Nutrition is a critical part of optimizing your immune system to fight off viruses like COVID-19 and keep you healthy. But what about if you do get sick? In this article, we dive into the science behind how our nutrition status can help protect ourselves against developing severe symptoms and even potentially support the treatment of patients in hospitals.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is essential for various key elements of our immune defence against viruses. Studies have shown that Vitamin C can help the body recover faster from upper respiratory tract infections.¹ In addition, one study reported that up to 82% of critically ill COVID-19 patients had low Vitamin C plasma levels (<0.4 mg/dL).² While this is only correlational data, it suggests that Vitamin C could play an important role in preventing critically illness in COVID-19 patients.

It is proposed that Vitamin C’s role in reducing the inflammatory response helps protect the lungs from injury and subsequent sepsis (widespread infection that can be highly fatal).³ High doses of intravenous Vitamin C have even been used in certain countries as part of the treatment protocol for hospitalized COVID-19 patients and on-going trials are taking place to evaluate the role of high-dose IV vitamin C in COVID-19 treatment.⁴

Glutathione

Like Vitamin C, glutathione is a potent antioxidant that helps modulate inflammation, especially in times of viral infection. During infection with COVID-19, the body’s immune cells attack the invading virus, creating large amounts of oxidative stress. It is then the job of antioxidants to neutralize it before it damages the surrounding tissues. As the master antioxidant of the body, glutathione deficiency results in amplified oxidative stress due to compromised antioxidant defenses.

One research study compared glutathione levels and oxidative stress in uninfected individuals versus hospitalized COVID-19 patients of all age groups. They found that the COVID-19 patients had severe glutathione deficiency, increased oxidative stress and elevated oxidant damage. These levels were particularly surprising in younger age groups, who naturally have higher glutathione levels.⁵ Another similar study concluded, “elevated levels of oxidative stress and reduction of antioxidant indices can aggravate disease’s severity in hospitalised patients with COVID-19”.⁶

As glutathione declines with age,⁷ this correlation becomes even more pronounced in older patients, which could be a contributing factor for why COVID-19 can be more serious in older patients.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D receptors are found on every type of cell in the body. This means that its role is so multifaceted it’s been linked to almost every health outcome. Interest in its role in immunity has been widespread ranging from autoimmune diseases, to cancer, to viral infections.

In a ground-breaking 2021 study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of Vitamin D3 supplementation as an acute treatment protocol for COVID-19 patients. When they took all the patients with low Vitamin D levels (25OHD <30 ng/m), they found that patients without the Vitamin D3 supplementation had a 1.9-fold increased risk of having hospitalization longer than 8 days compared to those who did receive supplementation. Even more impressive was that treatment with Vitamin D decreased the mortality rate 2.14 times compared to those who didn’t receive Vitamin D, even in the presence of comorbidities.⁸

Scientists are still figuring out the mechanisms of actions (theories include Vitamin D’s role in preventing anemia, regulating inflammation, preventing sepsis, stimulating immune pathways and more), but the researchers went so far as to state that Vitamin D supplementation is “essential for COVID-19 treatment”.⁸

Selenium

Selenium is an essential trace mineral found in soil. As with so many minerals, depleted soil can lower the levels of selenium in our produce, increasing the risk of deficiency. Despite being needed in small amounts, selenium is essential for immunity – it is involved in regulating oxidative stress, redox, and other crucial cellular processes, including those involved in innate and adaptive immune responses.⁹

In a large study from China involving 14,045 COVID-19 cases, fatality rates in selenium-deficient areas were 2.7 times higher than areas without selenium deficiency.¹⁰ Although this correlation is based on the selenium content of the soil, it does warrant further research into how selenium can reduce COVID-19 fatalities and improve treatment outcomes.

References:

1. Vorilhon P, Arpajou B, Vaillant Roussel H, Merlin É, Pereira B, Cabaillot A. Efficacy of vitamin C for the prevention and treatment of upper respiratory tract infection. A meta-analysis in children [retracted in: Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2021 Jun;77(6):941]. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2019;75(3):303-311. doi:10.1007/s00228-018-2601-7
2. Tomasa-Irriguible, T.M., Bielsa-Berrocal, L. COVID-19: Up to 82% critically ill patients had low Vitamin C values. Nutr J20, 66 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-021-00727-z
3. Fisher BJ, Kraskauskas D, Martin EJ, et al. Mechanisms of attenuation of abdominal sepsis induced acute lung injury by ascorbic acid. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2012;303(1):L20-L32. doi:10.1152/ajplung.00300.2011
4. gov. Vitamin C Infusion for the Treatment of Severe 2019-nCoV Infected Pneumonia. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04264533.
5. Premranjan Kumar, Ob Osahon, David B. Vides, Nicola Hanania, Charles G. Minard, Rajagopal V. Sekhar. Severe Glutathione Deficiency, Oxidative Stress and Oxidant Damage in Adults Hospitalized with COVID-19: Implications for GlyNAC (Glycine and N-Acetylcysteine) Supplementation. Antioxidants, 2021; 11 (1): 50 DOI: 3390/antiox11010050
6. Karkhanei B, Talebi Ghane E, Mehri F. Evaluation of oxidative stress level: total antioxidant capacity, total oxidant status and glutathione activity in patients with COVID-19. New Microbes New Infect. 2021;42:100897. doi:10.1016/j.nmni.2021.100897
7. Samiec PS, Drews-Botsch C, Flagg EW, et al. Glutathione in human plasma: decline in association with aging, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetes. Free Radic Biol Med. 1998;24(5):699-704. doi:10.1016/s0891-5849(97)00286-4
8. Gönen MS, Alaylıoğlu M, Durcan E, et al. Rapid and Effective Vitamin D Supplementation May Present Better Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) Patients by Altering Serum INOS1, IL1B, IFNg, Cathelicidin-LL37, and ICAM1. Nutrients. 2021;13(11):4047. Published 2021 Nov 12. doi:10.3390/nu13114047
9. Hoffmann PR, Berry MJ. The influence of selenium on immune responses. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2008;52(11):1273-1280. doi:10.1002/mnfr.200700330
10. Zhang, HY., Zhang, AR., Lu, QB. et al.Association between fatality rate of COVID-19 and selenium deficiency in China. BMC Infect Dis 21, 452 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-021-06167-8
11. Assimakopoulos SF, Aretha D, Komninos D, et al. N-acetyl-cysteine reduces the risk for mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a two-center retrospective cohort study. Infect Dis (Lond). 2021;53(11):847-854. doi:10.1080/23744235.2021.1945675
12. Shi Z, Puyo CA. N-Acetylcysteine to Combat COVID-19: An Evidence Review. Ther Clin Risk Manag. 2020;16:1047-1055. Published 2020 Nov 2. doi:10.2147/TCRM.S273700
13. Ibrahim H, Perl A, Smith D, et al. Therapeutic blockade of inflammation in severe COVID-19 infection with intravenous N-acetylcysteine. Clin Immunol. 2020;219:108544. doi:10.1016/j.clim.2020.108544

With the cooler temperatures and more time spent indoors, many people experience the so-called ‘winter blues’. The last decade of nutrition research has shown us how much our diet is linked to our mood.  Due to this interconnected relationship, feeling bad can drive us to poor food choices like sugary or carb-heavy processed snacks, which in turn can further deplete mood-boosting nutrients.

Try these 5 foods to help boost your mood and energy levels this season:

1. Folate (B9)

We often hear how important folate is during pregnancy, but it’s also a crucial component of energy, metabolism and mood. A 2017 meta-analysis reviewed studies linking low folate with depression and reported: “Individuals with depression have lower serum levels of folate and dietary folate intake than individuals without depression”.¹ In fact the correlation is so strong that folate is often recommended in the treatment of depression.²

Eat these: Leafy greens, beans, lentils, eggs

2. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Our brain is largely comprised of fats. Due to this, it should be no surprise that fats are essential to brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids can help by travelling across the blood-brain barrier to directly influence mood-related chemicals, as well as providing an anti-inflammatory effect in the brain. Omega-3’s are comprised of 2 fatty acids – EPA and DHA. EPA is particularly important in combating symptoms of depression.^3-4

Eat these: fatty fish like wild-caught salmon, extra-virgin olive oil, flaxseed oil

References:

1. Bender A, Hagan KE, Kingston N. The association of folate and depression: A meta-analysis. J Psychiatr Res. 2017;95:9-18. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2017.07.019
2. Coppen A, Bolander-Gouaille C. Treatment of depression: time to consider folic acid and vitamin B12. J Psychopharmacol. 2005;19(1):59-65. doi:10.1177/0269881105048899
3. Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al. Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis [published correction appears in Transl Psychiatry. 2021 Sep 7;11(1):465]. Transl Psychiatry. 2019;9(1):190. Published 2019 Aug 5. doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0515-5
4. Mocking RJ, Harmsen I, Assies J, Koeter MW, Ruhé HG, Schene AH. Meta-analysis and meta-regression of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation for major depressive disorder. Transl Psychiatry. 2016;6(3):e756. Published 2016 Mar 15. doi:10.1038/tp.2016.29
5. Penckofer S, Kouba J, Byrn M, Estwing Ferrans C. Vitamin D and depression: where is all the sunshine?. Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2010;31(6):385-393. doi:10.3109/01612840903437657
6. Young LM, Pipingas A, White DJ, Gauci S, Scholey A. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of B Vitamin Supplementation on Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Stress: Effects on Healthy and ‘At-Risk’ Individuals. Nutrients. 2019;11(9):2232. Published 2019 Sep 16. doi:10.3390/nu11092232
7. Syed EU, Wasay M, Awan S. Vitamin B12 supplementation in treating major depressive disorder: a randomized controlled trial. Open Neurol J. 2013;7:44-48. Published 2013 Nov 15. doi:10.2174/1874205X01307010044
8. Tarleton EK, Littenberg B, MacLean CD, Kennedy AG, Daley C. Role of magnesium supplementation in the treatment of depression: A randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2017;12(6):e0180067. Published 2017 Jun 27. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0180067

Low energy, fatigue, feeling meh, constant drowsiness, a lack of motivation, burn out, etc. is one of the top complaints of modern-day city dwellers. This leads many of us to wonder, “How much more could I achieve if I was able to tap into my full energy potential?” Scientists around the world are looking into a possible answer, and it’s in the form of one tiny molecule with huge potential – NAD+.

What is NAD+?

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential cofactor in all living cells. In other words, it is a small molecule needed for larger chemical reactions to occur. Many of these key reactions are related to energy production within the mitochondria of our cells.

How is it used for energy?

NAD+ comes in two forms: NAD+ and NADH, which are called the oxidized and reduced forms, respectively. These forms are constantly interchanging. For NAD+ to become NADH it gains a charged hydrogen molecule (H+) and 2 electrons. You can imagine NAD+ as an empty car driving around the body and NADH as a full car looking to drop off its passengers so they can join other teams and get to work. The shuttling of these electron passengers is critical for energy metabolism, or the conversion of our food into energy our cells can utilize.

Thinking back to high-school biology, the food you eat goes through three phases to become energy: glycolysis, the Krebs Cycle, and the electron transport chain. During glycolysis and the Krebs Cycle, NAD+ is converted into NADH molecules. These NADH molecules then go on to the electron transport chain (in the mitochondria) to give up their electrons to create a large amount of energy in the form of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) — the energy currency of the cell.

Without NAD+/NADH shuttling electrons through this complex metabolic system, we simply wouldn’t be getting our ATP payoff for the food we eat.

How can I improve my NAD+ status?

NAD+ is made internally and is actually found in a large number of species including mammals, yeast, bacteria and even plants. However, as we age, our NAD+ levels drop substantially. Scientists estimate that NAD+ falls to half that of youthful levels at 40 years old and by 80, it is down to 1%-10%.

Alleviating this natural decline in NAD+ levels has huge potential for drastically slowing down, and even reversing, the signs of aging. Supporting NAD+ levels helps protect the mitochondria from damage and keeps mitochondrial function high. When you keep the mitochondria happy, you help ensure that your cells are receiving the energy it needs to function optimally, making you feel a whole lot better!

NAD+ can be taken orally, through high-quality supplementation schemes, intramuscularly or intravenously. Intravenous NAD+ allows it to bypass the stomach for greater effects on the body. Intravenous NAD+ is also able to be transported directly to the brain to help mental fatigue, brain fog, memory, motivation and cognition.

Numerous clinical trials have been published on NAD+ Therapy and it is typically very well-tolerated. Side effects are typically mild, such as flushing, and would be monitored by the medical professional administering the therapy.

What other benefits does NAD+ have on the body?

In addition to energy, maintaining healthy levels of NAD+ is also important for:

• Promoting longevity
• Reducing external signs of aging like wrinkles
• Protecting memory and cognition
• Supporting positive mood balance
• Fighting off cardiovascular disease
• Supporting chromosome stability (involved in cancer risk)

Contact us to learn more about how to support your NAD+ levels for improved energy.

References:

1. 1. Braidy N, Berg J, Clement J, et al. Role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide and Related Precursors as Therapeutic Targets for Age-Related Degenerative Diseases: Rationale, Biochemistry, Pharmacokinetics, and Outcomes. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2019;30(2):251-294. doi:10.1089/ars.2017.7269
   2. Cantó C, Menzies KJ, Auwerx J. NAD(+) Metabolism and the Control of Energy Homeostasis: A Balancing Act between Mitochondria and the Nucleus. Cell Metab. 2015;22(1):31-53. doi:10.1016/j.cmet.2015.05.023
   3. Chini CCS, Tarragó MG, Chini EN. NAD and the aging process: Role in life, death and everything in between. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2017;455:62-74. doi:10.1016/j.mce.2016.11.003
   4. Dietrich C, Charles B, Claire LK. “Safety and Metabolism of Long-term Administration of NIAGEN (Nicotinamide Riboside Chloride) in a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial of Healthy Overweight Adults.” Sci Rep. 2019 Jul 5;9(1):9772. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-46120-z.
   5. Verdin E. NAD⁺ in aging, metabolism, and neurodegeneration. Science. 2015;350(6265):1208-1213. doi:10.1126/science.aac4854

What and how we eat is a crucial component of our wellbeing. We know that a poor diet will often result in poor health, but there’s a lot more to nutrition than what we put in our mouths. In fact, the state of our health is often tracked back not just to what we eat, but whether the food we’re eating is nourishing or damaging to our gut system.

Hippocrates said it best when he declared, “All disease begins in the gut.” The gut has a far greater impact on our daily life than most of us realize. The efficiency of our digestive system is integral to everything from the immune system, hormone balance, mood regulation, and brain function. And with every gut being unique, the food that helps one person may harm another.

Gut Inflammation

The lining of the small intestine can become inflamed or damaged from a variety of factors. When this happens, problems begin. Damaged cells can separate slightly, leading to increased intestinal permeability (more commonly known as Leaky Gut Syndrome).¹ These ‘leaky’ cells allow undigested food or other substances like toxins, antigens, bacteria, and fungi into the bloodstream. The immune system then recognises these substances as ‘invaders’ and triggers an immune response, which typically results in chronic, low-grade inflammation – and the beginning of systemic health issues.

Antibodies help the body mount an immune system response (‘fight’) against foreign invaders. These specific antibodies are produced by the immune system in response to bacteria and viruses, but can also respond to food particles that have leaked into the bloodstream.

Different Antibody Responses:²

• IgE responses are a “true” food allergy as they occur immediately and can involve serious inflammatory symptoms such as swelling of the mouth and anaphylaxis.
• IgA and IgG reactions can take hours to days to appear on the skin or in the gut, causing nausea, constipation, diarrhea, brain fog, or skin irritation (especially worsening pre-existing conditions like eczema and psoriasis).

The first step in treating food allergies or sensitivities is to identify the cause of the reaction. Food sensitivity tests can run extensive panels of common foods to assess the body’s immune reaction in the form of IgE, IgG and IgA reactions. Once you understand the results of a food sensitivity test, this will help inform dietary healing protocols including elimination of inflammation-triggering foods.

Unfortunately, most of us can’t discern the foods that are nourishing us from the ones causing inflammation.

The symptoms of gut inflammation:³

• Constipation and/or diarrhea
• Cramping, bloating and gas
• Heart burn
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Aching joints
• Acne, eczema, psoriasis
• Headaches
• Brain fog
• Fatigue
• Poor immunity

Over time, chronic gut inflammation has been observed in a wide range of disorders – nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances⁴, autoimmune disorders⁵, inflammatory bowel diseases, and depression.^6,7

Gut Testing

Getting the gut back to optimal functioning is perhaps the best starting point to revamp your overall health and wellbeing. Gut rehab, just like any other system, begins with a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the gut’s current status. Reviewing the journey of food, we can see that the gut is a complex system where many things can contribute to inflammation and poor function. Laboratory tests like food sensitivity testing and digestive mapping, are invaluable to creating a personalized and effective plan to reverse damage and support gut function.

Contact us to learn more about understanding your gut system for better health and wellness .

References:

1. Fukui H. Increased Intestinal Permeability and Decreased Barrier Function: Does It Really Influence the Risk of Inflammation?. Inflamm Intest Dis. 2016;1(3):135-145. doi:10.1159/000447252
2. Vojdani A. Detection of IgE, IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies against raw and processed food antigens. Nutr Metab (Lond). 2009;6:22. Published 2009 May 12. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-6-22
3. Fakhoury M, Negrulj R, Mooranian A, Al-Salami H. Inflammatory bowel disease: clinical aspects and treatments. J Inflamm Res. 2014;7:113-120. Published 2014 Jun 23. doi:10.2147/JIR.S65979
4. Linares R, Fernández MF, Gutiérrez A, et al. Endocrine disruption in Crohn’s disease: Bisphenol A enhances systemic inflammatory response in patients with gut barrier translocation of dysbiotic microbiota products. FASEB J. 2021;35(7):e21697. doi:10.1096/fj.202100481R
5. Claire Wilson, Raoul I. Furlano, Susan S. Jick, Christoph R. Meier, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and the Risk of Autoimmune Diseases, Journal of Crohn’s and Colitis, Volume 10, Issue 2, February 2016, Pages 186–193, https://doi.org/10.1093/ecco-jcc/jjv193
6. Clapp M, Aurora N, Herrera L, Bhatia M, Wilen E, Wakefield S. Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clin Pract. 2017;7(4):987. Published 2017 Sep 15. doi:10.4081/cp.2017.987
7. Ohlsson L, Gustafsson A, Lavant E, et al. Leaky gut biomarkers in depression and suicidal behavior [published correction appears in Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2020 Nov;142(5):423]. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 2019;139(2):185-193. doi:10.1111/acps.12978

A slow metabolism is sometimes blamed for a wide range of complaints – weight gain, fatigue, dull skin and more. But what really is “metabolism”, how is it measured, and how can we optimize it?

Your body is an incredible machine that is able to take the energy from the food we eat, and transform it into energy our cells can use. Simply put, the combined reactions that make up this process is our metabolic system, also termed metabolism. Our metabolism is not just how fast or how slow we burn calories (aka our metabolic rate).

At a high level, we can break our metabolic system into two overriding categories: the breakdown of energy and nutrients (catabolism), and the building of tissues and energy stores (anabolism). The breakdown of food during digestion would be a catabolic reaction, while the storage of fuel in the form of fat would be an anabolic reaction. Our body is in a constant flux between these states depending on a wide range of factors like our nutrient status, the time of day, what we’re doing at the moment, hormone balance etc.

There are thousands of reactions involved in our metabolism; from breaking down the energy from food to converting that energy to fuel for our cells, and finally, clearing out waste products. Three of the most important pathways for energy production are glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain. Together, these pathways take glucose from our food to create energy in the form of ATP molecules. These small but mighty molecules of ATP then go on to power virtually everything we do: from making new cells to tissue repair to brainpower to movement!

Having a strong metabolic system, or what scientists call ‘metabolic integrity’, is truly at the foundation of feeling, looking, and performing our best. When metabolic integrity is seriously and/or chronically compromised, metabolic syndrome can occur with the telltale symptoms of increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels. But aside from clinical conditions, what are indicators that our metabolism is working optimally?

Indicators of Metabolic Integrity:

• Healthy Digestion

Metabolism starts with the breakdown and extraction of energy and nutrients from food. A well-oiled digestive process will ensure that those nutrients (such as glucose, which we know is the substrate for glycolysis) are feeding our metabolic pathways for energy.

• High Mitochondrial Function

Our mitochondria are termed the “energy powerhouses of the cell”, and for good reason. So many key processes like the citric acid cycle and the electron transport chain rely on the machinery of the mitochondria. If these intracellular organelles are not working optimally, then the energy from our food won’t be efficiently converted into energy that we can use.

• Balanced Blood Sugar Levels

Our body carefully tracks how much glucose is available and regulates blood sugar accordingly. Higher glucose (such as after eating) will be metabolised and stored, while lower glucose (such as fasting or after exercise) stimulates our cells to tap into our stores. As glucose is so key to our metabolic pathways, our blood sugar balance is essential for maintaining a healthy metabolic system.

• Balanced Hormone Levels

Hormones like insulin, estrogen, testosterone and growth hormone are the signals to when we should store energy (and where and how) as well as when we should break down our stores and shuttle those nutrients into our metabolic pathways. Dysregulation can occur due to many internal factors as well as our lifestyle habits.

• Balanced Neurotransmitter Levels

Neurotransmitters also provide signals that direct our metabolic processes. Unlike hormones, neurotransmitters can have faster but short-lived effects. Epinephrine and norepinephrine act as neurotransmitters that regulate the body’s “fight or flight” response. This involves preparing the body with the energy it may need in response to stressors.

• Proper Excretion of Waste

Our metabolic pathways supply our cells with the nutrients and energy they need. However, these pathways will often create waste products that our body has no use of and must excrete in a safe and timely manner. Metabolic waste products include carbon dioxide (CO2), urea, and ammonia. Backlogs in excretion processes can leave us feeling very poorly, and over time can severely damage our excretion organs and overall health.

It might seem like a lot can go wrong and sabotage your metabolic system. In a way, that’s true, but our everyday lifestyle choices affect each and every one of these indications. Therefore, we have a remarkable ability to optimize our metabolic pathways, and a responsibility to keep it working in top condition.

In Functional Medicine, there are many indicators of sub-optimal metabolic health. Some of these may present as noticeable symptoms like fatigue, unexpected changes in weight, hair loss, frequently feeling cold, dry skin, low mood, headaches, and brain fog. However, laboratory testing is essential to checking your metabolic health as well as helping to pinpoint the specific pathways that can be optimized. The best test to assess metabolic integrity is an Organic Acids Test (OAT). With a simple urine sample, this test analyses chemical by-products of key metabolic reactions. With this data, we have a snapshot into how smoothly your chemical pathways are working and how to optimize your metabolism.

Contact us to learn more about your metabolism and how to support your body to achieve your life goals.

References:

1. Angione C. Human Systems Biology and Metabolic Modelling: A Review-From Disease Metabolism to Precision Medicine. Biomed Res Int. 2019;2019:8304260. Published 2019 Jun 9. doi:10.1155/2019/8304260
2. Dunn WB, Ellis DI. Metabolomics: current analytical platforms and methodologies. TrAC Trends Anal Chem. (2005) 24:285–94. doi: 10.1016/j.trac.2004.11.021
3. Lau DC, Yan H, Dhillon B. Metabolic syndrome: a marker of patients at high cardiovascular risk. Can J Cardiol. 2006;22 Suppl B(Suppl B):85B-90B. doi:10.1016/s0828-282x(06)70992-8
4. Rochlani Y, Pothineni NV, Kovelamudi S, Mehta JL. Metabolic syndrome: pathophysiology, management, and modulation by natural compounds. Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis. 2017;11(8):215-225. doi:10.1177/1753944717711379
5. Tsoukalas D, Alegakis A, Fragkiadaki P, et al. Application of metabolomics: Focus on the quantification of organic acids in healthy adults. Int J Mol Med. 2017;40(1):112-120. doi:10.3892/ijmm.2017.2983

We always hear how stress can be detrimental for almost every health outcome, but how does it affect the internal workings of the body to have such wide-spread impacts? In this article, we dive into the systemic effects that stress has on our hormonal pathways.

When we experience stress, the body reacts to prepare for action and protect ourselves from serious harm. However, this response has been honed by evolution to be intense, short-lived, and with long restful periods between stress episodes. In modern day, most of us can agree that our lives look more like the opposite: prolonger low-grade stress (perhaps with shorter, highly intense stressful periods) and the occasional restful time such as a vacation.

As the chemical messengers that tell our systems what to do, our hormones pull the strings for our entire body.

What happens to our hormones during stress?

Hormone: Cortisol

What is it: The body’s main stress hormone

Effect from stress: Goes up

Major health implication: Weight gain

Cortisol is a huge contributor to the obesity epidemic we are witnessing. It increases fat deposition around our belly, raises blood sugar levels, increases ghrelin (our “hungry” signal), and decreases leptin (our “full” signal). These impacts of stress on appetite, satiety, and fat storage are highly significant for healthy weight maintenance.

Hormone: Catecholamines

What is it: Catecholamines (like adrenaline) trigger the fight-or-flight response

Effect from stress: Goes up

Major health implication: Heart attacks or stroke

Much of adrenaline’s functions work to reroute blood flow to the heart and muscles to increase cardiac output. Over time, surges of adrenaline can damage your blood vessels, raise your blood pressure, and increase your risk of getting a heart attack or a stroke.

Hormone: Gonadotropins

What is does: Regulate ovarian and testicular function

Effect from stress: Goes down

Major health implication: Reproductive disruption and fertility

Stress suppresses our gonadotropins leading to disrupted menstrual cycles in women and sub-optimal reproductive function. However, men are affected too. In males, stress-related gonadal dysfunction can lead to decreased sperm count and quality, as well as ejaculatory disorders and impotence.

Hormone: Thyroid hormones

What is does: Regulate metabolism, weight and energy

Effect from stress: Goes down

Major health implication: Hyperthyroidism

Thyroid function is usually down-regulated during stressful conditions, including hormones T3, T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Over time, this can cause a condition known as hyperthyroidism. The most common type is Graves’ Disease, which is an autoimmune disease characterized by a swollen thyroid gland in the throat, fatigue, anxiety, hair loss and more.

Hormone: Growth hormone (GH)

What is does: Regulate metabolism, weight and energy

Effect from stress: Goes down

Major health implication: Muscle loss or delayed growth

Although growth hormone increases during acute physical stress (like a workout), chronic mental stress can lower GH secretion. For children, this can lead to delayed growth and stunting. For adults, it might not affect your height, but it can sabotage muscle growth, sexual function and mood.

Stress is a complicated psychological and physiological response. While it is a completely healthy and normal part of life, many of us struggle with chronic stress that we brush off as “unavoidable” or something we just need to live with. The truth is, our body might be bearing the load for all the stress we put on our shoulders. Stress management needs to be integrated into our health plan, our anti-aging protocols, and our everyday life.

Contact us to learn more about our stress management services and personalized plans.

References

1. 1. Goldstein D. Stress-induced activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Balliere’s Clin Endocr Metab. 1987;1:253–78.
   2. Navarro, Frederick. (2011). Diet, Exercise, Mindfulness, and Relaxation_Stress Management and Stress Reduction.
   3. Ranabir S, Reetu K. Stress and hormones. Indian J Endocrinol Metab. 2011;15(1):18-22. doi:10.4103/2230-8210.77573
   4. Stewart PM. The adrenal cortex. In: Kronenberg HM, et al., editors. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. pp. 445–503.
   5. Yaribeygi H, Panahi Y, Sahraei H, Johnston TP, Sahebkar A. The impact of stress on body function: A review. EXCLI J. 2017;16:1057-1072. Published 2017 Jul 21. doi:10.17179/excli2017-480

This July, inspired by the thought-provoking Netflix documentary Social Dilemma we are kicking off with a much-needed discussion on the challenges associated with the virtual world, the detrimental effects this can have on our own behavior & psychology and that of our younger generation coming off the back increased tech usage for homeschooling while multi-tasking with “weapons of mass distraction” such as gaming, & social media platforms.⁣
⁣
Our expert speakers including our IFM Practitioner Miles Price will share tools to create awareness & develop strategies to better navigate an uncensored, behavioral modifying, anxiety increasing amplification system (known as the internet) that is, on one hand, a powerful tool for infinite knowledge & connection, and on the other, a system to manipulate consumers, polarize opinions & develop addictions.⁣

With such an important topic we have put together a panel including –⁣

• A Psychologist to discuss the psychology of the topic above⁣
• A Clinical Nutritionist/Functional Medicine Practitioner to share valuable information on nutrition and its role in a developing adolescent brain & the nutrients/foods that assist with focus and a stable mood.⁣
• A Movement expert and his experience and strategies on how play can change the brain and reconnect the body to health and better posture/movement outcomes⁣

Tuesday evening July 27th, doors open at 7:15 pm for a 7:30 pm start. Price is $250/person and includes ample healthy snacks, drinks (physically healthy and also the emotionally healthy kind;)) and great discounts from all collaborating companies and one lucky draw prize giveaway!⁣

Technological advancements have provided the tools to explore the infinitesimal components of our cells.

In doing so, we’ve discovered how powerful some of these signalers may be in identifying disease, biohacking health, and treating illness.

Exosomes are one such signal that has a huge potential for anti-aging.

What Are Exosomes

Exosomes are nano-sized extracellular vesicles. Unlike intracellular signals, that function within the cells, exosomes travel in the extracellular fluid (like the blood), communicating from one cell to another. They are often referred to as membrane-bound vesicles and although not a cell, they have a surrounding wall protecting the contents it carries. To deliver its message, it fuses its membrane with the target cell’s wall, therefore spilling its contents before being recycled.

Discovered in the 1980s, exosomes were first thought to be cellular garbage bags carrying waste around. In reality, exosomes carry a wide range of material that is used in communication including various proteins, molecules and genetic material. In fact, by inspecting the contents of exosomes scientists can analyze the signals they are sending and distinguish healthy cells from diseased cells.

Exosomes and Aging

As key communicators, exosomes have a large role in exacerbating or preventing the aging process. There are a few main ways in which exosomes play a role in aging. 

1. Cellular Senescence

As we age, many of our cells become damaged and are no longer healthy replicating cells. Unfortunately, they do not always become degraded and recycled in a timely fashion and therefore continue to actively give off harmful signals. These cells, termed senescent cells, release an increased amount of exosomes that spread their senescent state to neighbouring cells. This response is so reliable, researchers can even induce this type of exosome secretion by damaging cells. The signals produced are also believed to be a main contributor to the development of chronic diseases like cancer, and to wide-spread inflammation. On the other hand, genetic material (miRNA) from exosomes are also able to suppress cellular senescence.

2. Stress & Aging

Research has shown that stress has a direct correlation on the types of signals sent by exosomes. These signals act as a warning sign, allowing other cells to make preemptive alterations in response to a given stressor. Although highly useful, during prolonged stress these signals create a pro-inflammatory environment that leads to accelerated aging and chronic diseases.

3. Toxic Proteins

Aged cells can also secrete toxic proteins through exosome signaling. These proteins can have pathogenic downstream effects and have been linked to the development of neurodegenerative diseases in aging. This same effect on brain aging has also been seen in genetic material (exosomal miRNA).

Exosome Therapy

Exosomes are neither good nor bad, as they are just the messengers between cells. However, they do represent an exciting area of research to find methods of suppressing negative signaling, such as from senescent cells, as well as upregulating positive signals and biohacking specific pathways in individual cases. Based on its wide application and ability to influence both the factors and pathways of aging, exosome therapy is at the forefront of anti-aging medicine.

Research has demonstrated the following functions of exosome therapy:

• Wound healing
• Bone regeneration
• Improved circulation
• New blood vessel formation (angiogenesis)
• Activation of Nrf2 for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions

References

1. Panagiotou N, Neytchev O, Selman C, Shiels PG. Extracellular Vesicles, Ageing, and Therapeutic Interventions. Cells. 2018;7(8):110. Published 2018 Aug 18. doi:10.3390/cells708011
2. D’Anca M, Fenoglio C, Serpente M, Arosio B, Cesari M, Scarpini EA, Galimberti D. Exosome Determinants of Physiological Aging and Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2019;11:232. 
3. Bellingham, S. A., Guo, B. B., Coleman, B. M., and Hill, A. F. (2012). Exosomes: vehicles for the transfer of toxic proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases? Front. Physiol. 3:124. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2012.00124
4. Pusic, A. D., and Kraig, R. P. (2014). Youth and environmental enrichment generate serum exosomes containing miR-219 that promote CNS myelination. Glia 62, 284–299. doi: 10.1002/glia.22606
5. Zhang J, Guan J, Niu X, Hu G, Guo S, Li Q, et al. Exosomes released from human induced pluripotent stem cells-derived MSCs facilitate cutaneous wound healing by promoting collagen synthesis and angiogenesis. J Transl Med. 2015;13:49.
6. Zhang J, Liu X, Li H, Chen C, Hu B, Niu X, et al. Exosomes/tricalcium phosphate combination scaffolds can enhance bone regeneration by activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Stem Cell Res Ther. 2016;7(1):136.

Hyperthermia, translating to “excess or high heat” is the use of temperature in stimulating the body’s natural healing mechanisms. When our body is infected with bacteria or viruses, it will naturally raise its core temperature to activate and mobilize the immune system to deal with the invading pathogen.

Hyperthermia treatment is a medical treatment that involves heating up the body’s tissues to help treat various diseases and conditions.

What Is Hyperthermia

Hyperthermia is defined as having a body temperature higher than normal. Severe hyperthermia is when your body temperature reaches above 40 degrees C, this can be life threatening. Normally your body controls your body temperature through sweating, this will bring your body temperature down. In relation to cancer, hyperthermia is a type of cancer treatment whereby certain parts of the body are heated up to temperatures of up to 50 degrees C.

Applying heat to the body as a means of treating disease has been around for hundreds of years, for centuries humans have benefited from sweating from Turkish baths to modern saunas. Back in 1891 Dr. William Coley published a paper on how inducing a fever in the body can stimulate an immune response which can cause cancer remission.

Hyperthermia and Cancer

Research has shown that high temperatures can kill and damage cancer cells, usually with minimal injury to normal cells.[1] By killing cancer cells and damaging cancer cell proteins, hyperthermia may shrink tumors.[2] Numerous clinical trials have studied hyperthermia in combination with radiation and chemotherapy. The studies have focused on many types of cancer, including sarcoma, melanoma, head and neck cancers. Many of these studies have shown significant reduction in tumor size when hyperthermia is combined with other treatments.[3] Not all these treatments have shown an increase in survival, it other factors need to be taken into account like diet, lifestyle, stress and supplement regime.

Hyperthermia Treatment

There are two main types of hyperthermia application, local and whole body hyperthermia. In local Hyperthermia heat is applied to a small area, typically where the tumor site is. Different types of energy may be applied such as the use of external applicators positioned around or near the appropriate region to focuse energy on the tumor to raise its temperature.

Whole body hyperthermia is used to treat metastatic cancer that has spread throughout the body, this can be accomplished through several techniques that raise the body temperature to 45-50 degrees C using thermal chambers or hot water blankets.

References

1. Van der Zee J. Heating the patient: a promising approach? Annals of Oncology 2002; 13(8):1173-1184
2. Hildebrandt B, Wust P, Ahlers O, et al. The cellular and molecular basis of hyperthermia. Critical Reviews in Oncology/Hematology 2002;43(1):33–56.
3. Wust P, Hildebrandt B, Sreenivasa G, et al. Hyperthermia in combined treatment of cancer. The Lancet Oncology 2002; 3(8):487–49

The last decade has been huge for nutritional research but while vitamins and minerals are highly important for our health, oxygen is perhaps the most overlooked nutrient of all.

Research is showing that a special molecule of 3 oxygen atoms, called ozone (O₃), has incredible benefits to our health, especially for immunity, and is being harnessed as an innovative health technology.

What is Ozone?

Ozone, is a molecule consisting of 3 oxygen atoms bound together. It is most known for its ability to protect the Earth (including us) from the harmful radiation of the sun. Scientists have noted that delivering ozone intravenously is able to drastically increase the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood. Oxygen is a key nutrient needed by each and every one of our cells to function. When our cells receive a higher saturation of oxygen it has several potential health effects. Research is showing that ozone can help with energy production¹, pain^2,3, infections^4-7 and potentially chronic diseases like cancer⁸.

Ozone and Immunity

Ozone has incredible effects for immunity. It is able to kill invading pathogens to help our body get rid of invaders. 

Pathogens are living organisms that cause infections and include all viruses, bacteria and fungi. Our body is constantly bombarded by these invaders and usually they are inactivated before they cause a full-on infection. However, many of us live with chronic infections every day: it is estimated that 90% of the adult population are positive for the Epstein‐Barr Virus⁹ while Chronic Hepatitis infects 71 million people worldwide¹⁰.

When ozone is administered intravenously, the molecules circulate around the body in the bloodstream. When one comes into contact with a pathogen, the O₃ molecule reacts with the pathogen cell wall creating a hole in either the phospholipid bilayer of bacterium or the capsid of a viral cell.* As more O₃ molecules punch holes in the wall, the cell wall is destabilized and the pathogen eventually disintegrates.

The potent anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral effects of ozone has huge implications for everything from the common cold, to HIV, cancer, ulcers, the flu, gastroenteritis, and more! Ozone is especially relevant as current pharmaceautical solutions often elicit side-effects and has lead to a surge in antimicrobial-resistant strains.

*As fungal cell walls are made up of different compounds (cellulose and chitin), ozone is unable to disrupt the cell wall in the same way. Instead, ozone is able to inhibit cell growth for pathogen inactivation¹³

Key Findings

There is continued research on the effects of ozone on immunity. Here are some key findings from recent studies:

• Ozone was shown to inactivate HIV in-vitro with an average reduction rate of 46%¹¹
• The antibacterial properties of ozone killed 99.9% of oral infection after 60 seconds of exposure⁴
• Ozone inhibited human cancer cell growth rates by 40-60% in-vitro⁸
• The biological properties of ozone makes it a suitable candidate for MERS and SARS infections¹²

Contact us for more information on ozone therapy. 

References

1. Viebahn R. “The Biochemical Processes Underlying Ozone Therapy.” Ozone: Science & Engineering. 1985;7(4): 275-285.
2. Fuccio C, Luongo C, Capodanno P, Giordano C, Scafuro MA, Siniscalco D, et al. “A single subcutaneous injection of ozone prevents allodynia and decreases the over-expression of pro-inflammatory caspases in the orbito-frontal cortex of neuropathic mice.” Eur J Pharmacol. 2008;603: 42–9.
3. Hu B, Zheng J, Liu Q, Yang Y, Zhang Y. “The effect and safety of ozone autohemotherapy combined with pharmacological therapy in postherpetic neuralgia.” Journal of Pain Research. 2018;11: 1637-1643.
4. Johansson E, Claesson R, van Dijken JW. “Antibacterial effect of ozone on cariogenic bacterial species.” J Dent. 2009;37: 449–53
5. Hu, Bin, et al. “The Effect and Safety of Ozone Autohemotherapy Combined with Pharmacological Therapy in Postherpetic Neuralgia.” Journal of Pain Research. 2018;11: 1637–1643.
6. Emerson MA, Sproul OJ, Buck CE. “Ozone inactivation of cell-associated viruses.” Appl Environ Microbiol. 1982;43(3): 603–608.
7. Thanomsub B, Anupunpisit V, Chanphetch S, Watcharachaipong T, Poonkhum R, Srisukonth C. “Effects of ozone treatment on cell growth and ultrastructural changes in bacteria.” The Journal of General and Applied Microbiology. 2002;48: 193-199.
8. Sweet F, Kao MS, Lee SC, Hagar WL, Sweet WE. “Ozone selectively inhibits growth of human cancer cells.” Science. 1980: 931-933.
9. Cohen JI. “Epstein‐Barr Virus Infection.” N Engl J Med.2000;343: 481– 92.
10. “What is the prevalence of viral hepatitis globally?” (2019, May 30). Retrieved from https://www.medscape.com/answers/775507-38259/what-is-the-prevalence-of-viral-hepatitis-globally.
11. Carpendale MT, Freeberg JK. “Ozone inactivates HIV at noncytotoxic concentrations.” Anitiviral Res. 1991;16: 281–92.
12. Gérard V, Sunnen MD. “SARS and ozone therapy: Theoretical considerations.” [cited in 2003]. Available from: http://www.triroc.com/sunnen/topics/sars.html
13. Ta, E.-D., Ama, S., Desouky, A. I. E.-, & Ha, E.-M. “Effect of Ozone Gas on Degradation of Aflatoxin B1 and Aspergillus Flavus Fungal. Journal of Environmental & Analytical Toxicology. 2012;02(02).