He was on seven medicines, including spironolactone, digoxin, a beta-blocker, and a ‘fluid pill’ for heart failure.  Five that he was taking adversely affect brain health, a concern because of his moderate dementia.  This past week I stopped the last of his seven medicines.  His heart failure has disappeared to my exam, and his dementia has markedly improved.  His brain and heart failure were largely the result of medication, including hormonal and nutritional deficiencies that they induced. 

Partial or complete reversal of organ impairment can often be achieved utilizing a multifaceted approach.  The key is to recognize factors that impact the health of EVERY organ.  These include toxins, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and hormonal and nutrient deficiencies.  Recognition and elimination of offending medicines is vital; as specialists may hesitate to eliminate medicines prescribed by other specialists, a primary care provider is essential.

Mercury and lead are detectable in nearly half of our patients.  We each contain hundreds of chemicals that didn’t exist 60 years ago.   Their removal can improve organ function, but requires care to avoid kidney injury.  Many medicines impede detoxification; acetaminophen is especially a concern.

Inflammation and autoimmune organ injury are increasingly important factors.  Ninety percent of patients we test generate antibodies when exposed to milk products, 8 percent to eggs, and half to gluten (wheat, rye, barley); these antibodies may attack any of our organs, impairing function.  Sugar, processed foods, arachidonic acid in meat and milk, and excess calories are inflammatory.  Insomnia and stress are also contributors.  We now have an epidemic of autoimmune and inflammatory disease.  Eliminating offending foods has produced dramatic results.

Mitochondria and the coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) provide 95 percent of a cell’s energy. Without energy, organs fail.  Toxins damage mitochondria.  Medicines that lower CoQ10 and mitochondria function include hydrochlorothiazide, beta-blockers, and statin cholesterol medicine. Many nutrients, such as L-carnitine, improve mitochondrial energy.   Quercetin (in apples, onions and broccoli) increases the number of mitochondria in cells. 

Hormonal levels decline with age, lifestyle and environmental factors.  Hormones revitalize.  They are often termed ‘anabolic’ because they enhance organ function when levels are suboptimal.   As hormones are made from cholesterol, excessive cholesterol lowering is essentially ‘catabolic’, that is, erodes organ function.  Resulting symptoms I see include insomnia, anxiety, depression, weakness, aches, impaired sexuality and brain fog.  Nerve, liver, muscle, eye and kidney function may be impacted.  Stress, inactivity and obesity also alter hormones.  Nutritional support of hormones can have impressive results.

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with schizophrenia, multiple sclerosis, dementia, heart failure, diabetes and asthma to name a few.  Vitamin B12 deficiency shrinks the brain and damages nerves.  Vitamin K2 is vital for bone and artery health. 

There are many ways to address organ failure.  Comprehensive assessment and management is necessary to achieve optimal results.  Do not alter medication or initiate supplements without healthcare consultation. 

Our 2^nd Annual Cancer Conference on June 5 features the number one scientific botanical cancer expert Don Yance.  Call 859-846-4445 for registration and for CDs-DVDs from our Fall Conference.  Support the Midway Foundation - we promote comprehensive healthcare knowledge.