tsp in water or juice 1 x day.
Vitamin E (mixed tocopherols and tocotrienols) 400-1200IU daily
Vitamin C** 6000-12,000mg daily
**We highly recommended a product called Vitality C. It is a buffered, non-acidic, neutral Ph powder which reduces/eliminates the chances of intestinal upset. Take 1-2 teaspoons daily.
Omega 3 Fish Oil 500-2000mg daily…read your labels carefully. Identify what your total Omega 3 intake would be from the supplement by adding the EPA and DHA content together. You do not want the total “fish oil”, you want to take the total of “Omega 3” in the fish oil. Also, look at the “serving size” or number of gel caps. This will tell you how many pills you need to take to get that dosage. I recommend Tuna Omega or Calamari Oil from Standard Process.
When you want to stamp out inflammation
- Get tested here in the office by Dr. D so we can monitor that your treatment choice is working for you. Nutrition Response Testing can do this.
- Eliminate inflammatory foods.
- Eat more anti-inflammatory foods.
- Start an monitored Nutrition Response Testing Program so your personal doses can be adjusted as your body improves and needs less supplementation.
- If you choose to “wing it” on your own then at least try anti-inflammatory supplements mentioned above.
Most importantly, ask yourself, “Why isn’t my body healing and repairing?” Your body is not going to waste nutrients on non-essential tissue like joints, muscle, and bone if it’s got more important health issues to deal with! Your chronic joint pain or osteoporosis may be sign something more serious is occurring.
If you think you need more direction, set up a consultation with Dr. Kydonieus and call the office for an appointment now, 434-481-2012 as he is the nutrition expert.
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