Mitochondria Regrowth

A recent study by Life Extension has found that mitochondria (which are tiny organ-like systems within your cells that produce energy for your body) can be regrown by a plant extract called “PQQ”. This is great knews for people who suffer from degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and heart failure. But with all supplements, remember to know the whole story. Your mitochondria largely decline because of pollutants in our bodies that bind to their DNA. If your mitochondria regenerate,you are also providing another place toxins to go. Its more important from a naturopathic perspective to “Take Out the Trash” before you start to add supplements to rebuild. For more information, please call us at the office! 928-214-8793

Recognizing the impact of stress in your life

Stress comes in many forms and affects everyone to some degree. When you think of “stress” you can probably visualize a time when your heart and thoughts were racing. Perhaps you were very busy and under a lot of pressure in your family or work life, with barely a moment to breathe! This is just one example of what stress can look like, but it’s important to know that stress comes in many forms and we don’t always recognize it in our own lives.

Emotional stress can come from experiencing the loss of a loved one or the break-up of an intimate relationship, whereas mental stress is usually high when studying for a big exam or starting a new job.
Physiological stress refers to what is physically going on within the body, such as hormonal imbalances, allergies, food sensitivities and chronic disease. Environmental stress involves factors such as pollution, noise, overcrowding and radiation. All of these types of stressors influence the whole of every person, since as humans our minds, bodies and spirits are interconnected.

Your body responds to stress primarily with the help of your adrenal glands. These small pyramid-shaped glands sit on top of each kidney and are responsible for secreting many important hormones. During acute stress the inner part of the adrenals secrete epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. These hormones give you that “get up and go” rush of energy when you encounter something acutely stressful or when you drink a big cup of coffee. Cortisol is another hormone released from the adrenal glands, that becomes elevated during chronic stress and can cause many changes in the body, such as breakdown of muscle mass, increase in fat storage (especially at the waistline) changes in blood pressure, reduction in thyroid hormone absorption and changes in insulin response. When your adrenal glands have been overtaxed by years of stress, cortisol levels then decline, and you may feel fatigued, not be able to sustain a workout, experience changes in sleep, or become depressed or anxious.

There are a variety of approaches to treating Adrenal Fatigue, including vitamins, supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes. You will need to get adequate sleep (8-10 hours per night), and implement a stress management or reduction program. The best treatment I have seen includes receiving weekly vitamin IV infusions until your adrenals restore themselves, which may take 2-3 months with the IV’s and longer without. Your adrenals require high doses of vitamins to make hormones like cortisol.

For more information on adrenals or to develop a personal treatment plan, contact your naturopathic physician. Adrenal hormone testing is also available, the best test being a saliva test.

Authors:

Dr. Brandie Gowey, NMD
Founding Pres. Naturopaths Int’l
1100 N. San Francisco St, STE F
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
928-214-8793
www.naturopathsinternational.org

Jessica Carfagnini,
Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine 4th year NMD student
Toronto, Canada

References:
1) Barker, J. Meletis, C. The Naturopathic Approach to Adrenal Dysfunction. Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients. Feb-March 2005.
2) Greenspan, Francis. Basic and Clinical Endocrinology. 1997, Appleton and Lange.

The First Annual Naturopaths International (NI) Convention

The First Annual Naturopaths International (NI) Convention was held on June 19, 2009 at Coconino Community College. The event was a smash hit, featuring humanitarian work, health and wellness workshops, yoga, meditation, alternative lifestyle vendors, organic foods, and more!
World-class speakers included Dr. Sodhi, owner and formulator of Ayush Herbs, Inc., Dr. Sarita Shrestha of Kathmandu, Nepal, Dr. Bob Waters of ASU Biodesign Institute, and our very own founder of NI, Dr. Brandie Gowey who spoke on the work being done globally to help patients in need.

Next year’s event is scheduled for June 25, 2010 at CCC and will be featuring “Healthy Hormones” as next year’s event will bring naturopathic physicians from around the state and country to share their knowledge.
The Flagstaff YMCA will be offering all the activities of the day from yoga to zumba, and local experts in life coaching, meditation, spirituality and more, will be available to offer workshops. Vendors offering fair trade items from around the world (the proceeds of which go into supporting international and domestic medical outreach), will also be part of the event.

Reserve the date! You may contact the NI office to reserve early-bird tickets by calling 928-214-8793. Tickets go on sale for this day-long event next March, and will be available for $20 to those who reserve their space.

Haiti

We are looking into the possibility of donated land in Haiti, to build both a clinic and shelter program for women/children…sending our V.P. Brandon Chastant to Haiti in July to take a close look at the property in Jacmel.

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