Your Individual Biochemistry
By Betty Albert, N.D.

Dr. Peter J. D'Adamo's three books, "Eat…Cook…Live for Your Blood Type" and over 1500 scientific references can't be all wrong: we are definitely unique in our individual biochemistries expressed in such factors as our digestion, assimilation, mental health, personality, and immunity/neurological response, to cite only a few examples.

What is necessary for biochemistry to be in balance has filled our bookstores with every title and subject ranging from allergies to zenoestrogens. Diet books claim that weight imbalance can be corrected with more protein; others tout more carbohydrates, others more or better fat. Still others have you type your body, personality, blood, and chemical temperaments, ad infinitum. All lay some claims to mind-body improvements and all reflect the dynamic complexity of the human form.

Today's society of helter-skelter nutrition and stressful lifestyle lays the groundwork for a society much in denial of what it truly needs to be healthy. Part of this immensely complicated topic lies in the fact that the true health of an individual lies within the framework of that individual, and not in the FDA food pyramid or any one author's treatise on nutrition, lifestyle, herbology or the like. We may exhibit genetic markers from one parent or another, but the fact is we have hundreds of ancestors on both sides of the family from which millions of characteristics might come.

Hence, each of us has diverse nutritional needs due to the way our bodies process foods. Individual taste rears its head as early as infancy, and we find people who have avoided particular foods all their lives, no matter how healthy it was supposed to be for them. Fearing deficiency, many people overload on supplements, which may cause more problems than those depleted nutrients. Common nutrients stored in the body that may cause imbalances include calcium, choline, copper, folic acid, iron, omega 6 fatty acids, methionine, and manganese. Just as the population does not wear one size hat or shoe, it can hardly be best served by the indiscriminate multi one-size-fits-all current brand in favor.

The Importance of pH Balance

No matter how excellent the diet, the lifestyle, the supplements, the exercise, etc., if the body's pH chemistry is not in balance, if it is too acid or too alkaline, not metabolizing salts, sugars, carbohydrates and protein efficiently, then vitamins and minerals will not be absorbed. You can test your own pH regularly with pH paper that is sold for this purpose, and if taken two hours after breakfast, it provides a reading on how the body is metabolizing the last meal as well as the last 24 hour's food. The paper is dipped in saliva or urine and changes color to match a gradient scale. 6.0 and below is acid and 6.4 and above is alkaline. It is best to work with a health practitioner to not only understand more about the pH chemistry, but to adjust the diet and lifestyle to bring results expected. There are many other lab tests specific to different metabolizing functions of the body including hormones, thyroid and digestion to name a few. Guessing at the cause of a symptom, and trying to treat it with the latest TV suggestion, a neighbor's hearsay or the health food store promotion can be more dangerous than doing nothing about it.

Malabsorption

A symptom too dangerous to ignore is that of malabsorption. Fatigue, irregular or inconsistent bowel activity, candida/yeast/fungus infections, chronic respiratory problems, headaches, indigestion, abdominal pain, bloating and food allergies are just a few of the symptoms that might flag a malabsorption pattern. More than 90% of autistics exhibit this problem. It stems from such things as insufficient or excessive HCl levels, incomplete small intestine digestion and "leaky gut" syndrome, where undigested food, especially proteins, are pushed through the gut wall into the blood stream to be recirculated to an already overworked liver and kidney for further detoxification. The problem can be compounded by a large intestine already clogged with toxic waste, thus blocking one of the most essential elimination channels of the body. The toxicity circulates throughout the body and brain, and we find such conditions as candida, toxic neurotransmitters in the gut and brain, irritable bowel, mineral and other nutrient deficiencies, incomplete protein and fat breakdown and utilization, causing amino acid deficiencies and mental health problems.

Brain Imbalances

Much health treatment work today is being done interrelating the brain and the colon; for example, see Dr. Michael Gerson's book, "The Second Brain." The brain and the colon are intimately connected, as are all of the body systems. No one body system operates independently. Our brain is constantly adapting to our attitude, nutrition and the environment. Every part of our body is a reflection of our mind. Today's health care system needs to focus more on the interrelatedness of the human body and take a more holistic approach if we are to see any advancement in disease treatment and prevention. This is not being done, though the medical publications and doctors proclaim that 80%+ of all disease starts in the mind. I believe that it takes the health care system and doctors around 17 years to assimilate new information.

Obesity and excess sugar leads to depression. Yet, it is being treated with drugs, not nutrition, exercise, and supplements. Slowly, the population is looking to natural means for more effective change. Our mental health is dependent on having sufficient amounts of brain chemicals, critical to proper function of neurotransmitters. Essential fatty acids work on the cell membranes, and it is at this level we can focus to improve the process well before clogging of the arteries begins. The cell membrane is the basis of cell communication that is improved by EFAs and B-Complex.

Most neurotransmitter problems involve abnormal absorption, metabolism or improper nutrient storage. Everything in the environment affects our genes, digestion and assimilation. Eighty percent of cancer and disease is environmental. Toxicity in the environment is one our biggest threats, as illustrated in my last month's PlanetLightworker article on Radiation and Chemical Pollution. Environmental toxins are causing depression. Mercury and heavy metal toxicity can cause depression. MSG, still being added to our foods under different names and in almost all processed foods, has an addictive tendency, so you want to buy more. The chemical industry has an interest in keeping the public from learning these things. Subclinical hypothyroidism (those whose tests results look normal on lab tests) can benefit by preventive treatment because the thyroid is so battered by the toxins in today's environment. Three hundred Chemicals make the thyroid toxic, and therefore create depression.

The brain is a chemical factory that produces brain chemicals 24 hours a day from the synthesis of amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. Serious depletion of these nutrients due to stress and toxicity, for example, produces problems with neurotransmitters. The gut is alive with neurological input. Ninety-five percent of serotonin is found in the gut. Yet without a healthy gut that can make B-Complex, serotonin cannot be produced.

Some depression clients have a genetic pyrrole disorder which renders them grossly depleted of B-6, and therefore unable efficiently to create serotonin, since B-6 is so essential in its synthesis. Common symptoms include explosive tempers, mood swings, memory fluctuations, and infections. Analysis for kryptophyrroles in urine can be tested and treatment may include zinc, B-6, and omega-6 EFAs.

Twenty percent of Americans suffer from irritable bowel due to a lack of neurotransmitters. We forget that there are receptors in the gut that take gut input to the brain and the immune system. Candida and fungal infections block serotonin to the brain. One-third of the fibers of the vagus nerve go from the brain to the gut. Two-thirds of the fibers go from the gut to the brain. The circadian rhythm hormone that helps control sleep patterns travels this pathway.

21st Century Solutions

In summary, the highly customized biochemistry of the healthy individual depends on the efficient functioning of every organ, every gland, and every body system working together to make a whole and healthy person. This requires on the part of every individual, some effort and motivation to be healthy and to learn and study their own individual functioning and requirements. In addition, it might be wise to enlist the help of a health practitioner so that the customized program can be altered and adjusted for better results over time. A good program is progressive - not a quick fix. Factors to incorporate might include:

1. pH testing as a first step to assess metabolism and need for building or cleansing
2. Assessments for endocrine, thyroid, digestive, amino acid, and other responses
3. Detoxification of the liver, kidney, and colon so that elimination pathways are clear
4. Diet and lifestyle adjustments, including exercise and supplementation as appropriate
5. Attitude awareness education to reduce stress and increase positive thinking
6. Removal of environmental chemical, radiation, and other pollutants

© 2001 Betty Albert, N.D.

This information is for educational purposes only, and should not to be used as a substitute for medical advice. All references should not be considered an endorsement, either direct or implied, by author or publisher, but as information for the discernment of the reader. Send your comments, questions, concerns, and requests for more info to healthnaturally@earthlink.net or call (925) 964-1958.

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Betty Albert, N.D., is a naturopathic practitioner, workshop leader and Danville business owner of Natural Health Center . . . your resource for life balance.