comments on Jackie's letter

[Guest guest]

Jackie's post has brought up many important issues and I would like

to go through the letter and comment a little on different

individual points.

 

 

" " " The following hypothesis ( of which there is supposedly some

evidence) was

recently pointed out to me, and aligns very much with many of the

symptoms I

have documented in horses, eg a depressing of FT4 levels when

thyroxine is

supplemented, as though the body was compensating to keep the

metabolism

lowered, dehydrated appearance to the skin, 'Lv and gut symptoms,

summer

anhydrosis etc. I could not think of a mechanism for this, but this

seems to

offer a faesable one - I wonder what your opinion would be Vinod? " " "

 

For many years the Western medical community has felt that the

reason why Temperatures remain low or an individual was

hypometabolic even though the TSH and Free T4 remains normal is

because of Autoimmune disease at the cellular level which

is `interfering' with normal T4 and T3 functioning at the cellular

level. This is a misunderstanding. The fact that explains many low

energy production levels at the cellular level is the fact that the

cells do not uptake the T4 unless needed and in depressed lethargic

individuals there is little need for T4 hormone. So yes Jackie I

agree that thyroid supplementation can cause the cells to compensate

by refusing to uptake the supplemented T4 – it was already doing

that with the bodies endogenous hormones – such individuals do not

need more hormone they need reactivation of the muscles. Why the

muscles have gone catabolic is a bigger issue and one I will only go

into obliquely in following comments.

 

In lethargic depressed individuals many processes become

malfunctional simply because the muscles are beginning to atrophy

from the catabolism - so many hormones are unneeded. The hormonal

needs of an active anabolic based metabolism are very different from

those of the catabolic metabolism. The proper functioning of the

muscles which facilitates proper functioning of the brain and

nervous system are what determines the vitality, balance, and proper

functioning of the endocrine system. Why the muscles have gone

catabolic and whether this is ultimately good or bad is a very big

question and one I will not go much into here except obliquely as I

try to comment on Jackie's other points.

 

 

" " " The basic premise is mitochondrial malfunction leading to reduced

ATP levels

and thertefore heart muscle myopathy, leading to low cardiac output.

I

quote:

 

This explains the symptoms of CFS

The job of the heart is to maintain blood pressure. If the blood

pressure

falls, organs start to fail. If the heart is working inadequately as

a pump

then the only way blood pressure can be sustained is by shutting

down blood

supply to organs. Organs are shut down in terms of priority, i.e.

the step in the process that is the immediate precursor to the heart

issues you have referred toskin

first, then muscles, followed by liver, gut, brain and finally the

heart,

lung and kidney. As these organ systems shut down, this creates

further

problems for the body in terms of toxic overload, susceptibility to

viruses

which damage mitochondria further, thus exacerbating all the

problems of the

CFS sufferer.

 

It is very true that the heart is always involved in hypometabolic

conditions and in a similar way that is being described – but – I

would like to look at this issue in a broader perspective. I hope

everyone remembers the sequence of the way in which the energy moves

through the body according to TCM (this understanding has been

observed by many throughout history not just the Chinese) – Spleen-

Lungs-Kidneys-Liver-Heart-Spleen. Without going to `original' causes

let us think about the step in the process that is the immediate

precursor to the heart issues you have referred to as many of the

processes you referred to actually begin there not in the heart – in

fact the heart problems come from these same common issues of

diminished `Liver' functioning' The major problem in this context is

stagnation. When for whatever issue (perhaps Hypometabolism itself)

the Liver functions become inefficient then we can be in serious

jeopardy of breaking down in many of our most important functions

leading to an inability to perform and live well.

 

So let us look at some of these functions that go wrong in the

Liver. I will be mixing western and TCM concepts. In TCM terms the

two major functions of the Liver are storage of the Blood (Qi) and

distribution of the Blood (Qi) – in stagnant states the Blood does

not get stored because there is not free flow there and there is no

room for the new blood coming from the kidneys – so blood passes

through without the transformative (like transforming simple sugars

into Glycogen) role of the Liver – and because of this stagnation

the distribution role of the Liver is severely compromised –

whenever any tissue needs energy (Qi) the Liver releases the

Glycogen – the Heart is the first organ that receives this poorly

cleaned and inadequately nourished blood – and it suffers deficit

(heart Qi deficiency) this combined with the toxic condition of the

blood at this step means the heart is under stress and is itself

hypometabolic. The heart is not the `cause' but is itself suffering

from many deficits coming from poor blood and this underfunctioning

of the heart is a further contributing part of further deficiency

states. The organ that will be harmed first will be the Spleen – is

it clear how these processes of poor nutrition causes a cascade of

diminished functioning throughout the body?

 

So if the legs need blood (like when walking)- the blood coming to

them from that stored in the Liver through the pumping Heart will be

inadequately providing sugar and oxygen to the muscle cells – so we

will quickly fatigue and in severe cases perhaps the low blood sugar

will cause hypoglycemic symptoms – even weakness or fainting. We may

have plenty of sugar in the blood (we are well nourished) but it has

not been transformed by the Liver and or is it being provided in a

timely manner where and when it is needed. This etiology is similar

to what happens in Insulin resistance. One can see that combining

the twin pathologies of inadequate or erratic energy production to

the shut down of the receptor sites for hormones on the cells –

means one is seriously compromised in ones ability to function.

 

To fully explain this process we would have to describe the

mechanism of depression as it relates to this poor energy release by

the Liver – the hypoglycemic and hypometabolic condition is very

harmful to every tissue but it can spiral into severe emotional and

mental problems (neurosis and psychosis) if the brain and nervous

systems are not properly nourished. This is true also of

malnourishment of the Endocrine glands. In advanced cases this

becomes a severe malfunction of the ANS (Autonomic Nervous System) –

these deficiency states have caused an imbalance between the

Sympathetic System and the Parasympathetic system. Because of this I

think of the end state deficiency diseases – Like FM and CFS – as

being the advanced Sympathetic disease. The Sympathetic system is in

hyper mode and cannot relax – this is serious business. This is

hyper reactivity a basic mechanism in the continuing exhaustion.

 

" " " Effects on the Skin - If you shut down the blood supply to the

skin, this

has two main effects. The first is that the skin is responsible for

controlling the temperature of the body. This means that CFS

patients become

intolerant of heat. If the body gets too hot then it cannot lose heat

through the skin (because it has no blood supply) and the core

temperature

increases. The only way the body can compensate for this is by

switching off

the thyroid gland (which is responsible for the level of metabolic

activity

in the body and hence heat generation) and so one gets a compensatory

under active thyroid. This alone worsens the problems of fatigue.

The second problem is that if the micro-circulation in the skin is

shut

down, then the body cannot sweat. This is a major way through which

toxins,

particularly heavy metals, pesticides and volatile organic compounds

are

excreted. Therefore the CFS sufferer?s body is much better at

accumulating

toxins, which of course further damage mitochondria. " " "

 

Many of these symptoms are simply a result of the hypometabolic

state. In a large percentage of these cases there is nothing wrong

with the thyroid gland (TSH,T3, T4) is normal – the problem is not

in the thyroid – it is at the cellular level – the receptor sites

are blocked (for the reason mentioned before). Diminished skin

functioning has to do with the diminished circulation and phlegm (a

very big issue in these cases). Actually in most cases of deficiency

the heat is not collecting in the center or core the most common

thing seen is cold in the center. There may be `false heat symptoms'

but the cells are hypo so there is no question of true overheating.

The blood may be `hot' from the acids but general metabolism

is `cold'. The cells are rejecting the hormone because they do not

need it. It is absolutely true that toxins play a very important

role in many of the symptoms – and this is particularly true of

nervous system and brain cells. Try to visualize the challenge that

the `mind' has trying to function in a toxic, poorly nourished,

inadequately oxygenated, hypometabolic environment and the many

mental symptoms will be easy to understand. No wonder what

deficiency or toxic states may be it can be devastating.

 

 

 

" " " 2. Symptoms in Muscles If the blood supply to muscles is

impaired, then

muscles quickly run out of oxygen when one starts to exercise. With

no

oxygen in the muscles the cells switch over to anaerobic metabolism,

which

produces lactic acid and it is this that makes muscles ache so much.

 

As well as the above problem, muscles in the CFS patient have very

poor

stamina because the mitochondria which supply them with energy are

malfunctioning. " " "

 

The issue of muscles as was said is central to understanding this

issue – but it is not just poor heart function that makes the

problem it is the Liver – by not providing properly nourished blood

to the heart that gets pumped to the hungry cells – which has a hard

time performing without proper nourishment and - in the presence of

toxins besides. The mitochondrial issue is not exactly as you

describe – but it is the hypometabolic state and the accumulation of

toxic phlegm that is causing the malfunction of the mitochondria.

The mitochondria are cells and suffer the same deficit that all

other cells are suffering. But one poorly understood thing is the

role that phlegm plays in these processes. When the mitochondria

(forget for now the hypometabolic issue) are surrounded by phlegm –

this simply blocks all metabolic processes at the cells – because

nourishment can not get in - but just as important - toxins are

trapped at the cell and do not move – these toxins poison the cells

and further weaken their functions – so one can see that in the

presence of phlegm many mitochondria simply do not function. Another

serious problem. Most of what is called `Autoimmunity' is actually

the body (immune system) trying to clear this phlegm – which often

appears as a `mist' over the cells which is very harmful and very

tenacious and difficult to move. Soon I would like to post an

article on Phlegm its causes, harmful effects, and cure.

 

 

" " " . Leaky gut syndrome causes many other problems such as allergies,

autoimmunity, malabsorption, etc., which further compound the

problems of

CFS. " " "

 

This needs a little expansion. Leaky gut is not an original cause –

it is a cofactor in this process. Allergies, autoimmunity,

malabsorption can exist with or without leaky gut. It is mainly the

general hypometabolic state and the toxins (including the highly

toxic Liver toxins) accumulating from this Hypometabolism that are

causing most of these symptoms including Leaky gut – the intestines

lose their permeability because of the highly toxic acidic condition

of the bowels – if chronic constipation or diarrhea are involved

then the condition of the intestines is very weak and toxic. If

there is a general acidic condition of the blood (which there is in

Hypometabolism) there are also possible inflammatory and infectious

processes ((H-pylori-Candida-etc,) taking place which are damaging

the lining of the Stomach and intestines

 

" " " If liver circulation is inadequate, this will result in poor

detoxification,

not just of heavy metals, pesticides and volatile organic compounds,

but

also toxins produced as a result of fermentation in the gut again

further

poisoning the mitochondria. " " "

 

Remember that the Liver is our front line defense against thousands

of substances that have the ability to poison us. It is the job of

the Liver to process every toxin that is not eliminated. We breathe,

absorb, and ingest, thousands of substances daily – it is the job of

the liver to transform these substances into forms that can be used

or eliminated. Remember that we also produce thousands of chemicals

in our metabolism that if not transformed and or eliminated poison

us (peroxides, lactic acid) etc. When the liver is not performing

it's functions we will get a build up of toxins - this is harmful in

so many ways but most importantly it can destroy the kidneys which

become exhausted trying to eliminate these built up toxic

substances – all of the fluids are toxic and the fact of these acid

fluids cause untold damage. Acid saliva, acid sweat, acid lymph,

acid semen, acid tears, etc – are severe pathologies caused by the

poor quality of the blood and the Hypometabolism – and these toxins

further interfere with functioning at the local area.

 

Jackie I once mentioned to you about allergies – this is a big

subject – but the point I would like to make is that the toxic

condition of the blood is the source of these `allergies'. You know

that in classical TCM there is no such thing as `allergies' - yet

they described all of the symptoms that we cal allergies but they

look at the issue very differently from the modern MDs. This is a

fascinating subject (Bob flaws has written an excellent article on

it) but suffice it to say that in general these many imbalances in

the ANS that are causing these hype reactive states are facilitated

by the liver and other toxins circulating at high levels in the

blood. This is not a simple issue because of variables like

constitutional types – but `toxic state' may help you understand the

symptoms =but the original problem in the case of your horse (like

many humans as well) is first I believe a genetic tendency (coming

through the mother if I remember correctly) – this meant your horse

was born with a stress disorder - (research shows that 100%!!! Of

all infants born of mothers suffering stress disorders also have

stress disorders – in most cases this is not a true genetic disease –

therefore in many it can be overcome – if the damage has not been

to bad. This stress disorder left your horse at risk if he/she ever

faced stress – the horse would have trouble recovering fully from

stress – until eventually it might be possible that he never fully

recovers and suffers increasing deficit. Three organs to examine in

these cases is Spleen (digestion - including proper diet) – Kidneys –

Liver. Any individual who faces erratic energy production will be

inadequate to ordinary life what to say of special achievement.

 

 

 

" " " 4. Effects on the Brain Last October I attended a conference

sponsored by

the late Dr John Richardson. A Canadian physician Byron Hyde showed

us some

functional scans of the brains of CFS patients. If I had not known

the

diagnosis, I would have diagnosed strokes. This is because the blood

supply

to some area of the brain was so impaired. The default is temporary

and with

rest, blood supply recovers. However, this explains the multiplicity

of

brain symptoms suffered from, such as poor short-term memory,

difficulty

multi-tasking, slow mental processing and so on. Furthermore brain

cells are

not particularly well stocked with mitochondria and therefore they

run out

of energy very quickly. " " "

 

This also mainly has to do with the hypometabolic issues described –

what is being observed is the erratic energy production. The

same `hot' and `cold' picture would be observed in all of the other

organs as well because of the blockages and poor circulation

combined with the low Qi delivery and production at individual

sites. In any given organ we might have relatively normal energy

production, poor energy production, and excess heat (from

inflammatory processes) taking place at different places in the

organ. ATP (Qi) production in such people is obviously inadequate

to `normal' demand. All of these normal functions mentioned (memory,

tasking, etc.) will be compromised in many different ways not just

the one described but by this and other causes of poor Qi

production. If we do not have sufficient nourishing Qi in the blood

to be delivered to the cells then obviously they will under function.

 

" " " 5. Effects on the Heart There are two effects on the heart. The

first effect

of poor micro-circulation to the heart is disturbance of the

electrical

conductivity which causes dysrhythmias. " " "

 

Irregularities in the electrical conductivity of the heart are

explained by the ANS imbalance. As said none of these factors are

causes they are cofactors.

 

 

" " " Many patients with chronic fatigue

syndrome complain of palpitations, missed heart beats or whatever.

This is

particularly the case in patients with poisoning by chemicals since

the

chemicals are also directly toxic to nerve cells. " " "

 

It was mentioned how damaging these toxins are!!!! This is important

and should be clearly understood.

 

 

 

" " " The second obvious result is poor exercise tolerance. Heart

muscle fatigues

in just the same way that other muscles fatigue. Symptomatically

this causes

chest pain and fatigue. In the longer term it can cause heart valve

defects

because the muscles which normally hold the mitral valve open also

fatigue. " " "

 

Yes poisons – poison!!! And they must be eliminated as efficiently

and timely as possible – but if our organs of transformation and

elimination are not working – then obviously we will not do this

well and furthermore these toxins will continue to build up and

further stress ALL!!!! Organs.

 

One point that gets missed in Liver stagnation is that the liver is

responsible for the management and transformation of the hormones

(example Testosterone and or IGF-1) without efficient transformation

of these hormones the muscles (remember the heart is a muscle) do

not function properly. As an example it is the Liver that is

responsible for the conversion of IGF-1 and Growth Hormone – without

this function the cells do not receive growth hormone and therefore

muscles are under functioning – same with Testosterone - which is

also responsible for proper bone functioning as well as muscle – so

many with Liver stagnation have osteoporosis and other bone

weaknesses.

 

The primary cause of CFS is Kidney deficiency (Yin and or Yang) and

Liver stagnation (with Qi deficient damp heat). We simply are not

producing, distributing (assimilating), or utilizing our Qi – so

there is less or erratic energy. This lacking can be relatively

limited or it can be severe under functioning – disturbing every

function of the body – creating a host of difficult symptoms

(difficult to understand and difficult to resolve). Having said this

remember that the Spleen/stomach are the true source of the

inadequate Kidney support that is needed.

 

One can go on for long time on this issue – but I will leave it and

hope to clarify issues further at another time.