Missouri Functional Neurology and Chiropractic, LLC

03/05/2025

Had the opportunity to discuss Functional Medicine and Chiropractic Neurology on another podcast. Give it a listen and a share.

Podcast Episode · The Problem With Perfect · 02/25/2025 · 57m

11/26/2024

"Sodium Intake, Life Expectancy, All Cause Mortality"

From the European Heart Journal.. A study of 181 Countries Worldwide..

Conclusion:

"Our observation of sodium intake correlating positively with life expectancy and inversely with all-cause mortality
worldwide and in high-income countries argues against dietary sodium intake being a culprit of curtailing life span
or a risk factor for premature death."

Yep.. turns out the more salt you consume the longer your life expectancy.

Don't believe the research.. test it out yourself.. check your blood pressure, heart rate, monitor energy levels, and aches/pains and then have a choice of good electrolyte(LMNT, sacred eats, real earth salt etc..) with all of your water and salt all of your foods to taste with a choice of sea salt/himalayan pink salt/celtic salt etc.. for 2-4 weeks.. enjoy

06/24/2024

Wondering if the foods you eat effect your Testosterone(T) levels?

"Our results showed a nonsignificant correlation between PUFA(vegetable oils) and T and a significant negative correlation between the PUFA/SFA ratio and T. Thus dietary lipids appear to have a significant influence on resting T concentrations"

"The significant negative correlation between protein and resting T concentrations is consistent with the findings of Anderson et al. (2), who demonstrated that a low-protein diet (10% of total energy) was associated with higher levels of T compared with a diet higher in protein (44% of total energy)"

"The authors postulated that it was the protein-to-carbohydrate ratio in the diet that influenced either T metabolism or the liver-derived protein s*x hormone-binding globulin (2, 14). Interestingly, the protein-to-carbohydrate ratio in the present study was significantly negatively correlated with resting T concentrations."

So vegetable oils and other poly-unsaturated fats lower Testosterone.. Check your food labels.. it's in everything.

High protein diet is good right?? Then why does it lower your Testosterone...

06/05/2024

The next "Stress" response of the human body is all about CALCIUM

What does it do?

skeletal mineralization, muscle contraction, transmission of nerve impulses, blood clotting, and secretion of hormones. The levels are controlled by the Parathyroid Gland.

The Parathyroid Gland-

This stress gland is activated in response to detection of low blood calcium OR low blood Calcium compared to Phosphorus from the foods we consistently consume. BUT we have to have adequate levels of Vitamin D in order to absorb the calcium into the blood.

This stress gland is also activated by adrenaline and cortisol in response to low fuel detected in the body or a mental sense of overwhelm.

Having a consistent supply of high calcium foods compared to phosphorus and getting adequate levels of sunlight exposure and Vitamin D will keep this "stress" gland in check.

When you do not keep this gland in check your body will break down your bone and other tissues to get more calcium instead.

Symptoms of high stress parathyroid may include muscle spasms, osteopenia/osteoporosis, dry skin, brittle nails, coarse hair, heart arrhythmias, tingling/numbness in toes/fingers, weakened teeth enamel/tooth decay/gum disease.

Having your Vitamin D levels and parathyroid levels checked would be a good way to know if this "stress" gland is being overused.

The parathyroid is comprised of 4 small glands embedded in the posterior aspect of the thyroid gland. Its main function is the production and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), a polypeptide hormone responsible for maintaining serum calcium homeostasis. The levels of PTH and serum calcium are i...

05/29/2024

Yet another "Stress" signal to the body

Since we covered Cortisol in the previous post this time we will cover "Aldosterone".

Aldosterone is part of the Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone-system(RAAS) that assists in regulating the bodies BLOOD PRESSURE.

What does this system do?

Increases "sodium" absorption and reabsorption in the body and forces loss of potassium and magnesium.
Increases the drive for "Thirst"
Increased "Antidiuretic Hormone"(lowers urine production to increase the amount of fluid in the blood)
Causes "Vasoconstriction" (smaller pipe equals increased pressure)

What triggers this "STRESS" system?

A drop in mean blood pressure- makes sense so we don't pass out just from standing up.

Low sodium detected in blood- Yes, low sodium triggers a stress response to increase sodium absorption and fluid with the end result of increasing blood pressure.

The adrenaline hormones- Whether you have a perceived threat, feelings of overwhelmed, exercising, or running from a tiger they will all increase blood pressure so your body has the resources to deal with the situation at hand.

Do you crave Salt? Feel thirsty all the time? Urinating more than 6-8 times in 24 hours? Get lightheaded every time you stand up or move too quickly? High blood pressure?
Then you may have a problem with this "stress" pathway and how it is working.

Contact us if you would like to learn more

6364866117

mofuncneuro@gmail.com

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470339/ #:~:text=Aldosterone%20causes%20sodium%20to%20be,and%20the%20potassium%20is%20absorbed.

05/27/2024

Let's talk about the Bodies different Stress pathways/hormones.

First up is Cortisol: A steroid hormone that can effect every system of your body.. during a "stress" response.

Multiple "stress" responses that trigger the release of Cortisol

One of them is our own "interpretation" of an event/situation during the day.

There is a primitive area of our brain that responds to any event/situation based off of "previous experiences" to determine if you have enough "resources" and "energy" for what you deem is the appropriate action needed to deal with the event/situation.

If your brain determines you don't have enough resources/energy then boom cortisol will be released to mobilize fuel from fat AND muscle tissue. Yes cortisol breaks down your muscles for energy too. Cortisol will also decrease insulin and increase glucagon release from the pancreas to RAISE blood sugar so you have enough resources for the situation at hand. Genius!

Having a good understanding of your reactions in different situations during the day is important and knowing that if you exert too much of an emotional reaction compared to your resources/fuel supply you will trigger a "stress" response.

Just like different "mental" situations can trigger this response so can Infections and Inflammation if your body doesn't have enough resources to beat it.

And lastly the food choices we make can trigger this "stress" response from cortisol.

Low blood sugar causes glucagon to be released, prolonged drops in blood sugar causes cortisol to be released. So in others words a stable blood sugar is important, no highs and lows.

Meals high in protein/fat spike the stress response due to having a big spike in insulin and then a drop in blood sugar. Remember stable blood glucose is our bodies indicator for fuel/resources to accomplish our daily tasks so if there is a drop in blood sugar when we are trying to

Meals high in grain products or anything else high in Glycemic index due the same.. big spike in insulin followed by a drop in blood sugar.

Meals consistently low in Calcium do the same.

So overall stable blood glucose is our bodies indicator for fuel/resources to accomplish our daily tasks/fight infections/fight inflammation so if there is a drop in blood sugar when we are trying to do this, boom CORTISOL to the rescue.

As you can see it is easy to fall into a viscous cortisol "stress" cycle which will lead to symptoms such as weight gain in face and abdomen, muscle loss/weakness in upper arms and thighs, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, osteopenia/osteoporosis, low s*x hormones, and low thyroid.

Don't hesitate to reach out if interested in actionable ways you can lower the "stress" effects of cortisol and the toll it will take on your body.

636-486-6117
mofuncneuro@gmail.com

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538239/ #:~:text=The%20presence%20of%20glucocorticoids%2C%20such,gluconeogenesis%20and%20decrease%20glycogen%20synthesis.

05/21/2024

Is there a better way to LOSE WEIGHT and keep it off??

The Infamous Cutting Calories:

Diets are a huge fad and SOMETIMES they do work to lose weight, BUT as soon as you start eating regular again here comes the massive rebound.. ever wonder WHY?!?

When you starve your body you tank your hormones,

like thyroid(discussed in my last post) which makes you cold intolerant, cold hands/feet, and slows down your metabolism to conserve energy BECAUSE you are starving.. genius. So when you start eating even a little more it will take time for your metabolism to ramp up again because your body slowed everything down to protect you.

The other big hormone that gets effected is Testosterone!
Yes, men and women have testosterone, men are just supposed to have more.
When you cut calories to lose weight following that newest trend diet testosterone takes a hit and your mood is effected(not just s*xual but also outlook on life, confidence, and memory), lean muscle mass is effected(especially arms/legs), bone density becomes effected.

You see there are two ways to lose weight, and one of them causes some serious hormone problems especially if done repetitively throughout your life.

The awesome thing is that there are specific foods that you can consume in abundance that either slow your metabolism/hormone production down OR increase your metabolism/hormone production.
Lets figure out which ones work best for you! Please stop cutting calories your hormones will thank you.

636-486-6117

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5222856/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4255853/

05/16/2024

Constantly feeling fatigued/low energy, cold hands/feet, can't handle the cold, low heart rate(below 60)??

You would be looking at your Thyroid not working at high capacity.

A good working thyroid increases your energy levels and increases your body temperature.

Simple test you can do is to measure your body temperature consistently for a week or two in a row with an oral or armpit thermometer.
This must be done in the morning as soon as you wake up around the same time.
3 consecutive days below 97.8F(under tongue) or 97.3F(armpit) indicates low thyroid function.
If your heart rate is consistently below 60 BPM or 10-20 beats slower than what is average for your age/gender that is also consistent with low thyroid function.
Combine these simple tests with symptoms of fatigue, cold intolerance and you have figured it out.

There are lots of causes of low Thyroid and that will take some investigation and we would be more than happy to do that for you or a loved one.

Call 6364866117
Email mofuncneuro@gmail.com

05/13/2024

Ever wonder what your lab test results are actually telling you!?

Lately we have been doing a lot of over the phone/online consulting with patients about blood work/hormone testing results and what they actually mean and actionable things that they can do to help.

Even cooler than that is we have been having great results with teaching them how to change these results AND their symptoms without the use of medications, surgeries, excessive exercise, or cutting calories.

If you or a family member would like another set of eyes on your test results with interpretation, actionable items, and a game plan don't hesitate to give us a call or email.

636-486-6117
mofuncneuro@gmail.com

02/12/2024

Fixing Blood Sugar Issues; Is there another way??

Blood sugar aka glucose is the most efficient/main fuel source for brain and nervous system to create energy(ATP). Muscles will tend to use fatty acids for fuel at rest and switch to glucose when being used at high exertion states.

A Couple BIG things that raise blood sugar levels:

Cortisol and Epinephrine(adrenaline): These are deemed as "stress" hormones which are released when fuel supply(glucose) is low so would make sense that they increase blood sugar levels to meet the demands of the "stress" that could come in the form of exercise, mental stress, injury, or illness.

Endotoxins(LPS): these are found on specific types of microbes(infections) and can work their way into the blood stream through a weakened intestinal(gut) barrier causing an increase in blood sugar.. which makes sense since our body will need more energy to beat the infection that has come from the "leaky gut".

What if you were to supply the body with enough "good sugars" to drop the levels of cortisol and epinephrine being released?
Yes, I'm saying consume a lot more(of the right type) of sugar to improve blood sugar and the overall "stress" response.

What if you figured out what foods you were consuming that causes an increase in endotoxins in the blood stream?? hint processed foods and some others.

At MFNC we are flipping the tables on mainstream views of nutrition for optimal blood sugar stability outcomes.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2898551/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2161831322006494

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545201/

Increased intestinal permeability is a likely cause of various pathologies, such as allergies and metabolic or even cardiovascular disturbances. Intestinal permeability is found in many severe clinical situations and in common disorders such as irritable ...

01/22/2024

Lets Talk Lipid Peroxidation

Step 1. You must have reactive oxygen species or free radicals produced. This happens with normal every day cellular processes from, prolonged sun exposure, long term "stress" from work/relationships etc.., intense physical exercise, trauma/injury, poor diet, and the use of stimulants.

Step 2. Lipid peroxidation can only happen with "polyunsaturated" fats, this does not occur with "saturated" or "monounsaturated" fats. Lipid peroxidation plays a role in cancinogenesis, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegeneration, and aging.

Yes, I would start questioning the proclaimed "healthy fats" as they can undergo Lipid Peroxidation leading to the above-mentioned problems. Food items high in "polyunsaturated fats" include plant-based oils, like soybean/corn/sunflower/peanut/safflower, fatty fish like salmon/mackeral, and walnuts, sunflower seeds, soybeans. They are also found added into A LOT of processed foods so reading labels can be very informative.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32352946/ #:~:text=Reactive%20oxygen%20species%20(ROS)%20are,well%20as%20free%20nitrogen%20radicals.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834518/ #:~:text=Lipid%20peroxidation%20is%20a%20free,products%20formed%20during%20the%20process.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules capable of independent existence, containing at least one oxygen atom and one or more unpaired electrons. This group includes oxygen free radicals, e.g. superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, singlet oxygen, as well as free nitro...

01/17/2024

Anti-Nutrients what are they and where are they found.

**Anti-nutrients are substances within different foods that literally decrease the function of the digestive system, limit absorption of vitamins/minerals, and cause inflammation/digestive discomfort.

1. Foods with “anti-nutrients” **here are just a few, read the article for more
A. Lectins: prevent the absorption of digestive end products in the small intestines(glucose, amino acids, fatty acids), different amounts are found in legumes(beans)/cereal grains/seeds/nuts/fruits/vegetables.
B. Oxalates: inhibit calcium absorption, and increase calcium kidney stone formation, different amounts found in spinach/swiss chard/sorrel/beet greens/beet root/rhubarb/nuts/legumes/cereal grains/sweet potatoes/potatoes.
C. Phytates: inhibit the absorption of iron, zinc, calcium, different amounts are found in legumes/cereal grains/pseudocereals(amaranth, quinoa, millet), nuts, seeds.
D. Goitrogens: cause hypothyroidism and/or goiters, inhibit iodine uptake, different amounts are found in brassica vegetables(kale, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, turnip greens, broccoli)/millet/cassava.
E. Phytoestrogens: cause endocrine disruption, increased risk of estrogen-sensitive cancers, different amounts found in soy and soy products/flax seed/nuts/fruits and vegetables.
F. Tannins: inhibit iron absorption; negatively impact iron stores, different amounts are found in tea, cocoa, grapes, berries, apples, stone fruits, nuts, beans, whole grains.

That is correct most of the time I see these foods causing problems with patients health! Knowing that a majority of us are consuming these foods there is a way to reduce/eliminate "anti-nutrients" in the foods depending on how you prepare them.

Lectins- soaking/boiling/autoclaving/sprouting/fermenting, baking, roasting increase anti-nutrient content;
Oxalates- soaking/boiling/steaming/pairing with high calcium foods, roasting, grilling, baking, low calcium diet increase anti-nutrient content;
Phytates- soaking/boiling/sprouting/fermenting;
Tannins- cooking/peeling skins off of nuts and fruits; Phytoestrogens- boiling, steaming, fermenting increase anti-nutrient content;
Goitrogens- steaming/boiling.

**microwave ovens are not effective for removing any type of anti-nutrients. If you are consuming these foods and not preparing them appropriately you are creating digestive problems and increasing inflammatory products.