Results, results, results...

by Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

It is hard to believe but the 2014 six week "More Than Just Weight Loss" program is now complete. While we wait for the results of the completion assessments to come back, I have some results to share with you.

Here are the results of one of the participants to share with you and when the overall results

Before

are in, I will of course share these with you.

The person I will share with you today lost 10.5 pounds in body weight and 5 inches in their stomach. Yes, this was in 6 weeks. Not only was this in 6 weeks but there was no restriction on calories or how much food you can eat. Not only was the weight loss and inches lost a positive but the symptom improvement of 80% for this person is also such a significant factor.

For those that are not familiar with the "More Than Just Weight Loss" program, this is a program that covers all of the areas listed below.

• Anti-inflammatory
• Establishing a healthy gut/brain connection

  

  After

• Anti-parasitic, yeast and fungal
• Gut rebuilding
• Immune boosting
• Liver detoxification

During this entire program you have a focus on reducing inflammation and boosting your immune system function. Added to this in the first week, you will assist in reestablishing the gut/brain connection. In weeks two and three you are also working on the anti-parasitic, anti-yeast and anti-fungal program while also reestablishing the gut lining. Finally in weeks three thru the end you are also focused on improving phase I and phase II liver detoxification. And remember as mentioned earlier in this paragraph, you are working on an anti-inflammatory and immune boosting protocol thru the entire program.

So what does this look like? Well, just take a look at the pictures and you can see for yourself. You may even wonder to yourself, was this person also working out like a fiend through the 6 weeks? Actually they shared that their exercise had actually dropped during this time, so these results are actually with less physical activity.

All of the protocols listed above are tied into supplemental programs but there is also a very important nutritional component to this program. As mentioned earlier, there are zero caloric and food quantity restrictions on the program but you are eliminated all of the highest potentially inflammatory foods during this time. You can not only eat as much as you want but you are instructed to not allow yourself to get overly hungry during this program.

The interesting factor for so many in the program is the experience of new food choices and recognizing how poorly you may react to food choices that you had made with consistency in the past. I actually talked to one of the program participants that shared that almonds are a very high reactive food, yet prior to the program, she ate them all the time and potentially in excess. So many of us are doing this on a regular basis and simply not understanding to inflammation, gut/brain issues, immune challenges and so much more that this is causing.

This program often creates some deep incites for its users that have the potential to last a lifetime. This is due to the fact that you create an awareness of what the food you eat is actually doing to you.

This years program was also a bonus because of the weekly blogs. If you want to review what was discussed during this time, feel free to type "2014 More Than Just Weight Loss" into the search box on this blog and you will have weeks 1 thru 6 come up as well as the completion blog. You'll see what we were eating through this time, some of our successes as well as some of the challenges that will also come up for some. I can also share that the blog for this is not only one of my favorite parts of this program but it is also invaluable to many of the program participants.

I also feel that it is important to share that results do vary from person to person. Many will have results greater than the subject today, but many will also have results that are not as high as today's example. But in the end, we always learn more about ourselves and we can move forward with this information in an empowering way. Just the other day I spoke with a program participant and we were discussing an actual lack of weight loss. This was relatively easy to pinpoint a heavy metal toxicity that was hindering the weight loss, which in turn provides this person with some very important next steps to be taken. Some people in the program found out that they have some very deep and chronic gut issues that will need further repair. Others realized that they likely have some serious adrenal challenges this need to be assessed, while others are now questioning their blood/brain barrier integrity. But you see, when we feel that we do not find success, yet you deepen your awareness of what is truly going on, this is still success and often success at the highest level.

These are all the reasons I am always so excited to offer this program every year. This year, I am going to leave the program open all year. The blogs will be ongoing for each week and the recorded webinars will always be available for new participants. This is simply too good to only let out only once per year. After all, it's almost swim suit weather!

Anyway, shouldn't we all have the opportunity for "More Than Just Weight Loss"?

Recognize that this is so much more than just weight loss though. If you are challenged with any of these health conditions below, this program is essential for you.

• Conditions tied into chronic inflammation
• acid reflux/heartburn
• acne
• allergies/sensitivities
• Alzheimer’s disease
• asthma
• atherosclerosis
• autoimmunity
• bronchitis
• cancer
• celiac disease
• chronic pain
• Crohn’s disease
• cirrhosis
• colitis
• dementia
• dermatitis
• diabetes
• dry eyes
• edema
• emphysema
• eczema
• fibromyalgia
• gastroenteritis
• gingivitis
• heart disease
• hepatitis
• high blood pressure
• insulin resistance
• interstitial cystitis
• obesity
• joint pain/ arthritis/ rheumatoid arthritis
• metabolic syndrome (syndrome X)
• myositis
• nephritis
• osteopenia
• osteoporosis
• pain
• Parkinson’s disease
• periodontal disease
• polychondritis
• psoriasis
• scleroderma
• sinusitis
• Sjögren’s syndrome
• spastic colon
• systemic candidiasis
• tendonitis
• UTI’s
• vaginitis

If you want to learn more about the "More Than Just Weight Loss" program and the benefits this program this may provide for you, follow this link.

Once all the final completion assessments come in, I will post the results in the 2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Completion blog. I cannot wait to share the average results as well as our most astounding results with you.

2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Completion

Congratulations to everyone for reaching the conclusion of the 2014 More Than Just Weight Loss program! You've enjoyed the benefit of reducing inflammation, supporting immune function, reconnecting the gut/brain connection, anti-parasitic, fungal and yeast protocols, gut restorative and last but not least liver detoxification. That's more than a mouthful!

This is bittersweet because you have been such an awesome group and I have truly enjoyed interacting with all of you. Thank you for that!

With that said though, this is truly not the end but only the beginning. If you remember way back before you even signed up for the program, we discussed the 6 weeks as a long enough period for most to create new, healthier habits that you can move forward into the rest of your life.

As you are continuing these new habits, I will continue to monitor the completion blog to assist you on this level. So do not be afraid to reach out for direction.

Thank you all once again!

Wellness for the World,
Glen 

2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Week Six

Hello Everyone,

We are in the home stretch and I am very excited for all of you! I have seen some huge positive shifts for most of you in the program and that's what makes this all worth it.

Thank you for making such a significant commitment to change your own health and happiness, but do not let you foot off the gas. This last week is often still full of positive responses from every perspective for all.

Here are the supplemental needs for week six.

Turmero - one teaspoon before breakfast and dinner
Resvero - one teaspoon before breakfast and dinner
Ultra D - two teaspoon before breakfast and dinner
Hepato-Synergy – 1 packet twice daily before breakfast and dinner
ClearVite -
Days 15 thru 17
1 serving daily before breakfast and dinner
Days 18 thru 21
1 serving before breakfast

Have an amazing last week of the program and start preparing yourself for life after the plan.

Wellness for the World,
Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Week Five

Hello Everyone,
 
We are heading into the home stretch and are really pushing the liver detox to a whole new level. This week your nutritional recommendations remain the same as last week and remember to consume as little flesh protein as possible while still maintaining your individual needs. 

Supplement wise the Turmero, Resvero, Ultra D and Hepato Synergy will stay the same but there are changes with the Clearvite.

Week five changes.

ClearVite

• Days 8 thru 14 
• 1 serving daily before breakfast, lunch and dinner

Please let me know if you have any questions.
 
Wellness for the World,
Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath 

2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Week Four

Hello Everyone,

Congratulations for making it to the half way point of the program. There have been countless successes for most in the program already and many more to come.

Remember to cut back on protein consumption for the next three weeks and follow the recommendations on the webinar per Nutritional ID.

Here are the supplement recommendations for week four.

Continue with:

• One teaspoon of Turmero and Resvero before breakfast and dinner
• Two teaspoons of Ultra D before breakfast and dinner
• Finish all gut supplements at the dose you have been using until they are gone
• Add one packet of Hepato-Synergy before breakfast and dinner
• Days 1 - 4 in week four add one scope of Clearvite as a shake or smoothie before breakfast or as your breakfast
• Days 5 - 7 in week four add an additional Clearvite shake or smoothie before both breakfast and dinner

Thank you for your sharing and support on the blog. Creating this community is a big part of the program.

Wellness for the World,
Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Week Two

Congrats on completing week one of "More Than Just Weight Loss."

Many are finding success already with weight loss among other positive shifts while some are finding themselves challenged with cravings, healing crisis and even discomfort. As your body is shifting and changing there is always the chance that you may go through some type of a healing crisis. This happens every year to some participants and I can assure you that continuing to move forward with the program will lead you through this. If this is occurring for you, please update me with your progress on this blog.

During week two you will obviously continue with the allowable/avoidance food list but we will add another benefit to you this week, which is introducing your Nutritional ID. This will allow you to use your allowable/avoidance food list in an improved way to increase your energy, improve your mood and potentially even need less food through your day.

Moving into week two, here is your updated supplement recommendations.

• Tumero - 1 teaspoon twice per day
• Resvero - 1 teaspoon twice per day
• Ultra D - 2 teaspoon twice per day
• GI Synergy - 1 packet twice per day
• Strengthia - 2 capsules twice per day
• Repairvite - 1 scoop twice per day

*If you have any Nitric Balance or Glutathione Recycler left, please continue with this as directed until empty.

Welcome to week two which is the gut healing segment of your program.

Wellness for the World,
Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

2014 More Than Just Weight Loss - Week One

Get ready everyone! We are beginning a journey to experience improved health and happiness and perhaps shock you with results that may be unexpected. As you've heard me say before, this program has been running for four years now and I have have seen countless people lose weight, inches and most importantly, significantly reduce or eliminate their health symptoms. 

This is truly an amazing program and the reason why both myself and my wife participate every year.

Now to the nuts and bolts. This will be your blog through the program. This will allow you access to post questions and comments for me as well as interact with others in the program. There are many "More Than Just Weight Loss" veterans in the program as well as other health practitioners so the conversation on the blog will provide a high value. Also Lynda Buitrago, who is my partner in my office, will be sharing her expertise with you along this journey. She is also in the program with us and a veteran from last year.

As each new week begins, we will start a new blog. We have many in the program that are not starting on the same day so this will create ease of navigation for all, regardless of when they begin.

Each week I will post the supplement requirements for the week and sharing other news and tidbits to help you along the way. Please check in regularly for new posts and share from other participants. I will share that while the blog is not essential to your success, I do find that those participants that use the blog regularly consistently enjoy high levels of success.

Also remember the keys to this program. Allowable/avoidance foods, anti-inflammatory, liver detox, gut/brain connection and immune support. These will be your keys to health and happiness.

One last note. It does add an ease of navigation if you become a member of this blog. You can take care of this is the right header.

So here we go...

Wellness for the World,
Glen

Is Your Liver Screaming Too?

by Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

Well, the holidays are behind us and if you are like me you may have enjoyed a bit more alcohol than would be normal for you. On top of the alcohol there may have been some other issues for you. Potentially some food choices with "who knows what" as ingredients? Or maybe you either live in or visited a cold weather region where you were stuck inside breathing stale contaminated air all day. So what does all this mean to you?

It means it's time to be nice your liver.

If you have been following Depke Wellness for some time, you already know that I am not a fan of moving into detoxification too quickly. I have listed some bullet points to refresh your memory to why detoxification too quickly is an issue:

• Most individuals with chronic health issues are simply too weak to go through an aggressive detoxification program
• Many that are in a detox program are doing so with a less than optimally functioning blood/brain barrier
• This poor blood/brain barrier function will lead to detoxification symptoms such as headaches, body aches, fatigues and so much more
• Due to the fact that our world is so toxic, most push detoxification too quickly
• Some people are actually too lean to detoxify in a healthy way

This is the reason why I incorporate a liver detox along with a whole health building program in "More Than Just Weight Loss."

Before we move on, first understand that your systems of detoxification and elimination include the:

• Liver
• Kidneys
• Colon
• Lymphatic system
• Skin
• Lungs

We'll first discuss the liver, understanding that your liver is going to actually address approximately 80% of detoxification in your body through a phase I and phase II detoxification.

Phase I liver detoxification is often referred to as bio-transformation. Within this bio-transformation, enzymes change the biochemical structure of toxins, drugs, etc., which are fat soluble into water-soluble metabolites. This process  is governed by at least 50 different enzymes and this primary enzyme system is known as the cytochrome P450 (CP450) system. Simply put, toxins are converted to water soluble metabolites. These metabolites are usually less active, but they can be even more toxic than the original toxin. It is important that these metabolites are processed and excreted. If not, they will accumulate in the tissues of the body rather than in the bloodstream. These can be deposited in the fatty tissue, connective tissue and/or nervous system tissue. As a side note, storing toxins in connective tissue and/or nervous system tissue can be a very painful experience but generally only and issue for those that are very lean.

I remember years ago when I was working along side Dr Mercola, we had a young woman (maybe late 20's or early 30's) come into the clinic that moved as if she was in her 80's, and I mean an unhealthy 80's. You could actually see that pain on her face with every step and when she hit the chair in my office, she burst into tears. What you do not know is that she was very health conscious, very lean and fit. Just prior to coming into the clinic, she had all her silver amalgams removed improperly and this released a significant amount of toxins (mercury) into her body. Because she was so lean, there was not much fat tissue as a storage for these toxins, therefor connective tissue and nervous system tissue were the point of storage. I cannot begin to tell you how upset and distraught this woman was.

During phase II liver detoxification or also known as the conjugation pathways. Through different metabolic pathways, amino acids, sulfur, vitamins, minerals, and other natural substances bind or conjugate to the metabolites from the Phase I enzyme process so that they can be eliminated. If the nutrients needed to conjugate the toxins are in low supply, the toxins re-circulate as new toxins that are sometimes more toxic than the original toxin. You can tell that your phase II conjugation is sluggish if perfumes or scents start to create symptoms for you. 

Also understand that hormones, natural waste products, medications, and fat-soluble vitamins are also broken down through the liver detoxification process.

Now as far as your kidneys are concerned they receive 20% of the blood pumped to the heart. As the blood flows to the kidneys they remove wastes and then return the processed, purified blood back to the body. Waste material and water leave the blood and enter the urinary system. Toxins then end up in the urine.

Within your lymphatic system, the lymph fluid picks up nutrients, hormones, waste products, bacteria, and cellular debris. Then your lymph nodes act as a toxin filter and the lymph fluid is circulated by physical activity (especially rebounding), deep breathing, massage and dry skin brushing.

Here's some more tidbits on detoxification:

• Respiration: breathing (gas exchange), coughing, sneezing, clearing mucous
• Skin: sweating, sebaceous gland secretion, tears, Epsom salt or sea salt baths, dry skin brushing
• GI System: liver function, gallbladder, bowel and intestinal tract function
• Kidneys: acid/alkaline balancing, urination, hydration with filtered water
• Circulatory and lymph systems: blood flow, lymph circulation, and immune function

With all this in mind, you will likely understand why I include 3 weeks of liver detoxification in the "More Than Just Weight Loss" program. It is so interesting every year to watch the participants in the program. Some, like myself, dump quite a bit right away due to the fact of most of the weight being inflammatory. Others may lose more weight in the second to third weeks due to challenges in their digestive system. But the last couple of years I've seen the percentages grow for those losing the bulk of their weight toward the end of the program due to the increased liver function. As mentioned, this is so interesting.

If you want to learn more about the "More Than Just Weight Loss" program, click here. This has the potential to change your life forever!

Your Reset Button!

by Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

Wouldn't it be nice if we could hit a reset button and most of the symptoms of our poor health choices could simply go away? Oh, and especially after all the stress, poor food choices, too much alcohol and too little sleep of the holidays. Heck, just over the Thanksgiving weekend I personally put on 10 pounds. Two Thanksgiving dinners, a birthday party and some alcohol at each was obviously a disaster. All with Christmas, traveling and New Years yet to arrive. 

Yikes!

Well thankfully, there is a reset button and I hit it every year after this holiday mess. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the holidays. I love to be with people, the engagement with others, the yummy food and even the occasional Christmas margarita. It's really not a different margarita, just a homemade margarita made around Christmas time. LOL!

As you can imagine, this leaves me a mess just as it does the rest of you reading this article. So what do we do?

Hit the reset button!

For me this is the 6 week "More Than Just Weight Loss" program. I have done this the last 3 years in a row and I am already craving this time again. You may ask, why do I crave this and what is it all about?

First of all, most of us gain weight at this time of the year and while a percentage of this is fat, there is often a significant weight gain accompanying an increase in inflammation. The weight gain isn't even the biggest issue with weight gain, but the aches and pains of inflammation are actually the more significant challenge. In addition to weight gain and inflammation most of us are also dealing with a gut/brain issue due to the holidays. Eating intolerant foods, alcohol affecting your brain function, stress and your lack of sleep are all feeding the gut/brain issue.

Along with this immune system function takes a hit. This is due to a couple of factors. Number one is the fact that about 70 to 80% of your immune function actually originates in your gut, so when there is a gut/brain connection issue, there is an immune issue. Secondly tied into the inflammation, this chronic inflammation actually creates an immune dysregulation that can be scary. Scary because this can lead to multiple chemical sensitivities and the shut down of apoptosis, which long term can lead to cancer. Another factor that is huge for the immune function is the lack of sleep that leads to a weakened immune function also.

Lastly, how about our livers' screaming out at us after the holidays. Heck, daily living is enough of a stress on our liver. Throw some alcohol, stress, poor food and the typical response to dealing with a hangover are all so taxing to the liver. Ouch!

So in the end, you know what to do? Hit the reset button!


The 6 week "More Than Just Weight Loss" program really isn't even a weight loss program. Don't get me wrong, if you have inflammatory or fat weight to lose, this will happen, but the program is actually quite different. It is actually a  gut/brain supportive, immune building, liver detoxifying, anti-inflammatory program.

The first year I did this I lost 16.9 pounds, last year I lost about 12.4 (don't remember exactly) and this year I hope to lose about 9 or 10. But more important than the weight loss and the fact that my pants will be a bit more comfy and I will get back into the "skinny" pants again, I will feel amazing! 

That's what feeds my drive for this 6 week program every year. I LOVE feeling amazing! Don't you?


Find out more about the 6 week "More Than Just Weight Loss" program.

Chemical Sensitivity

by Glen Depke, Traditional Naturopath

Chemical sensitivity used to be for the select few chronically ill but these days, I am seeing

chemical sensitivity on significant levels for so many of my clients both young and old.

So why is this becoming such a huge issue?

Why are so many children seemingly starting off life with these sensitivities?

Is there one cause or many causes?

Is there hope for those with chemical sensitivities?

Today I will answer these questions and more but to shed a little light at the beginning, there is hope for those that are chemically sensitive! 

Let's start by defining this simply by looking at life's events. Imagine that you walk into an office the was freshly painted and newly carpeted. For most people, walking into this office would bring nothing more than a simple recognition of the odor telling you that the carpet is new as well as the paint. For the individual that is chemically sensitive though, this chemical expression can be maddening, almost to the point that they have to run out of the office.

So why is it that one person simply responds with recognition while another is running out of the office?

I would like to say there is one easy answer for all but one answer for all does not exist. The good news is that there are a combination of areas to look at ASAP that can be addressed to assist the body in responding to these chemicals in a less dramatic fashion, with the eventually goal of a release of chemical sensitivity.

Here is the list of what typically has to be addressed with those suffering with chemical sensitivities.

• Adrenal function - While your adrenals basically play a role in the whole of your being, they also play a direct role in chemical sensitivity due to the impact they have on the mucosal tissue lining (immune systems first line of defense), every level of detoxification, immune system regulation, the pro/anti inflammatory response and your overall neural connectivity. Since I have never seen someone with chemical sensitivity that does not have an adrenal issue, this is a great place to start.
• Inflammation - Chronic inflammation also known as an NF-kB state, is typically one of the significant factors behind chemical sensitivity. Understand that the NF-kB state will likely cause immune system dysregulation which in turn will often lead to chemical sensitivity. Addressing both the triggers for inflammation plus the inflammation itself is a key.
• Gluten or cross reactive intolerance - If you are consuming foods the you body is intolerant to, this is an issue in regard to chemical sensitivity. This is due to the fact that intolerant foods that are not addressed lead to digestive disorders, neurological imbalance, immune system disorders, inflammatory states, adrenal imbalance and poor blood/brain barrier function. ALL of these play a role in chemical sensitivity.
• Gut/brain/immune connection - If your gut/brain connection is suffering on any level due to pathogens, intolerant foods, stress, brain trauma and/or poor diet this will generally lead to immune system issues and chronic inflammation which is turn will contribute to chemical sensitivity.
• Poor blood/brain barrier function - Barrier function occurs in your gut, lungs and brain. The barrier that pertains with chemical sensitivity is the blood/brain barrier. This barrier keeps toxins from entering the brain via blood flow. If this barrier is not healthy, toxins will cross into the brain and create chemical sensitivity.
• Poor liver/colon function - The liver takes on the detoxification of approximately 80% of the toxins in your body. This will take place via a phase I and phase II liver detoxification. To simplify, phase I converts fat soluble toxins into water soluble toxins for eventual release via the colon. Once this phase I occurs it is essential that these are released via the colon because this phase I conversion actually makes the toxins more toxic. Yes, you heard that correct, your body's conversion of these toxins actually does create a higher level of toxicity. With that said, if you do not have healthy bowel movements (2 per day or more) you are actually releasing this toxic load back into your body and round and round you go. All this creates a significant toxic load and can be a big part of chemical sensitivity.
• Poor drainage - Often when we talk about detoxification, we forget the most important part. That part is drainage. To detoxify without drainage can lead to a toxic overload in your body and chemical sensitivity. See above while understanding that drainage is so much more than just your colon. Lymph, kidneys, skin and lungs also play a role.

While there may be some fringe areas to address beyond these listed above, most will find a significant release of chemical sensitivity symptoms or even a complete elimination of these symptoms by addressing these areas.

I also wanted to talk about one other area of chemical sensitivity that is so important and that is with children. With younger children, this is typically tied into food intolerance, the gut/brain connection and/or poor blood/brain barrier function. Addressing these first will often show relief for you children.

To take this a step further, let's look at the main reasons so many kids seem to be born with these chemical sensitivities. The fact is that this starts with the health of the parents upon conception and the health of the mother throughout pregnancy. Please understand the importance of a healthy gut/brain/immune system in the mother which will coincide with a healthier gut/brain/immune function with your child. Often women are living with an undiagnosed autoimmune reaction or every a full blown autoimmune disease. These challenges are easily transferred into the developing child and unfortunately this occurs far too often. With this said, make sure that a part of your family planning includes optimal health for both parents and have confidence in the gut/brain/immune health for the future mother. Doing this can release years of frustration down the road for both parents and children.

One other factor to consider is the high amount of chemicals that are in our environment via the air we breathe, water we drink, foods we eat as well as chemicals on cloths or products we put on your skin. These areas can be improved on every level also to take away some of the chemical load thrown at us on a daily basis.

• Air we breathe - Take a look at this article on air purifying plants for your home and office.
• Water we drink - My general recommendation is a Reverse Osmosis filtration system that includes a minimum of 4 filters. You can also purchase a portable aquagear system that will filter tap water at any time. Great for traveling or regular use. Learn more about AquaGear.
• Foods we eat - Consume whole natural and organic food whenever possible. Processed foods and a sugar are a part of a toxic lifestyle.
• Chemicals on your body - Use natural cleaning products and do not put anything on your skin that has a chemical base. There are many natural products that you can use on your skin available today. Here is a link to some of these natural products. Remember that your skin will easily soak up your toxic exposure.

In the end, recognize that once you are chemically sensitive this does not have to be a life long struggle for you. Take the necessary steps to live a life free of these sensitivities. It will be more than worth it!

Inflammation, Cancer & Liver Challenges

by Glen Depke

Chronic Inflammation is a huge issue in our culture and for many people reading this article today. While this is the case so few would think about inflammation when faced with a diagnosis of cancer or liver dysfunction. Well, think again...

I have mentioned chronic inflammation many times in the past and for those that are not aware, I refer to this as a NF-kB state. Often clients in my office ask me what NF-kB stands for and honestly, my response generally does not help much, but here we go. NF-kB stands for nuclear factor kappa beta. I know, it sounds like a fraternity at a university. 

Here's something that will make sense though. This NF-kB is defined as a complex group of proteins that controls the transciption of DNA. You may already be seeing the tie into cancer.

NF-kB controls the expression of genes encoding the proinflammatory cytokines, chemokines adhesion molecules, inducible enzymes and growth factors. It is found in all cell types and is involved in cellular responses to stress, cytokines, free radicals and antigens. In short, the chronically activated NF-kB state has been linked to cancer, liver dysfunction, inflammatory conditions as well as autoimmunity.

This NF-kB state is triggered by stress, food intolerance, infection, obesity, addiction and chemotherapy. Interesting that the most common form of cancer treatment actually creates a state that is a significant risk factor for cancer. The frustrating part of this for so many, is that even if you remove all the triggers, the NF-kB state will likely continue to be an issue for you. I cannot tell you how often I have clients in my clinic that feel hopeless and frustrated because they have done so much to be healthy, yet cannot reach their goals. This is often due to the NF-kB self amplifying feedback loops.

One of these feedback loops is tied into liver function.

Understand that the NF-kB state will often inhibit phase I and phase II liver detoxification pathways. This occurs due to the fact that the NF-kB state can create a suppression of cytochrome P450. This suppression leads to a compound hepatic biotransformation, thus activating hepatic end products. It helps to understand that biotransformation is the process of rendering fat-soluble compounds to water soluble compounds so they can be excreted via the urine, feces and sweat. Hormones, toxins and drugs undergo hepatic transformation by phase I and phase II pathways in the liver and are eventually eliminated by a phase III pathway. A significant key though to this biotransformation, phase I, phase II and phase III pathways is the initial release of cytochrome P450. As noted above, the NF-kB state suppresses this cytochrome P450 thus inhibiting the entire liver clearance pathways.

When this occurs a further NF-kB state is initiated and round and round you go. Simply put, the chronic inflammatory state known as NF-kB leads to a multiple challenges within the liver, thus leading to more inflammation. Now you can see why this would be so frustrating for so many.

There are multiple ties of the NF-kB state to cancer, so let's understand this further. 

It is very important to understand the we all have cancer cells. The key for must of us is that we have strong immune systems that keep the body in harmony with these cancer cells. The challenge then is with immune function low the body is no longer in harmony, DNA is not replicating properly and cancer is now a very serious risk.

Remember earlier when I mentioned that the NF-kB is the complex group of proteins that control the transcription of DNA? Making sense now?

The NF-kB state leads to immune system dysregulation which in turn leads to the loss of cellular apoptosis (program cellular death) with the all too often end product being cancer. Understand that apoptosis is the process of eliminating DNA-damaged, superfluous, or unwanted cells and when halted may result in uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation. Simply put, the NF-kB state leads to cancer.

One other factor to understand with the NF-kB state is the fact that many of the feedback loops lead to immune system challenges, thus increasing risk of cancer. This may be tied into an increase in cytokine production, leaky gut and more.

The most important point to make in this article is the fact that you can address the NF-kB state. I have listed the steps used with success at Depke Wellness to address this properly. 

*I do not recommend addressing this on your own, so please work with a natural health practitioner that would be considered and expert in the NF-kB state.

• Address food intolerance and nutritional challenges
• Learn healthy ways of addressing stress
• Address any chronic infections (generally gut related)
• Balance adrenal function
• Increase peripheral circulation
• Balance immune function with glutathione and vitamin D
• Address phase I & phase II liver detoxification pathways
• Take the correct dosage of curcumin and resveratrol (the dosing and form of both is of utmost importance)

I have seen this work with consistency over the years with not only the clients in my clinic but with myself personally. If you want to significantly reduce your risk of cancer and chronic liver challenges, address your NF-kB state.

If you have any comments or questions in regard to this article, leave a post below for me to address personally.



 

There's More to Detox than the Liver...

by Glen Depke

So how many of you have been on countless liver detoxifications, taken milk thistle for years but still don't see the benefit? How many have been detoxifying their liver for years with little to know results? Believe it or not, this is typically the case because there is so much more to detoxification than the liver.

First it is important to establish the fact that all your systems of elimination and detoxification need to be in proper function. This includes not only the liver but kidneys, lymphatic system, lungs, colon and skin.

Let's look at the liver itself though.

First understand that the job of your liver is to take hormones, drugs and other toxins and express hepatic transformation via the phase I and phase II pathways within the liver. They are then eliminated through the phase III pathway.

The two biggest impacts on your phase I and phase II pathways are tied into your hepatic genotype, which is your liver's genetic expression of detoxification and your lifestyle. The lifestyle impacts are based on your diet, lifestyle habits and use of drugs. I will list the lifestyle challenges below:

Diet:

• Well done meats
• Reduced vegetable consumption
• Dioxin containing meats
• Pesticide containing fruit & veggies
• Hormone containing meats

Lifestyle:

• Smoker
• Car exhaust
• Industrial solvent exposure
• Contaminated lotions
• Poor air quality

Drugs:

• Alcohol
• Recreational drugs
• Prescription drugs
• Over the counter drugs
• Improperly prescribed hormones

Together your genotype and lifestyle choices will provide what is referred to as your hepatic phenotype or the expression of overall detoxification pathways via your liver.

Proper function on these levels will take the determined hormones, drugs and/or toxins, convert them from active materials into inactive metabolites and release through a healthy phase III. In a healthy body and healthy phenotype, this will cycle with ease.

If this proper function in any of the three phases of liver detoxification are less than optimal this will significantly hinder your body's ability to clear toxins. If this is the case, this will likely lead to brain disorders, auto immunity, chronic inflammatory conditions, chronic pain and adrenal dysfunction as well as many other potential imbalances.

I also want to bring up a very important point, recognizing that the proper function of these three phases of liver detoxification depend on healthy brain function. To be a bit more specific, the brain dopaminergic system has been established as an important center regulating the liver. As this dopamine system activity decreases, this is equally expressed in liver function.

Here is a list of clinical symptoms recognized with low dopamine.

• Depressed thoughts
• Inability to self motivate
• Easily angered by trivial situations
• Slowness of movements
• Slowness of thoughts
• Inability to start of finish tasks

It is equally important to recognize the tie of the Vagus nerve and your liver function. Remember from previous posts about the gut/brain connection that the Vagus nerve connects the brain to the gut and liver. 90% of your brain output goes straight down this Vagus nerve into the gut and liver. In the end, this will significantly effect liver detoxification.

Symptoms of poor Vagal Tone:

• Constipation
• Poor enzyme production
• Floating stool or food in your stool
• Poor liver detoxification

If this sounds like a challenge for you, I would suggest reviewing this article on the Gut/Brain Connection.

When discussing detoxification, it is always important to address your own body's chemical tolerance. This plays another significant role in your body's ability to detoxify properly. To learn more on this area of your body's detoxification read this article. We will address this even further within future articles.

If your liver detoxification pathways are challenged, this is typically expressed with the following symptoms:

• Acne or unhealthy skin
• Bloating
• Swelling
• Hormone imbalances
• Weight gain
• Poor bowel function

If your challenges with detoxification are tied into a loss of chemical tolerance, this is typically expressed with the following symptoms:

• Intolerance to smells
• Intolerance to jewelry
• Intolerance to shampoo, lotions, detergents, ect.
• Multiple food sensitivities
• Constant skin outbreaks

Hopefully you have a much further understanding of the liver as well as other areas that tie into proper detoxification within your body. If you have any questions or concerns that pertain to this article, leave a post below and I will address this personally. If you see many challenges for yourself personally within this article, you are welcome to call my office directly to discuss the potential of address this with Depke Wellness either in office or via phone consultation. Call direct at 949.954.6225.