Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Low-carb ketogenic diets decrease oxidative stress

We have known for a long time that malignant cells, specifically, cancer cells consume huge amounts of glucose; Warburg postulated that is was a defect in the aerobic respiration of cells (oxygen utilization) that convert a normal cell to a malignant one. Other Nobel prize winners have proven that when oxygen is deficient, cancer cells emerge. Oxygen alone can inhibit malignant cells from proliferating by stopping anaerobic respiration, which is the preferred energy production choice of malignant cells. If malignant cells proliferate using glucose as the primary energy source, then here's an idea for the ages, why don't we starve cancer of glucose and increase oxygen utilization?  

Now, what does this have to do with a low-carb ketogenic diet? First glucose is not our only fuel source. In fact, our brain seems to function better when ketone bodies are the primary energy source. Beta-hydoxybutyrate (BHOB) is one such ketone body. BHOB is the primary energy source in starvation or strenuous exercise. So, when all the glucose gets used up BHOB becomes the primary energy source.

BHOB concentrations increase in a dose-dependent manner with strenuous exercise. Increases in BHOB bring about epigenetic changes to specific genes related to oxidative stress. Epigenetic changes are simply changes in gene expression. So by exercising "hard", we see a rise in blood concentrations of BHOB, which turns on genes associated with decreasing oxidative stress.

Foxo3a is one of the genes that is affected by changes in BHOB concentrations. This gene and its targets are important in the expression of mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD), a very important antioxidant. Another way to increase Foxo3a expression is through calorie restriction or carbohydrate restriction.

When we restrict carbohydrates, or simply don't intake high glycemic index grains, sugars, processed products (yes products because they aren't real food), our body begin to burn more ketone bodies for energy. This process of energy production is favorable for the brain, fighting cancer, seizure disorders, ADHD, dementia related symptoms, obesity, stress, etc.

Take away from this study? Ketone bodies will up-regulate the good genes that help buffer excessive oxidative stress. To increase ketone bodies we must eat a low-carb ketogenic diet in addition to a strenuous exercise routine.  The higher the ketone bodies, the lower the glucose and the better your blood sugar handling is.

Source:
Med Hypotheses. 2012 Oct;79(4):433-9. doi: 10.1016/j.mehy.2012.06.015. Epub 2012 Jul 17. PMID: 22809841 

Health Quote of the Week - Jeffrey Bland

For this week's quote I chose the quote from Jeffrey Bland, PhD, and the founding father of functional medicine. In Advancement in Clinical Nutrition, 1994 he was quoted...

"The questions we ask determine the answers we get."

This is so true on so many different levels. First let's look at healthcare. Traditional healthcare (or sickcare) looks to ask what question? 'What are you symptoms?' And the answer is generally a drug to block or reduce the symptoms. Look at what that got us. Now we are the most drugged nation in the history of the planet. We had over 4 billion prescriptions written in 2011. Forbes did a study and the average American spends over $6,500 a year on healthcare. My question is for what? We are fatter, sicker, more stressed, toxic, and tired then we have ever been. Where is all this money going?

A functional medicine doctor asks different questions. Instead of 'what are your symptoms?' we ask 'what is causing your symptoms?' The answers you get from that line of questioning will blow your mind. Gut issues, GMO allergies, food allergies, nutrient deficiencies, detox problems, toxic exposures, heavy metals, etc. The list is endless. The difference is the answer leads a solution because the question demanded a solution.

When the question asked is too simple for the problem, or not asking the right question, the answer will not be a solution.

Here is a question for patients to ask of their doctor. "Are you going to find the cause of my complaint?" Many times you will not get a straight answer. Or you might simply get the wrong answer or a blatant lie. One big lie permeating is biomarkers being causes of disease. For example, high cholesterol does not cause heart disease. THAT IS A LIE.

The real question is 'why do I have high cholesterol?'. The answer most certainly is not, 'because you are statin deficient'.

I leave you with this quote.

"The questions we ask determine the answers we get."

Seek the right answers. Ask the right questions. This is where health starts.

Dr W

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Health Quote of the Week

I am starting a new segment on my blog. I do a ton of reading and find myself not writing as much as I feel I should. From now on, when I read something good, either an article, or a quote, or even a book, I am going to do a write up for everyone to read.

Look for my new segment. 'Health quote of the week.'

Steve Tobak, a writer for FOX Business, in an article about reasons not to buy a new 'smart' watch had a priceless and paradigm breaking quote.

When talking about how the new 'smart' watches can be used as health trackers he states...

"Really? I’m a runner. I own a pair of sneakers, shorts, and socks. I don’t need to know how far I run or how many calories I burn. I know I’m fit because my clothes fit. Funny how the more fitness stuff we buy the fatter we become. If everyone would quit trying to be so smart and just go out and do something, there’d be no obesity epidemic."

Why can't we all be as smart as Steve? For what I know I don't think Steve has a medical degree. I don't believe he is a weight loss expert. He is a business writer. From a business stand point he says away with all this fancy crap to help you be healthy. Get out and move. These are words of pure wisdom.

I have patient's that do not want to know their weight, or have had past eating issues in which the number becomes problematic. This is the same advice, or what I refer to, measurement, I instruct them to use. Put your favorite, best fitting "butt" jeans on. See how they fit. Are they too tight? Let those jeans be your measure. When they fit perfectly you know you are where you want to be.

Jeans don't change. People change. Weight is not something that creeps up with age. It is a constant once you reach adulthood. Let's get to ideal and make it the constant!!!

Thank you Steve for your words of wisdom. It is refreshing to read this kind of common sense.

-Dr K