Merging Contemporary Chiropractic Neurology and Nutritional
Biochemistry in the Tradition of Applied Kinesiology
THE MISSING LINKS IN JOINT PROBLEMS
In this issue of THE
UPLINK we will probe the nutritional and physiological patterns associated
with joint healing. There is presently a
fascination with products which contain glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Many patients are concerned about arthritis
and other joint problems. Many are
supplementing with these substances on their own.
As with most nutritional fads, there is some value and much
hype associated with chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. There is also a great lack of knowledge about
the underlying metabolic problems which make these substances sometimes
useful. Chondroitin sulfate is an
essential element in the production of our cartilages. The body should
be able to produce adequate quantities of chondroitin sulfate for maintenance
and repair of our cartilages.
Understanding why some people respond to these
supplements has far-reaching consequences for these patients' overall health.
Chondroitin sulfate is at the end of the production line for
cartilage. Glucosamine is merely a step
along the way to cartilage production.
Using oral nutrient testing, we are able to pick apart the metabolism of
these substances to get to the bottom of the patient's problem, rather than
just supply the substances with no concern about why the body would need them
in the first place.
The production of chondroitin sulfate and cartilage depends
fundamentally on just two factors: 1) adequate glucose metabolism, and 2)
adequate sulfate availability. Each is
discussed briefly below.
1) GLUCOSE METABOLISM
Glucosamine production is dependent on glucose being available
in the cell. Making glucose available to
the intracellular environment depends on two things: adequate blood sugar, and
adequate insulin activity. Maintenance
of blood sugar is dependent on adrenal gland activity (fully discussed in the
audio-video-notes package "Adrenal Stress Syndrome.") Getting the
sugar into the cell depends on proper insulin function which is so commonly
abnormal. (See THE UPLINK issue #11.)
Once in the cell, glucose must be converted into the
polysaccarides, glucosamine and glucuronic acid. These substances are also precursors of
hyaluronic acid, the ground substance for cartilage and other connective
tissues. Glucuronic acid is an
overlooked but, in my opinion, more important substance than glucosamine
because it also plays a huge role in liver detoxification. The conversion of glucose on into these
polysaccarides is via glycolysis (Embden-Myerhoff pathway) requiring magnesium.
2) SULFATE AVAILABILITY
Sulfur is also essential, for obvious reasons, for the
production of chondroitin sulfate, and hence, cartilage repair. Sulfate is available in the diet and is also
produced as a result of sulfur amino acid metabolism. This
starts with methionine, converting down into cysteine, and eventually,
requiring molybdenum, into sulfate. You
may also supplement with sulfur containing products. (See next page.)
We must ask the question "Why would the body need more
sulfur in the first place?" It is
possible to have too little sulfur in the diet, for sure. But we must also consider that sulfur
containing substances are necessary for five of the ten secondary liver
detoxification (conjugation) pathways. (See "Liver Detoxification"
audio-video-notes package.) Sulfur is
necessary for detoxification of many drugs including NSAIDs and of steroid
hormones. So if there is any hormone
imbalance, or increased cortisol from stress, this may also deplete sulfur
reserves leaving inadequate supplies for the joints. And of course, we must not forget the role of
the bowel in overloading the liver with toxicity.
GO TO THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM
The simple act of supplementing with chondroitin sulfate and
glucosamine sulfate may help a patient with joint symptoms, but it overlooks a
world of underlying problems that cause the body to respond to these
supplements in the first place.
For a complete and thorough discussion of all of the
ramifications of these problems, see the "Degeneration
Intervention..." audio-video-notes package, which is on special this
issue.
SULFUR SOURCES: There is much hype nowadays about various
forms of sulfur supplements: MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), NAC (N-acetyl
cysteine), and others. My personal
experience is that just plain old L-cysteine shows as good, if not a better,
response to oral nutrient testing than the others. There is more research on the other products,
they are more expensive, but the primary role of most of these is to supply
sulfur. Based on testing and responses
of patients, L-cysteine has become my first (but not only) choice for sulfur
supplementation.
Sulfur containing
foods include the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and
Brussels sprouts) and anything with a bite such as onions, garlic, radishes,
mustard, and tumeric.
COMPLETE CARTILAGE
NUTRITION: Check the following for strengthening a weak muscle:
1. GAGS Product (Such as Chondroitin Sulfate)
2. Cysteine (Met, Mg, B-12, Folic, B-6, Methyl Donors e.g.,
Betaine, Choline), Mo
3. Glucuronic Acid and Glucosamine - check sugar metabolism:
Mg, adrenals, pancreas / insulin, etc.
4. Other Necessary Nutrients: Pantothenic Acid, Niacinamide,
Vitamin C, Glutamine, Trace Minerals (Mn, Si, Fe, Cu, Zn)
GREATEST SPORTS MEDICINE
BOOK EVER: The publishing house Human Kinetics has just released Complementary Sports Medicine by Dr.
Phil Maffetone. ISBN:
0-88011-869-5. This 400 plus page
textbook is full of valuable clinical information and is a MUST for every
library. Also, it is thoroughly
referenced with peer reviewed literature articles making it an excellent
reference for interdisciplinary and academic venues. You may order the book through the MAF Group
and receive a 10% discount off the $55 retail price. (877-264-2200)
CHRIS SMITH SEMINAR
INFO: The date and location for Dr. Smith's first
A WORD ABOUT THIS
ISSUE'S TOPIC: We chose the discussion of cartilage repair for this issue, in
part, because we receive so many questions from patients on this subject. The preceding discussions barely scratch the
surface of this very important and timely topic. A complete understanding will open your eyes
to how and why many patients, and many
doctors, go through the degenerative processes of aging, and more importantly,
how to intervene in these processes to slow or stop this widespread
phenomenon. I hope you will take
advantage of the Audio-Video-Notes Package on “Degeneration Intervention” if
you haven't previously purchased it or taken one of my seminars on this
subject.
THE QUIZ COVERING
ISSUES 11-14: 2 answer multiple choice.
(Answers below)
1. (Issue #11) Excess insulin activity is associated with:
a) pinching the pancreas VRP causes biceps weakness
b)
rubbing the pancreas VRP causes biceps weakness
2. (Issue #12) LSASS (Ligament
Stretch Adrenal Stress Syndrome) is associated with:
a) lowered aldosterone
b) excess aldosterone
3. (Issue #13) When rubbing
over an area of previous injury causes a weak muscle to become strong, the technique
of choice is:
a) IRT (Injury Recall
Technique)
b) NSB (Nociceptor-Stimulation
Blocking Technique)
4. (Issue #14) Psychological
reversal is associated with:
a) pinching the small intestine
VRP causes strength
b) rubbing the small intestine
VRP causes strength
5. (Issue #13) New terms for
the 3 types of muscle testing
a) Alpha, Beta, and Gamma
testing
b) Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3
testing
QUIZ ANSWERS: 1-a; 2-b; 3-a;
4-a; 5-b
Dr.
Call contact person to confirm
details of seminars. Schedule subject to
change.
Dates Locations Titles Contact
1999:
Nov 6-7
2000:
Feb 6-11 Bormio, Italy Ski
seminar Dr. Joe Mulvihill
March 9-11 Steamboat Springs, CO "Ski With
Wally"#6 Dr.
Schmitt
For
Information Contact:
Dr. Walter Schmitt,
Nutri West Blue Ridge (800) 334-3793
Dr. Joe Mulvihill,