by Morley Robbins | Jun 20, 2013 | General
“Stress!”
It’s a ubiquitous part of life, right?…
We’ve all felt that agonizing sensation in our gut when a deadline starts to loom, when our creditors start terrorizing us for more timely payments, when we have a fight with our spouse or significant other, when our car breaks down at the worst possible moment… And then the fun begins: the increased pressure, the feeling of being “on,” that veiled sense of fear — sound/feel familiar?
So what’s really going on?… That’s our body on Stress Hormones, especially Cortisol, the grand-daddy of the Adrenal Glands! It makes sure that we respond to these “Stressors!” — whether they be real or paper Tigers — and that we have enough energy to mobilize a response to the crisis. And under the right conditions, this “fight or flight” syndrome is supposed to subside… at least it has for the last 6 million years, give or take a decade.
And even animals face this same dynamic, but it seems that they are better at recovering from “Stress!” In fact, there’s a wonderful book written to that effect called Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, by Robert Zapolsky, (http://www.amazon.com/Zebras-Dont-Ulcers-Third-Edition/dp/0805073698) It’s a great book should you wish to delve deeper into this phenomenon of “Stress!” But what’s notable is that critters in the wild are constantly faced with “Stress!” — it’s an absolute in nature! All is bought and nothing is given — yet they don’t get the chronic symptoms that we two-legged critters get… After being chased by the Lion, they are able to effortlessly calm down and take a relaxing drink. Now why is that?…
I set out to get a better handle on that, because it didn’t make sense to me.
And as you might expect, lurking in the shadows was our friend and faithful companion, Maggie — or lack thereof. It turns out that there is both an inactive (Cortisone) and an active form (Cortisol) — OK, that makes sense. And in a body (human or animal) that has plenty of Magnesium, there is a natural process of acting on the impulse of this very strong Hormone, and then being able to “calm down,” naturally and effortlessly. But it seems that in the last decade or two, we seem to have lost the natural ability to do so.
Now, anybody who’s followed my nostrums for the last couple of years knows that I’m quick to tell folks who are overwhelmed with “Stress!” — “Take Mo’ Maggie!”
With increasing frequency, we are learning that Maggie is the “Chill Pill” (http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201106/magnesium-and-the-brain-the-original-chill-pill) and that it provides “calm energy.” And for those that have dug a bit deeper, you’ve learned that there’s actually an inverse relationship between Cortisol and Magnesium. So, when Maggie’s down (as it would be under “Stress!”), Cortisol’s up! And vice versa… But what I learned recently is why, and I’d like to share that with you…
As you might expect, it involves an enzyme or two, known as the 11beta-Hydroxysteroids, which manage the conversion of Cortisone into Cortisol and back. And back, you say?… Yes, you see our body’s are supposed to effortlessly move back and forth between “fight and flight”(Sympathetic state) and “rest and recovery” (Parasympathetic state). And here’s the actual biological equation that runs this pathway (please forgive my geekness):
11beta-Hydroxysteroid + NADP+ <==>an 11beta-Oxysteroid + NADPH + H+
The very enzyme, 11beta-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase type 2 (11-BHDT2), is what converts Cortisone >> Cortisol to deal with the “Stress!” and then back to >> Cortisone, once the crisis is over. OK, OK, that’s impressive, but I don’t see Maggie anywhere in that equation, and neither did I.
But I kept digging, and digging… and then I came across this important article: Spontaneous activation of NADPH oxidase in a cell-free system: unexpected multiple effects of magnesium ion concentrations It turns out that the very mechanism to convert NADP >> NADPH requires Magnesium! And without sufficient Maggie, there ain’t no NADP >> NADPH+. And if there ain’t no NADP, there ain’t no recycling of Cortisol back to its storage state that is not so toxic to our body…
And this is but one of thousands of roles that Maggie plays in our bodies — non-stop, day-in and day-out. In fact, many who are familiar with this vitalizing mineral suggest that it does too much! In some respects it does, but it’s because it plays such a key role in the functioning of hundreds and hundreds of enzymes in our body. (For the moment, I’ll let it slide that there’s a “Magnesome” [docking station] that has recently been confirmed on 3,751 proteins — no other element or mineral comes even remotely close to that level of presence and importance in the metabolism on the body.)
OK, so there you have it.
My recommendation still stands… when you feel your Magnesium Burn Rate accelerating due to a rise in “Stress!” — Take Mo’ Maggie! And I strongly advise a daily regimen of the “full-court” press: Mg supplements, Mg water, and a good Mg Cl oil to bathe your skin — the largest organ of your body.
And now you’ll know exactly how Mg helps you deal with both the crisis, as well as the recovery that is supposed to happen naturally — when we have more than enough Maggie — inside our bodies and ultimately inside our cells!
A votre sante!
by Morley Robbins | Jun 20, 2013 | General
It’s ubiquitous…
Everyone is consumed with “Stress!” and it’s devastating affect on our body…
And we all are being schooled to know that “Stress!” triggers the release of Cortisol — the Master Stress Hormone. Keep in mind, this very process has been going on inside our Ancestors’ bodies for 6 million years, give or take a decade… And there’s even a best-selling book that outlines this stress dynamic — even with wild critters! The interesting thing is that Zebras and other critters in nature don’t seem to get “Stressed Out!”
Now why is that?
“Stress!” is life… So, stress hormones are a part of life and have been. But it seems that “Stress!” seems is now taking a greater, and greater toll on our body.
As you likely know, Magnesium helps us deal with “Stress!” — right?… And those who’ve bothered to research this dynamic knows that there’s an inverse relationship between Maggie and Cortisol — when Mg is high, Cortisol is low, and vice versa. And while I find that comforting to know, I decided to do some digging and see what is really going on and see if I could determine what’s causing this intensified reaction to “Stress!”
It turns out that
by Morley Robbins | May 23, 2013 | General
I’ve often wondered in the last few years why Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, “the Dean of Magnesium” has a fascination with Yeast Infections… Well, a post on the Magnesium Advocacy FB page by one of our MAG-pies, Angela Meister, (May 17th, at 8:45am) prompted me to look deeper into the MTHFR gene mutation issue, and unbeknownst to me, delve into the wacky world of Yeast Infections!… (If you haven’t read this important article by Dr. Ben Lynch, please do so at your earliest convenience.)
http://mthfr.net/methylation-inhibited-by-candidas-toxin/2012/09/08/
So what does Mg deficiency have to do with MTHFR gene? Apparently, plenty!…
This is a wonderful article, and Dr. Ben Lynch is to be commended for writing it! This blog highlights some important information about the MTHFR gene mutation and what some key factors are that trigger its malfunction – a very vogue and contemporary nutritional issue today. In fact, after the obsession folks have with Hormone-D, I’d say this has to be the topic-du-jour.
That said, I’m not buying it… Anyone surprised?
Key to this article is the diagram below which highlights the various players in the Methionine Pathway. Dr. Ben is spot on with his focus on the Methionine Synthase [MS] enzyme, but apparently he and most other practitioners have overlooked a profound issue facing Americans and their penchant for
processed foods.
As he notes, “[MS] Enzymes do not work well if they: 1) lack the active substrate such as methylfolate (Vit-B9), 2) lack cofactors such as methylcobalamin (Vit-B12), and 3) are exposed to inhibiting compounds such as heavy metals, solvents, chemicals, and toxins.” OK, I’m totally on board with all that. But then he goes the extra mile to point out that MS has a few potent inhibiting compounds — one of which is produced by Candida. And that product is? Acetylaldehyde!
OMg!…
That totally changes the landscape of the MTHFR “mutation” issue… It does?!?… Yup, and now I’m beginning to understand how this “genetic crisis” is upon us, and how it is eluding the best and brightest in the healing arts.
It turns out that Acetylaldehyde is a byproduct of ethanol metabolism… Hmmmm…. In fact, as you dig into this topic, you come to learn that there are four classic routes that bring Acetylaldehyde (AH) into our bodies and brains – btw, AH is a very potent neurotoxin. It’s actually quite destructive, as anyone who’s had a hangover knows. Yes, it’s excess AH that brings us to our knees after a night of too much partying! And those four key routes of AH arrival are:
- Alcohol consumption
- Candida Albicans (the “Yeast syndrome”) – which produces alcohol…
- Exhaust from cars and trucks
- Cigarette smoking
Wow… these are all classic “Stressors!” that drain the body of Magnesium. So why would the body create a neurotoxin that is so destructive and not have an antidote to neutralize it? Well, it turns out that, in fact, there is another key enzyme that enters the scene: Aldehyde Dehydrogenase. And lo, and behold, it turns out that Magnesium (Mg++) helps ensure proper activation and functioning of this key enzyme in our body. It’s job — break down the AH and turn it into Acetate, which can then be used as fuel in cellular energy production within the Krebs Cycle.
So, what do we now know? These key “Stressors!” are known stimulants to increase the production of Acetylaldehyde. But they are also known triggers for Mg loss. What is well known and documented is that Alcoholics convert alcohol (Ethanol) to AH very QUICKLY, but convert AH to Acetate very SLOWLY. And what we also know is that Alcohol is the fastest sugar on the Planet, but it’s also a known diuretic, meaning it causes significant Mg loss in the urine, thus explaining why the AH cannot be flipped to Acetate due to ineffective Aldehyde Dehydrogenase enzyme – all for lack of this vital, catalytic mineral we affectionately know as “Maggie!”
What is also known, is that overuse of Antibiotics, Birth Control Pills, Cortisone/Pregnisone, as well as “Stress!” (which actually causes increased production of Cortisone… not an insignificant fact, btw!…), excessive sugar consumption and malnutrition also lead to Yeast overgrowth, which then causes an increase in AH in the gut. OK, OK, so what’s the big deal, and why should I care, especially given the MTHFR issue?
Alrighty, I totally understand your impatience… Let’s take a look at the figure below:
Sooooo, here’s the recap… Know anyone who’s taken antibiotics – multiple times? Taken Birth Control Pills? Under constant “Stress!”? Has a craving for sweet food/beverages (Starbucks anyone?!?…) In effect, there’s no one in America that hasn’t been exposed to these “Stressors!” which lead to excess Candida, and thus a Yeast Infection, and subsequently Magnesium loss — now I’m beginning to understand Carolyn Dean’s obsession with this issue!
There are three important take-aways from this information:
- The really BIG news is the effect that increased Acetylaldehyde has on the Methionine Synthase (MS) enzyme. According to Dr. Ben, this toxin (AH) brings MS to its knees. And by virtue of that, it totally disrupts the Methylation and Sulfation Pathways as noted in the diagram at the start of this article. Wow, even I’m impressed! But this dysfunction is NOT due to a “gene mutation!” – it is very much Epigenetic (as I’ve always suspected…) due to excess “Stressors!” and the lack of proper minerals, especially my favorite, Magnesium, prevents the proper breakdown of this neurotoxin, Acetylaldehyde… Note: the “Stress!” of AH causes the metabolic dysfunction.
- It’s worth noting the metabolic affects that excess AH has on both the health of our Red Blood Cells, as well as the health of our gut, as noted on the far right column of the diagram above. These are powerful impacts that affect access to Oxygen throughout the body, energy metabolism (lack of B1 & B3), Brain function (lack of B5), as well as the function of our Adrenal Glands (lack of B5), which then affects our ability to respond to “Stress!” — only intensifying our loss of Magnesium.
- And finally, what I want the reader to note is that an important and ubiquitous source of “alcohol” in our diet comes by way of high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). Mind-boggling to think about, but this so-called sugar, converts to ethanol, just like the more traditional alcohols do. The implications are staggering as we begin to assess how pervasive this sweetener has become in our national diet.
My head is spinning with the implications of this new dimension of dysfunction. Truth be known, it’s cranked my Mg Burn Rate! I’ll get over that, but my concern is that there are millions of unsuspecting Americans that have no clue how their daily diet of processed foods and sodas are fueling this neurotoxin (AH) to disrupt major metabolic pathways that then lead to serious chronic conditions.
Please keep in mind, this is a preliminary, working model. It’s subject to challenge and to change – all of which I welcome. My only request is that folks read this blog a couple of times slooooowly to fully process its many implications. This is subtle, but serious stuff. And it underscores, yet again, just how disruptive improper enzyme function(s) can be to create metabolic chaos, and dis-ease. Another notable example would be the three enzymes (LCAT, Lipoprotein Lipases, and HMG Co-enzyme-A reductase), that are ALL Magnesium-dependent, that spawned a global empire of Statins due to Cholesterol and Triglycerides run amuck — again, all for lack of Magnesium.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I’ll look forward to your thoughts, your comments, your suggested revisions, and oh yes, your follow-up questions…
A votre sante!…
