The fast-twitch muscle fiber recritied during high-intensity, low-endurance movements such as weight lifting and sprinting are mostly affected by creatine deficiency.  There is plenty of research found to support that creatine in supplemental form can improve some of the physiological changes in aging.

After exercise, free radical production increases, a potentially negative effect if the body can’t manage them.  Creatine may help modulate inflammation due to some anti-inflammatory properties by reducing cell damage caused by exercise.

One of the most profound ways creatine affects individuals is improving the cell’s ability to raising ATP status in the mitochondria thus resulting in improved energy.  In vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, creatine has been shown to improve brain function in healthy adults.  It may work better when combined with other nutrients such as chromium and alpha lipoic acid.

Usual dosages range from 2-3 grams in the healthy adult and those with muscle loss or brain injury may benefit from 5-10 grams per day.  A good source is often found in whey products.

Osteoarthritis is the loss of articular cartilage (the cartilage covering bones) which thins and eventually wears out, resulting in a “bone against bone” joint, reduced motion accompanied with pain.  Progression includes concurrent subchondral bony sclerosis (located just below the cartilage) and bony proliferation at the joint margins and growth of osteophytes or bone spurs.

Osteoarthritis affects  the joints exposed to high stress and is therefore considered the result of “wear and tear” rather than a true disease.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis are a gradual onset of perhaps one or a few joints.  Pain ensues that is deep, aching, worse with movement and better with rest and warmth.  Stiffness is identified as worse in the morning upon rising and after periods of rest but improves with movement.  Patients incur sleeping issues related to pain and stiffness.   Cartilage in the joint spaces begins to wear and weakness of the joint when weight bearing is seen.  Chronic conditions have acute flare-ups of pain, swelling, and stiffness.

Many patients find relief with improved diet and addition of supplements.  Suggestions include glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, vitamin E, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, essential fatty acids and bosweillia acid, and cetyl myristoleate.

Many people will state they are allergic to sulfate when they mean they had a reaction to a sulfa medication, a phamaceutical drug classification for sulfonamides.  Sulfonamides are antibacterial medications that prevent the growth of the bacteria by disrupting the metabolism.   

Sulfate is needed for formation of proteins in joints.  Low levels of sulfate are found in plasma and synovial fluid in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. 

Sulfate is essential in forming the mucin proteins which line the gut walls.  These have two main functions–they stop the gut contents from sticking and they block transport of toxins from the gut to the bloodstream.  Low plasma sulfate is found in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.  Irritable bowel syndrome is identified with symptoms that may include constipation, diarrhea, alternating bowel habit, abdominal bloating and pain, and flatulence.  

Sulfate is necessary for formation of brain tissue.  Before birth, the functional units of the brain, neurons, are laid down on a scaffolding network of sulfated carbohydrate chains.  Reduced sulfation can leand to faulty neuronal connections and later dysfunction. 

Sulfate is not easily absorbed across the gut wall.  Recent research has shown that it can be absorbed across the skin.  It is also formed in the body by oxidation of the amino acids cysteine and methionine.  This pathway is often suboptimal and many people benefit from sulfate supplementation.   

A comprehensive detoxification test that demonstrates the liver’s health regarding detoxification is available to help identify the efficiency of the process of phase I and phase II detoxification.  The advantages of properly identifying the balance of the detoxification system are you can support it nutritionally and identify areas of concern such as amino acid deficiency, heavy metal burden, and also pesticide toxicity.    One should not indescriminately add tyrosine supplementation into their regimen as it can produce unintended consequences since it is also a target amino acid for the cascade of neurotransmitters called catecholamines.

www.cemmed.com                                    Clinic in Portland, Oregon

www.mynetimpact.com/1153052         Science based nutritional products

www.multipureusa.com/hwc                     The best water system on the planet

www.mybiopro.com/jmwade                      Related to EMF sensitivity

Today’s Quote:  ” If you ask me anything I don’t know, I’m not going to answer.”  Yogi Berra

As the science of Anti-Aging evolves, a pro-active approach to this identity thief is on the horizon in contrast to medications available to slow the process of early onset.  These medications, as you will see, are not always effective.

Bill Deagle, MD has a presentation on the web regarding the dementing brain and disease predisposition.  You can locate it easily by typing in his name and Feb 15^th 2006 update. Here and elsewhere are stated possible genetic associations of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD).  For example, of the three common ApoE genotypes*, ApoE4 may increase the risk of developing sporadic and late-onset familial Alzheimer Disease (AD).  Other associated risk with gene dose is accumulation of senile plaques in the brain and reduction of the enzyme needed to make acetylcholine. ApoE is critical in the modulation of cholesterol and phospholipid transport between cells of different types and requires the enzyme activity of choline acetyltransferase. Acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter associated with good memory.  

Some studies strongly support the concept that ApoE4 plays a crucial role in the cholinergic dysfunction associated with AD and therefore may be a prognostic indicator of poor response to therapy with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors sometimes used in early intervention of these patients.

In contrast to allopathic medicine, the field of environmental medicine looks at root causes of disease.  The premise that occupational dangers and chronic exposure to heavy metals and toxin exposure is at the core of beliefs for Alzheimer’s Disease as it is for many others.  One of the chief issues with heavy metals is they inhibit or disrupt enzyme activity.  Aluminum has been the center of study for allopathic and environmental medicine related to AD for many years but rather than treat it with a drug to inhibit symptoms, environmental medicine works at removing the cause.  At Center for Environmental Medicine, we look at the patient’s body burden of heavy metals with chelators designed for the purpose of detoxifying metals. 

Additionally, recent research has suggested organophosphate and chlorinated pesticides play an important role in the inhibition of enzyme activity which can contribute to this disease and others. Testing of these pesticides results in therapies to help reduce levels and symptoms, often using natural agents to bind and emulsify for elimination.

 * apolipoprotein E genotype testing is used in risk factors for heart disease

Center for Environmental Medicine