By Max MacCloud, DO, ND, PhD (aka The Nutrition Ninja Doc)
Many of us lived through the last several paradigms about what causes chronic disease and premature aging. There was the germ theory, lack of medical access theory, insufficient vaccines theory; just kidding on these, even a 5th grader can see that those are ridiculous.
Here’s a quick review of several of the top theories of what causes chronic disease and premature aging.
• Inflammation: One of the most popular current theories is that chronic low-grade inflammation is to blame. While this is quite damaging, keep reading to learn how it is a symptom and not the cause.
• Oxidative Stress: This theory suggests that an overproduction of free radicals and insufficient antioxidant defenses are the root cause of oxidative damage to cells, proteins, and DNA. This is valid, but not the root cause.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria, the sub-cellular organelles responsible for many vital functions including energy production, are susceptible to damage and dysfunction. This theory posits that mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to aging and age-related diseases by compromising cellular energy metabolism and promoting oxidative stress. This is absolutely true, but it is not the root cause.
• Genetic Factors: Certain genetic variants can increase susceptibility to, although rarely cause, diseases. This is definitely not the root cause.
• Epigenetics: Epigenetics is the full expression of our genetics, it is the result of the interaction between our lifestyle, the environment & our genes. This turns certain genes on and others off, which can lead to either beneficial or harmful genetic expression.
• Telomere Shortening: Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Telomere shortening is considered a hallmark of aging, as it limits the replicative capacity of cells. Again, not the root cause of chronic disease and aging.
• Glycation: Glycation refers to the non-enzymatic reaction between sugars and proteins, leading to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGEs accumulate with age and are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases and aging. They are likewise not the root cause.
All of these things do play significant roles in the development of chronic disease and premature, unhealthy aging, but in my way of looking at the body, the real issue lies with the 4Ms. The 4Ms stands for Microcirculation, Mitochondria, Metabolism, and Metabolic Reserve or Muscle.
1. Microvascular System: This refers to the smallest blood vessels in the body, including arterioles, capillaries, and venules. These vessels play a crucial role in delivering oxygen and nutrients to tissues and removing waste products. It is the ONLY place that the exchange of nutrients and removal of waste products happens, period.
2. Mitochondria: These “powerhouses” of the cell are also vital to several other crucial cellular processes like regulation of stem cells, cellular apoptosis, calcium channels, and more. 95% of our body’s energy in the form of ATP is formed in the mitochondria. They are what has allowed for ALL higher life forms to exist and thrive.
3. Metabolism: Metabolism encompasses all the chemical processes that occur within living organisms to maintain life (over 3,000 metabolic enzymatic reactions). This includes the breakdown of nutrients to produce energy (catabolism) and the synthesis of molecules needed for growth and repair (anabolism).
4. Metabolic Reserve: This refers to the extra capacity of an organism to carry out metabolic processes beyond its basal metabolic rate. All organs have, or should have, metabolic reserve. Muscles are our largest organ system and are by far our greatest metabolic reserve (or at least they should be). This reserve becomes crucial during times of increased energy demand, such as exercise or periods of stress.
Now, let’s explore their relationship to understand the ROOT CAUSE of ALL Chronic Disease:
• The microvascular system ensures that oxygen and nutrients reach all the tissues, cells, and therefore mitochondria of the body. This includes those with especially high metabolic demands like muscle and nerve tissue.
• Mitochondria, located within these tissues, utilize oxygen and nutrients to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation, a process that relies on the electron transport chain.
• Metabolism provides the necessary substrates (glucose, fatty acids, amino acids) to fuel mitochondrial ATP production. And this ATP is used by ALL the cells of the body to survive and carry out their respective functions.
• The metabolic reserve (primarily composed of muscle) acts as a buffer, allowing organisms to meet sudden increases in energy demand.
In summary, the microvascular system delivers substrates to mitochondria, where they are metabolized to produce ATP. The metabolic reserve ensures that energy demands can be met even during periods of increased activity or stress. This intricate interplay ensures the body’s energy needs are met efficiently and effectively.
There is much more to each of these, however, the above provides a nice overview. The next vital thing is to actually address each of the 4Ms. They need to be assessed with lifestyle modification steps to improve them. That is the only way to both prevent chronic disease and build long term health. That’s exactly what we do at the Age Reversal Technology Center.
Sadly, as we age and are subject to the thousands of stresses and strains of our modern hectic, toxic world, EACH of the 4Ms is negatively impacted.
When was the last time YOUR DOCTOR assessed your Microvascular system, your Mitochondria, your Metabolism, or your Metabolic Reserve? If you’re like 99% of the population, NO ONE has ever tested any of those things properly.
We now have the first technology ever developed to visualize and assess the microvascular system. It is a non-invasive test that takes about 15 minutes and generates a detailed report. We take that information along with your health history and design a program to repair and restore your microvascular system to more youthful, healthier levels.
We can do the same for the other 3Ms as well, but the Microvascular system is where to begin because damage to it IS THE ROOT CAUSE of all chronic disease. Call us to learn more and book your Glycocheck test. The test, report, and program recommendations are all provided for just $250. Of course, such an important, cutting-edge, preventative test is not covered by ‘disease care’ insurance. Most people confuse their disease care insurance with health insurance, it is not.
Make an appointment today!
Age Reversal Technology Center, LLC
(941) 806-5511
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