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Showing posts with label chronic fatigue. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chronic fatigue. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Epstein-Barr Virus (Glandular Fever) and its impact on health

I have been considering doing a PHD though Massey University about the impact of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) on health.

It is an epidemic and appears to be getting worse with each new generation

This epidemic has become increasingly apparent to me as I have worked my way through more than a few thousand hair tissue mineral analyses (HTMA).  I have discovered that there is a consistent pattern on the HTMA for people who have had past or current afflictions of the active form of EBV, known as glandular fever.  This pattern also explains the extraordinarily wide range of chronic health issues that people who have had glandular fever present with.  Everything from depression, anxiety, extreme fatigue to arthritis and thyroid diseases.  Almost every modern health issue can be linked, in part, to the chronic effects of glandular fever.

Move over Stephen Hawking: I have the new Theory of Everything!


Here is an excellent overview of the impact of EBV on health:

http://goop.com/the-medical-medium-and-whats-potentially-at-the-root-of-medical-mysteries/

If you suspect your health has been adversely affected by EBV, the first action is to arrange a HTMA and consultation with me and then go from there, according to the findings.  The HTMA will show the patterns of subtle liver dysfunction and other knock-on effects of EBV, depending on its severity - of course!  By the way, most of what we are talking about will not show on standard blood tests.

Dealing with the chronic effects of EBV is not simple, partly because there is no "cure" and there is no "one size - fits all" solution; however, there is much that can be done.

Write to me here if you want to explore this more.



 About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Friday, July 03, 2015

Webinar: Epstein-Barr Virus - The Vampire Within

I have been hired by InterClinical Laboratories to give the following webinar in October 2015:






 About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Please help - I have suddenly been struck down with anxiety, depression and extreme fatigue - updated 10/02/15

"I am a 16 year old male suffering from adrenal fatigue.

About two months ago something happened. During a very long time i had been working out excessively in the gym and using a very high-caffeine drink before my workouts. I only rested one day a week and I usually spent that day studying or doing other activities. 

I felt great untill that one week when suddenly my energy wasn't quite as high as usual. I ignored my tiredness and drank my high-caffeine drink and worked out anyway. Then i started noticing my confidence going down for no reason. By the end of that week i was tired and in a strange way i didn't have my usual confidence. I ignored these symptoms and worked out with my high- caffeine drink anyway. Then one day after my workout something happened. I came home and had a HUGE "down", i was suddenly depressed and was struck by anxiety AND I was so tired. I also felt weak in my knees, wrists and hands. Ever since that day it has not gone away. I sleep over ten hours yet I'm tired and fatigued when i wake up. 

Now i am noticing other symptoms like blue/black under eyes, lines on my fingers and most of all i have lost the lust for life and being happy. (also sex drive for that matter). I also did the pipil test with the flashlight and my pupils seemed to struggle to keep attracting. 
My doctor didn't see anything wrong when he saw the urinal- and blood test but i know there is something wrong with my body. 

I am thinking about buying the Dr Wilson adrenal fatigue quarter pack. The only thing that i am unsure of is if there is any age restriction. I am only 16 but i really need to recover from this. My main concern is that this adrenal fatigue will mess my whole puberty and maturing process because the adrenals are responsible for 40% of the hormones or whatever...

Please help!"
(Quoted with permission)
_________________
Gary:

High caffeine pre-workout supplements are all the rage right now; however they are a deal with the devil, so to speak.  There is payback later in return for the immediate benefits.  

Symptoms of excess caffeine use include:

Immediate
  • Fast and irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
  • Increased blood pressure.
  • Rambling speech and thoughts.
  • Jitters.
  • Nervousness and anxiety.
  • Headaches.
  • Tummy upset.
  • Insomnia.
  • Cardiac arrest (death).
Long term (if still alive!)
  • Addiction.
  • Stomach ulcers.
  • Depression.
  • Extreme tiredness, weakness of heart and muscles and extreme loss of stamina.
The risk of death is real:  at least two young men have died from cardiac arrest in New Zealand gyms in recent years, shortly after consuming pre-workout energy supplements.

Enough said about these pre-workout supplements, other than to say, "Don't take them!"

Let's get some help for this young man by answering his questions and giving some helpful advice.

Can he take Dr Wilson's Adrenal Fatigue supplements?


The answer is "Yes!" His signs and symptoms, including pupil test, are consistent with adrenal fatigue and there is no age for diet and nutrient interventions to aid recovery.  His story and description of symptoms point to his having exhausted and or damaged his adrenal glands, presumably from the combination of excessive use of stimulants combined with hard daily workouts and presumably an inadequate diet.

How the adrenals work

The adrenal glands manufacture almost 50 different hormones, including steroid hormones such as adrenalin, cortisol, aldosterone, estrogen and testosterone.  Adrenalin and cortisol are shot into the bloodstream during stress such as when working out.  These hormones quicken the pulse, increase blood pressure, mobilise fats and sugars, heighten the senses and generally prepare the body and mind for battle (very much like caffeine when you think about it).  Yes, caffeine stimulates the adrenals to release these hormones.  Here the problems begin!

The adrenals do not have an endless supply of cortisol and adrenalin: they continuously produce tiny amounts of these hormones which are carefully stored in readiness for the occasional stressful event.  If the adrenals are being constantly signalled to drop their loads due to excessive caffeine consumption, intense workouts and a fast life in general, then the adrenals can quickly be depleted and even begin to suffer damage.  Especially if combined with a nutrient-poor diet.  

The end result can be CRASH and BURN big time, including cardiac failure because the adrenal hormones regulate blood pressure and heart function (think of the paramedic injecting adrenaline directly into the heart muscle when resuscitating a victim of cardiac arrest).

Dr Wilson's products are safe to take at any age.  If they contained hormones, I would not be saying this.  Dr Wilson's products are carefully formulated nutritional products derived from the best ingredients available.  There are no hormones in them at all: The ingredients provide the nutritional substrate that exhausted and damaged glands so desperately need to both repair and to manufacture more hormones as and when required.

There are many adrenal support supplements available nowadays and I have played round with many over the years.  However, each time i have gone full circle back to Dr Wilson's adrenal products.  His may be quite expensive but they are simply the best.

I have looked at the medical tests that this young man's doctor ordered and the doctor is correct when reviewing the test results to conclude that he could see nothing the matter.  

For two reasons:
  1. The doctor ordered the wrong tests, if he was wanting to assess adrenal function.
  2. Doctors are no longer taught about how to recognise or treat adrenal fatigue.  Medicine will only recognise adrenal shutdown at its most extreme (Addison's) for which the treatment is powerful patent steroids.
(Adrenal fatigue has been written out of the medical textbooks since the late 1950's at about the time of the commercial launch of a steroid drug called Prednisone.  Previously, doctors were taught how to use glandular extracts for the treatment of adrenal exhaustion).

Here is what I recommend for this young man:

  • Commence a course of Dr Wilson's adrenal fatigue programme under the guidance of a trained health professional.  Refer here to find a practitioner.  
  • Start with Dr Wilson's Adrenal Rebuilder, Super Adrenal Stress Formula and Adrenal C.
  • It may be necessary to consistently follow an adrenal fatigue recovery programme for as long as three months - sometimes longer - to be sure that one has recovered.  Young people generally recover faster than older people.
  • Avoid caffeine and other stimulants and get plenty of rest, including regular sleep.
  • Exercise, but only every second day.  The exercise may be invigorating while not being exhausting.
  • Ensure the diet is rich in all of the nutrients the body requires to manufacture lean tissue, hormones and neurotransmitters.  This means a wide range of fats and proteins from fresh animal, fish and plant sources.  Eggs are a good source of everything.  Eat bright and dark vegetables and berries for powerful protective antioxidants.  
  • In addition to Dr Wilson's adrenal formulations, take a good quality multivitamin.
  • Protein is not stored like fat and sugar in the body.  If protein is not immediately available from digestion for tissue repair, hormone production and so on, then the protein will be taken from lean tissues, thus weakening the body.  To become stronger and healthier it is a good rule of thumb to have a little protein about every four waking hours.
  • If there has not been a significant improvement within about six weeks then it may be wise to investigate for additional possibilities that may contribute to chronic fatigue, such as glandular fever, which is very common in young men and women but difficult to diagnose until after the disease has run its course.
Further reading:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11398615




About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.
Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Friday, November 14, 2014

Chronic Fatigue - Feedback from a satisfied client

"Gary, I am finally after a long time of being exhausted and sick, feeling the results of better health. My head has cleared tremendously and I now have energy, yeah! ( for the first time in about 3 years.) I feel like I am again in the land of the living. I have religiously been taking the products and along with being strict with the gluten free, making lots of vegie juices for the family and cutting out on most sugars am feeling the benefits."

(Name supplied but withheld and permission given to publish)

She has the classic HTMA mineral pattern for poor adrenal and thyroid health, tendency for viral and fungal infections,
including candida and thrush.
Also indications of a subclinical bacterial or parasitic infection.
































_____________________
Gary:
These women can go for years, even decades, feeling dead tired, going back and forth between doctors and specialists, seeking answers to no avail.  Nobody wants to be told that they are "well" when, quite clearly, they are not.  Its so frustrating - depressing - so it is hardly a surprise that most of these very tired women are eventually prescribed an antidepressant.

The human body is remarkable: It has an innate and powerful desire to remain in a state of excellent health.  If, for any reason, it is shifted or jolted out of healthy equilibrium, it will do all it can to get back into a state of healthy homeostasis.  Usually, all that we need to do is provide the right conditions and the body will eventually right itself.  This means an environment that is toxin-free (this includes drugs), that is rich in essential nutrients, fresh water and air, sunshine and one which is free of unwanted stress.

You can not poison a person back  into good health

Nor can I save my ailing tomato plants by spraying them with Roundup.  Sunshine, water and fertiliser - and singing to them - are more sensible interventions.



About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.
Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

There are healthy alternatives to modern medicine

Joan walking her dog
Thank goodness for Modern Emergency Medicine: if I was to be run over by a bus, suffer a raging infection or collapse with a heart attack the odds are my life would be saved. However; when it comes to dealing with chronic ill health that is associated with ageing, stress, poor nutrition and over and under-exercising, Modern Medicine is an abject failure. It is impossible to poison a human being into good health. Nor does removing an organ like the gallbladder, or stapling the stomach improve health over the long term.

We are constantly seeking the “Cure” in the form of the next wonder drug or a miracle surgical procedure. This is about as ridiculous as Monty Python’s Search for the Holy Grail. It does not exist. The Holy Grail is to be found within ourselves. Diseases such as fibromyalgia, hyper and hypothyroidism are said to be of unknown causes and incurable. Medically, all that one can do is manage the symptoms of these diseases using patent drugs that are laden with potent and nasty side effects, or with surgery such as removing the thyroid. This is not true. There are healthy alternatives. These ailments can disappear completely as they often do. The cure lies within: targeted nutrition guided by scientific testing, stress management, moderate exercise, fresh air, sunshine and loving relationships.

Joan’s story, that follows, best illustrates, what I am saying. Her story is compelling reading and I urged her to allow me to share it with readers of Walking Magazine. Joan consented (thank you Joan) and it is reproduced in full below.
(This article was first published in the Sept 2014 issue of Walking Magasine, issue no 200)

Gary Moller
________________________________________________
Joan:
I think this thing has been building up my whole life. You see, I virtually collapsed with what was eventually diagnosed as “chronic fatigue syndrome + fibromyalgia + hypothyroidism + anaemia” in 2009. I had struggled with anxiety, depression and tiredness for as many years as I can remember. 

My GP had been prescribing various antidepressant/antianxiety drugs for the last 22 years. I would go on different brands if the current one stopped working or simply take more of the same. Did it solve anything? Not really. It just put a band-aid on the situation. That is until 2009 when I could barely move. The pain was indescribable and complete and total exhaustion which was unbearable! 

My hair started falling out, my eyebrows virtually vanished and I just got fatter and fatter because I couldn't move! I used to watch my sons outside playing together – they used to shout through the window “come on mum – come outside!” That is probably the worst part - I couldn't play with my sons. I had to stop working. I stopped going out. I stopped meeting friends. I stopped people coming over. I had hit the wall. The body had given up. 

I went to my GP and a battery of tests were done and nothing untoward was found, just a slightly underactive thyroid. The GP prescribed Venlafaxine + Nortriptyline which are both antidepressants/ anti anxiety drugs that seemed to help with chronic fatigue and fibro patients plus thyroxine for the hypothyroidism. I expressed concern about taking these powerful drugs and said I was worried about withdrawal symptoms. The GP simply waved a dismissive hand “Don’t worry about that. You will be on these for quite a long time”. Once she had finished tapping the prescriptions out on the computer, I looked up from my wringing hands and asked timidly “is that all we are going to do?” Her frustration was palpable. She waved her hands around and said “what do you want me to do, wave a magic wand!?” I was crestfallen. So basically, just more of the same rubbish I had been taking for the last 22 years. As I struggled to get up to leave, she handed me a list of psychologists and counsellors in my area and said “here take this”. The message was clear - get your head read while you are at it.

Well, I took the drugs and went to a counsellor for 8 months. Interesting, but it did not cure my pain at all. The drugs were moderately effective, but only for a while. Then the pain flared up again along with the exhaustion. It felt like trying to run through a swimming pool or walking through concrete and just as tiring. I went back to the GP. Her suggestion was to increase the dosage of everything. I asked if there was someone she could recommend I see to do further investigations, such as a nutritionist? Could it be a food allergy? The GP simply said that she didn't think it was food allergy but “look in the phonebook, there are lots of nutritionists”. Surely this can’t be it for me for the rest of my life? I knew there must be something else out there somewhere, but I didn't really know what to look for or where to find it. 

I was tied to the GP by having to visit every 3 months for check up and prescription refill. I was enrolled in the “Care Plus” plan. The Care Plus plan is when a chronically ill patient needs medication for an extended length of time. These care plus appointments were a ridiculous waste of time. I was weighed each time (and was still fat) and the nurse would ask inane questions such as have you had a walk today? No. Why? Because I am in *&^T%)# PAIN! Well, try to set small goals and walk to the corner and then to the next corner the next day. Is anyone listening here? I couldn't believe the government was subsidising this rubbish. The nurse read out the next question on the list: “are you eating healthily?” No. I eat takeout because I am too exhausted to cook anything! Every 3 months the same questions, every 3 months no solutions.

My friend Sue had been seeing a guy who does health consultations. She kept telling me “go see Gary”. I had my doubts but it did work for Sue – she looked great. After a few months of fending off Sue’s enthusiasm, I had a discussion with my husband about whether I should go or not. The cost was an issue. I hadn't been working much since I had been ill. He said, that it worked for Sue, so I should go. Alright Sue, you win. Let’s go. My friend Sue walked me up the slight incline to Gary’s office. She had to hold my hand – I was in so much pain.

Gary was friendly and cheerful and superfit-looking! My gosh, what kind of vitamins is he on? The first question Gary asked me was “When was the last time you were in hospital. What was it for?” I was a bit taken back. No one had ever asked me that before. Well, I would have to say when I was 9 years old for a racing heart due to stress. And that is where we started. Gary said it was hardly a surprise that my adrenal glands had been in a state of exhaustion for many, many years and it is no wonder I am in the state I am in now. He was also of the opinion that I was over-medicated and that most of the drugs my doctor had me on were actually making matters worse, rather than better.

I realised that I had been suffering from post traumatic stress syndrome from childhood. Finally, someone could see that this is something real and we were actually going to do something about it! I couldn’t wait. He ordered a hair tissue mineral analysis test be done and in the meantime, started be on some vitamin and minerals for rectifying adrenal fatigue. I simply couldn't believe it but within 2 weeks I felt better! I have been going to Gary for 2 years now. It is a slow climb getting back to wellness with a few setbacks, but nothing like it was in the past. Last year I gathered up all my courage and came off all pharmaceutical drugs. I was terrified. What if I became crazy or depressed or so anxious that I couldn't leave the house? What if the world ended? It is hard to break away from what you know when that is all you know and when it is all you have been told. 

My GP’s nurse called to arrange another “Care Plus” appointment last month. I told her that I am no longer taking any medication and don’t need those appointments anymore. There was silence on the other end of the phone. The nurse said “well, you really should see the Dr”. I told her that I don’t need to because I feel better. She said “you should come in for a chat anyways”. Over the past few years, I had told my GP about Gary and even brought in the vitamins and minerals he had given me. There was little interest and even less acknowledgement of their success.

Why didn't my GP tell me there are other treatments available? Why doesn't the government subsidise “natural” treatments such as vitamins and minerals? Why don't the insurance companies reimburse people who are under practitioners like Gary for their health care treatment? There is no information or support out there – only a wall of silence if you challenge the pharmaceutical system. 
It makes me mad thinking about all those wasted years that I was on those dangerous drugs with all their scary side effects. 

I politely declined my three month GP appointment. I think I know which way I am going now. This
includes a daily morning walk around the neighbourhood with my dog Sam, something that was once a tiring struggle; but a pleasure to do nowadays!





About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.
Candida and Fungal Infections? Gary Moller recommends you explore this programme: Click Here!

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Updated: Running on empty - why athletes eventually run out of gas

Alastair Leslie in the lead (Rod Dixon in 3rd)
Why is it that elite athletes have roughly ten years of peak performance in them after which the  slow decline begins?  

If an athlete starts training hard at 16, he or she will peak several years later, then slowly decline from their late 20's.  If they start at 30, they will peak 5-10 years later and then begin their slow decline.  Veteran New Zealand runners like Jack Foster and John Campbell are good examples.  Despite being late-comers to the international running scene, both set several world class times in their late 30's and 40's.  Both had a good ten to fifteen years at the top before gradually losing form.

While some of this decline is due to the inexorable processes of ageing, this is not entirely the case as is indicated by the extraordinary careers of late starters such as Foster and Campbell.

Let me explain what I think happens as athletes get older by referring to the case of former national level runner, Alastair Leslie (Alastair has given permission for his personal information to be used in writing this article).

Alastair winning comfortably ahead of
 Liam Healey
As a 16 year old, Alastair Leslie was one of New Zealand's most promising middle distance track athletes. Coached by the legendary  Arthur Lydiard, Alastair turned out a number of impressive performances between 1975 and 1990:
  • 100m - 11.6s
  • 400m - 50.5s
  • 500m - 1:51.07
  • 1500m - 3:44.60
  • Mile - 4:02.28
  • 5,000m - 14.11
  • Alastair with his coach,
    Arthur Lydiard
  • Half marathon - 1hr 7minutes.
He raced John Walker, Rod Dixon and other international stars of the 80's before beginning the inevitable slow decline into exhaustion from which he has never recovered.  Now 52 years old, Alastair is still feeling distinctly tired -"burned out" - and struggling to exercise enjoyably.  Rest has not made the problem go away.

Alastair looks remarkably fit and healthy.  However, he has tell-tale signs that all is not well - Such as not handling stress quite as well as he might have in the past, insomnia, dry thin skin, poor exercise capacity and constantly tired.  He feels like he is "Running on Empty".

Alastair's Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) highlights several nutrition factors, other than ageing, that may be contributing to his "Tired Athlete" condition.

High HTMA zinc and chromium in the presence of low manganese and
molybdenum, may actually be losses of these minerals (Zn and Cr)
 from the body stores and therefore indicate deficiency.
Alastair's HTMA (right) is typical of those for tired athletes - He really is running on empty - Most nutrients appear to be precariously low - Ideally, each being within the "Reference Range".
Training with Keith Livingstone, author of
the book, "Healthy, Intelligent Training"
Circa 1980
Low magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca) may compromise muscle and nerve function.  Low sodium (Na) and potassium (K) indicate poor adrenal function and possibly thyroid and blood pressure problems.  Low copper (Cu) relative to zinc (Zn) and low manganese (Mn) may lead to weak connective tissue, brittle bones and an unhealthy cholesterol profile.  High chromium (Cr) to manganese is associated with insulin resistance and problems with blood sugar regulation. There is more; but I am sure you get the point: There's a lot going on!

Of interest is the presence of mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb).  This is a common finding, presumably due to the contamination of our environment and food chain through the increasing use of chemicals, metals and the burning of fossil fuels.  Mercury, in this case, is probably due to eating canned tuna most days, rather than via dental amalgam.  Lead contamination can be from many sources, including stripping off old paint during home renovations.  Low adrenal and thyroid function may turn a person into and "accumulator" of toxins, rather than being an "excretor"

Lead and mercury bind with nutritional elements such as zinc, iron, calcium, selenium and magnesium, rendering them unavailable for biological use.  Mercury's effect on selenium (Se) and zinc, for example, interferes with their role of protecting skin cells from UV damage and preventing chronic inflammation. This process may be a precursor to many cancers, including breast and prostate cancer.
Alastair in winning form

My experience with the HTMA is that people in New Zealand and Australia who work with their hands tend to have elevated arsenic, presumably from working with arsenic treated timber. This may partially explain soaring rates of prostate cancer which seems to be affecting tradesmen and farmers more than others.

Alastair's HTMA profile is indicative of trends towards depression and fatigue.  It is hardly a surprise if a person is tired and grumpy when they are running on empty.

We can conclude from Alastair's HTMA that a good deal of what he may be attributing to ageing is actually somewhat controllable.

Alastair owns BodyShape Fitness Studio
Tawa, Wellington
Alastair is gradually restoring his health and running "mojo" through a personalised programme of nutritional balancing. His HTMA helps to take out the guessing of what foods and nutrients to include or exclude. It will be repeated at regular intervals to monitor his progress and to fine tune the programme.

Thanks Alastair for allowing us to share your story.






_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Swimming: Glassford overcomes pool chemical issues

Matthew Glassford: 'My life feels so much better now.' Photos by Alistair McMurran.
Matthew Glassford: 'My life feels so much better now.' Photos by Alistair McMurran.
Matthew Glassford wanted to become an elite international swimmer and came to Dunedin from Alexandra six years ago to fulfil his dream.
He was dedicated and trained hard, initially under the guidance of Duncan Laing and for the last five years with Osca coach Gennadiy Labara.
Progress became slow and had come to a dead stop last year. He contemplated giving up the sport.
''My teeth were going chalky and my muscle growth was halted,'' Glassford said.
''I wanted to get my sinuses sorted out. My nose was constantly running and it was filling my lungs with junk.
''I had very low energy and was always tired. I couldn't do anything and was burning out.''
It was at this stage that his mother, Karen Glassford, intervened and helped her son get his swimming back on track.
Glassford's cousin is international mountain biker Samara Shepherd, who was having similar energy and motivational problems.
Wellington health consultant Gary Moller watched her compete at a mountain bike competition, recognised her problem, and said he could help. Moller's treatment worked for Shepherd and she has been contracted to a professional mountain bike team in Belgium this year.
Complete article here......
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/swimming/245756/swimming-glassford-over-comes-pool-chemical-issues

About this website 
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation. Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Advice regarding a woman suffering from chronic pain

An inquiry from a physiotherapist working in an orthopaedics institute. 

"Dear Gary
I have been learning a lot about rehab in orthopaedis and then I got to know your website research about hallux rigidus. Here they do a lot of surgery for Valgus also and it results in a hallux rigidus.

I would like to know if you could help me on finding some criteria to identify the pain of a patient.

Female, 63y.o. felt on september 2009, sitting position, where she injured the coccix, no fracture. 8 months later had herpes zoster in right toracic region. At the first signs, she went to a neuro, took the meds and was ok.
After 3 months the pain came back very strong.
She took a 3D MRI from lumbo-sacro column. It was shows a little bone (like a sesamoid bone) between L4-L5-S1, considering no damage on affecting nerves. MRI normal.
Rehab, massage, capsicine creme on the area. Muscular relax pills. More than a year and not getting better.A lot of pain. She has some depression, mild.
Takng anti-depression medication because of the neuro doc prescription.
She can't relieve the pain on any position. The cycle is like 2-4 day with no pain than 2 with terrible pain.
Healthly, used to do yoga, walking 4 times a week for an hours - arround 5miles- 4km, used to be very active. She can do NO physical activities now cause of the pain.
Arthritis Deformatis on the hands and some on cervical spine.
I would appreciate your help and-or suggestions at this case.
Thank you very much."
C""
_______________________________________________
Gary:
Please bear in mind that the following is partly speculative and can only be confirmed, one way or another, the completion of a hair tissue mineral analysis.  The set of conditions you are describing often are associated with a period of unrelenting or severe stress within the previous 2-5 years.  Severe stress may shut down the adrenal and thyroid glands.  This is the root cause of most of these types of chronic health problems and no amount of drugs therapy or physical therapy is going to make any difference.  In fact, as I explain later, most of the drugs treatments employed, such as anti depressants and anti inflammatories, will make matters even worse.

Rheumatoid arthritis and copper retention
I assume she may have some degree of rheumatoid arthritis?  People with rheumatoid arthritis frequently show low tissue copper.  Chronic cases may show a high iron to copper ratio.  If your patient was to complete an ICL Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, we may see something along these lines going on with her.

However; she may have the opposite going on - Elevated copper levels are more the possibility as I will explain in the rest of this article.

Under active thyroid
We may see evidence of an underactive thyroid, even if blood tests do not indicate this.  An underactive thyroid results in parathyroid gland dominance and this hormone imbalance drives calcium out of the bones and into the soft tissues resulting in joint and muscle pain, including joint degeneration and osteophytes.  An excess of calcium in the soft tissues is associated with fatigue and depression.  Elevated tissue copper is often seen with low thyroid and this will have an antagonistic effect on iron.  If an iron deficiency develops, the thyroid will not function well.  Copper also affects insulin through its antagonism of zinc, causing insulin to flood the blood.

These actions cause arthritis, chronic fatigue and chronic pain conditions like fibromyalgia.

Copper and the adrenal glands
Most individuals with weak adrenals have high copper levels.  Hormones from the adrenals normally stimulate the liver to remove copper from the body.  Poor liver function is often seen in people with high copper levels.

Herpes Zoster (Shingles)
Elevated copper levels typically accompany viral infections.  Elevated copper levels predispose the person to recurrent viral infections, such as shingles.

Medications
The main excretion of copper is through the intestinal tract via the liver and gall bladder.  Medications can cause copper retention.  The hormone estrogen, some psychotropic drugs, tranquilisers, and pain killers will interrupt this process of copper elimination.  Several of your patient's drugs will be contributing to copper retention and may thus be contributing to her chronic health problems.

What to do next
The first thing your patient needs to do is have a hair tissue mineral analysis completed.  Here is the test she needs to do.  You can arrange this through me, no problem at all.  It will just take longer, since you are in another country and we can review the report via a medium such as Skype.

Aim to have her progressively go off all medications.  This is best done under medical supervision, especially due to the addictive powers of anti depressants.  If this is not practical, or realistic right now, then I would wait for the hair analysis results to come in and then go from there using the report to guide the process.

If you feel she has elevated copper levels, then she can increase her intake of nutrients that antagonise copper such as zinc, vitamin C and vitamin A.  As an aside, these three nutrients are renowned for their ability to reduce viral infections!   If her symptoms improve with these nutrients, then you know you are on the right track.  But please bear in mind that the medications she is taking may negate any benefit.

With regards to diet, have her avoid all foods that contain moderate to high levels of calcium and definitely no calcium supplements!  Have a diet that is low in refined carbohydrates and no sugar.  Eat vegetables and fresh fruit, nuts and dark berries.  Have five small meals a day. Ensure there is quality protein in every meal, especially breakfast.  Avoid all margarines,  and foods with preservatives, colouring and flavouring (tough on the liver).

Get rid of stress from her life.


_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!


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Monday, January 17, 2011

The case of a tired and depressed marathon runner

"Last year I ran new P.b.s at both the marathon 2.47 and half 1.18 yet never felt really good all year, wanting to sleep a lot, feeling depressed and tired.
I followed a very good training programme last year, but deep down I feel I’m still way off my best health.
I will be 50 in March, I’ve noticed my max heart rate is down to 143 max.
At 29 years old I could reach 185."
"R"
___________________________________
Gary:
This is the pattern of "adrenal burnout" that we see in athletes post-competition.  After the excitement and extreme exertion of the event, the athlete may fall into the depths of post-competition blues.  This is when athletes suffer chronic loss of motivation and form.  Retirement often follows.  Burnout is not the exclusive domain of athletes.  In my experience, many men and women hit "burnout" at about 50 years of age.  Whether it is the stress of a high pressure job, relationship problems, health scares or running one marathon too many, the adrenals react the same: Exhaustion!

Adrenal exhaustion often hits the person after the event - not necessarily during.  So, once the pressure is taken off, the swollen, stressed adrenals literally lie down in an exhausted state.  Adrenal exhaustion may lead to post trauma stress syndrome, chronic fatigue, depression, loss of libido, fainting weight gain, and many serious health issues such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson's, heart attack, stroke, chronic viruses, Chrohn's, IBS, allergies, diabetes and cancer.  Serious illnesses such as cancer are often preceded by major life stresses 1-2 years prior to onset.

The chronic fatigue and low heart rate are indicative of low adrenal and thyroid function.  I mentioned in an earlier article how my own adrenal exhaustion caused my maximum heart rate to drop to a miserable 110 BPM!  Medical tests, at the time showed dangerously low levels of cortisol, bordering on Addison's Disease.  At 50 years of age I was toast.  Corrective measures were taken and MHR today is about 178 BPM and rising.

While you would undoubtedly benefit from doing a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis, I would not waste any time with taking corrective measures.  This consists of taking three adrenal recovery and support supplements, plus Himalayan Sea Salt and whey protein several times a day for between 4-8 weeks and then ongoing at a lesser dosage. (The adrenal supplements are "prescription only" and not advertised).

I can send the adrenal supplements, along with the forms for the hair analysis, anywhere in the world; but it is best to source the salt and whey where you live, due to their weight and bulk.

Once you have the results of the hair analysis, the diet, supplements, training and lifestyle advice will be adjusted accordingly.

In the meantime, stick to mostly light running and occasionally test your maximum heart rate and record.  If you are on the road to recovery you will note a gradual increase in MHR over several months as well as being able to exercise steady at a higher sustained heart rate.


_______________________________________
About this website
The advice in these articles is given freely without promise or obligation.  Its all about giving you and your family the tools and information to take control of your health and fitness.  Please give me your support by subscribing to my free email updates. Please shop at my Online Store. Please encourage your family and friends to do the same. While we may not always be able to compete with the big operators on price, we aim to more than compensate through personal service!

Your email address:

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Do you have a question?  Email Gary: gary@myotec.co.nz. Include any relevant background information to your question.  Please be patient and be aware that I may not be able to answer every inquiry in detail, depending on workloads (My paying clients take precedence!). I will either reply by email or, most likely, by way of an article (Personal identifying details will be removed before publication).

Thursday, April 15, 2010

A tired Female Athlete wonders if the cause may be the Mirena contraceptive


Mirena releases a synthetic
form of progesterone

Hi Gary
I wanted to get your opinion- do you believe the mirena causes more harm than good? I have read some pretty horrific stories about some ladies experiences with it.

For me it is doing the job I needed it to do but I don’t want to jeopardise my body and health if it will leave me worse off in the end.






Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Advice for a pro runner who has run herself into a state of chronic exhaustion



I am a retired competitive athlete aged 55. When I stopped competing about 15 years ago I was pretty much exhausted and had pushed myself hard for several decades pursuing my goals.

The break from daily exercise was welcome and I pretty much cold-turkeyed the daily exercise routine for quite a few years. However I have never quite been able to establish a fitness routine since, often just too tired to make the effort. But I do know how to rally, mind over matter is my MO.

In the past few years I have steadily put on the weight, not fat but from skinny to solid, and am surprised at the extent to which I have lost my lungs. My muscles get very sore the next day after I exercise. I also have bouts with insomnia, itchy dry skin and feelings of lassitude/apathy.

Most of this I put down to the hearsay of menopause, except that I have no symptoms in that area and still get a normal regular period every month.

Just recently a doctor told me I had a swollen thyroid and sent me to get a TSH test, which I have not done yet. I don’t like the idea of being coerced into using synthetic hormones and risk creating another set of problems that people will then tell me I have to accept as old age.

Having been an athlete I still believe in the wisdom and resiliance of my own body given the right conditions and some good guidance. Have I burned myself out and if so how do I use this great mind over matter skill to get back to a feeling of zest for life?

Best,
M.A.
____________________________________
Gary responds:
This question is my bread and butter nowadays: Hard working professionals, be they athletes, working mothers or CEO's struggling with exhaustion and all the negative health and quality of life issues that go with it. Professional athletes, at or nearing the end of their careers, consistently take first prize for the most depleted and exhausted states. hardly surprising really.

Runners don't retire: They slowly grind to a complete standstill

Have a look at the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) charts to the upper right. These are of a woman several years younger than MA, extremely fit but complaining of most of the same items as MA, including extreme fatigue, insomnia, cold hands and feet, PMS, poor concentration and food cravings.

With reference to these charts, here is an explanation of what is going on with this younger athlete and what may also be going on with MA (Of course, we would have to do the testing to be more specific).
  • Fatigue: High calcium to potassium is associated with an underactive thyroid. Foods like yogurt that are fortified with calcium are root causes of the epidemic of thyroid dysfunction in women.
  • Depression: High calcium relative to potassium is associated with depression. The low fat, low salt, high calcium diet is a root cause of the depression epidemic.
  • Cardiovascular irregularities: An imbalance between the normal calcium to magnesium relationship can lead to cardiac irregularities such as arrhythmia, bradycardia and tachycardia. This is especially true if potassium is disturbed as can be seen in the 2nd chart (ratio should be 4:1 - actual is 89:1). Correct this imbalance and there is usually no need for heart medication and even pace makers.
  • Hypoadrenia: Low tissue sodium and potassium relative to magnesium and calcium is associated with adrenal insufficiency. This may result in low blood pressure, postural hypotension and fatigue.
  • Premature ageing of the skin: High calcium relative to magnesium in the presence of low B6 may cause calcium to precipitate out of solution into soft tissues, including the skin. This may be seen as premature aging of the skin, loss of elasticity, dryness and itching, including dermatitis and infection. Get excess calcium from the diet and it is beauty therapy from the inside out.
  • Muscle and joints disease: The process of calcium deposition into soft tissue that causes skin ageing will also cause muscles, tendons and joints to ache, hurt and tire quickly. Early onset arthritis is often the case.
This pattern of elevated calcium, low magnesium, sodium and potassium is repeated time and again in the hair tissue mineral analyses of hard working over-achievers who are showing signs of running out of gas.


From Hero to Zero in a single race
The chart to the upper left is of a former world class female cyclist. To use her words, she "went from hero to zero" in the time it took to ride just one race. The profile above is from her hair almost one year later. The chart shows the typical patterns of endocrine exhaustion and nutrient depletion which is further complicated by significant levels of the toxic metals arsenic, mercury cadmium, lead and aluminium. Her road to a full recovery is proving to be complex and slow.

Both of these women have nutrient profiles of depressed metabolism, often referred to as "slow metabolisers". The tendency upon retirement, will be to gain weight, principally about the waist and hips (A sign of adrenal and thyroid dysfunction in both men and women).

The Solution in these cases of chronic exhaustion is
a programme of nutrient supplementation tailored to correct the imbalances that are found in their hair tissue mineral analysis and as indicated by individual signs and symptoms. There are dietary changes to be made as well. Investigations (if warranted) may identify external sources of heavy metal contamination, such as exposure to treated timber or corroding water pipes. There has never been the need for medication such as thyroxine or HRT.

Body: Heal thyself!

What we can expect from a nutrition based intervention are subtle improvements over several months in measures like energy levels, mood, sleep, smoother skin and stronger hair and nails.

Oh! - and back to running and cycling fast as!

If they want to.



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Monday, September 21, 2009

My supplements are making me feel sick - not better


"The supplements are not really working for "X" at this stage- he feels they are making him sick.

Since commencing the program he is feeling worse, tired and lethargic. He said he felt way better before taking them. Is this possible?

I suggested he just take half of them. I’m sure if he is telling himself he hates the pills, then his body will reject them!
Any thoughts?"
_______________
Gary responds:
How "X" is feeling is not unexpected.

The profile for "X" indicates he is dirt rock bottom in many nutrients, as well as having a number of significant imbalances that cause symptoms such as lack of energy, poor digestion, insomnia, muscle weakness and generally not feeling well. In his case I would expect these symptoms to be quite severe at times and this pattern will continue for as long these imbalances and general state of depeletion persists.

He also has quite high levels of mercury, lead and aluminium. While they are within the "reference range", we have to take account that he is running close to empty on most of the "healthy" minerals. Toxic metals pair off in the body with minerals like iron, zinc and selenium. Along with sulphur and various vitamins such as vitamin E, these minerals help neutralise toxic metals and assist the liver with excreting them by rendering them partially soluble. Incidentally; low levels of sulphur, zinc etc may help explain why he has had an accumulation of these heavy metals in the first place. The other factor, of course, is exposure to these metals through work and food (tuna, for example).

Now that he is taking all those dietary supplements with the right balance of trace nutrients, including vitamins, and changing his diet as per the report guidelines, it is quite likely that these heavy metals which are sequestered in tissue like fat and bone are now being pulled out into solution. As his Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis report warns, there may be a temporary flare-up of symptoms while these toxins are mobilised and removed. It may be weeks, if not months, before he begins the upward climb.

The process of restoring and maintaining health and fitness can be regarded as being similar to the sharemarket (refer chart). There will always be ups and downs, some sharp and some deep. It pays to focus on the overall trend as the months and years tick by and not be distracted or too despondent each time there is a dip in progress. Of course, attention to lifestyle and nutrition will reduce the number of dips and level out the troughs while accentuating the ups.

In answer to your query about halving the dosages: The answer is a resounding "YES!" Drop the dosages by half while sticking to the diet plan, once symptoms abate sufficently, increase the dose back to the recommended levels. Give the programme three months of steady attention with regualr reports to me. At about three months we will sit abck and review progress and take it from there!


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Monday, August 10, 2009

My daughter is 13 and is a competitive swimmer

"My daughter is 13 and is a competitive swimmer, 5-6 sessions per week and well as partakes in triathlons, running etc, I would like advice on sports drink / supplements, which to get and which is suitable for someone of that age. how much and when to drink, ie she at times suffers from severe stitch in multisports and now doesn’t eat or drink within 3 hrs of racing, perhaps we need to look at the drinking side of it. She is flagging a bit these days, and I think just water may not be enough as some of the swim training sessions are quite intense."
____________________________
Gary responds:
Adolescence is a critical time for the female athlete with the odds sadly stacked against them continuing training and competition for much longer.

Please read the articles here and here.

Research tells us that 50% or more of young female athletes are lacking in iron. My experience is this figure is on the low side and probably more liek 80% here in New Zealand. Iron deficiency results in flagging performances, loss of lean tone, increase in fatness, excessive sleep, negativity and proneness to infections. Of course, if iron is lacking then many other nutrients will be lacking, including zinc, chromium and selenium to name just a few. Iron needs a number of cofactors to be taken up and properly utilised, including B12, protein and vitamin C. These are often lacking in the adolescent diet.

The best next action, before taking any dietary and supplementation, is to get your daughter off to the doctor for a battery of blood tests. Once you have the results, send me a copy and I will help with analysing them from the perspective of achieving optimum health and fitness as opposed to merely using such tests to detect disease. If you can afford the expense (NZ$225), order a Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis and the results will guide you perfectly as to nutritional interventions to ensure good nutrition.

Which sports drink is best for your daughter?
First ensure whatever is chosen that it does not contain artificial colourings, sweeteners and acidifiers. Most of the pre-mixed sports drinks contain one or more of these. Stay away from these because they are not healthy - rotting teeth and gums for a start.

The drink I most recommend for her is Balance Ultimate Recovery Stack. This is a wonderful addition to a good athlete diet. Practice taking it daily prior and after training. She will find she can drink it within half an hour of training and, later, competition and immdiately following. This provides a balanced mix of the nutrients that an athlete needs for exercise and recovery. She can experiment with having a Super Smoothie daily and may find she can safely drink a basic Super Smoothie about two hours prior to races such as a multisports event. She can also have a Super Smoothie with breakfast.

New Zealand is a world champion at producing junior world champions and not much more than that.

Think of yourselves as being your daughter's Guardian Angels. Coaches seldom look beyond the end of the immediate season and, despite statements to the contrary, may not be working to her best longterm interests as a person and as an athlete. Swimming, like athletics and cycling, is notorious for burning out promising young talent. Your duaghter does not mature physically and emotionally until her mid to late 20's. Thrashing her in training and competition while so young achieves nothing for the longterm and is statistically weighted in favour of failure. She needs time to grow, to study and get good grades and she needs have time and energyto socialise. Look after her best interests to ensure she grows into well-rounded and healthy young woman. With regards to swimming, this means concentrating on developing perfect stroke, health and recovery. The endless km in the pool can happen later once she has the physical and emotional maturity to handle and thrive on the work.
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