Download How to Regain Energy-Part 2

Quest For Health
Energy Medicine Update
April 2001
By Michael W Rath
ND DipCAc DipCHM MANTA MAACMA
55 Snow Wood Drive
Eatons Hill Qld 4037
0500 818 555
Tel:
0500 869 555
Fax:
[email protected]
Email:
quest4health.com.au
Web:
Mitochondrial Energy Medicine – Part 2
The Mighty Mitochondria, More Energy, Acetyl-L-Carnitine & Friends
Understanding
the
inner
workings of the body’s
powerhouses, the mighty
Mitochondria, at the most
basic level helps us to find
where a patient’s energy
production and body functions
are going wrong and what we
need to do to fix those
problems. In this way the
person is returned to vibrant
health in the shortest possible
time.
There are many nutrients that
are required for healthy and
fully functioning mitochondria
capable of pumping out
energy on demand. One of the
most important of these is
Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
In fact, my own fateful
experience during an intensive
three-week seminar series
shows just what can be
achieved with the use of
Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
In late 1996, I came down
with a very heavy virus
infection.
Being very busy with
lecturing and traveling, I
stopped taking a number of
supplements as it was just
‘too much trouble’. Sound
familiar?
Having finished my second
last lecture for the seminar
series in Perth, I went to bed.
I awoke around 2:30 am with
feelings
of
unease,
palpitations and dismissed
this as merely a panic attack.
However, by 4 am I was
feeling a bit desperate. I took
a number of supplements that
included herbs, vitamins and
a high dose magnesium drink,
but none of these had any
effect.
Apart from all this, I had to
fly out to Adelaide that
morning at 6:30 am to present
the final lecture of the tour.
Arriving at the airport with
my symptoms still persisting,
I registered for the flight and
checked in my baggage when
I finally realised that what I
was experiencing was not a
panic
attack
but
was
something more serious.
I caught a taxi to the Royal
Perth Hospital, and was
immediately admitted to the
Emergency
Department’s
cardiac section.
It turned out my ‘panic attack’
was in fact Atrial Fibrillation
(AF). The small chambers on
top of the heart were fluttering
at 360 beats a minute and the
large chambers were beating
erratically at 160 beats a
minute. After treatment, my
heart finally dropped back into
normal sinus rhythm after 24
hours. What an experience!!
After this episode I started
taking Vitamin E, CoEnzyme
Q10, Magnesium etc to help
prevent the AF from returning.
However, I still had occasional
bouts of tachycardia (rapid
heartbeat) and my energy
levels were a bit low.
A second episode of AF
occurred in June 2000 and I
was taken to the Prince Charles
hospital in Brisbane. I was
given an IV drug and my heart
reverted to normal sinus
rhythm in just 3 hours.
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After tests, I was assured that
my heart was fine and my
problems lay elsewhere.
Over the next couple of
months I experienced a few
more bouts of tachycardia and
decided to look to do some
research into my problem.
One nutrient that was
recommended time and again
was… Acetyl-L-Carnitine.
I then added 2 Dr Vera’s
Acetyl-L Carnitine capsules
three times daily to my
nutrient program and the
tachycardia problems have
disappeared. And as a bonus, I
am feeling stronger, more
energetic.
So, why did Acetyl-LCarnitine make such a
difference?
Research has shown us that in
respect
to
mitochondrial
function (and this is especially
important for the heart)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine performs
three vitally important roles.
One – It helps shuttle fatty
acids into the mitochondria for
fuelling the Energy or Krebs
cycle. This is VITAL for the
heart as the main source of
energy for the heart to
function is fatty acids.
This is especially important
for CFS patients as in the
more
severe
cases
palpitations and arrythmias
are common and those CFS
patients who die from their
condition usually die of
congestive heart failure (due
to a lack of heart energy).
Two – It helps in the removal
of toxic fatty acid byproducts
from the mitochondria, which
then work more efficiently,
producing more energy in a
toxin-free environment.
Cardiolipin is a vital part of
the inner membrane
of the Mitochondria
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And
most
importantly it helps to protect
and restore the function of the
Cardiolipin surface of the
inner membrane of the
mitochondria. The health and
function of this surface is
vital to cellular energy
production. The healthier the
cardiolipin surface the more
energy your mitochondria
produce.
The production of energy
has 3 main stages.
Energy Production
Stage 1.
When we eat food, the
carbohydrates are converted
into simple sugars, the fats
into fatty acids and the
protein into amino acids. Any
of these can be and are used
by the body as a source of
energy.
These
substances
are
converted into Acetyl Co A
inside the mitochondria to
provide a fuel for the Krebs
or Citric acid Cycle.
It is vital to reduce toxin
loading from poor digestion,
overgrowths
of
harmful
yeasts, bacteria and viruses as
well as pesticides and
chemicals. These toxins can
poison
the
Mitochondria,
reducing energy output.
Any problems with a
damaged or leaky gut must
be fixed. We need to
improve
Gut
Barrier
function, Digestion and
Metabolism.
Digestion must be working
properly so that you are
getting enough amino acids
(from
protein),
simple
sugars and fatty acids from
your diet to fuel the energy
cycle. The amino acids are also
needed to regulate the Krebs
cycle.
Energy production
Stage 2.
The Krebs cycle is basically an
electrical
dynamo.
The
electrons and positive ions
generated by the cycle provide
the power that is needed to
create the body’s energy
molecule
ATP.
ATP
(adenosine tri-phosphate) is
like the air-petrol mixture in
your car. And just like in your
car, all it needs is a spark to
have it release its energy to
power the body’s operations.
That spark is provided by the
nerves and various chemical
triggers.
The many steps involved in the
Krebs cycle can be disrupted
resulting in lower power
generation that in turn causes a
reduction in the amount of
ATP created.
It is now possible, using blood
and urine tests, to measure
what part of the Krebs cycle is
not working properly. Once we
know what parts are not
working properly, we can use
the new nutrients that are now
2
available to
blockages.
bypass
any
Bypassing these blockages
allows us to power up the
cells,
providing
the
mitochondria with the energy
they need for healing and
repair.
Energy produced by the Krebs
cycle is used to provide power
for the Electron Transport
Chain.
Energy Production
Stage 3.
The Electron Transport Chain
system (ETC) is where the
production of the energy
molecule ATP takes place.
Each mitochondrion contains
approximately 17,000 Electron
Transport chains (ETC). The
ETC require vitamins B2, B3,
C, K, Magnesium and Iron as
cofactors in order to work
properly
(Mitochondrial
Support).
Cardiolipin is a special fatty
structure (phospholipid) that is
unique
to
the
inner
mitochondrial membrane that
provides the structural support
for the Electron Transport
Chain.
Cardiolipin levels decrease
with
age,
as
does
mitochondrial efficiency and
energy production.
Acetyl L Carnitine is
necessary for manufacture
of Cardiolipin and has been
reported to restore falling
cardiolipin levels in the
mitochondria of older animals
to that of healthy young
animals. Healthier, younger
cardiolipin means a healthier
younger you!!
As
well
as
Acetyl-LCarnitine, Omega 3 fatty
acids (DHA/EPA) from coldwater fish improves the
production and protection of
cardiolipin.
Now there is a problem in
generating more electrons for
the ETC – Mitochondria get
more leaky with age. When
we are very young and
healthy up to 1% escape. As
we get older that figure goes
up to 5%.
This means that more
electrons escape the confines
of the mitochondria and are
then able as free radicals to
cause
damage
in
the
surrounding area.
By giving Acetyl-L-Carnitine
we cause the ETC to work
harder
creating
more
electrons and produce a lot
more free radicals as a result.
This problem can be easily
solved by giving powerful
antioxidants - Vitamins C &
E, Lipoic Acid, Co Enzyme
Q10 and Glutathione.
In this way we get the
benefits of greater energy
production
without
the
associated problems.
Medical studies give us an
idea of just how important
some of these nutrients are in
restoring energy and health.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Tests on blood taken from
Chronic
Fatigue
(CFS)
patients frequently shows a
deficiency
of
Acetyl-LCarnitine.
This deficiency is likely to be
one of the key factors that lies
behind problems within muscle
cell mitochondria, resulting in
general fatigue, muscle pain,
muscle weakness and extreme
fatigue after exercise in
patients
with
CFS
and
Fibromyalgia.
Activated B3
Results from a double blind
study showed that Activated
B3 (NAD) can be beneficial in
the treatment of CFS. NAD is
said to help restore the depleted
stores of cellular ATP to
improve fatigue and brain
function.
Co Enzyme Q10
Supports mitochondrial energy
production through the electron
transport chain. It works within
the Cardiolipin layer as an
electron
carrier
in
the
mitochondrial electron transfer
process, directly increasing
energy production.
It
also
protects
the
mitochondrial membranes and
Cardiolipin
layer
from
oxidative
(free-radical)
damage.
Lipoic Acid and Fatigue
Alpha Lipoic acid helps break
down sugars so that energy can
be produced from them. Lipoic
acid also plays a central role in
antioxidant defence.
This improved antioxidant
defence
protects
the
mitochondria, improves the
process of neutralising free
radicals and therefore helps to
maintain high levels of energy
production.
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Key to Success
with Stage 1:
Improve Gut Barrier
function, digestion,
absorption and metabolism.
* Gut Repair
2 rounded tsp morning and
night in 300water (shaken or
blended) – ½ hr. before meals.
* Lactobac 8
2 caps with Gut Repair.
(Contains 8 different good
bugs to kill off the bad bugs)
Hydrozyme
2 tablets, ¾ to 1 hr after meals.
(Hydrochloric acid for the
stomach, take if hydrochloric
levels in the stomach are low).
DEF
2 tablets, 3 times daily, start of
meals. (digestive enzyme
complex)
LM1
2 tablets, 3 times daily.
(Powerful liver tonic to
improve detoxification and
metabolism) Rice Congee
2 to 3 times daily as a meal.
See Congee recipe.
Key to Success
with Stage 2:
Supply all the nutrients that
the Krebs cycle needs for
proper functioning.
* B Vital –1 teas, 3 times start
of
meals.
(B
complex
vitamins,
minerals
&
antioxidants)
Activated B3
1 cap, 3 times start of meals.
(Source of NAD for Krebs
cycle)
*Athletic Performance
1 to 2 caps, 3 times daily start
of meals. (Alpha-ketoglutarate
is a very important part of
Krebs cycle and also helps in
the removal of ammonia, a
toxic
byproduct
of
metabolism).
* BioEnhanced Magnesium
2/3 teas, 3 times daily after
meals. (Source of readily
available, hi-dose Magnesium
& Malic Acid) –
Rice Congee
2-3 times daily as a meal.
(Provides the 12 vital Amino
Acids and carbohydrates)
Key to Success
with Stage 3:
Provide the nutrients that
Electron Transport Chain
needs for energy production
and anti-oxidant protection
* Acetyl-L-Carnitine
1 to 2 caps, 3 times daily,
start meals.
Lipoic Acid
1-2 caps, 3 times daily, start
of meals.
Co-Enzyme Q10
1 cap 1-2 times daily, after
meals.
Vitamin C
1000mg, 2-3 times daily.
Vitamin E
500iu daily
* Mitochondrial Support
1 capsule, 2 – 3 times daily.
Start Your Treatment
Program Slowly
And Simply
Start with Stage 1 for 2-3
weeks, followed by a
combination of Stages 2 & 3.
Stage 1 nutrients may need to
be continued for 8-12 weeks.
In some patients who have
been unwell for some time
and you can cause unpleasant
reactions if you give too much
too soon.
You may need to start them on
a very low dose and one thing
at a time, gradually building up
the dosage every 3-5 days until
they are on all the required
supplements at the full dose.
The number of nutrients you
use will depend on the
willingness of the patient and
the severity of the condition.
Note:
* = Essential nutrients
AF, Palpitations,
Arrhythmias , Tachycardia
Although an acute AF attack is
very frightening it is rarely life
threatening. Several recent
studies have concluded that the
mortality rate among people
who have intermittent AF
attacks, but no underlying heart
disease, is no greater than that
of the general population.
Avoidance of alcohol, caffeine
and anti-arrhythmic drugs such
as digoxin is extremely
important.
Foods that may cause an
allergic reaction should be
avoided, as should excessive
physical and emotional stress.
Adenosine
– suck under tongue
– 1-2, 3 times daily
(regulates heart pacemaker)
Acetyl-L-Carnitine
– 1-2, 3 times daily
CoEnzyme Q10 90 mg – 1
daily with meal containing fat
Bioenhanced Magnesium
– 1 teasp, 2 times daily
B Vital – 1 teasp, 2 times daily
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