Posted by TENA/ DIAMOND on 1/2/2009, 4:01 pm, in reply to "FIBRO INSIGHT INTO INFLAMMATORY PATTERNS "
The toxic mineral arsenic can also generate major inflammatory
stresses. Arsenic can occur in airborne exposures, usually from
pesticide and herbicide residues even if the source of those
chemicals is several hundred miles away. Well-water contamination is
a very common source of arsenic exposure. In some states, up to 70%
of the wells are estimated to be contaminated with arsenic. Arsenic
affects the gastrointestinal tract, immune function, hormonal
balance, and can mimic or cause gastritis and ulcer symptoms.
Recently, as a result of the Environmental Protection Agency's
recommendations, the acceptable level of arsenic in hair samples was
reduced by a factor of five.
The toxic metal mercury is of particular importance as well. Mercury
is a common airborne pollutant from industry, and can occur as a
result of pollution as far away as China because of prevailing
winds. Mercury is utilized in many cosmetics, dental fillings, and
vaccines. Over-consumption of high mercury seafood such as
swordfish, tuna, mahi-mahi, grouper, and mackerel can contribute
significantly to a toxic body burden. Mercury is a very powerful
generator of inflammatory stress and can disrupt or inactivate a
number of hormones involved in normal metabolic balance, especially
the thyroid. Mercury is a known "neuro" poison; that is, it is toxic
to the brain and nervous system. Mercury can cause multiple adverse
effects on the metabolism by altering hormone efficiency, disrupting
blood sugar balance, causing sugar cravings, and increasing the
overall stress patterns associated with inflammation.
The levels of nutrient minerals can also indicate increases in
inflammatory stress. Nutrient minerals that are either too high or
too low can directly reflect inflammatory trends. Minerals such as
selenium that allow the body to effectively control inflammatory
stress are often high or low during periods of increasing
inflammatory stress. Selenium blood tests can be normal and the
levels of selenium in the tissue can actually be low. This is not
inconsistent. Normal selenium blood tests indicate only that the
circulating selenium levels are normal. This does not necessarily
indicate that the levels of selenium in the tissues of the body are
normal. By the time a blood selenium level is low, the tissue levels
of selenium most often have been low for some time. Selenium is a
well known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Interestingly,
selenium is also involved in allowing the body to detoxify excess
arsenic and mercury. Selenium can reduce the inflammatory stress
that is associated with arsenic and mercury toxicity and/or
exposures. Ultimately, no matter what the mechanism, controlling
excessive inflammation is a major factor in diminishing risks for a
number of health issues.
Jack Grogan is an expert in tissue mineral balancing and is
currently Vice President of Uckele Health & Nutrition. He has had a
strong interest in assessing nutritional status and has worked with
hair tissue mineral analysis for more than 30 years as a tool to aid
in determining tissue mineral balance.
Role of Nutrition in Treating and Managing Chronic Pain
By Hal S. Blatman, MD
Healing from pain is like healing from any other malady, and
nutrition plays a significant role in the healing process. When we
consider the relationship of food and healing, there are three rules
to live by.
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